Last updated: November 28th, 2025
I’ve spent years begging Australian standing desk brands to stop building desks like they belong in a crypto bro’s spare bedroom. The world doesn’t need another standing desk with blue LED lights and square jet-black legs.
9am Home answered the call with the Atom Pro.
Soft curves. Warm colours. Zero “bro energy.” Sophisticated Scandi design.
But the $1,449 price tag had me worried. It’s a lot of dough for a standing desk – especially when an entry-level UpDown Pro+ costs just under $1,000.
What does a standing desk nerd like me do in this situation?
Assemble one in my living room to see if I like it.
Why the living room? Because my home office already has three standing desks and five office chairs – but that’s a story for another day.
Quick Verdict.
Above: The American Ash desktop has a lovely straw colour that contrasts nicely with greens, whites and blacks.
Gorgeous.
Crafted with attention to detail.
Solid enough for everyday use.
These are the words that come to mind. But don’t mistake the Atom Pro for perfect.
Its assembly is fiddly. Stability is good, but isn’t class-leading. And the warranty fine print could be kinder. I’ll discuss all of these nuances below.
But despite its flaws, the Atom Pro is one of the best standing desks in Australia for design lovers.
Like its cousin, the 9am Home Dora Pro, the Atom Pro eschews an industrial aesthetic and embraces a soft, elegant look.
Above: The Atom Pro is only available with white legs and a light-coloured hardwood desktop.
And like the Dora Pro, the Atom Pro has solid mechanical chops. You get dual motors, a decidedly snazzy height controller and an impossibly stylish under-desk tray.
Which came as a massive surprise considering its $1,449 price tag. And considering the Dora Pro – and even the cheaper Robin Pro – arrive at your doorstep preassembled.
Expert Tip.
Speaking of the Robin Pro – it costs about 50% less. No, it doesn’t feel as premium as the Atom Pro – but does inherit its Scandi design aesthetic. It’s a great choice if you’re on a tight budget.
Above: The telescopic legs are made from a single piece, so you won’t have to attach feet to a vertical column. You can also see the hidden under-desk tray directly in the centre.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Beautiful design. Curvy designer aesthetic – rare in standing desks. | Fiddly assembly. Terrible manuals – but thankfully, you only have to do this once. |
| Built-in under-desk tray. Keeps the desk looking sleek. | Could be sturdier. Slightly more wobbly than UpDown, Desky and Stand Desk. |
| Solid foundations. Hardwood desktop, check. Dual motors, check. | Warranty length. It’s not quite 10 years – if you read the fine print. |
Who Should Buy The 9am Home Atom Pro?
The Atom Pro, retailing for $1,449, is not for people on a shoestring budget.
It’s also not for young blokes chasing a hyper-masculine home-office vibe.
If you’re a tech bro who owns more protein powder than furniture, you’re probably in the market for a Secretlab Magnus Pro.
Above: The Atom Pro lowered to regular sitting height. If no one mentioned it was a standing desk, could you tell?
Similar to 9am Home’s Dora Pro, the Atom Pro is for affluent professionals who want a stylish hardwood desk.
To be honest, the differences between the Dora and Atom Pro are minimal.
They cost about the same, follow similar design cues and come with the same (outstanding) under-desk tray as standard.
While the Dora Pro has a fancy lightbar and a quick-assembly system, the Atom Pro gets a better height controller and more slender, elegant legs.
But for me, the Atom Pro is the winner because of its deeper (75 vs 70 cm) desktop sizes.
My home office is reasonably large, so I prefer a desktop that offers more real estate for all my gear.
4 Things I Love About The 9am Home Atom Pro.
Did I mention that this is a great-looking desk?
1. Beautiful Design.
Above: The bullnose edge with curved corners gives off a softness that instantly warms a room.
I’ve already emphasised the Atom Pro’s gorgeous aesthetic, so I won’t repeat myself again.
