My favourite gaming tech gifts for Christmas 2024 – best headsets and keyboards-Lucy Orr-Entertainment – Metro

Christmas gift giving can get expensive for gamers (Metro)

Generous gift givers and those looking to treat themselves this Christmas should consider our list of the best gaming headsets, keyboards, and peripherals.

If you never got one of the PlayStation 30th Anniversary consoles then don’t worry, not every new piece of gaming hardware has to cost £8,000 on eBay. It can still be expensive though, which is why a lot of people wait for the Christmas gift giving season to get a new headset or controller.

While this year has been defined by the endless wait for a release date for the Switch 2, we have also seen virtual and augmented reality trying to gain a foot hold with a wider audience, with Meta Quest 3S leading the charge in accessibility and game immersion.

Hardware always looks better wrapped up under the Christmas tree, compared to an IOU for a digital game or subscription, so these are not only the most desirable items for gamers but in most cases the ones that make for the best Christmas presents.

Trust Gaming GXT 719 RUYA RGB gaming chair

Who needs Rudolph to guide the sleigh at night when you can do it with this cool RGB gaming chair from Trust. It offers adjustable features such as battery-powered LED lights, freeing you from cumbersome cables, and both the seat height and armrests are fully adjustable. Also, you won’t have to spend the whole of Christmas morning faffing with screws as it only takes about 40 minutes to put together, ideally with an extra set of hands, if you want to get Santa involved.

The Ruya provides decent lumbar support, with adjustable straps and a cushion. There’s also a recline function that locks between 90 and 180 degrees and 3D armrests for versatile positioning. The padding is softer than my noblechairs HERO, so it’s actually super comfortable for long gaming sessions – with enough LED bling to light up the dark winter nights.

RRP: £269.99

Steelseries Arctis GameBuds

Although over-ear headphones are far more common for gaming set-ups, these are the first gaming earbuds that have me completely sold. As someone who prefers low-profile and lighter audio options, compared to bulky headsets, as I have a long commute, I’m impressed with their design and functionality, as well as the outstanding depth of sound and vibrant bass.

Setting them up was straightforward; I paired them with my iPhone, adjusted the EQ using the companion app – which is great for mobile gaming on the go and has an impressively clean sci-fi aesthetic. The active noise Cancellation (ANC) also performs well, muting background bus chatter effectively. You can also connect it via the 2.4GHz dongle to a PlayStation 5, for an impressive virtual sound space.

RRP: £169.99

Corsair M75 wireless mouse and K70 PRO TKL mechanical keyboard

The Corsair M75 AIR FPS gaming mouse impressed me with its ultra-lightweight design, which is ideal for precise aiming and quick responses in fast-paced games. The mouse’s click latency is low and consistent, paired with excellent sensor accuracy. However, while it boasts a 2,000Hz polling rate it lags slightly, leaving some room for improvement in responsiveness but still a good bet to beat your mates at Black Ops 6.

The K70 RGB PRO keyboard is a full-size, wired model optimised for gaming, with Corsair’s signature double shot PBT keycaps that resist fading over time, and if your gaming computer is also your work computer, trust me, this is actually important. With an 8,000Hz polling rate via iCUE software, the keyboard offers impressive latency for high-end rigs.

Its Cherry MX Red switches are light and responsive, making it perfect for gamers who prefer linear keys. The ‘Tournament Switch’ further enhances the gaming experience by disabling macros and locking RGB lighting to a single colour for focused gameplay. Corsair delivers reliability and sleek aesthetics and while there’s not much bling these products have enough features to significantly boost high-performance set-ups.

M75 gaming mouse RRP: £139.99
K70 Pro TKL gaming keyboard RRP: £159.99

Logitech A50 X (Gen5) and G915X Lightspeed TKL keyboard

I have a soft spot for Logitech, who consistently deliver the coolest looking gaming set-ups. While not the cheapest, the new Gen 5 A50 X headset is a powerhouse, delivering top tier audio quality, an outstanding microphone, and enhanced community-driven EQ settings that refine any game’s sound. While it narrowly misses perfection due to limited Bluetooth support, it still stands as one of the best gaming headsets available this Christmas.

Meanwhile, Logitech’s G915 X Lightspeed TKL keyboard delivers a high-quality experience with its ultra-thin, low-profile design, and sturdy build. Available in several key switch types, the G915 X is optimised for gaming. Its durable, brushed aluminium top plate adds a RoboCop feel, and the PBT double-shot keycaps everyone is keen to push this year ensure longevity. With seamless wireless options either via dongle or Bluetooth, and a battery life of over 40 hours, it balances form and function, if not frugality.

