3 days ago
Omnidesk Ascent Standing Desk (Black Ash) – Review
If there's anything that the pandemic has taught us, it's that you don't have to be seated at your desk while working. From standing while typing, to walking around while taking a call, to walking on the spot as you reply to emails – more people are learning that a desk and a chair are not always the best combination for every workspace.
And those who do so, not seated for eight extended hours at their office or home desk set-ups, will no longer feel the constant back and body aches faced after a long day of work. Indeed, today's health-conscious users demand more than just makeshift desk arrangements like dining tables or even traditional office furniture – they want a desk that's not only sturdy enough to handle even the most complex rigs, but one that can adjust to suit different postures too.
That's where smart desks come in, as these flexible workstations are capable of seamlessly switching between sitting and standing positions at the push of a button. And for those looking for the best of the best, Singaporean SME Omnidesk is pulling out all the stops with its Ascent flagship standing desk, providing all the features modern users desire along with notable updates to its Omnidesk Pro lineup.
At first glance, the Ascent essentially functions identically to the Pro, inheriting all its major features, like a mechanised self-raising and lowering mechanism that comes with anti-collision, in case the young ones happen to run under an elevated desk, or if there's an obstruction preventing the table from being raised to chest level. The Ascent uses smart detection to absorb impact from above or below and adjust accordingly when faced with obstacles, preventing minor accidents from movable furniture. Coupled with its handy cable management system and cutout on the desktop to flush those unsightly cables, the Ascent can be used to configure any set-up, from multiple screens across the table in your home, to that minimalist centrepiece for your office cubicle.
The magic lies in the Ascent's finer details. For starters, it packs in Omnidesk's latest Gen 3 dual motor in its steel frame columns, providing a 60mm/s elevation speed compared to the 43mm/s of the Pro. The desk's maximum adjustable height range also differs slightly, at 63.7 to 127cm over the Pro's 60 to 125cm.
Perhaps the Ascent's most obvious visual difference lies in its new OLED controller, featuring not only larger tactile keys for its height adjustment and four programmable memory buttons, but also customisable RGB lighting with six colour settings available. Just like on the Pro, there's also a handy USB-A port located on the side of the controller for easy charging of a user's devices.
The changes to its controller aren't just limited to aesthetics, however, as the Ascent now features an integrated Bluetooth app, Omnidesk Life, which can not only adjust the height of the desk remotely with up to nine memory profiles, but also features a bunch of handy features like tracking sitting and standing activity, adjusting the anti-collision feature's sensitivity, or building a custom height limit.
These improvements might seem small on the surface, but when spending most of your time sitting or standing behind a desk, having a hands-free way to adjust the height on the fly and quicker adjustment time goes a long way in making the user experience as comfortable and hassle-free as possible.
Aesthetics wise, most Omnidesk tables look the same from afar, but up close, you notice how it expertly blends simplicity with functionality, with tabletops of different compositions, crafted from high-grade MDF (medium-density fibre) wood that's not only lightweight but durable to boot, offering a wide range of colourways including black, white, pink and bamboo. For those who desire a more premium finish, Omnidesk also offers its Wildwood collection alongside its new limited edition Black Ash option, a pleasingly clean aesthetic with a distinct wood grain.
To suit each individual's work space, the Ascent comes in three sizes: Small (122 x 76cm), Large (153 x 76cm) and XL (183 x 76cm). Using its new Frame-X Technology in its rounded leg frames, the desk remained sturdy even at its maximum height, and can support up to 130kg of weight despite the slim tabletop. To customise the desk for further functionality, Omnidesk also provides optional add-ons like advanced cable management options, mountable power bricks or castors for easy desk adjustment.
For those worried about the desk's setup process, Omnidesk promises easy assembly between 15 to 30 minutes, but those who are not confident about building it on their own can always opt for on-site assembly by the Omnidesk team, although this is subject to additional assembly fees.
With prices starting at S$1,279 for the regular colourways and S$1,528 for the limited edition Black Ash variant, the Omnidesk Ascent standing desk elevates (pun intended) the already impressive standards set by its predecessors, introducing subtle but effective enhancements for those who want the most out of their smart desk setups.
Summary
Very much ascending like its namesake, the Omnidesk Ascent marks the next step in the company's innovations, and a worthwhile investment for those looking for a premium standing desk that's equal parts durable and aesthetically pleasing. 9.3/10 Aesthetics - 9/10
Build Quality - 9.5/10
Performance - 9.5/10
Value - 9/10
Geek Satisfaction - 9.5/10
Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise 'duds' like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3 . He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying. Omnidesk omnidesk ascent Omnidesk Ascent Ash Black Review standing desk
