I test gaming devices for a living — here are 7 peripherals I recommend right now
This article is part of Tom's Guide's inaugural Gaming Week, an entire week of content dedicated to all things gaming. From insights into the latest hardware, guides to the best games you can play today, to the essential accessories we can't play without. Tom's Guide Gaming Week will guide you through the world of video games in 2025.
While you don't need much beyond a gaming machine and a low-latency monitor or TV to really get starting with gaming, you can seriously enhance your experience with the right accessories.
I'm a tech journalist and a lifelong gamer, so I'm always testing the latest gaming gear. To that end, one of my goals is to help readers — and fellow gamers — find peripherals, such as the best gaming monitors, best PC game controllers and best gaming headsets out there.
And since it's Gaming Week here at Tom's Guide, I wanted to devote an article to serve that purpose.
If you own one of the best gaming PCs or consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X, I can help you find the best gaming gear. Below are the seven gaming peripherals I recommend to help take your gaming to the next level.
The Alienware AW3425DW QD-OLED is a worthy successor to my beloved Alienware AW3423DWF. This updated model now offers a faster 240Hz refresh rate and a lower 0.03ms response time for smoother gaming. It also has a more space-saving design thanks to its flat stand. You get all that with the same 34-inch 1440p QD-OLED curved display we've come to love. The fact that this monitor is $799 makes it a must-have for any gaming setup.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5P is compatible with PS5, Nintendo Switch, PC, Android, iOS and Meta Quest. Sound quality is incredible, and the 360° spatial audio makes games feel more immersive. With intuitive controls, an elastic headband and adjustable memory foam earcups, the Arctis Nova 5P is extremely comfortable. It also boasts an outstanding battery life of up to 60 hours, and a 15-minute charge gives you about 5 hours of playing time. Note that you'll need the Arctis Nova 5X to use with your Xbox.
The Scuf Valor Pro packs many features you'd expect from Scuf, including an ergonomic design, responsive controls, remappable buttons and custom face plates. Though it lacks wireless connectivity and customization software, its relatively low cost for a pro controller makes it enticing.
This 55-inch Furmax gaming desk is perfect for both work and gaming. It's spacious enough to accommodate your peripherals and even a medium-sized desktop. The desk has a sturdy build that can hold up to 140 pounds. Best of all, it's easy to assemble and relatively affordable for all it provides.
The Corsair K65 Plus Wireless is an excellent 75% gaming keyboard thanks to its smooth switches, sound-dampening and programmable RGB lighting. It's also hot-swappable for good measure. Though we wish it had an aluminum frame and more distinguishing features, its $159 price tag is cheaper than the competition.
The Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 is an incredible mouse for gaming, boasting a maximum DPI of 32,000 and a 4,000Hz polling rate so you never miss a shot. It's a no-frills mouse without any RGB lighting, a premium matte finish, and a light-as-air construction. It builds on its predecessor's strengths and delivers the ultimate gaming experience for the competitively-minded.
The Secretlab Titan Evo is one of the best gaming chairs available. Not only is it well-built and exceedingly comfortable, but it also comes in multiple sizes and materials that accommodate all buyers equally. Though it's more expensive than its competitors, it occupies the top of our best gaming chairs list for a reason. It's just that good.
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CNET
9 hours ago
- CNET
As Tariffs Have Consumers Worried, Here's What I've Found Watching Key Products for Price Hikes
Several of the products I'm watching for CNET's daily tariff price tracker are on sale right now, making it a great time to get them before price hikes take hold. James Martin/CNET For CNET's tariff price tracker, I've been keeping tabs on several key products we suspect will be vulnerable to President Donald Trump's contentious tariff policies, watching their price moves every day for possible long-term price hikes. For the most part, prices for these items have remained steady in the last few weeks, aside from notable increases for the Xbox Series X and a budget-friendly 4K TV. A few have also gone on sale for brief periods, but as of now, they've all mostly reverted back to normal -- though you should expect the sale prices to return as Prime Day approaches in July, a good time overall to make purchases that might get more expensive later. With all that said, the broader impact of these import taxes is still on the horizon, especially as Trump now claims that tariff rates against China are going back up to 55% soon. The Trump administration has also been working to undo a trade court ruling, which found that Trump has no authority to set tariffs as he has been -- a move now being argued before an appeals court. We'll see how that ultimately plays out, but for now, the possibility that the president's tariff policies will lead to price hikes remains likely. CNET Tariff Tracker Index Above, you can check out a chart with the average price of the 11 products included in this piece over the course of 2025. This will help give you a sense of the overall price changes and fluctuations going on. Further down, you'll be able to check out charts for each individual product being tracked. We'll be updating this article regularly as prices change. It's all in the name of helping you make sense of things, so be sure to check back every so often. For more, check out CNET's guide to whether you should wait to make big purchases or buy them now and get expert tips about how to prepare for a recession. Watch this: Should You Buy Now or Wait? Our Experts Weigh In on Tariffs 09:42 Methodology We're checking prices daily and will update the article and the relevant charts right away to reflect any changes. The following charts show a single bullet point for each month, with the most recent one labeled "Now" and showing the current price. For the past months, we've gone with what was the most common price for each item in the given month. In most cases, the price stats used in these graphs were pulled from Amazon using the historical price-tracker tool Keepa. For the iPhones, the prices come from Apple's official materials and are based on the 128-gigabyte base model of the latest offering for each year: the iPhone 14, iPhone 15 and iPhone 16. For the Xbox Series X, the prices were sourced from Best Buy using the tool PriceTracker. If any of these products happen to be on sale at a given time, we'll be sure to let you know and explain how those price drops differ from longer-term pricing trends that tariffs can cause. The 11 products we're tracking Mostly what we're tracking in this article are electronic devices and digital items that CNET covers in depth, like iPhones and affordable 4K TVs -- along with a typical bag of coffee, a more humble product that isn't produced in the US to any significant degree. The products featured were chosen for a few reasons: Some of them are popular and/or affordable representatives for major consumer tech categories, like smartphones, TVs and game consoles. Others are meant to represent things that consumers might buy more frequently, like printer ink or coffee beans. Some products were chosen over others because they are likely more susceptible to tariffs. Some of these products have been reviewed by CNET or have been featured in some of our best lists. Below, we'll get into more about each individual product, and stick around