18 Best Gifts for PC Gamers (2026): Headsets, Desks, Monitors

Featured in this article

• An Affordable Mouse

  • Photograph: Henri Robbins

  • Photograph: Henri Robbins

  • Photograph: Henri Robbins

  Not everyone needs a mouse that costs over $100. If you want to spend a bit less, I’d recommend the SteelSeries Rival 3 Gen 2. It doesn’t have some of the bells and whistles that higher-end mice have, but the average PC gamer will find everything they need here. It’s light, has a grippy scroll wheel, and comes in either a cheaper wired model or a wireless option. It’s the rare PC gaming accessory that comes in at a perfectly giftable price.

• A Fantastic, Compact Keyboard

  • Courtesy of Republic of Games

  • Photograph: Henri Robbins

  • Photograph: Henri Robbins

  • Photograph: Henri Robbins

  Asus’ compact ROG Falchion Ace HFX (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is a great example of why small keyboards are all the rage. It removes the number pad, function keys, and navigation keys in favor of a smaller footprint (also known as 65 percent layout) than even the tenkeyless (TKL) layout. It won’t get in the way of your mouse hand, especially when turned sideways or on a smaller desk. Meanwhile, the Hall effect switches feel snappy, and the software makes it easy to customize everything. The keyboard doesn’t cut as much as a 60% layout, which removes the arrow keys, making it more usable for work and school.

• A Splash of Color

  

  Govee

  Neon Rope Light Strip 2

  For the gamer who has it all, lighting can be an aesthetic upgrade that enhances the PC gaming experience. It doesn’t take much to toss in a splash of color to a wall or desk. This Govee light strip is a great option, since the light is already diffused, so it won’t blind you when it’s in full view. Whether you curve it into a shape on a wall or line your desk with it, these light strips are a simple way to enhance a gaming station.

• For Competitive Gamers

  • Photograph: Henri Robbins

  • Photograph: Henri Robbins

  • Photograph: Henri Robbins

  If your giftee takes their multiplayer gaming seriously, they need a mouse that is fast, lightweight, and highly customizable—and that’s exactly what the Razer Viper V4 Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is. New this year, the Viper V4 Pro replaced its already popular predecessor (our gift recommendation last year), making it even lighter and adding some pro-level features. Our resident mouse enthusiast, Henri Robbins, calls it “perfectly balanced” and notes that the added agility gave him “the ability to contend with multiple enemies at once” in Helldivers 2.

• A Great Stocking Stuffer

  

  Here’s a great stocking stuffer if the PC gamer in your life doesn’t already have a mousepad. It’s basic, yes—but that’s the point. While we typically recommend desk-sized mats like the Wool Felt Desk Pad from Grovemade, this smaller SteelSeries mousepad is a whole lot cheaper and more practical for smaller desks. Most importantly, the smooth surface ensures the mouse is responsive, regardless of what kind of surface the gaming is happening on. Even better, you can choose from a variety of sizes and colors.

• World’s Cutest Gaming Headset

  

  Razer’s most adorable wireless headset is best recognized for its iconic kitty ears. They feature RGB lights you can customize in the Razer Chroma app, including the lights scattered across the earcups. The cute design is eye-catching, with comfortable memory foam ear cushions and a squishy lining on the headband. Sound quality is strong, and the retractable mic sounds great when in use and tucks away neatly when it isn’t. It’s compatible with PC, Mac, PlayStation, and smartphones, so it’s an easy gift recommendation for any gamer. (It connects to Xbox via Bluetooth.) I prefer the light pink color scheme, but it’s also available in black or white. —Louryn Strampe

• A Glowing USB Mic

  

  Photograph: Eric Ravenscraft

  The HyperX Quadcast 2 S improves on its predecessor, the USB mic that almost every Twitch streamer seemed to own, in every way. It has even more of its trademark vibrant LEDs, allowing for complex patterns and designs that look great for anyone streaming online. Audio recording has been upgraded to 32-bit/192 kHz, which is handy if you plan to edit your audio later, and its shock-mount design makes it easy to pull it from its stand and use it elsewhere. If your gift recipient plans to be on camera while playing games for an audience (or likes accessories that glow), this is one of the best USB mics you can get.

• Full Battlestation Control

  

  The Elgato Stream Deck+ feels a bit like having a piece of a space shuttle on your desk. It packs eight full-color LCD buttons that can be customized with macros and shortcuts to easily launch apps, mute a mic, or run scripts with a single press. A second, wider color touchscreen provides a heads-up display for different system stats; paired with the four prominent dials along the bottom, it’s a handy tool for anything from running sound to video editing. It’s designed for streamers who need to handle complex technical tasks while broadcasting, but it’s also helpful for anyone who wants to record gameplay, adjust music or chat while they’re playing, or fine-tune their setup to their exact preferences.

• Easy Cable Management

  

  Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

  Smartish

  Magnetic Cord Holder

  Even with the proliferation of wireless accessories, it’s far too easy to let a desk get disorganized and descend into chaos. WIRED editor Julian Chokkattu stands by these small cable-tidying accessories. They keep your cables together where they should be, but not in a more permanent way that other solutions use. They magnetically stick to the base when not in use, ensuring that you disconnected cables don’t clutter up your desk.

• A Desk Light

  

  Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

  I have been using BenQ’s ScreenBar lights for years, and they are fantastic. It essentially hangs off the top of a monitor, illuminating the keyboard and desktop. You can angle it just right so it doesn’t cast light onto your monitor screen. The ScreenBar Pro has a motion sensor, so your giftee can have their setup automatically light up when they sit down. There are touch controls to adjust the color temperature and brightness, with a toggle for auto brightness. This is a must-have desk accessory for any gamer. —Julian Chokkattu

• A Gaming Chair (Not Just for Sonic Fans)

  • Photograph: Louryn Strampe

  • Photograph: Louryn Strampe

  • Photograph: Louryn Strampe

  Branch

  Ergonomic Chair Pro: SEGA Edition

  Intense gaming sessions can get physically taxing when you sit in the wrong chair for too long. This is actually our favorite office chair, but the Sega collaboration makes it perfect for any gaming setup. You can dial in the perfect fit with several ergonomic adjustments, from the back to the seat tilt to the armrests. I regularly work in this chair for eight hours, followed by several sweaty hours of League of Legends gaming, and I never feel sore or unsupported. Except for my teammates, of course. If your giftee is still sitting in an uncomfortable chair, this upgrade will make a world of difference. Assembly is easy too. —Louryn Strampe

• A Worthwhile Controller

  

  Photograph: Eric Ravenscraft

  Xbox/Microsoft

  Elite Wireless Controller Series 2

  Even games that are better with a controller can have disadvantages compared to a keyboard and mouse. That’s where highly customizable options like the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 can help. It lets you tweak the resistance of its control sticks, swap out paddles and D-pads, and even add extra rear buttons to customize your game. This is not the same controller that comes with the Xbox, but an upgraded version.

  For more recommendations, read our Best Game Controllers guide.