Holiday Gift Guide 2024: the best gifts for gamers from ROG and TUF Gaming

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Nothing says it’s the winter holiday season like giving the gift of gaming to someone you care about. That’s why we’ve assembled a handy guide to give you, the thoughtful gift giver, a primer on what tech makes for a great stocking stuffer or under-the-tree jaw dropper. Whether you’re shopping for a console gamer who could use a new headset, a mobile player who wants to up their smartphone experience, a student in need of a gaming-friendly laptop, or a DIY gaming PC builder eager for new parts, we have recommendations for everyone.

Great audio on any platform: the ROG Delta II Wireless headset

Here’s a present that just about any gamer can appreciate, no matter where or how they play. The ROG Delta II serves up pristine audio and high-end convenience across just about any device, all while being luxuriously comfortable for long-term gaming sessions.

Not only does the ROG Delta II headset have 50mm titanium-plated diaphragm drivers and a 10mm super wideband boom mic for incredible audio quality, but it also packs a lot of situational versatility. With its Tri-Mode Connectivity, this headset can connect to devices over Bluetooth, wireless 2.4GHz with a USB-C receiver, or a standard 3.5 mm audio cable.

And because it sports our DualFlow Audio tech, it can connect to two devices at the same time. This is helpful in numerous scenarios. For example: Nintendo Switch gamers can have Discord running on their phone to chat with friends, be playing a game on their Switch, and hear both audio streams through one headset. Thanks to its connectivity options, the ROG Delta II is a perfect headset for all devices, whether you’re shopping for a PC gamer, console player, or mobile enthusiast.

Play all your games, anywhere: the ROG Ally X

If you’re shopping for an on-the-go gamer who needs a machine that fits in two hands and can slip inside just about any bag, the ROG Ally X is an easy recommendation. It’s a Windows 11 handheld that packs the comfort of a gaming controller alongside the utility of a gaming PC, bringing all the latest releases — from AAA blockbusters to indie darlings — to the palm of your hands. Best of all, it provides convenient access to multiple game stores, so you can play any game that plays on PC — whether you got it on Steam, the Epic Games Store, Xbox Game Pass, or somewhere else.

You might be surprised at the potent performance offered by this ultraportable machine. Powered by an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, the ROG Ally X delivers stunning PC gaming experiences. It’ll draw any gamer in with its immersive Full HD display and give them a competitive edge in online battles with its high refresh rate. For long hours away from the outlet, it boasts a beefy 80Wh battery and comfortable ergonomics.

The ultimate gift for mobile enthusiasts: the ROG Phone 8

Gaming laptops and the ultraportable ROG Ally X make it easy to game anywhere, anytime, but many folks only carry one device when they’re out and about. For this kind of gamer, the ROG Phone 8 might be the perfect gift. The smartphone features serious Snapdragon processing power that’s ready for just about any game, a cooling solution built to dissipate heat and keep gamers’ hands comfy, and a 165Hz AMOLED display for smooth, high-contrast visuals with eye-popping color, making it a gaming beast as well as a killer daily driver. It has a hefty battery life, too, so whether your gift recipient is gaming or scrolling through social media, they won’t have to worry about grabbing a charger.

You might also consider the ROG Phone 8 for the video and photography enthusiasts on your holiday shopping list. With its 50 MP main camera, AI object sensing, and 6-Axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabilizer 3.0, it’ll provide blur-free, visually crisp, vibrant imagery whenever they take a pic or film a video.

Mobile gaming stocking stuffer: the ROG Tessen

Filled with hard-hitting titles like Call of Duty: Warzone, Minecraft, Grand Theft Auto, Vampire Survivors, and Rocket League Sideswipe, the Google Play Store offers an endless wealth of games through Android smartphones. Yet for gamers who grew up on consoles, the touchscreen interface of their phones just isn’t as comfortable for gaming as the physical sticks and buttons that they’re used to.

This holiday season, you can turn that around with the ROG Tessen. This foldable mobile controller attaches easily to just about any Android smartphone on the market — even ones shielded by a bulky protective case — and makes it possible to play mobile games with the precision and comfort of console-grade controls. It works with a variety of Android smartphones and is compatible with a large list of titles.

If you’re shopping for a gamer who loves their Android smartphone but would love it a lot more if they could use it like a mobile gaming console, the ROG Tessen might be the perfect gift. At just $109.99 (USD), it’s an incredible and affordable way to level up their game.

Maximum monitor versatility: the ROG Swift OLED PC32UCDP

Here’s a gift idea for a gamer who prefers to play using a full-fledged desktop PC. This year’s OLED gaming monitors offer a stunning visual experience that’s an unmistakable upgrade over last-gen tech. If you’re shopping for a gamer who hasn’t upgraded their display recently, hook them up with the ROG Swift OLED PC32UCDP.

This gaming monitor provides a great experience in any title, making it perfect for anyone with eclectic tastes. Its dual-mode setup offers 4K resolution at 240Hz for the richest visual experience — perfect for games, movies, and TV alike — or up to 480Hz refresh rates in Full HD, ideal for competitive multiplayer scenarios where seeing every frame matters. It also packs ROG-exclusive OLED anti-flicker tech, AMD FreeSync, and a host of other tools that ensure a smooth, stable experience no matter what is on-screen. For any gamer who could benefit from a first-class all-rounder monitor with incredible refresh rate capabilities, the ROG Swift OLED PC32UCDP is sure to please. If you want to learn about other great ASUS OLED monitor options, check out our guide.

For the gamer who wants it all: the ROG Zephyrus G16

The ROG Zephyrus G16 compresses the entire PC gaming experience into one ultra-portable, slim, and lightweight package. Its 16″ 2.5K OLED display combines rich contrast and breathtaking brightness to provide a truly sumptuous visual experience. And with the G16’s Intel Core Ultra 9 processor and hefty NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU, it has the power to make sure games play at high framerates even with graphics settings cranked up.

