When deciding whether to switch to a standing desk, many people wonder, are standing desks expensive? The price that you’re willing to pay will be influential in determining which standing desk you can choose from, and if you can even afford a standing desk in the first place!
Fear not as this article breaks down exactly what price you can expect to pay for a sit-stand desk. It will even help guide you on how to keep expenses to a minimum without impacting on the functionality or reliability of the stand-up desk.
I spent hours upon hours searching websites to build a table with the price of 40 popular standing desks. This will be extremely valuable for as you can compare the prices of the most popular electric, gas lift and manual standing desks! What’s more is that they are all on one easy-to-read table!
I also tackle your common queries surrounding how much standing desks costs. In addition to all of the above, as is standard in all my blogs, you’ll discover plenty of helpful tips and insider tricks to boost you to pro levels of knowledge when buying a standing desk.
Before you read on, have a guess as to what the average cost of a standing desk could be. The answer might surprise you!
Why are stand-up desks so expensive?
Standing desks contain additional components when compared with a regular office desk. Features such as motors, hand cranks and counterbalance technology are required to lower and raise the desk height and these all incur additional material costs.
Structurally, standing desks tend to be more elaborate and offer more features that regular desks lack. The quality of materials used to create the desk will influence the cost, especially if expensive materials, such as hardwood, are used.
The frame of a sit-stand desk is generally made from steel which is often more expensive when compared to basic wooden legs. Labor costs also increase as these components may need to be manually fitted to the sit-stand desk. In some cases, you are paying for a brand and the spec of a cheaper standing desk could be the equivalent to a more expensive height-adjustable desk.
Indirect costs associated with purchasing a sit-to-stand desk include shipping fees and installation fees as some standing desks require technicians to assemble them.
Did you know? In an electric standing desk, the motor and the desktop are 2 of the most expensive components
What type of standing desk is the cheapest?
The cheapest type of sit-stand desk is the electric standing desk, followed by manual desks and pneumatic standing desks.
|
Criteria |
Price |
|
Average cost of all standing desks combined |
$644.09 |
|
Average cost of pneumatic standing desks |
$907.11 |
|
Average cost of manual standing desks |
$606.80 |
|
Average cost of electric standing desks |
$558.35 |
How much do standing desks cost?
The price of a standing desk ranges anywhere from $199 to $2000 or more. The average cost of a standing desk is $558.35, the average price of a manual standing desk is $606.80 and a gas lift desk has an average price of $907.11. However, if you disregard the outliers, the median cost of a standing desk is $489.99.
|
Criteria |
Price |
|
Median cost of all desks combined |
489.99 |
|
Median cost electric desks |
449.00 |
|
Median cost pneumatic desks |
815.00 |
|
Median cost manual desks |
448.41 |
Did you know? Cost does not directly correlate to quality, so researching the product spec along with the reviews of the product is key to choosing a standing desk that both meets your budget and your needs.
The below table provides you with an extensive list of standing desks sorted by the most to the least expensive price. The price excludes any offers that were running at the time, shipping costs, accessories or upgrade pieces, e.g., if there was a choice of size, the smallest desktop was selected.
