There are several reasons a Jarvis standing desk can work for you.
It reduces the need for seating, helping you stay more active and reduce fatigue and pain caused by sitting all day.
The height adjustable function also gives you the option to adjust the height to match your mood. If you feel like sitting, adjust it down to normal desk height.
Feel like using an exercise ball for a seat? Adjust the height a bit…
Feel like standing? The Jarvis desk adjusts to a maximum standing height of 50.75” (1.29m).
Jarvis is a brand designed by the online e-commerce brand Fully. Fully is an Oregon based store that prides itself on affordable, ergonomic office furniture.
Fully was recently acquired by Knoll, in an attempt to broaden their market and available products.
This acquisition has not changed the Fully brand at all, though, which will still operate as an independent online store and brand.
That means all the Jarvis standing desks you’ve heard about will still be just as affordable and reliable as they’ve always been.
Compared to other standing desks in their class, Jarvis stacks up to be one of the best.
While more expensive desks offer better functionality and stability, the Jarvis desk is a mid-range solution to making your office more active and dynamic.
Summary: Jarvis standing desks are an affordable and trusted way to keep you active at work. Their height adjustable desks allow you to find a height to match your mood. Fully still provides all the same services after being acquired by Knoll.
So, without further ado, here are how the different models stack up against each other:
Comparison Between Top 5 Electric Standing Desk Jarvis Models
All of the Jarvis models use the same Jiecang base which has been stabilized with gussets and foot-to-leg connections. The Jarvis model also uses heavier feet for added stability.
The base is entirely height adjustable, by using either a handy toggle control that intuitively adjusts to arm motion, while the remote control allows you to enter preset heights.
The base is also transported in EPE-free, recycled packaging and is available separately from the tops. So, if you want to add your own top, you can do that too.
The base can comfortably hold and adjust a load of up to 350lbs (yes, you can jump on your desk and play if you’re bored), and adjusts from floor-seating height all the way through to a maximum height of 50.75”.
1. Fully Jarvis Bamboo Adjustable Standing Desk
Fully Jarvis Standing Desk is by far the most popular desk-top of all the Jarvis desktops.
It is labeled as the most environmentally friendly option of desk-tops from Jarvis. The bamboo is sourced from plantations in China where the plants are grown without pesticides or fertilizer and left to reach full maturity for five years.
This desktop is available in two color options – Natural or Dark Stain.
The stain used is an equally environmentally friendly water-based stain that accents the grain of the bamboo while adding a darker, more austere tone to the overall ensemble.
This will set you back an extra $105 though.
Both options are covered in a UV-cured, waterbased, polyurethane coating to protect it from everyday spills and stains.
Starting from $439, this is an affordable, environmentally friendly, and sustainable option.
Which is probably why this is the best selling and most raved about Jarvis Model.
Summary: The Bamboo Top is the most popular of the Jarvis Desk-Tops. It’s available in 2 colors. It is sustainable and environmentally friendly.
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2. Jarvis Laminate Standing Desk
If recycling is your thing, this desk is just for you.
This Laminate desk is made with GREENGUARD, water, and scratch-proof laminate, which is available in six colors, which covers the 100% recycled, heavy-duty, high-density particleboard.
And this is all held together with GREENGUARD certified water-based adhesive that’s free from urea and formaldehyde.
Yes, this is as environmentally friendly as it comes!
It’s priced the same as the Bamboo option, starting at $439, with different sizes available.
Summary: Laminate Top is the most environmentally friendly option available.
It comes in six colors and varying sizes so you can choose an option that works best for you.
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3. Jarvis Whiteboard Stand Up Desk
If you’re a doodler, this one’s for you!
The Whiteboard top is made from high-pressure laminate stuck to the same high quality, recycled particle board used in the Laminate top.
In fact, it’s made by the same manufacturers as the Laminate tops, so it’s just as environmentally-friendly (GREENGUARD certified).
The big difference? This laminate is easy to clean, so you can go ahead and scribble away on your desk as inspiration (or boredom) strikes!
The price is also more, starting at $569 for the smallest of the three available sizes.
Key Take-Away: The Whiteboard top is GREENGUARD certified with the added bonus of being easy to clean.
It is a great option for creatives that love to scribble. But it is a bit more pricy than the normal Laminate top.
