Best gaming desk in 2023

The best gaming desk can quite literally change the way you game. At its simplest, a suitable gaming desk should give you plenty of space for your keyboard, mouse, and monitor—all in a sturdy and ergonomic frame. You also have the option of standing desks now, with motorized options to jump between sitting and standing modes in a moment. Pair your dream desk with a sturdy gaming chair (opens in new tab), and you’ll be set. Alternatively, match it with a treadmill and watch the weight melt away while you WoW.

Choosing the best gaming desk so we’ve testes all those below to help you narrow it down. First, though, you have to consider whether you’re looking to sit, stand, or both. There are benefits to spending some time on your feet (opens in new tab), so an electric standing desk, or a desk converter, might be a better fit for you.

Also, ask yourself how much real estate you need for your gaming monitors (opens in new tab) and, should you take our recommendation to pop your PC on it, away from the dusty floor, whether there will still be enough space for one of the best gaming keyboards (opens in new tab).

Gaming desks with cut-outs to run cables through also exist, as well as other quality-of-life features, though you’ll likely pay a premium for the convenience. Still, it’s better than going cheap and replacing your entire desk every eight months. Some retailers offer extended warranties, which might be a good investment, especially for electric desks, in case the controls don’t respond once a day.

The best gaming desk

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Secretlab Magnus gaming desk pictured in home office.

(Image credit: Future)

Secretlab Magnus gaming desk pictured in home office.

(Image credit: Future)

Secretlab Magnus Pro XL control panel lit up.

(Image credit: Future)

Secretlab Magnus monitor arm with cable tidy magnetic covers.

(Image credit: Future)

Secretlab Magnus Pro XL's cable storage behind a hinged panel.

(Image credit: Future)

Secretlab Magnus gaming desk pictured in home office.

(Image credit: Future)

Secretlab Magnus Metal Desk from various angles with RGB enabled

(Image credit: Secretlab)

Secretlab Magnus Metal Desk from various angles with RGB enabled

(Image credit: Secretlab)

1. Secretlab Magnus Pro XL

The best gaming desk

Our expert review:

Specifications

Height:

25–50 inches

Weight support:

192 lbs

Desktop dimensions:

177cm x 80cm

Warranty:

5 years

Today’s Best Deals

View at Secretlab

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Reasons to buy

Fantastic for working from home

Stealth cable management options

Simple and effective magnetic accessories

Excellent monitor arms (sold separately)

Reasons to avoid

–

Weighs over 70kg

–

Essential accessories add further cost

Surprisingly innovative. That’s how I’ll sum up the Secretlab Magnus Pro XL. I’ve never been one to look for much in a gaming desk—I ask only for a flat plane on which to sit my monitors, keyboard, and mouse—yet the Magnus Pro XL has so thoroughly impressed me that I’m starting to reconsider my whole opinion of what a desk should be.

I’m now firmly in the camp that a desk should be absolutely massive. The Magnus Pro XL is the largest desk I’ve ever used personally, having only recently found the space for such a behemoth, coming in at 177cm x 80cm. This is also the heaviest desk I’ve ever had to move solo by far, at 32.9kg for the desk alone. The mostly metal frame of the Magnus Pro XL, explains some of that, though it’s the two included motors, one integrated into each of the legs, which add a whole lot of mass to the equation.

But that’s what makes this the Magnus Pro XL: the desk’s adjustable sit/stand functionality. The standard Magnus doesn’t offer this. The Magnus Pro XL is capable of lifting 120kg in gross weight (87.1kg if you subtract the weight of the metal desk itself) up to a height of 125cm. It sits only 65cm off the ground at its lowest.

Another thing I’ve come to re-evaluate since the Magnus XL is how a desk should handle cable management. The foremost impressive thing about the Secretlab Magnus Pro XL is how sharp and clean-cut it makes your PC setup look. That’s not through a lack of cables on my part, of which I have arguably too many, but for the Magnus Pro XL’s clever magnetic cable management accessories and discrete cable tray. These hide my gluttony of USB, audio, and power cables out of sight.

The one accessory I really do think is worth investing in is the dual monitor arm.