Whether you’re holiday shopping for a student who needs a portable powerhouse or a professional who likes to game on the go, the ROG Zephyrus G16 offers an excellent balance of performance and portability. Plus, it sports an understated aesthetic that’s comfortable in just about any environment. With one present, you can support your loved one’s gaming ambitions in the evening and their professional efforts during the workday.

A dream laptop for value hunters: the TUF Gaming A16

Budget-conscious holiday shoppers looking for the best gifts for gamers are in for a treat with the ASUS TUF Gaming A16. Not only does this laptop pack an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU and an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 Processor, making it perfect for contemporary gaming, but it’s a durable, stylish machine that won’t break the bank. It sports a 2.5K 16:10 display, offering high-res imagery and lots of screen real estate, and even packs a dedicated neural processor so it’s ready for the AI workloads of tomorrow. When shopping on a budget but looking to stay ahead of the curve, the A16 is the way to go.

Build a PC with a loved one this holiday season

Not all gifts can be held. You can give the gift of time spent together — not to mention your expertise in PC building — by helping a loved one learn how to build a gaming PC. Maybe they’re a gamer who’s moving from consoles to computers, or perhaps they’re an existing PC player in need of help with upgrading their rig. Whatever the case may be, the best gifts for gamers might involve cooperatively building a PC or upgrading one together.

Since motherboards are the foundation of a desktop PC, shopping for these is a great place to start your DIY part selection process. As a company, we pride ourselves on offering sophisticated, cutting-edge motherboards, so we’ll list a few of our favorite offerings here, along with AIO liquid CPU coolers that match their energy with complementary style.

For DIY PC builders on a budget: the TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi and TUF Gaming LC II 360 ARGB

If you’re trying to get a friend or family member into PC gaming and want to help them assemble a desktop from scratch, you’re going to need a great motherboard. Our TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi fits the bill. It’s the right price for folks looking to keep budgets in check while still packing all the essentials, including onboard WiFi 6 for fast, decongested wireless internet, DDR5 support to keep up with the latest RAM standard, a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot for next-gen component support, and plenty of ports for user peripherals. To top it all off, the B650-Plus WiFi sports a subtle industrial aesthetic that’s sure to mesh well with most other components. Anyone looking to break into PC gaming can hit the ground running with a rig rocking this board, making it an ideal fit for entry-level builds.

Pair that motherboard with the TUF Gaming LC II 360 ARGB, a stylish all-in-one liquid CPU cooler featuring vibrant ARGB lighting that puts an emphasis on high-airflow, low-noise operation. Value-focused builders will find a lot to love when putting these two TUF components inside their next rig.

For the seasoned PC builder: the ROG Strix Z890-A Gaming WiFi and ROG Strix LC III 360 ARGB

For the gift giver keen on helping their loved one build a heavyweight gaming rig, the ROG Strix Z890-A Gaming WiFi motherboard is a strong choice. It features Thunderbolt 4 ports for unparalleled data transfer and power delivery speeds and WiFi 7 that’s ready to provide the fastest wireless internet connection your router can handle. Beyond speed, the Z890-A also sports EZ PC DIY elements for tool-free hardware tinkering, letting you skip the screwdriver and get to gaming faster. And with a host of AI features like AI Overclocking, AI Networking, and AI Cooling, managing and tweaking your PC’s performance is as easy as possible. The Z890-A looks great in just about any case with its sleek white surface, complete with lighting effects that can either give your PC a subtle glow or radiate illuminated personality.

If you want a CPU cooler recommendation for the Z890-A, the ROG Strix LC III 360 ARGB is a natural fit. It tames CPU temperatures with a muscular Asetek pump and a large cooling radiator, runs quietly with 0db technology that turns off the fans when they’re not needed, and features customizable lighting effects to suit user preferences.

Premium PC parts for hardcore DIYers: the ROG Crosshair X870E Hero and ROG Ryujin III ARGB Extreme

Perhaps you’re plotting a no-holds-barred PC build with a gamer in your life. Let’s set them up with a premium motherboard that matches their gaming ambitions: the ROG Crosshair X870E Hero. The most powerful option we offer for AMD Ryzen 7000 and 9000 Series CPUs, this fully loaded motherboard is packed to the gills with the features you need to construct a truly next-gen PC. PCIe 5.0 support provides access to the fastest SSDs and graphics cards of today and tomorrow. It’s prepped and ready for lightning-fast memory with NitroPath DRAM Technology, and WiFi 7 support lays a foundation for the latest in fast wireless internet tech. Innovative design features make this an easy board to build with, and a rich set of optimization tools make it a breeze to unleash the full performance of the PC you’re building.

We think that the perfect holiday gift should look the part. Right out of the box, the ROG Crosshair X870E Hero is a stunner. Dark hues, premium metallic textures, and sleek contours make a bold statement. Once you have the rig up and running, the Polymo Lighting II module on the I/O shroud will dazzle with dynamic RGB LED illumination that your gift recipient can customize to their heart’s content with Aura Sync.

And while you’re shopping, consider the ROG Ryujin III 360 ARGB AIO CPU cooler to go with the X870E Hero. Not only is it a powerhouse performer on the cooling front, but it packs an LCD screen that can show animated GIFs from within your PC case. Alternatively, it can also display clock frequency, fan speed, and much more.

The best gifts for gamers from ASUS

With so many people today turning to gaming for relaxation, friendship, and competitive challenges, gaming gear makes for an unbeatable present over the holiday season. With some of the best gifts for gamers under the tree, you’re sure to spread some joy to your friends and loved ones.