The fundamental question, What mechanism do standing desks use?, has diverse answers. Depending on the type of standing desk you choose, it may operate via a manual or electric mechanism.
FreErgo Product Page
To answer this question more efficiently, we will dive into their differences and finally, the components that make up these mechanisms.
Among the various mechanisms of standing desks, the pneumatic counterbalance method has a key role. It employs a gas-filled cylinder, aiding in lifting the work surface.
Much like this, a counterpart system using spring tension facilitates the elevation of the desk. It operates on a hydraulic principle where gas or fluid flows through or surrounds a piston, thereby balancing pressure on both sides. These mechanisms make adjusting your desk smooth and effortless.
When it comes to the type of motor used in standing desks, typically there are two variants incorporated. Firstly, a single motor runs one vertical leg of the desk, offering basic functionality.
Secondly, dual motors enhance stability and the ability to handle heavier weight, powering two columns independently. With a dual-motor setup, it grants greater stability and a larger lifting capacity. Depending on the quality of the desk, the longevity of the motor varies greatly.
For a more in-depth comparison between the two, you can refer to our article on Single vs. Dual Motor Standing Desk: Which Is Better?
When it comes to deciding between single motor or dual motor for your standing desk, your priority would typically lie in your desktop's weight load.
Desk structures equipped with two motors undeniably offer a better balance for larger burdens. Two motors can provide a more stable and smooth adjustment, which is crucial when handling substantial load capacities.
Standing desks powered by a single motor tend to exhibit a fair level of reliability. They often have adequate lifting capacity suitable for common use cases.
Motors in these desks are embedded with hall sensors- novel mechanisms that observe the number of turns, as well as their direction made by the motor. This makes single motor desks efficient in both functionality and dependability despite handling less weight as compared to their dual-motor counterparts.
Whether you choose a manual or an electric adjustable desk, both provide the flexibility to adjust your workspace to your comfort. But the core difference lies in the adjustment method.
Electric standing desks use a control panel to drive their motorized lifting columns on user demand. Hence, standing desk adjustments are as effortless as pressing a button.
Conversely, with manual standing desks, you will generally have to engage in a manual operation (such as rotating a hand-crank) to adjust your desk's height. Therefore, considering convenience and ease of usage, electric standing desks have an edge over their manual counterparts.
For more details on these three's differences, head on over to our Electric vs. Manual Crank vs. Converter Comparison.
{{ spec_dual_desk_frame }}
In environments where the regular power supply is unavailable or electric usage might pose a health risk, manual standing desks find their use.
These desk types use the manual turning of a crank handle for height adjustments. The mechanism is simple yet effective&#;turn the handle, change the height. Moving up or down, the path is all in your hands.
Standing desks, especially manual types, operate devoid of electronic components, relying on a structured system for height adjustment.
It's important to note that each model of manual standing desk features a variety of components designed for this purpose. These components may include:
A sophisticated mechanical structure called an electric desk lift, made possible by electric lifting columns, is at the core of an electric adjustable desk's functionality. These raising structures replace traditional desk legs.
But unlike ordinary desk legs, these special columns empower users to alter desk height on-demand. The primary operator of this elevation control is the control system. This crucial system fulfills your command to increase or decrease the table height.
Your input gets translated into an electrical signal that activates the motors inside the lifting columns to adjust your desk to the desired height. Hence, at the touch of a button, you can transition your regular desk into a standing desk!
Standing desks that employ electronic motors for height-adjustment boast of greater dependability compared to their hand-crank counterparts. Why? This leans back on our main topic of interest - the motor. Electronic standing desks eliminate the load-balancing issues that manual adjustable models can suffer from, thanks to their electric motors.
With the touch of a button, you can control the descent or ascent of your desk without breaking a sweat. This motor-driven operation is a game-changer and makes it the ideal choice.
Turning a traditional desk into an adjustable standing desk involves using electric lifting columns. An electric motor powers these columns, replacing static legs and powering the desk's height adjustment capability.
Operating an electric height adjustment desk is incredibly seamless. As previously noted, the control system plays a vital role in desk operations. You will mostly find a control panel (often located on the desk's side) containing buttons for raising or lowering your desk.
By pressing these, you command the control system to trigger the electric lift and adjust the height.
Yes, electric adjustable desks need a power source to operate since their primary mechanism relies heavily on electricity for control and actuation. Typically, they are designed to plug into standard wall outlets.
Nevertheless, some manufacturers may offer battery packs to power the desk. Understandably, these may lower the load capacity and slow the desk's operational speed.
