Essential Console Accessories Every New Owner Should Consider

Console storefronts push a long list of accessories at checkout, and not all of them are worth your money right away. Here’s a grounded look at what actually earns a spot on a new owner’s shopping list.

Extra Controllers

If you ever play local co-op or split-screen, or simply have more than one person in the household who games, a second controller is usually the single highest-value accessory you can buy. Beyond player count, a spare controller also covers you when your main one needs charging or, eventually, replacing — going from “console works fine but the only controller is dead” to “swap and keep playing” is a meaningful convenience most people underrate until they’re without it.

Storage Expansion

Nearly every modern console — home console or handheld — ships with less built-in storage than a typical rotating game library ends up needing. Whether that means an internal expansion drive, an external USB drive, or a microSD card depends on the specific console, so check what your device actually supports before buying storage hardware, since not every fast or high-capacity option on the market is compatible with every console’s expansion slot. Buying storage before you’re forced to delete something you don’t want to lose is far less frustrating than buying it reactively mid-download.

Charging and Cable Management

Controller batteries, handheld batteries, and headset batteries all eventually need charging, and a dedicated charging setup — whether that’s a simple charging dock or just a couple of extra reliable cables kept near where you play — prevents the common frustration of a controller dying mid-session with no backup ready. For handhelds specifically, a compact charger you can throw in a bag matters more than a dock built for a stationary setup at home.

Cable management sounds minor but genuinely improves the experience of any console area: labeled or color-coded charging cables prevent the “which cable goes with which device” shuffle, and keeping cables tidy reduces the chance of accidentally yanking a device off a shelf or desk.

Protecting Your Investment

For handhelds, a case sized for your specific device and a screen protector are close to essential, since handhelds get thrown in bags and exposed to scratches and drops far more than stationary home consoles. For home consoles, a vertical stand (if not included) and basic dust protection matter more for longevity than most people expect — dust buildup inside a console over months or years can affect cooling and, eventually, performance or noise levels.

What to Skip (For Now)

Not every accessory on a checkout page deserves a spot in your cart on day one. Specialty controllers, elaborate RGB accessories, and duplicate cables you already have in a drawer are easy to skip until you have a specific reason to want them. The goal isn’t to accessorize immediately — it’s to cover the handful of things that prevent real, common frustrations, and let everything else wait until you know what you’re actually missing.

Bottom Line

A second controller, appropriate storage expansion, a reliable charging setup, and basic physical protection cover the overwhelming majority of what new console owners end up needing. Prioritize those over anything marketed as a must-have impulse buy at checkout, and add specialty accessories later once your actual habits make the need for them obvious.