Real gamers know that having the right hardware can be the difference between victory and a crushing defeat. With 2025 drawing to a close, it's time to take stock of the gaming hardware landscape and see which brands are truly delivering the goods, and which are falling short. Forget flashy marketing – we're diving into what real gamers are saying about the top brands in the industry.

The Titans of PC Gaming

When it comes to gaming PCs, several brands consistently rise to the top. MSI continues to impress, securing the top spot for both gaming desktops and laptops in user satisfaction surveys. Gamers praise MSI for its overall performance, ease of setup, and cost-effectiveness. Specific models like the MSI GE76 Raider, known for high performance with the latest Intel processors and NVIDIA RTX graphics, remain popular choices.

Alienware remains a dominant force, particularly for those seeking premium design and powerful performance. As a Dell subsidiary, Alienware benefits from excellent customer service and a reputation for high-quality builds. The Alienware Area-51 has made a comeback, though some express concern over proprietary motherboards with limited RAM slots.

ASUS ROG (Republic of Gamers) is another perennial favorite, lauded for its innovation and customization options. ROG laptops and PCs offer impressive specs, advanced cooling systems, and customizable RGB lighting.

HP's Omen line continues to offer a strong balance of price and performance, appealing to gamers who want value without compromising quality. The HP Omen 35L desktop and Omen 15 laptop stand out as popular models. The HP Omen MAX 16 (2025) gaming laptop has been named the best gaming laptop, due to its fast Intel HX CPUs and NVIDIA discrete GPUs.

Lenovo has also carved out a significant space, with its Legion series generally receiving positive reviews. The Lenovo Legion 7i gaming laptop is a top pick. The Lenovo Legion Tower 5i is highlighted as the best budget gaming PC.

Corsair remains a trusted name, particularly for its Vengeance series, known for superior build quality and reliable cooling. Corsair's peripherals, especially keyboards, are consistently ranked highly for satisfaction, reliability, and RGB lighting. The Corsair Vengeance i7600 is praised as the best overall prebuilt gaming PC.

The Peripherals Powerhouses

Beyond complete systems, the gaming experience relies heavily on peripherals. Razer is a top contender in this arena, particularly for keyboards and mice. Razer keyboards are praised for comfort and customization options.

Logitech G, the gaming division of Logitech, remains a powerhouse, offering a wide range of reliable peripherals from mice to racing wheels. Logitech's gaming keyboards are often described as "solid," "simple," and "reliable".

HyperX, a division of Kingston Technology, focuses on delivering comfort alongside performance, specializing in gaming headsets, keyboards, and mice known for their ergonomic designs.

The Ones to Watch (and Maybe Avoid)

While established brands dominate, some smaller players are making waves. Endgame Gear was named Brand of the Year by WePC, indicating a growing recognition of its quality.

However, not all brands live up to the hype. Some prebuilt PCs cut corners, using cheap components to maximize profits. Specific brands and models to potentially avoid include:

• Apex Gaming PCs: Facing criticism for pricing, marketing, and customer support.
• ABS Simpli Gaming PC: Known for weak GPU performance and insufficient RAM.
• HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop: Cited for limited upgradeability.
• Microsoft Copilot+ PCs: Cited for limited upgradeability.
• Acer Nitro series: Some gamers report issues with build quality and limited driver support.
• MSI Katana/Cyborg series: Lower-end models may have chronic problems.
• Lenovo LOQ series: Some users have reported motherboard issues.

Controllers: Console Kings

When it comes to controllers, Microsoft and Sony continue to dominate, unsurprising given their console dominance. Microsoft controllers receive particularly high scores for ease of use, comfort, and accuracy.

Mobile Gaming: A Different Landscape

Mobile gaming is a massive market, and here, Samsung and Apple lead in overall satisfaction. However, Google's Pixel line scores highly, particularly for its displays.

The Takeaway

The gaming hardware market is constantly evolving, with new technologies and brands emerging all the time. While established brands like MSI, Alienware, ASUS ROG, HP Omen, Corsair, Razer and Logitech G continue to deliver top-notch performance and reliability, it's crucial to do your research and read reviews before making a purchase. Be wary of brands that cut corners on components or use proprietary parts that limit upgradeability. By staying informed and listening to the experiences of real gamers, you can ensure that you're investing in hardware that will enhance your gaming experience for years to come.