When it comes to gaming from the comfort of your couch or bed, a good lapdesk or lapboard can make all the difference. These handy accessories provide a stable surface for your laptop, keyboard, and mouse, making it easier to enjoy long gaming sessions without discomfort. Plus, they help keep everything organized and in place, so you can focus on what really matters: winning the game!
TL;DR – These Are the Best Lapdesks for Gaming:
- Couchmaster Cycon² – Best overall
- Couchmaster Cybot – Best for laptops
- Xdesk Flex – Best couchside standing desk
- SONGMICS Laptop Desk – Best for work
- LapGear Lap Desk – Best padded
- Arlo Skye Lap Desk 19 – Best for bed
There are lots of different lapdesks available depending on your needs. Perhaps you’re looking for something with extra ventilation if you have a powerful gaming laptop, or maybe a lapdesk with storage and cable management for a tidier setup. No matter which lapdesk or lapboard you choose, having a dedicated gaming setup can enhance your experience and make it much more enjoyable.
1. Couchmaster Cycon²
The Best Lapdesk
If your couch is the most comfortable seat in the house, why would game or work anywhere else? With the Couchmaster Cycon², you don't have to, thanks to its massive adjustable cushions that flank your sides, doubling as armrests, and a large desktop surface. Those cushions are made of sturdy memory foam wrapped in a suede-like material for lasting durability.
The Couchmaster Cycon² is expensive, costing just under $200, though it’s ready to let you hunker down on your couch, as the desk surface has plenty of space for a full-size gaming keyboard and mouse pad. The kit also includes a USB hub with six USB 3.0 ports for your peripherals and auxiliary power, ensuring you don't have issues connecting more power-hungry devices. Holes on the desk surface even help you manage your mouse and keyboard cables to keep the setup tidy, while pockets on the side are perfect for sliding in your TV remote.
2. Couchmaster Cybot
Best Laptop Lapdesk
Most lapdesks only have enough space for a keyboard and mouse, but the Couchmaster Cybot lets you set up a little battle station for the couch. On the desk surface, there’s a built-in ventilation grille for your laptop to pull up air, a slot to hold up a tablet or phone, and you even get a large gaming mousepad to put your gaming mouse on, so you’ll have plenty of room to complete all your actions. It’s important to note that this lapdesk is best for laptops 17 inches or smaller. Luckily, many of the best gaming laptops are under that size.
Couchmaster places cushions on either side of that desktop surface to keep your gaming station stable while you play and take the weight off your legs. Those cushions can be easily adjusted or removed, just like the Couchmaster Cycon², and feature a camo material with the front portion equipped with Kevlar to increase durability. To top it off, you get a wrist pad for additional comfort and pockets on the side to store accessories or cords.
3. Xdesk Flex
Best Couch-Side Standing Desk
Lapboards are great and all, but most either lock you into the seat for the long haul or rest on your legs, moving around when you move. That’s where the Xdesk Flex comes in handy, and though it’s not a lapdesk in the traditional sense, it gets the same job done while allowing more mobility. Its 30 x 24-inch surface and support for up to 100 pounds means you’ll enjoy ample room to work or play and major stability while you do so.
The Xdesk Flex is actually a convertible standing desk, but it’s built using quality materials and has a low-profile base that you can slide under a couch. Therefore, if you're sick of sitting and want to work on your posture, just raise the desk up using its handy motor. That means there's no need to worry about losing your favorite gaming keyboard and mouse in the process, either.
4. SONGMICS Laptop Desk
Best Lapdesk for Work
Do you like the idea of lounging while you work? Well, the SONGMICS Laptop Desk lets you do just that. With it, you get a large 13.8-inch by 21.7-inch surface area that can be raised to 11.4 inches or lowered to 8.3 inches, making it the perfect height to slide over your legs while resting in bed or on the couch. It’s even made of sturdy bamboo, so the desk is lightweight and durable.
