Jump straight to the deals you want...
1. Quick links
2. Top picks
3. Under $50
4. Under $100
5. Under $150
6. Premium
7. Live updates
With Black Friday in full swing, 'tis the season to be merrily hitting "purchase" on deals left, right, and center. But let's not be selfish about it, shall we? There's plenty for us to get our own grubby mitts on, but what about that special someone in our lives who's also into PC gaming? Or perhaps someone you wish was into PC gaming, who might be tempted once they receive a thoughtful gift.
There's almost too much to choose from when it comes to PC gaming tech gifts, not least because PC gaming is such a diverse hobby with tons of ability customise almost all parts of your gaming setup. Whether it's a cheap keychain or a premium handheld gaming PC, there's something for pretty much anyone.
As someone who knows his PC gaming tech, but more importantly, someone who knows how and where to spend a pretty penny, I decided to put my shameless consumerist skills to good use and put this list together.
I've not limited myself to any particular category or retailer, either so you're getting the full breadth of Black Friday deals here, big or small, from Newegg, Amazon, Best Buy, and everywhere in between.
👉We're curating all the best Black Friday PC gaming deals right now👈
Below, you'll find all the great deals I've found for different price ranges—under $50, under $100, under $150, and more than $150. I'll be keeping the list updated, too, and going over some of my personal favorites as well as why I picked them, so be sure to keep your eye on it for any updates. You can check out live updates at the bottom. Happy shopping!
I've been testing all kinds of PC gaming-related gear for donkey's years now (a very technical time measurement). Sometimes I wonder whether the reason I got into PC gaming tech is because if I can't stop myself from hitting that purchase button, I can at least make sure whatever I'm buying is worth the money. So heck, why not turn that knowledge into useful gift purchasing advice?
Black Friday PC gaming holiday gifts — Quick links
- Amazon: All Amazon's Black Friday gaming deals
- Best Buy: All Best Buy Black Friday PC gaming deals
- Newegg: All Newegg Black Friday deals
- Drop: All Drop Black Friday deals
—
Top deals
- 8BitDo Ultimate 2C controller: $25 @ Amazon
- TeamGroup PD20 external SSD: $83 @ Newegg
- Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 gaming keyboard: $147 at Amazon
- Lenovo Legion Go 1 TB handheld: $550 at Best Buy
Top picks
Top pick under $50
8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless | Mint | $29.99 $25.49 (save $4.50 at Amazon)
We've already raved about Hall Effect joysticks and how they spell the end for the dreaded stick drift. In this wireless gaming controller, they're a welcome feature but this handful of gaming hardware packs a few quirky surprises too. For instance, the triggers also benefit from a hall effect but, not only that, there are extra bumper buttons. Oh, and that's a seriously cheap price tag for a quality product, of course.
Top pick under $100
TeamGroup PD20 | 1 TB | USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 | 2,000 MB/s read | 1,800 MB/s write | $99.99 $82.99 at Newegg (save $17)
The Adata SD810 might be the best external SSD, but I reckon the TeamGroup PD20 mini is the best one you can get as a gift for someone. That's because it's small, portable, and good-looking. And while it's not great for massive transfers, as I found out in my review, it's plenty fast for your average transfer, especially if you have a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port that can make the best use of it.
Price check: Amazon $82.99
Top pick under $150
Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 | Wireless | Hot-swappable mechanical switches | $179.99 $146.99 at Amazon (save $33)
Well, here it is. The tippity-top of gaming keebs, and our top pick for the best gaming keyboard overall right now—just substantially lower in price. Here you get excellent switch feel, impeccable gaming performance, sound dampening that actually works and a build quality that stands head and shoulders above most of the competition. A truly desirable object, for less.
