It’s the time of year again, folks. Time to return all the garbage stuff you got over the holidays and didn’t want didn’t remember asking for, to buy a bunch of crap you probably don’t need because it’s finally cheap enough that you won’t feel bad for buying it!
Coming in clutch just after the holidays is apparently our thing, so here we are with another great selection of super cool goodies for your gamer needs from 2025. As a reminder, everything on this list has been personally vetted by Niche Gamer’s staff and as such, we recommend these items because they are some of the best products you’ll find on the market.
Headphones:
Turtle Beach Atlas 200
This guy is basically the little brother of the Atlas Air that we included in last year’s gift guide. The Atlas 200 is a super affordable, ridiculously comfortable, and surprisingly great budget headset for people who prefer a wired headset. The webbing and headband feel similar to that which we saw on the Atlas Air, and it’s just as nice and doesn’t feel cheap or lower quality than a headset that’s much more expensive. The Atlas 200 sounds great, the mic quality is good, and it’s only $50. This headset easily swapped from being plugged into a normal Xbox controller to a PS5 fight stick and then plugged into an audio usb device for PC use with absolutely no effort.
Astro A20X
Expectations were low for the A20X since it looks like a budget offering from Astro, since they are known for cutting edge audio technology. Needless to say, we found ourselves quite impressed by the Astro A20X. The dual USB receiver allows for quick swap access when going between multiple computers or consoles. You simply press a button on the rear of the right earcup and the input switches seamlessly, announced by a cheery female voice to let you know which device you’re now using and a soft beep that confirms the connection. It only takes a few seconds to switch between multiple devices as well, which means it’s easy to go from playing a game, pausing it to jump into a work meeting, and then swapping right back over to your game without ever switching headsets or experiencing any real interruption.
Coming in at $179.99, the Astro A20X might be a little too pricey for some gamers, but the decent build quality, great microphone and sound, and easy swapping should be worth the extra money. We would have liked to have seen a retractable microphone, but at least you can easily remove it if you don’t want it in your way. You just simply yank it straight off and put it aside til you need/want it.
Final VR500 and Soundmagic E11C wired earbuds
Final sent over their budget VR500 earbuds while SoundMagic sent over their budget E11C earbuds. For the purposes of this guide, we tested both headphones with the Steam Deck as well as the Meta Quest 3. Final’s offering comes with a few different size eartips, while the SoundMagic buds only come with the standard size, but includes a little zippered carrying case for transport. I didn’t like the E11C eartips at all, and thankfully Dekoni (who we’ll talk more about later) sent over a set of their replacement upgrades known as Bulletz. Replacing the standard tips for the Billetz made the E11C useable.
The SoundMagic E11C sounds pretty good, with a full featured sound range that’s clear and sounds appealing, however the bass isn’t as punchy as some might like. Final’s VR500, on the other hand, has noticably better bass punch, but everything else sounds a little bit drowned out. Both headsets sound slightly better than the Steam Deck’s speakers, but neither of them sound as good as the onboard Meta Quest 3 speakers. We’re not sure the SoundMagic E11C is worth the $5 more than the Final E100C, and we’re not certain we like either enough at the $40 price point. Back in the day JVC Marshmellow headphones were $10 a pop and came stock with foam eartips, which made both of these seem rather mid by comparison. Of course, those didn’t come with inline controls or a microphone, so maybe if you really need an alternative in a pinch they’d work, but in both cases they are hard to recommend when you can spend a tad more and get a far better earbud set, like the Final VR3000.
Of course, there’s always a chance that maybe we’re just too used to the Airpod Pros or SAN Sound GTs.
Keyboards/Mice and Peripherals:
GravaStar Mercury K1 Pro Keyboard, Mercury M1 Pro Mouse
Behold, a creation straight out of the year 2199. It’s an amalgamation of metal and utility. While we’ll admit, GravaStar’s equipment is a little bit pricey (the keyboard is $200 and the mouse is $100) but you’ll be hard pressed to find any gear that will turn heads and get people asking questions like their gear does. The Mercury K1 Pro features an aluminum webbing that wraps around the keyboard like a symbiote trying to take over the body of unwilling host, while the feet that prop the keyboard up off the desk look like evil Alien claws that will rip your face from your body faster than those things in Pitch Black. The Mercury M1 Pro follows a similar pattern of feeling cold metal wrap around a carefully nested glowing egg, and will undoubtedly take some getting used to in your hands, but these things are super fun to look at and they’re just as much fun to use. Pay no attention to their little companion, as we’ll talk about him a bit later in this article.
