(Part 2) Top products from r/StandingDesks

In my opinion, 90% of the standing desks are pretty much identical. They're all sourcing no-name, Chinese made legs and electronics (the legs are literally all over Alibaba). Even the tops are likely sourced from a handful of the same companies.

I bought legs from Automonous.ai and handmade a top (I'm into woodworking so it was a fun project for me). The legs looks like nearly everything that every other standing desk company is offering.

If you're half-way mechanically inclined: buy the legs from wherever you can find a good price. Go down to ikea and buy one of their tops. Screw the legs to the top.

The only thing you'll need to watch is making sure you don't strip the screw from the wood. I, personally, put in some threaded inserts to reduce the chances of rip out. Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/E-Z-Threaded-Hex-Flanged-Internal-Threads/dp/B002KT43MU/ref=pd_sbs_328_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B002KT43MU&pd_rd_r=STWHEH78NZ223Y0N8MPY&pd_rd_w=5TO6r&pd_rd_wg=1zLyj&psc=1&refRID=STWHEH78NZ223Y0N8MPY

I just roll my chair over the mat when I sit. It definitely erodes the mat, but I bought a $30 mat on amazon 4 years ago and while it looks a little eroded, it works just fine.

Edit: I have the “genuine joe” mat on amazon. $22 on amazon, had it for years and it works great. It’s thick enough to provide comfort but thin enough to roll the chair over.


https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Joe-Anti-Fatigue-Beveled-3-Feet/dp/B000EFK9KM

I don't have a suggestion for a varidesk style desk but I purchased a gladiator bamboo work bench which I set to my height and I use a drafting stool when I want to sit. (I'm 5'10" and the desk is set to the maximum height and is perfect for me. Might be too short for somebody taller). The bench itself is really solid and will probably last a lifetime of abuse.

I looked at the varidesk as well for my purposes but the price is really off putting. For the desk real estate. And like your brother, I wanted the full desk width to work with for gaming purposes.

Another option is to get the varidesk and some adjustable arm monitor stand and use the varidesk for only the keyboard/mouse, but it's still not an optimal solution. The other options seem to be the adjustable style desks which get really expensive and was out of my price range (I didn't want to spend around $1000 on a desk).


Good luck in your search!


The work bench:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008UQ0F3S/ref=mp_s_a_1_sc_1?qid=1420593841&sr=8-1-spell&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

Imprint CumulousPro Commercial Grade 24"x36"

It has gone up in price >$20 since I ordered mine last Wednesday. Weird.

This is only my second day on it but I really like it. It is firm but so cushy I cannot feel the floor by bottoming out even if i jump or stamp my foot.

Is it worth the ~$100? I don't have enough data to say yet. It seems really well constructed so I would guess that it will easily amortize to being worth it over its lifetime.

I use a mix of Velcro ties and cable clips, but these cable organizers do all the heavy lifting.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XZPYP7Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_M-4RCbZAFKDD0

I also use this mountable power strip so there is only one cable leading down to the outlet.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EUB7C8I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_hb5RCbF3NQPAJ

Finally, I have 2 grommets in my desktop, so I have 2 of these to provide easy access for powering accessories.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N8WOMHQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_pe5RCb39BFBZ8

I mean something like this or this.

I ended up going with this:

Eurotech Apollo Mesh Drafting Chair, 23.2-32.7 Inch Seat Height, Black (DFT9800) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002BX4GEK/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_O9.jzb6V8FWX7

The main thing I bought for cable management is some raceway, one section of this here that I then cut up into three sections, and used two on the desk:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00066HOPM

There are a variety of options for tidying up - modesty panels that have pouches for cables, adhesive-backed loops/straps, trays, raceways, and good ol' zip ties are the ones off the top of my head. I went with the raceway because it was low profile and the cheapest option. I then mounted a surge protector underneath at the end of the raceway, mine's a Tripp Lite that I bought because it has a slightly longer 7' cord with a right-angle plug, and keyhole mounts on the underside so I could use screws (most have this, but there's always 3M mounting tape if not).