|
Name |
Type of standing desk |
Cost |
|
Humanscale FT Float Height Adjustable Sit-Stand Table |
Pneumatic |
$1799.00 |
|
Ergotron WorkFit-D, Sit-Stand Desk |
Pneumatic |
$1415.00 |
|
Workrite Sierra HXL Crank Rectangular Height Adjustable Table |
Manual |
$1371.00 |
|
Jarvis Reclaimed Wood Standing Desk |
Electric |
$1249.00 |
|
The Klöud |
Pneumatic |
$1120.00 |
|
Jarvis Hardwood Standing Desk |
Electric |
$1099.00 |
|
WorkFit Electric Sit-Stand Desk 58” |
Electric |
$999.00 |
|
Ergotron Workfit DL 48 Sit Stand Desk |
Pneumatic |
$989.99 |
|
Flytta 2 standing desk |
Electric |
$986.93 |
|
WorkFit Electric Sit-Stand Desk 46” |
Electric |
$949.00 |
|
Luxor STANDUP-CF60-DW 60″ Crank Adjustable Stand Up Desk |
Manual |
$903.00 |
|
The Lüften |
Pneumatic |
$815.00 |
|
Gasspring Sit-Stand Desk – Updesk Air |
Pneumatic |
$780.00 |
|
The Oben |
Electric |
$755.00 |
|
Seiffen Laminated Standing Desk EC4 (dual motor) |
Electric |
$656.99 |
|
The Ändern |
Pneumatic |
$625.00 |
|
Willow Solid Wood EC4 Standing Desk (dual motor) |
Electric |
$529.99 |
|
Seiffen Laminated Standing Desk E2AL (dual motor) |
Electric |
$506.99 |
|
Seiffen Laminated Standing Desk EC3 (dual motor) |
Electric |
$501.99 |
|
Comhar All-in-One Standing Desk Glass Top – 48″ W |
Electric |
$499.99 |
|
Jarvis Crank-Powered Standing Desk |
Manual |
$479.99 |
|
Kana Bamboo EC4 Standing Desk (dual motor) |
Electric |
$449.99 |
|
Jarvis Bamboo Standing Desk |
Electric |
$449.00 |
|
Crank Adjustable Height Sit to Stand Up Desk |
Manual |
$416.83 |
|
Willow Solid Wood EC3 Standing Desk (dual motor) |
Electric |
$409.99 |
|
Willow Solid Wood E2AL Standing Desk (dual motor) |
Electric |
$409.99 |
|
Kana Bamboo EC3 Standing Desk (dual motor) |
Electric |
$409.99 |
|
Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk E2AL |
Electric |
$399.99 |
|
Adjustable Standing Desk Pro Series |
Electric |
$399.99 |
|
Seiffen Laminated Standing Desk EN1 (single motor) |
Electric |
$395.99 |
|
Apexdesk Airdesk Standing Desk |
Pneumatic |
$369.99 |
|
Willow Solid Wood EN1 Standing Desk (single motor) |
Electric |
$359.99 |
|
Kana Bamboo EN1 Standing Desk (single motor) |
Electric |
$359.99 |
|
Willow Solid Wood EC1 Standing Desk (single motor) |
Electric |
$339.99 |
|
Kana Bamboo EC1 Standing Desk (single motor) |
Electric |
$339.99 |
|
Vici Quick Assembling Standing Desk |
Electric |
$299.99 |
|
VIVO 47″ pneumatic desk |
Pneumatic |
$249.99 |
|
VIVO manual height adjustable desk |
Manual |
$249.99 |
|
Crank Standing Desk H1 |
Manual |
$219.99 |
|
Seiffen Laminated Standing Desk EC1 (single motor) |
Electric |
$199.99 |
Note: Prices are correct as of the 10th April 2021. Please refer to website for up-to-date prices.
What affects the cost of standing desks?
Type of standing desk
Electric sit-stand desks have the lowest price followed by manual desks and pneumatic standing desks. Choosing the cheapest standing desk available may work out less expensive initially. However, in the long run, it could lead to additional costs due to poor quality materials and equipment breaking faster. The cost – quality ratio needs to be considered when researching for a standing desk.
Tip: When buying a standing desk, look for a warranty with a minimum of 1 year, but ideally 3 years or more. There may also be separate lengths on the warranty for the motor or various components.
Size of desk
The larger the size of desk you opt for, the higher the costs are likely to be. This is particularly true if you compare a standard sized adjustable desk with an L-shaped or U-shaped standing desk.
Number of motors
The greater the number of motors, the greater the desk price is going to be. The majority of stand-up desks feature a single motor, however, some electric sit-to-stand desk also come with dual motors. There are even some standing desks equipped with as many as 3 motors!
You’ll notice from the table of standing desks above that the noise level of sit-stand desks are recorded as having the same level of noise regardless of the fact that there are extra motors involved, below is an example of that.
The below is an example of the price difference between a single and dual motor. In this case, the price increases by $50.
|
Name |
Type of standing desk |
Cost |
|
Willow Solid Wood EN1 Standing Desk (single motor) |
Electric |
$359.99 |
|
Willow Solid Wood E2AL Standing Desk (dual motor) |
Electric |
$409.99 |
Did you know? The motor is the most common source of fault from an electric standing desk.
