Last updated: January 15th, 2026
Confession time. I’ve been reviewing standing desks for nearly 5 years – and I’ve deliberately avoided the Magnus Pro. It always seemed like a standing desk for 18-year-old gamers.
All hype, no substance.
But boy, was I wrong.
After finally buying one and using it for a couple of weeks, I bumped it up to #4 in my list of Australia’s best standing desks.
It’s far from perfect (more on that below), but I can now see what all the hype is all about.
Quick Verdict.
Above: Even though the Magnus Pro is designed for gamers, it doesn’t look out of place in a contemporary home office. Removing the MAGPAD will further tone down its youthful vibe.
Currently retailing for $1,319 (though often on sale for between $1,099 – $1,218), the Secretlab Magnus Pro is a masterclass in direct-to-consumer marketing.
While most standing desk manufacturers spruik the same generic features (dual motors and 35mm/second lifting speed – yawn), Secretlab wants you to “build your dream battlestation”.
But the desk backs up the sleek marketing with serious ergonomic and mechanical chops.
- First, you get best-in-class assembly experience. Yes, experience. Not process. I explain the difference below.
- Second, I couldn’t fault the desk’s mechanics. Everything feels rock-solid, there’s minimal wobble (even at the tallest heights), and every touchpoint reinforces the sense that this is a premium product.
- Third, the aesthetics. Ah yes, the aesthetics. It will polarise people – but that’s a feature, not a bug. Most people will dislike it, but this means a select few will adore it.
I’ll admit that I enjoyed the desk’s appearance a lot more than I thought I would.
I’m almost 45.
This means I’m far outside of Secretlab’s demographic, and I definitely won’t be accessorising my Magnus Pro with multi-colour LED light strips and Warhammer desk mats.
The included MAGPAD, with its brash logos, is a key reason for the desk’s youthful vibe.
Remove it, and you’re left with an industrial-looking, edgy, all-metal desk that will appeal to photographers, film directors and video producers in their 40s.
- Last but not least – Secretlab’s power management system is unbelievably good.
It’s even better than UpDown’s latest under-desk power management tray. Plugging your power cord into the base of Magnus Pro’s leg is a game-changer.
If you’re a creative or a young professional who doesn’t want to spend much more than $1,100 on a standing desk, the Magnus Pro is a solid choice.
Above: The MAGPAD runs edge-to-edge, has loud graphics, and tilts the desk’s aesthetic towards “gamer” territory.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Solid Stability. No stability issues whatsoever. On par with premium standing desks on the market. | Warranty Length: 5 years is acceptable, but significantly shorter than the industry standard of 10 years. |
| Edgy Aesthetic. The only standing desk in Australia with real personality. Ideal for creatives and young professionals. | Narrow Appeal. I can’t see the aesthetic winning over many women, or men in their 40s. |
| Class-Leading Cable Management. The integrated power management system is the best on the Australian market. | Not For Wood Lovers. Magnus Pro offers you any desktop material you want, as long as it’s metal. |
Who Should Buy The Secretlab Magnus Pro?
Gamers will love it, obviously. So will younger men outside the corporate world.
I can see some older men (like me, ha) choosing it, too – but only if they work in creative fields. Magnus Pro’s raw, industrial look will look great in converted warehouse-style open-plan offices.
The desk’s power management system will appeal to people who love a clean, tidy setup. If messy cables make you feel unproductive, this is a great choice.
But, at ~$1,200, this is definitely not a desk for bargain hunters who want a cheap and cheerful standing desk.
5 Things I Love About The Secretlab Magnus Pro.
The Magnus Pro is the only electric standing desk available from Secretlab. You can order it in either a 150 x 70 cm or 177 x 80 cm size.
The latter, although visually impressive, will be too bulky for most home offices.
1. Huge Personality.
Above: The wedge shape of the cable management tray’s lid is a nice touch.
Did Secretlab hire ex-Apple product designers and lock them inside a tiny room until they produced the Magnus Pro?
Probably.
You might choose not to love the Magnus Pro, but you will notice it. Indifference isn’t an option.
I’m not sure whether it would look better in John Wick’s basement or on the bridge of the Death Star.
Either way, the Magnus Pro is not a functional standing desk. Rather, it wants to be a centrepiece of your WFH setup. One that oozes attitude.