My favourite of which is the compact cable tidy: a small block of metal with a couple of strong magnets within that securely fixes my cables in place.

Though it must be noted that these magnetic cable ties are not included within the cost of the desk itself, and instead can be purchased for $25 for a set of three or for $49 as a set of three alongside two cable management sheaths and a stack of fastening straps.

This is the thing: the Secretlab Magnus Pro XL requires some added expense to make it as sleek an experience as it should be.

The one accessory I really do think is worth investing in is the dual monitor arm. It’s a single unit that clamps firmly onto the desk, between the hinged cover and the desk itself, and it offers sprawling reach for both the 28-inch and 32-inch monitors I’ve got in right now.

Ultimately I have to ask myself would I be happy with this desk if I’d paid that sort of sum for it? And, yes, I would. Though it is a definite luxury to be able to allocate that much of your budget to a component in no way connected to the performance of your gaming PC. The main reason I feel it worth doing is more because I feel I fit into a group of people most likely to benefit from an investment in a high quality sit/stand desk alongside an ergonomic gaming chair: those that work primarily from home.

I really am impressed with what the Magnus Pro XL offers, as it’s much more than anything I had expected from a desk previously.

Read our full Secretlab Magnus Pro XL review (opens in new tab).

Image of the Flexispot EN1 gaming desk, front on.

(Image credit: Flexispot)

2. Flexispot EN1B

The best value electric height adjustable desk

Our expert review:

Average Amazon review:

☆

Specifications

Height:

28–48 inches

Weight support:

154lbs

Desktop dimensions:

39 x 20 inches min | 63 x 31 inches max

Warranty:

3 yr motor, 5 yr frame

Today’s Best Deals

View at Amazon

Reasons to buy

Smooth, quiet operation

Easy-to-use height presets

Simple and clean design

Great value for money

Reasons to avoid

–

No pressure sensor

–

No cable tray

The Flexispot EN1B (opens in new tab) may not have the catchiest name here, but it makes for an impressively sturdy, motorized adjustable desk for anyone looking to upgrade their home/gaming/office setup. And it will do it all at a reasonable price.

The Flexispot supports heights from 71cm (27.8in) up to 121cm (47.6in), which should have you covered for all comfortable sitting and standing setups. The control panel can hold three different height profiles in its memory banks and moves smoothly between them. Or you can set your height manually, with the current level shown on the three-digit display.

Of course, the main thing you want from any desk is stability. If everything is bouncing along as you type, it doesn’t matter if you’re sitting or standing; you’re going to want to break it up. The good news is that the Flexipost is rock solid—even though I have an old screen with a flimsy stand, it doesn’t move even with my most aggressive emails. When you raise and lower the desk, the smooth action instills confidence too, and it’s just as sturdy at its highest position.

Construction is a straightforward task, taking just over an hour to turn the two boxes into a working, versatile desk. A few more pre-drilled holes for the control box and the central beam would have been nice, but the surface is easy enough to screw into with a bit of elbow grease.

The only downside to the whole desk is that there are no sensors to stop the motor if it hits an obstacle when it’s going down, which could be expensive if your chair gets caught under it—or upsetting if it’s your cat. Overall, an impressive desk for sitting and standing, for really not much cash.

The Arozzi Arena gaming desk three quarter view.

(Image credit: Future)

3. Arozzi Arena

The best gaming desk for twitch gamers and hydrophobics

Our expert review:

Average Amazon review:

☆

Specifications

Height:

28–32 inches

Weight support:

176lbs

Desktop dimensions:

32 x 63 inches

Warranty:

Limited 2 year

Today’s Best Deals

View at Amazon

View at Box.co.uk

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Reasons to buy

All mouse mat, all the time

Hydrophobic surface

Whole lotta space

Reasons to avoid

–

Hydrophobic coating easily destroyed

First, this thing is excruciatingly heavy; I had to get help rolling the two separate boxes into the living room for unpacking. Once there, however, it took me around two hours to get it all together. After one minor cockup, a dash of assistance, and a pinch of spice, we finally got there. Now in my living room stands this beautifully rounded monstrosity, with enough desktop real estate to take on the state of Alaska.

