MSI Gaming Gear without the Premium Price Tag

MSI is a brand deeply embedded in PC gaming history, known mostly for its motherboards, GPUs, and laptops. However, they have recently been making a massive push into the budget and mid-range peripheral market. We went hands-on with five of their latest releases, ranging from an 8000Hz wireless mouse to a gasket-mounted keyboard and an ANC-equipped headset, to see if MSI can truly deliver competitive performance and premium features at aggressively affordable price points.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction
00:22 Maestro 500 Wireless
02:15 Forge GK320
03:52 Forge GK600 TKL Wireless
05:30 Versa 300 Wireless 8K
07:32 Forge GM340 Wireless
09:27 Closing Thoughts

Specifications:

MSI Maestro 500 Wireless Headset:

• Drivers & Audio: 40mm Neodymium drivers.
• Microphone: 6-mic array, omni-directional with Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC) and flip-to-mute.
• Connectivity: 2.4GHz (USB-C dongle), Bluetooth 5.4, 3.5mm Wired.
• Features: Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) with Transparency mode, hidden dongle compartment.
• Battery Life: Up to 90 hrs (Bluetooth) / 60 hrs (2.4GHz) with 5-minute fast charge giving 6 hours of playback.
• Weight: 280g.
• Price: £69.99

MSI Forge GK320 Mechanical Keyboard:

• Layout: Full-Size (104/105 Keys).
• Switches: Hot-swappable 5-pin Mechanical Linear (Red).
• Features: Removable magnetic top cover, tactile media volume knob with click-to-mute.
• Backlight: RGB LED (with limited per key control).
• Connectivity: Wired USB.
• Price: £34.99

MSI Forge GK600 TKL Wireless Keyboard:

• Layout: Tenkeyless (TKL – 83 keys).
• Switches: Hot-swappable Mechanical Linear.
• Keycaps & Acoustics: Dye-Sublimated PBT keycaps with multi-layer gasket-mounted sound dampening.
• Features: 1.06-inch customisable OLED display.
• Connectivity: 2.4GHz Wireless, Bluetooth, Wired USB-C.
• Battery Life: 4000mAh (Up to 20 days with RGB off).
• Price: £74.99

MSI Versa 300 Wireless 8K Mouse:

• Sensor: PixArt PAW3395 Optical (Up to 26,000 DPI).
• Polling Rate: Up to 8000Hz.
• Switches: Omron Optical (Rated for 60 Million Clicks).
• Connectivity: 2.4GHz Wireless, Bluetooth 5.3, Wired USB-C.
• Battery Life: Up to 196 Hours at 1000Hz (Approx. 3 days at 8000Hz).
• Weight & Skates: 66g / 100% PTFE skates.
• Price: £59.99

MSI Forge GM340 Wireless Mouse:

• Sensor: PixArt PAW3311 Optical (Up to 12,000 DPI).
• Shape & Weight: Symmetrical design / 57g.
• Connectivity: 2.4GHz Wireless, Bluetooth 5.2, Wired USB-C.
• Battery Life: Up to 82 Hours.
• Colourways: Black, Navy, Sky, Pink, White, Violet.
• Price: £19.99

Closing Thoughts & Hands-On Impressions

It is rare to test a full ecosystem of peripherals where every single item feels like a decent bargain, but MSI has done a pretty good job with the value proposition across the board here.

Starting with audio, the Maestro 500 Wireless Headset (£70) immediately struck us with how good it looks and feels in the hand. By ditching the aggressive “gamer” aesthetic in favour of a subtle, foldable lifestyle design, it perfectly bridges the gap between desktop gaming and daily commuting. The ANC works surprisingly well, the microphones are cleverly integrated so they stay out of the way, and the battery life is so robust that we couldn't kill it during our testing. The hidden compartment for the USB-C dongle is also a fantastic little design touch.

For typing, MSI caters to two very different audiences. The Forge GK320 is an affordable entry level offering (often found under £20, retailing at £34). It offers a full-sized layout, a tactile volume knob, and a fully 5-pin hot-swappable PCB that makes it a dream for entry-level modders who want to experiment with different switches. The magnetic top cover is also a genius addition for easy cleaning and quick aesthetic changes. Meanwhile, the Forge GK600 TKL punches way above its £75 price tag. We spent most of our time using it over 2.4GHz, and the combination of gasket-mounted acoustic dampening (which successfully eliminates case ping) and heavily textured dye-sub PBT keycaps makes typing on it a good experience. The built-in smart screen is just the cherry on top adding ocasionally usefull information to the top right corner.

When it comes to tracking, the mice are equally impressive. The Versa 300 brings flagship specs -including a top-tier PixArt 3395 sensor and 8000Hz wireless polling – to the masses for just £60. While 8K polling drains the battery much faster (lasting about 3 days compared to 8 days at 1KHz), dialing it back to 1000Hz or 2000Hz resulted in incredibly reliable wireless performance. The addition of Bluetooth is also a rare and welcome feature for an 8K mouse.

However, our absolute favourite product of the bunch has to be the Forge GM340. Weighing just 57 grams and featuring a flawless symmetrical shape, it feels phenomenally agile during long gaming sessions. We were particularly partial to the Violet colourway. Even with the slightly lower-tier PixArt 3311 sensor, tracking performance felt indistinguishable from flagship alternatives; you are truly splitting hairs trying to tell them apart in-game. For under £20, getting a lightweight, tri-mode wireless mouse that lasts 82 hours on a single charge is simply great value.

You can check out the full MSI Peripheral Lineup bellow:

MSI Maestro 500 Wireless Headset: LINK

MSI Forge GK320 Mechanical Keyboard: LINK

MSI Forge GK600 TKL Wireless Keyboard: LINK

MSI Versa 300 Wireless 8K Mouse: LINK

MSI Forge GM340 Wireless Mouse: LINK

Pros:

• Great value across the entire lineup, bringing flagship specs to budget price points.
• Tri-mode wireless connectivity (2.4GHz, Bluetooth, and Wired) features heavily across almost all devices.
• The Maestro 500 headset offers a clean, lifestyle aesthetic with decently effective ANC.
• The Versa 300 offers top-tier 8K polling and a PixArt 3395 sensor for just £60.
• The Forge GM340 is a 57g lightweight wireless mouse that often retails for under £20.

Cons:

• Using the full 8000Hz polling rate on the Versa 300 drains the battery significantly faster (roughly 3 days of use).
• The entry-level GK320 keyboard lacks the premium acoustic dampening found in the slightly more expensive GK600 TKL.

KitGuru says: MSI has delivered a masterclass in budget peripherals. From 8000Hz wireless mice to gasket-mounted keyboards and ANC headsets, this lineup proves you don't have to spend a fortune to get great gaming performance.

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