The Best Gifts for Gamers of All Types.
Choosing a gift for a gamer can be tricky, as gamers are notoriously picky about their gaming systems and interests. If your gift recipient is into Stardew Valley , they’ll turn up their nose at a force-feedback racing wheel , no matter how realistic it makes driving simulators; if they’re into Valorant , they probably won’t appreciate a soft, pastel cat-paw-shaped gaming chair pillow .
The key is to choose gifts that suit the gamer’s personality. To help you avoid a forced response like “Uh… thank you?”, I’ve compiled a list of the best gifts based on gamer personality, and also included one gift that should never, under any circumstances, be given to gamers this Christmas.
The Best Gift for Gamers: Steam Deck
The Steam Deck is a versatile gaming tool that will satisfy both portable gamers and PC and console users. It’s a compact PC that fits easily in a backpack, can be taken anywhere, or connected to a TV. Portable gamers will appreciate the compact size and touchscreen. Console fans will appreciate the simple interface and Xbox games. PC fans can use it to play their Steam games while sitting on the couch or on the bus. They can even wipe the entire hard drive and use it as a PC if they ever retire from video games (though that’s unlikely). The Steam Deck is available exclusively from Valve’s website .
The Best Gift for the Avid Gamer: Razer Huntsman Elite
Avid gamers want to play better. This keyboard can help, giving them a millisecond advantage. Instead of mechanical switches, the Razer Huntsman uses analog optical switches to register keypresses. Gamers can fine-tune the force required to register keypresses, and the rapid actuation feature resets the keys the moment they release their finger. This means faster shooting, and faster shooting can be the difference between an acceptable kill/death ratio and rage-induced quitting.
The Best Gift for a Handheld Gamer: Backbone One (2nd Gen)
Backbone One attaches to virtually any Android or iPhone, transforming it into a portable console, allowing you to play mobile games or stream Xbox or PlayStation games from the cloud. It fits not only most iPhones and Android smartphones but also most phone cases , so you don’t have to disassemble your phone to play. Just make sure you choose the right case: they come in both Xbox and PlayStation 5 variants.
The perfect gift for a casual gaming enthusiast: the Ferghana velvet gaming chair.
Some gamers seek the complete opposite of the adrenaline rush of intense PvP battles—they choose games for comfort, not action. If you’re looking for a gift for just such a person, consider this velvet gaming chair. It boasts all the ergonomic benefits of a traditional gaming chair (lumbar cushions, high backrest, footrest), but is upholstered in soft velvet instead of distressed faux leather.
The best gift for a console gamer: a 2TB drive for storage expansion.
Gaming is fun; managing storage space isn’t. It’s a constant headache for both Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 owners. Huge game files take up the relatively small hard drives of both consoles, forcing players to delete old games every time they install something new. But a good, large 2TB drive like the WD_BLACK SN850P for PS5 or the Sandisk 2TB Optimus GX C50 memory expansion card for Xbox solves this problem, so why not give them some extra space? Make sure you choose the right drive for the console they play on, and personally, I wouldn’t cut corners and go with anything smaller. They need as much storage as possible, trust me.
The Best Gift for a Streamer: Elgato Stream Deck MK.2
If your gift recipient is a streamer or aspiring streamer, the Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 is an indispensable accessory. This standalone controller features 15 programmable LCD keys that can be programmed to switch camera angles, mute the microphone, play sound effects, control lighting, and virtually any other action with a single keystroke.
Honorable Mention: DoorDash or UberEats Gift Card.
If none of the above gift ideas work , consider a gift certificate from DoorDash or UberEats . No matter what games you play, when you’re engrossed in a game, the last thing you want to do is get distracted by cooking dinner.
The only gift you shouldn’t give a gamer (unless they ask for it): Grand Theft Auto 6.
The release of Grand Theft Auto 6 is one of the biggest events in the gaming industry in decades, but please don’t give GTA 6 to gamers for Christmas. Forcing someone to wait even one day after the November 19th release date to play it is simply cruel. Show some compassion and give them the game early.