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4. Jarvis L-Shaped Desk
The L-Shaped desk is one of a kind design by Fully. It is designed for the corner office but comes with all the features of the standard standing desk.
The base consists of three feet, with a supporting cross-bar for extra stability. The supporting legs are tapered to widen at the bottom for even more support.
Three independent mechanisms move each of the standing legs in unison while the extra padding between the base and the top prevents vibration and noise.
Fully went all out on this model, even making two separate rectangular tops so the L can be assembled at either a left or right angle to match any corner space.
This standing desk is available in three different top finishes, including their natural bamboo, and two of their darker Laminate options and four different frame colors.
With a starting price of $1249, it’s a bit more pricey than some of the other popular options, but it provides a lot more desk space with all the same features as the other options.
Summary: The L-Shaped standing desk takes corner office spaces to a whole new level. The structure has been reinforced to ensure that the unit remains stable. The various frame color and top types offer a good choice.
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5. Jarvis Treadmill Desk
For the Treadmill Desk Fully teamed up with LifeSpan Fitness Treadmills to create a workspace that will keep you moving.
The desktop is available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and types, from natural bamboo to laminate, either standard or concave, in four different sizes (72” is recommended) – they made sure there is a variety of choices.
The treadmill comes as a separate component to the desk and includes a display and setting screen.
The treadmill desk has some raving reviews, from being a good quality treadmill to helping people be more active, have more energy throughout the day, improve their posture, and even helping them to lose weight.
The desk component works the same as all other Jarvis desks and is not impeded by the treadmill.
Starting at $1529, this is an affordable option for you if you’re looking for a way to be even more active at your desk.
Summary: The treadmill desk is a great way to add even more action to your workday (which can make you more creative). It is well-priced for a treadmill desk and offers a variety of choices to suit your needs.
The only concern is that the treadmill adds extra height, so if you’re tall, you may have a problem reaching your desk.
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Jarvis Desk History / About Fully Brand
Fully is an e-commerce store that stocks ergonomic office furniture, hence their first name ErgoDepot. They are based in Portland, Oregon, but ship nationwide. This includes free shipping to the lower 48 states. Some products are even available in Canada.
While Fully was recently acquired by Knoll, they remain an independent online store. That means they will keep producing quality office furniture at an affordable price.
Of all the office furniture, they stock their Jarvis standing desk is one of the most popular ranges. This range offers an affordable alternative to conventional “desking”.
The designers at Fully spent years designing, adjusting, and reinforcing the Jarvis desk. They took the feedback they got and improved their product.
Now they are one of the most trusted, affordable standing desk brands in the United States with “hundreds of thousands of happy customers”.
The end product is a standing desk that is stable, sleek, and made to suit the user’s every need. Whether you need a desk at floor level or standing at full height, the Jarvis desk is designed to suit your needs.
These needs include allowing the versatility to be more active during your workday, keeping the sedentary life-style that leads to so many health problems at bay.
Summary: The Jarvis desk is the highest rated standing desk in its class. While Fully has been acquired by Knoll, they are still an independent company, focused on keeping customers happy and ratings high.
Specifications?
MSRP / LIST PRICE
With a starting price of $439 on most models, Jarvis is known as a well-priced, mid-range standing desk, but with an increase in size or change in design or color the price can rise considerably. The average price of a Jarvis desk is around $630.
SHIPPING
Free in the lower 43 States
WARRANTY
Fully offers a very competitive 7-year warranty on their frame, electronics, and moving parts, but no warranty on the desktop.
MINIMUM HEIGHT
26.5″ (base only)
MAXIMUM HEIGHT
45.75” (Base only)
WEIGHT CAPACITY
350 lbs.
LIFT TYPE
There are a variety of lift types:
- Electric,
- Crank
- 2-segment
- 3-segment
- 2-leg
- 3-leg
TRANSIT SPEED
The height adjusts at 1.3″ per second
NOISE LEVEL
60 dB
CONTROLLER
Two standard Jiecang options are available: a two-button up/down the controller or a digital controller that can program four height presets.
SIZES AVAILABLE
It depends entirely on the model you choose. It can be small enough for a child too large enough to accommodate an entire home office.
COLORS AVAILABLE
It depends on the type of desktop and model. Each type has different color options. Some models have color options for the base as well.
ANSI/BIFMA CERTIFIED
No
Base
It’s a standard Chinese JieCang base. While Fully has made some adjustments and modifications to the base, especially the feet, this is a standard, relatively cheap, Chinese base used by most of its competitors.
