25 Best Gifts for Gamers, According to Gamers Themselves

For gamers who love streaming or chatting with friends on Discord, a good microphone is a must. We tested the predecessor to this model in the Tech & Engineering Lab where it performed great for the price point. This new edition features the same adjustable polar pattern and tap-to-mute features that made us fall in love with the prior.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite isn’t cheap, but according to my Lab and real-world testing, it’s worth it. With great noise cancellation, a retractible microphone with top-tier noise isolation, and an audio interface for connecting to any console, this is the crème de la crème of gaming headsets. This pair is also incredibly lightweight and has a swappable battery making it great for travel. I’ve taken my pair everywhere from airplane game sessions to midnight DJ sets.

DualSense controllers are fantastic not only for playing Playstation 5 games, but also for connecting to Mac and Windows computers. The large space above the joysticks is actually a touchpad, making keyboard or point-and-click input massively easier than with many other controllers. I’ve been ogling the sleek Chroma Pearl finish ever since I saw my coworker bring his in to the office.

Our tech pros love Logitech’s computer mice for their ergonomic designs and unique functionality. Senior Mechanical Engineer Alec Scherma recommends this model for the inclusion of horizontal scroll and programmable buttons. While it doesn’t sport the refresh rate of some higher-end gaming mice, it’s a great multitasker that provides utility for gamers who work from home or need extra controls.

Scherma also recommends Keychron keyboards for their premium feel and customizability. This one offers the satisfying feeling of a mechanical keyboard mixed with the flexibility of adjustable actuation, so gamers can fine tine the pressure needed to activate their most used controls in-game.

Macropads give gamers convenient control over their computers, with programmable buttons that can open applications or perform hotkey actions without having to memorize arcane key combinations. This one from Keychron features a programmable knob for even greater tactile control along with stylish RGB lights.

I’ve been using my T7 Shield since testing it for the Good Housekeeping Travel Awards, and this award winner is still going strong despite countless drops, accidental unplugging, and a whole lot of travel. Digital gamers need a good place to store all of their games, files, and other digital clutter, and I can’t recommend a drive better than this one.

This Pikachu puppet had both our kid testers and our parenting experts raving about 1) its impressive puppet functions and 2) its plain old cuteness. One tester said, “I love this toy! I think it really makes you look like a professional puppeteer even if you have no puppeteering skills. The mouth even looks like it's animated.”

For young and uninitiated gamers, LeapFrog’s My First Gamer offers 20 entertaining games for kids. It’s a great first gift for kids who can’t wait to hop onto a console of their own.

One thing about video games is they use a lot of power. If your gamer is gearing up for a long trip, a power bank like this one will keep them topped up all while reducing the number of cables they have to take with them (provided their device uses USB-C). We tested this power bank in our Lab, and it hit the sweet spot between price, performance, and portability.

With this Pixicade system—a recent GH Toy Awards winner—kids 6 and up can design their own video game. They can draw out the levels using different colors for different functions, and an iOS or Android app will transform it into a digital mobile game.

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Nineties kids who love Legos and video games: This one’s for you. A faithful recreation of the beloved console that gave us characters like Sonic the Hedgehog, this Lego set is a no-brainer for retro enthusiasts.

Tamagotchi has gotten an upgrade, with a brand-new knob on the right that lets you zoom into your digital pet’s world. Our consumer testers loved the new model for its portable, low-time-commitment fun. The inclusion of features like a digital babysitter means you don’t need to stay glued to the unit to keep your pet alive and well.

Every cozy gamer needs a good pillow or plush to snuggle up with while tending to their digital world. This adorable Umbreon plush pairs perfectly with a nostalgic Pokémon title, life simulator, or sandbox game. “I love its size, and it’s SO cute, and soft and fluffy!” said one of our consumer testers.

Gift their favorite video game character in squeezable form. Club Mocchi Mocchi sells plush characters from popular games, including Sonic, Super Mario, Kirby, and more—so you can find their favorite.

Retro handhelds have been trending on social media, with this model from Anbernic specifically getting lots of attention for its compact, swiveling design. Loaded with an Android operating system, these nifty devices let gamers emulate their favorite games from past eras while on the go.

If you want a real bang-for-your-buck gift for Switch or Switch 2 gamers, it’s hard to beat a Nintendo Online membership. Beyond enabling a variety of perks like online play and the Nintendo Music App, membership gives access to a large (and growing) library of retro games to play directly from your Switch/Switch 2. I’ve been testing it out for a few months, and I love the breadth of titles you can play from several of Nintendo’s older consoles.

An art or lore book for a gamer’s favorite franchise will give them hours of great reading—and it’s also a fantastic display piece in their gaming room. My brother was obsessed with this book growing up, and it’s still well regarded by the fandom more than a decade later. It’s perfect for any Zelda fan wanting to dive deeper into the world.