The success of VARIDESK has created a huge rush by numerous manufacturers to make a similar product in order to reap the same rewards seen by VARIDESK. The Rocelco ADR Adjustable Desk Riser is one of those products. It has similar functionality and is available for a fraction of the cost. We have a VARIDESK ProPlus™ 36 and an ADR at our office, so I thought I would make a detailed comparison between the two products so that you can make the most informed buying decision possible.
Full Disclaimer: We are an office furniture dealer and sell some of the products we review. To learn more about the products we sell, our review process and why you can trust us, please visit: Why we’re different. Who is BTOD.com and The Breakroom Blog?
TABLE OF CONTENTS
– Specs / Features / Pricing
– Color Options
– Delivery and Assembly
– Build Quality
– Stability
– Task and Keyboard Space
– Making Adjustments
– Ergonomics
– Safety
– Bottom Line
Specs / Features
| Rocelco ADR | VARIDESK ProPlus™ 36 |
||
| Country or Origin | China | China | |
| Sits on top of desk | Yes | Yes | |
| Lifting Mechanism | 2 Handle Gas Lift Assist | 2 Handle Spring Lift Assist | |
| Keyboard & Monitor Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Lifting Capacity | 50 lbs. | 35 lbs. | |
| Product Weight | 26 lbs. | 52 lbs. | |
| Height Positon Options | 5 | 11 | |
| Overall at lowest height | 32”W x 26.75”D x 6.25”H | 36”W x 29.75”D x 4.5”H | |
| Overall at highest height | 32”W x 34”D x 16.5”H | 36”W x 41.75”D x 17.5”H | |
| Base Dimensions | 29.75”W x 21.25”D | 30”W x 24”D | |
| Keyboard Tray Dimensions | 24”W x11.75”D | 36”W x 14.25” | |
| Monitor Platform Dimensions | 32” W x 20.5”D | 36”W x 20”D | |
| Max Keyboard Platform Height | 10.75” | 14” | |
| Max Monitor Platform Height | 16.5” | 17.5” | |
| Min Keyboard Platform Height | .5” | 1” | |
| Min Monitor Platform Height | 6.25” | 4.5” | |
| Distance Keyboard to Monitor | 5.75” | 3.25” | |
| Warranty Period | 1 Year | 5 Years | |
| Return Policy | 30 Day Guarantee | 30 Day Guarantee | |
Price
The prices on these two products are going to be quite different. The ProPlus™ 36 has had a steady price since its release at $395.00 with free shipping. The ADR’s pricing is not as consistent, but it has always been substantially lower than the ProPlus™ 36. Currently, the price is being listed as $177.80 with free shipping. I think a good price range to assume for the ADR is somewhere between $170.00 and $210.00 with free shipping.
| Rocelco ADR | VARIDESK ProPlus™ 36 |
|
| Price | $177.80 | $395.00 |
| Shipping | Free | Free |
Color Options
The ADR and ProPlus™ 36 are available in black or white. The ProPlus™ 36 is also available in three additional wood finish options for additional customization.
| Finish Options | |
| Rocelco ADR | Black or White |
| VARIDESK ProPlus™ 36 |
Black, White, Darkwood, Butcher Block |
Delivery & Assembly
Both items ship within 24 hours via UPS Ground and will arrive within a few business days. They also both arrive fully assembled and ready to go out of the box. These two products are among the fastest on the market from time of ordering to the time the product is ready for use.
| Rocelco ADR | VARIDESK ProPlus™ 36 |
|
| Order Processing Time | Within 24 Hours | Within 24 Hours |
| Shipping Time | 1-5 Business Days | 1-5 Business Days |
| Shipping Method | FedEx/UPS Ground | FedEx/UPS Ground |
| Assembly Required | No | No |
Build Quality
Both products are made in China, but I think there is a big difference in overall build quality between the two. The ProPlus™ 36 is heavier, functions more smoothly. The material used on the VARIDESK’s platforms feel more solid than the platforms on the ADR. The ADR features a cheap edge banding that sticks up above the platform while the VARIDESK has rounded corners. The VARIDESK simply has a higher end quality build.
See The Best Standing Desk Converters For 2020After months of testing 40+ adjustable desk risers, the results are in! |
Stability
Both the ADR and ProPlus™ 36 utilize the same type of z lift design, which has inherent flaws due to the arcing lifting pattern. Both products move you further from the base of the unit as they get higher. This puts more weight over the front portion of the desk. Both products are stable at sitting height, but will lose stability as they get higher. There will be considerable keyboard bounce and monitor shake at greater heights with both products. This is more pronounced on the ADR than the ProPlus™ 36.
