Over the course of the last twelve months, I have had the opportunity to review over 20 electric standing desks. From this group of 20 standing desks, I ended up writing in-depth reviews for 18 desks. These desks are what I have deemed to be the most popular options available during this time period. While I have been involved in the standing desk industry for over a decade, my understanding of the products offered has grown tremendously over this last year. The opportunity to bring in competing products, put them together, test how they function and then completely tear them apart, has been amazing.
While standing desks might look the same from the pictures presented online, I can assure you, once you open them up, they are anything but the same. There are big differences in a lot of the brands offered and this was unknown to most buyers until I started to complete the reviews. My goal with these in-depth reviews has always been to help those who treat this purchase as an investment. Armed with this knowledge I hope you are able to make a smart buying decision. With that let’s take a closer look at the BIG best standing desk list that I’ve compiled over the last twelve months.
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?
Our Top Standing Desk Picks For 2018
NewHeights
Elegante XT
- Recycled Aluminum Frame
- Premium Components
- Manufactured in the USA
VertDesk v3
by BTOD.com
- Stable At All Heights
- Premium Components
- Built-in Wisconsin
Autonomous
Business Edition
- 2.09"/ Sec Adjustment Speed
- Large Adjustment Range
- Programmable Button Standard
What is an electric standing desk?
An electric sit to stand desk is a complete desk that moves from sitting to standing heights. While there are various types of sit to stand desks, including crank, pneumatic and electric, we have focused on the electric models only. Operated with the push of a button, electric sit to standing desks are the most popular option when looking at a complete standing desk. Alternatives such as standing desk converters are also popular, but they fail to provide the best all-around solution a full standing desk can. If you’d like to check out standing desk converters, please see our top standing desk converters for 2018 post.
The Complete Best Standing Desk List
| Rank | Product | Assembly | Stability | Electronics | Capacity | Range | Speed | Warranty | Score |
| #1 | NewHeights XT | 8.2 | 8.5 | 9.0 | 8.8 | 9.2 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.5/10 |
| #2 | Steelcase Ser 7 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 9.0 | 8.2 | 9.1 | 8.7 | 8.0 | 8.1/10 |
| #3 | VertDesk v3 | 7.8 | 9.0 | 8.8 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.1/10 |
| #4 | ModDesk Pro | 7.5 | 5.0 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 8.0 | 7.9/10 |
| #5 | UpDesk Elements | 7.5 | 6.7 | 9.0 | 9.2 | 7.5 | 7.3 | 8.0 | 7.8/10 |
| #6 | Xdesk Terra | 9.0 | 4.0 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 9.0 | 7.5 | 8.0 | 7.8/10 |
| #7 | Uplift 900 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 6.5 | 9.0 | 7.6/10 |
| #8 | EvoDesk | 7.0 | 5.5 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 7.7 | 8.0 | 7.4/10 |
| #9 | Jarvis by Fully | 7.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 8.1 | 9.0 | 7.9 | 9.0 | 7.4/10 |
| #10 | Autonomous Business Edition | 7.0 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 8.2 | 9.0 | 9.5 | 8.0 | 7.1/10 |
| #11 | GeekDesk v3 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 6.5 | 4.0 | 6.9/10 |
| #12 | ApexDesk | 8.8 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 8.5 | 7.2 | 8.1 | 4.0 | 6.4/10 |
| #13 | Vivistand Quattro | 9.2 | 1.5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 7.5 | 4.3 | 9.0 | 5.7/10 |
| #14 | IKEA Bekant | 8.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 5.5 | 9.0 | 5.6/10 |
| #15 | VIVO 103E | 8.5 | 3.3 | 3.0 | 5.5 | 8.3 | 6.9 | 1.0 | 5.2/10 |
| #16 | StandDesk Simple | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 7.3 | 5.3 | 55.0 | 4.6/10 |
| #17 | Autonomous Home Edition | 7.0 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 5.5 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 4.2/10 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
– Why trust The Breakroom Blog?
– What is our testing process?
– How did we pick the best standing desk for 2018?
– Full review descriptions and pros/cons for each desk
Why trust The Breakroom Blog?
Simply put, we are experts. We have been selling office furniture for 12 years and have seen the sit to stand desk market grow from the beginning. We are not a company that is simply dedicated to writing reviews on emerging markets in hopes of making a quick buck. Office furniture is our life and we have gained extensive knowledge about the products within our space. We know what to look for and what to avoid. Our goal is to share this knowledge so that customers are better informed when making their buying decision.
One thing that really separates The Breakroom Blog from almost every other review site is that we bring in all of the products that we review. We do not do forensic reviews or reviews based on what other customers have said about the product. We order the product for ourselves so that we know how it performs. Some of the products we sell on BTOD.com, but many of them we do not. Regardless, we have tested every product we have reviewed.
What is our testing process?
The testing process we use for the best standing desks is straightforward, but also very thorough. Since we purchase all of the desks we are able to get an idea of what the experience will be from placing the order to receiving the furniture. Having the opportunity to fully assemble each desk is important. If there are any pain points we want to know about them. Once the desk has been assembled we are able to start using the desk.
