5 Best Under Desk Sliding Storage Drawers for 2023

Digital work has long replaced paperwork as the bane of office workers. Instead of dealing with mounds of paperwork, now we’re dealing with seemingly-endless inboxes. This has largely been for the good, since it’s made businesses more efficient. But it’s presented some problems for people whose jobs still require the use of pen and paper.

Desks have evolved along with the changing needs of workers. Gone are the days of desks with tons of drawers and storage space. Today’s desks tend to consist of a table to support your computer, with a keyboard tray underneath. That’s great for most people. But what do you do if you need a drawer on your desk? In that case, a third-party aftermarket drawer could be the best choice.

Today, we’re going to review five of the best under desk sliding storage drawers we could find. Each review will be fairly detailed, so here’s a short summary if you’re in a hurry:

• The Stand Up Desk Store Sliding Under-Desk Drawer is as tough as they come, with the ability to support up to 15 pounds.
• The OSteed Under Desk Metal Drawer comes in two variants, and has a pair of 30mm cable holes in the back.
• The VIVO Secure Under Desk Mounted Pull-Out Drawer has a hanging bracket that supports it 3.3 inches below your desk.
• The Gome Under Desk Pull-Out Drawer is an attractive black drawer with a silver handle and an optional bracketed version.
• The Pencil Drawer by NYCCO is an ultra-slim flush-mount drawer with a built-in office supply organizer.

Of course, those are merely the basics. To get a better understanding, we’ll have to dig a bit deeper. Let’s begin!

Stand Up Desk Store Sliding Under-Desk Drawer

Key features:

• Alloy steel construction.
• Comes in two sizes.
• Available in black or white.
• Supports up to 15 pounds.

The Stand Up Desk Store Sliding Under-Desk Drawer is manufactured from tough alloy steel. It’s available in two different colors: black or white, both of which come with a powder-coated finish. There’s no handle built into the design. Instead, the front panel extends below the bottom of the drawer, providing a secure gripping point.

This drawer comes in two sizes. The larger variant is 21.6 inches wide, 14 inches long, and 2.8 inches high. The smaller version is 18 inches wide, with the same length and height. Both have an interior height of 2.4 inches. That’s enough for a laptop or a few legal pads. But it’s not thick enough to accommodate a standard drawer divider.

Both versions can be flush mounted to the bottom of your desk. However, the 18-inch version also comes with an extension bracket. This 6.9-inch bracket creates a 4.1-inch gap at the top of the drawer. There’s a soft pad on top of the drawer, so it can act as a shelf. The drop will also lower the drawer below any lip at the front of your desk. This type of lip can completely block a flush mounted drawer.

The sliders are exceptionally smooth. The drawer glides easily in and out with virtually zero resistance. The large version doesn’t have any lock. But the 18-inch version comes with a lock and a set of two keys.

This drawer has a weight limit of 15 pounds, which is pretty impressive. It’s made in the USA, and it’s backed by a five-year manufacturer’s warranty. If for some reason it fails, you’ll be fully covered.

What we liked:

• Rugged design.
• Very smooth glides.
• Optional hanging bracket creates a padded shelf.
• Optional locking version.

What we didn’t like:

• Too slim for a standard drawer organizer.
• Sharp corners.

OSteed Under Desk Metal Drawer

Key features:

• Alloy steel construction.
• Comes in two sizes.
• Available in black or white.
• 2 cable holes in rear.

The OSteed Under Desk Metal Drawer is also made from a tough alloy steel. It’s available with a black or white finish, so you can match it to your existing décor. The handle on the front is subtle. Instead of being a separate piece, there’s a horizontal indent across the top of the drawer. The steel then curves back forwards, creating an area where you can pull from.

This drawer measures 15.5 inches wide, 11.6 inches long, and 2.8 inches tall on the inside. That’s a good-sized space! In the back is a pair of two 30mm holes that you can use for routing cables. This can be handy if you keep a laptop charging in the drawer. But it’s also great for smartphone chargers, USB hubs, and other connected devices.

You can order two different versions of the OSteed drawer. The first measures a total of 18 inches wide, 12.2 inches long, and 4 inches high. It has a flush-mount design that sits tight to the bottom of your desk. The second version has the same width and length, but measures 6 inches high including the bracket. As a result, it has two inches of clearance for any lip at the front of your desk.

The tracks are designed in three sections, with soft rubber pads at the back of each section. This keeps them from clapping together and making a lot of noise. The drawer can open to a length of 9.7 inches, leaving less than 2 inches concealed. The 11-pound capacity isn’t impressive, but it’s also not disappointing.

What we liked:

• Generous drawer sizing and wide opening.
• Easy cable management.
• Opens and closes quietly.
• Easy to install.

What we didn’t like:

• No locking mechanism.
• Feels a bit flimsy.

VIVO Secure Under Desk Mounted Pull-Out Drawer

Key features:

• Alloy steel construction.
• Available in black or white.
• Hanging design with 3.3” gap on top.

The VIVO Secure Under Desk Mounted Pull-Out Drawer is manufactured from a tough alloy steel. It ships in black or white, and has a horizontal cutout that serves as a handle. The total width is 11.5 inches, or 13.1 inches if you include the flanges on the mounting brackets. It’s 14.3 inches deep, with a total height of 7.2 inches including the brackets. The inside of the drawer measures 9 inches wide, 12.6 inches long, and 2.3 inches tall.

