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Christmas Gift Guide: Best Gaming Gear in the UK

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Robert Anderson
 & Robert Anderson Contributor

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Fill those stockings and keep the gamer in your life beaming this Christmas with everything from this year’s must-have consoles to stellar accessories.

There’s an abundance of choice this Christmas when it comes to console gifting. If affordability is on your mind, each of the most popular console brands has affordable options. For example, Nintendo recently released the new Switch Lite, a lighter, handheld focused console that is considerably cheaper than the standard model.

As a result of reduced costs, the entry point into modern gaming has never been so low. It’s also never been easier to catch up on some of the best games of the generation, with services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Now becoming ever more popular.

Whatever gaming gear you’re looking to buy for someone, we’ve got all the relevant information you’ll need right here. If you’re looking to make a purchase before December hits, you should also consider our selection of Black Friday articles for the best deals in gaming for the UK.

These are all the best gaming gifts you can pick up in 2019.

Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch Lite is a slimmer, less expensive version of the standard Switch and one of the best handheld game systems to date.

The Nintendo Switch continues to dominate a large portion of the gaming market right now. It can put its success down to portability, alongside incredible exclusives such as Super Mario Odyssey, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and more.

The Switch family now features a more affordable version, named the Switch Lite. The Switch Lite is a slimmer, less expensive version of the standard Switch and one of the best handheld systems to date. Lacking any docking capabilities, the Switch Lite is purely a handheld system and a great one at that.

The Switch continues to be the must-have console this year, and it’s hard not to see why. The possibility of moving from the comfort of your living room, and continuing your adventures on the morning commute, is something other consoles cannot compete with.

Deals of the Week

Xbox One

Save 19 Percent on Xbox One S All-Digital Edition at Walmart

Xbox One S is a pure bargain when you breakdown the console specs. The console can play 4K Blu-ray disks, at a fraction of the cost of a regular 4K Blu-ray player. It can also output 4K video from streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon, BBC iPlayer, and more. It’s an absolute steal at around £200.

If you’re gifting an Xbox to someone this Christmas, we also recommend adding Xbox Game Pass to your shopping list. The service includes over 100 games, with some rotation, and even launches new Xbox exclusives on day-one, at no extra cost. Experience brilliant titles such as Gears 5, The Outer Worlds, Forza Horizon 4, and Blair Witch, alongside a whole catalogue of other titles. Your first month on Game Pass Ultimate is only £1, and perfect for gamers looking to get the ball rolling this Christmas.

Deals of the Week

PlayStation 4

Sony Announces 'Amazing Red' Spider-Man PS4 Pro Bundle

PlayStation continues to have an excellent catalogue of exclusive titles that most gamers would love to play. Games like God of War, Spider-Man, and Horizon Zero Dawn have all received great feedback, demonstrating why so many people play on the PS4 in the UK.

There are two choices when it comes to PlayStation 4. There's the PS4 Slim or the PS4 Pro. The Pro has 4K capabilities and is only slightly less powerful than the Xbox One X. Specs aside, the Pro is a great console will plenty of incredible games to back it up. The PS4 Slim is also a fantastic console, and normally costs around £210, whereas the Pro typically costs £300 or more.

Deals of the Week

Xbox One Elite Controller Series 2

Microsoft Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2

The Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 is the world’s most advanced controller to date. The revolutionary design has plenty of customisable features built-in, but the only catch is it costs almost £160. That’s certainly a big price-tag for a controller, but it’s the perfect gift for an Xbox gamer who wouldn’t necessarily buy it for themselves due to the cost.

Features on the Series 2 include 40-hour internal battery life, shorter hair-trigger locks, a wrap-around rubberised grip, and a myriad of other additions. Bluetooth capabilities also mean the controller will function with any PC or laptop that’s capable, alongside the new Project xCloud service, when it officially launches in the UK.

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The controller is launched on November 4, 2019, and has received an Editors' Choice award on PCMag.

Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch Controllers

Controllers have always been an expensive purchase, but a new controller is a requirement if you want to play local co-op, or you simply want a more stylish way to play. In the current generation, you can normally pay £50 to £70 for an official controller from the likes of Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo.

Alternatively, you can spend significantly less on unofficial controllers, but these aren’t always licensed, or simply don’t function as well as the official models.

Nintendo

PlayStation

Xbox

PlayStation VR

PlayStation VR is one of the most affordable ways to experience Virtual Reality gaming in your home. While the headset isn’t as advanced as some alternatives, it doesn’t fall too far behind and can offer some truly memorable experiences.

Some highlights include putting on the Dark Knight’s cowl in Batman: Arkham VR, or taking to the wastelands in Fallout 4 VR. Bethesda does enjoy porting its games over to VR, and you can also pick up The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR and Doom VFR. Other highlights include Superhot, Subnautrica, No Man’s Sky, and more.

Gaming Headsets

Coordinating with your friendly team or guild, partaking in some trash-talking, and hearing key audio are all vital parts of the online gaming experience.

There’s plenty of choice out there at the moment, with cheaper basic mics starting at £20, all the way up the most impressive headphones averaging around £100 or more.

The more expensive headphones offer simulated surround sound, e-sports-oriented, wireless over-ear gaming. Obviously, you should always decide on a set that suit budget and needs.

A solid headset can change a gamers perspective on online gaming. For less than £50 you can find a comfortable gaming headset with plenty of features and usability.

Deals of the Week

Affordable Gaming Laptops

Nowadays there are plenty of affordable options when it comes to gaming on your laptop. Gaming laptops don't have to be big, heavy, and ridiculously expensive. Thanks to some shifts in the market, prices are down and specs are up.

Nowadays devices are as powerful as a desktop gaming PC, and as light and portable as an ultrabook, so you really can play the latest high-end games anywhere.

Deals of the Week

Gaming Desktops

Having one of the best desktops available as your main platform for gaming can open your eyes to a whole new gaming experience. A gift of this magnitude is certainly expensive, but it's an investment that will last for many years to come.

More Gift Guides

PCMag has a lot of gift guides for you to check out. Whether you're getting ready for Christmas or simply want to treat a loved one, we've got you covered.

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About Our Expert

Robert Anderson

Robert Anderson

Contributor

My Experience

I’ve been freelancing as a tech journalist for several years now, after long wanting to write about my passion for video games. I have bylines on Kotaku and other sites, but PCMag is where you can find most of my musings on gaming, its culture, and where the industry is going next. I also test online services for both businesses and individuals. If you’re interested in hearing me talk about entertainment, film, and TV, you can check out my Patreon and Substack, both under the name “Robby Knows.”

The Technology I Use 

Most of the tech I use every day is within the Apple ecosystem. Currently, I rely on a 2025 MacBook Air for computing and dabble in art projects on my 6th-generation iPad Mini. I don't go anywhere without my AirPods Pro 2 in my pocket. 

As an avid gamer, you better believe that I always have a controller in my hands if I’m not watching movies or TV. I use my PS5 and Switch 2 equally, depending on what’s the hot new release, and am always trying to find interesting ways to tinker with my Steam Deck.  

Given the current state of social media and technology, I find myself going more analog to escape the noise. I have a modest collection of watches, both automatic and digital, to free myself from the pings and notifications of the modern world. I also put my phone in a ySky lockbox for 12 hours every night to reduce my screen time. I spent a lot of the past year trying to read good books rather than scroll through feeds.

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