Single vs. Dual Motor Standing Desk: Which Is Better?

Choosing between a dual motor or single motor standing desk can be tricky when you're not quite sure what the differences are. The question of which one is better is fairly simple to answer but there are several factors to consider as well as how the desk will work with your current home office setup and personal needs.

The single motor standing desk works with two sensors that detect the number of times the desk motor has revolved and the direction of those revolutions. The sensors send information to the desk control box which is used to monitor the desk height. The dual motor standing desks work in a similar way, but the motors must remain synchronised with one another to keep the desk legs balanced.

We've put this article together to help provide some details that will make your decision between a dual or single motor standing desk a bit easier.

Desky Dual vs. Desky Single Sit Stand Desk

Features	Desky Single Sit Stand Deck	Desky Dual Sit Stand Deck
Motor	Single motor	Two motors
Adjustable range	73-123cm	60-125cm
Movement speed	38mm/s	36mm/s
Maximum load capacity	80kg	140kg
Warranty	3 years warranty on all parts	10 years warranty on all parts
Suitability	Not suitable for users under 170cm (Suitable for 70% of user heights)	Suitable for a wider range of users (95% of user heights)

 

Why do I need a standing desk in the first place?

There are several reasons to consider switching to a stand up desk. Of course, there are the health benefits of standing desks - sit-stand desks can help users stay active throughout the day. 9 hours or more at a desk can be hard on the body, a motorised standing desk allows for different positions that can boost blood flow, creativity, energy and productivity. They also help to relieve strain on core muscle groups that are usually stressed from constant sitting and poor posture.

After deciding to upgrade to a motor standing desk, you'll need to decide which type of electric motor desk to buy.

We'll conquer the single vs dual motor standing desk question and compare various single motor and dual motor standing desk models from Desky's range.

We'll take a brief look at the comparisons of desk characteristics, the features of each desk, and the differences between each motor system. Continue reading for more information on which motor desk will be most suitable for a specific situation.

Desky Dual Sit Stand Desk

Desky Dual Melamine Sit Stand Desk

Desky's dual motor standing desk is a Dual Sit Stand Desk that's advanced in design and a force to be reckoned with for competitors.

Like all Desky products, the dual motor standing desk features excellent stability at all heights. The desk ranges from 60cm to 125cm with a design proven to work for 95% of users.

The dual motor system with 1 motor to each leg works to raise the desk at a smooth 36mm per second ensuring a 100% flat and stable desktop.

Fun fact, Desky offers a nice variety of desktops to choose from. Our dual motor standing desk can basically be paired with any design scheme and comes in high-quality materials and desk edge options such as the Desky Dual 120 Sit Stand Desk, perfect for small offices or team collaboration, and the Desky Dual Ergo Edge Sit Stand Desk which can help you maintain optimal posture.

Desky Single Sit-Stand Desk

Desky Single Sit Stand Desk

Desky's single motor standing desk, the Single Sit Stand Desk, is perfect for a minimalist. It's an affordable option and perfect for someone who is new to a motor standing desk. Desky specifically created these single motor desk designs so that everyone, even people with limited space and resources, can have access to a standing desk. Desky's range of desks are amongst the most affordable on the market.

The single motor desk frame design promotes a stable work station which switches positions for maximum comfort throughout the day and increased productivity.

This standing desk's single motor can carry up to 80kg and easily lifts desk setups.

Although the single motor standing desk does not extend with as much reach as the dual motor standing desk, it has a maximum standing height of 123cm which works for most people standing.

The preset height functions allow for an easy gliding transition between positioning, and the built-in cable management system allows for a clutter-free office space.

Frame Design and Legs

Comparing the design differences of single vs dual motor desks begins with looking at the standing desk frame's motor itself.

On single motor models, there will always be a visible motor or motor cover within the design. Each leg of the desk uses a hex rod driven system that allows the desk to move simultaneously. Hex rods can make the assembly process a bit more complicated than a dual motor models. Both hex rods on a single motor desk must be aligned in order to allow the desk to have balance.

Dual motor models are usually smaller and more sleek because the motors are easier to hide. The motor is commonly found inside a small box at the top of the columns, one motor to each leg.

Desky Dual Ergo Edge Sit Stand Desk

The Desky Dual Motor Lifting system is effortlessly concealed within the legs of the desk to evenly split power when lifting larger amounts of weight. The concealed system also helps to protect the motor.

The Desky Single Motor Lifting System is mounted to the standing desk frame and leg for balanced distribution across the leg sections.

