When it comes to your gaming peripheral needs, Cougar needs no introduction. That’s why today, I’ll be giving you a review on one of their products, the Cougar Mars 120 Gaming Desk.
While gaming desks or any piece of furniture that have the word “gaming” attached to it tend to raise some brows from certain people, you can’t deny that these products that are crafted with gamers in mind totally enhances your overall gaming experience.
Aside from the gamer aesthetic it’s integrated with, gaming desks tend to just know what we need to make our gaming sessions a lot better and more convenient. Whether it be cup holders, cable management, headphone stands, additional compartments and drawers, and so much more.
Gaming desks and other furniture are more than their flashy RGB lights. In many ways, gaming desks provide impressive ergonomic features a lot of traditional desks don’t have. Some even have height-adjustable options to promote healthier posture and overall lifestyle.
However, let’s find out below if the Cougar Mars 120 is exactly what you need for your gaming setup.
See Where The Cougar Mars 120 Ranks In Our List Of The Best Gaming Desks Of 2021 Here.
Overview
Throughout the years, Cougar has been one of the top go-to brands of gamers from all over the world. They have been providing high-quality gaming furniture and peripherals since 2008 and rest assured that you can rely on their products. From PC components, peripherals, gaming chairs, desks, you name it.
But let’s get to the star of the show, the Cougar Mars 120.
According to Cougar, this particular gaming desk has an ergonomic and generously spacious design to accommodate all your gaming accessories. In addition, the flashy and dazzling ARGB lighting effects integrated on the desk’s sides are there to further enhance your gaming atmosphere.
Cougar Mars 120 Vs. The Original Cougar Mars Gaming Desk
If you’re unaware, this is actually the more affordable and compact version of their original Cougar Mars gaming desk. That one is almost double the 120’s price point. The 120 variant has a lot of similarities with the original version actually. From the shape, design, down to the ARGB lighting effects.
The only significant difference I noticed between the two is that the first one is generally a lot larger, meaning it has a more spacious workable surface, and it’s also height adjustable. Personally, if you have the budget for the original one, I would say go for that instead.
Height adjustable desks are so beneficial nowadays, especially when taking care of your health during a pandemic is more important than ever. Honestly, the lack of height adjustability is really the only con I see in the Cougar Mars 120.
Aside from that, the 120 is a fairly impressive gaming desk on its own.
Features & Specifications
- Product Size: 1250 x 810 x 740 (in millimeters)
- Surface Dimensions: 31.5 x 11.81 x 47.24 inches
- Shape: Rectangular
- Item Weight: 88.18 lbs.
- Manufacturer / Brand: Cougar
- Weight Capacity: 330 lbs or 150 kg.
- Height Adjustable: No.
- Cable Management: No.
- Material: High-strength welded steel frame and carbon fiber tabletop.
- Colors: Black.
- Extra Special Features: Scratch-resistant carbon fiber surface, ARGB Lighting Strips, Control stands, RGB button, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, 3.5mm audio jack, and a 3.5mm microphone jack.
What’s In The Box
Upon receiving the packaging, you’ll first notice just how large this equipment is. Also how heavy it is! But inside, you’ll get:
- 2 bottom legs.
- 1 cross supports.
- 2 RGB side pieces.
- 1 top piece.
- 1 header unit that contains the RGB button, USB 2.0 and 3.0 inputs, and an audio and microphone jack.
- Tools and screws.
- Instruction manual.
Take note, assembly does take a bit of time on this unit. So make sure to read the user manual carefully to avoid any faulty setups.
Click here to check out the Cougar Mars 120 Gaming Desk user manual.
What We Love About The Cougar Mars 120 Gaming Desk
Take a look below at the features we absolutely loved about the Cougar Mars 120.
Ergo-friendly and Sturdy Design
Upon first glance, the very first thing I noticed with the Cougar Mars 120 is its ergonomic design. While it sports the usual rectangular shape of many gaming desks, the cutout on the front will make it easy for you to get closer to your monitor. It also offers a comfortable position for you during your gaming sessions.
Additionally, the legs and frame are made of a high-strength welded steel frame which makes this unit really sturdy and stable even under heavy pressure. It can effortlessly accommodate up to 150 kg or 330 lbs. of weight!
To put it simply, you can probably put two average-sized or three small people on top of this table and you will not experience any wobbling or shaking at all with the 120. The welds are also well hidden so you won’t really see them once the gaming desk is in use.
