Do you want to find out how fast can standing desks change height? You might not think so until you realize that how you use the standing desk can greatly affect the speed and even irritate people around you! Want to know how? And more importantly, how to avoid this hate?
By reading on, you’ll uncover the truth about the lift speeds of standing desks, including what type of standing desk is the fastest, what the manufacturers neglect to disclose regarding desk speed, and also, what can affect the speed of a sit-to-stand desk.
As if that isn’t enough, I’ve also provided helpful tips and fun facts throughout the blog that only the pros know. To see what those important nuggets of information are and answers to must-know questions, start scrolling!
How fast can standing desks change height?
There are different standing desk lift speeds depending on the type of desk. Electric standing desks move the fastest at an average 1 – 1.7 inches per second. Pneumatic standing desks are slower than electric standing desks and move at an average of 5.83 – 6.58 inches per second. Manual standing desks achieve approximately 0.2 – 0.3 inches per rotation.
What are the fastest standing desks?
Some of the fastest electric standing desk operates at a speed of 1 inch per second.
Based on the below table, the average lift speed of an electric standing desk is 1.31 inches per second.
|
Name |
Type of standing desk |
Speed |
|
Seiffen Laminated Standing Desk (single motor) |
Electric |
1 inch per second |
|
Willow Solid Wood EC1 Standing Desk (single motor) |
Electric |
1 inch per second |
|
Willow Solid Wood EN1 Standing Desk (single motor) |
Electric |
1 inch per second |
|
Vici Quick Assembling Standing Desk |
Electric |
1 inch per second |
|
Comhar All-in-One Standing Desk Glass Top – 48″ W |
Electric |
1 inch per second |
|
Kana Bamboo EC1 Standing Desk (single motor) |
Electric |
1 inch per second |
|
Kana Bamboo EN1 Standing Desk (single motor) |
Electric |
1 inch per second |
|
Kana Bamboo EC3 Standing Desk (dual motor) |
Electric |
1.26 inches per second |
|
Seiffen Laminated Standing Desk (dual motor) |
Electric |
1.26 inches per second |
|
Willow Solid Wood EC3 Standing Desk (dual motor) |
Electric |
1.26 inches per second |
|
Willow Solid Wood E2AL Standing Desk (dual motor) |
Electric |
1.26 inches per second |
|
Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk E2AL |
Electric |
1.26 inches per second |
|
Adjustable Standing Desk Pro Series |
Electric |
1.4 inches per second |
|
Seiffen Laminated Standing Desk (dual motor) |
Electric |
1.5 inches per second |
|
Kana Bamboo EC4 Standing Desk (dual motor) |
Electric |
1.5 inches per second |
|
Willow Solid Wood EC4 Standing Desk (dual motor) |
Electric |
1.5 inches per second |
|
The Oben |
Electric |
1.7 inches per second |
|
The Lüften |
Pneumatic |
5.83 inches per second |
|
The Ändern |
Pneumatic |
5.83 inches per second |
|
The Klöud |
Pneumatic |
6.58 inches per second |
|
Crank Standing Desk H1 |
Manual |
0.24 inches/turn |
|
Jarvis Crank-Powered Standing Desk |
Manual |
0.33 inches/turn |
What affects the speed of standing desks?
Type of standing desk
When buying a desk, many consumers wonder are electric standing desks faster than crank or pneumatic standing desks?
Electric standing desks tend to offer the fastest lift speeds, followed by pneumatic standing desks and then crank desks.
Manual crank standing desks operate at the slowest rate. Unlike the electric and pneumatic standing desk, the speed of a crank standing desk is calculated in inches per rotation. The speed is dependent on the pace of the user rotating the handle. Consequently, manual sit-stand desks use a different lift speed parameter compared to electric and gas lift standing desks.
The speed of hand rotations is relative to the force being applied to the hand crank. Ultimately, speed is relative to the ease of rotation. The more speed you can achieve, the lower the force needs to be to make the cranking task easier.
Did you know? The higher the weight limit is on a crank desk, the more handle rotations that will need to be completed to lift or lower the standing desk.
Weight of standing desk
The weight of the standing desk itself also impacts on the force being applied to the lifting mechanism. Consumers often have a choice of the desktop material and finish applied to it.
One might assume that if you opt for a heavier desktop, this would impose a greater weight on the desk; you’d imagine that it would lower the speed at which the standing desk moves.
Surprisingly though, when I queried a manufacturer on the effects the weight of the desktop on the lift speed, they advised that it doesn’t alter the speed of the standing desk.
Tip: If different lift speeds at various weight thresholds is not provided on the website, contact the manufacturer for these values.
Size of motor
The size of the motor dictates the strength of it and ultimately influences the speed at which it can lower and raise the standing desk. There are some single motors available which can offer as much power as 2 motors, so research is key.
Number of motors
The majority of standing desks feature a single motor, however, some electric sit-to-stand desk also come with dual motors. If a desk was fitted with two motors, it would be more capable of faster lifting speeds compared to if that desk only had a single motor.
Weight capacity of desk
The weight limit is indicative of how fast a standing desk can be raised or lowered. The more weight that is applied to a desk, the slower it will be to lift or lower.
Consequently, a greater weight being applied to a standing desk can reduce the speed at which it travels; often the lift speed can be reduced by as much as 30 – 70%. This is particularly true when the weight limit of the standing desk is exceeded, as it exerts extra stress on the motor or pneumatic system.
Did you know? The average weight of a computer screen/laptop, keyboard and mouse together equates to between 5 – 15 lbs / 2.3 – 6.8 kg.
Does lift speed of a standing desk matter?
The lift speed of a standing desk is primarily a personal preference will depend on the user. Some users will place more value on lift speed more than others, especially if:
1. The user requires a desk that lifts quickly
2. The user intends to store heavy equipment or items on it
3. The user intends to alternate between sitting and standing frequently
4. The user works in a shared area and wants to minimize noise
5. The user requires minimal hand cranking on a manual crank desk
6. The user is concerned that heavy equipment could decrease desk speed
7. The user is concerned that heavy equipment could increase the desk noise during movement
8. The user might struggle to equally distribute the weight of equipment across the desk
9. The user is concerned with the cost of the unit
There are advantages and disadvantages to standing desks with a higher speed, most of which are contingent on how you intend to use the desk.
When deciding if the speed of a standing desk is a salient factor for you, considering how you intend to use the desk is a key step along with using the above factors. If you’re still not sure, drop me a message in the comments or an email and I’ll try to help you out!
Conclusion
To summarize, sit-to-stand desks have a lift speed in the region of 45 lb / 20.4 kg to 200 lb/ 90.7 kg. A standing desk that offers greater weight capacity is usually more beneficial since they offer elevated levels of stability, strength, lifespan, and most importantly, peace of mind. It’s also evident that electric standing desks can carry more weight compared to manual and gas lift standing desks.
Personally, I’d opt for a pneumatic or electric standing desk to avoid the manual cranking of the desk.
Choosing a sit-stand desk can be time-consuming and arduous. Let me take some of the work out of the equation by guiding you on where to look. The Ergotron products are my all-time favourite and I’d have no hesitation recommending them to friends or family! They are worth at least a quick look!
Of course, lift speed is only one parameter you need to consider, weight is a major element that can affect the type of standing desk you choose. If you want to know more along with some insider tips, you can read about them here: How much weight can a standing desk hold?
My goal with this blog is to aid and educate you on all matters related your workspace. With that in mind, if you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the box below. I’d love to hear them.
Sources
https://www.ergotron.com
Superior Standing Desks
https://www.flexispot.com/
