Display Gifts for Gamers: Monitor Upgrades Beyond the Screen

If the gamer on your list already owns a decent monitor, do not buy another panel. Buy the things around it: the cable that lets it run in its best mode, an arm that frees desk space, a light bar or backlight that eases long sessions, a hood that cuts glare, or a switch that shares one screen between two machines. Each is cheaper and safer than a new screen, and each fixes something gamers actually notice.

The catch is that gamers are picky and their gear is specific. This guide is built around the check you need to make before each gift, so the box does not come back.

What to find out first

Two facts make nearly every gift here easier to get right.

• The exact monitor model. It tells you the ports, whether the back has VESA mounting holes, and how thick or curved the screen is. If you can read the label on the back or the model in the monitor's own menu, you can look up the rest in the maker's manual.
• What it plugs into. A gaming PC, a console or both. A PC graphics card and a console may use different ports, and some monitors support their best modes on only certain inputs.

If you cannot ask without spoiling the surprise, pick something that works with any monitor, such as a light bar or a cleaning kit, or give a gift receipt and read the seller's return terms first.

The cable that lets the monitor do its best

A cable is a sneaky good gift because nobody enjoys researching one. It is also easy to get wrong. High refresh rates at high resolutions push a lot of data, and a cable that is too old, too long or poorly made can hold the picture back or cause dropouts.

For HDMI, the group that runs the standard describes the Ultra High Speed HDMI cable as the one introduced with the HDMI 2.1 specification, intended for setups needing up to 48Gbps. If the gamer's console or graphics card and monitor both use HDMI 2.1 features, that is the cable label to look for. Our Ultra High Speed HDMI cable guide explains what to read on a listing.

Two cautions. First, a better cable only helps if the port on the monitor and the port on the source both support the mode. Check the monitor's manual for which input handles its top refresh rate. Second, length matters: a long run can cause trouble that a short run does not, so measure the distance from the source to the screen before you buy.

A monitor arm for the desk they actually have

Gamers collect gear: keyboard, mouse pad, headset stand, controller, sometimes a second screen. An arm lifts the monitor off the desk, brings it closer or pushes it back, and clears room. It also lets the screen sit at a better height than a stock stand allows.

Check three things. The monitor needs VESA mounting holes on the back. The arm's listed weight range must include the monitor; heavy, large or curved gaming screens can exceed a basic arm. And the desk has to accept a clamp or grommet mount. Our comparison of an arm and the built-in stand explains what you gain and lose.

Lighting that makes long sessions easier

A bright screen in a dark room is hard on the eyes, and a lot of gaming happens at night. A light bar that sits on top of the monitor throws light onto the desk without lighting the screen itself. Backlight strips on the rear of the monitor add a soft glow on the wall. Both are easy gifts because they suit nearly any screen shape. The one thing to check is how the bar mounts: some clamps do not fit curved or very thin screens.

Our monitor light bar guide covers what to look for. Most people want a bar with brightness control and warm and cool settings, so they can dial it in for their room. A gamer who loves RGB may prefer a color-changing strip, which is a matter of taste rather than a spec.

Two specialist gifts: a hood and a switch

Hoods and glare control

Sunlight and ceiling lamps bounce off screens, which hurts dark scenes the most. A hood is a shade that sits around the top and sides. It is a creative-work product first, so for gamers it makes the most sense in a bright room or a room with a window directly behind the player. Hoods are sized to a screen, so you need the monitor's dimensions, and some curved or ultrawide models are poorly served by standard sizes. Our guide to monitor hoods and glare shields explains the fit questions.

A switch for a PC and a console on one screen

Plenty of players have a gaming PC plus a console, or a work laptop plus a gaming desktop, and one good monitor. A KVM switch shares the screen, keyboard and mouse between machines. It is a more technical gift than the others, because the switch has to support the video connection and refresh rate the monitor uses. If the gamer has a high-refresh setup, read the switch's listing carefully and check it against the monitor's manual. Our KVM switch guide shows what to compare.

Gift checklist at a glance

What not to buy as a surprise

• A new monitor. Panel type, size, refresh rate and brand loyalty are personal. If they have asked for one, our gaming monitors page is the place to start, and a gift receipt is wise.
• A cable "upgrade" for a monitor that cannot use it. If the monitor's port is older, the new cable changes nothing.
• A hood or arm sized for a different screen. Dimensions and weight matter more than looks.

Timing helps too. Accessories are quick to order but still need to arrive before the day, so allow for shipping, and open the box early if you can. If a cable or arm turns out to be wrong, you want time to swap it, not a closed return window. Read the seller's return terms on the listing before you pay rather than assuming they match another store's.

If the gamer also works at the same desk, our gift guide for remote workers covers the stands, cables and comfort gear that suit both uses.

Frequently Asked Questions