The 25+ Best Gifts For Gamers, From Portable Consoles to Streaming Essentials
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With consoles getting more powerful year after year, and the rise of livestreaming not slowing down anytime soon, there’s never been a better time to be into gaming.
If you’re shopping for a gamer (or looking to indulge a little yourself), this guide has everything you need to get the most out of your setup. We’ve made sure to include accessories for PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC gamers, while also recommending the hottest VR headset right now.
For this guide, we spoke to Zack “Drazah” Jordan of the professional Call of Duty League team Atlanta FaZe for his recommendations (he personally loves gaming gear made by JBL), along with sourcing personal picks from our Senior Gaming Editor, Christopher Cruz.
Bottom line: if you’re looking for an easy way to upgrade someone else’s system, you’ve come to the write place. Our editors have curated the best gifts for gamers, including top-rated gear for casual players, along with accessories necessary for streaming, so if someone in your life wants to take that more seriously, we’ve got you covered.
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Asus ROG Ally X
Image Credit: Asus With the success of the Nintendo Switch OLED and Valve Steam Deck OLED, handheld gaming consoles are having more of a moment than ever. And after the popularity of Asus’ portable gaming console last year, the tech company’s newest release, the ROG Ally X, is a major upgrade for anyone looking to expand their horizons of play.
As a portable PC, it can play all of the year’s biggest games, anywhere, with access to Xbox Game Pass (it even comes with three months of service for free), Nvidia GeForce Now, Steam, PlayStation Remote Play, and others. With updates like a new eight-directional D-pad for precision gaming, they’ll never feel like they’re missing out not gaming on the big screen.
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Meta Quest 3S
Image Credit: Amazon The Meta Quest 3S is one of the best headsets we’ve tested — and it’s a must-have gift for gamers.
The Meta Quest 3S is an independent VR headset, which means it doesn’t need to be plugged into a computer to work. You can connect it to a computer to use the headset to play PC-only VR games.
Setting it up is easy, but requires a Meta account, and you should be up and running in about 10 minutes. Now, the headset also comes with Batman: Arkham Shadow and a 3-month trial of Meta Quest+ with your purchase. The Meta Quest 3S can also play any previous-generation Meta Quest game, so the game library has hundreds of titles already.
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Turtle Beach Stealth Pro
Image Credit: Amazon The sound quality on Turtle Beach’s Stealth Pro puts most other gaming headphones to shame, whether you’re using them for gaming or just listening to music. You can connect them to your PC, tablet, or even your Playstation 5 or Xbox Series S/X.
Not only is it one of the most comfortable luxury headsets we’ve ever tried, Senior Gaming Editor Chris Cruz says it “feels like studio headphones for gaming.” It’s also rechargable with the ability to swap multiple batteries — allowing for long hours of uninterrupted play.
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Edifier G2000
Image Credit: Amazon Edifier’s G2000 speakers were designed with PC gamers in mind.
The speakers have a modern, angular design, and were designed to provide clear sound with rich bass. The speakers are angled slightly upward, so sound is directed directly toward your ears.
You can customize the look of the G2000s by switching between one of 12 different LED lighting setups, which can illuminate your room even when the lights are off.
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Astro Bot PS5
Image Credit: Amazon PlayStation returns to its platforming mascot roots with a celebration of its 30th anniversary, embarking on a delightful galatic quest and letting players explore more than 50 planets in search of the titular bot’s lost crew.
Winner of Game of the Year at the Game Awards 2024, players of all ages will be enraptured by the classic gameplay and visually stunning style of Team Asobi’s mega hit, Astro Bot.
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Govee TV Backlight 3 Lite
Image Credit: Amazon Your setup makes up a big part of the gaming experience, which is why Govee’s TV Backlight 3 Lite is a must-have present. The neon strip lights look fantastic when gaming on the big screen, capturing the color of any TV and syncing the lighting effects to create a 360 degree immersive experience.
This kit allows you to add up to seven sub-devices and customize lighting effects and multiple color displays to really trick out a room. The gamer you get these for won’t help but feel cool each time they boot up their console.
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Logitech C922x Pro Stream Webcam
Image Credit: Amazon Logitech’s C922x is a full HD webcam made specifically for people who livestream, including Let’s Pays.
It can broadcast a 720P video at 60FPS (frames per second), to make you look super smooth, and has automatic light correction to compensate for a dimly lit room. The camera’s autofocus will make sure you look clear if you move around, and its built-in mic will record and stream clearer sounding audio than the one built into your computer.
If someone you know wants to get more serious about streaming games, gift them this webcam.
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Sony 4K Ultra HD TV X90L
Image Credit: Amazon This built-for-PlayStation Sony TV has low input lag and HDR tone mapping, making this one of the most useful gamer gifts.
It’s also got Google TV built-in, and support for AirPlay too if you want to cast your home videos this holiday season. It also packs plenty of high-performance gaming with HDMI 2.1 features like 4K/120, VRR, and ALLM. If you know a gamer looking for a powerful big-screen TV, choose the Sony X90L.
