Last updated: June 4th, 2025
The Stand Desk hit the Australian market a couple of years ago. If you’re looking to upgrade from a cheap, wobbly standing desk, or are ready to switch from a traditional sit-down desk, you’ve probably come across it – and wondered whether it’s worth the $1,000-ish sticker price.
With dozens of height-adjustable desks available on the Australian market, it’s not always easy to compare their strengths and weaknesses.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great Value For Money. You get a robust frame and an excellent warranty. | Limited Wood Choices. You get a choice of white, birch and a few hardwoods. |
| 100-Day Trial. The most generous trial available on any standing desk in Australia. | Lower Weight Limits. The Stand Desk is rated to 120 kg, 30 kg lower than the UpDown and the Desky Dual. |
The company was kind enough to send me a Pro model – the most premium and expensive in the range – and I’ve been prodding, touching, raising, lowering, and squinting at it since.
- Will my scrutiny expose the Stand Desk Pro as a flimsy, overpriced gimmick?
- Or prove it as a solid, formidable alternative to familiar brands like Desky and UpDown?
Let’s put it under the microscope to find out.
1. Price.
Desk size significantly influences its price, so for consistency, I’ll compare the Stand Desk’s 150 cm wide desktop version to its competitors.
That’s about on par with prices from brands like UpDown and Desky, and about 30% more expensive than options from budget-focused brands like Artiss.
All Stand Desk orders come with free shipping, which is not standard in the industry.
What I love the most is that the price includes a built-in wireless phone charger, which no other desk on the market offers (more on that later).
(Related: Secretlab Magnus Pro: Most Innovative Standing Desk?)
2. Build Quality Of The Frame.
The sturdiness of Stand Desk‘s frame is up there with the best – in the same league as other premium contenders (i.e, Desky, UpDown, Secretlab and Omnidesk).
Elevate it to the highest point, and you see some movement – but I’m yet to find a desk that doesn’t do it. After all, it’s physics.
The frame’s lifting capacity is officially rated at 100 kg.
Above: The semi-opaque buttons are unusual, but look great.
Interestingly, the frame’s real maximum load appears to be around 130kg, but it has been artificially curfewed to help the desk fulfil another selling point – the fastest-in-class speed of 8cm/sec.
You’re unlikely to place more than 50kg of weight on your desk – let alone more than 100kg. You also won’t care about minor differences in desk speed.
3. Desktop Aesthetics.
Stand Desk offers you two desktop choices:
- Bamboo.
- Birch Plywood.
I took a punt on the latter because it looks different from every other standing desk. Let’s face it, most of them look very similar.
Above: The exposed, unpainted plywood edge makes it a good fit for home offices with a creative, funky, casual aesthetic.
It’s definitely unusual, and stands out in the sea of “me-too” standing desks out there.
It’s sealed with a clear lacquer, ensuring it resists your next coffee spill.
But you should stick with bamboo if you’re aiming for a more mature, sleek home office design.
Important!
Stand Desk is experiencing some supply issues as of January 2024. Only the 1500 Oak and 1200 Walnut options are available. We’ve been assured that other sizes are coming in late January.
Size is also an important consideration.
You’ve got three size options, so choose one that fills out your workplace nicely. You don’t want it to be overcrowded, nor do you want to find yourself wishing you’d gone for a bigger size:
- 120 X 70 cm: shallow depth makes it a good fit for apartments.
- 150 X 80 cm: for most people and households.
- 180 X 80 cm: extra length is handy for pros with many accessories (e.g., day traders, video editors).
4. Ease Of Assembly.
I must admit, I was initially confused when I couldn’t find any instructions inside the box, and a few expletives might’ve slipped out at the time.
So I did what any person would when faced with such a seemingly insurmountable problem:
- I Googled it.
I came across a step-by-step, professionally narrated video tutorial by Stand Desk. And I was genuinely astounded at how great it was.
I’d go as far as to say it’s the best tutorial out there – and I’ve lost count of the standing desks I’ve assembled using nothing but black-and-white Ikea-style sketches as a reference.
The ability to see the Stand Desk Pro being assembled, pause, and rewind takes so much stress out of the process that you can (dare I say it?) enjoy assembling it.
Stand Desk includes everything you need – even an Allen key with a Philips head on one side, while most standing desk manufacturers fail to provide one.
The Stand Desk Pro is much quicker to assemble than most desks, thanks to a clever latching system for attaching the legs.
- This reduces the number of screws you need to fiddle with.
As for the desktop, the pre-screwed bolts were also a nice touch.
You won’t sweat while you put holes into your desktop, and there’s no risk of damaging and splitting the wood.
