In this article, we will be comparing BTOD.com’s very own VertDesk Converter and the ever popular VARI ProPlus™ 36. The ProPlus™ 36 has been the most popular standing desk converter for quite some time, but competitors have been releasing some very nice products recently.
One of those products is the VertDesk Converter. While the VertDesk Converter has its advantages over the ProPlus™ 36, it may not be the best choice for everyone. The goal of this comparison is to share the differences between these two products so that you can decide which standing desk converter is the best for you.
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?
VARI ProPlus™ 36 vs VertDesk Converter Links
– Specs / Features / Pricing
– Return Policy
– Color
– Delivery and Assembly
– Build Quality
– Making Adjustments
– Stability
– Ergonomics
– Task and Keyboard Space
– Wire Management
– Safety
Specs and Features
| ProPlus™ 36 | VertDesk Converter | |
| Manufacturer | Vari, LLC | Knape & Vogt |
| Country or Origin | China | China |
| Sits on top of desk | Yes | Yes |
| Lifting Mechanism | 2 Handle Spring Lift Assist | 2 Handle Gas Lift Assist |
| Keyboard & Monitor Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Lifting Capacity | 35 lbs. | 35 lbs. |
| Product Weight | 52 lbs. | 40 lbs. |
| Height Position Options | 11 | Infinite |
| Overall at lowest height | 36”W x 29.75”D x 4.5”H | 35.5”W x 22.5”D x 6.25”H |
| Overall at highest height | 36”W x 41.75”D x 17.5”H | 35.5”W x 32”D x 20.25”H |
| Base Dimensions | 30”W x 24”D | 29.25”W x 22.5”D |
| Keyboard Tray Dimensions | 36”W x 14.25”D | 26.25”W x 13”D |
| Monitor Platform Dimensions | 36”W x 20”D | 35.5”W x 15.75”D |
| Max Keyboard Platform Height | 13.75”H | 14.75”H |
| Max Monitor Platform Height | 17.75”H | 20.25”H |
| Min Keyboard Platform Height | .75”H | .75” |
| Min Monitor Platform Height | 4.75” | 6.25”H |
| Distance Keyboard to Monitor | 4” | 5.5” |
| Warranty Period | 5 Years | 5 Years |
2025 Price
The VertDesk Converter is currently available at a price of $499.99 with free shipping. The ProPlus™ 36 has had a steady price of $425.00 with free shipping. The VertDesk Converter is about 30% more than the ProPlus™ 36. The single monitor arm pricing is very similar but the dual monitor arm from VARI will be less expensive than BTOD.com’s recommended Hover model.
| ProPlus™ 36 | VertDesk Converter | |
| Price | $425.00 | $499.99 |
| Shipping | Free | Free |
| Single Monitor Arm | $125.00 | $116.54 |
| Dual Monitor Arms | $275.00 | $307.99 |
| Where To Buy | Buy on Amazon | Buy on BTOD |
Return Policy
The VertDesk Converter can be returned for a full refund within the first 30 days. BTOD.com will cover the return shipping charges but the item must be returned in the original packaging for a return to be allowed.
The ProPlus™ 36 can be returned within the first 30 days for a full refund. VARI will pay the return shipping and will provide you with a box at no charge just in case you tossed yours in the trash.
Color Options
| Finish Options | |
| ProPlus™ 36 | Black, White, Darkwood, Butcher Block |
| VertDesk Converter | Black, White |
Delivery & Assembly
| ProPlus™ 36 | VertDesk Converter | |
| Order Processing Time | Within 24 Hours | Within 24 Hours |
| Shipping Time | 1-5 Business Days | 1-5 Business Days |
| Shipping Method | UPS Ground | FedEx Ground |
| Assembly Required | No | No |
Build Quality
The VertDesk Converter and ProPlus™ 36 are very similar at their cores. They both utilize a z lift base design in which the platforms move out and up when the unit is raised. They each have a monitor platform and separate keyboard tray that are at a fixed distance from each other. But, aside from these basic similarities, they are quite different.
There is a wide range of Chinese made products in the world of standing desk converters. While the ProPlus™ 36 is closer to the low-end of the build quality spectrum for dual fixed platform converters, the VertDesk Converter is on the higher-end.
Both products are controlled by pressing two handles found on the underside of the monitor platform. The handles on the ProPlus™ 36 are not as smooth as the handles on the VertDesk Converter and they also make a loud noise when pressed while the handles on the VertDesk Converter are silent.
The material used for the platforms on the VertDesk Converter is higher quality than the ProPlus™ 36 and the finish is better suited for long-term wear and tear. Both products feature nice rounded corners on their platforms, but the undersides of the platforms on the ProPlus™ 36 are sharper than I would prefer.
Making Adjustments
The ProPlus™ 36 can be adjusted to 11 different positions with the adjustment being assisted by springs. The VertDesk Converter has infinite position lock so you can lock it into any position within its range. The movement on the VertDesk Converter is assisted by gas cylinders.
The ProPlus™ 36 will often have noticeable noise from the springs when making adjustments. The VertDesk Converter is silent through the adjustment process. The locking system on the VertDesk Converter is very solid, with no bouncing in any locked position. The ProPlus™ 36 has an inconsistent locking system that does not always hold.
