My friend had recently installed some new flooring and was in the process of sourcing a standing desk for the room. While gazing at her precious wooden floor, she asked me, “how heavy are standing desks?” She followed on expressing concerns about damaging her flooring and querying if the standing desk could hold the weight of her equipment.
This got me thinking, and I was shocked to discover the weight of sit-to-stand desk units! It ultimately motivated me to write this post to help you fellow people who may be in similar situations.
In this article, not only do I answer those queries, but I also provide vital information on other related topics that you should consider regarding standing desks and their weight.
To see what those other important topics are, start scrolling! Plus, as is customary in all my blogs, I’ve also included practical tips and fun facts throughout the post. So, let’s get started…
Before we delve into the details, let’s clarify a few matters…
What is the difference between weight and weight capacity?
Weight and weight capacity are two different measurements which can easily cause confusion. The weight of an object relates to how heavy it is. Weight capacity is the amount of weight that the object can hold.
Weight limits are a critical safety component, and while they have a buffer built into the value, the maximum weight capacity should never be exceeded. Doing so not only runs the risk of the desk collapsing, but it can also result in serious injury.
How heavy are standing desks?
Standing desks can weigh anywhere from approximately 77.2 lbs / 35 kg to 126.10 lb / 57.2 kg. The average weight of an electric standing desk is 111.2 lbs / 50.4 kg.
Weight variations in standing desks are attributable to factors such as:
- Size of table
- Tabletop weight
- Shape of desktop, e.g., straight desktops are usually lighter than L-shaped desktops
- Frame design
- Number of legs
- Type of materials used to make the table
- Add-on features, such as drawers, privacy boards
- Weight capacity
I weaved through a tsunami of data to collate an extensive list of some of the most popular standing desks based on their weight. The below table provides you with insight into their weight and how they compare to their size and weight capacity.
The majority of these are electric, but I’ve added a pneumatic (gas lift) and manual standing desk to give you a flavour of their weight and weight capacity. These are all sorted based on lowest to the highest weight.
Based on the below table, the average weight of an electric standing desk is 111.2 lbs / 50.4 kg.
|
Standing desk |
Type of standing desk |
Weight |
Weight capacity |
| FlexiSpot EC1 Height Adjustable Standing Desk (100 x 60 cm) |
Electric |
77.2 lbs / 35 kg |
132.3 lbs / 60 kg |
| Ergotron WorkFit-D Sit-Stand Desk (121 x 58 cm) |
Pneumatic |
85 lbs / 38.6 kg |
65 lbs / 29.5 kg |
|
Vari Standing Desk (48 x 32 cm) |
Manual |
102.2 lb / 46.4 kg |
45 lb / 20.4 kg |
|
Ergotron WorkFit Electric Sit-Stand Desk (117 x 73 cm) |
Electric |
107 lbs / 48.5 kg |
200 lbs / 90.7 kg |
| FlexiSpot EC1 Height Adjustable Standing Desk (120 x 60 cm) |
Electric |
110.2 lbs / 50 kg |
154.3 lbs / 70 kg |
|
Vari Electric Standing Desk (48 x 30 cm) |
Electric |
114.27 lb / 51.8 kg |
220 lb / 99.8 kg |
| FlexiSpot EC1 Height Adjustable Standing Desk (140 x 70 cm) |
Electric |
121.3 lbs / 55 kg |
154.3 lbs / 70 kg |
|
Ergotron WorkFit Electric Sit-Stand Desk (117 x 73 cm) |
Electric |
122.5 lbs / 55.6 kg |
200 lbs / 90.7 kg |
|
Vari Electric Standing Desk (60 x 30 cm) |
Electric |
126.10 lb / 57.2 kg |
200 lb / 90.7 kg |
How much does an office desk weigh?
To put into perspective the average weight of a computer desk, the below table breaks down the weights for an average sized desk which would have a similar design to standing desks. None of these desks include drawers or privacy boards, so they are comparable to the standing desks in the previous table.