The manual’s adorable illustrations made the process streamlined, but I will say the machining quality was a little off, with some misaligned holes and parts not sitting as flush as I would’ve expected. The legs are sturdy, but consider the surface you’re going to place the thing on carefully.

It recommends rug or carpet placement, as opposed to a hard surface floor. It has settled nicely into my thick carpet after some anxiety over precarious wobbles, but there’s still a fair amount of travel when I push up to get out of my chair.

The built-in mesh hammock for cable management, however, is fantastic. And I’m no longer vexed by constantly falling off the edge of my mouse mat because the desktop’s whole surface is a mouse mat. I was mesmerized by the hydrophobic surface and had to resist deliberately spilling drinks to watch the liquid ball up. The only problem was when I used a strong cleaning fluid one time, I managed to destroy the coating, so it’s no longer hydrophobic. Learn from my mistake, people.

Either way, I’ve loved having so much desktop space all this time. So, while the engineers in my family would have been a little distressed by the setup, I am pretty enamored with the final beast. I can fit my gaming tower up top comfortably, alongside my two monitors and peripherals, with loads of space for coffee cups, open notebooks, and even a lamp. I’d say that’s a win.

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Lian Li DK-04 desk open

(Image credit: Future)

Lian Li DK-04 desk open

(Image credit: Future)

Lian Li DK-04F gaming desk

(Image credit: Future)

Lian Li DK-04 desk open

(Image credit: Lian Li)

Lian Li DK-04 desk

(Image credit: Lian Li)

4. Lian Li DK-04F

The best complete gaming desk… that’s also a PC case

Our expert review:

Specifications

Height:

27–46 inches

Weight support:

176lbs

Desktop dimensions:

30 x 39 inches

Warranty:

Limited 1 year

Today’s Best Deals

Check Amazon

Visit Site

Reasons to buy

Tempered glass top is super bling

Can house a serious gaming PC

Adjustable height with presets and sensor

Reasons to avoid

–

Only 1 year warranty

The Lian Li DK-04F is the ultimate gaming desk, simply because it will essentially also be your PC and its security device too. It’s going to be incredibly hard for any would-be thief to make off with your rig should it be housed inside this weighty beast. With a 1 meter width, this behemoth is the smaller sibling, too; Lian Li also makes the DK-05F, in which you can fit two discrete gaming PCs.

The desk itself is not that easy to build, however. The individual legs are super heavy, and the metal ‘chassis’ isn’t much better. You’ll need a hand making it, or maybe an engine winch.

It’s classic Lian Li, too, by which I mean my fingers were striped with bloody slices once the chassis-on-legs were built. There were also some misaligned screw holes on my review sample, though that has not impacted its impressive solidity. In the end, even with a couple of monitors mounted directly on the desktop, it’s a robust desktop, even at its full height.

Then there’s that tempered glass top. It’s frosted, which makes the included RGB strips look great when your system’s fully built, but at a single button press, it can be made crystal clear so you can gaze adoringly down into your PC’s insides. It’s completely unnecessary, and I love it. However, it’s a blessing and a curse because even the best gaming mouse (opens in new tab) will need a good mouse mat with that glass surface beneath it.

But, at $1,500, it’s insanely expensive, and with just a one-year warranty, that feels a little stingy too. And that’s also without any of the components needed actually to build a PC into it. All told, that’s a hell of a lot for a gaming desk and a lot for a PC chassis. But it is a lovely, lovely thing for the serious enthusiast.

Read our full experience with the Lian Li DK-04 (opens in new tab).

Image of the VariDesk Pro Plus convertible desktop shot at a three quarter angle.

(Image credit: VariDesk)

5. VariDesk Pro Plus

The best convertible standing desk

Our expert review:

Specifications

Height:

4.5–17.5 inches

Weight support:

35lbs

Desktop dimensions:

30 x 30–48 inches

Warranty:

Limited 5 year

Today’s Best Deals

Check Amazon

Reasons to buy

Comes pre-built

Fits on existing desk

Both sitting and standing use

Reasons to avoid

–

Awkward for some mouse pads

You may not want to replace your office furniture completely—or even be able to if it’s not yours—which makes a converter, such as VariDesk’s Pro Plus range, a great option. The Pro Plus is available in different sizes, can sit atop most desktops, and immediately allows you to switch from sitting to standing.

