Looking for standing desk options in New Zealand?
There is a workplace revolution going on with with ergonomic furniture in New Zealand. Effortlessly transition from sitting to standing, improve posture and reducing back pain. Uncover must-have features and the important extras. We've got you covered for your standing desk purchase.
What Is A Standing Desk ?
Standing desks boast a convenient height-adjustment mechanism, giving users the freedom to seamlessly switch between sitting and standing. Originally operated by a manual wind-up handle, these desks have since been upgraded with an electric motor driving the lift mechanism.
Why make the move to a sit stand adjustable desk ?
You've already got a desk why would you move it out for a standing desk ?
Health Advantages of Standing While Working
Sitting for long periods can lead to health issues like obesity, heart disease, and back pain. Standing at your desk boosts blood flow, works different muscles, and eases strain on your back and neck.
Enhanced Productivity and Concentration
Studies show that using an adjustable height desk boosts productivity and focus. By seamlessly switching between sitting and standing, you stay more involved in your work. Standing improves posture, reducing fatigue and discomfort during long hours at the computer.
Versatility and Ease of Use with Adjustable Desks
Experience the ultimate flexibility with an adjustable desk. Customize your workspace to fit your unique preferences and tasks at hand. Need more space for paperwork or a higher surface for drawing? Effortlessly adjust these desks to meet your needs. Work the way that suits you best.
What to Consider When Choosing an Adjustable Height Desk
When making a choice, it's important to focus on key features. With a decade of experience sourcing and selling these desks, I've identified what I think are the top factors you need to prioritize when making your selection.
Height Range
Desk height options are divided into two categories: a two-stage leg ranges from 700 to 1150 mm, while a three-stage leg goes from 650 to 1250 mm. The two-stage desk is suitable for individuals under 1.96 m tall, with a standard sitting height of 720 mm. This setup should work unless you prefer an unusually low seating position at your desk.
Workspace Fit and Size
When selecting a desk, think about your workspace size. The standard desk is 1600 x 800 mm, but factors like paper usage and screen stands can impact space needs. Make a smart choice to maximize efficiency. Most desk frames can extend lengthwise for a larger desktop, making it easy to upgrade your workspace. If you switch to using a laptop or fewer devices, you can downsize your desk accordingly. Explore different suppliers offering custom tops to tailor your desktop size. Compare prices and options for the perfect fit that matches your needs and style preferences.
Stability and Durability
Test the stability of a desk by pushing it to its limits, checking both side-to-side and front-to-back stability. Stability increases with weight on the desk. Some desks have a crossbar for extra support, but it can feel constricting while sitting. Durability is tricky to assess on a new desk. Prove its longevity - a challenge with something fresh out of the box. Inquire about the warranty details. Ask about potential desk issues without hesitation. Gathering information increases your chances of getting personalized assistance when needed. Look for a modular design allowing easy part replacement. This ensures effortless removal and installation of parts, as well as smooth ordering and supply from your supplier.
Assembly Ease and Adjustment Mechanisms
.Choose desks that offer easy assembly and adjustment to eliminate frustrating experiences.
Check for Memory Settings
Transform your workspace with a state-of-the-art desk offering personalized memory settings. Easily transition from sitting to standing with a simple push, allowing for instant height changes. Don't compromise on this must-have feature if you shift positions often during the day. Expect to pay $NZ130-$NZ150 Maximize productivity in your optimized workspace.
Different types of adjustable height desks
Here is an overview of broad categories of adjustable desk available at the time of writing:
Manual wind up desks
The initial desks available were basic, manual crank desks. The detachable handle allowed users to easily adjust the height. However, its time-consuming nature led to a decline in usage after just one week.
Customers frequently request desk replacements due to their poor quality and lack of functionality. Surprisingly, these desks have a long lifespan, likely because they are rarely utilized.
Wooden pulley based Desks
Several companies provide standing desks with wooden pulley mechanisms. These desks allow users to adjust the height using a pulley system. With an all-wooden frame and no electronic components, these desks appeal to those seeking a minimalist design. Priced between $NZ1200 and $NZ1600, they offer the essential functionality. Due to batch manufacturing, delivery times may be slightly longer.
Desks without memory function
Older desks had limited features, only allowing for basic height adjustments. This required constant re-adjustment to ensure the optimal height with every change in position.
There aren't that many of these desks around now but you should expect to pay around $500 for a new one, if you can find one.