All desks go through the same testing process. We first test the specs that are common across all sit stand desks. This includes weight capacity, adjustment speed, sound rating, anti-collision function, overload protection, stability at various heights, etc. Once these specs have been tested we completely tear down each desk. We then take a closer look at the internal components; the glide systems, gears, motors and internal control box circuit boards. Opening each of these components allows us to find anything that might be hiding behind a pretty cover. While a lot of the full standing desks we have tested look similar on the outside, the second you open them up it becomes a completely different story. Inside you are able to learn a lot more about the level of quality for each component. If a high level of quality control exists it will become obvious the moment you open each part.
How did we pick the best stand up desk for 2018?
All of the sit stand desks we have reviewed have been given an overall numbered score ranging from 1-100. The score is based on several categories that we chose. The categories below are what we feel to be the most important things to consider when shopping for a sit or stand desk. Each category has its own 1-100 rating and each category has the same weight when calculating the overall score. One thing that you will notice with our scoring is that we are very realistic. There is no such thing as a perfect standing desk and our scores reflect that. You will not find products with 100/100 ratings here because such a product doesn’t exist. We have yet to find an electric sit stand desk that has scored over 85/100.
Assembly
All of the full standing desks that we have tested required some assembly. Because of this we felt it was important to include this in our overall score. Depending on the your ability, some products will require a lot more work to complete assembly. If you don’t feel comfortable assembling many parts, these products are likely best to avoid. The amount of time required for the desks we reviewed varied from 30 minutes up to a few hours. It’s important to note that how long it will take you is solely dependent on your abilities and the tools used. We recommend using a cordless drill to speed up the assembly process. If you rely on the tools that are provided by each brand you will be left assembling your desk with small allen wrenches that can oftentimes be very time consuming to use.
Stability
One of the most important aspects of any full standing desk is the overall stability of the desk when raised to standing position. I always go back to the experience that most can relate with, which involves the wobbly table at your favorite restaurant or pub. When you encounter this table it becomes your number one goal to fix the wobble. While these types of restaurant tables can be easily fixed with coasters or napkins, full standing desks are not that simple to fix. In fact, many of the top reasons that standing desks wobble cannot be fixed in the field. It stability is important then purchasing a standing desk that is stable out of the box is the only way to avoid an unstable desk.
While our process for this test isn’t scientific, each stability test we perform gives you a good idea on how the desks stability will impact your work. With all of the desks that we have tested, we always check the same two motions. The first motion is a front to back rocking motion and the second is a left to right wobble motion. While the amount of force applied to each desk might vary slightly, desks that have stability issues are obvious. With the use of only a couple fingers, desks with poor stability will clearly wobble and rock. These desks also tend to continue in motion once you quit applying pressure to the desk.
Learn what makes a stable standing desk here >>
Electronics
When we look at the electronics of the desk, we are focused mainly on the control box itself. The control box is the central computer system that acts as the brain of the desk. While most control boxes will look similar from the outside, with the most obvious difference being size, the quality of each will vary significantly. Opening up the control box, you will find out if something is low or high quality fairly quickly.
One of the first things we look for is if the circuit board system is designed with a single or multiple board setup. Premium manufacturers engineer their boards specifically for use with their own system, which means it is always on a single board system. Lower quality products tend to come with dual board systems, mass produced for many other applications. These lower quality boards will oftentimes have wires connecting the two boards to each other with poor connections. A closer look at these boards and you will find large components used with poor connections to the circuit board. This poor connection requires the use of large amounts of caulk to hold each of the components in place. The inconsistency with this process is likely due to a low level of quality control and is a major concern for the life cycle of the electronics.
Weight Capacity
The weight capacity testing seems like it should be a fairly straightforward process. The only problem is that just because a manufacturer labels a product with a capacity, doesn’t mean it can actually lift that much or can do it with any consistency. Our testing will verify first that a product is able to lift the advertised load. Next, we check to see how different weights impact the desks overall adjustment speed. Some products we have tested advertise weights that are significantly more than the actual OEM recommends. While the desks may lift that amount of weight, the actual manufacturer who has done extensive testing would not recommend the same max load. When considering the efficiency of your desk, using it beyond a manufacturer’s recommended capacity can shorten the desks life cycle.
It’s also important to note that just because a brand may advertise a high weight capacity doesn’t mean they are more stable. Through testing 20 adjustable standing desks I can tell you there is zero link between capacity and stability. The truth is that a lot of the desks we tested that have some of the highest weight capacities were the least stable when raised into standing position.
Adjustment Range
Understanding the adjustment range and how it can impact you is an important part of the buying process. The typical range of motion for adjustable standing desks that we have tested varies from 17” up to 27”. While a 10” difference might not seem like a lot, it can make or break the ergonomics of your set up. If you are below 5’5” you will likely need to incorporate an adjustable keyboard tray to your set up to get the desk low enough to sit comfortably. Users that are taller than 6’5” will need to look at desks that rise beyond 47” for proper standing ergonomics. Using our standing desk height calculator is a good place to start. If a desk will not go high enough for your specific needs it could likely be a deal breaker.
