It’s hard to overlook how popular gaming has grown over the last couple of years. More than just a mere pastime, gaming is now a passion—even a profession—for millions around the world. Now, aside from a powerful console, laptop, or PC setup, any worthy gaming enthusiast should know the importance of playing on a proper gaming desk. Not only does it provide a comfortable, dedicated space for your favorite after-work activity, but it’s also bound to boost your performance against your virtual challengers. In that spirit, we’ve put together a useful guide on what to consider when selecting a new gaming desk. Regardless of your gaming habits, with the following points in mind, you’ll have everything you need to take your gaming experience to the next level!

Price

An important criterion to consider upon selecting a dedicated desk will inevitably be its price. The gaming desk market offers a multitude of options, with prices ranging according to size, materials, built-in features, and more — a typical estimate varies anywhere between $300 and $700. So, in order to make an informed and successful purchase, it’s important to consider your own gaming habits to choose a sturdy and durable desk that will cater to your needs.

Size

A prime consideration when choosing a gaming desk is size. While this might sound rather obvious, make sure you pick a desk that will fit perfectly in the room. Proceeding with accurate measurements is a guarantee for a smart and fitting purchase. This will also narrow down your choices when it comes to choosing the perfect model.

Shape

The shape of your desk can also have a great impact on the gaming experience. Depending on your room’s layout and your personal design preferences, there’s a variety of options at your disposal. You could opt for a classic rectangular, L-shaped, or standing type; in fact, these are said to be the best for gaming as they provide enough space and function to organize your gaming setup. In any case, it’s always best to consult specialized review guides to get familiar with the different models and specs.

Materials

Just as you would with any piece of furniture around the house, selecting the right materials for your gaming desk is another major step in the process. Contingent upon your own preferences and the weight load of your gaming arsenal, it’s important to choose the material carefully. Again, there’s a great deal of purchasing options — metal, glass, PVC, wood, natural bamboo, and more. Also, pay attention to how it feels when it comes to the texture.

Adjustability

With endless hours of entertaining gameplay, gamers often find themselves shifting in their seats to find more comfortable positions and avoid soreness and muscle fatigue. Aside from an ergonomic chair that you’ll need for your setup, a desk that comes with a height adjustment feature will provide control and visual comfort, therefore helping limit aches from prolonged immobility.

Accessibility

What’s great about investing in a quality dedicated gaming desk is that it allows you to have an all-inclusive and functional workstation. A desk with a smart design will include drawers, shelves, and special compartments to place your CPU, keyboard, mouse, and even a cup holder for your coffee and a space for your snacks. That way, you’ll have everything well-organized in one place which will go a long way in enhancing your experience.

Assembly

With tons of ‘ready-to-play’ gaming desks out there, you should consider whether or not you want to go through the process of assembling your own desk yourself. While this might be a chore for some, other gamers will find great satisfaction in putting up their own virtual battle stations. In the end, since a majority of gamers like to get hands-on and sharpen their coordination and problem-solving skills, this might be a fun exercise!

Usage

Nowadays, modern desks are ergonomically designed to improve your gaming experience by encouraging you to adopt a good posture for extended sessions. As such, whenever you’re looking around for a new gaming desk, it’s imperative that you think long-term, and choose a model that will allow you to play without putting too much strain on your body.

All things considered, investing in a gaming desk brings countless benefits, including enhanced comfort and playability, organization, and practicality. Any gamer who takes their passion seriously should never hesitate to complement their gaming station with a tailored, dedicated desk. That said, it’s recommended to always take the time to determine your own needs, and consult specialized guides to get a sense of what the market has to offer. Check out a list of Gaming desks here.