till the end for a rundown of some other products worth noting. iPhone 16 The iPhone is the most popular smartphone brand in the US, so this was a clear priority for price tracking. The iPhone has also emerged as a major focal point for conversations about tariffs, given its popularity and its susceptibility to import taxes because of its overseas production, largely in China. Trump has reportedly been fixated on the idea that the iPhone can and should be manufactured in the US, an idea that experts have dismissed as a fantasy. Estimates have also suggested that a US-made iPhone would cost as much as $3,500. Something to note about this graph: The price listed is the one you'll see if you buy your phone through a major carrier. If you, say, buy direct from Apple or Best Buy without a carrier involved, you'll be charged an extra $30, so in some places, you might see the list price of the standard iPhone 16 listed as $830. Apple's been taking a few steps to protect its prices in the face of these tariffs, flying in bulk shipments of product before they took effect and planning to move production for the US market from China to India. A new Reuters report found that a staggering 97% of iPhones imported from the latter country, March through May, were bound for the US. This latter move drew the anger of Trump again, threatening the company with a 25% tariff if they didn't move production to the US, an idea CEO Tim Cook has repeatedly shot down in the past. This came after Trump gave a tariff exemption to electronic devices including smartphones, so the future of that move seems in doubt now. Apple's flagship device is still the top-selling smartphone globally, as of Q1 of this year, although new research from the firm Counterpoint suggests that tariff uncertainty will cause the brand's growth to stall a bit throughout the rest of 2025. Duracell AA batteries A lot of the tech products in your home might boast a rechargeable energy source but individual batteries are still an everyday essential and I can tell you from experience that as soon as you forget about them, you'll be needing to restock. The Duracell AAs we're tracking are some of the bestselling batteries on Amazon. Samsung DU7200 TV Alongside smartphones, televisions are some of the most popular tech products out there, even if they're an infrequent purchase. This particular product is a popular entry-level 4K TV and was CNET's pick for best overall budget TV for 2025. Unlike a lot of tech products that have key supply lines in China, Samsung is a South Korean company, so it might have some measure of tariff resistance. This model was most recently listed on Amazon at $421, up from the $400 price tag it's hovered around for most of the year. Xbox Series X Video game software and hardware are a market segment expected to be hit hard by the Trump tariffs. Microsoft's Xbox is the first console brand to see price hikes -- the company cited "market conditions" along with the rising cost of development. Most notably, this included an increase in the price of the flagship Xbox Series X, up from $500 to $600. Numerous Xbox accessories also were affected and the company also said that "certain" games will eventually see a price hike from $70 to $80. Initially, we were tracking the price of the much more popular Nintendo Switch as a representative of the gaming market. Nintendo has not yet hiked the price of its handheld-console hybrid and stressed that the $450 price tag of the upcoming Switch 2 has not yet been inflated because of tariffs. Sony, meanwhile, has so far only increased prices on its PlayStation hardware in markets outside the US. AirPods Pro 2 The latest iteration of Apple's wildly popular true-wireless earbuds are here to represent the headphone market. Much to the chagrin of the audiophiles out there, a quick look at sales charts on Amazon shows you just how much the brand dominates all headphone sales. For most of the year, they've hovered around $199, which is a notable savings on its list price of $249. HP 962 CMY printer ink This HP printer ink includes cyan, magenta and yellow all in one product and recently saw its price jump from around $72 -- where it stayed for most of 2025 -- to $80, which is around its highest price over the last five years. We will be keeping tabs to see if this is a long-term change or a brief uptick. This product replaced Overture PLA Filament for 3D printers in this piece, but we're still tracking that item. Anker 10,000-mAh, 30-watt power bank Anker's accessories are perennially popular in the tech space and the company has already announced that some of its products will get more expensive as a direct result of tariffs. This specific product has also been featured in some of CNET's lists of the best portable chargers. Bose TV speaker Soundbars have become important purchases, given the often iffy quality of the speakers built into TVs. While not the biggest or the best offering in the space, the Bose TV Speaker is one of the more affordable soundbar options out there, especially hailing from a brand as popular as Bose. Oral-B Pro 1000 electric toothbrush They might be a lot more expensive than their traditional counterparts but electric toothbrushes remain a popular choice for consumers because of how well they get the job done. I know my dentist won't let up on how much I need one. This particular Oral-B offering was CNET's overall choice for the best electric toothbrush for 2025. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Lenovo is notable among the big laptop manufacturers for being a Chinese company making its products especially susceptible to Trump's tariffs. Starbucks Ground Coffee (28-ounce bag) Coffee is included in this tracker because of its ubiquity -- I'm certainly drinking too much of it these days -- and because it's uniquely susceptible to Trump's tariff agenda. Famously, coffee beans can only be grown within a certain distance from Earth's equator, a tropical span largely outside the US and known as the "Coffee Belt." Hawaii is the only part of the US that can produce coffee beans, with data from USAFacts showing that 11.5 million pounds were harvested there in the 2022-23 season -- little more than a drop in the mug, as the US consumed 282 times that amount of coffee during that period. Making matters worse, Hawaiian coffee production has declined in the past few years. All that to say: Americans get almost all of their coffee from overseas, making it one of the most likely products to see price hikes from tariffs. Other products As mentioned before, we occasionally swap out products with different ones that undergo notable price shifts. Here are some things no longer featured above, but that we're still keeping an eye on: Nintendo Switch: The baseline handheld-console hybrid has held steady around $299 most places -- including Amazon impending release of the Switch 2 remains to be seen. This product was replaced above with the Xbox Series X. impending release of the Switch 2 remains to be seen. This product was replaced above with the Xbox Series X. Overture PLA 3D printer filament: This is a popular choice on Amazon Here are some products we also wanted to single out that haven't been featured with a graph yet: Razer Blade 18 (2025), 5070 Ti edition: The latest revision of Razer's largest gaming laptop saw a $300 price bump recently, with the base model featured an RTX 5070 Ti graphics card now priced at $3,500 ahead of launch, compared to the $3,200 price announced in February. While Razer has stayed mum about the reasoning, it did previously suspend direct sales to the US as Trump's tariff plans were ramping up in April. Asus ROG Ally X: The premium version of Asus's Steam Deck competitor handheld gaming PC recently saw a price hike from $799 to $899, coinciding with the announcement of the company's upcoming Xbox-branded Ally handhelds.
