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We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
Video game recommendations, a glowing Toad lamp, and and more must-have products for gamers.
Promising review: "Love, love, love it!!! I purchased this microphone when I upgraded from a laptop to a desktop gaming console (which did not have a built-in microphone like my laptop did). I needed this microphone for gaming and video editing purposes. My main concern from other reviews was that I would not have a crystal clear voice unless I was very close to the microphone. This is NOT true. I sit comfortably in my chair, a good two feet away from the mic and people online say my voice sounds crystal clear!!! I even tested playing music in the background while talking and my friend could not hear any background noise! Amazing!" —Brandon
Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in black and white).
One of my friends has and loves this keyboard! It was his first addition to the gaming computer he and my husband built, and he's had zero complaints.
Promising review: "This keyboard has exceeded my expectations! I liked my previous keyboard which had cherry brown switches, but it was a bit loud for the house now that more people in my household are working from home due to COVID-19. The keys and the keyboard base feel very premium, yet the keyboard is light. I am using this keyboard for both work and gaming, and I'm very pleased by the experience for both use cases. It did take me about a week to get used to the different feel of the switches, but now I am typing at a similar speed and accuracy as with my previous keyboard. Overall, I am loving this keyboard and I would recommend it to anyone, especially at this price point." —Justin L.
Get it from Amazon for $69.99 (available in three styles).
As someone who played many (many!) hours of Animal Crossing since it debuted for Nintendo Switch, I was beyond excited about this expansion pack. It really reignited the fun of the original game while also providing a new way to interact with characters and create new things. If you don't decide to buy this for the gamer in your life, I highly suggest getting it for yourself.
Get the digital download from Amazon for $24.88.
Promising review: "Great and simple design of Twitch logo. A little too snug around my arms (I’m a little more built but even in XL it’s kind of tight from the elbow to wrist). Appealing and stylish color of pastel pink is a great aesthetic to try to incorporate into your style." —Carlo
Get it from Amazon for $45 (available in unisex sizes XS–3XL and three colors).
Promising review: "Great to carry around your Switch without fear of damage. I have a USB-C cable, Samsung power adapter, HDMI cable (6ft), Joycon wrist straps, and the FastSnail HDMI Type C Hub Adapter so I can play on the big screen. I think I can fit one more pair of Joycons (and straps) so I can get 4 player Mario Cart. With all that stuff in this case, there is little to no pressure on the Switch. But you can't just throw it all in, you need to purposefully place the items to make sure there is no pressure on the screen or joysticks." —DanA
Get it from Amazon for $18.87+ (available in 10 colors).
Promising review: "This 24-inch curved VA panel looks really good after playing with the colors and settings. Buttery smooth 144Hz is yours on either the DP (cable included) or HDMI 2.0 and it is amazing just like everyone says. The logo on the back glows red and the system menu is OK but not bad. The stand is very sturdy and has a good snug tilting mechanism. The bezels are a tad wider than you're led to believe but still not bad. It does have speakers but they are not great. There is only one screen protector and it peels off very easy. The other layer is the anti-glare layer. Everything but the stand is plastic but if $159 gets you a clean 24-inch curved, 144Hz, 3ms, egde design, VA panel in a solid package then this is worth plugging into any budget gaming build." —Steven
Get it from Amazon for $249.97.
This delightful candle smells like fresh cut grass and lavender — exactly how I'd imagine Hyrule to smell. GameWorldIlluminated is a small business based in Santa Cruz, California that sells video game-inspired candles.
Promising review: "My husband sent me a link to this store for Christmas, and as soon as I saw the Hyrule Field candle, I KNEW I had to to get him this one. And he LOVES it. It smells so lovely. We will definitely be buying from this store again." —JibanyanSenpai
Get it from GameWorldIlluminated on Etsy for $16.80.
Promising review: "These glasses are perfect for working on the computer, playing videos games, and even watching movies! I love the pale pink color, they’re very feminine and fit my face just like I’d hoped. I recommend them for anyone that spends time on phones or computers" —Kelly Stagg
Get them from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in 13 styles).
To know The Sims is to love The Sims. You can spend hours (days? weeks?) building your perfect home before even thinking about interacting with your character. I'm a longtime fan of this game and, honestly, can't think of a better program to play when quarantined for a long period of time. The best part about this game is you can truly make it whatever you want! Want to make your Sim have 100 babies? Sure, why not? Or maybe you want to create Barbie and level up every single career and skill option. The Sim world is your oyster.
Get a download now from EA Games for $4.99 (originally $39.99)
Promising review: "I am the proud owner of three of these (so far). They're quiet when on AC power. They have great customization. I've muted the beeps and warnings so if the power kicks off, they just take over without distracting me further. I LOVE the two front USB plugs. I charge devices from them all the time. The LED screen is off by default until you press a button, so other than the dimly lit power button on the front, there's no distracting lights or sounds under normal use on AC power. So, how well do they work? Well, I've owned a lot of UPSes. These are by far much quieter than any I've purchased from APC. They have a true sine wave output (which is amazing!), and the 1500VA is perfect for most electronics. The front screen will tell you how much of a load you have plugged in and even an estimate for how long the unit should run given that load if you lost power. So, no surprises!" —Ramze
Get it from Amazon for $219.95+ (available in three styles).
