The Best Gifts For Gamers This Holiday Season 2022
Looking for the best gifts for gamers but feeling overwhelmed by all the various gadgetry on the market? We’ve got you covered. From incredible VR headsets to retro arcade machines to comfy gaming chairs, we’ve rounded up some of the coolest and most useful gifts and gaming accessories any gamer will be psyched to receive.
Whether you’re a gamer yourself and are looking for something to take your fun to the next level, or are shopping for gifts for a gamer in your life but are not exactly sure what they need, these gift ideas are sure to upgrade your gaming experience. PC, console, or mobile – we’ve got ’em all.
From best-performing gaming gear to coolest accessories to the greatest games, here are the best gaming gifts for him and her this year. Budget-friendly and splurge-worthy items included.
- Best Mouse Pad: SteelSeries QcK+ Gaming Mouse Pad
- Best Virtual Reality Headset: Oculus Rift + Touch Virtual Reality System
- Best Handheld Arcade Machine: My Arcade Handheld Gaming System
- Best Wireless Headset and Base: ASTRO A50 Gaming Headset
- Best Gaming Mouse: Razer Naga Chroma
- Best Gaming Chair: X Rocker Gaming Chair
- Best Gift For Nintendo Switch Users: Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Charging Dock
- Best Gaming Desk: Atlantic Gaming Desk
- Best Network Switch: NETGEAR Nighthawk S8000
- Best Keyboard and Mouse Set: Redragon S101 Wired Gaming Keyboard and Mouse Combo
Gifts For Gamers In 2021
1SteelSeries QcK+ Gaming Mouse Pad
Ideal for the PC gamer, the SteelSeries QcK+ Gaming Mouse Pad doesn’t look that noteworthy until you run your fingers across its ultra-smooth gaming surface. That’s the only time that you will notice just how amazingly thick its rubber base is. This is a very welcome feature since it steadies and stabilizes the SteelSeries QcK+ on your desktop, preventing slips and unnecessary movements. Designed for optimal gaming performance, this mousepad will help increase your accuracy and precision in-game. The QcK+ is also unusually large. Compared to conventional mousepads the SteelSeries QcK+ measures about 15.7 inches wide and 17.72 inches long, making it great for sweeping movements. It also makes a perfect gift for nerds in your life.
2Oculus Rift + Touch Virtual Reality System
Travel into a virtual world with a VR headset, where your senses will be treated to a barrage of stimuli from various sources. With the Oculus Rift + Touch Virtual Reality System, you’d have to prepare yourself for more intense gameplays, more immersive action, and a totally new and exhilarating gaming experience as the package already comes with 6 VR games that will keep your pulse racing. The Oculus Touch controllers are ingeniously designed for optimum interaction with the various elements in the virtual world. Yes, it’s on the pricy side but trust us when we say – it’s worth it. A fair warning though: this VR headset is so immersive it may actually trigger your fear of height.
3Gunnar Optiks Intercept Computer Gaming Glasses
One of the major issues of spending too much time in front of computers, tablets, or even smartphones is that you get exposed to the eye-damaging effects of high-energy blue light. This can lead to the formation of cataracts, the development of macular degeneration, and even permanent damage to the retina. With the Gunnar Optiks Intercept Computer Gaming Glasses, you can effectively block as much as 65 percent of this damaging light while also protecting you against UV rays. The Intercept is specially designed for very active computer gamers, allowing them to sleep better as these gaming glasses can help reduce eye strain. A gamechanger (no pun intended) for gamers and folks who work long hours in front of the screen.
4My Arcade Handheld Gaming System
Travel back in time with this miniature retro arcade machine that comes equipped with 200 old-school video games, including racing, puzzles, sports, and more. Designed to fit right in your hands, the My Arcade Handheld Gaming System looks great on any desk or shelf (especially if you’re a collector of mini arcade games) and makes for a great travel buddy. This handheld gaming console is designed pretty much like an old-school gaming arcade complete with authentic D-buttons and joystick. It comes with a 2.5-inch full-color screen and speaker and volume control – a true mini version of the real thing.
5Corsair Gaming Mouse Pad
Most computer gamers don’t mind using basic mouse pads for their various gameplay needs. However, for the serious gamers, only the Corsair Gaming Mouse Pad will do (one of the top gaming gifts on offer). The MM300 is not like any other mouse pad you’re familiar with. First, its dimensions are way longer than conventional pads, offering you a full 93-centimeter long mouse pad (36.6 inches) that is large enough to accommodate even your standard gaming keyboard. Its textile-weaved surface allows for lethal in-game accuracy that any hard-core gamer is bound to love. The edges are stitch-reinforced to help prevent peeling, guaranteeing this gaming mouse pad stays with you for a long time.
