This will serve as a general buying guide for peripherals for our forum. I would appreciate it if people redirected lengthy discussions on peripherals to this thread as well, to both avoid derailing threads and keep this near the top to help others.
—Mice—
Performance(1)I cannot recommend you a mouse that will fit you, but a number of reviews claim that specific mice are targeted toward grip types. While I don't necessarily subscribe to this (you'll use what you like regardless of what the mouse is targeted toward) it's important to remember that these recommendations rarely take ergonomics into account.
These mice display exceptional sensor performance in every category. The "cream of the crop" of the mouse world.
A4-Tech X7
The X7 provides unrivaled performance at an incredible price point.
$20.--
Logitech G400s
A popular mouse based on the MX518 platform by Logitech.
$45.--
Zowie FK1
The FK1 is one of the most solidly built, no-frills mice on the market.
$60.--
Logitech G402
The G402 is another mouse based on the MX518.
$60.--
SteelSeries Kana V2
A no-frills redux to SteelSeries' Kana mouse.
$60.--
Logitech G502
A mouse offering high customization and high sensor quality.
$80.--
Mionix Naos 5000
A unique laser mouse with a high level of performance.
$80.--
Zowie AM Pro
The AM Pro is one of Zowie's flagship models. Another no-frills offering.
$80.--
Utility(2)
While generally these are solid mice, some of them have popular issues. As a result, your focus should be on the "gimmick" the mouse ships with and not the performance of the mouse itself. MMO and other mice can be found here.
Razer Naga 2014
The most popular MMO mouse.
$60.--
Logitech G600
Logitech's offering to the MMO market.
$60.--
Corsair M95
An MMO mouse with a unique thumb layout.
$65.--
Mad Catz MMO7
An MMO mouse based on the RAT series.
$120.--
—Audio—
Over/On Ear Headphones(1)Similarly to mice, I cannot recommend you a pair of headphones that are comfortable to you. However, I can provide you well benchmarked, reviewed, and accepted high end products at a variety of price levels. Audio varies greatly in it's nature, and as a result, these headphones will be targeted toward general performance in gaming and music.
Circumaural headsets come in two varieites. Open ear serves a widened sound stage and excels in location reproduction. Closed ear isolates sound well and generally provides tangible, heavy bass.
Koss PRODJ 100
Well balanced, mid focused closed ear headphones.
$45.--
Superlux HD681 EVO
High focused open ear headphones.
$35.--
Creative Aurvana Live!
Bass heavy but well balanced closed ear headphones.
$75.--
Audio Technica AD700x
A wildly popular mid focused open ear monitor set.
$140.--
Audio Technica ATH M50
A wildly popular bass-focused closed ear monitor set.
$110.--
Sennheiser HD 558
A warm-sounding pair of open ear monitors.
$130.--
Beyerdynamic dt990
A bass heavy open ear set of headphones.
$180.--
Audio Technica AD900x
An airy open ear headphone set.
$180.--
AKG Q 701
A clear, detailed open ear pair of headphones.
$190.--
Sennheiser HD25-1 II
A popular closed ear and well balanced monitor set.
$240.--
In Ear Monitors(2)
In ear headphones or "earbuds". High quality uIEM's are one of the most overlooked sound solutions. They provide exceptional bass, unrivaled sound isolation, and are the pinnacle of portable audio solutions. Some include inline microphones.
Brainwavz Delta
Rugged, neutral, and inexpensive IEMs.
$20.--
Vsonic VSD 3S
Bass heavy and solidly built IEMs.
$50.--
Shure SE215
Popular, low range (bass) focused IEMs.
$100.--
HiFiMan RE-400
Dry bass, but popular and detailed IEMs.
$100.--
Ortofon e-Q5
Warm sounding headphones. Bit of a tight fit.
$200.--
Shure SE425
High end uIEMs with very detailed sound.
$400.--
Inline Microphone Headsets(3)
It's worth noting that these are almost always poor purchases. Bar convenience, you'll get better audio for your money from a seperate microphone and over/on ear pair of headphones.
Plantronics Gamecom 780
A rugged closed ear with a decent microphone.
$70.--
Sennheiser PC350
A popular closed ear with high quality sound.
$130.--
Sennheiser G4ME Zero
Updated PC350 with closed ear design.
$200.--
Sennheiser G4ME One
Updated PC350 with open ear design.
$200.--
Microphones(4)
All of these microphones are stand alone, and all but the Samson Go and Zalman benefit from shock mounts/pop filters. They generally provide better microphone quality than headsets.
Amplifiers(5)
Zalman Clip On
A cord-clip on microphone.
$7.--
Samson Go Mic
A durable portable high quality microphone.
$35.--
Blue Snowball
A popular cardoid microphone.
$45.--
Antlion ModMic 4.0
A microphone that clips on to headphones to replicate a headset.
$45.--
Blue Yeti
An entry level high end microphone.
$100.--
Audio Technica AT2020
An incredibly high performing microphone.
$125.--
Unnecessary for most headsets, but a good purchase if you have some money for upgradibility. High quality amps last years and will serve you well regardless of your hardware.
Schiit Magni
A popular entry level headphone amp.
$100.--
Fiio E09K
A good all around headphone amp.
$110.--
JSD Objective 2
An amp solution with a bit more front panel flexibility.
$150.--
USB DAC(6)
Converts and "cleans" digital audio signals into their analog counterparts. Basically an active USB to 3.5mm adapter. Some sound cards and motherboards have this functionality.
—Keyboards—
Membrane(1)And, also with keyboards, I cannot recommend you a keyboard that you will find comfortable. However, I can give you a rundown of exactly what you'll be receiving mechanically, and recommend you a reliable keyboard that will serve you functionally for years to come.
I rarely recommend membrane keyboards. If you can afford a mechanical, you should absolutely buy one. Membrane keyboards should be purchased due to price, availability, or features only.
Microsoft Sidewinder X4
A rugged feature filled backlit keyboard.
$60.--
Mechanical(2)
All keyboards listed are available in most/all popular switch colors unless specified. Mechanical keyboards are significantly more durable than their membrane counterparts, and many will outlast your computer components. Some, like the Model M, are timeless.
Monoprice Mechanical
A very cheap mechanical keyboard.
$70.--
KBC Poker II
A popular 60% mini-keyboard.
$110.--
Noppoo Choc Mini
A high end 75% keyboard.
$100.--
Cooler Master Quickfire Rapid
A durable tenkeyless keyboard.
$90.--
Ducky Shine III
An extremely popular full keyboard.
$140.--
Have a suggestion? Want to contribute to the guide?
I appreciate eagerness to contribute to the guide. Posts providing anecdotal evidence will not be taken as seriously as those who put in the work to explain exactly why the peripheral in question is a solid performer. Reviews in both video and written form from reputable and established sites will be read in full and suggestions will be taken into consideration. Thank you!