Warranty
The range of the coverage for warranties in the group of standing desks tested varied significantly. There are two specific things to consider when looking at a brand’s warranty. The first is the warranty for the structure of the desk. This includes things like the desk surface, frame, feet, etc. The second and more important is for the electronics. This includes the control box, switch and motors. The electronics of the standing desk are the biggest concern and the most likely to fail during ownership. While some brands might advertise a limited lifetime warranty, a closer look at the fine details show a much shorter period for the electronics. From what we have seen, the better warranties will start at five years and go up from there. Some warranties we have found go as long as ten years. While these long warranties are good, it’s important to recognize that just because a warranty is ten years doesn’t necessarily mean the product is high quality. Some of our lowest rated desks have included warranties that were ten years on the electronics and are known to fail well before that period has expired. If you have a good warranty in your back pocket you have something to fall back on.
The Best Sit Stand Desks For 2018
1. NewHeights Elegante XT – 85/100 Rating
Elegante XT Price: Starting at $1347.99
Read Full NewHeights XT Standing Desk Review >>
NewHeights Elegante Pros and Cons
Pros:Custom extruded aluminum columns |
Cons:High Price Tag |
NewHeights Elegante XT Summary
What we liked
The NewHeights XT is rated as our best overall standing desk with a score of 85 out of 100. With one of the most expensive price tags this should come as no surprise. The NewHeights XT frame components and desk surface are made in the USA. All of the assembly processes for this desk are also completed in the USA. The NewHeights XT features custom extruded aluminum columns, a large 27” adjustment range and a conservative 325 lbs lifting capacity. A closer look inside the columns and you’ll find high quality components like the German manufactured gears and motors from Ketterer. The NewHeights XT also features a premium electronics pack from LogicData. The NewHeights XT was our most stable desk to rise above 47”. This was one of the only products we tested to include a horizontal wire management system that was more than just a gimmick. It was easily big enough to fit surge protectors and a good majority of wires.
What we didn’t like
Unfortunately, this desk, like all of the others in the list, isn’t perfect. A high price tag likely puts it out of the range of some more cost conscious shoppers. Because aluminum extrusions are used for the columns, natural flexing occurs at heights beyond 47”. It is also one of the louder desks while in motion, with an average decibel rating around 60-64 decibels. With the majority of the desktop options being wood essence laminate and hardwood, the lack of material types might be a deal breaker for some.
2. Steelcase Series 7 – 81/100 Rating
Steelcase Series 7 Price: $1399.00 + Shipping
Read Full Steelcase Series 7 Standing Desk Review >>
Steelcase Series 7 Pros and Cons
Pros:1.6″ adjustment speed |
Cons:Old DL4 Linak column |
Steelcase Series 7 Summary
What we liked
The Steelcase Series 7 is one of the most recent products that I have reviewed. It ranked second overall with a score of 81 out of 100. Featuring high quality columns from Linak, the Steelcase Series 7 is definitely one of the nicer products available. As with all Linak products, premium gears, motors and electronics are included with their products. The Series 7 also comes with a three button programmable switch which is a feature at this price point. With an adjustment range of 26”, standard lifting capacity of 315 lbs. and average adjustment speed of 1.6” per second there is a lot to like with the Series 7.
What we didn’t like
The problem we’ve found with brands that partner with Linak is they are required to source or make the remaining components of the desk. Steelcase decided to use extruded aluminum tubes for the feet and cross support. These tubes do not include any ribbing for added rigidity and have a lot of flexing because of it. While the aluminum extrusions look really nice, they do not provide the proper amount of support for the Series 7 desk. This leaves the desk with stability issues starting as early as 38”. It stability is your main concern, there are other alternatives to consider in this list. The Steelcase Series 7 we tested came with the old version of DL4 columns from Linak which feature the now discontinued chain drive system. Until Steelcase has run through their remaining inventory I would suggest waiting for the newer DL4S columns if the Steelcase Series 7 is your final pick.
3. VertDesk v3 – 81/100 Rating
VertDesk v3 Price: Starting at $517.99
Read Full VertDesk v3 Standing Desk Review >>
VertDesk v3 Pros and Cons
Pros:Built in the USA |
Cons:20″ adjustment range |
VertDesk v3 Summary
What we liked
The VertDesk v3 ranked as our third best desk overall, but the first desk to be listed from the mid-range category. With its claim to fame being stability, the VertDesk v3 features a traditional cross support and extra thick steel tubes used for its columns. These thick tubes were designed to eliminate flexing found on most standing desks when extended to tall heights. With the feet and upper supports welded to the columns, the potential for a loose connection here was also eliminated. Inside the VertDesk v3 you’ll find high-end components, similar to those found in the desks offered for a much higher price tag. These include single stage cold rolled gears from German manufacturer Ketterer paired with one of their strongest single motors to match. A premium electronics pack from Laing Innotech that comes standard with GyroSense Technology for one of the best collision avoidance systems in its class. The VertDesk v3 averages an adjustment speed of 1.55” per second and is one of the faster options we have tested. During our load testing the single motor system was able to lift 275 lbs., only dropping to 1.35” per second. With overload protection turned off, we were able to lift 350 lbs. at 1.27” per second.