Price check: Newegg $179.99
Top premium pick
Lenovo Legion Go | Ryzen Z1 Extreme | 16 GB LPDDR5 | 1 TB storage | 8.8-inch screen | 2560 x 1600, 144 Hz | $749.99 $549.99 at Best Buy (save $200)
The Legion Go is a whole lot of screen and controller for a handheld, featuring a glorious 144 Hz touchscreen and the ability to take the controllers off like a Nintendo Switch. It's also pretty powerful, too, thanks to its Z1 Extreme processor.
Gifts under $50
Eurpmask Clamp-on Headphone Holder | under-desk hanger | $14.99 $8.31 at Amazon (save $6.68)
It's a simple thing, a headphone stand or hanger, but it can make a whole load of difference. The quality of life improvement that comes from being able to easily hang your headphones or headset somewhere is something I can personally attest to, and this Eurpmask one is well-reviewed on Amazon and seems simple to set up thanks to its clamping mechanism.
Smiski figurine | Glow in the dark | $10 at Sonny Angel Store
Who wouldn't love the gift of a tiny glow in the dark "Smiski" hanging around their gaming setup? I have no idea what a Smiski is supposed to be either, by the way, but it looks cute. "Although they like to stay hidden, you might discover one at night as they mysteriously glow in the dark."
Razer Gaming Mouse Bungee V3 | 240 g | $19.99 $14.99 at Amazon (save $5)
Ah, yes, the humble mouse bungee. Hello darkness my old friend. I used to use one back before I switched to wireless, and despite how silly they are, I'll fight anyone who says they aren't actually useful. This would make for a great gift for someone who won't cut the cord.
CRKD Atom | keychain controller | $19.99 $15.99 at Amazon (save $4)
This is pretty much the ideal gift for a gamer: small, reasonably priced, cute, and actually useful. If you travel a lot, you'll never be caught wishing you had a controller on you, that's for sure. And in her review, our Kara Phillips found it to perform well, too.
8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless | Mint | $29.99 $25.49 (save $4.50 at Amazon)
We've already raved about Hall Effect joysticks and how they spell the end for the dreaded stick drift. In this wireless gaming controller, they're a welcome feature but this handful of gaming hardware packs a few quirky surprises too. For instance, the triggers also benefit from a hall effect but, not only that, there are extra bumper buttons. Oh, and that's a seriously cheap price tag for a quality product, of course.
Razer Basilisk V3 | Wired | 26,000 DPI | Right-handed | $69.99 $39.98 at Amazon (save $29.99)
We're big fans of the Razer Basilisk series of mice, and when we reviewed the latest V3 model we found it refined an already brilliant recipe into an even better one. With 11 programmable buttons, an improved thumb rest, a hyperscroll tilt wheel and some very cool underglow lighting the Razer Basilisk is sure to make an impression both in performance and aesthetics. A $20 discount here means it should absolutely make your shortlist for a fantastic wired gaming mouse.
Price check: Best Buy $39.99
Mountain Everest 60 | Mechanical | 60% | RGB | $69.99 $39.99 at Amazon (save $30 for Amazon Prime members)
The mountain Everest 60 is a perfect example of not having to spend a lot to get a cracking keyboard. Not only does it have hot-swappable switches and RGB, it's also wonderful to type on thanks to a plethora of enthusiast design choices such as great foam dampening, pre-lubed switches, and PBT keycaps. Oh, and you can snap on modular magnetic upgrades down the line, too, such as a numpad.
Price check: Mountain $39.99
Thermaltake Gaming Desk Pegboard | Large | 28cm x 42 cm | $39.99 at Thermaltake
So there's no discount on this but I just had to highlight it because it's something most people won't consider. It's a great way to save space. I've been using the medium-sized version for months, now, and while it's useful (especially the headset holder) I'd definitely recommend picking up the large version. The pen holders and storage shelf will give you so many more options.
Razer Seiren V3 Mini | USB | Condenser | Shock absorber | 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz | $59.99 $49.99 at Amazon (save $10)
We've been fans of Razer's fabulous mini-mic for some time now, and this latest version has very similar internals with some nice extra features—like a built-in mute button and a non-proprietary cable. It might be small and surprisingly cheap, but it punches well above its weight.
