The best gaming desks go above and beyond the basics of giving you a surface for your gadgets — ensuring that gamers can play their favorite games comfortably.
Many gamers will be making do with a basic office desk, but there are a host of gaming desk options out there with cable management strategies, smart use of space, trays and shelves, and even rails for sliding monitors to the ideal viewing position. A proper PC gaming setup is a lot more than just a laptop with a good graphics card. Ideally, you have a decent monitor, a proper keyboard or controller and open shelving for placing a PC or console where its ports are easily accessible.
I've brought together our top gaming desk picks for a variety of budgets, whether you’re after an affordable desk with adjustable height, a premium gaming desk with a 72-inch wingspan or anything in between.
SKIP AHEAD The best gaming desks | How to shop for the best gaming desk | Why trust NBC Select?
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How I picked the best gaming desk
When picking these suggestions, I drew on the advice of hardware and computing experts — cited further down in this guide — as well as my own experience as a gadget reporter and kept the below criteria in mind:
- Multifunctionality: The average office desk can act as a gaming desk and vice versa. But, when assessing the best gaming desks for this guide, I kept in mind what models would serve a variety of purposes with ease.
- Adjustable height: Gamers need to be able to adjust the setup of their desk so that they are gaming in complete comfort, no matter their height — being able to tweak the position of the desk is important for both comfort and the ability to use it as a standing desk in certain situations.
- Cable and space management: A gaming desk is likely to house a number of different devices and accessories, so it’s crucial that there’s space for all of your gadgets, and ideally a number of good cable management features — cable trays or fastening straps — to keep everything in order.
The best gaming desk
This sleek Secretlab desk has a solid metal construction and a host of magnetic cable anchors, as well as a dedicated cable tray running along the full length of the desk. Damien Mason, Senior Hardware Editor at Club386, says “This all-metal desk is heavy but worth its weight. The company has created an ecosystem of magnetic components around it to enhance your experience, from exclusive roll-out leatherette mats to protect the surface to headphone holders, cable routers and even a PC suspension kit to dangle your tower above the ground.” This is an ideal gaming desk for keeping all your devices and cables in order.
Manufacturer: Secretlab | Dimensions: 27.5 x 59 x 29 in. (D x W x H) | Weight: 92.6 lbs | Maximum load: 220 lbs | Adjustable height: No
Corsair Platform:6
This premium Corsair gaming desk will suit those in pursuit of a truly next-level experience. This modular desk can be easily arranged as you see fit and even comes with a monitor rail to move your screen along the full length of the desk. “Corsair takes modularity to the next level, attaching a rail and pegboard to the Platform:6 standing desk,” says Mason. “You can add extra shelves or hooks to display all your gear, keeping everything neat and tidy. The wood finish is what makes it for me, adding a little nature into an otherwise techie setup.”
Manufacturer: Corsair | Dimensions: 30 x 72 x 29-49 in. (D x W x H) | Weight: Not listed | Maximum load: 330 lbs | Adjustable height: Yes
Flexispot E1
“If you’re on a budget, Flexispot E1 is the way to go,” says Mason, adding that “it’s one of the most affordable ways to get an adjustable desk without spending too much. An added benefit is that even if the E1 doesn’t suit your needs, Flexispot has lots to choose from across a wide range of budgets and sizes.” We do recommend the Flexispot E1 given how it offers adjustable height with a mechanized motor for a reasonable price.
Manufacturer: Flexispot | Dimensions: 30 x 48 x 48.4 in. (D x W x H) | Weight: Not listed | Maximum load: 176 lbs | Adjustable height: Yes
Homidec Computer Desk
Gaming expert Issy van der Velde has used the Homidec Computer Desk for work and play since their first days as a reporter, saying, “It’s cheap but doesn’t look it, sturdy but easy-to-assemble and it’s got a shelf you can pop a tower on to keep it off the floor, as well as drawers for your accessories and a hook for your headphones. You may need to take the lower drawer out to fit your PC, though.” The Homidec also has multiple sizes to choose from.