Tom's Guide
17 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
New on Netflix in July 2025 — every movie and show coming this month
Netflix has announced everything coming to the streaming service in July 2025, and there are some heavy hitters. It wasn't too hard to find five must-watch shows and movies that you need to add to your watchlist. First up is "The Old Guard 2." This superhero movie is the sequel to 2020's "The Old Guard," which we ranked number 78 on our list of the top 100 superhero movies. Starring Charlize Theron and Uma Thurman, it's undoubtedly the top title this month. Then there's "The Sandman" season 2, which is arriving in three waves this month for a bittersweet series finale. If you watched the first season of the DC Comics adaptation in 2022, you'll know that this show isn't one to miss. Aside from these top picks, I've got the full slate of everything new to Netflix this month listed below. Plus, we have a roundup of what's leaving Netflix in July 2025, so you have one last chance to watch. Here's everything coming to — and leaving — Netflix this month. "The Old Guard 2" has Charlize Theron reprising as Andromache of Scythia (known to her friends as Andy). She's the leader of a group of immortal soldiers who are mercenaries for hire. But immortality gives you a lot of time to make enemies, and Andy has made a powerful one in Quyhn (Ngô Thanh Vân) — a fellow immortal whom Andy left to drown for eternity 500 years early. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Quyhn has finally escaped her watery prison, though, and she's looking for payback. She's not the only one targeting Andy and her soldiers, either. Discord (Uma Thurman) is hunting her down and she's the first of the immortals, so there's no tougher foe out there. Stream on Netflix starting July 2 "The Sandman" was a favorite of a few of us here at Tom's Guide (myself included) when it came out in 2022. So when it was renewed relatively quickly later that year, I was excited for more. Since that announcement, though, Netflix has also decided to cancel the show, making season 2 its final season. This was in no small part due to the allegations of sexual assault against Neil Gaiman, who created "The Sandman" and was an executive producer on the Netflix series. Despite this bittersweet ending, it does look like Netflix spared no expense for Lord Morpheus's (Tom Sturridge) last hurrah, and the trailer brings back some familiar faces. I'm personally most excited for the return of The Corinthian (Boyd Holbrook), who was the main villain of season 1. Volume 1 drops six episodes on July 3, with Volume 2 dropping the final five episodes of season 2's main storyline on July 24. A series finale special episode will arrive on July 31, bringing the show to a close. Stream Volume 1 on Netflix starting July 3 "Too Much" stars Megan Stalter as Jessica, who leaves New York for London after a bad breakup. There, she meets Felix (Will Sharpe), an indie musician who is not the Hugh Grant type she was hoping to meet, but he might just be the right person for her right now. This show was one of my most anticipated Netflix shows of 2025 when the year started, and it still is. Stalter has been great in "Hacks," I've loved Sharpe in "The White Lotus" season 2 and "A Real Pain and while show creator Lena Dunham isn't always everyone's favorite, there's no denying that she's created brilliant TV before. Stream on Netflix starting July 10 "Happy Gilmore" is likely on Adam Sandler's Mount Rushmore of greatest performances. The ice hockey player turned professional golfer was iconic in the 90s and it still is today. At least, that seems to be what Netflix is counting on, as "Happy Gilmore 2" looks like more of the same as the first movie based on the official trailer. This sequel is set 30 years after winning the Tour Championship in the first movie, and has a retired Happy needing to return to golf to pay for his daughter Vienna's (Sunny Sandler) ballet school. But a familiar face in Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald) is standing in Happy's way, and is on a quest to take back his title. Stream on Netflix starting July 25 "Untamed" is a new Netflix miniseries created by Mark L. Smith, who most recently was part of the team behind "American Primeval," a miniseries from Peter Berg that debuted on Netflix earlier this year. So it's safe to say that the creative team behind this new thriller set in Yellowstone National Park has some familiarity with the expanse of the wild American West. In this murder mystery, a woman's death in the national park has federal agent Kyle Turner (Eric Bana) looking for answers. To find them, he will need to go into the depths of the park, where the only laws that rule are the laws of nature. Stream on Netflix starting July 17 JULY 1 "Attack on London: Hunting The 7/7 Bombers" (GB) (Netflix documentary) Insider accounts and never-seen-before footage tell the story of the 7/7 bombings on London's transport network in 2005 — and its explosive aftermath. "Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel" (GB) (Netflix documentary) Featuring tell-all interviews with insiders and former staff, this exposé traces American Apparel's journey from fashion phenomenon to financial flop. JULY 2 "The Old Guard 2" (Netflix film) Andy and her team of immortal warriors fight with renewed purpose as they face a powerful new foe threatening their mission to protect humanity. "Tour de France: Unchained" season 3 (GB) (Netflix documentary) In a thrilling 2024 Tour de France, larger teams dominate while smaller ones struggle to survive — and recent injuries cast a long shadow for some. JULY 3 "Countdown: Taylor vs. Serrano" (Netflix sports series) Narrated by Uma Thurman, the film follows Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano's intense journey and preparations as they train for their historic trilogy fight, airing live on Netflix on July 11th. "The Sandman" season 2 volume 1 (Netflix series) A reunion of the Endless thrusts Lord Morpheus onto a perilous path, where a fateful choice makes him the target of a relentless quest for vengeance. JULY 4 "All the Sharks" (Netflix documentary) All the Sharks is a thrilling new competition series where four teams of passionate shark experts embark on the ultimate adventure to find and