If your lifestyle reflects that of 50-70% of office workers and you spend six or more hours daily slumped over your desk, you already understand your sedentary lifestyle is of little benefit. It is uncomfortable sitting for that long and results in pain from backache, stiff neck and locked hips; not to mention setting yourself up for more serious health problems relating to the 'sitting disease'; high blood pressure, heart disease and even cancer. Do you remember to get up and move around every 20 minutes? Surely the smarter option is to vary your position in the office using an adjustable standing desk.
Here are the standing desk pros and cons of these three variations, helping you decide which best suits your needs.
In an ideal world, an electric adjustable sit-stand desk is the way to go, right? It even sounds cooler than a hand-crank manual desk. And it does have some advantages if you are time-poor (also called impatient!); it takes seconds to go from sitting to standing. This also requires a lot less effort than manually winding up from sit to stand. All this comes at a price.
The more budget-friendly adjustable manual sit-stand desk, takes a little more time and effort to adjust, but allows you to feel more in control, and adjusting a hand crank standing desk is actually pretty satisfying!
Last in the frame, are standing desk converters. Falling outside the whole electric vs manual standing desk discussion, they still fulfil customers' needs and provide that initial push towards a healthier work life. They sit on the users' existing desk surface and are adjusted by hand, with the option of tidying it away in moments, converting your home office back into your dining room.
Electric sit stand desks adjust with a motor. Press a button until the electric standing desk reaches the required height. Top-of-the-range height adjustable desks can even be pre-programmed. Press the button, go off and make a coffee. You go from sitting to standing without so much as breaking a sweat.
{{ spec_single_sit_stand }}{{ spec_single_sit_stand }}
It's a breeze to go from sitting to standing with electric sit stand desks. Electric desks adjust height levels at about an inch per second. For most users to go from sit to stand takes a mere 10-15 seconds. Much quicker than a hand cranked standing desk.
With its generous weight capacity, the electric standing desk allows more kit on your desktop. Starting at around 200 pound lift capacity, some go as high as 500 pounds, so products like the Desky Dual Custom Melamine Sit Stand Desk, offering dual motors, provides a lifting capacity capable of handling even the heaviest of monitor and CPU setups without compromising on speed or stability.
{{ spec_dual_melamine_desk }}{{ spec_dual_melamine_desk }}
Pressing a button requires a lot less effort than manually adjusting your desk to the optimum ergonomic sit and stand height with a hand crank. This hands-free option means you can work uninterrupted as the motor does its thing. Great if you're on the phone or finishing off that cuppa.
Powerful motors and their smooth functionality means a desktop of any size. The question is, do you want a desk which dominates the room? Probably not. But at least you give yourself the option of increasing the size of your desktop at a later date - you can always switch in a larger desktop on your existing electric frame. Let us also mention in the electric vs manual standing desk debate, that hand crank standing desks have a lower weight capacity. So if you need something custom-made or want a huge set up, you will want an electric model.
A big reason potential users hold off investing in electric sit stand desks is cost. Even budget mid-range models start at $500 and can be as much as $2000. And if the whole sit-stand philosophy is new to you, that's a hefty amount to lay out for something you find might not suit.
You need electricity for your height adjustable desk. Electric desks must be placed near a socket and cannot be moved wherever you want; a major con if you are new to working at home and trying out different positions before finally deciding where you work best. If you experience regular power cuts, you may find your desk height stuck at one level until power is restored.
Increased moving parts and electronics are another potential problem with electric desk options. Parts break down or wear out. When you're paying top dollar for your electric standing desk, you don't want to have to pay for repairs within a few years of use.
That's why a manufacturer's warranty is so important when it comes to electric desks. Desky provide a 10-year warranty on the Dual electric standing desk. If you're deciding between a cheaper desk with a year's warranty vs. a pricier desk that's guaranteed to last you a decade, we think the decade-long warranty is a safer bet when your standing desk's motor will be running multiple times a day over the next decade.
Electric standing desks motors make a noise. This may be a downside but in a busy office is barely noticeable. Some people might give you looks for disturbing them but it is more likely envy that fuels their irritation.
Height adjustable hand crank standing desks have a handle to take you from standing height to sitting.
The hand crank standing desk has many of the options of electric standing desks with the benefit of lower cost. And there is no need to compromise on quality either.
Power outage issues will not put you out of action with hand crank standing desks. You are not tethered to one place since you do not need electricity to adjust height settings and the hand crank gives you more exact control, going from sitting to standing position; an electric desk may only allow pre-programmed height levels.
{{ spec_air_lift_zero_desk }}{{ spec_air_lift_zero_desk }}
The Manually Adjustable Air Lift Sit Stand Desk from Desky offers the best of both worlds; all the lifting power of an electric standing desk, with a pneumatic air cylinder worked by a lever, generating enough pressure to smoothly raise the desk in seconds. No need for electricity yet all the benefits of a sit stand desk from wherever you work.
Not a lot can go wrong with a manual standing desk. These are some of the most reliable desks out there, many of them working faultlessly for 10 plus years. The fact that it has no motor or electronics to break down speaks for itself.
The time and effort required to take crank desks from sit to stand is a drawback. A user would typically need many turns of the handle and some physical effort to achieve the 10 to 15 inch difference between sitting and standing.