Augments your identity, even.
The all-metal construction certainly lends the desk a distinctive personality.
(Thankfully, the desktop is not 100% metal – rather, MDF encased in steel – otherwise it’d be far heavier than the already porky 25.5 kg. Good luck lifting that).
The leatherette MAGPAD runs edge-to-edge, simultaneously softening the desk’s industrial aesthetic while giving it a gamer vibe.
Expert Tip.
You can tone down the gamer vibe by replacing the MAGPAD with a soft felt pad. Google Minimalist Desk Setups – I’ve used it for almost 5 years and highly recommend it.
2. Excellent Build Quality.
Above: The leg columns are reversed, meaning the narrowest are on the bottom and the widest are on top.
I was expecting the Magnus Pro to be high on hype and aesthetics, but low on build quality.
Every part feels rock solid and expensive to the touch. Even the power cable that connects the desk to the wall is unusually thick.
Did You Know?
The Magnus Pro uses a reverse telescopic leg design (meaning the narrow sections are on the bottom). This is rare in the Australian market. It doesn’t affect stability, just aesthetics. To me, the classic look looks more elegant (with narrow sections on top), but it’s a minor gripe.
Legs don’t wobble (unless you extend them to near maximum and place 3 monitors on top).
And when wobble does happen, you get more side-to-side movement than dreaded back-to-front.
The fact that every touchpoint of the desk is covered in steel adds to the rock-solid impression.
Important!
The build quality sets high expectations, so Secretlab’s decision to cover it with only a 5-year warranty seems out of place. (More on that below).
3. Outstanding Assembly Experience.
Above: Most brands treat packaging as an afterthought. Secretlab makes it part of the experience.
I rarely talk about assembly in my standing desk reviews because it’s a one-time task.
Even if it’s remarkably pleasant or terrible, I don’t believe it’s a valid reason to choose or disqualify a desk.
But I had to make an exception with the Magnus Pro.
Because it’s the only standing desk on the Australian market that thought about assembly UX in such detail.
It begins with the dramatic packaging. No boring yellow cardboard here – you get two smoked-out boxes to set the tone.
Clearly, something special is inside.
Above: Bourne Supremacy, anyone? Packaging that looks more suited to a Barrett .50 cal sniper rifle than a standing desk.
Secretlab doesn’t let you down once you start bolting parts together.
The control box comes pre-wired and installed – a welcome timesaver. You don’t have to attach the height controller either – because it’s integrated into the desktop.
All you’re really doing is attaching the legs and cable tray.
It’s definitely better than the assembly instructions you get with UpDown Pro and KLIK, Stand Desk and Omnidesk Ascent.
I’d rank it in equal first spot with Desky’s.
Important!
The desktop is heavy as hell once you attach it to the legs. Unless you’re a competitive deadlifer, you’ll need a second pair of hands to flip it the right way up.
Above: Magnus Pro’s instruction booklet sets a high bar. You’ll need about 1 hour to assemble the Magnus Pro – about on par with other desks I’ve tested.
4. Gorgeous Design Touches.
Above: Magnus Pro’s controller doesn’t hang or protrude like a pair of balls on… an afterthought.
Magnus Pro’s height controller is integrated into the desk. It’s decidedly sleek and modern.
Will it age well? Yes – the design won’t date for at least 5-7 years.
It also won’t get caught on your office chair.
After damaging a pricey leather chair with a dangling height controller (pro tip: don’t swivel into it), I really appreciate this design.
Important!
One small gripe: the buttons face sideways, making them difficult to see while standing. And adjusting the desk’s height on the fly without looking? Not really an option.
The tactile on/off switch is also great – it makes the desk feel more “alive”.
There’s something cool about starting your desk as you start your workday, and powering it down at the end.
It’s a subtle detail, but it changes how you relate to the desk – more like owning a car than using a lifeless appliance.
Expert Tip.
Enjoy endlessly tinkering with your setup? The metal desktop allows you to use magnetic accessories and reposition them at any time.
Embossed logos on the sides of the desk and on front of the leg caps are also a great touch that add personality and elevate the desk’s look.
Meanwhile, the wedge-shaped hinged lid of the cable management tray looks stunning (see photo below). This is a fusion of function with form at its best.
5. Best-In-Class Power Management System.
Above: The stamped “Magnus” logo is a great design touch. Hinges on the lid, meanwhile, feel sturdy and precise.