Price check: Newegg $59.99
Logitech C920S | 1080p/30 fps | USB | $69.99 $49.99 at Newegg (save $20)
Sometimes you just need a good default webcam for a reasonable price, in which case you'll be wanting some variation of the Logitech C920. We've picked the S model here, because it's on discount and it's just as good as all the other ones. Look atop most monitors, and you'll find some version of this sitting in the webcam spot, and for good reason.
Gifts under $100
Drop + Kerbal Space Program keycap | $65 $55 at Drop (save $10)
Novelty keycaps are in many ways an ideal gift—provided the person you're getting it for has a mechanical keyboard, that is. And the good thing about this one is it's the sort of thing that looks great even if you're not into Kerbal Space Program.
iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit (refurbished) | includes Mako Precision Bit Set and other tools | $74.99 $54.99 at iFixit (save $20)
Yes, this is refurbished, but iFixit says: "any less-than-perfect component has been replaced". I own the smaller version of one of these kits myself, and it's ideal for the hardware tinkerer. This one has everything they might need, even for dealing with things such as phone repairs.
HyperX Cloud Alpha | 50 mm drivers | 13-27,000 Hz | Closed-back | Wired | $99.99 $59.99 at Amazon (save $40)
Earning the top spot in our best gaming headsets list, the HyperX Cloud Alpha is super comfortable and sounds impeccable. The mic can't flip to mute like some of the fancier offerings but this headset is excellent value, even at full price. With a significant amount off? Well, even better.
Price check: Best Buy $70.99
Raspberry Pi 5 | SBC | 4 GB RAM | Up to 4K display | $69.99 $62.99 at Newegg (save $7)
The Raspberry Pi 5 genuinely surprised me when I got my hands on it shortly after launch, as it was the first SBC I'd tried that felt genuinely usable as a lite desktop PC. Why get one for a PC gamer? For all those nerdy projects you can put it to, including as a retro gaming device with the help of an OS like Retrobox.
Price check: Amazon $69.99
JBL Quantum TWS earbuds | 2.4 GHz or Bluetooth | 20-20,000 Hz | $149.95 $69.95 at Amazon (save $80)
These are our favorite earbuds for under $100, without a doubt. Solid sound quality, great build, and up to 16 hours of battery life with the case. This deal's seriously wonderful, too, as the earphones at their lowest ever price. Earbuds make for a great gift, as well.
Govee Gaming Wall Light | Set of 3 light bars | $119.99 $79.99 at Amazon (save $40)
This is the non-Eva version of the wall lights that our Hope Corrigan reviewed and found to be spectacular. It might not be quite as flashy as the Eva version, and it only comes with 3 bars rather than 6, but it's also a whole lot cheaper, especially with this stellar discount.
Logitech G Pro X Superlight | Wireless | 25,600 DPI | 5 buttons | 70-hour battery | Right-handed | $159.99 $94.99 at Best Buy
Ignore the fact that this model has been around for a while because it's still a great lightweight, wireless gaming mouse. It's been my daily driver for ages, and I wouldn't swap it for anything.
Price check: Newegg $99.99
TeamGroup PD20 | 1 TB | USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 | 2,000 MB/s read | 1,800 MB/s write | $99.99 $82.99 at Newegg (save $17)
The Adata SD810 might be the best external SSD, but I reckon the TeamGroup PD20 mini is the best one you can get as a gift for someone. That's because it's small, portable, and good-looking. And while it's not great for massive transfers, as I found out in my review, it's plenty fast for your average transfer, especially if you have a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port that can make the best use of it.
Price check: Amazon $82.99
Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightstick | $129.99 $97.49 at Amazon (save $32.50)
Listen, I know next to nothing about flight sims (yet), but what I can tell you is that this badboy has been seeing me through my somewhat rocky introduction to the hobby. It's great for a beginner like me because it comes with everything (so many buttons) and it's cheap compared to a lot of other sticks.