What we didn’t like
While the VertDesk v3 has a lot of solid features for a desk starting at $520, the truth is that it still has its shortcomings. With a height adjustment range of only 20”, it won’t be able to go as low or as tall as other desks in the list. If you require a desk to go lower than 27” you will need to add a keyboard tray which will add to the cost. The overload protection system on the VertDesk v3 kicks in at 275 lbs., so it won’t be able to lift as much as others in the list. With a hex rod driven system, the assembly process can be a pain point for some if you don’t use a wrench to assist. Depending on your requirements for a desktop, it might not be a good fit as the VertDesk surface options are mostly made up of wood essence laminate and hardwood.
4. ModDesk Pro by MultiTable – 79/100 Rating
ModDesk Pro Price: Starting at $599.00
Read Full ModDesk Pro by MultiTable Standing Desk Review >>
ModDesk Pros and Cons
Pros:Premium LogicData electronics pack |
Cons:Stability issues above 40″ |
ModDesk Pro Summary
What we liked
The ModDesk Pro is another product featured in the best standing desks under $1000 post. Manufactured in Malaysia by ActiForce, the ModDesk Pro incorporates quite a few high-end components at a lot less than money than the Steelcase and NewHeights desks. Premium electronics from LogicData and a high-end two stage gear system from Ketterer are just two of the standard features you’ll find with the ModDesk Pro. The ModDesk was our second fastest desk we’ve tested to date, with an average speed of 1.78” per second. The frame was well built with what appear to be good quality glides. I am not sure what the material type is and after reaching out to both ActiForce and MultiTable, both my requests were declined. The ModDesk includes a wide range of motion, with 26” of overall travel from 24.25” to 50.52” (no top).
What we didn’t like
While the ModDesk Pro is a really good standing desk, it did come up a bit short in a few spots as well. The first was stability, with issues starting as early as 36”. By the time the desk reached 40” the wobble motion were bad. The ModDesk pro also had a very odd smell that came from the lubricant that was used. This is the only desk that I have tested to have a strong enough odor to fill an office space over 2,000 square feet. Lastly, the use of the Bosch 24V ACH 0 390 203 386 motors was a red flag. Through testing we have found the Bosch motor to be very inconsistent with different load testing performed on the other desks that use the same motors.
5. UpDesk Elements – 78/100 Rating
UpDesk Price: Starting at $679.00 + Shipping
Read Full UpDesk Elements Standing Desk Review >>
UpDesk Elements Pros and Cons
Pros:Premium electronics from Linak |
Cons:Stability issues above 43″ |
UpDesk Elements Summary
What we liked
The next product on our list is the Elements desk by UpDesk. The Elements series is UpDesk’s entry level product, but don’t let the entry level positioning confuse. All Linak DL4 columns come standard with features that include premium gears, motors and electronic pack. Linak known globally as a leading manufacturer of linear lifting mechanisms means the DL5 anything but entry level. The UpDesk Elements was one of the strongest desks we’ve tested, with only a small drop in speed when we loaded the desk with 400 lbs. While it’s normal adjustment speed isn’t the fastest we’ve tested, at 1.43” we found it to be consistent with most loads.
What we didn’t like
Like the other standing desks in the list, the UpDesk Elements has its own shortcomings. The most glaring is link to a lack of stability that starts around 40”. By the time the Elements reaches 43” tall the motion becomes bad enough to impact your efficiency. While the front to back rocking test was better, there was still back rocking experience beyond 44” tall. Because UpDesk has partnered with Linak for their columns, they are required to either produce or source the rest of the desk. While the feet they have used are over the top heavy duty, they are not pretty. With obvious weld marks showing through on the top of the feet the attention to detail here was missed. No overload protection or anti-collision functions are enabled on the UpDesk Elements which is a bit disappointing as well.
6. XDesk Terra (Formally NextDesk) – 78/100 Rating
Xdesk Terra Price: Starting at $1693.00 + Shipping
Read Full Xdesk Terra (Formally NextDesk) Standing Desk Review >>
Xdesk Terra Pros and Cons
Pros:High quality Linak electronics pack |
Cons:High price tag |
Xdesk Terra Summary
What we liked
Formally known as NextDesk, the Xdesk Terra is a previous winner of the coveted WireCutter “Best Standing Desk” award. Although, through our own testing of the category we think it might be more of a popularity award, not an actual best product award. Unfortunately for XDesk, they eventually lost their position to a lower cost alternative from Fully. The Xdesk Terra features the most current DL4S two stage columns from Linak. Inside these columns is Linak’s most current inline linear technology, with a high-end motor and gear system. One of the sleekest internal motor and gear systems we have found, the DL4S is impressive. The Terra also includes the CBD6S smart control box system from Linak, which is their most efficient system that features .1w standby power consumption. While the Terra isn’t the fastest desk we’ve tested, it still well above average at 1.48” per second. The motors were about average for sound decibels as well, with a rating of 58-60 dB experienced throughout testing.
