We already know HeightAdjustableDesks.com well, we supply replacement/alternative tops for many of their frames, most notably the E:Lift range. The “Orbit” is their newest model, positioned at the more affordable end of the spectrum, designed to go up against the ‘Flexispots’ of the market.
Here is what we made of it after a 2 week trial, and how it holds up once you fit a proper solid wood top instead of the standard laminate one.
What is the Orbit frame?
The Orbit sits below HeightAdjustableDesks.com’s LINAK powered E:Lift range in their line up.
Where the E:Lift is built around LINAK’s motors, the Orbit is developed and made in China, and priced accordingly. At £245 exc VAT it sits closer to entry level FlexiSpot or Bekant pricing than the premium end of the market.
Here is the spec as it stands:
| Spec | Orbit frame |
|---|---|
| Price | £245 exc VAT (£294 inc VAT) |
| Colours | Black, White, Silver |
| Height range | 600mm to 1250mm (excluding top) |
| Width | Expands 1000mm to 1600mm |
| Recommended top depth | 600mm or 800mm |
| Weight capacity | 100kg, evenly distributed |
| Motors | Twin motor, 3 part actuator legs |
| Memory positions | 3 |
| Cable management | Magnetic cable tray |
| Warranty | 5 years, parts only |
That 100kg weight rating, evenly distributed, is worth keeping in mind. We will come back to it when we look at pairing the frame with a solid wood top.
The positives
Straight out of the box, there is a lot to like:
- Feet and base: look properly considered, not the usual plain metal stub you get on cheaper frames, the feet have a nice angle, and also levelling screws.
- Sturdiness: no obvious flex or sway at working height, even before a heavier top goes on.
- Motors: smooth and quiet, none of the jerky start stop you get on some budget twin motor frames.
- Price: £245 exc VAT undercuts a lot of the mid range twin motor competition without an obvious quality cut to match.
- Magnetic cable cover: clips on and off cleanly and hides the frame’s own control cable neatly.
- Assembly: two legs, a crossbeam and a control box, most people will have it built in well under half an hour.
- Packaging: all paper and solid card, no polystyrene to deal with. Small thing, but it makes unboxing and disposal a lot less annoying (all in the blue bin!) and wins some green points too.
The negatives
Nothing at this price is perfect, and a few things stood out:
- Anti collision: sensitivity is inconsistent. Some days it trips on almost nothing, other days it seems to need genuine resistance before it stops.
- Cable management: the magnetic tray is sized for the frame’s own control cable, not really deep or wide enough, or positioned correctly to also take your monitor and laptop leads.
- No bluetooth or app: will bother some people, though most desk owners set their three memory heights once and never open an app again anyway.
- No power pass through: no USB-C charger on the control panel, no sockets built into the desktop itself. Fair enough at this price.
Note: Our Feature or Fluff post goes into which sit/stand desk features are actually worth paying for.
Pairing an Orbit frame with a solid wood top
This is the bit we care most about, and where the Orbit quietly gets better. HeightAdjustableDesks.com’s own melomine tops are available when building out the product, but if you would rather have something more robush and better finished, the Orbit takes a solid wood top very well.
Our test unit was paired with a 1200 x 600 x 32mm oak top, finished in whitewash, with the two front corners rounded to a 50mm radius, on the white frame. Whitewash oak on a white frame is a clean combination, the grain still shows through but nothing fights for attention, and the rounded front edge softens what is otherwise quite a boxy looking frame.
Stability: gets noticeably better once a proper top goes on. A thin laminate board does little to counter any sway from a twin motor frame at full height. Our 32mm solid oak top added real weight low down on the frame, and the Orbit felt more planted with it fitted, right up towards its 1250mm maximum height.
Ruber washers: the hardware supplied is properly sized. Rather than the small fender washers some budget frames include, this spreads the load well across a solid wood top without the screw head sinking in.
Screws: the ones supplied work fine with solid wood, but pre-drill first. Drive a screw straight in without a pilot hole and you risk splitting the grain. Mark your holes, pre-drill, and the supplied screws bite well. We’ve written before about pre-drilling for wood screws if you want the full detail.
Sizing: the frame’s width and depth line up well with our standard sizes. It expands from 1000mm to 1600mm wide, with a 600mm or 800mm depth, so our 1200 x 600mm test top sat comfortably mid-range on width and matched the smaller depth option exactly. Our guide to choosing the right size for your top is worth a look if you are not sure where to start.
Weight: a solid wood top weighs more than the laminate one, and it is worth doing the sums. Our 1200 x 600 x 32mm oak top comes in at around 16 to 18kg on its own. Against the Orbit’s 100kg even distribution rating, that leaves plenty of headroom for a monitor, PC and the usual desk clutter, but it is worth checking the maths on your own setup if you are running a heavily loaded desk or a larger top.
Our verdict: who is the Orbit frame for?
The Orbit is a genuinely solid entry level frame. It looks and feels better built than its price suggests, the motors are smooth, and it is one of the easier frames we have put together. The anti collision sensitivity and thin cable management are the two things to go in with your eyes open about. Neither is unusual at this price, but they are there.
The things it does well, the smooth lift, the sturdy legs, the price, make this an easy recommendation.
Quick questions about the Orbit frame
How much weight can the Orbit frame hold?
HeightAdjustableDesks.com rate it at 100kg, evenly distributed across the surface. That includes the weight of the top itself, so factor in a solid wood top’s weight alongside your monitors, PC and any other accessories.
Does the Orbit come with a desk top?
It is sold as a frame only. HeightAdjustableDesks.com’s own matching top is available on request, or you can commission a custom solid wood top sized to fit, in the same way we specified the whitewash oak top pictured above.
Is the Orbit frame suitable for wheelchair users?
Yes, the two legged, open access design is suitable for most wheelchair sizes, and the low 600mm minimum height (excluding the top) helps here too.
Do I need to pre-drill for a solid wood top?
Yes. The screws supplied with the Orbit work well with solid wood, but pre-drill your holes first to avoid splitting the grain.
Thinking of pairing an Orbit frame with a solid wood top?
Get in touch with your Orbit’s width and depth and we will help you spec a top to match, wood type, finish and edge profile included. Or use our calculator to get a live price in minutes.
