Last updated: July 9th, 2024
The Artiss standing desk is one of the cheapest standing desks on the Australian market. Depending on options and size, you can pick one up on Amazon for between $299 and $369.
Is it a smart buy or a cheap gimmick you’ll need to replace with a premium standing desk within two years?
I personally owned and used an Artiss desk during lockdowns (remember them?) for about nine months, so I’m in a great position to comment on its strengths and weaknesses.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Dual Motors. A surprise at this price point. The motors are not the strongest (max lifting load is only 100 kg), but they help keep the desk balanced. | Not Huge. Artiss’ maximum width is 140 cm. While it’s handy for people who live in small apartments, it’s not great for people with a lot of gear. |
| Good Build Quality. I was surprised to find that the Artiss is sturdy and well-made. | No Cable Management. You don’t get a cable channel or a spine—just a few cable ties. |
Which Artiss Desk Is Best?
Above: The 140 cm wide Artiss desktop offers enough space for one desktop computer, or two laptops.
Artiss sells two variants of this standing desk. One of them is better than the other.
The variant I’m referring to throughout this review is the premium one, with:
- Dual motors.
- Memory presets.
- 100 kg lift rating.
The other variant is a base model with no memory controls, a single motor and a 70 kg rating. Be sure to choose the premium model I review here – it’s the better option for almost the same price.
The link to it is below:
Just in case you want to check out the basic model with no memory presets and a lower weight rating, I’m linking to it below:
Reasons To Buy The Artiss Standing Desk.
Despite its relatively compact size and very low cost, the Artiss standing desk has a lot going for it.
1. Surprisingly Good Build Quality.
I was worried when the Artiss standing desk arrived at my door. Part of me was expecting a wobbly contraption that looked and felt like a child’s toy.
The Artiss surprised me with its sturdy powder-coated frame and tactile height adjustment buttons.
(Related: Best Standing Desk Converters In Australia).
Its particleboard desktop material desktop is not a luxury item, but it doesn’t feel cheap and nasty to the touch, either.
The anti-scratch finish is reasonably good at protecting the surface and feels nice under the hands.
Overall, the desk has a modern, contemporary feel.
Important!
It also remained sturdy until the day I sold it.
2. Decent Range Of Sizes & Colours.
Above: Black legs and Oak desktop create a stylish, contemporary look.
You can customise the Artiss standing desk to your needs. It offers:
- 5 desktop colour choices (Walnut, Brown, White, Black and Oak).
- 3 leg colour choices (White, Black and Grey).
- 2 desktop sizes (140 cm X 70 cm and 120 cm X 60 cm).
These options give you 30 permutations, so you won’t have trouble matching the standing desk to your decor.
The 120 cm desktop is quite compact, and is a great fit for small apartments. But be warned – the desktop’s area is not generous, so don’t expect it to accommodate more than one computer and a notepad.
Expert Tip.
The price difference between Artiss’ 120 cm and 140 cm desktop sizes is very small – around $35. If you’re not constrained by size, definitely opt for the larger one.
3. Excellent Value For Money.
The Artiss standing desk offers a lot of features for its price.
Dual motors keep the desk rising and lowering without complaint, while the anti-collision system prevents it from damaging other furniture.
Meanwile, adjustable rubber feet allow you to stabilise the Artiss on uneven floors.
The price is outstanding.
(Related: Omnidesk Standing Desk Review: Best In Class?)
Costing 2-3 times less than high-end standing desks like UpDown Pro and Desky, it misses out on some of those desks’ features (more about them shortly), but offers enough functionality to satisfy most Aussie WFH users.
Expert Tip.
You can buy the Artiss standing desk for 30% less on Amazon than via their own website. I’m not sure what their reasoning is, but the best deals are definitely not on Artiss.com.au.
4. Painless Assembly Process.
Above: In a lowered position, the Artiss looks and functions like a traditional desk. Note the complete absence of power management systems underneath.
Artiss will arrive at your doorstep in two boxes, plus the desktop. The assembly instructions are quite fiddly, but despite their lack of clarity, the assembly process will take you less than 30 minutes.
The desktop has pre-drilled holes, so you don’t need to wield a power drill or a screwdriver to attach it.
Important!
But you will need one for attaching the control panel.
Once assembled, the desk becomes quite heavy. I recommend having an extra pair of hands on standby to help you maneuver it into position.
Where The Artiss Standing Desk Falls Short.
The Artiss Sit-Stand desk falls short in several areas. Here are the top reasons you may want to consider other options.
1. Not A Status Symbol.
Above: The Artiss looks basic, but you can dress it up with accessories. A woollen desktop mat from Minimal Desk Setups is a must-have.
When your friends come over, they won’t “ooh” and “aah” at your Artiss. It’s a practical, inexpensive standing desk—and it looks like one.
While it doesn’t look cheap, it lacks the presence of top-tier standing desks like the UpDown Pro and the Desky Dual.
Expert Tip.
If you’re looking for a status symbol, opt for a hardwood desk from one of those brands. Artiss’ rubberised particleboard doesn’t have the same vibe to it.
2. Short Warranty.
You get a measly 1-year warranty. Compared with 5-10 year warranties you get with other standing desk manufacturers, it’s quite embarrassing.
In the end, you are buying an adjustable electric standing desk for about $350, including shipping.
The Artiss is covered by warranty against damage upon delivery – but you must notify the company of any issues within two days of taking delivery.
Expert Tip.
If the $350 Artiss breaks after 2 years, your outlay is $175 per year. But if you buy a $1,000 UpDown Pro, which is covered by a 10-year warranty – and it breaks after 10 years – your outlay is $1,000 per year. In net terms, a premium standing desk is almost 40% cheaper.
