30 Best Gifts for Gamers That They Won’t Immediately Return

Let them put their feet up during their next Saturday-night raid session and they will thank you in the morning.

If you want a little hit of nostalgia, these small emulation machines from Miyoo let you play hundreds of 8-, 16-, and 32-bit-era games from SNES to GBA. It even plays PS1 games!

If they need somewhere to put the headset they already have, none look as good as this one that combines natural walnut wood and gamers' beloved LEDs.

If your cousin plays Street Fighter 6 obsessively, get them this classy fight stick to give 'em a competitive edge. This one is compatible with any PC setup as well as with Nintendo Switch.

Back in 2023, these earned an Esquire Gaming Award, and we're still rocking them, even as we've seen the industry follow suit. This is still one of the best headsets you can get for your dearest gamer who switches between console and PC.

Essentially, it connects via a Bluetooth adapter, but it can connect to multiple devices at a time. That means switching from Xbox to PlayStation to PC audio requires only the flip of a switch. It happens instantly, like changing the channel. If they are a multi-platform gamer, it's one of the coolest gifts you can get.

If they have the newest Nintendo handheld, it's not a bad idea to get them some gear for it. Or better yet, something they can carry it around in. When it comes to Switch 2 travel cases, this is the Amazon best seller.

Another great route to go for the new Switch 2 owner. The bundle doesn't come with the camera, but it's one of the coolest and most fun accessories for the new console. Get one for yourself and soon you'll be having Mario Party parties with your buddies every night.

For the nerd/gamer/Star Wars devotee who has everything in every room, it's time to turn to the least decked-out room of the house: the bathroom. This robe will let them cosplay their wildest Jawa dreams while keeping them warm and dry after every shower. A nerdy gift that feels like luxury.

Sometimes a gamer has all the games, consoles, and gear they need. What most of them lack is stuff like this Hydro Flask jar. It will keep their meal from going cold while they get wrapped up in the next 30-minute match.

This new headset from Sony is a recent favorite. It's modular and comfortable, and the sound quality is as good as on Sony's top headphones. A great gift for the PlayStation fan who's never found the right headset.

If you can't think of anything better, get them something to store all their digital things in. This portable SSD from Samsung can carry a terabyte's worth of movies, games, photos, or whatever else they want.

We'll admit it: We grew up in the era of Halo and we don't care if thinking this energy-sword desk lamp is cool makes us geriatric gamers. For the right person, no gift will get a bigger reaction than this awesome themed lamp.

Honestly, a really awesome pocket game can come in handy at the darnedest times. Q-Less is crosswords-meets-solitaire, and the best part is you don't even need anyone to play this one with. It's small enough that they can take it anywhere, and it doesn't drain their phone battery to play for hours.

Fun and functional, these thumbstick grips from KontrolFreek are an easy stocking stuffer. The Minecraft ones in particular are a hoot.

Hollow Knight: Silksong is maybe the most anticipated indie-game release of all time. And it just came out. If the gamer in your life will not shut up about "silk song" and you have no idea what that means, just get them this enamel pin—an excellent rendering of Hornet, the main character. They will leave wondering how you knew them so well.

Here's the no-nonsense gift advice. Iam8bit truly makes the best stuff around for gamers, from vinyl to these limited-edition collector's sets. The latest collection from Remedy Games is one of the coolest we've seen, and it includes this Ashtray Maze ashtray based on Control, an Alan Wake 2 lunch box, and so much more.

It's all available for preorder now, and we recommend you do so, because all this is gonna sell out as soon as preorders close September 22. Seriously, the Alan Wake thermos has already sold out.

Everything we've ever said about the Quest 3 is true about the lighter, cheaper, and more mixed-reality-focused Quest 3S. In our opinion, the all-in-one VR headset is still the absolute best way to get into virtual reality. There are games, fitness apps, and all the immersive demoes you need in order to stay entertained for months. And you can finally get one of these for a gift-appropriate price.

For the gamer of a certain vintage, this original Legend of Zelda key rack will make every day feel like an adventure into the unknown. But, you know, in a fun way.

If you know a PC gamer (or any workaholic, really) who spends all day at the keyboard without any kind of wrist support—it's time to get them a gift their joints will appreciate. This memory-foam cloud wrist rest will have them thanking you for years.