Standing desks have really taken off in the last decade. There are many different kinds and I just wonder what makes some more expensive than others. They all do naturally the same thing; move up and down. I decided to really dig deep to get some answers.
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Cheap vs Expensive Electric Standing Desk Links
- Lack of Substance
- Surface Quality
- Stability Issues
- Standing Desk Electronics
- Lifting Gears
- Motor Quality
- Adjustment Speed
- Lifting Capacities
- Lubrication and Glide Systems
- Warranties for Standing Desks
1. Lack of Substance
To start, the lack of substance makes a huge difference when it comes to the price of a standing desk. The cheaper category of desks are made with lightweight materials that aren’t the best quality. An example of this would be the Fezibo standing desk from Amazon, it feels like it could easily blow over. It is a very light desk that people can simply pick up and move around. The connection points on the bottom of the desk and thickness of metal is not the most stable.
I personally wouldn’t trust a larger screen on something like this, but a smaller one may work. Now if we compare this desk to a couple of the mid to upper priced desks, the frames feel much more substantial. The weight of the feet and steel column make it for a solid good quality standing desk. These desks won’t feel like they could blow over with a gust of wind.
2. Surface Quality
Next is the surface quality on a standing desk. This can be an indicator of a standing desk that is worth purchasing. You want to make sure the surface is good enough to put items like laptops, keyboards etc on. The cheaper standing desks can really be deceiving through premium looking pictures online. The reality is surfaces on cheaper desks come with a thin two-piece top just to save on shipping costs. They tend to flex a lot easier which makes the overall stability bad.
Most expensive desks include a one-piece top so you know you are getting a sturdy desk. They usually have a 1 inch or greater thickness which makes a difference in appearance and feel. There is also more of a variety of surface options to choose which you may like depending on your desk setup.
3. Stability Issues
Additionally, stability is a topic that is taken into consideration when it comes to standing desks. Of course, there needs to be a certain amount of stability, so the desk isn’t wobbling around during a long workday. I have found it hard to find a standing desk on the cheaper side with stability that I would trust. It really just comes with the territory and how they are manufactured. There are tons of parts that are held together with cheap hardware.
The more expensive desks aren’t always the most stable either but definitely more than their counterparts. When looking at the expensive desks like the VertDesk V3 or the Ergonofis Alive, you are guaranteed the low to mid ranges to be stable, but beyond that might be questionable. If the frame does not come with wedges or a stability bar, the stability will decrease. Front to back stability will depend on how well the columns are fit together and how much overlap is in the column. When a desk rises, the columns expand from one another and start losing the natural stability they would have when they are lower.
4. Standing Desk Electronics
While standing desks in general do the same thing, the electronics on them are quite different. The first standing desks that were created only included the most basic up and down switches. Holding down the button would allow you to hear the motors working. Recent brands like the SHW do now include programmable button options. They allow you to see a digital readout and use a one touch height adjustment.
Some that include these key features don’t include the collision avoidance system that prevents the desk from crushing things. However, some desks that do have collision avoidance aren’t sensitive enough to be safe in my opinion. Moving onto the expensive standing desks, there are more upgraded options. Collision avoidance is top notch and will literally stop if something gets in the way. Bluetooth connectivity was also introduced with the higher priced desks and customizable desk height ranges make it easier for adjustments.
They have little reminders that you can set for certain standing times in case you forget. Our own Vert Desk V3 and NewHeights use the bluetooth for voice control that will allow the desk to move up and down. Slowly but surely, electric standing desks are introducing more technology to make work productivity better and simpler.
5. Lifting Gears
Standing desks have different gears that make the desk work and they have an effect on the longevity of the desk itself. Smooth operating gears are essential when it comes to efficient moving desks. Most cheap standing desks have low quality gears which is easy to do since they are hidden. These gears are more likely to break if the desk is loaded with too much weight. Cheap plastics are common within these systems.
When looking at the more expensive desk gears, they have been refined over decades. Brands like Ketterer and Linac really focus on maximizing efficiency and the life of the product. Unfortunately, the Chinese companies are trying to copy this product which can confuse a buyer, but ultimately the quality is no match to the higher end gear systems.
6. Motor Quality
Beyond the gears is the motor quality. Motor quality differences are fairly obvious because of the different speeds and weight capacities you will find. From the cheaper to the most expensive standing desks. The cheap standing desks that I’ve reviewed all include single motor systems but just because it is a single motor doesn’t mean its low quality. The Steelcase Solo is a prime example of a single motor desk and has no issues lifting larger capacities. Now as you go lower in price, the desks start to have less power and have to work harder to perform the same as a higher end desk.
The more high-end desks utilize top of the line motors with significant advantage over the lower end brands. These motors are engineered with no required additional braking systems that are used to prevent back driving of tables, but instead feature the correct gear ratios to create the proper braking naturally. This is going to help the desks live well beyond their warranty.
7. Adjustment Speed
Furthermore, the adjustment speeds are different when it comes to standing desks. It can also be very annoying if the speeds are too slow. Typically, the cheaper desks move slower than the higher priced ones. During my time testing out different desks, I have tried all kinds of loads with popular brands to illustrate this. An example of a painfully slow-moving desk is the Fezibo with minimal stuff on the desk. As you add more weight though, the speed drops even more. This might not seem like a problem, but we live a fast-paced life where we like to keep moving.
Now with mid-range to high range desks, you will find much better consistency with the speed. They will move 25-50% faster than the cheaper counterparts. When you load the desk with additional weight, they will run close to their original speeds.
8. Lifting Capacities
Lifting capacities are similar to adjustment speeds with the cheaper brands tending to offer quite a bit less capacity. Between the five different brands I’ve tested, the average capacity is about a half or less than the mid to upper range desks like the Monoprice which can hold about 110 pounds. The more expensive desks mostly have two motors which make sense as to why they can hold more capacity. You will see great longevity with this product.
9. Lubrication and Glide Systems
All standing desks require a combination of lubrication and glide systems to efficiently adjust through their fullest potential. The cheaper desks will be more noticeably greasy on their columns, this could be because of the low-quality materials. Especially with white frames, that residue can show which can make for an ugly looking desk. With expensive desks, there will also be signs of residue on the columns over time but not as quickly. The consistency is just going to be much cleaner for longer.
10. Warranties for Standing Desks
To conclude, warranties are super important with any product and standing desks are no different. The warranty a brand puts on their product is only as good as the company that supports it. With that being said, even the cheapest standing desk comes with some level of warranty. I have seen some reviews and they are not the best when getting the best service. In general, their warranties are for a very short period of time, some for just 30 days.
Taking a look at the warranties on the mid to higher priced desks, they are a little more dependable. On average, they are 5 to 10 times longer than cheap standing desks. We are seeing these warranties that are 10+ years like the Herman Miller Renew that will also provide onsite repairs done by a professional.
Bottom Line
Ultimately, there are multiple differences with cheap and expensive standing desks. Before you decide to purchase a standing desk, take into consideration the quality and warranties that come along with it. Standing desks continue to gain popularity so don’t miss out on a fabulous product that can increase productivity.
