What we bought: The standing desk I chose after researching the hell out of the competition

Once I began working from house 5 years in the past, my chair was the ground and my desk was a stool. I used to be allowed to sort with two palms when the child on the ground subsequent to me was napping or in any other case occupied. So actually, any desk would have been an improve, however as soon as I knew working from house was going to be my actuality long-term, I went all in and acquired a motorized standing desk.

After some analysis and many YouTubing, I settled on an Uplift V2, choosing the curved bamboo desk high within the 42-by-30-inch measurement with the usual (non-commercial) C-frame. I sprung for the superior keypad, as Uplift recommends, and picked the storage grommet inserts, pondering I would need to put pens or a drink in there (I don’t).

I thought of a couple of different firms together with Autonomous, Vari and Fully once I was deciding which desk to get. Again once I ordered, the choices from Uplift felt essentially the most complete, with a slew of measurement, shade and desktop materials customization choices, they usually had essentially the most equipment.

That’s one thing you’ll discover as you configure your desk: there are an enormous variety of add-ons obtainable. In all probability essentially the most sudden is the under-desk hammock, however that’s solely obtainable for desks 72 inches vast and bigger, so I did not get one. Plus I personal a sofa. Mine got here with two free equipment once I bought it a pair years in the past, however fortunate patrons at the moment get six freebies. I went for the free rocker board, which I don’t use, and now want I’d grabbed the cushioned standing mat as an alternative. I additionally picked the bamboo under-desk drawer, which I take advantage of day by day, crammed with a couple of of those metal storage bins.

In the event you flick thru the picture galleries on Uplift’s web site you’ll discover idealized workplace setups, with a curious lack of cables on, underneath or snaking away from the desks, as if shopping for one will in some way make wireless energy transmission a actuality. Seems that’s not the case, however Uplift does provide a lot of methods to route and conceal these still-necessary cords. Each desk comes with a wire administration tray that mounts on the rear underside of the desk, together with cable tie mounts to maintain wires up and out of the best way. I paid $35 further for the magnetic cable channel which retains the reasonably thick cable that powers the desk routed in opposition to the desk leg.

As soon as the desk arrived, it was pretty simple to assemble following the video instructions. What stood out to me most about my new workplace furnishings was the load. It’s heavy. Every leg incorporates three nesting sections of metal with a metal crossbar up high. I’m certain my bamboo desktop is among the many lighter of Uplift’s choices, however it’s nonetheless substantial. Contemplating how little something wobbles because it raises and lowers, or when it’s 45 inches off the bottom, I feel the heft is an efficient factor.

After the desk was assembled, it took somewhat fussing to get the cables hidden in a manner that considerably resembled the minimalism you see within the Uplift gallery pictures. It helps to carry the desk to its full peak if you’re organising so you may get underneath there to work with the plugs, energy strips and cable ties – one thing I want I’d realized earlier than I spent an hour hunched underneath there whereas it was at normal-desk peak.

Lifting and decreasing the desk is an easy push-button operation. The usual (aka free) keypad solely has up and down buttons, which you press and maintain to regulate the desk’s peak. Uplift “recommends” paying the additional $40 for a sophisticated keypad that permits you to program 4 completely different peak settings; I gave in to the upsell, however I’m glad I did. If it’s good to go from sitting to standing or the opposite manner round, simply push a numbered key and the desk adjusts all by itself. I solely use two pre-programmed positions – a sit and a stand peak – however it’s good to have the choice of extra settings. For instance, if I ever need to make use of that stability board, I would want a pair further inches.

The operation is impressively easy and nearly silent. Throughout working hours, my cat stations himself on the nook of my desk and doesn’t wake from a nap once I change heights. I regulate the desk 4 occasions a day, beginning off standing, switching to sitting for lunch and staying seated for an hour or two after. Once I begin to really feel that afternoon droop, I’ll increase the desk again as much as standing, which (paired with a cup of tea) normally helps with focus. Then simply earlier than quitting time, I sit down for the final hour or so, pushing the standing button once I log out so it’s prepared for tomorrow. I’ve been kind of following that sample for 2 years and the motors are performing precisely as they did once I first bought the desk. Apart from somewhat dulling within the desktop end the place I’ve my mouse, every little thing nonetheless feels and appears new.

You’ve most likely heard it mentioned that your healthiest working place is your subsequent one, which means you shouldn’t keep in any posture for lengthy. Having an adjustable desk doesn’t essentially remedy the issue of dangerous ergonomics – standing nonetheless all day is almost as dangerous as sitting – however I’ve discovered once I’m standing, I’m rather more apt to step away and get in a stretch, and even tempo a bit once I’m looking for my subsequent phrase. The Uplift desk is worlds away from a stool on the ground, and I don’t suppose I might ever return to only a common desk once more.