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As someone who works at a computer more or less all day every day and has chronic back problems, a standing desk is an important part of my office setup. I’ve been using one for over ten years and back then it was something of a luxury. But lately I’ve been seeing motorized standing desks, not dissimilar in design to the one I bought all those years ago, popping up for shockingly low prices. Are these super-cheap desks worth your money?
I’ve used three different desks in the last decade of working from home and writing about technology — maybe four, depending on how you count all the various parts and components. And I reviewed another model for one of my previous employers, all from different suppliers, so I feel like I know what I’m talking about here. My latest one is something of a behemoth, to deal with my huge desktop and triple-monitor display. (Hey, I write for PCWorld, I come by it honestly.)
Between the heavy-duty, four-legged, quadruple-motor Uplift frame and the custom-made six-foot desktop I ordered from a Dallas carpenter, the whole package cost me over $1,500. And I’m sorry if that sounds like flexing, but I literally spend more time at this desk than in my bed some weeks. It’s worth making it a good one. For the sake of comparison, the previous desks I’ve used and then passed on to friends or family members when I upgraded were all $600 or more.
Looking to pick up a new monitor for your home office? Check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best monitors available today.
But you don’t have to spend four figures on a standing desk, even a “fancy” one with a motorized raising and lowering action. In fact, I bought (or rather expensed for this very article) a motorized standing desk off Amazon for precisely $100. (The same model is $200 at the time of writing, but it’s easy to find alternatives.) Shipping was free, tax an additional $6. It was only the latest entry I’d seen on SlickDeals for super-low-priced standing desks, which got me wondering if they were actually worth the price, or in any way comparable to the more premium desks to which I’m accustomed.
A hundred bucks is a pretty good price for a 55-inch bamboo desk all on its own. You might be able to find a particle board version of one at Walmart or Target, for example, to say nothing of a standing version. Or at least that’s what I assumed — in fact I found a nearly identical desk, only slightly smaller and lacking the keyboard tray, for precisely $100. Even less expensive ones are available if you look around.
Walmart
Walmart
Walmart
So, clearly there’s been something of a race to the bottom in this market, with a hoard of overseas suppliers making desks as cheaply and quickly as possible. I suspect a spike in demand during the pandemic has created a huge surplus of these desks. But “cheap” doesn’t automatically mean “bad,” as my hard-working Kia Soul can testify.
The question I aim to answer is whether or not you should save some money on your setup by going with one of these ultra-cheap motorized standing desks or if you’re better off saving up for a more deluxe option from a reliable supplier.
The INNOVAR (ALL CAPS) desk arrived from Amazon in a shocking one day, and as it happened to be Saturday, I set to assembling it immediately. I’m no stranger to flat-pack furniture in the Scandinavian style, and I’ve assembled and taken apart similar desks about a dozen times, so it only took me about 45 minutes to put everything together. While there are commonalities in all of these desk designs, I spotted a few important differences.
Opening the box and starting assembly. My personal standing desk is on the left.
Opening the box and starting assembly. My personal standing desk is on the left.
Michael Crider/Foundry
Opening the box and starting assembly. My personal standing desk is on the left.
Michael Crider/Foundry
Michael Crider/Foundry
The first thing I noticed was that it was shockingly light. At 46.2 pounds (just under 21 kilograms) in the box, I was able to move it into my office in one trip, even with my back problems. Frankly this didn’t bode well: If there’s one thing I like in a desk, it’s some heft, especially when the important bits are steel. Upon opening the box, my suspicions were confirmed.
While the bamboo top is pretty typical and appears to be fine, all of the steel parts are made from ⅛” or 2mm panels. They’re all light enough to toss around…not that you should try it. For the sake of comparison, the frame of my old Fully Jarvis desk with a similar size weighed at least twice as much.
Unlike other standing desks, there’s no bracer frame under the desktop — it merely screws right into the wood.
Unlike other standing desks, there’s no bracer frame under the desktop — it merely screws right into the wood.
Michael Crider/IDG
Unlike other standing desks, there’s no bracer frame under the desktop — it merely screws right into the wood.
