Windows Central Verdict
The Autonomous SmartDesk Core is an excellent standing desk that can transform your workspace, whether at home or your office. It’s easy to use, has a wide height range, and is easy to assemble. Just make sure you pick up a tray for cable management to keep things organized.
Easy to assemble
Its motors are quiet
Its frame is sturdy
Four memory presets are easy to program
It is available with or without a tabletop
Does not include adequate cable management
The lowest setting is a tad low for shorter people when sitting
Why you can trust Windows CentralOur expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
•Pricing & specs•Build quality & design•Competition•Should you buy it?
Between working from home and running an American football team, I feel like I live at my desk. So, it’s been my quest to have the perfect setup in my office. I started small with accessories like an ergonomic mouse and keyboard. Over time, I expanded my ergonomic workstation to include an all-in-one dock, a second monitor, and a lamp to help it feel brighter during the dark and gloomy winter in England.
With everything on top of my desk sorted, it was time to replace my actual desk. I kept my IKEA tabletop but swapped out the supporting drawers for a SmartDesk Core from Autonomous. This is my first standing desk, so before judging the desk itself, I had to get used to standing while I worked. Here’s my full review of the Autonomous SmartDesk Core to help you decide if it’s the right desk for your office.
Disclaimer:This review was made possible by a review unit provided by Autonomous. The company did not see the contents of the review before publishing.
SmartDesk Core review: Pricing and specifications
Pricing highlights
- Height (without top):28.3" - 47.5"- Width:43'' - 59''- Weight limit:250 lbs- Anti-collision:Yes- Controls:Up, down, and four programmable buttons- Motor volume:Under 45dB
Getting a quality standing desk is an investment. If you’re looking at a motorized standing desk, the starting price range is around $400 retail. Discounts and savvy shopping can find you a solid desk for less than that, but you should expect to spend at least a few hundred dollars when shopping for a standing desk.
Several factors dictate the price of a standing desk: height adjustment method, number of motors, weight capacity, and size. Add-ons like cable management and the option to use wheels can also affect the price.
The Autonomous SmartDesk Core is about the price I’d expect based on its design and feature set. It has a steel frame, a dual-motor system for raising and lowering the desk, and can support up to 250 lbs. That’s easily strong enough to support one of thebest pre-built gaming PCsor another chonky computer. Its adjustable frame allows you to expand it to 59 inches.
Now’s the opportunity to explain why my desk looks different than what you’ll see on the Autonomous website. I already have a tabletop I’m happy with as a desk, so I just received a frame from Autonomous. Attaching the frame to the tabletop was simple and did not extend the time it took to assemble the desk.
My tabletop is a74-inch BARKABODA countertop from IKEA. It’s made of walnut and designed for kitchen use, but it works very well as a desk. I’m a big fan of its herringbone pattern.
Autonomous SmartDesk Core
This smart desk features a quiet dual motor system that lets you raise it and drop it to your desired height for standing or sitting. It has a sturdy steel frame, is easy to assemble, and has anti-collision technology.
Buy at:Autonomous
SmartDesk Core review: Build quality and design
Design highlights
The design of the Autonomous SmartDesk Core is as simple as it is robust. It features a steel frame that connects two legs with two thick metal supports. Putting the frame together was simple. When I saw the box, I was nervous that there would be a massive instruction booklet, but there were very few steps, and everything was clearly labeled. If you’ve assembled packed furniture before, you shouldn’t encounter any issues here.
The desk has a sizeable connect box that attaches to the bottom of the desk, so you never have to think about it. You control the desk with a keypad with up and down buttons and four programmable buttons.
The Autonomous SmartDesk Core is rock solid. I haven’t heard a single creak since I set it up, and everything settled in. The desk doesn’t bow toward the middle, even though I have it extended to its maximum width. It’s worth noting that my countertop wouldn’t likely bend if you stood on it like a diving board.
SmartDesk Core review: Competition
The Flexispot E6 is the biggest competitor to the Autonomous SmartDesk Core. The Flexispot E6 has a similar design but comes with a cable management rail. One of my only criticisms of the Autonomous SmartDesk Core is that it lacks adequate cable management. MyLogi Docksaves the top of my desk from messy wires, but I still have a lot of cables to sort underneath. The included adhesive zip ties of the SmartDesk Core are an acceptable temporary measure, but you need a cable management tray or rail, which you’ll have to buy separately.
Our Senior Editor Zac Bowden awarded the competing standing desk high marks in hisFlexiSpot E6 review.
SmartDesk Core review: Should you buy it?
You should buy this if …
✅You want a sturdy and flexible standing desk
The SmartDesk Core is an excellent standing desk that can transform your workspace. It’s easy to assemble, simple to set up to your preferred heights, and powerful enough to raise and lower a full desk setup of monitors, PCs, and accessories.
✅You want to improve your health while working
A standing desk makes it easy to get out of your seat while working. I often stand up during meetings or when researching articles. The desk is stable enough for everyday work, but you may need to work yourself up gradually to standing all day.
You should not buy this if …
❌You want an included cable tray
I struggled to find any other negatives regarding the Autonomous SmartDesk Core. The only thing keeping this from being the perfect standing desk is that it lacks adequate cable management.
The Autonomous SmartDesk Core is the final piece to my ergonomic battle station. A journey that started with theLogitech MX Vertical Ergonomic MouseandLogitech K860 Ergonomic Keyboardended with a motorized standing desk that lets me stand or sit while I work.
I was pleasantly surprised that setting up the desk was easy. Now that it’s here, I don’t plan to take it out any time soon, though it’s nice to know I could with a few basic tools and a few minutes. You never know when you’ll have to redecorate or move things around.
My office falls within the height and width range of the SmartDesk Core, so I don’t see the need to look at the pricier pro model or a more expensive desk from a competitor.
While not exclusive to the SmartDesk Core, I’ve enjoyed the last few weeks because of this standing desk. Being able to swap between standing and sitting throughout the day stops me from getting stiff. I feel more awake after standing and reenergizing to attack the rest of my workday.
The Autonomous SmartDesk Core is an excellent standing desk that can transform your workspace. It’s easy to assemble, has quiet motors, and can adjust to set heights at the push of a button.
Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
