Last updated: January 3rd, 2024
The ideal standing desk is strong, wobble-free, attractive and doesn’t cost over a thousand bucks. Northday’s entered the Australian market with its EverDesk Max standing desk to satisfy this need.
Did it succeed? Yes and no.
It did well in our best standing desks in Australia test, competing commendably against Australian incumbents like the UpDown Pro and cheap but cheerful Artiss desk.
But the EverDesk Max fell short of clinching the title. Let’s take a close look at where it fell short.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Compact Size. Great for smaller home offices that are tight on space. | Laminate Desktops. I don’t love laminate – especially at this price point. Give us a bamboo desktop option, Northday. |
| Warranty & Build Quality. Up to 10 years of coverage and a solid frame. | Awkward Pricing. You can add $150 to your budget and buy the ultra-premium UpDown Pro or Desky Dual. |
Reasons To Buy The Northday EverDesk Max Standing Desk.
Northday is attempting to dethrone market leaders UpDown and Desky by packing a lot of features into its EverDesk Max standing desk.
1. Solid Desk Frame.
If you’ve read any of my other reviews, you’ll know that I get worried when receiving budget-oriented products.
While the EverDesk Max isn’t strictly “budget”, its pricing is intended to undercut established Australian brands, which means the company needs to save costs somewhere.
My worry when I hear this is – always – has the build quality suffered?
Yes, it’s a little thinner than Desky and UpDown, but the difference is inconsequential in real-world terms.
Rated to 120 kg, it’s coated in a thick powder coat, has dual motors (a must, in my opinion) and has anti-collision sensors built in.
Yes, some competing desks are rated to as much as 150 kg, but because the EverDesk’s desktop is quite compact, you’ll run out of physical space long before you reach its maximum load limit.
Important!
The motors raise your workspace smoothly, quietly (less than 50dB, which is about the sound level of a fridge motor) and quickly (8 cm/sec, above average), with no vibrations.
2. Plenty Of Freebies.
Northday tempts you with a lot of complimentary accessories to sweeten the deal. Currently, you get these extras with every EverDesk Max purchase:
- Desk mat and mouse pad (of below-average quality, to be honest).
- Monitor lightbar (of very good quality, surprisingly).
- Standing desk mat (prevents sore feet).
- Cable spine (essential for keeping your cables in check).
This amounts to about $150 worth of products, the most essential of which are the mat and the cable spine.
Most standing desk manufacturers offer similar bribes to get you across the line, but it’s good to see that EverDesk decided not to exclude them, despite its lower price.
Expert Tip.
If you want a nice desk mat like the one you see in the photos, I highly recommend my personal choice – a wool mat from Minimal Desk Designs.
3. Compact Desktop Sizes.
The Northday EverDesk Max is available in three desktop widths:
- 120 cm.
- 140 cm.
- 160 cm.
In contrast, most Australian manufacturers only offer 150 cm and 180 cm wide desks.
This preference for smaller sizes echoes the company’s Singapore heritage, where real estate prices are high, and most people live in high-rise apartments.
The 140 cm width feels too tight for me, as I switch between two laptops and a notepad while working (see photos).
4. Impressive Height Range.
Most standing desks have an adjustment envelope of between 70 cm and 124 cm.
This is very handy for people shorter than 155 cm, as it will allow them to remain in an ergonomic position – both sitting and standing.
EverDesk will reach 124 cm at its highest point.
While this is 1 cm less than Desky’s max height, I don’t think this is a meaningful difference for all but the tallest (200 cm+) people.
Important!
I’m actually 200 cm in height, and I don’t find EverDesk max height limiting.
5. Generous 21-Day Trial Period.
Some people buy a standing desk and realise that they hate it.
They either dislike the desk itself or the idea of standing all day.
Northday allows you to test the EverDesk Max with a 21-day return policy.
Importantly, the company will cover the cost of returning the desk and pick it up from your doorstep.
Important!
Shipping large household goods from residential addresses requires a commercial courier, which means the costs are very high. Let’s face it – you’re very unlikely to return a desk if you have to cough up $300 for return shipping.
6. Easy Assembly.
EverDesk has pre-drilled holes everywhere to make 30-minute assembly feasible. All you need is the supplied Allen key – no need for a screwdriver or a power drill.
I was pleasantly surprised that the legs attach by clamping into place with one single move.
Important!
This feature saves 15 minutes of assembly time. Most sit-stand desks require you to fiddle by screwing four bolts into each leg.
Unfortunately, the assembly instructions could be a lot clearer. They’re printed in a tiny font with graphics that would make Ikea instructions seem like a work of art.
7. Great Warranty (7 or 10 years).
Northday gives you a healthy seven years of coverage against defects in materials and workmanship on its EverDesk Max standing desk.
You can extend it to 10 years simply by posting a review of your brand-new desk online.
Where The Northday EverDesk Max Falls Short.
Unfortunately, the EverDesk isn’t a perfect standing desk. Let’s have a closer look at some of its flaws.
1. Laminate Desktop.
I don’t love the laminate. Its glossy surface reminds me of the lacquered furniture in my Ukrainian grandmother’s house.
If you don’t have the same childhood trauma-inflicted aversion to glossy surfaces, disregard this section – and consider yourself lucky.
But if, like me, you prefer your furniture to be matt and made from real wood, I suggest you look elsewhere (both UpDown and Desky offer excellent wood desktops).
2. Accessories Are Hit And Miss.
I suspect Northday makes a very small margin on the desk but makes up for it with accessories.