As we mentioned, the drawer hangs on a bracket. This bracket leaves a 3.3-inch gap, enough to clear even a very large lip or front rail. The top of the drawer is even padded to create a convenient shelf. That said, you have to attach the bracket to the drawer before you can mount it under your desk. This can be awkward, since the drawer itself weighs 11 pounds. You’ll need to flip your desk over or get someone to help you.

There’s a lock near the right end of the drawer, and the kit includes a pair of keys. And while the weight capacity is only 11 pounds, the steel and the lock both seem very secure. The total opening of 9.2 inches is fairly generous, but unfortunately the slides can feel a bit stiff. On the plus side, you’re protected by a generous 3-year warranty.

VIVO is a manufacturer that specializes in workplace accessories. A good example is their Clamp-on Adjustable Arm Rest, which we recently reviewed. It’s an ergonomic, easy-to-use device to make your desk more comfortable. So when we saw they manufacture a desk drawer, we were intrigued.

What we liked:

• Great for desks with large front lips.
• Secure locking mechanism.
• Sturdy construction.
• Pulls out a long way.

What we didn’t like:

• Too shallow for a standard drawer organizer.
• Difficult to install.

Gome Under Desk Pull-Out Drawer

Key features:

• Alloy steel construction.
• Available in flush-mount or bracketed versions.
• Includes a pair of ben holders.

The Gome Under Desk Pull-Out Drawer is yet another alloy steel option. It only comes in black, but the look is very sleek, with curves at the corners to avoid any sharp edges. The handle on the center is a shiny stainless steel, providing an attractive accent as well as a practical grip.

This drawer measures 13.39 inches wide, 8.66 inches long, and 2.36 inches tall. You can order it in two versions. The first mounts flush to the bottom of your desk and provides a sleeker look. The second has a built-in bracket that drops the drawer by 1.2 inches. That’s enough to clear a small lip or cross-bar, if not a larger one. Both versions will support up to 12 pounds. That’s not half bad, especially considering the small size.

Along with the drawer itself, the package includes a pair of plastic pen holders. One is pink and one is pastel green, and both are long and rectangular with four large wells. Unfortunately, they’re too big for the drawer. Think of them more like organizers for your desktop.

What we liked:

• Easy to install.
• Fairly sturdy.
• Smooth gliding.
• Includes a pair of pen organizers.

What we didn’t like:

• No locking mechanism.
• Pen holders don’t fit in drawer.

Pencil Drawer by NYCCO

Key features:

• Plastic construction.
• Flush-mounted design.
• Measures 2″H x 23″W x 16″D.
• Built-in organizer tray.

The Pencil Drawer by NYCCO has an entirely different design from the previous ones. For one thing, it’s very slim. It measures just 2 inches thick including the bracket, with a width of 23 inches and a length of 16. It’s also made of plastic instead of metal, with a matte black finish and a curved front that serves as a handle. Keep in mind that it’s only designed for flush mounting. It won’t work if your desk has any kind of lip at the front.

The slide mechanism is smooth and effective. It allows your drawer to pull out by up to 12.25 inches, or just shy of the entire depth. Inside, you’ll find a built-in storage divider. The large back portion measures 18 inches wide and 9.625 inches long. The front strip is 2.5 inches thick, and is divided into four subsections: two small, and one each medium and large.

What we liked:

• Ultra-slim design.
• Built-in organizer.
• High-quality sliders.
• Affordable.

What we didn’t like:

• It’s made of plastic.
• No bracketed option.

Final Verdict

Depending on your needs, any one of these five under desk sliding storage drawers could be ideal. But which one is right for you? Let’s go over what we’ve learned about each of today’s options.

We began with the Stand Up Desk Store Sliding Under-Desk Drawer. This drawer comes in 21-inch and 18-inch variants. While the 21-inch version is roomier, we favor the 18-inch version for a couple of reasons. To begin with, it comes with a bracket that can be used to create shelf space between it and your desk. Furthermore, it has a lock to keep your supplies secure. Both sizes are made in the USA, and can support an impressive 15 pounds of weight.

Second on our list was the OSteed Under Desk Metal Drawer. This drawer only comes in one size, but you can order flush-mount or bracketed versions. The slides are particularly well-engineered, with quiet, smooth operation. And while the weight limit isn’t all that impressive, there’s a generous amount of space for lighter objects.

After that, we reviewed the VIVO Secure Under Desk Mounted Pull-Out Drawer. This drawer provides a lot of clearance for obstructions at the front of the desk. The top surface doubles as a shelf, which is pretty convenient. And while it’s not all that big, the locking mechanism is surprisingly tough and sturdy.

Next, we looked at the Gome Under Desk Pull-Out Drawer. With its stainless steel handle, this is probably the most attractive drawer of the bunch. It’s also fairly sturdy, with a 12-pound capacity that’s impressive given the small size.

Finally, we came to the Pencil Drawer by NYCCO. This is an ultra-slim drawer that’s designed for pens, pencils, and small writing pads. It’s only capable of flush-mounting, and there is no bracket. But if all you need is a simple under-desk organizer, it’s a solid choice.