6ASTRO A50 Gaming Headset
The ASTRO Wireless Gaming Headset is not your typical headset that comes with a variety of features specially designed for enhancing your music listening experience. Instead, the ASTRO A50 is specially designed and built for serious gamers, including those who play on PC, PlayStation, and Mac. The ASTRO A50 comes with 7.1 Dolby surround sound technology, giving you exceptionally loud bass and chest-thumping trebles, elegantly amplified to bring you to an out-of-this-world adventure. The ASTRO A50 is embedded with professional quality audio drivers, giving players complete control over their audio experience, including game audio settings and voice communication. It comes in two cool finishes and with its own docking station, a.k.a. wireless charger, too.
7Razer Naga Chroma
Play games with lethal precision with the Razer Naga Chroma, an ultra-precise gaming mouse with 16,000 DPI. Ergonomically designed to follow the contours of your palms and with 19 fully programmable buttons, plus a 12-button mechanical thumb grid for additional tactile stimulus similar to a mechanical gaming keyboard, this is one of the best gaming mouses around. The scroll wheel is another thing we love about this model as it’s super-comfy to use whether you’re scrolling up and down or moving left or right. The wired mouse also comes with customizable lighting for both the thumb grid and scroll wheel. The perfect device for gaming, plus it looks awesome.
8X Rocker Gaming Chair
Upgrade your gaming room with the X Rocker Pro H3 Audio Gaming Chair. This ultra-comfy chair-lounger comes fully integrated with 4 powerful speakers to give you a highly immersive sound when gaming. Its equally amazing subwoofer can turn even the slightest hint of bass into a thunderous boom, further enhancing your gaming experience. The vibration motors can be fully synchronized with the different bass tones in your game, providing you with shocks, jolts, and minute vibrations pretty much like the tactile feedback of vibration-enabled game controllers. The chair is compatible with Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, and many other gaming systems and folds for easy storage. You may also be interested in some of the best kids gaming chairs from our list, so check them out.
9Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Charging Dock
For those who already have the Nintendo Switch, you might want to get this charging dock specially designed for the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers. The nifty charging dock can handle up to 4 Switch Joy-Con controllers at the same time complete with individual LED charging indicator lights so you’ll know which of the devices are already fully charged. The Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Charging Dock easily connects to any USB cable-enabled power device. Its weighted base helps ensure greater stability while the underside conveniently hides a cable wrap. As a bonus, the charging dock makes for an amazing display stand for all your Switch controller devices.
10Razer DeathAdder Elite
If you’re looking for a good budget-friendly gift for gamers, definitely check out the Razer DeathAdder Elite Gaming Mouse. It comes with 7 programmable buttons and an optical sensor that’s rated at 16,000 DPI. With 99.4 percent resolution accuracy and true tracking at 450 Inches Per Second, this device will provide outstanding accuracy and speed so you or your gamer-pal can dominate the playing field. The Chroma lighting technology integrated into the DeathAdder Elite also allows you to customize the mouse with up to 16.8 million colors with included preset profiles. The only downside is that you have to install Razer software in order to configure the mouse. Be sure to use one of the tech cleaning products from our list to keep this mouse clean and easy to use.
11Monster Energy
Sharpen your focus to get the most out of your playing sessions with this value pack of Monster Energy Drink. With a whopping 160 milligrams of caffeine and its usual sweet, smooth taste, it will perk you up and get you some focus and stamina points that you can use to play longer and better. To illustrate a point, an average-sized cup of coffee only contains about 95 milligrams of caffeine, although it’s not unusual to see some coffee variants reaching up to 500 mg of caffeine. The point is, Monster Energy is a fantastic substitute for coffee if you really want a boost in your energy. It’s a lot easier to drink, too, as it’s best consumed ice cold.
12Atlantic Gaming Desk
The Atlantic Gaming Desk is specially built for today’s modern gamer, although any home office owner would also be happy to have it. One of its sturdy legs comes with a fully integrated cup holder for your water bottle or energy drink, plus other attachments that are perfect for organizing a variety of your computer accessories and peripherals. The Atlantic Gaming Desk also features a unique cable management system that can help you organize your cables and wires in a neat way. There is a charging station, a monitor stand, a game storage rack, game controller hooks, gaming speaker trays, and a whole lot more. A seriously fantastic gift for gamers that will keep your space organized and your play sessions more comfortable.