Single motor vs Dual motor
The first electric stand-sit desks had a motor attached to one leg, capable of lifting up to 80 kg. New dual motor desks are built to support up to 140 kg with ease. Users are now noticing a shift in trends as devices become lighter. It's rare to see desks loaded with more than 40-50 kgs these days.
Single motor desks start at $NZ550. For a dual motor desk you will pay $NZ150 more. At Powercore we supply both single and dual motor desks.
Desk Risers
Desk risers were an innovation in that they could be easily placed on top of existing desks, either resting freely or clamped in place. During the early stages of ergonomic awareness, desk risers offered an alternative to replacing large numbers of desks.
It was considered a means to gauge interest in standing desks, as their long-term popularity remained uncertain.
Over time, the price difference between desk risers and full electric height adjustable desks has shrunk. Buyers are beginning to see this as a long-term trend. Desk risers posed challenges for fitting dual monitor arms and required a large desk footprint to be stable.
Users often found themselves lacking space for papers and essential work tools because of this large desk footprint.
Desk risers range in price from $NZ350 to $NZ650, offering varying sizes and functionalities.
Touchscreen desks
Introducing the latest innovation in standing desks: Touch screen desks. These sleek desks offer a compact design (1190 x 600 mm top) and bring wireless charging capabilities to your workspace. Emulating a smartphone, the glass touch screen allows for easy memory control and wireless charging. With built-in USB & USB-C charging ports on the front, these desks are both practical and stylish. Some models even feature an under-top drawer for storing pens and other essentials, perfect for maintaining a clutter-free work environment with limited space. Simply sweep away any clutter into the drawer at the end of the day to enjoy a clean work surface every morning. Have a closer look at a Touch screen desk here.
Assembling and storing touch screen desks is a breeze. Don't forget to keep the original packaging for safekeeping.
Key takeaways summarized.
Choose a desk based on the must-have features. Differentiate between necessities and extras.
Weight capacity
This is a misleading distraction. The desk can support up to 140 kg with a dual motor, but we rarely see desks with more than 50kg loaded on them. The top weighs between 15 and 30 kg, leaving plenty of weight for other items.
Height Range
Height doesn't matter if you're average height. If you're tall or like sitting low at your desk, measure your current sitting height. A standard height is 720mm (including desk top). A two-stage desk typically goes down to 700mm and a three-stage desk can go as low as 650mm. A two stage desk is normally fine for average height people.
When setting up an office, perhaps opt for mostly 2-stage desks with a few higher-end 3-stage desks for the outliers.
Desk Size and Workspace Fit
Your desk should seamlessly fit your workspace, but as needs evolve, an adjustable desk width allows for easy customization. Most desks have width adjustment to accommodate a larger desktop. remember when measuring your workspace to allow 20 mm around the desk for clearance as it moves up and down.
Stability and Longevity
For long-lasting use, a sturdy desk is crucial. Our desks feature steel frames for unmatched durability and stability. For top quality, choose commercial grade melamine and PVC tops. Inspect a top that has endured the wear of a shop floor. Look for edges that remain intact and colors that have not faded, even after sun exposure.
Assembly Ease and Adjustment
When deciding on a purchase, consider the ease of assembly and adjustment for the desk. Some desks have complicated instructions, while others are simple to set up at home by yourself. Choose a desk that fits your needs and is user-friendly. Video instructions are a game-changer. And don't forget the lifesaving backup support via phone or online chat when you hit a roadblock.
Cable Management
Keep your workspace neat and organized with cable management systems. Anticipate how your setup will evolve over time. If you only need to plug in a laptop at home occasionally, basic cable management will suffice. Upgrade your workspace with advanced cable management solutions if you have multiple devices that need power. Keep in mind, you can easily add more options as needed in the future. Beware of desks with built-in cable management systems, as they restrict adaptability for changing configurations.
Warranties
A reliable warranty is crucial. Will a service person come to you for repairs? Or can you easily replace parts yourself with a modular design from your supplier?
Programmed memory
This is a must-have feature for your desk: programmable memory. It's the key to effortless adjustment. Look for "one-touch" functionality, where one tap brings it to the perfect height instantly. Some places may require you to hold the button down for safety, but that hinders its convenience.
Anti-collision cut off
Many desks feature anti-collision technology to prevent accidents. This function ensures the desk halts movement upon encountering obstacles, such as a child in its path. The desk requires 4-5 kilos of resistance to stop, prioritizing safety over potential damage to furniture like mobile cabinets.
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