Ergonomic desks are supposed to offer many advantages for work and gaming. MeinMMO was allowed to try out such a desk. MeinMMO editor Benedikt Schlotmann set up the desk and explains whether his daily routine has changed.
Anyone who has to sit a lot at their desk in the office or now in the home office knows this: After a long day of work, you have annoying back or neck pain, or your body thanks you in other ways for sitting for so long – for example, through fatigue or concentration issues. Nowadays, there are also devices that aim to take care of tired hands.
A new trend, however, are so-called ergonomic desks. These desks can be adjusted in height, allowing you to work standing up or better adjust the desk to your sitting height. This is supposed to offer various advantages:
- You relieve your back muscles and spine by being able to stand up intermittently
- Those who stand at their desk move their body by shifting from one leg to the other – thus boosting their metabolism
- Those who sit at their ergonomic desk can adjust the height of the top to their arms. This way, you sit at a right angle and not hunched over at the table.
What kind of device is this? MeinMMO received an ergonomic desk from FlexiSpot, the E8, as a loan to try out. MeinMMO introduces you to the desk and also explains what advantages and disadvantages such an ergonomic desk has.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
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SANODESK Elektrisch höhenverstellbares Gestell mit LED Touch Screen Tastatur, E8 (Weiß)* | Zu Amazon |
*Affiliate-Links. Wir erhalten bei einem Kauf eine kleine Provision von Amazon. Vielen Dank für Eure Unterstützung!
Important health tips from experts can also be found in the Plus report on health at GameStar.
Simple assembly and high-quality workmanship
What does the delivery include? The desk comes in three large packages. In principle, any tabletop can be mounted on the desk. This is advantageous if you (like me) have become fond of your previous tabletop. The delivery includes everything needed for assembly, including an Allen key.
However, the regular delivery does not include wheels for the desk. After all, the assembled desk is so heavy that I could barely carry it through the apartment alone. However, FlexiSpot offers a lot of accessories for the desk on their own website. These include
- additional wheels for around 30 Euros.
- Cable channels for the underside for around 30 Euros as well.
- And an additional cable management system, allowing you to bundle the cables from your monitor and others to transport them downwards. Here, too, 30 Euros will be required.
What does the desk offer? The E8 from FlexiSpot relies on 2 motors in the columns. This provides high stability and is generally recommended when you are looking for an adjustable desk.
The memory control is also a sensible feature. If you have found your ideal height, you can save it and activate it again later.
The desk also has room for a tabletop with dimensions of 120-200cm(B)×60-80cm(T). If you want multiple large monitors on your desk, 80 cm might get tight.
Technical data of the E8 FlexiSpot:
| official specifications | |
|---|---|
| Motor | 2 |
| Load capacity | 120 kg |
| Height adjustment | 60-125 cm |
| Own weight (without tabletop) | 32.1 kg |
| Dimensions for tabletop | 120-200 cm(B)×60-80 cm(T) |
| Memory control | Yes |
| Anti-collision system | Yes |
How was the assembly? The assembly went surprisingly quickly. I took about 20 minutes to attach the legs and the electronics to the torso of the desk. After that, I attached the tabletop to the frame.
However, the manufacturer also made it easy for me: The screws are clearly sorted and packed in separate bags, and the instructions are written in clear English. Therefore, no one expects a Swedish-style instruction manual for the desk where all screws feel the same. The manufacturer has everything clearly spelled out, so you know exactly where everything goes.
Most screws also immediately slide into the matching hole and sit tight. I did not need an additional screwdriver, everything worked with the included tool.
I did notice one disadvantage during the assembly: The desk is incredibly heavy. After all, we’re talking about over 30 kg, and I would advise you not to carry the heavy boxes or the desk around without help. It’s not fun at all.
The high weight also makes the desk less flexible. Especially since the desk has no wheels and stands firmly on its feet. On the other hand, the desk also appears very robust and stable due to its high weight.
But how does the desk perform in practice?
The ergonomic desk is a sensible addition to my daily walk
I come up with the best ideas when I’m moving. Whether I’m walking to the supermarket in the evening or taking a walk through the nature reserve behind my house, it gets my thoughts going. I often have something to write with me and jot down sudden ideas.
