Gaming on a Budget

Discover the best tips and tricks for gaming on a budget! Explore affordable games, deals, and strategies to maximize your gaming experience without breaking the bank.

Are Gaming Subscriptions Worth It? A Budget Gamer’s Perspective

What are Gaming Subscriptions? Gaming subscriptions are online libraries that you pay to access and allow you to play video games without buying the physical copy. There are multiple different levels to gaming subscriptions, such as PlayStation Plus’s Essential, Extra, and Premium tiers. Or you can get it for a specific console, such as the Xbox Game Pass for Console, PC, or the Ultimate version which includes both. Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack allows gamers to play games from their childhood that not everyone still has access to. Other examples of subscriptions include Apple Arcade, Amazon Luna, and EA Play, among others. The Pros of Gaming Subscriptions for Budget Gamers -COST SAVINGS ON GAMESFor a small monthly fee, players have access to a vast gaming library. Instead of paying $69.99 for the new Indiana Jones and the Great Circle game, pay $19.99 monthly for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. -ACCESS TO NEW AND EXCLUSIVE GAMESWith Game Pass Ultimate play same day releases by downloading the game, no purchase necessary. All of the libraries include console specific games that you cannot get anywhere else. -CLOUD GAMING BENEFITSCloud gaming lets you to play video games without downloading or installing anything because the game is accessed straight from the internet. It also allows for cross-platform play with other players, and permits gamers access to using different consoles without having to import data. -MULTIPLAYER AND BONUS PERKSPlayStation+, Nintendo Switch Online, and Xbox Game Pass all have multiplayer features that allow you to play games with others all over the world. The Cons of Gaming Subscriptions for Budget Gamers -RECURRING COSTS ADD UP$17.99 to 19.99 a month for the most expensive plans on PlayStation and Xbox doesn’t seem like a lot, but over a year that’s $215.88-239.88. Sure, they offer yearly subscription options, but who has $159.99 to drop at this exact moment? -GAMES ROTATE OUT OF THE LIBRARYIf for some reason a game decides to leave the subscription service, you are no longer able to play it. If it moves to another service, you cannot access your save files. -YOU DON’T OWN THE GAMESOnce the subscription ends, the games are no longer on your console and you can no longer play them unless the game is purchased or it comes back to the service. -SUBSCRIPTION FATIGUEBecause there are so many options available, players can easily have many services, spending more money than is needed. Are Gaming Subscriptions Worth it? The Budget Gamer Verdict WHEN GAMING SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE WORTH IT: -If you play multiple different games or games with multiplayer. -If owning the physical copy of the game is not an issue. -Cloud gaming keeps you from having to upgrade your gaming set. WHEN GAMING SUBSCRIPTIONS AREN’T WORTH IT: -You only play a few select games. -Online multiplayer does not interest you. -If you prefer having a physical copy of the game. Alternatives to Gaming Subscriptions If subscriptions are not your thing, you can always buy games during sales, either online or from retailers. Steam and Epic Games have free games on their catalog, while Humble Bundle and Fanatical have cheap game bundles available. Final Thoughts Gaming subscriptions offer budget gamers access to vast libraries of games, new releases, and cloud gaming perks for a monthly fee. Services like Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, and Nintendo Switch Online provide multiplayer access and exclusive content, making them a great deal for those who play frequently. However, recurring costs add up, games rotate out, and players don’t truly own their games, leading to potential subscription fatigue. If you enjoy variety and online play, subscriptions are worth it; but if you prefer owning physical copies or sticking to a few favorites, buying games during sales might be a smarter choice.

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Best Gaming Keyboard Under $50 – Top Picks

Introduction Looking for the best budget gaming keyboard under $50? We’ve rounded up the top picks that deliver performance, durability, and stunning RGB lighting without breaking the bank. Whether you prefer the mechanical feel of the Redragon K552 or the water-resistant design of the SteelSeries Apex 3, there’s a perfect option for every gamer. Plus, we’ll show you where to find the best deals at Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon, and Newegg—especially during major sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Let’s dive in! What to Look For When looking for a gaming keyboard or gaming mouse, there are a few different options available. Mechanical versus membrane keyboards, wired or wireless set, key rollover and anti-ghosting keyboards. RGB lighting: Is it necessary or just super cool? Redragon K552 Coming in at number one is the Redragon K552 Mechanical Keyboard. One of the best budget gaming keyboards out for a great price, this keyboard uses a spring and switch for each key, giving it highly responsive keys. This also allows it to register each key stroke separately, no matter how many keys are touched at once. It is not wireless, but you never have to worry about the battery going dead during a match. RGB is included with this keyboard, and for less than $50, this keyboard is a steal. Check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Redragon-K552-Mechanical-Keyboard-Equivalent/dp/B016MAK38U?th=1 Razer Cynosa Lite Our runner up, the Razer Cynosa Lite, is a great alternative to the Redragon. The Razer is a membrane keyboard, meaning it uses pressure pads instead of springs and switches. Anti-ghosting is included, so you are able to hit ten keys at once and it will still register each key. RGB is included, but it is not as flashy as my top choice. Check it out here: https://lnt.com.lb/products/razer-cynosa-lite-essential-gaming-keyboard SteelSeries Apex 3 The SteelSeries Apex 3 is a quiet choice compared to the other keyboards on this list. You can choose between many different RGB effects, including an under attack reaction RGB. It also comes with a magnetic attachment for your wrist to help with comfortability. Similar to the Razer, the Apex is a membrane keyboard. Its also water-resistant and can withstand the occasional spill. Check it out here: https://steelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3?srsltid=AfmBOopD3KF5KvotR0P4Te_ISTZtXYLr3MM06SHLrIa-zjvMo0O-jY0O Corsair K55 RGB Pro The final keyboard on this list, the Corsair K55 RGB Pro is also our biggest. Another membrane keyboard, the Corsair has 120 keys, plus extra macro keys that are great for programming specific functions. It also has customizable RGB, with six onboard lighting effects and five different lighting zones. It is water-resistant as well as quiet. Check it out here: https://www.corsair.com/us/en/p/keyboards/ch-9226765-na/k55-rgb-pro-gaming-keyboard-ch-9226765-na?srsltid=AfmBOoqZsqdSOVRFNbrcxLwA5xdIylReCty5FrU2NpDeQ4myIQPHS2sx Where and When to Find Best Deals on Keyboards Walmart and Target have affordable options in store, and Best Buy usually has good deals in-store and online. You’re able to pick up and take it home same day. If you enjoy shopping online more than in-person and don’t mind the wait, Amazon has flash sales and the occasional coupon. Newegg has good deals as well. And if you are comfortable with Facebook Marketplace, you can find keyboards in used but great condition if you search hard enough. Timing when to buy your keyboard can help you get a better deal. Black Friday and Cyber Monday in the month of November can result in some awesome deals. August and September will have discounts because of back to school season. During the Christmas season, retailers will give nice deals as well. Summary The Redragon K552 tops our list with its highly responsive mechanical keys and vibrant RGB lighting, making it a steal for the price. The Razer Cynosa Lite offers a quieter membrane alternative with anti-ghosting support, while the SteelSeries Apex 3 impresses with water resistance and unique RGB effects. The Corsair K55 RGB Pro stands out with extra macro keys and customizable lighting. Want the best deal? Shop at Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon, or Newegg, and look out for sales during Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and back-to-school season to score the perfect keyboard at a bargain!Now that you know the best budget gaming keyboards, which one will you choose? Let us know in the comments!

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