Best PS5 gifts for 2024
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
Time is ticking until Christmas arrives, so now's your last chance to strike if you want to secure the best PS5 gifts. We're blazing past final shipping dates at many retailers, for example, and that's why the 12DOVE present-hunting experts and I are here to help with suggestions.
Regardless of who you're shopping for, their age, or your budget, there should be something to suit them below. This list of the best PS5 gifts features everything from merchandise to must-have accessories, so you're hardly short on choice. As an example, I'm a huge fan of the PlayStation Icons light by Paladone. Besides being a classy addition to any gaming setup, it's pretty affordable on the whole.
Wondering how these recommendations were chosen? Our team is full of PlayStation gamers who cover the system as their job, so nothing has been included that we wouldn't be happy to buy ourselves. And if our staff-members haven't been hands-on with these gifts for gamers themselves, I've been sure to cross-reference user-reviews extensively to make sure you aren't winding up with cheap tat.
Benjamin handles all of the 12DOVE gifting content, and he's been writing about present-worthy gear for six years now. PlayStation is his gaming system of choice, and he's currently hoping someone buys him Epic Mickey: Rebrushed for Christmas.
Best PS5 gifts overall
I've gone through trending lists and our own reviews to bring you a cheat-sheet of all the very best PS5 gifts here. 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. They start at $10 and go all the way to $250.
Best for Xmas
If you're hunting down a PS5-themed Christmas present, this is the ideal choice. Besides being relatively affordable, it's of a surprisingly high quality.
Best decoration
This light brings those famous symbols to life with an atmospheric glow, making it an eye-catching addition to any setup.
Best bottle
Want an easy win? Check out this classy PS5-themed bottle. The metallic body keeps whatever's inside ice-cold, and it has hundreds of good user reviews. It's subtle enough that the recipient won't be embarrassed to go outside with it, either.
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. A great Secret Santa option, or stocking filler that should impress.
For mobile
If the person you're buying for likes streaming to their phone rather than using a TV, this will level up their experience (even if it's not as fancy as the more expensive PS Portal).
Best PS5 gifts under $30
Hunting down affordable but thoughtful presents? Look no further. I've rounded up my favorite PS5 gifts that won't break the bank here. They're mostly novelties built as stocking fillers or for Secret Santa, but still maintain a high quality.
Best t-shirts
There are a lot of PS5-related t-shirts out there, and not all of them are good. That's why I've narrowed it down here with the official - and quite tasteful - options from Ripple Junction. They're a well-known brand so you don't have to worry about quality here.
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.
Best mugs
There's no shortage of cool PlayStation-themed mugs out there, and the best ones are made by Paladone if you ask me. This company is very reliable in terms of quality, and although their designs aren't all created equal, most are pretty great.
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 bottles
They're cheap, easy, and useful… but more importantly, they're actually good. These should keep drinks cool thanks to the metal design, and most decorations aren't in-your-face either. My favorites are the white and blue icons versions.
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
If your budget is able to stretch a little further, you'll find some of the best PS5 gifts overall. While cheap novelties are fun, these alternatives should last the test of time. They're great for a partner, close friend, or family member.
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. This PlayStation one is a real favorite of mine, and the newer gray design is a beauty.
Best hoodie
This handsome hoodie is great for the PlayStation fans amongst you. Besides being understated enough to go with almost any outfit (I'm always keen on more subtle merch like this), it has a wealth of five-star reviews praising its comfort.
Budget headset
Looking to upgrade your loved one's setup without spending an arm and a leg? Headsets can transform your experience, and this one blends cost with performance brilliantly. It's consistently sold for under $50, too.
Best accesory
This smart PS5 gift offers somewhere to store a headset so they aren't kicking around your living space, but it's also a branded ambient light that'll improve any setup.
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 very eye-catching PS5 gift.
Most practical
Want something a little more practical? There's storage space here for games and accessories (be it controllers or headsets), so it's perfect if avoiding a cluttered setup is the goal.
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!
✅ Amazing action
✅ Great multiplayer
❌ Frustrating bugs
The year's surprise success story caught everyone off guard. A tongue-in-cheek multiplayer game inspired by the likes of Starship Troopers, it's utterly delightful and co-op matches are a hoot. Players will create countless memorable moments with this one. (All the same, be aware that it's rated M / 18+ if you're shopping for younger gamers.)