My husband and his friends love this game — and they're nearly 30 and can drive real cars 😂.
Get the digital download from Amazon for $54.99+ (available for Xbox and Windows and three versions).
My husband had been complaining about back pain and his tendencies to slip into terrible posture habits while sitting at his desk. Now that he's working from home he's spending even MORE time in his computer chair (seriously like...13+ hours a day including working and gaming) which makes the investment in a serious chair feel a bit more justified. Since getting this chair he feels like he's sitting up straighter and not feeling stiff by the end of the day. He is forever talking about how comfortable this chair is and how much more his back feels supported since switching from his old chair. This chair is pricey but if you're someone who spends a lot of time sitting at a desk (like many of us these days) it's definitely worth it.
Get it from Herman Miller for $1,595 (available in two styles).
Promising review: "I just received this and I LOVE it. It adequately relieved the knots in my neck, the base of my skull, and my legs. I'm going to try my feet also. I've been wanting something like this for quite some time and I'm thrilled with this product. This item definitely delivers. I highly recommend it. The price for this item given the relief provided is wonderful." —Stephanie T.
Get it from Amazon for $64.95.
As my husband says, this mouse is "the best you can get for the money." Enough said.
Promising review: "The model D is everything you could ever want. If you want a lighter mouse to get those easier flicks this is for you. One thing you need to know is that this mouse is an ergonomic mouse. That means this is for fingertip players. If you play claw while gaming this might not be for you." —Rowan
Get it from Glorious for $49.99 (available in two styles).
Looking for some serious caffeine? These beans are the answer. Known for being the world's strongest coffee, a cup of this is SURE to get you going. Over 13K Amazon customers have given this coffee a 5-star rating, so grab a mug and let's do this!
Promising review: "Do you have deadlines to meet with work or school? Are you trying to play Skyrim all the way through in one sitting? Death Wish Coffee is what you're in search of. The aroma of the beans as they're being processed and pressed and brewed is addicting in itself. The taste is pure bliss and the charge you instantly feel, must feel like freedom. This must have what the signatories of the Declaration of Independence felt when succeeding from the British! Freedom and power and energy running straight thru their veins in pure constitutional bliss." —Andrew Wilson
Get it a 1lb bag from Amazon for $17.09+ (also available in 2lb and 5lb bags and in medium and dark roasts).
Check out our deep dive on Death Wish Coffee.
Cuevex is a small business based in Miami, Florida that sells mugs, T-shirts, and mouse pads. From Links Awakening to the main screen of Tetris are *so* many good games to have featured on this mug I'm honestly not sure how you'll decide!
Get it from Cuevex on Etsy for $11.71+ (available in 2 sizes and 13 styles).
AnnieGirlDesigns is a small business based in Castle Rock, Colorado that sells customized tumblers and gifts.
Promising review: "My nephew loved it. I don't have a picture of it but he said it came out perfect and uses it all the time. I had his gamer tag place on his cup. I will definitely order from here again." —Infamous Ligon
Get it from AnnieGirlDesigns on Etsy for $11+ (available in cup styles, two patterns, and with or without personalization).
My husband is the real gamer in this family (I dabble, OK?) and he loves his HyperX Alloy keyboard. The brand allows you to choose which kind of key switch you prefer to game with — for lack of a better term, this is a game changer. The red switches are more linear, the aqua switches are more tactile, and the blue switches are more click-y. You can learn more about all of the switch options here.
Promising review: I have nothing but praise for this keyboard. I have been using it for a few weeks now. The tactile Aqua switches feel really good. I use this keyboard for work and gaming, it is perfect. Plenty of reviews out there already that showcase why this is such a great keyboard. The full metal body, fantastic switches, raised keys that allow the nice and bright RGB to shine. This is my second Alloy Origin kb, I also have the TKL with HyperX linears, but gave that to my daughter. I needed a full size and the tactile makes typing a lot easier for me being a double duty board. If primarily for gaming, I would of stuck with the linears, they are buttery smooth too." —Mike
Get it from Amazon for $79.99+ (available in three sizes and three types of key switches).
ElleMercedmacarons is a small business based in Oakland, California that sells a variety of handmade macarons.
Get six macarons from ElleMercedmacarons on Etsy for $22.99.
This headset is compatible with PC, MacOS, PS5 and PS4 gaming and is Discord certified.
Promising review: "The main thing that strikes me about these headphones is the quality of build and attention to detail. The ear cups are not fine Corinthian leather, but they look and feel like it to me. The pad on the top is also of great quality and has this stitching that is just a nice touch. I've had a lot of earphones that were more expensive and feel like they were a little flimsy, but these feel like you could run them over with a truck and they would still be good. Seems like it's more steel than plastic but even the plastic seems more military grade rather than the kind that kids toys are made of.
