Getting a good gift is always difficult, but getting a good and cheap gift for gamers is a daunting task for those who are not gamers themselves.

Unless the gift is for a gamer boyfriend or girlfriend you live with, you won’t be able to see their entire catalog of games to know what they like best. And even if you find a game they don’t already have, there’s no guarantee they’ll actually play it.

While something like a new controller might seem like a good idea, there’s probably no real reason for them to ditch the controller they’re already using. As for a mouse, headset, or piece of hardware, the only reliable way to make it a gift that they’ll use and enjoy is to spend way more money than what might be considered “cheap.” So what should a person do if he wants to give the gamer in his life a good gift without breaking the bank?

Do not worry. There are some good inexpensive gift options that will please the gamers in your life.

Great cheap gifts for gamers

With these gifts, we consider options that are guaranteed to be useful or useful to the vast majority of gamers. Some of these fall into the realm of gift cards, but are still unique and guaranteed to be useful to the recipient. There are also some hardware options that they probably don’t own, but it might be worth checking again before making a purchase.

In terms of price tags, we charge $30 or less as cheap enough to qualify. There’s a plethora of options, some scaling up with price, so if the exact recommendation feels questionable to you, there’s no reason you can’t splurge on a slightly more expensive alternative. Here are the best cheap gifts for gamers.

Gift cards for digital game windows

Gift cards may feel like a generic gift option, but these are guaranteed to be a hit with any gamer. While a physical copy of a game is always nice, these gift cards allow players to purchase a digital copy of almost any game. Each console has its own digital store, similar to the Google Play Store on Android mobile devices and the Apple App Store on iPhones.

It’s worth noting that you need to know what specific console they’re playing on. The good news is that if you know one of these gift cards and get them, you can rest assured that they can take advantage of it.

Nintendo eShop Gift Card

The Nintendo Switch digital store is the Nintendo eShop and Nintendo sells gift cards in various amounts ranging from as little as $5 to a whopping $99. You can buy multiples of each card to get to a certain amount, but you can also buy the with a picture of their favorite Mario character.

PlayStation Store Gift Card

The front of the PlayStation Store is the PlayStation Store. It works the same way as the Nintendo eShop, but with an extra bit of convenience. This will allow them to get credit for all PlayStation platforms, including the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.

Xbox gift card

The Xbox works the same way as other consoles, with its own digital store built right into the menus. Gift cards can be purchased in various amounts and then used to purchase games and other products.

Steam Gift Card

If the person you’re buying gifts for is primarily a PC gamer, it’s best to purchase a Steam gift card. Steam is a digital storefront used for PC gaming with an overwhelming number of games and a huge user base. A large number of PC gamers use Steam, or will be able to take advantage of this gift card in one way or another. The only problem is that they are not sold by digital retailers, so you have to go to a physical store to buy one.

Game subscription cards are a great inexpensive gift for any gamer

Looking for something that’s guaranteed to be useful, but doesn’t want to go completely generic by giving them a gift card? Buy them some extra time on a gaming subscription service for their platform of choice.

Longer plans offer more value, but usually don’t fall into the “cheap gifts” realm. The good news is that even if the person receiving this gift already has a subscription, it will renew it even further, meaning they will definitely take advantage of it.

Nintendo Switch Online 12 Month Subscription

There are two tiers to the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service. The basic tier is the more affordable option with a full year costing just $20. It is one of the better values ​​in gaming as it unlocks online multiplayer in titles like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, in addition to being able to play a long list of retro games from the original Nintendo and Super Nintendo. If they want the upgraded Nintendo Switch Online service, they can upgrade it themselves at an additional cost.

PlayStation Plus Gift Card

PlayStation Plus gift cards work a little differently, but the idea is the same. Players can purchase a subscription with credit through their account obtained with this gift card. There are multiple levels for the PS Plus service and this allows players to choose which one they prefer.

Xbox Live Gold

Finally, the Xbox Live game subscription service is Xbox Live Gold. This allows players to enjoy their favorite games online, although it is not the only subscription service associated with the Xbox.

Xbox Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass is a game subscription service operated by Microsoft. It is not exclusive to Xbox. There is an Xbox version that can be used through the Xbox as well as a PC version that can be used by anyone with a gaming console. This provides access to games of every genre and even lifelong gamers with an extensive collection will be able to find something worth playing here, making a short subscription a great inexpensive gift.

Gaming Hardware Gift Ideas

A card with something nice is a nice gift, but there is something to be said about a real gift wrapping on a holiday. There are plenty of options out there, but if you’re looking for something that will definitely be useful and that the gamer in your life probably doesn’t own, your options may seem limited. But we’ve found some great game gift ideas that should help you out.

Headphone stand under desk

Headphones are a must for most online games, whether on PC or consoles. The thing is, most people don’t have a dedicated place to store their headphones, and if they do, it probably won’t be easily accessible. This can be solved with a special headphone stand.

An under-desk headphone stand is recommended as it doesn’t restrict the actual workspace. There are many to choose from, but the Anchor by Elevation Lab is the one we recommend. It has a simple design that can be applied via glue, or it can be screwed into place more securely, depending on your space. It doesn’t take up any space on top of your desk and it can even be used on a side table or cabinet, depending on your headphones and the actual playing space.

PlayStation 4 controller charging station

Controller charging stations are a great inexpensive gift option for gamers because it’s a convenience not many people recognize. While it’s easy enough to just plug a cable into the top of the controller you want, there’s something to be said for putting the controller down for the night and picking it up fully charged the next day without any discomfort. For those who have a PlayStation 4, this is a great option.

PlayStation 5 controller charging station

The PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 use very different controllers with internal batteries. Unfortunately, this means that you will need completely different charging stations for the controllers of both PlayStation consoles. Here’s a good pick for the PlayStation 5.

Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S controller charging station

While the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 use completely different controller charging stations, the Xbox does not. Although they use different controllers, there are many charging stations that offer compatibility with both the current generation Xbox Series X/S controllers and the older Xbox One controllers. That makes this a gift that can last even if the gamer upgrades their console later.

Merch for their favorite series is always a fun, inexpensive gift idea for gamers

Do you have a son or daughter who has been playing Pokemon all their lives? Is there a birthday coming up for someone who’s been grinding in World of Warcraft for years? Know someone who plays Minecraft on every piece of hardware they own?

The biggest properties in gaming almost always have a variety of merch options for fans. That means there are good cheap gift options for all kinds of gamers. Here are some recommendations, but this isn’t even the tip of the iceberg.

pokemon socks

There’s a boatload of Pokemon merchandise to choose from, including toys, figures, posters, Blu-rays of the show, hats, and more. A nice option for anyone who is a Pokemon fan is a pair of good old-fashioned Pokemon socks. These are low-key and fun, and there are many different options to choose from.

Minecraft clothes

Minecraft reached such a level of pop culture visibility that entire sections of department stores were devoted to blocky toy swords, foam pickaxes, and other toys related to Minecraft. Those are harder to find these days, but that doesn’t mean Minecraft is gone. It still has a huge player base and a nice graphic t-shirt will probably be a welcome gift for any fan of the game.

World of Warcraft coffee mug

World of Warcraft has a huge player base and fandom as it approaches its 20th anniversary. Many items were created to commemorate the game, including clothing, collectible figures, and more. A collectible mug will get some love and use from any adult or adolescent and this one decorated with the Alliance emblem makes a good gift.

As you can see, there are many great cheap gifts for gamers if you know where to look. With the help of this guide, you should be able to find something to please the gamers in your life.