Varidesk products are some of the most popular sit-stand desks available in the United States and Europe. This article gives you comparison information on 4 of the most popular models so you can choose what to purchase.
Image | What you need to know | Price |
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Varidesk has finally released a full size electric adjustable desk. You can see our video review and find out what we liked on our full review page. You'll also learn about this desk's biggest design flaw. | See Price On Amazon | |
Varidesk has done some good work in the ergonomics department with the Plus models, as the keyboard is on a lower surface than the monitors. The problem is the height difference is one-size-fits-all. You will be hard pressed to get the monitors and keyboard in the right position for both sitting and standing. On the plus side, no mounting/assembly or worries about compatibility. | See Price On Amazon | |
This and the single below were the two first models of Varidesk. They both perform very good and people love them. You just have to be willing to manually switch your keyboard from the work-surface to the desk-surface each time you lower the device. This is one of the biggest changes made for the Plus line listed above. | See Price On Amazon | |
Similar to the Varidesk Pro model, but work-space is 6" narrower | See Price On Amazon | |
Similar to the Varidesk Pro models, but with a larger workspace | See Price On Amazon |
Varidesk, often misspelled as Veridesk, is a manufacturer of one of the leading types of standing desk converters on the market today. These standing desk converters come in handy if you already have a desk that you want to keep using, or if you work in a cubicle and want to try using a standing desk – opposed to something like these Adjustable Height Standing Desks – which are designed to replace your current desk. In this article we take a close look at four of the Varidesk models starting with the Varidesk Pro Plus.
Varidesk Pro Plus Review
The Varidesk Pro Plus is the Cadillac of the Varidesk line of standing desk converters. It is designed for those users who to spend some extra money to get additional features and ergonomics in their standing desk oriented workspaces.
The Pros
- No mounting necessary; sub-5 min. desktop setup process
- This unit exhibits and provides the same quality construction and sturdy work surface as all of the Varidesk standing desk converters reviewed on this list.
- Arrives fully assembled
- Like the Varidesk Pro, the Varidesk Pro Plus includes a “reminder app” which prompts the user to switch to or from the seated or standing position. A “calories burnt” utility is also included in all pro-level models.
The Cons
- The Varidesk Pro Plus supports dual monitors, but the space requirements of this particular unit are the greatest of all the models reviewed. Use of this unit necessitates a larger than normal overall workspace – standard cubicles aren’t going to cut it.
- While it isn’t too much of an issue with a simple mouse and keyboard combo, too many wired peripherals can cause some operational or workflow problems similar to the ones described in the review of the Varidesk Pro. Whether by habit or necessity, wireless peripherals are the way to go if the end user keeps a fully-covered desk.
- The standing height is quite generous, taller users may find the ergonomics of the Varidesk Pro to be somewhat unsatisfactory. This can best be seen in the relationship between the heights of the keyboard tray and monitor(s). Users over six feet (or those with exceptionally long arms) may find them to be almost level with one another.
** If you are interested in this model, but need something even wider. Make sure to checkout the review of the Varidesk Pro Plus 48.
Varidesk Single Plus Review
The Varidesk Single Plus is the step-up model for those ready to move beyond the entry level. Its compact size and ergonomic profile make it the best unit for everyday office use.
The Pros
- Simple desktop placement – no mounting needed
- Quality construction leading to a very sturdy work platform
- Priced quite similarly to the Varidesk Single
- Underslung keyboard tray specifically designed for ergonomics and comfort
The Cons
- Single-monitor support only
- The keyboard tray is “one height fits all”; adjustment requires separate tools
- While almost any PC monitor of standard dimensions will mate to this product, some may have troubles with the largest screens.
Varidesk Pro Review
The Varidesk Pro unit is the first in Varidesk’s line of pro model standing desk converters. Both this unit and the Varidesk Pro Plus are designed for serious work with demanding space requirements and productivity thresholds.
The Pros
- The Varidesk Pro comes fully assembled, and like the preceding model on this list, is a simple desktop machine with no mounting requirements.
