I've tested many desks. I've used a lot of different companies. I've built many desks, and I currently have several in my active repertoire that my team and I use daily.
There are some desks I've learned I can rely on: I know testing will go smoothly, building will be a no-frills experience, and once it's built, I won't have to worry about it falling apart on me. Uplift has quickly become one of those companies that I can give my five-star label to without any hesitation.
Of course, as I am with this one, I thoroughly test every desk. I'm pleased to say the four-legged standing desk continues the trend I have seen over the last couple of years in Uplift's build quality, reliability, and user experience.
This is the kind of desk most people should probably get if they want the best standing desk - although limited availability outside North America might mean its misses out on a spot in my guide. Most people I know don't need a ton of add-ons or bells and whistles. Just a quality slab of wood that won't be a waste of money in a few years, but something they can keep building on and use for many, many, many years to come.
Yes, of course, some people just want a simple budget desk, and for them, this might not be the right option. For those who want something that lasts and want to invest in something worth it, the Uplift standing desk family, including this four-legged standing desk, is well worth the cost, in my book.
Uplift 4-leg standing desk: Price and Availability
The Uplift 4-leg standing desk is available direct from the manufacturer, and comes in a range of different styles to match the workspace.
The MSRP on this desk is about $960, but you'll likely be able to grab it on sale if you aren't in any rush. I would keep an eye on Uplift's website and other third-party retailers to see if you can find it.
Unless you'd rather go with a custom desk, I would suggest going straight to Uplift's website and customizing your desk there. During the customization process, you can choose everything, down to the wood type, exact specifications and sizing, leg color, accessories, grommet placement, fill, and more.
Keep in mind, of course, that if you choose a larger desk and some more premium accessories, the price will go up, but I believe my build with a 48-inch desk was just around $960.
Uplift 4-leg standing desk: Unboxing and First Impressions
Every company has its modifications, but Uplift's unboxing experience is super straightforward. Overall, unboxing and building took me about 20 minutes, which says a lot. I know it's only a 48-inch desk, so there wasn't much logistical physics involved in maneuvering around a large slab of wood. A 20-minute build time for a standing desk is pretty crazy, since some desks take people upwards of 2 hours due to their complexity (and I should probably say unnecessary complexity, since Uplift shows it doesn't have to be that hard).
Another thing I really appreciate about Uplift is that everything is pre-threaded. Unless you want to add things beyond what they send, even with their additional accessories, everything has a pre-threaded hole in the ideal location. Of course, since this is, at the end of the day, a hunk of wood, you can customize it however you want, adding that extra flexibility. If you want to build to their suggestions, there are plenty of mounting options, down to the controller.
I mentioned it briefly above, but as someone who has had plenty of power strips fall off due to failed adhesive or the frustration of having to undo a screw in a nice piece of wood (because the power strip placement was slightly off), I can attest to the value of this. Being able to mount the power strip directly to the desk frame in multiple locations is an unlock I didn't realize I wanted until I started using Uplift desks.
Once again, if you plan to add a power strip, I suggest getting one or several from them so you can use this system. You can connect the power strip, which will inevitably get heavy and warm, to the frame so it won't fall off in the future.
Uplift 4-leg standing desk: Design and Build Quality
Building on what I said in previous sections, Uplift standing desks have build quality that's probably second to none, especially on their higher-end models, like this solid walnut one I have here. The quality and materials are spectacular.
Sure, if you want, you can get a much cheaper desk with a fake wood top or a non-wood top all around. Having a solid hunk of walnut, or any quality wood, to base your entire workstation around is well worth it, in my book.
Before my years of reviewing desks, I've gone the route of:
- cheap built-ins in apartments
- cheap desks at university
- tables that I pulled from other areas because I didn't think it mattered
- not even having a desk at all and just running a laptop on my lap or at the kitchen table
While those are all viable options, maybe some people need a dedicated workspace they can be proud of. That makes all the difference if you choose the 48-inch desk route, as I do.
