Get the best bang for your buck in 2020 hunting for gaming keyboard mouse headset combo
P.S. — spoiler warning — skip to original story:
My final purchase was the Logitech MK735 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo. Complemented by CORSAIR HS70 Wireless headset.
The mouse that came in the set although ambidextrous but is very small for my hands. I am using the claw hold of the mouse and it is not suitable. So I replaced it with my trusty M705 Marathon mouse that is super accurate and have about a year of battery life on regular AA batteries. I have been using it about 12 hours a day for gaming and work during the CoV19 and had to change the batteries only once since already been using them for 6 months prior. It was sluggish, but with fresh batteries it was on point again.
I tested the M60 Elite mouse against M705, and it performance is similar. The data from the mouse start to be consistent after about a third of a second and the mouse goes to sleep after about 5 seconds. So if you move your mouse constantly you will not feel the start degradation. It averages on 900 samples per second same as the Corsair M60 Elite mouse.
The MK710 keyboard thought at first takes a lot of time to adjust for low profile keys, is very reactive and keeps up with online FPS easy e.g. Apex Legends, Survarium, Titanfall 2 and etc. The biggest drawback is that it can handle only 3 keys pressed at the same time. So e.g. running sideways (shift+w+a) and trying to throw grenades (g) will be ignored until one of the keys becomes free.
All in all good value and the Unilink technology is very accurate for your average online shooter needs.
The CORSAIR HS70 Wireless headphones has premium sound, although the mid is over abundant. Lucky you can adjust with the iCUE software to your liking. The headset is fairly heavy and is not for the weak neck. The build is mostly metal. The best thing about it is the 12 hour play time — that is not that great — but you can continue to play and charge corded with the 4 ft long micro usb cable.
The mic plug is not attached so it can be misplaced easily. The removable mic is always in the view, so I play around with it alot. Needs time to train the brain to ignore it. The audio quality is good for play and recording podcasts.
Corsair MM 300 long gaming mat is the go to in play smoothness and help a lot in delicate aiming.
So there you have my 2 cents on the subject.
Original story:
On Cyber Monday 2 Dec 2019, I started looking for a wireless gaming peripheral set for my game rig. I looked over a dozen reviews on YouTube and this is my summary of go-to devices. I mostly focused on Logitech-G series and Corsair gaming since they are the best budgeted. I own the Vengence HD 1500 headset that is overall good but the leatherette material crumbled after 4 years daily usage. I have the CORSAIR M65 ELITE RGB mouse. The problem that the rubberized plating is now clogged with dust fibres and skin oil. The mouse works great and has some cool features like the dpi switch and adjustable weight system 97g to 155g. Also, the keyboard I am enjoying for the last 11 years is Logitech wave corded, that now sold only as a wireless option.
Wireless headphones
Most Valued Product: SteelSeries Arctis 7/PRO
Prices at $179 in 2019 are the best to go to heads set all round. With a great base station that includes a jog wheel with multiple options shown on a small display. The base sound and a best retractable microphone.
Also big features as audio share — connecting the second pair of phones using a 3.5 jack directly to the headset. 2 Batteries that are charged in the base.
PROS
Long battery life just because there are two. Great sound great mic.
Pro has a BT function also to connect to other devices. The base has a lot of features. Good bass vibes.
CONS
The mic should be better but is pretty much great for a wireless headset.
Not expendable headband, only a fabric to relax.
Proprietary charge connector. Complex volume setting both on-base and on headphones and OS. Mid pushed out on surround. Volume goes from 0db to negative db not natural.
Best value: HyperX Cloud Flight wireless headset.
PROS
30h playtime with no LED light. Great range and wall penetration.
Great stereo sound. Sturdy design.
Comfortable fit. Rotating cups that lay nicely on your shoulders and fit for a larger head. Detachable Mic.
Lightweight. Giant mute mic.
Good for listening to music and long-playing time.
CONS
Does not automatically turns on when has been turned off by a timeout.
Does not have a data option while charging through the USB cable, so you cannot use them while charging.
