19 Best Standing Desks Australia [2023] (Tested & Reviewed)

Are you ready to switch from your wobbly home office desk to a premium standing desk with rock-solid stability? I made the change a few years ago – and learned a lot along the way. In this review of the best standing desks in Australia, I’ll share everything I know to prevent you from making a wrong decision.

While electric standing desks look similar, a few crucial differences set them apart. For example, some have generous risk-free trials while others don’t.

A few brands offer over-engineered desk frames to ensure rock-solid stability, while others prioritise cable management.

After you’ve watched the video above, check out the in-depth comparison below to choose your perfect standing desk.

How To Choose The Best Standing Desk In Australia.

Here are the judging criteria I used to evaluate each standing desk:

Build quality	Does the desk wobble? How much metal is in the frame? How thick are the crossmembers? Does the controller feel cheap?
Aesthetics	How many desktop wood choices are available? Do entry-level wood choices feel cheap?
Warranties & returns	What do you get, above and beyond the standard Australian consumer protections? Can you get a full refund if you don’t like the desk?
Ease of assembly	How clear are the assembly instructions? How many boxes does the desk arrive in? Do the parts fit logically?
Cable management	Is the cable tray included? How useful is it? Does the desk have grommets, cable channels or scallops?
Extra features	Does the desk have any unexpected “nice to have” features? (For example, wireless charging pads).
Price	How much value does the standing desk offer in the context of its price segment?

1. UpDown Pro.

Overall best standing desk in Australia.

Above: Gorgeous hardwood desktops are just the beginning. The UpDown Pro standing desk with New Messmate desktop, plus a few accessories.

As of November 2023, the UpDown Pro Standing Desk continues to hold the title of Australia’s best standing desk – because it provides the most solid frame in a supremely well-made and stylish package.

It’s the last electric standing desk you’ll ever need to buy.

(Related: UpDown Pro Tested: Still The Best Standing Desk?)

Pros.

This standing desk is available in 10 beautifully crafted desktop options, including Jarrah, Bamboo, White Oak, Pheasantwood, Rubberwood and hard-wearing Melamine board.

Sourced in southeast Australia, it has lovely grain and is available in recycled or freshly cut options.

Not only is a hardwood desktop beautiful to the eye and feels nice to touch, but at 27mm, it’s 2mm thicker than the competition, which amplifies that rock-solid, quality feel.

Above: The UpDown Pro sit-stand desk is optioned with a lockable metal drawer (must-have accessory), standing mat and a power rail. The cable management spine is from Bradteck.

While hardwood is excellent for creating stunning home offices, office fitouts require a more pragmatic approach.

This is where UpDown’s Bamboo and Melamine desktop options become your best friend. Inexpensive and hard-wearing, they’re excellent for creating rows of desks that will accommodate larger teams.

But the best feature of the UpDown Pro stand-up desk is its bulletproof feel. The steel frame feels ridiculously strong and looks satisfyingly chunky.

The powder coating layer is thicker than competitors’, protecting the desk from bumps and scuffs.

Above: A must-have accessory, UpDown’s lockable box is stylish, solid and practical. You can stash some books or papers in the slot above it.

I’m not exaggerating when I say that you could drop this sit-stand desk from the 3rd storey window, and it would stay intact.

At the risk of sounding older than I am, I’ll say that the UpDown Pro’s build quality reminds me of “the good old times” – before cheap, semi-disposable furniture flooded the Australian market.

Apart from rock-solid build quality, the UpDown Pro electric standing desk offers a dual motor system for smooth and vibration-free adjustments.

The desk rises and lowers at a rapid clip of 32 mm/sec, thanks to its dual motors.

The company appears to be responsive and accommodating, as websites like ProductReview are full of feedback like this:

Planning to share your UpDown Pro with your husband, wife or business partner?

Avoid office squabbles by saving your preferred desk height into one of four memory presets.

Shown above: The 150 x 75 cm desktop provides a lot of real estate for all your hardware, accessories and stationery.

If you’re like me, you’ll want to personalise your workspace. UpDown doesn’t let you down with a comprehensive range of standing desk accessories.

Grab castor wheels, monitor arms, handy lockable drawers and power rails to build an ergonomic, stylish home office to your exact spec.

Cons.

The UpDown doesn’t feature pre-drilled holes in the desktop. While you can easily assemble the UpDown desk using the included tools and a screwdriver, a power drill will make the process faster.

Three desktop widths are available (120, 150 and 180cm), but only one depth (75cm).

This may not fit smaller home offices, so ensure you have enough space to accommodate the depth.

UpDown’s cable management systems are good – without being outstanding.

Above: UpDown in standing position. Note the chunky frame and the stylish hardwood desktop.

The company sells a clamp-on power rail ($159) with 2 X 240v and 2 X USB-A plugs and an under-desk cable tray ($39).

Its integrated cable management system is hard to beat.

Above: The UpDown controller offers electric height adjustment with 4 memory presets and pleasantly tactile buttons.

My last quibble with the Updown standing desk is that the company doesn’t accept Amex at checkout. Small business customers like me may see this as an unnecessary roadblock.

Verdict.

How Does The UpDown Pro Stack Up?	Score
Price	1
Build Quality	2
Aesthetics	2
Cable Management	1
Ease of Assembly	1
Extra Features	0
Warranties & Returns	2
OVERALL	9

The UpDown Pro Series is my #1 best sit-stand desk in Australia as of November 2023. This is a desk for people who want the highest quality – and don’t mind paying for it.

Yes, there are sit-stand desks with more sophisticated cable management systems and pre-drilled desktop holes, but these are minor squabbles.

I love solid wood furniture, so I upgraded to the UpDown Pro from The Artiss standing desk.

