In this article, we will continue to compare popular tabletops for standing desks to gain a better understanding of what the market can offer us.
Previously, Part One of this article covered:
- Materials
- Environmental impact
- Warranty
- Price
In Part Two of this article, we will now compare:
- Colors available
- Physical dimensions
- Grommet holes options
- Pre-drilled holes options
- Other unique tabletop features
Colors Available
Having a variety of different tabletop colors to choose from is important for ensuring there is something that will match the workspace style of your choice. Aside from just the colors, certain tabletops may also come with unique patterns and styles that can enhance the overall appearance. Progressive Desk releases new colors over time and offers a large range of different tabletop colors such as:
- Warm White
- Gray Oak
- Bamboo Light Matte
- Bamboo Dark Gloss
- Dark Cherry
- Roasted Walnut
- Ebony Oak
- Bright Beech
- Rustic Hickory
- Light Walnut
- Pure Black
- Cool White (Corner tabletop)
- White Birch (Corner tabletop)
- Sunset Teak (Corner tabletop)
- Dark Oak (Corner tabletop)
- Midnight Maple (Corner tabletop)
| Company | Tabletop | Colors Available |
|---|---|---|
| IKEA | LINNMON and LAGKAPTEN tabletops | 4 |
| IKEA | ANFALLARE tabletops | 1 |
| Effydesk | Wildwood collection tabletops | 3 |
| Effydesk | High-density particle board tabletops | 3 |
| Progressive Desk | MDF Tabletops | 9 |
| Progressive Desk | Bamboo Tabletops | 2 |
| Progressive Desk | Single piece Corner Tabletop | 5 |
| UPLIFT | In-Stock Eco Desktops | 2 |
| UPLIFT | In-Stock Solid Wood Desktops | 14 |
| UPLIFT | In-Stock Rubberwood Solid Wood Desktops | 2 |
| UPLIFT | Custom Solid Wood Desktops | 9 |
| UPLIFT | In-Stock GREENGUARD Laminate Desktops | 7 |
| UPLIFT | In-Stock Bamboo Tabletops | 3 |
Physical Dimensions
The perfect size and shape for adjustable desk tabletops may vary depending on user preferences and if there were any space limitations in a room. Rectangular tabletops are the most common shape found in adjustable desks for its simplicity, affordability, and overall versatility. Corner tabletops are typically going to occupy more space than a basic rectangular tabletop, however, L-shaped standing desks offer several benefits that certain users may find useful. Generally, it is physically possible to combine two rectangular tabletops to form an L-shape like corner tabletops, however, certain setups may require a few modifications to allow for compatibility when installing with adjustable desk frames. By offering a large range of physical dimensions to choose from, users will have a better chance of finding the tabletop size and shape that works best for their needs.
| Company | Tabletop | Ranges of Physical Dimensions |
|---|---|---|
| IKEA | LINNMON and LAGKAPTEN tabletops | 39 3/8" x 23 5/8" x 1 3/8" to 78 3/8" x 23 5/8" x 1 3/8" |
| IKEA | ANFALLARE tabletops | 55 1/8" x 25 5/8" x 1 1/8" |
| Effydesk | Wildwood collection tabletops | 59" x 29" x 1" |
| Effydesk | High-density particle board tabletops | 47" x 29" x 1" to 70" x 29" x 1" |
| Effydesk | Executive L-Shaped Standing Desk Tabletop | 70.9" x 70.8" x 1" |
| Progressive Desk | MDF Tabletops | 42" x 30" x 1" to 72" x 30" x 1" |
| Progressive Desk | Bamboo Tabletops | 42" x 30" x 1" to 72" x 30" x 1" |
| Progressive Desk | Single piece Corner Tabletop | 59" x 59" x 1" |
| UPLIFT | In-Stock Eco Desktops | 42" x 30" x 1" to 80" x 30" x 1" |
| UPLIFT | In-Stock Solid Wood Desktops | 42" x 24" x 1.5" to 80" x 30" x 1.75" |
| UPLIFT | In-Stock Rubberwood Solid Wood Desktops | 42" x 24" x 1" to 80" x 30" x 1" |
| UPLIFT | Custom Solid Wood Desktops | 42" x 24" x 1.5" to 80" x 30" x 1.75" |
| UPLIFT | In-Stock GREENGUARD Laminate Desktops | 42" x 24" x 1" to 80" x 30" x 1" |
| UPLIFT | In-Stock Bamboo Tabletops | 42" x 24" x 1" to 80" x 30" x 1" |
Grommet Holes Options
Grommet holes on a tabletop are normally used as openings for wires to pass through. They can also be used to hold grommet covers which may offer features such as convenient access to AC power and USB ports. While there are benefits of having grommets, certain individuals may still prefer tabletops that do not have any grommet holes. The areas of a tabletop that have grommet holes will typically sacrifice some structural strength due to having less material supporting the workspace weight. Depending on personal preference, some may also enjoy the appearance of tabletops that have no grommets.
