Working from the comfort of your own home has become the new normal, whether you’re a businessman, an academic or both. For example, you may set up an office in the hall or make do with the tablet in your kitchen. There’s also the option of an adjustable-height workstation or desk-to-chair converter. Since it’s become so popular among professionals, working from home has never been easier, thanks to many solutions and widely available software.
We’ve spent months evaluating a variety of standing desks, from installation to whole days dedicated to each, to find the optimum one for you.
Our testing methodology
We devoted almost two months to the testing of these tables. Each desk was carefully unpacked and put together, paying close attention to how long each step took. As we examined each product, we kept track of the time it took to assemble, how easy it was to follow the directions, and whether or not any additional equipment was required.
We used electric standing desks at both sitting and standing positions once completed; desk converters were used solely in standing positions.
We also used each desk for approximately four days during our testing, taking close note of how each desk adapted and ergonomically functioned. We compared the products based on three criteria: performance, quality, and the length of the manufacturer’s guarantee.
Our ultimate winners were determined by weighing the initial price of each desk against the features it offered and by summing up ratings for each model.
We organized the research into the specific categories listed below:
Functionality
- We noted the desk’s degree of front-to-back wobble, if any existed.
- Whether the desk was ergonomically sound in both seated and standing positions were also considered.
- We looked at the desk’s adjustability, noting how easily it moved up and down and how simple it was to use the keypad.
- We took careful note of how much if any, movement the desk exhibited from side to side.
- We took note of the range of possible desk heights.
- We noted whether the desk had any slots or grooves as usual for organizing cables, as well as cable management trays, additional outlets, and so on.
Design
- We noted how much space each piece of equipment occupied, how much area it took up, and if it was offered in more than one size.
- As part of our evaluation of the desk’s materials, we looked at how cheap or fragile it felt and if the surface was easily scratched.
- Regarding aesthetics, we looked at the desk’s placement in a room, if it was offered in multiple styles, and how many.
- We looked at how long it took to unpack and build the desk, how the instructions were written, whether or not extra equipment was required, and how practical the provided tools were during the construction process.
Guarantee
We checked each product’s warranty to see how long it was valid and which parts were covered.
The king: Branch Adjustable Standing Desk
One of the best adjustable standing desks on the market, the Branch Adjustable Standing Desk can handle several monitors, laptops, keepsakes, and more. It has one of the most robust constructions we’ve ever seen.
Even though Branch’s standing desk is only available in two dimensions and a few colors, this does not limit the product’s competitiveness. With its focus on high-quality materials and design that doesn’t draw attention away from the task, this standing desk stands head and shoulders above the competition.
It begins with the desktop, which in this example is a particle board laminate measuring 48 inches wide by 30 inches deep. Additionally, you can choose a white or dark walnut finish. However, you’re stuck with a pair of white legs no matter what you do. The Branch option has a deeper depth than the typical desk, which is nice. Multi-monitor setups are a breeze, as are laptops (and maybe tablets) and notebooks with extra storage.
As a bonus, the desk has a little diagonal cut edge in the front, allowing you to relax your arms or even lean towards it without fearing that you’ll have a piece of wood protruding from your stomach. Neither water nor coffee stains nor surface scratches were ever observed throughout our tests. There were minor scuffs and peeling on the side surfaces, but these resulted from hard knocks.
To keep cords neat, the Branch has a metal panel in the back of the desk that you can tilt back or forward to show a brush system. This brush system even prevented loose Apple and USB wires from dropping through the desk.
Overall, the setup took around 20 minutes but using a drill expedited the process. The Branch comes with all the required equipment and may be built with relative simplicity. One of the desk’s two boxes included legs; the other included its top. The instructions were straightforward and detailed.
The heights vary from 25 to 52 inches, and most of the heights allow for changes down to the centimeter level. No matter how heavy the things were that we had placed on top of the desk, the movement was one of the softest we evaluated whether we were shifting the height up or down. On the left-hand side of the Branch is a control switch with an LED dot display indicating the actual height, an up and down switch, and four presets. You may activate these settings with a single touch.
We found the Branch one of the most stable desks we evaluated, never wobbling in any direction.