Stability
While the core principles are the same between the VertDesk Converter and ProPlus™ 36, their stability varies greatly. The VertDesk Converter is one of the most stable standing desk converters I have tested while the ProPlus™ 36 is toward the bottom of the stability list. The VertDesk Converter excelled in almost all phases of my testing. The only area that it didn’t score highly in was the standing monitor shake, but it was still very reasonable.
The ProPlus™ 36 is very solid at sitting height but it is unstable when at standing heights. The ProPlus™ 36 has the most keyboard bounce I have seen throughout my testing. This high amount of keyboard bounce contributes to a lot of monitor shake which is why the scores for these areas were so low. The ProPlus™ 36 also struggled in the general stability category because of the locking system, the potential for the unit to tip and the unit still has a little bounce when it is locked.
| Product | Sitting Wobble (10%) | Standing Wobble (15%) | Sitting Bounce (10%) | Standing Bounce (15%) | Sitting Shake (10%) | Standing Shake (15%) | General (25%) | Total Score |
| VertDesk Converter | 100/100 | 95/100 | 100/100 | 90/100 | 90/100 | 75/100 | 85/100 | 91/100 |
| ProPlus™ 36 | 100/100 | 80/100 | 100/100 | 40/100 | 90/100 | 45/100 | 40/100 | 64/100 |
Ergonomics
Both products lack dual ergonomic functionality out of the box. Dual ergonomics means that the keyboard tray and monitor height can be adjusted separately. This allows you to have a proper typing height and monitor viewing angle at the same time. A monitor arm can be added to both products, which will make them dual ergonomic.
Both products will alter your normal typing position when seated because they will increase the height of your existing desk by .75”. From there, the ProPlus™ 36’s keyboard tray will go as high as 13.75” off your desk. The VertDesk Converter will raise the keyboard as high as 14.75” off your existing desk. The ProPlus™ 36 will provide an ergonomic typing height for people up to 6’0”. The VertDesk Converter will provide an ergonomic typing height for people up to 6’1”.
The viewing distance will be well within the recommended ergonomic range of 20”-40” on both products.
The VertDesk Converter also features keyboard tray tilt. This will only be useful when at standing height and you may need a monitor arm to use the negative tilt function effectively.
Task Space
The VertDesk Converter features a rectangular shaped monitor platform with a grommet hole and plastic insert at the back center of the platform. The platform is very wide so there is plenty of room for dual monitors. The platform is not quite as deep as the ProPlus™ 36 but it doesn’t have the large cut-out in the front like the ProPlus™ 36. This makes it more practical for things like notepads and accessories.
The ProPlus™ 36 features a rectangular shaped monitor platform with a pronounced cut-out in the front of it. The platform is plenty wide for dual monitors and the cut-out is designed for laptop users to place their computer on the keyboard tray.
Keyboard Tray
The keyboard trays on the ProPlus™ 36 and VertDesk Converter are quite different. The VertDesk converter features a rectangular shaped keyboard tray with no cut-outs. The keyboard tray has tilt adjustment that is controlled by loosening and tightening a knob to the right of the keyboard tray. The keyboard tray features plastic clips at the back to prevent your keyboard or mouse from sliding off the front of your tray when in the negative tilt position.
The keyboard tray on the VertDesk Converter is much smaller than the ProPlus™ 36 and the side walls are another limiting factor when it comes to space. The VertDesk Converter is best suited for compact and normal sized keyboards.
The ProPlus™ 36 features a very large keyboard tray with additional space at the back to place a laptop without it hanging off the front of the keyboard tray. I had no problem fitting my oversized keyboard and there was plenty of space leftover.
Similar to the monitor platform, there is also a cut-out in the front of the keyboard tray. It is less pronounced than the monitor platform but it is still very noticeable. I read from a VARIemployee that this was done to make it easier to reach down to make height adjustments. While this addition may improve posture while raising the unit, it comes at a cost. The keyboard tray loses valuable space to this but-out and it also creates an awkward angle to line up your keyboard.
Wire Management
The VertDesk Converter has a grommet hole that can be used to help with wire management but other than that, neither product will have a wire management system.
Safety
The z lift design used on both units has the potential to pinch objects or people but both products do a very good job of eliminating as many areas from being dangerous as possible, while clearly labeling the areas that still pose a risk.
They both use a z lift design but the ProPlus™ 36 is much less stable at standing height. There is certainly a risk that the ProPlus™ 36 can tip forward and off your desk if too much weight is pressed down on the keyboard tray.
Bottom Line
VARI offers the best return policy in the industry and the ProPlus™ 36 is almost always ready to ship the same day. The ProPlus™ 36 has a better monitor platform and keyboard tray set-up to accommodate laptop users and the keyboard tray will not limit you to a compact or normal sized keyboard like the VertDesk Converter does.
The VertDesk Converter has a higher build quality, larger adjustment range and is far more stable than the ProPlus™ 36 at standing heights. The VertDesk Converter also has the advantage when i comes to ergonomics due to its infinite position lock and keyboard tray tilt. It is also available for almost $100 less than the ProPlus™ 36.
I hope this comparison helps to highlight the differences between the VARI ProPlus™ 36 and BTOD.com’s VertDesk Converter so that you can purchase the standing desk converter that best suits your needs.