While I admit, I do miss having the option of height adjustability that came in with the original and larger Cougar Mars, the 120 did not disappoint in terms of sturdiness and being ergo-friendly.
Spacious Work Surface
Despite being the more compact version of the original Cougar Mars gaming desk, the 120 actually still offers a pretty spacious surface area.
So if you were worried previously about whether this can carry all your gaming needs, no need to worry! It has plenty of room to accommodate all your gaming accessories and peripherals, and even dual monitor setups effortlessly.
In fact, the Cougar Mars 120 boasts a 31.5 by 11.81 by 47.24 inches of workable surface area.
Scratch Resistance
Speaking of the Cougar Mars 120’s surface, the tabletop is actually made of high-quality carbon fiber to make sure that your gaming desk stays scratch-free.
As you might already know, our gaming sessions can sometimes get intense. In turn, we often have to move our mouse and keyboards in different directions at a quick pace to keep up with the game. This results in your gaming desks ending up with multiple scratches because those items rub against the surface quite harshly.
Thankfully, this won’t happen with the Cougar Mars 120 unless you actually try to make a dent on the table on purpose.
Built-In Control Port For Your Gaming Accessories
Style and Aesthetic
If you’re looking for a gaming desk that says “I’m a gamer”, then the Cougar Mars 120 will not disappoint you at all. The two ARGB lighting strips at the sides just really amps up your gaming atmosphere. Giving you the best gaming space possible, aesthetic-wise. I find the overall style sleek and not at all tacky.
What’s more, you can also connect compatible motherboards and keyboards through the control port so the ARGB lighting effects are all synced up, giving you a more cohesive color pattern.
But if you want a more subtle and minimal design, you can also opt to switch off the ARGB lights for a more professional look during your work hours.
Our Least Favorite Thing
It’s Not Height Adjustable
As I have already previously mentioned, the one thing I really miss in the Cougar Mars 120 is the ability to adjust its height. If it had this particular feature, this gaming desk will be close to perfection.
But because it only has one default height setting, I’m a little bit disappointed. That means you would be stuck with a sitting position throughout your gaming sessions. Which can be pretty bad for your overall health if you tend to play for several hours throughout the day.
For some, this might not be an issue at all but if you want to stay in shape, maintain your posture, and avoid any life threatening diseases that comes from sitting for extended periods of time, I would highly suggest searching for gaming desks with height adjustability like the original Cougar Mars gaming desk.
No Cable Management
Another feature I miss from this otherwise impressive gaming desk is cable management. It would have been really nice if Cougar gave us at least this option.
I get the height adjustment settings will come at a hefty cost in production but adding in a cable slot or even a compartment would make a world’s difference in terms of keeping pesky cables hidden and away from your space.
In A Nutshell
Here’s a narrowed down list of the good and the bad with the Cougar Mars 120 Gaming Desk.
Pros
- Sturdy and has great weight limit capacity.
- Ergonomic and spacious design.
- Dazzling ARGB lighting effects which you can also turn off or remove if you prefer a more “professional” look to your desk.
- Has a built-in control stand to plug in your USB devices, audio and microphone jacks, and other accessories.
- The ARGB lighting effects are compatible with motherboards’ 5V connection with Asus Aura Sync, Gigabyte RGB Fusion, MSI Mystic Light Sync, and ASRock Polychrome Sync for lighting synchronization of the whole system.
Cons
- Takes some time to assemble.
- No cable management options.
- Not height adjustable.
The Final Verdict
Overall, the Cougar Mars 120 is a solid and sturdy gaming desk that will provide a healthy and ergonomic gaming space for you.
A great gaming desk should be able to provide you with a durable and sturdy base, a generous and spacious surface area along other added functionalities. The Cougar Mars 120 ticks all those boxes.
If you can overlook the lack of cable management and adjustable height settings, this gaming desk performs impressively especially when it comes to heavier and more demanding gaming setups.
So if you’re on the hunt for a mid-range priced gaming desk that offers not only impressive features and functionalities but as well as enhances your overall setup and gaming aesthetic without taking up too much space, the Cougar Mars 120 is definitely something worth looking into.
Already own the Cougar Mars 120? Tell me all about your experiences and insights with this gaming desk on the comments section below. I’d love to hear your thoughts!
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