I tested the Seville Classics Airlift Height Adjustable Desk with Glass Top, the Seville Classics Airlift Pro S3 Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk (discontinued), the Steelcase Solo stand-up deski Fezibo Height Adjustable Electric Standing Desk with Double Draweri Grovemade Desk as well as FlexiSpot E7 Probut they did not cut.
An Airlift with a Glass Top is close to finding a place above. It’s a nice, sturdy desk at a mid-range price that would be a great addition to a modern workspace. It also has a small central drawer to store essentials. Unfortunately, its built-in touchscreen isn’t very responsive and the two USB-A ports, while considered a nice tech feature, are outdated on most phones and tablets today.
Another close contender for a place on the list was the FlexiSpot E7 Pro (also available in the UK). A desk is a great size for a small space, which can be very difficult to find. Desktop quality and desktop hardware are great. It lifts quickly and quietly and looks great. FlexiSpot puts a lot of thought into cable management and cable mess. FlexiSpot also adds a USB-C charging slot to the controller. However, the controller is as up-to-date as the other desks we’ve tested; it’s made of plastic that feels sturdy, and it doesn’t freeze as quickly as other models. When assembled, the hardware was difficult to work with, even when using a drill; In addition, not all desk holes are pre-drilled, which increases the risk of drilling into the top of the desk. This was competing against the Branch Standing Desk for the best small desk, and the build experience and quality of the Branch desk was far from the beat of the FlexiSpot E7 Pro.
The Airlift Pro S3 was a decent desk, but it was a little harder to install than others in its size range, and it had a cheaper looking finish than the overall winner of the best standing desk (the Uplift V3 Standing Desk).
The Steelcase Solo desk was surprisingly easy to install for its size. Instead of using screws to attach the legs, these simply lock into place. The desk is sturdy, looks good and is quiet when you raise and lower it.
The Fezibo model was interesting to me because of the built-in storage, but I found this model more difficult to assemble than many others. Still, it’s a reasonable option if you’d like to have storage units integrated into your desk and two levels: one to hold your monitor and one to hold your keyboard and other related equipment.
The Grovemade Desk I received had mechanical faults. Although the team was great about fixing this and working with me on it, it meant I had to take the desk apart and put it back together. After changing the legs, the lift function was louder and more laborious than others we tested. The cable management and craftsmanship is amazing and the cabinet allows you to keep your desktop clean while most standing desks don’t offer that. While the price of the Grovemade Desk probably reflects the great care they put into making the desks, compared to the other desks on this list, you can find great options for much less money.
As always, consider your specific needs before purchasing a living desk. Do you have a lot of space and a high budget? Consider Uplift models. The Ikea model is a medium-sized manual desk at a great price. Regardless of what your home is like, one of these types will suit your needs. If you’re not sold on a standing desk, consider a standing desk converter to replace your existing desk.
