I’ve been geeking out over office chairs for about 5 years now. Dozens of them have graced my home office as I’ve searched for the best ergonomic chair you can buy.

On this quest, I’ve purchased everything from the cheap-and-cheerful Sihoo M90 to the eye-wateringly expensive (but not very comfortable) Herman Miller Aeron.

Secretlab chairs have never been my thing. The bulky gamer aesthetic has always been too garish for my liking – largely because I’m a 45-year-old married man with a kid.

As in, not a kid myself.

Above: The Pure colour options are 100% colour coded, so a Pure Black+ chair will be entirely black. A Pure White+ chair, meanwhile, will be – you guessed it – 100% white.

The Atlas, released in early 2026, attempts to solve this problem.

Secretlab decided to take a chunk out of the ‘adult’ ergonomic chair market by creating a chair with a more muted, slimmer aesthetic.

I got one in Pure Black+ leatherette option to maximise its sober minimalism, and take full advantage of the (allegedly superior) Nanogen option.

Above: Atlas retains some of that ‘sculpted bucket’ aesthetic, but the backrest is much slimmer than Titan’s, so it won’t take up as much space.

Reasons To Buy The Secretlab Atlas Ergonomic Office Chair.

Despite Secretlab’s attempts to give the Atlas a less outlandish look, it’s still a big chair – largely because the one-piece backrest is so tall.

Secretlab did a great job balancing the (impossibly) competing needs of nodding to its gamer heritage while distancing itself from it sufficiently enough to attract people like me.

It won’t overpower your home office in the way the Titan will, but it will not blend in, either.

Secretlab’s designers achieved the sleek look by miniaturising controls to an almost unreasonable level.

You won’t find ugly levers or buttons anywhere – all controls are tucked away into two dual-use mechanisms on either side of the chair.

Above: Right-hand-side control. The outer ring controls the height. The inner red tab controls the recline lock-off.

The knobs wobble a little more than I’d like, but this is a minor detail.

But before I delve too deeply into the chair’s build quality, let me talk about assembly.

It’s probably the best experience I’ve ever had assembling a chair.

The entire process is a carefully managed event in itself. It genuinely makes you feel excited about what’s inside.

A mysterious-looking box starts the show.

Above: Secretlab has clearly thought about the theatre of assembly.

You pop it open to discover assembly instructions – clear, beautifully designed, easy to follow.

Inside is a black envelope that looks like something Tom Cruise would receive just before embarking on yet another Mission: Impossible.

You can assemble your Atlas by referring to a giant poster or an A4-sized booklet. Up to you.

Above: The Atlas isn’t a difficult chair to assemble, and the gorgeous instructions make it even easier.

Most office chair brands just shrinkwrap components and throw them inside the box.

Secretlab’s packaging feels more like an action-movie reveal, where the hero opens a hard case and reveals every component of a sniper rifle, laid out with military precision.

I’ve never seen a chair brand do this – and it might seem like an inconsequential detail, but it reinforces the already positive experience.

Above: The packaging doesn’t feel like a bunch of chair parts.

Alright, I’ve raved about Atlas’ assembly process for long enough. What’s the actual chair like, Steven?

Did Secretlab succeed at building a legitimate ergonomic chair? Or did they create a gimmicky spinoff of the Titan?

Neither.

Because the Atlas would have been an almost-unbeatable ergonomic chair – if it wasn’t for two critical details (see my Reasons To Avoid, below).

It’s a shame, because it has so much going for it.

The build quality is rock-solid. I wouldn’t call it high-end, but it’s exactly on par for its $700-$1100 price point.

I hate when office chairs wobble or rattle, and, notwithstanding the somewhat loose control handles I mentioned earlier, I’m happy to report that none of these quirks exists on the Atlas.

The chair feels bulletproof.

Above: Stencilled logos are cool AF.

Seating position, meanwhile, is … nuanced.

I suspect Atlas will get a fair bit of hate online for being “too firm.”

Mostly from people who have spent the last decade in squishy gaming chairs – and expect Secretlab’s first ergonomic chair to feel like their grandma’s sofa.

To be clear – an ergonomic chair isn’t supposed to feel soft and spongy. By definition. Don’t listen to those people.

In my view, Atlas has the right amount of firmness.

The backrest and seat pan do not physically flex. 

You sit wedged inside a bucket-style shell, much like you would in a traditional gaming chair.

But Atlas does allow you to move a little by pressing your various body parts into the foam.

It feels like a simulated flex of sorts – and makes the seating position less rigid than you might expect.

Above: The aggressive-looking side bolsters are actually soft to the touch – they’ll allow you to sit cross-legged (but you shouldn’t do it if ergonomic seating is a priority).

The recline, by the way, is outstanding. Secretlab opted for a classic synchro-tilt which, unlike gaming chair mechanisms, raises your seat pan by only 1 degree for every 2 degrees of tilt.

This means your feet don’t come off the ground when you recline.

The only minor downside is that it’s always a little reclined. The most upright position is 100 degrees at the sharpest angle, so you never quite get that perfect tasking feeling.

Reasons To Avoid The Atlas Ergonomic Office Chair.

Atlas offers you a choice of two sizes: regular and large. But don’t be fooled into thinking that the latter raises your sitting position. It doesn’t.

While seat and backrest widths increase by about 5%, the seat height stays the same on both sizes. 41cm at the lowest setting, and 48.5cm at the highest.

It also means the larger size caters to heavier people – but not taller people.

This is a bizarre blunder by Secretlab – for several reasons.

It also makes ergonomic forearm placement tricky, as desktops of many regular desks will be on a higher horizontal plane than you need (unless you have a height-adjustable desk).

Finally, Atlas’ seat depth adjustment is one of the deepest I’ve ever seen.

Its 46cm – 52cm maximum depth is huge and perfect for tall people like me with long legs. And yet, this opportunity to provide under-leg support is squandered by the low seat height.

So in a weird way, Secretlab created a chair with a seat pan that is too low for tall people, but a seat depth that is too big for short people.

Above: The exposed stitching is a beautiful detail that reminds me of expensive Audis.

The second downside of the Atlas chair is its tendency to trap heat. Thick, solid backrest and fake leather are the perfect recipe for poor breathability.

And poor breathability = sweat.

If you have a high metabolism and/or are overweight, I strongly recommend choosing one of the three fabric materials instead – that will help keep you cool.

Especially if you live in one of Australia’s hotter cities.

Above: The armcaps have a strong front edge that can dig into your forearms when reclining.

I like – but don’t love – the Atlas’ armcaps.

Their density is perfect – hard enough to provide support to your forearms, but soft enough not to irritate your elbows when you lean into them.

But their front edges are quite, um, sudden. If you like working in a semi-reclined position, you’ll notice them pressing against your forearms – and not in a soothing way.

The armcaps do pivot, and Secretlab wants you to believe that this replaces the need for a dedicated width control.

It can – but only if the front edges of the armcaps have a smooth taper. Which they don’t.

Or, more precisely, its lack thereof.

Secretlab made the controversial decision to remove all lumbar adjustments on the Atlas, arguing that the vast majority of users never adjust it, anyway.

On the surface, that’s an intelligent argument. It certainly matches my anecdotal experience – I dial in the lumbar once, and never touch it again.

Secretlab erred on the weaker side. The built-in lumbar support is flaccid. Almost nonexistent.

But this is the smarter decision – because you can always add more lumbar support using lumbar pillows.

Secretlab is more than happy to sell you a (very cool-looking) lumbar pillow for $99. I recommend you get one – your lower back will thank you.

The downside I’m worried about is that all these additions are pushing the chair’s price up.

If you’re tall, you’ll need a large chair, modified with about $100 worth of rollers and a piston, plus a $99 lumbar pillow.

Your total price for a Nanofoam model will be hovering dangerously close to $1,400. This is still competitive, but I fear it may be steep for many folks this chair is aimed at.

How The Secretlab Atlas Ergonomic Chair Stacks Up.

The Atlas scores below average for adjustments and warranty. But it compensates for those with superb aesthetics and good comfort.

My Final Verdict On The Secretlab Atlas Ergonomic Chair.

Uff, this is a hard one.

The Atlas is not a chair for short people. If you’re shorter than ~155 cm, the 46 cm minimum seat depth will likely press into the back of your knees and affect circulation. Stay away.

The Atlas can be an ergonomic chair for tall people – but only if you modify its lumbar and height using about $200 of aftermarket parts I described above.

The problem is, Atlas’ 3-year warranty (that can be extended to 5 years by posting about the chair on socials) jars against this figure.

$1400 is firmly in the premium chair category, where most brands offer 8-12 years of coverage.

If your $ 1,400 chair fell apart after 3-5 years of use, would you be upset about it? I would.

Because Atlas is not a boring office chair – it’s a beautifully sculpted statement piece that will elevate your home workspace while keeping you in a reasonably ergonomic sitting position.

That’s worth something.

Steven

This may come as a shock to you, but I’m NOT a 19-year-old moody teenager living in his parents’ basement. So when Secretlab contacted me to review their Titan Evo NanoGen gaming chair, I initially declined.

The gamer image isn’t exactly what I’m going for.

But then I took a closer look – and reconsidered.

Yes, the Titan Evo NanoGen is a gaming chair. But it’s a gaming chair wearing a tux.

Above: I like the Titan Evo’s sculpted lines. Classic Secretlab stuff.

Only available in minimalist black and white (no garish Pokémon colour schemes, thank God), it offers ultra-soft upholstery and a sculpted look that maybe – just maybe – could not look out of place in a home office of a married 45-year-old guy.

Moreover, I had the same hesitation when I reviewed Secretlab’s Magnus Pro standing desk – but walked away seriously impressed.

