27 Best Gifts for Gamers That Will Upgrade Their Setup in 2022
A decade ago, determining the best gifts for gamers in your life might’ve seemed simple—video games—but the gaming world has expanded to include so much more than that. As hype over the impending metaverse tears down the barriers between what’s digital and what’s “real,” the video game industry has exploded into a driving force that now dwarfs the movie and North American sports industries combined. And with incoming generations growing up in a purely digital age, many are even making careers out of streaming video games or supporting their favorite esports organization with the vigor you’d previously see your dad take to watching Sunday night football.
So, what do you get the gamer in your life now that the industry is (ironically) not all just fun and games anymore? We’ve got you covered with this, the ultimate guide to the best gifts for gamers—whether you’re here to find a gift for someone that falls well below the budget of a video game, looking to impress with a brand new gadget on their wish list, or become “parent of the year” with a top-of-the-line present your kid will never see coming.
All products featured on GQ are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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Logitech C922 pro stream 1080P webcam
For the person trying to launch their streaming career (or not—everyone could use a little visual boost on Zoom), here’s a dependable web cam that streams crystal clear video with no lag or distortion.
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Balmain multicolor Pokémon Edition B-Bold sneakers
Gotta catch ’em while you can: The limited edition Balmain Pokémon collection, complete with plenty of Pikachu merch, is going just as fast as a strike of lightning.
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Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal wireless gaming headset
Luxe design, immersive audio, and noise-cancelling all ensures they can grab that Hot Pocket out of the microwave without having to disconnect from their friends in the party chat.
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100 Thieves puffer jacket
100 Thieves stays on top of the esports apparel game with a series of sleek puffer jackets.
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Elgato HD60 X external capture card
So they can stream from the Nintendo Switch and game capture in 4K with ease.
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Nathan Pinnacle 12 L hydration vest
For multi-hour streams and heated moments, your gamer won’t even need to get up or hardly lift a finger to stay hydrated with one of these puppies.
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Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 series gaming chair
The industry-standard-setting Secretlab Titan Evo features four-way lumbar support, a memory foam pillow, and a cold cure foam mix to keep gamers from overheating during the sweatiest of gaming sessions.
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Monogram Motif cotton hoodie
Burberry put their stamp on the metaverse, pairing with Minecraft for a series of in-game and out-of-game goodies.
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Xbox/PC game pass
The Xbox Game Pass has improved thanks to Microsoft’s significant strides in the console wars.
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Logitech G920/G29 racing wheel
If NASCAR driver Ross Chastain taught us anything with his final lap miracle maneuver, it’s that video games aren’t too far off from the real thing.
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Balenciaga x Fortnite logo sweatshirt
After receiving the Balenciaga seal of approval, Fortnite officially became part of the culture. Or is it the other way around?
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Playdate
Hopefully your gamer won’t mind an IOU gift, but right now you can only preorder the adorable new hand-cranked handheld from the minds at Teenage Engineering and Panic. It comes with a delightful season of games that drop every week like a TV miniseries.
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Van Gogh Never Leveled Up canvas print
If the famous Dutch painter was born in the era of gaming, this would be hanging in the MoMA.
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Razer strider hybrid mouse mat
Some games can get intense and require a bit more arm space than what’s provided by your average mouse pad. This one features a firm gliding surface and anti-slip base, giving the gamer in your life one less thing to blame when they’re missing their shots.
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FaZe x starter jacket
Make no mistake, FaZe Clan has big plans for the future. Better start backing them now.
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Thurb SCUF reflex controller
The paddles on the back of a SCUF Controller give console players easier access to more buttons without sacrificing accuracy or movement in-game.
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Steam Deck 64GB
No PC? No problem. Take Steam’s massive catalog of games with you anywhere.
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Elgato wave mic arm
For those “banging your head on your desk in frustration moments,” your gamer really needs a mic that’ll eliminate any feedback while they’re in the zone.
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Razer Blade 15 gaming laptop
Razer delivers top-of-the-line PC quality gaming on the go with this lightweight laptop, complete with top-of-the-line graphics, a speedy Intel I9 Processor, and a crisp 4K touch screen.
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Oculus Quest 2 advanced all-in-one VR headset
Good luck ever getting them to set the table or leave their room.
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Eurpmask headphone hanger mount
There’s never been a good place to put up headphones—until now.
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Logitech G Pro x Superlight Wireless Gaming Mouse
A favorite of esports pros and first-person shooter aficionados like Canadian gamer Shroud, the Logitech G Pro wireless mouse is incredibly precise for games that require meticulous aim. It’s also super lightweight at less than 63 grams (Logitech’s most lightweight model), and has a beautiful frictionless glide to it.
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Analogue pocket
This sleek new handheld controller will help them relive their childhood with all their old Gameboy games rendered in crystal clear, high-resolution graphics.
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Nanoleaf rhythm edition LED light panels
Streamer lights! No gamer’s room is complete without color-customizable ones.
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Alienware 24.5-inch full HD gaming monitor
Because there’s no such thing as too many monitors or too many frames.
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Herman Miller x Logitech G embody gaming chair
Herman Miller teamed up with Logitech to bring its luxury chair craftsmanship to the gaming world. Finally, an elegant gaming chair that doesn’t look like something out of NASCAR.
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Epson home cinema 3LCD projector
There’s no better gaming experience than inviting friends over to play Mario Kart on a movie-quality projector.
GQ Recommends More bang for your buck. By Kate Sloan May 30, 2023 All products featured on GQ are…
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