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Test desks are a subjective game. As with office chairs, the tests are based on comfort, reliability, and ease of setup rather than things you can test in electronic devices like wattage and battery usage. I’m still testing each one thoroughly and will continue to test them for longevity in the coming months.
I tested these desks by asking three people to try each one. They each used the office for at least 16 hours and then gave me their impressions. All three people were 6 feet 1 inch tall; 5 feet 8 inches; and 5 feet and 4 inches respectively, to give me a good cross-section of the average user’s height.
Preparation time and package quality
Building offices is often difficult and time-consuming. For each desk, I determined the time it took to unpack and assemble, and noted whether the manual was easy to follow. I followed the instructions as closely as possible so that each build performed as if I had never built one before. I also carefully checked the packaging to make sure it wasn’t damaged and if it was secure enough to hold the desk inside. No damage was noted, and photos were sent to the manufacturers for review.
Structural integrity
Modern desks must be able to support a significant amount of weight. If you sit at a writing desk, you may only have a small laptop, but if you use a gaming desk, it probably has two monitors and a giant gaming PC as well. For each desk, I checked the maximum load specifications, and tried to match that to the materials we actually use in our desks.
I used:
- Heavy duty PC tower for gaming
- Two 27-inch gaming monitors on a dual monitor arm
- MacBook Pro
- Two different keyboards, mice, and trackpads
- for me Oculus Quest 2
- Phone holder and USB hub
- Microphone and headphones for podcasts
Depending on the length and weight of the desk, I mix and match these elements, then check to see if there is any bending at the top or inconsistent feel of the desk as I work.
Oscillation – oscillation
This is kind of a throwback to when my father made furniture. Anything my father built would be criticized by my mother, and if it didn’t work out, she’d say, “It’s a bit wobbly, isn’t it, honey?” Once I’ve built each desk and loaded it for normal use, I’ll check it to make sure it doesn’t shake. This means shaking it from side to side and back and forth to make sure all the screws, bolts, and fittings keep everything solid.