While we wish the Mercury K1 Pro had a keypad, it’s one of the more comfortable TKL keyboards we’ve used and the solid “thunk” sounds it makes when you type are satisfying if you enjoy a nice hearty tactile sound when typing. The Mercury M1 Pro is pretty run of the mill for a mouse, and the included grip pads make it considerably easier to hold on to since the brushed aluminum is so soft that it could easily fly out of sweaty hands.
Logitech PowerPlay 2 and Pro X Superlight 2C Mouse
Admittedly, we found ourselves a little leary of a mousepad that is able to charge devices completely wirelessly, but the PowerPlay 2 technology is incredible. That said, it’s also incredibly expensive for what it is. The PowerPlay 2 Mousepad will run you $119.99 and the accompanying Pro X Superlight 2c Mouse will run you an additional $159.99. The PowerPlay 2 does a great job of keeping the Pro X Superlight 2c mouse charged via the embedded conduction disc you insert into the mouse, however the downside is that you lose some of the teflon coverage as the standard surface is completely covered with a teflon pad out of the box. We don’t necessarily think the mousepad is overpriced for what it is, but the mouse itself is a pretty run of the mill barebone gaming mouse with two side buttons and not much else from a flash standpoint. The upgraded laser, wireless capability, and lightweight is likely what drives the cost, but for the cost we don’t see this being as attractive to gamers as say the upgraded G502 (Side note: You can actually grab the G502 with the PowerPlay 2 for $279.99 as of the time of this writing). This thing probably rules for people who spend a ton of time in Photoshop/Premiere or Excel though. It’s fast and it’s light.
We’d also really would love to see an upgraded version of the mousepad that features a better mousing surface, because it’s currently just a super thin standard mousepad laying across the rubber charging pad base. The mousing surface is easily moved off of the rubber and we worry that as it gets dirty with use, it will eventually need replacement while the rubberized pad still functions and charges fine. We really love this tech, we think it’s actually a gamechanger not having to fight a mouse wire ever, but as it stands, the hefty upfront cost might outweigh the benefit.
Razer Cobra Gaming Mouse and Mousepad – Pokemon Gengar Edition
If you’re into Pokemon like most of our staff and want to have some quality PC gear emblazoned with one of the most iconic ‘mons of all time – look no further than Razer’s signature Cobra gaming mouse and mousepad. Both the mouse and the mousepad are emblazoned with Gengar, which is not only one of the coolest looking Pokemon in the franchise’s history but a regular in the party’s found with our main staff.
Razer is known for making quality peripherals and hardware and their Cobra mouse, this being the wired variant for the most professional of gamers, is definitely worthy of any gamer’s main rig. This is the third generation of the Cobra and its not only blazingly fast but it feels great when used. If you add onto that Gengar’s wily, devilish grin on the hardware, it’s basically a no brainer to pick it up via Amazon or other participating retailers.
Razer’s “Gigantus” mousepad was also given the Gengar treatment, letting you get maximum performance out of your Cobra mouse while also further Pokemon-ing your workstation or gaming rig. It’s huge, it’s purple, and it’s honestly overwhelmingly awesome when you see it in person. Gengar’s massive face and its iconic tongue – used for attacking its foes – makes for an eye-catching setpiece. You can also pick it up on Amazon and other retailers.
Controllers:
Victrix PRO FS
Last year we included the Victrix PRO KO, which is a leverless fight stick. It stands to reason that not everyone loves the idea of a fight stick without a joystick, so you know we had to check out the classic design in this gorgeous purple aluminum body. The Victrix PRO FS isn’t perfect out of the box, but it’s pretty close. Inside you’ll find a geniuine Sanwa JLF joystick and premium Sanwa Denshi buttons, which makes this a strong competitor in the fight stick game right out of the box. While we love the unibody aluminum shell and the weight of the stick as a whole, our favorite thing about this stick is how easy it is to modify. Simply pop the bottom open and you have direct access to all of the connections inside, and it takes about ten minutes to replace the super loud clacky stock buttons with alternatives that you might enjoy more. We put Qanba gravity buttons in ours that both allow for adjustment of the throw for each press, as well as making the buttons considerably more quiet.