Manufacturer: Homidec | Dimensions: 23.6 x 47.2 x 29.5 in. (D x W x H) | Weight: 38.5kg | Maximum load: 243 lbs | Adjustable height: No
Eureka Ergonomic Gaming Desk
Van der Velde also recommends the Eureka Ergonomic Gaming Desk. With a 72-inch width, the wing-shaped desk space is truly expansive, and it comes with a pull-out keyboard tray and various shelves and hooks for storing speakers, headphones and other devices. There’s even a pair of monitor shelves to ensure you can set up two screens in tandem. If you have the space for it, this desk should serve any gamers well.
Manufacturer: Eureka | Dimensions: 29.9 x 71.9 x 35 in. (D x W x H) | Weight: 71.6 lbs | Maximum load: 400 lbs | Adjustable height: No
Eureka Ergonomic Standing Desk
Van der Velde cites this standing desk’s “nice L shape, built-in monitor stand,” and “automatically adjustable” height, as well as the pull-out keyboard tray, to make things easier on your wrists. As a standing desk, this Eureka model is ideal for meetings during the day, with the option to bring down the height for more relaxed activities — an ideal gaming desk that caters to both work and play.
Manufacturer: Eureka | Dimensions: 43 x 61 x 29-49 in. (D x W x H) | Weight: 97 lbs | Maximum load: Not listed | Adjustable height: Yes
How to shop for the best gaming desk
Mason advises shoppers that “There are three main considerations when choosing the right gaming desk: size, bearing weight, and feature set.”
- Size: “If you don’t have enough space for the one you want,” says Mason, “there’s simply no way to make it work beyond going smaller. Always measure twice and remember to include enough room for your gaming chair.
- Bearing weight: “Most desks are sturdy enough to hold two monitors and your usual peripherals, but numbers matter if you plan to stick a fully-fledged gaming PC on top of it,” says Mason. “Make sure to check its holding weight against your equipment before buying.”
- Features: Mason also says, “It’s important to consider the kinds of features you want. If you choose a regular standing desk, there’s usually no way to make it adjustable in the future. Should you want a standing desk, it’s worth investing in it outright.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a gaming desk cost?
Gaming desks range widely in price, depending on how complex, large and stylish you need it to be. Van der Velde advises that “Simple, no frills gaming desks come in as low as $70, while the fancier, flashier ones go for over $1,000.”
The key, van der Velde says, is to “Figure out what your needs are first. Do you have three monitors as well as a streaming setup? If so, you'll need more space for all that gear. Do you just have one or two screens and want a comfy desk with a cup holder? If so, you don't need to break the bank. And if a standard office desk is the best fit for you, get it and then decorate and customize it however suits your playstyle best.”
What’s the difference between a gaming desk and a computer desk?
If you have an existing desk, you may wonder if you need a dedicated gaming replacement. “The truth is any desk can be a gaming desk if you need it to be,” says van der Velde. “A big difference is gaming desks are usually more open, with fewer closed drawers and cabinets.”
Van der Velde adds, “Typically, gaming desks will come with open but built-in storage space for accessories like headphones, controllers and maybe even a console. A shelf to keep your PC tower off the ground is also good because this will protect it from any spills.” If the gaming desk of your dreams is out of your budget, Van der Velde recommends looking for more affordable accessories you can just clip on or pop on your desk, like a detachable keyboard tray or headphone hook or cupholder.
Is an IKEA desk good for gaming?
This depends on the desk – but IKEA does sell dedicated gaming desks, and according to the brand, “Many of our gaming table styles were designed in collaboration with the experts at Republic of Gamers (ROG),” a hardware line from Asus that makes gaming PCs and laptops.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Damien Mason is the Senior Hardware Editor at technology outlet Club386, with extensive experience testing and reporting on consumer gadgets.
- Issy van der Velde is a freelance games reporter for Inverse, PCGamesN, NME, VGC and IGN, and a former editor at TheGamer.
Why trust NBC Select?
I've worked as a gadget reporter since 2017, covering the latest developments in consumer hardware, from TVs and projectors to gaming consoles and VR headsets. I report on games for GamesRadar, The Times, and IGN.
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