Best gaming desks in 2024 – picks for sitting and standing

You might think a desk is just that – a simple surface to put more important things on like your consoles or PC. However, the best gaming desks can do much, much more than that and can genuinely upgrade your gameplay experience. What you’ll find is that the best desks have handy features you didn’t even know you needed until you saw them. At the very least, you’ll have a much swankier setup, free of visible cables and oozing in style to match your systems.

In much the same vein as a gaming chair, your gaming desk shouldn’t be overlooked. Whether you’re looking for a standing desk for a healthier gaming experience or a budget IKEA option, all the products below complement the best gaming console setups out there.

Some desks even have space for a PC, laptop, and other tech like the best stream decks next to your main system. What’s not to love about that? No matter your preference, our guide to the best gaming desks will provide several great options to take your setup to the next level.

The best gaming desks in 2024 are:

1. Secretlab Magnus Pro standing desk – best overall
2. Homall z-shaped gaming desk – best budget option
3. Cooler Master GD160 ARGB – best RGB
4. Flexispot E8 – best luxury option
5. IKEA Trotten standing desk – best budget standing desk

1. Secretlab Magnus Pro

The best gaming desk overall.

Secretlab Magnus Pro specs:

Pros

• Great cable management solutions
• Superb build quality
• Sit-stand desk

Cons

• Useful accessories sold separately
• High price-point

Though it comes with a high price tag, Secretlab’s Magnus Pro and Magnus Pro XL are the very best gaming desks on the market. As sit-to-stand metal gaming desks, their solid build quality can withstand quite a beating, which is useful if you’re a gamer with a lot of tech.

With a maximum load of 120kg and a large surface area, you’ll have room for all your gaming essentials, like a PS5 and Xbox console, a monitor or TV, and even a PC or laptop to the side.

The Magnus Pro has a powered riser to go from sitting to standing with the press of a button, while also letting you tweak the height to your exact personal preference. Unlike many other sit-stand desks, the Magnus Pro is silky smooth, with no worrying wobble as it changes height. This piece of mind is very much appreciated when you’re putting lots of expensive tech on top of your desk.

It’s also got a specialized mount to hold a gaming PC under the desk without it touching the ground, plenty of desk space for a variety of consoles, and built-in cable management solutions that improve the overall aesthetics of your setup. For example, you can plug an extension cable directly into the cable tray at the back of the desk, which is incredibly convenient for routing everything from monitor cables to accessories without flooding your setup with a bunch of cables.

While the built-in system will keep things like power and ethernet cables tucked away and tidy well enough, you’ll need to buy a separate Cable Management Bundle so you can better organize your setup, which does add to the cost of an already expensive desk. The standout item in this bundle is the magnetic desk cable holders that attach directly to the top of the desk thanks to its metal construction, letting you easily bundle cables and reduce clutter.

That’s the major downside to the Secret Magnus Pro. The magnetic headphone hanger and Magnus monitor arms must also be bought individually. Even the Secretlab MAGRGB smart lighting system, amping up the style with great RGB integration, is also an accessory.

Nevertheless, the Magnus Pro is expensive but brilliantly built, and it’s easy to customize your gaming desk to suit your taste. It helps that, although it’s got all the bells and whistles, we found it surprisingly easy to build, unlike many competing gaming desks. If you’ve got the money to spare, you really can’t do any better than this incredibly premium gaming desk.

2. Homall Z-shaped gaming desk

The best budget gaming desk.

Homall z-shaped gaming desk specs:

Pros

• Very affordable price
• Great build quality
• Built-in cup holder and headphone hook

Cons

• Awkward tabletop design
• Lack of cable management solutions

Finding a feature-rich gaming desk on a budget is no easy feat, but Homall’s range of desks is unmatched for those with a limited budget, rivaling even the luxury options in several ways.

The Homall z-shaped gaming desk is named after its sturdy ‘Super Z’ metal frame. Dispersing the weight through such sturdy metal legs means this desk can support extensive setups, including a variety of consoles, multiple monitors, and even a PC or laptop to the side if you like to browse while you game.

The desk has several notches cut into it to remove harsh edges. However, this can make it hard to place certain items towards the edges of the table, such as desk lamps if you have a particularly crowded setup. Nevertheless, the sturdy frame and carbon fiber textured surface make the Homall z-shaped gaming desk a quality feeling desk that’s easy to clean.

