As someone who spends the majority of his waking hours sitting at a desk or in a car, and has done so for the entirety of his professional life, I think all of this sitting has taken a toll on my body. In recent years, I have been experiencing pain in my hip flexors. I’m not a doctor, and since I’m a guy I refuse to see a doctor about the pain, so I can’t scientifically attribute the discomfort to all my sitting, but if I observe my unconscious behavior in recent years, then I tend to stand when I can reasonably do so.
It wasn’t until my current company replaced all sitting desks with standing desks that I realized how much my working life improved by using one. The difference was so significant that I’ve spent months researching and comparing various standing desks in order to purchase a model that made sense for my home office. Recently I spent some time with the Motionwise Electric Height Adjustable Desk (also available in black), and while it has some serious shortcomings, it’s not a bad solution for the cost.
The Basics
The model I used was the Deep Mahogany model, but it’s also available on Newegg.com in Snow White. Regardless of the color, the tabletop is actually constructed from recycled wood shavings and is coated in a scratch-resistant, high-pressure laminate surface. The tabletop measures in at 48 x 24 x 1 inches.
The desk comes with a drawer that measures roughly 24 x 10 inches, and features a front panel that matches the tabletop. The rest of the drawer is made from a lightweight metal that I couldn’t identify. The dimensions of the drawer make it large enough to accommodate a keyboard with a 10-key, but that’s not ideal or recommended.
The legs and beams that support the tabletop are constructed from lightweight, industrial strength aluminum. Depending on the model you purchase, the base is either black or white. Lastly, the base is centered across the bottom of the tabletop, so those who want to install a keyboard mounting arm and tray will need to consider how crossbeams might interfere with tracks.
Finally, the Motionwise is equipped with a single commercial-grade servo motor that can lift a load of 176 lbs. The motor is controlled by a mountable panel that offers both manual and automatic options. The panel allows users to program four separate heights for one-touch operation. The minimum height for the desk is 28 inches and maximum height is 48 inches.
The Highs
The small dimensions make the desk ideal for a small office space or child’s room. If the desk is used for a child’s workspace, then the rounded corners will add a little piece of mind for injury-prone kids. Lastly, though small, the tabletop should satisfy as a writing desk or laptop desk without feeling cramped.
The drawer is a welcome addition and is a typically a paid-for add-on by other adjustable desk manufacturers. While it’s not a good idea to use it as a keyboard tray since the drawer wasn’t designed for that, it has plenty of room for small office or school supplies. The metal tracks for the drawer also provide smooth, satisfying travel.
Finally, the included control panel is a surprising inclusion to have at this price point. Typically, entry-level models feature a basic control panel with simple up/down buttons. To have four programmable heights and a digital readout in addition to the manual controls is a pleasant quality of life upgrade that usually costs extra from other manufacturers.
The Lows
While I like the small dimensions for certain use cases, this desk would feel cramped for a gamers’ needs. Setting up a monitor, gaming keyboard, mouse, and the PC tower on the tabletop felt claustrophobic. To accommodate the tower, the other electronics had to be shifted to the left side of the desk, making it feel just a little odd to game on. Furthermore, the tabletop is a little smaller than the entry-level offerings of competing brands, which typically start at 48 x 30 inches. Losing those 6 inches in depth does force users to be closer to the monitor, which can feel oppressive when combined with extra-large gaming screens.
Ergonomics is another area that is lacking. As someone who makes a living typing, I find the general rule of keeping my forearms parallel to the ground is the most effective at staving off fatigue over long hours. Unfortunately, the Motionwise doesn’t drop down low enough for me to achieve that parallel when seated in a normal chair that isn’t artificially raised. Taller people or people with long legs who normally raise their seats may not have a problem with this.
The motor, while capable, is not particularly quiet. It won’t wake up someone in the next room, but it’s loud enough to make a user think twice about engaging the motor late at night nonetheless.
Final Impressions
The Motionwise Electric Height Adjustable Desk is definitely an economical solution for shoppers who want to experience the advantages of a motorized standing desk at a lower price than they might be expecting. It feels and sounds cheaper than its competitors, but also offers a significant savings while providing unexpected perks at this price point. Thrifty shoppers should feel safe considering this option.
“Note, all prices and products are accurate at the time of article publication, although some may have changed or are no longer available.”