The ProPlus™ 36 is much heavier than the ADR and the weight distribution between the base and platform is much better. Because of this, the risk of tipping is higher on the Rocelco ADR. The ADR does not fully lock into position. There will still be a bit of bounce on the platform even when it should be locked. The VARIDESK fully locks into each position with no platform bounce.
|
Product |
Sitting Wobble (10%) | Standing Wobble (15%) | Sitting Bounce (10%) | Standing Bounce (15%) | Sitting Shake (10%) | Standing Shake (15%) | General (25%) | Total Score |
| Rocelco ADR | 90/100 | 82/100 | 85/100 | 75/100 | 85/100 | 70/100 | 20/100 | 65/100 |
| ProPlus™ 36 | 100/100 | 80/100 | 100/100 | 40/100 | 90/100 | 45/100 | 40/100 | 64/100 |
Task and Keyboard Space
The ADR and ProPlus™ 36 both feature a monitor platform and keyboard tray. The monitor platform on each unit has a cutout in the front of the platform. The ProPlus™ 36 has a wider platform, but a larger cut-out in the front. Both platforms are capable of holding dual monitors, but the space on the ADR is more practical without such a large cutout.
The keyboard tray on the ProPlus™ 36 is both wider and deeper than the ADR. I had a difficult time fitting my keyboard and mouse on the ADR’s keyboard tray. The ProPlus™ keyboard tray is plenty large to fit a keyboard, mouse and an additional object, like a cell phone, on the non-mouse side of the tray.
Making Adjustments
The movement on the VARIDESK is controlled by two handles found underneath each side of the monitor platform. Press both handles to unlock the unit and then move it to your desired position. Release the handles to lock it in one of the eleven different positions. The motion is assisted with spring lifts and adjusting the VARIDESK requires very little physical effort.
The ADR is more difficult to adjust than the ProPlus™ 36. Underneath each side of the monitor platform, toward the back of the unit, are two locks that are controlled with two small levers. Toggling each lock to “unlocked” with allow the ADR to adjust freely. Toggling them both to “locked” will lock the unit in place. It is important to note that there are only five different height positions on the ADR, so it can sometimes be tricky to find the slot to get the locks to secure the unit because you will often be in between two allowable positions. The ADR uses a gas lift system to assist with the motion, but the ADR still requires considerable physical effort to adjust the unit downward.
Ergonomics
Neither product features the ability to adjust the monitor platform and keyboard tray separately so they both lack dual ergonomics. But, the adjustment range alone makes the ProPlus™ 36 far superior to the ADR when it comes to accommodating a larger segment of the population in a potentially ergonomic position. The ADR only goes high enough to accommodate people that are 5’7”, while the ProPlus™ 36 works for people up to 6’0”.
The ProPlus™ 36 also has 11 different height positions while the ADR only has five. When using the ADR, there are going to be a lot of people that will be between two height positions and they will have to settle for a keyboard tray that is lower or higher than they prefer.
Safety
As discussed earlier, both models utilize a z lift pattern that extends the platforms away from the base as it gets higher. This increases the potential for the product to tip forward due to the shifted center of gravity. This problem makes the VARIDESK less stable in terms of keyboard bounce and monitor shake, but I did not feel worried that it would tip forward. The ADR is a lot less stable and there is the potential for the unit to tip forward. This is a safety risk to you and your equipment.
The second potential safety risk pertains solely to the ADR and its choice to use the dual locking mechanism. This system puts your fingers and hands in very close proximity to a pinch point that could really hurt you. This problem is further exacerbated by Rocelco’ s recommendation to lay your arms across the monitor platform, hang your hands over the sides and use the weight of your upper body to help move the platforms. This recommendation is a problem because you cannot see what you are doing which makes the pinch point being so close to your hands even more dangerous.
Bottom Line
I think that this is a perfect case of you get what you pay for. The ProPlus™ 36 is the superior product. It outperforms the ADR in almost every way possible. From the build quality to the adjustment range to the ease of use; the ProPlus™ 36 is better than the ADR. The ProPlus™ also does not come with the safety risks that the ADR poses.
If you are deciding between the VARIDESK ProPlus™ 36 and the Rocelco ADR, then I would recommend the ProPlus™ 36. This all comes at a cost though. The ProPlus™ 36 is about twice the price of the ADR. If you are shopping mainly by price, then the ADR might be the better choice. I do believe that the increased quality from the ProPlus™ justifies its higher price point though.
Standing Desk Converter Resources
- VertDesk Standing Desk Converter (Review / Rating / Pricing)
- Flexispot M2 35″ Sit Stand Desk Converter (Review / Rating / Pricing)
- VARIDESK ProPlus™ 36 Stand Up Desk Converter (Review / Rating / Pricing)
- Top 6 Most Stable Standing Desk Converters
- Top 5 FlexiSpot Alternatives and Competitors
- The 5 Best VariDesk Alternatives and Competitors
