Standing desks, also known as sit-stand desks or height-adjustable desks, are a type of desk that allows users to switch between sitting and standing positions while working.
With more and more people looking to improve their health and wellbeing, especially when at work, standing desks have become increasingly popular as they offer an effective way to reduce sedentary behaviour, enhance focus & productivity, promote better posture and overall physical health.
However, with so many options on the market, choosing the right standing desk can be a daunting and somewhat challenging task. The great news is that we're here to help.
Here are 6 steps to help you choose the perfect standing desk:
1. Determine Your Needs
First things first, as with most purchases in life, you need to determine your main needs and goals when it comes to your new standing desk.
Once you’ve decided on the idea of purchasing a standing desk, you need to think about your needs. For example, will you need a desk with large surface area to fit a number of monitors, or will a smaller desk suffice?
At Friska Desks, we offer a range of standing desk sizes, suitable for all needs, from the small Stockholm Micro Standing Desk to the larger Stockholm Extra Heavy Sit Stand Desk.
Are you switching to a standing desk to reduce back pain, increase productivity, or for other health reasons? If the answer is yes, a standing desk is the perfect solution.2. Set a Reasonable Budget
During this early stage, you should also decide the budget you’ll be working with. This will allow you to get the best value for your money while meeting your financial and ergonomic needs.
Assess your financial situation and determine how much you can comfortably spend without straining your finances. At Friska Desks, we understand that times are tough, which is why we offer flexible payment plans via Klarna.
When setting your budget, it’s a good idea to consider potential upgrades in the future. For example, if you plan to upgrade your setup in the future, consider if a more expensive desk now might save money long-term compared to replacing a cheaper one.
3. Understand the Different Types of Desks Available
There are several different types of standing desks on the market, but the biggest difference between the various types is the way in which they adjust. By this we mean, electric, pneumatic and manual.
Let’s look at these in a little more detail:
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Electric standing desks: Also called ergonomic standing desks, these desks allow users to change their height quickly and quietly with the click of a button on a control panel, making it easy to regularly alternate between sitting and standing positions.
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Manual desks: This type of standing desk allows users to adjust their height with a simple crank, but this often takes more time and effort. They are typically cheaper than electric-powered desks.
- Pneumatic desks: These desks use gas cylinders powered by a lever to adjust the height, similar to that of an adjustable office chair.
Looking for a standing desk for your commercial office, home or workspace? Check out our quality collection of standing desks here.
Adjustments on an electric desk are relatively fast, with some models adjusting an inch or more per second. High-quality electric desks are also designed to operate quietly.4. Consider Ergonomics
When choosing the perfect standing desk, it’s also important to take into account the ergonomics, i.e. the desktop size, height range and weight capacity.
Height Range
If you’re taller or shorter than average, then you need to make sure the desk adjusts to a height that is most comfortable for you.
Whether you're standing up or sitting down, your desk should be at a height that allows your elbows to rest at your sides while using the keyboard, with your forearms parallel to the ground. Your monitor(s) should also be at eye level, so you don't need to look up or down at your screen.
You should also be mindful that, if multiple people are sharing the sit-stand desk, then it’s best to choose a desk with a large height range, so that you can accommodate for all heights and requirements.
Weight Capacity
It’s important to keep in mind that each standing desk has a weight limit which determines how much you can store on top of it before it will start to struggle to adjust in height.
If the recommended limits are exceeded, it may damage the motor, and the desk might even collapse under the weight.
Typically speaking, standing desks can hold a maximum of 80 kg -160 kg in weight, which is more than enough to hold your standard desk setup (laptop, keyboard, mouse). That said, additional desk accessories, such as a monitor, laptop stand, printer and lamp can significantly increase the load.
You must determine what you want to store on your desk and choose one that accommodates this load.
Desktop Size
Similarly to weight, you need to consider what you want to put on your desk and how you’ll want them to be positioned. This will help you decide how deep your desk needs to be.
Generally speaking, if you have a full-size desk mat, keyboard and monitor (or just like to spread your items out), you will need a deeper desk than those with just a laptop.
The average desk width is 48 - 72 inches, and the average depth is between 20 - 30 inches.
5. Design & Aesthetics
Of course the most important quality to look for in a standing desk is comfort and functionality. But it's also important to think about its aesthetic appeal and style, too.. especially if it will be placed in your home for remote working.
The design of your standing desk should complement the overall aesthetic of your workspace, so have a shop around and choose a desk finish and colour that goes with your existing interior colour palette and furniture.
In addition to this, consider the material and finish of any additional features, such as your port hole covers.
6. Look at Reviews, Customer Service & Warranty
Last but not certainly not least, when deciding which company to purchase a standing desk from, you need to take into consideration their reviews, customer service system and warranty.
What is Warranty and Why is it Important?
To put it simply, a warranty is a written guarantee that’s provided by a manufacturer or seller, ensuring that a product will perform as specified or be free from defects for a certain period. If the product then breaks, develops defects or fails to meet these specifications within the warranty period, the manufacturer or seller is obliged to repair or replace it, or provide a refund.
This is why it’s important you opt for a company that offers a generous warranty period, as it ensures the desk’s quality and durability, i.e. the manufacturer stands behind their product. Without this warranty, you won’t have peace of mind that you’re investing in a high-quality standing desk.
You also want to purchase a standing desk from a company that is guaranteed to offer responsive and helpful customer service, in case you encounter any issues or have questions about your desk.
Friska Desk Warranty & Customer Service
At Friska Desk, we’re proud to say that we offer a 10 year warranty on all of our products, including chairs, standing desks and accessories, and our customer service representatives are available 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday via our enquiry form or 020 8064 0600.
We also offer a live chat on our website operated by real humans, ensuring you receive the highest quality service you deserve.
We hope this article has helped guide you when it comes to choosing the perfect standing desk for you and your needs. Check out our full collection of standing desks and accessories here.
And if you need additional help choosing a standing desk, feel free to get in contact with our expert team with any queries - they'll be more than happy to help.