photograph the most sharks. Racing against time - and each other - teams dive deep into the world's most spectacular shark habitats, all in hopes of winning a $50,000 prize for their chosen marine charity. Over six action-packed episodes, they'll travel from the crystal-clear Caribbean waters to the mysterious depths of the Pacific where they'll come face to toothy face with incredible species like the critically endangered Great Hammerhead and the remarkable walking Epaulette Shark. Blending breath-taking visuals, "fin-tastic' shark facts, and stunning underwater encounters, All the Sharks is a fun, fast-paced journey into the misunderstood world of sharks —showcasing why these incredible creatures are more vital to our planet now more than ever. JULY 5 "The Summer Hikaru Died" (JP) (Netflix anime) Six months ago, Hikaru vanished for a week. Now, as his best friend Yoshiki senses something amiss and confronts him, the harrowing truth emerges. JULY 8 "Better Late Than Single" (KR) (Netflix series) Ready to step into the dating world, lifelong singles get expert help for style, health and confidence. Will they manage hiccups on their way to love? "Nate Jackson: Super Funny" (Netflix comedy special) Sharp jokes meet savage roasts as Nate Jackson blends his infamous crowd work with takes on topics from judgment-free gyms to catfishing. "Quarterback" season 2 (Netflix sports series) From stunning wins to crushing losses, the hit series returns to give viewers exclusive, unprecedented access to Joe Burrow, Kirk Cousins and Jared Goff on and off the field during the 2024-25 NFL season. "Trainwreck: The Real Project X" (GB) (Netflix documentary) A night of drunken chaos rocks a quiet Dutch town in this shocking documentary about a teen's birthday invite that accidentally went viral on Facebook. JULY 9 "Building The Band" (Netflix series) Building the Band brings together talented singers for a truly unique competition show where building the perfect band is all about chemistry. The singers are in complete control as they seek to form their very own bands in individual 'booths' without ever seeing each other. All they have to go on is musical compatibility, connection and chemistry. What will happen when the bands finally meet, and looks, choreography, and style come into play? With incredible performances, emotional stakes, and one big goal—to find the next great music band—the stage is set for an unforgettable experience. "The Gringo Hunters" (MX) (Netflix series) A top Mexican police unit hunts U.S. fugitives fleeing across the border, grappling with lies and crime in this gripping series based on true events. "Under a Dark Sun" (FR) (Netflix series) On the run from her troubled past, a young mother is accused of killing her new boss at a flower farm just before discovering he's actually her father. "Ziam" (TH) (Netflix film) In a fight for survival against a horrifying army of zombies, a former Muay Thai fighter must use skill, speed and grit to save his wife — and his life. JULY 10 "7 Bears" (FR) (Netflix family) Forget the Seven Dwarfs — here come the 7 Bears! This lovable pack of furballs is putting a fuzzy twist on the classic fairy tales you thought you knew. "Brick" (DE) (Netflix film) When a mysterious brick wall encloses their apartment building overnight, Tim and Olivia must unite with their wary neighbors to get out alive. "Leviathan" (JP) (Netflix anime) Set in an alternate steampunk past, an Austrian fugitive prince and a Scottish airman in disguise embark on an unexpected quest to prevent a world war. "Off Road" (IL) (Netflix series) Two Israeli actors embark on an unforgettable road trip across Central Asia to learn more about themselves and the people they encounter along the way. "Too Much" (GB) (Netflix series) When a heartbroken New Yorker moves to London hoping for a love story, she falls for an indie musician who's anything but the typical romantic hero. JULY 11 "Aap Jaisa Koi" (IN) (Netflix film) Shrirenu lives by tradition. Madhu lives unapologetically. When their paths cross, a tender romance unfolds — awkward, sweet but shadowed by patriarchy. "Almost Cops" (NL) (Netflix film) When an overeager community officer and a reckless ex-detective are forced to team up, plenty of chaos ensues on the streets of Rotterdam. "Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 3" (Netflix live event) Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano headline a historic all-women's boxing mega-event from Madison Square Garden. Presented by Most Valuable Promotions. "Tyler Perry's Madea's Destination Wedding" (Netflix film) Madea packs her best floral dresses and a whole lot of chaos when the Simmons family heads to the Bahamas for her grandniece's whirlwind wedding. JULY 14 "Apocalypse in the Tropics" (BR) (Netflix documentary) When does a democracy end, and a theocracy begin? In Apocalypse in the Tropics, director Petra Costa takes us on a decade-long journey through the spiritual and political upheaval of Brazil. What begins as a search for signs of life in a fragile democracy transforms into a deeper inquiry into the seductions of power, prophecy and belief. Costa gains extraordinary access to current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, former President Jair Bolsonaro and the nation's magnetic televangelist Silas Malafaia. More than a chronicle of political change, Apocalypse in the Tropics is a cinematic investigation of the fault lines that emerge when religion fuels political ambition. With the savage clarity that defined her Academy Award–nominated The Edge of Democracy, Costa documents a time of kaleidoscopic confusion and fear with intimate observational filmmaking that braids together the personal, the historic and the mythic. As faith shifts from private refuge to public battleground, Brazil holds a mirror to a world where democracies are being tested by the power of prophecy. "SAKAMOTO DAYS" season 1 part 2 (JP) (Netflix anime) Once the greatest hitman of all, Taro Sakamoto retired in the name of love. But when his past catches up, he must fight to protect his beloved family. JULY 15 "Trainwreck: Balloon Boy" (GB) (Netflix documentary) A homemade flying saucer lifts off, and a 6-year-old boy might be inside. National panic ensues — but what truly happened? This documentary investigates. JULY 16 "Amy Bradley Is Missing" (Netflix documentary) This true-crime series investigates the 1998 disappearance of a 23-year-old woman from a Caribbean cruise and her family's tireless search for answers. JULY 17 "Catalog" (EG) (Netflix series) A recently widowed workaholic clumsily navigates life with his kids, guided by his late wife's online tips. Can he ace this crash course in parenthood? "Community Squad" season 2 (AR) (Netflix series) During the election campaign, the Urban Guard expands and Felipe is recruited by Intelligence. The city isn't ready — but neither are they. "UNTAMED" (Netflix series) A character-driven mystery-thriller that follows Kyle Turner (played by Eric Bana), a special agent for the National Parks Service who works to enforce human law in nature's vast wilderness. The investigation of a brutal death sends Turner on a collision course with the dark secrets within the park, and in his own past. JULY 18 "Almost Family" (BR) (Netflix film) A Brazilian dad meets his match in his daughter's Argentine in-laws — where a trip to Bariloche spirals into a comedy of local pride and competition. "Delirium" (CO) (Netflix series) When his wife Agustina falls into delirium, a professor delves into her dark past to piece together her story and uncover the cause of her madness. "I'm Still a Superstar" (ES) (Netflix documentary) This documentary explores Yurena's meteoric rise to fame as Tamara, the media frenzy she faced in the 2000s and the present-day lives of her TV rivals. "Superstar" (ES) (Netflix series) Set deep in the chaos of the early 2000s, this series reimagines the life of pop icon Tamara — and her metamorphosis into Yurena — as never seen before. "Vir Das: Fool Volume" (IN) (Netflix comdey special) Whether it's the police, the evil eye or a badly timed lost voice, comedian Vir Das explores how embracing foolishness has led him to shared happiness. "Wall to Wall" (KR) (Netflix film) A man who poured his life savings into a new apartment discovers its walls are full of disturbing noises, hostile neighbors and unsettling secrets. JULY 19 JULY 21 JULY 22 "Trainwreck: P.I. Moms" (GB) (Netflix documentary) This tell-all documentary investigates an early 2000s reality show about private eye moms and the drug scandal that sabotaged the series and its stars. JULY 23 "Critical: Between Life and Death" (GB) (Netflix documentary) From critical emergencies to the operating room, this documentary series follows London's trauma units as they treat the most severely injured. "Letters From The Past" (TR) (Netflix series) When a young woman discovers a long-buried secret about her past, she must trace back a collection of letters to their writers to uncover the truth. JULY 24 "A Normal Woman" (ID) (Netflix film) When an unidentified disease starts to upend her life, a socialite must unravel the mystery behind it — before her whole sense of self falls apart. "Hitmakers" (Netflix series) Creativity and ego collide in this all-access reality series that follows a group of gifted songwriters as they pen hits for music's biggest stars. "My Melody & Kuromi" (JP) (Netflix anime) When My Melody's visit to the Cloud Kingdom leads to a whirlwind of trouble, can she, Kuromi and their friends save their home before it's too late? "The Sandman" season 2 volume 2 (Netflix series) A reunion of the Endless thrusts Lord Morpheus onto a perilous path, where a fateful choice makes him the target of a relentless quest for vengeance. JULY 25 "Happy Gilmore 2" (Netflix film) Happy Gilmore returns! "Trigger" (KR) (Netflix series) As illegal firearms flood into a gun-free South Korea, a resolute cop and a cunning arms broker find themselves at odds in a tense showdown. "The Winning Try" (KR) (Netflix series) Ju Ga Ram used to be a rugby player who was the hope for Korean rugby. He had talent and star potential, but a drug scandal ruined everything. JULY 28 JULY 29 "Dusty Slay: Wet Heat" (Netflix comedy special) In this hour-long comedy special filmed at the Walker Theatre in Chattanooga, TN, Slay's signature working-class comedy takes center stage. "Trainwreck: Storm Area 51" (GB) (Netflix documentary) When 20-year old Matty Roberts creates a Facebook event inviting people to storm the classified Air Force facility Area 51 in the Nevada desert, the post quickly goes viral, with hundreds and then thousands saying they'll join the event that stated 'They can't stop all of us'. "WWE: Unreal"(Netflix sports series) For the first time ever, step into the WWE writer's room and outside the ring with your favorite WWE Superstars, where the drama is just as intense offstage as it is under the spotlight. JULY 30 "Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes" (Netflix documentary) From Emmy-winning and Academy Award nominated director Joe Berlinger, this chilling new chapter of Conversations with a Killer delves into one of the most infamous cases in American history: the 44-caliber killer, David Berkowitz. "Unspeakable Sins" (MX) (Netflix series) A woman trapped in a controlling marriage finds solace in a secret affair with a younger man until it spirals into a dangerous game of survival. JULY 31 "An Honest Life" (SE) (Netflix film) When a cynical law student in search of inspiration joins a band of anarchists, he becomes entangled in a web of crime where he is more pawn than player. "Glass Heart" (Netflix series) An aspiring drummer suddenly loses her spot in the band. But when a brilliant musician recruits her for his new band, her life takes a passionate turn. "Leanne" (Netflix series) When her husband leaves her for another woman, a resilient Southern mom starts over with the support of her loving but unfiltered family. "Marked" (ZA) (Netflix series) Desperate to pay for her daughter's life-saving surgery, devout ex-cop Babalwa turns to an unholy savior to help her plan a daring heist. "The Sandman" season 2 special episode (Netflix series) In this standalone episode, a journalist whose work has left him feeling hopeless about the world has a life-altering 24 hours after crossing paths with Death on her day off. Leaving 7/1/25 "13 Going on 30""28 Days""3 Ninjas: Kick Back""Annabelle""Colombiana""Constantine""Couples Retreat""Crazy, Stupid, Love.""Do the Right Thing""Draft Day""Dune: Part Two""Friends with Money""Geostorm""Get Him to the Greek""Hotel