Michael Crider/IDG
Michael Crider/IDG
Speaking of steel, I immediately noticed that there’s no top frame to the Innovar. All three of the previous desks I’ve used, plus one review unit, had steel crossbars that are affixed to the bottom of the desktop. The top is laid upside down on the floor, then the legs are bolted in place. Not so here: the instructions had me assemble the legs first, complete with the motor and the T-bars, then screw the entire assembly onto the bottom of the desktop, along with the included keyboard tray and plastic accessory hooks.
The desk’s frame is made out of extremely thin sheets of steel.
The desk’s frame is made out of extremely thin sheets of steel.
Michael Crider/IDG
The desk’s frame is made out of extremely thin sheets of steel.
Michael Crider/IDG
Michael Crider/IDG
Being familiar with these desk designs, I did a double-take looking at the actual motor mechanism. It’s housed in a semi-exposed barrel on one side of the frame, whereas the other standing desks I’ve used had motors hidden inside the leg pillars. Note the plural there: this desk has just one rather weak motor driving both legs at once. It does this by means of a long hexagonal steel bolt, essentially a giant Allen wrench spanning between the two legs.
Michael Crider/Foundry
Michael Crider/Foundry
Michael Crider/Foundry
The fact that this driver bolt was exposed to the bottom of the desk threw me for a loop. Not only is it exposed, just begging to get caught on cables or wires, it’s positioned on the front side of its crossbeam, facing the user. The odds of actually rubbing against your knees are pretty low unless you moonlight as an NBA player, but as someone who often runs wires all across the underside of a desk to keep the top nice and clean, it makes me nervous to see moving parts anywhere in there.
The motor drives the left leg with a simple hexagonal bar — basically a giant Allen wrench. The motor drives the left leg with a simple hexagonal bar — basically a giant Allen wrench.Michael Crider/Foundry
The motor drives the left leg with a simple hexagonal bar — basically a giant Allen wrench.Michael Crider/Foundry
Michael Crider/Foundry
Also, having an exposed mechanism like this means that the legs aren’t automatically level out of the box. I had to manually adjust the initial height of one side of the frame to match the other. And to get them matched on a separate hexagonal bar that I had to install myself, I had a limited choice of approximately six positions to place the “master” leg at to match it to the other side. I think I was able to eyeball it reasonably well, but this is a problem I haven’t encountered on desks with mechanisms that are less threadbare.
The Innovar desk includes a matching bamboo keyboard tray, a surprising extra at this price.
The Innovar desk includes a matching bamboo keyboard tray, a surprising extra at this price.
Michael Crider/Foundry
The Innovar desk includes a matching bamboo keyboard tray, a surprising extra at this price.
Michael Crider/Foundry
Michael Crider/Foundry
There are a couple of extra points in this specific desk package worth highlighting. First, it comes with a slide-out keyboard tray, something you don’t often see at any price. I prefer to raise my monitors up with VESA arms rather than lower the keyboard and mouse area, but it all achieves the same effect, so having the option without spending any extra money is a point in its favor. The cheap plastic hooks, presumably for hanging bags or headsets, I could do without entirely. I wouldn’t trust any kind of heavy bag to it (certainly nothing with textbooks inside), and second I’d rather see some more useful cable routing, like a tray for a power strip at the rear of the desk.
There’s one point in this desk’s favor: it comes with a four-setting, programmable height controller, complete with an LED readout. That surprised me — it was a pricey little upgrade when I bought a Fully desk. I imagine that these desks have become so ubiquitous that like Bluetooth in the head unit of a budget car, it’s just standard now. It’s a nice little controller with the LED readout smartly hidden within the white plastic. It’s just a shame that the power connector pins were so bent when I assembled it that I had to manually straighten them out with a flathead screwdriver. Some more stringent QA would have caught that.
Michael Crider/Foundry
Michael Crider/Foundry
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Michael Crider/Foundry
Bent pins were far from the only issue I found with the desk. While I was finishing the setup, I noticed that the front was seriously dipping down. This isn’t completely the fault of the desk, as there’s a bit of a bunched carpet pad near the wall in my office. But I never noticed it before because no other piece of furniture in my office was so light that it couldn’t press down level on this pad with its own weight. Thankfully there are plastic adjustment feet underneath the white steel legs, and I was able to juuuuuust about level the surface of the desk by putting the front ones at their maximum height.