If you are the same, opt for a hardwood Messmite or Victorian Ash desktop on your UpDown Pro desk – you won’t regret it.

Above: the New Messmate hardwood desktop is particularly pretty in the morning sun.

Which size should you choose? In my personal experience, the 150 cm X 75 cm desktop offers the best balance between usability and bulk in a typical home office.

✔ 100-day, risk-free trial period
✔ Toughest steel frame in the business
✔ 100% Australian owned
✘ Hardwood options get expensive

What’s The Cost Of The UpDown Pro?

The UpDown Pro Series stand-up desk isn’t cheap, but you get what you pay for.

As a guide, prices start at $900 for a desk with a Melamine desktop. Expect to pay about $2,000 for a fully featured model with hardwood and optional extras.

Updown Pro Key Specifications.

Load Capacity	150 kg (dynamic load)
Desktop Sizes	180/150/120 cm (W) x 75 cm (D)
Extension Height	Between 64 cm and 129 cm
Warranty	10 years on frame, 5 years on desktop
Risk-Free Trial	100 days

2. NorthDay EverDesk.

Best electric desk for small home offices.

Shown above: EverDesk’s desktop is thick and satisfyingly dense, with a rear scallop for effective power cable management.

The EverDesk is both cheaper and more compact than the UpDown Pro. It hit the Australian market late last year after establishing itself as one of the best standing desk brands in Singapore.

Because Singapore is infamous for its compact living spaces, the desk is available in very small sizes, with desktops as shallow as 60 cm.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

(Related: EverDesk Max Tested: Is It A Good Deal?)

Pros.

EverDesk’s build quality is on point. The desk frame is satisfyingly robust and heavy-duty to ensure wobble-free operation.

Above: EverDesk’s Unigroove cable management system is on full display here. Also, Note the complimentary scallop at the back of the desktop.

I was worried that the desk’s lower price point would translate into cheap and nasty metal underpinnings, but I’m happy to report that this isn’t the case.

I ordered my EverDesk with the Raw Ashen Oak desktop, a hard-wearing wood laminate that feels solid to the touch and looks great in a home office environment.

No, but we’re not comparing apples to apples.

The EverDesk will set you back between about $800 and $1000, depending on options (with a sweet spot at about $900) – while a roughly equivalent bamboo-topped desk UpDown Pro starts at about $900.

You can set a sit-stand alarm that will remind you to stretch your legs by raising the desk automatically.

It’s also the only standing desk in this review to include a child safety lock that prevents kids from accidentally triggering desk movement.

If you have a home office setup where the desk will collide with an object at maximum extension (e.g., window sill, lamp or overhead bookshelf), the controller allows you to reprogram maximum and minimum height limits for even more safety.

Shown above: EverDesk has the biggest range of accessories of all standing desks in this review. The pegboard panel and desktop shelves are on display here.

Unigroove is EverDesk’s cable organisation system. It uses a set of grommets and a cutout at the rear of the desk to help you keep your cables neatly within reach.

It’s good for holding your Lightning-style phone and data cables under control, but it doesn’t solve the power cable problem because the cutout isn’t big enough to feed through cables with fixed power plugs.

The EverDesk will arrive at your door with all holes drilled and pre-threaded, so you don’t have to mess around with screwdrivers or power drills.

It’s one of the most generous in Australia (though not as long as UpDown’s 100 days) and includes doorstep pickup of your desk.

Shown above: Apart from offering electric height adjustment via a satisfying crisp digital display, the EverDesk controller is also sturdy. I accidentally dropped it onto concrete during assembly, and it survived unscathed.

Cons.

EverDesk’s clever controller has a couple of downsides.

First, it has only three programmable height settings vs UpDown‘s, Desky‘s and Artiss‘ four.

It’s also more difficult to use by touch only. The electronic screen is quite small, and you must look at it closely to hit the right button.

NorthDay offers you a choice of one melamine (Lily White) and two wood veneer finishes (Aged Darkened Walnut and Raw Ashen Oak).

I also don’t love the glossy finish of EverDesk’s wood veneer desktops; I wish I could spec the desk in matt.

(This is a personal preference, but if you share it with me, you’re best off with any of the other three finalists).

In fact, if you enjoy the feel of solid wood furniture, you’re best off adding another $200 to your budget and opting for one of UpDown‘s or Desky‘s solid wood desktop options.

By the way, don’t get too carried away when speccing options on your desk. I’ve ordered them all and am happy to report they’re well made.

Last but not least – the assembly instructions have considerable room for improvement.

Shown above: Pre-cut Unigrooove slots are visible here. Use them to hold cables or to attach accessories.

Eventually, you’ll figure them out, but the text and images must be bigger and clearer. I really didn’t enjoy assembling the EverDesk.

Finally, the EverDesk is not as bulletproof as UpDown. Its maximum lifting capacity of 120 kg is about 30% lower, and the thickness of its cross-members isn’t the same, either.

Verdict.

How Does The EverDesk Stack Up?	Score
Price	1
Build Quality	1
Aesthetics	1
Cable Management	1
Ease of Assembly	1
Extra Features	1
Warranties & Returns	1
OVERALL	7

The EverDesk is the best sit-stand desk on the market if you have between $850 – $950 to spend AND you don’t care too much about solid wood desktops AND you have a small home office.

Yes, the UpDown looks and feels more bulletproof, but unless you plan to put multiple monitors, computers, cameras and bookshelves on your desk, this is not very consequential.

✔ Generous 21-day risk-free trial
✔ Designed for compact spaces
✔ Abundance of optional accessories
✘ Glossy desktop
✘ Options get expensive

What’s The Cost Of The EverDesk Max?

