Staff’s Choice
Introduction
If you’re looking to build a top tier gaming setup, you not only need a good gaming chair but also a reliable gaming desk. Desks can get quite expensive and there are tons of companies producing desks, so we’re going to help you cut through the noise by giving you some great recommendations at different price points.
What makes a desk good for gaming?
A great office desk will obviously also be a good desk for gaming. Contrary to mice or keyboards, desks don’t require any sort of special functionality in order to function properly for gamers. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t certain things to look out for when purchasing a desk that’s mostly meant for gaming.
There are quite a few requirements that can be unique to gamers that may make you want to go for a dedicated gaming desk as opposed to a standard office desk. The most important factors are:
- Spaciousness: Gamers often need a larger work surface to accommodate things like larger gaming mousepads, dual monitors, or even placing their PC on their desk.
- Cable management: Gamers often have a ton of devices on their desk. Without proper cable management, things can start to look awfully messy, so a desk with proper cable management features can really help tidy things up.
- Ergonomics: A good (gaming) desk should support multiple postures over long playing sessions. Additionally, it should perfectly suit the user when it comes to height. Having a height-adjustable desk is definitely a plus, though that does raise the price of a product significantly.
- Compatibility with add-ons: Getting a desk that allows you to install add-ons such as mic arms and monitor arms can greatly enhance the adjustability of your desk.
- Other extras: Some gaming desks include (optional) extras such as headset holders or RGB lighting. While these factors are definitely not required, they can make a difference to some, as aesthetics also matter to a lot of users.
In our list, we’ve taken these unique requirements into consideration so that we can provide you with great options meant for serious gamers.
Secretlab Magnus Pro
If you are looking for a premium sit-stand gaming desk from a brand that also produces the most popular gaming chair then look no further.
Constructed out of thick, high quality metal, this is a robust desk that can stand the test of time. The height can be adjusted between 65cm-125cm via smooth and quiet motors, and the max capacity is set at an impressive 120kg.
Additionally, it’s also very spacious. The standard version comes in at 150x70cm, and the XL version is a comfy 177x80cm. If durability and spaciousness are what you’re after then this is a great option.
Something that’s particularly nice about the MAGNUS Pro is the cable management system. This begins with the single-cable power brick that’s embedded into the desk legs. Simply plug in the desk at the bottom of the left leg, and you’re good to go. At the back there’s a spacious cable tray to further emphasize the clean looks. Moving all of your cables out of sight (no matter what height you’re using the desk at) is a breeze with the MAGNUS Pro.
The base model of the desk is quite impressive on its own, but users can also add various first-party add-ons. These range from monitor arms to PC mounts to headset hangers. This allows users to truly customize their desk to their own requirements, but it should be said that the cost of the whole desk can go up quite significantly once you start adding extras.
The MAGNUS Pro is a top tier gaming desk for players who want a premium solution and are willing to pay for it.
Secretlab Magnus Pro
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If you’re a power user and/or you’re looking for a top tier desk, I can wholeheartedly recommend the Secretlab MAGNUS Pro.
Pros
- Very smooth and reliable operation of the motorized legs
- Fantastic cable management options
- Sleek looks
- Easy to assemble, with great packaging and clear instructions
- Magnetic ecosystem is a fantastic idea
- Robust materials and great build quality
Cons
- Expensive, especially if you add a couple of add-ons
- Both the leather and the metal desk tops get smudged easily
- Touch controls are a bit too sensitive
- A bit of wobble at higher height settings
- Heavy
FlexiSpot E7 Pro
If you spend a bit of time on YouTube, chances are you’ve heard of FlexiSpot as they’re known for sponsoring content creators. The brand produces a lot of desks and even has a gaming-specific range, but we would recommend the E7 Pro. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a premium sit-stand desk with a more subdued aesthetic.
What you’re getting with the E7 Pro is a very reliable desk with quiet, smooth motors. These allow for heights between 66 and 127cm. The maximum load capacity is set at 161 grams, meaning that even the heaviest of setups can comfortably live on this desk.
The E7 Pro also comes with a cable management tray at the back, which helps in maintaining a clean and smooth aesthetic. Sadly, the power supply does sit underneath the desktop, meaning that you’ll always have at least one cable dangling out of the desk.
When purchasing the E7 Pro, you get a choice between a variety of desktop materials. Among them is a solid wood option, but you can also get bamboo or even the ‘gaming series’, featuring a mousepad-like finish.
When purchasing, you can also add a bunch of additional options such as drawers, monitor arms, and even vacuum cleaners and luggage cases.
The FlexiSpot E7 Pro is a good option if you want a top tier sit-stand desk that’s not specifically made for gaming and has a more subdued aesthetic.