Price check: Best Buy $97.49 | Newegg $122.99
ASRock Phantom Gaming | 27-inch | 1080p | 165 Hz | IPS | $179.99 $99.77 at Newegg (save $79.22)
ASRock has become a favorite of ours around here over busy shopping periods. These screens always seem to be on offer, and from the one we've used (read our review) they're good value for the money, too. You can't really complain with this 165Hz panel for just under $100. This would be a great gift for any 1080p gamer who doesn't currently have a high refresh rate monitor.
Gifts under $150
HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless | 50 mm drivers | 15-21,000 Hz | Closed-back | Wireless | $199.99 $125.99 at Amazon (save $74)
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless is one of our all-time favorite gaming headsets for many reasons, but there's a big headline feature to talk about here: 300-hour battery life. No, we didn't make a typo. 300 hours of gaming goodness on a single charge, excellent DTS:X Spatial Audio, and premium comfort features make this headset an absolute stunner of a buy at this price. In fact, when we reviewed it the only major negative we could find was a slightly uninspiring microphone. Absolutely worth a serious look this one, at any level of discount.
Price check: Walmart $149.99 | Newegg $145
Govee x Evangelion Gaming Wall Lights | Set of 6 light bars | Includes 2 connectors | $199.99 $139.99 at Amazon (save $60)
Everything you need to get your set-up looking just right. And by just right I mean bathed in multicolored light from six sci-fi looking sticks. Just perfect. These are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled and you can actually swap out the plates for other styles if you so please. Not sure why you would, though. These Eva ones are the best of the lot.
Acer Nitro ED270U | 27-inch | 1440p | 170 Hz | VA | $249.99 $149.99 at Newegg (save $100)
This is one of the best deals on a 1440p gaming monitor we've seen so far. A respectable brand and a respectable spec, although it might be worth holding out for an IPS panel. Still, a good price on a great little screen. It'd be a great gift for someone looking to make the step up into 1440p gaming.
Price check: Amazon $159.99
Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 | Wireless | Hot-swappable mechanical switches | $179.99 $146.99 at Amazon (save $33)
Well, here it is. The tippity-top of gaming keebs, and our top pick for the best gaming keyboard overall right now—just substantially lower in price. Here you get excellent switch feel, impeccable gaming performance, sound dampening that actually works and a build quality that stands head and shoulders above most of the competition. A truly desirable object, for less.
Price check: Newegg $179.99
AverMedia X'tra Go GC515 | 4K 60 Hz / 1080p 120 Hz passthrough | Micro SD storage | 5x USB ports | $199.99 $149.99 at Amazon (save $50)
The AverMedia X'tra Go isn't your ordinary handheld dock. This one has capture card capabilities, making it the perfect solution for those of you looking to stream or record your handheld gameplay.
Price check: Newegg $149.99
Premium gifts
Corsair TC100 | Fabric and leatherette | $249.99 $179.99 at Best Buy (save $70)
The TC100 is our favorite affordable gaming chair right now, following up on the popular T3 Rush with a great look and genuine comfort. You can read more in our review. Right now, even with only a light discount, it's a truly excellent gaming chair that's cheaper than most of its competition. Just ensure whoever you're getting this for actually has room for and wants a chair, as there's no tucking this gift away in the closet.
Price check: Corsair $179.99 | B&H Photo $179.99 (sold out) | Amazon $179.99 (sold out)
Secretlab Titan Evo Lite | Leatherette or softweave | $459 $419 at Secretlab (save $30)
Our favorite gaming chair does not come cheap, with the prices having risen consistently since the Titan Evo originally launched. To combat that Secretlab has released the Titan Evo Lite, a chair coming in at the same original price as the Titan Evo. It's got the same essential design but lacks some of the luxury touches, such as adjustable lumbar support and the special magnetic neck pillow and armrests. But it's still a high-quality chair, with the same robust, reliable comfort the company has made a name for itself with. Just make sure the lucky person you have in mind for this gift actually has room for a chair!
