Best Cheap Gaming Desk [5 Reviewed]

This post was last updated on September 1, 2023
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Welcome to our best cheap gaming desks review.

You DO NOT need to spend hundreds of dollars to get a BADASS gaming desk.

We tested more than a dozen desks under $200 and ranked them here based on comfort, durability, looks, and gaming experience.

Cheap gaming desks are extremely hit or miss, and there’s no rhyme or reason. One might be perfect and another might buckle during gameplay, break your monitor, and bruise your knee (ask me how I know).

The only way to know whether it’s going to be a deal or a disaster is to try it for yourself. We’ve done all that work so you don’t have to (thank us later!).

You’ll NEVER buy another expensive desk again.

Enjoy!

(READ FIRST) How I Got a SICK Gaming Desk for Less Than $200

I’ll never forget the day I decided to upgrade my gaming desk.

I had the weekend off…

My girlfriend (humblebrag) went out of town to visit her folks…

This was going to be a MARATHON. Not a puny little 6-hour binge.

I mean a “What day is it? I’ve forgotten the essence of time and space…” type of marathon.

Snacks, beers, gaming, solitude, every dude’s dream…

Perfect weekend, right?

…except it WAS ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE.

I had no room, my cables kept getting in the way, I couldn’t even keep any snacks on the desk without taking away mouse space. I tried to use my dog as an end table at one point (The food disappeared mysteriously…!).

And worse, it was all in my head. I couldn’t get my mind off it.

The weekend was ruined before it even started. That’s when I made the decision:

“That’s it. I’m getting a BADASS gaming desk.”

So Saturday morning I texted my girlfriend, got dressed, and headed to IKEA for some Swedish meatballs and gaming desk badassery.

That’s when I got a text back from my girlfriend:

“You really want to spend our vacation money on a stupid computer desk?”

By the way, arguing with my girlfriend is like fighting Absolute Virtue in Final Fantasy XI: You ain’t gonna win this one, bro.

So I bargained: “I promise, no more than $300.”

“$200”, she replied quickly…”and my mom says hello.”

OK, so Absolute Virtue graciously gave me a $200 budget.

Seeing as most of my friends had $1,000 rigs with palatial setups, I was a bit worried.

But after spending 2 hours browsing…I was floored.

There are TONS OF AWESOME desks for $80, $100, $150, etc. All price ranges. Those expensive desks are great for pros, but you honestly don’t need one.

You just need a desk with space, holes for cables, storage, and decently easy assembly.

THAT’S IT.

You DO NOT NEED TO SPEND $500+ for an awesome gaming desk. You just need to be very careful. Some cheap gaming desks are too flimsy to support a monitor, keyboard, and your elbows. That’s not a problem IF YOU KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR.

I got mine for $150 ($160 with the meatballs thrown in).

Tons of space for my snacks and mouse. Super comfortable for my elbows. Two big holes for my cables.

Saturday and Sunday were a blur…and I loved it. The only downside was trying to convince my wife the desk I got was actually under $200 like she asked.

So that’s what inspired this review. I see tons of people buying $500 desks when they only need to spend $100. However, I also know what it’s like to buy a cheap desk, have it break at the worst time, and ice your knee down for 3 days.

Choose one of these, and I guarantee you’ll have an awesome session WITHOUT breaking the bank…or your leg.

The Best Budget and Cheap Gaming Desks (Based on Budget, Needs, and Performance)

#1 Best Cheap Desk for Gaming: GTRACING GTZ03 Carbon Fiber Racing Style Gaming Desk

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EDITORS NOTE: There are a few benefits from purchasing direct from the manufacturer.

GTRACING often has the lowest price, a wider selection, provides complimentary shipping, and also gives you an extended 2 year warranty for free.

North America: The site to use is GTRACING.com.
Europe: The site to use is GTPLAYER.com.

The GT Racing racing-style desk (Z-shape) is by far the best cheap gaming desk and it’s not even close. The thing is the gaming desk version of a football field (only a slight exaggeration).

If you want a clutter-free, comfortable gaming experience with mega space for your arms, legs, snacks, and equipment – this is your best choice.

You get everything you’d expect from a high-end gaming desk – wide surface, adjustable monitor, modern design – and for way less than $200! 

And it’s designed to give MAXIMUM surface space while taking up the least amount of space in your room.

And unlike other “cheap” gaming desks, this one is made with steel-like carbon fiber instead of that flimsy plywood stuff. You’re more likely to break your hand when you RAGE SMASH the desk than you are to break the table. 

Ask any gamer and they’ll give you the same warning: As soon as you dip below $100, you start to run into some real strength and durability issues. So this bad boy is right in the sweet spot. It’s expensive enough that you don’t get any of the “cheap” problems, but still extremely affordable.

