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best gifts for gamers

Best Gifts for Gamers: Accessories, Peripherals, Gift Cards

With Christmas fast approaching, many of us are beginning to wonder what to buy someone who’s into gaming. Luckily, we’ve thought ahead and compiled this list of gifts for gamers so that you don’t have to rack your brains coming up with ideas.

Whether you’re on a budget or willing to spend a bit more to surprise your loved ones, we give you quite a few options in this article, so let’s start.

Gift Cards

The first thing most people will think of buying a gamer is, well, a game.

But unless you know what they like and what they have, you’re better off purchasing a gift card for the platform they use or prefer the most.

Although it might require a little bit of research on your part, this way the gift recipient can purchase the game they want the most or buy a subscription to a paid service like Xbox Live, the PlayStation Network, or Nintendo Switch Online.

When choosing a gift card, keep in mind that the games with the highest budgets (Triple-A or AAA) and usually the highest appeal among gamers can set you back between $50 and $100.

For example, one of the most anticipated games this year – Red Dead Redemption 2 (PS4, Xbox One), then God of War (PS4), which won game of the year 2018. Finally, online game store Steam has incredible variety not only when it comes to genre, but also price, besides many discounts, so a fifty dollar gift card here goes a long way as a present for PC gamers.

Gaming Peripherals and Controllers

Having a high-quality gaming mouse, headset, and keyboard is something that can vastly improve a user’s experience and offer superior ergonomics ideal for long gaming sessions. Moreover, an extra console controller means two or more people can sit down and play games side by side, and a back-up is always nice to have.

Since there a lot of companies making these peripherals and hundreds of products to choose from nowadays, we’ve narrowed down a handful of them so you don’t have to worry about which could be the best gifts for a gamer.

Gaming Headset – HyperX Cloud Flight

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The HyperX Cloud Flight is perhaps the best wireless gaming headset of 2018 for the money, both in terms of ergonomics, looks, and sound performance. It comes with a built-in microphone, a range of up to 60 feet, and can be used wirelessly with your PC and PlayStation, or wired with an Xbox.

 

Gaming Mouse – Logitech G903

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If there’s one thing that can make a massive difference to a gamer, it’s the mouse he or she uses. There are tons of options out there for different budgets, but the Logitech G903 came out on top in our recent round-up of the best gaming mice. It’s good for right and left-handed gamers, it’s wireless, the battery lasts up to 32 hours, and you can program the 11 buttons, as well as switch between different profiles.

 

Gaming Keyboard – Corsair K63 Wireless

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The final piece in the puzzle for a PC gaming setup is a good keyboard, and the Corsair K63 wireless mechanical keyboard fits the bill. It’s an excellent choice for those who don’t want to be bound to a single spot by cables, but it can also be used with a wired connection. It has a range of up to 33 ft, a blue LED backlight, high-quality mechanical switches, and customization software. Still, it might not be the right choice for everybody, but luckily it’s just one among more than half a dozen of the best gaming keyboards we’ve reviewed.

 

Xbox Wireless Controller

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This classic Xbox Wireless controller comes in four colors (black, blue, gray, white). One of the perks of this gamepad is that PC gamers can use it because it works seamlessly with Windows 10.

 

Xbox Adaptive Controller

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The Xbox adaptive Controller is a unique product and the perfect gift for a gamer with limited mobility.  It works as a hub that lets you connect different switches, buttons, joysticks, and mounts to create a custom setup. Even better, it’s compatible with PCs, PlayStation 4, and the Nintendo Switch.

 

PlayStation 4 DualShock Wireless Controller

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The PlayStation 4 DualShock Wireless controller comes in 11 different colors and patterns to match any taste. Just like the Xbox gamepads, it works on a PC with third-party software DS4Windows, and on your TV through Steam’s Big picture mode.

 

Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Controller

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The Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controller can be used separately, on both hands, or joined together with the PowerA grip to form an additional gamepad for hot-seat sessions of Mario Kart. Both the grip and controller are available in different colors.

 

Accessories

Often overlooked, accessories make life easier and are some of the best gifts for gamers. What’s more, if you’re working with a limited budget, you can always find something that won’t break the bank. Here’s a short list of interesting and useful gaming accessories:

Gooseneck Stand/Holder

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This table-mount holder from Tryone works with a variety of tablets, smartphones, e-readers, and the Nintendo Switch for hands-free use. It has a long, bendable arm, and is compatible with devices that are between 4 and 10.6 inches in size.

 

Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Charging Dock

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Anyone in need of a charging dock for their Nintendo Switch controllers should consider this one from PowerA. It is powered through USB and can fit up to 4 Joy-Con controllers with its slide-in design.

 

Memory Foam Keyboard and Mouse Rest Pad

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It’s no secret that gamers can spend hours and hours glued to their screen, but repeated overuse can cause strain and injury to tendons in wrists and arms. Besides having a good keyboard and mouse, another thing that can help relieve the pressure is a memory foam set like this one from Gimars.

 

SteelSeries QcK Gaming Mouse Pad

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Today’s optical gaming mice are a far cry from their ball-operated predecessors and work almost flawlessly in comparison. Still, a quality mouse pad like the SteelSeries QcK is crucial, especially for first-person shooters and other e-sports titles where reflexes and precision matter. It also comes in different sizes up to an XXL that can accommodate both a keyboard and a mouse.

 

Zowie BENQ Camade Mouse Bungee

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If you’ve never heard of a mouse bungee or knew that it existed, we don’t blame you. Nevertheless, this accessory is great for wired mice. It makes sure that cables don’t slip behind a desk or get snagged on something which can interfere with mouse movements, so it can be a good gift for gamers who have everything.

EchoGear Premium Dual Monitor Stand

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Although monitor ergonomics have improved over the years, the sturdy EchoGear Dual Monitor Stand goes a few steps further. It frees up space desk space, and more importantly, lets you position monitors perfectly by panning, swiveling, tilting, rotating, and adjusting height. Moreover, it comes with built-in cable management. If you know a gamer who needs a present and has a two-monitor setup, this might be just what you’re looking for.

 

Samsung 860 EVO 1TB SSD with External Enclosure

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Strictly speaking, this Samsung solid state hard drive is a component and not an accessory, but it’s something gamers who are running out of space on their console or PC will appreciate. It’s fast, it’s large, and it comes with an external enclosure, so you can connect it to PCs, and consoles likes the PS4 and Xbox.

Compressed Gas Duster

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Our last suggestion is more of a miscellaneous item, but also an incredibly practical gaming gift.
Even if a computer case or console is kept spotless on the outside, they can accumulate an ungodly amount of dust on the inside, so they need to be blasted with air from time to time. Seeing as most people don’t have a shop air compressor lying around, this is the next best thing. You can use it with keyboards, too.