IKEA
The rectangular tabletops from IKEA do not come with grommet holes included.
UPLIFT
All UPLIFT rectangular tabletops come with two grommet holes, one on the left and one on the right side. Apart from their 48" and 60" Bamboo Ergo-Edge Curve tops, the rest of their in-stock rectangular tabletops also have options to come with no grommet holes.
Progressive Desk
Our tabletops all come with grommet holes included. We currently do not have an option to customize these tabletops without them. However, we do have a variety of grommets available that are sleek in design to keep your desk organized and tidy.
EFFYDESK
There is one grommet hole on the left part of all the Wildwood Collection and High-density particle board tabletops by EFFYDESK.
Pre-Drilled Holes Options
Pre-drilled holes usually offer more convenience during the assembly of an adjustable desk, however, not everyone might necessarily want or need them depending on the situation. For example, if a tabletop is limited to having one grommet hole facing the left side, a user will not be able to flip the tabletop upside down if they needed the grommet hole to be on the right side. Doing so will result in a work surface that has pre-drilled holes facing the user. For tabletops that can remain the same configuration when flipped upside down, having pre-drilled holes is usually a benefit. Before deciding on a tabletop, consider whether you find pre-drilled holes beneficial for your setup. It is also important to note that pre-drilled holes may not always align with products sourced from a third-party company.
IKEA
The tabletops from IKEA all come with pre-drilled holes that were intended for IKEA legs.
UPLIFT
All the tabletops from UPLIFT come with pre-drilled holes that were mainly to align with their frames.
Progressive Desk
Both our MDF and bamboo tabletops come with pre-drilled holes that have threaded screw inserts for conveniently mounting to our adjustable desk frames. Our L-shaped corner tabletops do not include pre-drilled holes; however, this allows users to choose the orientation of the single grommet hole to be on the left or right side.
EFFYDESK
The tabletops by EFFYDESK all come with pre-drilled holes for easy assembly to their frames.
Other Unique Tabletop Features
We have covered the common types of tabletops we usually find in a home and office setting; however, the market also offers other tabletops with unique features that certain individuals may value such as:
- TERRA tops
- Built-in tabletop electronics
- Customizable tabletops
1. TERRA Tops
The TERRA tabletop by EFFYDESK is made from 10,854 recycled chopsticks and aims to help reduce our carbon footprint while offering a unique style with its Butcher Block appearance. This tabletop is 55" x 28" x 0.6", weighs 56 lbs, and has one grommet hole on the right side. Although the TERRA tabletop is not listed as something that is sold separately, we can calculate the change in price from selecting this tabletop option.
(TerraDesk Total Price) – (Business Office Standing Desk Frame) = Terra Tabletop Price
$1511 USD – $626 USD = $885 USD
2. Built-In Tabletop Electronics
Electronic components are usually attached to the exterior of a tabletop during the assembly process; however, some tabletops have unique built-in electronic components. An example of this can be found in the Wildwood collection tabletops by EFFYDESK which has built-in wireless phone charging stations hidden underneath their tabletops. Both the Wildwood collection and TERRA tabletops also offer a built-in keypad that includes a USB charger.
3. Customizable Tabletops
Although the lead times for custom tabletops are longer than most in-stock options, certain individuals may find value in getting a tabletop that is as close to their requirements as possible. By offering highly customizable tabletops, UPLIFT can custom manufacture to various user specific requests such as:
- Custom Dimensions (within a 0.25" tolerance)
- Including/not including grommet holes
- Changing grommet hole locations
- More color options
In Summary
The competitive market for adjustable desks and their related products has resulted in a large variety of different tabletops for us to choose from. Whether you were aiming to reduce your carbon footprint, had specific design requirements to meet, or just needed an affordable basic tabletop, knowing what the market offers will help in making an informed decision.
We hope you found this as informative and interesting as we did, especially if you were looking for ideas and recommendations before getting your next tabletop. If you have any queries about our desks or have trouble picking out the right tabletops to suit your setup, feel free to reach out to us! Our team of representatives is experts in what we do and will be happy to help with any questions you may have!
sales@progressivedesk.com | 1-800-828-9414