I decided to suspend my scepticism and find out.

Reasons To Buy The Secretlab TITAN Evo NanoGen Chair.

The NanoGen’s pure black (or white) leatherette material makes a statement. It’s certainly not a chair that’s designed to blend in.

Every single part of the chair is blacked (or whited) out.

I love the exposed stitching – it’s a nice nod to seats you see in expensive Porsches.

The leatherette, meanwhile, is ultra-soft and reminds me of an (expensive) aniline couch I bought many years ago. Yes, it’s fake leather, but visually it’s impossible to tell apart from the real thing (unless you’re some sort of leather expert, which I most certainly am not).

By the way, I glossed over the assembly, so let me come back to it. I’m glad to report that the chair is easy to throw together.

(Related: Secretlab Atlas: The Best New Office Chair In Australia?)

It’s a bit on the fiddly side – as expected from a direct-to-consumer mid-range chair – but the clear instructions make up for it.

Above: Skip the giant assembly manual. Use the booklet instead – you’ll make less mistakes and work faster.

I was relieved to find armrests pre-attached, as this is one of the clunkiest steps when assembling an office chair.

Speaking of armrests, if you read my chair reviews regularly, you’ll know that I’m a harsh marker. I hate almost all of them.

But the Titan Evo’s are not far behind. They adjust in 4D, and even though I wish they were closer to my body at the narrowest setting, it’s a small gripe.

NanoGen’s PlushCell armcaps (a $99 option on the standard Evo) are included standard – and are the real stars of the show.

Secretlab’s marketing gushes about their “pillow-like softness” and “unmatched comfort” – and thankfully, the product does live up to the hype.

Above: Exposed stitching is a nice touch that makes the chair look more expensive than it is.

The ultra-comfortable vibes continue to the backrest and the seat pan.

I’ve seen reviews where people complain about the firmness of the seat pan, but I disagree. It’s definitely on the firmer side, but it’s not a deal-breaker. NanoGen’s seat pan is roughly as firm as the one on my Steelcase Series 2.

If you remember anything from reading this review, let it be this – all expensive ergonomic chairs are firm.

I guarantee you that people who make the most noise about this “issue” have transitioned from cheap, plush office chairs – or cheap mainstream gaming chairs.

Above: Knee-tilt hinge is typical for a gaming chair, and works well. You get a deliciously smooth rocking motion.

They don’t realise that firmness is a good sign.

If the Titan was more plush, it’d be even more likely to trap heat (which is the issue I need to talk to you about) – and make you sweat “down under”.

The seat is unapologetically a bucket. As is the backrest. It doesn’t flex at all, so you’re locked – as you are in an Aeron.

But unlike the Aeron, the NanoGen Evo has soft side bolsters, so you are free to give yourself hip issues by sitting with one leg tucked under.

Above: The bucket seat and sculpted bolsters give you a nicely cossetted feeling.

The recline function of the Titan Evo NanoGen is brilliant.

Most mid-range office chairs use a synchro-tilt mechanism, but the Evo opted for a knee-tilt. The result is a wonderfully rocky motion that not only reclines – but sinks back and down.

Again, the gold standard for a smooth, rocky recline is the venerable Aeron – and the Evo gives it a great run for its money.

I haven’t noticed any noticeable creaks or wobbles, and the chair feels like it’s been forged from premium materials.

Forums say that creaks can develop over time – especially in the lumbar – but I can’t speak to that (I’ve only had the chair for two weeks before writing the review).

Reasons To Avoid The Secretlab TITAN Evo NanoGen Chair.

Coming in at just over a grand, the Titan Evo NanoGen chair isn’t cheap. And I don’t love that I have to pay $100 extra for an XL.

You also get a good range of accessories, but the costs stack up quickly.

Above: The headrest pillow attaches using magnets, and is surprisingly useful.

A memory foam footrest is $109, while the recliner add-on will set you back around $300. Your total cost can start nudging $2,000 if you’re not careful.

That’s why it’s disappointing that the chair is backed by a 3-year warranty as standard (it can be extended to 5 years if you boast about your purchase online).

You’ll need to pay for return shipping, which – because the Evo is a heavy and bulky beast – will cost you a kidney (budget at least $200 around Sydney and Melbourne metro areas).

And because the chair comes with an ungodly amount of packaging, I guarantee you won’t keep it for 49 days anyway. Unless you live on a farm.

But these are trivial matters.

I have high metabolism, so I tend to sweat a lot – and a solid bucket chair made from synthetic leather is the perfect recipe for overheating my backside.

I must emphasise that you may not have the same issue. Especially if you live closer to Melbourne or run aircon all day.

The second issue is the lumbar.

It’s adequate for making sure your back isn’t 100% flat, but it doesn’t support the S-curve of your spine in the same way as “proper” ergonomic office chairs do.

If you have a wonky back, you should look elsewhere.

Above: The metal tabs that unlock armrest height adjustment are outstanding. They feel cool to the touch – and remind me of steering wheel paddles on expensive sports cars.

Finally, I wish Secretlab was more consistent with the build quality of its controls. The two paddles underneath the chair (controlling height and tilt lock) are on the flimsy side.

Like the lumbar, they’re perfectly adequate, but lack that precise tactile feeling you get on the (cheaper) ErgoTune Joobie, for example.

But surprisingly, the metal tabs that unlock armrest height and pivot adjustments are wonderfully tactile. Yet the armrest width adjustment is flimsy.

And the tilt tension knob is located in the worst possible spot – under the seat pan. I also wish it was easier to turn and offered more tension.

How The Secretlab TITAN Evo NanoGen Chair Stacks Up.

A standard Titan Evo is almost as good and is $200-$300 cheaper, but I think the visual appeal of the NanoGen makes the extra cost worthwhile.

My Final Verdict On The Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen Chair.

Secretlab’s marketing is outstanding.

You’re bombarded with trademarked terms that make you feel like the chair is packed with exotic technology.

CloudSwap.

PlushCell.

NanoGen. NanoFoam. SoftWeave.

EpicFury. Whoops, no – that was from a different article I’m writing.

Let me translate all the marketing jargon for you.

The Titan Evo NanoGen is a stylish gaming chair with dialled-back aesthetic, outstanding armrests and gorgeous faux leatherette upholstery that feels like real Nappa leather.

I haven’t tried the standard Titan, so I can’t make a direct comparison, but as someone who doesn’t mind paying for nicer things, I wouldn’t regret spending the extra few hundred dollars.

I can see the Titan appealing to big and tall guys. If you feel that every ‘regular’ ergonomic chair feels like a children’s toy that you spill out of, the Titan will feel right.

It’s less a chair and more a throne.

The monochromatic colour palette and sumptuous hand-feel of NanoGen fabric elevate it from gamer-chic to a chair that’s suitable for a ‘grown-up’.

Just make sure you have enough space around your desk to accommodate it. It’s a beast of a chair that can easily overwhelm a tiny space.

Steven

I’ve been obsessed with finding the best Steelcase chair for the past year. The flagship Gesture was underwhelming. The entry-level Series 1 felt overpriced. I’m left with a Leap and a Series 2. Both are my current WFH daily drivers on days I’m not in my coworking space.

But which one is better? I’ll need to sell one eventually.

Let’s figure out which one gets to stay.

Above: I bought the Series 2 and the Leap with my own money. The Leap is in a limited edition colour called Medley Pepper Black. The Series 2 is in Meshback 3D Microknit Medley.

1. Seat, Backrest & Armrest Comfort.

Above: The Leap and Series 2 side-by-side. The difference in backrest padding is particularly evident here.

Which chair feels more cushy?

Definitely the Leap, for two reasons:

The Leap’s seat and back are also more contoured. They cradle your body. The Series 2 doesn’t.

Net result: the Leap delivers a softer, more relaxed, lounge-style sit. If that’s what you want, the story ends here. Go out and buy the Leap.

(Related: Herman Miller Embody: Why People Pay $3,500 For It).

But comfort with cushiness is not always the same thing.

When tasking, I want a chair that will help me stay productive – rather than sending me to sleep.

This is where the Series 2 has an advantage.

Some people – myself included – will appreciate its unemotional vibe when tasking.

If you’re a sports car person, the comparison will make immediate sense.

Your workday habits will determine which chair feels more comfortable. Do you:

However, the Leap flexes further – and with less effort.

Through both the seat pan and the backrest. It’s almost comically pliable. The Series 2, meanwhile, offers a more stoic vibe.

Armrests on both chairs are almost identical. The mechanisms are the same, but the Leap’s armcaps are slightly larger. In day-to-day use, the difference is negligible.

You can target the C-curve of your spine using small tabs on either side of each chair.

But only the Leap gives you the option to make the lumbar feel less aggressive.

At its weakest setting, it’s noticeably more friendly than the Series 2’s.

2. Recline Comfort.

Above: The lumbar’s depth on both chairs is largely set by the shape of the backrests. But the Leap’s firmness can be fine-tuned using a knob on the right-hand side of the chair.

This section will be short and sweet – because the verdict is clear-cut.

The Leap has a superior recline in every sense.

It’s an extension of the chair’s dual purpose, allowing it to switch between tasking and lounging duties with ease.

There’s no recline lock. Tension is limited to a single setting. And even then, it’s too loose. I constantly feel like I’m tipping backward.

3. Aesthetics & Design.

Above: The Series 2 looks more modern and minimalist than the Leap. Big props from me.

Conventional wisdom dictates that design is subjective.

I call BS.

It’s something your uncle, who drives a beige Corolla, likes to tell himself.

