Gifts for gamers (when you don't know what they play)
Buying a game for a gamer is a trap. You pick the wrong console, or a game they already finished, or one that came out three years ago and they hated.
So don't buy a game. Buy the stuff around the game: what they hear, what they see, what sits on the desk. Most of it works no matter what they play.
If you can find out one thing, find out whether they play on a computer. There's a short section for that at the end.
Nobody paid to be on this list, and we don't earn anything if you buy. Prices were checked in October 2026 and change often, especially around the holidays.
Works with whatever they play
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HyperX Cloud III gaming headset
$69.99Works with PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Mac and phones, so there's no wrong guess. A comfortable headset with a mic they'll actually wear for a four-hour session.
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Nanoleaf 4D Screen Mirror
from $79.99A small camera watches the TV and a light strip behind it matches the colors in real time. It doesn't care which console is plugged in, and it makes every game look bigger.
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Backbone One (USB-C)
$69.99Snaps around a recent iPhone or an Android phone and turns it into a handheld with real buttons and sticks. Good for lunch breaks, car rides and the couch.
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LEGO Super Mario Piranha Plant
$59.99A 540-piece Piranha Plant that sits on the desk next to the setup. Nearly every gamer grew up with Mario, whatever they play now.
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Masters of Doom by David Kushner
about $21The true story of the two guys who made Doom and Quake and changed games for good. It reads like a novel, even for people who never played either one.
If they play on a computer
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Glorious Elements Air mouse pad
$24.99PC players are picky about their mouse pad, and most are using a worn-out one. It's a cheap upgrade they'll feel on every swipe.
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8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller (PC)
$29.99Plenty of PC games play better with a controller than a keyboard. This one's wireless, comfortable and about half the price of the big brands.
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A gift card for the platform they use
whatever you planned to spendText their best friend, roommate or parent and ask what they play on. Then a PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo or Steam card lets them pick the game themselves, which is the only way to never get it wrong.
Gamers know exactly what they want
They've had the next game picked out for months. Get them to put it on a WishSumo list, along with the headset and the controller color, and share the link. People call dibs on what they're buying, so nobody buys the same game twice.
Make your free listMore gift ideas
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- Teacher gifts that won't end up in a drawer
- Gifts for coffee lovers who already have opinions
- Gifts for grandparents who have everything
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