The IKEA standing desk and the Jarvis Standing Desk by UpDesk serve the same function but target completely different users and budgets. IKEA offers a budget-friendly entry into the world of standing desks, focusing on simple design and affordability with particleboard materials, while the Jarvis is a premium investment built for long-term daily use with its high-grade steel frame, powerful electric motor, and extensive customization options.
Here’s a detailed comparison to help you decide which standing desk is the right fit for your home office.
IKEA Standing Desks
IKEA's line of standing desks, like the popular TROTTEN or BEKANT series, makes ergonomics accessible to the masses. They are an excellent choice for anyone looking for the basic benefits of a sit-stand desk without a significant financial commitment. True to the IKEA ethos, these desks are designed with modern, minimalist aesthetics that fit easily into most home decor styles.
- What it is: A range of affordable, ready-to-assemble standing desks featuring both manual and basic electric height adjustments.
- Key features: Simple up/down controls on electric models, clean cable management solutions, and lightweight construction.
- Price: Typically ranges from $150 to $400.
- Style: Modern Scandinavian, with a focus on clean lines and neutral finishes like white, black, or birch effect.
- Materials/Construction: Desktops are usually made of particleboard or fiberboard with laminate or acrylic paint finish, paired with a steel frame.
- Pros: Highly affordable entry point to standing desks. Widely available online and in-store. Simple, minimalist design matches other IKEA furniture. Lightweight and easier to move than premium desks.
- Cons: Lower weight capacity compared to premium models. Desktop materials are less durable and susceptible to scratches and water damage. Electric motors can be slower and less robust. Limited size and finish options.
These desks are ideal for students, casual remote workers, or anyone looking to try a standing desk for the first time without a heavy investment.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/cat/desks-computer-desks-fu004/
Jarvis Standing Desk
The Jarvis Standing Desk has earned a reputation as a workhorse in the home office community for its excellent build quality, stability, and smooth operation. It is a premium product designed for those who work from home full-time and need a reliable, ergonomic, and highly customizable workstation that can handle a heavy load and frequent use for years to come.
- What it is: A high-quality, professional-grade electric standing desk known for its sturdy build and customization.
- Key features: Electric lift with an impressive height range and programmable memory presets. Heavy-duty steel frame with a high weight capacity. Wide variety of eco-friendly desktop options.
- Price: Typically starts around $500 and can go over $1,000 depending on size, material, and accessories.
- Style: Sleek, modern, and professional, with a huge selection of desktop finishes including sustainable bamboo, laminate, and solid wood.
- Materials/Construction: Top features an eco-friendly powder coat on high-grade steel that boasts a lifting capacity of up to 350 pounds. Desktop options include premium-tier frames and recycled wood or bamboo desktops.
- Pros: Incredibly stable, even at its highest setting. Smooth, quiet, and fast electric motor. Extensive customization of size, materials, and color. High weight capacity is perfect for multi-monitor setups. Backed by a strong warranty.
- Cons: Significantly more expensive than IKEA options. Very heavy, making assembly and moving a two-person job.
The Jarvis is built for serious users who see their desk as a long-term professional tool and are willing to pay for superior performance and durability.
Shop this product: updesk.com
IKEA Standing Desk vs. Jarvis Standing Desk Comparison
Materials & Construction
This is where the two brands differ most. IKEA uses particleboard and fiberboard tops that are functional but prone to sagging over time under heavy loads and are more susceptible to scratching. Their steel frames are adequate for typical use but can feel less stable at higher settings.
The Jarvis desk, on the other hand, is built like a tank. Its heavy-gauge steel frame has a lifting capacity of 350 lbs, providing a rock-solid work surface with no wobble, even when fully extended. Desktop options like bamboo and solid wood offer superior durability and a premium feel that will last for many years of daily use.
Adjustability & Ergonomics
While both desks allow you to stand, the ergonomic experience varies. Basic electric IKEA desks come with simple up/down buttons. More advanced models might have a few presets, but the motor is generally slower and louder. The height adjustment range is also more limited, which may be an issue for very tall or short users.