It’s a very nice-looking desk that will:
- Not ruin an already well-curated room.
- Elevate a moderately smart room.
If you’re the type of person who hires an interior designer when moving into a new home, this is definitely the standing desk for you.
I found myself glancing at it when walking past – something that has rarely happened in my 4 years of reviewing standing desks.
2. Great Build Quality.
Above: Dramatic swirls of American Ash hardwood are clearly visible here.
The Atom Pro feels exactly like a ~$1,400 desk should. The paint is satisfyingly thick. The surfaces feel expensive to the touch. The motors hum quietly.
Meanwhile, the under-desk tray glides out without harsh noise or glitches.
Important!
The American Ash hardwood desktop gets a special mention from me. It’s one of the most attractive desktops I’ve seen – and I’ve seen many.
There’s something about the combination of its pale straw colour and rounded edges that gives the desk a calming, inviting energy.
3. Built-In Tray.
Above: Make sure you always spec your standing desk with a tray. Thankfully, the Atom Pro has one as standard.
The secret to keeping your desktop tidy? An under-desk tray.
But instead of bolting an ugly metal basket underneath, 9am Home recessed the tray into the desktop itself.
It stays hidden until you need it – and finally gives your stationery and notepads a home that isn’t your actual desktop.
Important!
Just keep in mind that it’s more shallow than the trays you get with mainstream desks like Desky and UpDown.
Those will let you store larger items, like camera lenses and large books. Atom Pro’s is strictly for notepads and small items only.
Above: The under-desk tray sits flush with the edge when closed.
Expert Tip.
Having the tray right between your legs is a blessing and a curse. While it’s always within reach, you’ll have to shuffle your chair backward to use it.
4. Whimsical Controller.
Above: The pixelated retro design will age nicely.
Most standing desk brands have upgraded to controllers with funky, large OLED displays.
9am Home hasn’t – but the Atom Pro’s controller is not at all a dinosaur.
Glossy, minimalist surface ties in with the desk’s overall look. Meanwhile, the pixelated design is the most original I’ve seen to date.
The graphics have a nostalgic retro vibe that reminds me of 1990s video games and railway digital clocks.
Consumer electronics date fast (just compare a seven-year-old car dashboard with a new one).
By giving the controller a deliberately retro look, 9am Home essentially froze it in time, so it won’t age anywhere near as quickly.
Above: Details like this are a great touch. They elevate the desk’s vibe from “just another desk” to “this is something special”.
3 Things I Dislike About The 9am Home Atom Pro.
Despite its strengths, the Atom Pro has several quirks that I can’t ignore.
1. Fiddly Assembly.
Above: Clear as mud? For a brand that nails aesthetics, this feels out of character.
It’s 2025, people. User experience has been one of the top priorities for industrial designers since Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone.
In 2007.
And while your shiny new iPhone arrives without a manual and politely walks you through setup, the Atom Pro dumps three baffling booklets and a bag of screws on your lap and subjects you to an assembly process more tedious than filing your tax return.
By candlelight.
I don’t understand why 9am Home’s doesn’t ship the Atom Pro pre-assembled, as they do with the (much cheaper) Robin Pro and the equally expensive Dora Pro.
I’d happily pay an extra $50 for this luxury.
The Atom Pro doesn’t even have click-together legs. You’ll need to do everything old-school style – using the included Allen key or your power drill. I highly recommend the latter – because there are MANY screws.
Expert Tip.
The first manual tells you to flip the desk over at the end. DON’T. The second manual tells you to flip it back upside down again.
Expert Tip.
The second manual does the same.
2. High Cost.
Above: In case you’re wondering, the wool desktop mat is from Minimalist Desk Setups. Great product.
I won’t linger on this self-evident point for too long, but I must mention it.
This is not a cheap desk.
$1,449 for a 150 cm wide desktop is firmly in the “treat yourself” corner of the standing desk universe and on par with premium hardwood options from Desky, UpDown and Stand Desk.
