Do you want to find out how much weight can a standing desk hold? You might not think so until you realize that your safety and the condition of your standing desk and precious computer equipment could hinge on it!
By reading on, you’ll uncover the truth about the weight capacity of standing desks, and I haven’t neglected those of you wondering, what is the difference between weight and weight capacity? Plus, if you’re unsure whether the weight limits of a standing desk or standing desk converter would best suit your needs, then you are in for a treat!
In addition, as is customary in all my posts, I’ve also provided helpful tips and fun facts throughout the blog. Of course, there’s tons of more information provided that you won’t find anywhere else. To see what those important subjects are and answers to must-know information, start scrolling!
Weight and weight capacity are two separate concepts. The weight of an object relates to how heavy it is. Weight capacity is the amount of weight that the item can hold.
Weight limits are a critical safety parameter, and despite having a buffer built into it, the maximum weight capacity should never be exceeded. Doing so not only poses a risk of the desk collapsing, but it can also end in serious injury.
Those important factors aside, the weight limit is indicative how stable and durable a standing desk is. Furthermore, nobody wants to experience wobbling in their desk; it’s similar to being at a restaurant with a wobbly table, just imagine that for 9 hours a day! I think I would go insane!
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 sufficient for users who intend to hold a laptop, monitors, keyboard and mouse.
The weight capacity of sit stand desk converters is anywhere in the range of 1.5 lbs / 0.7 kg to as much as 44 lbs / 20 kg. This can equate to as much as a massive 156 lbs / 70.8 kg or 70% reduced weight capacity
compared to a standing desk.
Evidently a reduced weight limit standing desk converters can introduce stability issues along with restricting the equipment that can be stored on the height adjustable desk riser. As a result, many people choose a standing desk instead as they offer a greater weight capacity, more robustness and increased work space while allowing the user the freedom to alternate between sitting and standing.
Did you know? The average weight of a screen/laptop, keyboard and mouse collectively equates to between 5 – 15 lbs / 2.3 – 6.8 kg.
I meandered through reams of data (and almost suffered from square eyes) to assemble an extensive list of some of the most popular standing desks based on their weight limit. The below table provides you with a simple comparison of their weight capacity and how this relates to their size and weight.
The majority of these are electric, but I’ve included a pneumatic (gas lift) and manual crank standing desk to give you a flavour of their weight capacity. These are all sorted in order of lowest to highest weight limit.
Based on the below table, the average weight capacity of an electric standing desk is 208.7 lbs / 94.7 kg.
|
Standing desk |
Type of standing desk |
Weight capacity |
Weight |
|
Vari Standing Desk (48 x 32 cm) |
Manual |
45 lb / 20.4 kg |
102.2 lb / 46.4 kg |
|
Ergotron WorkFit-D Sit-Stand Desk (121 x 58 cm) |
Pneumatic |
65 lbs / 29.5 kg |
85 lbs / 38.6 kg |
|
FlexiSpot EC1 Height Adjustable Standing Desk (100 x 60 cm) |
Electric |
132.3 lbs / 60 kg |
77.2 lbs / 35 kg |
|
FlexiSpot EC1 Height Adjustable Standing Desk (120 x 60 cm) |
Electric |
154.3 lbs / 70 kg |
110.2 lbs / 50 kg |
|
FlexiSpot EC1 Height Adjustable Standing Desk (140 x 70 cm) |
Electric |
154.3 lbs / 70 kg |
121.3 lbs / 55 kg |
|
Ergotron WorkFit Electric Sit-Stand Desk (117 x 73 cm) |
Electric |
200 lbs / 90.7 kg |
107 lbs / 48.5 kg |
|
Ergotron WorkFit Electric Sit-Stand Desk (117 x 73 cm) |
Electric |
200 lbs / 90.7 kg |
122.5 lbs / 55.6 kg |
|
Vari Electric Standing Desk (60 x 30 cm) |
Electric |
200 lb / 90.7 kg |
126.10 lb / 57.2 kg |
|
Vari Electric Standing Desk (48 x 30 cm) |
Electric |
220 lb / 99.8 kg |
114.27 lb / 51.8 kg |
What is the weigh capacity of a computer desk?
To put into perspective the average weight capacity of a computer desk, the below table breaks down the weight limits for a standard sized desk which has a similar design to the above standing desks so you can compare like with like.