What we didn’t like
The Xdesk was one of the more expensive desks we tested, so expectations for these high-end products tend to be much higher. Unfortunately, these elevated expectations ended with a bit of disappointment as the Terra had significant stability issues. Like other products using Linak technology, Xdesk has to source the rest of the frame components. Their desire to create the “most beautiful standing desk” led them down the path of a solid aluminum foot design. While the look was cool, the functionality was lacking. Flexing from this design created front to back rocking problems as low as 28”. The use of aluminum for the foot and cross support also created an opportunity for high-end finish options. The problem I found was that these finishes on the feet and cross support didn’t match the upright columns. This created a two-tone look that was not expected for such an expensive desk.
7. Uplift Desk – 76/100 Rating
Uplift Desk Price: Starting at $495.00
Read Full Uplift Desk Standing Desk Review >>
Uplift Desk Pros and Cons
Pros:Best of Chinese standing desks |
Cons:Stability issues above 43.5″ |
Uplift Desk Summary
What we liked
The Uplift 900 Desk is our first Chinese made desk to make the list, featuring a frame manufactured by JieCang Linear technology. While the quality in the JieCang products is less than the desk featured higher in the list, they are one of the better options when compared to other Chinese made products we have tested. With a C foot design and the non-traditional column (small on bottom, big on top), the Uplift Desk frame was more stable than almost all of the other JieCang products. The only JieCang product we’ve tested that was more stable was the GeekDesk v3 that included a traditional cross support. The non-traditional column design allowed them to include a wedge design on the upper column and motor box. This improved lateral stability significantly when compared to products like the Jarvis and EvoDesk. With an adjustment range of 26” and seven year warranty on electronics, the Uplift 900 has a lot to offer for the price. The Uplift 900 also boasts a wide variety of surface options that allow you to customize your desks look.
What we didn’t like
While the Uplift 900 Desk was the best of Chinese products we’ve tested, there are some concerns with this product. Upon opening the Uplift 900 Desk, the differences between this product and those featured higher in the list were obvious. Excessive use of lubrication in the columns was one of the first things we noticed when testing the Uplift desk. When opening the columns, the problem only became worse, with large globs of lubrication visible. Somehow, through the excessive amounts we found, there were still dry spots on the glides. The lack of lubrication consistency with glides that are made from lower quality plastics raises the risk for binding in the columns. While the Uplift Desk was more stable the other desks we’ve tested without a traditional cross support, it still had stability problems. No traditional cross support and inverted columns created issues for stability in both directions beyond the 43.5” tall.
8. EvoDesk – 74/100 Rating
EvoDesk Price: Starting at 599.00 + Shipping
Read Full EvoDesk Electric Standing Desk Review >>
EvoDesk Pros and Cons
Pros:26″ adjustment range |
Cons:Stability issues above 39″ |
EvoDesk Summary
What we liked
The second ranked JieCang product we tested was the EvoDesk. The entry level brand for Xdesk, EvoDesk features the T base JieCang frame with traditional columns. This frame design from JieCang offers increased speeds from the Uplift Desk, with an average adjustment speed of 1.5” per second. Similar to the Uplift, it includes a large 26” range of motion from 23.75” to 48.75” (no top). One thing that was common among the JieCang products is their ability to keep consistent speeds with various loads. Even when the EvoDesk was overloaded to 350 lbs. it was still able to maintain a speed of 1.46” per second. With a five year warranty on the electronics, the EvoDesk includes above average coverage for a mid-range standing desk.
What we didn’t like
With a T base design, the EvoDesk has significant rocking issues during our testing. Beyond 43” the motion was bad enough to impact your work efficiency. Without the use of a traditional cross support, the left to right wobble motion was even worse. Starting at 39”, the motion became bad by the time you reached 42” tall. Like all of the other JieCang frames we have tested, the EvoDesk had significant amounts of white lubrication on the columns after minimal use. Opening the columns we found low quality glide systems and gears. Opening the control box, the lack of quality control only continued. Poor connections between their two board system would likely cause a problem. The EvoDesk retails for about 20-30% more than both the Jarvis and Uplift desks, which makes it hard to justify purchasing this brand if you want a JieCang frame.
9. Jarvis by Fully – 73/100 Rating
Jarvis Desk Price: Starting at $395.00
Read Full Jarvis Desk by Fully Standing Desk Review >>
Jarvis Desk Pros and Cons
Pros:26″ Adjustment Range |
Cons:Stability issues above 36″ |
Jarvis Desk Summary
What we liked
The current product to be featured as WireCutter’s “best standing desk” is the Jarvis by Fully. Oddly, this product only ranks as our third best JieCang frame. Both the Uplift 900 and EvoDesk rank higher in our list. Similar to those brands, the Jarvis includes a large 26” adjustment range. Recent changes to the JieCang motors in the Jarvis increased its speed from 1.33” per second to a quicker 1.52” per second. These changes to the motors on the Jarvis also improved the desks noise level when in motion, averaging 56-57 dB. Like the Uplift 900 desk, the Jarvis features a seven year warranty on their electronics pack. While the Jarvis doesn’t feature quite as many surface options, it stills boasts one of the largest assortments of top options available in the mid-range.