Going beyond the basics, the SONGMICS Laptop Desk has a tiny storage drawer that can hold wireless headphones, USB drives, and more. The table top itself is split into two parts, so you can even angle your laptop at five different positions for your ideal view, and a stopper at the end will prevent it from falling off. The other side of the tabletop is the perfect place to rest your mouse, and when you’re done working, the desk folds flat for easy storage.
5. LapGear Lap Desk
Best Padded Lapdesk
Sometimes you just want something simple, sturdy, and comfy to toss a laptop or keyboard on while lounging. The LapGear Lap Desk is just that, coming with multiple fabric options to fit the aesthetic of your space, and it’s super affordable, too. Its heavily padded cushion conforms to your lap, so you can sit or lay in the coziest positions while keeping everything you’ve loaded on top of the desk in place.
Though the LapGear Lap Desk isn't the most ergonomic option, you get a decent size desk surface, holding laptops up to 15.6 inches, and there’s a stopper at the end of the board to ensure your laptop or other peripherals don’t slide off. A slot on the desk surface is even available to house your phone, while an elastic strap provides the perfect place to slot in a notebook or tablet. And that smooth, flat desktop prevents your electronics from overheating like they might if you were holding them in your lap.
6. Arlo Skye Lap Desk 19
Best Lapdesk for Bed
If you work from home, chances are good that you’ve considered logging in from the comfort of your cozy bed, and the Arlo Skye Lap Desk 19 makes it a whole lot easier. You get a 13.5-inch by 19-inch premium white oak melamine veneered surface area ready to hoist your laptop off your lap, helping to combat overheating. It’s even possible to angle certain devices for a better view. All that rests on top of a microbead cushion that hugs your body to keep the lap desk firmly on your lap.
There’s a lot more to Arlo Skye’s lap desk, as in addition to holding your laptop, it also has a smartphone or tablet dock with a cable management system to keep your setup tidy. But perhaps its most convenient feature is its built-in storage that’s ready to hold a 13-inch laptop, extra cables, snacks, and more. So, when you get the motivation to move from the bed to the couch, it’s that much easier.
Where to Get the Best Lapdesk in the UK
What to Look for in a Lapdesk
For the most part, picking the right lapdesk for you is easy and mostly a process of finding what's most comfortable. It's all about personal preference. Given that most lapboards sit on your lap, you're going to want to find something relatively lightweight or is able to support itself using legs. If you have a lapdesk sitting on top of your legs, you're probably going to want something with a bit of cushion so that you don't just have a flat board pressing on you for hours
One other criteria in comfort to consider is how wide of a lapdesk do you want. You should buy one that's wide enough to balance properly on your lap even if you're legs are spread out wide. What's more, your larger play space will also allow your hands to sit apart from each other at an ergonomic distance. When gaming, you always want to have your arms far apart and a wide lapdesk will allow you to do this. Other considerations include how much surface space is needed, whether you'd like USB or power options, and if an included keyboard may be something that interests you.
Lapdesk FAQ
What is a lapdesk?
A lapdesk is a handy accessory that puts a flat surface on your lap, allowing easy access and use of a keyboard and mouse, a laptop, or other devices while sitting on a couch or lounging in bed. Beyond adding comfort, better ergonomics, and more stability when gaming or working in a relaxed position, lapdesks help prevent some devices from overheating, a common issue when you’ve got electronics sitting on your lap.
Lapdesks come in different varieties. Some place the desk surface directly on your lap, so you’ll want an option that’s lightweight and well-cushioned. Others will offer cushions that flank your legs on either side, slightly raising the tabletop, preventing it from resting on you. You’ll also find lapdesks that look like mini desks or breakfast trays that offer a larger surface area and are often height adjustable. Some lapdesks will even come with USB hubs, cable mangement solutions, or keyboards for more functionality.
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Danielle Abraham is a freelance writer and unpaid music historian.