{{ spec_dual_hardwood_desk }}
Generally, height-adjustable standing desks demonstrate remarkable weight-handling capabilities. Many of these versatile pieces are capable of supporting loads ranging from 150 to 310 pounds.
This capacity is robust enough for typical office essentials. An added advantage lies in desks equipped with dual-motor systems, which offer increased lifting power and reduce back discomfort.
As a point of reference, the average desk registers 42 pounds and accommodates a load of roughly 300 pounds for quality, durable models.
However, the size, shape, and material components do warrant variations in weight-carrying efficiency. For desks, practicality directly corresponds to their robustness and construction quality.
With proper installation, floating desks prove to be sturdy workstations. They can comfortably bear loads anywhere between 100 and 200 pounds.
However, the brackets used for mounting have their respective weight limits. It's essential to ensure these brackets are securely fixed into wall studs for optimal stability.
It's worth noting that electric height-adjustable desks can have their shortcomings. For instance, their motors could burn out, their electrical wires could break, or voltage issues could stall the desk altogether.
On top of this, the wiring system could, in the worst-case scenario, catalyse an electrical fire due to liquid spills on the desk. However, keep in mind that these instances are not the norm, and most high-quality standing desks are built to withstand the regular wear and tear of office life.
Hence, we always recommend buying only from reputable and trusted retailers, such as Desky. Desky offers a range of high-quality electric height-adjustable desks that are designed to be durable, stable, and safe.
Even though mechanics might frail, remember that electric adjustable desks, are generally fairly reliable. But if these situations occur, the best solution is to contact the product's support team for professional assistance.
Standing desks are designed to be energy-efficient. While they do consume electricity, it&#;s not a significant amount, especially when compared to other office equipment. Take our Desky Dual Rubberwood Sit Stand Desk for example. While on standby, the power consumption is a negligible 0.1 watts.
The motors in electric sit-stand desks are designed to be energy-efficient, often using between 100-200 watts when in operation. Many electric sit-stand desks have low power consumption in standby mode, often less than a few watts.
The overall impact on your electricity bill is generally negligible. For instance, even with frequent adjustments throughout the day, the cost is likely to be less than a few dollars per year.
If you're worried about what happens when there's a power outage, rest assured. The standing desk motor only operates during desk movement.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website electric standing desk with power outlet.
In case of a power loss, the only thing you forfeit is the desk's adjustability. This could be a minor inconvenience at most, stressing the fact that an adjusted desk has a plethora of benefits.
Both manual and electric standing desks offer similar health benefits. Electric desks are known for their smooth operation, while manual desks are advantageous due to their affordability.
Power outages do not affect manual desks because they use a hand crank mechanism for adjustment. While they require more physical effort to adjust positions, they are cheaper and need less maintenance. Explore more about these options in our Standing Desks & Adjustable Sit-Stand Desks collection.
In summary, the answer to What mechanism do standing desks use? is multi-faceted. Both manual and electric standing desks employ unique mechanisms offering various advantages.
While the comfort of using an electric desk may appeal to some, the economical and less complex structure of a manual desk could be more appealing to others. At the end of the day, selecting a desk that meets your needs and preferences is of paramount importance.
Whether you&#;re starting a new work from home job or heading back to school this fall, one of the best standing desks can help you stay more active and could even boost your productivity. However, after building and reviewing almost a dozen myself in the past year alone, there&#;s one accessory that I wholeheartedly recommend to improve your experience.
Regardless of which standing desk you choose, you&#;ll be using other electronic devices with it. Even if you&#;re primarily a laptop user, you&#;ll still want to plug in your computer to keep it charged. Likewise, desktop PCs also require power as do your monitor, speakers and other desk accessories.
This is why a cable management tray is the one accessory you shouldn&#;t overlook if you&#;re thinking about making the upgrade to a standing desk yourself.
You may be wondering why I think a cable management tray is an essential accessory if you plan on using your standing desk with only a laptop. Well the reason is simple: the power bricks that ship with most laptops just don&#;t have a long enough cord to comfortably move with your desk as you raise and lower its height.
(Image credit: Future)
Back when I reviewed the MSI Summit E16 Flip 2-in-1 laptop during my time at TechRadar Pro, I tested it out using the Vari Essential Electric Standing Desk which unfortunately, isn&#;t available with a cable management tray. When using the desk while standing with the laptop plugged into the wall, I had to prop up its power brick underneath the desk as I didn&#;t want it hanging in the air to avoid damage.