Both chairs exude a safe office aesthetic. Steelcase isn’t known for creating garish, attention-seeking masterpieces.

It was launched in 2020, while the V1 version of the Leap dates back to 1999. And this age cap shows up in subtle design cues.

My favourite is the total absence of reinforcement on the Series 2’s frame. Most ergonomic office chairs use a combination of external spines or support braces to keep the backrest sufficiently rigid.

The Leap has a thin one extending from its base and looping across its backrest.

The Series 2, meanwhile, eschews it altogether – and relies only on the backrest’s material to stay stiff. And, as I mentioned earlier, it’s objectively more rigid.

That’s remarkable.

4. Pricing.

Above: You can clearly see the curve in the Leap’s backrest here.

This is a hard one. Priced at about $2,000, the Leap is about 50% more expensive (depending on how you spec it).

But it’s technically two chairs in one – a tasking chair, and an ergonomic lounging chair.

If you’re not planning to lounge, recline and kick back during your workday, and are unlikely to regularly do 8-12 hour workday stints, the $1200 Series 2 suddenly looks like excellent value for money.

5. Warranty, Assembly & Build Quality.

Above: The Series 2’s headrest is far better than the Leap’s – for one reason. It doesn’t protrude forward.

This is the easiest call I’ve ever had to make. Both chairs have the exact same build quality, warranty periods and assembly options.

Both are built like tanks. Both offer 12 years of coverage.

And Steelcase will deliver both within Australian metro areas fully assembled – for an extra $50.

My Verdict On The Steelcase Leap vs Steelcase Series 2.

Delete 50% of the padding from the Leap and replace its recline mechanism with an inferior one (from a Series 1 office chair) – and you get a Steelcase Series 2.

Oh, and reduce the price by about $800.

Your decision will come down to how you spend your workdays.

While the Leap’s not-so-subtle message is “settle in and get comfortable for the long day ahead”, the Series 2’s is “sit up, shut up, and start your 2-hour productivity sprint now!”

This is not to say that the Series 2 is uncomfortable. Far from it. But it does send a distinctly different signal from your body to your brain.

Do you like to recline during your workday?

Leap’s hip-thrust recline isn’t as comfortable as the Aeron’s, but it is still one of the best around. It will also let you dial in the precise amount of tension you need.

The Series 2, meanwhile, tries to keep up with its bigger brother – but struggles. It makes you feel like you’re falling backwards in a dream – Inception-style – rather than reclining.

For me, the Leap is the all-around superior chair. But I keep gravitating to the Series 2 for my short productivity sprints.

I’m keeping both – for now.

Steven

At first glance, the Stando Pulse looks like every other premium standing desk in Australia. If you don’t look closely enough to see the Stando logo on the controller, you could easily mistake it for an UpDown Pro, a Desky Dual or a Stand Desk.

And I would forgive you – because visually, the Pulse is almost identical.

You get a robust-looking frame and a selection of melamine, bamboo and hardwood desktops.

But the Stando Pulse differs from them all in one important way.

(Related: UpDown Standing Desk Review: Why I Love It 4 Years Later).

Quick Verdict.

Above: The Stando Pulse with an Australian-made melamine desktop by Laminex, called “Elegant Oak”.

Who Should Buy The Stando Pulse?

The Pulse is a desk for people who have high expectations, are slightly OCD, time-poor, impatient and allergic to fuss.

I hate that even the tidiest WFH standing desk setups always have a power cable running up a desk’s leg.

The Pulse solves the issue once and for all by hiding the cable inside one of its legs.

Brilliant.

Only one other desk in Australia – the youth-oriented Secretlab Magnus Pro has this feature.

You also get Stando’s magnificent cable management channel, with its 8 external-facing power ports, as standard.

This is indispensable for people who regularly need quick access to their desk’s power plugs.

I’ve been reviewing Australia’s best standing desks for almost 5 years, so I’ve assembled dozens of these things.

And regardless of what manufacturers tell you, assembling a standing desk is never an effortless, pleasant experience.

But click-together legs remove one of the clunkiest steps of the process.

(Related: 10 Standing Desk Accessories That Are A Waste Of Money).

Personally, I wish Stando had leaned more fully into the “fast assembly” vibe by delivering the desktop preassembled and prewired (e.g., like the 9am Home Dora Pro).

That said, this move would also jack up the desk’s shipping cost.

Instead, Stando caters to people who are short on time (or patience) with the option to have the desk assembled by its delivery team on arrival.

Stando’s corporate clients will likely pay this without blinking, but something in the neighbourhood of $100 would be more appropriate for retail customers.

(Related: 9am Home Atom Pro Full Review: Good, Bad & Ugly).

Speaking of fees, all the extra fruit you get on Stando Pulse costs roughly $300. Expect to part with roughly $1400 for a model with a softwood or melamine 150x75cm desktop.

Is it worth it?

Depends on your priorities and personality.

Let me sum it up for you this way:

5 Things I Love About The Stando Pulse.

The Pulse is Stando’s premium model. There’s a lot to like.

1. Concealed Power Supply.

Above: Stando Pulse’s power cable plugs in at the bottom of its left leg.

Look around your home.

Can you find a single electrical appliance with a power cable that attaches at the top of the device?

Would you buy a kettle with a power cable that runs into the lid – rather than the base?

So why do most standing desk brands insist on doing the equivalent of this by running the power to the crossbeam – rather than the leg?

I get it – this creates engineering challenges. And it’s more expensive.

I’m writing this in October of 2025, a month when SpaceX is scheduled to launch three rockets into space.

Are you telling me that we, as a humanity, haven’t yet solved the problem of running power to a standing desk?

Above: Would you buy this kettle?

And pinning the cable behind the leg (or stuffing it inside a cable management spine) isn’t exactly neat.

I love the fact that Stando took a bold stance here, putting the power supply where it belongs – at the bottom of the leg.

I predict that in five years this feature will be standard on all but the cheapest desks.

But for now, Stando is leading the charge.

2. Excellent Cable Management Tray.

Above: Pulse’s cavernous cable management channel runs the entire width of the desk.

Have you ever had to unplug a peripheral, only to realise it’s plugged into a powerboard inside your cable management channel?

Locating it means pulling out a spiderweb of cables, untying zip-ties. Then stuffing it all back in.

Or you have the opposite problem – you need to add a peripheral.

But your cable management tray is full. You have no physical space left. And even if you did, you have no power sockets available.

You won’t experience either of these issues with the Stando Pulse. The desk comes standard with a huge cable tray equipped with 8 external-facing power sockets.

You unlock it in one swift motion by pulling on levers at either side of the tray.

Desky and UpDown, meanwhile, opt for dual-action screws that never go in smoothly – and need to be finessed into position.

3. Click-Together Assembly.

Above: Stando Pulse’s 3-section matt powder-coated legs click into position.

Click-together legs are becoming increasingly popular on Australian standing desks.

Instead of fiddling with an allen key to drive 4-8 screws into each leg, you align the leg with its slot and press a lever.

The leg locks into position.

But does it make a difference? Yes, but it’s a minor one.

As I wrote in my review of the UpDown KLIK, attaching the legs is one of the many time-consuming steps involved in assembling a standing desk. The others are:

Do you care that your assembly time is now 50 minutes instead of 60?

4. Flat 10-Year Warranty.

Above: The programmable controller has four memory settings, which you can switch between at a speedy 36mm/sec.

Stando is one of few standing brands to offer both generous and simple warranty.

And while some brands complicate your life by segmenting the warranty (e.g., three years on controllers, five years on desktops and ten years on frame), Stando gives you a total peace of mind with flat coverage.

5. Excellent Stability.

Above: Buyers of Stando Pulse don’t need to worry.

Wobbling is the #1 concern for Australian standing desk consumers.

Thankfully, Stando excels in this department. It wobbles very little – and on par with other premium standing desks in Australia, like UpDown and Desky.

Yes, the Pulse will wobble a little – mainly side-to-side – if you extend it to its near maximum height, but this is normal behaviour.

Even the most expensive premium desks wobble slightly when pushed to their limits.

Above: Stando’s height controller is smart and minimalist. Narrow form function means it’s less likely to jam against your chair.

3 Things I Dislike About The Stando Pulse.

Despite its strengths, the Stando Pulse has several quirks and downsides:

1. Not For Short People.

Above: The Elegant Oak melamine desktop looks great, considering it’s not real wood.

Remember that engineering limitation I mentioned above?

One downside of running power inside the desk’s leg is that the electronics don’t allow the telescopic sections to retract fully, leaving you with an unusually tall 69cm minimum height.

Is this an issue?

Only if you’re short.

Stando openly admits that the Pulse is a desk for people who are taller than 175cm, but in my view, they’re being quite conservative.

You could get away with using one if you’re 165cm – especially if you have long limbs.

But if in doubt, I suggest you make an effort to see a Pulse in person before buying.

2. High-Ish Price Point.

Above: The 150x75cm desktop is the ideal size for most Australian homes. It’s deep enough to accommodate a monitor and still leave you with plenty of room for keyboard and peripherals.

The Pulse is loaded with fruit, and that comes at a price.

The click-together legs and power management features add a ~$300-$350 premium over equivalent models.

Whether you splash the extra dough on the Pulse will depend on your relationship with time and money.

I can see the Pulse appealing to people for whom time is literally money. For example, freelancers, salespeople and business owners.

3. No 100-Day Trial.

Above: Stando Pulse looks smart and minimalist in a WFH setting. Especially when paired with a nice office chair (my Haworth Fern, in case you’re wondering) and peripherals.

Unfortunately, Stando decided not to offer a risk-free trial, for reasons I can understand.