Read more: Helldivers 2 review
✅ Great companions
✅ Tough combat
❌ Linear hub areas
This epic fantasy RPG is causing quite the stir right now, so if your loved one adores going on adventures in video games, Dragon Age comes highly recommended. It's worth noting that this is an M / 18+ game though, so won't be suitable for younger audiences.
Read more: Dragon Age: The Veilguard review
✅ Very creative
✅ Stunning looks
❌ IP levels are dull
This adorable platformer was a legitimate surprise for 2024; I'm not sure anyone expected it to be as marvellous as it is. It comes highly recommended for fans of platformers or adventure games, and level design is rarely as creative as it is here.
Read more: Astro Bot review
✅ Superb combat
✅ Fun multiplayer
❌ Barebones story
Regardless of whether the person in question likes Warhammer, action fans will adore Space Marine 2. This is a properly old-school video game with all the over-the-top carnage you'd expect from them. Be aware that it's M / 18+ though.
Read more: Space Marine 2 review
✅ Snappy combat
✅ Great atmosphere
❌ Poor stealth
You can't go far wrong with a galaxy far, far away, and even though this one didn't set the gaming world on fire, it was still a fun, atmospheric adventure with plenty of flavor to spare. It's a great addition to the saga.
Read more: Star Wars Outlaws review
✅ Very creepy
✅ Eerie vibes
❌ A remake
Your loved one may have missed this atmospheric horror classic when it first launched, so the remake is ideal in terms of PS5 gifts. Be sure to note that it's M / 18+, however; it won't be suitable for younger gamers.
Read more: Silent Hill 2 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 pick of the bunch, if you ask us; it's amongst the best PS5 headsets overall.
Best SSD
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. Based on our testing, it's one of the best PS5 SSDs.
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. That's why we have it listed as our best PS5 controller.
Best remote player
This would be a pretty generous gift on the whole, but if your loved one enjoys playing their PS5 remotely, this is best thanks to that sumptuous screen and DualSense controller.
Best VR headset
OK, now we're really pushing the boat out. But if money is no object and you want to provide the ultimate PS5 gift, this virtual reality headset is a marvel.
Best PS5 gifts: FAQ
What should I get someone who plays PS5?
If you're hoping to get the perfect PS5 gift for someone that plays on Sony's console, I'd honestly prioritize merch like Numskull's excellent 'ugly' Christmas sweater or one of the many officially-licenced tees and hoodies from manufacturers such as Ripple Junction. Besides being incredibly well-received by fans on the whole, your loved one is far less likely to have them already than a game or accessory. It's the safe option!
Should I buy games for someone who plays PS5?
Even though it's tempting to shell out for the latest and greatest games when buying PS5 gifts, I'd recommend holding fire unless you know for certain that the recipient wants/doesn't already have the item in question. Otherwise, there's a very good chance of buying them something they own anyway. That's why I'd always suggest prioritizing merch or collectibles - there's less chance of doubling up.
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 exciting, memorable 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.
Just be aware that there are a couple of different versions out there; an older PS5 with a disc drive (or without), the PS5 Slim that's a little more efficient than its predecessor, and the PS5 Pro. The latter is newer and more powerful, but if I'm being honest, I wouldn't recommend it. You're better off getting the PS5 Slim unless the person in question is obsessed with frame rates.
Regardless of which version you get, all of them have some cool party tricks. 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, I'd highly recommend grabbing the Pulse 3D headset. Along with providing a more immersive atmosphere and a microphone you can chat to your friends with, it packs powerful surround-sound audio that is nothing short of amazing. I've had one myself for a while now, and I'd never want to go back.
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.
I'd argue that Helldivers 2 is an easy win as well. It's impressed both critics and fans in 2024, becoming one of the year's best releases.
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, you can't. 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 the recipient can purchase the game themselves. Bear that in mind if you're hoping to get someone something new to play!
Make sure you check whether they have a PS5 with a disc drive or not, too. If they do, you're all good to buy them a physical disc copy of the game. If not, you'll need to buy a PS Store gift card.
Looking for more potential presents on different platforms? Don't miss these highly-recommended Xbox gifts, or the ultimate Nintendo Switch gifts.
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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.