What we didn’t like
With its C frame and traditional column design, the Jarvis by Fully was the least stable JieCang frame design we’ve tested. While the front to back rocking test was better than the Uplift Desk, its wobble test was significantly worse. With wobble motions starting as early as 36” tall, the wobble became bad by 40” and would impact your work. Like the other JieCang frames, over lubrication is a major concern as the Jarvis’s black frame turned white after only minimal use. A closer look at the control box raised concerns with poorly wrapped toroid cores, excessive caulk used to hold components in place and cheap plastic connections between their two board system.
10. Autonomous SmartDesk 2 Business Edition – 71/100 Rating
Business Edition Desk Price: Starting at $399.00 + Shipping
Read Full Autonomous Business Edition Standing Desk Review >>
Business Edition Pros and Cons
Pros:Low price point |
Cons:Stability issues above 37″ |
Business Edition Summary
What we liked
The Autonomous SmartDesk 2 Business Edition is the highest level offering from the Autonomous lineup. While still considered to be a mid-range desk, the Business Edition is one of the least expensive options on the market. The price point also happens to be one of its biggest selling points as well, available with a desk surface as low as $448.00. The SmartDesk 2 is the fastest desk we tested, averaging 2.09” per second. That is almost 20% faster than its closest competitor. The Autonomous SmartDesk also features a large adjustment range of 26”, with the ability to first wide portion of the population. It is also one of the few products to come standard with a four button programmable switch. While it isn’t as consistent with heavier loads, it is still able to maintain 1.84” per second with 185 lbs. (included desktop). When loaded to 295 lbs, the speed dropped to 1.15” per second. The Business Edition also comes standard with a five year warranty on electronics which we’ve found to be above average, especially when comparing in the same price range.
What we didn’t like
Unfortunately, with such a low price point, the Autonomous SmartDesk Business Edition comes with a list of issues. It is one of the least stable desks we tested with front to back rocking issues starting as low as 32”. By 37” tall ,the desk had significant stability issues and would impact your work efficiency. The second most glaring issue was the use of TiMotion electronics. We had used the same manufacturer for our VertDesk v1 and had so many problems we discontinued use of them. TiMotion is known to provide a nice looking package, but inside the components are severely lacking. Upon opening the control box, what starts as a nice looking molded box turns into low quality circuit board system. This was actually one of the cheapest boards we’ve reviewed. It had poorly wrapped toroid cores, a cheap single layer circuit board for the power adapter and excessive caulk used throughout each board to hold components in place.
11. GeekDesk v3 – 69/100 Rating
GeekDesk v3 Price: Starting at $749.00
Read Full GeekDesk v3 Standing Desk Review >>
GeekDesk v3 Pros and Cons
Pros:Easy assembly process |
Cons:Dated electronics package |
GeekDesk v3 Summary
What we liked
The GeekDesk v3 is the last JieCang frame to make our list. The only JieCang frame that uses a traditional cross support, GeekDesk v3 is the third most stable standing desk we have tested. With the traditional cross support the GeekDesk v3 was able to reduce any wobble until you reached 46”. Beyond this point the motion was minimal and wouldn’t impact you work. The only stability issue we found was with the front to back rocking motion. It wasn’t until you reached 45” that this became bad enough to impact efficiency. Like the other JieCang products, the GeekDesk v3 has a large 26” adjustment range from 23” to 48.75” (no top). While the adjustment speed wasn’t the fast we tested at 1.34” per second, it was consistent with all of the load testing we performed on it.
What we didn’t like
Because the GeekDesk v3 is built on the JieCang frame, it does come with the same issues as all of the other products using a similar column. Over lubrication being the most noticeable, after just a short amount of the time columns began to turn white. The GeekDesk v3 also uses the older technology found in the one of the older versions of JieCang’s control boxes. This same control box was used on a Jarvis desk we tested two years prior to receiving the GeekDesk v3. This box is larger than the most current version and had even more caulk used to hold components to the board. Cheap glides, exposed gears in the motors and over lubricated gears were also a major problem we found after opening the GeekDesk v3. After seeing four different versions of JieCang frames, we can safely assume all of their OEM frames look the same. GeekDesk has decided to offer a much shorter warranty, of only two years on their electronics. While this is smart considering what we know about JieCang’s level of quality control, it puts them behind the curve when compared to Jarvis and Uplift. The GeekDesk v3 also retails for about 20-30% more money depending on how you configure it.
