Single Motor Electric Standing Desks: Are They Stable? Should Load Capacity and Lifting Speed Be Prioritized?

In the era of remote work and long-hour office sessions, electric standing desks have become a "health savior" for many people, as they allow flexible switching between sitting and standing postures to reduce spinal pressure. Among various types, single motor electric standing desks are favored by budget-conscious users for their relatively low price. However, doubts about their stability and confusion about whether to focus on load capacity and lifting speed often make consumers hesitate. This article will systematically answer these questions to help you make an informed purchase decision.

Are Single Motor Electric Standing Desks Stable Enough for Daily Use?

The stability of single motor electric standing desks is a core concern for most users, and the answer depends on structural design, component quality, and usage scenarios—qualified products can fully meet daily needs, while substandard ones may have obvious stability issues.

1. Why Stability Varies Among Single Motor Desks?

Single motor electric standing desks rely on one motor to drive the lifting of both table legs through a connecting shaft. This integrated drive design is simpler than dual motor desks (which have independent motors for each leg) but also creates potential stability differences:

• Force transmission path: The single motor needs to distribute power to two legs via the connecting shaft. If the shaft is made of thin material (e.g., hollow steel tubes with a diameter less than 18mm) or the connection between the shaft and legs is loose, it may cause uneven lifting of the two legs or slight wobble during use.

• Table leg structure: Two-section table legs are common in entry-level single motor desks, but their vertical rigidity is weaker—when the desk is raised to the maximum height (usually 120-130cm), pressing the tabletop may cause obvious shaking. In contrast, three-section table legs add an extra support segment, which can reduce wobble by 30%-50% at the same height.

• Tabletop size matching: Single motor desks are not suitable for overly large tabletops. Generally, when the tabletop length exceeds 140cm or width exceeds 80cm, the leverage effect will amplify the instability of the single motor drive system. For example, placing a heavy monitor on the edge of a 160cm-long tabletop may cause the table to tilt slightly.
  
  

2. Scenarios Where Single Motor Desks Perform Stably

In daily office scenarios with proper matching, single motor electric standing desks can maintain good stability:

• Small to medium tabletops: For tabletops with lengths of 100-120cm and widths of 60-70cm (common sizes for home offices or personal workstations), even two-section single motor desks can remain stable when holding basic equipment (laptop, 24-inch monitor, keyboard, and a small stack of books).

• Normal usage intensity: When typing, placing items, or gently adjusting the height, the desk will not have obvious wobble. High-quality single motor desks (with 100W+ motors and thickened connecting shafts) can even withstand slight accidental collisions (e.g., bumping the table leg with a chair) without shifting.

• Proper installation: Tightening the screws at the table leg and tabletop connection, and placing the desk on a flat floor (using adjustable foot pads to level if the floor is uneven) can further improve stability. Many users ignore installation details, leading to unnecessary wobble that is mistakenly attributed to poor product quality.
  
  

3. Situations to Avoid for Stability

To prevent stability issues, avoid using single motor electric standing desks in the following scenarios:

• Heavy-duty equipment placement: Do not place items exceeding 30kg on the desk, such as large laser printers, multiple 32-inch monitors, or metal file boxes. Overloading will not only increase the load on the motor but also cause long-term deformation of the connecting shaft, leading to persistent wobble.

• Frequent lateral force application: Avoid leaning on the tabletop, pushing the desk horizontally, or placing feet on the table legs while sitting—these actions will apply lateral force to the single motor drive system, which is not designed for lateral load-bearing, and may damage the connecting shaft or motor over time.

• Outdoor or uneven surfaces: Single motor desks are intended for indoor use on flat floors. Using them on uneven balconies, carpeted floors with thick piles, or outdoor terraces will disrupt the balance of the table legs and reduce stability.
  
  

Should Load Capacity and Lifting Speed Be Key Considerations?

Absolutely—these two parameters directly determine the safety, usability, and service life of single motor electric standing desks. They are not "optional" features but core criteria that must be checked before purchase.

1. Load Capacity: The Bottom Line of Safety and Practicality

Load capacity refers to the maximum weight the desk can safely lift and support, and it is non-negotiable for the following reasons:

• Motor protection: Each single motor has a rated load (e.g., 50kg, 70kg). Exceeding this load will force the motor to operate under overload, which may cause the motor to overheat and burn out in the short term, or accelerate the wear of internal gears and reduce the motor lifespan from 5-8 years to 1-2 years.

• Structural safety: When the load exceeds the design limit, the table legs, connecting shaft, or tabletop connection may deform or even break. For example, a 50kg-rated desk with a 70kg load may suddenly drop during lifting, posing a risk of equipment damage or personal injury.

• Practical matching: The average weight of a personal office setup is 15-25kg (including a 2kg laptop, 5kg monitor, 1kg keyboard, and 5-10kg of books/stationery). Choosing a single motor desk with a load capacity of 60-80kg leaves a sufficient safety margin—even if you add a coffee machine or a small plant later, you won’t exceed the limit.

