Last updated: March 17th, 2026
You need a new office chair, but don’t want to spend more than roughly $500. No problems. Meet the UpDown Ergo ProFlex. It misses out on some premium features (e.g., depth-adjustable lumbar), but offers a lot of comfort per dollar.
I get it – it can be stressful to fork over $500+ on something you have never seen. So I used one for a few weeks to tell you all about it.
Reasons To Buy The UpDown Ergo ProFlex.
Above: The Ergo ProFlex cuts a handsome, contemporary shape.
I have to start with the seat pan. This is a super comfortable seat that provides just the right amount of support.
The foam is firm yet plush – you can sink down to get that cossetted feeling, but it’s never so soft that it begins to feel like a spongy old couch.
Frame flexibility is also great.
The seat pan and backrest don’t have a tonne of flex, but they do allow you to move around in the chair – you never feel like you’re locked into one place.
Expert Tip.
If you want a chair with a lot of flex, consider a Steelcase Leap or a Haworth Fern. But a word of warning – you won’t get much change from $2,000.
Above: I love the contemporary geometric shape of this backrest. Perfect if the back of your chair faces into the room.
Unusually for this price point, the UpDown chair doesn’t shortchange you on adjustments. You get:
- Width, depth, height and pivot on the armrests.
- Depth on the seat pan.
- Height and tilt on the headrest.
Last but not least – the chair’s recline is outstanding.
Smooth and following a nice rearward arc, it uses a sycnro-tilt mechanism to tilt you back without lifting your feet off the ground.
(Related: Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen Chair Full Review).
It stops short of that perfect suspended feeling you get on ultra-premium chairs like the Herman Miller Aeron. But it is on par with the more expensive ErgoTune Joobie.
It also locks in 3 positions – tasking (upright), semi-reclined, and fully reclined. The upright setting is unusually vertical and may not be to everyone’s liking.
But the good news is that the semi-reclined position is also usable for tasking.
Important!
Fun fact – I prefer it to the recline in much more expensive Steelcase chairs.
Above: Notice the non-aggressive lumbar curve and uncomplicated controls.
The included neckroll-style headrest is a pleasant surprise.
I don’t personally use them, but if you’re someone who works in a hybrid mode, and likes to kick back in the chair after work, you’ll find it comfortable and well-positioned.
All this makes for a comfortable sitting experience.
I’ve felt well-supported in the Updown Ergo ProFlex, and could easily spend 8 hours a day in it.
But how attractive is it?
Plenty. I’ve pointed out before that ergonomic chairs are rarely attractive, but Ergo ProFlex is a rare exception.
Did You Know?
The rear of the backrest is usually the biggest aesthetic offender, cluttered by ugly, busy-looking frame supports that stop it from folding over.
Above: This chair has one of the prettiest backrest designs I’ve seen. And I’ve seen many.
ErgoPro ProFlex’s backrest frame is the opposite. It is as geometrically beautiful as it is minimalist.
The clean lines continue to the armrests and backrest.
Important!
Speaking of backrest, the semi-translucent, patterned mesh also looks great in real life. The photos don’t quite do it justice.
Overall, it’s a very aesthetically pleasing chair that looks sleek and inviting in my office.
In fact, when sitting next to the $2,000-$3,500 chairs currently cluttering my office, it’s not obvious that this one is 4-5X cheaper than the others.
Reasons To Avoid The UpDown Ergo ProFlex.
Above: Armrests adjust in four dimensions, but the armcaps are quite hard.
Let’s start with the armpads. While their 4D adjustment range is outstanding, they have a couple of annoying quirks:
- The material is firm and inexpensive-feeling. Its not super hard, but doesn’t have as much give as high-end chairs (but it does mean that the armpads will last longer).
- The armcaps have a pointy front edge and tend to dig into the forearm when reclining.
I also wish the backrest’s mesh was more taut.
If you recline back fully, you’ll feel the “Y” part of the frame through the mesh – especially if you’re tall and heavy like me.
This isn’t a dealbreaker problem, but it is something to consider if you spend a lot of time kicking back in the chair (e.g., watching Netflix or gaming after work).
My second gripe is recline tension of the (admittedly excellent) recline:
- The loosest setting is way too weak, making you feel like you’re falling backwards.
- The most tense setting is just adequate
Above: Lumbar support pad is uncomplicated – and adjusts for height only.
How The UpDown Ergo ProFlex Stacks Up.
I’m on the fence about some areas of the UpDown Ergo ProFlex, so let me mention them before I offer my verdict.
The build quality is a mixed bag.
It doesn’t blow me away, nor does it do anything wrong. You get hard, durable plastics everywhere that feel more utilitarian and mass-produced than luxurious.
Mechanisms are simple and functional. Armrests wobble a bit more than I’d like, but not enough to be problematic.
Expert Tip.
Armrests attach using a single bolt. Overtighten it to eliminate most of the wobble.
Above: Slightly contoured seat pan allows you to sit cross-legged.
But I really like the mesh and seat materials. And there are no rattles or creaks – every part fits together nicely.
Lumbar is my second “on the fence” item.
It’s very gentle – and adjusts for height only. But the adjustment doesn’t do much, so you’re stuck with this borderline nonexistent lumbar forever.
If that’s what you prefer – great. If you prefer an aggressive lumbar, this isn’t a chair for you at all.
| Adjustments | 5/5 |
| Comfort | 4/5 |
| Aesthetics | 5/5 |
| Build Quality & Warranty | 4/5 |
| Cost | 4/5 |
| OVERALL | 4.4 |
My Verdict On The UpDown Ergo ProFlex Office Chair.
I currently have five different ergonomic chairs in my home office. The UpDown Ergo ProFlex is by far the cheapest – yet it doesn’t trail the others by much in comfort or ergonomics.
It’s for people who frequently sit for an extended period of time and demand plenty of adjustability and ergonomic functionality – without paying a premium price.
You can dial in an ergonomic position regardless of body size.
Because of the seat depth adjustment and 4D armrests, the chair will accommodate unusually tall and short people.
You can’t build a highly adjustable ergonomic chair at the mid-$500 price point without compromises – and UpDown made them. Smartly.
For example, there is a lot of plastic, but it is moulded into an excellent design.
Yes, the armrests and the backrest can be somewhat pokey in the fully reclined position.
But otherwise, the chair is supremely comfortable. And if you spend most of your day tasking in a relatively upright position, this is a non-issue for you.
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