The artificer was the first class to be added outside the Player's Handbook in Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition. The class' main gimmicks revolve around having the right tool at the right time, capable of creating temporary magic items and imbuing mundane items with magical effects through the use of Artificer Infusions.
With their ability to make magic items on the fly, Dungeon Masters may question why they need to give an artificer extra magic items. Artificers have bonus attunement slots for a reason, however. DMs can help them make good use of those slots with magic items that an artificer can't make.
Updated November 23rd by Isaac Williams: Magic items are key to the artificer experience. Even the most well-built artificer will be incomplete without some excellent magical loot. This list has been updated with even more of the best magical items for artificers, so players can know what to be on the lookout for.
15 Driftglobe
Uncommon, Dungeon Master's Guide pg. 166
A Driftglobe is an excellent tool for any dungeon-delving party of adventurers. When its command word is spoken, it emits light. The Driftglobe can mimic either the Light spell or the Daylight spell, though Daylight can only be used once per day. By speaking a second command word, the globe can float five feet off the ground. It will follow whoever spoke the command word, as long as they stay reasonably close.
The Driftglobe may not seem like much. Having a floating night light will be well appreciated by party members who don't have darkvision. Likewise, the Daylight spell lights up a much greater area than almost any other spell. It can also inflict damage and disadvantage on certain types of nocturnal or subterranean monsters.
14 Amulet Of Health
Rare, Dungeon Master's Guide pg. 150
Artificers are a rare class that only really needs one ability score. Most of their abilities key off of Intelligence. This includes their attacks and spellcasting, but many other ability scores are useful, if not essential.
Constitution is one of the most useful ability scores. It increases an artificer's hit points and makes them even better at Concentration checks. With an Amulet of Health, a character's Constitution score becomes 19. This doesn't just greatly bolster an artificer, it frees up their Ability Score Improvements for feats, or to focus on other useful ability scores.
13 Robe Of Useful Items
Uncommon, Dungeon Master's Guide pg. 195
Just as the name implies, the Robe of Useful Items provides the wearer with pieces of equipment and other items. The robe has a variety of patches that, when removed, transform into the item it represented. These can range from something as mundane as a sack to the ever-useful potion of healing.
Artificers are expected to be prepared for almost any situation. With a Robe of Useful items, they can pull out the right tool at the top of a hat. To make this item even more useful, an artificer can imbue some of the mundane items from the Robe with their infusions.
12 Figurines Of Wondrous Power
Varies, Dungeon Master's Guide pgs. 169 & 170
The Figurines of Wondrous Power are small statuettes of various animals made from different materials. When the command word is spoken the figurine transforms into a living version of the animal it is carved to resemble. Each figurine has a different duration it lasts before reverting. They also revert if they are reduced to zero hit points.
Several Figurines of Wonderous Power can be used as mounts, while others can help in combat. Every one of them has a different use and all are beneficial to the party. An artificer with a Figurine of Wondrous Power only becomes even more versatile and useful to the party.
11 +3 Armor
Legendary, Dungeon Master's Guide pg. 152
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Magic items don't need to be flashy and unique to be useful. Sometimes they just need to be a direct improvement. Many types of artificer want to be in the thick of combat, but they don't have the hit points or Armor Class of paladins, fighters, and similar martial classes.
+3 Armor, the best generic armor in D&D, can make all the difference. Particularly when paired with a shield, +3 Armor turns a lot of potential hits into misses. It's especially useful for Armorer artificers, who use their armor for all of their abilities. Even other subclasses can appreciate the raw benefit of higher Armor Class.
10 Illusionist's Bracers
Very Rare, Guildmaster's Guide To Ravnica pg. 178
Different artificer subclasses handle combat in different ways. The Armorer and Battle Smith fight more like martials. They attack with weaponry that uses Intelligence for its to-hit and damage. The Alchemist and Artillerist are more like casters. They prefer to use cantrips, which they buff for further damage.
Illusionist's Bracers are a very powerful item. When a caster uses a cantrip, the Illusionist's Bracers lets them cast it again as a bonus action. This can double the damage of an Alchemist artificer while letting an Artillerist use fewer Eldritch Cannons. It's almost like having an Action Surge nearly every turn.
9 Cape Of The Mountebank
Rare, Dungeon Master's Guide pg. 157
The Cape of the Mountebank allows its wearer to cast the spell Dimension Door as an action. The cape can only be used in this way once per day. Nonetheless, it's useful for artificers to have what is essentially a wearable ejector seat.
Artificers aren't the most heavily armored of combatants. As such, having a way to quickly get away from more imposing foes is something every artificer should look into. With a Cape of the Mountebank, artificers can contribute well in combat without worrying that they're in over their heads.
8 Animated Shield
Very Rare, Dungeon Master's Guide pg. 151
The AC bonus from a shield is vital for all classes that can use them. However, artificers are likely to be using their hands for many different tasks at a time. Between the use of weapons, infusions, and spells artificers need to have their hands free as much as possible.