The pins on the power connection for the desk controller were so bent that I had to jam a screwdriver in there to straighten them out.
The pins on the power connection for the desk controller were so bent that I had to jam a screwdriver in there to straighten them out.
Michael Crider/Foundry
The pins on the power connection for the desk controller were so bent that I had to jam a screwdriver in there to straighten them out.
Michael Crider/Foundry
Michael Crider/Foundry
Finally, with everything set up to my satisfaction, I tested the raising and lowering action. It works. It’s slow, especially at the start, but it works. You can program up to four positions simply by pressing and holding the corresponding buttons on the controller, and it measures height in increments of a tenth of an inch. In fact you can set the surface even more precisely, because the action of the motor is analog, even though it’s measured digitally.
I proceeded to set up a pretty basic workstation: small laptop, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and mousepad. A lightweight lamp, heavy coffee mug, and a little LEGO set for flavor rounded it out, plus the various cables needed for everything with admittedly sloppy management. I’ve used it for a few weeks, but right away I could tell that this desk would be lacking in sturdiness.
To be blunt, the frame is just so light that the thing wobbles like a Weeble at the slightest touch. Every standing desk is going to have a little bit of give at the top of its height, even my massive four-poster. But this one is so unstable that I can see it shake with every single keystroke on my laptop, even when I wasn’t using any external display or keyboard, and even in the seated position.
Michael Crider/Foundry
Michael Crider/Foundry
Michael Crider/Foundry
At a lower position the stability is alright, it doesn’t feel like I could flip it over accidentally. But at the standing position it wouldn’t take more than ten or fifteen pounds of pressure to get this thing to tip either forwards or backwards. I can imagine an incautious child, a big dog, or an especially clumsy internet writer achieving this all too easily.
In the past I’ve mounted a full desktop with three monitors, lamps, and various and sundry other computing equipment to a standing desk with only a little warping of the wooden top surface to worry about. The Fully Jarvis, for example, is rated to lift 350 pounds (if not happily). Innovar claims a 198-pound capacity on this thing, and while the motor might be rated to lift that amount of weight, I have zero faith in this desk’s ability to actually stand up under that load for any amount of time. Just my admittedly “husky” desktop and 34-inch center monitor would weigh more together than the entire desk.
Is a $100 standing desk worth it? The answer will depend on your needs and your means, of course. My fellow tech writers and I often get into discussions along the lines of “how much does a budget laptop cost?” Well, if all you have to spend on a laptop is $300, then a budget laptop for you is $300 and not a penny more. If you find yourself in a situation where you simply cannot spend any more than necessary on a desk and you need a standing desk for ergonomic or health reasons, then yeah, it’s worth it.
But if you’re in this situation and you’re planning to create a workstation with a desktop PC at the center, then even that qualifier doesn’t apply to you. I can’t speak for every single desk on the market, but this Innovar model I’ve tested is so shaky and top-heavy that it can’t safely hold a big, beefy desktop. Get a regular desk or table instead. For this standing design and those of similar ilk, limit it to a small form factor PC at the absolute most, more likely a laptop and a lamp. I wouldn’t expect to pass this desk down as heirloom furniture, either.
Michael Crider/Foundry
Michael Crider/Foundry
Michael Crider/Foundry
The phrase “you get what you pay for” comes to mind, trite as it might be. If you’re in a position to invest in a more substantial desk or if you can afford to wait until your budget is more roomy, then I suggest you do so, especially if you’re working from home or otherwise planning on spending a large amount of time with it.
Most of us would like to make our offices or home offices dynamic and ergonomic. Especially if you’re fed up with constant back and neck pain, a height-adjustable desk could be a game-changer. So why do so many people still make do with inefficient alternatives? The answer is simple: price.
Compared to a regular desk or table, height-adjustable desks are admittedly expensive. It can be difficult for people to understand why adding an up/down function can cause such a jump in the bottom line.
In this blog post, we’ll explain why sit-stand desks are priced as they are, as well as the differences between adjustable desks and other factors that affect pricing.