13NETGEAR Nighthawk S8000
Get ready for the best gaming and streaming experience of your life with the NETGEAR Nighthawk S8000. This Ethernet switch is designed specifically for gaming and streaming, allowing you to experience uninterrupted, seamless gameplays and movie and music streaming. Its 8-port design, coupled with a unique system of network traffic prioritization that comes in 3 different levels, gives users the opportunity to manage multiple connections in a more efficient manner. The Nighthawk S8000 also comes with a one-of-a-kind QoS management solution that guarantees ultra-high gaming and streaming performance. It’s one of the best gaming routers for a reason.
14AmazonBasics Laptop and Tablet Bag
You’d be surprised at just how versatile the AmazonBasics Laptop and Tablet Bag is. Available in 5 different sizes, with the largest fully capable of holding and protecting a large 17.3-inch ultra-high performance gaming laptop, this affordable laptop bag comes with a variety of storage pockets for all of your smaller peripherals, including a mouse, 3D pens, digitizers, and even smartphones, MP3 players, pens, and more. Its smallest version, which is designed for holding a 7-inch tablet or a 10-inch netbook, is equally useful as it comes with the same accessory pockets complementing its main storage compartment.
15Nintendo Entertainment System Classic Edition
If you were born in the late 70s or early 80s, chances are you’ve played one of the most iconic video game console systems of all time. In fact, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) Classic Edition has paved the way for families to enjoy video games together. Now, you can bring back those old glory days and re-play your favorite NES games of the 80s and 90s such as Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Donkey kong, Mega Man, Pac-Man, Final Fantasy, and a whole lot more. The modern version of the NES Classic is more streamlined and comes with HDMI connectivity. If you don’t have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, you’ll love this blast from the past.
16Copper Joint Arthritis Gloves
If you’re a hard-core gamer, you’ve probably dealt with some hand tenderness and pain from time to time. No wonder – repetitive strain on your thumbs can lead to inflammation and pain, or what’s more commonly known as the “gamer’s thumb.” To prevent hand, finger, and wrist issues in the future, it might be a good idea to get some compression gloves – fingerless, of course, so you can continue playing in peace. The Copper Joint Arthritis Gloves basically work like compression sleeves that help improve circulation to the affected limbs, reducing inflammation, and providing you with longer-lasting pain relief. Great to have whether you’re struggling with the gamer’s thumb, arthritis, or just want to prevent potential issues in the future.
17KontrolFreek FPS Freek Galaxy Purple for PlayStation 4 (PS4)
If you’ve played with thumbsticks before, it’s hard to go back to a standard controller. The contoured design provides amazing control and gives you that competitive edge over your opponents. KontrolFreek FPS Thumbsticks are designed for PS4 and PS5 controllers but you can get them for just about any console. If you’re looking for a gift for someone who loves gaming and takes it seriously, this is a great choice. Made from non-slip rubber, the design improves grip and reduces wrist, hand, and thumb fatigue. Plus, they have been carefully designed for each analog stick – the right thumbstick is 3.5mm taller than the left to optimize accuracy and the in-game movement.
18Ann Arbor T-Shirt Co. – I Paused My Game to Be Here
Anyone that lives with a gamer will know how hard it is to drag them from their game. If you’re sitting down to a family meal, you can guarantee they’ll turn up ten minutes late with a sour look on their face. So, why not make a joke about it? With a slogan: “I paused my game to be here”, this unisex t-shirt is sure to become a part of your daily wear, so we suggest stocking on a few. And as a nice bonus, it might even help you make friends with other gamers (you know, in the real world). Made from 90% USA-grown cotton and 10% polyester, the t-shirt is super soft, holds its shape well in the wash, and is mid-weight, so it’s good for all seasons.
19PowerA MOGA XP5-A Plus Bluetooth Controller
Mobile gaming is getting more popular by the minute. With smartphones getting increasingly powerful, there is only one thing holding them back – the touchscreen controls. The PowerA MOGA XP5-A Plus Bluetooth Controller allows you to up your phone gaming prowess. Designed like an Xbox One controller, it has a familiar feel and an ergonomic design that makes you feel like you’re playing on the big screen. You can charge your phone while you’re playing with the integrated power bank and included cables. Plus, you can use it with pretty much any other gaming console as your main (or spare) controller. If you’re looking for a great Xbox-like controller that you can use on Android, Windows, and Linux, get this.
