Electric vs. Manual Standing Desks &#; Which Is Your Perfect Fit?

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Both electric and manual standing desks have one aim in common &#; to make working more comfortable and productive for the user. Generally speaking, when it comes to choosing the right adjustable desk for your office set-up, it often comes down to personal preference. However, there are a couple of key factors to consider when choosing either a manual or electric standing desk. You need to make sure that whichever desk you decide to go for matches your requirements and lifestyle.

What Are Electric/Manual Standing Desks?

Both electric and manual desks have a desk frame that you can adjust to a standing position. There are many benefits to incorporating a standing desk into your office set-up, which is why they&#;re becoming more popular across the world.

The main difference between the two models is how you adjust the height of the desk. Electric desks are adjusted with the push of a button, whilst manual desks usually have a hand crank. Apart from the mechanisms to adjust the height, the two desk frames look largely similar.

Electric Desk Vs Manual Standing Desk

If you&#;re considering investing in a standing desk, then it&#;s important you choose the right one for you. There are a couple of factors to think about, which we&#;ll go through in detail.

1. Convenience

There&#;s no denying that electrical equipment is more convenient than manual &#; and a desk is no exception. You can adjust an electrical desk to your perfect position at the push of a button, whilst a manual desk will demand a bit more effort on your part.

2. Adjustability and Precision

Electric desks are usually easier to adjust to multiple heights, making them suitable for different users. It&#;s also easier to adjust them to exactly the correct height and angle, which isn&#;t always possible with a manual one.

3. Programmable

Some electric desks allow you to program your desk to the perfect height, meaning once you press the button the desk raises exactly to your preferred and saved height. This isn&#;t a possibility with a manual standing desk.

4. Cost Comparison

One of the best things about manual desks is that they&#;re usually more affordable. Because they don&#;t require electrical mechanics, they&#;re cheaper to make which is great news if you&#;re fitting out an entire office.

5. Speed of Adjustment

Electric desks are usually much quicker than manual desks to adjust. This helps to save time and make the workplace more productive.

6. Power Source

One of the main setbacks of an electric desk is that it needs to be close to a power source. This can be quite restrictive when it comes to more open workspaces or hot desking. A manual desk, however, doesn&#;t require a power source and allows for much more flexibility. They can easily be combined with our ergonomic workstations to create dynamic and productive workplaces.

7. Ease of Moving

It&#;s not only a power source that restricts how an electric desk can be used. Usually, electric desks are also heavier than manual ones, meaning they can be harder to move around.

8. Environment

It&#;s not something many of us would think about when it comes to electric vs manual standing desks. But, because they don&#;t need a power source and therefore don&#;t produce electrical waste, manual desks are normally better for the environment.

9. Maintenance Work

Most electronic equipment needs some maintenance work at some point &#; and it&#;s the same for electronic desks. There&#;s the potential that it might fail exactly when you want to use it (which can be very annoying). Luckily, the standing desks we offer at Elevar come with a 5-year warranty to ensure they&#;re functional throughout the working day.

6. Noise Level

If you work in an office with other people, it&#;s a good idea to be considerate of the potential noise your desk might make. Because of the motorised parts, electric desks tend to make more noise than manual desks (which barely make any noise at all). If you&#;ve got an office neighbour who likes their peace and quiet, a manual desk may be a better choice.

7. Health Requirements

For some of us, health and ability are the biggest factors when choosing a manual or electric height-adjustable desk. Manual desks require more effort which could be difficult for those with limited mobility or back pain. An electric desk, however, is much easier to use.

8. Frequency of Use

If you&#;re planning to use your electric desk often, it may be worth investing in an electric desk. You can program it to your desired height, it&#;s much quicker and all you have to do is press a button. However, if you don&#;t see yourself using the adjustable desk often, it may be a better idea to get a manual version. It really depends on whether you&#;d like to be standing often during the day or not.

So, Electric Desk or Manual Standing Desk?

Really, which height-adjustable desk you get will come down to personal preference and your workspace. An electric desk can be easier for those who may have difficulties cranking a desk but you can expect to pay a little more. Likewise, many people find that manual desks work better in dynamic office settings but they do take longer to adjust.

If you&#;re still unsure about which desk would work best for you, get in touch with the team at Elevar. We&#;ll be happy to take you through your options and find the perfect one for you!