Lenovo Legion Go | Z1 Extreme | 8.8-inch screen | 16 GB RAM | 512 GB SSD | $699.99 $472.97 at Amazon (save $227.02)
The Legion Go is one of the more polished handhelds on the market, with a sleek 8.8-inch screen and detachable controllers. That screen is a little overkill for the lil' AMD chip inside this machine, the Z1 Extreme also found in the ROG Ally, but it's great for playing indies on while relaxing. One of the controllers also becomes a mouse if you need it, which is a bit of a gimmick but works pretty well.
Price check: Newegg $499.99 | Best Buy $549.99
Lenovo Legion Go | Ryzen Z1 Extreme | 16 GB LPDDR5 | 1 TB storage | 8.8-inch screen | 2560 x 1600, 144 Hz | $749.99 $549.99 at Best Buy (save $200)
Yes, this is a Legion Go right next to a Legion Go. That's because this version has double the storage for an extra $75 (okay, fine $77, if we're getting all technical). Is it worth it? Perhaps. I know I've made good use of the 1 TB on the Legion Go, but I reckon I'd get by fine with less.
ROG Ally X | Z1 Extreme | 7-inch screen | 24 GB RAM | 1 TB SSD | $799.99 $699.99 at Best Buy (save $100)
The ROG Ally X is a little bit too new to receive a massive discount. However, as our pick as the best handheld gaming PC to buy right now, even a $100 off is worth mentioning. Combining a generous helping of RAM, which really matters with an APU, alongside a 1 TB SSD and awesome form factor, the ROG Ally X is top of the charts for a reason.
Price check: Asus $799.99
Live
Heyoo, Jacob Fox here—avid hardware tester and even more avid purchase button masher. Let's have a look at what I'd personally consider mashing the heck out of this holiday season.
The Lenovo Legion Go has had some cracking deals on for a while now—even well before Black Friday. And the 512 GB version is currently on sale right this moment for $500 at Amazon.
But hold up, before you hit that purchase button, consider the one with double the storage.
Although I'm sure some would disagree, I'd say the 1 TB version is what you really want, provided it doesn't cost too much more. And Lenovo's now been gracious enough to drop the price on the 1 TB one down to $550 at Best Buy—that's just $50 more for double the storage.
Even if you're handy with a screwdriver and wouldn't mind upgrading the 512 GB version's storage manually, it'd still make more sense to just spend the extra $50 and go for the 1 TB off-the-shelf version. That's especially true for the Legion Go, given it only houses SSDs with an unusual form factor.
And yes, handhelds generally require less storage than a gaming PC because the titles you'll be playing generally won't be the latest and greatest AAA ones that require 150 GB of storage. But double the storage for just $50 extra? Count me in. We at PC Gamer always recommend 2 TB storage for a full-fledged gaming PC, so just 500 GB in a handheld is a little difficult to justify when the 1 TB version's going for so cheap.
As for why you should opt for a Legion Go at all, I'll let you check out my recent article regarding that. I'll simply say that I fell in love with it from the moment I started using it.
Lenovo Legion Go | Ryzen Z1 Extreme | 16 GB LPDDR5 | 1 TB storage | 8.8-inch screen | 2560 x 1600, 144 Hz | $749.99 $549.99 at Best Buy (save $200)
The Legion Go is a whole lot of screen and controller for a handheld, featuring a glorious 144 Hz touchscreen and the ability to take the controllers off like a Nintendo Switch. It's also pretty powerful, too, thanks to its Z1 Extreme processor.
Since when were did decent controllers get so cheap?
At least, that's what I've been thinking ever since I got my mitts on the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C. We're talking just $30 at full price, and right now it's just $25.49 at Amazon. That's for the Mint version that I have, by the way, although the other versions were on sale just yesterday so I'd keep checking back if you want a different colour.
