Often one of the most important components that people neglect to consider when sourcing a standing desk converter is the weight of it. In this article, I investigate how much do standing desk converters weigh? You’ll find out if lightweight desk converters are better than heavy ones along with why some standing desk converters are heavier than others.
Not only that, I complete some interesting experiments with some surprising results on the weight of desk converters. And if that’s not enough, I also provide you with a cheat table to help you decide if a heavy or light sit-stand desk converter would best suit your needs and desires.
P.S. I’ve also dropped some interesting and useful tips and tricks in along the way. So, without further ado, let’s get started…
NIOSH recommends limiting the weight you lift to under 51 lbs / 23.13 kg.
How much do standing desk converters weigh?
Standing desk converters typically weigh anywhere from 28.7 lbs / 13 kg to as much as 61.9 lbs / 28.1 kg. The weight of a sit stand desk converter is linked to features including the size of the desk, type of materials that it is manufactured from, desk components, type of standing desk converter and the type of equipment that the desk riser is designed to hold.
The below table should help to put the weight and weight capacity of some of the most popular standing desk converters into perspective.
|
Standing desk converter |
Weight |
Maximum weight capacity |
|
Ergotron WorkFit-S dual sit-stand desk converter |
40 lbs / 18 kg |
31 lbs / 14 kg |
|
Ergotron WorkFit-T sit-stand desktop workstation |
49 lbs / 22.3 kg |
35 lbs / 15.9 kg |
|
Ergotron WorkFit-TX standing desk converter |
58.5 lbs / 26.6 kg |
10 – 40 lbs / 4.5 – 18.1 kg (single monitor) / 9.9 – 39.9 lbs / 4.5 – 18.0 kg (dual monitors) |
|
Ergotron WorkFit-A dual monitor with work surface |
47 lbs / 21.31 kg |
25 lbs / 11.3 kg |
|
Ergotron Workfit corner standing desk converter |
57.5 lbs / 26.1 kg |
10 – 35 lbs (single monitor) / 4.5 – 15.9 kg (dual monitors) |
|
Ergotron Workfit-Z mini sit-stand desktop |
32 lbs / 14.5 kg |
25 lbs / 11.3 kg |
|
Ergotron WorkFit-LX sit-stand desk mount system |
30 lbs / 14 kg |
7 – 25 lbs / 3.1 – 11.3 kg |
|
Cadence Express standing desk converter (single monitor) |
29 lbs / 13.2 kg |
6.5 – 24.5 lbs / 2.9 – 11.1 kg |
|
Cadence Express standing desk converter (dual monitors) |
33 lbs / 15 kg |
1.5 – 19.5 lbs / 0.7 – 8.8 kg |
|
ClassicRiser M1 standing desk converter |
46 lbs / 20.9 kg |
35 lbs / 15.9 kg |
|
ClassicRiser M2 standing desk converter |
50 lbs / 22.7 kg |
35 lbs / 15.9 kg |
|
ClassicRiser M3 standing desk converter |
53 lbs / 24.0 kg |
33 lbs / 15.0 kg |
|
ClassicRiser M4 standing desk converter |
54 lbs / 24.5 kg |
44 lbs / 20.0 kg |
|
Vivo Gas Spring Riser converter 32″ |
28.7 lbs / 13 kg |
33 lbs / 15.0 kg |
|
Cooper standing desk converter |
60 lbs / 27.2 kg |
35 lbs / 15.9 kg |
|
Mount-It M1 standing desk converter |
47.5 lbs / 21.5 kg |
33 lbs / 15.0 kg |
|
FlexiSpot M7B 28” standing desk converter |
34 lbs / 15.4 kg |
37.4 lbs / 17.0 kg |
|
FlexiSpot M8MB 35” standing desk converter |
37 lbs / 16.8 kg |
33 lbs / 15.0 kg |
|
FlexiSpot M4B 41” standing desk converter |
52.9 lbs / 24 kg |
35 lbs / 15.9 kg |
|
FlexiSpot M3B 47” standing desk converter |
59.9 lbs / 27.2 kg |
44 lbs / 20.0 kg |
|
VariDesk Pro Plus 36” standing desk converter |
52.5 lbs / 23.8 kg |
35 lbs / 15.9 kg |
|
VIVO 36 inch stand up desk converter |
41.4 / 18.8 kg |
33 lbs / 15.0 kg |
What makes a standing desk converter heavy?
