The best gaming desk is an often overlooked aspect of anyone's setup. Despite it being one of the most important elements as it houses all your gaming peripherals, it's one that a lot of us leave until the last moment, with our excitement typically placed on shiny new hardware instead.
The PC itself, a top gaming monitor, and sometimes even your gaming chair typically come first when we're shopping around for upgrades, but that shouldn't be the case if you want to get the best out of what you have. A desk should be higher on the list because it offers extra space, and more functionality in a lot of cases.
Desks are far more varied these days than they used to be too, with different shapes, sizes, and the option to stand, which is a huge bonus for those hoping to keep a good posture, or perhaps install a top under-desk treadmill to their setup.
When you factor in things like your ideal seat height, the shape based on not just the room you'll be putting it in, but your preferred setup and the number of monitors, and additions like pre-installed cable management, there's just a lot of stuff to consider when looking for the best gaming desk.
Fortunately, we've done all of that consideration for you though, putting together a list of five amazing desks based on price, reviews, and any unique characteristics that help them stand out from the crowd. With that in mind, let's get into our top picks. Also, take a look at the Horizon Ryzen 5 5600 RTX 4060 Ti Gaming PC and the Horizon 5 Upgrader Pro Gaming PC Bundle.
Best gaming desk
- Secretlab Magnus
- Secretlab Magnus Pro XL
- Homall Gaming Desk
- GreenForest L-Shaped Corner Gaming Desk
- Cougar Mars Pro 150
1. Secretlab Magnus
Best gaming desk overall
Dimensions: 59” (L) x 27.5” (W) x 29” (H)
Other Features: Magnetic surface, RGB lights, Smart home-enabled, full-length cable tray
Secretlab is probably best known for its gaming chairs. However, the company has quite a collection of impressive desks for gaming as well. This Secretlab Magnus, for instance, is probably its most "standard" gaming desk, yet it packs a truckload of features that can improve your gaming environment.
To begin with, you get a large 59-inch surface that can accommodate a relatively packed PC setup. The surface itself is covered with a magnetic leatherette desk mat, which comes in a wide variety of themes. As a result, you can attach various magnetic cable management accessories to it, allowing you to keep your desk clear of clutter.
Secretlab has also integrated lighting to improve the aesthetic. You can sync the RBG lights of the desk with the Nanoleaf app. Plus, with 123 individual LEDs, you can switch up the dynamic lights as per your theme. The desk can also be integrated with your smart home system as a result.
And, if you ever end up needing more space, Secretlab makes it possible to attach an L-shaped extension. In fact, you can add more accessories like cable anchors and sheaths from Secretlab if required. So, if you’re looking for a sturdy metal desk with gamer-friendly features and the option to upgrade, then you can’t go wrong with this Secretlab Magnus desk.
Read More: Best budget gaming chairs
2. Secretlab Magnus Pro
Best standing gaming desk
Dimensions: 59.1” (L) x 27.6” (W) x 25.6’’ - 49.2’’ (H)
Other Features: Fully integrated power supply column, electric height adjustment, RGB lights, Smart home-enabled, full-length cable tray
If you've got a slightly larger budget to spend, then the Secretlab Magnus Pro is another great option to consider.
First and foremost, Secretlab’s Magnus Pro is a sitting-and-standing desk, resulting in it being height adjustable from 25.6 inches to 49.2 inches. It's arguably one of the best standing desks on the market, allowing you to play games with complete freedom.
It has a fully integrated power supply column in the left leg too, which allows for some well-organised cable management. All you have to do is plug all your devices into the column and you're free from clutter. You also get a full-size cable tray to hold and hide your wires away.
Just like other Secretlab desks, it comes with a magnetic desk pad. This gives you a surface to which you can attach a number of Secretlab accessories. And, in terms of lighting, you get RGB Nanoleaf-powered lights. All you have to do is snap on the Secretlab MAGRGB smart light strip and control it through the Nanoleaf app.
Ultimately, this Pro bit of kit is well worth considering if you're in need of a great standing desk for gaming. If you require a little more space, however, then the Secretlab Magnus Pro XL, the largest one in this series, is also worth checking out.
Read More: Best budget office chairs
3. Homall Gaming Desk
Best cheap gaming desk
Dimensions: 23.6" (D) x 44" (W) x 29.3" (H)
Other Features: Cup Holder, Headphone Hook, Cord Collector
Homall’s gaming desk may not have all the bells and whistles compared to our previous entries, but that doesn't mean it's not a great option to consider.
This Z-legged desk comes with a 44-inch surface, which should provide enough room to house two screens, or simply one of the best 43-inch monitors around. However, if you want more space, there are 55-inch or 64-inch variations to consider as well.
