Best PS5 gifts for 2023: Get the perfect PlayStation present
Here's what to get the PlayStation gamer in your life
1. Best overall
2. Best under $30
3. Best under $50
4. Best under $100
5. Best games
6. Best accessories
7. FAQ
We're down to the wire now, so anyone hunting down PS5 gifts needs to get a move on. Those final shipping dates are coming up fast and soon we'll be limited to gift cards, so if you're after accessories, games, or merch now's the time to strike. Thankfully, there's plenty on the shelves this year - and now that the PS5 is comfortably into its third year we're also enjoying plenty of games and accessories as well.
That means there's a lot to sift through, but there's no need to worry if you're not clued up on the latest games and gadgets. Our present-hunting experts are here to help you with suggestions and advice. Our team is full of PlayStation gamers who cover the system as their job, so we've not included anything we wouldn't be happy to get ourselves. We've also cross-referenced user-reviews and featured items we've had hands-on experience with, so you won't find any cheap tat here.
Regardless of who you're shopping for, their age, or your budget, there should be something to suit them here. This list of gifts for gamers features everything from merchandise to must-have PS5 accessories, so you're hardly short on choice. We've got hints on what to look out for when it comes to PS5 gifts, too.
Benjamin handles all of our gifting content. He's been writing about present-worthy gear for five years now, and PlayStation is his gaming system of choice.
Best PS5 gifts overall
We've gone through trending lists and our own reviews to bring you a cheat-sheet of all the very best PS5 gifts. These lead the pack in terms of quality and popularity.
Best overall
Lost for ideas or scrambling to catch up because you left things a bit late? Not to worry, you can always grab an official gift card.
Best add-on
If there's one annoying thing about the PS5, it's the fact it doesn't come in black. With this cheap add-on, the problem is solved.
Best decoration
This light brings those famous symbols to life with an atmospheric glow, making it an eye-catching addition to any setup.
Best storage
Storage space is always a problem on consoles, so this 1TB drive is essential. As we point out in our PS5 SSD guide, it's superb.
Best headset
Want the best sound-quality regardless of what's being played? This isn't just the best PS5 headset - it's our favorite headset on any system.
Best controller
As we say in our best PS5 controller guide, this device's customizability and comfort is good enough to put any rival to shame.
Best PS5 gifts under $30
Looking for good PS5 gifts while keeping costs down? Don't worry, we've rounded up the best small presents and stocking-fillers that won't break the bank.
Best t-shirts
There are a lot of PS5-related t-shirts out there, and not all of them are good. That's why we've narrowed it down here with the official - and quite tasteful - options.
Best mug
If you're unsure of what present to get the PS5 fan in your life, you can't go wrong with this heat-changing mug. It's a cool tip of the hat to PlayStation that's also practical.
Best cheap
Here's another simple but sweet PS5 gift idea for you - themed coasters. The shimmering silver icons (along with that blue rim) offer a surprisingly classy design.
Stocking-filler
Want a good novelty gift or stocking filler? Try this. Besides replacing the deck's normal suites with controller icons, it comes in a snazzy tin based on the PS1.
Best bottle
It's cheap, easy, and useful… but more importantly, it's actually good. This should keep drinks cool thanks to the metal design, and its decoration isn't in-your-face either.
Best decoration
Paladone is a big name in the giftware business, and its PlayStation Icons light is an excellent example of why. You can get an official PS5 version, but this is cheaper.
Best PS5 gifts under $50
Best for Xmas
'Ugly' sweaters are a grand tradition these days, and Numskull makes the best of them thanks to intricate embroidery and premium materials.
Best accesory
This smart PS5 gift offers somewhere to store a headset so they aren't kicking around, but it's also a branded ambient light that'll improve any setup.
Best add-on
Many fans were disappointed that we didn't get a black PS5, so this clip-on faceplate is a great PS5 gift if the recipient wants all of their tech to match.
Best decoration
This might not be official, but it certainly looks the part. The recipient can jazz up their room or gaming space with this sign, making it an unexpected but cool gift.
Most practical
Want something a little more practical? There's storage space here for games and accessories, so it's perfect if avoiding a cluttered setup is the goal.
For cooks
God of War is a premier PlayStation franchise, so fans will appreciate this official book crammed with novel Nordic recipes (and lore) if they like to cook.
Best PS5 gifts under $100
Want the ultimate PS5 gifts? These recommendations fit right into that category, and they're worth the extra outlay.
Best hoodie
The brand recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, and eye-catching merch like this was the result. It's a very handsome design so would be a top-tier PS5 gift.
Cheap headset
If you want to avoid spending a small fortune on headsets, this is your best option. Even though it keeps costs down, it still provides fantastic sound and comfort.
For mobile
If the person you're buying for likes to use remote play (where they stream to their phone rather than using a TV), this will level up their experience massively.
Best retro
If the PlayStation gamer in question has been there since the beginning, you'll struggle to do better in terms of PS5 gifts than this. It's a delightful slice of nostalgia.
