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How to choose a Gaming Desk in 2020

What’s probably one of the most overlooked elements in most gaming setups is the desk. It forms the foundation of your entire setup and it’s definitely worth giving more attention to this important aspect of your setup. A well-designed gaming desk not only provide sturdy equipment support but also provides better gaming desk accessories, cable management, and ergonomics that help with your posture and overall comfort. It allows you to optimize the setup of your beloved gaming gear, showcase your best components, and may even help enhance your gaming performance! Here is the guide we hope can help you find the best desk that suits your gaming setup.

Why Gaming Desks

Gaming desks are effectively tables specifically designed to make gaming set up more streamlined, effective, and aesthetically more matching. In most cases these desks cater to PC enthusiasts and builders for them to organize and showcase their components while making the best use of space for gaming. Some gaming desks are even designed to be a chassis for PC build itself, and many have RGB lightings built-in to look the part.

One key differentiator of gaming desks from ordinary desks is the desk accessories they provide for gamers. In many cases, gamers will need to optimize their space with keyboard tray, full desk mouse pad, rack for headphone and controllers, or CPU holder etc. to achieve their desired effect. Gaming desks also cater to the fact that most gamers will have two or more monitors, so they tend to be sold along with compatible mounts for multiple monitors. While it’s possible or sometimes even advisable to purchase these accessories separately, there’s a risk of getting one that mis-fit or mismatch aesthetically without due diligence.

What to look for in a gaming desk

There are many different gaming desks to choose from, but you want to make sure that the desk that you want will have the qualities that are right for you.

Here are just a few qualities that you want to look for in a gaming desk for your room:

• Dimensions: First and foremost, you have to be sure that the gaming desk will be able to fit in the nook or corner that you have designated for your gaming setup. While this may sound obvious, a few inches can make or break your plan. There are also desks that are the L-shaped, triangular, and curved that cater to gamers with different requirements to fit their room. Measure the dimensions in your room to make sure that it can accommodate the gaming desk that you have chosen.
• Surface material: Most gaming desks will have surface material that can accommodate your peripherals. This means non-slip surfaces and even surfaces where your mouse can function properly, like Arozzi Arena or ThermalTake ToughDesk 300 with a full-surface mouse pad desk. Some surfaces can be beneficial for the performance and battery life of your mouse. If your desk does not have this type of surfaces and especially with a glossy/glass surface, it is probably a good idea to purchase a separate desk pad.
• Ease of assembly: If you are ordering a gaming desk online, it is most likely going to be packed in a box and you will have to assemble it yourself and some may be a two-person job. If you think you will have a difficult time with assembly, you may want to purchase one with assembly service or otherwise it’s time to call your best gaming pal nearby.
• Sturdiness: While most gaming desks are built to be able to be strong enough to carry all of the components of your setup, it is still important to know the capacity of each desk. This is especially relevant for height adjustable desk if you plan to have the entire weight of your setup on the desk itself. For example, while most desks can easily carry the load of a large monitor and a PC build, it might not be able to take the three 32” monitors and your water-cooled case all at once.
• Aesthetics: Most gamers would rank this quality pretty high up on their list. There’s a wide range when it comes to gaming desk aesthetics and there’re some emphasizing more on function over form like the Ikea Fredde. Thankfully, there’re also many great looking desks that doesn’t compromise on usability. Gaming desks can come in a variety of colors from the classic black, subtle white hue, to a flaming red or dirty green, and some with nice contemporary graphics splashed across strategically to look really cool. As mentioned early on, there are also many gaming desks with their own built-in RGB lights, befitting their battlestation tags.
• Cable Management: Cable management is on top of the list of features that most gamers look for in a desk. Most gaming desks should feature some form of cable management on or underneath the desk. This could be anything from attached or detachable cable trays, runners, cable nets, cable slots, and holes and grommets where your cables can pass through. Not only does this make the desk setup more efficient, but it also gives it a cleaner and uncluttered look.
• Storage/shelves: The primary role of a gaming desk is to provide ample space for a gaming setup. At the very least, your desk should have enough space for placing or storing peripherals such as headsets, headset stands, controllers, and other peripherals. Some gaming desks also have cup holders, speakers or monitors shelves, and hooks incorporated into the design of the desk. There are also desks that have storage space such as built-in drawers to store spare accessories. However, do note that some gaming and sit/stand desks have more complicated frame structure beneath the tabletop that can be more restrictive on the use of desk accessories like monitor mounts, and under desk keyboard tray.
• Curved/contoured edges: Some gaming desks feature curved or contoured edges on the user side of the desk. This can provide a closer surface that curves around you for your arms to rest on the desk while you are gaming or just simply taking a break. Arguably, it can lead to higher gaming precision and endurance due to having a good platform support for your arms. Some gaming desk manufacturers have even taken it to the next level and their desks feature fully contoured edges on user side like the ApexDesk Elite Series here.
• The Sit/Stand function: Most gaming desks are designed to fit most users, meaning that it’ll be of standard height like most other desks and not ideal if your height does not quite fall in the middle of the bell curve. Even not for this reason, we still highly recommend gaming desks that have adjustable heights or motorized desk legs simply for the option to stand when you want to. From our experience with Ikea SKARSTA hand-cranking sit/stand desk, go for a motorized one with memory settings as it’s highly unlikely you’ll use the stand function often if it takes too much effort; unless you like to work your arm muscles at the same time.
  Source: Ikea
• Monitor Support: While monitor setup is an entirely different subject, there are several gaming desks that will have features to help out in your monitors and panels. This could be anything from built-in monitor arms to mount your monitors, or a separate panel or surface where you can place your monitor, apart from the desk space already made available. This frees up more desk space for your accessories and provides optimum viewing angles.
• Custom Builds: There are some gamers that want gaming tables to have specific dimensions or unique features. Or some just want gaming tables that exactly match the aesthetic of their gaming den. In this case, the option is to have custom gaming tables custom built. These builds can be expensive and can take a lot of time, but the finished product will be much more well- matched and personalized.