No matter which desk you choose, single, or dual motor, both desks feature a heavy duty standing desk frame and 2-3 stage telescopic legs, and both desks are leaders in the market for stability and lifting speeds.

Fits A Larger Range Of Users

Both Desky's single and and dual desks are designed to fit most average user heights, but for a wider range of users, the Desky Dual motor system is the best choice.

The dual motor standing desk frame has a larger adjustable range and therefore suits more users with ergonomic sit & stand heights that were designed with a height range optimal for 95% of users. At the minimum height, 60cm, users can comfortably sit with both feet on the ground. At maximum height, (125cm) users can comfortably stand with full access to the desk setup and the dual desk works for even people over 210cm.

Desky Dual Rubberwood Sit Stand Desk

Desky's affordable single lifting system was designed to comfortably suit a seated and standing height range of 70% of all user heights. The minimum seating position is 73cm, which allows most users to comfortably sit with feet firmly on the ground. The maximum seating position of (123cm) is not recommended for users under 170cm but it provides a comfortable standing positions for users over 210cm.

Load Capacity

The dual motor frame lifting capacity is also much stronger than single motor models, providing a gigantic 140kg lifting capacity, compatible with the heaviest monitors on the market. The adjustment speed and load capacity, however, are interconnected and you can expect slightly slower lifting speeds with an increased load.

With a single motor, users will have 80kg of lifting capacity within the standing desk frame, built to carry the weight on the desk with agile speed and stability without compromising the weight loads of desk setup, CPU and monitor. Your choice of single motor or dual often depends on your desktop weight requirements. Two motors will provide better stability for larger loads.

Transitions

In terms of single motor vs. dual systems, dual motor systems are built with reliable motor frames and designed to conduct faster and quieter transitions. Both dual and single motor models showed high consistency of adjustment speed during testing.

Desky Dual Softwood Sit Stand Desk

Desky's dual motor frame provides a constant motor speed, even when loaded to its highest capacity. Adjustment speed and load capacity are not compromised when it comes to Desky's dual motor frames. With a 36mm/second travel speed, standing and sitting height transitions happen easily under 10 seconds. The best part is, the dual desk works with whisper-quiet operation.

The Desky single motor frame works at a speedy 38mm/second travel speed, which allows for sitting and standing transitions in under 18 seconds. Like the dual desk, the single desk also works with whisper-quiet operation. Regardless of motor desk designs and motor systems, Desky prides itself on responsive adjustments and fast transitions for its range of desks.

Controller

Desky's standing desk collections come fully equipped with an upgraded controller. The controls work with 4 pre-programmable modes that can also be connected to Bluetooth for a seamless user experience.

Warranty

Both motor desks come with a warranty for buyer protection. Desky's dual frame option has a 10 year limited warranty. Purchasers of the single motor standing desk are granted a 3 year limited warranty.

Other Issues To Consider

Motors By Different Brands May Have Different Characteristics

The comparison isn't just between single vs dual motor desks, keep in mind that motors of different brands may have different characteristics. Desky offers clear descriptions of each of their adjustable height desks, but be sure to check specifications while shopping around. It's important to purchase a motor desk that will offer maximum comfort and usability for the user. The load capacity and height range should always be considered.

Cost Difference

Although the dual motor desk option costs more than a single motor desk, the dual cost reflects its extra features, higher weight capacity, and extended warranty.

The single desk is Desky's affordable option, it's a great choice for users on a budget without compromising quality.

Stability

Desky Dual 120 Sit Stand Desk

Be sure to purchase the desk that supports the weight capacity needed for the desk layout. Heavy-duty equipment may require a dual motor desk. Quality isn't a question when comparing Desky's single vs dual motor standing desks, both are built with industry-standard stability.

Desky's motor standing desks move without compromising the desk layout, so consider what will be on the motor standing desk frame when deciding between single vs dual motor standing desks.

Desk Load Capacity and Adjustment Speed May Be Variable

Keep in mind that the load capacity and adjustment speed listed by any manufacturer may not always be exactly accurate.

Also, remember that with both the single motor standing desks and the dual motor standing desk, the closer you get to the maximum weight capacity, the slower the desk will move. The best bet is to purchase a desk that offers a consistent adjustment speed as the load is increased. Dual motor desks are better suited for lifting thanks to the two motors and their ability to lift larger amounts of weight on the desk.

The Importance Of Warranty

As in most cases, getting a warranty for your sit-stand desk is a smart move. It may be an even smarter move to purchase a quality desk with a longer warranty as this would guarantee the quality of the desk and provide assurance in the event of breakdowns. Single motor standing desks usually have a shorter warranty than dual-motor variants.

