The best gaming hardware of 2022

Years with new console launches are always the most exciting for gamers. There’s so much hype and spectacle to take in at the time. But the years after a release can be just as momentous. Distanced from the newness of shiny hardware with time, the must-play games and gaming gear start to roll in and showcase the medium to its fullest.

The world of gaming hardware is expansive (everyone has their go-to mechanical keyboard or controller), and this year didn’t have any significant console launches from the big three — Sony’s PlayStation 5 and Microsoft’s Xbox Series S/X made their debuts two years ago, and Nintendo didn't upgrade the OLED Switch. But alongside the massive game releases like Elden Ring, Horizon Forbidden West, and Pokémon Legends: Arceus and Scarlet and Violet, this is the best gear that stood out and kept us gaming.

Steam Deck

The massive success of the Nintendo Switch proves one thing: People want to play AAA console games on the go. With the Steam Deck, Valve took the trend further by giving fans a handheld to play PC games sold via Steam wherever they want. Unsurprisingly, the Steam Deck is a major hit despite its gargantuan size — even for a handheld. The ability to play PC games — whether on the go or docked to a monitor or TV with a gamepad or keyboard and mouse — made PC gaming more accessible than any gaming laptop. It also helps that the Steam Deck starts at a very reasonable $399.

Playdate

Everything about Panic’s Playdate is different — and refreshing. From the bright yellow case to the 1-bit black-and-white screen to the hand crank on the side, the Playdate aims more for novelty than bleeding edge. Even the way games are delivered — in weekly “season” drops — is untraditional. Playdate games may not have the most realistic graphics powered by a beefy CPU and GPU, but they have immense charm.

Genki Covert Dock Mini

Nobody wants to pack a bulky Nintendo Switch Dock in their bag so they can game on their hotel TV. Fortunately, Genki, the maker of the Shadowcast adapter, introduced the Covert Dock Mini. Nearly 22 times smaller than Nintendo’s official Switch dock, the Covert Dock Mini is the solution that Nintendo should have made. The power adapter is tiny, plugs directly into an outlet, and has ports for HDMI and USB-C. There’s no other travel-sized dock for the Nintendo Switch like it.

Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 – Core

Microsoft’s Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 is arguably the very best gamepad for Xbox. While the more affordable Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 – Core is considerably less feature-packed (it lacks the paddles, adjustable thumbsticks, extra D-pad, and carrying case), it still features welcome upgrades over the standard Xbox controller like adjustable-tension thumbsticks, shorter hair trigger locks, and the grippier design. The Series 2 - Core controller is also customizable with Xbox Design Lab.

Sony Inzone H9

Expanding PlayStation to PC, Sony made the big move of launching its Inzone gaming brand in the middle of 2022. Headlining Inzone’s debut were a trio of gaming headphones — the H3, H7, and H9. The latter Inzone H9 was the showstopper, though. Based on Sony’s excellent WH-1000XM5 over-ear active noise cancellation headphones, the H9 wireless headphones balance style, comfort, and sound quality. Premium features like the ability to switch between voice chat, calls, and music, as well as support for the PS5’s Tempest 3D Audio, quickly earned it the designation of gaming headphones of the year for us.

Backbone One PlayStation Edition

iPhone controller accessories are a dime a dozen, but the Backbone One broke through last year as one of the biggest sleeper hits. Building on that momentum, Backbone released a PlayStation Edition of the Backbone One, complete with a white and black aesthetic that matches the PS5’s DualSense and PlayStation face buttons. Though it’s designed to match PlayStation hardware, the BackBone One also works with Xbox Cloud Gaming, Mac or PC (GeForce Now and Steam Link), and iPhone games via the App Store.

Razer Kishi V2

The Kishi was the first phone controller that didn’t feel flimsy. Razer wasted no time improving on the original with the Kishi V2. The successor, available for Android (USB-C) and iPhone (Lightning) has a new, more compact, spring-loaded design that fits larger phones, programmable buttons, and overall more ergonomic polish and integration with the various game platforms you’ll connect to (Android, Xbox Cloud Gaming, GeForce Now, etc.).

Sony Inzone M9

It’s hard not to trip over a gaming monitor with a nice, high-resolution, high-refresh-rate panel these days. But of the many released in 2022, Sony’s 27-inch Inzone M9 won our hearts. With 4K resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, and a full array local dimming feature that can reach up to 600 nits of peak brightness, Sony’s first gaming monitor doesn't disappoint. While made for PC gaming, special features created for PS5 push it over the top. Similarly, Sony’s Inzone M3 (1080p, 240Hz) impressed too.

BenQ EX3210U

If a 27-incher like the Inzone M9 doesn’t cut it, this 32-inch Ben 4K HDR gaming monitor with 144Hz will. This one comes recommended by Inverse associate gaming editor Corey Plante, who praises its “truly excellent” HDR contrast made possible with BenQ’s HDRi display technology, an auto-brightness adjustment that adapts to a room’s lighting, and its wide range of articulation. Additionally, the EX310U's 2.1 channel speakers provide plenty of oomph to complement the terrific display experience.

Razer Blade 15

It’s 2022, and most gaming laptops still look like a Lamborghini with underglow. Though Razer is guilty of overusing RGBs in its gaming products, the Razer Blade 15 thankfully straddles the line between gaming and productivity laptop. Its minimalist aluminum chassis provides an understated aesthetic, while its powerful Nvidia GeForce GTX 360 GPU (configurable up to an RTX 3080 Ti) enables high-performance gaming. The Blade 15 also isn’t lacking ports with Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2, HDMI, and an SD card reader. And, of course, it has a programmable RGB keyboard.

XGIMI Halo+

Though the XGIMI Halo+ isn't made specifically for gaming, its marriage of portability, 900 ANSI lumens for a bright picture, and fantastic-sounding Harman Kardon speakers mean this mobile projector can handle the task without issue. Whether you’re using it indoors or outdoors, some of our editors don’t think there’s a better 1080p portable projector.

Sega Genesis Mini 2

There’s no shortage of ways to play retro Sega games. However, the Sega Genesis Mini 2 makes doing so dead simple — and in a nostalgic design to boot. The mini console has 60 games, including classics like Sonic 3D Blast, Phantasy Star 2, Streets of Rage 3, and Shining Force 3. If you own the previous Sega Genesis Mini released in 2009, the six-button controller works with the Genesis Mini 2.

INVERSE celebrates the best of the best in entertainment, gaming, science, and technology of 2022. Go to the INVERSE Awards hub.