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Nov 21, 2023

Humanscale float standing desk review: A smooth transition

Buy now £1651.48, Humanscale.com Don’t be put off by the 13 pages of assembly instructions, attaching the feet to the base and then the work surface is actually easier than on many other standing

Buy now£1651.48, Humanscale.com

Don’t be put off by the 13 pages of assembly instructions, attaching the feet to the base and then the work surface is actually easier than on many other standing desks, thanks to the pre-drilled pilot holes. As with most standing desks, the float’s base is heavy, to provide stability when working at its extended range, so, it’s more likely to be a two-person job.

There is an option to attach the Humanscale mechanism to your own work surface, if you want, but this requires that you measure out the mounting holes yourself according to your desktop’s dimensions.

It’s then just a matter of attaching the release paddle and the mounted tension adjuster, which is optional, but we would strongly recommend you include this in your order as it makes the table’s daily operation immeasurably more efficient.

Read more: The Yo-Yo desk 90 will transform any workspace into a sit-stand dream

Once the table is set up, you move on to the second phase, which is calibrating the table for use. You do this by setting up the table with everything you need to get through a work day – from hardware to accessories – and then fine-tuning the table until it adjusts up and down with ease.

If the work surface is difficult to lift, increase the tension. If it’s tricky to lower, then you decrease the tension. We found this phase very straightforward and only took a couple of minutes.

The American manufacturer prides itself on emphasising the design of all of its products, and the float is no exception. The table is sleek and modern, with a base made from polished aluminium and steel (you can choose from silver or white), while the desktop is available in either black or white laminate, so there are customisation options available, according to your existing décor.

Read more: The Flexispot E8 standing desk helped us adopt healthy habits while working from home

The base is made from steel and aluminium, while the table top is a basic high-pressure laminate (HPL) with a thin bevelled edge and, because of the counterbalance mechanism, there’s no need for support beams – this leaves the table totally uncluttered underneath, adding to the modern look of the float.

For starters, let’s address the fact that the float doesn’t have a motor to raise and lower the desktop. The table works on a tension system to act against your desktop load, and you can choose from a number of desktop sizes – from 24in x 48in to 30in x 72in.

Even the smallest desktop size is generous, so if you find your usual workspace is often heaving with stuff, your desktop working environment won’t ever feel claustrophobic.

Read more: 8 best home office desks that will transform your work set-up

If the weight on the table changes significantly, you will probably need to readjust the tension, but it only takes 30 seconds of trial and error to fine-tune the table.

Just to be clear, we’re not saying you’ll need to keep recalibrating every time you leave your diary at home, instead it will take a more significant addition or subtraction (like the addition of an extra monitor) to enforce a readjustment.

In transition (the most critical attribute of a standing desk) the table couldn’t have performed better and because it’s not reliant on any motors, the transition is buttery smooth and, more importantly, much faster than many electric tables. All you have to do is depress the paddle on the right side of the table with one hand and use the other to raise or lower the table – this means you can get from sitting to standing and back again with minimal workflow interruption.

Read more: This sit-stand desk has taken my WFH setup to new heights – and is one of the cheapest options I’ve seen

The other big advantage of using a counterbalance mechanism rather than electricity is you’re not confined where you position the desk by access to an electrical socket, so for a home office with limited space or limited power outlets this could be a bonus.

At the upper reaches of its extension (47in) the table remained very sturdy, enabling you to type and write without the unnerving sensation that everything is about to come crashing down which has, unfortunately, been our experience with some inferior tables.

However, the fact that the table does only raise to 47in may not be suitable if you’re 6’2 or over as it won’t always present the right ergonomics for you to work efficiently.

Humanscale is known for being a design-led manufacturer and its float standing desk is a prime example of this ethos. It has managed to produce a large piece of work furniture that won’t dominate a workspace, but will add a modernist touch.

The desk truly does float like a butterfly (both up and down) but its price stings like a bee, at over £1,650. However, its unique counterbalance mechanism provides one of the best transitions we have tested (and also means it’s not tethered to an electrical socket) and makes the float a definite consideration for anyone outfitting a home office, or looking to make a switch to active working.

It’s also worth noting that, currently, you can get 20 per cent off and free shipping using a code, available on the Humanscale website, at checkout.