20Redragon S101 Wired Gaming Keyboard and Mouse Combo
If you know anything about PC gaming, you’ll know that a standard mouse and keyboard aren’t going to cut it, especially when it comes to new games. You need a keyboard that lets you type fast and with accuracy and you need a mouse that is super quick to respond, so you don’t get any lag when you’re about to take a headshot. The Redragon S101 Wired Gaming Keyboard and Mouse Combo does all of that and more. One of the reasons it sells so well is the RGB backlight effect – it has seven different lighting modes and four different brightness levels. This automatically makes your gaming setup look 10X cooler and makes it easier to find the right key when you’re gaming in the dark. For more top-quality devices like this, be sure to browse our list of the coolest gaming laptops.
21Logitech G502 HERO High-Performance Gaming Mouse
The Logitech G502 HERO High-Performance Gaming Mouse is a perfect gift for gamers who prefer PC video games. It has Logitech’s most accurate sensor to date, with up to 16,000 DPI for amazing speed and accuracy. You can be sure that this mouse won’t let you down when you’re entrenched in battle. It has eleven customizable buttons and onboard memory, so you can set the mouse up to work exactly how you want it to. It also has an interesting adjustable weight system that has five removable weights inside the mouse that you can take out or leave in for perfect balancing. The Logitech G502 is one of the best-reviewed PC gaming mouses on the market, so if you’re looking for a high-quality PC gaming gift, this is the way to go.
22Honeywell HT-900 TurboForce Air Circulator Fan
Nothing is more distracting when you’re gaming than drops of sweat dripping down into your eyes. You need a way to keep your cool literally and metaphorically while you’re gaming, which is why we’ve included the Honeywell HT-900 TurboForce Air Circulator Fan on our list. This desk fan has enough power to keep gamers cool on even the hottest days. It has a 90º pivoting head, three speeds, and an aerodynamic turbo design that maximizes air movement. We also like the fact that it has a sleek black design because it will fit into the aesthetic of any gaming setup.
23Geekdigg Gaming Headset Headphone Stand
Most gamers are pretty serious about their desktop setup. When you’ve invested that much money in high-end gaming equipment, you want everything in its rightful place. That’s why we think the Geekdigg Gaming Headset Headphone Stand could make an excellent gift for the gamer in your life. It fits almost all headphone brands, has a cable organizer on the back, as well as a smartphone stand. Available in black and transparent, this headphone stand is a great gift that’s affordable enough for everyone’s budget.
24Viral Vitamins Brain Supplement Nootropics Booster
If you’re looking for an affordable gift for a gamer who takes their gaming very seriously, Viral Vitamins Brain Supplement Nootropics Booster might just be perfect. While there haven’t been any large-scale tests that confirm nootropics work consistently, actual buyers and users provide a different story. With nearly 7,000 reviews (the vast majority of them positive), this brain supplement is almost guaranteed to improve focus, mental clarity, and memory. When you’re about to embark on a 12-hour gaming marathon, you need all the help you can get. This brain supplement is used by a lot of gamers, so it could just make the perfect gift – if the gamer in your life is into supplements and nootropics, that is.
25Gaiam Restore Hand Therapy Kit
There’s no getting around it, excessive gaming can give you repetitive strain injury (RSI) and other muscle/tendon injuries. We’ve all heard the horror stories of hands cramping up and never being the same again. Well, there’s something you can do about it. The Gaiam Restore Hand Therapy Kit is a massage tool designed to improve circulation in the hand and fingers. It has two massaging sides, designed for separate exercises. Plus, you get an exercise book and access to how-to-videos, so you know exactly how to use it.
Why Trust Us
Here at GearHungry, most of the staff members game on a regular basis so we're always on the lookout for the best gaming gear, accessories, and newest video games. But if you're not into gaming yourself, finding great gifts for gamers in your life can be challenging. To help guide you in the right direction, we've put together this crowd-pleasing selection of gifts for gamers of all types and ages; from practical gaming gear and useful accessories to supplements, gloves, energy drinks, and even throwbacks that old-school players will appreciate, we've covered them all.
Who This Is For
This guide is for anyone looking for great gift ideas for gamers. Whether you're after a great retro video game for the old-school gaming pal of yours, a comfortable gaming desk or chair for yourself, or you don't even know where to start and are just looking for some cool things for gamers in general, this guide has got your back.
How We Picked
Curating this collection of the best gifts for gamers took a fair bit of research and editing. We started by looking at the best-sellers and reading hundreds of customer reviews online; then, we consulted with hard-core gamers on our team who let us know (in detail) what products we should pay special attention to as well as what products we would be wise to avoid including on our list. We made sure to focus on reputable brands and products and include a wide range of options so varying needs, likes and budgets could be satisfied.
Sources:
- What Gamers Want: Missing Gamers - Game Developer
- So What, Exactly, Do Online Gamers Want? - The New York Times