Once you're past the warranty period, you may have to fork out extra for any repairs you'll need. If you'll be using your new standing desk and its motors daily, multiple times a day for possibly the next decade, a 10-year warranty on parts may be worth the upgrade to a more expensive desk that will have part replacement covered.

Which To Pick: Single Or Dual Motor?

We can't tell you which desk to buy when it comes to single motor vs dual motor standing desks. The truth is, it's really up to you to consider user heights, desk layout and load, and your ideal transition speed.

As usual, it's all about quality over quantity. When it comes down to single motor vs dual, dual motors are likely to outperform single motor frames as they are most suited for lifting loads. Going with the Desky dual motor desk if it works for your budget is a great long term investment in your office space backed by our industry leading 10 year warranty. so if customisation and quality is what you're after, the choice is simple.

source https://desky.com.au/blogs/news/single-dual-motor-desk-comparison

Should You Avoid Cheap Standing Desks?

Tempting as it is to look for bargain standing desks, there's always the danger that, in the long term, lower cost indicates lower quality. With the way the electric standing desk market is growing, of course you risk coming across adjustable standing desk companies determined to offer the lowest price. But beware! electric standing desks under $400 have many of the following drawbacks in common, so it's probably not the cleverest idea to go too cheap for your home office. Whether sitting or standing, here are some tips to avoid cheap standing desk pitfalls.

Cheap Sit Stand Desks: What To Consider

Motor Quality

An electric standing desk has two electronic board systems; one for the power supply, the other makes the desk height adjustable for sitting and standing. Mass-produced, they are used for many different products outside the standing desk category. The inferior ways the boards are connected together does not give a reliable connection for moving faultlessly to standing desk height. Connections tend to be loose and are likely to be the first thing to fail.

Assuming, that low-cost standing desks use low quality electronics, in order to cut costs, ask yourself what other unseen budget decisions have been made.

Adjustment Speed

Avoid a cheap standing desk and you avoid desks with the worst adjustment speed performances. If you work at a standing desk in a standing position for extended periods in your home office, rarely adjusting the height of your desk, then the speed it takes to toggle between between sitting and standing position won't be an issue.

However, in order to make sure you enjoy the benefits of standing time to avoid lower back pain and neck pain, and sitting to adjust your body alignment and relax your leg muscles, you may want to stand every hour. In this case,the average low speed of 0.8” per second for cheaper standing desks may find you banging your head against a brick wall eight times a day.

Motor Consistency

The standard of the electric motors fitted in a standing desk is often inconsistent, which can become a product issue. People don't want to hear a strange whining noise as you move from sitting to standing. And neither do you want to see your height adjustable desk slow down significantly when carrying your screens and computer!

An overworked motor is surely one of the ways to shorten its life span, and repairing or replacing a component will be time-consuming, meaning you could spend weeks sitting all day instead of alternating between sitting or standing.

Quality Control

It is very likely that all of the above could be avoided if your new standing desk went through rigorous quality control checks before being dispatched. Taking into account issues like patchy paintwork, messy, amateurish welding or excessive amounts of lubrication on the columns, these must be some of the easiest problems to fix and a clear sign that the manufacturer has taken their eye off the ball.

How these low-cost brands let this shoddy workmanship slip through the net is beyond belief. It is clearly more about getting the volume out the door than anything else. Investing your hard-earned cash in a new standing desk is not something to be taken lightly. And it's not too much to expect for the manufacturer to show at least some concern for what they are shipping out.

Load Capacity

Poor quality motors inevitably means smaller lifting capacity because of the lack of power coming from the control box.  A standing desk that boasts a lifting capacity at or below 50kg should raise a red flag. Most, in practice, are underpowered.

Some of these desks are able to lift more than the advertised capacity, but most will quickly start to underperform once wear and tear on the motor sets in. A heavy solid wood workspace and a heavy computer screen will compound this problem. 

Whenever you exceed a recommended manufacturer's weight capacity, you risk de-stabilising the desk or worse, breaking it. Manufacturers know when customers have abused their desk and this would fall under the abuse section in most warranties.

Warranty Periods

A long warranty is a manufacturer's show of faith in their product. Some brands offer a warranty as short as one year, but realistically even products that have a warranty period of two years raise concerns. If they only have enough confidence in their product to offer a one- or two-year warranty, you know it’s not top quality. 

Will you be able to purchase replacement parts after the warranty period is up? How much will they cost and will this be a continuing problem?  With all the to-ing and fro-ing, endless phone calls, sourcing and replacing broken components, you'll probably spend more money than if you had paid the extra money for a quality standing desk. A standing desk with a 3-5 year warranty is evidence that the company has confidence in their product and assures you that you won't be forking out extra money for repairs.