Lots of people have been complaining about the error codes that keep appearing on the preset remote.
Other than that, Fully has improved the stability of the standard JieCang base slightly.
They use a heavier footing, and some of their Jarvis desks have added cross-bars for added stability.
But, this doesn’t stop the desk from starting to wiggle at heights above 40”. This is a bit concerning if you opt for the treadmill Jarvis, as you’d need as much stability as you can get.
The legs can also be overly lubricated, which can smear off on your clothing if you aren’t careful. Not something you want to deal with on a busy day at work.
There are two more problems with Jarvis. The nuts and bolts don’t lock. In other words, as your desk moves up and down, there is a very real chance that it will, one-day, just fall apart.
Nobody knows when this day will come but with every movement, the tension… well, in this case, it lessens. A simple answer is purchasing some Loctite.
The final issue we have with the base… It doesn’t have overload protection. If your desk exceeds the 350lbs weight limit and you do not realize this and make the mistake of using the lift, it will burn out.
On top of this, Fully give a maximum weight capacity of 350lbs, but JieCang, the manufacturer, puts the maximum weight capacity at 281lbs.
So, yes, you can jump on your desk and see-saw up and down when you’re bored, but the motor will burn out relatively quickly.
Also, keep in mind that the maximum weight lifting capacity excludes the weight of the desk-top If you’ve opted for a large, dense hardwood top…
Well, you may not be able to use all that space without risking going over the weight limit.
Summary: The base is not the best, but Jarvis has done its best to make it more stable. Unfortunately, the electronics do not always live up to expectations, and the weight capacity is misleading. Overall it isn’t a bad base, but it’s not the best either.
Chinese versus American Componens
As you can see from the description above, a Chinese base is not the best option. It offers a cheaper final product, but with the low cost comes lower quality.
Compared to American-made bases, it underperforms in most areas, including stability and ease of use of electronics.
For their tops, Jarvis has a wide variety to choose from, most of them made in the US. The recycled hardwood have been discontinued as they tended to warp or crack.
As for the Laminate tops, they are not made from outstanding quality laminate, and sometimes they do get some moisture damage through the gaps that are possible around the edges. But the are more environmentally friendly than the bamboo option…
Did you know, bamboo is not such a sustainable crop after all? So while the Bamboo Standing Desk is the most popular desk from Jarvis, it is NOT the most environmentally friendly.
The solution to these options is a hardwood top. If you order this from Jarvis, it adds an extra $750 to the price of the base alone.
Taking this into consideration, it may be cheaper to buy some hardwood, smack on a layer of oil or varnish, and you have an American-made desktop for less than $300…
Summary: Expect what you pay for in the electronics department, where American made is better than Chinese. But, when it comes to the tops, the Bamboo is probably the most affordable option you’ll find. Not sustainable, though… In other words, sourcing your own top is probably the best option.
Warranty
Compared to competitors, Jarvis offers a very good warranty.
It’s valid for seven years, which is much longer than any competing brand.
But, the warranty is only valid for the electronics and base, not the tops. Given that they have had some negative feedback on their tops, this is slightly concerning in the long run.
Again, a privately sourced top might be a good option…
Luckily they offer a 30-day returns policy, so if any of the products you purchased arrive broken or defective, you can return them within 30 days for a replacement or full refund.
Like shipping, returns are free in the lower 48 states.
Summary: The 7-year warranty is only valid on the electrical components, not the desktop. The 30-day returns are free in the lower 48 states. This puts Jarvis a step above their competition, but sourcing a private desktop is advised.
How to Assemble?
Assembly is easy.
The Jarvis Desk comes with a full set of instructions and all the screw, bolts, and nuts you will need.
You will, however, need some tools to put it together and getting some lock-tight will help keep your Jarvis desk more stable in the long run.
Customization Options (Upgrades / Add-ons)
Fully offers a range of custom options and add-ons for their electric standing desks. If you opt to add these to your desk purchase you get a “bundle discount”.
Besides the standard custom options available for each model here are some of the add-on you can include in your purchase:
[mks_icon icon=”fa-check” color=”#2a6e4a” type=”fa”] Nine different anti-fatigue mats and balance boards to keep you more active as you stand.
[mks_icon icon=”fa-check” color=”#2a6e4a” type=”fa”] Eight different seating choicesthat are designed to keep you moving even when you sit.
