Standing desks

[D3K]

I've been dithering on getting an electric bekant from Ikea, but they are quite pricey and of the two (rectangular) sizes they are either just under or over my size requirements.

Then came across furna's deks. These look equally good, and slightly cheaper. The programmable settings are a cut above the ikea model.

Anyone have experience of these? Are there any other models worth considering?

I did think about building my own but the cost of actuators is quite pricey so with parts and labour I'd probably spend more and end up with a sub-standard desk

 

[D3K]

I'm limited for space so I don't have the room for two desks.

The main concern with the furna one is that there is a bracket for the legs. That indicates it may not be too stable at full height.

 

[D3K]

How often do you see yourself sitting to work and standing to work?

the issue I can see with the furna one is that you don't seem to have a separate height for mouse/keyboard so you will need to put your monitor on a riser of some kind for it to useful when standing up...

I used an ikea stolmen system so everything could be set at different heights but it's not adjustable once in position

Ideally alternating every hour. Monitor stand is adjustable, and I'm looking into clamps for more options. Is the stolmen the hand crank table? I tried that in store and it took over a hundred turns to go from seated to standing.

Have you used a standing desk before? If its something that you are curious about, I'd suggest building your own and seeing whether you like it or not before throwing £450 at it. It takes about a month of constant use to get used to it.

I've worked at standing desks but never had my own. The variety is key - I wouldnt wanna stand constantly. Which do you have?

I've been trialling a make-shift standing desk for a few months now (boxes on top of a normal desk), and have just taken the plunge on an Ikea Bekant + Gerton worktop. I went to Ikea and tested out the Bekant to ensure it was a smooth elevation, and was very impressed.

Just waiting for it to be delivered now.

Although there are cheaper models out there I like to follow the logic of "buy once, cry once"

Will post some pictures once it's arrived.

What size did you go for?

 

[D3K]

came across furna's deks.

I took the punt on one of these and have zero regrets. Very sturdy, works flawlessly, and has min/max heights far in excess of what I need. The motor isn't too noisy and sound more electronic than industrial. It's very smooth in transition.

Min height is just above my knees with chair at lowest setting, which is lower than a normal desk's height. Max is 125cm which would be uncomfortable for me to type on, so use max at 110cm.

Great price as well, havent seen anything close except the ikea one. The ikea bekant doesn't come with programmable heights, however.

Minor niggles are that the cable port is dead centre of the table top, but you don't have to buy their top. I would recommend one at 80cm deep though. I tested a 60 and the legs protruded too far. The other niggle is that the LED panel is always on.

Been using it for a couple of weeks now and I've shared my time between sitting and standing almost equally. Next step is to consider a walking treadmill. Then my transition to Charles from Brooklyn Nine Nine will be complete

 

[D3K]

Varidesk

I looked at them. They don't get very good reviews and I can see why.

 

[D3K]

It's still a great desk but I've found myself standing less recently. I thought I would eventually, and it depends on the type of work I don which of late has been more grind than research.

I bought a grommet style monitor arm to fit through the centre hole so the previous issue of the having the hole take up space in the centre has gone.

I did pass though ikea and tested theirs and the motors are quieter and smoother. But the programmability of this still wins.

 

[D3K]

Yes its solid even when at max height. I don't have the bracket attached to the legs and I'm very happy withe the build.

I can make it wobble intentionally, but its a tiny wobble that dampens out almost immediately. The only wobble is from the monitor arm when its extended and I'm clacking really hard on the (mechanical) keyboard.

I can't recommend it enough if it's a standing desk you want.

 

[D3K]

That sounds great, thanks again!

Np, let me know what you think

 

[D3K]

My furna from 2016 is still going strong. Use it in standing mode a lot more than I used to.

Now got a treadmill to slide in for 30 min walks here and there. Great on calls where I don't need to give too much input, or when listening / watching videos.

 

[D3K]

Not Desktronic but I spent some time towards the end of last year going between models (desktronic, flexispot, maidesite etc) trying to pick one for my wife, but since we weren't sure how much she'd actually use the standing feature we actually decided to go for one of the cheaper 'generic' models from amazon (actually picked one up on fb marketplace unused for less than £50 I think it was) and it has been fine so far, using a different desk top that we already owned, not the quietest or quickest (we assume, don't actually have anything to compare it to) but she's not moving it every 5 minutes so not a big deal, got 2 saved settings for sitting/standing which is about all she needs.

If she keeps using it I think we'll also look at one of those treadmills, any particular recommendations @D3K ?

DIY Perks did a video on a flexispot that he converted into a table pc. Was rock solid with him on top at extended height, I would probably go for one of them if i were to buy again.

For treadmill I bought this https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CDKPJZZ2

Fair warning though: I got a fair amount of static shocks while typing on keyboard initially. Seems like a cheaply manufactured motor that doesn't have any EMF protection. Since switching out my keyboard mat to a steelseries, and keyboard from a nuphy75 to a Keychron K2 I haven't had the shocks. Can't say if it was just the treadmill wearing in, or the change of conductivity of peripherals, but i wouldn't rec this one because of that issue. Cheap tho, and with £60 off.