3. Doesn’t Lift A Lot Of Weight.
Above: Yep, only one cross-beam. This is one of the ways Artiss keeps the cost down. Note the clips holding the cables up.
Even though the Artiss features dual motors, it’s only rated to 100 kg of lifting capacity.
Most people won’t approach this limit, but if you plan to place a lot of equipment on your desk, you should buy a more premium desk.
I doubt the Artiss will withstand many years of abuse.
Unlike more heavy-duty desks, the Artiss only has one cross beam underneath to support its weight.
4. No Trial Period.
While premium standing desk brands offer lengthy trial periods (up to 100 days in the case of UpDown and Stand Desk), Artiss offers nothing at all.
Important!
The company does have a 30-day change-of-mind policy, but it involves returning the desk in unused condition at your own expense. You’ll also need to pay a 10% restocking fee.
5. No Cable Management System.
Above: Rubberised wood-like laminate feels surprisingly nice to the touch.
I’m surprised that Artiss doesn’t even offer the option to spec the stand-up desk with a cable channel.
I’d happily pay an extra $50 for the feature, but I suspect Artiss omits it to keep the weight low and, therefore, the cost of shipping down.
The good news is that you get some free cable clips to tidy up the cables.
The only downside? Those two options cost you about $200. Yes, that’s about 65% of the cost of the desk itself.
6. Narrow Range Of Height Adjustment.
The Artiss doesn’t cater well to super short or very tall people.
How The Artiss Standing Desk Stacks Up.
Compared to other standing desks on the Australian market, the Artiss does quite well.
| Price | 5/5 |
| Build Quality | 3/5 |
| Aesthetics | 3/5 |
| Cable Management | 2/5 |
| Ease of Assembly | 3/5 |
| Extra Features | 2/5 |
| Warranty & Returns | 2/5 |
| OVERALL | 2.9/5 |
Technical Specifications:
- Weight: 29.9-38.8 kg, depending on size and desktop material.
- Warranty: 1 year.
- Metal finish: powder coating.
- Desktop thickness: 2.5cm.
- Minimum height: 70cm.
- Maximum height: 120cm.
- Maximum load: 100 kg.
Where To Find The Best Deals On The Artiss Standing Desk?
Amazon typically has the best deals on this desk. I’m linking to the premium variant that I’ve mentioned throughout this review below:
The link to the base model with no memory presets and a lower weight rating is below:
Which Standing Desks Does The Artiss Compete With?
You’ve either decided that the Artiss sit-stand desk is your best choice, or you must explore other options. In case you’re in the latter camp, here are a few alternatives.
1. UpDown Pro Standing Desk.
With a 10-year warranty and a 100-day trial period, the UpDown Pro is a remarkable standing desk, and the current winner of our “Best Standing Desks In Australia” award.
Compared with the Artiss, it’s a fearsome contender.
Important!
It costs between 2X and 4X Artiss’ price, offering a huge range of accessories, hardwood, and sustainable desktop options.
The Artiss is your best choice if you want uncomplicated practicality that won’t break the bank. Meanwhile, the UpDown Pro is best if you want the best sit-stand desk, period.
2. NorthDay EverDesk.
The EverDesk is hugely popular in its native Singapore and entered the Australian market with force 1 year ago.
Price-wise, it sits between the Artiss and the UpDown Pro. Not cheap, but not expensive, either.
Unlike the Artiss, the EverDesk offers a proprietary cable management system. UniGroove, as it’s called, combines with a rear scallop and an under-desk cable tray to keep your cables neat.
Overall, the Artiss is a less heavy-duty, less sophisticated stand-up desk than the EverDesk.
You get a 20 kg lower load limit and a more narrow height range adjustment (EverDesk offers 60 cm – 124 cm, making it suitable for shorter people.
3. Desky Sit-Stand Desk.
Desky standing desks are a little less heavy-duty than UpDown Pro models, but feature more sophisticated cable management systems and easier assembly instructions.
Think of the Desky as a Lexus while the UpDown as a Mercedes. The former is more technologically advanced, but if you could get one for free, you’d probably pick the latter.
Important!
Desky’s frames contain significantly more metal than those of the Artiss, so it’s not a surprise that they can carry 140 kg of load, compared with Artiss’ 100 kg.
My favourite thing about the Desky standing desks is the ability to option them with up to 8 under-desk power sockets. This is great news for photographers and videographers who always run out of power sockets because they run at least 10 decides at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Artiss Desk.
Here’s what people tend to ask me about the Artiss.
1. How Reliable Is The Artiss Standing Desk?
Look, this is a hard question to answer precisely. While the desktop and the powder-coated frame will likely last you for many years, the electronics may not.
The 1 year warranty period hints at the fact that this desk isn’t designed to last forever. I recommend you treat it gently (don’t overload it with equipment, don’t sit on it, move it with care), and you should get a few years of use out of it.
2. What Do Customers Say About The Artiss Desk?
The desk has a 4.2-star review average on Amazon, which is quite commendable.
I’ve read a few dozen of them, and they are mostly favourable. A few people have expressed grievances that I’ve already highlighted in this review.
My Verdict On The Artiss Standing Desk.
The Artiss standing desk represents unbeatable value. This is the best sit-stand desk on the Australian market if your budget is limited to around $350 and you need a dual-motor, compact, practical electrically adjustable desk.
Stay away from Walnut desktops (unless you’re an old man with no taste), and be sure to pick the model with 100 kg lift capacity with dual motors.
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