Other top standing desks we recommend
The customization king: Uplift V2-Commercial Standing Desk
In addition to being a high-quality workstation, the Uplift V2-Commercial Standing Desk provides the most customization options of any standing desk we’ve tested, from size to finish to keypads.
The budget king: SHW Electric Height-Adjustable Computer Desk
The SHW Electric Height-Adjustable Computer Desk is a desk that is surprisingly useful and strong, and you can purchase it for a price that is reasonable in comparison. In addition to having a digital keypad equipped with memory settings and very easy to put together, it also has a cable management tray.
Other standing desks we tested
The Vari is one of our favorite electric standing desks, and there’s a good reason you’ve likely seen it in countless office locations around the country. For starters, it’s incredibly durable, earning high grades on our tests. This electric standing desk took the least time to set up out of all the non-budget priced options, only requiring around 20 minutes total. With a range of 25″ to 50.2″ (the greatest possible height of all workstations we tested), the Vari’s LED keypad shows 0.1-inch increments as it goes up and down. We didn’t even need to check the instruction booklet to set up the four memory settings. Regarding engine noise, the Vari was considerably quieter than the other standing desks in our pool. A five-year guarantee covers all components.
The only significant deficiency was in the area of organization, which was the only area where it received negative marks. Even though it does not have grommets to collect wires, it has a slightly recessed rear in case you want to set it flush against the wall. This ensures that you will still have enough room for all of your cables to hang comfortably; an extra wire tray is available for purchase separately. (The free bag hook that came with our package was much appreciated.)
Sturdy and beautiful, the ApexDesk Elite Series 60 standing desk is offered in two sizes, both large enough to fit numerous monitors and other devices. Since it has a curved front, this standing desk is more comfortable to use while sitting and standing, allowing us to come deeper to the desk than other models we tested. Additionally, it includes covered grommets for wire management. We discovered that when it came to construction quality, the Branch was superior to the original and hence better worth your money.
Ergo Desktop Kangaroo Pro Junior
The dual ergonomics of this desktop converter made it a pleasure to use. The tabletop and monitor adjust individually, allowing greater customization than a regular desk riser. The 24×18″ desktop surface may be raised to a height of 14″ to accommodate a laptop or a computer keyboard and mouse. Although it took us some time to work out the twist-knob setup to configure our monitor, we were up and running in no time.
While the adjustable rod is designed to offer added stability to your desk at various heights, we found it challenging to stay put and not a dependable support component after all. If you only have a single monitor and a keyboard to work with, the Kangaroo Pro Junior could be a good fit for you because it takes up very little desk space.
Fully Jarvis EcoTop Standing Desk
This desk was a favorite of ours for a variety of reasons. To date, the Jarvis series from Fully has developed its most eco-friendly design yet: the EcoTop is constructed from local fiber in Oregon that is at least 92% pre-consumer recycled or recovered, satisfying the ECC Sustainability Standard for Eco-certified Composites. The Jarvis Fully Bamboo Standing Desk is similar in construction and functionality to the customer-favorite (and eco-friendly) Jarvis Fully Bamboo Standing Desk, which is why it’s so popular.
Standing and sitting heights can be adjusted from 25.5 inches to 51.1 inches, the second-largest range among the desks we evaluated, with increments of 0.1 inches. It is also easy to configure, with four memory presets. This desk appeared to be of excellent quality; as per Fully, it can handle up to 350 pounds. However, at higher heights, it wobbled more from side to side than our top selection overall. An excellent all-inclusive 10-year guarantee on all structural elements, which include motors and electronics, and a 5-year guarantee on desktop surfaces protects Jarvis workstations, similar to the Uplift’s guarantee; however, this warranty excludes natural wear and tear and damage caused by incorrect assembly, disabling, and repairing the desks.
In the end, this desk scored poorly in terms of assembly. It took nearly an hour to complete one of our review’s most difficult builds, and we were particularly frustrated by the huge Allen key, which had prongs of identical length. There are two exposed grommets for cables on the back of the EcoTop; however, attaching a cord organizer requires a power drill because no holes have been pre-drilled. The EcoTop is offered in six different sizes and can have a black or white finish.
Those who care about the environment will appreciate this desk, a strong contender for the top prize.
