As ‘sitting is the new smoking’ becomes an increasingly popular mantra, more and more people are choosing to buy height adjustable tables. But, if you’re looking for one for your space, what do you need to know? What should you look for when buying height adjustable tables? Find out in this detailed buying guide from the Rosehill team…
What is a height adjustable table?
It’s a question with a rather obvious answer, but what exactly is a height adjustable table?
Well, it’s just that – a table where the height can be adjusted.
However, as you’ll soon read, there are many nuances and different features available on height adjustable tables – which is why it’s well worth thoroughly investigating your options when purchasing a height adjustable table.
Note – certain types of height adjustable table are also known as ‘sit stand desks’.
What are the different types of height adjustable table?
Just as there are many different types of regular table, there are several types of adjustable desk that you can purchase. Below, we’ve set out the most common types of height adjustable table that you’re likely to find when shopping online.
Single height adjustable desks
Also known as sit stand desks, standing desks, adjustable computer desks, or adjustable work tables, single height adjustable desks are visually similar to the kind of desk you’re possibly sitting at now – with the exception that the table-top can be raised up or down.
Being single desks, these are ideal for both work or domestic settings and are a great choice if only part of your team wants to stand and work during the day.
Whilst single height adjustable desks are typically rectangular, it is possible to buy L-shaped desks. These are a great choice if you love the extra space provided by an L-shaped table-top, but also want height adjustability. A brilliant example of an L-shaped height adjustable desk is the Advance Corner Height Adjustable Desk.
As you’ll see later in this article, single height adjustable tables are available with lots of different features and configurations and in a range of sizes.
Note – it’s important to be aware of the distinction between adjustable height desks and raised height desks. The latter are typically not adjustable!
Height adjustable pedestal tables
As well as traditional-style four legged tables, it’s now possible to buy height adjustable pedestal tables.
If you’re not familiar with pedestal tables, they are effectively small tables that feature a single, central leg or column. This makes them ideal for use in a wide variety of settings – but especially areas where people may only be working on a transient basis (e.g. breakout or co-working spaces).
Height adjustable pedestal tables, such as the example below, have the adjustment mechanism located within the central leg, meaning adjustment is convenient and straightforward:
Shop Now – Boost Height Adjustable Pedestal Tables
Note – it’s also possible to buy height adjustable laptop tables. As the name suggests, these are small platforms designed to support a standard laptop.
Banks of height adjustable desks
If you’re looking to provide height adjustable tables for multiple people (such as in an office), then you’ll want to explore this option.
These are tables which feature two or more table tops attached to a single frame. Depending on how they are configured, they typically allow people to sit across from each other – again, ideal for use in a working environment.
Take the example below; this is a back-to-back height adjustable desk that allows two users to use it at their desired working height:
If you want to create a more substantial setup, allowing complete teams to work together, many back-to-back adjustable desks can be aligned to create banks of four or six (or even more desks together). These ranges include all the optional extras of regular office bench desking, including cable management, screens and monitor arms. See the photograph below as an example:
Note – a common misconception regarding height adjustable bank desks is that each table-top must be raised/lowered to the same height. This is incorrect! Each table-top can be individually adjusted.
Height adjustable meeting tables
It’s not just standard desks that have been given a ‘height adjustable’ makeover.
The classic meeting table has also been given the height-adjustable treatment – with it now possible to buy many varieties and styles of meeting table with height adjustability. Examples include standing height conference tables – which have become increasingly popular as organisations adopt stand-up meetings to improve efficiency.
As with other types of height adjustable tables, sit stand meeting tables are available with myriad features which we’ll cover later in this article.
As technology has improved, what is possible for height adjustment on larger tables has too.
Along with large meeting room tables, you can also purchase premium boardroom tables with this functionality – with tables such as the Plaza available in configurations as big as 4m long. Our point here is that you can now buy very sizable tables with height adjustability.
Should you be looking for height adjustable meeting tables for smaller meeting rooms, consider the Trigon which is an ideal choice for such settings.
Height adjustable flip top tables
For spaces that often require tables to be moved around and/or stored regularly, height adjustable flip top tables are an excellent choice.
They offer the best of both worlds – when in use, the table-top height can be adjusted as per the user’s preference. But, when not in use, the table-top flips up to allow for easy movement and storage. For many organisations, that’s a win, win!
Quite a lot of workspace height adjustable flip-top tables have the option of a whiteboard laminate top. This is great for meetings, classrooms or training areas – with the table having multiple functions, as both a table and a whiteboard for brainstorming or teaching. These can prove to be some of the most used pieces of furniture in work/collaborative spaces. When not in use, the tops flip to the upright position and the tables nest together, to keep the room tidy and open up the space for other purposes.
What to look for when buying a height-adjustable table
Regardless of what type of height-adjustable table you’re looking to buy, there are a number of common things you should consider. These include various features and characteristics that will ensure you select a table that’s suitable for your needs.
Powered, pneumatic or manual?
One of the biggest things to consider when choosing an adjustable table is whether the movement is powered, pneumatic or manual.
As you can imagine, this can have a big impact on the table’s cost (as well as other factors like its weight).
Powered adjustable height tables
Powered height adjustable tables use an electric motor to adjust the table’s height. The motor is typically activated via a control pad or set of buttons that are discreetly mounted somewhere on the table. Some tables have more than one motor; this can not only make adjustment quicker, but allow heavier table loads to be lifted.
Another benefit of powered adjustable desks is that they can be adjusted to a very precise degree – something that’s not always possible with pneumatic or manual equivalents.
Potential downsides of powered adjustable tables is that they require a power supply (e.g. a mains connection). Although when it comes to cable and power, there are tables that have a rechargeable battery option too – which removes the need to plug the table into a mains outlet.