Important!
The Atom Pro isn’t a standing desk for bargain hunters. Nor is it for anyone after a cheap, disposable contraption that will die after a couple of years. It’s for people who appreciate good design – and are willing to pay for it.
3. Warranty Could Be Longer.
For a standing desk that clearly aspires to sit in the premium tier, the Atom Pro’s warranty disappoints.
On the surface, “10-year warranty” sounds fantastic.
Exactly what I’d expect from a top-shelf product.
But once you dig past the headline, the fine print tells a different story.
Above: The hardwood desktop is reinforced with metal cross-members, designed to prevent warping. It’s clearly built to last.
Only the motors are covered for 10 years.
The hardwood desktop drops to five years, and the sensors and controller – arguably the parts most likely to misbehave – are covered for a mere three.
It’s not a catastrophic flaw, but it does feel out of sync with the Atom Pro’s luxury positioning. I didn’t love that the warranty looks generous at first glance – but shrinks the moment I looked closer.
Expert Tip.
For contrast, most premium standing desk brands offer flat 10-year coverage on frames, motors and electronics. Five years coverage on desktops is industry standard.
Above: The 3/4 front view of the Atom Pro is particularly stylish.
Technical Specifications.
Key engineering facts:
| Height Range | 65-130cm |
| Motor Speed | 38mm/sec |
| Max Load | 125 kg |
| Gross Weight | 67 – 77 kg (depending on desktop size) |
Is The 9am Home Atom Pro A Great Buy?
Yes. But it depends on your priorities.
If you value raw strength, lowest price or maximal stability, you’ll find better-value options elsewhere.
But if you care about design – and want a standing desk that feels like real furniture rather than an office appliance – the Atom Pro sits in a league of its own.
It’s a desk that elevates not just your desktop, but the entire look of your workspace.
For the right buyer, it’s an easy yes. For the wrong buyer, it’s a beautiful mismatch. And that’s exactly how a well-defined product should be.
Steven
Cody says:
Hi,
Do you know 9am HOME standing desks?
I want to know how about their desk.
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Cody, I’ve never seen them before but I took a quick look for you and I’m 90% certain it’s another Jiecang desk. You can tell by the design of the feet and the lowest height (60cm). Desky, Omnidesk, Stand Desk are all pretty much the same.
Cody says:
Which one do you mean? Pesk or Robin series? I am interested in their Robin series, it looks unique and beautiful. I can’t find anyone like it in Desky.
Steven McConnell says:
I was talking about the Pesk Series. Robin series does look attractive and unusual, but I’m usually not a fan of tubular legs as they tend to be more prone to wobble. I can’t say whether this is the case in this instance, as I haven’t physically tested the desk myself. The 10 year warranty is reassuring, however. I wish they offered a risk-free trial to let you test out the legs!
Cody says:
Thank you very much, Steven; I will take your comments into consideration.
Erin says:
Do you know much about Kangadesks? There are Australian as well.
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Erin, its another Jiecang standing desk. Same as Desky, Omni, Stand Desk etc. The design of the feet and 60-125cm height range gives it away. The desk appears to currently be currently on sale for $299, which is an absolute steal and I’m wondering why they’re selling their stock at 1/3 of RRP. Regardless, even if they’re about to go bust, I’d still buy one at that price.
EDIT: Be careful. Fakespot showed these warnings while browsing their website: “Multiple eCommerce scam experiences detected, Poor customer service”
Suzy says:
Hi – given all the desks are so similar, is it possible to mix a desk from one brand with a drawer accessory from another? I don’t like the UpDown desk metal drawer (hangs very low so likely to impede leg space) but don’t mind the Desky one – can these be mixed and matched?
Thank you for the reviews! Super helpful.