It means UpDown and Stand Desk continue to lead the pack in the Australian market when it comes to offering 100-day risk-free trials.

Is a trial 100% necessary?

No.

Nonetheless, Reddit is full of people who spend months – often years – deliberating about the “best” standing desk to buy.

Their analysis paralysis is often caused by the fact that most standing desks in Australia are sold sight-unseen, via direct-to-consumer brands like Stando.

And for a lot of people, parting with $1,000-$1,500 on a product they’ve seen only online is a big deal.

For them, a 100-day risk-free trial serves as a mechanism to derisk their purchase.

Which is why I keep raising as an important “nice-to-have” feature.

Technical Specifications.

Key engineering facts:

Is The Stando Pulse A Good Buy?

Is the Stando Pulse worth the money?

Yes, but it’s not a desk for everyone. It’s not for:

Rather, it’s a desk aimed at an astute buyer who expects strong foundations and a healthy dose of innovation.

On the one hand, the Pulse embraces strong foundations that have proven to work time and time again in Australia.

On the other hand, it introduces tech that I haven’t seen in many desks.

Yes, it’s not cheap.

But people it’s aimed at won’t care.

And they’ll appreciate the peace of mind that comes with Pulse’s flat 10-year warranty.

Yes, I wish the company offered a 100-day trial, or at least an option for Sydneysiders to view the desk before buying it, but these are minor quibbles.

Steven

You need a new office chair, but don’t want to spend more than roughly $500. No problems. Meet the UpDown Ergo ProFlex. It misses out on some premium features (e.g., depth-adjustable lumbar), but offers a lot of comfort per dollar.

I get it – it can be stressful to fork over $500+ on something you have never seen. So I used one for a few weeks to tell you all about it.

(Related: Secretlab Atlas: The Best New Office Chair In Australia?)

Reasons To Buy The UpDown Ergo ProFlex.

Above: The Ergo ProFlex cuts a handsome, contemporary shape.

I have to start with the seat pan. This is a super comfortable seat that provides just the right amount of support.

The foam is firm yet plush – you can sink down to get that cossetted feeling, but it’s never so soft that it begins to feel like a spongy old couch.

Frame flexibility is also great.

The seat pan and backrest don’t have a tonne of flex, but they do allow you to move around in the chair – you never feel like you’re locked into one place.

Above: I love the contemporary geometric shape of this backrest. Perfect if the back of your chair faces into the room.

Unusually for this price point, the UpDown chair doesn’t shortchange you on adjustments. You get:

Last but not least – the chair’s recline is outstanding.

Smooth and following a nice rearward arc, it uses a sycnro-tilt mechanism to tilt you back without lifting your feet off the ground.

(Related: Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen Chair Full Review).

It stops short of that perfect suspended feeling you get on ultra-premium chairs like the Herman Miller Aeron. But it is on par with the more expensive ErgoTune Joobie.

It also locks in 3 positions – tasking (upright), semi-reclined, and fully reclined. The upright setting is unusually vertical and may not be to everyone’s liking.

But the good news is that the semi-reclined position is also usable for tasking.

Above: Notice the non-aggressive lumbar curve and uncomplicated controls.

The included neckroll-style headrest is a pleasant surprise.

I don’t personally use them, but if you’re someone who works in a hybrid mode, and likes to kick back in the chair after work, you’ll find it comfortable and well-positioned.

All this makes for a comfortable sitting experience.

I’ve felt well-supported in the Updown Ergo ProFlex, and could easily spend 8 hours a day in it.

But how attractive is it?

Plenty. I’ve pointed out before that ergonomic chairs are rarely attractive, but Ergo ProFlex is a rare exception.

Above: This chair has one of the prettiest backrest designs I’ve seen. And I’ve seen many.

ErgoPro ProFlex’s backrest frame is the opposite. It is as geometrically beautiful as it is minimalist.

The clean lines continue to the armrests and backrest.

Overall, it’s a very aesthetically pleasing chair that looks sleek and inviting in my office.

In fact, when sitting next to the $2,000-$3,500 chairs currently cluttering my office, it’s not obvious that this one is 4-5X cheaper than the others.

Reasons To Avoid The UpDown Ergo ProFlex.

Above: Armrests adjust in four dimensions, but the armcaps are quite hard.

Let’s start with the armpads. While their 4D adjustment range is outstanding, they have a couple of annoying quirks:

I also wish the backrest’s mesh was more taut.

If you recline back fully, you’ll feel the “Y” part of the frame through the mesh – especially if you’re tall and heavy like me.

This isn’t a dealbreaker problem, but it is something to consider if you spend a lot of time kicking back in the chair (e.g., watching Netflix or gaming after work).

My second gripe is recline tension of the (admittedly excellent) recline:

Above: Lumbar support pad is uncomplicated – and adjusts for height only.

How The UpDown Ergo ProFlex Stacks Up.

I’m on the fence about some areas of the UpDown Ergo ProFlex, so let me mention them before I offer my verdict.

The build quality is a mixed bag.

It doesn’t blow me away, nor does it do anything wrong. You get hard, durable plastics everywhere that feel more utilitarian and mass-produced than luxurious.

Mechanisms are simple and functional. Armrests wobble a bit more than I’d like, but not enough to be problematic.

Above: Slightly contoured seat pan allows you to sit cross-legged.

But I really like the mesh and seat materials. And there are no rattles or creaks – every part fits together nicely.

Lumbar is my second “on the fence” item.

It’s very gentle – and adjusts for height only. But the adjustment doesn’t do much, so you’re stuck with this borderline nonexistent lumbar forever.

If that’s what you prefer – great. If you prefer an aggressive lumbar, this isn’t a chair for you at all.

My Verdict On The UpDown Ergo ProFlex Office Chair.

I currently have five different ergonomic chairs in my home office. The UpDown Ergo ProFlex is by far the cheapest – yet it doesn’t trail the others by much in comfort or ergonomics.

It’s for people who frequently sit for an extended period of time and demand plenty of adjustability and ergonomic functionality – without paying a premium price.

You can dial in an ergonomic position regardless of body size.

Because of the seat depth adjustment and 4D armrests, the chair will accommodate unusually tall and short people.

You can’t build a highly adjustable ergonomic chair at the mid-$500 price point without compromises – and UpDown made them. Smartly.

For example, there is a lot of plastic, but it is moulded into an excellent design.

Yes, the armrests and the backrest can be somewhat pokey in the fully reclined position.

But otherwise, the chair is supremely comfortable. And if you spend most of your day tasking in a relatively upright position, this is a non-issue for you.

Steven

Ever noticed how most standing desks in Australia look the same? Square legs. Rectangle top. A controller dangling off the front.

Not the 9am Home Dora Pro. This desk breaks all the design rules with its feminine, curvy aesthetic and a built-in height controller. It looks so sleek and modern, most people won’t realise that this is a standing desk.

But is it worth $1,400? I took one for a spin to find out.

Quick Verdict.

Above: The hardwood oak desktop is excellent. Note the tapered edges all around and the dramatic wood swirls in the surface.

The Dora Pro is a premium hardwood standing desk that competes head-on with top-of-the-line offerings from UpDown, Desky and Omnidesk.

Unlike those desks, it breaks away from the industrial aesthetic and opts for a soft, gentle look. It’s a standing desk that doesn’t look like a traditional standing desk.

I can see it appealing to women and any professional seeking to create a welcoming, relaxed vibe in their home office.

But this doesn’t mean the Dora Pro shortchanges you mechanically.

You get excellent stability courtesy of a cold-rolled tubular frame, torquey dual motors that lift 125 kg at a speedy 38 mm/sec and a clever set of accessories that include an integrated under-desk tray.

Oh, and the assembly process is remarkably easy. The desk arrives at your door partially pre-assembled and prewired.

But all this goodness comes at a price.

At roughly $1,400, the Dora Pro is not cheap. It’s roughly twice as expensive as the budget-oriented 9am Home Robin Pro, and 30% more expensive than bamboo-topped models from UpDown and Desky.

However, the pricing is comparable to other hardwood models.

I love that Dora Pro’s designers achieved a sleek look by integrating the height controller, cable management tray and storage tray into the desktop. As you can see in the photos, nothing protrudes or hangs from the desk.

It’s too small for my liking, and I would prefer to interact with my desk via tactile buttons, rather than a tiny touchscreen.

Above: The telescopic legs are made from a single piece, so you won’t have to attach feet to a vertical column. You can also see the hidden under-desk tray directly in the centre.

Who Should Buy The 9am Home Dora Pro.

This $1,400 desk is not for bargain-hunters. It’s for people who want a high-end desk, and are prepared to pay for it.

It’s also not for young men seeking to shout their masculinity via their “mad” workstation.

If you want to create a sophisticated, minimalist home office, and need a standing desk that looks like a designer item – not an electrical appliance – the Dora Pro is a great pick.

5 Things I Love About The 9am Home Dora Pro.

The Dora Pro is available in two colours.

I think the hardwood Oak with white legs – the desk in my photos – is the better choice. But you can also spec it with green legs and a white birchwood top.

1. Gorgeous Aesthetics.

Above: The sleek lines and curvy edges are on full display here. Notice how the under-desk tray is almost hidden from view.

Let’s call a spade a spade.

Standing desks are rarely gorgeous. Most of them have the same boxy shape.

In fact, if you read my reviews, you already know that most of them share components. I do wish there was more innovation in the space, and am impressed when a company creates a uniquely different product.

The Dora Pro is one such product.

It’s been sitting in my apartment for the past couple of weeks, and I keep glancing over at it, just to appreciate its curvy lines.

Rounded corners give the desk a softer look, while the built-in controller and under-desk tray keep it sleek.

