Crank or Motor? Manual vs. Electric Adjustable Table (Honest Comparison)

When someone decides to end their sedentary lifestyle and get the first height-adjustable desk of their life, they are almost immediately faced with the big dilemma: “Should I buy the cheaper, manual version or pay more for the electric one?”

As an expert, I fully understand the dilemma. At first glance, the end result is the same: the table moves up and down. So why pay tens of thousands more for an engine?

But the answer lies not in the wallet, but in the psychology of the user. In this article, I’ll give you an honest comparison of the two technologies, so you don’t make the mistake many people make: buying a desk to save money and then never using it.

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1. The Manual (Artificial) Table: the “Cheap” Solution

These tables have a folding arm (crank). You have to physically lift the table top to the desired height.

Benefits:

• Price: they are indeed cheaper (usually by 30-40%) than their motorcycle counterparts.
• Independence: you don’t need an electrical outlet, you can put it anywhere in the room.

The Hidden Drawback (Why I don’t recommend it):

Imagine the situation: You are deep into a task. You remember that you should get up. But in order to do so, you have to stop typing, fold out the lever and keep turning the desk for 30-40 seconds. Then the same again.

Experience shows: for the first week you can still roll. The second week, it’s less frequent. In the second month, the table stays in the sitting position forever, because it “doesn’t feel like” interrupting the work because of the hassle. So the saving becomes a waste of money.

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2. The Electric (Motorised) Table: the Price of Comfort

Here, one or two motors do the work, you only have to press one button.

Benefits:

• Speed and Comfort: Switching is a matter of seconds and requires no physical strength. It does not distract you from the “flow”.
• Memory Function (A Game Changer): the better models (like Ergomax desks) will remember your favourite sitting and standing heights. You don’t need to adjust the crank every time – one press of a button and the table will adjust itself to the perfect position.
• Stability: dual-motor systems lift much more smoothly and stably than the tug of a human hand, so coffee does not spill.

Disadvantages:

• Price: higher initial cost.
• Power: A free power socket is required.

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The Reality Test: which one will you actually use?

The golden rule of ergonomics is to change the crank regularly (every hour or so). If you had to crank every hour, you’d give up quickly.

The biggest advantage of an electric table is not the motor, but the fact that it takes the friction out of the decision. It’s so easy to switch that you can do it without thinking. And that’s the key to healthy working.

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Summary: Which one is for you?

Select the MANUAL table if:

• It has an extremely tight budget.
• Put it where there is no electricity.
• You do not plan to change the height several times a day (e.g. you only “adjust once” to your height).

Choose the ELECTROMIC table if:

• You really want to use the sit-stand function on a daily basis.
• Comfort and speed are important to you.
• More people use the desktop (the memory function makes it easy to switch between users).
• You see your health as a long-term investment.

Are you ready to decide? Check out our range, where you’ll find everything from entry-level to premium twin models!

➡️ Discover our electric adjustable tables!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How loud is the electric table?

Modern, high-quality motors (like the ones used by Ergomax) are extremely quiet (< 50dB). An average office conversation is louder than they are, so they won't disturb colleagues or family.

Can the engine break down?

Like all electronics, it can fail, but quality table motors are designed to last tens of thousands of cycles. That’s why warranties are important: Ergomax desks, for example, come with an extended warranty for your peace of mind.

Is the electric table difficult to assemble?

Not much harder than the manual. The controls are usually “plug-and-play”, i.e. you just plug in the connectors, no electrician skills required.