In the world of gaming, your experience is often determined by your equipment. If you’re looking for ways to stay current with gaming, then check out these 5 pieces of must-have gaming gear.

A Gaming Keyboard

For PC gamers, a run-of-the-mill keyboard isn’t going to cut it. Instead, look at specialized gaming keyboards with ultra-responsive and tactile keys. These will allow your character to react faster than with your average keyboard, and should easily help raise your kill count.

Wireless Bluetooth Headphones

Regardless of your preferred console, wireless earbuds are a must-have for any serious gamer. Things can get intense sometimes, and when you’re jerking your controller around during a fight, you shouldn’t have to worry about headphones being yanked out of your ears. As an added bonus, wireless Bluetooth headphones will usually have a remarkably clear sound quality, which can be a huge help in letting you feel immersed in your gaming experience.

Gaming Glasses

It’s no secret that playing hours of your favorite game can lead to eye trouble down the road, but you no longer have to choose between mastering your game or having 20/20 vision. New, specialized gaming eyewear is designed to simultaneously reduce strain on your eyes while eliminating glare. This means that you’ll be able to play at any time of day, and for as long as you want without worrying about the health of your eyes. It’s important that you keep your glasses clean and clear for optimal vision, so invest in a specialized, non-toxic, non-scratching glass cleaner. You might want to try Melaleuca Clear Power, which does a better job than store brand glass cleaners according to online Melaleuca reviews left by customers.

Upgraded Mouse

For PC gamers, it’s all about how quickly you can react to what’s happening on the screen. Having good reaction time is a good place to start, but that can only take you so far. If you’re looking to take your gaming to the next level, invest in a gaming mouse with programmable buttons and a high-speed scrolling wheel. Otherwise, you’ll waste precious seconds scrambling to find buttons on your keyboard, which can often mean the difference between winning and losing.

Footboards

Anyone who played video games in the early 2000s already knows that, historically, footboards have been underwhelming. Thanks to new technology, though, footboards can now be an excellent tool to up your game. Simply program in-game actions to your footboard, and you instantly free up your hands to perform different functions.

Game On

Gaming is only going to get more competitive, which means you’ll need the latest gear to keep up. Use these 5 gaming tools to make sure you’re staying at the top of your game.

Let’s be real here. Gaming is an endurance sport. A true gamer spends hours playing, whether its a video game or board game.

Such dedication to the gaming arts requires stamina, and in order to maintain healthy energy levels, one must feed. But what to eat? Pizza and sandwiches are messy, time-consuming, and difficult to eat when your hands are otherwise occupied with controllers, playing cards, and game pieces.

Here then, are the five best snacks to nosh on while gaming:

1. Licorice. The best thing to do is get one of those giant tubs of Red Vines. They are easy to grab and eat, and they don’t make a mess—they aren’t sticky or crumbly, so they are the perfect go to treat when you need a sugar rush to keep you on high alert. Do not ever go for black licorice, because that is just gross.

2. Peanuts. Protein is essential to maintaining proper stamina when those intense battle scenes erupt. However, the worst thing you can do is try to shell your own peanuts. It takes too much concentration and work, which distracts you from the game. It’s also a huge mess. That’s one reason why we shun pistachios as well. Instead, get nuts that are pre-shelled. We like the honey roasted variety. However, you can also go for Peanut M&Ms, which are convenient and tasty.

3. Crackers. So here’s the thing: chips are great, but they are so messy, and they leave a disgusting greasy film on your fingertips. That’s a cardinal sin in gaming circles. Crackers are much more manageable, as they are baked and easier to pop into your mouth whole (most small varieties anyway). You can choose whichever kind of crack you want, but we like the baked crackers from Melaleuca. There are two varieties of Melaleuca crackers: multi-grain and seven-cheese.

4. Beef jerky. Again, you need protein to keep up the high energy needed for serious battles, and jerky is so damn tasty. It’s a bit expensive, but for special gaming events it can be a great treat. so go ahead and splurge.

5. Bottled water. No, this isn’t a food; but you have to stay hydrated to be at your best.