Uplift Desk has been one of the most well-known and well-regarded brands in the world of standing desks for years, and for good reason. It’s been a while since we’ve checked in with their products, and as the competition grows ever hotter, we wanted to see if the Uplift V2 still has what it takes to compete.
Time is no enemy of Uplift, it seems because the V2 is still one of the best standing desks money can buy. Since the last time we checked in with the company, it's expanded its catalog with new customization options and even more accessories than ever before. The V2 starts at a reasonable $599, which may not be the cheapest, but backs its desks with a 15-year warranty, offers outstanding customization, and allows you to purchase everything you’ll need to make the desk your own all at once. For our money, this is the standing desk to beat.
Specifications
- Current Price: Starting at $599 (Uplift Desk)
Uplift V2 Standing Desk - What Is It?
The Uplift V2 is Uplift Desk’s easiest point of entry into the world of standing desks. This model has been available long enough that it’s what I would consider the “classic” standing desk from the company and includes all of its core features: smooth, quiet operation, excellent stability at any height range, a wide adjustment range, and more customization and accessory options than you can shake a stick at. It’s available in a ridiculous amount of configurations that start at $599 and go up into the thousands of dollars depending on what you choose. There really is something for everyone if your budget allows you to hit that starting point.
Having built, used, and even reviewed a good number of standing desks now, I was interested to return to this model. It’s all the rage on YouTube, and we have certainly been impressed with it and Uplift’s other standing desk products, but does it hold up in 2023 when the cost of these desks is more accessible than ever?
The short answer is yes. There are a lot of reasons for that conclusion, and I intend to go over all of them. But the first thing to know is that Uplift has been in the business for more than 20 years, and that experience is evident in every aspect of their business. That knowledge and experience make for a lot of small touches, and a bunch of big ones, that elevate the V2 above generic standing desks and really do justify its higher entry-level cost.
The other important thing to know is that the company ships all of its products with a 15-year warranty. You pay more upfront for that, but it’s peace of mind that you’re buying a well-made product with a decade-and-a-half guarantee of quality. If you're willing to pay for an extended warranty ($179), that can extend up to 25 years. Clearly, this is a desk that's intended to last.
Uplift V2 Standing Desk - Configuring Your Desk and Accessories
With that in mind, I was able to go through the process of configuring a desk for this review, just like any customer would. There’s a dizzying array of options to choose from, but an exceptionally good chance that you’ll be able to build a desk that matches your space. Desktop sizes range from 42” x 30” all the way up to 80” x 30”. There’s also a separate category for 24” depth desks if you’re looking for something a little slimmer.
There are also — count them — 29 different desktop materials to choose from. The company also offers the same desk frame in custom laminate tops with extends the options even further at a higher cost and a bit more lead time. I’ve seen a number of the 1” laminate top options and the wood grain patterns are excellent and very lifelike. There are also solid black and whiteboard options if that’s more up your alley.
For a bit more, there are a number of real wood options to choose from, each 50% to 75% thicker than the laminate options, with the exception of the 1” rubberwood and bamboo desktops which come at a $90-110 premium. Butcher Block desktops start at $200 more and come in at 1.5” thick. Live edge of wide-plank solid wood desktops are a thick 1.75” and are absolutely gorgeous, but increase the price substantially. Compared to the solid wood choices of Flexispot, however, these tops are much thicker and are noticeably higher quality.
After you choose a desktop, you can decide on whether you want grommets and covers (outlet, standard, or storage) and choose the frame. You can choose a C-frame or T-frame, the latter of which centers the support beam under the desk while the former is a bit set back to accommodate accessories. Each is also available in a standard or commercial option, which allows the desk to lower to 22.6” instead of the normal 25.3” (and raise to 48.7” and 50.9” respectively). The frames are available in black, white, gray, or industrial, which is slightly brown.
From there, you move into other features of the desk, like the keypad (five choices, three colors), casters (four choices), and whether you want a Bluetooth adapter to control the desk with your phone or footswitch for quick changes.
Even by this point, before you’ve seen the accessory options, Uplift is providing more customization options than virtually any other company. It’s a virtue of a long history in the business and having manufacturing and the supply chain locked down. And that extends directly to the accessory options.
Now, all of these are optional, but as of this writing, Uplift is allowing you to choose up to four free accessories and throws in a cable management kit for free. The free gifts include your choice of standing mat, balance board or foot hammock, desk organizer set or attachable storage drawer, hammocks, LED desk lamps, or a USB hub, a desk mat, or under-desk cable management pocket/modesty panel, under-desk hooks, drink koozies, or Uplift Desk branded t-shirts. Needless to say, you’re checking out with everything you need to really customize the desk without paying anything extra.