12. ApexDesk Elite – 64/100 Rating
ApexDesk Price: Starting at $599.00
Read Full ApexDesk Elite Standing Desk Review >>
ApexDesk Elite Pros and Cons
Pros:Easy to assemble |
Cons:Low end electronics |
ApexDesk Elite Summary
What we liked
The ApexDesk Elite was one of the more interesting products that I have been able to review. It is also the first product in the list that went away from a more traditional standing desk design. While at a distance the product looks similar, the assembly of the legs to the upper frame was unique. In the end it created one of the quickest and easiest desks I had the opportunity to assemble. Considering the ApexDesk Elite’s size, it was also one of the least expensive options you’ll find available under $600. One of the most incredible things about ApexDesk is that even though it is 33” deep and 71” long, they are still willing to ship it ground. This means receiving the ApexDesk Elite will be much easier than almost all of their competitors who send their large desks via freight carrier.
What we didn’t like
The problem with trying to recreate a standing desk is that it typically impacts the stability of the desk. Without a more traditional bolted design, the odd connection system didn’t create a strong enough fit and once the desk is raised beyond 39”. By 42” the large desk had significant wobble and would impact your work. The front to back stability was better, without any noticeable motion until 41” tall. By 44” the motion became significant. When compared to the other electric standing desks ahead of it, the ApexDesk had some of the cheapest looking electronics from the outside. That is not good, because on the inside they were even worse. With a weight capacity of 225 lbs. it is enough for most user’s needs, but quite a bit less than other desks in the mid-range. With only a two year warranty on electronics, it is well below the average typically offered in this category.
13. ViviStand Quattro – 57/100 Rating
ViviStand Price: Starting at $899.00
Read Full ViviStand Quattro Standing Desk Review >>
ViviStand Quattro Pros and Cons
Pros:Good aesthetics with custom aluminum columns |
Cons:Stability issues above 34″ tall |
ViviStand Quattro Summary
What we liked
The ViviStand Quattro followed suit with the ApexDesk Elite, being another unique product when compared to others higher up in the list. Based on where it landed in the list though, you start to get the feeling that going in a different direction isn’t always a good idea. The ViviStand Quattro was the first four post leg standing desk that we brought in for review. When compared to all of the other products we’ve reviewed over the last year, I would have to say this is one of the better looking. That is definitely a good thing, as the design will blend better with office, specifically executive offices and home office setups. With aluminum extrusions used throughout, the ViviStand has some nice high end design features. The Vivistand should be one of the quickest desks to assemble no matter your ability, with the only four bolts used to connect the legs. Lastly, you need to connect the motor wires and plug into a power source. The ViviStand comes with a ten year warranty to cover their electronics. This is one of the best warranties we have found in the electric standing desk category.
What we liked
While the ViviStand was pretty from far away, it has some glaring issues. Considering this desk ranks at the top of the list for price, the problems it has are hard to swallow. Standard operation of the desk is close to 70-72 dB. This is by far the loudest desk we tested and would be noticeable in most spaces. It also operates at a speed of only .84” per second; making it the second slowest desk in the list. The only desk slower is the Autonomous Home Edition, which sells for more than $1,000 less than the ViviStand. With inconsistent lifting capacity, we were only able to lift 150 lbs. with regularity. While the four post leg design was nice looking, it doesn’t help with stability. The ViviStand has issues stability issues at the lowest height and by 32” the wobble motion was bad. Because of the four post leg design, a new motion was introduced as well. It was the first desk that we tested that you could actually twist and wiggle.
14. IKEA Bekant – 56/100 Rating
IKEA Bekant Price: Starting at $409.00 + Shipping
Read Full IKEA Bekant Electric Standing Desk Review >>
IKEA Bekant Pros and Cons
Pros:Available to test in IKEA stores |
Cons:Online replacement orders take too long |
IKEA Bekant Summary
What we liked
Likely the most popular standing desk to make our list, the IKEA Bekant ended up towards the bottom third of the rankings. One of the best-selling features of the IKEA Bekant is the fact you can actually test it out locally at your IKEA store. While IKEA isn’t in every city, it is the only product in the list that is available in most major metropolitan areas. IKEA also has one of the best return policies, with a full year available to make a return should you not like it. With almost 26” of adjustment, the IKEA Bekant has a range from 22” to 48”. This is a great option for users that need a desk to go very low, as the IKEA Bekant was one of the lowest options we’ve tested. IKEA also includes a ten year warranty on their electronics which is one of the best we’ve found in the category. If all of this isn’t enough, the IKEA Bekant is also available at an attractive price point. If you are able to shop locally, the Bekant starts around $479.99 + local tax. Considering the warranty and return policy, this is a pretty good value.
What we didn’t like
Unfortunately, all of the good that the IKEA Bekant has going for it, the negatives far outweigh them. With one of the worst known track records in the standing desk category, the IKEA Bekant is known to have major mechanical problems. This is something we can actually attest to as our first desk we received came with only one functioning leg. This is disappointing knowing that IKEA had actually recalled the Bekant shortly after their initial launch for this exact problem. Over three years later and the same problems exist. Should your desk function without a hiccup, you will likely find that it is not stable at any heights. With stability issues at the lowest setting, once the desk is raised beyond 33” to 34” the motions were bad. Because of a round column design, the IKEA Bekant had stability issues in all directions. While the IKEA Bekant wasn’t the slowest desk we tested, it was one of least powerful. With a standard capacity of 154 lbs., the Bekant ranks at the bottom of the list for capacity. When the Bekant is loaded to 154 lbs., it has issues with consistency moving downward. Slowing to speeds as slow as .33” per second.