Transylvania""Hotel Transylvania 2""I Know What You Did Last Summer""Loudermilk" seasons 1-3"The Net""The Nun""Obsessed""Ocean's Eleven""Ocean's Thirteen""Ocean's Twelve""Resident Evil: Retribution""Runaway Jury""Sicario: Day of the Soldado""Sisters""Twilight""The Twilight Saga: New Moon""The Twilight Saga: Eclipse""The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 1""The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 2""The Wonder Years: Seasons 1-2" Leaving 7/3/25 "Insecure" seasons 1-5 Leaving 7/4/25 "80 for Brady" Leaving 7/5/25 "The Addams Family" Leaving 7/8/25 "This Is Us" seasons 1-6 Leaving 7/13/25 "Life or Something Like It" Leaving 7/15/25 "Barbie" Leaving 7/16/25 "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga" Leaving 7/22/25 "Call My Agent!" seasons 1-4 Leaving 7/25/25 "Scream VI" Leaving 7/26/25 "Wynonna Earp" seasons 1-4 Leaving 7/28/25 "Sonic the Hedgehog 2" Leaving 7/30/25 "The Kingdom" LAST CALL - NETFLIX GAMES Leaving 7/2/25 "Carmen Sandiego""Hades" Leaving 7/15/25 "Battleship""Braid: Anniversary Edition""The Case of the Golden Idol""CoComelon: Play with JJ""Death's Door""Diner Out: Merge Cafe""Dumb Ways to Survive""FashionVerse: Fashion Your Way""Ghost Detective""Katana ZERO""Lego Legacy: Heroes Unboxed""Ludo King""Monument Valley""Monument Valley 2""Monument Valley 3""Rainbow 6 SMOL""Raji: An Ancient Epic""The Rise of the Golden Idol""Spongebob: Bubble Pop""TED Tumblewords""Vineyard Valley" Malcolm has been with Tom's Guide since 2022, and has been covering the latest in streaming shows and movies since 2023. He's not one to shy away from a hot take, including that "John Wick" is one of the four greatest films ever made. Here's what he's been watching lately:
Tom's Guide
17 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
I built a black-and-white gaming desk setup that feels clean, calm and completely me — and it has a secret weapon that makes it all work
Depending on how you configure it, your desk setup can be a productivity powerhouse, your little getaway spot at the end of the day or even better, both. Over the past few years at Tom's Guide and even before, I've built all sorts of different desk setups. While some were to showcase a particular product like one of the best standing desks, I've put together others just to try out a different monitor configuration like when I built a stacked monitor setup, then a traditional dual monitor setup and most recently, a triple monitor setup. Along the way, I've mastered cable management and found a few key accessories that I now try to incorporate into every desk setup I build. However, while I've created desk setups around new products I've tested and different monitor configurations, I have yet to put together one based on colors alone. Aesthetics plays just as big of a role in desk setups as cable management does and I've always really liked the incredibly clean look you get from white devices and accessories. I do like a bit of contrast though, which is why I decided to build a black-and-white desk setup that's as nice to work at as it is for playing games after a long day. To that end, I've quietly been collecting white devices and accessories for almost a year now. Thanks to the Corsair Platform:4 Elevate Desk I'm currently testing out, I've finally been able to do just that. Here are all the devices I used in this desk setup, why I chose them and how they work alongside one another along with this desk's special feature that ties everything together. This sit-stand desk is designed with gamers and streamers in mind and is available in all-black, natural wood with white legs or dark wood with black legs. Its modular T-channel rail system lets you mount the included monitor arm along with all sorts of other accessories and it also has a built-in cable management tray and an in-desk storage compartment. The Corsair Platform:4 Elevate Desk ($999, Corsair) is a solid sit-stand desk with unique features like its modular T-channel rail system and in-desk storage compartment. However, if you want to take full advantage of it, I highly recommend pairing it with the company's Multi Frame Pegboard ($299, Corsair). Not only does this give you four feet of pegboard for storage and hanging accessories but you also get a large shelf for up top and two smaller shelves for on the sides. As I'm using this desk setup for both work and gaming, I figured having my controllers and headsets hung up on the pegboard made a lot of sense. This way, I can focus on the task at hand while working and when I need some motivation, I can look up at them and know that I can play some games as soon as I'm done. Given that I have a white Xbox Series X on the left side of the desk and a PS5 Pro on the right, I hung up the headset and controller for each console on their respective side of the pegboard. Corsair does provide plenty of hooks with its Multi Frame Pegboard to help you organize things. However, to keep my Sony Pulse Elite headset and my Razer BlackShark V2 headset from stretching out, I'm using an old magnetic NZXT Puck (split in two) to attach them to the pegboard. I am using Corsair's hooks to hold my DualSense and Xbox controllers though. At first, I thought the controllers might wobble a bit up there but even when moving the desk away from the wall, they haven't budged or fallen down yet. Another useful feature of the Corsair Platform:4 Elevate Desk is its built-in storage compartment. On its far left side, there's a USB-A and USB-C port to charge devices like your controllers or a pair of the best wireless headphones right at your desk. Surprisingly, these ports aren't connected to the desk at all. Instead, there's a separate USB-C port on the bottom that you can plug into your PC or into a power strip. I always use one of the best surge protectors in my sit-stand desk's cable management tray to prevent devices from coming unplugged as my desk adjusts. Due to its proximity, I plugged the storage compartment directly into the surge protector to power it. However, for fast charging, I ran a separate cable from the 20W USB-C port on the heavy duty Anker 351 Power Strip ($30, Amazon) I'm using under this desk, threading it up through the holes at the back of the storage compartment. When I'm done charging, I just tuck that cable back under its lid to keep it close but out of