The Tresanti Adjustable Height Desk Review

Tresanti Adjustable Height Desk Review – Examining the Ergonomics

Although standing desks have been around for centuries (rumor has it that Leonardo Da Vinci himself was an avid fan), the trend has come back around in recent years. While there are many reasons for this renaissance, it ultimately comes down to necessity. You see, adjustable desks encourage you to get out of your seat and move around, a critical remedy to today’s sedentary epidemic.

Unfortunately, standing desks are typically quite costly, with some of the most popular motorized models reaching well into the thousands. But the Tresanti Barnes Adjustable Height Desk is different. Available at budget retailers like Costco and Amazon, it doesn’t skimp on quality or features and comes in under $500. If you want to upgrade your workstation, get out of your chair, and work with newfound passion and productivity, Tresanti’s critically acclaimed desk may be for you.

In this Tresanti Adjustable Height Desk review, I’ll break down everything the company gets right and where it goes wrong. So… grab a drink, stand up, and let’s get started.

Tresanti Barnes Adjustable Height Desk Overview

At A Glance
  • Price: $439.99
  • Height: 29.4 to 47 inches
  • Weight: 89.43 lbs
  • Best for: Ergonomics, a healthier work environment
  • Available Colors: Black, Weathered Gray, White
  • Warranty: 1 Year
  • Return Period: 30 Days
  • Shipping: Free
Highlights
  • Adjusts nearly 20″ in a matter of seconds
  • Illumitouch™ provides an intuitive touch-enabled control panel
  • Comes with three programmable height settings for access to your favorite presets

Check out the Barnes Adjustable Height Desk from Tresanti on the manufacturer’s site to see more features.

How Well Does the Tresanti Barnes Adjustable Height Desk Perform?

Tresanti is part of the Twin Star Home brand, which is sold exclusively at Costco and Amazon. If you’re familiar with Costco, you know that the massive reseller upholds a strict quality standard, even with its low prices. So it’s no surprise that Tresanti performs at the highest level. From initial assembly — which features a simple 4-piece installation — to long-term use within your home office, you can expect an outstanding reception from Tresanti’s Barnes Adjustable Height Desk. 

Like any product, however, there are a few areas where Tresanti fails to reach its full potential. Next in this Tresanti Adjustable Height Desk review, let’s dive deep into the ergonomics, construction & design, and durability for a full look at all the details.

Ergonomics

Tresanti Ergonomics

Although commonly referred to as standing desks, adjustable desks like Tresanti’s don’t fit into any particular category. Instead, they adapt to their environment on the fly, providing a sitting or standing experience based on the task at hand. Depending on which you need, the Tresanti’s motorized base moves the desk top from 29.4″ to 47″ in a matter of seconds. Sit down for your first few hours as you crank out emails, then stand up to power through the most important tasks, working your muscles and keeping that posture in check.

Although I’ve used multiple standing desks in my day, Tresanti offers the quietest and smoothest movement of all, gliding into place at the touch of a button. What’s more, adjusting the Tresanti is as easy as can be thanks to the Illumitouch™ control panel that responds to the slightest caress. Move it up and down as you deem fit, or save and recall your favorite positions with the three programmable modules. The control panel also comes with a timer that reminds you when to swap positions (super handy if you get caught up in lousy posture like me) and a lock to prevent you from accidentally messing with the buttons. Since accidental changes happen quite often at first, you’ll need to get into the habit of using this setting.

In addition to its adjustability and intuitive control panel, the Tresanti Barnes also comes with two convenient USB cables and a wireless phone charger that protrudes a few millimeters from the surface. I’m not particularly fond of the latter, as it’s just clutter for my wireless-free iPhone SE 2. The USB ports do come in quite handy, however, and they sit on the edge of the desk for a distraction-free experience.

Construction & Design

The Tresanti Barnes measures 48″ long by 25″ wide, a relatively standard entry-level size for adjustable desks. Unfortunately, 48″ (roughly 4′ in length) just isn’t enough for me. My typical layout boasts over 8′ of usable surface, so I can spread out and multitask without missing a beat. The Tresanti pales in comparison, and you may find yourself running out of space or wishing you had two Tresantis side-by-side.

As for the design itself, Tresanti’s Barnes desk features a boxy, rectangular frame that doesn’t seem particularly special at first glance. But look closer, and you’ll notice a gentle curve near the front, inviting you in for a more ergonomic sitting experience. The frame also sets a lovely foundation for the multi-functioning glass top. This unique material choice provides a luxurious look and feel while acting as a dry erase board for notes or motivational messages.