Best Gaming Desks in 2020

The Eureka Ergonomic Z60 gaming desk is one of the most popular gaming desks in the market. The “Z” design of the desk has been a trademark for gaming desks, but it’s more than just flash. The large cross-section of the Z design makes the desk sturdier and is well-built to carry all your components. The desk has plenty of features including cable management slots, and even RGB lightings on its sides. The price point of the Eureka desk makes it one of the more premium choices, but it won’t break the bank either. Many options like adjustable keyboard tray, CPU holder and gear rack are well designed, but they do not come cheap.

Another popular option that most PC builders go to is the IKEA Linnmon. While not exactly a gaming desk, this particular IKEA model offers a wide desktop space for multiple monitors and your PC build. The desk can be held up by ALEX drawers on each side and provides ample storage space which is appealing to most gamers with many accessories to be kept out of sight. It is also one of the most configurable and affordable in the market for desks of this size. What the desk lacks in flair, it makes up for in functionality and quality. It’s also well suited for minimalist design with its clean look.

Uplift desks are known to be the trending choice with work stations and PC builders, but it has also made an impact on gamers. The Uplift desk’s most appealing feature are its motorized legs that let you adjust the height of the table while still being sturdy and providing a lot of support for your setup. The desk is also made for PC and console setups as there are several pass-through holes and grommets for cable management. The brand is a little pricey though for a small single monitor desk ($550-600), and opting for a longer L or U shaped desk can fetch a heftier price ($1,000-1,500).

The Thermaltake Level 20 BattleStation RGB gaming desk takes into account all the features that most gamers would want in a gaming desk and applies it all in one desk setup. The desk is motorized and can be adjusted for a sit/stand position. The surface of the desk is lined with a mouse pad material, and it also features custom RGB lighting that can be customized to any color and even synchronized with the Razer Chroma system. The desk also features premium cable management on the panel and slots underneath the desk. But with all these bells and whistles, this desk is a little on the expensive side.

