How Much Does a Gaming Desk Cost: Understanding What Determines Pricing and Choosing the Best One
Do you spend hours playing Call of Duty, Valorant, League of Legends, Final Fantasy, or any other game on your computer?
If you don't have a proper gaming setup yet, you'll know how strains and pain all over your body feel like.
You may be asking, how much does a gaming desk cost? Prices vary, but they usually start at $33.
The reason why you're seeing more expensive models today is because of additional features and builds.
Today, we will walk you through everything you need to know about how to go about choosing the best desk for gaming purposes.
How Much Does a Gaming Desk Cost?
You may think all gaming desks are made the same.
If you'll look at various gaming desk models today, you'll find huge differences in style and functions.
So before we talk about gaming desk pricing and all that, let's cover the basics.
Gaming Desk vs. Regular Desk
You might have heard people claim that playing on a regular desk works fine for them.
This may be true for those who spend a relatively short amount of time playing.
However, this doesn't apply to pro gamers or those who spend long hours in front of their computers.
Here are some aspects where gaming desks and office tables differ:
- Durability
We put a lot more strain and abuse on gaming tables than office tables.
Excitement and anticipation are all familiar feelings in gaming rooms, and they all spill over onto the table.
Hence, gaming tables usually use materials like PVC, stainless steel, hardwood, and strong plastics.
This construction makes a gaming desk robust enough to handle the equipment's weight and rough treatment.
The strength, longevity, and resilience of a gaming table can't compare to an office desk.
- Space
Compared to the space needed on a gaming desk, an ordinary office desk requires only a minimal work area.
It is why office desks are compact and space-saving.
On the other hand, they usually create gaming tables with larger spaces to accommodate movement.
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They also include removable or retractable drawers to make more room for players' legs.
- Other Features
Gaming tables constantly adjust to the varied demands of users.
These are pretty diverse in terms of gaming equipment and games available on the market.
While an office table will have grommets for your wires, the gaming table will always have more functionality.
There is nothing a gaming table can't do. It offers mounts for additional displays to elevated platforms for monitors to retractable worktops to position your keyboard, mouse, or graphic tablet.
Specific gaming tables will allow you to affix your steering controls to the table's edge for a more realistic racing experience.
What Affects a Gaming Desk's Price?
You might be wondering, is a gaming desk really worth it?
As you've noticed, the gaming table rises above regular office desks in different aspects.
These differences are also the basis for its pricing.
Speaking of the price range, let's discuss the factors that make gaming tables more expensive.
- Demand
First and foremost, brands can sell any product at an unbelievably high cost if the demand is high and supplies are low.
Regular office desks are usually available at an economical rate.
Meanwhile, the gaming desk's price started shooting up because of its high demand.
As technology evolves and innovations spring up, the more costly it is expected to go.
Since many people are discovering the fun in gaming, manufacturers take advantage of giving them the luxury in the form of desks.
- Comfort
Since gaming requires diverse and dynamic movements, a desk must facilitate all of it.
Manufacturers create gaming desks in orientations and shapes that allow arm movements.
It also features an ergonomic design that prevents neck and back straining.
These desks often provide arms, back, and neck support, especially for long hours of gaming.
- Materials
Manufacturers create gaming desks with varying materials that enhance the game experience.
They usually use carbon texture fiber material, plastic, laminate, wood, or metal.
These materials facilitate better maneuvering and smooth gaming.
However, some materials used for premium desks usually cost around $15 to $50 or more, making the desk more expensive.
- Size, Shape, and Flexibility
When gaming, a player needs the flexibility to adjust the desk's feature for his comfort.
Gaming desks usually have an adjustable height feature to accommodate players who want to sit or stand.
This means you can set it up to chest height or lower.
On the other hand, the size of the gaming desk matters too.
In general, desks that are bigger cost more than the smaller ones, especially the lap desks.
They're more expensive because they practically use more materials and require more effort to build.
If you shop around for gaming desks, you will also notice diversity in their shape.
Some gaming desks come in an L, H, or other complex orientation.
This complexity also plays a part in its pricing.
Desks created with these designs usually come with a higher price tag because of the skill needed to create them.
- Weight and Storage Capacity
Since gamers often use a CPU, multiple monitors, speakers, and other accessories, weight capacity matters.
