Sitting all day is bad for you. Science has proven that people who sit for the majority of their day are at an increased risk of heart disease, deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins, and back problems. Many of us spend at least part of our day working on a computer and then come home to sit even more at our own computers. There’s a better way and you don’t need a whole new desk to do it. Today, we’re looking at a the M3B standing desk riser from Flexispot. It’s changed the way I use my PC. Read on to see if it’s a good fit for you.
Specifications
- MSRP: $199 - 499 (Size dependent - M3B: $349)
- Smooth adjustment with 12 height settings
- Deeper desktop surface & wide keyboard tray
- Straight up & down movement optimizing for compact offices
- Smart desktop with built-in tablet intergration
- Quality assured by cycling test of 6,000 height adjustments
- Simple one-step assembly
- Compatible with ergonomic monitor mounts
- Available in three size options and two colors (black or white)
- Dimensions: 23.2 x 47 x 19.7 in (M3B)
- Size: 47" (M3B - size variable)
- Loading Capacity: 44 lbs (M3B)
- Height Adjustment: 5.9-19.6 inch (M3B)
- Material: Fiberboard & steel
- Weight: 54.01 lbs (M3B)
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This review is a little bit different from our normal fare, but it’s definitely something as a staff we’ve been talking about for some time. Like many of you, the majority of writers here spend hours at their desks and are concerned about the long term effects of needing to sit for so long. If you’re spending your day at a desk then coming home to sit through a few hours of gaming, it’s not something to take lightly. Heart disease and DVT are serious concerns.
It’s on this token, though, that I have to make a bit of a confession. My work day is a good mix of standing and sitting and I honestly wasn’t sure I would even enjoy a standing desk. Aren’t I on my feet enough? Well, after about a month with the riser, I can tell you that this is one of the few review items I’ve come to absolutely love, not only for the health benefits but for the versatility I now have in how I use my computer.
The model I received was the M3B, which is a big 47-inches. It’s also more costly than many of their models, coming in a $349. I teach elementary school during the day, so having something that would fit my large teacher’s desk and everything that goes with it - monitor, phone, document camera, coffee cup gifts from students, bell, books, lesson plans. It adds up. You can pick up a standard 28” riser for $199 that’s perfect for a monitor, keyboard, and maybe a few extras.
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Assembly is as easy as can be. It ships in a large box, preassembled except for the keyboard tray which slots into place and is held with tabs. The “Flexispot” hardware covers also have to be pressed into place. No tools required and the entire setup process can be completed on your own in five minutes once it’s unboxed. The M3B also came with a nice cable sleeve to keep things looking neat out of the box.
Adjusting the riser’s height is also very easy thanks to a gas piston and large plastic lever. There are twelve levels of height adjustment, from 5.9-19.6 inches. I was a bit concerned about how fast it would raise when I first used the lever (I keep some glass objects on my desk) but it actually won’t rise at all without some upward force. It’s the same with lowering it, and the action is smooth in both cases.
The amount of height it provides is excellent. Having twelve levels of adjustability allows me to get it to the perfect height whether I’m typing or need it a little lower to write with a pen. It’s extremely versatile and feels very sturdy thanks to the steel base. There’s no wobble at all. It feels just as sturdy as a normal desk and, since it’s rated to hold 44 lbs, you can put virtually anything you’d put on a normal desktop on it and adjust with confidence. Be sure to check the weight limits on your own model, though.
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Back to the point about whether or not I actually needed a standing desk riser. I really don’t know and it sure isn’t hurting my health, but now that I have one I absolutely adore it. I wouldn’t want to be on my feet all day, but being able to raise or lower the desk for what I feel like at that moment is great. I can use my computer exactly how I want to at that moment. Sometimes, I’m just popping over for a second and don’t want to sit down and get back up again. Other times, I’d rather sit or even get up after a while and stretch my legs. With the Flexispot, I can comfortably do all of those things.
Even if I wasn’t worried about health, this is something I would still want. Frankly, it’s just so much nicer to have a desk you can adjust than not.
All of that said, it’s not perfect. I searched around looking for a way to raise the keyboard tray to get it a little lower on my desk when fully collapsed only to find out that it’s not adjustable. This is odd considering that the attachment brackets (pictured above) have slots that look like they’re made for adjustability. It’s also stationary, so there’s no sliding it in or out. Likewise, the wood surfaces are actually fiberboard, which doesn’t hold up well to bumps and will easily dent and gouge. It’s worth taking care in the setup process because you can easily mar the surface of your new desk if you’re not careful.
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Final Thoughts
Even with those issues, I really enjoy my Flexispot desk riser. I was concerned that I might not even like standing a lot throughout the day because I already do so much but the versatility has really won me over. If you’ve considered a standing desk, I encourage you to take the leap. This entry from Flexispot is definitely recommended.
Pros
- Easy, tool-free assembly
- Versatility can change how you use your computer through the day
- Very sturdy on the desk, no wobble
- Easy adjustments up and down
Cons
- No adjustable keyboard tray
- Fiberboard is easily damaged
The product described in this article was provided by the manufacturer for the purposes of review.
