The 6 best PS4 accessories

We’re only two years into this console generation, and there are already tens of millions of PS4 owners across the globe. This is one of the fastest-selling consoles ever made, and it’s quickly become the lead platform of this generation. There’s clearly a lot to love here, but there’s still room for improvement. If you or a loved one are among those 30+ million PS4 owners, consider grabbing one or more of these accessories for the holidays to make the gaming experience even better.

PlayStation TV

If you plan on buying a PSTV in hopes of playing a wide selection of Vita games, you’re bound to be disappointed. Not only is the Vita catalog limited to begin with, but the subset of PSTV-compatible games is hilariously small. However, the PSTV does have one redeeming feature: PS4 Remote Play.
Just like the Vita, you can stream games from your PS4 over the network, and play them just about anywhere you want. Unlike the Vita, however, the overall experience is actually pretty fantastic. Not only can you use a real controller, but it also streams at 720p60 instead of the 540p60 limit on the Vita. And since the PSTV has an ethernet port, latency and reliability become a non-issue when you stop using Wi-Fi.

• Price: $34.99
• Buy on Amazon

PlayStation Gold headset

Plan on playing any online games during the Christmas break? You’re going to want to invest in a headset. Being able to talk to your teammates completely changes the multiplayer experience, and can easily turn the tide during competitive matches. Of course, you can use just about any wired or Bluetooth headset you want, but the PlayStation Gold headset is definitely worth the premium price.
Not only does this comfortable headset sport a built-in noise-cancelling mic, but it also offers up impressive virtual 7.1 surround sound. Download the headset companion app on your PS4, and you’ll be able to use presets to optimize the audio on a game-by-game basis.

• Price: $79
• Buy on Amazon

PlayStation camera

The gaming industry has quickly backed away from camera games during this generation, but the PlayStation Camera is cheap enough that it’s worth picking up for the novelty alone. The free Playroom stuff offers a few hours of entertainment, and the combination of Just Dance and Commander Cherry make for some goofy fun at parties.
However, the camera really comes into its own when you start streaming your gameplay. Part of the fun of Twitch and YouTube streaming is being able to see your face when a monster pops out. It adds a layer of personality that simple gameplay streaming just doesn’t have on its own. If you’re going to stream from your PS4, this is absolutely worth 40 bucks.

• Price: $39.99
• Buy on Amazon

Grip-iT analog stick covers

I like the feel of the DualShock 4, but the thumbsticks have been a bit of a problem. Even with relatively light usage, the rubber can start to peel away from the top. Thankfully, the fix is easy and affordable. Invest in some cheap covers, and you can go to town on those sticks without worrying about ruining them.

• Price: $4.88
• Buy on Amazon

HGST Travelstar 2.5-inch 1TB 7200RPM hard drive

The 500GB 5400RPM drive included in most PS4s gets the job done, but it’s far from optimal. You can certainly drop hundreds of dollars while upgrading to an SSD, but the price-performance ratio isn’t great. Thankfully, there’s a cheaper way to get a bigger drive with better performance on the cheap. Pick up this affordable 1TB 7200RPM drive from HGST, grab a phillips screwdriver, and follow this guide. In just a few minutes, you’ll effectively double your storage.

• Price: $63.40
• Buy on Amazon

Elgato Game Capture HD60

The built-in video options on the PS4 are convenient, but they’re limited in scope. You can only stream to a handful of sites, you’re limited to 720p video, and you can only record locally in 15 minute chunks. But with this HDMI capture gear from Elgato, you can take your gameplay footage to the next level. Stream to sites like Hitbox, record entire 1080p let’s plays locally, and add a some real panache to your videos. If you take your video production seriously, this is where you need to start.

• Price: $156.99
• Buy on Amazon