Steven McConnell says:
Yes, it’s possible to play switcheroo. But you may want to consider that UpDown design is curved, so it will hurt less if you do jam your thighs into it. Desky’s meanwhile, is quite angular. Pro tip: you can also find a bunch of inexpensive slimline desk drawers on Amazon.
jason says:
I’ve spent far, far too much time agonising over which desk to get haha, definitely more than a week. Very happy that you’ve added the omni-desk to your catalogue. That was the one I was considering the most untill you came you with a review saying that it was more wobbly!
Anyways, do you have an opinion on the new updown desk KLIK Series? Its advertises to be significanlty ligher while having better (on paper) specs
Thanks!
Evelyn says:
Hi Steven, great blog post – thank you! I’m also wondering whether you have any opinion or insights on the new UpDown Desk KLIK series…they come at $100 more expensive (for the same size/table top) but seem to be ‘better’ according to the UpDown website.
Cheers!
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Evelyn, thanks! I will have a full review of the KLIK up around February 2025. It’s not necessarily a better standing desk – but it is lighter, less bulky and promises easier assembly.
Ben Clements says:
Hi. I’m interested to know more about whether I actually could fit the Desky cable management system in the Omnidesk? I’ve had a look at the omnidesks in person at the showroom and it looks like their cable management trays screw on (vs the clip in at the edges of the desk with the Desky tray). The desky system also has the power plugs that snap into place in the tray.
So I’m curious to know if you have you tried it, and if so how did you do it please? Or is your thinking that you’d just buy the power boards and plugs from Desky and rest them in the Omnidesk tray?
I’m stuck, because I prefer the Omnidesks but I really love the idea of a single power lead!
Thanks
Steven McConnell says:
I just had a new Omnidesk delivered to my house. Give me about two weeks to assemble it, test it out and report back.
Sunni says:
Thanks for your very helpful (and funny) review. I used the information to to buy a Desky standing desk in record time – no consumer agonising for weeks, as is my usual practice. It has a pneumatic up/down mechanism, so lets see how that goes.
Steven McConnell says:
Ha! You’re welcome, Sunni. Glad I helped you cut down on the agonising. The pneumatic mechanism is an interest choice – let me know what you think of it?
Amber says:
Hi Steven,
Really great and insightful review. It was refreshing to see something that wasn’t filled with ChatGPT affiliate link garbage!
I’m curious about your opinion on L-shaped standing desks? I know that Desky, UpDown and a few other retailers offer these types of desks and I would assume they are more strong and stable, but I’m not an expert and I can also imagine the opposite being true due to the irregular shape. I’ve been looking at these types of desks because I think their shape suits my space the best. Do you have any knowledge on this or do you only have experience with regular rectangular shaped desks?
Steven McConnell says:
Thanks, Amber. Did you know that I have a L-shaped standing desk review? Search for “arielle best corner standing desks” and you’ll find it.
Melissa says:
Hi Steven great article thank you!
I’ve spent way to much time on this, and I’m now leaning towards the Artiss thanks to your review.
I’m wondering if you have any insight into ergonomic chairs for the home office also?
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Melissa, thanks! The Artiss is a great budget pick. I’ve written numerous ergonomic chair reviews – Google “arielle best ergonomic office chairs” to find them 🙂
tania says:
hey are there any other manual desks apart from the ikea ones you don’t recommend, that you would recommend? I prefer the idea of not needing electricity to move between stand up and sit down but maybe that doesn’t really exist?
Steven McConnell says:
Hey Tania, all of the premium brands (UpDown, Desky, etc) offer a manual crank model. Definitely the way to go if you want to avoid electronics. But TBH I suggest you reconsider. Electronics are very reliable these days – and hand-cranking your standing desk is more annoying than you’d expect.
Adam says:
Hi, do you know much about the UpDown Klik vs Pro system?
Steven McConnell says:
The company has shipped their new Klik standing desk to me yesterday. Stay tuned!