Readydesk 2 Adjustable Standing Desk
We liked this converter’s creative, minimalist design, made from recyclable birchwood, but we can see how it could not go with your environment. Beyond its looks, we were impressed by how quickly and effortlessly this converter came together: You don’t need any tools to put the shelves together; it took less than five minutes. As a result, students living on campus, or anybody else with limited desktop space, may find this an ideal solution.
Disassembly is easy if you need to move it out of the way and stow it in a corner. If you’re looking for an ultra-lightweight workstation that’s also incredibly durable, the Readydesk 2 is an excellent option for you! Wires are organized in two keyhole-like holes on each ledge. In the United States, the product is covered by a generous 100-day money-back guarantee and a one-year warranty against craftsmanship and material defects.
A few things, however, were lacking: For comparison, other converters we tested had more area for equipment but were available in various sizes and colors. We were afraid we’d snag our sleeve fabric on it because of its unfinished edges. Because of the absence of grips at the base, it might slide depending on the surface, but we had no problems. Because of its one-of-a-kind construction, the item is not the best choice for use by several persons of varying heights simultaneously. This is because to alter the adjustments; the user must first remove the piece of wood and then physically shift it to a new slot. Although this is not a complex process, it is clear that it is not as straightforward as moving a lever to make the desired adjustment.
Flexispot Standing Desk 48×30″
Like the SHW, the Flexispot Standing Workstation is another low-cost option for those looking for a stand-up desk. It’s available in black, white, and mahogany finishes, and while it looks sleek and the tabletop is one solid piece rather than two thin parts joined side by side, it has several notable downfalls.
The desk has a standing range of 28–47.6 inches. Still, to determine what height you’re standing at (if that’s important), you’ll need to throw on an additional $90 for the “standard” model, which is 55 inches long and contains a digital LED keypad with memory settings. Also, the entry model features a keypad with just up and down switches.
In addition, we noted a large amount of wobbling after we put the entire structure together. The desk comes in two packages, both of which are relatively light, although the directions were a little tricky. Unbelievably, there was a stage requiring the removal of bolts and stretching of a rod, but there was no indication of how far that rod was to be stretched. As a result, we estimated and had to re-loosen the bolts and re-measure the desktop once we installed it.
Unscrewing screws from the previous stage was also necessary for the next part.
A five-year guarantee covers the desk’s structure, motor, and other mechanisms, while a two-year warranty covers the controller, switch, and electronic components.
High Rise Height Adjustable Electric Full Standing Desk DC840B
Victor Technology’s High Rise standing desk— offered in 4-foot top or 3-foot top models — has a deep work surface with various adjustable heights. To put it another way, we had more than enough room for everything we needed. It’s built to last no matter how high you place it because it’s made of wood and metal. The desk was easy to install, requiring less than 20 minutes to put together with the included tools and instructions.
With the memory feature, you may set four preferred heights and then press the button to have it adjust to that specific height, which ranges from 28.7 to 48 inches. The desk’s height-adjustment mechanism is entirely silent for those who operate in a noise-free environment.
The High Rise does not provide any extra benefits, such as the ability to personalize the desktop, choices for additional accessories, or a curved form like the ApexDesk. However, buyers can get unique features such as whiteboards and laminate desktops on our top-ranked standing desks for the same money.
Vivo Height Adjustable 32-Inch Standing Desk Converter
The Flexispot converter and the Vivo converter have a lot in common regarding design and functionality. The keyboard tray just needed to be attached to the foundation, which was a straightforward process, and the lever adjusts the height. While we found it to be as sturdy as Flexispot, we eventually decided not to use it for a few reasons: The Vivo is only available in one size, priced at $119.99, whereas Flexispot’s 31-inch model costs only $99.99.
At 10″ wide, the keyboard and desktop are smaller than the Flexispot converter we evaluated, but they rise to a maximum height of 19.5,” one inch higher than our winner did. It has a three-year warranty and includes two cable clips that adhere to the product’s base. Vivo is an excellent choice for those looking for a finish that isn’t completely black, are prepared to sacrifice an inch of height in exchange for some extra desktop space, and are willing to fork over a little more money.
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