Corsair Platform:6 gaming desk review – fantastic function, funky form

Our Verdict

With its smooth and quiet electronic sit-stand function, integrated T-channel rail system, double monitor arms, included power extensions, and lots of cable management features, the Corsair Platform:6 Elevate is a very capable and versatile gaming desk. It also looks smart, other than the fingerprints on the black desktop. However, there are some finer build quality problems, the monitor arms are rather stiff, and the T-channel has its issues too.

Reasons to buy

• Large desktop area
• Smooth, quiet height adjust
• In-desk storage cubby is super useful

Reasons to avoid

• Sharp edge to desk
• Stiff monitor arms
• Expensive

The Corsair Platform:6 is a premium gaming desk with dozens of extra features and optional add-ons that enable users to build a comprehensive gaming station. There’s height adjustment, integrated monitor arms, extra side desktop areas, a huge rear pegboard section, integrated cable storage, extra power extensions, and much more, depending on which version you buy.

It’s all enough to easily earn the Corsair Platform:6 a place on our best gaming desk and best standing desk guides, just simply because of its largely unrivaled versatility. However, you definitely pay a high price for all those features, and there are some areas where the Platform:6 doesn’t quite deliver the premium fit and finish you might expect.

It’s available in an entry-level, non-adjustable-height version, as well as an option with electronic sit-stand adjustment, while another flavor gives you a large pegboard section at the rear on which you can hang all your gaming accessories.

Corsair Platform:6 specs

The exact Platform:6 specs will vary depending on which version you buy. We’re reviewing the Elevate version, so we’ve detailed its specs below, many of which are shared with the other versions of the desk. However, the base-level version doesn’t have sit-stand adjustment, and it costs $400 less than the Elevate. Meanwhile, the Creator version includes the rear pegboard section, on which you can mount all your peripherals and other extra hardware, for $400 extra.

Corsair Platform:6 features

Where do you start with the number of features packed into the Platform:6? For a start, outside of the pegboard of the Creator edition and the lack of height adjustment on the Standard edition, the core features of the Platform:6 are the same.

So, that gets you a 72-inch x 30-inch (180cm x 76cm) desktop, which is quite wide compared to many gaming desks. More typical desk widths are 47-55 inches (120-160cm), with Lian Li’s DK-05F measuring 55-inch x 30-inch and the Flexispot E7 Pro starting at just 48 inches wide and maxing out at 72 inches wide.

Considering that this is the only desk size Corsair offers, it’s surprising the company has gone so wide. The desk isn’t quite so remarkably deep, but sometimes this works against it, as we’ll discuss more in the design section of this review.

Elsewhere, the desk includes a T-channel accessories bar that runs along the entire back of the desk. This provides a means of attaching all manner of devices – some included – to the bar, removing the need to use conventional desk clamps, or for you to drill into the desk.

One such accessory that can be attached to the T-channel bar is a three-socket power extension (the UK version is pictured above) that can also be clamped to the desk and includes a USB-A and USB-C port for connecting devices that just need USB power.

Another power extension is provided that includes six sockets and more USB charging ports, but it doesn’t have dedicated mounting hardware. Instead, it’s designed to be slung into the under-desk cable management tray.

Four main cable management accessories are provided, with the main one being the under-desk tray. This large, perforated metal panel attaches securely to the desk to provide a place to stash power extensions, power adapters, and other cables.

Two small cable/bits trays are also provided for attaching to the T-channel section – useful for monitor cables – and the fourth cable-tidying extra is a hole in the center of the desk into which you can stuff cables. This hole also provides USB power pass-through ports, which means you can charge devices here, with power supplied from the under-desk cable tray.

The final main addition is the dual-monitor arm system. This is the primary feature that attaches to the T-channel, and it allows you to completely free up desk space by not only using a monitor arm in the first place but also by having it mounted on the T-channel. The arms can each support up to 32-inch monitors (weight dependent).

For users of the Elevate or Creator desk, there’s also an included control panel that can be positioned on either the left or right sides of the front. It houses up and down buttons, a small height readout display, and buttons for storing and recalling two preset heights.

Along with these core features, the Creator edition adds the rear pegboard mount, which can also be bought separately from the Elgato Multi Frame for Platform:6 ($300). All versions can also be augmented by side extensions that add an extra 30cm of width to each side, and come with pegboards you can hang from the side of the desk.

It’s a very long list of mostly useful additions, but not all will be useful for everyone. In particular, the idea of extensions feels slightly out of touch with the already wide size of the desktop. The T-channel is also only useful if you can find parts that attach to it. Most of the Elgato webcam/mic/lighting accessories are compatible, but step outside of the Corsair fold and, while T-channel attachments are widely used elsewhere, it’s not an overly common choice for desk accessories.

Meanwhile, the monitor arms are useful, but some monitors are not compatible with monitor arms, or at least are too heavy to work with these arms. If you’re eyeing up a massive 49-inch superwide panel such as the Samsung G95SC, the monitor arms, and T-channel aren’t going to be much use.

Corsair Platform:6 design and build

In terms of the design, the Platform:6 keeps it simple. The desk is only available in black with a choice of black laminate or either rubberwood or walnut-stain wooden desktops. So, if you’re gunning for an all-white setup, desk included, this isn’t the gaming station for you.

