Gaming desk accessories occupy a wide spectrum from genuinely useful to pure aesthetics. The challenge is knowing which is which before spending money.
This guide separates the accessories that actually improve your gaming setup from those that look good in photos but make little practical difference.
Accessories That Improve Function
Extended Desk Mat
An extended mouse pad (90cm × 40cm or larger) that covers most of the desk surface is one of the best gaming desk upgrades. It:
- Provides a uniform surface for consistent mouse tracking across the whole desk
- Reduces wrist fatigue by cushioning the arm
- Hides cable runs at the rear edge
- Unifies the visual look of the setup
See our best desk mats guide for top recommendations.
Headphone Stand
A headphone stand keeps your headset accessible and off the desk surface when not in use. It also adds a vertical element to the setup composition.
With USB hub: The Corsair ST100 adds three USB-A ports and a 3.5mm audio jack to the headphone stand. Useful for a gaming setup with high USB device count.
Minimal stand: UGREEN, Kanto H1, and Omoton are clean, simple stands that do the job without features you may not need.
Under-shelf hook: A magnetic hook mounted under the monitor riser stores headphones completely off the desk surface for a cleaner look.
Controller Charging Dock
For console and PC gamers who use controllers, a vertical charging dock keeps controllers charged and organised without USB cables spreading across the desk.
PS5: The official DualSense Charging Station or third-party alternatives from PowerA.
Xbox: The PowerA Dual Charge Station or Insignia dual station.
Multi-controller: An 8BitDo charging dock handles multiple controller types simultaneously.
[RECOMMEND: desk-accessories]
Monitor Bias Lighting
A Govee Immersion or Philips Hue Play gradient light bar mounted behind the monitor reduces eye strain and creates atmosphere. The screen-synced lighting (where the bias light matches the dominant colour of on-screen content) reduces the contrast between the bright screen and dark room.
Bias lighting is the most impactful visual upgrade for a gaming setup that is also functional — it genuinely reduces eye fatigue during long sessions.
Wrist Rest
A wrist rest for a mechanical keyboard reduces strain during long gaming and typing sessions. Memory foam wrist rests (Corsair MM200, Glorious Gaming wrist rest) are more comfortable than hard plastic.
For a wrist pad that spans keyboard and mouse, an extended desk mat with a raised wrist rest section provides the same function with one accessory.
Cable Management Accessories
Cable Management Kit
A kit typically includes:
- Under-desk cable tray (mounts via adhesive or screws)
- Velcro cable ties
- Adhesive cable clips
- Cable box for power strip
This combination handles the cable volume of a typical gaming setup. See our cable management guide for the installation approach.
Wireless Peripherals
The most impactful cable management upgrade is removing cables at the source. A wireless keyboard and mouse eliminate two of the most visible desk cables. A wireless headset eliminates the third.
Latency on modern wireless gaming peripherals (Logitech G series, Razer HyperSpeed, SteelSeries Quantum 2.0) is effectively zero for gaming purposes.
Accessories Worth Buying for Looks (If Budget Allows)
RGB LED Strip
An LED strip under the desk edge or along the monitor's rear creates ambient lighting that photographs well and adds atmosphere during evening gaming. It has no functional benefit beyond bias lighting, but the effect is pleasant.
Avoid: LED strips with unreliable adhesive that falls off over time. Govee and Elgato are reliable brands.
Desk Organiser
A small desktop organiser for the non-mouse side holds pens, a notebook, and small accessories without creating clutter. Keeps the minimal look without removing useful items from reach.
What Not to Buy
Expensive RGB everything: If the underlying peripheral is lower quality, paying extra for RGB adds no value. A well-reviewed switch mechanical keyboard without RGB beats a mediocre keyboard with RGB for actual gaming performance.
Novelty desk decorations: Gaming-themed figurines and decoration pieces that are not functional take desk space without returning value. If they bring you joy, fine — but they are not setup improvements.
Generic cable management boxes: Some cable boxes have poor ventilation and overheat power strips. Ensure any cable box has adequate airflow.
For gaming setup foundations, see our gaming desk setup ideas and best gaming chair for desk setup.
