10 Must-Have Desk Accessories for PC Gamers
Your gaming desk isn’t just a place to put your gaming PC — it’s also where you likely spend a ton of time gaming, socializing, and maybe even working! So, once you’ve got your monitor, gaming keyboard, gaming mouse, and other peripherals in place, it’s time to start thinking about how to make your desk a little more human-friendly.
Treating yourself to some little comforts will make your long gaming sessions more enjoyable — and perhaps even win you a few more victories along the way! Here are 10 of our favorite picks for PC gamers looking to power up their desk setups.
Top Must-Have Desk Accessories for Pro PC Gamers
1. Desk Lighting
Looking for a pleasant midpoint between gaming in total darkness and your excessively bright overhead? A desk lamp or LED strip will help you get the vibe just right! LEDs are ideal for their flexible nature since you can string them along the wall or even add a bias lighting LED strip to the back of your monitor to reduce eye strain. Meanwhile, a classic desk lamp is a great way to add a little decorative pop to your setup.
2. Monitor Mounting Arm
A monitor arm mount is a potential game-changer for any gamer struggling with a lack of desk space. (They’re also great for gamers who are finicky about monitor position, or for taller gamers who can’t get a good angle from their default monitor stand.) These flexible gas spring stands to attach to the edge of your desk, usually via a clamp and grommet mount system, and allow you to set your monitor in a huge range of different positions. Just be sure to get one that’s compatible with your monitor’s VESA mount and can support its weight.
3. Mouse Bungee
Need serious aiming precision for your wired gaming mouse? There’s a reason many professional esports players use mouse bungees! These super-simple devices allow you to thread your mouse’s cord through a spring-loaded arm with a weighted base. Keeping your cord attached to a secure point helps prevent it from dragging or getting tangled up in other equipment, and it can definitely give your desk a more organized look as well.
4. Cable Management Accessories
Speaking of misbehaving cables, a little bit of cable management gear can make a huge difference in your setup! Using adhesive cable clips to attach cables to the back or underside of your gaming desk is one classic trick for keeping them out of the way. If you’ve got a ton of cables, meanwhile, you might consider using a cable raceway or cable tray to consolidate them into one place. If you’ve got loose USB adapters or other connector cables floating around, consider picking up a cable organizer so you don’t have to pull apart a tangled nest every time you need one of them.
5. Desk Mat
Desk mats are basically giant mouse pads that are large enough to fit both your mouse and keyboard with a little room left over. Their slightly grippy surface texture is perfect for keeping your keyboard in place, and their oversized movement surface will help you avoid running out of movement space for your mouse. Plus, the large format of desk mats opens up tons of awesome design possibilities, so you’ll have lots of options for adding a new visual vibe to your gaming setup if you’re so inclined.
6. Headphone Stand
Imagine how annoyed you’re going to be when your brand-new gaming headset gets knocked off the desk. You can avoid all that with a high-quality headphone stand, which will keep your headphones safely situated and ready to go whenever you need them. You can also find headphone stands with lots of cool built-in features, including both wired and wireless charging so you can charge your headphones and other devices. (Hot tip: If you use gamepad controllers for your PC games, find a stand that can hold and charge these, too!)
7. Fidget Toys
Lots of gamers get antsy at loading screens or in-game lobbies, and fidget toys offer an easy way to give your hands something to do. (This can be especially clutch if you’re trying to break habits like biting your nails!) There are so many types that we could never list them all here, but some of the most popular ones for adults include bubble poppers, worry beads, square sliders, and fidget cubes. Most fidget toys are pretty inexpensive, so pick up a few different ones if you’re not sure which you’ll enjoy the most.
8. Absorbent Coasters
Like to keep a cool beverage on hand while you game? Some nice absorbent coasters will: (a) keep unsightly rings from forming on your desk, and (b) absorb condensation so you don’t accidentally drip it onto your devices when you pick up your drink. (Laptop owners, in particular, need to be careful of this threat.) Plus, coasters now come in a treasure trove of gamer-friendly designs, including classic characters and amusing memes, so go find one that tickles your fancy!
9. Power Strip with USB Ports
All of those devices have to get plugged in somewhere! If you haven’t done so already, pick up a generously sized power strip that’s got enough outlets for your tower, monitor, speakers, phone charger, laptop, and anything else you need to plug in. Make sure it’s also got some USB ports built in. These are quick and easy places to plug in all kinds of handheld electronics, including smartphones, mice, and gaming headsets.
10. Vertical Monitor
Watching your Twitch chat while you stream? Keeping an eye on Discord while you’re in a match? Reading a page of your ebook whenever you hit a loading screen? A vertical monitor next to your main display is a convenient way to do all of the above. Plus, you usually don’t even need a special vertical monitor. Instead, just look for a monitor that offers the option to rotate it into a vertical position (also known as a portrait setting).
Conclusion
More PC gaming accessories are definitely out there, but the 10 listed here offer some of the best bangs for your buck. Just don’t blame us if you discover you’re suddenly spending even more time at your gaming desk than usual!