No BT for phones.
No Battery indication on the headphones.
6 programmable buttons. LED lighting. Surround sound.
PROS
Amazing surround sound. High quality build. Softer ear cups than G933, metal hinges and LED lightings. The audio feels like coming from external speakers
CONS
Mic quality is not the best. Playtime average to 8h with LED, 12h without LED.
Budget choice: Corsair VOID Pro RGB
Polygon shaped, large, 50mm drivers. Surround Dolby sound. LED lights and boom flexible mic, that mute when up and has an extra led light when is mute. Battery status led near charging port.
PROS
Good surround sound. Good range and wall penetration. Nice mic quality, clear and not very compressed. Comfortable. Bigger head rotating hinges. Comfortable flat position when hanging on the neck and shoulders.
CONS
The sound joystick that has low accuracy in volume control. 5h gaming with LED on. No LED 16h. Does not snug on the head. USB dongle only audio pass down. No auto shut down. Transmitters are paired by electronic id with a specific pair. Very long mic.
Best Alternative: CORSAIR HS70 Wireless
It is the alternative to the VOID PRO/Elite headsets from Corsair. It is under prices 15% from those. But it sounds better. Has no IMHO redundant RGB feature in headphones.
PROS
Sturdy build. Wireless. Excellent sound. Good fit on the head.
Metal grill. Removable mic. Looks very conservative, so can be used in the non-gaming set up as well.
CONS
Leatherette ear cup. The mic is too sensitive and breathing is picked up when too close.
Gaming Mouse
This mouse is super budget and super cool. It has gyroscope technology to prevent shooting to the sky from rapid mouse movements. Has 8 programmable keys. Nice blue lighting and a great cord. A lot of reviews on YouTube and overwhelmingly good ones.
Gaming keyboard
Best built: Logitech G413 Backlit Mechanical
Best Budget: Logitech G613 Lightspeed Wireless Mechanical
Wireless mechanical keyboards are crazy good. It is working months on a single charge. It is wireless and your bread and butter type of key layout.
PROS
6 macro keys. Basic media keys. Off switch. BT connectivity or dedicated controller. Romer-G switches. 2.4Ghz and short actuation key and fast processor it is the best in a class gaming experience. 18 months of life on 2 AAA batteries.
CONS
Keycaps is stickers and has some large wear to it. But hey get some more stickers!
Best wireless membrane: CORSAIR K57 RGB Wireless Gaming Keyboard
It very looks like the G613 but has the membrane key and some more media keys. New slipstream technology that is easy on the radio band and has fewer interferences.
PROS
Colouring programmability is not requiring a direct PC input, rather built in the key combinations. Has all the lovely RGB nectar. Runs smoothly on a single charge and delivers great membrane performance top the gamers.
CONS
Glossy plastic is easily scratched. a bit weak build. Is the K55 with wireless.
What My Search Results Came Up With
Logitech MK735 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo
Eventually, I have settled for this combo. Because I like the ergonomic design. I have been using Logitech mouse and keyboards for over a decade now and I am pleased with durability and performance. The 2.4Ghz interface is the same as in the gaming keyboards. The battery life of daily usage expectancy is 3 years for keyboard and 2 years for the mouse. Even if I do switch the batteries once a year it is still a budget will opposing the high premium over the gaming specialist equipment. The ROI is amazing for only $60.
I also ordered the Corsair MM 300 long gaming mat to line the gaming table. It has an anti-fray surface and is optimized for gamer performance peripherals.
Still looking for buying a new headset…
BIG REGRETS
I went hunting in shops for best Black Friday deals the Friday before that I bought the Razer Holiday Gaming Bundle but after realising that the headset is digital surround enhanced by software, I returned it to the shop.
Honourable mention
If you are on a tight budget, like really tight but you still want to enjoy gaming go for the Redragon combo. It has some great reviews and amazon was desperately trying to sell it to me on every search. This look like a great all-round set that will let you enjoy all the casual gaming session.
Hope you enjoyed my review.
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