Scott Long says:
You mention in your review of the Up Down Pro that you would get the cable holes and grommets done, but it looks like your (very pretty) Messmate desk doesn’t have them. Is your recommendation a hindsight reflection, or did you choose not to spoil the look of the desk with the grommets? Without the grommets can you can still run the cables behind the desk and into the cable management tray? Cheers!
Steven McConnell says:
Scott, I said in the review that grommets and holes are a great idea, not that I have them. They’re less important if your standing desk faces a wall. But if you have an open-plan style home office like mine, they’ll make your workspace look much cleaner. PS You can still run cables into the tray without the holes and grommets – the cables will simply run behind the desk.
Isaac Jenkinson says:
Hello,
Have you had a chance to try the new UpDown Lyft model? Curious about its stability vs the pro.
Steven McConnell says:
Isaac,
Not yet. On first glance, it looks like a budget alternative to the “big brothers”. It’s probably pretty good (UpDown has a reputation to maintain), but I’m of the opinion that buying cheap means you pay more in the long term. I’d save up another few hundred bucks and get the Pro. You can often get a melamine or bamboo-topped model on sale for around $900.
David says:
This is a great site and will help me decide on which desk to buy. Have you heard any good/bad reviews about the Blacklyte Atlas Lite or Ergo-Rise II from BDO furniture?
Steven McConnell says:
David, thanks for the kind words. Never heard of the Atlas Lite until you mentioned it. Looks like a decent gaming desk that borrows heavily from Secretlab Magnus – but why not just buy a real Magnus instead?
As for the Ergo-Rise – looks like a decent desk, but its height controller is outdated. The best standing desk brands have upgraded to OLED controllers.
Ben says:
Thank you for writing this review Steven; really helpful to break through the BS.
By any chance have you used or hold an opinion on Vertilift desks?
Steven McConnell says:
You’re welcome. God, I haven’t even heard of them – but thanks for the heads-up. There are too many standing desks on the Australian market. Obviously I haven’t used these in person, but I’m almost certain they’re yet another Jiecang variant (i.e., frames are identical to Desky). You can tell by the identical max and min heights, as well as the design of the foot.
Eloise says:
Hey Steven, I was recommended the Alwyn or Octavia (Living Fusion) 140cm sit and stand desks from Temple and Webster which don’t even get a mention in your review. Would you bother with any of their brands ? (I may have dodged a bullet by finding your review!)
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Louise, I haven’t had first-hand experience with the T&W standing desk (must add one to my list!).
However, I had a look through the specs for you.
It doesn’t look too bad, actually – considering the price. If you can’t stretch your budget to ~$950 for an entry-level UpDown or Desky, this could be a good option.
Jordan says:
Hi Steven, Thanks for the review! I am starting out with a home office set up and need a new chair and sit stand desk. I’m a student but I prefer to buy things I know will last, but I don’t have too much experience with sit stand desks. I initially thought to buy the Artiss but have considered buying the Acacia UpDown Pro+ so I know it lasts and I don’t have to buy another desk in a couple of years. Is it worth the price jump for me? Thanks!
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Jordan, the Artiss and the UpDown desks sell at two very different price points. If you have the budget, I suggest you stretch to the UpDown standing desk – you won’t regret it.
jason says:
I know you’ve disqualified the flexispot e7 pro so the e7 max plus would probably also be disqualified, but a quad motor 4 column desk frame at a prices competitive with UpDown desk is incredibly tempting. Plus 15 year warrenty (if the company lasts that long)
Have you had a chance to take a look? Its like half the price of the desky quad!
Steven McConnell says:
Hey Jason, great observation. I haven’t included quad standing desks here because they’ve traditionally attracted a niche consumer – someone who needs to place a tonne of gear on the desktop and doesn’t mind paying 2X the usual price. But Flexispot’s sharp pricing on their quad desk certainly changes things. I haven’t seen one in the wild yet – but the specs look promising.
Steven