Buying holiday gifts can be a real pain for the gamer in your life, especially if you’re not very fluent in the gaming space yourself. The situation becomes even worse if your gamer friend/spouse/relative is also into live-streaming since that just further expands the list of potential gift ideas. Fortunately for you, we know a few things about the best (and most affordable) live-streaming products and peripherals.
Below are some of the best deals we’ve found on live-streamer gift ideas that won’t break the bank. Just note that many of the listed items have time-sensitive holiday sale discounts attached, so it’s best not to sit on them for too long if you want to get the best price.
Capture cards and stream controls
While there are software programs which allow users to capture and upload video footage with no external equipment, serious live-streamers make use of capture cards to expedite the process. High-quality capture cards can save a user many hours of unnecessary busywork since they make otherwise complicated and/or monotonous tasks such as transferring recorded footage or adding in interactive stream elements as seamless as possible.
If only the best of the best will do, we recommend the AVerMedia GC510 Live Gamer Portable 2. The GC510 can stream and record footage from virtually any gaming platform (PC, Xbox One, PS4, Switch, etc.) and it can even record console games entirely on its own, no PC needed. Best of all, you can currently snag the GC510 for $168.54 which is noticeably lower than its usual $216.93 price tag.
A slightly cheaper option is the $126.15 Elgato Game Capture HD60 Pro PCIe capture card. Unlike the GC510, the Elgato HD60 requires a desktop PC to hook up to, but it also comes with many of the same bells and whistles such as customizable stream overlays, seamless Twitch integration, and built-in live commentary options.
If the streamer in your life already has a decent capture card, don’t fret. You can help them take their live-streaming to the next level with the Elgato Stream Deck.
With its 15 customizable LCD keys, the Elgato Stream Deck allows users to streamline their game recording and live-streaming sessions by assigning specific functions to each key. A user can easily switch background scenes, launch external media, and play custom audio/video effects all using the Stream Deck’s large customizable buttons. The Elgato Stream Deck’s $149.95 price tag is nothing to sneeze at, but its plethora of stream-enhancing functions makes it well worth the cost.
Web cameras
Even though it’s not technically a required component for live-streaming, a decent web camera helps to add dimension and personality to a live-stream since viewers can put a face to the voice behind the streamer. On average, web cameras are usually cheaper than most other live-streaming components, but they also have a surprisingly wide price range.
Again, if you’re looking for something truly high-end and price isn’t really an issue, you can’t do much better than the $99.99 Razer Kiyo Full HD Streaming Web Camera. The Razer Kiyo was specifically designed for live-streaming and comes equipped with several unique perks such as a built-in light ring which can be dimmed or brightened as needed. While streaming, the Razer Kiyo can also maintain resolutions of 720p at 60 fps or 1080p at 30fps, which means that the streamer’s image comes in crisp and clear even when playing the most graphically demanding games.
If you’re looking for something that’s a little more basic but still high-quality, the $88.90 Logitech 960 Pro is an excellent deal, especially since it normally retails for $219.99. More price-conscious shoppers can also get something like the $26.67 Logitech C310 USB 2.0 web cam (nearly a 50 percent discount off its usual $49.99 price).
Microphones
Audience engagement is an important part of live-streaming, and the main way a streamer can engage with their audience is through their voice. Again, a high-quality microphone isn’t necessarily required, but it can make all the difference if the streamer wants to win viewers over through their commentary.
When it comes to high-quality microphones, there’s really nothing better than the Blue Yeti brand. Blue Yeti microphones aren’t cheap, but when it comes to overall sound quality and ease of use they’re absolutely worth the price you pay.
If you’re looking for a good balance of price and quality, the $99.99 Blue Yeti Nano Premium is an excellent choice. It’s available in three different colors, is compatible with both Windows and Mac computers, and can be easily hooked up to a moveable boom arm if the streamer wants to keep their desk space uncluttered.
Another option to consider is the Razer Seiren X Super Cardioid Condenser Streaming microphone. The Razer Seiren X comes equipped with a built-in shock mount, zero-latency monitoring, and a super cardioid pickup radius which reduces background noise. Plus, the current holiday discount knocks the Razer Seiren X’s price down from $99.99 to $91.46, making it one of the best sub-$100 microphones on the market.
If your streamer prefers using a microphone-equipped headset during their live-stream sessions, they’d undoubtedly appreciate something like the $49.99 Corsair Gaming VOID PRO RGB USB Carbon. Much like with Blue Yeti there’s a lot of different Corsair headset options but the RGB USB Carbon offers a solid balance of price and quality.
Gaming chairs
When you’re trying to play games and keep an online audience entertained for multiple hours at a time, you want to make sure that whatever you’re sitting on is comfortable, and that’s where gaming chairs come in. Gaming chairs are also a lot easier for non-gamers to shop for. There are no electronic components to worry about, no potential issues with software compatibility, all you’re getting is a super-comfy chair to sit in.
Much like microphones, gaming chairs tend to sit on the more expensive end of the spectrum, but you can still grab some solid deals during the holidays. Take this Vitesse Carbon Fiber Gaming Office Chair. It’s available in a variety of colors, has an excellent ergonomic design, and can be bought at a whopping $70 discount which brings its usual $199.99 price tag down to $129.99.
If you don’t mind spending a little more money, this GT Omega PRO Racing Office Chair is another excellent option. It too is available in several different colors and has had its price virtually cut in half thanks to its holiday discount. Normally the GT Omega PRO retails for $369.95 but if you buy it now you’ll pay a mere $189.95.
Found any other great deals you think a streamer might enjoy? Want to discuss the options we outlined above? Feel free to get the conversation going in the comments below.
