Last updated: April 8th, 2026
You’ve decided to buy a standing desk. I’m willing to bet that you’ve been trying to figure out which one is the best for at least a few months. But the more research you do, the more undecided you become.
Your first problem is that standing desk brands are bombarding you with almost identical features. Such as:
- Child locks.
- Programmable height presets.
- Anti-collision sensors.
Let me make your life easier immediately – you can remove those from your consideration set.
Not because they’re not important – but because all (except the absolute cheapest desk manufacturers) include them. They’re table-stakes (excuse the pun, ha).
The second issue is that the standing desk industry is stagnant.
Innovation is moving at a glacial pace, which is why even the best brands like Desky and UpDown are selling the same designs that they did 7 years ago.
Above: 9am Home is a new brand that offers unusually innovative designs. Note the sculpted tubular legs, built-in tray, and bevelled desktop edges.
And they look almost identical.
Square legs. A couple of crossmembers between them, housing the dual motors. A choice of hardwood or softwood desktops bolted to the top.
Did You Know?
I’ve spent the past 4 years influencing the top brands in Australia to reimagine their desks from the ground up. Let’s just say they’re not enthusiastic about the idea.
Instead of innovating the actual desk designs, brands compete by bundling in (often useless) accessories – or finding new and clever ways to pitch the positive aspects of existing designs.
Because I’ve tested over 20 standing desks in my home office since 2023, I’ve learned to see through the gimmicks. Here they are, from most useless to least.
1. Bluetooth-Enabled Mobile App.
Most of them now include built-in standing reminders, health coaches and productivity timers.
Some are voice-activated.
We live in a world of digital overwhelm, and the last thing you need in your life is a standing desk app.
2. Rising And Lowering Speed.
We, men, are obsessed with getting somewhere fast, and this habit has leaked into standing desk design.
Yes, some desks move like Speedy Gonzales at around 50-60mm/sec. But truth is, anything above 35mm/sec is perfectly adequate – and all but the cheapest single motor desks will hit that number.
For example, the el cheapo Artiss travels at 25mm/sec – but when you are paying ~$300 for a desk – delivered to your door – are you in a position to complain?
3. Weight Lifting Capacity.
Here’s what standing desk brands don’t tell you.
Most of the time, they achieve higher weight capacity at the expense of speed. Remember how I said they don’t innovate?
Well, instead of creating a new, stronger actuator, they simply push suppliers to reprogram existing motors for more torque at the expense of speed.
Expert Tip.
The final number is more of a proxy for the desk’s durability than a number you actually need to worry about exceeding.
For example, top brands like Desky and UpDown cap out at about 150kg.
But your computer and peripherals weigh 5-20kg. Monitor is 5-10kg. Other bits and pieces are another 5kg.
Your forearms, which you’ll also rest on your desk, add another 5kg.
So unless yours are like Arnie’s, you’ll rarely have more than 50kg on your desk.
4. Motor Noise Level.
I’ve never encountered a desk that is offensively loud. This isn’t something you need to think about.
5. Sustainability Credentials.
Above: A Secretlab Magnus Pro standing desk paired with a Desky wobble stool.
Most brands highlight the fact that their desktops are ethically sourced.
UpDown goes further by offering recycled timber desktops (which are gorgeous, actually – check out their Recycled Messmate).
Let me call a spade a spade.
You are not saving the planet with your standing desk choices. You’re just “buying sustainable” because of an image you like to project.
Take your ethically sourced copy of the Communist Manifesto with you.
6. Adjustment Range.
Most standing desks on the Australian market will travel between 65-125cm, which is more than enough range for 98% of the population.
But if you’re a weirdo like me who lives in the other 2% (I’m 200cm), then yes, you are an exception to this rule.
- Exceptionally short people need a desk that will lower to 60cm (e.g., Desky Dual, Omnidesk Ascent). Otherwise their forearms will tilt upwards when tasking in a sitting position.
- Super tall people have less to worry about, as even my working height is around 115-120cm. But if you’re legitimately giant (taller than 215cm), then you need a desk that tops out near 130cm (e.g., 9am Home, Stando Pulse).
7. Returns.
Don’t be fooled by this one.
You’re VERY unlikely to return your desk – even if they offer a standard “30-day return” policy, where the brand will accept the desk back in pristine condition and original packaging.
The reason?
Your standing desk will arrive in 2-3 unwieldy, heavy boxes and a desktop that weigh about 40-60kg in total.
If you try to send that from your residential address back to the distribution centre using a courier like FedEx or Couriers Please, expect to cough up $200-400.
The only exception to this rule is an instance where the brand offers a legitimate 100-Day trial (e.g., UpDown), where they explicitly mention that they’ll cover the cost of return shipping.
8. Hidden Under-Desk Wireless Charger.
Stand Desk was the first to offer this as a standard feature back in 2024, and I got excited about it back then. Now almost every brand offers one. But I changed my mind about it since.
Truth is, you can buy one on Amazon for far cheaper – and attach one to any desk. It’s not a differentiator.
9. USB Port On The Controller.
The latest generation of OLED controllers has this feature standard. It’s good in theory.
But in reality, you’ll never use it – except in rare, exceptional circumstances.
Most people love having a clean, minimalist standing desk setup with no loose cables.
The USB port on the controller puts an ugly cable right under you nose – the worst possible spot. You’re much better off running a USB back from your computer on monitor.
10. Hardwood Desktop.
Above: Check out the gorgeous glint and swirls of this desktop. This one is a 9am Home’s American Oak.
I saved the most controversial one until last.
A hardwood desktop can be a thing of beauty. If you can afford it – it can easily add $500-1,000 to the price of your desk.
I’m a big fan of nice furniture, and I always appreciated the New Messmate desktop on my UpDown Pro. It’s stunning.
A large mat, a monitor riser, a mug coaster and a few books cover 80% of my desk, so I never got to see much of the Messmate.
Last year, I swapped the hardwood for a black melamine desktop, and TBH, I am equally happy with it.
Steven