Astro A50 X RRP: £289.99
G915X Lightspeed TKL keyboard RRP: £199.99

ROG Delta II wireless gaming headset and ROG Falchion Ace HFX Analog gaming keyboard

I love the sleek cyberpunk design of the ASUS ROG Delta II headset and the ROG Falchion Ace HFX keyboard. As it should when costing over £200, the Delta II stands out with its dual connectivity options via 2.4GHz and Bluetooth, making it easy for you to control audio independently across devices.

Its unique looking triangular earcup shape will make you stand out and it’s got some really intense RGB lighting. However, at 318 grams, it’s on the heavy side and its headband is quite narrow and could pose comfort issues for some during longer play sessions. But the Delta II’s audio quality shines, delivering immersive, balanced sound for both gaming and music, with precise spatial audio for improved situational awareness in-game. However, its detachable microphone lacks noise-cancelling capabilities, which could lead to background noise pick-up.

To compliment it, and if you’ve got deep pockets, the ROG Falchion Ace HFX Keyboard combines compact form and versatility. Nice and compact, it’s 65% layout includes magnetic switches with customisable actuation, a Rapid Trigger mode, and multiple noise-dampening layers. Dual USB-C ports support easy device swapping and while some may miss a number pad, I actually love these smaller keyboards.

ROG Delta II RRP headset: £219.99
ROG Falchion Ace HFX keyboard RRP: £189.99

Thrustmaster HEART Controller

While it may not be a kiss under the mistletoe, Thrustmaster’s new HEART controller for Xbox and PC introduces HallEffect AccuRate Technology (H.E.A.R.T.), aimed at eliminating stick drift altogether. It relies on magnetic sensors instead of direct-contact mechanisms, effectively reducing wear and promising extended lifespan. This innovation, drawing from Thrustmaster’s extensive flight simulation experience, allows for smooth, frictionless analogue stick movement and precise tracking.

The controller’s mechanical buttons enhance response time over standard membrane buttons, making it ideal for competitive gaming. With the ThrustmapperX software, you can fine tune stick sensitivity and customise the rear button mappings for a tailored experience.

While I’m not keen on wired controllers this feels noticeably lighter than other Xbox controllers, at 214g. I found the H.E.A.R.T. controller is highly responsive, whether playing Dragon Age or Black Ops 6, with buttons great even for my smaller hands, in terms of reach; while the glowing green LED strip had me wondering if it’s still too early to put up the tree.

RRP: £89.99

PDP Nintendo Switch REMATCH GLOW wireless controller: Boo Hoo

Yes, I know Halloween is over, but the spirit is still with us, so light up someone’s Christmas with The Boo Hoo controller. It’s cute as hell, with outstanding battery life, comfortably lasting through a full day or night of gaming on a single charge. You’ll never get disconnected, as there’s a warning when the battery dips low, but you need a longer charging cable as the one included is pretty short – a foot long if you’re planning to game while charging.

Lack of a rumble feature might put some off but the extended battery life more than makes up for this, in my opinion. The controller’s responsiveness and quick connection with the Switch add to its appeal, reinforcing its reliability, and the glow-in-the-dark Boos are great.

RRP: £41.99

Turtle Beach Stealth 700 headset (Gen 3)

The Stealth 700 Gen 3 looks awesome, delivering sound quality leaps well ahead of previous models, making games like spooky Silent Hill 2 incredibly immersive. This headset combines powerful audio with a super-light build, and I found it ideal for long gaming sessions without any discomfort from brain squish. The microphone is crystal clear across platforms, so much so that my friends thought I’d switched to a dedicated streaming mic.

A great nod to versatility is the included dongles for quick switching between multiple devices and the battery life is simply phenomenal. I haven’t needed to charge it once since unboxing. While not cheapest, the Stealth 700 Gen 3 is definitely worth the money and in my opinion the best new headset this Christmas.

RRP: £179.99

Razer Kishi Ultra mobile controller

The Razer Kishi Ultra stands out as one of the most comfortable mobile controllers for phones and it’s compatible with Android and iOS. Large-handed gamers will appreciate its substantial feel and responsive triggers, with full-sized grips and tactile, satisfying buttons. Its RGB design, run by Razer Chroma software, also adds a stylish, modern aesthetic, making it visually striking for jealous side eyes on the Tube.

While there’s cheaper alternatives out there, like all Razer products this is bound to get a gasp when opened on Christmas Day. But extra bumpers instead of back buttons, and a rigid USB-C connector that doesn’t pivot and restricts movement might annoy in the long term. The Kishi Ultra impressed me with its comfort and quality – and the easy-to-use Razer Nexus game launcher software – but it lacks finesse given the price tag, so it’s best suited as a gift for mobile gamers prioritising style and grip.

RRP: £149.99

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