Elevate your desk with an adjustable monitor stand

It’s always been a mystery to me how people can get back pain from sitting. They’re not exactly slaving away, I thought. They sit comfortably on their ergonomic chairs. What could possibly happen?

Nothing. And that’s precisely the problem. Eight hours and more in the same bent banana position – I can feel it as I write. I’m working from home more regularly now, the stints are getting longer and I’m busy studying for my further education. The consequences? A stiff shoulder and a sore back. Classic.

«Ha!» I think, «It’s the chair.» So I dig out my expensive office chair from my student days. But my shoulder isn’t a fan. «Ha!» I think, «It’s the table.» So I set it up higher, slide a footstool underneath it and adjust my body to every conceivable angle that Dr Google recommends. But my back continues to complain.

And then I realise: «Ha! It’s me. I should stand more.»

Painful transport

It’s my team’s office day at the headquarters. A few days ago I had an adjustable monitor stand delivered to the office. Due to space and cost, I decided against a standing desk. The stand should be small, handy and easy to reposition. I was won over by the Logilink model rated 4.7 out of 5 by the Galaxus Community, as there’s space for two screens on the main shelf. The price is a lot more appealing than the Newstar model with its two strange grip holes. Plus that one’s too big for me. The Xantron model and the Digitus model also appear too bulky at over 90 centimetres in length.

Monitor stands

EUR342,82

Neomounts Stand-sit workplace

161

Monitor stands

Xantron Sit-stand desk attachment

9

Monitor stands

EUR142,23

Digitus Writing desk attachment

300

Monitor stands

EUR342,82

Neomounts Stand-sit workplace

161

Monitor stands

Xantron Sit-stand desk attachment

9

Monitor stands

EUR142,23

Digitus Writing desk attachment

300

That’s why my eyes widen when I see a huge package on a trolley wheeled up to me as I pick up my stand. The packaged monster weighs around 15 kilogrammes. I begin to think taking public transport might be a real headache. After the stand parts have tipped over four times and bumped into several commuters on the S11 – the material hasn’t been scratched despite being «Made in China» – I arrive home breathless. For once I must admit, public transport isn’t always convenient.

An easy assembly

Still, the assembly is smooth. The 16 small parts, which at first frighten me and my two left hands, are clearly labelled. The 79.5 x 30 centimetre keyboard shelf attaches to the 80 x 40 centimetre main shelf literally in the blink of an eye. However, I’m still not sure exactly what the adhesive foam parts are for.

Now I heave the stand onto the table. It looks gigantic in black but unfortunately there are no other colours. Visually, it’s somewhat reminiscent of a lifting platform on a building site. The Relaxdays model made of wood would have been much easier on the eye. However, that one only had space for one screen and can only be adjusted to predefined heights. I guess looks aren’t everything.

Apprehensive loading

Now it’s time to «load» my platform. It can allegedly withstand up to 15 kilogrammes. I’m relieved to see that my laptop and screen fit next to each other without any problems. I could also attach a monitor arm. The keyboard and mouse fit on the shelf underneath too. However, when I align the two next to each other, I suspect that things might feel quite tight.

The height can be adjusted with a push lever which sits under the main shelf on the right. Raising to a maximum of 50.5 centimetres is very easy thanks to the gas pressure spring. This is a pneumatic spring with a built-in damping mechanism that gains force using gas. You often find them on slatted bed bases, office chairs and car doors. When lowering it down, you need to put a bit of pressure on the shelf. No big deal, I’m strengthening my back muscles, I think to myself.

Somewhat narrow and wobbly...

Now it’s time to get to work. As I stand in front of my new office addition and start typing, I notice two things:

• If I push the keyboard too far back, when I type I bump my fingers against the top shelf. If I put it closer to me, towards the rounded ergonomic edge which doesn’t add any aesthetic value, it risks plummeting to the ground. There’s not much space.

The stand also wobbles slightly if I hit the keys too hard. But I’d have to be in a typing frenzy for that to happen:

... still more advantages than disadvantages

However, apart from minor quirks, there are many plus points. Resting your hands on it feels very pleasant. The edges of both shelves have a flattened design. This means that the edge of the table doesn’t pinch your wrist – something that my model has over many other stands and even standing desks. The shelf for the monitor is also sufficiently long. It’s around ten centimetres shorter than its competitors mentioned above. On the other hand, it saves space because there are no unsightly grip holes.

The slot on the monitor shelf is ideal for a tablet but a little deep for a smartphone. I can just barely access fingerprint unlock on my phone. It’s a bonus for students and other people who work a lot with paper because A4 sheets fit perfectly into the gap. To stabilise them, you can simply slide a piece of cardboard behind them.

That’s not all, the monitor stand also works perfectly well when seated. I’ve realised now what the foam pieces that I stuck to the underside are for. Namely, they stabilise the keyboard shelf. The cable holders underneath are also practical. They bring at least a semblance of order to my cable clutter.

What’ss your home office set-up like? Let the Community and me know in the comments!