Buying for a gamer is tricky: they often already own the console and the big games, and it’s easy to pick the wrong platform. The safest gifts are accessories that make playing more comfortable or convenient – a better controller, a good headset, more storage – and they work at almost any budget.
We’ve grouped our picks into three price bands: under €50, €50–150 and €150+. Every product here is recommended by established reviewers (PC Gamer, PCGamesN, Tom’s Guide, Notebookcheck and others), and prices are approximate euro prices from October 2026. With Black Friday on 27 November, many of these will be cheaper in late November – see our tips below.
Our picks at a glance
- Best under €508BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless
- Best cheap mouseLogitech G305 Lightspeed
- Best valueSamsung P9 Express microSD
- Best plug-and-playXbox Wireless Controller
- Best for PS5Sony Inzone H5
- Best overallSteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless
- Best for SteamSteam Controller (2026)
- Best for familiesNintendo Switch 2
Prices are approximate and change often. Ad
Before you buy: check the platform
The number-one gift mistake is buying for the wrong system. Find out (quietly) whether they play on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch 2 or a handheld like the Steam Deck. Many accessories only work with one or two of these, and we note compatibility for each pick.
Gifts under €50
1. 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless — best controller under €50
For PC gamers, this is one of the cheapest good controllers available: around €30 with Hall effect sticks and triggers that resist stick drift, a 2.4 GHz dongle and 1,000 Hz polling. It also pairs with Android phones over Bluetooth. It does not work with PlayStation, Xbox or Switch consoles, so only buy it for PC or mobile players.
8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless
A cheap PC and Android controller with Hall effect sticks and triggers, a 2.4 GHz dongle and 1,000 Hz polling – an easy stocking filler for PC gamers.
- Connection
- 2.4 GHz dongle, Bluetooth (Android), USB-C
- Sticks/triggers
- Hall effect
- Polling
- 1,000 Hz (2.4 GHz and wired)
- Platforms
- Windows PC, Android (not consoles)
Pros
- Very low price
- Drift-resistant Hall effect sticks
- Fast 2.4 GHz connection
Cons
- Not compatible with PlayStation, Xbox or Switch
- Budget build compared with pro pads
2. Logitech G305 Lightspeed — best cheap gaming mouse
The G305 is an old favourite that keeps showing up for around €30 (it was €29.99 at Amazon.de in August 2026, against a €59.99 list price). Its Hero sensor is precise, the Lightspeed wireless connection has low latency and a single AA battery lasts up to 250 hours. At 99 g it’s heavier than modern esports mice, but as a gift for a casual PC gamer it’s hard to beat. For pricier options see our best gaming mice.
Logitech G305 Lightspeed
A long-running wireless gaming mouse with Logitech's Hero sensor and Lightspeed dongle – often around €30 and a safe gift for almost any PC gamer.
- Sensor
- Hero, up to 12,000 DPI
- Connection
- Lightspeed 2.4 GHz (USB receiver)
- Power
- 1× AA, up to 250 h
- Weight
- 99 g incl. battery
Pros
- Precise sensor and low latency
- Huge battery life on one AA cell
- Frequently on sale
Cons
- No Bluetooth
- Heavy by 2026 standards
- Dated design (2018)
3. Samsung P9 Express microSD — best Switch 2 gift
Switch 2 owners run out of storage quickly, and the console only accepts the new, faster microSD Express cards. The Samsung P9 Express is one of the best-performing: around €50 for 256 GB or €80 for 512 GB in October 2026. Older microSD cards won’t work for Switch 2 games, so make sure it says “Express”. More options in our microSD cards for Switch 2 guide.
Samsung P9 Express microSD
A widely available microSD Express card that Tom's Hardware rates as the best-value 256 GB option for Switch 2.
- Type
- microSD Express (EX logo)
- Capacities
- 256 / 512 GB
- Measured read
- ~112 MB/s (Tom's Hardware, Switch 2 transfer)
- Warranty
- 3 years
Pros
- Good value, often discounted
- Easy to find in Europe
- Performs like pricier cards in the Switch 2
Cons
- Shorter warranty than some rivals
- Write speed a little lower than the fastest cards
Gifts from €50 to €150
4. Xbox Wireless Controller — best for PC and Xbox
The standard Xbox controller works out of the box with Xbox consoles and almost every Windows game, which makes it the safest controller gift. It was €54.99 on Amazon.de in September 2026. It runs on AA batteries, so add a rechargeable pack.
Xbox Wireless Controller
PCGamesN's best PC controller overall: the most widely supported pad on Windows, with a great hybrid D-pad.
- Connection
- Bluetooth, USB-C
- Power
- 2× AA batteries
- Platforms
- Xbox, PC, mobile
Pros
- Works with almost every PC game
- Excellent hybrid D-pad
- Comfortable
Cons
- Needs AA batteries
- Not customisable
5. Sony Inzone H5 — best headset for PS5
Sony’s own wireless gaming headset is light, comfortable and lasts 28 hours on a charge, with convincing 3D audio on PS5. It also works with PCs through its dongle. At about €99 it’s a well-priced upgrade from TV speakers. See all options in our best gaming headsets.
Sony Inzone H5
Tom's Guide's PS5 pick, with strong 3D audio, a comfortable fit and 28-hour battery.
- Connection
- 2.4 GHz dongle (PS5/PC)
- Battery
- 28 h
- Platforms
- PS5, PC
- ANC
- No
Pros
- Convincing 3D audio
- Very comfortable
- Long battery life
Cons
- No noise cancelling
- Limited to PS5 and PC wirelessly
6. SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless — best all-round headset
Tom’s Guide’s best gaming headset overall is light, comfortable and lasts up to 60 hours, with both a low-latency dongle and Bluetooth. It works with PC, PlayStation and Switch; Xbox players need the separate Nova 5X version. Prices start around €109.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless
Tom's Guide's best gaming headset overall: light, very comfortable and with up to 60 hours of battery.