Based on the below table, the average weight capacity of an office desk is 256.9 lbs / 116.5 kg. If you ignore the Need Computer Desks, since it is an outlier in terms of weight capacity, the average weight capacity changes to 220 lbs / 100 kg.
|
Desk |
Material |
Weight capacity |
Weight |
|
APOWE Computer desk (100 x 50 cm) |
MDF (medium density fiberboard) |
110 lbs / 50 kg |
27.6 lbs / 12.5 kg |
|
APOWE Computer desk (120 x 60 cm) |
MDF |
110 lbs / 50 kg |
34.2 lbs / 15.5 kg |
|
APOWE Computer desk (140 x 60 cm) |
MDF |
110 lbs / 50 kg |
38.4 lbs / 17.4 kg |
|
Soges Furniture Computer Desk (100 x 50 cm) |
Wood |
330 lbs / 150 kg |
25.1 lbs / 11.4 kg |
|
Need Computer Desks (120 x 60 cm) |
Wood |
881.2 lbs / 400 kg |
38.4 lbs / 17.5 kg |
It’s evident that traditional office desks provide a greater weight capacity compared to standing desks. Either way, both types of desk should cater to the stereotypical office worker or student.
If you’re expecting a desk to withstand multiple hefty items, such as CPUs, large or multiple printers or monitors (I would list more but that’s where my knowledge on heavy IT equipment ends), then it would be wise to find the weight of these components combined and compare them to the weight limits for the desk.
On a side note, you’ll also notice that standing desks are considerably heavier in weight compared to a traditional computer desk. Take the FlexiSpot EC1 Height Adjustable Standing Desk (120 x 60 cm) for an example and compare it to the APOWE Computer desk (120 x 60 cm), there’s a staggering 69% increase in weight when you move to a standing desk. But that’s a whole other blog.
Tip: As a general rule of thumb, the more a desk weighs, the more weight capacity it can hold.
Does weight capacity of a standing desk matter?
The weight limit of a standing desk is a salient safety factor. The weight threshold will be a parameter that some users will need to consider more than others, especially if:
1. the user intends to store heavy equipment or items on it
2. the consumer requires a stable desk that doesn’t wobble
3. the user is heavy-handed or intends to lean on the standing desk
4. the user is concerned that heavy equipment could decrease desk speed
5. the user fears burning out the motor or gaskets due to heavy equipment
6. the user is concerned that heavy equipment could increase the desk noise during movement
7. the user might struggle to equally distribute the weight of equipment across the desk
8. the user intends to minimise effort on the standing desk motor
9. the consumer is concerned with the cost of the unit
10. the user requires minimal hand cranking on a manual crank desk
11. the user expects to move the standing desk regularly*
12. the consumer is worried about the shipping costs of the item*
13. the user is concerned about the manual handling of the unit*
14. the user is concerned about damaging their flooring*
*Assuming the weight of the standing desk is higher.
Did you know? The higher the weight capacity is on a crank desk, the more handle rotations that will need to be completed to lower or raise the standing desk.
What affects weight capacity of a standing desk?
Weight limits in standing desks are attributable to factors such as:
- Desk type – electric / manual / gas lift
- Weight of the standing desk
- Desk material
- Shape of standing desk
- Frame design
- Number of legs
- Add-on features
- Weight distribution
Below I describe these factors that can influence the weight capacity of a height-adjustable desk.
Desk type
Electric standing desks offer more weight capacity compared to manual or pneumatic standard desks. An electric standing desk can carry an average of 20 – 30% more weight compared to a manual standing desk.
Weight of standing desk
While there isn’t a quick and fast rule regarding the relationship between weight and weight capacity, it’s safe to assume that the heavier the weight capacity, the higher the weight that the desk will be. This can work in your favour, particularly if you can’t source either the weight or weight capacity of the desk.
Desk material
Some standing desks offer you a choice of material and finish for the tabletop. 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 strength of the tabletop.
If the tabletop is made of a heavy material, this will exert more force on the motor, gas lift or hand crank and can ultimately reduce the weight limit of the overall desk. Below are examples of the most common materials used in tabletops and their weights.
|
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 |
The desk frame for standing desks is almost always made from a type of metal and thus omits you having to make a material choice. Metals are an extremely robust material. The most used material for desk frames is steel, such as alloy steel and cold-rolled steel.