FlexiSpot E7 Pro
The FlexiSpot E7 Pro is a premium sit-stand desk with a lot of customization options.
Pros
- Stable design
- High weight capacity of 160kg
- Good motors
- Built-in cable management tray
Cons
- Heavy
- Expensive
- Installation guide could be a bit confusing
IKEA Utespelare
For those who want simplicity and functionality, there is always everyone’s favorite Swedish furniture giant. The IKEA Utespelare is a budget gaming desk made for players who want a good value proposition over anything else.
With an MSRP of $149.99, it’s the most affordable gaming desk in this article. That’s not to say that its performance is going to suffer though. While the Utespelare is obviously not as premium looking or feeling as some of the more expensive options out there, it’s definitely a very decent gaming desk.
It even comes with an included cable management ‘tray’ (it’s more of a net) which is rare at this price. Granted, this tray doesn’t do a ton to actually hide the cables from sight, but it’s always nice to be able to lift them off of the ground.
The actual height of the desk can be adjusted to 6 different heights between 68 and 75 cm so that you can sit comfortably no matter your (chair) height and the desktop itself is a spacious 58×160 cm. Note that, on IKEAs website, the desktop depth is listed as being 80cm, but that includes the mesh grate at the back. This grate is sturdy enough to house accessories like desktop arms, but we don’t count it as actual desktop space since there’s a gap between the grate and the solid desktop section.
If you’re looking for value, you cannot go wrong with the IKEA Utespelare.
IKEA Utespelare
The IKEA Utespelare is a budget gaming desk focused on doing the essentials right.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Good quality, especially for the price
Cons
- Cable management tray doesn’t do a lot to hide cables
Secretlab Magnus Metal Desk
Secretlab’s sit-stand gaming desks are well-liked across the gaming world (and beyond). If you’re someone who doesn’t need a sit-stand desk, they also offer a regular desk which has all features (minus the motorized legs) of their top-of-the-line pro version. As such, the MAGNUS Metal Desk is a great gaming desk recommendation for players who want a traditional desk.
As with the top tier model, you can purchase the MAGNUS Metal Desk with a variety of additional add-ons. Most interesting here is the L-Shaped Extension add-on. This is basically a second desk (at a lower price) that you attach to your existing Magnus via a mounting bracket, thus converting your MAGNUS into an L-shaped desk. It’s a great (albeit pricy) option for people who want a top quality L-shaped gaming desk.
The MAGNUS Metal Desk is available in one size (with a 150x70cm desktop) and has a height of 73.5cm, which can be further heightened by up to 20cm via risers underneath each leg.
If you’re looking for a top tier non-motorized gaming desk, the MAGNUS Metal Desk is a very good option. It’s also a great choice for gamers who are looking for an L-shaped gaming desk, though it should be noted that the price of the desk almost doubles with the L-Shaped Extension add-on.
Secretlab Magnus Metal Desk
The MAGNUS Metal Desk is Secretlab’s basic desk, featuring no motorized legs. It can be converted to an L-shaped desk by purchasing an add-on.
Pros
- Fantastic cable management options
- Easy to assemble, with great packaging and clear instructions
- Magnetic ecosystem is great
- Great build quality
- Very sturdy, yet slim design
Cons
- Leather and metal desk tops tend to get smudged easily
Cooler Master GD160
If you’re looking for a straightforward desk without motors and you want a desk that unmistakably has that ‘gamer’ look to it, then the Cooler Master GD160 might be right up your alley.
It’s a sturdy, no-nonsense gaming desk that can be bought at relatively budget-friendly prices.
In order to set itself apart from its peers, the GD160 comes with a desk-sized mousepad on top. This mousepad is water-resistant, so it can definitely withstand the occasional spill.
The surface of 160×75 cm is large enough to accommodate most gaming setups with ease. And, while the max capacity of 100kg might not be chart-topping, it’s plenty sturdy to house regular battlestations even if they use multiple monitors. The precise height of the desk can be set to either 71, 75, or 79 centimeters. This gives you options to get a personalized fit even without the desk being motorized.
If you’re on a budget and you want a no-nonsense gaming-styled desk, the GD160 is a good option to consider.
Cooler Master GD160
The Cooler Master GD160 is a basic gaming desk for users who don’t need a sit-stand desk.
Pros
- Height adjustable (non-electric)
- Full-surface mousepad is water-resistant
- Good build quality
Cons
- Assembly is difficult
- Cable management sections feel narrow
Conclusion
There are thousands upon thousands of options to choose from when shopping for a gaming desk. We’ve narrowed those options down to five choices, ranging from premium sit-stand desks to very affordable, basic desks. In this article, you should be able to find something that suits your budget and helps you game comfortably for many years to come.
As always: if you have any questions or remarks, please feel free to reach out in the comments!