One thing to note: the frame that holds the legs to the desktop will slightly cover the grommet holes. If you plan to use one of the powered grommet holes to run power all the way up to the top of your desk, it may not fit properly.
For me, having the cable pass through, or even a little cubby, works just fine. For this size desk, it doesn't seem worth it to me to have a power grommet in the top, especially since I planned to use my Siteki power block on top, as you can see in the photos.
Uplift 4-leg standing desk: In use
I'm 6'1", 6'2" depending on who's asking, or, honestly, what shoes I'm wearing that day. I've noticed I'm at that cutoff point where some desks rise to the level I want, and some are just a little too short. Most of the time, I'm putting my desks on caster wheels, which helps significantly by adding a couple of inches, but for some desks, I don't, and that's really when I notice the cutoff in height.
So, this is for those who are around that same height or taller. I've done my homework over the last several years, and many sit-stand desks aren't built for people who are our height or taller. Uplift is not one of those companies.
It can rise to a height that is actually taller than I would want, which is very uncommon for me. This means that I can raise it up to where I actually am comfortable standing for long periods of time, not feeling like I have to hunch over at all or compromise by having my monitor on an arm that's abnormally high when I'm sitting (just so that it matches the height I want when I'm standing).
All right, back to everybody here. A standing desk that can get really high isn't just useful for taller people. Of course, that's one clear benefit, but it's also a huge benefit if you want to use your space a little more intentionally and slide your desk chair under your desk when you're not using it. If you're the kind of person who changes out parts on your desk even semi-regularly, being able to raise it lets you get under it much easier without crawling around on the floor, lying on your back, or feeling claustrophobic.
It's also helpful if you are on a call on your laptop that's open on your desk and you want a better height or angle during an interview (so your potential future boss isn't looking up your nose from your camera angle on your laptop). If you're like me and need to get it up and out of the way so your kids can't reach it when you're not around, the extra height can be a game changer and potentially a work saver.
I've really enjoyed doing this for the last several desks and products I've tested, and I've had this desk for about 100 days now, actually 106 if you're being very technical. It's been in my office space at my studio for about 100 days.
Over the last few years, I've started testing longer periods like this because I noticed a few products I tested early on didn't work great after a few months of heavy use. Uplift has absolutely knocked it out of the park and has even survived about six different desk setups in those 106 days so far.
Now, of course, I know not many people will rotate out their gear as quickly as I do. What is good to know is that this desk has gone up and down numerous times. Over the last 106 days, it has lifted almost no weight every single day. It has lifted an extremely heavy monitor, desk shelves, and multiple monitors. It's even lifted my kids a couple of times because, scarily enough, my kids now view my office as a jungle gym sometimes.
Through all those tests, desk setups, and children, this desk hasn't wavered at all. There's been absolutely no degradation in the materials or the electric motors. There are zero signs of wear and tear. The desk still lifts and lowers as quietly as before. Partly because of its smaller size, but mostly because of its quality build, this desk has zero wobble. Even at height, you won't notice it moving at all.
This desk probably isn't for those who need a super niche desk, but for everyone else looking for a quality workstation, it's a great place to start, or at least one to strongly consider.
Uplift 4-leg standing desk: Final verdict
If you're looking for a corner desk, this is not it. If you're looking for a very specific niche desk that matches your aesthetic perfectly, this might be it. If you want a quality desk you can build out into just about anything, you should absolutely check out Uplift's standing desks and consider them for your build.
A quality desk as the capstone and foundation for everything else you build around it makes all the difference. You can have the best chair, the best speakers, the best laptop, the best monitor arm, and the best gadgets on your desk, but if your desk itself is terrible, it'll make everything else feel lesser, like it's trying to cover up. It's going to feel like makeup on a pig.
If you start with a quality main piece and then slowly build around it, you know what you're building on is a firm foundation, and that's wise no matter how you look at it.
For more work essentials, we've tested and reviewed the best office chairs.