“I don’t need advanced cable management, Steven”, I hear you say. “I only have one computer, one mouse and one keyboard.”
Ahahaa. That’s what I thought, too.
Very few workstations remain this simple for long.
Add a phone charger, SSD, microphone, and a laptop. Suddenly, your clean desk is buried under a spiderweb of power and data cables.
You get a built-in cable management tray with a door on top. The tray is on the shallow side, but it is deep enough to house a power board that you can plug all your devices into.
Expert Tip.
You can run the master power board into my favourite feature of the Magnus Pro – its integrated power supply. It gives you a 240V output directly under the desktop, fed by the power cable plugged into the desk’s left leg.
Thankfully, it’s very wide. Wide enough for you to run all your cables and power bricks into it, and not have to take everything out if you want to unplug one device.
Above: No need to run cables behind the desk’s leg (or inside a cable sleeve). Just plug the desk into the wall.
Important!
The cable management tray has one drawback: it may not work with your current monitor arm. You might need to replace it with a Secretlab-branded one – at a premium. Expect to pay $169 for a single mount, $279 for a double.
3 Things I Dislike About The Secretlab Magnus Pro.
Despite its strengths, the Magnus Pro has several notable quirks and downsides that you should be aware of.
1. Disappointingly Short Warranty.
Above: The MAGPAD looks great when it’s new and pristine, but I’d think twice about clamping things to – it will leave a permanent mark.
Why only 5 years of warranty, Secretlab?
It’s clear that your frames come from Jiecang – the same Chinese supplier used by Omnidesk, Desky, and Stand Desk.
A premium desk retailing for over $1,000 should be covered by at least 7 years of warranty on electronics, IMHO.
This decision seems weird, considering the Magnus Pro’s overall bulletproof vibe. Did the company overspend on design and cut corners on electronics? Or are they just playing it safe?
I don’t know.
If you work at Secretlab and can offer insight, reach out.
2. You May Need More Depth.
Above: The red stitching and logos on the “Stealth” MAGPAD are a nice touch – but make the desk look less “professional” and more “gamer”.
For me, the smaller Magnus Pro’s 70 cm depth works nicely.
In fact, my daily driver is an UpDown Pro with a 150 x 75 cm desktop.
While the extra 5 cm of depth is nice in theory, it goes unused. There’s at least 7 cm of dead space between the rear of my monitor stand and the rear edge of the wall.
However, I live in an apartment and use only one screen.
If you are the type of guy (let’s face it, you’re likely a guy) who rocks three screens on external monitor arms, you may need more depth than the standard Magnus Pro’s 150 x 70 cm desktop offers.
And if the larger 177 x 80 cm desktop is too wide for your setup, you’re screwed.
Expert Tip.
The more I look at the 150 x 70 cm desktop, the more I find its letterboxy dimensions more elegant than the chunkier 150 x 75 cm alternatives offered by Secretlab’s competitors.
3. No Drawer Option.
Secretlab offers over 50 accessories in its online shop. Unfortunately, one accessory isn’t available – an under-desk drawer.
Almost every desk (except the Artiss and Robin Pro, if you’re interested) I’ve had came with one, and I always used it to keep clutter in check.
“Just buy an aftermarket drawer”, I hear you say.
Above: Magnus Pro’s underside is impressively sleek. No loose cables or out-of-place parts anywhere. You could technically attach a drawer here using removable adhesive strips.
Yeah, easier said than done.
Drilling into Magnus Pro’s metal desktop is certainly possible, but it makes me nervous. What if I hit a hidden cable inside?
Technical Specifications.
Key engineering facts:
| Height Range | 65-125cm |
| Motor Speed | 30mm/sec |
| Max Load | 125 kg (including 25.5kg desktop) |
| Frame Weight | ~28 kg |
Is the Secretlab Magnus Pro A Great Buy?
Yes, absolutely.
In a marketplace saturated by nearly identical standing desks, Secretlab created a unique product.
Is it for everyone? No.
Is it unapologetically bold? Yes.
If I had only $1,200 to spend on a standing desk and wanted to create a creative-looking home office with an industrial vibe, this is the one I’d buy.
And if I was a 22-year-old uni student, this is the desk I’d be drooling over (and saving up to buy).
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