If working from home has become the norm for you, you’ll need one of the best desks. The best desks are essential for work, studying, or playing computer games. In fact, the best desks can make all the difference to your work space and productivity.
But with so many different desks on the market, it can often be tricky to know which one would suit your lifestyle and needs. First, consider the height? You don’t want it too high or too low, especially when pairing with the one of the best office chairs. Also consider practicality and and does it offer enough storage for your needs? Also, the best desks come in different shapes and sizes ranging from L-Shaped desks, to wall-mounted desks, so you’re bound to find the right size for your space. And if you want some downtime, you can choose from one of the best gaming desks to support the best gaming monitors.
Also consider what desk material, features and finish you prefer. Do you want a traditional wooden design? Or a more contemporary, industrial style? We’ve rounded up the best desks you can buy to suit every home office and budget right now.
The best desks for the home office
The Topsky Computer Desk is our choice for best desk overall due to its combination of design, durability and affordability. The large surface area is made of thick, sturdy particle board and the frame is made of reinforced steel. The feet are adjustable in case your floors are uneven. A handy shelf can hold books and other supplies, while a metal cable grommet hole cover keeps computer wires organized and out of sight.
Amazon reviewers give the Topsky Computer Desk an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars. One wrote, “I absolutely love this desk. It’s huge and can easily fit my two monitors, a keyboard, my printer, my huge mousepad, my Nintendo Switch, and there’s still plenty of room for drinks/various other objects on the desk.” Another noted, “It was very easy to put together. Surprisingly it’s very sturdy and the materials are very nice. Oftentimes when buying furniture or you get cheap particle board that breaks when you’re putting it together, not the case with this.”
If you’re looking for a simple, functional workspace that requires little assembly and costs under $200, then the Coavas Industrial Folding Desk is the perfect solution. Yes, almost no assembly required – just snap the particle board surface onto the black metal frame and you’re all set. The desk is even portable — it’s that easy to put together.
The Coavas desk has over 8,000 reviews with an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars. One Amazon reviewer raved, “I love this desk! It is just the right size, sturdy, and extremely easy to assemble.” Another also praised the ease of putting the desk together: “It is extremely easy to assemble; I was done in five minutes and it required no tools or glue. The desk is surprisingly stable and the top, while thin, does not feel flimsy.”
The IKEA Pahl Desk is meant for children to use as they grow up, but adults could also adjust it to the maximum height of almost 28.5 inches. The design is clean and simple, perfect for anyone who just needs a large, flat workspace. You can stow away cords with the two cable holders between the front and back legs. And like many other IKEA products, the Pahl desk can be paired with other units like a desktop shelf or cabinet add-on.
One IKEA website reviewer said, “I bought this desk for myself, as an adult, because the price is right and it goes to the same height as a regular desk. It is great quality!” Another bought it for their children and praised the easy assembly: “I love the look and the quality is great! The kids loved helping put it together. Very simple.”
Sitting at your desk all day isn’t ideal for anyone’s health, so an adjustable height desk is a great option that lets you alternate between sitting and standing. At the push of a button, the Flexispot standing desk (opens in new tab) goes between a height of 28 to 47.6 inches, at a rate of 1 inch per second in a fairly quiet, smooth motion. The large, sturdy surface area could hold any number of monitor and laptop set-ups. And it’s easy to assemble.
One Amazon reviewer said, “This desk is really as good as it gets. It was extremely easy to set up; all the tools except a screw driver were included, and the instructions were very easy to follow.” Another reviewer praised the affordability: “I think it’s an extremely fair price for what you’re getting compared to other electric desks.”
The Walker Edison L-shaped computer desk has a ton of space for multiple screens and electronics — perfect for gamers. The steel legs provide sturdy support, while the thick tempered glass gives the desk a clean, modern look. But don’t worry, it’s fingerprint-proof, according to reviewers. One side of the desk has a sliding keyboard tray.
Some Best Buy reviewers noted that assembly is fairly smooth, though it helps to have help. Most had positive things to say about the desk. “A great size, one side is for gaming and the other is crafting! The tower fits perfect in the corner against the wall. Love it,” one raved. Another wrote, “There’s so much room to put the things you need on it. I have a 32” tv, my PS4, a gaming monitor, a computer, and a WiFi router all on this one desk.”
If you want a true executive office experience, then Red Barrel Studio’s Hillsdale L-Shape Desk will make you feel like you’re in the C-Suite at a reasonable price. The back of each part of the “L” measures almost five feet long. One side is a frosted-panel computer tower cabinet; on the other are two gliding drawers. A four-port USB station and a cubby shelf help reduce desktop clutter.
With over 5,800 reviews, the Hillsdale has a 4.5 out of 5 star rating on Wayfair. One reviewer said, “I love, love, love this desk! It has plenty of space for my laptop monitor and for spreading out documents. It also has ample storage for my office supplies, my hanging file folders, binders more.” However, several reviewers noted that assembly isn’t easy. One noted, “Assembly took about 3 hours. While this may sound daunting the instructions and videos referenced detail every step needed.”