For a conventionally shaped desktop, a manual sit stand is not going to have the same lifting capacity as an electric standing desk. And less lifting capacity means more turns of the handle, more effort and more time needed to go from sitting to standing.
A crank desk requires equipment to be spread out evenly to balance the load across both columns, otherwise turning the handle requires more physical effort and the columns may rise at different speeds, tilting the top, leading to instability, potentially damaging the mechanism and causing your equipment to fall off the desk.
{{ spec_zero_desk_converter }}
Standing desk converters are a portable product, positioned on the top of your existing desk or attached to it, allowing you to move from sitting to standing in seconds and also giving you greater freedom to set up a stand up desk wherever you need it. These are handy if you have a compact desk space available
Some of the most popular models range from $100 to $400; an excellent choice for an entry-level user.
If space is limited and you need to frequently tidy away your work space or your employer will not let you swap your desk, this is the perfect compromise.
Most come ready-assembled. Simply unbox, put in position, adjust the height and you are good to go.
This can be tricky if you work on both paper and computer. There is very little extra space and it can be difficult to find the perfect height for both typing and writing.
Although these are often described as more portable than typical standing desks, you will not be commuting with this anytime soon. The heavy metal base make them pretty difficult to transport easily once you get them on your desk.
Most will not adjust low enough for short people, who will need a tall chair or a footrest to get their hands into an ergonomic typing and sitting position. And because it sits atop your existing desk, the sitting height is always above your normal writing height which could bother you over time, causing discomfort and ergonomic issues.
They take up a lot of space which can be an issue in your home office or if you work in an area with limited space.
Manual standing desks are great for people who want a budget-friendly sit-to-stand option, don’t mind physically adjusting the desk and don’t move from seated to standing very often.
If you are a mover; changing position every hour, then, you’ll thank yourself for investing in an electric standing desk after moving it 8 times in one day.
If you just want to give sit stand desks a go then a converter is a great entry-level option. If the practice suits you, upgrade at a later date. If you're still unsure - we've done up a review of our whole range to help you pick the best standing desk USA has to offer!
Figured out what type of desk you need? See Desky's range of ergonomic furniture and get your new desk shipped to you anywhere in the USA!
Standing desks, also known as sit-stand desks, allow users to switch between sitting and standing positions while at work. There are two main types of standing desks: electric and manual, and there is some debate as to which is the better option. Although most of it comes down to personal preference, there are some clear differences between the two that set them apart, and could make one more suited to your lifestyle and requirements.
The main difference between electric and manual standing desks is in how you adjust them. Electric standing desks can be raised or lowered with the push of a button, whereas manual standing desks are adjusted with manual action, such as via a hand crank.
Other than the adjustment mechanisms, the two standing desk frames look quite similar. Indeed, most benefits of a standing desk can be applied to both types of frame
Convenience: Electric standing desks can be adjusted with the push of the button, meaning you can transition between sitting and standing positions with ease.
Precise Height Control: Electric standing desks provide precise height control, as you can use the button to fine-tune the desk to your exact height requirements. This is much harder to do on a manual desk.
Programmable Presets: Some electric standing desks come with programmable presets, which means your desk can remember your preferred sitting and standing heights.
Routine: Some electric standing desks allow you to set schedules and reminders, so you can ensure you’re switching between sitting and standing positions at the right time.
Time: The automated adjustments of an electric desk, alongside the potential to set presets, can also help you to save time, as you can switch between sitting and standing positions without interrupting your workflow.
Affordable: Manual standing desks tend to come at a lower price point than electric standing desks, which makes them a more affordable option for those with a smaller budget.
No Power Requirements: Manual standing desks don’t rely on electric parts, which means you don’t need to worry about having access to power. On a similar note, the lack of mechanical components means less maintenance and repairs over time.
Eco-Friendly: Manual standing desks are kinder to the environment than electric desks, which leave behind electrical waste.
Easier to Move: Depending on materials, manual standing desks tend to be lighter than electric desks, because there is no motor.
Active: Cranking a manual standing desk can encourage physical activity during work, which can have a positive impact on your health.
Health: If you have specific ergonomic requirements or medical considerations, such as a bad back, an electric desk might be better suited for your needs.
Budget: Manual standing desks tend to be much cheaper than electric standing desks, making them a better option if you have a tight budget.
Frequency of Use: Determine how often you plan to switch between sitting and standing positions. If you anticipate frequent adjustments, an electric desk could be the better option.
Power: Does your workspace have power outlets? In workspaces where there are limited outlets, or areas where the power is unreliable, a manual desk could be better suited.
When choosing between an electric and a manual standing desk, there's no one-size-fits-all answer; each desk has its own set of advantages that cater to different preferences and needs. What we do know is that a standing desk will allow you to reap the health benefits of switching between sit and stand positions, from better posture and reduced back pain, to enhanced focus and output due to increased blood flow.
Looking for a standing desk for your home, office or workspace? Check out our collection of standing desks, available for next working day delivery if ordered by 3pm. All of our desks come with a 7 year warranty, 30 day risk free return, as well as access to a UK-based customer service team to answer any questions that you might have.