If you’re looking for a height-adjustable office desk, you’ll quickly realize that the market is extremely competitive. However, although there are plenty of suppliers, the price of sit-stand desks varies drastically between them. So what affects the price of your height-adjustable desk?
A group of important factors can make your adjustable desk different from the others you are considering, which ultimately has a big impact on its price. Let’s explore these in more detail.
Generally speaking, there are two types of height adjustable desks: manual and electric. Manual desks require adjustment by hand, usually with the help of a crank. In contrast, the height of electrically height-adjustable tables is set at the push of a button, using integrated electric motors to drive the motion. Logically, the additional technical components in an electrically height-adjustable desk command a higher price to manufacture, and thus to sell.
When a manual alternative exists, is electric height adjustment just an unnecessary luxury that can be fulfilled much cheaper elsewhere? Not exactly. While your crank handle will get you where you need to go, you shouldn't underestimate the strain you put on your body when manually adjusting a table.
Your desk may be loaded with office equipment, books, coffee cups and the like; although it may look simple, changing the height of a table by hand requires a lot of strength and strains your neck and back.
Moreover, manually adjusting a desk takes time and effort. After a while, you might even stop adjusting your position to the recommended level during working hours. This means that the actual reason you bought a height-adjustable desk in the first place, namely to facilitate regular changes between sitting and standing at work, isn’t actually used.
As with every product, the type of materials used in the production process affects production costs and thus the retail price of sit-stand desks. High-quality materials increase costs, but they correspond to a better table quality and durability. A more expensive height-adjustable desk usually stays functional for longer and works more subtly: a smooth driving dynamic can guarantee an almost noiseless height adjustment.
Production locations also play an important role in the pricing of sit/stand desks. With manufacturing costs in Asian countries significantly lower, many suppliers have relocated to save money. However, with less rigorous quality standards, it’s a gamble for consumers. In Europe, more attention is paid to product quality, but production is more expensive. Naturally, the end price is higher too, as it has to cover the manufacturing costs.
The design of your height-adjustable office desk also influences its price. Mass-produced, standardized tables are cheaper, but they often look it too. A combination of high-performance technology and high-quality workmanship costs more, but will normally result in a modern look that helps you integrate your sit-stand desk into any work or living space.
Height-adjustable desks can be equipped with various additional functions: memory positions for height profiles, a key lock on the control element, an anti-collision system and more. These add-ons make using your sit-stand desk easier, safer and generally more pleasant.
The competition for adjustable office desks means that new features are always being developed. Integrated sockets and USB ports or wireless charging stations for smartphones are logical extensions, while left-field add-ons, like built-in cup warmers, are a little more gimmicky.
More functions means a higher price. Basic height-adjustable desks, equipped only with an up and down function, are thus cheaper. The more functions added, and the more unusual they are, the higher the selling price.
Some suppliers of sit-stand desks go further than simply selling their products: exceptional customer service adds value to their offer.
When you buy a new desk, pay attention to the terms of delivery. When delivery costs are included in the retail price, this will be slightly higher, but it could mean greater value. Many providers advertise low prices for their sit-stand tables, but also charge high delivery fees, which you only notice halfway through the order. Likewise, check your supplier’s return policy to avoid any nasty surprises.The cost of selling a height-adjustable desk will be higher if the provider has a broad customer service offering.
However, by paying slightly more, you could gain access to competent customer support that will support you if any problems or questions with your product arise.
Although there are many desks on the market, these often fall into two price categories: overpriced luxury goods, or entry-level products that don’t meet the design and quality requirements of professionals.
Yaasa is different. Our height-adjustable desks come at the "sweet spot" of price and quality. We offer the same high quality as top-class tables, but at a fair price that is only slightly higher than that of entry-level models. Despite this, it can be tough to see exactly what goes into Yaasa desks, which some claim are too expensive compared to other manufacturers. To clarify, let’s look in detail at the factors that influence our prices.
Height-adjustable desks from Yaasa are not “reseller” products: We develop and produce each one ourselves. From concept, to design, to production, development is down to us and our product designers. We focus on your comfort and pay attention to every detail.
Our height-adjustable desks are designed according to a principle of co-creation. Yaasa sit-stand desks are developed in consultation with our customers and the entire team. With this diverse input, we can include customer wishes and needs in product development.