Several useful accessories and features are included at no extra cost, unlike the Secretlab Magnus Pro. You’ll receive a cup holder, headphone hook, and controller stand with your desk, each of which significantly enhances your overall setup by reducing clutter. If you’ve got your hands on some of the best PS5 headsets or best Xbox headsets, then it’s a cost-effective and convenient solution. The only thing it’s missing is a stand for the best PS5 controllers and best Xbox controllers! And if you don’t need these extras, then you can simply avoid installing them.

The biggest downside is the lack of cable management solutions. Though it’s hard to beat Secretlab’s well-designed Magnus Pro line of gaming desks, the Homall desks don’t feature any handy grooves or trays for you to conceal cables, except the gap on the back of the desk, though this isn’t necessarily ideal for keeping things neat. While it’s not all that unexpected given it’s a budget alternative, it does mean your setup will generally look a little messier unless you have a stockpile of cable ties.

Overall, Homall’s range of gaming desks punches well above their weight, with great build quality and handy features all at a reasonable price. So long as the unique design fits with the aesthetic of your room, you can’t go wrong with the z-shaped desk. However, if you’re open to a sit-stand desk instead, then we’d recommend the IKEA Trotten for a budget alternative – more on this later.

3. Cooler Master GD160 ARGB

The best RGB gaming desk.

Cooler Master GD160 ARGB specs:

Pros

• Excellent build quality
• Built-in RGB
• Sit-stand desk

Cons

• Maximum load lower than competitors
• Cable management

The Cooler Master GD160 ARGB is by far the best RBG gaming desk out there. While the Secretlab Magnus Pro can be upgraded (at extra cost) to feature an RGB light strip, it doesn’t quite reach the heights on Cooler Master’s flagship RBG desk.

As you can expect with Cooler Master, the GD160 ARGB is a very high-quality gaming desk made of steel, aluminium, and chipboard, and is a sturdy home for your setup. Although much of the focus is on the RGB features, Cooler Master has not skimped on the quality of the desk itself. This is especially crucial for sit-stand desks, as low-quality sit-stand desks make the process of changing heights feel surprisingly hazardous. Thanks to the motors in the GD160, altering the height is incredibly smooth and convenient, without any stuttering or wobble.

The Cooler Master GD160 ARGB offers best-in-class RBG lighting integration. With a sleek lighting strip around the front and back of the desk, the GD160 ARGB is capable of lighting up a room with its vibrant colors. Using the controller built into the desk and the MasterPlus+ software, you can even save and switch between different profiles, colors, and effects. If you’re looking to make the best-looking setup around, then the Cooler Master GD160 ARGB is the best gaming desk for you.

With an anti-scratch tabletop and a well-placed and sized cable management slot towards the back of the desk, it’s also one of the most convenient desks for more advanced gaming setups. For example, if you have several devices and monitors, you won’t have to worry about damaging the desk or fighting over cable space, as this desk is more than equipped for even the most hardcore gamers.

As the desktop is chipboard, you can’t use magnetic cable holders like the Secretlab Magnus Pro. We recommend picking up other cable management options if you have a particularly cable-heavy setup, just so you can bundle and conceal cables a little easier on the desk itself.

4. FlexiSpot E8 standing desk

The best luxury desk for sitting and standing.

FlexiSpot E8 specs:

Pros

• Excellent build quality
• Smooth motorized movements
• 125kg maximum load capacity

Cons

• Expensive accessories
• Cable management could be better

The FlexiSpot E8 is an understated gaming desk at first glance but it more than justifies its high price. It’s a sit-stand desk with a smooth motor, and the great range of movement it offers means you’ll be able to find a good sitting and standing height for you, while also letting you change between them flexibly using the built-in motors.

The FlexiSpot E8 comes in a wide range of customizable options, so you can choose the frame color (white or black) as well as the desktop size and material – with a curved option that can make for a more convenient design for many users. However, no matter what options you choose, the Flexispot E8 boasts excellent build quality, with a high-quality wood desktop (there’s even a bamboo option) and steel legs. If you’re looking for a desk that doesn’t scream ‘gamer’, then this is the one for you.