Admittedly, some of them are very good.
I bought two of their monitor arms and a 3-drawer floor standing pedestal as part of (yet another) home office upgrade.
The downside is that the best accessories are also quite expensive. The pedestal was $299, and the monitor arm with a laptop holder was $109. That’s almost 50% of the desk itself!
I wish the wooden desktop shelves looked more modern and had more space underneath.
And I wish that the pegboard, although surprisingly useful for storing keys and pens, had a more robust feel.
Students will like it, but most professionals will find it off-brand.
3. Awkward Pricing.
When the EverDesk was launched in 2022, it was very aggressive in its pricing.
It seemed that it was hell-bent on providing Australians with a premium standing desk, for about 25% less.
Important!
In recent months, the company seems to have reversed its policy, bumping the prices almost in line with those of UpDown Pro and Desky.
For example, an EverDesk with a 140 cm wide oak desktop will cost you about $1020, including shipping.
Meanwhile, the nearest UpDown competitor, a 150 cm wide bamboo-topped Pro model, will set you back $1074 (with free shipping).
Adjusting for all those differences, the UpDown is only about $150 more expensive than the EverDesk Max. And you get a larger, non-glossy bamboo desktop and a more robust frame.
Important!
This isn’t a large price difference, leaving the EverDesk without a meaningful differentiator in the market.
4. Gimmicky Features.
Speaking of differentiators, EverDesk Max attempts to set itself apart with:
- Unique cable management system called UniGroove.
- Height controller with a built-in Health Coach.
First, I respect the company’s effort to innovate, as the standing desk space is notoriously stagnant.
These two features, although interesting, are unlikely to make a huge difference to your workflow. I found the UniGroove somewhat fiddly, with gaskets falling out each time I tugged at a cable.
I also wish it was bigger, therefore able to accommodate the power cables that run to the back of the desk.
For now, you have to send the power cables via the rear scallop and the phone cables through the UniGroove system.
Clunky.
Meanwhile, the Health Coach is a feature you’ll likely use for a week before you find its nagging beeps annoying.
- In theory, it will remind you to alternate between sitting and standing in 15 or 60-minute intervals.
- In reality, you won’t like having your desk beep and move during a Zoom call with your boss.
How The Northday EverDesk Standing Desk Stacks Up.
The EverDesk does moderately well across all domains. It’s the quiet achiever – not standing out for any reason nor failing any grades.
| Price | 1 |
| Build Quality | 1 |
| Aesthetics | 1 |
| Cable Management | 1 |
| Ease of Assembly | 1 |
| Extra Features | 1 |
| Warranty & Returns | 1 |
| OVERALL | 7 |
Technical Specifications:
- Weight: 31 kg.
- Warranty: 7 years (extends to 10 years if you leave a review).
- Metal finish: powder coating.
- Desktop thickness: 2.5cm.
- Minimum height: 60cm.
- Maximum height: 124cm.
- Maximum load: 120 kg.
- Available Desktop Sizes: 120 cm x 60 cm , 140 cm x 60 cm, 160 cm x 70 cm.
Which Other Standing Desks Should You Consider?
Just in case you’re still sitting on the fence, here are a few alternatives.
1. UpDown Pro Standing Desk.
UpDown Pro is currently the best standing desk on the Australian market.
Compared with the EverDesk Max, it offers a longer (100-day) trial period and a 10-year warranty as standard.
It has a heavier-duty frame and a vast range of desktop options (including very attractive hardwoods).
2. Artiss Standing Desk.
Artiss to EverDesk is what Casio is to Longines. The former is a mass market, cheap and cheerful brand. The latter is a mid-range brand that tries to compete in the big leagues.
But if your standing desk budget is limited to $350, the Artiss is your best bet. You get a sturdy, practical, no-nonsense desk at a fraction of Stand Desk Pro’s price.
Don’t expect bells and whistles like wireless charging or fancy desktops. Artiss desks are made from particleboard and melamine, so they don’t look expensive.
Don’t expect a trial, either.
3. Desky Dual Desk.
Desky standing desks feature the best cable management systems in the business, making them ideal for photographers, videographers podcasters and video editors.
Instead of fishing under your desk for an empty power socket (and never finding one), you simply plug your peripherals into Desky’s built-in powerboards.
You get up to 8 power sockets, which is enough for all your monitors, cameras, chargers, microphones and external storage drives.
Frequently Asked Questions About The EverDesk Max.
Here’s what people tend to ask me about the EverDesk.
1. What Is The Difference Between EverDesk Lite and Max?
For about 12 months, Northday offered the EverDesk in Max and Lite levels. Both were quite similar, with Max getting dual motors and a few extra accessory options.
As of January 2024, the EverDesk is available in Max configuration only.
2. What Do Customers Say About The Northday EverDesk?
The desk has a 4.8-star review average on the company’s website, which is quite commendable.
That said, we know that the company incentivises reviews by offering an additional 3 years of warranty.
Expert Tip.
While it doesn’t insist that the review must be favourable, it’s reasonable to expect that people submitting incentivised reviews will generally express a positive attitude towards the product.
My Verdict On The Northday EverDesk Standing Desk.
The NorthDay EverDesk is in a tough position.
On the one hand, it does most things very well. It offers a strong frame, excellent warranty and a 21-day risk-free trial.
On the other hand, its desktops and accessories aren’t as good as those of UpDown and Desky, while its price is almost the same.
If the EverDesk was still priced at $250 less, it would be a compelling contender. If you see one on sale, grab it.
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