Even as some parts of the country cautiously begin the process of reopening, quite a few of us are dealing with the realization that we may be working from home, in some form or another, for many months to come. If we weren’t ready to invest in seat cushions, laptop stands and tables, loungewear, and mesh Wi-Fi systems to improve our WFH experience before, we’re definitely feeling the impulse now. That’s why we were pleased to learn that three staffers at our sibling site, the Verge (both companies are a part of Vox Media), swear by the same desk: the Fully Jarvis Bamboo Standing Desk. Since we trust them to know the best laptops to buy, we trust them to know the best desk to put that new laptop on, too. Here’s why so many of our colleagues at the Verge love the Jarvis.
The Jarvis comes in a variety of sizes, starting at a compact 30-by-27 inches and going all the way up to 78-by-30, and desk height adjusts from 24.5 inches (in case you want to sit on the floor) to 50 inches (when you’re standing). Deputy editor Dan Seifert has one of the larger sizes, which “has served me well for about four years now,” he says. “It’s a comfortable, stable, spacious desk that has more versatility than typical desk options.” According to news editor Nick Statt, this desk is one of the best work-from-home purchases he’s made in years. Plus, “assembly was far less cumbersome than I thought it would be,” he says. “Just having the option to sit or stand, when you’re cooped up in your room or home office all day, makes a big difference.” As for news writer Jay Peters, he chose a more custom build: “I highly recommend spending the extra $20 for the extended-range height, which lets the desk get lower for sitting and higher for standing, and the extra $35 for the programmable height switcher, which lets you preset heights that you can switch back and forth just by pressing a button,” he says. Peters actually uses his Jarvis as more than just a desk: “I also sprung for the $29 casters so that I could wheel it around my apartment, which lets my wife and I use it as a mobile entertainment system,” he says.
Editors’ note: The Amazon price below is for a 72-by-30 inch desk with motorized height adjustment. You can customize your own desk at Fully, where smaller sizes start at $469.
A few more Strategist-approved standing desks
According to actress, writer, and Strategist contributor Liz Carey, the Avantree is comfortable — and perfect for people who experience pain while sitting at a desk all day. “The tabletop can be tilted, and you adjust its height via two buttons on either of its legs. If I put it on top of the regular desk I work from in my bedroom, the setup affords me enough height that you could call it a makeshift standing desk,” she says. It’s also collapsible, so you can carry it around the house if you get restless after working on the couch for a few hours.
When we interviewed chiropractors and physical therapists about some of the best ergonomic desks and accessories, physical therapist Joe Tatta suggested the Varidesk. “Substituting prolonged standing for prolonged sitting results in a greater feeling of discomfort as a likely result of discomfort in the legs, back or shoulders due to prolonged standing,” he says. “With a sit-stand workstation, the individual would be able to adjust their posture at the onset of discomfort and thus reduce the total amount of discomfort resulting from prolonged time in the same posture.”
With 647 reviews and a 4.6 star rating, this inexpensive height-adjustable desk is a favorite among Amazon reviewers. “If you need a standing laptop desk that’s easy to move around, has plenty of storage, and a generous working surface, I don’t think you can do better than this for anywhere close to the price,” writes one reviewer.
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