Sitting for lengthy amounts of time can have a negative impact on your health. Luckily, an adjustable sit-to-stand desk can help alleviate the adverse effects and help you lead a healthy and active life. However, not all standing desks are built the same way.
Many various types of standing desks can be used to satisfy a variety of different demands, making it somewhat tricky to find the perfect desk for your needs.
Therefore, we bring you the ultimate beginner's guide to buying standing desks. It will help you make the right decision and invest in the best standing desks. Read on to learn how to find the perfect standing desks to match your needs.
Step 1: Choose the Right Types of Adjustable Standing Desks
One of the first things you need to consider is how the standing desk alters the desk height. Here are some common types of standing desks based on the type of lifting mechanism.
Standing Desks with Manual Adjustments
Having to manually adjust the height of your desk, which is often accomplished with a hand crank, can be a hassle for many people. Taking a minute to adjust your workstation may not appear to be time-consuming, but if you're transitioning from sitting to standing and back to sitting multiple times every hour, it adds up.
As a result, many people start limiting the amount of standing and return to their previous sedentary working style after a while. Standing desks are becoming more popular, and as a result, their pricing is becoming more affordable. It will not be that much more expensive to use a hydraulic system or an electric motor.
Standing Desks with Electric Motors
Electric standing desks are the most common sort of standing desk. They allow for controlled, powered help in raising and lowering the work surface to accommodate different heights. If you have a location to plug in your electric adjustable desk and you need to hoist computers and accessories weighing more than 200 pounds, an electric adjustable desk may be a good choice.
However, if you're working in a quiet office, you'll want to hunt for a desk that's even quieter than the rest. The decibel range is typically between 40 and 70 decibels when measured in decibels.
When it comes to the pace at which the desk switches positions, it is best to opt for dual motor standing desks, such as the Adjustable Standing Desk Pro Series. 7 inches per second has been reduced to 1.7 inches per second and even less. Meaning, you may be able to switch between the sitting and standing working positions within seconds.
Standing Desks Powered by Hydraulics
This is an excellent choice if you require a desk that adjusts in a quiet manner. These desks don't require any physical strength to adjust and are surprisingly available at affordable rates in the market.
Hydraulic standing desks generate mechanical power through the use of fluid. A hydraulic standing desk normally requires electricity and has the potential to leak oil, yet it is capable of lifting some of the heavier weights and features great weight capacity.
Step 2: Check Standing Desk Material
The materials used in the manufacturing of the standing desk can determine the overall durability, aesthetic appeal, and environmental impact of your desks. Here are a few things in this regard that you must consider when choosing a standing desk for your home or office.
Durability & Aesthetic Appeal
The standing desk materials have a significant impact on whether they will last less than a year or withstand daily use for decades to come. Steel, wood, and polymer plastic are all options for standing desk leg construction. Work surfaces are available in a variety of materials, including solid hardwoods such as walnut, softwoods such as bamboo, and laminated substrates.
Stainless steel standing desks are available from some manufacturers for use in manufacturing workshops or for a more industrial appearance. In most situations, the strength of stainless steel is saved for the desk legs, which may be powder coated to achieve a variety of colors and textures.
Sustainability Factor
In addition to focusing on the durability and aesthetic appeal of the materials, make sure you consider the sustainability factor as well. It is advisable to buy from brands that prioritize the environment and offer environmentally friendly standing desks, such as Kana Bamboo Desk, which employs environmentally sourced bamboo wood.
Did you know that bamboo is one of the most environmentally friendly and fastest-growing plants on the planet? When opposed to other types of wood, which might take decades to reach their mature heights, it can attain full growth in as little as 3 to 4 months. Plus, bamboo harvesting does not necessitate the use of herbicides or pesticides, which is another advantage.
Cultivation is completely natural and does not have any negative impact on the environment. Furthermore, bamboo produces 5 percent more oxygen than other plants while absorbing more than 12 tons CO2/hm per year, making it a green powerhouse. You just can't go wrong with a bamboo desk!
