What you need to know BEFORE getting a Standing Desk like the Autonomous SmartDesk 2 Hybrid Edition

Let’s be honest we are spending far too many hours sitting in front of our computer. We work, we game, and of course, we stream YouTube, Netflix, and sporting events. In fact, 1 in 4 Americans sits for more than 8 hours a day according to research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Just like having fast wifi. it’s time a Standing Desk becomes part of our office furniture.

The older we get, the more we feel the ill-effects of not moving from our desks. Lower back pains and leg cramps are common symptoms that seem to get worse every day.

So let’s talk about the Standing Desk. Is this a hipster only gadget? Is it worth it and What should you be looking for when buying a standing desk?

Don’t worry. I got you – let me show you what you need to know.

I have been using a standing desk for a couple of years now. When I started looking for one they were expensive with prices around $1000. Thankfully the prices have been reduced dramatically and you can pick up an electric standing desk for under $400.

In fact, the cool people at Autonomous sent me the new SmartDesk 2 Hybrid Edition for this review which is available at $349. It has various colors, frame options and sizes to choose from too.

What should you look for in a standing desk?

There are actually three types of “standing desks”:

There are those contraptions that sit on top of a regular desk and when you want to stand, you just lift the bit where your laptop and keyboard are. Unless you are in a cubical where you can’t change your desk, this isn’t a great option but does work (personal opinion of course.)

Manual standing desks are those where the entire desk lifts but you have to manually crank it up and crank it down to lower it. Those who have this type of desk tend to use it initially but quickly realize that cranking it every couple of hours to lower or raise the desk is a pain.

The electric standing desk is where you push a button and the entire desk lift and lowers. This is ideal and while pricier than the manual version, it’s well worth it as you tend to use it daily.

For me, no question, if you are going to get a standing desk, go for the electric one.

Memory Buttons

Every electrical standing desk has two buttons. One to raise the desk and the other to lower it. Look for a standing desk that has memory buttons. This way, you can program your ideal height for both standing and sitting and then push one button which takes your desk to your prescribed height without you holding the button in.

If you share the desk with others, look for the option where there are at least four memory buttons so each person gets two settings for their personal height preferences.

Know the height

This might sound obvious, but so many people forget to measure the ideal standing height for them. Make sure you get a table whose legs extend to at least the height you want. Don’t forget to measure with shoes on this way if you take your shoes off, you can always lower the desk again.

Maximum Weight

Look at the maximum weight the table can hold. This is good to know so you can factor in a computer, dual monitors, books and all the other bits that sit on your desk,  you want a desk that isn’t going to struggle to lift and lower.

What about Motors?

The motors are typically housed inside the standing desk’s legs. You want one that raises and lowers quickly. The Autonomous SmartDesk 2 Hybrid Edition can hold up to 300 pounds and raises to maximum height in 2.3 seconds.

You can also get single motors desks which is a motor just in one leg or dual-motor standing desks which means there are two motors – one in each leg.  Ideally, you want a desk that has two motors.

You also want one that is really quite especially if you share a room with other people. No one wants to hear a loud humming sound every time you change your desk’s position!

I really like the Autonomous Smart Desk 2 Hybrid Edition as it hits every single one of the points. It’s affordable, its quality is amazing, it can really hold up to 300 pounds and is nice and quiet.

Check out the video above and see it in action!