Most people who are picking up the Victrix PRO FS fight stick as their first endeavor into the fight stick world will be more than thrilled with the stock options even with the hefty $399.99 price tag. If you want to mod it though, there’s a veritable rabbit hole you can fall down picking up new pieces, it’s just harder to change the options along the top and PlayStation specific buttons such as the touch pad. Ours looks like this now if anyone is curious:
Victrix PRO BFG Reloaded
This is the upgraded version of the Victrix Pro BFG we included in last year’s gift guide. They listened to everyone’s complaints and the module that contains the 6 button layout now comes all the way to the right instead of being offset by the “fightpad” text being on the inside near the analog stick, leaving the buttons in a more natural position, making this the best convertable fight pad on the market. If you don’t already have one, you 100% should pick up the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded as there’s almost zero negatives aside from the price as this controller comes in at $179.99, and that can be argued since you can offset the analog sticks which makes this controller way better than the DualSense Edge.
GameSir G7 Pro Wireless – Wuchang Fallen Feathers Edition
GameSir controllers often stand out in our mind as budget controllers that perform well (though one of our former reviewers really loved the Cyclone 2), but feel a little bit cheap, so it was a shock to us when we got our hands on the G7 Pro Wireless to find out that not only is the Wuchang design absolutely stunning, but the matching charging stand is a crazy good value for the cost of the $100 controller. The G7 Pro Wireless has almost all of the same features you’ll find on the Xbox Elite controllers, including a swappable d-pad face, locking triggers, two rear buttons (which can also be locked), and two smaller L5/R5 buttons that sit behind LB/RB but next to the triggers. As a bonus, it’s only slightly heavier than a stock controller for people who don’t like the extra weight that come with the Elite controller.
TurtleBeach Velocity KD3 Steering Wheel
There’s a lot to love about the Turtle Beach VelocityOne KD3, but it won’t be for everyone. For Xbox and PC racers ready to move beyond a controller, it delivers a physical, convincing racing experience. You can read our full review for the VelocityOne KD3 Race Wheel right here.
Sound upgrades:
Dekoni Audio Replacement Earpads
Dekoni Audio sent over a few sets of their replacement earpads for the Audeze line of headsets, and each of them have their own pros/cons, but they’re all remarkably nice upgrades that you should consider if you wear out or dislike the stock earpads that come with your favorite audiophile headset. We liked the softness of the Sheepskin, and the Elite Hybrid is nice if you like the leatherette sides but the softer velour padding on your skin, but that Sheepskin is super soft and surprisingly versatile. We didn’t care for the Elite Velour as much as it felt a little bit itchy, but some people prefer a sturdier material to keep their headphones in place.
Dekoni also sent over their magnetic DAC holder, which is great if you’re a wired headphone enthusiast since it uses Magsafe to attach to the back of your phone, but sadly we didn’t have a DAC to test with it, so it’s not pictured, but you can see it on their website.
Lighting:
Nanoleaf Pegboard Desk Dock
When we first saw the Nanoleaf Pegboard Desk Dock, we thought, “Why would anyone need this?” The Pegboard can hold two controllers or one controller and a headset, but pegboards of similar size that can do the same. What makes the Nanoleaf Pegboard Desk Dock so special?
The Nanoleaf Pegboard Desk Dock is easy to set up, with only two pieces needed to set up the dock. Once the dock is set up, the user can decide how they want to set up the peg stands in order to hold their controller, headset, or anything else. Once set up, the power button on the front controls which color patterns the dock will glow. By double-tapping the front button, you can set the light to a solid color or a rotating pattern.
What makes the Nanoleaf Pegboard Desk Dock unique/helpful is that the device has three USB-C charging station ports and one USB-A port. This is helpful if you need to charge your phone, a pair of headphones, and even another controller. Two of the USB-C ports are 5V, while the other is 9V and has a symbol around it to denote that it’s a higher voltage.
The dock can be used to replace the typical type of charger for families that have a lot of smart devices but not enough outlets. The added light can be colorful for dark rooms, but doesn’t move so fast that you’ll mistake it for a dance party. The only real negative aspect of the Nanoleaf Pegboard Desk Dock is that it is a USB-C power instead a USB-A, which means you’ll likely need to purchase an additional USB-C type adapter, which is a shame since the desk dock is $59.99.
Nanoleaf – Matter Smart Floor Lamp – Multicolor
Just like the Nanoleaf Pegboard Desk Dock, the Nanoleaf Matter Smart Floor Lamp didn’t seem like an item we really needed. In fact, the idea seemed a little silly. We wondered, “Why buy an RGB lamp over a regular lamp?” Upon taking the Nanoleaf Smart Lamp out of the box, we knew that we might be in for a slight challenge.
