The holidays are almost here, and that means it’s time to start the annual hunt to find a gift for everyone on your list. However, that’s definitely easier said than done, especially when you have a lot of family and friends to shop for. Thankfully, there are plenty of amazing gifts that you can score on a budget for the gamers and pop-culture lovers in your life. We’ve handpicked some of the best gift ideas you can find under $50 this holiday season.
TL;DR – The Best Gifts Under $50
Logitech G305 Wireless Gaming Mouse
The Logitech G305 mouse is a great all-around choice for gamers of every genre. It features an ambidextrous design that comfortably fits many different grip types and weighs in at just 99g for a lightweight feel. It utilizes Logitech’s proprietary Lightspeed wireless connection for low-latency gaming with a 1ms response time. Best of all, the G305 can achieve up to 250 hours of gaming with a single AA battery.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Headset
SteelSeries Arctis Nova headsets have consistently been rated highly by our team at IGN, and the Arctis Nova 1 is no exception. For an entry-level headset, it punches well above its weight as it features the same high-quality audio drivers featured in the Arctis Nova 7 at a fraction of the price. Its lightweight, adjustable frame and stretchy headband design make it comfortable to wear for extended gaming sessions. And, thanks to its universal wired design, it works seamlessly across the most popular gaming devices.
Hori Split Pad Pro
It’s not surprising that the Nintendo Switch is one of the most popular gaming consoles around since it can be played just about anywhere. However, its Handheld Mode can leave a bit to be desired as the included Joy-Con controllers feature small joysticks and buttons and aren’t very comfortable for long periods of time. Thankfully, the Hori Split Pad Pro remedies both situations featuring larger joysticks, buttons, and triggers, as well as customizable back buttons. Additionally, its grips provide a more full-size controller experience and are far more comfortable for larger hands.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (3 Month Subscription)
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is truly the gift that keeps on giving. If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the Xbox or PC gamer in your life, an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership provides them access to hundreds of high-quality games on demand, including the recent Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, as well as other popular games like Madden 24, Starfield, Persona 3 Reload, and more.
Deadpool & Wolverine 4K Blu-Ray
Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman make their official MCU debut in Deadpool & Wolverine, and they definitely stuck the landing. One of the MCU’s best films in the post-Endgame era, and its first R-rated release, Deadpool & Wolverine is a hilarious journey from start to finish. This is the perfect gift for fans of the Marvel movies and includes a 4K UHD copy of the film, as well as standard Blu-Ray and digital copies.
LEGO Fortnite Supply Llama
Inspired by the iconic battle royale Fortnite, the LEGO Supply Llama is a perfect gift for fans of LEGO, Fortnite, or LEGO Fortnite. The Supply Llama is a fun and easy build at just under 700 pieces and makes a great display piece. It features a movable head and plenty of exciting loot from the game in its pouch, including Slurp Juice, a grappler, dynamite, a Rough Ruby, a backpack, Slap Juice, and a Good Luck Charm.
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
Playable as a standalone game or as a prequel to the original Gloomhaven big box, Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion is a cooperative dungeon crawler that can be played solo or with up to four players. It features an abridged campaign that includes 25 scenarios, but still has plenty of exciting decisions to make and loot to uncover. Everything needed to experience this exciting adventure is in the box, including miniatures for the four playable characters, monster standees, tokens, and more.
GameSir X2s Mobile Controller
The GameSir X2s is a great all-around phone controller that takes many features from the X2 Pro and bundles them up nicely in a budget-friendly package, and, in some cases, actually improves upon its predecessor. The X2s has a built-in USB-C connector that works for most Android devices as well as iPhone 15 and later models that ditched the Lightning port. It features an expandable design that fits nicely around your phone for a Nintendo Switch-like experience. With the addition of Hall Effect sensors for its joysticks, stick drift becomes a non-issue, which is perfect for a device that’s likely going to be tossed into a bag while on the go. It also includes a passthrough USB-C port to charge your phone while playing.
Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back T-Shirt
Star Wars has been a cultural staple for nearly 50 years, and it’s only gotten more popular over time with all of the movies, TV shows on Disney+, video games, merch, and more that have come out over the years. One of the easiest ways to please a Star Wars fan is with some great apparel. The Empire Strikes Back is widely regarded as the best Star Wars film of all-time and recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. This T-shirt is inspired by the Japanese release poster and features Darth Vader looming above some AT-ATs with Tie Fighters flying overhead. If Star Wars isn’t what you’re looking for, there’s plenty of other shirts and apparel available for all fandoms on the IGN Store.
The Game Console 2.0: A Photographic History Book
The Game Console 2.0 is a fantastic book for fans of video games and all of its rich history. The second edition of this hardcover book features the history of more than 100 consoles, including detailed facts and photographs showcasing internal components and more. Whether you’re shopping for an old school gamer who grew up with an Atari or NES, or someone interested in video games or technology who wants to learn about previous generations of consoles, this book is a joy to flip through and read.
Other books we love include: The God of War cookbook and DnD Art & Arcana: A Virtual History.
For more products that don’t cost a fortune
Throughout November, there are big discounts on subscriptions (such as 3 months of Audible Premium Plus for $0.99/month), tech, games (such as The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom for $44.99), accessories (including the stylish Anker Zolo Power Bank for under $10), Blu-rays, books and so much more from Black Friday 2024.
Matthew Adler is a Commerce, Features, Guides, News, Previews, and Reviews writer for IGN. You can follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @MatthewAdler and watch him stream on Twitch.