The EverDesk is best for Australians with $850-$950 to spend on a standing desk. If you can stretch to $1100, UpDown and Desky are more compelling options. And if you want to save money, check out the Artiss.

Key Specifications.

Load Capacity	100 kg (estimated dynamic load based on 120 kg maximum)
Desktop Sizes	120 cm / 140 cm (W) x 60 cm (D), 160 cm (W) x 70 cm (D)
Extension Height	Between 60 cm and 124 cm
Warranty	7 years on desk frame and desktop (extends to 10 years when you post a review)
Risk Free Trial	21 days

3. Desky Dual.

Best for creatives. Best cable management.

Above: Desky Dual with a bamboo desktop. It’s a very handsome desk, and I love the darkened accents on the rear edge.

The Desky Dual adjustable standing desk is very similar in price, construction and design to the UpDown Pro Standing Desk, but it varies in 3 important ways:

Let’s take a look at this sit-stand desk in detail.

Pros.

I love the optional carved scallop at the rear of this desk.

Above: Desky Dual’s Bamboo desktop surprised me. I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did.

This feature is available only on Deskys and EverDesks (above) – and allows you to manage cables without drilling holes in the desktop or pinching the cables between the wall and the desk.

Desky’s range of desktop choices is excellent but not as varied as UpDown Desk’s. That said, Desky offers its desks with grey legs as an option, while UpDown doesn’t.

Bamboo, the colour I chose for this review, is modern and inexpensive.

But if you want your home office to have an airy yet luxurious feel, opt for hardwood Red Oak or Walnut options.

Not exactly.

While you can technically return the Desky within 7 days of delivery, you’ll have to pay for return shipping.

This will not be a cheap exercise, as you’ll be sending a freight courier to a residential location.

Desky’s generous 10-year warranty will give you peace of mind, while the option to integrate up to 10 X 240v power sockets directly into its cable management tray will keep owners of elaborate multi-device workstations very happy.

Shown above: Desky’s optional under-desk drawer is useful but doesn’t look as nice or feel as sleek as the UpDown Desk’s equivalent.

Both UpDown and Everdesk are more limiting in this regard.

I hate having to fish for an available power socket inside a cable management tray, so I think this is a great design choice by Desky.

Above: The 150×75 size allows you to work standing while providing ample space for a couple of screens.

Business customers will appreciate that, unlike UpDown, Desky offers Amex at checkout.

Cons.

Let’s talk numbers. The Desky Dual’s frame weighs 36kg versus UpDown Pro’s 41kg. The maximum weight capacity, meanwhile, is 20kg less than the UpDown Pro’s.

You’re not likely to exceed its 140kg limit or break it, but the numbers suggest Desky’s construction contains less metal in the base.

Shown above: The Desky controller is very smart-looking. The buttons are organised in two rows instead of one, making it more substantial than all the others.

Desky’s maximum height range of 125cm is slightly less than UpDown’s 129cm (with desktop).

Desky has recently expanded its range of desktops to include some epoxy resin cut-throughs. I’m not sure what they were thinking, but they’re definitely not my cup of tea.

Shown above: Desky’s wood desktops with epoxy cut-throughs have a garish vibe to them. Definitely not classy.

Finally, Desky’s assembly instructions are outstanding – about on par with UpDown’s and StandDesk’s. You get a large booklet and clearly labelled packets of bolts. It’s Lego for grown-ups.

Verdict.

How Does The Desky Dual Stack Up?	Score
Price	1
Build Quality	1
Aesthetics	1
Cable Management	2
Ease of Assembly	1
Extra Features	0
Warranties & Returns	0
OVERALL	6

The Desky Dual is an excellent electric standing desk.

Even though the UpDown Pro and the EverDesk edge it out in the November 2023 update of this review, it’s a fabulous choice for creators, podcasters, and video and photography professionals who will fully take advantage of Desky’s excellent cable management system.

Yes, its lifting capacity is 10 kg less than that of the UpDown Pro.

It also trails UpDown in frame weight (36 kg vs 41 kg) and maximum height (125 cm vs 127.5 cm).

But these are minor quibbles that won’t matter to 90% of customers.

I’ve scoured through online reviews to see if customers are upset with Desky for any reasons, and I couldn’t find any major issues.

A typical Desky review is from a raving customer like this one:

The lack of a risk-free trial is somewhat disappointing, but this is offset by the fact that Desky is a well-known, premium Australian brand.

The odds of you wanting to return your Desky are very slim.

✔ Scalloped design allows neat placement against a wall
✔ Optional 8 power sockets
✘ Less heavy duty than the UpDown
✘ Less generous trial than EverDesk and UpDown

What’s The Cost Of The Desky Dual?

Prices start at $900 plus shipping, and top out at about $2,300.

This places the Desky Dual in the same price range as the UpDown Pro. Use the coupon “arielle” to get a $100 discount.

Key Specifications.

Load Capacity	140 kg (dynamic)
Desktop Sizes	180/150/120 cm (W) x 75 cm (D)
Extension Height	Between 60 cm and 125 cm
Warranty	10 years on frame, 5 years on desktop
Risk Free Trial	None

4. Artiss Standing Desk.

Best cheap electric standing desk under $500.

Above: Cute and compact, the Artiss sit-stand desk is in the lowered position.

The Artiss is my 4th best overall standing desk in Australia – because you get a lot of value for a relatively small price.

I had one of these desks in my home office for almost 2 years until I upgraded to the UpDown Pro Series (mostly because I wanted a desk made from hardwood) – and I had very few complaints about it.

(Related: Artiss Desk Tested: Best Budget Standing Desk?)