Anyway, the Ultimate 2C Wireless has everything you might want, feature-wise: Hall effect sticks that prevent stick drift, 2.4 G and Bluetooth connections with 1,000 Hz on polling on the former, USB-C charging, and even extra buttons—although some might not like the placement near the R1/R2 buttons.
That you can get all this for less than $30 these days is great, but the main thing that surprised me was the build quality and feel. To put it bluntly, for the price it's amazing.
I've spent a lot of time swapping between the Ultimate 2C and a standard Xbox controller (which is much more expensive), and yes, the Xbox one feels a little more premium, but there really isn't much in it. In fact, there are some things I prefer about the 2C, such as the tactile feel of the ABYX and L1 and R1 buttons.
And with its pastel paint job looking gorgeous, too? Yeah, colour me impressed.
8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless | Mint | $29.99 $25.49 (save $4.50 at Amazon)
We've already raved about Hall Effect joysticks and how they spell the end for the dreaded stick drift. In this wireless gaming controller, they're a welcome feature but this handful of gaming hardware packs a few quirky surprises too. For instance, the triggers also benefit from a hall effect but, not only that, there are extra bumper buttons. Oh, and that's a seriously cheap price tag for a quality product, of course.
Amazon's tiny writing almost got me. Almost, but not quite. I thought for a moment that they'd discounted the Logitech G Pro X Superlight even lower than it was two days ago, after my very stern warning not to do so—because I'm damn fed up of having to write about how great it is, but I can't not do so when they keep reducing its price.
Alas, I missed that tiny phrase: "Buy used". Now, the best place to pick up a new Superlight is over at Best Buy for $95. It's still a great purchase at that price, but I notice the Superlight 2 is only $25 more for $120 at Amazon. Hmm.
For that price difference, I'd be tempted to opt for the latter, despite how much I love the OG one. It's a tough call, though. The first Superlight is still a great pick for under $100. I've been using it for over two years and it's still going just as strong as when I first bought it.
I'll keep my eye out for it hopefully coming back in stock at a lower price at Amazon and keep you posted.
Logitech G Pro X Superlight | Wireless | 25,600 DPI | 5 buttons | 70-hour battery | Right-handed | $159.99 $94.99 at Best Buy
Ignore the fact that this model has been around for a while because it's still a great lightweight, wireless gaming mouse. It's been my daily driver for ages, and I wouldn't swap it for anything.
Price check: Newegg $99.99
Okay, maybe the 512 GB version is worth it...
Yes, yes, I know, yesterday I said you'd be better off getting the 1 TB version of the Lenovo Legion Go for $550 at Best Buy. But that was before the 512 GB version dropped down to $473 at Amazon.
Now we're talking about a price difference of over $75, which is money that could be put to other lovely Black Friday uses—the now-$60 HyperX Cloud Alpha gaming headset, perhaps.
512 GB should be plenty for most people, despite how much I like to wax lyrical about the benefits of 1 TB, which is great in an ideal scenario but now looks to come with a rather sizable surcharge. Anyway, the choice is yours. I suppose you can always upgrade your storage down the line, too, but just remember the Legion Go houses 2242 form factor SSDs and no other.
Lenovo Legion Go | Z1 Extreme | 8.8-inch screen | 16 GB RAM | 512 GB SSD | $699.99 $472.97 at Amazon (save $227.02)
The Legion Go is one of the more polished handhelds on the market, with a sleek 8.8-inch screen and detachable controllers. That screen is a little overkill for the lil' AMD chip inside this machine, the Z1 Extreme also found in the ROG Ally, but it's great for playing indies on while relaxing. One of the controllers also becomes a mouse if you need it, which is a bit of a gimmick but works pretty well.
Price check: Newegg $499.99 | Best Buy $549.99
How's about I explain why something as seemingly *yawn* boring as an external SSD can actually make for a pretty cool holiday gift. Well, for the right kind of person, that is.
