Quick answer

If your desk surface is crowded and you want the most usable space back, an under-desk headphone mount wins because it stores the headset below the worktop instead of on it. Choose a desk headphone stand instead when you want your headphones visible, easy to grab, and you are not short on surface area. A hybrid like The Grebe can hold a headset and two controllers off the side of the desk, which suits gaming setups where both need a home.

What each option actually does to your desk

A desk headphone stand occupies surface area permanently. The BMEGA uses a head-shaped design to support headphones in a natural position, which keeps large and small models from brands such as Audio Technica, AKG, Sennheiser, Sony, and Beyerdynamic ready to grab. The trade-off is that the footprint stays on your desk even when the headphones are in use.

An under-desk headphone mount moves the headset below the worktop. The Brainwavz Claw is a screw-in under-hanger with an adjustable mounting clamp, so it fits desks and shelves of different thicknesses and keeps headphones out of the way. The trade-off is that you need a reachable underside edge and enough knee clearance so the headset does not collide with your legs or a drawer.

How to measure before you choose

Start with desk thickness. Clamp and screw-in hangers depend on being able to grip the edge, so measure the edge you plan to use. Next, check vertical clearance under the desk: a headset hanging below the worktop needs room to sit without touching your knees or a drawer unit. Finally, decide how often you reach for the headphones. If you grab them many times a day, a surface stand keeps them at hand; if they sit idle for long stretches, under-desk storage frees the desk for keyboards, notebooks, and monitors.

Gaming setups: one holder or two?

If you store both a headset and controllers, a single-purpose holder may not be enough. The Grebe attaches to the side of a desk or under it and holds a headset plus two gamepads, which reduces the number of separate mounts you need. Alternatively, the Dual Game Controller Desktop Holder Stand keeps two controllers on the desk in a neat row and works with Xbox One, 360, PlayStation PS4, PS3, Steam Controller, Desktop PC gamepads, and most third-party controllers. The trade-off is placement: the desktop dual holder still uses surface area, while The Grebe keeps gear off the top but needs a suitable side or under-desk edge.

Trade-offs at a glance

  • Desk surface used: A desk headphone stand such as the BMEGA keeps headphones visible and within reach, but the base stays on the desk even when the headphones are elsewhere. Pick this if surface space is not your limiting factor.
  • Under-desk clearance needed: An under desk headphone mount like the Brainwavz Claw clears the worktop but requires a reachable edge and enough knee room so the headset does not bump your legs or a drawer. Measure thickness and clearance before installing.
  • One holder or several: The Grebe holds a headset and two controllers off the side or underside of the desk, while the Dual Game Controller Desktop Holder Stand stores two controllers on the desk. Count your gear first so you buy one holder instead of three.

Products compared

Which should you choose?

Best for

  • Small or shared desks where surface area is at a premium and an under-desk edge is available
  • Gamers who want a headset and two controllers stored together off the desk
  • Anyone who wants headphones visible and instantly grabable and has desk space to spare

Not for

  • Desks with no reachable edge or with drawers and supports that block the underside
  • Glass or fragile desk tops that cannot take a screw-in or clamp mount
  • Setups where headphones are used constantly and reaching under the desk would be annoying