If you do want to pick up some extra gear, Uplift has you covered there with a massive array of storage options, lighting and power accessories, advanced wire management solutions, monitor and laptop arms, monitor and speaker stands, computer holders, keyboard trays, mice, keyboards, acoustic panels, all way to full-on ergonomic desk chairs, filing cabinets, and under-desk treadmills and exercise bikes. If you’re putting together a home office, it can literally be a one-stop shop.
Once you’re done, everything ships — and quickly. My desk shipped within just a couple of days. If you opt for custom options, that will be extended as they craft your build-to-order desk, but my desk shipped surprisingly fast.
Uplift V2 Standing Desk - Packaging and Assembly
Another high point of Uplift Desk is that they know how to protect your desk in transit. Covering so many products for a living, I know first-hand that all packaging isn’t created equal, and have had multiple desks arrive with damage because of careless couriers. Uplift has, hands down, the best and safest packaging I’ve seen from a standing desk company.
When the (multiple) boxes arrived at my door, I was initially a little worried because something had clearly impacted the side of the desktop box and tore a gouge from the cardboard. I expected to have to reach out to the company but when I unboxed it, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the entire desk surface was protected by a full sheet of particle board — not just cardboard like every other standing desk I’ve opened. That gouge did scratch the particle board, but the desk itself was completely untouched. I was also happy to see that the edges of the desk were protected by extra thick, custom-cut cardboard so that even minor drops wouldn’t result in damage to the desk.
I ordered a standard 60x30 desk with a C-frame to accommodate the accessories I ordered, as well as an aftermarket under-desk drawer. Uplift includes all of the hardware and accessories you need for basic attachments and a detailed instruction manual to guide you through the process.
The assembly process is more involved than I expected. The IMovR Lander Lite still leads the pack in easy assembly, but there is nothing especially hard about assembling the desk. Following the manual step-by-step, I found lining up the parts to be very straightforward, though I would recommend new builders have a drill on hand to speed up the process.
Where things got a little more complicated was installing some of the under-desk accessories. My desktop had lots of pre-drilled holes, but was missing those for the full-length modesty panel, requiring me to drill into my new desktop. I carefully taped off my drill bit to be careful not to punch through the top of the desk, but it was still nerve-wracking.
All told, assembly isn’t difficult but does require a bit of handiness and an extra set of hands to flip the desk over. I spent far more time managing my cables than I did building the desk, but you should still plan on spending 30-60 minutes putting everything together, and more if you have accessories that need to be attached.
Uplift V2 Standing Desk - Performance
I’ve been using the Uplift V2 for the last week and have been extremely impressed. I work long hours at my desk, and being able to stand up and stretch my legs is something I can’t live without. I need a desk that responds quickly and quietly for when I’m working at night, and that is safe for the thousands of dollars of computer and camera equipment it’s holding. The V2 has simply been outstanding.
The build quality of each component feels top-notch. The legs are very stable thanks to their collapsing, three-layers steel structure. Even at full height, there is hardly any wobble; enough that I can stand at my desk with a full drink and have no fear that it’s going to spill as I work or game. The motors are noticeably quieter and faster than the cheaper standing desk I use at work. It also goes slightly higher, topping out at 50.9”, though I’m not tall enough to need such height.
The solid wood desktop is also gorgeous. The wood grain is beautiful, and the wide planks lend it a very classic look. The finish is impeccable, too, with a perfectly smooth surface across the board. It looks fantastic in my office.
One thing gamers should be aware of, however, is the ability to mount lights and accessories on the back and sides of the desk can be impeded by the modesty panel and where the legs attach. While Uplift sent a full-length panel with the desk, its positioning blocked being able to mount the Elgato Key Light and Multi-Mount clamps. Likewise, attaching boom arm clamps along the side of the desk can also be difficult due to the positioning of the frame.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, no one is going to argue that it’s not possible to get a standing desk for less money, but the Uplift V2 Standing Desk remains one of the best options in its class. It offers a wide array of options to really make it your own, a ton of free accessories, outstanding build quality and performance, and a 15-year warranty for peace of mind. The V2 isn’t new anymore, but so far in 2023, it’s still an amazing choice that’s worth every penny.
The product described in this article was provided by the manufacturer for evaluation purposes.