The Jarvis offers a smooth, fast, and quiet electric lift with an OLED programmable handset that allows you to store up to four preferred heights. Its broad height range accommodates a wider variety of users, ensuring a more precise and comfortable ergonomic fit, whether sitting or standing.
Style & Customization
IKEA offers a handful of standard sizes and neutral finishes - usually white, black, and a wood effect. This works well if you want a simple desk that blends in, but it leaves little room for personalization.
Customization is a key strength of the Jarvis Standing Desks. You can choose from dozens of desktop sizes, from compact 30-inch models to sprawling 78-inch versions. You can also select from a wide array of desktop materials and colors, frame colors, and add-on accessories like monitor arms, cable trays, and drawers to build a desk perfectly suited to your needs and style. You can even buy the frame separately to use with your own custom desktop.
Price & Value
There is a significant price gap. An IKEA standing desk provides immense immediate value, giving you the core functionality of a sit-stand desk for a few hundred dollars. For light use or if you're on a tight budget, it is absolutely the better value proposition.
The Jarvis offers better long-term value. While the upfront cost is much higher, its durability, superior components, and long warranty mean it likely won’t need to be replaced. For a full-time remote worker, consider it an investment in your health and professional workspace that pays for itself over time.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both desks are great options, but they are designed for very different work styles, spaces, and budgets.
Choose an IKEA Standing Desk if:
- You have a strict budget under $400.
- You are buying your first standing desk and want to test the concept.
- Your computer setup is simple and lightweight (e.g., a laptop and one monitor).
- You want a matching look with other modern, minimalist furniture in your home.
Choose the Jarvis Standing Desk if:
- You work from home full-time and need a highly reliable desk for daily use.
- Build quality, motor performance, and stability are your top priorities.
- You have a heavy multi-monitor setup or other substantial desk equipment.
- You want to fully customize the size, finish, and features of your workstation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between IKEA and Jarvis standing desks?
The primary difference is between budget-friendly functionality and premium, long-term durability. IKEA provides an affordable, entry-level standing desk adequate for light use, while Jarvis offers a professional-grade, highly customizable desk built with superior materials designed to last for years of heavy daily use.
Which standing desk is easier to assemble?
IKEA desks are generally easier for one person to assemble because the parts are much lighter. Jarvis desks are very heavy, their frames and substantial desktops often require two people to safely assemble and move into place.
How stable is the Jarvis desk at its highest setting?
Extremely stable. The Jarvis's heavy-duty frame and solid construction are designed to minimize wobble, making it one of the most stable standing desks on the market, even at maximum height with multiple monitors.
Can the IKEA standing desk support multiple monitors?
It depends on the specific model and the weight of your monitors. Always check the total weight capacity listed on IKEA's website. While many can handle two monitors, a heavier, more complex setup could cause the particleboard top to sag over time.
Is the Jarvis desk worth the extra money?
If you work from home full-time and rely on your desk for 8+ hours a day, yes. The investment buys you superior stability, a smoother and more reliable motor, higher-quality materials, better ergonomic adjustment, and a long warranty for peace of mind.
Do these desks come with a warranty?
Yes. Many IKEA desks, like the BEKANT and IDASEN series, have a generous 10-year limited warranty. Jarvis offers an impressive 15-year warranty on all frame components, mechanical parts, motors, and electronics, which is a testament to its professional build quality.
Can I put my own desktop on a Jarvis frame?
Yes, UpDesk sells the Jarvis frame on its own, which is a popular option for DIYers who want to use a custom-made or unique desktop surface with a high-quality sit-stand base.
Which desk is better for small spaces?
Both brands offer compact options. IKEA desks are often designed for smaller living spaces by default. However, Jarvis offers very small desktop sizes (as narrow as 30 inches wide) for its premium frame, making it a great option for fitting a high-quality desk into a tight corner.
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