Standing Ops is a home office for someone who spends the day on calls and in documents, and wants to change position several times a day. The FlexiSpot E7 goes from sitting to standing with one preset, and everything on it moves along: the laptop on its stand, the Dell UltraSharp on an Ergotron arm, the lamp and the cable tray.
The call kit is built around the monitor. The Logitech Brio 500 sits on the UltraSharp and plugs into its USB hub, the Zone Vibe 100 has a boom mic that mutes when you flip it up, and the MX Keys S switches between the laptop and a second computer. The Sihoo Doro C300 takes over when you sit, with a headrest and lumbar support that adjusts itself.
On a smaller budget, the Amazon Basics gas spring arm replaces the Ergotron and the IKEA MARKUS replaces the Sihoo. With more to spend, the Ergotron takes screens up to 34 inches, so an ultrawide fits on the same arm. A standing mat on the floor makes the standing hours easier.
A 27-inch 1440p IPS Black panel at 120 Hz, sharp for documents and smooth when scrolling. Its 10 Gbps hub takes the webcam and other USB devices, but the USB-C upstream is data only, so the laptop keeps its own charger.
A 27-inch 1440p IPS Black panel at 120 Hz, sharp for documents and smooth when scrolling. Its 10 Gbps hub takes the webcam and other USB devices, but the USB-C upstream is data only, so the laptop keeps its own charger.
Autofocus and a good image in difficult light, which matters with a big window on one side. The field of view switches between 90°, 78° and 65°, and the built-in shutter closes when the call ends.
Autofocus and a good image in difficult light, which matters with a big window on one side. The field of view switches between 90°, 78° and 65°, and the built-in shutter closes when the call ends.
The arm brings the monitor to eye height whether you sit or stand, and its height adjustment is very smooth between calls. It takes screens up to 34 inches and has a 10-year warranty.
The arm brings the monitor to eye height whether you sit or stand, and its height adjustment is very smooth between calls. It takes screens up to 34 inches and has a 10-year warranty.
It raises the laptop up to 28 cm, so its screen becomes a second display beside the Dell instead of a low screen on the desk. The vented aluminium tray helps it breathe during long calls.
It raises the laptop up to 28 cm, so its screen becomes a second display beside the Dell instead of a low screen on the desk. The vented aluminium tray helps it breathe during long calls.
Quiet, low-profile keys for long typing days, with three-device switching between the laptop and a second computer. The backlight turns on as your hands get close.
Quiet, low-profile keys for long typing days, with three-device switching between the laptop and a second computer. The backlight turns on as your hands get close.
A soft, spill-resistant cloth surface with stitched edges under the keyboard and mouse. At 70 x 30 cm it covers the typing zone without hiding the wood top.
Size
700 x 300 x 2 mm
Material
Cloth
Why we picked it
A soft, spill-resistant cloth surface with stitched edges under the keyboard and mouse. At 70 x 30 cm it covers the typing zone without hiding the wood top.
Light Bluetooth headphones with a boom mic that mutes when you flip it up, and multipoint to stay connected to the laptop and the phone. No noise cancelling, which is fine in a quiet home office.
Light Bluetooth headphones with a boom mic that mutes when you flip it up, and multipoint to stay connected to the laptop and the phone. No noise cancelling, which is fine in a quiet home office.
A steel architect lamp that clamps to the desk edge, so it rises with the desk. It takes any standard bulb, including a smart one, for the evenings when the window light is gone. The bulb is sold separately.
A steel architect lamp that clamps to the desk edge, so it rises with the desk. It takes any standard bulb, including a smart one, for the evenings when the window light is gone. The bulb is sold separately.
The tray clamps under the desk without drilling and holds the power strip, so only one cable runs to the wall when the desk goes up. At 38 cm it covers the middle of the desk, and its clamps fit tops up to 4 cm thick.
Type
Under-desk tray
Why we picked it
The tray clamps under the desk without drilling and holds the power strip, so only one cable runs to the wall when the desk goes up. At 38 cm it covers the middle of the desk, and its clamps fit tops up to 4 cm thick.
Two motors and a 160 kg rating carry the arm, the laptop and the lamp from 58 to 123 cm. The keypad stores presets and has a USB-C port, so switching position takes one press.
Two motors and a 160 kg rating carry the arm, the laptop and the lamp from 58 to 123 cm. The keypad stores presets and has a USB-C port, so switching position takes one press.
For the sitting hours: lumbar support that adjusts itself as you move, 4D armrests and a headrest for leaning back on calls. It has a large footprint, so leave room behind the desk.
For the sitting hours: lumbar support that adjusts itself as you move, 4D armrests and a headrest for leaning back on calls. It has a large footprint, so leave room behind the desk.
Keyboards for long workdays: the quiet office standard, a cushioned ergonomic board, a compact for small desks, a quiet mechanical for calls, a premium mechanical for programmers and a thin wireless board that also games.
Get the power strip off the floor, route every cable along one path and cut the cables to your laptop down to one, with cheap IKEA parts and a few smart upgrades.
Mac mini or laptop, a sharp 4K USB-C screen, an ergonomic keyboard and mouse, the right chair and desk, plus the webcam, headset and light that make calls look and sound professional.
Affordable work monitors that get the basics right: an adjustable stand, sharp enough text and the right ports for your laptop, with white options for light desks.
Camera height, light, webcam, microphone and headset, in the order that matters: what to fix for free, what to buy, and three kits for a home office, from a small budget to all-day meetings.
Plug in one USB-C cable and get your monitors, keyboard, network and charging: which dock fits your laptop, how to raise or park the laptop, and where to hide the rest.
