The best gifts for gamers at Christmas are upgrades to the things they touch all day: a headset, a keyboard, a mouse, a monitor, a chair, and a desk. My Gamers must haves list on Benable has 10 items, and my notes on six of them say what stood out. The picks below run from a small gift to a big one.
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What are the best gifts for gamers?
Start with the piece they use for the longest stretch. Every pick below comes from my Gamers must haves list on Benable. For most gamers that is the headset or the keyboard, and those are also the smaller gifts. The monitor, chair, and desk are the big ones. Check which console or PC your gamer uses before you buy, and check the ports and output of any monitor, keyboard, or mouse before you order.
Which gaming headset is a good small gift?
The Ozeino 7.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset in white. My note says it is under $20 with a built-in mic and surround sound, honestly outperforms headsets triple the price, and the RGB glow is a fun bonus. Prices move, so confirm the current one on the listing.
What keyboard and mouse suit a gamer?
The Redragon K580 Wired RGB Mechanical Keyboard has tactile blue switches that my note says make both typing and gaming feel satisfying, plus a dedicated media wheel so you are not fumbling for volume mid-match. The TMKB Falcon M1SE White Wired Gaming Mouse has a honeycomb shell. My note says it stays crazy lightweight so hand fatigue is not a thing during long sessions, and the RGB matches the rest of the setup. A Large Extended Gaming Mouse Pad, 31.5 by 15.7 inches, is also on the list, and it goes under both.
Is a 144Hz monitor a good gift for a gamer?
It is one of the more noticeable upgrades. The KOORUI 27 inch Curved FHD 144Hz VA Monitor is on my list, and my note says I swapped it in for the 144Hz refresh rate alone, that gameplay looks noticeably smoother, and that the curve is an easy upgrade without a huge price jump. Check your gamer's desk depth and graphics card or console output before you buy a monitor as a gift.
What is a good big gift for a gamer's setup?
A desk or a chair. The Pamray 58 Inch Gaming Desk with Monitor Stand has a built-in LED strip and monitor stand, and my note says they clean up the whole setup while the drawers keep cables and controllers from taking over the desk. The GTPLAYER Ergonomic Gaming Chair with Footrest is on the list because of its footrest and recline, and my note says the lumbar support holds up after hours in the chair. Measure the room before you order either one.
What gifts help a gamer stream or record?
The same list has three streaming-type items: a VIJIM LS08 Flexible Overhead Camera Mount, computer microphones, and a webcam. I did not write notes on those, and the microphone and webcam entries are category pages, so compare listings and read the specs before you choose one.
How do you build a gamer's gift in stages?
Give one piece now and leave room for the next. A headset or a keyboard is a complete gift on its own. A mouse and mouse pad make a natural second gift, since the mouse pad goes under both the mouse and the keyboard. The monitor, chair, and desk are better as a plan for the future or a shared family gift than as something to wrap this year. Keep in mind that the keyboard and mouse on this list are wired, so the gamer needs free USB ports.
The bottom line on gifts for gamers
Choose by how long the item gets used. A headset or keyboard is a safe small gift, and the monitor, chair, and desk are for someone whose setup is ready for them. I keep this list on Benable next to my mom, business, and home lists as a mom of seven in Wichita, Kansas, and my story covers the rest. Prices move around, so check each listing before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good small gift for a gamer?
A headset is a good small gift. My Benable note on the Ozeino 7.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset in white says it is under $20 with a built-in mic and surround sound and honestly outperforms headsets triple the price. Confirm the current price on the listing.
What should I check before buying a keyboard, mouse, or monitor as a gift?
Check which console or PC your gamer uses, and check the ports and output of any monitor, keyboard, or mouse before you order. For a monitor, also check desk depth and the graphics card or console output.