Shape of standing desk
L-shaped standing desks or corner standing desks offer a larger weight capacity compared to straight standing desks. Part of the reasoning behind this is that there is usually an additional column or leg provided to support the extra tabletop.
Frame design
The most common style of frame is where you have a leg either side of the desk. This offers an equal distribution of weight support on both sides of the desk. There are some sit-stand desks that have a centre column or even twin central columns, which offers the most support in the middle of the desk, but this could neglect the left and right side of the tabletop.
Investigation time…
I compared two sister products to determine if there was a difference in the weight capacity between a single column and dual column standing desk.
The standing desk with a single column is being promoted as ideal for laptops (i.e. lighter weight) whereas the twin column standing desk is targeted towards larger monitors (i.e. heavier weight).
So, despite the weight limit being the same for both standing desks, the company tries to nudge prospective buyers of the single column desk to opt for lighter office equipment. This firstly indicates that the single column desk may not be best suited to heavier loads.
It could also suggest that the desk is not well equipped to tolerate unequally distributed loads since the column is offering most support to the centre of the desk. I personally prefer the legs either side of the desk as it keeps them out of my foot space.
Number of legs
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 leg 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 capacity of the desk.
Add-ons features
Many standing desks incorporate privacy boards and storage solutions, such as built-in cabinets. These will inevitably add a sizeable amount of weight to the desk. Consequently, it deducts from the available weight capacity.
Weight distribution
Equally distributing weight across the tabletop is something users need to bear in mind when considering how they will use their standing desk. This is something many people could struggle with, particularly if you position monitors in a single location on the desk, e.g., in the middle of the desk. If you cannot dispense your equipment relatively equally across the tabletop of a standing desk, you should consider a standing desk with a higher weight limit.
Are high weight capacity standing desks better?
The benefits of a standing desks with a higher weight capacity tend to outweigh those on the lower end of the weight limit spectrum. There are advantages and disadvantages to standing desks with a higher weight capacity, most of which are contingent on how you intend to use the desk.
|
Criteria |
Are high weight capacity standing desks better? |
|
Handling heavier equipment |
Yes |
|
Better quality |
Yes |
|
Greater durability |
Yes |
|
Stability and free of wobble |
Yes |
|
For heavy-handed users or for leaning against |
Yes |
|
A fast-moving standing desk with heavy equipment |
Yes |
|
Reduce risk of burning components out |
Yes |
|
Reduced hand cranking on manual desks |
No |
|
Lightweight desk |
No |
|
Portability |
No* |
|
Frequently moved desk |
No* |
|
Reducing damage to desk and floor |
No* |
|
Overall cost of the unit |
No* |
|
Reduced shipping costs |
No* |
*Assuming the weight of the standing desk is higher due to high weight capacity.
When deciding if the weight limit of a standing desk is important for you, taking into consideration how you intend to use the desk is a key step along with using the above factors as a pros and cons list. If you’re still not sure, leave me a message in the comments or drop me an email and I’ll try to help you out!
Tip: Standing desks are designed to be fixed pieces of furniture that are seldom moved; if you require a portable alternative, standing desk converters and mobile workspaces may be more appropriate to your needs.
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.
Tip: A high weight-capacity desk is not automatically indicative of a high-quality product. It has more to do with the quality of materials used and the design of the desk.
Conclusion
To summarise, sit-to-stand desks have a weight limit 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.
I hope the above information have been beneficial in helping you narrow down your choice of standing desk. Personally, I’d opt for a standing desk with a higher weight capacity. I don’t want to be concerned about the desk collapsing beneath me, nor do I want to decrease the speed it raises and lowers at or potentially burn out the motor.
If I was deciding between a standing desk converter and a standing desk based on weight capacity, I’d certainly opt for a standing desk if my primary concern was weight capacity. Since I only use a laptop, keyboard and mouse at home, I would choose a standing desk converter.
Choosing a sit-stand desk can be time consuming and laborious. Why not let take some of the research out of the equation by guiding you on where to look. The Ergotron products are my personal preference and I’d have no reluctance recommending them to friends or family! They are worth at least a quick look!
If a portable standing desk work space is what you’re after and you want my personal recommendation on a good one, you can read about it here: Ergotron TeachWell mobile digital work space review
My goal with this blog is to aid and educate you on all matters related your work space. 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.askdifference.com/weight-vs-capacity
https://www.ergotron.com
Superior Standing Desks
