Desk Levitate 2

Hey all, Uplift just released a Parsons-style standing desk, and it’s a good example of something I learned early in contract office furniture sales: >*“Everyone’s cooking with the same water.”* Most standing desks on the market, including this one, are built on the same OEM frame, with minor variations. Credit where it’s due: Watson Furniture originally led the charge with a height-adjustable Parsons desk years ago using Linak, long before Jiecang, Kaidi, LogicData, TiMotion, etc. released their own versions. The desks below all use essentially the same frame with small differences in finishes, accessories, and support: * Uplift Parsons * Autonomous Levitate 2 * Branch Four Leg * Humanscale eFloat Quattro If I were buying one: Autonomous Levitate 2 would be my pick. It’s not the cheapest, but it includes a solid ash top and one of the better wire trays I’ve used. I’ve had experience with their cable management on other models and it was genuinely well thought out. My only hesitation with Autonomous is customer service and long-term warranty support. That said, since these desks share the same underlying frame, replacement parts are widely available if needed. If you want absolute certainty: Uplift is the safest bet. They’re not going anywhere. Personally, I think it’s the least attractive option....yes yes I know its the same frame but I think its due to the laminate looking cheap. The company itself is stable and support is reliable. The integrated side switch is nice, though not unique. Others: * Branch grew fast during COVID with heavy VC backing. That can be a double-edged sword. Acquisitions often change service quality (IE Fully Jarvis). * Humanscale makes beautiful products, but their pricing here is hard to justify given the shared frame. If materials and value matter most, Autonomous Levitate 2 offers the best overall package. And yes, despite my personal dislike for the brand, that’s my honest assessment. Just please don't expect much on the stability front from any of these models.

I got 1 from Autonomous about 12 years ago. Still going strong. I bought the stand mechanism with 2 motors and put a butcher block top on it just like another user did.

I'm 5'4" and have a Autonomous desk. It only goes down to 26" which is still a bit too high for me. I keep it down at 26" and have my chair adjusted to match the desk, and then use a Human Scale footrest to get my feet back up to where they should be. [https://www.amazon.com/Humanscale-Foot-Machine-Footrest-natural/dp/B000HVI1RG/ref=ast\_sto\_dp\_puis](https://www.amazon.com/Humanscale-Foot-Machine-Footrest-natural/dp/B000HVI1RG/ref=ast_sto_dp_puis) Stacking reams of paper up is a good temporary footrest option too. :) My chair is a Steelcase Gesture (442A30) that I got years ago at a factory sale. The seat pan is a good depth for my legs and the arm rests adjust to where I need them as well.

I have had an autonomous for the past 4 years and love it

Lol. This is a dumb comment. Any standing desk below $400 is usually not great quality and wobbles heavily. The ones on Amazon for $150 are complete plastic and the motor isn’t as strong and quiet. They’re very cheap quality. With standing desks generally the more you pay the better, but the material matters a lot. Anywhere between $500-800 is a good range, and $800-1500 is the ultimate range usually solid wood and thicker than 1inch, from reputable brands and they have the best motors, weight capacity and warranties. I suggest Desky, Autonomous, Vari, Vernal, Uplift and EffyDesk. Uplift and Desky are the best since they have the most options and customizations and they have the best customer service and warranties.

Tbh any standing desk that’s from a reputable brand won’t wobble at sitting height but almost all do at standing height. The only ones that don’t wobble are 4 legged standing desks and uplift makes them. They’re pricier but they are super strong and have a crazy weight capacity. Uplift has the most customizable desk as well but they’re a US based brand and might have duties if you live outside the US. Desky is the most popular standing desk brand and I’ve bought a lot things from them. They have great customer service and fast shipping. If price isn’t an issue go for Uplift or even Oakywood since that can be customized too and Oakywood makes the best wood products and desktop. Whatever you do don’t get MDF desks since it’s basically particle/chip board material. It’ll be difficult to screw accessories to them. Go for solid wood, it’s pricier but more durable and you need at least a 1 inch thick desk but I recommend 1.5 inches.

Desky, Vari and Autonomous in that order. But overall: 1. Uplift 2. Desky 3. Vernal 4. Vari 5. Autonomous In that order of the sturdiest.