Atlantic gaming desks are known for its signature look. By first glance you can already tell that the desk has several features that can house several peripherals and accessories of your gaming setup. There are trays for cable management and holders for all your peripherals. There are also built in stands and panels for peripheral monitors and even a cup holder and a phone stand. The desk also features a curved design for better access and viewing and enough space to accommodate multiple monitors. But the best aspect of the Atlantic Gaming Desk is its price point ($100-130), making it one of the more affordable desks in the market today.

The Lian Li DK-05F is more than just a gaming desk. It’s a gaming experience all to itself. The desk is not just a motorized desk that can be height adjusted; the desk itself is actually a PC case. Not only does it have the proper specs and a motherboard tray to accommodate most modern PC builds, it also has built-in PC fans with a radiator, and front panel interfaces. You can also see all your components thanks to a tempered glass desk panel surface. But all these next-level features come with a whopping price tag of around $2000 USD.

The Mr. Ironstone Gaming Desk isn’t the flashiest gaming desks out there, but it performs where it counts. The desk itself is light but don’t be fooled by its slight design, the desk is very sturdy. The desk features dedicated holes and panels for cable management, and the cup holder and headset stand is built-in with the desk itself. It is also one of the most affordable gaming desks out there. The only limiting factor with this desk is the fact that it can only support a single monitor (or two smaller monitors) but Mr. Ironstone does offer a 63” desk for those that can accommodate multiple monitor setups. With built-in features and quality materials, this desk is considered by many as one of the best budget options in the market.

The DXRacer Newedge gaming desk is one of the best gaming desks out there in terms of providing premium features and functionality while still providing the gamer aesthetic that most gaming desks lack. The desk itself is very stable and can handle multiple monitor setups. The surface features a 10-degree slope for better access and ergonomics. The DXRacer Newedge gaming desk also has built in cable management features both on and under the desk. But one of the best features of the DXRacer Newedge Desk is the fact that it is available in different colors, allowing gamers to have their pick on the aesthetic that they want for their gaming setup.

Our Picks for Best Gaming Desks

Best Budget Desk: Mr. Ironstone Gaming Desk

The IKEA Linnmon is still one of the most popular budget options, but the Mr. Ironstone Gaming Desk provides more in terms of gaming features. Both desks are at the same budget price points but the Mr. Ironstone Gaming Desk edges it out because of features such as cable management elements and built-in cup holders and headset hooks. The black and red aesthetic also leans towards a more gaming look compared to the wooden and white design that most IKEA products come in. The desk space is limited compared to other budget desk options, but it makes up for it in other features.

Best Aesthetic Desk: Eureka Ergonomic Z60

We feel that Eureka Ergonomic Z60 wouldn’t look out of place in a Klingon spaceship. With the Z60 desk side armor incorporating RGB lights, it certainly has the credentials to be part of an awesome gaming setup. Depending on how you look at it, there’s a divide in the middle of the tabletop which may bother some but it adds to the quirkiness of this desk. Aesthetic is very much a personal preference so don’t flame us for this!

Best Premium Desk: Thermaltake Level 20 BattleStation RGB

The Thermaltake Battle Station is our pick for the best premium pleasing desk. The Thermaltake Battle Station is a sit/stand desk but it looks way cooler than most sit/stand desks on the market. It also has premium cable management features found on the surface and underneath the desk. But what sets this desk apart from all the other desks is its RGB feature that you can customize and synchronize with your setup.

Bonus pick for the Least Minimalistic looking Desk: DXRacer Newedge in red or green color

We have a hard time deciding between this and Atlantic Gaming Desk Pro. The DXRacer Newedge Gaming Desk in red/green color frame just edges out the Atlantic desk as it literally shouts “look at me”! We reckon that no minimalists would ever consider them as part of their setup. However, it is still one of the best gaming desks out there because of what it offers in terms of gaming features and aesthetics. The desk itself is available in multiple colors so you can match your desk with your chosen color theme. The desk also provides a lot of space for most gaming setups while still providing a sturdy foundation to keep your setup safe and in place. As a gaming desk, it also features cable management on the surface of the table and underneath it as well. The price point is a little higher than most, but the quality and features of the desk speaks for itself.