If your lifestyle reflects that of 50-70% of office workers and you spend six or more hours daily slumped over your desk, you already understand your sedentary lifestyle is of little benefit. It is uncomfortable sitting for that long and results in pain from backache, stiff neck and locked hips; not to mention setting yourself up for more serious health problems relating to the 'sitting disease'; high blood pressure, heart disease and even cancer. Do you remember to get up and move around every 20 minutes? Surely the smarter option is to vary your position in the office using an adjustable standing desk.

Here are the standing desk pros and cons of these three variations, helping you decide which best suits your needs.

Electric vs. Manual Standing Desks

In an ideal world, an electric adjustable sit-stand desk is the way to go, right? It even sounds cooler than a hand-crank manual desk. And it does have some advantages if you are time-poor (also called impatient!); it takes seconds to go from sitting to standing. This also requires a lot less effort than manually winding up from sit to stand. All this comes at a price.

The more budget-friendly adjustable manual sit-stand desk, takes a little more time and effort to adjust, but allows you to feel more in control, and adjusting a hand crank standing desk is actually pretty satisfying!

Last in the frame, are standing desk converters. Falling outside the whole electric vs manual standing desk discussion, they still fulfil customers' needs and provide that initial push towards a healthier work life. They sit on the users' existing desk surface and are adjusted by hand, with the option of tidying it away in moments, converting your home office back into your dining room.

Which Is Better: Manual or Electric Standing Desk?

If your routine involves transitioning from seated to standing positions frequently, an electric desk is your go-to option. This type of desk is a godsend for individuals afflicted with wrist or hand conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.

The ease of button-powered lifting and lowering, as covered in the guide, How To Use A Standing Desk Correctly, offers noteworthy convenience. If physical restrictions limit your hand movements, simply press a button and watch your workspace adjust to your preferences with minimal effort.

Factors To Consider When Buying An Adjustable Desk

First and foremost, prioritize stability, practicability, and reliability. Desks with ample lifting capacity and wide height ranges are top-tier. It's also critical to look for durable materials, user-friendly design, and accommodating dimensions.

Your workspace requirements, ergonomic considerations, budget constraints, and quality after-sales service should align with the desk you choose. Read our dedicated Desky blog post on How to Choose the Right Standing Desk and make an informed decision.

Difference Between Manual And Automatic Height Adjustable Desks

The prime differential between automatic and manual desks lies in the height adjustment mechanism. By simply pressing a button, an automatic desk lets you alter its elevation, providing a smooth, effortless transition.

On the other hand, manual desks use a hand crank for the same purpose. However, apart from this essential distinction, both of these desk models bear striking resemblance in design and appearance.

Electric sit stand desks adjust with a motor. Press a button until the electric standing desk reaches the required height. Top-of-the-range height adjustable desks can even be pre-programmed. Press the button, go off and make a coffee. You go from sitting to standing without so much as breaking a sweat.

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Pros of Electric Standing Desks

Quick Adjustments

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It's a breeze to go from sitting to standing with electric sit stand desks. Electric desks adjust height levels at about an inch per second. For most users to go from sit to stand takes a mere 10-15 seconds. Much quicker than a hand cranked standing desk.

Carries More Weight

With its generous weight capacity, the electric standing desk allows more kit on your desktop. Starting at around 200 pound lift capacity, some go as high as 500 pounds, so products like the Desky Dual Custom Melamine Sit Stand Desk, offering dual motors, provides a lifting capacity capable of handling even the heaviest of monitor and CPU setups without compromising on speed or stability.

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Easy to Operate

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Pressing a button requires a lot less effort than manually adjusting your desk to the optimum ergonomic sit and stand height with a hand crank. This hands-free option means you can work uninterrupted as the motor does its thing. Great if you're on the or finishing off that cuppa.

Large Desk Sizes

Powerful motors and their smooth functionality means a desktop of any size. The question is, do you want a desk which dominates the room? Probably not. But at least you give yourself the option of increasing the size of your desktop at a later date - you can always switch in a larger desktop on your existing electric frame. Let us also mention in the electric vs manual standing desk debate, that hand crank standing desks have a lower weight capacity. So if you need something custom-made or want a huge set up, you will want an electric model.

