Last updated: 23rd Jun 2026
I became an accidental standing desk “expert” about 5 years ago, when I wrote about my experience with the UpDown Pro. To my surprise, people read it – and asked me to write more reviews.
Fast-forward to today, and this blog is the #1 resource Aussies use to help them choose their ideal standing desk.
I’ve also learned a lot on this journey.
Turns out, the standing desk industry loves using marketing hype to stretch the truth (are you surprised?), so I thought I’d dispel some of the common myths I still see people fall for – despite my best efforts to educate them.
1. Not A Panacea For Health Issues.
The standing desk industry has been guilty of overstating the health benefits your standing desk is likely to deliver.
Buy one – and it will apparently fix your bad back while curing that chronic thyroid issue you’ve had since you were a kid.
Important!
I call BS. In fact, new research from Australia suggests that prolonged standing may make you more – not less – vulnerable to certain circulatory problems.
But let’s get real – if you’re buying a standing desk to mitigate serious health issues, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
You likely have issues upstream (e.g., diet and exercise habits) that you’ve been avoiding – and need to address first.
Back pain, however, is a valid point. I’d stop far short of viewing a desk as something that will “fix” your back. But I recognise that the best way to avoid back pain is to ensure you switch between several postures throughout the day.
So, think of a standing desk as a tool that offers you an additional position to choose from – and this may relieve some of the discomfort you’re experiencing.
2. Calorie Burn Is A Myth.
Let me call this out as total BS, as well.
You won’t get skinny by using a standing desk. It’s marketing hype at its worst.
The difference in caloric burn between standing vs sitting is about 50 calories per hour. The naive conclusion is that this delta can help you lose about 1kg per month, because:
- 50 calories per hour translates to a 400-calorie deficit per 8-hour workday,
- 400 calories translates to an 8,000 calorie deficit per month.
Now, 1 gram of your stored fat contains 9 calories, so in theory, an 8,000-calorie deficit is just shy of what you need to lose that stubborn kilo.
There are several issues with this argument. First, I promise you that you won’t be standing 8 hours per day (and if you do, you’ll quickly develop plantar fasciitis).
Important!
A more realistic scenario is one where you stand for 2-3 hours per day – and this reduces your daily calorie deficit to a much more modest 100-150 calories.
This argument falls apart when you consider that a large apple has roughly the same number of calories.
So, you’re far more likely to reach your weight loss goals by making tiny adjustments to your diet, rather than buying an expensive standing desk.
3. Custom Sitting Height Is A Bigger Deal Than You Think.
People who are either taller or shorter than average often struggle to find a comfortable, ergonomic position at a standard desk, because:
- Their elbows and wrists are either too high or too low.
- The desktop makes contact with their knees.
- Their wrists angle down or up at a ~30° angle to their keyboard.
A standing desk is a game-changer here – not because it allows them to stand, but because it allows them to dial in the exact desktop sitting height they need.
This feature is priceless for many people because it allows them to sit with their forearms and thighs parallel to the floor.
Did You Know?
Many people who are either under 5 or above 6 feet don’t use these desks in standing mode that much at all, for exactly this reason. For them, the ability to fine-tune the sitting height is the real benefit.
4. Don’t Worry About Wobble.
Australians are more worried about their standing desk wobbling than they are about the Iranian uranium enrichment program.
Most of their concern is understandable – but misplaced. It’s true that most standing desks used to suffer from this issue. It’s also true that many desks in the US market still do.
We have better consumer protections, which lead to less garbage being sold. I’ve personally assembled and used more than 15 standing desks in my home office at this point, and I’m yet to come across one that has serious stability issues.
Not even the el cheapo Artiss from Amazon disappointed me.
In fact, the only desk that shocked me was the Officeworks Otto Newhaven desk.
Expert Tip.
If you’re worried about stability, remember – nothing accentuates wobble more than excessive gear on your desktop. The more stuff you add to it, the higher the desk’s centre of gravity becomes.
Add a hardwood desktop, a PC tower, two monitors on heavy-duty arms and a drawer full of junk, and even the most bulletproof desk will wobble more. Because, um, #physics.
5. Accessories Make Or Break Your Desk.
The first thing you’ll think after assembling your $1,500 desk and plonking your computer on it will be, “Is this it?”
It will look bare. Unfinished. Because it is.
The desk you just bought is a foundation. What makes it pleasant to interact with – and vastly more usable – is the collection of accessories you add to it.
I wrote extensively about the must-have accessories you need for your desk, so I won’t repeat myself here.
Except to say that your non-negotiables are:
- Standing mat (your feet will begin to hurt after 5 minutes without it).
- Under–desk drawer (to keep all the crap off your desktop).
- Desk mat (makes the desk look significantly better by creating a focal point).
Last but not least – invest in cable management. Don’t leave cables dangling below the desk – it’s unsafe for kids, pets – and it kills the aesthetic.
Also, don’t know about you, but when my workspace is messy, I feel less organised. Less productive.
6. EOFY And Black Friday Sales Are Great.
If you’re on a tight budget, wait until one of those. You’ll easily shave a few hundred dollars off your purchase price.
In conclusion, your standing desk is just one component in your broader WFH ergonomic strategy. Your objective is not to eliminate sitting.
It’s to reduce static load on your body by encouraging regular movement.
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.
Madeleine Hetherton-Miau says:
Ok, this is hands down the best review page I’ve come across. Thank you for doing this! Independant and smart. Totally love the cut to the chase approach and particularly the ‘most stand-up desks are almost identical – don’t agonise over the decisions’ combined with truly useful. info about details – eg. I am one of those people who need 12 powerpoints and hate cable clutter…
Steven McConnell says:
Ha, thanks Madddy!
You know the funny bit? I tell people not to overthink their choice of standing desk, but noone listens. I can see readership metrics on this page, and people read it like it’s the Bible, multiple times.
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
Goce says:
Do you have a list of best non standing desks? I never stand so I don’t see a reason to spend extra on electric motors etc.
Steven McConnell says:
Ha! That’s the best question so far. I don’t – do you think people want a guide on this?
Goce says:
I’m sure there are other people like me. I’d be interested in style and other than standing functionality offered by such a desk.
me says:
Just going to note if the xl wasnt $100 more than the reg price would have a “short person’s tax”. XL also has an 180kg rating compared to the 100kg rating on the reg. clearly the XL is more chair.
Steven McConnell says:
Not if both the regular and XL sizes were sold for the price of regular. But yes, I take your point on the higher rating.
tiranga says:
Thanks for sharing your insights after four years of using the UpDown Pro+ Desk! It’s great to hear about its durability and functionality over time. I’m considering a height-adjustable desk for my home office, and your experience helps me weigh the pros and cons. Did you notice any specific wear and tear after several years of use?
Steven McConnell says:
Zero issues! A part of me wishes this desk broke, to give me an excuse to buy something different. I get bored having the same office setup. But this thing won’t quit.