Below I describe the components and features that can influence the weight of a height-adjustable desk converter.
Work surface
If a standing desk converter contains a work surface, this will add weight to the overall unit. I mention this because you might take it for granted that some desk risers lack a work top, such as some hovering standing desk converters.
If a sit stand unit includes a work surface, factors that will increase the weight include:
- Size: The larger the work surface, the heavier it will be. Also, a thicker work surface will increase weight further.
- Number of tiers: Some desk risers contain multiple work surfaces which will ultimately increase the overall weight.
- Materials used to make it: Quality or durable materials are often heavy, e.g., plastic is typically lighter than steel.
Keyboard tray / mouse tray
Some desk converters will incorporate a dedicated keyboard tray; sometimes a mouse tray will also be provided. This could equate to as little as 1 – 2 kg, so it’s probably not worth worrying about, but it still adds up.
Did you know? Some keyboard and mouse trays can be detached if you don’t need or use them.
Number of hovering arms
With hovering sit-to-stand desk converters, the number of arms included will dictate the overall weight of the unit. For instance, the Ergotron WorkFit-LX sit-stand desk mount system has one hovering arm for the monitor and another hovering arm for the keyboard. In contrast, the Cadence Express unit operates from a single hovering arm that holds both the monitors and the keyboard.
|
Standing desk converter |
Weight |
Maximum weight capacity |
|
Ergotron WorkFit-LX sit-stand desk mount system |
30 lbs / 14 kg |
7 – 25 lbs / 3.1 – 11.3 kg |
|
Cadence Express standing desk converter (single monitor) |
29 lbs / 13.2 kg |
6.5 – 24.5 lbs / 2.9 – 11.1 kg |
|
Cadence Express standing desk converter (dual monitors) |
33 lbs / 15 kg |
1.5 – 19.5 lbs / 0.7 – 8.8 kg |
Number of monitors
I carried out a little experiment to test whether the weight of a desk converter would increase when you compared the model which can hold a single monitor with the model which can hold a dual monitor.
But, before I reveal the answer…
Have a guess, do you think the desk converter than can hold 2 monitors was heavier than the desk converter than can hold 1 monitor?
I was surprised to discover that when I completed a review of the 2 products, there was negligible difference in the weight, despite the ability of one of them to carry a whole extra monitor! That was till I put on my detective hat and dug a bit deeper.
The dual monitor unit is fitted with a crossbar to support the extra monitor, whereas the WorkFit-S single unit lacks this component. Furthermore, you’ll notice that the single monitor unit can accommodate a large 27-inch screen, whereas the WorkFit-S dual unit sets a threshold of 24 inches per monitor. In summary, there’s a miniscule weight difference between the WorkFit-S single monitor and WorkFit-S dual monitor. Pretty impressive, I thought!
To see if this held true for another height adjustable desk converter, I reviewed the Cadence Express standing desk converter single monitor unit and the Cadence Express dual monitor unit. Although it’s a greater weight increase compared to the Ergotron example, the weight increase isn’t substantially significant for the majority of people. You’re talking 4lbs / 1.8 kg of an increase to be able to accommodate an extra 24-inch monitor.
|
Standing desk converter |
Number of monitors |
Weight |
Maximum weight capacity |
|
Ergotron WorkFit-S single LD sit-stand workstation |
1 x < 27 inches |
39 lbs / 17.7 kg |
24 lbs / 11 kg |
|
Ergotron WorkFit-S dual sit-stand desk converter |
2 x < 24 inches |
40 lbs / 18 kg |
31 lbs / 14 kg |
|
Cadence Express standing desk converter (single monitor) |
1 x 6.5-24.5 lbs / 2.9 – 11.1 kg* |
29 lbs / 13.2 kg |
6.5 – 24.5 lbs / 2.9 – 11.1 kg |
|
Cadence Express standing desk converter (dual monitors) |
2 x < 24 inches |
33 lbs / 15 kg |
1.5 – 19.5 lbs / 0.7 – 8.8 kg |
* must also account for keyboard and mouse weight along with monitor weight.