Based on the below table, the average weight of a computer desk is 32.7 lbs / 14.8 kg.
|
Desk |
Material |
Weight |
Weight capacity |
|
Soges Furniture Computer Desk (100 x 50 cm) |
Wood |
25.1 lbs / 11.4 kg |
330 lbs / 150 kg |
|
APOWE Computer desk (100 x 50 cm) |
MDF |
27.6 lbs / 12.5 kg |
110 lbs / 50 kg |
|
APOWE Computer desk (120 x 60 cm) |
MDF |
34.2 lbs / 15.5 kg |
110 lbs / 50 kg |
|
APOWE Computer desk (140 x 60 cm) |
MDF |
38.4 lbs / 17.4 kg |
110 lbs / 50 kg |
|
Need Computer Desks (120 x 60 cm) |
Wood |
38.4 lbs / 17.5 kg |
881.2 lbs / 400 kg |
It’s evident that standing desks are significantly heavier in weight compared to a traditional office desk. If you compare the FlexiSpot EC1 Height Adjustable Standing Desk (120 x 60 cm) to the APOWE Computer desk (120 x 60 cm), there’s a massive 69% increase in weight
when you move to a standing desk.
Do standing desks weigh much more than standing desk converters?
When comparing the average weight of a standing desk (77.2 lbs / 35 kg to 126.10 lb / 57.2 kg) to that of standing desk converters (28.7 lbs / 13 kg to as 61.9 lbs / 28.1 kg), electric standing desks tend to weigh as much as 50% to 63% or almost 2 – 3 times more compared to standard desk converters.
Tip: Standing desks are not designed for portability. If they are moved regularly, this can lead to damaging flooring and the standing desk itself if it is not carefully moved.
How much weight can a standing desk hold?
Standing desks can achieve a weight limit anywhere from 45 lb / 20.4 kg to as much as 200 lb/ 90.7 kg. This is more than adequate for users who intend to hold a laptop along with a keyboard and mouse.
The weight capacity of sit stand desk converters is lower than a standing desk; this can create stability issues along with restricting the amount of equipment that can be stored on the height adjustable desk riser. Consequently, many people opt for standing desks which are more robust and often offer more workspace.
Did you know? The average weight of a screen or laptop, keyboard and mouse inclusive equates to between 5 – 15 lbs / 2.3 – 6.8 kg.
Does weight of a standing desk matter?
The weight of a standing desk is an important safety factor. The weight will affect some users more than others, especially if:
1. The consumer is concerned with the cost of the unit
2. The user expects to move the standing desk regularly
3. The consumer is worried about the shipping costs of the desk
4. The user is concerned about the manual handling of the unit
5. The user is concerned about damaging their flooring
6. The user intends to store heavy equipment or items on it
7. The consumer requires a stable desk that doesn’t wobble
8. The user is heavy-handed or intends to lean on the standing desk
Tip: A high weight desk is not necessarily indicative of a high-quality product. It hinges more so on the quality of materials and the design of the desk.
Photo credit: mastermaq on VisualHunt
What affects weight of a standing desk?
Below I describe the components and features that can influence the weight capacity of a height-adjustable desk.
Size of tabletop
The overall size of the tabletop is influential in determining the weight. Let’s use the FlexiSpot EC1 Height Adjustable Standing Desk as an example. The 100 x 60 cm version weights 77.2 lbs / 35 kg whereas if you upgrade to the 120 x 60 cm version, the weight increases to 110.2 lbs / 50 kg.
Now I hate having to say it depends, but…
Surprisingly, the size of the tabletop does not always determine the weight, especially if you compare sit-to-stand desks from different brands or same brands but different models.