Otherwise, the Platform:6 is smart and simple without looking overly plain or boring. However, the black desktop does pick up and reveal fingerprints and other such marks. White desktops are worse for revealing crumbs and coffee stains, but they at least hide hand prints. On balance, the wooden top versions are better in this regard, as they hide the natural build-up of these marks.

Opting for the wooden top is also a better idea for comfort, as the black desktop of our review sample was made quite uncomfortable thanks to a sharp edge all the way around. Instead of using rounded edging (like the white desk above), the plastic edging here (black desk above) appears to have been trimmed flush with the desktop, and then given a 45-degree chamfer.

This knocks off what would otherwise be a viciously sharp fully square edge, but the edges of the chamfer itself haven’t been honed down. As a result, they can dig into your hands, legs, and cables – the outer casing of my headset cable was cut open by being caught between the desk edge and armrest of my gaming chair.

These sharp edges can easily be removed just by scraping a sharp knife along them to knock off their tops, or by using some fine grit sandpaper, but it’s not a step many users will be comfortable doing, nor should they have to do it on a desk that can cost upwards of $1,800.

Some other build quality concerns appeared when constructing the desk. Mostly it’s an intuitive and easy process, though you’re likely to need some help as it has a heavy main desk section with several of the metal frame parts already attached.

Also, the uprights for the T-channel didn’t align well with the holes provided, causing one of the stabilizing dowels to snap. Thankfully, the bolts are secure enough that the T-channel still holds firm with two 27-inch monitors attached.

The monitor arms themselves are a bit of a disappointment too. Their movement is very stiff, making them a pain to adjust. Once in situ, they do their job, but my existing $60 dual monitor arm is far smoother – thankfully it can clamp to the T-channel.

Another issue we encountered is again related to using a monitor that isn’t compatible with the monitor arms. If you have to use your monitor stand, it’s likely to mean the monitor sits right on top of the central cable management stowage area. The T-channel also pushes the monitor forward meaning that, despite being such a large desk, it can feel quite cramped in front of a large monitor that isn’t using the T-channel stand.

This stowage area is tricky to keep tidy when a few peripheral cables run into it. It comes by default with removable plastic dividers/cable wraps, with the idea being that you can compartmentalize the space for different cables or adapters. However, the dividers slide free easily and quickly get in the way of cables. I mostly resorted to removing all the dividers and shoving all the cables into the area directing them out of only one of the cutouts.

My final grumble is that the three-socket power extension that can attach to the t-channel or clamp to the desk tends to slide backward off the desk when plugging devices into it if you’re using the desk clamp.

Otherwise, the overall solidity of the Platform:6 is impressive. It’s a hefty unit that doesn’t tilt or bend forward if you lean on the front – unlike cheaper units such as the Flexispot E7 – and as mentioned, the T-channel is rock solid once attached.

The height adjust motors are also powerful yet incredibly quiet. I measured a noise level of just 39dB from 1m in front of the legs. That compares to 43dB for the Flexispot E9 and 55dB for the Yo-Yo Desk Pro 2. The rather mushy rubber buttons used to control the height adjustment system are not that satisfying to press, and the height adjustment system has a significant time lag from stopping pressing the button to the movement stopping. It only amounts to about 5mm of movement but was still noticeable.

Corsair Platform:6 price

With a price starting at $999 for a desk without height adjustment, the Platform:6 is plain and simply expensive. You can pick up height-adjustable desks with similar desk sizes for $300, with higher-end versions going for $700. For Corsair to ask double the latter number for its height-adjustable version is quite the ask.

Then again, you do get a lot of extra features here, so the value aspect of the desk will strongly rely on you taking full advantage of all of them, with the monitor arms and T-channel being the key ones that set this desk apart.

Corsair Platform:6 conclusion

The Corsair Platform:6 is a fantastic gaming desk option if you can take full advantage of all its features. It’s well made, quiet, and stylish enough in a simple sort of way, while the sheer amount of extras it offers is compelling.

However, if you’re unsure if you’ll use the T-channel bar, the monitor arms, or the other extras, its value starts eroding very quickly. If you’re using one large monitor with its included stand because it’s too heavy for the included monitor arms, half the benefit of this desk is thrown away.

That would all be a fair balance – the right product at the right price for the right person – but the small number of build quality issues we encountered further dent its appeal at this price. The sharp edge of the desktop, the snapped dowel for the T-channel stands, and the rubbery height adjust controls are all below expectations for such an expensive desk.

Corsair Platform:6 alternatives

If Platform:6 isn’t for you, these options might suit you better.

Flexispot E7 Pro

The Flexispot E7 Pro is a sturdier, more feature-rich alternative to the E7, making it a great option if you want a basic height-adjustable desk. For $700 with the same desk size as the Platform:6, providing a big saving for you to add monitor mounts and other accessories.

Secretlab Magnus

With its metal desktop, the Magnus offers a slightly different take on a gaming desk, and a large leatherette cover is provided to soften the whole top surface. Its key feature is a flip-up section that runs all along the back edge, providing access to a full-width cable stowage tray, making for a convenient place to stuff cables and power adapters.