You’re all set up with your state of the art gaming PC. You were lucky enough to snag a PS5 or an Xbox Series X or S. Or, even better, both next-gen consoles are adorned lovingly on your desk, next to your docked Nintendo Switch. Headphones? Check. Streaming camera and light? Check. Gaming chair and mechanical keyboard? Of course. But if you think that you and/or the gamer in your life has it all, think again.
It’s time to round out yours or your loved one’s gaming setup with some helpful products that will not only improve their gaming experience, but will look great while doing so.
Here are our picks for some of the best gifts to give for improving gaming setups.
LIFX LZTV1MUS Z-TV LED Light Strip
What’s a gaming or studio setup without some form of fluorescent, multi-colored lights? While many newer lighting products are used as wall decoration itself, a cheaper and often more versatile solution comes in the form of good ol’ LED light strips. LIFX has been a brand that has provided lighting solutions for gamers for a good number of years, and its LZTV1MUS Z-TV LED Light Strip is no different.
The kit comes with a 3’3” LED strip, controller, power supply, and US-region plug, with extension strips available up to 32.8 feet – allowing you to place the strip wherever you may have room. The lights work on your local wi-fi and come with Amazon Alexa integration as well as a mobile app for customizing your colors and changing up the scene on-the-fly or on a schedule.
The LIFX LED Light Strip and extension strip is on sale right now on Amazon for $37.99 (Reg. $69.99).
Govee Flow Pro Smart LED Light Bars
If you’re looking to up your lighting game even more, look no further than the Govee Flow Pro Smart LED Light Bars. Instead of simply illuminating your space with static colors, the Govee Flow Pro actually uses its 1080P camera to capture the colors displayed on your TV or PC screen and automatically matches those colors to the lights. No need for coding or circuitry work with these lights, as they sync effortlessly with your equipment. To take things even further, the lights are also capable of synching to your music and voice control via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, while also allowing you to experiment with your own DIY lighting effects (or exploring other designs by other users) using the Govee Home App.
I’ve put hours of research into the DIY technology behind synced audio and lighting effects, but these LED Light Bars make the entire experience a beautifully glowing breeze.
The Govee Flow Pro Smart LED Light Bars are currently on sale on Govee’s website for $63.99 (Reg. $79.99).
Cable Management Sleeve
No one wants to see unruly cable management, but with so many cable management solutions, it can be hard to figure out which solution is right for your situation. The Hikig Cord Organizer System puts this quandary to rest as one of the simplest and cheapest cable management solutions that I’ve ever come across.
Made of 100% waterproof and dust-proof nylon, the 19.5” in length and 4” in width zipper sleeves are as versatile as it gets, allowing you to neatly and easily wrap up your cables in a single sleeve. You can even attach multiple sleeves together for bigger jobs. The Hikig Cord Organizer sleeves are great regardless of your experience with cable management, and at it’s reasonable price, makes it great as a stocking stuffer or for those on a gift-giving budget.
The Hikig Cord Organizer System is available now on Amazon for $10.88.
HideIt Mounts
HideIt mounts are great ideas for those who may be lacking in desktop real estate. HideIt Mounts are exactly as the name suggests – they are mounts that can be attached to walls or on/under desks on which you can store your gaming consoles and accessories.
Having used the Nintendo Switch Dock mount, PS4 mount, and DualShock 4 Controller mount, I can confirm that the mounts are super easy to instal and sturdy enough to provide peace of mind that your gaming console is safe and out of the way. With PS5 and Xbox Series X and S mounts having just become available, there’s no more reason for you to be limiting your desk space any longer.
HideIt mounts are available now from HideIt’s website, ranging in price from $15 to $75 depending on the mount.
Rockspace AC2100 Tri-band Mesh WiFi System
Are your online multiplayer matches laggy? Is your stream quality suffering as a result of too many devices being active on your wi-fi at once? You may want to consider bolstering your home network with the Rockspace AC2100 Tri-band Mesh WiFi System – a home mesh wi-fi system that features 5Ghz powerful WLAN full-featured front-end module and beamforming technology
The AC2100 is capable of covering up to 6000 sq.ft area, with coverage in up to 8 rooms and the ability to connect over 100 devices. It also prevents dead spots from occurring in homes that may struggle with wi-fi connections.
I’ve been using the AC2100 for about two weeks now, and as someone who lives in a dead zone for my mobile carrier along with my house having rooms that can be spotty with wi-fi connection, the AC2100 is a godsend. Since installing the system, I haven’t had any issues with dropped calls, Zoom meetings, or timed-out online multiplayer matches while gaming online. The AC2100 may be the most expensive gift on this list, but it’s one that is well worth it if you’re in need of better wi-fi coverage in your home.
The Rockspace AC2100 Tri-band Mesh WiFi System is currently on sale on Amazon for $199 (Reg.$249.99).
Timbuk2 x Astro Collection: BP35 Gaming Backpack
Of course, you’re not going to be in your studio or at your gaming setup 24/7. So whenever you have to leave for extended periods of time, bring your setup with you with the Timbuk2 x Astro Collection: BP35 Gaming Backpack. The second collaboration between backpack brand Timbuk2 and gaming peripheral company Astro, the BP35 is one of the best backpacks I’ve owned, period – regardless of its categorization as a “gaming” backpack.
There is so much room in the bag that I’m able to fit my laptop, tablet, and even my PS5 with room to spare. It’s also incredibly comfortable and secure, which is important since you’ll likely have plenty to protect in your backpack. The BP35 even comes with storage for Astro headphones, which means that my custom ASTRO.ID Collection 2 headphones are well protected whenever I’m on the go.
The Timbuk2 x Astro Collection: BP35 Gaming Backpack is available from Timbuk2’s website for $199.
Product samples were provided to TheGamer for this gift guide.