Cons of Electric Standing Desks

May Not Suit Your Budget

A big reason potential users hold off investing in electric sit stand desks is cost. Even budget mid-range models start at $500 and can be as much as $. And if the whole sit-stand philosophy is new to you, that's a hefty amount to lay out for something you find might not suit.

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Needs a Constant Power Supply

You need electricity for your height adjustable desk. Electric desks must be placed near a socket and cannot be moved wherever you want; a major con if you are new to working at home and trying out different positions before finally deciding where you work best. If you experience regular power cuts, you may find your desk height stuck at one level until power is restored.

More Parts to Go Wrong

Increased moving parts and electronics are another potential problem with electric desk options. Parts break down or wear out. When you're paying top dollar for your electric standing desk, you don't want to have to pay for repairs within a few years of use.

That's why a manufacturer's warranty is so important when it comes to electric desks. Desky provide a 10-year warranty on the Dual electric standing desk. If you're deciding between a cheaper desk with a year's warranty vs. a pricier desk that's guaranteed to last you a decade, we think the decade-long warranty is a safer bet when your standing desk's motor will be running multiple times a day over the next decade.

The Noise of the Motor

Electric standing desks motors make a noise. This may be a downside but in a busy office is barely noticeable. Some people might give you looks for disturbing them but it is more likely envy that fuels their irritation.

Can you manually adjust an electric desk?

Yes, you can manually adjust an electric desk, but it's best to do so only when absolutely necessary. First, check the user manual for any specific instructions. Make sure to power off and unplug the desk to avoid any electrical hazards. Look for and unlock any locking mechanisms.

Use the tools provided, like a hex key or screwdriver, to adjust the height, making sure to do it evenly on both sides to keep things stable. After adjusting, securely tighten any screws or bolts. Give the desk a little test for stability by gently pressing on different parts.

Once it feels stable, plug it back in. Follow the manufacturer&#;s instructions to recalibrate the desk if needed. This will help ensure everything works smoothly after your adjustments.

Are Electric Standing Desks Reliable?

Electric desks are among the most trustworthy types of standing desks, guided primarily by their electronic motors. These motors enable height adjustments with just a button click, offering convenience that is unmatched by manual, crank-style desks.

The latter frequently has load-balancing problems, as extensive testing has shown. Thus, if you're looking for reliable and convenient standing desks, electronic ones come out on top due to their superior functionality.

Lifespan Of Electric Desks

Electric desks tend to have a lifespan that ranges between 5 and 10 years. Usually, the motor gives out first, followed by the frame.

However, some electric desks are more durable than others, depending on the quality of the materials and the design. For example, Desky's electric desks are made with premium desktops, spill-resistant coatings, and threaded inserts that ensure optimal longevity. Desky also offers a 10-year warranty on their desks, which shows their confidence in their products

Do Electric Desks Use a Lot of Electricity?

The answer is no. Electric desks use very little electricity, especially when compared to other appliances and devices. Desky electric desks are designed to be energy-efficient, durable, and eco-friendly.

Our Desky Dual Ergo Edge Sit Stand Desk has a power consumption of 0.5W in standby mode and 100W in motion.

This means that even if you use the electric adjustment and the USB ports frequently, the power consumption of your electric desk is negligible.

Manual Standing Desks

A manual standing desk is a desk equipped with either a crank or pneumatic hand controls that allow you to select your preferred height. These desks are capable of supporting different setups ranging from a sole laptop to elaborate, dual-screen arrangements, offering a tailored solution to fulfill your workspace necessities.

Pros of Manual Standing Desks

The Price Tag

The hand crank standing desk has many of the options of electric standing desks with the benefit of lower cost. And there is no need to compromise on quality either.

Requires No Electricity

Power outage issues will not put you out of action with hand crank standing desks. You are not tethered to one place since you do not need electricity to adjust height settings and the hand crank gives you more exact control, going from sitting to standing position; an electric desk may only allow pre-programmed height levels.

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The Manually Adjustable Air Lift Sit Stand Desk from Desky offers the best of both worlds; all the lifting power of an electric standing desk, with a pneumatic air cylinder worked by a lever, generating enough pressure to smoothly raise the desk in seconds. No need for electricity yet all the benefits of a sit stand desk from wherever you work.

