FlexiSpot E9 review: strong and stable standing desk offers plenty of workspace

If you spend most or all of your working days sat at your desk, longing for the moment you can stretch your legs, then the FlexiSpot E9 standing desk is one of the best desk upgrades you can make.

FlexiSpot features highly on our guide to the best standing desks but the E9 which comes with a dual-motor system, robust build quality and programmable seating and standing positions, combines stability and functionality, resulting in a premium experience that won’t break the bank.

Standing desks come with a whole host of benefits, they can help to improve posture, reduce back pain and boost focus and productivity, especially if you pair one with one of the best office chairs for back pain. And if you pair it with a walking pad they can even encourage you to get some extra steps in per day. I was sent a FlexiSpot E9 standing desk and used it in place of my regular “sitting” desk for a couple of weeks to see whether it helped me work better and feel better. Here’s how I got on…

FlexiSpot E9 standing desk: Design and Assembly

Let’s start with delivery. The desk came in two parts; in my case, they were delivered separately — the desktop came first and then the frame and electronics followed. This desk is pretty heavy, although I did manage to drag it in on my own, and my upper arm strength isn’t that impressive. That said, you will be grateful for this weight when it comes to having the desk fully assembled as it’s so stable, even when at full height it doesn’t move or sway at all (good news if you enjoy a cuppa at your desk!).

Putting the desk together was easy enough; the directions are simple and easy to understand but you will need an extra person and an electric screwdriver or drill. From start to finish, the desk probably took around an hour to get fully assembled and ready to use — note if you’re good with flat pack, you’ll likely get it done much faster.

When it comes to looks, you can opt for a white or black frame and there’s a choice of colour when it comes to the top. The desk also comes in a variety of sizes, the frame remains because you can stretch it out depending on the size of the top.

The desktops range from 120cm to 180cm in width and 60cm to 80cm in depth. This means that even if you have the smallest of the desks, you still have plenty of workspace, which if you’re anything like me and like to spread out is perfect. It also means that you can comfortably fit dual monitors, your laptop and desk accessories without feeling cramped or lacking space. I opted for the bamboo top and paired it with a black frame which looks super modern and sleek, I especially like that the corners are rounded off.

You can opt to have the controls on the right or left side — and this can be changed around if you decide to move your desk and find the opposite side is easier. I am right-handed but placed the controls on the left side as it suited the area I was placing the desk as I was a little concerned I may accidentally knock them while moving around — although, as you’ll discover later in this review, I need not have worried. The control panel is a well-lit LCD, with buttons for up, down, mode and then 4 buttons for programming your sitting or standing heights. It also features a USB-A charging point, which is a pretty good addition but its placement does mean you’ll end up having wires trailing across the desk, so it’s not something I envisage being used too much — still, you can never have enough charging points.

And if you don’t like to see wires hanging around, this desk is perfect as it comes with a magnetic fabric cable cover, so everything will be kept organised and in place.

Features and Experience

I never knew I needed a standing desk so badly until I used one. I was skeptical that this desk would have any impact on my productivity or concentration but it’s worked wonders. Unless I’m deep in a work zone, I struggle to sit at my desk for the whole workday without having to go wandering or be up and down going to the kitchen or the bathroom — basically, anything other than sitting there. Being able to stand periodically throughout the day meant that I stayed in place and in front of my computer and I got more work done. I think for anyone who has trouble focusing for long periods, standing desks give the freedom of movement without pushing you out of that concentration zone. Plus, I also found I got more done when I was standing compared to when I was sitting, I’m not a scientist so I can’t give you any scientific fact behind that but I did feel a lot more alert and focused when standing.

One of the features, which is fantastic, especially if you share a desk, is that it has four programable sitting and standing positions. This means I can share my desk with my husband and not have to faff around, I simply press a button and whether I want to sit or stand, it just automatically raises or lowers it to my preferred height.

You don’t just have a lot of space with this desk it also has a 397lbs (180kg) weight capacity, so if you’ve got heavy equipment, this desk will handle it with ease. According to the blurb, an adult man can do push-ups on it so if you’re feeling particularly energetic, you can get a little workout in during your work day too. This is actually a good point because there is plenty of space under the desk for a walking pad so you can get those steps in.

I mentioned above that initially, I was a little concerned that I might knock into the controls, but I didn’t need to worry. This desk has a built-in child lock, so you can guarantee that accidental operation will not occur. That’s especially good if you have children or pets running around the house. But even without the child lock on, it’s pretty impossible to adjust the controls without properly pushing down on the buttons.

Moving the desktop up and down is incredibly smooth. If I have a cuppa on my desk when I want to change positions, the tea doesn’t even show as much as a ripple, so you don’t have to take everything off the desk to be able to change between seating and standing. I also found that it moved quickly and quietly.

This desk's height range is 63.5cm to 128.5cm, which means it’s suitable for people up to 6’6” tall. I’m 5’7” and found it super comfortable whether I was sitting or standing. Of course, I extended it to its highest point and was surprised at just how high it goes.

It does have an anti-collision system, which means that it will automatically sense anything underneath it and stop before it hits it. That’s pretty good news for me, as my desk is close to a radiator. With the power of this desk, I can relax knowing it won’t take it off the wall.

Price

The FlexiSpot E9 retails between £529 and £699/$657 and $867. The price difference depends on the colour of the desktop that you opt for and of course, the size. There are also plenty of add-on options on the FlexiSpot website, including under-desk storage, a power strip, castors and even an under-desk treadmill or bike so you can completely customise your desk to your specification. Buying from Flexispot you also have a 20-year warranty, which is probably the best warranty period I’ve ever seen come with a desk.

Who's it for?

The FlexiSpot E9 is suitable for anyone looking for a spacious and sturdy desk that will deliver the perfect sit/stand experience. It’s a game changer for anyone who works from home because it encourages you to move around a lot more, just as you would in an office and also being able to get the perfect height whether you’re sitting or standing does wonders for posture which reduces back pain and fights fatigue (which can be a real problem if you’re sat down all day). I’d say this is a good family desk too as it can be adjusted to suit the user rather than it being one standard size.

Buy if...

• You want a solid, well-built standing desk with premium features
• You want programmable sitting and standing options
• You’re tall because this desk goes up to 128.5cm

Don't buy if...

• You’re on a budget
• You prefer not to stand while you work