It’s the PERFECT budget gaming desk for someone who needs a lot of gaming space but doesn’t want to eat ramen noodles for a week to save for it.

Here’s why this is the perfect budget desk…

I played for 4 hours on it without a single issue – no discomfort, no tripping over cords, no clutter, no nothing. That’s unheard of at this price. 

You normally have to pay triple or quadruple the price to get this type of space and design.

Yeah, it’s not a high-end gaming table that moonlights as the International Space Station on weekends, but it’s a damn good table.

My Favorite Feature: All the Cool Extras

This table feels like it was actually made for gamers, and not just the space and monitor. 

Speaker holder, tablet holder, beer….erm…”cup” holder…and an extra monitor stand for added space and comfort. 

I was able to have my tablet, a drink, and an extra monitor with zero clutter. What’s not to like?

BONUS: Assembly takes less than 20 minutes, and your dog can probably do it if you translate the instructions into bark.

Pros

• Rock-hard carbon fiber (most cheap desks are plywood)
• Unbeatable value for money
• Huge surface space
• Plenty of storage
• Easy assembly

Cons

• Not ultra super cheap, like some of the other models on this list

Verdict: By far the best value for money on this list. It’s a very affordable desk with a ton of space, cool gamer features, and made from carbon fiber instead of plywood. It’s not dirt, dirt, dirt cheap, though. So if you need to save money, keep reading.

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#2 Most Stylish Cheap L-Shaped Gaming Desk: Mr IRONSTONE 50.8″ Corner Home Gaming Desk

Looking for gaming desk so stylish your girlfriend will only be slightly annoyed that you spent money on a “that stupid game” again?

Behold – the only desk on this list that’s perfect for the home, a beach house, the boardroom, or some weird stock photo on your company’s website that your boss didn’t properly attribute to the rightful owner.

In all seriousness, this desk is beautiful, and when I wasn’t testing it for gaming, I left it in the living room because it was such sweet eye candy.

The L-shape means it fits snugly in the corner, and the mahogany finish makes it look more like a real work desk than a gamer desk. You can work or study all day on it, then fire up your game when the day is done. So it’s kind of like getting two desks in one.

Here’s why you’ll love it:

• Space on Space on Space: This desk is huge, so it’s got a ton of space. And it’s easily expandable.
• Hey, do you come here often?: Good luck keeping the eyes away from this one. She’s a beaut.
• Multi-purpose: The other desks are great gaming desks. Not much more. This one goes well in any setting and any purpose, especially work and study.

Why you might not like it:

• Space on Space on Space (The Bad Way): The L-shape design means it takes up a lot of extra room. It fits well in a corner but anywhere else and it takes up a lot of space.
• Durability: It’s strong enough for your gaming setup, but it is pressboard, so it’s not as sturdy as the carbon fiber.
• Step up: It’s a big desk with some adjustable parts, so it’ll be a little harder to put together than the others. Not too bad though.

Verdict: Want a gaming desk that doesn’t feel like a gaming desk? This is it. My wife even sits and reads at it, something she’d never do at any of the other gaming desks. I definitely recommend this for the “more mature” crowd, if you get what I mean.

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#3 The Other Best Cheap Gaming Desk (Cheaper Than #1): AmazonBasics Gaming Desks

The AmazonBasics gaming desk is another awesome option for budget gamers that’s nearly the same as the GT Racing gaming desk, with just a few minor – but important – differences.

It’s got the modern and sleek design, storage options, carbon fiber durability, and steel leg stability.

So what’s the difference?

Space…

The GT is a Z, which is some Matrix style, space-bending trick that gives you way more space and flexibility. The AmazonBasics is just a boring-ole rectangle.

You’ll save a good chunk of change, but you’ll sacrifice space and comfort. There’s still PLENTY of space, don’t get me wrong, you just won’t feel like you’re swimming in the Pacific like you do with the GT. 

If that’s worth the savings to you, this is the perfect fit.

Pretty simple right?

Why get the AmazonBasics desk?

• Plywood? Hell NO – This bad boy is rock-hard carbon fiber, so you won’t be breaking it any time soon.
• If only my mind were this stable – Carbon fiber, super strong steel legs, a solid rectangle_you won’t get any soul-crushing wobble from this guy.
• Insane value – All of this space and durability normally costs double or triple the price.

Pros

• Sleek, modern look
• Great value for money
• Tons of space WITHOUT taking up a lot of room in your home
• Extremely durable and stable

Cons

• Spacious but not rectangle design limits playing surface and takes up more space

Verdict: The AmazonBasics is a great gaming desk at a very low price, and you don’t have any of the cheap desk durability issues. However, space is a bit limited compared to the GT. You do save a lot of money though, so if you’re on a budget, grab this one.