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Xbox Game Pass Ultimate — 1-Month Membership
Image Credit: Amazon Xbox’s newest mission is to show that Xbox isn’t just, well, a box. With Game Pass Ultimate, everything from your laptop, TV, or mobile device is also an Xbox. With Game Pass Ultimate, you can stream games directly from the cloud on almost any device and use an Xbox controller via Bluetooth or direct USB-C connection to pick-up and play anywhere, with seamless cloud saving that never loses your last position.
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PDP Victrix Pro BFG Wireless Gaming Controller
Image Credit: Amazon Know someone who games on the PS5 or PC? PDP’s Victrix Pro BFG Controller will be the best gift they receive this year. The controller’s standout feature is the ability to swap out its joysticks and D-Pad with components that better suit your play style. The Victrix Pro BFG feels great in the hand, with a luxe finish fitting with the name “elite.”
A controller is as important to console gamers as a mouse and keyboard are to PC players, and the flat D-pad design makes it a favorite with the fighting game and shooter esports communities. It works for PS5, Xbox, and PC, and will give the gamer you gift it to an edge over the people they play with.
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Shure MV7+ Dynamic Podcast Microphone
Image Credit: Amazon Shure’s new MV7+ Dynamic microphone is the ultimate gift for any aspiring game streamer.
The mic can be connected directly to a computer (Mac or PC) and record extremely detailed audio. The microphone’s app lets you adjust its volume and switch modes based on how far away it is from your mouth. Volume controls and vibrant color LED colorways are also built into a touch panel (including a Quick Mute feature) on the microphone for easy-access mid recording.
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LEGO Super Mario Adventures
Image Credit: Amazon If they love building with LEGO, it doesn’t get any better than this Super Mario Adventures kit. They can build their own Mario course and get Mario to collect virtual coins as he goes through the course.
Mario’s LEGO figurine even has a color sensor plus LCD screens allowing it to display over 100 instant reactions to movement, according to the brand. They’ll also be able to rearrange the course as they wish and even add to this LEGO set as time goes on.
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Razer Moray
Image Credit: Amazon Ear fatigue is real, and when you’re a streamer plugged in all day, it’s essential to have comfortable audio without sacrificing audio fidelity that could lose you the game. Razer Moray earbuds are all-purpose in-ear monitors that feature THX certified sound on top of pro level noise isolation, blocking out distractions without power draining active cancellation.
Molded for in-ear, with an over ear braided cable design, Razer Moray buds are non-intrusive, high impact that won’t mess up the hair, and are subtle enough for streaming or just casual holiday gaming binges alike.
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ModRetro Chromatic
Image Credit: GameStop ModRetro’s Chromatic, a modern recreation of the original Game Boy that doesn’t just play all of your old games, but new ones too, is built to fit the retro gaming palate. With a brightly-lit LED screen and USB-C port for both charging and connecting to capture cards to stream live gameplay, the Chromatic brings the spirit of the Nineties back to handheld gaming. Time to dig up those old Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges!
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SteelSeries Prime Wireless Gaming Mouse
Image Credit: Amazon A low latency mouse is an essential tool for any serious PC gamer, and the wireless version SteelSeries Prime delivers the goods. Its optical sensor is sensitive enough to respond to the slightest movement.
Bluetooth causes latency (a delay) in the time it takes your computer to register a mouse movement and make the appropriate changes, which is why SteelSeries opted to bundle the Prime Wireless Mouse with a USB dongle. You get the freedom of a wire-free desk without giving up performance.
If you know a competitive online gamer, this mouse would make a wonderful gift.
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (PlayStation 5)
Image Credit: Amazon Call of Duty has never really gone away, but with Black Ops 6, it’s the best its been in years. With a high-octane singleplayer campaign that continues the Black Ops story, and a revolutionary multiplayer mode that incorporates omnimovement to change the competitive landscape, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is a generational leap forward for pop culture’s favorite annual game.
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Victrix Pro FS 12 Arcade Fight Stick
Image Credit: Amazon It’s a new day for fighting game fans as the year ushered in an arcade renaissance with brawlers like Street Fighter 6 and Mortal Kombat XL. With high level competitive play back on the menu, you’ll need the right tools to maintain the edge.
What was once a community mod, the fighting game scene has recently embraced the wonders of “leverless” (i.e. joystick-free) arcade pads, and we love the elegantly clean and sturdy Pro FS 12. Without the need to move the wrist, using Sanwa Denshi face buttons for movement as well as attack inputs has become seamless, providing a faster edge for high level competition.
Not to mention it also features the full array of PlayStation 4 & 5 mapped and marked buttons, a fully functioning touchpad for full compatibility, and instant pairing with any PC.
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HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless
Image Credit: Amazon With a battery life of 300 hours, the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless has one of the best battery lives on a gaming headset we’ve ever seen.
This headset is completely wireless and is compatible with both PCs and PlayStation 5s. Unfortunately, there’s no support for Xbox — although that’s the only con we could find.
The sound quality is amazing, and the padded headband is adjustable too, allowing you to adjust your fit. You’ll also get a detachable mic included for collaborative gaming or e-sports as well as onboard audio controls for volume and mic monitoring.