2. Superb Build Quality.

Above: You can pair the desk with a sit/stand stool, like this example I bought from Desky.

I’m happy to report that the Dora Pro is almost as stable as she is pretty

It’s not as stable as UpDown Pros and Desky Duals of this world, but it is certainly acceptable.

The likely culprit? Dora Pro’s screw-free, fast-assembly leg system (I’ll talk about it in a moment). What you gain in speed of assembly (I’ll talk about it in a moment), you lose in stability.

I’d be far more worried if the wobble occurred in the front-to-back plane, as that movement is far easier to trigger and is more likely to throw your monitor off the desk.

Apart from this niggle, the desk is built like a tank. It’s on par with what I’d expect from a $1,400 flagship model:

3. Rapid Assembly.

Above: Undercarriage is impressively sleek. The simple cable management tray hangs at the rear and the under-desk storage tray is at the front.

I’ve reviewed and assembled dozens of standing desks. Most of them are a pain in the butt to assemble – despite what their manufacturers claim.

Instead of making the Dora Pro easier to assemble, 9am Home decided to dodge this problem altogether by shipping the desk partially assembled.

Everything you see in the image above arrives attached to the desktop.

And most of the cables are pre-wired.

All you need to do is:

Yes, you read that right. Ironically, it took me far longer to assemble the accessories than the desk itself.

Above: The instruction manual is clear and logical, but could be bigger.

The assembly manual, meanwhile, is good, without being excellent. It’s easy to follow, but not quite as clear or large as Desky’s and Secretlab’s.

4. Built-In Lighting.

Above: The under-desk strip light is subtle – but noticeable if you look closely.

A desk that puts on a show?

Apparently yes.

Motion sensors will activate a strip of light along the front edge of the desk and on the desk shelf, any time you get close.

It’s a nice touch that elevates the look of the desk and makes it feel alive.

In case you’re wondering, the lights never feel garish or excessive. To the contrary, they reinforce the desk’s understated luxury persona by providing a sense of gentle ambience.

5. Built-In Tray.

Above: Just deep enough to swallow your most frequently used accessories and stationery.

I believe that an under-desk tray is a must-have accessory.

It keeps your desktop tidy by giving your loose items a home. And let’s face it, you have a lot of loose items. They tend to expand exponentially.

While most under-desk trays are ugly, impractical or both, Dora Pro’s tray is both usable and attractive. Don’t expect to stash books or photography albums into it – it’s not deep.

But depth is not the purpose.

It’s deep enough to keep your frequently used notepads and accessories within reach.

3 Things I Dislike About The 9am Home Dora Pro.

Despite its strengths, the Dora Pro has several quirks you should be aware of.

1. Built-In Controller.

Above: The height controller needs to be at least 2X larger.

The main downside of Dora Pro’s integrated controller is its size. If only it was twice the size, it’d be perfect.

It can be fiddly to use, and I often press it in the wrong spot.

It’s not the type of controller you can use on the fly, without looking. You need to stop looking at your monitor, press the screen to bring it to life, and find the correct (and very small) arrow or preset.

On most desks, replacing it takes five minutes. With the Dora Pro, you’ll need to remove the entire desktop from the frame – and this can take a couple of hours.

2. Cost.

Above: Understated elegance is the name of the game.

You were expecting this, so I won’t harp on for long.

Australia is in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, apparently – so a $1,400 standing desk is out of reach for most people.

Especially when you can buy a (cheap and cheerful) Artiss standing desk for less than $300.

3. Shorter-Than-Average Warranty.

9am Home isn’t shy about Dora Pro’s “10-year warranty”, but the devil is in the details.

Yes, I love the fact that the motors are covered for 10 years.

But the sensors and the height controller are only covered for three.

This is significantly below par for a premium flagship desk (for contrast, UpDown Pro offers flat 10-year coverage on frames, motors and electronics – and 5 years on desktops).

Above: Single-piece legs look better in real life than in the photos.

Technical Specifications.

Key engineering facts:

Is The 9am Home Dora Pro A Great Buy?

Yes.

If you have $1,400 to spend and want an attractive standing desk with few compromises, the Dora Pro is a great pick.

In a marketplace saturated by nearly identical standing desks, the Dora Pro stands out for its gorgeous feminine aesthetic.

Is it for everyone? No.

Many people will prefer the masculine “ultimate workstation” look of traditional standing desk designs offered by Desky, UpDown, and Omnidesk.

But if you prefer to impress people with understated elegance rather than ostentatious exuberance, the Dora Pro is for you.

Steven

Confession time. I’ve been reviewing standing desks for nearly 5 years – and I’ve deliberately avoided the Magnus Pro. It always seemed like a standing desk for 18-year-old gamers.

All hype, no substance.

But boy, was I wrong.

After finally buying one and using it for a couple of weeks, I bumped it up to #4 in my list of Australia’s best standing desks.

It’s far from perfect (more on that below), but I can now see what all the hype is all about.

(Related: 10 Standing Desk Accessories That Are A Waste Of Money).

Quick Verdict.

Above: Even though the Magnus Pro is designed for gamers, it doesn’t look out of place in a contemporary home office. Removing the MAGPAD will further tone down its youthful vibe.

Currently retailing for $1,319 (though often on sale for between $1,099 – $1,218), the Secretlab Magnus Pro is a masterclass in direct-to-consumer marketing.

While most standing desk manufacturers spruik the same generic features (dual motors and 35mm/second lifting speed – yawn), Secretlab wants you to “build your dream battlestation”.

But the desk backs up the sleek marketing with serious ergonomic and mechanical chops.

I’ll admit that I enjoyed the desk’s appearance a lot more than I thought I would.

I’m almost 45.

This means I’m far outside of Secretlab’s demographic, and I definitely won’t be accessorising my Magnus Pro with multi-colour LED light strips and Warhammer desk mats.

The included MAGPAD, with its brash logos, is a key reason for the desk’s youthful vibe.

Remove it, and you’re left with an industrial-looking, edgy, all-metal desk that will appeal to photographers, film directors and video producers in their 40s.

It’s even better than UpDown’s latest under-desk power management tray. Plugging your power cord into the base of Magnus Pro’s leg is a game-changer.

If you’re a creative or a young professional who doesn’t want to spend much more than $1,100 on a standing desk, the Magnus Pro is a solid choice.

Above: The MAGPAD runs edge-to-edge, has loud graphics, and tilts the desk’s aesthetic towards “gamer” territory.

Who Should Buy The Secretlab Magnus Pro?

Gamers will love it, obviously. So will younger men outside the corporate world.

I can see some older men (like me, ha) choosing it, too – but only if they work in creative fields. Magnus Pro’s raw, industrial look will look great in converted warehouse-style open-plan offices.

The desk’s power management system will appeal to people who love a clean, tidy setup. If messy cables make you feel unproductive, this is a great choice.

But, at ~$1,200, this is definitely not a desk for bargain hunters who want a cheap and cheerful standing desk.

5 Things I Love About The Secretlab Magnus Pro.

The Magnus Pro is the only electric standing desk available from Secretlab. You can order it in either a 150 x 70 cm or 177 x 80 cm size.

The latter, although visually impressive, will be too bulky for most home offices.

1. Huge Personality.

Above: The wedge shape of the cable management tray’s lid is a nice touch.

Did Secretlab hire ex-Apple product designers and lock them inside a tiny room until they produced the Magnus Pro?

Probably.

You might choose not to love the Magnus Pro, but you will notice it. Indifference isn’t an option.

I’m not sure whether it would look better in John Wick’s basement or on the bridge of the Death Star.

Either way, the Magnus Pro is not a functional standing desk. Rather, it wants to be a centrepiece of your WFH setup. One that oozes attitude.

Augments your identity, even.

The all-metal construction certainly lends the desk a distinctive personality.

(Thankfully, the desktop is not 100% metal – rather, MDF encased in steel – otherwise it’d be far heavier than the already porky 25.5 kg. Good luck lifting that).

The leatherette MAGPAD runs edge-to-edge, simultaneously softening the desk’s industrial aesthetic while giving it a gamer vibe.

2. Excellent Build Quality.

Above: The leg columns are reversed, meaning the narrowest are on the bottom and the widest are on top.

I was expecting the Magnus Pro to be high on hype and aesthetics, but low on build quality.

Every part feels rock solid and expensive to the touch. Even the power cable that connects the desk to the wall is unusually thick.

Legs don’t wobble (unless you extend them to near maximum and place 3 monitors on top).

And when wobble does happen, you get more side-to-side movement than dreaded back-to-front.

The fact that every touchpoint of the desk is covered in steel adds to the rock-solid impression.

3. Outstanding Assembly Experience.

Above: Most brands treat packaging as an afterthought. Secretlab makes it part of the experience.

I rarely talk about assembly in my standing desk reviews because it’s a one-time task.

Even if it’s remarkably pleasant or terrible, I don’t believe it’s a valid reason to choose or disqualify a desk.

But I had to make an exception with the Magnus Pro.

Because it’s the only standing desk on the Australian market that thought about assembly UX in such detail.

It begins with the dramatic packaging. No boring yellow cardboard here – you get two smoked-out boxes to set the tone.

Clearly, something special is inside.

Above: Bourne Supremacy, anyone? Packaging that looks more suited to a Barrett .50 cal sniper rifle than a standing desk.

Secretlab doesn’t let you down once you start bolting parts together.

The control box comes pre-wired and installed – a welcome timesaver. You don’t have to attach the height controller either – because it’s integrated into the desktop.

All you’re really doing is attaching the legs and cable tray.

It’s definitely better than the assembly instructions you get with UpDown Pro and KLIK, Stand Desk and Omnidesk Ascent.

