Standing desks range from cheap flat packs to premium designer pieces, and the specs can be hard to compare. These are the things worth checking before you spend your money, whichever desk you end up buying.
1. Check the height range against your body
Every standing desk lists a minimum and maximum height. Measure your ideal standing height first (our standing desk height guide shows you how), then make sure it sits comfortably inside the desk's range with a little room to spare. Tall users in particular should check the maximum height, as some budget desks stop short.
2. Look closely at the frame
The frame does the real work. An electric frame lets you change height with the press of a button, which means you will actually switch positions through the day. Single motor frames suit most home offices with a computer, monitor and everyday gear. Dual motor frames lift heavier loads and are usually a touch steadier at full height, which matters if you plan to load the desk with multiple large monitors or equipment.
Whatever you choose, ask how steady the desk feels at standing height. A little movement is normal for any standing desk, and a wide, solid top helps.
3. Know what the top is made of
Most budget desks use particleboard or MDF with a printed laminate surface. It looks fine on day one, but chips and swelling around the edges are hard to repair. Solid timber costs more, but it can be sanded and refinished, it feels warmer to work on, and it looks like furniture rather than office equipment. If a listing just says "wood look", it is usually laminate.
4. Get the size right
Measure your space before you buy. A 180 cm wide top comfortably fits a large monitor, a laptop and room to write, while a 60 cm depth keeps the desk from dominating a spare room. Leave space behind the desk for cables to move as the desk goes up and down.
5. Factor in delivery and assembly
Standing desks are big and heavy, and freight across the country can add a surprising amount to the price. Most online desks also arrive flat packed, which means an afternoon of assembly and a frame that is only as solid as the bolts you tightened.
Buying locally in Brisbane usually means quicker delivery, cheaper freight and someone you can actually talk to if something needs adjusting. Our desks are built by hand in north Brisbane and arrive fully assembled. Delivery is $80 within 26 km of our workshop and $120 up to 40 km, or you can pick up for free.
6. Ask about warranty and support
Check what is covered on the frame and the motor, and who you deal with if something goes wrong. With a small local maker, you speak directly to the person who built your desk.
The short version
Measure your height, choose an electric frame that suits your setup, pick a top you will be happy looking at for years, and check delivery and assembly before you compare prices. Do that and you will end up with a desk you actually use.