When its command word is spoken, an Animated Shield will float in front of its wielder. It will grant its AC bonus while freeing up the wielder's hands. Having one less item to juggle is great for an artificer. When Animated Shield is actively keeping them alive, it's even better.
7 All-Purpose Tool
Varies, Tasha's Cauldron of Everything pg. 119
The All-Purpose Tool is an item unique to artificers. It provides a bonus to spell attack rolls and the artificer's spell save DC, with the bonus depending on its rarity. In addition, the All-Purpose Tool can become any type of artisan's tool, from alchemist's supplies to thieves' tools. Even if the wielder isn't normally proficient in that type of tool, they will be if it's made with the All-Purpose Tool.
Finally, at the end of a long rest, the artificer can use the tools to learn a cantrip from any class's spell list for 8 hours. The All-Purpose Tool is the definition of versatility. Providing a bonus to spells, extra tools, and an extra spell, artificers will always feel prepared with this magic item.
6 Arcane Cannon
Very Rare, Explorer's Guide to Wildemount pg. 265
Artificers are more associated with firearms and guns than any other D&D class. They're the only class to get automatic proficiency with firearms if they exist in the world. The Artillerist subclass is focused on making magical turrets and firearms. However, Explorer's Guide to Wildemount lets an artificer increase the scale.
The Arcane Cannon is an enormous magical weapon that dwarfs an Artillerist's Eldritch Cannons. It can unleash huge, area-of-effect shots dealing acid, cold, lightning, and more types of damage. It takes two actions to fire, which can be a drawback, but Artillerist and Battle Smith artificers have ways to attack as a bonus action. They can contribute to the fight, even while preparing a game-changing shot.
5 Carpet Of Flying
Very Rare, Dungeon Master's Guide pg. 157
The Carpet of Flying does exactly what it sounds like. It's a carpet that flies. Their real use is transporting an adventurer and their loot, or even potentially an entire party. With the right size of magic carpet, an entire adventuring group can fit on one and take to the skies.
Flight is one of the most useful abilities in all of D&D and makes traversing the world much easier. With flight, parties can avoid many mundane obstacles and even enemy encounters. It's also useful in combat. Flight gives players a third dimension that many enemies can't access, and therefore a tactical edge.
4 Daern's Instant Fortress
While it initially appears to be a one-inch metal cube, Daern's Instant Fortress can quickly transform into a full-sized tower fortress. The door to the tower only opens at the command of the owner. Even magic designed to open doors like the Knock spell, or the magic Chime of Opening can't get the door open. If a creature is too close to the cube when it expands, it'll take damage from the expanding castle.
Finally, the fortress is more or less impenetrable. It is immune to non-magic weapons and has Resistance to all other damage. Having a tool that allows the party to hunker down when in a pinch, or even just a safe place to rest while on a long long journey is perfect for an artificer. The class is known for preparedness, and a fortress at the touch of a button more than fits that reputation.
3 Helm Of Brilliance
Very Rare, Player's Handbook pg. 173
Artificers are spellcasters, but not the most powerful in D&D. They have less raw spellcasting power. Instead, they get many tools and magical abilities to close the gap. Those who want to cast more spells, however, could benefit from a Helm of Brilliance.
A Helm of Brilliance contains many gems which can be plucked off to cast a spell. These spells include Fireball, Wall of Fire, and the very powerful Prismatic Spray. Alongside other benefits, they give an artificer more magical firepower. Benefits like lighting weapons on fire for more damage are also fitting for Battle Smith or Armor artificers.
2 Manual Of Golems
Very Rare, Dungeon Master's Guide pg. 180
The Manual of Golems is not an average D&D magic item. To use it, the prospective reader must have two 5th-level spell slots or else they'll take damage. Different varieties of the Manual allow the character to create different kinds of golems.
Making such a powerful magical entity is right up the alley for an artificer. A golem is even more powerful than the Battle Smith's Iron Defender and usable by any of the artificer's subclasses. While an artificer wouldn't be able to make the golems until reaching very high levels, it fits their abilities thematically.
1 Mighty Servant Of Leuk-o
Artifact, Tasha's Cauldron of Everything pg. 131
The Mighty Servant of Leuk-o is one of the most powerful magic items an artificer can get their hands on. Two people can pilot this huge construct and unleash unstoppable destruction upon their enemies. The Mighty Servant of Leuk-o has a few quirks, like having a 25% chance of randomly attacking someone during the attunement process. However, it's still a powerful vehicle that is immune to almost all damage types and resistant to all it's not immune to.
The Mighty Servant of Leuk-o is the closest thing D&D has to a proper mech. Any artificer that manages to get their hands on it should pick their favorite party member and ride into battle. They won't just win a fight, they'll dominate it.