If you're considering it for someone who isn't very techy then you'd be better going for something else—maybe this stainless steel Egg Pricker my colleague and hardware buddy Andy Edser for some reason suggested to me yesterday.
But if that special someone is into their tech, then they could probably do with an external SSD. It's one of those things that you don't need too often, but when you do you wish you already had one. For instance, when you want to make some backups before a reinstall, or when you want to port your game library over to a new machine.
Now, for someone who knows exactly what they want, there might be better options than the TeamGroup PD20 (currently $83 at Newegg). If they want loads of reliable storage they can go for a SanDisk Desk Drive, for instance, or if they need something blisteringly fast for whatever reason, they can go for an Adata SE920.
However, for someone who's just a generally techy person and a PC gamer, I reckon the PD20 is your best bet. It's genuinely small and portable, plenty snappy for your average file transfer, and it looks good and has a dust cover to boot. Boom. That's a review in one sentence—but if you want the full shabang, check out the full review here.
TeamGroup PD20 | 1 TB | USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 | 2,000 MB/s read | 1,800 MB/s write | $99.99 $82.99 at Newegg (save $17)
The Adata SD810 might be the best external SSD, but I reckon the TeamGroup PD20 mini is the best one you can get as a gift for someone. That's because it's small, portable, and good-looking. And while it's not great for massive transfers, as I found out in my review, it's plenty fast for your average transfer, especially if you have a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port that can make the best use of it.
Price check: Amazon $82.99
The CRKD Atom is a recent favorite here at PC Gamer. From the game guide team all across the narrow river to the hardware team, folks can't seem to get enough of it. I don't have one myself, but enough people here have banged on about it that I'm starting to think maybe I should... it's only $16 at Amazon, after all.
I must admit, it's tempting. And I'm not someone who usually goes for the small, souvenir-like doodads. But it's not just a keychain, it's a functional controller that has actual practical use.
In fact, come to think of it, am I not the one who's always banging on about using the Lenovo Legion Go from afar, without it in my hands, while using a separate controller? Yes, it has detachable controllers for that, but imagine if I didn't have to spend the time and energy detaching them, if I could instead just whap out the CRKD from my pocket.
Huh. You know, I might have just talked myself into it.
CRKD Atom | keychain controller | $19.99 $15.99 at Amazon (save $4)
This is pretty much the ideal gift for a gamer: small, reasonably priced, cute, and actually useful. If you travel a lot, you'll never be caught wishing you had a controller on you, that's for sure. And in her review, our Kara Phillips found it to perform well, too.
In defense of the humble mouse bungee
Please, stop the snickering at the back.
Many years ago (like, five? and prior to that, of course) I was a mouse bungie bloke, and most people I knew thought it was silly. "A mouse bungee? That's ridiculous." Now, these same people are cutting cords left right and centre.
So you're telling me that something designed to make a wired mouse feel wireless was stupid, but going wireless isn't? Well, okay, maybe today it makes sense to just go wireless, but back then wireless wasn't so cheap and so good.
Even today, though, wireless mice tend to be a fair bop more expensive than wired ones, plus they still have to be charged. So while I advocate for going wireless when you can, there are plenty of people who aren't willing to do so—I know some myself. And that's fine.
But wouldn't it be nice if they could have just a taste of what it might feel like to not have their mouse cord dragging against the table? That's why I reckon it's a great gift for some people.
If I had to go back to wired today, I wouldn't do without a mouse bungee. Laugh all you want. Didn't they laugh at Copernicus when he said we orbit the sun? Just sayin'.
Razer Gaming Mouse Bungee V3 | 240 g | $19.99 $14.99 at Amazon (save $5)
Ah, yes, the humble mouse bungee. Hello darkness my old friend. I used to use one back before I switched to wireless, and despite how silly they are, I'll fight anyone who says they aren't actually useful. This would make for a great gift for someone who won't cut the cord.