The pandemic changed the way we work in ways we could never have imagined. No doubt about it, many of us are still working from home for a big chunk of the week – and I put myself in that category. Are you in the same boat? Then you really need to consider adding a standing desk to your WFH set up. Let me tell you why…
Why do I need a standing desk?
If you’re working from home you’re more inactive than you are in an office set up – there’s no commute and you probably don’t move much from your seat. You may have a range of aches and pains from slumping on the sofa with your laptop, or in your computer chair.
A standing desk solves these problems by encouraging better posture and keeping your legs and core engaged during the day.
Should I really stand up all day long at my standing desk?
It’s best to alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day, so if your budget allows it, an adjustable motorised desk is the best solution.
Which is the best standing desk for 2023?
Comhar EW8 All-in-one Standing desk, £299 (WAS £449), FlexiSpot
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We reviewed the FlexiSpot EW8 Comhar All-in-one Standing desk, which comes with a price tag of £449 (or $469 for US customers). There's currently a sale on, however, meaning you can snap it up for £299 / $339 if you hurry.
It arrived in two boxes, and was easy to assemble – coming with all the tools you need to put it together. I’m not a DIY person at all, so was worried I’d struggle, but the instructions were clear and easy and I managed to put it together myself in less than 20 minutes.
The desc itself is available in white or black – but I chose the white version as it fitted better with my office décor. The frame is made of industry-grade steel and it has a shiny glass top that gives is a sleek elegant feel.
The size is good – plenty of room for my laptop, monitor, iPad, desk ornaments and other gear, without it looking cluttered.
The Comhar is also available in black
There’s a shallow drawer which is great for storing note pads and pencils, iPad, etc, but the real selling point of this desk for me is the two USB charging point and the type C charging port. I always have some device that’s running out of juice during the day, so this has been a real game-changer.
Then of course, you’ve got the main feature of the desk – the adjustable height. You have to plug the desk into a wall socket so that this will work – it’s super easy, you press the up arrow on the control panel to raise it, and the down arrow to lower it. You can save four different height presets, so that once you find a height that works for you, you can program it in rather than searching for it each time you want to change. And this is a great feature if you’re sharing the desk with someone else in your house who’s working from home.
There’s a handy anti-collision function – which means the desk shuts off automatically if it detects an obstacle when you’re adjusting it – and there’s also a child lock button which disables the motor completely.
Overall I’m delighted with this desk – and I would definitely say that I feel better in myself for taking standing breaks throughout the day.
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More standing desk options:
Best heavy-duty standing desk
EG8 Odin Standing desk four-leg E7Q, From £899, FlexiSpot
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We also tested out the Flexispot Odin, which is one of the newest standing desks from the company - and it’s perfect for those who need a larger workspace. Teachers, photographers, or anyone who requires a larger working area will love this desk, which expands up to 94.5 inches. It could easily be used as a dining table at home - that’s how big it is. There’s also the option to order a standard 60x30 inch surface version, if that suits your needs better, however.
The special feature this desk has is that it features a four-leg, four-motor design which makes it super sturdy and super stable - incredibly so. It can hold up to a hefty 200kg which is a bonus for anyone who has heavy gaming equipment.
The motors are surprisingly quiet, and they can be moved to adjust the desk between 23.8 and 49.4 inches. Even at its highest height, there’s no wobble - which is incredibly impressive.
We were sent the bamboo version, which looks natural and chic - it’s also available in different shades of chipboard and solid wood of varying shades.
Assembly was a little more complicated than the EW8 Comhar - taking about an hour and a half, which is normal when you consider you’re adding four legs, not two. Instructions are not difficult to follow. The hardest part - and the part I needed help with, was flipping the desk over and moving it where I wanted it.
As for the price, You’re looking at £749.99 for the frame, if you hurry to take advantage of the sale that’s currently on (usual price £899) or £1,069.98 if you purchase the frame and desktop together. US customers are looking at $899.99 instead of $999.99 for the frame or $1139.99 for the frame and desktop.
Like the other Flexispot models, it has a built-in safety stop and a child lock button for extra peace of mind of you live little ones (or pets who’re likely to get in your working space) at home. It also comes with a 15-year warranty, which really is the icing on the cake.
If you’re looking for a heavy-duty standing desk that meets all your needs, particularly if you require a larger workspace or have a lot of heavy equipment, this is the desk for you, no question. It’s worth the investment.
Best budget standing desk
DlandHome standing desk, was £79.99 now £49, Amazon
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If you’re not quite sure whether a standing desk will work for you, this model is a good way to dip your foot into the water. It has lockable wheels, meaning you can move it around easily and holds up to 80kg. The bottom level can be angled which is great if you want to tilt your keyboard. It’s available in a black, white wood or pine finish.
Top review: "Since working from home I have been propping my monitor, keyboard etc up in boxes so that I can stand up. This was the perfect solution. It didn’t cost the earth, was not difficult to put together, seems to be quite sturdy and there is plenty of space to get my monitor and laptop on the top shelf next to each other.
"I have a bar stool for when I want to sit down so I have set the desk up to the right standing height and don’t have to adjust it at all. However, when setting it up initially I had no trouble adjusting it by myself with the equipment on."
Best standing desk for gaming
Jarvis bamboo standing desk, from £629, Fully
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The Jarvis is made with eco-friendly bamboo, which is a nice touch. What makes is great for gamers is the high lift capacity of 150kg – which is vital if you’re packing multiple monitors, heavy PC boxes, subwoofer speakers and other gear. This has a good reputation as being a stable, reliable and good-looking desk – which you can customise with dark bamboo, a number of different frame colours and add-ons like a programmamble memory height unit and wire management kits.
Top review: "I'm so in love with the bamboo sit/stand desk. The desktop feels so smooth and it goes up and down so smoothly too. This is exactly what I was looking for when deciding which sit/stand desk I wanted."
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