It’s also one of the simplest ways to get yourself a standing desk; it requires no setup and doesn’t impact the desktop you place it on. The VariDesk Pro Plus comes ready to roll straight out of the box. All you need to do is put it on top of your current desk, and you’re good to go. You’ll need some strength to get it there as this thing is not light.

Though, once it’s set up, that’s not an issue and means it’s an impressively sturdy solution at each of its 11-height settings. We’ve been able to run a pair of monitors on the top section with the extended lower section ideal for a mouse and keyboard. Okay, it’s not ideal for a mouse because the surface does not play nice with most sensors. We had to jury rig our shaped mouse mat to get a decent experience, but the two-tier stepping still makes for an excellent desktop.

The VariDesk isn’t motorized, but it uses a spring-loaded mechanism with twin handles to make it easy to move from sitting to standing quickly. The action is smooth and doesn’t require tremendous force to shift, even when multiple monitors and peripherals sit on top of it.

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BDI Stance gaming desk

(Image credit: Future)

BDI Stance gaming desk

(Image credit: Future)

BDI Stance gaming desk

(Image credit: FUTURE)

BDI Stance gaming desk

(Image credit: Future)

6. BDI Stance

The best luxury office standing desk

Our expert review:

Specifications

Height:

24–49 inches

Weight support:

150 lbs

Desktop dimensions:

24 x 48 inches

Warranty:

Limited 3 year

Today’s Best Deals

View at Audio Visual Online

Check Amazon

Reasons to buy

Gorgeous

Super sturdy

Smooth motorised action

Reasons to avoid

–

Cumbersome, two person setup

–

Lack of storage

The first thing you’ll notice is that the BDI Stance is gorgeous (opens in new tab). The satin-etched tempered glass surface and powder-coated steel legs put it leagues ahead of cheaper standing desks, which often use a laminate surface that is easy to scuff up. BDI claims its glass finish offers protection against scratches and fingerprints, and our experience mostly validates that claim.

Assembly took over an hour, and we recommend having a second person around to help get it upright since it weighs over 100 pounds. The 48 x 24-inch desk was more than enough space for me, though if you need the extra room, these desks also come as large as 66 x 30-inches.

Overall, the Stance has a modern minimalist look to it, and the tempered glass finish gives off strong CEO-of-a-tech-startup energy—whether that’s a good thing or not is up to you. The modesty panel is nice for hiding sloppy cable work but not necessary if you plan to put the desk in the corner of a room.

I mentioned earlier that this desk isn’t cheap, and I meant it: The Stance retails for $1,450. This doesn’t include the cost of the keyboard drawer ($200) or modesty panel ($129). Much like a good couch, a good desk costs a lot upfront but will last you years—but spending over $1,700 on a desk is probably a non-starter for most gamers. You could buy a high-end PC and a cheaper desk for the same amount.

If you’re willing to pay for it, BDI’s Stance desk works well as a desk for work and play. I’ve been standing while gaming for over a year and love it. The Stance just gives me peace of mind. I don’t have to worry about a cable being snagged in a riser or that the desk will buckle under its weight. You can find a less fancy electric desk online for a fraction of the price if you’re on a tighter budget. Ergonomic furniture isn’t cheap, but the Stance is definitely in the luxury ergonomics category.

The only big negative against Stance as a gaming desk is a noticeable lack of storage. An optional keyboard drawer is a great place to hide a keyboard and mouse since there are little cut-outs to run the cable through. The keyboard drawer’s surface is an unflattering textured rubber that doesn’t make for a great gaming mouse surface for day-to-day use. If you skip the drawer, invest in a giant mousepad (opens in new tab) to give you all the gaming surface you need without smudging the glass.

Sure it’s super-pricey, but if you have about $1,400 burning a hole in your pocket and are looking to class up your work and play space, the BDI Stance electric lift desks are seriously well-crafted and stylish.

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