Gaming has grown since its early days, when gamers were seen as either teenage boys or adults who were having trouble growing up. Remember those days? They weren’t great if you loved gaming. Today, gaming is an often social, immersive activity for people of all ages and genders. Chances are you either are a gamer, or know someone who is (and let’s get one thing out of the way—there’s no “correct” way to be a gamer. The commuter playing Candy Crush on their commute is a gamer. So is the person playing the latest MMO on a high-end gaming PC.
At first glance, choosing gifts for gamers seems as simple as buying them the type of game they’d enjoy. Trouble is, most gamers, especially adult gamers, likely purchased the game on launch day. Fortunately, gamer gifts include so much more than a game itself, including gifts that improve comfort, enhance performance, ensure smooth connectivity, or add to a gaming room’s decor. The following thoughtful gifts for gamers are sure to level up their gaming experience.
Understanding Gamers’ Needs
Before we get into specific gift ideas, it’s important to understand their needs. The best gifts for gamers enhance their gaming sessions.
Anything that can improve gaming performance will be appreciated, whether it’s new hardware or a faster internet service. Precision also matters: a more responsive keyboard or a new controller, for instance, enhances the gaming experience.
Gamers often sit for long sessions, so anything that improves comfort is a plus. Such gifts can range from an extravagant new gaming chair to a simple pair of comfy slippers. And, of course, there are the peripherals and accessories that improve the overall gaming experience, including new monitors, headphones, and microphones.
Tech That Enhances Performance
Gamers are often technophiles, with a love of the latest, fastest, and most powerful hardware. If money were no object, you could make a gamer’s year with a high-end gaming laptop like the Razer Blade 16, but let’s assume your gift budget doesn’t include several thousand dollars per person. (If it does, please add me to your shopping list!)
Tech gifts for gamers include hardware such as:
- High-quality headsets with surround sound and clear mics. Examples include the budget-friendly Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen 3), the mid-range SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless, and the high-quality Audeze Maxwell Wireless.
- Ergonomic Mechanical Keyboards with rapid response times, such as the NuPhy Field75, the Wooting 80HE, and the MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra.
- Customizable Gaming Mice. The Razer Viper V3 Pro is one of the most popular models, but gamers would also appreciate the gift of the Logitech G502 LIGHTSPEED or the Corsair Scimitar Elite Wireless SE (an excellent choice for fans of MMO games).
- High-Refresh Monitors provide smooth visuals, helping gamers make split-second decisions. Popular monitors include the 27-inch ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM, the 31.5-inch MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED, and the 34-inch Dell Alienware AW3425DWF.
Gaming performance relies as much on internet speed and low latency as it does on gear. Make sure to test your internet speed or set up a consultation with a tech expert for your gift recipient to optimize gaming settings.
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Comfort & Ambience Upgrades
Make your favorite gamer’s space more inviting and comfortable with these gaming-adjacent gifts:
- Ergonomic Gaming Chairs provide proper posture and back support. Some of the best include the high-end Herman Miller Embody, the Secretlab Titan Evo, and the budget-friendly Corsair TC100 Relaxed.
- Ambient Lighting helps set the mood for a marathon gaming session. The Nanoleaf 4D V2 transforms monitors into immersive experiences with synchronized glow effects, as do Govee and Philips Hue strip lights.
- Cooling Pads help prevent gaming laptops from overheating, damaging components, and ruining perfectly good raids. The Klim Tempest, adaptive Razer Laptop Cooling Pad, and IETS GT600 V2 RGB all make cool gifts for gamers.
- Dual Monitor Kits provide a wider field of vision, increase desk space, and enable multitasking during games. Choose the BenQ Dual Ergo Arm BDH01 or go for broke with the Vari GTriple Monitor Arm.
Connectivity Boosters
Lag kills if you play competitive multiplayer games, where split-second decisions often make the difference between glorious victory and ignoble defeat. An unreliable, stuttering internet connection ruins a gaming session. These gifts for gamers help maintain network speeds:
- Wi-Fi Extenders are indispensable when gaming rooms are some distance from network routers. Some ISPs provide wifi extenders, or you can purchase your own.
- Ethernet Adapters allow gamers to distribute internet via their electrical wiring for faster speeds than wireless connections.
- Gaming-Optimized Routers prioritize gaming traffic for a smooth, reliable experience, even when people use streaming services on the same network.
While these gifts help streamline gaming, they’re no substitute for a fast, reliable internet connection. Upgrading your gamer’s internet service to future proof fiber-optic internet will significantly reduce their lag.
Subscription & Digital Perks
Gamers live in a virtual world —why not make their gifts digital? If your gamer has already optimized their gaming gear, the following virtual goodies are sure to please:
- Platform Memberships to PlayStation Plus, Xbox Game Pass, or Nintendo Switch Online.
- Gift Cards for Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo.
- Streaming Services like Twitch Turbo or Discord Nitro.
- In-Game Currency for Fortnite, Apex Legends, Minecraft, or similar games.
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Fun & Unique Finds
Gifts for gamers include a host of game-related collectibles, apparel, and artwork. Add some fun and flair to their gaming space (and their wardrobe) with these suggestions:
- Collectible figures from their favorite franchises. These include action figures, Funko Pops, and plushies.
- Gamer-themed tees, hoodies, socks, bags, and jewelry.
- Wall art, posters, or neon signs for their gaming space.
- Snacks for their next gaming session.
- Game-related books (fiction and non-fiction).
Level Up Their Whole Experience
The best gifts for gamers enhance their comfort and performance, while forging connections with you and other gamers. Your favorite gamer might be a weekend warrior or a full-time streamer, but they’ll always appreciate a carefully thought-out gift that ties into their passion for games.