Setting up a regular lamp can be tough, depending on the kind of lamp, but setting up the Nanoleaf Smart Lamp was fairly straightforward. The only difficulty comes with aligning the holes and then putting the light into the base. Once the light strip is in the base, you need to slide it down til it gets to the line which can be a little bit tricky. Once everything is in place, you can plug it in and light up the room.
The light can be adjusted by either using the Nanoleaf app or by using the in-line controls on the power cable. The lights can be rotated between different patterns or kept on a solid color. Sadly, the light never feels like its bright enough to light up a whole room, but it is a good background light to add color to a dark room. At $89.99, if you don’t already own other Nanoleaf products that you can sync with it, it’s a little too much for what it is. Nanoleaf is cashing in on their brand recognition while competitors sell the same product for much cheaper.
Other stuff:
TurtleBeach PlayTrek Case and Rematch Controller
Turtle Beach might have some of the nicest Switch 2 accessories that are currently available on the market. The PlayTrek Travel Case is stiff shelled and glossy, which makes for a really nice piece of art on a sturdy carrying case that feels like it could take a hit without your Switch 2 feeling a thing. Read our full review of the case right here.
The Rematch controller also features the same killer Donkey Kong art and clear coat paint, making these two an attractive combo to pull out of a backpack and show off to anyone who’s got a little monkey envy.
You can grab both together on Amazon for $75.
Egofit ComfortDeck M2 Walking Pad
Having a standing desk makes all the difference in the world if you work a job where you’re tethered to your desk all day, and the only thing that makes a standing desk more enjoyable is having a walking pad that comfortably fits under the desk. This allows you to stop being sedentary and get some exercise in even while being hopeless chained to your desk knowing that your pathetic soul might only get one or two days a week to actually go outside and touch grass. It’s the Dark Souls of walking pads, and the Egofit ComfortDesk M2 is their Nameless King. Equipped with a honeycomb silicone pattern on the sides, the Egofit ComfortDesk M2 is actually more comfortable than walking on concrete and it comes with a nice little remote that allows you to go up to three miles per hour with a few button presses, all while you’re stuck in Zoom/Teams hell.
We found it to be surprisingly quiet and have enjoyed our walks on it, even if we do have a few issues with it. One major issue is because it is a walking pad and not a treadmill, there’s only one incline setting which makes this less challenging than we might have hoped. That said, for anyone who has a New Year’s resolution of improving their cardio or dropping a little weight, this isn’t a bad choice at all for $359.99. For the price, we wish it had a way to be stood up against a wall for storage since the wheels don’t lock in place, and we wish that the power cord had either pegs to wrap it around or a compartment to keep it tucked away when not in use for easy movement.
GravaSTAR Alpha 65W Wall Charger
Despite being a cute little desk Mech decoration, GravaStar’s Alpha 65 is a surprisingly powerful wall charger that’s almost hidden in plain sight. Packing two USB-A ports and a USB-C ports, this little fella goes from protecting your desk from intruders to breathing life back into your gear with few quick flips of the wrist. You just fold up his legs and pop the charging plug down and you’re ready to go. Take note that while this is a European model, it does have a standard US power plug built in that flips out of the way, and the charger does come with plugs that will fit outlets across Europe and the Middle East.
Blacklyte Athena Pro Gaming Chair (Wuchang Fallen Feathers Edition)
While the Blacklyte chair is almost identical in build and quality to the E-Win chair that we reviewed (which is also great), but this thing is next-level gorgeous and the stitch work is impeccable. This is a crazy premium chair and we can’t say enough good things about it. We aren’t usually fans of caster type wheels, but the stock ones aren’t bad and we haven’t bothered replacing them yet, so that’s pretty high praise. If we had anything to complain about with the Blacklyte Athena Pro Gaming Chair, it’s that the armrest material accumulates visible white marks when anything bangs against them (though it usually fades after a few minutes), and they often will pull some skin off your forearms enough to dust them with a light dusting that will need to be wiped off occasionally. Still, it’s a super sturdy chair that’s eyecatching and serves as a quality piece of art as well as a functional piece of furniture.
Alright. That’s a lot of stuff, and plenty of awesome things to pick up. If you decide to pick up some of these items, consider clicking the store links in this post in order to help support independent media!