I’d rank it in equal first spot with Desky’s.

Above: Magnus Pro’s instruction booklet sets a high bar. You’ll need about 1 hour to assemble the Magnus Pro – about on par with other desks I’ve tested.

4. Gorgeous Design Touches.

Above: Magnus Pro’s controller doesn’t hang or protrude like a pair of balls on… an afterthought.

Magnus Pro’s height controller is integrated into the desk. It’s decidedly sleek and modern.

Will it age well? Yes – the design won’t date for at least 5-7 years.

It also won’t get caught on your office chair.

After damaging a pricey leather chair with a dangling height controller (pro tip: don’t swivel into it), I really appreciate this design.

The tactile on/off switch is also great – it makes the desk feel more “alive”.

There’s something cool about starting your desk as you start your workday, and powering it down at the end.

It’s a subtle detail, but it changes how you relate to the desk – more like owning a car than using a lifeless appliance.

Embossed logos on the sides of the desk and on front of the leg caps are also a great touch that add personality and elevate the desk’s look.

Meanwhile, the wedge-shaped hinged lid of the cable management tray looks stunning (see photo below). This is a fusion of function with form at its best.

5. Best-In-Class Power Management System.

Above: The stamped “Magnus” logo is a great design touch. Hinges on the lid, meanwhile, feel sturdy and precise.

“I don’t need advanced cable management, Steven”, I hear you say. “I only have one computer, one mouse and one keyboard.”

Ahahaa. That’s what I thought, too.

Very few workstations remain this simple for long.

Add a phone charger, SSD, microphone, and a laptop. Suddenly, your clean desk is buried under a spiderweb of power and data cables.

You get a built-in cable management tray with a door on top. The tray is on the shallow side, but it is deep enough to house a power board that you can plug all your devices into.

Thankfully, it’s very wide. Wide enough for you to run all your cables and power bricks into it, and not have to take everything out if you want to unplug one device.

Above: No need to run cables behind the desk’s leg (or inside a cable sleeve). Just plug the desk into the wall.

3 Things I Dislike About The Secretlab Magnus Pro.

Despite its strengths, the Magnus Pro has several notable quirks and downsides that you should be aware of.

1. Disappointingly Short Warranty.

Above: The MAGPAD looks great when it’s new and pristine, but I’d think twice about clamping things to – it will leave a permanent mark.

Why only 5 years of warranty, Secretlab?

It’s clear that your frames come from Jiecang – the same Chinese supplier used by Omnidesk, Desky, and Stand Desk.

A premium desk retailing for over $1,000 should be covered by at least 7 years of warranty on electronics, IMHO.

This decision seems weird, considering the Magnus Pro’s overall bulletproof vibe. Did the company overspend on design and cut corners on electronics? Or are they just playing it safe?

I don’t know.

If you work at Secretlab and can offer insight, reach out.

2. You May Need More Depth.

Above: The red stitching and logos on the “Stealth” MAGPAD are a nice touch – but make the desk look less “professional” and more “gamer”.

For me, the smaller Magnus Pro’s 70 cm depth works nicely.

In fact, my daily driver is an UpDown Pro with a 150 x 75 cm desktop.

While the extra 5 cm of depth is nice in theory, it goes unused. There’s at least 7 cm of dead space between the rear of my monitor stand and the rear edge of the wall.

However, I live in an apartment and use only one screen.

If you are the type of guy (let’s face it, you’re likely a guy) who rocks three screens on external monitor arms, you may need more depth than the standard Magnus Pro’s 150 x 70 cm desktop offers.

And if the larger 177 x 80 cm desktop is too wide for your setup, you’re screwed.

3. No Drawer Option.

Secretlab offers over 50 accessories in its online shop. Unfortunately, one accessory isn’t available – an under-desk drawer.

Almost every desk (except the Artiss and Robin Pro, if you’re interested) I’ve had came with one, and I always used it to keep clutter in check.

“Just buy an aftermarket drawer”, I hear you say.

Above: Magnus Pro’s underside is impressively sleek. No loose cables or out-of-place parts anywhere. You could technically attach a drawer here using removable adhesive strips.

Yeah, easier said than done.

Drilling into Magnus Pro’s metal desktop is certainly possible, but it makes me nervous. What if I hit a hidden cable inside?

Technical Specifications.

Key engineering facts:

Is the Secretlab Magnus Pro A Great Buy?

Yes, absolutely.

In a marketplace saturated by nearly identical standing desks, Secretlab created a unique product.

Is it for everyone? No.

Is it unapologetically bold? Yes.

If I had only $1,200 to spend on a standing desk and wanted to create a creative-looking home office with an industrial vibe, this is the one I’d buy.

And if I was a 22-year-old uni student, this is the desk I’d be drooling over (and saving up to buy).

Steven

Want an ergonomic office chair that doesn’t scream “teenage gamer”? ErgoTune claims to have you covered.

The Vesby is the more sophisticated cousin to the venerable ErgoTune Joobie – and the most recent addition to my list of top office chairs in Australia.

Is it worth the $899 sticker price – about $200 more than the Joobie? I’ve been using it in my home office for the past 5 months to find out.

5 Things I Love About The ErgoTune Vesby.

Chairs that sell for $900-$1000 offer full ergonomic adjustment, premium materials and reasonably stylish design. The Vesby doesn’t disappoint.

1. Design That Turns Heads.

Above: The Vesby costs just under $900, but looks like a $1,500 office chair.

If you regularly read my blog, you’ll know that I consistently complain that ergonomic chairs tend to look like bulky, ugly monstrosities that belong in basements of young teenagers.

Vesby’s designers made an effort to break out of this drudgery.

The design is outstanding. In fact, I believe it’s the chair’s main selling point.

The shape is bold and sophisticated, reminding me of classic Humanscale designs by Nils Diffrient (Google Humanscale Liberty and World, if you’re curious).

Above: My Vesby in black with the headrest removed. I prefer the squared-off shape of the backrest.

You get a choice of 5 colours – most of them very loud.

But if you do choose a coloured option, note that the colour covers both the frame and the mesh – not just the mesh.

This subtle design choice contributes to Vesby’s bold, standout look. Unlike the safe, subdued Steelcase designs, the Vesby demands attention.

It’s built to be a statement piece.

2. Fabulous Fabric Mesh.

Above: The lumbar pad adjusts for height and reach. It’s always strong, without being aggressive.

Do you hate the feeling of rubbery office chair mesh on your skin?

But do you find fabric seats too sweaty?

The Vesby offers the best of both worlds.

ErgoTune’s fabric-infused mesh extends across both the seat base and the backrest, and feels outstanding on the skin.

It also provides a luxurious suspended feeling.

The tension is just right. I never felt my backside getting sore from 8-10 hour workdays. Nor did I feel like I was sagging into the chair.

3. Plush, Premium Armrests.

Above: Two-piece backrest, with a separate lumbar, is clearly visible here.

ErgoTune’s armrests have always sucked. I’ve criticised them on the Supreme for the past 4 years – and even more so on the Joobie.

The Vesby is the polar opposite. It’s a masterclass in armrest design.

First, they’re attractive to look at. As with the rest of the chair, their rounded shape looks heavily inspired by Humanscale designs.

Second, their caps are on point. Soft enough to provide comfort but hard enough to be durable, they also look like they belong on a chair that costs almost $1,000.

Third, they adjust in all directions you’d expect. Full 360-degree swivel, width, pivot, height and depth are available.

4. Built Like A Tank.

Above: Vesby’s headrest is massive. Instead of looking like an awkward afterthought, it follows the lines of the backrest.

I’ve used chairs ranging from $120 to $3500, and the Vesby’s build quality definitely feels like it belongs at the upper end of this scale.

Armrests make satisfying metallic clicks when adjusted. Lumbar support knobs, although made from plastic, don’t feel flimsy.

Controls look and feel decidedly premium, and are laid out in a logical, legible row of levers on the right-hand side of the chair.

Above: Seat depth, tilt lock, and seat height controls are in the top row. Tilt tension is adjusted using the big knob below.

3 Things I Hate About The ErgoTune Vesby.

The Vesby is a great chair, but it has a few flaws you must know about.

1. Mesh Is Prone To Stains.

Above: Choose the black colour – it’s the least prone to stains.

I’ve pointed this out when reviewing both the Joobie and the Supreme, and I must do it here.

That soft, fuzzy feeling against your legs comes at a cost: it’s harder to clean. Fabric doesn’t let go of stains as well as rubber.

This is not an issue if your Vesby is black in colour, or you don’t eat at your desk. But if you opted for one of the lighter/brighter hues, and/or are known for spilling your food, be careful.

2. It’s Huge!

Above: Notice the Vesby’s bulk in this side-by-side comparison with my Recess Ergo chair.

This is both a strength and a weakness. But after deliberation, I decided to mark it as the former.

Look at the photo above: the Recess Ergo is pretty typical in size. But the Vesby’s parts are clearly much wider:

The Vesby is great for tall people like me (I’m 200 cm) or those on the heavier side. But that’s less than 20% of the population.

For shorter or petite users, it will feel oversized. More like being swallowed than seated.

Vesby’s larger dimensions also impact the chair’s seating experience (see below) and its room presence.

This is not a great chair for small offices. It will overpower a small room – especially when optioned in a bright colour.

3. Not For Tasking.

Some office chairs (like the Recess Ergo I showed in the photo above) are made for tasking. They are great at keeping you bolt upright, in a perfectly ergonomic position.

Downside?

They don’t recline well.

Chairs like this are great for people who spend 50% of their day tasking and the other 50% researching, on Zoom meetings, gaming or watching movies.