- Connection
- 2.4 GHz dongle + Bluetooth 5.3
- Battery
- Up to 60 h (15 min charge ≈ 5 h)
- Platforms
- PC, PS5, PS4, Switch (Xbox: Nova 5X)
- ANC
- No
Pros
- Very comfortable and light
- Huge battery life
- Strong companion software
Cons
- No active noise cancelling
- Xbox needs the separate 5X version
7. Steam Controller (2026) — best for Steam players
Valve’s new controller (€99) adds trackpads and gyro aiming to a standard layout, making it ideal for playing PC games from the sofa or on a living-room PC. It’s an especially good gift for Steam Deck owners who also play on a desktop.
Steam Controller (2026)
Valve's new pad — PC Gamer's couch-gaming pick — adds trackpads and gyro for mouse-like aiming plus 35+ hours of battery.
- Connection
- 2.4 GHz (Puck), Bluetooth, USB-C
- Sticks
- TMR
- Extras
- Gyro, 2 haptic trackpads
- Battery
- 35+ h
Pros
- Mouse-like trackpads and gyro
- Deeply customisable in Steam
- Repairable
Cons
- Membrane face buttons
- 250 Hz polling
Gifts over €150
8. Nintendo Switch 2 — the big family gift
If the budget allows one big present, the Switch 2 (€499.99) is the most versatile choice: it works as a handheld and a TV console and suits all ages. If you’re choosing between consoles, read our PS5 vs Switch 2 comparison; for handheld PCs like the Steam Deck OLED, see our best handheld gaming PCs.
Nintendo Switch 2
Strong performance both docked and handheld, with Nintendo's exclusives — the easiest console to recommend for households.
Pros
- Strong docked and handheld performance
- Plays anywhere
Cons
- Short battery life
- Flat, plain design
- Price rose to €499.99 in Sep 2026
Compare the gifts
| Model | 8BitDo Ultimate 2C WirelessBest under €50 | Logitech G305 LightspeedBest cheap mouse | Samsung P9 Express microSDBest value | Xbox Wireless ControllerBest plug-and-play | Sony Inzone H5Best for PS5 | SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 WirelessBest overall | Steam Controller (2026)Best for Steam |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TechHive score | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.7/10 |
| Approx. price | €30 | €30 | €80 | €55 | €99 | €109 | €99 |
| Connection | 2.4 GHz dongle, Bluetooth (Android), USB-C | Lightspeed 2.4 GHz (USB receiver) | — | Bluetooth, USB-C | 2.4 GHz dongle (PS5/PC) | 2.4 GHz dongle + Bluetooth 5.3 | 2.4 GHz (Puck), Bluetooth, USB-C |
| Sticks/triggers | Hall effect | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Polling | 1,000 Hz (2.4 GHz and wired) | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Platforms | Windows PC, Android (not consoles) | — | — | Xbox, PC, mobile | PS5, PC | PC, PS5, PS4, Switch (Xbox: Nova 5X) | — |
| Sensor | — | Hero, up to 12,000 DPI | — | — | — | — | — |
| Power | — | 1× AA, up to 250 h | — | 2× AA batteries | — | — | — |
| Weight | — | 99 g incl. battery | — | — | — | — | — |
| Type | — | — | microSD Express (EX logo) | — | — | — | — |
| Capacities | — | — | 256 / 512 GB | — | — | — | — |
| Measured read | — | — | ~112 MB/s (Tom's Hardware, Switch 2 transfer) | — | — | — | — |
| Warranty | — | — | 3 years | — | — | — | — |
| Battery | — | — | — | — | 28 h | Up to 60 h (15 min charge ≈ 5 h) | 35+ h |
| ANC | — | — | — | — | No | No | — |
| Sticks | — | — | — | — | — | — | TMR |
| Extras | — | — | — | — | — | — | Gyro, 2 haptic trackpads |
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Tips for buying gaming gifts
Buy at Black Friday – but check the real price
Gaming accessories are discounted heavily during Black Week (20–27 November 2026). EU shops must show the lowest price of the previous 30 days when they advertise a discount, so use that and a price-comparison site to check whether a deal is genuine.
Mind the returns window
Online purchases in the EU normally come with 14 days to return from delivery. Christmas gifts bought in November may be outside that window by the time they’re unwrapped, so check whether the retailer offers extended Christmas returns.
Upgrades beat duplicates
Gamers rarely need a second copy of what they have. A better headset, a controller with drift-resistant sticks or more storage is almost always welcome. For more ideas, see our guides to controllers, gaming keyboards and consoles and handhelds.
How we choose
We don’t test products in our own lab. Our picks are based on reviews from PC Gamer, PCGamesN, Tom’s Guide, Notebookcheck and PC Games, combined with current European prices. See how we research.
FAQ
What is a good gift for a gamer who has everything?
An upgrade to something they use every day: a better headset, a premium controller or extra storage for their console.
Do PS5 accessories work on PS4 or PC?
Many do on PC, but not all features. Check the product’s platform list – we note it for every pick.
Will a normal microSD card work in the Switch 2?
Not for Switch 2 games. You need a microSD Express card, such as the Samsung P9 Express.
When is the best time to buy gaming gifts?
Black Week (20–27 November 2026) and Cyber Monday (30 November) usually bring the lowest prices of the year.