Long story short, in both instances, there was not a significantly large increase in the desk converter weight when I compared single monitor desk risers with dual monitor desk risers. So, if you are seeking a height adjustable desk converter that’s capable of holding 2 monitors, don’t immediately dismiss it thinking that it’ll be a considerably heavier weight than a unit than can only facilitate 1 monitor.
Size of monitors
It’s evident from the comparison table that there’s a correlation between weight and the size of monitors that a standing desk converter can hold. Take the FlexiSpot range as an example; the weight of each of these standing desk converters increases as the screen size it can hold increases.
Accessories
Some desk converters come equipped with accessories and others have the option of purchasing such accessories to enhance the features of the product, such as increasing storage capacity and work space. While they might not all amount to a significant increase in the weight of the product, it is a factor worth paying attention to if you are keen to keep the weight down.
For example, the weight of adding on a work surface to the Ergotron WorkFit-S is around 6 lbs / 2.7 kg, it’s not massive but it could reduce the overall weight capacity of the desk riser. Adding on a tall user kit generates an additional 1.0 lbs / 0.45 kg of weight on the WorkFit-S. However, add a dual monitor kit to the Ergotron Workfit corner standing desk converter and you’ll increase the weight by a sizeable 9.7 lbs /4.4 kg.
Table weight capacity
The weight capacity of the table that will be bearing the desk converter is a critical component when choosing a standing desk converter. If the weight of the desk riser is near or exceeds the weight capacity of the table, it could merely lead to desk wobble if you’re lucky.
Let’s not forget that weight capacity is a safety factor! Exceeding the weight limit can be dangerous and in a worst-case scenario, it could result in the table collapsing under the pressure of the load; worse again, it could even lead to serious injury!
But that’s not all you need to consider…
What’s more, you’ll also need to assess the weight of the equipment (monitors, CPUs, laptops etc.), materials (such as stationery, documents, books etc.) along with the force that you apply to the unit when performing routine activities, such as typing or reviewing documents.
Standing desk converter weight capacity
The weight capacity of the standing desk converter is often inherently linked to the weight of the standing desk converter. You could liken it to a person. If a child and an adult are both asked to carry a weight, it’s likely the adult will be able to carry a greater weight capacity than the child. I’ll be discussing weight capacity in an upcoming article, so keep your eyes peeled for that!
Portability
If the sit-standing desk converter is going to be moved frequently, then obviously you’ll need a unit that has a low weight to minimize the risk of a manual handling injury.
As you might recall from the start of the article, OSHA and NIOSH offer a guideline of limiting the weight you lift to under 51 lbs / 23.13 kg. Of the 22 height adjustable desk converters I listed in the table above, 14 or 64% of them would meet the criteria.
That’s all well and good, right?
Well, possibly, yes, if you don’t have anything positioned on the desk converter. If you intend to move it with items on it though, it could be another story. In addition to that, these units are generally of a bulky shape, especially the ones with a large work surface area. That lends itself to a cumbersome load that could be difficult or awkward to lift, especially if it’s not designed to be portable.
As a practicing manual handling instructor of over 5 years, I would personally prefer to leave these as stationary platforms. Not only would it mitigate the risk of injury, but it also eliminates the risk of breaking precious or expensive equipment along with the fact that moving desk converters disrupts the ergonomic setup (if you have spent time adjusting the heights to suit your needs).
Tip: If you need a mobile work area that enables you to both sit and stand while you work, laptop trays and portable work space trolleys are 2 options that you should consider.
Material quality
Standing desk converters are primarily manufactured using plastic, steel or aluminium. Sometimes they incorporate a blend of these materials to make up the various sections of the desk converter. When choosing a standing desk converter, plastic is often the most lightweight material used followed by steel and aluminium.