I’ve provided an example of this in the table below. Despite being almost twice as long and wide, the Ergotron standing desk weighs slightly less than the Vari standing desk! You might need to read that again!
|
Standing desk |
Type of standing desk |
Weight |
Weight capacity |
|
Ergotron WorkFit Electric Sit-Stand Desk (117 x 73 cm) |
Electric |
122.5 lbs / 55.6 kg |
200 lbs / 90.7 kg |
|
Vari Electric Standing Desk (60 x 30 cm) |
Electric |
126.10 lb / 57.2 kg |
200 lb / 90.7 kg |
Tabletop material
Most tabletops are made from medium density fiberboard (MDF) which is lighter in weight compared to a glass or steel. Thickness also plays a role in the weight along with the size of the overall tabletop. Don’t forget that any lamination included adds weight too.
|
Type of tabletop |
Weight (1” x 1” x 1”) |
|
Steel |
0.28 lbs / 0.13 kg |
|
Glass |
0.09 lbs / 42.6 kg |
|
Medium density fiberboard (MDF) |
0.2 lbs / 0.09 kg |
|
Oak wood |
0.02 – 0.03 lbs / 0.0098 – 0.015 kg |
|
Oak mahogany |
0.01 – 0.03 lbs / 0.008 – 0.01 kg |
Did you know? The desk frame is made from various types of metal. The most commonly used material is steel, such as alloy steel to cold-rolled steel.
Number of columns
Most standing desks have a square column structure meaning that you have one leg on the left and one on the right. However, some standing tables are designed with one leg or column, some have two columns for additional frame support and to increase the weight capacity. The additional column does add extra weight to the standing desk compared to a single column.
If you opt for an L-shaped desk, this warrants a larger frame with a third leg, and thus increases the overall weight of the desk.
Desk add-ons
Many desks incorporate privacy boards and storage solutions, such as built-in cabinets. Such components add a sizeable amount of wight to the desk. The type of legs that the desk pivots on is also influential in the weight, for instance a table with 4 legs generally weighs less than 3 wooden panels holding the table up.
Are heavy standing desks better?
Standing desks are generally better than lightweight standing desks. There are benefits and disadvantages to standing desks with a higher weight, which can be determined based on how you intend to use the unit.
|
Criteria |
Are heavy weight standing desks better? |
|
Greater weight capacity |
Yes |
|
Better quality |
Yes |
|
Greater durability |
Yes |
|
Stability and free of wobble |
Yes |
|
For heavy-handed users or for leaning on |
Yes |
|
Portability |
No |
|
Moved frequently |
No |
|
Reducing damage to desk and floor |
No |
|
Overall cost of the unit |
No |
|
Reduced shipping costs |
No |
When deciding if the weight of a standing desk is important for you, think about how you plan to use the desk using the above factors as a pros and cons list. If you’re still not sure, drop me a message in the comments or email and I’ll try to help you as best as I can!
Tip: Standing desks are designed to be stationary pieces of furniture that are infrequently moved; if you require a portable option, standing desk converters and mobile workspaces may be more suitable.
Conclusion
To summarise, sit-to-stand desks have a weight in the region of 77.2 lbs / 35 kg to 126.10 lb / 57.2 kg. A heavier standing desk is usually more beneficial as it offers greater weight capacity, stability and durability, to mention a few.
I hope the tables and information have been beneficial in helping you narrow down your choice of standing desk. Personally, I’d opt for a standing desk on the higher weight of the spectrum, I don’t want to feel as if I’m walking on eggshells (pity the phrase isn’t ‘leaning’ on eggshells hehe) every time I use it!
Choosing a standing desk can be time consuming and arduous. Let me assist you by taking the guesswork out of the equation and directing you on where to look. The Ergotron products are my personal favourite and I’d have no hesitation recommending them to friends or family! They are worth at least a quick look!
If you want my personal recommendation on a portable standing desk workspace, you can read about it here: Ergotron TeachWell mobile digital workspace review
My ultimate goal with this site is to assist and educate you on all things related your workspace. With that in mind, if you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the comments box below. I’d love to hear them.
Sources
https://www.askdifference.com/weight-vs-capacity/
https://www.steelexpress.co.uk/steel-weight-calculator.html
https://www.glassparts.ie/glass-weight-calculator
https://www.ergotron.com
https://www.vari.com