Combine a desk and decor into one with the gorgeous Phoenix Rustic Work Table, which is made from reclaimed Brazilian telephones and then hand-crafted in a small factory in Puebla, Mexico. The polished steel legs give the desk an industrial look, while the holes in the surface are both visually interesting and useful for cord management. The Phoenix is definitely a splurge item for shoppers who can afford a workspace that doubles as an art piece.
A reviewer on Crate and Barrel raved, “This desk is the centerpiece of our home office. Love it, love it, love it.” Another gushed, “This desk makes me happy all day long. The wood is beautiful. The holes add character. It feels so heavy and substantial. This is the nicest piece of furniture I own and everyday I smile with satisfaction about this phenomenal purchase.”
People living in small spaces need desks, too, and Elle Decor’s Dani desk is a lovely piece that doesn’t take up much room and looks great, to boot. The simple, elegant lines have that Midcentury modern look that never goes out of style. There are two drawers to keep pens, notepads and small work accessories stowed out of sight (though some Office Depot reviewers note that the drawers can stick).
Otherwise, reviews are almost universally positive. “Very stylish, sturdy, affordable desk. I recommend it and it’s easy to assemble,” one buyer said. Another wrote, “Recently downsized our home and needed a smaller desk. This desk was perfect as it is stylish and functional!”
If you’re really cramped for space, a floating desk is a good option. They’re mounted to the wall and fold up when not in use. Once the The Latitude Run Suave Floating Desk is folded out, it becomes a convenient surface for typing on a laptop, working on crafts or even eating meals. When you need space, just fold it back up and it becomes a chalkboard-fronted cabinet.
One Wayfair reviewer said, “Very convenient and what a great idea to conserve space!” Another noted, “My daughter loves it! She uses it every day for her schoolwork.” Some reviewers said the cabinet was somewhat difficult to assemble, saying the “instructions are not really clear,” “parts were mislabeled” and “definitely a two person job.”
Continuing in the theme of desks for small spaces, a corner desk like Andover Mills’ Daniel model fits neatly in an area often reserved for dust bunnies. The simple design and neutral off-white color could blend in with any decor theme. A soft-close drawer and a bottom shelf can be used to store books and other office supplies. And if you don’t use it as a desk, it’s also convenient as a stand for a microwave, photo frames or other knick-knacks.
Wayfair reviewers give the desk 4.5 out of stars. One said, “It was easy to put together and has plenty of space. I liked it so much I bought another one.” Other reviewers noted the fairly easy assembly of the Daniel Corner Desk. “This product came out of the box perfectly. All the pieces were there and the quality is very sturdy and has a nice, clean, smooth finish to it.”
If you prefer working from home on the couch or from bed, there’s even a desk for you. The HOMFA Bamboo Laptop Desk is made of eco-friendly wood and features adjustable legs, which can be folded up for use as a flat tray. There are five levels of tilt to provide the best screen experience, as well as a convenient cupholder and small drawer for storage.
Amazon reviewers give it an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars. One said, “This lap desk is great for the price. I like the cutouts for the vents on my computer. It has a cute drawer to put things in and a spot for a cup.” Another noted, “It has taken the pressure of the laptop off my kneecaps and feels so much better.” Some reviewers have even found different ways of using the product: “I use this beautiful bamboo tray on my kitchen counter as part of my standing desk.”
How to choose the best desk for you
First of all, consider your budget. There’s a huge range of desks out there to suit every price point, so narrow down your search by deciding how much you want to spend.
Next, think about what the desk will actually be used for and how often you will use it. Will it be relied heavily upon or is it just for occasional use? If you’re choosing one for working from home, consider what electronics and paperwork the desk will need to hold. If you need two monitors as well as a laptop and a desktop machine, you’re going to need a larger desk with additional storage.
On the other hand, if the desk just needs to hold a laptop or it’s predominantly for homework, a more simple, compact design might be best. It’s also worth thinking about how much space you have to fit the desk as well. Floating desks and fold-up desks can be ideal if you’re tight for space.
Finally, there’s the aesthetics to think about. It’s a large piece of furniture and you don’t want it to stick out. So, make sure you pick one which you feel looks good and will suit your home.
How we tested
Our guide for the best desks were based on extensive, consumer report research and online reviews. We rated things like durability, materials and how sturdy each desk was. In addition, we looked at how user-friendly and ergonomic it was to use, design, size and notable features such as storage space.
Where is the best place to put a desk?
The ideal place to put a desk should be close to a natural light source, such as a window. If you find looking out of a window too distracting, you can place your desk perpendicular to it. Natural lighting also helps to encourage productivity, and make the space airy.