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Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini
Image Credit: Razer This wireless keyboard boasts up to 200 hours of battery life and durable keycaps, capable of enduring your all-night gaming sessions.
It is also powered by Razer Chroma RGB, allowing you to customize the lighting on this keyboard to match your gaming setup. If you’re looking for a gamer gift capable of long-term use, gift the Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini.
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Roto VR Explorer
Image Credit: Amazon Gamers are used to the comfortable luxury of high-end gaming chairs, but what if a gaming chair could make VR itself more cushiony? Roto VR Explorer is a made-for-Meta product that syncs with Meta Quest headsets to not just provide a comfortable way to play VR during extended sessions, but provides haptic feedback beyond what’s normally only felt in the controllers.
Its head tracking technology also helps players easily pivot without breaking the immersion of their virtual space — giving the gift of an entire world at their seat.
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JBL Quantum One
Image Credit: Amazon This noise-cancelling wired headset features multiplatform compatibility, including support for both Xbox and PlayStation users.
It’s got memory foam ear cushions for comfort and features active noise canceling to intelligently block out conversation or distractions around you. It features surround sound too for an immersive listening experience, and RGB customization to get this headset to match your gaming setup.
If your giftee is in need of a gamer-approved set of noise cancelling headphones, this is it.
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Eglato Creator Bundle
Image Credit: Elgato Elgato has long been the most reliable name in game streaming, and you’re just one click way from getting them everything they need to start livestreaming gaming content. The Creator bundle comes with the Game Capture Neo, along with the Facecam, Key Light, Wave Neo mic, and the streamlined Stream Deck Neo. The Stream Deck Neo is fully programmable to hit all the cues and transitions necessary for pro-level content creation on-air.
In terms of capture cards, the Capture Neo is also the easiest way to capture gameplay at 1080p, 60 fps directly from their console or even mobile device to route directly to their fans while streaming.
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Controller Charger for Nintendo Switch
Image Credit: Amazon This multi-charging accessory is a great gift for Nintendo Switch owners. It allows you to charge four Joy-Con controllers and two Nintendo Switch Pro Controllers at the same time. LEDs on the front of the charger will turn green when a controller is fully charged, so you know it’s good to go.
Multi-controller chargers are also available for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One controllers.
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Backbone One Gaming Controller for iPhone (2nd Gen)
Image Credit: Backbone The iPhone has one of the most robust gaming libraries available right now, and Backbone’s One Controller lets you play them the way they were meant to be played. The accessory basically turns Apple’s phone into a portable handheld console, with triggers, buttons, and joysticks that making playing games more comfortable when compared to tapping a screen. You can also stream through cloud gaming services such as Xbox Game Pass, Apple Arcade and GeForce NOW, or play games with Remote Play from your PlayStation, Xbox or PC.
In our experience, Backbone One feels and works better than most companies’ first-party controllers, and it’s the only way we recommend serious gamers play titles like Fantasian, Chrono Trigger or Sayonara Wild Hearts. If you’re shopping for someone who almost exclusively games on their phone, this is hands-down the best gift you can give them in 2024.
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Samsung 49-Inch Odyssey G9 Gaming Monitor
Image Credit: Amazon Curved gaming monitors provide a more immersive gaming experience, and this one from Samsung is one of the best.
Its top features include a 240hz refresh rate and support for both NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync. Get this gamer gift for the e-sports enthusiasts in your life.
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Corsair MM350 PRO Premium Cloth Mouse Pad
Image Credit: Amazon When it comes to gaming, mouse pads don’t need to be limited to a single hand space. The modern way to play is providing frictionless space for your keyboard, mouse, and a plush resting place for your hands. XL mouse pads like this Corsair MM350 Pro cover a full desktop and allows for full freedom in precise mouse controls no matter how heated the game can get.
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The Game Console 2.0
Image Credit: Amazon The Game Console 2.0 is one of the rare video game books that we recommend for any fan of the medium, regardless of which systems they play now, or had as a kid. Evan Amos breaks down the hardware of 100 consoles spanning several decades, giving readers a literal inside look at the components that make the system work.
The first edition of this book was a personal favorite because of Amos’ distinctive photo style, in which different components of the console or accessory’s hardware is stacked on top of one another. You can see an example in the image above that features the NES controller. This new edition covers the latest game consoles, which were released after the first version of this book was printed.
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Razer Iskur V2 Gaming Chair
Image Credit: Razer The idea of a luxury gaming chair seems outrageous, but thinking about how much time you spend repositioning to stay comfortable should tell you everything you need to know. The Razer’s Iskur V2 might just be one of the best gaming chairs of the year, featuring a sleek, ergonomic design for maximum lumbar support, and high-density foam cushions that feel like you’re sitting in a sportscar.
With an easily adjustable lumbar curve knob and engineered for optimal weight distribution, it’s instantly clear from the first time sitting that this isn’t just an ordinary office chair. It’s entirely possible (and encouraged) to lose yourself in the Isklur V2 for hours on end.