Gaming gifts, compared and ranked
The Best Gifts for Gamers in the UK for 2026
Buying for a gamer is easy to get wrong: the wrong platform, a controller they already own, or a headset that sounds great in the marketing but disappoints in reviews. To find the best gifts for gamers in the UK, we compared the gaming gifts most often recommended across expert and retailer round-ups, then ranked five that suit different budgets, platforms and playstyles. Prices below are indicative and move with sales, so treat them as a guide rather than a fixed figure.
Our top picks
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless (Gen 2)
Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2
8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless Controller
Researched by WATTB
- Published
- 13 September 2026
- Updated
- 13 September 2026
- Last verified
- 13 September 2026
- Sources
- 8 sources
We research and rank options from public data, official information and published reviews. How we research →
Written by
The top 5 Gifts for Gamers in the UK for 2026
- Rank 1SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless (Gen 2)WATTB Pick— Best overall gaming giftWATTB92/100From £150 (indicative; RRP £179.99)
- Rank 2Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2— Best premium gift for console gamersWATTB91/100From £145 (full edition, indicative; RRP £159.99; Core version around £105)
- Rank 38BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless Controller— Best value giftWATTB89/100From £45 (indicative)
- Rank 4Elgato Stream Deck MK.2— Best gift for streamers and creatorsWATTB87/100From £120 (indicative)
- Rank 5Backbone One (USB-C, 2nd Gen)— Best gift for mobile gamersWATTB84/100From £80 (indicative; RRP around £100)
The WATTB Score is our own research-based editorial assessment out of 100 — not a customer-review average.
The picks in depth
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless (Gen 2)
Why it won
The safest crowd-pleaser: a multi-platform wireless headset that suits almost any gamer.
Dual 2.4GHz plus Bluetooth lets them mix game audio and phone in one headset
Platform-specific editions cover PlayStation, Xbox, PC, Switch and mobile
Reviewers consistently praise comfort, mic clarity and battery life
Trade-off: One of the pricier gifts here at an indicative £150-plus
Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2
Why we recommend it
A statement upgrade for a dedicated Xbox or PC player who wants adjustable, pro-style controls.
Swappable sticks and paddles plus adjustable trigger tension for serious players
Comes with a carrying case and charging dock in the full edition
Multiple saved profiles switch on the controller itself
Trade-off: Owner reviews over time have flagged stick and bumper durability
8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless Controller
Why we recommend it
Pro-style features at a mid-budget price, the standout choice when money is tight.
Drift-resistant TMR sticks and switchable trigger types at a mid-budget price
Includes a charging dock, so it doubles as a desk stand
Strong customer feedback for features relative to cost
Trade-off: This model targets Windows and Android, not PlayStation, Xbox or Switch
Elgato Stream Deck MK.2
Why we recommend it
The obvious upgrade for anyone who streams or records, one-tap control of scenes, clips and apps.
15 customisable LCD keys for scenes, clips, macros and app launches
Mature, widely supported software with lots of plug-ins
Removable faceplate and adjustable stand for personalisation
Trade-off: Of little use to gamers who do not stream or create content
Backbone One (USB-C, 2nd Gen)
Why we recommend it
Turns a phone into a proper handheld for mobile, cloud and remote-play gamers.
Adds physical controls to a phone for mobile, cloud and remote play
Pass-through charging and a companion app that ties services together
Compact and portable, easy to slip in a bag
Trade-off: Only worthwhile for people who game on their phone
How we ranked this list
We drew on manufacturer specifications, current pricing checked across several UK retailers, and aggregated professional and customer reviews, then applied editorial judgement to weigh how well each item works as a gift across platforms and budgets. We have not personally tested these products; sensory and performance points are attributed to published reviews or stated as manufacturer specifications.
Read our full ranking methodWhy you can trust WATTB
Independent & unbiased
We rank on merit. Commercial links never change which picks make a guide or where they rank.
In-depth research
Official information, specifications and aggregated expert and user reviews — compared, not guessed.
Clear pros & cons
Every pick gets its real advantages and at least one honest trade-off, so you can weigh it.
Transparent sourcing
We show how we rank and the sources behind each guide, and re-check them as things change.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best gift for a gamer in the UK in 2026?
For most people, our top pick is the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless (Gen 2) headset, because it works across PlayStation, Xbox (via the X variant), PC, Switch and mobile, and reviewers rate its comfort and mic. If you know they mainly play on Xbox or PC and want a controller instead, the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 is the standout premium choice. The right gift really depends on their platform and whether they also stream.
How much should I spend on a gaming gift?
Our picks span roughly £45 to £180 indicatively, so you can pitch to almost any budget. Around £45 gets a feature-rich controller like the 8BitDo Ultimate 2; £80 to £120 covers a Backbone One mobile controller or an Elgato Stream Deck; and £145 to £180 buys a premium Xbox Elite Series 2 (full edition, RRP £159.99) or a flagship multi-platform headset. If the Elite is the goal but the budget is tighter, its Core version is around £105. Prices move with sales, so these are guides rather than fixed figures.
What is a good gaming gift for under £50?
The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless Controller is our value pick at an indicative £45 or so, offering drift-resistant TMR sticks, switchable triggers, rear buttons and a charging dock, mostly for PC and Android players. It is the closest thing here to premium-controller features at a mid-budget price. Just check the platform icons on the box, as 8BitDo sells several similarly named versions with different console support.
Which gaming gift works across PlayStation, Xbox and PC?
For genuine cross-platform use, a headset is the safest bet: the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless comes in variants covering PC, PlayStation, Switch and mobile, with an X edition for Xbox. Controllers tend to be tied to an ecosystem, the Xbox Elite Series 2 targets Xbox and PC, while the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 model we recommend is for Windows and Android, so match the controller to their main platform.
Sources & further reading
8The information and claims in this guide draw on the references below. We check these when a guide is published or updated.
- Product informationPrimary source
Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 (official product page) (opens in a new tab) — SteelSeries
Supports: Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 dual wireless, ClearCast mic, up to 54h battery and platform variants
- Product informationPrimary source
Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (Microsoft Store UK) (opens in a new tab) — Microsoft
Supports: Xbox Elite Series 2 full-edition features, customisation and UK pricing (RRP £159.99)
- Product informationPrimary source
Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 Core (Microsoft Store UK) (opens in a new tab) — Microsoft
Supports: Elite Series 2 Core edition contents and UK pricing (around £105)
- Product informationPrimary source
Ultimate 2 Wireless Controller (official product page) (opens in a new tab) — 8BitDo
Supports: 8BitDo Ultimate 2 TMR sticks, switchable triggers, charging dock and Windows/Android platform support
- Product informationPrimary source
Backbone One USB-C mobile gaming controller (official) (opens in a new tab) — Backbone
Supports: Backbone One USB-C compatibility, pass-through charging and app/cloud support
- Customer & expert reviews
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2 review (opens in a new tab) — KitGuru
Supports: Independent review of Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 comfort, mic, battery and RRP
- Pricing
Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 (retailer listing and price) (opens in a new tab) — Currys
Supports: Stream Deck MK.2 15-key spec and current UK indicative pricing (~£119)
- Related analysis
Best gifts for gamers (opens in a new tab) — Which?
Supports: Category context on popular gaming gift types for UK buyers
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