Artiss sells two models of this standing desk. One of them is better than the other:

Pros.

Let’s start with simplicity. When ordering your Artiss standing desk, you only have two decisions: desktop colour and leg colour.

There’s also a choice of 120 cm and 140 cm desktop sizes, but I recommend that you automatically default to the larger 140cm size to maximise your desk space.

Above: Artiss’ fuss-free approach is evident here. No cable management channel and no under-desk drawers are available. Also, note the single metal cross-member. All other desks in this review have two.

This lack of complex options translates to a low price.

Because the Artiss is one of the cheapest standing desks in Australia, I was worried that its electric height adjustment controller would look and feel like a children’s toy.

In fact, the entire desk is surprisingly well-made. Yes, the desktop is not made from real wood, but it feels pretty nice to the touch.

Dual motors at this price point are a nice surprise, and the desk with smoothness and effortlessness of its more pricey rivals.

And yes, the desk frame is a bit thin on metal (more about this shortly), but the Artiss is surprisingly sturdy – even at the tallest heights.

But the best feature of this desk is its price.

You can have it delivered to your door for less than $400! That’s incredible value if all you want is a no-nonsense WFH setup.

Cons.

While the desktop material doesn’t look and feel cheap, you won’t mistake it for solid hardwood from a premium manufacturer like UpDown or Desky.

Shown Above: Artiss’ desktop is made from a laminate that imitates the look and feel of real wood. As far as imitations go, it’s a very good one.

In my opinion, the desk’s look and feel are spot-on for this price point.

While this is enough to support a couple of monitors, a computer, and your body parts’ weight, the UpDown Pro beats this figure by over 50%, with its 150 kg maximum load rating.

It confirms that the UpDown Pro desk is one of Australia’s flagship, premium standing desks, while the Artiss is the best option when you need to keep costs down.

Above: 140cm width is enough to position two laptops side-by-side comfortably, but don’t expect to fit a second person here.

Cable management is not even on Artiss’ radar. You don’t get any cable management channels (and can’t buy one as an option), grommets or pre-cut grooves.

But you do get a packet of cable ties, dear user.

Finally, the desk frame itself.

It’s significantly less significant than the frames of its premium rivals. The Artiss is the only desk here with a single cross-member, and its legs are clearly made from thinner sheet metal.

I wouldn’t use this desk for carrying heavy-duty loads, but it’s perfectly OK for everyday tasking and emailing.

Verdict.

How Does The Artiss Stack Up?	Score
Price	1
Build Quality	1
Aesthetics	0
Cable Management	1
Ease of Assembly	0
Extra Features	0
Warranties & Returns	0
OVERALL	3

As someone who has used this standing desk for almost 2 years, I know it deserves the #4 spot. It’s also the best choice if your budget is less than $400.

If I had to summarise the Artiss in a single phrase, it’d be “outstanding value for money”.

✔ Stylish control panel
✔ Very sturdy
✔ Not expensive
✘ Not a statement piece
✘ 100 kg load capacity is decent without being outstanding
✘ Bamboo desktop isn’t available

What’s The Cost Of The Artiss Desk?

The Artiss stand-up desk is very well-priced. Expect to pay between $290 and $400 for this bloody bargain.

Key Specifications.

Load Capacity	100 kg (dynamic load)
Desktop Sizes	120 cm X 60 cm or 140 cm X 70 cm
Extension Height	Between 70 cm and 120 cm
Warranty	1 year
Risk-Free Trial	Hell no

5. StandDesk Pro.

Best premium alternative to UpDown & Desky.

Above: the Stand Desk Pro with a white birch plywood desktop.

StandDesk is a very competent brand on the Australian standing desk market. You get many of the same features as you do with UpDown with Desky – and a few unique ones – at competitive pricing.

The company’s focus on your health and the environment is another key differentiator. Let me explain.

(Related: Stand Desk Tested: Is It A Good Buy?)

Pros.

Solvent-free paints? Check.

Formaldyhyde-free bonding agents? Check.

Biodegradable packaging? Check.

In fact, Stand Desk has gone to extreme lengths to reduce plastic waste. 98% of its packaging is recyclable or biodegradable.

But StandDesk’s environmental stewardship credentials don’t stop there.

Impressed with the company’s values? Well, finish eating your quinoa, tie your hair in a man bun and listen to what I have to say about its standing desks.

First, Stand Desk offers a 100-day, risk-free trial – to help you ensure that this is the best standing desk for your home office.

Until now, UpDown was the only company in Australia offering such a generous and risk-free trial.

Build quality is also fantastic.

You get a solid metal frame that is on par with Desky’s.

It doesn’t quite beat the UpDown Pro for the sheer amount of metal in the frame, but 90% of people cannot tell the difference in the real world.

Shown above: Stand Desk’s frame is on par with Desky’s – but not quite as chunky as UpDown‘s.

Stand Desk‘s pricing is also quite sharp. You can get the flagship Stand Desk Pro model with a 150 cm X 80 cm desktop and a free cable management tray for about $1,000.

Stand Desk offers some cheaper models in its range if that’s outside your budget.

I hate messy desktop cables, so I wouldn’t do it. This charger is one of my favourite features.

It allows you to charge your phone by placing it on the desktop – without needing another messy cable.

In fact, people at Stand Desk appear to share my distaste for tangled cables – because the obsession with tidy power supplies extends to the (optional) lockable metal drawer.

Shown Above: Stand Desk’s metal drawer will set you back $149 extra. Quite shallow, it’s useful for phones, iPads and small notepads only.

An app with Bluetooth connectivity is also included. You can use it to program a sit/stand schedule that will keep your blood flowing.