That's not all: we plan, design, correct and test until we are completely satisfied with the result. As such, our height-adjustable desks meet our own standards and customer requirements.
Finally, Yaasa Desks are not produced in the Far East, but here in Europe. This helps us to control every step of production and monitor quality. With our production partners, we attach great importance to material quality in manufacturing, so that each desk meets our standards.
Yaasa height-adjustable desks feature high-performance technology that allows the desk to be used trouble-free for years to come. The integrated mechatronic technology is market-leading, guaranteeing optimal performance and driving dynamics.
The electric motors in Yaasa Desks work almost silently when the table is moved up and down. Furthermore, Yaasa sit-stand desks are stable at all height settings, to a weight of up to 80 kg.
All Yaasa Desks are quick and easy to install in your office or home. Most of your height-adjustable desk arrives pre-assembled, which is why it can be set up quickly and without mechanical knowledge. Likewise, using your Yaasa sit-stand desk is an intuitive, uncomplicated experience. You can adjust at any time, ensuring maximum flexibility in your everyday work.
At Yaasa, our focus is on functionality, adaptability and design. Yaasa desks not only fulfill their actual purpose, the change between sitting and standing, but offer an extraordinary user experience accompanied by unique design.
Height-adjustable desks from Yaasa aren’t off-the-shelf items of furniture, but real designer products. With a modern, minimalist look, your table can be integrated into any workspace. Choose from different sizes and colors to design your workplace according to your taste.
The special construction of our tables means that the electronics are mounted almost invisibly under the table top. This results in a modern office table that creates a pleasant, visually appealing work environment: an eye-catcher in any office or living room.
The professional Desk Pro 2 boasts an innovative feature set that makes work easier and safer. The integrated collision detection system detects obstacles in the movement area of the table, immediately stopping the motors and preventing damage to your desk and its surroundings.
The memory function allows you to save preferred height profiles. This means that you don't have to keep adjusting the height of the desk, but simply move it to a previously determined height position at the push of a button.
However, if you’ve got an eye on price and want to concentrate on the essentials, then the Yaasa Desk Basic is the right choice for you. It’s a desk with a simple up and down function: Yaasa quality at a lower price.
At Yaasa, your comfort is important. That's why we make sure that the entire process, from ordering to assembly and use, is as pleasant as possible. You can order height-adjustable desks from Yaasa online, with free shipping and delivery in just a few working days. We’ll cover the costs in the event of a return shipment.
Yaasa also offers business customers the opportunity to test a sit-stand desk for 30 days free of charge. Let your employees try their Yaasa Desk and determine whether it meets expectations themselves. We’ll also provide consultation and expert advice to create individual offers and the ideal solution for your office.
Let’s not forget our top-notch customer service! You can contact us any time: we are always available to answer any questions, requests, suggestions or problems you may have. We won’t let you down.
Excessive sitting is damaging to your health and work performance. When you sit in the office for hours on end, you’ll quickly feel tension, pain, tiredness and discomfort. Ergonomics is vital to a healthy, productive workplace, and a height-adjustable desk simply a must-have.
Changing regularly between sitting and standing gets your circulation going, stimulates metabolism, promotes blood circulation and ensures that cells are better supplied with oxygen. The result? You stay alert at work, feeling fresher and more rested. Less fatigue also means more focus, productivity and creativity.
When you consider that you spend around 40 hours a week at work, you realize how important it is to make your time in the office as healthy and comfortable as possible. A sit-stand desk not only protects your health, but also makes a significant contribution to your efficiency. In short, it’s priceless. A height-adjustable desk is a long-term investment in your health and well-being.
Height-adjustable desks come in many different designs, with different functions and additional services. These and other factors have a significant impact on their price.
Ultimately, the sit-stand desk you choose depends on your personal needs and preferences. Manual or electric, more or fewer functions, basic or comprehensive support. Generally, a slightly more expensive desk can provide more features and included services.
Your height-adjustable desk is an investment in your health, well-being and productivity. As you will likely work several hours at your desk each day, for several years, try not to make false economies on ergonomic office equipment.
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