8 Great Gifts for Gamers Under $50

If you're a fan of PC shooters, you want an accurate mouse. And if you don't want to spend a lot of money, the Cougar Revenger S is your best choice. It's the only pick on our list of the top gaming mice to come in under the $50 mark, and it offers extensive customization options and excellent response for the price.

Let's be real, mechanical keyswitches and bulletproof build quality are common in the realm of $150-and-up keyboards, but you won't find those features in the $50 range. What you will find is the Razer Cynosa, an excellent budget gaming keyboard with an MSRP of $59.99, but can be found for closer to $40. It might not have mechanical switches, but it's quiet, has programmable RGB lighting, and works with Razer's Synapse software for customization.

8Bitdo keeps stepping up its game with wireless gamepads. The SN30 Pro+ takes the basic SNES-inspired design and dual analog layout of the excellent SN30 Pro and packs even more into it. It has big, comfortable grips, analog triggers, and plenty of software adjustments like remapping and tweaking stick sensitivity, all for under $50. And it works with both PCs and the Nintendo Switch.

8Bitdo isn't the only company to offer affordable, well-made gamepads for the Nintendo Switch. PowerA's Nano Enhanced Wireless Controller is a compact dual-analog gamepad that works with the Nintendo Switch, and features programmable Advanced Gaming buttons on the back for extra functionality. PowerA offers Nano Enhanced (and full-size) Enhanced controllers for other systems, as well.

If your tastes lean more towards the retro, especially retro Sega, then Retro-Bit has the controllers for you. The 8-Button Sega Collaboration Arcade Pads reproduce the six-button layouts of the Sega Genesis and Saturn controllers, then add shoulder buttons and USB connectivity. They're ideal for using with the Sega Genesis Mini, and are just as good fir playing classic collections on your computer. And, if you have the original consoles or an Analogue Mega Sg, there are six-button Genesis/Saturn-compatible versions, too.

Proper fight sticks are an investment in space and money, but Hori has you covered if you're low on either. The Hori Fighting Stick Mini 4 is the non-Street-Fighter-branded version of the Hori Fighting Stick Mini: Street Fighter Edition we reviewed, and it's every bit as good. This is a tiny arcade stick with responsive controls and solid build quality (even if it doesn't use Sanwa Denshi parts like in much more expensive sticks), all for less than $50.

You don't need to spend a lot of money to get a solid gaming headset. The Atlas One is Turtle Beach's entry-level wired PC headset, and at $50 it's a pretty strong budget contender. Its earpads are plush and have channels to reduce pressure on glasses, its microphone is clear, and it's just comfortable to wear and use.

You don't need to pick out a game to get a thoughtful gift for a gamer. If you know the recipient's preferred platform, you can get a specific gift card that's both personal and functional. Nintendo eShop, PlayStation Network, Steam, and Xbox Live gift cards translate directly into whatever games they want, without the need to go through their library to make sure you're not doubling up.

You don't have to spend a fortune on a cool tech gift. For tech-savvy friends and family, there are a number of gifts in the $50 range; here are some of the best.