It’s also the only desk in this review that will respond to your voice commands. Yes, you can raise or lower the StandDesk via Siri or Google Assistant using the app. #whatwilltheythinkofnext

Is it necessary? Probably not in a practical sense, but it does speak to the horsepower of the desk’s electric motors.

Last but certainly not least – the warranty. StandDesk’s 10 years of coverage on its desk frame and desktops is the most generous of all desks in this review.

Cons.

I only have two minor gripes with the desk.

The first downside of the Stand Desk Pro is its limited range of desktop materials.

I’ve been told by the company that more hardwood options will become available from November 2023. Naturally, they’ll command higher prices than birch and bamboo options.

Second, I don’t love the appearance of the cable hole at the rear of the desk.

While I appreciate its utility of hiding cables, I think the appearance looks somewhat unfinished.

The low-ish 100 kg lift rating doesn’t worry me too much, as it appears artificially low-balled by StandDesk (perhaps to minimise the risk of abuse?).

I’ve compared the Stand Desk and the Desky Dual frames side-by-side in my house, and they appear to be made by the same manufacturer. Even the stickers and serial numbers are the same.

Yet, the Desky is officially rated to 140 kg while the Stand Desk to 100 kg.

Verdict.

How Does The Stand Desk Stack Up?	Score
Price	1
Build Quality	1
Aesthetics	1
Cable Management	1
Ease of Assembly	1
Extra Features	1
Warranties & Returns	1
OVERALL	7/14

Stand Desk is giving UpDown Pro and Desky a run for their money.

If you like the idea of wireless charging, tidy cables, easy assembly and doing your bit to reduce plastic waste, it could be a winner.

The company clearly cares about sustainability while creating products less likely to trigger allergic reactions in sensitive people.

✔ Birch plywood desktop looks great in a creative space
✔ Solid frame
✔ Wireless charger
✘ No hardwood option
✘ Cable management hole could be tidier

What’s The Price Of The StandDesk Pro?

The Stand Desk Pro is priced about on par with Desky and UpDown, but you may be able to catch it cheaper during a sale.

Expect to pay about $1,000 for a model with a 150 cm X 80 cm desktop. A cable management channel is included for free, but budget another $250 for a standing mat and a drawer. Both are essential accessories, IMO.

Key Specifications.

Load Capacity	150 kg (dynamic load)
Desktop Sizes	120 x 70, 150 x 80, 180 x 80
Extension Height	Between 64 cm and 127 cm
Warranty	10 years on frame, 10 years on desktop
Risk-Free Trial	100 days

6. Ikea Trotten.

Best standing desk for impoverished students (we’ve all been there).

Above: The Ikea Trotten looks quite smart from a distance. You notice the budget construction when you get close and interact with it.

The Ikea Trotten is a manual standing desk for people on a tight budget. I inspected it closely the last time I visited Ikea and walked away feeling more impressed than I thought I’d be.

Of course, it was nowhere near as sturdy as the premium options from UpDown and Desky, but at 20-40% of their price (depending on your choice of desktop), it’s not a fair comparison.

Well, yes.

Because the Artiss is $450 – and it’s much better. And it will get delivered to your door.

The Trotten will appeal to university students and early-stage startup founders who have been kicked out of all local cafes for overstaying their welcome.

Laptop warriors won’t find this a problem, but if you have a couple of monitors and a desktop PC, you may find yourself nudging against it rather quickly.

If you’re committed to inflicting an Ikea product upon yourself, you may want to know that the company offers two more options:

I conclusively axed them from this line-up for reasons I will outline shortly – in the “Notable Exclusions” chapter below.

Pros.

Cons.

Overall.

How Does The Ikea Trotten Stack Up?	Score
Price	1
Build Quality	0
Aesthetics	0
Cable Management	0
Ease of Assembly	1
Extra Features	0
Warranties & Returns	1
OVERALL	2/14

Specifications.

7. Vari Desk.

First honourable mention.

The VariDesk company was founded in 2013 by Jason McCann, to help out a friend who suffered from chronic back problems.

While it’s an excellent desk, I didn’t feel the need to include it because:

Vari tries very hard to make the desk appear unique.

“T-style legs provide enhanced stability”, gushes the marketing brochure. But truth be told, almost all stand-up desks have this leg design, making that statement redundant.

Australians are able to order the Vari desk only in a compact 122 cm X 76 cm size.

It’s very good for smaller spaces, but far from ideal for people who live in large Aussie homes and/or need more desktop real estate.

However, the Vari does differ in one important way – its 32mm thick desktops. Compared with StandDesk’s 27mm and other brands’ 25mm, it’s quite a jump.

Why should you care?

I will also give Vari credit for offering a 30-day risk-free trial with free return pickup. UpDown and Stand Desk have been leading the pack in this department until now, and it’s good to see Vari join in.

Pros.

Cons.

Overall.

How Does The Vari Desk Stack Up?	Score
Price	1
Build Quality	1
Aesthetics	1
Cable Management	1
Ease of Assembly	1
Extra Features	0
Warranties & Returns	1
OVERALL	6/14

Specifications.

8. Omnidesk.

Second honourable mention.

Like UpDown Desk and Stand Desk, OmniDesk started offering a 100-day trial in 2019. Unlike UpDown, OmniDesk will only cover the cost of return postage for Sydney and Melbourne residents.

You’ll have to cover the courier’s fee if you live outside these areas – and it will not be negligible.

This is disappointing.

While it’s well-built and attractive, it doesn’t bring anything new to the table that the existing frontrunners already don’t.

A lot of people get stuck in analysis paralysis when looking for the best standing desk in Australia. They endlessly delay the decision and waste hours comparing very similar products.

