How To Own The Ultimate Next Gen Gaming Setup For Under $1000

Welcome to the next level.

Background image and graphic design by Michelle Huynh

Step 1: Decide whether you're going with an Xbox One or Playstation 4.

Top: Microsoft (Xbox One) Bottom: Sony (Playstation 4)

If you can't decide, choose Xbox One if you want live TV and entertainment features to go along with your games, or choose Playstation 4 (PS4) if you want a smoother experience and a slimmer design. You can't go wrong with either.

Xbox One (with a copy of Assassin’s Creed Unity): $349 at Amazon.

Playstation 4: $262 (used) at Amazon.

Next Level Option: PS4 Bundle with Grand Theft Auto V and The Last of Us Remastered: $482 at Amazon.

Join a big multiplayer party with Xbox Live Gold or Playstation Plus.

Left: Microsoft (Xbox Live Card) Right: Sony (Playstation Plus Card)

What's the fun of an Xbox One or PS4 if you can't play online with friends? As a great bonus, both Xbox Live Gold and Playstation Plus members get a few pre-selected games for free each month.

Xbox Live 12 Month Gold Membership: $39.99 at Gamestop.

1 Year Playstation Plus Membership: $49.99 at Walmart.

Next Level Option: Xbox Live $100 Gift Card, Playstation Plus $100 Gift Card

Enjoy awesome graphics and no lag with ASUS's VS248HP 24-Inch HD Monitor.

ASUS

Believe it or not, a nice monitor is the way to go when building a gaming setup. A monitor usually has less input lag versus a TV, meaning that your button presses aren't delayed at all. You'll have more time to shoot and less time waiting to respawn.

$169.63 on Amazon.

Next Level Options: ASUS MX299Q 29-Inch Ultra Wide Monitor ($425.99), HP ENVY 32-Inch Quad-HD Monitor ($449.99)

Experience the true sounds of every battle with Monoprice's 5.1 Home Theater Audio System.

Monoprice

Gaming is the perfect time to lose yourself in the moment. These speakers have deep, thumping bass with a blow you away clarity for your most intense shootouts in Far Cry 4 or your crazy car chases in Grand Theft Auto 5.

$75.92 at Monoprice.

Next Level Options: Samsung's HT-H4500 Home Theater System ($196.41), Onkyo's HT-S3500 Home Theater System ($397.12)

Conquer co-op with an extra Xbox One or Playstation 4 controller.

Left: Microsoft (Xbox One Controller) Right: Sony (PS4 Controller)

Your friends might get a bit jealous when they see your awesome new gaming setup, so why not let them join in on the fun? If you want, you can also use your extra controller for your PC gaming needs.

Xbox One Controller: $50 at OutletPC.

PS4 Controller: $50 at NewEgg.

Next Level Options: Scuf One FPS Controller (Xbox One, $139.95), Scuf 4PS Controller (PS4, $149.95)

Hear everything that goes on with Turtle Beach or Tritton Headsets.

Left: Turtle Beach (Ear Force One) Right: Mad Catz (Tritton)

Unfortunately, not everyone wants to be woken up with the epic sounds of a Call of Duty match, but that's no problem with these headsets. It's their loss, after all.

Turtle Beach Ear Force for Xbox One: $64.96 at the Microsoft Store.

Mad Catz' TRITTON Kama Stereo Headset for PS4: $24.92 at B&H Photo.

Next Level Options: Razer Kraken for Xbox One ($92.99), Astro A50 for PS4 ($299.99)

Always have an extra life with Nyko's Charging Station for Playstation 4 and Xbox One.

Nyko

Every gamer has been on the verge of dominating a multiplayer match or beating a story only to have their battery (and dreams) die. Nyko's charging station stops that from happening with a simple drop and charge design, so your controllers are always ready to go.

Nyko Charge Base for Playstation 4: $20.99 at Best Buy.

Nyko Charge Base for Xbox One: $25.21 at Amazon.

Bonus Options: dreamGEAR Playstation 4 Charge and Chat Bundle ($29.98), Xbox One Play and Charge Kit ($24.99)

Have space for everything with Furinno's No Tools Tube Entertainment Center.

Furinno

There's a lot of space for your new monitor and consoles, and it's easy to put together with no tools involved. Finally, you can save your energy for picking the games you want to play, not how you're going to play them.

$37.81 on Amazon.

Next Level Options: Altra Furniture Carson 48 Inch TV Stand ($89.99), Sonax FB-2600 ($169.99)

Stop your sweaty hands from throwing you off with SquidGrip's stick on surfaces.

Squidgrip

Sometimes, a good gaming session can make you and your controller a sweaty, slippery mess. SquidGrip's stick-on surfaces give you your controller a comfortable grip with added anti-germ powers.

Squid Grip for Xbox One: $14.99

Squid Grip for PS4: $14.99

Bonus Options: GelTabz Performance Thumb Grips for Playstation 4 ($4.99) , KontrolFreek FPS Ultra Thumbstick Grips for Xbox One ($12.99)

Sit on a cloud while you game with Comfort Research's 4 Foot Bean Bag.

Comfort Research

Nothing goes better with your long gaming sessions than a memory foam beanbag that shapes to your body while you sit. It's like a cheat code for ultimate comfort.

$87.90 on Walmart.com.

Next Level Options: 6 Foot XL Beanbag ($115), X Rocker 51396 Pro Series 2.1 Video Gaming Chair ($186.98)

The total cost for an Xbox One setup:

And the total cost for a PS4 Setup:

Need to find great deals on new games for your console? Check out these websites:

Cheap Ass Gamer: A must bookmark for awesome deals on games and an accessories. The forums also are a great spot for exclusive deals you won't find anywhere else.

GameFly: GameFly allows you to rent up to 2 games for $22.95 per month, with the selection including all of the newest video game releases. You can build a list of video games, and when you send two back, you'll automatically get the next two on your list.

Reddit's r/gamedeals Subreddit: Another wonderful place to find the best deals on games. Reddit's very active community posts the latest and greatest deals on games, as big companies will also post deals on occasion.

Slickdeals: Often known for its deals on technology and home stuff, Slickdeals also has a great place to find the newest video games for really cheap.

FatWallet Video Game Deals: FatWallet often has a ton of coupons leading to some great savings on video games, making it really easy to add to your collection without breaking the bank.

Amazon Gold Box Deals: If you like Amazon's crazy Black Friday deals where there are limited-time, heavy discounts on games, you'll love Amazon's Gold Box Deals. Every day, a video game or two pops up at a heavy discount, leaving you an opportunity to save big if you catch it at the right time.

Game Deal Daily: It offers only a few deals a day, but that deal is usually a very heavy discount off of a new game or accessory. Giveaways also frequently happen, so make sure you enter them for a chance to win big