The surface of the desk is covered in carbon fibre, making it fairly resistant to scratches and spillages. Meanwhile, the base of the desk has adjustable leg pads to maintain stability, something that'll no doubt come in handy in the heat of the action.
Finally, the desk has been made to be "gamer-friendly". It has a cup holder on one side and a place to house your best gaming headset on the other. There’s a cord collector under the desk as well for better cable management, ensuring your surface space remains free from distractions. As a result, we'd say this Hormall desk is a great option to consider as its price tag is hard to ignore considering just how advanced it is.
Read More: Best wrist rests for gaming
4. GreenForest L-Shaped Desk
Best L-shaped gaming desk
Dimensions: 58-inch (Long Side) x 44-inch (Short Side) x 18.9-inch (Width) x 29.5-inch (Height)
Other Features: Thick X-legs, Monitor Stand, CPU Stand
L-shaped corner desks are a great option if you're limited by space in your room, but want to maximise the space you do have with as big a desk as possible.
GreenForest’s L-shaped Desk is a particularly great option, measuring in at a massive 58-inch in total thanks to its space-saving design. Furthermore, the desk is reversible and adjustable. For instance, you can have a U-shaped workspace or even two separate desks if the L-shape isn't working for you.
With the desk in the "L" position though, you can fit multiple monitors, keyboards, and mice on one surface. You also get a raised platform on the smaller desk for your peripherals, plus it has a dedicated stand for your CPU just below the corner piece.
With these features in mind, we'd say this GreenForest desk is pretty tough to beat if it's an L-shaped bit of kit you're after. There's a 64-inch option too if you're after something even bigger.
Read More: Best gaming monitors under 200
5. Cougar Mars Pro 150
Best RGB gaming desk
Dimensions: 30" (D) x 60" (W) x 33" (H)
Other Features: USB 3.0 Type C, Dual-Sided RGB Effects, Height Adjustable
Cougar’s Mars Pro 150 RGB desk is an impressive bit of kit made only more impressive by its RGB lighting. You get a strip of RGB on both sides, both of which are compatible with the 5V connections of ASUS Aura Sync, MSI Mystic Light Sync, Gigabyte RGB Fusion, and ASRock Polychrome Sync.
What makes this Cougar desk even better is that you get a control box and display extension attachment. The control box has quite a few ports - two USB 3.0 Type A, a USB 3.0 Type-C port, and audio jacks, giving you more than enough for all your peripherals. Plus, you get a special monitor extension, allowing you to connect a Type C to a female HDMI for easy streaming or video recording. For this, the gaming desk includes an exclusive Type C to Type C cable as part of the package.
Build-wise, the desk has inward curves on both sides, with the intention of keeping gamers comfortable. Moreover, the surface is lined with carbon fibre to make it more resistant to scratches and accidental spills. It also features a steel frame, which lends itself to improved durability and stability. You can adjust the height of the desk as well, with three levels to choose from - 750mm, 800mm, and 850mm - depending on your needs.
Overall, this is a pretty spacious desk with RGB lights, so is definitely one to consider if you're all about the aesthetics of your setup.
Read More: Best gaming keyboards
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Buying a new desk can prove quite tricky at times. Don't worry though, because we've answered some of the most frequently asked questions below to help you out.
What is the difference between a regular desk and a gaming desk?
A regular desk aims to cater to all kinds of PC users, so you'll often find it comes with basic features like a slideable top or drawers and cabinets for storage. They're typically crafted from wood too, which can sometimes lack the stability, durability, and resistance to spills needed for a gaming desk.
Ultimately, a gaming desk is built to be more "gamer-friendly". They're designed to house what are usually fairly heavy PCs as well as peripherals like multiple monitors. As a result, they typically come with metal legs for added stability.
You may also find a gaming desk comes with built-in cable management, height adjustment, RGB lights, and other features that can help tidy your setup and make it comfortable for you.
How much should I spend on a gaming desk?
Gaming desks can vary drastically in price, with some under $100, while others come with a price tag of $1000 and more. How do you choose how much to spend then?
Well, a top budget gaming desk can cost anywhere between $100 to $150. It may not have all the bells and whistles of some of the more expensive options, but a good one should certainly do its job well.
Mid-range options might cost you $150 to $500. Usually, the desks in this price range come with a bunch of additional features like cable management or extra mounts for a monitor, or you may just find they're made from more premium materials like carbon fibre and metal.
High-end options can sometimes cost more than $500. In this price bracket, you're more likely to find serious "gamer" features, like RGB lights, built-in ports for cables, and perhaps even the ability to switch between seated or standing positions.
The choice of how much to spend comes down to you and your available budget though. Our main advice would be to only select something that you can afford, as there's always the option of upgrading further down the line.
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