Omnidesk does deserve a call-out for two things.

First, its accessories range is huge – and beats all other brands.

Second, people with a lot of gear will appreciate Omnidesk’s 183 cm X 76 cm maximum desktop size. Most manufacturers max out at 180 cm X 75 cm.

It’s definitely not a huge difference, but professional YouTubers and podcasters know that in that game, every centimetre counts.

Pros.

Cons.

Overall.

How Does The OmniDesk Stack Up?	Score
Price	1
Build Quality	1
Aesthetics	1
Cable Management	1
Ease of Assembly	1
Extra Features	0
Warranties & Returns	1
OVERALL	6/14

Specifications.

9. Recess Desk.

Third honourable mention.

Blink, and you’ll miss it. Recess is the quiet achiever of the industry.

Two desktop sizes are available.

Speaking of desktops, I love the bevelled edges, which only Recess and Stand Desk seem to do.

Oh, and the company is committed to sustainability by offering carbon offsets at checkouts and using recyclable packaging.

Pros.

Cons.

Overall.

How Does The Recess Desk Stack Up?	Score
Price	0
Build Quality	0
Aesthetics	0
Cable Management	0
Ease of Assembly	1
Extra Features	0
Warranties & Returns	1
OVERALL	2/14

Specifications.

10. Deskbird.

Fourth honourable mention.

The Deskbird brand is a relative newcomer to Australia and appears to compete in the mid-range category with Recess and EverDesk.

Their home page boldly declares the brand as “the best standing desk”.

Does the claim hold up?

Whereas most manufacturers opt for a 150 x 75 cm desktop size, Deskbird defaults to 150 x 80 cm.

The 165 kg max weight rating is the second surprise.

I don’t trust this claim completely, as the desk frame appears to be made by Jiecang, a Chinese company that makes Desky, Omnidesk and Stand Desk frames.

My gut feeling is that the 165 kg weight rating was achieved by re-rating the Jiecang frame and throttling the lifting speed down to 4 cm/sec.

Unfortunately, Deskbird doesn’t offer a risk-free trial. While their return policy includes a “no-questions-asked refund”, you’d need to ship the desk back at your own expense.

Pros.

Cons.

Overall.

How Does The Deskbird Stack Up?	Score
Price	1
Build Quality	1
Aesthetics	1
Cable Management	0
Ease of Assembly	1
Extra Features	0
Warranties & Returns	1
OVERALL	5/14

11. SecretLab Magnus Pro.

Best sit-stand desk for gamers.

Above: SecretLab’s marketing is slick, and the desk’s features are abundant.

The Magnus Pro is a height-adjustable standing desk that markets itself as a feature piece you will want to display as a piece de resistance to your gaming setup.

It’s working.

I wonder what my wife would say if I quit my job and told her I’m becoming a professional Counterstrike player.

On a serious note, this review of the best sit-stand desks in Australia isn’t aimed at gamers, so I demoted the Magnus Pro to the bottom of the list.

But I chose to include it because it sets such a high bar in desk design – and I’m hoping that other manufacturers start taking notice.

Why do you need to run an ugly power cable up the desk’s leg when you can run it inside the leg?

Above: The integrated power supply is genius.

The desk’s height controller is also fully integrated – and not bolted on like an afterthought. Although not for everyone, the whole desk looks decidedly modern, edgy and fresh.

The main downsides of the Magnus Pro are the flipside of its strengths:

The 5-year warranty is also dubious and raises questions about the sit-stand desk’s build quality.

Pros.

Cons.

Overall.

How Does The SecretLab Magnus Stack Up?	Score
Price	1
Build Quality	1
Aesthetics	0
Cable Management	2
Ease of Assembly	1
Extra Features	0
Warranties & Returns	1
OVERALL	6/14

Specifications.

12. Adjustable Desks Australia.

A lot of potential but not enough trust.

I didn’t include Adjustable Desks Australia among the frontrunners because I don’t love anonymous brands with websites full of stock images.

While their desks appear loaded with good features (120 kg weight capacity, dual motors, 3-stage legs), they’re not groundbreaking and not anything you can’t get elsewhere – even among budget brands.

If something goes wrong during ordering or I need to submit a warranty claim, I’d rather deal with an established Australian company.

Pros.

Cons.

Overall.

How Does Adjustable Desks Australia Stack Up?	Score
Price	1
Build Quality	0
Aesthetics	1
Cable Management	0
Ease of Assembly	1
Extra Features	0
Warranties & Returns	1
OVERALL	4/14

13. Zen Space Desk.

Almost identical to Desky (and hopefully not out of business).

ZenDesk does have a physical address and phone number (whew) and, like UpDown, offers a 100-day free trial on all their standing desks.

ZenDesk frames are 5kg lighter than UpDown, which implies that they’re manufactured with less strength in mind. This point aside, the ZenDesk is very similar to UpDown price-wise but does not have a trial.

To be entirely honest, Zen Space Desks are almost identical to Desky Duals. They have the same frames and very similar desktop choices. Just get a Desky for peace of mind.

Pros.

Cons.

Overall.

How Does Zen Stand-Up Desk Stack Up?	Score
Price	1
Build Quality	1
Aesthetics	0
Cable Management	0
Ease of Assembly	1
Extra Features	1
Warranties & Returns	1
OVERALL	5/14

14. ErgoMotion.

Good if you need a custom-built desk.

A brand with a distinct ergonomic tilt, ErgoMotion offers sit-stand desks, ergonomic chairs and even TV lifts.

They differ from UpDown Pro (and every other standing desk manufacturer on this list) in one important way: they offer custom-built standing desks.