More Reliable

Not a lot can go wrong with a manual standing desk. These are some of the most reliable desks out there, many of them working faultlessly for 10 plus years. The fact that it has no motor or electronics to break down speaks for itself.

Cons of Manual Standing Desks

Slower Height Adjustment

The time and effort required to take crank desks from sit to stand is a drawback. A user would typically need many turns of the handle and some physical effort to achieve the 10 to 15 inch difference between sitting and standing.

Lower Weight Capacity

For a conventionally shaped desktop, a manual sit stand is not going to have the same lifting capacity as an electric standing desk. And less lifting capacity means more turns of the handle, more effort and more time needed to go from sitting to standing.

Uneven Loading

A crank desk requires equipment to be spread out evenly to balance the load across both columns, otherwise, turning the handle requires more physical effort and the columns may rise at different speeds, tilting the top, leading to instability, potentially damaging the mechanism and causing your equipment to fall off the desk.

Are manual adjustable desks good?

Definitely! Manual adjustable desks can indeed be an excellent choice for many. If your office setup demands specific ergonomic needs or if your budget is shorter than you'd like, manual desks might more adequately fit your needs. They often cost less than their electric counterparts while still offering a fitting solution.

Pneumatic Desks Longevity

When discussing pneumatic desks, their durability is often a point of focus. These desks, being devoid of motors, are less prone to equipment breakdowns and repairs. As a result, they&#;re capable of standing the test of time, with some lasting for as long as three decades.

This means you&#;re not only investing in a high-quality standing desk, but also in a solution that contributes to sustainability by generating zero electronic waste. Scientific studies have shown that investing in lasting equipment is a significant optic in achieving sustainability in the workspace.

Difference Between Pneumatic vs. Hydraulic Table

The dividing line between pneumatic and hydraulic tables is the type of fluid they rely on. While high-pressure air or gas powers a pneumatic system, a hydraulic system uses compressible liquid, such as oil.

With both systems offering numerous benefits, they have found immense application in lifts and handling equipment. However, your unique workspace requirements will determine which system to choose.

Features of Pneumatic Desks:

• Exceptional Durability
• Explosion-Proof
• Lift Mechanism Running on Compressed Gas

Desk Converters

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Standing desk converters are a portable product, positioned on the top of your existing desk or attached to it, allowing you to move from sitting to standing in seconds and also giving you greater freedom to set up a stand up desk wherever you need it. These are handy if you have a compact desk space available

Pros of Desk Converters

Least Expensive

Some of the most popular models range from $100 to $400; an excellent choice for an entry-level user.

Keep Your Existing Desk

If space is limited and you need to frequently tidy away your work space or your employer will not let you swap your desk, this is the perfect compromise.

Virtually No Assembly

Most come ready-assembled. Simply unbox, put in position, adjust the height and you are good to go.

Cons of Desk Converters

Limited Working Space

This can be tricky if you work on both paper and computer. There is very little extra space and it can be difficult to find the perfect height for both typing and writing.

Tend to Be Heavy

Although these are often described as more portable than typical standing desks, you will not be commuting with this anytime soon. The heavy metal base make them pretty difficult to transport easily once you get them on your desk.

Limited Height Adjustment

Most will not adjust low enough for short people, who will need a tall chair or a footrest to get their hands into an ergonomic typing and sitting position. And because it sits atop your existing desk, the sitting height is always above your normal writing height which could bother you over time, causing discomfort and ergonomic issues.

Small but Bulky

They take up a lot of space which can be an issue in your home office or if you work in an area with limited space.

Electric, Manual or Converter: Which to Pick?

Manual standing desks are great for people who want a budget-friendly sit-to-stand option, don&#;t mind physically adjusting the desk and don&#;t move from seated to standing very often.

If you are a mover; changing position every hour, then, you&#;ll thank yourself for investing in an electric standing desk after moving it 8 times in one day.

If you just want to give sit stand desks a go then a converter is a great entry-level option. If the practice suits you, upgrade at a later date. If you're still unsure - we've done up a review of our whole range to help you pick the best standing desk USA has to offer!

Figured out what type of desk you need? See Desky's range of ergonomic furniture and get your new desk shipped to you anywhere in the USA!

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