sight. Though I do like the Corsair Platform:4 Elevate Desk's built-in storage compartment, its placement on the desk is a bit awkward. If it was closer to the front of the desk, there'd be plenty of room underneath your monitor to store your laptop or in my case, to set up one of the best mini PCs like the Mac mini M4. Given that I wanted to use this desk setup for both work and gaming, I had to get a little creative when it came to where I put my PC. Corsair does sell optional desk extensions that go on the sides of the Platform:4 Elevate Desk and are the perfect size for one of the best gaming PCs. However, my review unit didn't come with any as I prefer narrower desks like this 47-inch model since they're easier to move and rehome once I'm done with them. At first, I considered taking the large shelf off the top of the desk's pegboard and mounting it on the side like you would with one of the desk extensions (which I might still do one day). Fortunately, I then had a realization that would allow for a clean, clutter-free desktop while still incorporating a PC into this setup without adding anything on the sides. Unlike with some of the other standing desks I've reviewed, the Platform: 4 Elevate Desk has a wider 29-inch cable management tray. Even with my 13-inch long surge protector and the various power bricks for the devices on my desk tucked inside it, I still had plenty of room on the right side of the tray for a mini PC. I took stock of the dimensions of several of the mini PCs I have on hand before deciding to use the Geekom A6 with this desk setup as it's even smaller than the Mac mini M4. Plus, with an AMD Ryzen 7 6800H processor with Radeon 680M integrated graphics and 32GB of DDR5 RAM, it's more than powerful enough to handle my day to day workload, which mainly consists of writing and editing in Chrome with more tabs than I like to admit open simultaneously. To ensure the A6 had plenty of airflow for its vents on either side, I attached the cords running from the left side of the desk to the back of the cable management tray. Likewise, since it doesn't draw too much power, I usually leave it on or put it to sleep when I'm not using it. This way, I don't have to reach underneath my desk to reach its power button. Even if you don't spring for Corsair's Multi Frame Pegboard, the Platform:4 Elevate Desk comes with a monitor arm in the box. Instead of clamping it to the back of the desk like with many of the best monitor arms, it attaches to the modular T-channel rail system instead. It's worth noting that there are a ton of compatible accessories (both first and third-party) that can attach to it, such as the Elgato Prompter or the Key Light which are particularly useful, for streamers and content creators. When attached to the T-channel rail system, you can easily slide the included monitor arm to the right or left side of the desk to get it in the exact position you want. It's a well-built monitor arm that's easy to adjust but there's just one problem: the cable channel underneath it isn't all that big. It's fine for running one or two cables from your monitor but that leaves just enough room for a single HDMI cable and your display's power cable. However, this is a common problem with most monitor arms. Besides not having enough room for multiple cables, one reason I've started using monitor stands instead of arms with my desk setups is that the cables that come with most devices just aren't long enough. For instance, with the Secretlab Magnus Pro standing desk's monitor arm, I ended up just buying longer cables. However, as I planned to use the Platform:4 Elevate Desk with multiple consoles and a PC, I opted for an HDMI switch instead. Given that the white MSI MPG 321URXW QD-OLED monitor I'm using with this desk setup has a refresh rate of 240Hz, I couldn't use just any HDMI switch. As I'm partial to Ugreen's GaN chargers and cables, I decided to pick up its most advanced HDMI switch yet. The Ugreen 8K@60Hz HDMI Switch 5 in 1 Out ($69, Amazon) may have 8K in the name—despite the best 8K TVs being few and far between—but it also supports 4K at 240Hz along with HDR10+. This made it perfect for this desk setup as the Xbox Series X and PS5 can do 4K at 120Hz with room to grow if I do decide to add a powerful gaming PC to it later on. Remember that storage compartment at the back of the Platform:4 Elevate Desk? Well, there's just enough space between it and the rear edge of the desk for this HDMI switch to sit on top. It needs to be out in the open as well, since in addition to a button for switching inputs, it also comes with a remote that requires line-of-sight to its IR sensor. With the Platform:4 Elevate Desk, Corsair also includes a small tray you can mount on the desk's T-channel rail system. To keep my desktop clear, however, I mounted it on the right side of the desk to store my remotes and the controller for the Quntis RGB Pro+ Monitor Light Bar I have on top of my display. You get another one with the Multi Frame Pegboard, so I put that on the left side of the desk and placed a phone stand and a coaster there to keep them out of the way as well. Like most of the best gaming monitors, the MSI MPG 321URXW QD-OLED doesn't have built-in speakers. This is probably for the best as they would add extra bulk and take away from the monitor's incredibly thin profile. Given that the BlueAnt Soundblade I bought recently is a soundbar that's designed to go under your monitor and would block the Platform:4 Elevate Desk's storage compartment, I decided to pick up a pair of the best computer speakers for this desk setup. Although computer speakers are available in a variety of sizes and form factors, very few come in a clean white package to match the rest of the accessories on my desk. At CES 2025 in January, I spoke with Kanto's director of marketing, who generously offered to send out a pair of the company's bookshelf speakers for one of my desk setups. I reached back out to him when I was finally close to having everything I needed for my black-and-white desk setup and he sent over a pair of Kanto Ora speakers along with the company's subwoofer, the Kanto SUB8. As I've used a pair of older AudioEngine A2 speakers at my main desk setup for years now, it was a welcome change to try something more modern. Besides their wide soundstage