Our product pages list a number of specifications. This guide explains what they mean and why they matter, so you can choose the right item for you. It is general guidance and does not describe any particular product.
Sit-stand desks
The height range tells you the lowest and highest point the desk top can reach. Check this against your own sitting and standing elbow height, since a desk that does not go low or high enough will never feel right, whatever else it offers.
Desks are usually driven by a single motor or two motors. A single motor is generally lighter duty and may tilt slightly at full extension on wider desks. Two motors tend to lift more evenly and support a higher weight capacity.
Lifting capacity is the maximum weight the desk can raise and lower safely. Add up the weight of the desktop itself, your monitors, monitor arms, PC, and anything else that stays on the desk, and check the total against the stated capacity.
Stability is affected by the frame design and by cross bars or braces between the legs. A desk with a cross bar is usually steadier at full height, which matters if you type while standing. Desktop size determines how much room you have for a monitor, keyboard and other equipment, so check it against your available space as well as your equipment.
Task chairs
Seat height range should overlap with the desk height you plan to use, so your knees and elbows can both sit at roughly 90 degrees. Seat depth adjustment lets you set the right hand width gap between the seat edge and the back of your knees.
Lumbar adjustment, where fitted, lets you move the support up, down or in and out so it sits in the small of your back rather than higher up your spine. Armrest adjustment, where fitted, lets you set the arms to support your forearms without raising your shoulders.
Maximum user weight is a safety limit set by the manufacturer, and it is worth checking against your own weight with a reasonable margin. BS EN 1335 is the British and European standard for office work chairs, covering dimensions, stability and strength, and it is a useful reference point when comparing chairs.
Monitor arms
VESA size refers to the mounting pattern on the back of your monitor, usually 75 by 75mm or 100 by 100mm, and the arm must match your screen. Check the weight range of the arm against your monitor's actual weight, including any protective cover. Clamp thickness is the range of desk edge thickness the clamp will grip, so measure your desk before ordering.
Footrests
Height determines how much lift the footrest gives your feet, which matters if your chair cannot be lowered enough for your legs. Tilt lets you angle the footrest, which some people find more comfortable than a flat surface, particularly if you shift position through the day.
Uprise is a trading name of Mohammed Saber Uddin, a sole trader. Address: 185 Plashet Road, London, E13 0QZ, United Kingdom. Email info.msutrade@gmail.com, telephone 07477 110459. Not registered for VAT.