Last updated: 31st Oct 2024
The updated Steelcase Migration SE Pro is more than another premium desk to hit the Australian market. While some might find it unnecessarily expensive, others will think it is the perfect mix of style, quality, and features.
Why should you buy it instead of Australian brands like Desky and UpDown?
(Related: UpDown Pro Standing Desk – Still The Best?)
Quick Verdict.
Above: Stylish and elegant, the Migration SE Pro looks like a premium office table that also happens to go up and down.
Steecase’s Migration SE Pro sits squarely in the premium standing desk category. Its larger 140 cm wide model will set you back about $1,900 (plus shipping).
Expensive? Yes.
But the desk’s build quality and appearance do not disappoint. The desk has a distinct, premium look and is covered by Steelcase’s rock-solid warranty.
The sizzle makes you feel like you’re getting a lot of desk for your money. But let’s be honest, $1900 is a lot of dough, and it pays for the Steelcase badge.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent Aesthetic. This is not another boring-looking desk. Clean lines, 7 two-tone desktop options with tapered edges and premium materials create a stylish look. | It’s Expensive! The ~$2,000 price tag is eye-watering. This money buys you a great desk + an excellent ergonomic chair at Desky, Omnidesk or UpDown. |
| Premium Build. As you’d expect from Steelcase, a 12-year warranty covers a raft of premium components that include Linak actuators and commercial-grade pressure laminate desktops. | No larger sizes. The 140×70 cm maximum desktop size may frustrate people with many peripheral components. |
Who Should Buy The Steelcase Migration SE?
Above: The Flip Top cable management feature gives you easy access to the cable tray, but doesn’t close fully.
Professionals with a high sensitivity to design and low sensitivity to price.
People “in the arts”, e.g., wealthy gallery owners living in Potts Point or Paddington. Luxury inner city apartment dwellers who wear thick-rimmed glasses. Architects.
(Related: Omnidesk Ascent Standing Desk Review).
5 Things I Love About The Steelcase Migration SE.
The Migration SE Pro is the only standing desk Steelcase offers in Australia. While the price isn’t cheap, you get a lot for your buck:
- Gorgeous Upmarket Design: I love the contrast-coloured chamfered front edge, two-tone base option and the choice of 7 colour schemes. In a world of “me-too” standing desk designs, this one is one of the best.
- Beefy Frame: A healthy 125 kg lifting capacity and, at 38mm/sec, one of the fastest adjustment speeds I’ve seen. This is even faster than 32mm/sec you get on our current best standing desk in Australia, the UpDown Pro.
- “Flip Top” Cable Management: A hinged recess at the rear of the desktop gives you direct access to the cable management tray. It functions very well (but looks unfinished – because the cables will keep it partially open).
- Incredible Warranty: Steelcase doesn’t shortchange you in this department. You get 12 total peace of mind with 12 years of coverage on electronics and lifetime coverage on the frame.
- Above Average Stability: Tubular columns usually wobble more than their square counterparts, but Migration SE Pro feels very sturdy. You’ll notice a moderate amount of movement at the top of the height range, but that’s expected.
Did You Know?
You can view the Migration SE Pro standing desk at the company’s Sydney WorkLife showroom, at 75 Elizabeth St.
Above: The undercarriage has reasonably thick steel, with tubular columns attached to the upper frame using bolts.
5 Things I Hate About The Steelcase Migration SE.
Despite its strengths, the standing desk has several quirks and downsides:
- Limited Adjustment Height: Raised feet and tubular legs limit minimum height adjustment height to 65cm, posing a problem for the shortest users. For context, most standing desks will lower to 60cm. (By the way, the upper end of the range is excellent, topping out at 125cm – this will satisfy people as tall as 195cm in height).
- High Cost: Yes, almost $2,000 is steep, but treating this as a business faux pas would be a mistake. Steelcase is a premium brand, and the high price is part of the appeal. It acts as a filter that screens out “undesirables”, adding to the desk’s signalling value.
- Small Desktop Sizes: The 120cm desktop is tiny but will suit people with limited office space. Meanwhile, the 140cm desktop is 10cm shy of the industry-standard 150cm. It’s also 5cm shallower. People who run multiple monitors will find it too squishy.
- The “Flip Top” Aesthetic: As I mentioned above, this feature has a lot of potential, but it needs a better design. Without cutouts for the cables, the lid will stay partially open to allow the cables to pass through. It looks unfinished, taking away from the Migration SE Pro’s sleek look.
Above: Steelcase’s 4-button programmable controller. There are also manual height adjustment buttons you can use on the fly.
Important!
Steelcase doesn’t offer a risk-free trial, but it provides a (very limited) 14-day Change-Of-Mind refund option. You can return the desk if you pay a $119 restocking fee and the desk is in “as new” condition. You’ll also have to forfeit the delivery cost and pay for the return shipping. The latter won’t be cheap, as you’ll be sending a heavy item from a residential address.
Technical Specifications.
Key facts you need to know before you buy:
| Height Range | 65-125cm |
| Motor Speed | 38mm/sec |
| Max Load | 125 kg |
| Desktop Size | 120×70 cm or 140×70 cm |
Is The Steelcase Migration SE A Good Buy?
Above: The Migration SE Pro in an extended position. Traditional T-leg bottom-glide system design with round segments is on full display.
Is the Steelcase Migration SE worth almost $2,000? It depends on what type of buyer you are. Buyers:
- Looking for a practical, cost-effective, long-lasting desk will find more value in Bamboo and softwood-topped Desky, Stand Desk and UpDown products.
- Who view themselves as more sophisticated and/or as having an eye for excellent design will think the Migration SE Pro is worth every penny.
Sadly, most standing desks look the same. That is, like light commercial appliances. The Migration SE’s designers worked very hard to make it look like a stylish desk that also happens to go up and down.
Steven
