Smart Desk 2 and Smart Desk 2 Premium comparison and review.
Standing desks are all the rage, especially now that many of us are working from home and are relishing the freedom to design our own workspace. But with all those options out there and the cheaper options still coming in at the scale of hundreds of dollars, you don’t want to part with your cash unless you’re sure you’re getting a great product. It can be hard to find the perfect home office desk. So what’s the best option for people who want the benefits of a standing desk but don’t have a huge budget? Often hailed as the benchmark standard for budget electric standing desks, today I will be reviewing the Smart Desk 2 and Smart Desk 2 Premium from New-York based company Autonomous. Autonomous also has lots of other types of standing desks and ergonomic office furniture like an ergonomic chair and a standing desk.
Smart Desk 2 Specifications
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- Price: $399
- 300lb electric lifting capacity (frame only)
- 5 year warranty (frame only)
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- Adjustable height 28.5” – 47”
- 4 programmable height settings
- Smooth, silent dual motor system
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- Sturdy frame
- Beautifully finished scratch resistant top
- Wood or natural bamboo top with Classic or XL size options
What’s different about the Smart Desk 2 Premium version?
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- Price: $479
- 7-year warranty instead of 5 (frame only)
- Greater height range of 25.2″ – 51″
Now, let’s see if the desks meet the specifications detailed in the product description.
Smart Desk Durability:
With a 5 year warranty on the Smart Desk 2 frame and a 7-year warranty on the Premium version’s frame, the company’s confidence in their product lies in what’s underneath. The product descriptions claim a “robust”, “sturdy” and “heavy-duty” frame and for the most part, they check out. Despite some reports of sticky motors when lifting heavy, the majority of user reviews report that both desks lift their payload like an accomplished bodybuilder.
Adjustability:
The Premium version of the Smart Desk 2 comes with an increased height capacity, so if you’re particularly small or large, it might be a good idea to pick this one to accommodate your proportions. You can program both desks with 4 height settings, so you can find your perfect standing and sitting height and save it so you’re not fidgeting with the controls every time you wish to change.
Stability:
Both desks come with adjustable feet so you can stabilize the frame if your floor is uneven. And with good grips, the desk doesn’t slip out of place easily.
Lifting capacity:
Easily the best feature of this desk is that as it’s electric, you can switch between sitting and standing easily without having to move your equipment. In terms of lifting capacity, both desks can accommodate a solid 300lb of equipment, which is enough for most average users. However, note that this capacity refers to the frame only, so remember to add the weight of your chosen desktop to the weight for your equipment when calculating if this capacity will suffice – especially important if you’re using the heavier XL top.
Comfort:
The minimalist frame design allows you to get your legs under and swing in your chair to your heart’s content thanks to the use of 2 upright supports instead of the classic 4. The motors are designed to minimize noise pollution and with a maximum output of 45dB, you don’t need to worry about any extra stress from noisy mechanics.
Overall Smart desk value:
If you want the bang for your buck to come from the long-lasting functionality of your desk, then Autonomous is what you’re looking for. Whichever model you choose, you’re getting at least 5 years of free fixes, an electric desk that you can raise and lower without moving so much as a pen off of it, and a comfortable design that feels like the future of office work has been beamed straight into your spare room. Bottom line: Autonomous’s innovative designs make standing at your desk easy and at an accessible price point, there’s no reason not to start reaping those health benefits at home or to improve your office workspace.