and detailed sound, I really like how compact the Kanto Ora speakers are. They also offer multiple connection options including Bluetooth, USB-C and stereo RCA inputs which really came in handy for using them with the Xbox and PS5 Pro on top of my desk and the mini PC underneath it. Even though I already had them raised up to ear level on the two small shelves that come with Corsair's Multi Frame Pegboard, I put a pair of Kanto's S2 Tilted Desktop Speaker Stands ($29, Amazon) underneath them. Not only does this help reduce unwanted vibrations and resonance, but it also angles the speakers upward while making them appear as if they're floating on top of the shelves. The right Kanto Ora speaker has all the input ports on the back which is why I put it on the same side as my PS5 Pro. Unlike the Xbox Series X, the PS5 can be connected to external speakers via USB or over Bluetooth. Unfortunately, Microsoft left the Xbox Series X a bit shortchanged, as it lacks audio output via USB or Bluetooth. For that reason, I had to pick up an RCA to 3.5mm audio cable and run it to the headphone jack on the MSI gaming monitor. This did mean that I had to manage a few extra cables but to keep everything neat and tidy, I ran all my cables along the backside of the Multi Frame Pegboard's frame and the T-channel rail where I have the monitor mounted. Now with everything set up and all my cables managed, it was finally time to try out my new black-and-white desk setup. Even with more and more Xbox games coming to PlayStation, I still prefer having the option to play on either console. Having their respective controllers and headsets on either side of my desk setup just like the consoles themselves, really simplifies things. If I want to play PS5 games, I just grab the DualSense above the console or vice versa for the Xbox controller on the other side of my desk. The games I played on the PS5 Pro with the MSI MPG 321URXW QD-OLED monitor looked great and with the Kanto Ora speakers connected via USB, they sounded fantastic too. With the added bass from the Kanto SUB8, I played this way during the day, but at night, I switched to the Pulse Elite headset. Given that I'm not using that much space on the desk's T-rail system, I've started using it as a place to store the various USB dongles for my PS5 accessories like that headset. Even though I love all the extra graphical power in the PS5 Pro, there's still one area where the Xbox Series X has it beat: Quick Resume. I play a lot of single-player, story-driven games but I keep coming back to the skateboard sim Session. With Quick Resume, I can jump out of a game like Metaphor: ReFantazio and pick up right where I left off in Session without missing a beat. What's more, Quick Resume even works when you lose power or your Xbox gets unplugged. In addition to playing games at my new black-and-white desk setup, I've been doing a fair bit of work here. In fact, I've written this entire story at my new desk setup, both while sitting in one of the best office chairs and while standing up. Like I mentioned before, I can't get over how well Corsair's pegboard holds everything in place as the Platform:4 Elevate Desk goes up and down. The same stability applies to the included monitor arm; the MSI monitor has only moved ever so slightly, and then only when I've really slammed down on my keyboard's of my keyboard, I decided to pick up the Monsgeek Fun 60 Ultra ($80, Amazon) for this desk setup as I wanted to give magnetic key switches a try and this all-white version perfectly matches the rest of the aesthetic I'm going for. As for my mouse, I'm using a trackball mouse from the Japanese company Elecom. After using a regular mouse for years, I've found that trackball mice are easier on my hands and wrists, plus Elecom's are incredibly easy to customize thanks to the latest version of its Mouse Assistant software. Since my HDMI switch still has two free ports, I could theoretically add an additional two devices whether they be computers or game consoles. I recently bought a Nintendo Switch 2 which I was previously using with this monitor as part of another desk setup. It could easily end up being incorporated into this one though. Likewise, while Windows 11 works well enough, I have been using macOS on my Mac mini M4 more often lately and if I can comfortably fit one mini PC in the Platform:4 Elevate Desk's cable management tray, who's to say I couldn't make room for another down there. Alternatively, if I wanted to go all out, I could always add some of Corsair's desk extensions to this desk setup. That same T-channel rail system is also present on the sides of the Platform:4 Elevate Desk, so adding extra desk space with one or even two extensions would be easy enough. That way, I could have a full-blown gaming PC and not just a mini one, though I know from experience that white PC parts are harder to find and also carry a premium price. I've built a lot of desk setups over the years and with each one, I've seen how much better I have gotten at managing cables, picking devices that work well with one another and choosing the right accessories to tie everything together. This black-and-white desk setup is no different and to date, I think it's my best one yet. In fact, I'm seriously considering moving this one out of my office and into our game room to replace my current dedicated gaming setup. Even though collecting all of the different white devices and accessories for this particular desk setup took quite a bit of time—just about 8 months in fact—seeing everything come together has been really rewarding. As for putting Corsair's Platform:4 Elevate Desk together, that part was easy. Instead, it was the Multi Frame Pegboard that proved the most difficult. From there, it was just a matter of deciding what needed to go where, making sure I had the right cables to connect everything and most importantly, enough cable ties to give this desk setup the clean, clutter-free look I was going for. I'm still not quite sure exactly what I'll do with my next desk setup but if you have any ideas or a particular theme or configuration you'd like to see me tackle next, let me know in the comments below. As for those speakers where my gaming chair's headrest should be in the photo above, you'll have to stay tuned since that story is coming up next.