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#4 Cheapest and Easiest Gaming Desk: Origami RDE-01

Want a super cheap gaming desk that’s ready to go in seconds with zero assembly and folds up for easy storage ANYWHERE?

And one that does all that while still giving enough space to play comfortably without fighting your rig for space?

You’ll be ready to start gaming minutes after the Origami arrives. And unlike pretty much every other folding desk on the market, this is infused with some evil strength spell that gifts it the ability to handle 250 pounds of weight.

You’ll realize immediately why so many students and budget gamers swear by this company. First, you’ll be ready to game with 0 setup. The whole time, you’ll have plenty of space for your elbows and mouse. Once you’re done, fold it up and put it away so your partner or parents don’t get on your tail for taking up a ton of space in the house.

As far as drawbacks, it’s not that big. And there’s no extra storage. But hey, this is a bare bones folding desk. What did you expect?

Pros

• Zero assembly
• Stores anywhere so nobody gives you any grief
• Very low price
• Perfect for students

Cons

• Limited space
• No bells or whistles

Verdict

If you want something that is quick and easy to put together, doesn’t require any work, and can be disassembled in seconds, then the Origami RDE-01 is a perfect fit for you.

Factor in the low price you can pick it up for, and you’ve got yourself a great, compact wallet-friendly gaming desk.

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#5 Good Cheap Desk for Gaming: Ameriwood Home Dakota

The Ameriwood Home Dakota L-shaped desk is everything you’d expect from a high-end gaming desk – wide surface, grommets, luxury design. And it’s designed to give MAXIMUM surface space while taking up the least amount of space.

It’s the PERFECT budget gaming desk for someone who needs a lot of gaming space but doesn’t want to eat ramen noodles for a week to save for it.

You normally have to pay triple or quadruple the price to get this type of space and design.

Yeah, it’s not a high-end gaming table that moonlights as the International Space Station on weekends, but it’s a damn good table for less than the price of some computer games.

Here’s the cool thing…

It’s so cheap that you can just buy it now and have an awesome gaming experience without all the discomfort and clutter. And then just save up for a few weeks and buy an even better one. That’s what I would do if I were in your position.

My Favorite Feature: The Professional Design

It feels like a gaming desk disguised as a professional boardroom table if you ask me. It’s actually like getting 3 desks in one. It’s a great gaming table, but the espresso finish makes it perfect for a home office or your kid’s dormitory too – so it won’t be an eyesore.

The only downside is it’s made of particle board, but that shouldn’t matter unless you’ve got 3+ monitors. And with the espresso finish, no one will notice it’s not real wood.

BONUS: Assembly takes less than 15 minutes.

Pros

• Beautiful espresso finish
• Unbeatable value for money
• Huge surface space
• Plenty of storage
• Easy assembly

Cons

• Particle board

Verdict: Absolute solid value for money. And since you’re here looking for a cheap gaming desk, you can’t beat it.

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The Best Cheap Gaming Desks: Our Top Choice

We’ve discussed several different inexpensive desk options, and one stood out above the rest: the GTRACING GTZ03.

It’s gorgeous, it’s got space, it’s sturdy, and it’s got everything a gamer could ask for.

As long as it fits in your designated space, this is really the best affordable gaming desk on the market today.

Inexpensive Desks for Gaming: What’s the Most Important Thing to Look For?

The most important thing to keep in mind when shopping for a desk is what the maximum payload capacity is. If it can’t even support your system and peripherals, it’s not going be a good solution for you.

You should also take into consideration any weight increases from upgrades you make in the future. Do you want to eventually add an extra monitor? If so make sure the desk you purchase has enough space to handle that.

Then there’s the size of the desk compared to the space that you have available. For the most part, this shouldn’t be an issue, as many of the cheaper gaming desk options out there tend to be smaller in size.

You should also try to find an option that has a metal frame. Some affordable desks use thin sheets of particle board, which may not be the sturdiest. Particle board is notoriously weak, and it will start to give out. Desks with metal frames are going to be more stable.

What Not to Do When Buying

The first thing you need to do is manage your expectations: you are shopping for a product that is typically very expensive.

Then, please don’t go and buy the first desk you see that fits your budget. Take the time to do your research. Will it fit in your space? Is there enough room on the desk to put everything you want?

In Closing

That should just about cover everything you need to know in order to make an educated decision on your journey to purchasing a great cheap desk for gaming.

If you found an option that we didn’t cover, please drop us a line in the comments below! Else, check out our list of even more gaming computer desks.