A gaming desk can truly enhance your gaming experience.

And while it might appear that gaming desks are interchangeable with regular desks, they do come with their unique differences.

Gaming Desk vs. Regular Desk: What’s The Difference?

Gaming desks are typically more customizable and have more features that can be adjusted. For example, it might be possible to change the height, shape, or incline of a gaming desk. Gaming desks can typically also hold multiple monitors and have more compartments than regular work desks.

While work desks are made to be sat at for extended periods of time, they are made specifically for typing and other basic tasks.

In contrast, gaming desks are typically adjustable, allowing users to change the height or tilt of the desk. The added customizability allows gamers to find the exact configuration that gives them the greatest advantage while gaming.

As an example, the Eureka Ergonomic Z1-S gaming desk features components specific to gaming, such as: headset holder, drink holder, and adjustable LED lighting.

Another difference between gaming desks and regular desks is their aesthetic. Regular desks tend to be made of wood and look like a piece of furniture.

Meanwhile, gaming desks are frequently made from metal and plastic, and sometimes have carbon fiber components.

Gaming desks tend to feature bold colors and logos, and can be on the flashy side. This makes them look different from regular desks.

That being said, a desk is ultimately still a desk. A gaming desk will probably work well for regular purposes and vice-versa.

What Makes A Desk A Gaming Desk?

Gaming desks are ergonomically designed to best suit the motions associated with gaming to reduce arm, wrist, neck, and hand strain. They’re often L-shaped or curved to allow the gamer to have parts of their set-up at their sides. They are also usually multi-level for easy access to items.

Essentially, gaming desks are meant to enhance comfort so gamers can sit at them for hours without getting sore or feeling strained. Since every gamer is different, these desks are also usually adjustable to some extent, so someone can change them to fit what best suits their gaming style and what they need.

For example, the Eureka EE Ergonomic gaming desk is curved on one side, allowing users to place a laptop or snacks to their side while gaming.

Since these desks are very specific and designed for comfortable long-term use, they are usually quite large to house accessories and devices gamers need.

What Size Desk Is Good For Gaming?

A rule of thumb is that your gaming desk should be at least 30″ deep and at least 48″ wide and around 30″ tall. This depth will fit a monitor and gaming keyboard, and the width will allow you to game comfortably while seated.

Usually, you will want to go far a larger desk for gaming. A larger desk makes it easier to have multiple monitors, speakers, a large mouse pad, and lighting and cameras if you plan on streaming.

The type of gaming you wish to do will affect the size you need. If you plan on streaming, I recommend getting a desk that is at least 40″ deep.

An extra deep desk is useful for streamers because it gives you additional space behind your monitors where you can set up lighting and a tripod for your streaming camera.

Other factors that affect the size of a gaming desk include the sort of chair you use and whether or not you intend to game professionally. 

What Should You Look For In A Gaming Desk?

The first thing to look for in a gaming desk should be the size and design of the desk surface. Depending on the type of gamer you are, you might want a larger desk to accommodate a large mousepad, controllers, or lighting. You should also look for height-adjustable desks if you wish to stand while gaming.

There are hundreds if not thousands of gaming desks on the market. If they were all the same, many of the companies that make them would quickly go out of business. 

There are so many features available for gaming desks it can make figuring out what you need difficult. 

Some note-worthy things you should look for in a gaming desk are:

• The material: You should look for a durable material that is easy to keep clean.
• A desk that fits your space: You might be tempted to purchase the largest model you can find if you’re a serious gamer, but you need to make sure you look for one that fits your space.
• Storage: If you are going to need different headsets, keyboards, trackpads, or other accessories, you should look for a gaming desk with enough storage.

Are Gaming Desks Sturdy?

Gaming desks are very sturdy. They have to sustain a lot of weight from multiple monitors and other types of heavy electronic devices. Gaming desks are frequently built to withstand loads of 500lbs or more.

Generally, gaming desks are much sturdier than regular desks. Since gaming desks are specifically built to carry the weight of a PC, they frequently have steel legs.

Whereas regular desks with all-wood construction may become wobbly and lose their strength over time, gaming desks hold up well.

For example, the Eureka Ergonomic Z1-S gaming desk is a small, affordable gaming desk, but its legs are made of steel and can withstand loads up to 500lbs.

Are Gaming Desks Worth It?

You likely don’t need a gaming desk if you’re a casual gamer who only uses one monitor and a standard keyboard. Gaming desks are only worth the extra cost if you need a stronger desk or special features like adjustable height, LED lighting, or better cord management.

For most people, spending extra money on a gaming desk probably isn’t worth it. After all, a desk is a desk, and gaming desks aren’t strictly necessary for a good gaming experience.

If you’re on a budget, your money is probably better spent on upgrading your GPU or on a better keyboard.

However, if you have the extra money and you’re looking for a desk with LED lighting, adjustable height, or extra-sturdy legs, then it may be worth it to invest in a good gaming desk.

Sources

• Autonomous: 3 Gaming Desk Dimensions that Gamers Should Know
• Computer Desk Ideas: Gaming desk vs. regular desk: here’s the difference
• Gear Gaming Hub: Gaming desk vs regular desk: what is the difference?
• Kelly’s Thoughts On Things: How to choose a computer desk for gaming: 7 tips to get started
• Gaming Section: Is a gaming desk worth it?