Purchasing cheap standing desk converters often means that the materials used to fabricate the desk are often weak and flimsy. This can lead to a lighter product which is beneficial from a weight perspective. However, lightweight objects are often more liable to instability and breaking easier.
Additionally, the thickness of the component will help to dictate the weight and stability. For instance, you can buy keyboard trays which are thicker and although they are slightly heavier, they are shown to be sturdier and create less wobble.
Did you know? Plastic can weigh 16% less than the same part of steel material or even 50% less than the same part of aluminium.
Does it matter how much standing desk converters weigh?
The weight of a standing desk converter can be important, especially if:
1. The desk converter needs to be portable
2. The desk converter is moved frequently
3. The user requires a desk converter that raises and lowers with minimal force
4. The user intends to store heavy equipment on it
5. The user requires a quality, durable sit stand desk converter to work from
6. The consumer requires a stable desk that’s free of wobble
7. The user is heavy-handed or intends to lean on the desk riser
8. The desk that holds the desk converter has a low weight capacity
9. The consumer is concerned with the cost of the unit
10. The consumer is worried about the shipping costs of the desk converter
11. The user is concerned about the manual handling of the unit
12. The risk of infants/young children moving or injuring themselves with the unit exists
Are lightweight standing desk converters better than heavy ones?
Lightweight standing desk converters can be beneficial based on the below criteria:
|
Criteria |
Are lightweight standing desk converters better? |
|
Portability |
Yes |
|
Moved frequently |
Yes |
|
Raises and lowers with minimal force |
Yes, if manual crank |
|
Storage of heavy equipment |
No |
|
Quality and durable |
No |
|
Stability and free of wobble |
Not usually |
|
For heavy-handed users or for leaning on |
No |
|
The table holding the desk converter has a low weight capacity |
Yes |
|
Overall cost of the unit |
Yes |
|
Reduced shipping costs |
Yes |
|
Reduced manual handling risk |
Yes |
|
Reducing the risk of infants/young children moving or injuring themselves with the unit |
No |
I have already discussed the above table in more detail in the previous section, so to summarize, I created the above table. When deciding if the weight of a standing desk converter is important for you, consider how you plan to use the desk riser using the above criteria as a guide. If you’re still not sure, drop me a message in the comments or send me an email!
Tip: When moving desk equipment, always assess the movement first using the acronym TILE – Task, Individual ability, Load and Environment you are moving the unit in.
Conclusion
To summarise, sit-to-stand desk converters generally weigh in the region of 28.7 lbs / 13 kg to 61.9 lbs / 28.1 kg. The weight of the desk converter is a particularly significant factor to consider if the weight capacity of the table holding the unit is limited. It’s also important if the unit is intended to be portable or if you are seeking a robust table that has decent stability built into it.
Additionally, lightweight desks do have pros and cons associated with them, I hope the tables and information above enables you to narrow down which type best meets your needs and desires. If you’re not sure which one best suits, perhaps opt for one in the middle.
While I can’t tell you here and now what weight desk converter suits everyone, I can help guide you on where to look. The Ergotron products are my personal favourite! If you’re looking for a reputable brand which have a range of products that feature both sturdy and light desk risers with a strong warranty thrown in, then they are definitely worth a quick look!
Believe it or not, weight is only one important aspect that you should evaluate when selecting a standing desk converter. I invested a lot of time and effort into writing a helpful and easy-to-follow guide on the 5 types of standing desk converters – ultimate cheat sheet! If you’re interested in learning about the other factors that should be considered when choosing a desk converter, their pros and cons, and making an informed judgment on the one that’s best suited to you, then go check it out.
My goal with this article is to assist in educating you on all things related your desk converter. With that in mind, if you have any queries or comments on standing desk converters, please leave them in the comments box below. I’ll be happy to hear them.
Sources
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/electricalcontractors/materials/heavy.html
https://www.craftechind.com/plastic-vs-metal/#:~:text=Weight: Plastic can weigh appreciably,and they will not corrode.