Gifts gamers actually want: consoles, controllers, setup upgrades like RGB lights and desk lighting, and comfort for long sessions.
Updated October 2026 · save to pinterest
best for: The big gift — Mario Kart with friends
The gift that makes you their favorite person. Mario Kart nights in the dorm, guaranteed.
best for: PC and Xbox players
A safer bet than a console. Also works with PCs and phones. Check which system they play on first.
best for: Long sessions and focus
Noise canceling for flights, commutes, mowing the lawn or a little peace at home.
best for: Game audio and music under $50
A $40 speaker that sounds like a $100 one. Waterproof for shower concerts.
best for: RGB glow behind the monitor
Color-changing room lights controlled from an app. A near-universal teen want.
best for: Voice control for the gaming room
A compact Alexa speaker. Frequently on sale for around $18–25 in the holiday season.
best for: PC gamers who also work at the desk
A sculpted ergonomic mouse with near-silent clicks and a super-fast scroll wheel.
best for: Clean desk lighting without screen glare
Turns on when you sit down and off when you leave, and fits curved monitors.
best for: Too many devices, not enough outlets
Plugs straight into the wall. Most dorms ban plain power strips, so surge protection matters.
best for: Late-night sessions in a cold room
An oversized sherpa hoodie-blanket. The cozy-gift sweet spot for teens.
best for: Charging controllers and phones
Everyone's phone dies. Nobody buys themselves a charger. That's why it's the perfect stocking stuffer.
Setup upgrades: RGB lights, a monitor light bar, a better mouse or a surge protector with USB for all their devices. Ask which platform they play on before buying games or controllers.
Yes, as long as it matches their system. An extra Xbox controller also works with PC and phones, which makes it one of the safer picks.
