The Kangaroo by Ergo Desktop has been a popular standing desk converter for many years. If you’ve read my Kangaroo review, then you know that BTOD.com used to sell the Kangaroo. Due to extensive manufacturing delays, the Kangaroo had to be removed from BTOD.com. We needed to find a replacement and decided to develop our own product that we named, The Duke. It was our goal to create a high quality standing desk converter to rival the Kangaroo while trying to shore up some of the things that we felt the Kangaroo could have done better.
The Kangaroo is a great product and this comparison isn’t being written to convince you that the Duke is superior to the Kangaroo. I want to provide you with as much information as possible about the two products. I want to show you how they differ and what you can expect when using the Duke and Kangaroo, so that you can make the most informed purchase as possible.
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Kangaroo vs BTOD Duke Vesa
– Specs / Features / Pricing
– Return Policy
– Delivery and Assembly
– Build Quality
– Making Adjustments
– Stability
– Ergonomics
– Task and Keyboard Space
– Bottom Line
Specs / Features
| Ergo Desktop Kangaroo | BTOD Duke Vesa |
|
| Country or Origin | USA | USA |
| Sits on top of desk | Yes | Yes |
| Dual Ergonomics | Yes | Yes |
| Lifting Mechanism | Gas Lift Assist with Hand Screw | 1 Handle Gas Lift Assist |
| Keyboard & Monitor Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Weight Limit | 34 lbs. | 30 lbs. |
| Overall at lowest height | 28”W x 24”D x 20.5”H | 28”W x 24”D x 26”H |
| Overall at highest height | 28”W x 24”D x 23”H | 28”W x 24”D x 43”H |
| Base Dimensions | 17.5”W x 16”D | 17”W x 15.7”D |
| Keyboard Platform Dimensions | 28”W x 16.5”D | 28”W x 16.5”D |
| Monitor Platform Dimensions | 16”W x 9.25”D | 15”W x 11”D |
| Max Keyboard Platform Height | 16.5” | 17” |
| Max Monitor Platform Height | 23” | 26” |
| Min Keyboard Platform Height | 1” | .5” |
| Min Monitor Platform Height | 5” | 4” |
| Manufacturer’s Warranty | 5 Years | 5 Years |
2022 Price
| Kangaroo | Duke Vesa | |
| Price | $499.00 | $664.99 |
| Shipping | $27.49 | Free |
| Ship Fully Assembled | $19.00 | N/A |
| Single Monitor Arm | Free | Free |
| Dual Monitors | $100.00 | $89.00-$99.00 |
| Cable Management | $5 per pair | Included |
| Front Keyboard Extension | $79.00 | N/A |
| Side Keyboard Extension | $29.00 | N/A |
| Where To Buy | Buy on Amazon | Buy on BTOD |
Return Policy
The Duke and Kangaroo both come with 30-day money back guarantees. Both items need to be returned in their original packaging and must be in new condition. Upon receiving the products back in new condition, a full refund will be issued. Return shipping charges for the Duke will be covered by BTOD.com. Return shipping charges for the Kangaroo will be the responsibility of the customer.
Delivery & Assembly
The shipping time on the Kangaroo has been as short as a few days and as long as eight weeks or more. The most up-to-date shipping times will be provided on Ergo Desktop’s homepage. The assembly on the Kangaroo is simple and straightforward. It will take the novice user about 30 minutes for assembly.
The Duke ships within 24 hours of ordering. The assembly for the Duke is straight forward, but it will be slightly more difficult than the Kangaroo. A novice user will need about 35 minutes for assembly.
Color Options
Most standing desk converters are only available in one or two color options and the Duke follows this pattern. The Duke is available in black or white/silver. The white features a wood grain pattern on the platforms with a silver lifting column, base and brackets.
The Kangaroo goes a step further than most standing desk converters when it comes to colors. Not only do they have a few standard colors, black, white or putty, but they also offer cherry or light maple wood finish options. This is great for customers that want a little more customization for their desk.
| Finish Options | |
| Kangaroo | Black, Cherry, Light Maple, Putty, White |
| Duke | Black, White/Silver |
Build Quality
The Kangaroo uses a highly functional design, but it has a cruder look than the Duke. The inner workings of the column are exposed and there are quite a few visible nuts, bolts and washers throughout the unit. The lifting columns and support bars are only available in silver, regardless of the color you choose. The Kangaroo uses MDF with rounded edges on the top, but not on the underside.
