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Although I like the Steelcase Gesture office chair very much, I know that sitting for a long time is bad for my health. I also know that standing all day long (for example, at a desk that is permanently standing) is not ideal. This is where my Uplift V2 standing desk comes in. With the push of a button, I can raise or lower the desktop to a suitable height. For example, this table allows me to stand during a meeting or when I brainstorm and want to adjust my pace. Then I can sit in the afternoon, when I get tired after lunch.

I tested the Uplift V2 and five other standing desks in my restaurant, raising and lowering the tables to the maximum and minimum heights, and the different intervals between them, to simulate different people's heights. I stood on the aerobic stepping platform and magically changed my height from 5 feet 2 feet to 6 feet. I use Groot to evaluate the shaking. I compared desktop samples from Uplift and other manufacturers. In other words, I spent a lot of time thinking about the desk.

Uplift V2 is the most customizable desk we have tested, and its wide height range is suitable for people from 5 feet 4 inches to 7 feet tall.

After testing, I found that the Uplift V2's fast and smooth adjustments (a pleasant buzzing sound, not the groaning of other desks) and its many customization options make it ideal for use as the centerpiece of almost any office. If money is not an issue, I would choose one of Uplift's amazing hardware tops. But the 4-foot bamboo top I own is also very cute and elegant. I also appreciate the free accessories provided by the desk—especially the wooden desk storage box, because the desk has no drawers. Although this is a fairly large desk with a steel base, I can easily set it up by myself. The only trouble I encountered was moving heavy boxes into my home and turning the table over once I connected the legs to the top. For this, it is helpful to have a friend.

After 8 years of testing with more than 25 standing desks, we recommend Uplift V2 because of its customizability, wide height range and reliable stability.

Like many others, I am hesitant about the price of more than $600 for a standing desk. However, if you consider the time spent at the desk, the investment will pay off. I think that in the long run, it is worth buying a higher-priced desk to help you achieve the much-needed exercise. The desk is the largest piece of furniture in the home office, and you will spend a lot of time viewing and processing it. Personally, I spend too much time sitting outside of work, whether it is eating with my family, reading or watching TV. Therefore, a standing desk encourages me to switch positions more frequently than using a manual crank standing desk or no standing desk at all.

The height of most traditional desks is between 28 and 30 inches. This is best for people 5 feet 10 feet or higher-I am not. Since I am a petite woman, Uplift V2 is a more suitable desk for sitting compared to the standard desk I used before. It allows me to put my feet on the floor (this is the suggestion of an ergonomics expert I have spoken to). Trust me, leaving your feet in the air any time is uncomfortable and distracting.

In the past eight years, we have tested more than 25 standing desks. Since testing began in 2018, Uplift V2 has always been the first choice. This is why we like it:

Learn more in our guide to the best standing desks.

Since 2018, we have not seen a good deal on the Uplift V2 standing desk. Recent supply chain problems and strong demand only increased street prices to $600 (compared to $500 in March).

Market price: US$600 for a basic 42-inch composite desk, US$900 for a 60-inch bamboo desk with memory keyboard

Best price we've seen: Since 2018, we haven't seen any significant discounts on Uplift desks.

A standing desk is a huge investment, so it is important to actually use it as expected. Alternate sitting and standing throughout the day. You can even develop this habit by setting different standing times (for example, at the beginning of the day) and sitting (perhaps during meetings or short breaks). Researchers from the University of Waterloo in Ontario studied the back pain of people sitting and standing at their desks. They suggested a ratio of sitting to standing between 1:1 and 1:3. In other words, you should sit and stand for the same amount of time each day. Or, at the highest rate, sit for 15 minutes and stand for 45 minutes every hour.

If there is a problem with the desk, don't be afraid to contact the company. Uplift provides a 10-year warranty for its desks.

Melanie Pinola (Melanie Pinola) is a Wirecutter senior staff writer, covering all the content of the home office. She has contributed to print and online publications such as The New York Times, Lifehacker, and PCWorld, specializing in technology, productivity, and lifestyle/family topics. When these topics crossed each other, she was excited-when she wrote them down in her pajamas.

After 8 years of testing with more than 25 standing desks, we recommend Uplift V2 because of its customizability, wide height range and reliable stability.

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Authors: Kevin Purdy and Melanie Pinola

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