Step 3: Consider Weight Capacity
The lighter, more contemporary appearance of standing desks is a welcome change from many of their traditional counterparts. However, it makes many people question whether standing desks will hold up under normal working conditions.
Any standing desk model should have a recommended weight capacity, so pay close attention to the desk's weight capacity rating before purchasing it. Opt for durable standing desks that have been tested to the latest industry standards. Also, keep in mind that there is a great deal of variance between different standing desk types and different manufacturing companies.
Generally speaking, the weight of a few sheets of paper and books, a laptop, a monitor, and a few other gadgets and office supplies totals less than 15 pounds for typical office tasks. As a result, for the vast majority of people, a well-constructed standing desk, such as the Adjustable Standing Desk Pro Series of any type, should suffice. It comes with a weight capacity of up to 275lbs!
Consider the objects you intend to have on your desktop and make an approximate estimate of the amount of weight your standing desk will have to bear to function properly. This is especially important if you plan to set up a hefty workstation with multiple monitors or other accessories.
Step 4: Find the Minimum & Maximum Desk Height
It's critical that your standing desk is set up to a suitable working height. Over time, even a small difference in height can cause slouching, neck pain, and wrist pain. So, don't forget to check the minimum and maximum height of the standing desk to make sure it fits your needs, especially if you are taller or shorter.
In the standing position, your forearms should rest flat on the tabletop surface when you are standing straight with your chest up and shoulders back. On the other hand, when you sit, your knees, elbows, and torso make a 90-degree angle. Your feet should be flat on the floor.
Based on your height, opt for a standing desk that allows for proper ergonomics. Take a look at the different height ranges of FlexiSpot Willow Standing Desk to understand how maximum and minimum desk height may differ depending on the model.
Willow Eco (2-Stage): 28" to 47.6" height range
Willow Pro (2-Stage): 27.2" to 46.5" height range
Willow Pro (3-Stage): 22.8" to 48.4" height range
Step 5: Compare the Cost & Budget
The cost of your desk can be greatly affected by many factors. With electric standing desks, larger surfaces may necessitate more motors, making them more expensive than manual desks. Also, compare different brands. There are times when the price is worth it, and there are times when it isn't.
Some companies also charge additional costs associated with customizing, shipping, and installing the product. This makes it important to do your market research and opt for a brand that offers highly-functional standing desks in a diverse price range. For example, FlexiSpot offers ECO and PRO series to meet varying budgets without compromising on the quality, design, or performance.
Other Factors to Consider When Buying a Standing Desk
With your knowledge of all the different sorts of standing desks, we'll now take a closer look at a few more things to keep in mind when investing in a standing desk.
Stability: When using a treadmill workstation or typing on a keyboard, stability is likely to be an important consideration. However, it is not necessary that a large or wide desk would be stable. Stability in standing desks has more to do with the construction and motor than the size or weight of the desk.
Ease of Use: Electric workstations are more convenient to use and are likely to be able to support more weight than manual desks. To make things even easier, they may be programmable. On the other hand, while electric standing desks have silent motors, there is no motor to worry about with a manual desk, which also means that there is no electronics failure to worry about.
Size & Style: If you need to fit a desk into a tight space, be sure to take precise dimensions. Remember that when it comes to your desktop, it's not just the width that matters but also the depth. If the depth is just perfect, your wrist and elbow posture will be supported, as well as your monitor's viewing distance.
Shop at FlexiSpot to Find the Best Standing Desks in the Market
This brings us to the end of our guide on how to buy the perfect standing desk. Now that you know all the factors to consider when buying a standing desk, you can start your search for the perfect desk from the vast FlexiSpot collection. If you are unsure about which desk to choose, we will be happy to help. Visit FlexiSpot today to check out our ergonomic standing desk collections or connect with our team.