Best collectible
If your loved one is really into Horizon, there's no better way to show off that fandom than with this official Lego display set; it's an incredible kit that looks great on a desk or shelf.
For multiplayer
OK, so this may be cheating. Whoever you're buying for almost certainly has a DualSense already... but having a spare for split-screen is always a must.
Best PS5 gifts: Games
Although games make for risky PS5 gifts (particularly if you don't know what the recipient has already), they can also be some of the best if you get it right. You'll find a few of the system's biggest and most recent titles here. Just be sure to keep that receipt or order confirmation in case you're buying something they already own!
Odds are high that the gamer in question has this on their wishlist already, and no wonder. The sequel is really rather fantastic - or amazing, you could say...
Read more: Marvel's Spider-Man 2 review
This RPG is one of the best in years. However, the only way to get it as a gift for someone right now is by grabbing a card so they can buy it themselves (it's digital only). It's also rated 'M' or 18+ in the UK, so this isn't for young gamers.
Read more: Baldur's Gate 3 review
This return to classic Assassin's Creed gameplay will be right up the alley of longtime fans. Just remember that 'M' for mature / 18+ rating if buying for a younger gamer!
Read more: Assassin's Creed Mirage review
Highly anticipated games don't always live up to the hype, but this new instalment in the Diablo franchise does. Just bear in mind that it's rated 'M' for mature (or 18+ in the UK).
Read more: Diablo 4 review
Is your loved one a Potter fan through and through? Are they still waiting for their Hogwarts letter? This is absolutely the game for them.
Read more: Hogwarts Legacy review
If you're buying for a PlayStation gamer who also likes Star Wars, it's worth checking out this action-adventure set between the prequel and original trilogies.
Read more: Star Wars: Jedi Survivor review
PS5 gifts: Accessories
Want to enhance your loved one's gaming setup? The best PS5 accessories are where you should start your search. For example, the PS5 headsets will drastically improve the wearer's experience thanks to superior audio. To point you in the right direction, we've picked out a few of our favorites below.
Best headset
Getting a headset makes all the difference, immersing you into the experience more than average speakers. And this is the best of the lot, if you ask us.
Best storage
Storage space can be a real issue on PS5, especially once you've had the console for a while and collect more games. That's why this drive is such a must-have.
Best charger
It's not the most exciting purchase, but a charging station is beyond helpful. It allows you to charge two DualSense controllers simultaneously.
Best controller
Although the new elite DualSense controller is excellent, this alternative is better in our opinion - it's so much more customizable.
Best surround sound
This official accessory has been one of our favorites from the start, mostly because of how it uses the PS5's 3D audio. This genuinely makes a difference.
Best camera
If your loved one is hoping to get into streaming on their PS5, the official PlayStation HD camera is the place to start. It offers sharp 1080p and background removal tools.
Best PS5 gifts: FAQ
Is PS5 a good present?
If you're able to buy someone a PlayStation 5, it will almost certainly go down well. For starters, it's a shiny slab of new tech. Breaking that out of its box and setting everything up is a uniquely wonderful experience.
In addition, this new machine has only been out for a couple of years. That means it's miles ahead of the PS4 in terms of what it can do, so the games it's able to play are generally more impressive. They're bigger, more complex, and prettier.
Equally, games will eventually stop coming out for the older systems - consoles are a bit like phones, and are usually superseded after around 10 years. With that in mind, getting a PS5 is necessary unless the recipient wants to get left behind. Many of the biggest upcoming games will only land on PlayStation 5.
It has some cool party tricks as well. Besides a controller with adaptive triggers that can respond realistically to what's happening on-screen, the 3D Pulse headset (sold separately) provides superb surround sound on many games that we weren't able to enjoy on other consoles.
What is good to buy with a PS5?
If you're getting someone a PS5 for the first time, we'd highly recommend grabbing the Pulse 3D headset. Besides providing a more immersive experience and a microphone you can chat to your friends with, it packs powerful surround-sound audio that is nothing short of impressive.
In terms of games, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is a great choice and has been very well received critically speaking. In much the same way, Baldur's Gate 3 is a must-have for fans of adventure games.
How do I buy PS5 games as a gift?
Besides the usual method of grabbing a physical, disc version of the game in person or online, the only way to buy someone a PS5 game is… well, to not. More specifically, you can't transfer a game after buying it yourself. Instead, you'll need to grab a gift card and hand that over so that the recipient can purchase the game themselves.
Looking for other potential presents? Don't miss these highly-recommended Xbox gifts, the ultimate Nintendo Switch gifts, and the best D&D gifts. We also have tips on grabbing good Star Wars gifts or Disney gifts as well.
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As the site's Tabletop & Merch Editor, you'll find my grubby paws on everything from board game reviews to the latest Lego news. I've been writing about games in one form or another since 2012, and can normally be found cackling over some evil plan I've cooked up for my group's next Dungeons & Dragons campaign.