Sure, you can charge your laptop somewhere else and use it on your standing desk running off of battery but isn&#;t it better to be able to charge your devices where you actually plan on using them?
Fortunately, I found a cable management tray from a brand called Scandinavian Hub on Amazon for $40 that can be mounted to the top of the Vari Essential Electric Standing Desk (as well as the FlexiSpot EG8 Comhar).
Although a cable management tray can be quite useful for laptop users, having one is an absolute necessity if you plan on using your standing desk with a desktop PC. The beauty of a cable management tray attached to the underside of your desk is the fact that you can place a surge protector there and have all of your devices plugged in to it. This way, everything stays powered on when your desk is lowered or raised without having to worry about something coming unplugged.
(Image credit: Future)
Now that you know the importance of a cable management tray, it&#;s time to choose one to go with your new standing desk.
From my own experience, FlexiSpot, Uplift Desk, ApexDesk, Vari and even Ikea all sell their own cable management trays. While you&#;ll normally have to pay extra for one, UpliftDesk is the only company I know of that includes one for free with its Uplift V2; it&#;s plastic but still quite sturdy. Still though, both first-party as well as third-party cable management trays typically cost around $30 but you&#;ll also want to get a surge protector with a cable that&#;s long enough to move up and down with your desk.
(Image credit: Future)
When reviewing the ApexDesk Elite Series 60, I was thoroughly impressed with the depth, length and extra features of the company&#;s cable management tray. In addition to plastic brackets to keep your cords tidy, there are also holes at either end and in the middle through which you can run the power cable of your surge protector. This allows you to plug it in regardless of whether the closest power outlet is on the left or right side of your home office or wherever else you plan on setting up your standing desk.
(Image credit: Future)
Although there isn&#;t a cable management tray available for its Essential standing desk, Vari does sell one for its flagship Electric Standing Desk. It&#;s a bit more expensive, but in addition to holes at either end, it can tilt back and forth to make it easy to plug in new devices without having to move your desk away from the wall.
(Image credit: Future)
Even if the company you&#;re buying a standing desk from doesn&#;t offer its own cable management tray, it&#;s easy to add your own, granted your desk has a wooden desktop. You will need to drill pilot holes first though and a set of extra long drill bits will make the job much easier.
(Image credit: Future)
As some of the desks I&#;ve reviewed didn&#;t come with a cable management tray or there wasn&#;t one available, I often had to improvise as I&#;m primarily a desktop user. Since I found myself reviewing multiple standing desks at the same time, I purchased this two pack of cable management trays from a brand called KASOLUTION on Amazon for just under $40. Besides being made of metal and having a white color to match many of the desks I reviewed (you&#;ll definitely want a cable management tray that&#;s the same color as your desk), they also have large holes at either end for running cables and the company throws in a few cable management accessories free of charge.
With the cable management tray I mentioned earlier from Scandinavian Hub, it&#;s the perfect solution for glass desks or ones with a plastic frame that you can&#;t easily drill into. Instead, you simply hang it from the back of your desk and use the provided adhesive strips to hold it in place. However, it does have holes for those that would prefer (and are able to) mount it directly to their desk.
Besides powering your devices that require an AC outlet, you can also get surge protectors with USB ports to power other accessories like a lightstrip. For instance, on my main desk where I&#;m writing this article, I have a pair of Audioengine A2+ speakers on either end of my monitor connected to my PC using USB. However, as I didn&#;t want their AUX port to go unused, I have a Chromecast Audio connected to them that&#;s powered using one of the USB ports from my surge protector.
(Image credit: Future)
By attaching a cable management tray to the underside of your standing desk and outfitting it with a surge protector, you can have all your devices plugged in and rest easy knowing they won&#;t come unplugged as you shift from a seated position to a standing one throughout your day.
This also keeps your workspace neat and organized without cables going every which way. However, one of my favorite things to use them for is actually running cables. Have a desktop PC that needs to connect to your monitor? You can run the cables from the back of your computer off your desk, tuck them neatly behind your surge protector and have them emerge on the other side and connect to your monitor.
The last advantage of using a cable management tray with your standing desk is that all of the electronics on your desk move together as one cohesive unit with only a single cable running to the nearest outlet. This allows you to easily pull your desk out when you need to rearrange or tweak your setup.
Even if you&#;re not using a standing desk, a cable management tray can be an excellent investment for use with one of the best desks, especially if you want to keep things neat and tidy.
Next: This $10 accessory is a life saver for keeping your cables tidy
Want more information on electric standing desk with shelf? Feel free to contact us.