Keep Your Workplace Tidy With the Best Desk Organizers
Reviewing the Leading Desk Organizers of 2022 in Detail
SimpleHouseware Mesh Desk Organizer – Best Overall
This desk organizer by SimpleHouseware is the ideal blend between functionality, durability, and style. Its metal mesh construction looks just as good on a gaming table as it does on an office desk while also being super durable in the long run.
The best part about this desk organizer is its design, which provides exceptional storage space with limited desk space usage. It includes a book/folder organizer on top, a mesh shelf in the middle, and a sectioned sliding drawer at the bottom for smaller items. Even the dividers in this drawer are adjustable, making this organizer the best on the list.
Pros
- Long-lasting metal mesh construction
- Fits office items of most sizes
- Adjustable drawer dividers for efficient storage
- Occupies very little desk space
Cons
- Drawer is a bit finicky when full
Amazon Basics Desk Organizer – Compact Shape
The Amazon Basics desk organizer is the perfect option for small items like USB sticks, paper clips, pens & pencils, and sticky notes. Its clever design lets you store all of your day-to-day essentials in a relatively small footprint that can go anywhere on your desk.
You can stick it on your computer monitor stand thanks to its low height or utilize the curved rectangular shape to place it on top of your tower PC. It even includes a metal mesh drawer that, although not used enough, can store items like notes and printing papers.
Pros
- Takes very little space on your desk
- Durable, fall-resistant metal construction
- Special drawer for sticky notes
- Plenty of sections for proper organization
Cons
- Can’t store anything larger than a stapler
MaxGear Mesh Office Desk Organizer – Office Worthy
This desk organizer from MaxGear is designed for offices. Its hierarchical design ensures that everything is stored according to its size and is easily accessible. The largest compartment on the back is for organizing files, folders, and other important paperwork.
The desk organizer has a dedicated sticky note storage area and a mesh drawer on the bottom for tape and other small stationery items. Next to the sticky note section are tall baskets for pens and highlighters with a small area at the very front for small things like paper clips and pencil erasers that can get lost easily if not stored properly.
Pros
- Ideal spaces for office items
- Fits nicely with its back against a wall
- Long-lasting metal mesh construction
- Non-skid base for convenience
Cons
- Looks odd on desks without a back wall
HUANUO Monitor Riser Desk Organizer – Two-in-One Design
In addition to being a super effective storage solution, the HUANUO Monitor Riser Desk Organizer is also a great monitor stand. It allows you to store useful items in sliding metal drawers right in front of your keyboard for quick access. The desk organizer gets brownie points for doubling as a stylish stand that will raise your monitor to eye level for ergonomic use.
The best part about this hybrid mesh organizer is that it fits gaming stations and professional office desks. Make sure you have enough space on your desk as it is a slightly bigger organizer than other options we’ve reviewed.
Pros
- Two-in-one design provides good value for money
- Smooth operation with precision-built drawers
- Improves your computer using posture
- No assembly needed
Cons
- Takes a lot of desk space
Jerry & Maggie Desktop Storage Rack – Gorgeous Aesthetics
Metal mesh design on desk organizers is fairly neutral and fits most situations perfectly. But what if you want something that looks a lot more aesthetic? Well, for that, you need the wooden desk storage rack from Jerry & Maggie.
This wonderfully drafted desk shelf looks like a piece of modern art that also happens to be functional as an organizer. You can use its sections to store books, folders, supplies, and decorative plants. It can even fit other, smaller organizers for dedicated storage of items like pencils and USB thumb drives. Its adjustable design makes it a perfect fit for your desk setup.
Pros
- Expert craftsmanship and sturdy wood construction
- Adjustable and easy to assemble
- Pure white color fits most workspaces
Cons
- No dedicated spot for small items
COZYWELL Desk Organizer – Great for Dorms
The COZYWELL Desk Organizer won’t take up any space as it gives you all the storage for your papers and desk utensils. It sits neatly under your desk and mounts securely below, with the ability to slide out from underneath whenever you need something. It’s also possible to mount it in other places if you need to, as it’s super versatile and can blend in with most desk styles.
Clean up your desk and pour all your clutter into this desk organizer. If you have a ton of little items all over your desk, like pens, pencils, erasers, paper clips, and sticky notes, put them into this drawer to declutter your space and always know where everything is. The high-quality material means you can put a lot of weight inside the drawer without it slipping off the desk, and the lead-free plastic is non-toxic for long-lasting use.
Pros
- Great for small and large desks
- Non-toxic design
- Easy to install
Cons
- Sliding mechanism isn’t smooth
Desk Organizer Buying Guide
Keeping your workplace clean and organized is for more than just looks. An organized space gives your eyes the rest and your brain the breathing room it needs to function properly. Not having all your stuff spread on the table will also help minimize distractions, improving productivity in the process. However, these benefits are only attainable if you get the right desk organizer. “What makes a particular organizer right for me?” You ask. Let’s find out.
Your Needs
The first and the most important part of purchasing a desk organizer is figuring out your needs. Look around your desk and take note of everything that needs to be stored. This includes files, folders, pens/pencils, USB flash drives, art supplies, sticky notes, etc. Make sure to write all of them down in an accessible place. Now, take a seat and think about the items that are not on the table right now but could be in the future. For example, you might not have any staples on hand, but you will need a box of them around. Once you’ve made a complete list, evaluate each option's ability to store all of these items. If an organizer can’t keep all of your stuff, move on to the next one.
As a side note, this will also be an excellent opportunity to figure out the stuff you don’t need on hand. For example, you might have your markers and sketchbook on the table, but you don’t do art on the desk itself; it’ll be wise to store these items elsewhere.
Desk Space
Once you’ve narrowed down your top desk organizer list, it’s time to bring out measuring tape. Remove everything from your desk; envision where you want the organizer to go, and measure the available space. Make sure to factor vertical height into this equation as well. Now compare your desk space to the dimensions of storage options online, and you’ll find one that fits perfectly. If you cannot find something usable, try switching things around on your desk or think of a new palace for the organizer.
This is also an excellent opportunity to look through different organizer designs as they directly affect their capacity and dimensions. The simplest option is the small bucket-style organizers with two or three dividers used for pens, thumb drives, and sticky notes. On the other end of the spectrum are mini desktop cabinets that take up a lot of vertical space but can even store large books. Then you also have organizers that double as a monitor stand and include drawers for convenient access — so many choices to choose from, each suitable for a different setup.
Construction Material
The last key factor to consider when looking for the right desk organizer is the material it’s made out of. The most popular option here is metal in a mesh form; it is plenty durable for housing office supplies and some paperwork while also fitting right in with office desks, gaming stations, and study tables. The only downside of black metal organizers is that they are too common and look generic.
The other viable option is wooden organizers with their portable shelf-like designs, a plethora of exciting shades, and exceptional durability. They’re ideal for folks who want to decorate their desk with mini potted plants, books, picture frames, and art pieces. That said, high-quality wooden desk organizers are noticeably more expensive than metal ones. They also don’t do well with small objects like pens, and you might need a separate smaller organizer to store them.