I love the steel headband. Even though they are extremely solid, they are not heavy and they stay on your head well. Range is great. Sound quality is excellent. I LOVE that they have a true dial volume control instead of a push button. Nothing really bad to say.... I'm usually pretty cranky about products but I am in the unusual position of wanting to thank Corsair for making such a great set of headphones for a reasonable price. I wish they would start manufacturing cars." —Stan Culotte
Get it from Amazon for $89.99+ (available in three styles).
UrartDesign a small business that sells custom wooden items.
Promising review: "What a great work of craftsmanship. it looks very good and the wood is smooth to touch. I let them engrave the gaming name of my spouse and it is very well made. The shape for the headphones fits perfect into the wooden platform. It was the perfect surprise. Plus it was a very fast shipping. Thank you." —Kathleen
Get it from UrartDesign on Etsy for $29.95+ (available in five wood finishes and and four plexiglass colors).
I recently started using the Nintendo Switch OLED and am a big fan! My husband has the original Switch and I have the Switch Lite, but this newest version has definitely made a good impression on me. I wasn't always enthused with the original version (my hands are small!) but, despite this one being similar in size, the OLED feels a lot lighter and easy to hold. The colors are the screen are beautiful and *so* clear. It connects very easily to the TV, so you can play multi-player games at any time!
Promising review: "Appreciate the full richness of color in the new OLED screen. Makes games pop fantastically in handheld mode or tabletop with the excellent kickstand upgrade." —Actual Buyer
Get it from Target for $349.99.
Promising review: "I used these to stick to the side of a table in my gaming room. I got tired of picking up charging cables off the floor in a tangled mess. Now I just reach over, grab the correct charging cable and plug in my phone, controller, etc. All nice and neat." —IssysDad
Get a pack of six from Amazon for $6.96.
There are so many things you need to know about this gadget that I barely know where to start! I've been using it for the last few months and, despite being a loyal Mac user, I really love it. The charger itself has a USB port in it, so you'll never have to scour for multiple outlets or choose between your two devices when your phone inevitably starts to die. The screen can literally be detached and used as a touchscreen — which is pretty awesome for anyone looking to take notes on the go or wants to draw with the tablet in their lap. I've been using it to play The Sims; aka my greatest test for any computer. The fact I can play it without the computer fully blowing up or canceling the game on me is something I haven't been able to enjoy in years. My husband, who I've mentioned is a bit of a gaming nerd (sorry, Paul) was so impressed by the clarity and specs on the screen. If you're in need of a computer upgrade, consider this one.
Get it from Amazon for $1,995+ (available in 13 or 15 inches and four internal storage options).
Promising review: "It's octagonal and has a skull on it so I was a bit skeptical at first. I run a concave high on my right stick and wanted a convex mid for the left. The skull design feels really good and the octagonal shape does not get in the way. It feels and plays great. Kinda surprised! I put these on the left of both my controllers and put my highs on the right." —Bill Jenkins
Get them from Amazon for $19.98.
Get it from Hot Topic for $25.83+ (available in unisex sizes S–3XL).
Promising review: "The graphics are amazing, sound, voice acting is incredible. A huge leap into the next century for RE2. Deff a lot more challenging, the aiming is in the style of the newer games (RE4,5,6). I would argue its more challenging than the former games because the characters are running in dimly lite hallways while balancing the gun, flashlight. Play the game in the dark of course to get fully immersed in the world and enjoy!" —Michael
Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available for PS4, Xbox One, and PC).
Are you ready, Player One? This bath bomb is made with ingredients like baking soda (gotta get that fizz-in), sunflower oil, avocado oil, and fragrance oil to create a unique bath you'll enjoy maybe just as much as when you beat your sister in Mario Kart. iBeautyGifts is a small business based in Castro Valley, California that sells soap, bath bombs, wax tarts, and more.
Get it from iBeautyGifts on Etsy for $5 (available in six colors).
My husband is admittedly a "gadget guy" and has one of these kits for as long as I can remember. He's a big fan of the brand and loves that every set comes with a lifetime warranty.
Promising review: "Seriously, I have been repairing small electronics for decades now, over 30 dang years, and I will say this is probably the best deal and collection you can get for simple to even complicated repairs. It has a crapload of bits, but essentially everything you will need as opposed to the next larger offering, though I am still considering getting that for my dungeon downstairs. I keep this upstairs literally in the kitchen since a lot of impromptu repairs occur at the dining room table, but I have not been let down. This is top notch/quality material and manufacturing. It not only feels comfortable but is very strong and bits do not let go of screws. It has a great deal of bits too, 64 in fact. It pretty much covers all the phone and laptop screws you will encounter and even has some socket ones too. Nice touch." —Riboild
Get it from Amazon for $34.99.
Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.