Gas-lift adjustable height tables
Featuring a pneumatic adjustment mechanism, these tables have the benefit of being nearly-silent during operation, require little to no effort to use, and don’t require a power supply.
However, one downside of cheaper gas-lift desks is that their pneumatic tubes can lose power over time, thus requiring the recharge or replacement of the tubes.
Manual adjustable height tables
Often (but not always!) sitting at the cheaper end of the spectrum are manually-adjusted desks.
These are desks that use a manual mechanism to change the height of the table-top. This mechanism usually takes the form of a hand-crank. This involves the turning of a crank, whilst a ratchet ‘notches’ the table higher or lower.
Although manually-adjusted desks are often cheaper than powered desks, they do involve a bit of physical effort during operation. Not only can this be tiresome, but it can also have accessibility implications.
Weight capacity
Given that they are adjustable (and thus feature a raising/lowering mechanism), height adjustable tables typically have different weight capacities compared to fixed height tables.
That being said, you shouldn’t settle for a ridiculously low weight capacity just because you’re buying a table that’s height adjustable. Here at Rosehill, we’d recommend buying only adjustable tables that can support weights of 100 kg or more. In fact, amongst our range, you’ll find many height adjustable tables with weight capacities of 150kg+.
Frame and leg type
Height adjustable tables are available with a variety of frame and leg types, extending far beyond the traditional square frame with four legs.
The type of frames you’ll find on height adjustable tables include:
- Square tubular – this is a hollow frame type that provides a robust, boxy frame.
- Round tubular – as the name suggests this is round, hollow frame type.
When it comes to legs, adjustable tables come with almost as many options as regular fixed height tables do. Leg options include:
- Four legs – a leg positioned at each corner of the table. In some cases, the legs are telescopic, providing the height adjustment.
- Single leg – generally centrally positioned beneath the table-top.
- T leg – taking the form of two upside down ‘T’s at either end of the table.
- Y leg – it’s also possible to get height adjustable tables with Y shaped legs (think of them as being upside down ‘Y’s). See example below:
Whilst those are among the most common frame and leg options, some manufacturers have developed particularly novel concepts. Take the Five, for example, which has an unusual two into four leg frame:
Shop Now – Five Standing Desk
Table-top type
Given that it’s the most visible and used part of any table, pay particular attention to the table-top when choosing an adjustable desk.
So, what should you look for in terms of table tops? We’d recommend thinking about the following things:
- Table-top shape and size.
- Table-top material.
- Table edge type and shape.
- Table-top thickness.
As you can see, there’s more to table tops than many people realise! But, don’t worry, we’ve created a super in-depth guide to table tops. Have a read!
A quick note on table-top materials – if you want to embrace the circular economy and choose a particularly sustainable option, did you know that you can buy a height adjustable table with a reclaimed scaffold top? As you can see from the photo below, it isn’t just eco-friendly, but a thing of real beauty:
Note – while we show the most popular finishes and sizes online, there is often a wider selection available, including more premium finishes. If you can’t see the table or desk frame with your preference of top, please call our sales team who can usually help.
Power and data modules
If you’re buying a height adjustable table for a work environment, then integrated power and data modules are pretty well a ‘must have’.
What do we mean by power modules? Basically, these are modules that are integrated into a convenient part of the table (e.g. a corner of the table-top or mounted on the frame just below the table-top edge) that allow you to plug in and charge an electronic device.
In some instances, these modules will accommodate both power and data – meaning they have a standard electrical socket and an Ethernet port, allowing you to connect a device to a building’s Internet connection.
On the conference and meeting tables, there is often a larger range of power options. These include wireless charging ports, HDMI ports, as well as the traditional UK sockets and USB A+C.
Note – although still relatively rare, we are starting to see tables with battery power modules. This allows the user to charge an electronic device without the table being connected to mains power. This is worth bearing in mind in the context that height-adjustable tables do usually need to be plugged into mains power.
Cable management
Again, this is more of an office-environment focused point, but it’s worthwhile checking that your chosen adjustable desk features cable management.
As anyone who uses multiple devices, screens and other bits and bobs will tell you, cable management can be one of those seemingly minor things that can have a hugely positive impact upon your user experience of a desk/table.
Depending on where your power outlet is, there can be options for cable trays, clips and tidies. Some tables also have sections that allow you to pass cables through the frame and/or legs for an extra neat finish. Be aware though, that these are often an optional extra.
If you aren’t sure how to configure the product you are interested in, please get in touch.
What are the benefits of height adjustable tables?
Is it really worth investing in height-adjustable tables? Should you stick with regular old standard tables?
Here are some reasons why you should invest in adjustable tables:
- Employees are increasingly demanding height adjustable desks and the option to stand whilst working. Don’t believe us? Check out the increase in Google searches for the term ‘sit stand desk’ below:
- They’re good for you! If you stand across the course of a standard eight-hour work day, you can burn around 1,400 calories.
- Talent attraction. Height adjustable desks can make your organisation more appealing to potential employees.
- Improved posture. Sitting down for long periods can result in slouching, which over time can develop into back and neck pain.
- Improved productivity. A growing body of research suggests that the use of height-adjustable desks can provide a boost in productivity.
Time to buy a height adjustable table?
Then buy it from Rosehill. As one of the UK’s leading providers of contract furniture, we are able to supply a huge range of height adjustable table solutions.
We also offer free delivery on orders over £950 (for customers with a UK mainland shipping address).
Explore height-adjustable tables at Rosehill today
For more commercial and contract furniture buying guides, information and advice, read the Rosehill blog…
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