When we tested the Flexispot E8 ourselves, we found its weak point was cable management, despite the high price. Although there is a handy magnetic cable management tray underneath the desk, you will have to factor in wires going behind your desk and across the desktop as there aren’t any cut-out holes or slots to feed your cables through. If you have a big setup, complete with several consoles, multiple monitors, and maybe even a PC, you will have to deal with a lack of effective solutions built into the desk.

Read our FlexiSpot E8 review.

5. IKEA Trotten sit-stand desk

The best budget standing gaming desk.

IKEA Trotten sit-stand desk specs:

Pros

• Affordable desk
• Variable height options
• Spacious

Cons

• Lower quality
• Low maximum load
• Lack of cable management options

As you might expect from IKEA, the Trotten desk is a budget-friendly option as far as sit-stand desks are concerned. In return, the quality of the desk is certainly less than that of more luxury alternatives, but you’d be hard-pressed to find as reliable a sit-stand gaming desk for the price. Though we should warn you, from our experience, it is rather tricky to build.

The steel legs and feet are sturdy and well-balanced, though the particleboard tabletop feels much more flimsy than higher-end gaming desks. Furthermore, without motors to lift the desk, you’ll be relying on a hand crank, which can result in wobble as you manually change the height of the desk. Nevertheless, this desk will be more than enough if you’re a rather reserved gamer, with only one or two monitors and a handful of devices.

Since the maximum load is 50kg, we don’t recommend this desk for those looking to support both a full PC system and consoles. If that’s you, you’ll have to either opt for a standard sitting desk like the Homall, or look at high-end desks like the Flexispot E7 Pro or the Secretlabs Magnus Pro.

The Trotten’s design is simple, leaving you with plenty of space to put your devices and accessories. Unlike the Homall gaming desks, there are no awkward cutouts or plastic covers to get in the way. Again, if you have a more advanced and complicated gaming setup, this also means there’s a lack of cable management options, which we found to be its biggest downside. This is serviceable if you have only a few devices but can get out of hand if you’re looking to house a variety of gaming consoles, especially alongside a PC or laptop.

Overall, the IKEA Trotten is a great choice for the price if you’re in the market for a sit-stand desk, though we do recommend you look further up the scale if you can, especially if you’re a hardcore gamer with mountains of tech.

How to choose a gaming desk

When choosing a gaming desk, here’s what to think about.

• Design: gaming desks are typically rather flashy, some even coming with built-in RGB lighting. Standard desks or more premium gaming desks open the door for a sleeker, more minimalist design. Consider where you’ll be putting your gaming desk and weigh up how important the visual design of the desk is to you.
• Max load: Gaming desks are designed to be able to support the weight of gaming setups, though some are better than others. For example, hand-cranked sit-stand desks won’t be able to handle as much weight as a standard or motorized desk.
• Size: If you’ve got an extensive gaming setup, complete with several gaming consoles, multiple screens, and possibly even a PC or laptop, you’ll need a significant amount of free desk space. Look at larger desks and be mindful of the shape of the tabletop, accounting for any cutouts that might get in the way.
• Shape: On a similar note, there are various different types of desks you can get. From standard rectangular ones to l-shaped and even u-shaped desks. These larger desks are great if you’ve got multiple setups that you want on a single desk.
• Sit or stand? Standing desks are becoming increasingly popular thanks to the benefits they can have on your posture and health. If you game for long periods of time, then consider investing in a sit-stand desk.
• Accessories: Some desks come with built-in cup holders, headphone hooks, and controller stands that can save you space on your tabletop.

Should I get a standing desk?

If you can afford it, a standing desk can have a great impact on your health. Standing has a positive effect on blood flow to your legs, as well as improving posture, which makes it a good investment. Even better, however, are sit-stand desks that give you the ability to change the height of your desk to allow for both sitting and standing. If you’re working behind a desk all day or gaming for extended periods of time, then it’s vital to consider the health impact this can have.

Sit-stand desks will generally be more expensive than standard tables, especially when it comes to gaming desks, though they are well worth the increased cost in the long run.

That’s all the best gaming desks on the market right now, from budget options to luxury options, including the marvelous sit-stand desks. Read our how we test page to find out more about how we put this list together. Once you’ve got your new table set up, dig into the best games and feel the impact of a great gaming desk.