Material quality
Cheap electronics are renowned for exerting unusual buzzing sounds. When researching the type of motor in an electric standing desk, pay attention to the manufacturer and avoid cheap motors, such as the Chinese manufacturer, TiMotion. The last thing you want is a control box buzzing in the background while you try to focus on your work!
Furthermore, if weak and flimsy materials are used, this can cause desk to wobble which creates an unwelcome indirect source of noise.
Tip: If selecting a cheaper sit-to-stand desk, the product reviews can provide helpful insight into the performance of the sit-stand desk. Pay attention to remarks relating to reliability and the quality of the desk. Most consumers are honest about any gripes that they have with their purchase.
Accessories
We all love getting upgrades with the items that we buy, and desks are no different. There are ample types of accessories that can be purchased with a standing desk to enhance your experience and the performance of the desk, such as modesty panes, keyboard trays, monitor arms and storage solutions. Each of these will incur additional costs.
For example, all electric standing desks feature a keypad with a lift and lower button. However, if you choose to upgrade the keyboard, you’ll receive extra functions, such as memory presets, sit-stand reminder alerts and even digital height display.
Desktop finish
The desktop is one of the most expensive features in a standing desk. With some standing desks, you have the option to choose the material and the finish applied to the desktop.
Hardwood tends to be one of the most expensive materials
that consumers have a choice in selecting. Opting for materials, such as chip wood, can keep costs to a minimum. Furthermore, if the desktop has a laminate finish, pay attention to the costs for each type of desktop colour as they can vary in price. Some of the finishes can be as much as $70 more expensive.
Delivery costs
An indirect cost associated with purchasing a sit-stand desk is the delivery charges. Small to medium-sized desks can generally be carried by companies, such as UPS and FedEx. However, larger sized desks, such as L-shaped or U-shaped desks, may need to be delivered by freight. This often incurs extra costs.
You’ll also need to consider if you have the space for a freight truck to offload the materials at your place as some freight delivery trucks can be 52 foot long!
Does price of a standing desk matter?
The importance of costs for a standing desk will depend on the user and their environment. Some users will place more value on how expensive a standing desk is, particularly if:
1. The person paying sets a price limit, e.g., employer, spouse
2. The user requires a quality product
3. The user prefers a hardwood finish to the sit-stand desk
4. The user requires a larger desktop
5. The user is opting for standing desk accessories and add-ons
6. The user intends to purchase a manual crank standing desk
7. The user requires a desk that has additional motors
8. The user is concerned with the shipping cost of the unit
9. The user is concerned about assembly costs
10. The user or the standing desk requires technicians for assembly
When deciding if the cost of a standing desk is a pertinent factor for you, evaluate how much is available to spend and narrow down your selection based on the above list and the price. Don’t forget to get approval if it’s not your money!
Conclusion
Standing desks have an average cost in the region of $199 to $2000 plus. The type of desk, materials used and number of bells and whistles that you intend to add on will dictate how expensive the unit will ultimately be. I’d personally choose a mid-range priced sit-stand desk from a trustworthy brand with reliable reviews and good specs that suit my needs and environment.
Speaking of which, the Ergotron products are my all-time favourite brand as they offer excellent warranties, have a reputable name and popular products. I have no hesitation recommending them to friends or family! If you want to cut the time you spend researching standing products, then they are worth at least a quick look!
Of course, how loud a standing desk is only one factor you need to consider. As was mentioned above, the weight of a standing desk can dictate how expensive the unit ultimately costs you. If you want to know more along with some insider tips, you can read about them here: How heavy are standing desks? – It’s more than you think!
My goal with this blog is to help you on all matters related your home office and work area. Bearing that in mind, if you have any questions or comments on the above or anything related to desks, please leave them in the box below. I’d love to hear them.
Sources
https://www.ergotron.com
Superior Standing Desks
https://www.btod.com/blog/9-most-common-problems-with-motorized-standing-desks/
https://www.flexispot.com/
https://www.btod.com/blog/fully-jarvis-desk-review/