iMore Verdict
Price: $399Bottom line: The Edge Desk is a portable kneeling desk system that adjusts to your needs.
Pros
- +
Kneeling encourages better posture
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Fully adjustable for your size
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Can be used as a desk or an easel
- +
Foldable and portable
- +
Comes pre-assembled
- +
Small footprint
Cons
- -
Not for larger people
- -
Not comfortable enough for all-day use
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While I recently reviewed a great treadmill desk, I don't have the energy to walk all day long. Standing desks can be similarly difficult for all day use. But sitting all day isn't the best either. Many of us tend to slouch while we sit. Positioning a computer in an ergonomically correct manner can help, but that's not always feasible.
Better ergonomics and flexibility
The Edge Desk: What I like
The Edge Desk comes fully assembled but folded down into a six-inch deep package. When it arrives, you simply pull it open and adjust the seat and desk angle as desired. If you want to work in a different location, you can fold it right back down again and move it.
If you're an artist, you can adjust the table to be an easel. If you need a flat desk for writing or working on a computer, you can do that too. Or choose any position in between.
I can definitely feel much less pressure on my backside while using The Edge Desk.
I'm one of those people who really aren't comfortable in any position for long. Ah, middle age! When I first started working as a writer, I thought, "great, I can curl up on my couch while I work!" It didn't take me long to realize that wasn't a good idea. I found myself slouching regardless of how often I reminded myself not to. My neck and back hurt all of the time. So I started looking for other solutions. I do love my treadmill desk, but it's not practical for me to walk all day long. By the same token, an ergonomic laptop stand definitely helps my posture, but it's still sitting all day which causes my backside to ache.
So how about kneeling? I can definitely feel much less pressure on my backside while using The Edge Desk; my weight is spread out to my shins as well. That's more comfortable than it probably sounds. The seat and leg rests all have nice thick padding. Kneeling this way does encourage good posture and I don't experience any back pain while using The Edge Desk, which is saying a lot for me.
But is it an all-day solution?
Hard to kneel all day
The Edge Desk: What I don't like
I was hoping The Edge Desk would be the perfect solution for me, but it's not the be-all end-all. After a while, well, my shins get tired. It's not at all painful, but I do still feel the need to get up and walk around a bit pretty frequently.
After a while, well, my shins get tired.
I can't kneel all day. But then, I can't sit anywhere all day. I would imagine other people might be perfectly comfortable kneeling in one spot for many hours, after all, it is well-padded. I can only speak to my own experience.
It's important to note, The Edge Desk supports users up to 6'2'' and 250 lbs, which is pretty limiting. I'm well under those limits but I know quite a few people who aren't.
I use it a lot
The Edge Desk: Bottom line
Even with my complaints above, I still find myself gravitating to it quite a bit. I tend to move about during my workday, and every workday includes The Edge Desk. I only use it as a flat desk, but I imagine it's especially useful for an artist or anyone who needs different angles other than flat.
When I work for hours on my couch, my neck and back hurt for hours afterward. While my shins ache a little bit after using The Edge Desk, that goes away virtually as soon as I stand up. It is better than sitting anywhere else.
The Edge Desk got its start on Kickstarter, and they are currently running a new Kickstarter Campaign for The Edge Desk 2.0. The new version, which is what I have, doesn't look to be a lot different than the one available on Amazon now. A representative from the company tells me that the original model has a ridged desktop whereas the 2.0 is totally smooth. At any rate, if you can wait a little while for delivery and want to get in on the Kickstarter campaign, it ends November 2. If you back the Kickstarter campaign, you'll save some money and/or get some extra accessories thrown in, depending on which level you pledge.