[mks_icon icon=”fa-check” color=”#2a6e4a” type=”fa”] Six different monitor arms to make sure your monitor is at the right height for you.
[mks_icon icon=”fa-check” color=”#2a6e4a” type=”fa”] Six wire-taming options to keep your desk neat, tidy, and safe.
[mks_icon icon=”fa-check” color=”#2a6e4a” type=”fa”] A desk drawer to keep your papers and flat-files in one safe place.
[mks_icon icon=”fa-check” color=”#2a6e4a” type=”fa”] Two options for CPU holders, swivel, or standard.
[mks_icon icon=”fa-check” color=”#2a6e4a” type=”fa”] A desk lamp with a clip or a standing base available in black or white.
[mks_icon icon=”fa-check” color=”#2a6e4a” type=”fa”] A file cabinet, available in four different colors.
Summary: Jarvis offers a range of optional add-ons at a discount when purchased with your standing desk.
User Standing Desk Reviews & Feedback
User reviews range from good:
Sedentary job no more! – I LOVE my Jarvis treadmill desk. I’m able to add 10 miles to my training during the workday easily. I no longer hit that afternoon slump. My body naturally wants to move, and my Jarvis treadmill desk is the cure to the stationary blues! – Stacy L.
The arm structure below is not stiff enough to prevent front to back wobble of the top. Yes, if assembled it correctly. Just unacceptable for a working desk.
What to do now. Money spent, the old desk is gone, and I need to get to work. Sorry fully. This misses the mark.
Pretty disappointing. It also arrived with a 4″ stretch of a really rough edge at the top front radius where it had been filled with putty and not sanded and finished properly.”
In between, there are reviews about cheap add-ons, bad customer service, and problems with returns.
All in all, you must take into consideration the fact that the reviews are, for the most part, really good with more than 80% of them being five stars.
Where are New Jarvis Desks Made?
All over the globe.
The base and electronics are made in China.
The tops are made in a variety of places, including China and the States. One of the Hardwood options is made in Oregon close to the base of the Fully store.
And then, of course, you assemble them in your own home 😉
What is a Carbonized Bamboo Desk?
Carbonizing bamboo is similar to caramelizing sugar.
The bamboo is heated until it turns a darker color. This is supposed to “cure” the bamboo, strengthening it as well as adding a richer color.
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What is a Normal Desk Height?
For the average person, a normal desk height is anywhere between 28”-30”. If you are shorter than 5’8” or taller than 5’10” you should technically adjust the height of your desk accordingly.
A standard desk is, however, between 28”-30”.
Discovered Issues?
I’ve already discussed the issues in detail under the relevant headings above, but here’s the key summary of things to be aware of before purchasing a Jarvis:
[mks_icon icon=”fa-check” color=”#2a6e4a” type=”fa”] It gets a bit wobbly at heights exceeding 40”
[mks_icon icon=”fa-check” color=”#2a6e4a” type=”fa”] No cross support on most models. [mks_icon icon=”fa-check” color=”#2a6e4a” type=”fa”] Electronics aren’t the best.[mks_icon icon=”fa-check” color=”#2a6e4a” type=”fa”] Legs can be messy as they have too much lubrication on them.
[mks_icon icon=”fa-check” color=”#2a6e4a” type=”fa”] No locking bolts, making the wobble worse over time. [mks_icon icon=”fa-check” color=”#2a6e4a” type=”fa”] No overload protection, so it’s possible to burn out the motor quite easily.While most of these problems have simple solutions, you may not want to have to deal with these problems.
Jarvis Desk Review: Final Words
The Jarvis desk is an excellent standing desk option on a tight budget. It has some rave customer reviews, but there are also some pitfalls when buying the “cheaper” alternative.
A lot of people prefer the UpLift Bamboo standing desk over the Jarvis desk.
UpLift is the closest competitor to Jarvis and the best standing desk available based on my tests.
They both use the same base from JieCang in China, but there is one key difference. And it makes all the difference when it comes to best standing desks.
UpLift has opted for a very lightweight foot on its base. This is to keep costs and shipping down, but it comes at a (different) price.
The lighter foot makes the UpLift base less stable than, the more solid, heavier Jarvis base.
Because the key to an excellent standing desk is, in fact, its stability, this makes the Jarvis desk a better option.