The Best Wireless Products for a Clutter-Free Desktop

If you were put off by the wireless technology of yesteryear, now is the time to take another look—wireless technology is better than ever. Here are our favorite products to banish cable clutter from your desktop.

Right now, you can find a wireless version of virtually any product, from HDMI cables to keyboards. One might even argue that there are too many wireless products. A simple Amazon search for “wireless keyboards” can turn into an anxiety-fueled shopping nightmare. It’s honestly hard to pinpoint which wireless products are genuinely reliable, affordable, or completely useless.

We love wireless products, but we’ve been disappointed by some of our purchases. That’s why we’ve taken the time to find the best wireless products on the market, from affordable wireless mice to premium wireless gamepads. All of these products are reliable, easy to use, and guaranteed to help you live a cable-free lifestyle.

Now, not all wireless products come with a handy USB dongle. If your computer doesn’t support Bluetooth, you may want to grab a USB Bluetooth receiver. These receivers work flawlessly, they’re cheap, and they can connect to up to seven devices at a time.

Wireless Keyboards for Typing and Gaming

Let’s be honest; the wire behind a keyboard is an eyesore. It’s plagued the desks of good people for decades, and it should be eliminated from existence. Immediately. OK, OK, even if you don’t feel as strongly about the matter, you have to admit that a desk looks sleek without a cable trailing across it.

Thankfully, wireless keyboards are better than ever. They’re responsive, they look fantastic, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Plus, some wireless keyboards can quick-switch between multiple devices, which is great if you use an extra computer or a tablet at your desk.

• Logitech K780 Multi-Device Keyboard ($60) – The K780 is a great little keyboard. It’s stylish, it has a kickstand for phones and tablets, and it can connect to three devices at a time (including keyboards and tablets) via Bluetooth or USB dongle.
• Logitech Craft Multi-Device Keyboard with Creative Options Dial ($170) – The Logitech Craft is like the K780’s big brother, and it’s an excellent pick for digital artists. It has a built-in knob that can be programmed for app functions, and it can connect to three devices at a time via Bluetooth or USB dongle.
• Arteck Slim Rechargeable Keyboard ($23) – This slim, affordable keyboard is easy to use and easy to take care of. It connects to computers via USB dongle, and it can be recharged with a Micro-USB cable.
• CORSAIR K63 Cherry MX Red Mechanical Keyboard ($80) – Looking for a wireless gaming keyboard? The CORSAIR K63 has all the features of a wired gaming keyboard, including programmable LEDs and cherry MX red switches. It can’t connect via Bluetooth, but it comes with a USB dongle.

Now that you have a clean looking keyboard, it’s time to replace that wired mouse.

Wireless Mice for Work and Play

Of all the wired devices that you could have on your desk, a wired mouse is by far the most annoying. A mouse is supposed to move freely, but a nasty little cable can restrict that movement, especially if it snags on the back of your desk. If the feeling of your mouse cable dragging on the desk is like nails on a chalkboard to you, these wireless mice are here to save the day.

Modern wireless mouses are incredibly responsive, and they connect to your computer via Bluetooth or a USB dongle. Not to mention, the batteries in a wireless mouse can last for a few months, and some are even rechargeable.

• Logitech M720 Triathalon Multi-Device Mouse ($32) – This is a reliable, affordable mouse with programmable buttons and an adjustable scroll wheel. Like the Logitech K780 keyboard, the M720 Triathalon mouse can connect to three devices at a time via Bluetooth or USB dongle. It can even share a Logitech USB dongle with a Logitech keyboard, which is helpful if your computer doesn’t support Bluetooth.
• VicTsing MM057 Mouse ($10) – Need a cheap wireless mouse? The VicTsing MM057 is a responsive, full-featured mouse with forward and backward buttons and adjustable tracking. Plus, it’s only $10. It can’t connect over Bluetooth, but it comes with a handy USB dongle.
• CORSAIR IRONCLAW RGB Gaming Mouse ($80) – The ridiculously comfortable CORSAIR IRONCLAW is an ideal wireless mouse for any gamer. It has ten programmable buttons, programmable LED effects, and customizable tracking. It can connect via Bluetooth or USB dongle.
• Logitech G602 Programmable Gaming Mouse ($37) – If you’re looking for a cheap gaming mouse, you should check out the Logitech G602. It’s comfortable, it has 11 programmable buttons, and it has buttons that allow you to scroll between button layouts on the fly. It can’t connect via Bluetooth, but it comes with a USB dongle.
• Logitech MX Ergo Trackball Mouse ($78) – Trying to avoid carpal tunnel? The Logitech MX Ergo is a great, modern trackball mouse—we couldn’t say enough good things about it when we reviewed it. This mouse has adjustable horizontal tilt settings, and it can connect to up to three devices via Bluetooth or USB dongle.

