These 4 cheap USB accessories instantly upgrade any PC without any tinkering

Most PC upgrades feel like a big project because you're reading reviews, checking compatibility, maybe cracking open a case or watching a tutorial before anything actually changes. However, you don't need to spend very much to get what you need. I've bought most of the cheap accessories below more than once, which tells you something about how well they hold up.

You don't need to spend a lot to get a decent Wi-Fi Adapter

Spend a little extra to get faster Wi-Fi

A USB Wi-Fi adapter is one of the easiest ways to get an older desktop or laptop running as if it is brand new. Instead of laying an Ethernet cable across the room, you just plug a small dongle into any open USB port, let Windows or macOS sort out the drivers on its own, and connect to your home network like you normally would.

Don't buy the cheapest option available. Getting a cheap adapter just to be done with it seems tempting, but paying a little more is smarter here. That's true even if your PC already comes with built-in Wi-Fi.

Mine cost me $76 on Amazon , and I highly recommend it. I whip this out when my Ethernet cable is out of reach, and I even bought a second one for a computer in my kid's room. I have free ones that came with my PCs, but you notice the difference when you use them.

You can get cheaper ones, but Wi-Fi is crucial to any computer these days. You can get a good one for less, but it's really up to you. Mine comes with an antenna, and while I have not noticed a difference, those tend to work better from what I've heard from friends.

A USB Hub can give you more ports

Power switches help keep your ports from taking a beating

I love using a laptop, but I absolutely hate how limited it is. I sometimes feel the same way about my PC. A USB hub turns one port into many, letting you plug in all your desk accessories at once instead of constantly swapping things in and out.

At minimum, get a hub that comes with power switches. You can cut power to a webcam or external hard drive without unplugging it, which is handy for privacy and saves energy.

I bought a Sabrent for $15 on Amazon twice, but I know Ankers work well too. Both of the devices I bought still work perfectly fine, and it has even worked on a MacBook with an adapter. You don't need to download any drivers, and you can use it on any OS. Since you're toggling ports with a button instead of yanking cables in and out, your computer's built-in USB ports take a lot less physical abuse over time.

Most of these hubs, like mine, also have small LED lights next to each button so you can easily see what's powered on. The more expensive hubs run USB 3.2, and some plug into the wall to save your laptop battery.

You should never keep this plugged in when the laptop is off; that is actually how I killed the charge of my laptop. This is one of the upgrades you should be careful with, and you should make sure you're not plugging in anything too demanding, like a USB-powered fan.

A cheap dongle brings Bluetooth to any computer

Save your fast ports for other gear

If your computer doesn't have Bluetooth built in, a USB Bluetooth dongle is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to add it. You just plug the little adapter into an open USB port, let your computer recognize it, and then pair whatever wireless devices you want through your Bluetooth settings.

This is where you can actually get pretty cheap. Mine is normally $10 on Amazon , and I stand by it today. It is UGREEN, so it is a trusted name, and it has let me connect my keyboard, mouse, and multiple earbuds. It's so reliable that whenever I run into connection issues, I know right away it's the device and not the adapter.

Even if your computer already has Bluetooth built in, it might be worth grabbing one of these anyway. Older built-in chips running Bluetooth 4.2 or earlier tend to be pretty limited. The dongle I use has Bluetooth 5.3, which provides improved power efficiency, lower connection latency, and rock-solid stability for everyday wireless devices.

You should keep this in a 2.0 port; no need to waste a 3.0 port on something like this. You can also get controllers to run really well with it, and I've even stopped using a wired connection for my Xbox controller because of how well this Bluetooth USB works.

Putting LED lights near your screen is easier on your eyes

When gaming in the dark, keep a light on

I really underestimated how great it is to have an LED light strip. My son is actually the one who showed me why this is great. USB-powered LED light strips are a cheap and easy way to add some ambient lighting behind your monitor or on the edges of a desk.

You just peel off the backing, stick the strip to the back of your monitor or under your desk, and plug it into a free USB port on your PC. It turns on and off with your computer automatically. The main reason people do this is that it helps keep your eyes from straining in dark rooms.

It sounds like a lie, but having a bit of light behind your screen makes the contrast a lot softer. That said, not all light strips are created equal, and a few things are worth paying attention to before you buy. The first is color temperature. Ideally, you want something rated at 6500K or D65 . That's roughly the color of natural daylight on an overcast day, and it keeps the light behind your screen from throwing off how colors look on it.

So no need to find bluelight mode or something like it; this actually helped me way more than the modes the computer comes with.

If you don't want to stick these on a monitor, there are alternatives. My son puts it on the drawer behind his monitor instead, and it has the same effect. You're just letting some light into the background so you aren't staring at a blast of pure white for hours.

My light strip came from Walmart with a desk drawer we bought, but any basic one from Amazon gets the job done.

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This won't turn your device into a supercomputer

None of these accessories will turn your computer into a supercomputer, but that's not the point. A Wi-Fi adapter won't fix a slow connection, a hub won't boost performance, and a light strip is just a light strip. They just make your computer easier to use. You won't get dramatic performance gains without spending real money, but these small upgrades make enough of a difference to be worth trying out.