If you’re not into video games, it isn’t always easy to choose best budget gifts for gamers. Picking the right game is like navigating a minefield of preferences and past purchases, and finding quality, compatible accessories can be just as difficult. That’s why we put together this crowd-pleasing collection, which includes a range of options, from practical gear for dedicated players to funky throwbacks for old-school arcade lovers. In addition to top picks from our expert-informed guides, we’ve found a few unique and eye-catching items to bring anyone’s favorite games into the real world.
Categories
Audio gear
Storage
Games
Audio gear
A sound upgrade for couch gamers
The JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass Soundbar.
We’ve noticed stock issues with this item. We’ll update this article once it’s available again.
People who enjoy playing games on a TV and want rich, enveloping sound without having to wear a headset will appreciate a speaker upgrade that won’t break the bank. The JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass is the best soundbar you can get for under $400 (and often much lower). It has clearer voice reproduction and deeper bass than any of the other sub-$400 models we tested, and though it’s only a 2.1 channel system, it produces impressive wraparound audio that feels surprisingly close to surround sound. It also keeps things simple with a remote that allows for only subwoofer adjustment, which we think is just the right amount of control.
Immersive sound
Pair of HyperX Cloud Alpha headphones
A great headset can make all the difference for gaming, offering the player a deeper level of immersion and bringing to the fore sounds and effects that might otherwise go unnoticed with basic speakers. Gaming headsets can also enhance voice chat and online gaming, eliminating some of the pitfalls and mediocrity of cheap earbuds or headphones. The HyperX Cloud Alpha is one of the most comfortable headsets we’ve tested for multiple years in a row, and this set also produces some of the best sound quality we’ve heard for the price. And thanks to the Cloud Alpha’s ⅛-inch headphone adapter, this headset works with any game console or computer.
A less-expensive headset
Pair of Corsair HS60 Pro headphones
For a slightly less expensive gift, the Corsair HS60 Pro is the budget pick in our guide to the best gaming headsets because it provides the best fit and sound in its price range. This set is not as comfortable as the HyperX Cloud Alpha, but the HS60 Pro is sturdy and well built, and its microphone is reliable. And even though this set’s sound quality doesn’t match the Cloud Alpha’s, it performs better than most other budget headsets we’ve tested and will be an appreciated step up from cheap headphones or earbuds. Like the HyperX Cloud Alpha, this headset is compatible with all modern consoles and devices.
Game space for a Nintendo Switch
SanDisk MicroSDXC card for Nintendo Switch (128 GB)
When you download games on a Nintendo Switch, the built-in 32 GB storage can fill up pretty quickly. The Switch player in your life will probably need to store more games at once, making the 128 GB SanDisk MicroSDXC card a welcome gift, even if it’s not the flashiest of the accessories we recommend. It’s speedy when saving or loading games, and it’s one of the most cost-effective cards you can buy. If you’re feeling generous, there’s a 256 GB version that can store even more.
More storage space for adventure
Seagate Backup Plus Slim connected to a laptop.
Portable hard drives offer a great way to add external storage space to your PC or console. Console storage can fill up quickly on the default drives that come with off-the-shelf computers, laptops, and Xbox and PlayStation consoles, forcing players to delete games and shuffle their libraries frequently. We recommend the 2 TB Seagate Backup Plus Slim for most people because it’s reliable, and compared with most of the other hard drives we tested, it’s lighter, smaller, and less expensive per terabyte.
The fastest option for console gamers
Samsung T5 Portable SSD connected to a laptop
For extra storage that offers fast performance, we recommend the Samsung T5 Portable SSD. Portable solid-state drives are pricier than portable hard drives, but they’re worth it for PlayStation and Xbox players because they can spend less time loading screens and more time in the game. The Samsung T5 is our pick because it’s reliable, fast, reasonably priced, and more compact than most of the other portable SSDs we tested.
PC gaming gear
Rechargeable batteries to keep the adventures going
Four AA rechargeable EBL batteries with a smart battery charger.
Photo: EBL
Xbox owners and PC players who use wireless controllers, mice, or other battery-operated gear will rejoice from never having to woefully open another drawer to find all their AAs missing with this EBL AA Rechargeable Batteries and Smart Battery Charger set. The pack comes bundled with a charger and four rechargeable AA batteries—or AAA, if you prefer—and is a far less wasteful and longer-lasting option compared with single-use batteries.
A heroic gaming mouse
Logitech G502 Hero Gaming Mouse
A gaming mouse offers faster response times, ergonomic and customizable buttons, and better precision, making it a great gift for anyone who spends a lot of time playing on a PC. We love the Logitech G502 Hero, and we recommend it in our guide to the best gaming mice because it’s comfortable for most hand sizes and grip styles, and it offers plenty of buttons, excellent build quality, and adjustable weights. It also has lighting on the DPI indicator and on the logo that can be customized to suit anyone’s style.
Fantastic and flashy keyboard
Fnatic miniStreak Gaming Keyboard
For gamers who haven’t yet invested in a good gaming keyboard, an upgrade will let them take advantage of customizable backlighting, a more-ergonomic design, and macro keys that can be programmed to carry out any keystroke sequence with the push of a single button. We like the Fnatic miniStreak Gaming Keyboard for its tenkeyless design (which allows the mouse to be placed closer to the body, reducing shoulder, neck, and back strain), as well as for its dedicated media buttons, such as volume and mic mute keys. We also like its vibrant backlights, which can be customized with simple software.
Wacky multiplayer fun
Fall Guys video game logo.
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout is an absurd, frenzied online multiplayer game where 60 different players compete against one another in kooky outfits to be the last creature standing. Players race through chaotic levels of various obstacles and objectives—many of which are designed to trip you or kick you off the map—until only one is crowned the winner. It’s a colorful game that’s appropriate for all ages, and it’s fitting for those who want a lively online game that doesn’t overwhelm with complicated controls. Currently, it’s available only on PC and PlayStation 4.
