Checklist · 14 picks · 4 categories
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PC gamers usually have strong opinions about their setup, so the best gifts add something instead of replacing it.
I pulled these picks from Gizmodo's gaming gifts guide, Insider Gaming's streamer gift guide and The Shortcut's gamer gift guide, and only kept products one of them named. They skip the controllers, headsets and lighting on our main gamer gifts page, and the graphics cards and parts on our PC upgrades page. Think keyboards, a mouse, a stream deck, a capture card and desk gear. One practical tip: ask what they use now, or look at their desk. A keyboard or mouse is a personal pick, while desk gear and streaming add-ons are safer.
Who this is not for. If you are shopping for PC parts like a graphics card or SSD, go to our gaming PC upgrades page instead.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 | splurge | $150-200 | streamers and shortcut lovers | 1 outlet |
| Elgato 4K S External Capture Card | mid | $100-150 | streamers who also play console | 1 outlet |
| Elgato Prompter | splurge | $200-300 | serious streamers | 1 outlet |
| Neewer Collapsible Backdrop | budget | $25-50 | streamers on a small budget | 1 outlet |
splurge stream deck · 15 keys
Best for streamers and shortcut lovers
Insider Gaming calls it a must-have for any streamer, and Gizmodo's gaming gifts guide praises its 15 programmable keys for streaming and launching apps.
Picked by Insider Gaming must-have for streamers.
$150-200
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mid capture card
Best for streamers who also play console
Insider Gaming's streamer gift guide calls it one of the most important items for streamers and creators, since it sends footage from a console to a PC.
Picked by Insider Gaming streamer gift guide pick.
$100-150
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splurge prompter
Best for serious streamers
Insider Gaming's streamer gift guide picks it so streamers can stay engaged with chat without turning their heads between monitors.
Picked by Insider Gaming streamer gift guide pick.
$200-300
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budget backdrop
Best for streamers on a small budget
Insider Gaming's streamer gift guide picks it for green or blue screen use, noting it is double-sided and easy to set up and store.
Picked by Insider Gaming streamer gift guide pick.
$25-50
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KDD Headset Stand With Charging Station | budget | $25-50 | desks with too many cables | 1 outlet |
| Frigidaire Retro 9-Can Personal Fridge | mid | $50-100 | marathon gaming sessions | 1 outlet |
| Xreal One Pro AR Glasses | splurge | $500+ | gamers who want a private big screen | 1 outlet |
budget headset stand
Best for desks with too many cables
Insider Gaming's streamer gift guide picks it for keeping essential equipment charged and ready.
Picked by Insider Gaming streamer gift guide pick.
$25-50
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mid mini fridge · 9 cans
Best for marathon gaming sessions
Insider Gaming's streamer gift guide picks it so people do not have to leave their setup for drinks during long sessions.
Picked by Insider Gaming streamer gift guide pick.
$50-100
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splurge AR glasses
Best for gamers who want a private big screen
The Shortcut's gamer gift guide says they can turn a computer display or Steam Deck into a personal cinema, with micro OLED displays and speakers in the stems.
Picked by The Shortcut display pick.
$500+
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8BitDo Retro 87 Mechanical Keyboard with RGB | mid | $100-150 | retro-style keyboard fans | 1 outlet |
| Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 | splurge | $200-300 | tinkerers who want every feature | 1 outlet |
| Asus ROG Falcata Keyboard | splurge | $200-300 | players who want a comfier layout | 1 outlet |
| Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro Wireless | splurge | $150-200 | competitive players | 1 outlet |
| Mobapad Huben 2 | mid | $50-100 | controller players on PC | 1 outlet |
mid keyboard
Best for retro-style keyboard fans
Gizmodo's gaming gifts guide highlights its hot-swappable switches and two programmable super buttons, plus its Xbox-inspired styling.
Picked by Gizmodo gaming gifts pick.
$100-150
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splurge keyboard · 96%
Best for tinkerers who want every feature
Gizmodo's gaming gifts guide highlights its LCD screen, side macro switches, hot-swappable keys and magnetic switches with adjustable actuation.
Picked by Gizmodo gaming gifts pick.
$200-300
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splurge keyboard · Split
Best for players who want a comfier layout
Gizmodo's gaming gifts guide praises its split design, which keeps WASD within reach and is easier on the wrists.
Picked by Gizmodo gaming gifts pick.
$200-300
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splurge gaming mouse
Best for competitive players
Gizmodo's gaming gifts guide calls it the top gaming mouse, with low-latency, fine-tuned controls.
Picked by Gizmodo top gaming mouse.
$150-200
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mid controller
Best for controller players on PC
The Shortcut's gamer gift guide picks it as a lower-priced alternative to other pro controllers, with four reprogrammable buttons and Omron mechanical buttons.
Picked by The Shortcut lower-priced pro controller.
$50-100
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splurge headset
Best for players who care about sound
Gizmodo's gaming gifts guide considers it the best-sounding headset of the year for PC or PS5.
Picked by Gizmodo best-sounding headset.
$300-500
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mid desk speaker
Best for desk audio with retro style
Gizmodo's gaming gifts guide likes its gamer-style look and its Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connections to PC or console.
Picked by Gizmodo gaming gifts pick.
$100-150
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Spot a mistake? A broken link, a wrong price range or an outdated pick: tell me at hello@allsetlist.com and I'll fix it.
Try something around the setup instead of the PC itself. A stream deck, a capture card, a headset stand with charging or a good backdrop all add to what they already own.
It can be, but it is personal. Switch feel, size and layout matter, so a hot-swappable board is a safer pick because the switches can be changed later.
Some do, some do not. Check the product page for what it connects to before you buy, especially for headsets and keyboards.
USPS's recommended last send dates for December 25 in the contiguous US are December 17 for Ground Advantage, December 18 for Priority Mail and December 19 for Priority Mail Express. Retailers set their own order-by dates, so check at checkout.
