I have not made it a secret that I am a fan of the FlexiSpot ClassicRiser. We liked it so much at BTOD.com that we decided to add the brand to our product offering. The ClassicRiser is a nice product in the world of standing desk converters, but it is not perfect. There are still some downsides that the M2 has, especially when compared to full electric height adjustable desks. In this post I will share the most common problems with the FlexiSpot ClassicRiser M2 as well as offer some solutions to those problems.
Need help? Get our Free Standing Desk Converter Buying Guide!
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?
35 lbs. Weight Limit
One of the biggest disadvantages standing desk converters have, when compared to full desks, is their low weight capacities. The FlexiSpot M2 is no different. With only 35 pounds to work with, accessories start to add up quickly. My single 27” monitor takes up more than half the weight allowed. After adding my keyboard, mouse and tablet; I am close to the maximum allowable weight.
This can also pose a problem for people looking to mount their monitors with monitor arms. The single monitor arm from Flexispot is listed at 13 lbs. and the dual is close to 20 lbs. If I were to mount my single 27” monitor, I would only have a few pounds left. I wouldn’t be able to use anything more than my keyboard and mouse.
This will also be a problem for people trying to mount dual monitors. You will only have 15 pounds capacity left for both monitors and your accessories, after the weight of the dual monitor arm is factored in.
Solution
One thing you can do to help maximize the weight usage is to use monitors that are thin and lightweight. My monitor is definitely on the heavy side so it is not the best option when trying to load the unit with as many accessories as possible. This can also apply to things like keyboards, mice and speakers. Anything that has a compact, light-weight design is preferable.
If weight is a concern for you, then you may want to look into an electric standing desk converter. There are electric converters that will offer weight ratings of up to 100 lbs. If you need an even higher capacity, then you will want to look into getting a full desk.
Raises Your Keyboard Height When Sitting
The FlexiSpot ClassicRiser is one of many converters that increase the height of your normal typing position when seated. The added height will be about 1”. This can pose a problem for shorter people or people that prefer to have their keyboard below their normal desk surface.
Solution
One tip to help with the increased desk height, when seated, is to use your chair at the highest setting possible and use a footrest. This will help to get your elbows closer to a 90° angle so that you are not reaching up toward your keyboard. The footrest will allow you to keep your knees at a 90° angle with your feet firmly supported by the footrest.
One option to consider for those of you that do not want your keyboard raised is to go with the CompactRiser, also from FlexiSpot. It has a slightly different design which allows the keyboard tray to go to the same level as your existing desk.
If you need a product that allows you to lower the keyboard below your desk, then a product like the WorkFit-S or TaskMate Go might be nice options.
Limited Height Range
The M2 has about 14” of adjustment range with a maximum keyboard height of 15”. This will be tall enough for someone that is around 6’1” to be in an ergonomic typing position.
Another limitation with regard to the adjustment range is that the ClassicRiser does not have infinite position lock. Instead, it has 12 different positions to choose from at pre-set heights. This means that some people will be forced to adjust the unit slightly higher or slightly lower than they would prefer.
Solution
If you are looking for a standing desk converter for people taller than 6’0”, I would highly recommend reading article on the best standing desk converters for tall people.
If you like the FlexiSpot M2 but are turned off because it doesn’t have infinite position lock, then look for converters with infinite position lock. Products like the Eureka Converter have similar designs but allow you to stop the platforms at any height.
See The Best Standing Desk Converters For 2020After months of testing 40+ sit stand desk converters, the results are in! |
Not Dual Ergonomic
Dual ergonomics means that you can adjust the height of the keyboard tray and monitor independently of each other. This ensures that you can achieve the proper keyboard typing height and monitor viewing angle at the same time.
Unfortunately, the FlexiSpot M2 does not have dual ergonomics out of the box. The keyboard tray is permanently attached to the underside of the monitor platform. The height adjustment moves both platforms together, so both platforms remain at a fixed distance of 5” from each other at all times.
Solution
In order to make the ClassicRiser dual ergonomic, you will need to add a monitor arm. As mentioned in the first section, it is important to be aware of the weight of your monitors and whether or not they will exceed the 35 lbs. weight rating when combined with the monitor arm(s). If your main concern is dual ergonomics then you may want to consider products like the Humanscale QuickStand or Winston WorkStation.
Takes Up a Lot of Desk Space
The FlexiSpot ClassicRiser is one of the largest desktop converters out there. It has a very large footprint and the keyboard tray will hang over the front edge of a desk if it is 24” deep. You must also be willing to sacrifice a full 36” of desk width.
Solution
One of the biggest upsides to the FlexiSpot M2, when compared to other standing desk converters, is that it has a lot of task space. The space that is lost on your desk by the large footprint is definitely gained by spacious monitor and keyboard platforms on the M2. If you prefer to have a much smaller footprint, so that you can use your existing desk space, then you may want to consider floating products like the QuickStand Lite or WorkFit-A.
Final Thoughts
In my opinion, the FlexiSpot ClassicRiser is a well-rounded standing desk converter. With that said, it is not perfect and it has some potential problems that will affect some customers more than others. The low lifting capacity, lack of dual ergonomics and limited adjustment range will have a some customers looking for alternative products. I hope that this list highlights some potential problems that may exist for you so that you can be as informed as possible when shopping for the FlexiSpot ClassicRiser M2.
Gracie
How do you keep the flexispot from sliding back down? Is there a locking mechanism to keep it up?
Ryan Bald
Hi Gracie,
The ClassicRiser should have several different positions you can lock the platforms in. The lock should be triggered by simply releasing the handles once you get to your preferred height. If it is not functioning this way, then I would reach out to FlexiSpot or the dealer you made your purchase from to see about getting a replacement.