15. VIVO 103E – 52/100 Rating
VIVO 103E Price: Starting at $329.99 (no top)
Read Full VIVO 103E Electric Standing Desk Review >>
VIVO 103E Pros and Cons
Pros:Attractive price point |
Cons:Short warranty on electronics |
VIVO 103E Summary
What we liked
With a price tag of $329.99 and free shipping, expectations for the VIVO standing desk were pretty low. Overall, I feel that that desk lived up to what could be expected around that price point. With a 24” range of motion from 25” to 49” (no top), it was one of the largest we’ve found under $350. While the VIVO didn’t come with a huge capacity, it was more than capable of lifting the advertised 220 lbs. capacity. I liked that even though this desk was offered for a low price point, the manufacturer included an overload protection system. This is even more important for lower price point products, helping to protect your investment. While the 1.35” per second adjustment speed isn’t the fastest we’ve tested, it was quite a bit faster than the Autonomous Home Edition which sells for the same price.
What we didn’t like
As with other desks we’ve tested at this price point, there are some significant quality concerns. Because the OEM has only been producing standing desks for a little over a year, they have yet to perfect their process. Poorly fit columns, cheap glides and low quality gears were some of the most obvious issues. While the VIVO didn’t have white lubrication on the columns, it did have excessive amounts of a clear lubricant. It was so bad that you could actually see it on the columns before they were extended the first time. This was also the first desk I tested to include a one year warranty on electronics. To me this shows a lack of confidence in their electronics and is a big red flag. Significant stability issues exist as early as 40” and quality control was a major concern throughout the frame. Overall, you pay for what you get and at this price point the difference was huge.
16. StandDesk Simple – 46/100 Rating
StandDesk Price: Starting at $399.00
Read Full StandDesk Simple Standing Desk Review >>
StandDesk Pros and Cons
Pros:Low price point |
Cons:Low end electronics |
StandDesk Simple Summary
What we liked
The StandDesk Simple was the second Kickstarter launched product that I tested. The setup that I ordered retailed for $539.96, which included the memory handset and removable cross support. The developer of the product was involved in the design process and that was obvious throughout the review. The construction of the StandDesk Simple was quite a bit different than the other products I have tested. With a load capacity of 242.5 lbs., it wasn’t the most heavy duty product tested, but it was consistent with all of its load testing. The StandDesk Simple comes with overload protection and collision avoidance.
What we didn’t like
The StandDesk Simple was our lowest rated standing desk until we recently reviewed the SmartDesk 2 Home Edition. It wasn’t a surprise to recently learn that StandDesk had actually discontinued this product. When asked about a new release, I was told it was in the works, but they couldn’t tell me much more about it. They recommended going with their more expensive Pro edition.
17. Autonomous SmartDesk 2 Home Edition – 42/100 Rating
Home Edition Price: Starting at $299.00 + Shipping
Read Full Autonomous Home Edition Standing Desk Review >>
Home Edition Pros and Cons
Pros:Low price point |
Cons:Stability issues above 37 inches |
Autonomous Home Edition Summary
What we liked
The last ranked product on our best standing desk for 2018 post is the Autonomous SmartDesk 2 Home Edition. This is not a good place to end up on the list and to be honest we decided to stop reviewing products at this price point after seeing the Home Edition. The best-selling feature of the Home Edition is without question its price point. Selling for as low as $298 without a desktop and for $348 with a top, it is definitely one of the least expensive options available. The frame itself was nice looking with consistent welds and paint finish throughout. The Home Edition comes standard with a four button programmable switch as well.
What we didn’t like
Since this was the product that prompted us to stop reviewing desks under $400, we assumed there must be some major concerns. We assumed right. In fact, the first time I moved it up it was not going to be a good review. It was slow. At only .78” per second, this was the slowest desk we have tested. It wasn’t smooth either, with vibrations so bad you could actually hear them as the desk moved. When the desk moved downward the vibrations turned into an awkward hopping movement. When you put more than 50 lbs. on the surface the hopping was reduced, but it didn’t completely go away. The Home Edition also features TiMotion electronics that we have used in the past. Pairing these with the hex rod driven system created huge headaches for us with our original VertDesk v1 and we eventually switched away from them. Low quality gears and glide systems were found once we opened up the frame. Lastly, the one year warranty on the electronics only solidified our thoughts on the level our quality. If they don’t believe they can provide a warranty longer than one year, the product is low quality.
Additional Standing Desk Resources
- Top 6 Reasons Why Standing Desks Wobble
- GeekDesk v3 vs. VertDesk v3: Standing Desk Comparison
- Autonomous SmartDesk 2 vs. VertDesk v3: Which is the best?
- Uplift 900 Desk vs. VertDesk v3: Which is better?
- The Uplift 900 vs. The Jarvis Standing Desk
- Wire Management Explained for the VertDesk v3 and More