Think of tasking chairs as utility cars. You use them for shorter periods of time – and for a specific purpose. If you spend 5-6 hours per day typing – and nothing else – the Vesby isn’t for you.

Reclining chairs, meanwhile, are the perfect all-rounders. SUVs of the ergonomic office chair world, they let you do anything – but feel compromised in everything.

How The ErgoTune Vesby Scored.

The Vesby scores high for its ergonomics and price.

My Verdict About the ErgoTune Vesby.

If you’re looking for an attractive, bold chair that costs under $1,000 and offers superb ergonomics, the Vesby is for you.

It’s not for petite or short people (if you’re under 165 cm and/or 70 kg, you’re better off with the Steelcase Series 2 or Steelcase Series 1).

In fact, it’s a no-brainer if you’re overweight. If you ever feel like you’re “spilling out” of your chairs, this is a great remedy.

The Vesby is a particularly great deal if you’re over 35 years of age, and want a chair that communicates “professionalism” and “maturity” – but you don’t want to stretch to $2,000 on something like a Steelcase Leap or Gesture.

Steven

Confession time. When a manufacturer sends me a standing desk to review, I know what to expect before I open the box. Truth be told, I could write the review without opening the box. Why?

Because – as I’ve said repeatedly on this blog – most standing desks in Australia are similar than different.

The UpDown KLIK, however, is a curveball.

It breaks all conventional rules.

Quick Verdict.

The UpDown KLIK is a premium standing desk (expect to pay from ~$900 to ~$1800 depending on your desktop choice).

Above: You can spec the KLIK with any of UpDown’s desktops. Here you see it with Pheasantwood hardwood.

Typically, single-motor desks with lightweight frames are firmly in the “cheap and cheerful” category.

They wobble, and their ~50kg lifting capacity sucks. The KLIK, however, is a bag of pleasant contradictions. It has:

The secret sauce lies in UpDown’s partnership with Danish manufacturer Linak.

(Related: Stando Pulse Standing Desk Review: Pros, Cons & Verdict).

The company has a deep history of serving industries where precision and reliability are critical (your dentist’s chair probably has Linak actuators).

Above: Instead of using a standalone motor in each leg column, the KLIK uses a shaft and gearbox to deliver drive from its single motor to the second column.

This is an important detail.

Linak components aren’t cheap, so it’s incorrect to view this (admittedly counterintuitive) move as an attempt to sell a subpar desk at a premium price.

What UpDown demonstrated is that a dual-motor design doesn’t necessarily offer real-world advantages over a high-quality single-motor design.

As long as the components are high-end.

Above: The Pheasantwood desktop is not cheap, but it is visually stunning.

UpDown also wants to anaesthetise the pain associated with desk assembly.

To complicate matters even more, the KLIK retails at an almost identical price point as UpDown’s other “big boy” desk – the Pro.

This leads me to the root cause of my agony for the past two weeks. Is the UpDown KLIK worth your money? And is it better or worse than the Pro?

Let’s find out.

5 Things I Love About the UpDown KLIK.

You’ll notice some features I like about the KLIK standing desk also appear among my dislikes. Strengths can also be weaknesses, apparently.

1. Excellent Stability.

Nobody wants a wobbly standing desk. I was relieved that the click-in design didn’t compromise the KLIK’s stability.

Above: Metal cross-beams hold the hardwood desktop together to prevent sagging. Meanwhile, all of the desk’s moving parts and electronics are neatly tucked into a single cross-beam.

If you’re of average height, you’ll likely set the desk’s height to 90-100cm when standing, and the wobble at this setting is on par with all other premium standing desks I’ve tested.

The front-to-back stability is better than side-to-side. This is ideal, since you’re more likely to push your desk forward while working than sideways.

I’ve always assumed that a heavier frame with more metal translates to a superior desk, but the KLIK is proving me wrong.

You also get a couple of tangential benefits.

Above: I prefer running a single power cord down the back of the desk’s leg. UpDown includes cable clips for this at no extra cost.

Linak’s click-together frame is lighter (26kg) and sleeker than the UpDown Pro’s frame (41kg) and premium rivals like Desky Dual, Omnidesk Ascent, and Stand Desk (~36kg).

This results in a more elegant-looking desk.

This becomes handy if you don’t have a lot of space in your home office, and want a desk that won’t dominate the space.

2. Minimalist Height Controller.

The KLIK’s controller also breaks away from traditional design orthodoxy.

Instead of separate preset and height-control buttons, the KLIK controller features a single paddle.

Above: No need to fiddle with tiny buttons. Slide your fingers along the edge, find the paddle, and set your height.

Push up to raise the desk, push down to lower it.

The display lights up whenever the desk is in motion, and there are three hidden buttons underneath the controller for Bluetooth pairing and height presets.

I don’t mind the controller’s simple, minimalist aesthetic. The latest OLED designs you see on premium UpDown Pro+ and Desky models are arguably more attractive, but this one is more minimalist.

Its biggest advantage is that you can adjust the desk height without taking your eyes off your computer screen.

Above: UpDown’s 150×75 desktop size offers plenty of real estate for a decent-sized computer and its peripherals.

3. Click-Together Installation.

The UpDown KLIK frame clicks together without needing any tools or screws. The sound of its parts locking reminds me of shotgun scenes in old-school action movies.

It feels satisfying and reduces the number of parts you need to deal with.

If you hate assembling furniture, this feature will make your life a little easier.

But only a little. See ‘Dislikes’ below.

4. 100-Day Money-Back Guarantee.

Buying the KLIK means you’re covered by UpDown’s legendary conditions of purchase.

Apart from its top-notch customer service, you can return your KLIK desk within 100 days for a full refund – as long as you pay $49.90 towards return postage.

You won’t get the $49.90 you paid for the original delivery to your house, either.

Above: KLIK’s slimline legs and feet won’t overwhelm apartments and small home offices.

I don’t think you’re likely to return the KLIK, but knowing that you can will give you peace of mind – if you’re still on the fence about it.

5. Integrated Cable Management Channel.

UpDown’s new cable management system is available as a $90 (4-socket) or $160 (8-socket) option on the KLIK.

The KLIK gives you 240V power sockets within easy reach, reducing clutter and complexity under your desk while allowing you to plug and unplug peripherals within seconds.

And if you need to add or remove cables, the whole tray is hinged on the rear for easy access.

Above: The cable channel can hold up to two power boards, each with four 240V sockets.

This is particularly useful if you’re on the road, visiting client sites or alternating between WFH and city offices.

3 Things I Don’t Like About The UpDown KLIK.

There’s always room for improvement.

1. Fast Assembly Is Still Pretty Slow.

Let’s call a spade a spade.

Standing desk manufacturers are always optimistic about assembly times. I’ve assembled a dozen of them, and it always takes around 1 hour.

Above: The UpDown KLIK extended to 100cm. Notice how the slim leg profile complements the space.

You could technically click the KLIK frame together in 5 minutes. But with one caveat: if you’ve done it before, and know exactly how everything fits.

In reality, however, you should budget 45-60 minutes for the entire desk install.

Basically, almost the same amount of time it takes you to assemble any standing desk. Why?

Because most of the time you spend assembling a standing desk involves steps other than building the frame itself:

When assembling the KLIK, you’ll be legitimately blown away by the speed and ease with which the frame comes together, only to get throttled down to the “normal” speed in other steps.

Assembly manuals are part of the issue. They’re good, but could be more streamlined – if the company wants to tout the KLIK as a ‘Rapid Assembly’ desk.

For example, the manual is a digital PDF that is not optimised for mobile.

Confusingly, the assembly manual includes instructions for UpDown’s basic cable tray, even though the KLIK comes with the more advanced, integrated cable management tray as standard.

Instructions for the latter are in a separate PDF – and this isn’t obvious. And the bags containing screws could be packaged and labelled more clearly.

If you’re hell-bent on assembling your desk in record time (which you shouldn’t – for 1 major reason I’ll discuss below), remember that you have other options.

The 9am Robin Pro arrives at your door mostly pre-assembled, while the Omnidesk Ascent also has click-in legs (but not feet).

Above: Close-up of the integrated cable management channel, containing two 4-socket power boards.

2. Minimalist Controller.

I prefer the KLIK’s controller’s design to the one you’ll find on their Pro model. But the latest controllers from Desky and Omnidesk are still the best.

They have large, crisp displays and tactile buttons that give you access to any height preset with a single touch.

However, it trades off the ability to select height presets with a single press.

Instead, you must cycle through them until you reach the one you want.

It also doesn’t have a USB port, which comes in handy for charging your phone or tablet without having to run an extra cable.

3. Price And Desktop Sizes Are Not For Everyone.

The UpDown KLIK is not a cheap desk. It’s even slightly more expensive than UpDown’s other flagship, the UpDown Pro.

Expect to part with $1500 – $2000 if you opt for hardwood and get carried away ticking options boxes.

That’s not a huge cost if you view it across the desk’s lifespan, considering it’ll likely last you for 10 years.

But it’s a lot if your cash flow is tight.

Sizing can also trip you up if you live in a compact dwelling.

Like the Pro, the KLIK is only available in one 75cm desktop depth. This is great for holding multiple screens and peripherals, but can be too bulky if you’re short on space.

If I lived in an inner-city apartment, for example, I’d prefer a 60cm-deep desktop.

How Does UpDown KLIK Compare Against The UpDown Pro?

Great question.

I’ve thought long and hard about this.

My answer is … these desks are almost the same, but will appeal to different types of people.

Let me explain.