Being able to stand while working has a similar effect for me. My circulation gets going from standing, and I am noticeably more focused, jotting down the occasional flash of inspiration. Of course, the fresh air from the walk cannot be offered by standing, but my posture while standing is significantly better than if I sit for eight hours straight.
Another advantage is that you can perfectly adjust the desk height to your body height while sitting. Normal desks come with standard dimensions, and in the worst case, your arms are bent or angled on the surface. With the ergonomic desk, you can adjust the height to your needs.
The desk has a minimum height of 60 cm and can be adjusted up to a height of 120 centimeters. Therefore, you have enough options, depending on your height or how high you want the desk to be.
Another positive side effect: The desk is so high when standing that the cats can no longer easily reach the tabletop (and annoy me while I work).
How easy was the adjustment for me? At first, the body still wants to return to its daily routine. After all, sitting is much more comfortable, and on the chair, you can sit cross-legged.
In the first few days, I had no desire to try out the new “advantage”. It was only after a trip to the kitchen that the desire arose to simply stop standing. And this is actually noticeable.
Gaming while standing – how well does it work?
How is gaming while standing? Especially games like Apex Legends or other fast shooters can get quite hectic. But here, it is an advantage for me if I can also stand. My posture is better, and my arm on the desk doesn’t cramp.
Especially when I happen to be gaming for an extended period because I got lost in planning my city in Anno 1800, I feel more enduring and especially more alert than if I were sitting the whole time in a dim room.
Standing or regular movement is important
What speaks for an ergonomic desk? In general, many studies find that prolonged sitting can be harmful. For example, a study by the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana found that sitting too much can negatively affect health (via pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).
The Ärztezeitung also reported that people who work while standing are said to be significantly more productive (via aerztezeitung.de).
There are also many other points in favor of working while standing.
- Working while standing impacts breathing as the upper body is stretched
- Working while standing offers you a natural posture
- The legs are not as heavily burdened while standing since they are not constantly bent
- Working while standing promotes creativity thanks to improved blood circulation
Should I buy such a desk now? In general, I would advise against spontaneously investing money in furniture that is supposed to help your health. Consult with your doctor or get advice from a furniture expert if you want to buy an ergonomic desk.
Because you can also make mistakes while standing. If you lean forward while standing, for example, you just shift the pain instead of preventing it. Therefore, talk to the right experts if you want to improve your situation.
The FlexiSpot E8 is expensive, but the investment can pay off
What has the desk brought me? As simple as it sounds, I have become significantly more mobile at my desk in everyday life. It has become a routine to walk around the living room while thinking and then get back at the PC.
For me, an ergonomic desk represents a significant improvement. If you have tried things like office chairs, seat cushions, or ergonomic mice, then a desk like this may also appeal to you.
Is the E8 from FlexiSpot worth it? Prices for the E8 from FlexiSpot start at 449 Euros just for the desk frame, with an official manufacturer’s tabletop costing around 100 Euros extra. You can also purchase additional accessories.
449 Euros may sound like a lot at first, but I must clearly state that the device is really well made. The motor is hardly audible when I move the desk, and the device feels robust due to its high weight, so even two rambunctious cats won’t be able to tip it over. With memory control and the automatic stop system, there are also two important functions integrated into the desk that an ergonomic desk should have.
In addition, the assembly is incredibly simple, which should please all users who are already frustrated at the first glance of an IKEA instruction manual. The two motors also ensure high stability when moving the desk, rounding out the overall picture. The high total weight has its pros and cons.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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|
SANODESK Elektrisch höhenverstellbares Gestell mit LED Touch Screen Tastatur, E8 (Weiß)* | Zu Amazon |
*Affiliate-Links. Wir erhalten bei einem Kauf eine kleine Provision von Amazon. Vielen Dank für Eure Unterstützung!
Moreover, the desk accompanies you daily in the home office or while gaming. Therefore, you should consider the money as a long-term investment in your health.
More on gaming furniture: Are you uncertain whether such an ergonomic desk is something for you? Other manufacturers want to solve all the problems you might have with their gaming desk at once:
New gaming desk wants to solve all your problems at the desk simultaneously
