Buying for a PC gamer is hard for one simple reason: they chose their hardware carefully, and they probably don't want you to choose it for them. A mouse, a keyboard or a headset is a personal decision about grip, switches and sound. So the best gifts for PC gamers sit around the hardware rather than replacing it. They make the desk better to sit at, the room better to look at, and the setup feel more like theirs.
Why not hardware?
- Preference. PC gamers often have strong views on mice, keyboards and monitors.
- Compatibility. Parts have to match the rest of the build.
- Duplicates. They may already own the thing, or a better one.
If you know exactly what they want, buy it. If you don't, look at the rest of the setup.
A desk mat: the best all-round gift
A large desk mat sits under both the keyboard and the mouse. It gives smooth, even tracking across the whole desk, protects the surface, and sets the look of the entire setup. For a PC gamer it is useful from the first minute.
Ours have a smooth polyester top, a natural rubber base that grips the desk, and come in three sizes, up to 31.5 x 15.5 inches. Measure the desk before you choose. A mat that covers the space from the keyboard to the far edge of the mouse's travel is the right size. See large mouse pads: are they worth it.
Matching the mat to the setup
- Blue or cyan lighting: the Abstract Techno Blue mat above, or the Cosmic Frosted City desk mat.
- Purple or pink lighting: the Cyber Wave Escape desk mat.
- No RGB, all black: the Deep Space Black Hole desk mat.
- Fantasy games: the Enchanted Forest mouse pad.
See the best mouse pad for gaming for what to look for.
Wall art for behind the monitor
Most PC gamers spend hours looking at one wall: the one behind their monitor. It is often bare. A canvas, poster or tapestry there changes how the room feels and how the setup looks on camera.
- A canvas has no glass, so it won't reflect the screen or the LEDs. Ours are ready to hang, on a 1.25-inch pine frame. See the canvas art collection.
- A poster is the budget option. Frame it or clip it.
- A tapestry covers a big wall for very little and makes a good backdrop for streams. See gaming room tapestry ideas.
For how art and RGB work together, see RGB lighting and neon art. For placement, see pairing canvas wall art with your desk mat.
Small gifts for computer gamers
- A keychain in the colours of their build, about $15.
- A pin for a backpack or a lanyard at a LAN event, about $6 to $7.
- A graphic tee with a design that matches their setup. Check the size first: our clothing is made to order and can't be exchanged (returns within 30 days are possible, but you pay the return shipping).
Gifts for PC gamers by budget
| Budget | Idea |
|---|---|
| Under $15 | A pin or a keychain |
| $21 to $40 | A desk mat in the right size |
| $14 to $37 | A poster for the wall behind the monitor |
| About $30 and up | A tapestry as a backdrop |
| $42 and up | A canvas, ready to hang |
Prices are those on our site at the time of writing. Shipping is calculated at checkout.
A matching set
A desk mat and a canvas in the same design, or in the same colours, gives a setup a finished look. It is a good joint gift from a family or a group of friends.
Christmas gifts for PC gamers
Everything here is made to order. Allow 2 to 7 business days for production and 3 to 7 business days for US delivery, and 10 to 30 business days for international delivery. For a December gift, order in good time. See Christmas gifts for gamers.
More ideas
See gifts for gamers for every kind of player, and gaming desk setup ideas for upgrades to suggest. Browse all desk mats.