Utilizing one of many best standing desks could make an actual distinction in the case of your productiveness as you’ll be capable of transfer round all through the day and there are additionally apparent well being advantages from with the ability to stand whereas working. Nevertheless, as a standing desk is usually a huge funding, you’ll need to make sure you do your analysis first versus shopping for one on a whim or simply as a result of it’s on sale.
All through the course of final 12 months, I tested a dozen standing desks and primarily based by myself expertise, I can say I’ve a good suggestion of what it is best to and shouldn’t search for when shopping for a standing desk. Certain, it can save you a couple of dollars by choosing a handbook standing desk or selecting a unique desktop however on the finish of the day, you desire a desk that you need to use for years to come back.
When you’re available in the market on your first standing desk or simply need to improve from one of many best desks, these are 4 options you shouldn’t overlook when making your ultimate determination.
1. The keypad
Except you go along with a handbook one, your standing desk could have a keypad that you simply’ll use to boost and decrease its peak. Nevertheless, not all keypads have the identical options and there are even some which have USB ports for charging your smartphone and different gadgets.
Though you may go along with a easy keypad that simply has up and down arrows, I like to recommend getting one with a show so that you’ll be capable of rapidly regulate your desk to the proper peak. The keypads on most electrical standing desks additionally permit you to change from the imperial to the metric system relying in your desire.
Apart from a show and up and down arrows, many keypads additionally characteristic numbered preset buttons that permit you to save your most well-liked sitting and standing heights. Whereas two buttons are sufficient for this, most standing desk keypads now have 4 buttons. This manner it can save you a number of totally different peak configurations or two folks can use the identical standing desk comfortably.
On the identical time, many standing desk makers like Flexispot have begun to include USB charging ports into their keypads. Whereas the Kana Professional Bamboo solely has one USB-A port, the corporate’s EG8 Comhar packs in two in addition to a USB-C port for people who must cost a number of gadgets whereas working.
2. Grommets
When you plan on utilizing your standing desk with one of many best laptops, then grommets – the small holes behind your desk – is probably not vital. Nevertheless, should you’re primarily a desktop consumer, then they’re a should.
As an alternative of getting cables working off the again of your desk, grommets permit you to run them below your desk. This manner the cables going out of your monitor to your laptop and vice versa are neat, tidy and collectively in the identical place. Cable ties will help you retain them much more organized however grommets present the right start line when placing collectively an important desk setup.
Likewise, grommets will also be used for storage. For example, with the Uplift V2 from UPLIFT Desk, you may select commonplace grommet covers however you too can get energy grommets with an AC plug and even storage grommets to carry your flash drives and different equipment.
3. Twin motors
The great thing about an electrical standing desk is that you simply simply should push a single button (when you’ve got a keypad with presets) to regulate it to your most well-liked seated or standing peak. Nevertheless, if its motor (or motors) can’t do the heavy lifting, chances are you’ll end up ready for fairly a while whereas this course of occurs.
Regardless that single motor standing desks are often cheaper, in the long term, you’ll be significantly better off with a desk that has twin motors. This may improve the velocity at which your desk raises or lowers whereas additionally making it simpler to assemble.
Standing desks like Vari’s Important Electrical Standing Desk or Flexispot’s EG8 Comhar have a single motor in one in every of their legs. A rod is inserted into the motor which fits throughout the underside of the desk and connects to the leg on the opposite finish. Apart from being noisier in operation, this takes up quite a lot of area and makes it tougher to handle the cables for the desk’s keypad and management field. Thankfully with EG8 Comhar, the desk mainly comes preassembled and also you received’t have to fret about this.
Additionally, with twin motors, the stress of lifting a standing desk up and down is distributed evenly which may assist along with your desk’s longevity.
4. A cable administration tray
Utilizing a standing desk and not using a cable management tray is usually a actual problem even should you’re simply utilizing a laptop computer. It is because most laptop computer chargers don’t have an extended sufficient cable to maneuver up and down along with your desk. Whilst you can cost your laptop computer elsewhere after which use it along with your standing desk, for desktop customers, a cable administration tray is one other should.
In my expertise, the Uplift V2 is the one standing desk that ships with a cable administration tray included. Nevertheless, you may at all times buy one from the corporate that made your desk individually and even add your personal. When on the lookout for a cable administration tray, you’ll need one that’s extensive and deep sufficient to carry one of many best surge protectors. This may enable all your gadgets to stay plugged in at the same time as your desk is raised or lowered.
As their identify implies, a cable administration tray will also be helpful when organizing different cables moreover energy cords. For instance, I prefer to have the cables from my monitor to my PC working alongside a cable administration tray in order that they don’t dangle and provides my desk a messy look.
Different options value contemplating
These are the important options that I contemplate a should when selecting out a standing desk. Nevertheless, there are some elective options that may enhance your expertise as nicely.
A drawer
When you plan on utilizing your desk with a laptop computer and need it to be utterly clear if you’re not working, then a standing desk with a built-in drawer like Flexispot’s EG8 Comhar could also be value contemplating. This manner you may retailer your laptop computer and different equipment out of sight for extra peace of thoughts.
Hammock
This one could also be overkill however UPLIFT Desk really sells an under desk hammock (opens in new tab) for $50 that can be utilized with the Uplift V2. Granted you will have a desk that’s 72” or wider however as it will possibly double as a mattress, so it might be value the additional area. Nevertheless, you would possibly draw comparisons to George Costanza (opens in new tab).
A built-in display
Though it isn’t out there but and continues to be within the testing stage, Lumina’s upcoming Lumina Desk will ship with a built-in 24-inch OLED ambient show when it launches subsequent 12 months. The show will make it simpler to trace your well being and enhance your posture but it surely additionally helps all kinds of productiveness apps. There’s even an SDK so builders can create their very own apps for the Lumina Desk’s show.
A standing desk is a giant funding so it’s value your whereas to fastidiously contemplate the options you need (and want) earlier than checkout. Even then, most standing desk corporations have pretty simple return insurance policies however realizing precisely what you need beforehand can prevent quite a lot of problem.