5. Cable Management Systems.
The cable management system starts with a complimentary cable tray.
Wide and hinged from both sides for easy access, it has cutouts for integrating externally-facing quick-access power boards.
Strangely, Stand Desk doesn’t sell such power boards. Instead, you’ll have to buy an extension lead, drop it into the tray and plug your electronics into that.
A grommet would have made it look neater – and prevented my stationery from vanishing into the abyss.
Oh, and if you’re a cable neat freak like me, you’ll appreciate this …
With the Stand Desk Pro, you’ll have the tidiest, cleanest cable situation ever. And you know what they say: tidy desk, tidy mind.
6. Any Extra Features To Brag About?
At last! I can charge my phone by leaving it on Stand Desk’s desktop, thanks to a built-in wireless charger.
Not permanently built into the desktop, the charger is held in a recess underneath by double-sided tape, so you can replace it when it becomes obsolete.
Clever future-proofing, Stand Desk.
Here’s an interesting one you might not have expected me to say …
Stand Desk Pro has an app!
- Is it necessary? Does a desk even need an app?
Well, it’s not for controlling the desk’s height, but for setting sit/stand intervals that keep you moving throughout the workday.
Some desks – like Northday’s Everdesk – achieve this with a programmable controller, but they’re fiddly. Stand Desk’s app is much more intuitive and easy to use.
Important!
Stand Desk proudly brags that 98% of its packaging is recyclable. Yes, even plastic bags are biodegradable. Only the small corner protectors used to protect the desktop during shipping are made from plastic. That’s impressive.
7. Warranty & Returns.
With a ten-year warranty on all parts, I felt reassured that the Stand Desk Pro is built to last.
While it’s not clear in their T&Cs if that includes accidental damage or desktop damage, they do have a pretty generous returns policy:
Meaning, “If for any reason you do not want to keep your Stand Desk, you can send it back”. No questions. No hassle. No risk.
How The Stand Desk Pro Stacks Up.
The Stand Desk Pro is a great premium standing desk on the Australian market, competing head-on with Desky, UpDown, and Omnidesk.
| How Does The Stand Desk Rank? | Score |
|---|---|
| Price | 1 |
| Build Quality | 1 |
| Aesthetics | 1 |
| Cable Management | 1 |
| Ease of Assembly | 1 |
| Extra Features | 1 |
| Warranties & Returns | 1 |
| OVERALL | 7 |
Technical Specifications:
- Weight: 39 kg (with birch desktop).
- Warranty: 10 years on all parts and desktops.
- Metal finish: powder coating.
- Desktop thickness: 2.5 cm.
- Minimum height: 64 cm.
- Maximum height: 127 cm.
- Maximum load: 120 kg.
- Available Desktop Sizes: 120 cm x 70 cm , 150 cm x 80 cm, 180 cm x 80 cm.
Which Other Standing Desks Should You Consider?
If you’re not convinced that the Stand Desk is the best desk for you, here are a few alternative options for you to research.
1. UpDown Pro Standing Desk.
Matching Stand Desk’s 10-year warranty and a 100-day trial period, the UpDown Pro is my current favourite standing desk on the market.
It’s a little heavier than the Stand Desk Pro, and offers a much wider range of desktop options.
Important!
The UpDown Pro is arguably stronger, as it’s rated to 150 kg max lifting capacity (versus Stand Desk’s 120 kg).
But it doesn’t offer a phone charger or an app.
2. Artiss Standing Desk.
If spending about $1,000 on a Stand Desk Pro isn’t the right decision, you should look into the Artiss. Costing about $350, it’s a budget standing desk that does 80% of what the Stand Desk can do – for 30% of the price.
It’s a practical, inexpensive, surprisingly sturdy, attractive standing desk. I owned one during lockdowns and was very impressed by its performance.
Artiss offers only particleboard and melamine desktops. It’s also not large, with the widest desktop width being 140 cm.
3. Desky Dual Desk.
Deskys are famous for their excellent cable management systems. This is the best desk for you if you’re a photographer or a videographer running 5+ devices and constantly running out of power outlets.
Its under-desk channel can hold at up to 8 power sockets, all within easy reach.
The Desky is rated to 140 kg of lifting capacity, second only to UpDown.
My Verdict On The Stand Desk Pro.
Should you buy one?
Yes, especially if you catch one on sale. In many ways, it’s very similar to the brands I mentioned. But what sets it apart is the unique set of extras:
- Funky desktop option.
- Painless assembly process.
- Wireless phone charging.
- 100-day risk-free trial.
Stand Desk used these extra features in conjunction with a solid frame to create quite a serious contender for your shortlist.
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