Then there’s my favorite part of all: the little hide-a-way drawer that camouflages with the rest of the black, gray, or white design, hiding in plain sight like a chameleon. Open the drawer, and you’ll find three compartments to stash away notepads, pens, and other little trinkets. This is the first standing desk I’ve encountered with a drawer to stash things, and I don’t think I could ever go back.

Durability

Durability is my primary concern when it comes to standing desks. I’ve read countless horror stories about seemingly sturdy models transforming into the Leaning Tower of Piza when stacked with just a single monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

The good news is that Tresanti is different. While the Barnes only supports up to 100 pounds, it does so with relative ease. Whether you’re typing or scribbling away on a pad, there’s very little, if any, wobble or shake. I’m also a multi-monitor kind of guy, and the Tresanti has no trouble handling a range of peripherals up to its maximum capacity.

Given Tresanti’s affordable price tag, I wasn’t expecting too much. But its heavyweight metal frame and shatter-resistant glass top bind together to provide a surface you’ll feel at ease to use. Just make sure you keep an eye on the power cable. It’s only a few feet long, and it will rip from the socket if you’re not careful as you raise and lower the desk.

Our Verdict of the Tresanti Barnes Adjustable Height Desk

Tresanti Verdict

There are no two ways about it — the Tresanti Barnes raises the bar for adjustable desks. The team at Twin Star Home put a lot of thought into its construction, with handy, ergonomic functionality at every turn. I also appreciate all the little secrets you uncover during use. It’s like a treasure hunt as you get to know your desk and its design. I particularly love the USB ports and slide-out drawer, as they provide easy access to my phone and the little pens I use to jot notes down on the desk surface itself.

While some adjustable desks almost seem to make life harder, the Tresanti does precisely what it’s supposed to. Whether you’re standing up and leaned in for focused work or sitting down and relaxed, casually surfing the web, Tresanti’s curvaceous edge works with you in every position. Not to mention, swapping from one position to another is so simple, especially once you’ve locked in your favorite presets on the Illumitouch™ panel.

The main downside from this Tresanti Adjustable Height Desk review is the smallish 48″ width. Yes, it’s pretty standard for a standing desk. But I never feel like I have enough space. Buying two Tresantis is possible, but they can’t adjust in unison, and it’s not terribly practical. I also dislike the wireless charger, a distraction from the minimal design.

Honestly, though, I’m nitpicking. The Tresanti’s overall durability and incredible bang for your buck are seriously unbeatable. The motorized mechanism glides around like a finely-tuned Tesla Model S, providing a quiet, adaptable atmosphere that helps you get more done in a healthier manner. Changing up your routine with a desk like Tresanti has the potential to boost your productivity and improve your postural health in a matter of weeks. Paired with an ergonomic chair like all33, these incredible tools can (and will) transform every aspect of your working experience.

Other Models from Tresanti

  • Tresanti Franklin ($499) – The Tresanti Franklin is a more rustic variant of the original Tresanti, providing a wood grain finish and a taller design.

Comparable Desks from Other Brands

  • MojoDesk Solo Cube ($499.99) – The MojoDesk is one of my favorite adjustable models, with similar specs to the Tresanti, but with variable size options.
  • Fully Jarvis | Amazon ($539) – Like other Fully products, the Jarvis offers top-of-the-line ergonomics and performance, adjusting into place and handling 350 pounds with ease.
  • Flexispot EC1 | Amazon ($209.99) – If you’re on a budget, the Flexispot EC1 provides similar specifications to the Tresanti at a better price — but it does sacrifice a few convenience-oriented features.

Should You Buy The Tresanti Barnes Adjustable Height Desk?

The Tresanti Barnes may be small, but it can still take any office space up a few notches. The desk’s simple control panel and ergonomic features provide plenty of adaptability, accenting any workflow like the perfect puzzle piece. Meanwhile, the Tresanti’s signature height adjustability feature encourages movement and circulation, improving your health and productivity.

When you consider everything from this Tresanti Adjustable Height Desk review alongside the low price tag, there’s no good reason not to invest in yourself and one up.

 
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$439.99
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Highlights
  • Adjusts nearly 20″ in a matter of seconds
  • Illumitouch™ provides an intuitive touch-enabled control panel
  • Comes with three programmable height settings for access to your favorite presets
At A Glance
  • Price: $439.99
  • Height: 29.4 to 47 inches
  • Weight: 89.43 lbs
  • Best for: Ergonomics, a healthier work environment
  • Available Colors: Black, Gray, White
  • Warranty: Year
  • Return Period: 30 Days
  • Shipping: Free