- Sturdy construction + stable work surface
- Dual monitor support
- Expansive work area in both seated and standing positions
- Position changes are spring-assisted
- Spring-assisted sit / stand adjustability
The Cons
- Depending upon one’s height, users may find that the keyboard is too high up for comfortable typing when in the standing position.
- While position changes are a breeze, cord management or clutter can cause problems both in terms of work space and operational interference. Wireless mice and other peripherals are best if minimizing operational hassles and overall clutter is important to the end user.
- While nearly all PC monitors are supported, it is unclear (and thus assumed to be a negative) whether or not Apple products are supported.
Varidesk Single Review
The Varidesk Single is Varidesk’s basic, entry-level model of standing desk converter, but don’t let that trouble you; it’s a great machine well-suited to casual home or office use.
The Pros
- Fits almost any standard PC monitor
- Very sturdy and stable, both in terms of construction and as a finished product
- Very reasonably priced
- Spring-assisted movement results in smooth, easy sit / stand changes
- Arrives fully assembled and ready for mounting
The Cons
- The keyboard tray / platform is awkwardly positioned; typing and other keyboard-intensive tasks can quickly become tiresome and aggravating.
- Single-monitor support only
Video: Varidesk Overview
Brief overview of the Varidesk and a discussion of what it can do for you.
Reminders to sit up straight and mind one’s posture – “Don’t slouch!”, “Sit like a lady”, and so on – are something passed down from the elders of society to its youth since time out of time. Everyone from Mary Poppins to habit-wrapped nuns in schools the world over have kept up the momentum, and even doctors have given their own weight to the cause of sound posture. And why not? After all, anyone who operates from a bad one for long enough will soon discover that they ache all over, that their abdominal muscles and upper body are weak (in comparison to what they should be), and that life is generally an uncomfortable affair. The ergonomics and yoga industries have seized upon this knowledge and used it to their advantage, blossoming in an arena that was once the sole domain of the chiropractor.
For all of that, modern science and medical technology, though, have given us new insight into a critical fact: Slumped over or ramrod straight, if you’re sitting down, you’re on the road to ruin. The effects of long-term immobility upon the desk-bound, for example, can include weak musculature, poor posture, impaired breathing and circulatory function, and even (in severe cases) nerve damage or blood clots, which may in turn lead to heart attacks, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and other life-threatening maladies and conditions. Given the prevalence of office jobs in modern society, the importance of a little activity in the workplace and in daily life cannot be overstated. The question is, how does a person do their work while avoiding the sedentary lifestyle? The answer is simple: The savvy worker uses a standing desk!
Standing Desks Quick Overview
Standing desks are just what they sound like – platforms that either replace or convert the traditional seated working platform into one that allows the user to do his or her work from a standing position. Aided by an anti-fatigue mat this allows him / her to do whatever work he / she would normally do while reaping all the benefits of a non-sedentary work environment. While all results are subject to some degree of variance, the results are almost universal: When compared to eight hours in a chair, standing desks improve both user health and productivity. Now that the “what” and “why” of the standing desk is established, let’s move on to the reviews!
Conclusion
While not without their flaws, the Varidesk line of standing desk converters are, for the most part at least, solidly built, user-friendly tools which the end user will find greatly beneficial both in terms of health and productivity. Indeed, most models come equipped with utilities to track calories burnt as a result of standing desk use – feel the burn! Incidentally, if some of the pros and cons seem similar when the models reviewed are examined as a whole, it is only because of that same attention to detail and quality craftsmanship mentioned above – whether entry-level or top of the line, Varidesk doesn’t skimp or cut corners when it comes to baseline quality. This translates to many construction and materials-based features and characteristics overlapping.
As for the negative side, there really isn’t one. The biggest sticking points surrounding these Varidesk units are issues surrounding sometimes questionable ergonomics. The bottom line is this: The average user should have no problem simply taking any Varidesk standing desk converter out of the box and using it straight away. Enjoy!