At Desky, all our dual series desks are backed by an industry leading 10-year warranty

Cheap Standing Desks in Australia

If you're wondering what is the cheapest standing desk that does not compromise on quality and craftsmanship, then look no further than the extensive range offered by Desky. Whoever you are, whatever job you do, and whatever your work style, using a standing desk from Desky provides quality ergonomic design to fit every budget, enabling you to avoid standing desk back pain, neck pain and body pain.

Our comprehensive 3-year warranty is further evidence of the confidence you can place in the longevity of your new adjustable height desk.

Desky Air Lift Zero Sit Stand Desk

Desky Air Lift Zero Sit Stand Desk

With this nifty manually adjustable stand desk, pneumatics supply the lifting power, and no electricity is needed. You'll be able to position your sit stand desk anywhere in the room. Its steel frame and square constructed legs, teamed with a reinforced crossbar means 100% stability.

The manual pneumatics lever generates enough pressure to smoothly raise any laden adjustable desk in a few seconds, even with a massive 145cm x 73cm worktop, suitable for your home office needs. The spacious scratch-resistant particle board desk surface should remain pristine for years to come.

Desky Single Sit Stand Desk

Presenting a minimalist setup whose single motor system makes this possibly the most affordable adjustable height desk on the market, an industry-leading frame design provides a robust, stable work surface.

The Desky Single comes with all the adjustable desk advantages you would expect plus an 80kg-strong motor. Its three pre-set heights glide to your specific memory settings in seconds, easily accommodating the tallest and the smallest.

If sitting all day gives you twinges in your back and neck, can simply press a button, leave your chair and go make a coffee. Upon your return, hey presto! Your laptop screen will be at eye level, you can rest on your elbows and work with renewed energy levels and avoid eye strain with your screen at your eye level.

Cables are neatly hidden away, keeping your desk top clutter-free and requiring no compromise on performance or style.

Desky Single Sit Stand Pedestal Desk

The Desky space-saving Single Sit Stand Pedestal Desk is perfect if users want to stand but space is restricted.

The telescopic single leg frame, fitted with the same controller system as our other standing desks, lifts up to 50kg, and and has three pre-programmable heights. The square base and adjustable feet calibrate to the most stable position on any surface. The perfect standing desk for a home office with small spaces!

Why Are Sit Stand Desks So Expensive?

Quality desks that allow for sitting and standing are complicated bits of kit and should be constructed from robust, rigid, adjustable steel frames, atop first rate feet and finished off with a first class workspace and desk surface that complements your home office. Although they need to look good too, it is what the eye cannot see that really lifts the calibre of your well-chosen piece. If a cheap gliding system is controlled by poor quality electronics, this, minus a snug fit into the staging columns means a manufacturer must use excessive, greasy lubricant, a cheap way to aid a smooth action.

What you are left with is a frequently-failing, impossible to keep clean, wobbly standing desk. The most effective solution would be rigorous quality control. Issues such as blotchy paint finishes, unskilled welding or significant amounts of grease are surely some of the simplest problems to fix. If a low-cost brand can ship out these frames in such poor 'brand new' condition, this raises a huge red flag about the way they do business. Make sure you and your money are not being taken advantage of.

Ultimately, our team at Desky aims to provide customer satisfaction with high-quality standing desks that come with a guarantee on part replacement. Our range does not comprise of the cheapest height adjustable standing desks out there, but our extensive selection offers mid-range pricing for a high-quality product. They come with a three year warranty; testament to our confidence in our products.

So, if you're looking for a reasonable price tag and no compromise on quality or reliability, then consider a Desky standing desk as your next investment in your health and posture while working from home.

source https://desky.com.au/blogs/news/avoid-cheap-standing-desks

Electric vs. Manual Crank vs. Converter: Which Standing Desk To Choose?

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.

Electric Standing Desks

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.

Pros of Electric Standing Desks

Quick Adjustments

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. 

Easy to Operate

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 phone 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 $2000. 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.

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. The folks at Desky provide a 10-year limited 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.

Manual Standing Desks

Height adjustable hand crank standing desks have a handle to take you from standing height to sitting.

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.

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 crank 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.

Desk Converters

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.

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.

Figured out what type of desk you need? See Desky's range of electric and manual standing desks as well as converters and get your new desk shipped to you anywhere in Australia!

source https://desky.com.au/blogs/news/electric-manual-converter-desk-comparison