If you have a specific desk design in mind, they can build a one-off bespoke model, just for you. This will appeal to you if, for example:

Pros.

Cons.

Overall.

How Does The ErgoMotion Desk Stack Up?	Score
Price	0
Build Quality	1
Aesthetics	1
Cable Management	0
Ease of Assembly	1
Extra Features	1
Warranties & Returns	1
OVERALL	5/14

15. Lazy Maisons.

Doesn’t specialise in adjustable sit-stand desks.

I don’t recommend Lazy Maisons because the brand doesn’t specialise in standing desks.

While reputable, with a couple of showrooms across Australia, it appears to sell everything from camping gear to recliners.

Only brands that have standing desks in their core DNA can be in the running for top spots in my review of the best sit-stand desks in Australia.

Pros.

Cons.

Overall.

How Does Lazy Maisons Adjustable Desk Stack Up?	Score
Price	1
Build Quality	1
Aesthetics	0
Cable Management	0
Ease of Assembly	1
Extra Features	0
Warranties & Returns	1
OVERALL	4/14

16. JasonL (Plus Officeworks & Kogan).

Boring standing desks (for boring people).

Ah, mass consumer-grade standing desks. Cheap, cheerful, unexciting.

You’re also spoilt for choice in this category, with Kogan, JasonL, Elite Office Furniture and, of course, Officeworks.

Do they present a valid alternative to a specialised stand-up desk brand like the UpDown Pro or Desky?

Not really.

Stilford is the best electric desk at Officeworks, but it costs $740 (30% more than the Artiss!), but is also made from particleboard.

Yes, its weight capacity is higher at 120 kg, and the top is larger, but is it worth the extra price? Not really.

If you’re looking for a more premium option that will last you for up to a decade and you’ll be proud to show off in your home office, increase your budget by a few hundred dollars and invest in an UpDown or a Desky.

You can see, touch and feel your standing desk before you buy it. This prevents nasty surprises, right?

Again, not really. Surprises are a thing of the past in 2023 – because UpDown Desk, Zen Space Desks and OmniDesk all offer risk-free trials of their desks. If you don’t like the desk that arrives at your door, email them, and they’ll take care of the rest.

Pros.

Cons.

Overall.

How Does The JasonL Sit-Stand Desk Stack Up?	Score
Price	2
Build Quality	1
Aesthetics	0
Cable Management	0
Ease of Assembly	1
Extra Features	0
Warranties & Returns	1
OVERALL	5/14

17. Movi Sit-Stand Desk Converter.

Sit-stand desk converter company that appears to be out of business.

Movi is a company that specialises in sit-stand desk converters. It appears that they’ve gone out of business.

The shopping cart is permanently “out of stock”, and their Google review page is full of complaints from customers who want to make a warranty claim but are unable to contact the business.

Pros.

Cons.

Overall.

How Does The Movi Sit-Stand Desk Converter Stack Up?	Score
Price	1
Build Quality	0
Aesthetics	0
Cable Management	0
Ease of Assembly	1
Extra Features	0
Warranties & Returns	1
OVERALL	2/14

18. Ikea Idasen & Bekant.

Ikea standing desks should be illegal.

Bekant sit-stand desk is Ikea’s cheap-ish option. I excluded it from this lineup because of its telescopic round legs (notorious for being wobbly) and so-so desktop finish.

The Ikea Idasen sit-stand desk is the flagship, but it also didn’t make the cut. While its desktop is much better than Bekant’s the telescopic legs are a deal-breaker.

It retails for about $950; for this price, you’re almost in UpDown, Desky, and StandDesk territory.

Pros.

Cons.

Overall.

How Do The Ikea Idasen And Bekant Sit-Stand Desks Stack Up?	Score
Price	1
Build Quality	0
Aesthetics	0
Cable Management	0
Ease of Assembly	1
Extra Features	0
Warranties & Returns	2
OVERALL	4/14

19. Kergo Smart Desk Pro.

Standing desk with lots of potential (but may be out of business).

The Kergo has popped up on my radar very recently. It appears to be a quality sit-stand desk that has already gained praise from a few Australian review websites.

A 10-year warranty is a great first sign, as are smooth and quiet dual motors that adjust your Kergo between 60 cm and 125 cm in height.

The option to have a smooth, bevelled desktop edge is also nice.

Unfortunately, as of November 2023, the Kergo online shop lists all its electric standing desks as “sold out”. Did it really sell out, or is something wrong? Only time will tell.

The other downside is that Kergo doesn’t offer risk-free trials (unlike UpDown and StandDesk).

However, they’ll allow you to return the adjustable desk within 14 days if the desk has not been assembled. It’s a pretty stingy policy if you ask me.

Pros.

Cons.

Overall.

How Does The Kergo Smar Sit-Stand Desk Stack Up?	Score
Price	0
Build Quality	1
Aesthetics	0
Cable Management	0
Ease of Assembly	1
Extra Features	0
Warranties & Returns	1
OVERALL	3/14

7 Factors To Consider When Buying A Standing Desk.

Here are my most important factors for choosing a sit-stand desk, and scores of the top 5 desks across the criteria.

Desk	UpDown	EverDesk	Desky	Artiss	Stand Desk
Price	1	1	1	1	1
Build Quality	2	1	1	1	1
Aesthetics	2	1	1	0	1
Ease Of Assembly	1	1	1	1	1
Cable Management	1	1	2	0	1
Extra Features	0	1	0	0	1
Warranties & Returns	2	1	0	0	1
OVERALL	9	7	6	3	7

What Are The 3 Types Of Standing Desks?

You’ve probably realised that “standing desk” can refer to one of 3 product types.

