Top Gaming Accessory Brands Facing Tariff Impacts in 2025

The Trump administration’s latest tariffs are just beginning to ripple through the U.S. economy—and gamers are starting to feel the pinch. When the first wave hit in March, experts warned of rising prices and supply chain disruptions across industries, from video game consoles to physical games and accessories. By April, a universal 10% tariff on all imports was introduced, followed by aggressive "reciprocal tariffs" targeting over 50 countries. At its peak, the tariff on Chinese goods surged to 145%, before being temporarily scaled back to 30% in May.

While the situation remains fluid and complex to track, one outcome is clear: the gaming industry is already adapting. Industry giants like Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo are reevaluating pricing strategies, diversifying manufacturing, and preparing for a year of uncertainty ahead.

Major Gaming Brands Facing Tariff Pressure

Companies like Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo have strong financial cushions and flexible logistics networks—giving them an edge in weathering the tariff storm. However, if these policies persist, consumers should expect higher prices across consoles, games, and accessories.

Sony

Sony has remained notably quiet since the new tariffs took effect—even after its stock dropped sharply following the April 5 announcement. Despite no official U.S. price hikes yet for PlayStation products, signs point to changes ahead. In April, Sony increased PS5 prices in Europe, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, citing inflation and currency fluctuations. CFO Lin Tao recently confirmed the company is closely monitoring market trends and may “pass on the price and shipment allocation” to consumers if needed. He estimates tariffs could cost Sony up to $685 million.

Most PS5 consoles and accessories are still made in China, but Sony is actively working to diversify production—including exploring U.S.-based manufacturing. To cushion short-term impacts, the company has stockpiled a three-month supply of PS5 units in the U.S. With competing consoles pushing average prices higher, the PS5 Pro currently looks like a value—but that could change if tariffs remain. For now, Sony is running its annual PlayStation Days of Play sale, offering temporary discounts on hardware and software.

Microsoft

Microsoft moved quickly in response to the tariffs—on May 1, it raised prices across its entire Xbox hardware lineup, with the Xbox Series X now priced at $600. Since most Xbox consoles and accessories come from China, this adjustment helps protect profit margins. That said, Microsoft is better positioned than many thanks to existing production shifts: final assembly for many U.S.-bound units happens in Guadalajara, Mexico, and some Xbox Series S models have even been manufactured in Vietnam since 2023.

The company also confirmed that first-party game prices will rise to $79.99 this holiday season. While PlayStation and Nintendo titles remain unchanged for now, analysts expect others to follow Microsoft’s lead. Accessories such as controllers and headsets—still largely made in China—are also affected, meaning higher prices may stick unless tariffs are lifted. Microsoft’s broader hardware line, including Surface devices, faces similar challenges, though earlier moves to expand production to Thailand and Vietnam offer some relief.

Nintendo

Nintendo faced bad timing—just days before the reciprocal tariffs went into effect, it unveiled the Nintendo Switch 2 at $449, sparking immediate backlash from fans who called the price too high. The company paused U.S. preorders shortly after, citing a need to assess tariff impacts and market conditions. Ultimately, it decided to keep console pricing steady—$449 for the base model and $499 for the Mario Kart World bundle—but raised prices on all accessories by $5–$10.

While much of Nintendo’s hardware still comes from China, it began shifting some production to Vietnam in 2019. Over one million Switch 2 units arrived in the U.S. ahead of its June 5 launch to build inventory buffers. Roughly one-third of units now come from Vietnam, but the majority remain China-made. With accessory costs already rising and select first-party titles hitting $80, further increases are possible if tariffs continue. President Shuntaro Furukawa recently expressed concern that rising everyday costs could reduce consumer spending on gaming gear. Still, Nintendo forecasts selling 15 million Switch 2 units in its first year.

Razer

As a leading global brand for RGB-laden gaming peripherals, Razer relies heavily on Chinese manufacturing—with only limited production in Taiwan. After the April tariff spike to 145%, Razer paused sales of certain products in the U.S., including the new Razer Blade 16 laptop. Given its premium positioning, any sustained tariff increase could push prices beyond reach for budget-conscious players.

Dell (Including Alienware)

Dell, which owns the Alienware gaming brand, is significantly exposed due to its reliance on Chinese manufacturing—but benefits from a global footprint in Brazil, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, and Vietnam. A temporary 32% tariff on Taiwanese imports threatened semiconductor access (most chips come from TSMC), but a reprieve spared the industry—for now. Dell responded by accelerating shipments to U.S. warehouses ahead of the July 8 tariff deadline. Gamers are advised to buy soon before potential price hikes take effect.

Other Gaming Accessory Brands Likely to Be Impacted

These popular brands rely primarily on Chinese manufacturing and are expected to see price increases or product delays if tariffs remain in place:

• 8BitDo: Halting all shipments from China; relying on U.S. inventory.
• ASUS (ROG): Manufactures in China and Taiwan, with some assembly in Vietnam.
• Corsair (SCUF, Elgato): Production in Taiwan, China, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
• Gigabyte: Builds in China and Taiwan.
• HORI: Made entirely in China.
• HP (HyperX, Omen): Primarily China-made, with facilities in Mexico, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
• Logitech (ASTRO Gaming