The Duke uses the same highly functional design but it has a sleeker look when compared to the Kangaroo. The inner workings of the column are all hidden on the Duke. Things like nuts, bolts, and washers are also covered. The Duke has 2 different column and base finish colors so that the unit matches throughout when you change colors. The Duke utilizes a thin gauge phenolic material with fully rounded edges for the platforms which creates a lower profile design as compared to the Kangaroo.
See The Best Standing Desk Converters For 2022After months of testing 40+ adjustable desk risers, the results are in! |
Stability
Both the Duke and Kangaroo have good stability but the Duke has the advantage. They share the same core design principles of utilizing a heavy-duty steel base with a vertical lifting column that allows for a straight up and down movement pattern. This produces a consistently stable product at all heights. The Duke and Kangaroo do differ when it comes to supporting the keyboard tray.
The Kangaroo utilizes a stability bar to support the keyboard tray. This is a metal bar that spans vertically between your desk and the underside of the keyboard tray. Without the stability bar, the Kangaroo will have very noticeable keyboard bounce while typing. The stability bar helps to reduce the keyboard bounce. It is important to note that the stability bar is a separate piece to the Kangaroo.
The Duke does not have a stability bar but instead has built-in metal support brackets that run along the sides of the keyboard tray. The support brackets help to greatly reduce keyboard bounce on the Duke.
Making Adjustments
The Kangaroo has two separate adjustments for the keyboard and monitor platforms. Both platforms are gas lift assisted and are adjusted using two separate knobs found behind the platforms. Once the knob is loosened, the platform will move up on its own. To lower the platform, press down at the back of the platform. When in the desired position, tighten the hand screw to secure the platform in place.
The Duke also has two separate adjustments for the keyboard and monitor platforms. The main platform is gas lift assisted and controlled by pressing a button. When the button is pressed, the platform will move up and down freely. When you have found your desired height, release the button and the Duke will lock in place. The monitor is adjusted by loosening two hand screws found behind the platform. When the screws are loosened, you will be able to move the monitor freely. Tightening the hand screws will lock the monitor in place.
This is another situation where you have a bit of a tradeoff between the Duke and Kangaroo. The Duke is the clear winner when it comes to adjusting the main platform. The Kangaroo takes longer to adjust because of the hand screws, as compared to the button control on the Duke. The Kangaroo also has a lot of friction in the lifting column which makes it harder to adjust. You will need to use both hands and apply a lot of force to move the Kangaroo down. The Duke can be adjusted in both directions with one hand.
On the flip side, the Kangaroo is the clear winner when it comes to adjusting the monitor platform. The Duke requires the loosening of two knobs as compared to one knob on the Kangaroo. The Duke monitor platform is not gas lift assisted while the Kangaroo monitor platform is. This means that the weight of the monitor platform and monitor needs to be supported by you while making adjustments to the Duke monitor. The Kangaroo monitor platform supports itself with the gas lift.
Task Space
The Duke and Kangaroo will feature a mounted monitor or monitor platform. The monitor platforms used on both products are just big enough to fit the base of your monitor. There will be no extra room to place objects or perform tasks on the monitor platform. All tasking and items that you require to be in close proximity will be limited to the main work surface.
The dimensions on the keyboard platforms are the same on both products, but that is a bit misleading. The Kangaroo worksurface tapers at the back which removes quite a bit of usable space. The Duke does not taper at the back. The Duke also features an upper shelf on the main platform which creates a lot of additional space as compared to the Kangaroo.
Keyboard extensions can be added to the Kangaroo for additional charges. This will help to increase usable space but it may decrease keyboard stability and increase bounce.
Adjustment Range
The Duke and Kangaroo both accommodate a wide range of users. Both have keyboard trays that sit on top of your desk. They will both increase your minimum typing height, which could effect your normal typing posture. The Duke will raise your typing height 1/2″ and the Kangaroo will increase your minimum typing height by 1″.
Both products also have a tall range with the Kangaroo offering an ergonomic typing height for people up to 6’4″, while the Duke will provide an ergonomic typing height for people up to 6’5″.
Bottom Line
I think that the Kangaroo is a good product. It is very well designed with high quality parts and strong testing standards. The Kangaroo is going to be the better option compared to the Duke when it comes to assembly, color options and monitor adjustments.
I think that the Duke is also a good product. The Duke has a much faster shipping time and a 100% money back guarantee. The Duke has a much easier keyboard platform adjustment, more usable task space and a wider adjustment range to accommodate a larger range of people.
Both products are great options and are very similar in terms of overall functionality. The prices are identical so your decision will come down to what features you value most in a standing desk converter.
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
