FlexiSpot E7 Standing Desk review: the future of working from home?

Designed to work as a standard desk but with the ability to rise upwards when needed, standing desks aim to deliver all the comfort of a conventional desk with all the benefits of a standing workstation. The FlexiSpot E7 is currently one of the most popular standing desks in the market right now, so our very own Curtis Moldrich put it to the test to see just how useful a standing desk can be.

Working from home has become the default for many of us, but often our home setup is nowhere near as comfortable or ergonomic as the one in the office. If you’re worried about posture, or you’re already having aches and pains – it could be worth trying a standing desk.

Build

Get the E7 out of the box, and it’s clearly well-made – whichever of the seven wood finishes and two frame colours you go for. Unlike some other cheaper desks you can buy, there’s no hint of cheap laminated surfaces, and the welds on its metal frame all look and feel robust. It’s reassuringly heavy, too.

Assembly isn’t all that quick, but it is easy. Parts are categorized by letter, and the instructions are clear and concise throughout. FlexiSpot ships the same instructions for a larger and smaller version of the E7, but the differences are clearly signposted, so it’s impossible to get confused.

Usability and performance

So, what’s it like day-to-day? First, it’s worth pointing out how robust it feels in use. It’s reassuringly heavy, and there’s also no flex; so much so that we attached a dual monitor stand without so much as a creak.

The actual height-adjustable aspects of the desk are also relatively easy to understand: Everything is controlled via a svelte control panel, and the FlexiSpot can offer anything between 58-123cm – always displaying the exact height. The motors aren’t silent – though they’re not noisy either. After heavy use, they’ll need a break. That sounds annoying, but it was never a problem for us.

Four programmable presets are available, though we found the desk easy and quick enough to set up without them. Perhaps it’d be different if our workstation was used by multiple people.

Obstacle protection and a child lock also feature in the E7’s abilities, and both are particularly useful for those with young families. The FlexiSpot’s motors will shut down if they encounter resistance, and a long press of the M button also locks the controls so children can’t fiddle with your settings while you’re away.

Price

As the item is customisable, the price can vary. The frame itself retails for £399 and with the maple desktop for £479.98. Compared with its peers, it is in the mid-field for cost and highly regarded as the flagship for the brand. Flexispot does offer alternatives at lower more budget-friendly prices such as the FlexiSpot E1.

Verdict

If you’re serious about health in the workplace, then a standing desk like the E7 should be at the top of your list. At standard heights, it’s sturdy, stylish and feels premium – but it also has the added benefit of improving your health, too.

It does take some willpower to use properly though; we found ourselves sticking to sitting heights for the most part, and it was only after using alarms and timers that we began to use the E7 in its standing position. When we did, it felt tiring, to begin with, but we were soon accustomed to a more dynamic style of working.

Mileage may vary between users, but we found using a combination of standing and sitting as the most comfortable solution throughout the day – though regular walks may have also played a part.

Now back to the desk: It’s simple to use – and can easily push the weight of two monitors and a Macbook Pro when needed. The only catch – aside from the price? We’d recommend buying some proper cable tidies and taking care of the length of your cords; what’s tidy and simple when the desk is lowered isn’t always ideal when the desk is in a standing position.

What to read next:

The best home office desks on a budget

The best back supports for office chairs

The best monitor arm mounts to declutter your desk

Curtis has worked in the technology sector for several years, reviewing and testing the best audio gear, laptops and gadgets at titles including The Telegraph, Mixmag and Expert Reviews. Now the online editor of CAR magazine, he's a keen sim-racer, too.

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