Note: Don’t trust exaggerated load capacity claims. Some cheap single motor desks mark "100kg load capacity" but use 80W motors and thin connecting shafts. In practice, their actual safe load is only 40-50kg. Prioritize products that clearly state compliance with industry standards (e.g., China’s QB/T 5271-2018, which requires a minimum load capacity of 50kg for electric standing desks).

2. Lifting Speed: Affecting Efficiency and User Experience

Lifting speed (usually measured in mm/s) may seem like a minor detail, but it significantly impacts daily use efficiency and comfort:

• Time-saving in frequent adjustments: Most users switch between sitting and standing 3-5 times a day. A single motor desk with a lifting speed of 30mm/s takes about 20 seconds to rise from the minimum height (70cm) to the maximum height (127cm), while a 25mm/s desk takes 26 seconds—adding 6 seconds per adjustment. Over a year (250 working days), this totals 7500 seconds (over 2 hours) of wasted time.

• Speed and stability balance: Faster lifting is not always better. Single motor desks have a lower speed limit than dual motor desks—generally, speeds above 35mm/s will cause obvious wobble during lifting. Reputable brands usually cap the lifting speed of single motor desks at 30-32mm/s to ensure stability while maintaining efficiency.

• Noise correlation: Lifting speed is closely related to operating noise. A 32mm/s single motor desk may produce 52-55dB of noise (similar to a quiet conversation), while a 28mm/s desk can keep noise below 48dB (quiet enough for video meetings without being distracting). If you work in a quiet environment (e.g., a bedroom converted into an office), choosing a slower, quieter model is more appropriate.
  
  

3. How to Match Load Capacity and Lifting Speed to Your Needs

• Home office/personal use: Prioritize a load capacity of 60-70kg (to handle basic office equipment) and a lifting speed of 28-30mm/s (balancing efficiency and quietness). This configuration meets daily needs without excessive cost.

• Small office/shared use: Choose a load capacity of 70-80kg (to accommodate different users’ equipment, such as extra monitors or document boxes) and a lifting speed of 30-32mm/s (to save time for multiple users).

• Budget-limited entry-level needs: A 50kg load capacity and 25-28mm/s lifting speed can meet basic use (e.g., only a laptop), but avoid using it for heavy or large equipment.
  
  

4 Practical Tips for Choosing a Stable Single Motor Electric Standing Desk

1. Focus on Core Component Quality

• Motor brand: Choose desks equipped with well-known brand motors (e.g., Linak, Jiecang, or Leapmotor). These motors have stricter quality control, with stable power output and lower failure rates. Avoid desks with unbranded "generic motors"—their load capacity and service life are often untested.

• Connecting shaft material: Opt for solid steel shafts with a diameter of 20mm or more, or thickened hollow steel shafts (wall thickness ≥2mm). You can ask the seller for material specifications; if they are vague (e.g., "high-strength steel"), it may be a sign of inferior quality.

• Table leg material: Cold-rolled steel with a thickness of 1.2mm or more is better than thin aluminum alloy. Cold-rolled steel has higher rigidity and can better resist deformation under load.
  
  

2. Check Certification and Testing Data

• Industry certifications: Products with ANSI/BIFMA X5.5-2021 (US) or EN 527 (EU) certifications have undergone rigorous stability tests (e.g., applying 1/3 of the rated load to the tabletop edge to test for tilt) and safety tests (e.g., overload protection).

• Lifting cycle test: Qualified single motor desks should pass 20,000+ lifting cycle tests (equivalent to 5-8 years of daily use). Avoid products that only mention "10,000 cycles" or provide no test data—they may have a short service life.
  
  

3. Test in Person (or Check Detailed Reviews)

If possible, visit a physical store to test the desk:

• Stability test: Raise the desk to the maximum height, press the center and edges of the tabletop with moderate force (simulating typing or placing heavy items), and feel if there is obvious wobble or creaking.

• Lifting test: Operate the height adjustment button to check if the lifting is smooth (no jitter or sudden speed changes) and if the noise is within an acceptable range.

If buying online, read detailed user reviews—pay attention to comments about "stability after 3 months of use" or "noise during lifting" (avoid reviews that only mention "fast delivery" without substantive content).

4. Avoid Oversized Tabletops

As mentioned earlier, single motor electric standing desks are not suitable for oversized tabletops. For most models, the optimal tabletop size is 100-120cm (length) × 60-70cm (width). If you need a longer tabletop (e.g., 140cm+) for dual-person use or equipment placement, it is recommended to upgrade to a dual motor desk—its independent leg drive system can better support large tabletops.

Single motor electric standing desks are stable enough for daily personal or small office use, provided you choose products with reasonable structural design (three-section legs, thickened connecting shafts) and match the tabletop size appropriately. Load capacity and lifting speed are must-focus parameters: a 60-80kg load capacity ensures safety and practicality, while a 28-32mm/s lifting speed balances efficiency and stability.

If your budget is limited and you only need a desk for basic office tasks with a small to medium tabletop, a high-quality single motor electric standing desk is a cost-effective choice. If you require a large tabletop, heavy equipment support, or higher stability, investing in a dual motor desk will bring a better long-term experience.