Gaming desks have varying weight capacities to cater to different needs.
Some are even capable of carrying up to 100 kilograms.
Can you imagine the quality of materials made to be able to carry heavy loads?
That's why they significantly affect the table's price.
The storage options such as drawers, trays, and shelves also play a part in pricing.
It needs more materials to make and undeniably offers more function and storage.
- Cable Management
Office desks are usually plain and unable to carry a lot of things.
Since playing can be stressful with cables loose and scattered all around, gaming tables have good cable management features.
These desks usually have separate trays for wires, and others have holes and grommets.
This keeps your setup neat, organized, and hassle-free while you play.
- Surface Area
Any gamer can attest that the space or mousepads are crucial to any game.
Basic gaming desks provide surfaces that are bigger than office desks.
However, those leaning to the pricier side usually offer a wide space for mouse movements.
Most of the time, the surface for these models allows smooth gliding too.
This is crucial to gamers because having limited movement can be distracting and sabotaging the game.
- Innovative Features
Office desks often come with traditional designs, while gaming desks feature innovative functions like inclines.
The good ones allow an inclination ranging from five to 10 degrees.
This function lets you rest your hands under the keyboard during long hours of gaming.
Others have a laptop stand to make way for those who need to work and play from time to time.
Some also have better and more stable legs.
It has features that give it a solid grip on the floor and a sturdy build even during intense gameplay.
This helps prevent accidents like slipping or breaking computer gear.
On a lighter note, there are also extras such as drink cup storage.
This add-on works for many gamers who don't have the luxury of time to stand up and get a drink.
With this feature, they can quickly grab a drink without the need to stand up and head to the kitchen.
- RGB Lighting
If you take a look at gaming setups these days, you'll see that familiar RGB lighting.
While some gamers have it on their mouse, keyboards, and CPUs, others have it on their desks.
High-end gaming desks have built-in RGB lighting set up available.
This type of lighting gives a luxurious feel for gamers but may come at a hefty cost.
- Finishing
People who engage in gaming activities are usually young or into fun concepts.
Hence, manufacturers made sure to give them the option to choose their desks' finishing.
When we say finishing, we are referring to the desk's coating.
They usually use water-based, melamine, polyurethane, or nitrocellulose for this.
Each one has unique qualities, properties, and costs, affecting a gaming desk's pricing.
- Durability
When choosing a gaming desk, durability becomes a deal-breaker.
No matter how good a table's aesthetics is, having low quality will not make the sale.
That is why manufacturers use materials like metal and wood.
On the contrary, those who want more durability use plastic, plywood, and glass.
The long-lasting durability and good craftsmanship are the exact reason why expensive desks have wood or metal tops.
Where To Buy Gaming Desks?
At this point, you may be curious as to where to buy your gaming desks from.
Should you opt to purchase them online or in-stores?
It is a common query asked by a lot of gamers wanting to upgrade their gaming area.
Let's take a look at each option.
- In-Store Purchases
The advantage of making purchases in physical stores is seeing the gaming desk up-close and in person.
When the option is in front of you, you get to see all of its features and possible flaws.
You get to touch and get the feel of it. It also shows you the exact size, color, design, and specifications of the desk.
You also get to decide if these options are indeed worth the price.
The only disadvantage of this method is that you only have limited options.
It means choosing among the desks available in the store.
- Online Purchases
You can always visit stores to have a closer and a personal look at your options.
However, looking them up online will give you access to a wider variety of gaming desks.
It also gets easier to do a quick search of the features you need.
This opens up a lot of channels because the options will not be limited to your area.
You can shop in other states or even internationally if you prefer.
The only downside of shopping online is the difference between the online version and the actual unit.
Regardless of where you're purchasing, what matters is getting a good one that falls within your budget.
There will be a lot of options to choose from, but you can always check on reviews to gauge its performance.
The Cost of a Gaming Desk
So, how much does a gaming desk cost?
Though we have presented a price range for most gaming desks, you only get a specific amount for a particular model.
Since gaming tables vary in size, shape, specifications, and models, the pricing will be unique for each one too.
Its demand, model, and popularity can play a part in its pricing, so make sure to do your research before buying one.
When shopping for a new one or an upgrade, make sure to take all the factors we discussed into account.
Determine your preferences and needs and then weigh them against your options.