5 Gaming Accessories That Are Perfect Gifts

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Buying gifts for the gamers in your life can be difficult. While there’s no shortage of games and accessories, it can be difficult to determine what the person you’re buying for will actually find useful. Some items are platform specific, while others, like headphones, depend on preference and are difficult for someone else to choose. Gift cards are a good option, especially if they’re buying digital (although there are plenty of reasons to buy physical games instead) or playing live service games with expansions or in-game purchases, but they’re also impersonal.

Luckily, there are plenty of gaming accessories that make great gifts. It’s helpful to know if your recipient primarily uses PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, or PC, but there are also products you can use no matter where they play. This list will highlight potential freebies for each console, as well as options that work on most (or all) platforms.

Since the Nintendo Switch is portable, there are plenty of accessories like cases and console grips that don’t exist for Xbox and PlayStation, but the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is a simple choice they’ll love and doesn’t require you to know any personal preferences. While there are good third-party controllers for the Nintendo Switch 2 and the original, the official Pro Controller is unrivaled. Only Nintendo controllers offer things like immersive HD rumble and motion controls. There’s also an upgraded Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller that adds a GameChat button, audio jack, and additional buttons on the back, though either version will work with the Switch 2.

None of the Nintendo Switch Pro controllers are cheap – the original costs $79.99 on Amazon and the Switch 2 model costs $89 on Amazon – but they are sturdy, high quality, and have an impressive battery life of around 40 hours. A Pro Controller provides a more traditional gaming experience than the Joy-Cons included with the console, as well as a much more comfortable experience for those with larger hands. Most users (myself included) agree that the Pro Controller is the best way to play games on a Nintendo Switch, so whoever you’re buying it for will be happy to open one.

Buying gifts for home console accessories can be more difficult than shopping for handhelds because home consoles don’t use things like carrying cases or portable chargers. Controllers are universal, so accessories centered around them are generally safe bets as long as you know what platform the person you’re buying uses. If the person you’re looking for owns a PlayStation 5, they’ll find the DualSense Charging Station useful, especially if they own multiple controllers. It’s available on PlayStation and Amazon for $29. Note that this is only compatible with PS5 controllers, so for PS4, go for another one from Amazon.

The DualSense Charging Station provides a convenient place to keep PlayStation controllers when not in use. While many of us connect our controllers to the console to charge them, this means leaving the console in rest mode rather than turning it off completely, which uses more power. Additionally, there is a risk of data loss, corruption, and damage if the PlayStation is suddenly unplugged from a power source, so it’s safest to keep it turned off. While not essential, a charging station is a great addition to any gaming setup.

Since Xbox controllers always use two AA batteries, rechargeable batteries make great gifts for anyone in the Microsoft ecosystem. While not essential, they bring the Xbox Wireless Controller more in line with PlayStation, Nintendo, and other hardware manufacturers by eliminating the need for disposable batteries, which saves money and is better for the environment. There are some good third-party options, but the official battery is reliable and reasonably priced at $24.99 on Amazon and the Microsoft Store.

The Xbox rechargeable battery lasts about 30 hours on a full charge, which takes less than four hours. Actual battery life can vary greatly depending on what you’re doing and whether you’re using other accessories, but you can still play with it plugged in. For many Xbox owners, a controller battery is essential, and Microsoft’s is known for being reliable and easy to use. A rechargeable battery is something that any Xbox user (or any gamer using an Xbox controller for that matter) will benefit from, especially if they’re sharing the console. For a bigger gift, you can even give a new controller with the Xbox rechargeable battery.

Most really don’t want to admit it, but we don’t clean our technology as often as we should. This goes for all of our devices, like smartphones and gaming consoles, but home consoles are particularly overlooked. Cleaning a console is not just a question of hygiene. It is also important to keep equipment in working order for as long as possible, because dust blocks air circulation and can lead to overheating. Luckily, there are helpful tools to properly clean your devices, including cleaning kits specifically for gamers.

The iFixit Game Console Cleaning Kit includes two microfiber cloths, two different types of brushes, cleaning spray, contact cleaner and a storage bag. It costs $14.99 on the iFixit website and $19.99 on Amazon, making it a very budget-friendly gift (or addition to a larger gift) that you can give without knowing anything else about the person beyond their propensity for gaming or electronics. A cleaning kit may not be the most exciting gift, but it’s definitely useful.

Finally, if you’re unsure about buying technology for someone else, you can always opt for a gift that makes gaming more comfortable, like a laptop. Our pick is the Couchmaster Cyworx, available on Amazon for $163, which includes two pillows and a detached board placed on top, providing a surface with a ventilation grill, armrests, a dedicated tablet slot, a mouse pad, and side pockets.

Although primarily designed for those who work from home or play on gaming laptops, the Couchmaster Cyworx can be a great companion regardless of hardware. If they’re playing on a Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2, a portable desk like this is perfect for tabletop mode. It’s also perfect for holding accessories, snacks, or anything else one might need during long gaming sessions. The dedicated tablet slot is also great for multitasking or searching for guides.

Although the Cyworx’s separate parts mean it is less stable than a one-piece computer desk, it also offers more flexibility. It has a 4.2-star rating on Amazon and user reviews praise it for improving productivity and gaming time. One user even credited the desk for helping her husband with his back problems. If you’re looking for a gift for someone who spends a lot of time on the couch, the Couchmaster Cyworx is literally a game changer.

Since this list is focused on gifts, we looked for gaming accessories that don’t require you to know specific information about what your recipient is playing and how. Things like headphones and keyboards make great gifts if you know the exact type they want, but it comes down to personal preference. We also focused on useful but non-essential accessories – the kinds of things that players might not buy for themselves but will be happy to have.

Price was less of a factor, as we opted for official products when possible rather than third-party products that could seem cheap. Even with this restriction, most of the items we ultimately chose were under $30. So we’ve tried to include other things you could give alongside our suggestions where appropriate.