5 Best Gaming Lap Desks 2024
This article is all about a particular product type and a special flavor it brings to the PC or laptop gaming.
Laptops tend to get very hot during gaming because they consume a lot of power and you cannot rest them in your lap. Putting laptops on your lap can block the ventilation grill at the bottom of a laptop, which can lead to overheating.
Luckily, there is a solution for this problem. You can buy a gaming lap desk to overcome this issue. Lap desks can help you sit in a comfortable position without burning your thighs. With a lap desk, you can game from the comfort of your bed or couch.
Console gamers are not the only people that can enjoy themselves chilling on a couch while gaming on a 65-inch 4k TV from 12 feet away. These lap desks are great for PC gamers too. You ask, How?
You can use a wireless keyboard/mouse combo and sit 12-14 feet away from your LED TV and game comfortably. I’ve been doing this for the past two years and it’s the best thing.
Also check out these gaming desk accessories.
LapGear
The lap desk by LapGear is designed to hold laptops up to 15.6 inches. I own this product myself but have not used it much for a laptop. Instead, I am using this to hold a wireless keyboard and a mouse to work or play games on my Samsung TV.
It is quite large and you can easily use a 65% keyboard with a mouse. Good thing is that it has a 5 by 9 inches built-in mouse pad. The mouse pad has a soft material for the mouse to roll on and it’s quite accurate when it comes to tracking.
On the bottom of the hard plastic surface it’s padded with dual bolster cushions made of fabric which is soft and durable at the same time. It sort of molds to your lap depending on how you’re sitting.
It’s super lightweight weighing in at just over a pound. There’s a little plastic guard at the bottom designed to prevent your laptop or keyboard from sliding down and falling into the oblivion but nothing for the mouse.
There’s a cool nifty slit above the mouse pad area which is designed to hold your phone. It’s a nice feature to have If you want to keep an eye on the notifications on your phone.
Couch gaming doesn’t have to be something you need to overthink or feel like that it’s going to cost you a crap ton of money. It is an alternative to sitting at the desk.
AboveTEK
AboveTEK is my recommendation if you travel a lot. The small and sleek design makes it very portable. Unlike other lap desks, there’s no cushion on the bottom, which makes it easy to carry in a bag for traveling.
Anti-skid pad with textured surface provides strong grip for your laptop. The double strip on the bottom of the desk provides even more grip in your lap for a stable gaming experience.
The heat prevention shield protects your thighs from extensive heat, which creates a comfortable gaming experience. But it is not comfortable as the other lap desks due to the the lack of cushions beneath.
There is a retractable mouse tray, which is perfect for gaming. Retractable mouse tray extends on both sides for left/right handed users.
Elevated edges on mouse tray prevent the mouse from falling but you can’t tilt the lap desk too much. AboveTEK gaming lap desk supports up to 15.6 inch of laptop.
Sofia + Sam Oversized Memory Foam Lap Desk
This is the Sofia and Sam multitasking lap desk. This is really great for folks that need to do work/game with laptop or keyboard on their lap.
Features of this lab desk include a slot for tablet, USB connection for LED light, retractable mouse tray with mobile holder on both sides and a wrist rest.
You can fit tablets with many different sizes. The LED light is great if you are working/gaming at night and don’t have an illuminated keyboard. It is powered by four AA batteries that are included in the package. There is also a power button to power the USB connection.
The bottom part has a memory foam, which is makes it nice and comfortable to put on the lap. It is a breathable material and does not get hot in your lap. The deluxe version has a wrist rest built-in for maximum comfort.
There are two other variants, one without the LED light and one without both the LED and wrist rest. So make sure you get the right one.
HUANUO
It can be a super useful product if you want to play/work from your bed or sitting on your couch. It is a multi-purpose lap desk. It looks quite similar to the Sofia+Sam and LapGear with mixed features from both.
It has a tablet and phone holder both built on the rear side of the desk, a mouse pad and a wrist rest. The bottom of Huanua lap desk is similar to the LapGear and is quite comfortable. The nice and comfy cushioning is made from sofa like material, which feels nice.
The wrist rest is also made from the similar material but it’s a bit on the harder side as it supports your wrist and prevents your laptop from falling. The stitching on it also very premium. Overall, It’s a very well made product.
The mouse mat on the right hand side is the only part of the product I was slightly underwhelmed by. Mouse pad is literally a piece of vinyl leather stuck on top of some plastic and doesn’t look premium.
I was a bit worried about tracking as well since it has little grooves in it but turns out it tracks absolutely fine. So, no problems here as long as you don’t plan on using it to win an Esports tournament
It is a fairly big work surface and you can easily fit a 15.6 inches laptop. This mouse pad is also big with plenty of space to move around.
Everything feels solid even the wood they’ve used despite only being laminated particle board is plenty thick enough. You cannot bend this thing at all. It’s even got this little carry handle amde of fabric so you can easily carry it.
Buying Guide & FAQ
What to look for in a gaming lap desk?
There are few features to look before finalize your lap desk. Make sure to buy a lap desk that is perfect size, it should not be too small or too big. The desk that is too large will be a problem in moving it around while you are in a bed. I would recommend a desk that can hold a 15.6 inches laptop with enough space for a mouse.
Personally I recommend desks without legs because they are easier to move while gaming. Surface of the desk should be non-slippery with a stopper that prevent your laptop from slipping.
Final Words
Couch gaming doesn’t have to be something you need to overthink or feel like that it’s going to cost you a crap ton of money. It is an alternative to sitting at the desk.
A gaming lap desk can be an excellent choice for a comfortable gaming experience. They help you play in a better comfortable position.