Test tables are something of a subjective game. As with office chairs, the tests are based on comfort, durability and ease of installation rather than things you can test in electronics like power and battery usage. I still tested each one thoroughly and will continue to test them for durability in the coming months.
I tested these tables by asking three people to try each one. Each of them worked at the table for at least 16 hours and then shared their impressions with me. The three were 6 feet 1 inch tall; height 5 feet 8 inches; and 5 feet 4 inches tall respectively, which gives me a good idea of ​​the average user height.
Installation time and packaging quality
Assembling tables can often be a difficult and time-consuming task. For each table, I timed how long it took to unpack and assemble and noted whether the manual was easy to follow. I followed the instructions as closely as possible to ensure that each assembly was as if I had never assembled it before. I also checked the packaging carefully to make sure it was not damaged and that it was secure enough to carry the table it contained. Any damage was noted and images were sent to the manufacturers for review.
Structural Integrity
Modern tables must withstand a lot of weight. If you're sitting at a desk, you might only have a small laptop, but if you're using a gaming desk, chances are it also has two monitors and a giant gaming PC. For each table, I checked the maximum load and tried to match it with the materials we actually use on our tables.
I used:
- Heavy Tower Gaming PC
- Two 27″ gaming monitors on a dual monitor stand
- MacBook Pro
- Two different keyboards, different mice and trackpads.
- My Oculus Quest 2
- My phone stand and USB hub
- Podcasting microphone and headphones
Depending on the length and weight of the table, I mix and match these items and then check to see if there is any sagging in the top or inconsistencies in the feel of the table while working.
Hesitation-hesitation
It's kind of a throwback to the days when my father made furniture. Everything my father built was criticized by my mother, and if it didn't pass muster she would say, “It's a bit wobbly-wobbly, isn't it, darling?” After I assembled each table and loaded it for normal use, I checked it for vibrations. This means rocking it from side to side, back and forth, to make sure all the screws, bolts, and hardware remain rigid.
