Single Vs Dual Motor, Which One Is Right For You?

Single Vs Dual Motor, Which One Is Right For You?
Single Vs Dual Motor, Which One Is Right For You?

Standing desks are rapidly gaining popularity as everyone realises the stark difference one can make in their lives. We spend too much of our time sitting down, which damages our posture, so being able to stand for periods while working is a huge benefit. As you start shopping for standing desks, you notice there are many types and features to be aware of. One of the biggest differences between electric standing desks is the number of motors used in the product.

You’ve got traditional single-motor standing desks - but you also have dual-motor options.

How do the two compare and which one is the better option for you? This guide will explain all so you can make the best decision and find the ideal standing desk for your needs.

Single-Motor Standing Desks Explained

As you can imagine, a single-motor standing desk is powered by one electric motor. This singular motor controls both of the legs at once and makes them move together. You still get a fairly large work area and the height is easily adjustable at the press of a button. Our 1.2 Metre Sit Stand Desk, Electric Single Motor comes with 4 memory presets too, so you can set specific heights and reach them at the click of a button.

Dual-Motor Standing Desks Explained

By contrast, a dual-motor standing desk is powered by two different electric motors. One is placed on either leg and the motors are much easier to conceal like this. It often means there’s slightly more space on the underside of a dual-motor standing desk. Both motors work synergistically to power each leg at the same time. The subtle difference in this power delivery system can lead to a couple of changes when compared with the single-motor options - but we’ll discuss that in just a moment. As seen in our 1.6 Metre Sit Stand Desk, Electric Dual Motor, the desk height is still adjusted using buttons and comes with the same 4 memory presets.

The Differences Between Single & Dual-Motor Standing Desks

Initially, both desk types seem incredibly similar with a minor change in how the power delivery system works. There are three main differences between the two motor types that could influence your purchase decision:

Dual-Motor Desks Handle Heavier Loads

We’d say the most significant change between the two standing desks is that dual-motor options can handle heavier loads. This is because the two motors on either leg produce more power and can lift heavier items - but building each leg with a motor also means the base is a lot more stable.

For comparison, our dual-motor desk has a 140kg load rating compared with 70kg for the single-motor one. If you’re looking for a standing desk that needs to carry more than 70kgs, your only option is a dual-motor product.

Dual-Motor Desks Are Larger

Single-motor standing desks are more geared towards individuals without a lot of space in their office area. You still get a generous 700mm deep work surface that's 1200mm wide, but a dual-motor desk offers a lot more.

Deskup’s dual-motor standing desk gives you an 800mm deep work area with 1600mm of width. Therefore, if you’re looking for a standing desk but only have around 12000-14000mm of space to work within your office, a single-motor option will be the better choice. Those of you with more space could opt for the dual-motor standing desk to get a larger overall workstation.

It’s also possible to get an L-Shape Dual Motor Sit Stand Desk while single-motor standing desks tend to be the basic shape.

Single-Motor Desks Are Cheaper

One final difference to consider is the price of both options. Single-motor standing desks will always be cheaper and more affordable as they only require one motor in construction. Adding a second motor will up the price - and the difference can be quite extensive. It’s the difference between fitting your budget and going way over what you can afford to pay for a desk.

To give you some context, our single-motor desk is priced at $479 while the dual-motor desks start at $759 (and that’s with a discount). We appreciate that many of you will make up your mind based on this alone!

The Similarities Between Single & Dual-Motor Standing Desks

As well as these differences, single and dual-motor standing desks share some commonalities. When you buy either of these options from us, you’re getting a desk with the following features:

  • 7-Year Warranty
  • 100% Australian
  • Fast and Quiet Operation
  • Works up to 6cm per second
  • Adjustable in 0.5cm Increments
  • 10-15-minute Set Up Time
  • Collision Detection Software
  • Memory Function

Which Standing Desk Is Right For You?

We believe either of these standing desks will be a fantastic purchase, though one could be better suited to you than the other. Here’s a quick comparison of both desks and their features so you can easily figure out which one makes the most sense.

Feature Deskup 1.2m Single Motor Standing Desk Deskup 1.6m Dual Motor Standing Desk
Motor Type Single Dual
Desk Size 1200 x 700 x 25mm 1600 x 800 x 25mm
Adjustable Range 70 to 115 cm 70 to 115 cm
Movement Speed Up to 6cm per second Up to 6cm per second
Maximum Load 70kg 140kg
Warranty 7 years 7 years
Price $479 $759 (with $200 off pre-order discount)


Ultimately, your decision will revolve around three main factors:

  • How much space do you have available?
  • How heavy are the items being placed on your desk?
  • What’s your budget?

If you want a more budget-friendly desk that doesn’t consume too much space, the single-motor standing desk is the better choice. However, if you need a lot of space on your worktop and envisage the need to keep things on it that total over 70kgs, a dual-motor desk is by far the smarter choice.

It’s up to you, but you can get either option from Deskup today and enjoy fast delivery with superior customer service at all times.

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