While UpDown touts KLIK’s assembly time as a huge point of difference, I see this differently. As I’ve explained above, the “rapid” assembly isn’t that rapid. It’s brisk at best.

Above: Close-up of the KLIK’s leg column. Minimalist design philosophy becomes apparent here.

Yes, the company could streamline its user manuals and packaging to shave another 15 minutes off the assembly time, but let me ask you a question…

When spending almost $900-$2000 on a standing desk that will become the epicentre of my home office for the next 10 years, I’m interested in how its core features will impact my subsequent 10 years of use.

This is why, when evaluating the KLIK vs the Pro, even though the former has a slight advantage in speed of assembly, I believe it’s best to put this distraction to the side.

And because the prices are almost identical, let’s put that to the side, too.

Once we do this, we can compare these desks with a lot more clarity. And the conclusion is – we’re splitting hairs.

The KLIK is much lighter.

The controllers are slightly different (and your choice will depend on personal taste).

The underlying frame technology is different, but the end user experience is almost identical.

Thankfully, both desks are covered by the same warranty, customer support and 100-day return guarantee.

And both give you full access to UpDown’s excellent range of desktops.

You could toss a coin and enjoy either desk. But I believe your choice will likely depend on how you relate to these products’ distinctive identities:

Above: The KLIK with a Pheasantwood desktop looks best when surrounded by modern devices and furniture.

Full Verdict About The UpDown KLIK.

The UpDown KLIK is a premium standing desk, and one of the best available in Australia as of 2026.

It’s easier to put together than most of its competitors, but only marginally so.

I’m not convinced that this is a substantial selling point – except for people who are genuinely intimidated by technology, for whom every minute saved counts.

When you buy the KLIK standing desk, you opt into UpDown’s ecosystem of excellent customer service, a lengthy warranty backed by an Australian-based company and a generous 100-day money return policy.

You can buy the desk confident that the company will honour its promises, and has a strong track record of selling premium standing desks in Australia.

Everything else is borderline insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

Steven

I’ve spent years begging Australian standing desk brands to stop building desks like they belong in a crypto bro’s spare bedroom. The world doesn’t need another standing desk with blue LED lights and square jet-black legs.

9am Home answered the call with the Atom Pro.

Soft curves. Warm colours. Zero “bro energy.” Sophisticated Scandi design.

But the $1,449 price tag had me worried. It’s a lot of dough for a standing desk – especially when an entry-level UpDown Pro+ costs just under $1,000.

What does a standing desk nerd like me do in this situation?

Assemble one in my living room to see if I like it.

Why the living room? Because my home office already has three standing desks and five office chairs – but that’s a story for another day.

Quick Verdict.

Above: The American Ash desktop has a lovely straw colour that contrasts nicely with greens, whites and blacks.

Gorgeous.

Crafted with attention to detail.

Solid enough for everyday use.

These are the words that come to mind. But don’t mistake the Atom Pro for perfect.

Its assembly is fiddly. Stability is good, but isn’t class-leading. And the warranty fine print could be kinder. I’ll discuss all of these nuances below.

But despite its flaws, the Atom Pro is one of the best standing desks in Australia for design lovers.

Like its cousin, the 9am Home Dora Pro, the Atom Pro eschews an industrial aesthetic and embraces a soft, elegant look.

Above: The Atom Pro is only available with white legs and a light-coloured hardwood desktop.

And like the Dora Pro, the Atom Pro has solid mechanical chops. You get dual motors, a decidedly snazzy height controller and an impossibly stylish under-desk tray.

Which came as a massive surprise considering its $1,449 price tag. And considering the Dora Pro – and even the cheaper Robin Pro – arrive at your doorstep preassembled.

Above: The telescopic legs are made from a single piece, so you won’t have to attach feet to a vertical column. You can also see the hidden under-desk tray directly in the centre.

Who Should Buy The 9am Home Atom Pro?

The Atom Pro, retailing for $1,449, is not for people on a shoestring budget.

It’s also not for young blokes chasing a hyper-masculine home-office vibe.

If you’re a tech bro who owns more protein powder than furniture, you’re probably in the market for a Secretlab Magnus Pro.

Above: The Atom Pro lowered to regular sitting height. If no one mentioned it was a standing desk, could you tell?

Similar to 9am Home’s Dora Pro, the Atom Pro is for affluent professionals who want a stylish hardwood desk.

To be honest, the differences between the Dora and Atom Pro are minimal.

They cost about the same, follow similar design cues and come with the same (outstanding) under-desk tray as standard.

While the Dora Pro has a fancy lightbar and a quick-assembly system, the Atom Pro gets a better height controller and more slender, elegant legs.

But for me, the Atom Pro is the winner because of its deeper (75 vs 70 cm) desktop sizes.

My home office is reasonably large, so I prefer a desktop that offers more real estate for all my gear.

4 Things I Love About The 9am Home Atom Pro.

Did I mention that this is a great-looking desk?

1. Beautiful Design.

Above: The bullnose edge with curved corners gives off a softness that instantly warms a room.

I’ve already emphasised the Atom Pro’s gorgeous aesthetic, so I won’t repeat myself again.

It’s a very nice-looking desk that will:

If you’re the type of person who hires an interior designer when moving into a new home, this is definitely the standing desk for you.

I found myself glancing at it when walking past – something that has rarely happened in my 4 years of reviewing standing desks.

2. Great Build Quality.

Above: Dramatic swirls of American Ash hardwood are clearly visible here.

The Atom Pro feels exactly like a ~$1,400 desk should. The paint is satisfyingly thick. The surfaces feel expensive to the touch. The motors hum quietly.

Meanwhile, the under-desk tray glides out without harsh noise or glitches.

There’s something about the combination of its pale straw colour and rounded edges that gives the desk a calming, inviting energy.

3. Built-In Tray.

Above: Make sure you always spec your standing desk with a tray. Thankfully, the Atom Pro has one as standard.

The secret to keeping your desktop tidy? An under-desk tray.

But instead of bolting an ugly metal basket underneath, 9am Home recessed the tray into the desktop itself.

It stays hidden until you need it – and finally gives your stationery and notepads a home that isn’t your actual desktop.

Those will let you store larger items, like camera lenses and large books. Atom Pro’s is strictly for notepads and small items only.

Above: The under-desk tray sits flush with the edge when closed.

4. Whimsical Controller.

Above: The pixelated retro design will age nicely.

Most standing desk brands have upgraded to controllers with funky, large OLED displays.

9am Home hasn’t – but the Atom Pro’s controller is not at all a dinosaur.

Glossy, minimalist surface ties in with the desk’s overall look. Meanwhile, the pixelated design is the most original I’ve seen to date.

The graphics have a nostalgic retro vibe that reminds me of 1990s video games and railway digital clocks.

Consumer electronics date fast (just compare a seven-year-old car dashboard with a new one).

By giving the controller a deliberately retro look, 9am Home essentially froze it in time, so it won’t age anywhere near as quickly.

Above: Details like this are a great touch. They elevate the desk’s vibe from “just another desk” to “this is something special”.

3 Things I Dislike About The 9am Home Atom Pro.

Despite its strengths, the Atom Pro has several quirks that I can’t ignore.

1. Fiddly Assembly.

Above: Clear as mud? For a brand that nails aesthetics, this feels out of character.

It’s 2025, people. User experience has been one of the top priorities for industrial designers since Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone.

In 2007.

And while your shiny new iPhone arrives without a manual and politely walks you through setup, the Atom Pro dumps three baffling booklets and a bag of screws on your lap and subjects you to an assembly process more tedious than filing your tax return.

By candlelight.

I don’t understand why 9am Home’s doesn’t ship the Atom Pro pre-assembled, as they do with the (much cheaper) Robin Pro and the equally expensive Dora Pro.

I’d happily pay an extra $50 for this luxury.

The Atom Pro doesn’t even have click-together legs. You’ll need to do everything old-school style – using the included Allen key or your power drill. I highly recommend the latter – because there are MANY screws.

2. High Cost.

Above: In case you’re wondering, the wool desktop mat is from Minimalist Desk Setups. Great product.

I won’t linger on this self-evident point for too long, but I must mention it.

This is not a cheap desk.

$1,449 for a 150 cm wide desktop is firmly in the “treat yourself” corner of the standing desk universe and on par with premium hardwood options from Desky, UpDown and Stand Desk.

3. Warranty Could Be Longer.

For a standing desk that clearly aspires to sit in the premium tier, the Atom Pro’s warranty disappoints.

On the surface, “10-year warranty” sounds fantastic.

Exactly what I’d expect from a top-shelf product.

But once you dig past the headline, the fine print tells a different story.

Above: The hardwood desktop is reinforced with metal cross-members, designed to prevent warping. It’s clearly built to last.

Only the motors are covered for 10 years.

The hardwood desktop drops to five years, and the sensors and controller – arguably the parts most likely to misbehave – are covered for a mere three.

It’s not a catastrophic flaw, but it does feel out of sync with the Atom Pro’s luxury positioning. I didn’t love that the warranty looks generous at first glance – but shrinks the moment I looked closer.

Above: The 3/4 front view of the Atom Pro is particularly stylish.

Technical Specifications.

Key engineering facts:

Is The 9am Home Atom Pro A Great Buy?

Yes. But it depends on your priorities.

If you value raw strength, lowest price or maximal stability, you’ll find better-value options elsewhere.

But if you care about design – and want a standing desk that feels like real furniture rather than an office appliance – the Atom Pro sits in a league of its own.

It’s a desk that elevates not just your desktop, but the entire look of your workspace.

For the right buyer, it’s an easy yes. For the wrong buyer, it’s a beautiful mismatch. And that’s exactly how a well-defined product should be.

Steven