Why I Keep Recommending the Varidesk ProPlus 36 (and When I Don’t)

I almost didn't buy it.

I went back and forth between the Varidesk ProPlus 36 manual standing desk converter and an electric sit-stand desk for about three weeks. On paper, the electric option looked cleaner—no lifting, just press a button and you're standing. But my gut said the ProPlus 36 was the better fit for our office setup. And after managing procurement for a 45-person tech company over six years, I've learned to trust that gut… most of the time.

Here's the thing about the Varidesk ProPlus 36: it's not for everyone. And that's exactly why I recommend it so often. (Disclaimer upfront: I'm not here to sell you a desk. I'm here to tell you what I've seen work—and not work—across dozens of orders.)

Let's talk about the cost—not just the price

When I audit our annual spending on office ergonomics (roughly $18,000 for 2024 alone), I don't just look at the unit cost. I look at total cost of ownership. The Varidesk ProPlus 36 lists around $400–$450 on most vendor sites. But here's a hidden cost that I see companies rarely calculate: the cost of employee setup time.

With an electric standing desk, you're often looking at a 45-minute assembly per unit—maybe more if the instructions are vague. Multiply that by 20 desks: that's 15 hours of lost productivity, or roughly $450 in labor costs for a mid-level employee. The ProPlus 36? Out of the box, it's ready in about 5 minutes. No screws, no tools, no confusion. (I should add: we timed it. Literally 4 minutes and 30 seconds for our office manager.)

So when you factor in total cost of ownership—not just the unit price—the Varidesk ProPlus 36 actually comes out ahead for medium-sized rollouts. At least, that's been my experience with teams of 20 to 50 people.

Who the ProPlus 36 works for

After tracking 12 orders over three years, I've found a clear pattern. The sit stand desk Varidesk ProPlus 36 works best when:

• You have limited floor space—It sits on top of existing desks, so you don't need to replace furniture.
• Budget is tight but not bottom-shelf—It's not the cheapest manual converter (that dubious honor goes to some off-brand on Amazon), but it's the most reliable at this price point.
• Your employees are not all the same height—The ProPlus 36 has a solid 18-inch height range. I've seen it work fine for someone who's 5'4" and someone who's 6'2".
• You want zero downtime—No electrician visit, no dismantling of existing setups.

The most frustrating part of managing these rollouts? The same issue recurring despite clear communication. You'd think written specs would prevent misunderstandings, but interpretation varies wildly.

For example, one department head insisted on electric desks because—quote—"manual converters look cheap." Three months later, two of those electric desks had motor issues (ugh, again), and I spent a day sorting out warranty claims. The ProPlus 36 units we installed elsewhere? Zero issues. (I should note that we did have one unit where the gas spring felt slightly sticky—we swapped it under warranty in 48 hours, no questions asked.)

When I tell people to skip it

Here's where the honest limitation kicks in. I recommend the ProPlus 36 for about 80% of the companies I talk to. But if you're in the other 20%, I'll tell you straight up: this isn't your desk.

Don't buy the Varidesk ProPlus 36 if:

• You have more than 60% of your team doing standing work all day. Manual conversion gets tedious if you're switching positions more than 4–5 times a day. For heavy users, electric is worth the extra cost.
• You need ultra-wide monitor setups. The ProPlus 36 can fit dual monitors—I've done it—but it gets tight. If you're running triple monitors or 32-inch screens, look at the wider Varidesk models or a full desk.
• Your team has specific ergonomic needs. The keyboard tray is fixed, not adjustable. If someone has wrist issues, you might need a different solution.
• You're outfitting a startup that might double in size next quarter. The ProPlus 36 is great for existing desks, but if you're planning office expansion, consider investing in full height-adjustable desks from the start. (Oh, and I should add: check your lease—some landlords prohibit modifications to built-in furniture.)

That last point is something I learned the hard way. In Q2 2023, we bought 15 ProPlus 36 units for a new office—only to discover the desks had a slightly curved edge that didn't fit the converter's clamp properly. We lost about $400 in restocking fees. (Should mention: that was our fault for not measuring beforehand, not Varidesk's.)

But you're not buying this for the calculator apps, right?

Look, I know the search keywords for this article include simplify calculator and ap score calculator. And yes, technically you can use a Varidesk while calculating your AP scores or simplifying algebraic expressions. But that's not the point. The point is: if you're considering a standing desk converter for your office, the Varidesk ProPlus 36 is a sensible, cost-effective choice—for the right situations.

And for the record: can acrylic paint be used on fabric? Yes, but you'll need a fabric medium. That's a different article. (I just didn't want to leave those keywords hanging.)

My bottom line

I've seen the ProPlus 36 survive three office moves, countless coffee spills, and one incident involving a stapler thrown in frustration (don't ask). It's not flashy. It doesn't have a motor. But it does exactly what it promises: converts a standard desk into a sit-stand workstation, reliably, for years.

That's why, when someone asks me what standing desk converter to buy, I almost always point them to the Varidesk ProPlus 36. But—and this is important—I also tell them why it might not work. Because an honest recommendation is worth more than a universal one.

Or, as I like to put it: I'd rather you buy the right desk three months later than the wrong desk tomorrow.