Terms like “standing desk”, “adjustable sit-stand desk”, “standing table” and “stand-up desk” are often used interchangeably when referring to all of these product types.

1. Sit Stand Desk Converters.

Above: A very basic standing desk converter. You can pick one of these up for less than $250.

A converter is a device you place on top of your existing desktop. It moves up and down, elevating your workspace.

People choose converters because they’re much cheaper than floor-standing electric standing desks. They’re also more practical, as you can keep your existing desk (and put away the converter if you don’t use it).

They’re a suboptimal option because of their poor lifting capacity. They also raise your existing desktop by about 3 cm, creating a need for a taller office chair.

2. Adjustable Height Standing Desks.

The main focus of my review of the best standing desks in Australia, floor standing adjustable desks offer unbeatable ergonomics. You gain two desks in one device – a standing desk and a traditional sitting desk.

They are available in three types:

3. Fixed Height Standing Desks.

Fixed-height standing desks are typically made from wood, and feature much smaller desktops.

Ergonomics is all about adjustment. Why confine yourself to a fixed standing height when you have one that adjusts perfectly to your needs?

Frequently Asked Questions About Standing Desks.

I receive a lot of emails from people who are about to purchase their first stand-up desk. I’ve answered the most common queries below.

1. Manual vs Electric Standing Desks: Which Are Best?

Some people prefer manual standing desks because of their apparent reliability. The fewer electronics, the fewer chances of something going wrong, right?

Manual lifting mechanisms are not immune from failure, while modern electronics are extremely reliable and cheap.

You are not likely to experience issues with the lifting motors of your electric standing desk – especially if you buy one of the best-rated options in my review.

2. Are Standing Desks Good For Your Health?

Yes and no.

According to Australian musculoskeletal physiotherapist Antony Lo, moving throughout your workday is the most important thing you can do for your health.

your body is happiest if it adopts various positions throughout the day. Alternate between sitting and standing every 1-2 hours for best results.

That said, standing desks are not a miracle cure that are guaranteed to make your aches disappear and

3. Are Standing Desks Worth It?

I believe so. After switching from a regular sit-down desk I honestly haven’t looked back.

Studies have shown that standing desks increase productivity by as much as 45%. Users report improved energy levels and a better overall mood.

4. Which Accessories Should I Buy For My Stand-Up Desk?

Don’t get carried away. It’s easy to spend over $3,000 on desk accessories, but in my experience, most of them are useless. Here are the top five upgrades I recommend:

Accessory	Budget	Why You Need It
Ergonomic Chair	$350-$750	Chairs with at least 8 points of adjustment and 8 years of warranty are best.
Lockable Drawer	$100-$150	Located under your desktop, it keeps your workspace clutter-free.
Cable Management	$100-$200	Invest in a cable channel, extra power boards, cable ties and a cable spine to keep your workspace looking tidy and remove tripping hazards.
Lockable Storage Cabinet	$200-$300	For keeping your paperwork, files, extra hardware and spare stationery.
Standing Mat	$50	Non-negotiable. A mat quadruples the length of time you can stand before your feet get sore.

5. How long do adjustable desks last?

The majority of adjustable desk manufacturers provide a minimum three-year warranty, while the top ones offer a 10-year on all parts and desktops.

6. Do electric adjustable standing desks consume a lot of electricity?

Contrary to popular belief, electric standing desks consume minimal electricity. Typically, they use around 150 W when actively in use, solely powering the dual motors and (if present) the wireless phone charger.

7. What size desktop is best for my home office?

Most sit-stand desktops on the Australian market are sold in following widths:

8. Should I buy a standing desk?

Research indicates that standing desks may help reduce the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and muscle atrophy.

I recommend that you take such research with a pinch of salt, as it’s based on self-reported surveys that measure relatively short time spans. Rely on your common sense instead:

9. What’s the difference between static and dynamic rating?

Your forearms aren’t that heavy. Neither are your computer, monitor, coffee mug and notepad. All in all, they are unlikely to weigh more than 25 kg.

Here’s what you need to know about static desk lift capacities:

Burnt-out motors are typically the most common cause of electric desk faults. The less wear and tear you place on the motors, the longer they’re likely to last.

If your desk is rated to 60 kg and you place a 30 kg load on it, it will operate at 50% of its maximum capacity.

However, if your desk is rated to 150 kg, the same load will only represent 20% of its maximum capacity.

Why Did I Review The Best Standing Desks In Australia?

During the pandemic, I decided to upgrade my home office with an electrically adjustable standing desk. I wanted to have a welcoming, comfortable WFH setup.

I quickly realised that the Australian market is flooded with standing desks from local and international brands.

Ikea offered a few options, too – the Bekant sit-stand desk and the Idasen sit-stand desk. I drove to my local store, found them and .. rejected them within 1 minute. They, too, were flimsy and cheap.

Most of them rehashed the specs I could easily find on manufacturers’ websites and padded them with meaningless superlatives.

I persevered, spending over 50 hours on research, and choosing the best sit-stand desk for my needs at the time – the Artiss.

Two years later, I moved back to Sydney and decided to use this as an opportunity to upgrade my WFH setup.

Once again, I went deep down into the WFH rabbit hole, learning about posture, workplace ergonomics and Australian standing desk manufacturers.

The result?

Everything I learned about electric height-adjustable standing desks is in this blog post. I update it regularly because my inbox gets swamped with new questions, like:

I’m hoping that the updates help you pick the best standing desk for your needs.

Bottom Line About The Best Standing Desks In Australia.

After studying the market and testing several desks, here’s my current list of finalists (as of November 2023):

Hopefully, I was able to help you choose the best standing desk in Australia. Get one for your home office to become more active throughout your workday and increase your productivity.

Steven