Okay, so you’ve got the wireless essentials. It’s time to tackle some of the other cables that are plaguing your desk, namely your headphone and speaker cables.

Wireless Headphones, Earbuds, and Speakers

Tired of tangling headphone cables and messy desktop speakers? Maybe it’s time for a little upgrade. Wireless audio is known for being spotty, but in the last few years, we’ve seen Bluetooth headphones and speakers surpass their wired alternatives in both price and quality.

Just keep in mind that if your computer doesn’t support Bluetooth, you’ll need a USB Bluetooth receiver to use these devices.

• TaoTronics True Wireless Earbuds ($46) – We love the TaoTronics wireless earbuds. They’re convenient, they sound great, and they’re super affordable. Plus, you can use them away from your PC.
• JBL Free X True Wireless Earbuds ($100) – The JBL Free X wireless earbuds are easy to use, they produce a great bass sound, and they come with a ton of different sized rubber tips. These are great for anyone that wants to use their desktop earbuds while exercising or comfortably walking around the house.
• Picun P26 Over-Ear Headphones ($37) – Need some cheap wireless headphones? The Picun P26s are affordable, they have an excellent bass response, and they have built-in audio controls.
• Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT Over-Ear Headphones ($188) – The ATH-M50xBT is one of our favorite wireless headphones. Like all Audio-Technica products, this is a professional-grade pair of headphones at an affordable price.
• Creative Stage Air Soundbar ($35) – This is one of our favorite wireless soundbars. It looks clean, it has built-in buttons, and you can take it on the go in a fly. Plus, it’s only $35.

Once you have a nice pair of Bluetooth headphones or a wireless soundbar, it’s time to think about your PC gaming situation.

Wireless Gamepads for Tangle-Free Gaming

Like to play PC games? Maybe it’s time to ditch that old wired controller you’ve been using. Wireless gamepads bring a familiar console-gaming experience to your PC. They work great, you don’t have to program any buttons, and you won’t get tangled up in any nasty wires.

While you can sometimes find a dedicated USB dongle for these gamepads, USB Bluetooth receivers are usually cheaper and more versatile than proprietary dongles.

• The Steam Controller ($90) – Steam’s official controller looks a little funny, but it’s an excellent device for hardcore gamers. It’s built to work as a keyboard, and you can even use it to play typing games.
• Xbox One Bluetooth Controller ($53) – The Xbox One controller is great for playing PC games. Most games are built to work with this controller, and it can bring that familiar console experience to your overpowered gaming rig.
• DualShock 4 PS4 Controller ($50) – Like the Xbox One controller, the DualShock 4 (PS4) controller is great for PC gaming. Most games support the DualShock 4 controller by default, plus, it’s rechargeable.
• GameSir G3s Controller ($31) – The GameSir G3s is a great DualShock 4 alternative. It feels like the PS4 controller, it’s rechargeable, but it only costs $31.
• SteelSeries Stratus Controller ($32) – The SteelSeries Stratus is an excellent alternative to the Xbox One gamepad. It’s comfortable, familiar, and it’s one of the few controllers that supported by Fortnite Mobile.

There’s a good chance that you already have one of these controllers in your home. But if you want to use any of the controllers for wireless PC gaming, your computer needs to support Bluetooth or have a handy Bluetooth USB dongle.

Replace Your HDMI Cable and AUX Cable

Some PC accessories, like speakers and controllers, aren’t built to be wireless. If you want to ditch your old HDMI cable or bring Bluetooth to your dusty old desktop, you’ll need some wireless transmitters and receivers.

• Avantree USB Bluetooth Reciever ($13) – If you want a genuinely cable-free desktop, then your computer needs to support Bluetooth. Luckily, the Avantree USB Bluetooth receiver is exceptionally cheap, and it can connect to seven devices at a time.
• Mpow Bluetooth Transmitter and Receiver ($20) – If you want to remove the cables from your existing speakers, you’ll need a set of Bluetooth transmitters and receivers. The Mpow transmitter and receiver connect to audio sources via AUX port, and it’s the best way to bring Bluetooth to your wired speakers.
• Diamond Multimedia Wireless HDMI Transmitter and Receiver ($128) – Yes, wireless HDMI exists, and it works well for same-room applications (like a desktop setup). If you’re willing to shell out the money, the Diamond Multimedia wireless HDMI kit can remove that pesky HDMI cable from your desktop for good.

This list is jam-packed with wireless hardware. Transitioning to a wireless lifestyle could take some time, but in the end, it’s worth the effort.