FlexiSpot Pro Q8
The FlexiSpot Pro Q8 is a sit-to-stand adjustable desk that can fit into any work environment.
I’m not sure how many gamers have caught onto the value of standing desks yet, but as someone that works and plays at the same desk all day, they’ve been a game changer for me. Sit-to-stand desks like the FlexiSpot Comhar Pro Q8 (who names these things?) have given me the ability to stretch my legs throughout the day and help to prevent serious health issues that arise from sitting for extended periods of time. As soon as I turned 30 I started to experience some sciatic pain in my legs from a lifetime of sitting, and switching to a standing desk has made a huge difference for me. I now own a pair of standing desks: the Secretlab Magnus Pro and the aforementioned FlexiSpot Pro Q8, which puts me in a unique position to compare the two – so let’s compare.
We reviewed the standard Flexispot Q8 last year, but the pro version has quite a few upgrades. It comes with a dual-motor system rather than single-motor, which means it’s far more stable and can support up to 220lbs. I sometimes lean on the desk when I am writing in a standing position, and I appreciate knowing that I’m not putting extra strain on the motors. A sit-to-stand desk that can no longer change positions is essentially useless, so I’m glad to have the extra durability.
Related:Maidesite SC2 Pro Standing Desk Review - Sturdy And Reliable
Alongside the height adjustment controls at the front of the desk are a pair of USB ports - one USB-A and one USB-C - to make charging your devices convenient. The pro version also has Qi wireless charging built right into the corner of the desk. It’s strong enough to charge my phone even with a case on, but it does make both the desk and my phone uncomfortably warm, which does give me some concern. Maybe this is normal for wirelessly charging, but I’d rather not superheat my $800 cellphone if I can help it.
The Flexispot Pro Q8 is also $800, which happens to be the same price as Secretlab’s Magnus Pro. I actually have the Magnus Pro XL, but the only difference between the Pro and the XL is the surface area of the desktop, so I’ll be comparing them as if I have the Pro. There are quite a few tradeoffs between Flexispot and Secretlab’s ‘pro’ standing desks. Depending on your type of setup, there’s some good reasons to favor one over the other.
The Magnus Pro has a fully magnetic surface, while the Pro Q8 has a bamboo tabletop. Secretlab’s desk is built around an accessory system that includes magnetic hooks and brackets to make cable management clean and easy. There’s an upcharge for that, but having a magnetic tabletop adds a lot of functionality. Meanwhile, the bamboo surface on the Pro Q8 has a more traditional, almost school-like look to it. It gives the desk a more multipurpose style, whereas the Magnus Pro is clearly a gaming desk for gamers. The Pro Q8 would look nice functioning as a vanity in your bedroom or a work surface in your garage just as much as an office desk.
Both desks have cable management trays, but the Magnus Pro’s blows the Q8’s away. The entire back edge of the Magnus Pro is a hinged lid that covers a deep trench where all your cables can live, and a power supply built into the leg of the desk routes all the power invisibly down to the outlet. The Pro Q8 has a simple mesh basket that clips under the desk where you can stuff your power strip and all the other cables you want to hide, but you’ll still have a cable that runs down to the floor from beneath your desk. Both are fine solutions, but if you really care about cable management the Magnus Pro does a much better job.
Two features the Pro Q8 exclusively has is the aforementioned wireless charging pad and a pull out drawer. It’s about 28”x13” and two inches deep, so it’s perfect for storing stationary, calendars, notebooks, or any other office supplies you need to keep handy, which can free up a lot of desk space.
The big difference between the two desks comes down to build quality. When I adjust the height of the Magnus Pro it moves quickly and silently and stops on a dime. With the Pro Q8 I feel like I have to hold the button longer and make little adjustments to dial it in because it never stops exactly where I want it to. This doesn’t matter as much once you’ve programmed some preset height settings, but it always feels like the Pro Q8 is working a little harder to move up and down. That said, they both have three presets that can be programmed by simply holding down the button, and they both can be raised to a maximum height of 49.2” - though the Magnus Pro can go an inch and a half lower, all the way down to 24”.
The Magnus Pro is definitely the more gamer-friendly option of the two. It has a wide variety of accessories available, like monitor arms, a headphone hook, a desktop tower sling, RGB smart lighting, and licensed desktop covers. If you want to deck out your desk and fully customize it, or if you’re particular about cable management, the Magnus Pro is the way to go. But if you’re looking for something a little more all-purpose that can fit into any environment, has some storage and charging options, and maybe something you wouldn’t mind passing down to a non-gamer eventually, the Pro Q8 is a better one-size-fits-all solution.
