Photo by Bonus Action
Since getting a proper desktop computer for my workspace, I have been struggling with a lack of space. My monitors, keyboard, mouse, and mic used for daily workflow have eaten up all the space on my current desk, making it difficult to reorganize. As a digital artist, this is not the most ideal situation. My XPPen drawing monitor deserves to be the star of the show, my sketchbooks with concept art have nowhere to sit, and projects have to get picked up as soon as I find a groove so that my desk can be ready for work the next day. Thankfully, Huanuo’s L-Desk has an excellent solution for those looking to expand their space, maintain ergonomic options, and do it in style.
As a digital artist and video game journalist, my entire life is decided by the amount of space I have readily available to me. On days when I am reviewing, I need a good flat surface to explore headphones, check out mointors, or take clean photos. When I am drawing, I need space to set up my paints, tablet, or sketching tools so that I can properly click in. Additionally, I need a sit-stand to draw. As someone with ADHD, the ability to move freely is a must, and that one factor can make a desk purchase go from an investment to an eye-watering and cost-prohibitive daydream.
However, Huanuo has some incredible options for office spaces that combine sleek style, affordability, and function. This is best demonstrated in their LED Electric L-Desk with Sit-Stand options. It is sturdy and spacious, even if it is a bit of a pain to build when it arrives.
Key Details
- Developer: Huanuo
- Size: 63″x55″
- Built-in Storage: Yes
- Built-In Power: Yes
- Sit-Stand Adjustable: Yes (27.6″ – 46.5″)
- Price: $345.99
- Sample Provided For Review: Yes (Without filing Cabinet)
- Review Time: One Month
Unboxing & Assembly
As someone who recently moved states and had to purchase an entire new houseful of furniture from IKEA last year, I am happy to report that the Huanuo L-Desk is not the worst offender for complex assembly. The desk will arrive completely broken down and require at least two hours of dedicated build time. This is primarily due to the time required to put the L-Desk top together. This comes in three large slabs and requires connection and reinforcement pieces.
The desk also includes three motorized legs with two motor systems that must all be hooked together for the sit-stand functionality to be usable.
Huanuo’s directions for setup were mostly easy to follow, especially if you have practice putting furniture together. We ran into a few instances where unmarked pieces created turmoil, and there was some struggle in figuring out which of the legs needed to go in which order, but the general directions for assembly were clear enough to make do without accidentally sticking legs to the top of the desk.
That said, Huanuo does suffer from the issue of exact parts. Like with many furniture pieces that come to your door, the accessories and hardware are included. However, you will need to be very gentle on the pieces and keep track of them, as there won’t be any spares included in case something goes wrong. Additionally, these parts aren’t easy to replace, as they are made to specifically fit this desk and its design.
The desk will also require two people to properly lift and set up, as it is assembled upside-down, and it is awkward to flip. While the reinforcement pieces under the L-curve of the desk are solid, it does feel fragile when being moved or adjusted.
Once set up, the desk is very pretty. We worked with the dark wood L-Desk, and the black legs are a lovely accent to the rich brown of the top. Unfortunately, there are two big negatives for the desk that were a bit of a frustrating discovery. The first is that the desktop does feel a bit cheap. It is fiberboard with a laminate coating, and it looks thinner in person than it does online. While it supports a 27″ XPPen Artist Pro drawing tablet with no issue, I had been hoping for something a bit more sturdy, especially as an artist.
Another con is the RGB strip that is highlighted as an accent for the desk. I was excited for this feature, as my office is fairly dark. Unfortunately, the lighting is nothing more than an RGB sticky strip that is already losing its adhesive. The strip is stuck under the top of the desk’s second tier, and isn’t as bright or as functional as I had been hoping. In cases like these, I think it is better to leave the lighting off, rather than promote it as a feature. It feels like an afterthought, and that could be a big letdown for those who wanted something better. That said, if you leave the strip off, you can always get some Lepro sticky lights or a Govee adhesive RGB strip as an alternative solution.
A Solid Sit-Stand For The Price
When it comes to sit-stand desks, you often get what you pay for. My primary desk is also a sit-stand, and typically comes in around a thousand dollars. This was not an option for a second desk, but I was nervous about exposed motors or unstable mechanisms around my cats and young son. Pinched fingers or a collapsed desk aren’t it.
I am happy to say that the Huanuo L-Desk offers a solid motor for the price. While it does have exposed bars under the desk that need to be watched when raising or lowering the desk, I have had no grinding, slipping, or instability while the desk is being adjusted.
Height is controlled via a panel on the longest side of the desk, offering an easy way to adjust things while I am working. When at full height, the desk doesn’t wobble or shake, and when at its lowest point, I haven’t had any issues with balance or uneven surfaces.
While I do wish the motor’s bars were covered, their positioning under the desk negates any possibility of cords becoming tangled.
However, my biggest frustration with this desk’s sit-stand unit is the cable management basket. The basket is made of a thin and bendable metal, making it less than ideal for running the power cables up and out of the way of feet or for any storage underneath. I took the basket off after a week and replaced it with adhesive-backed cable ties. The desk works much better without this basket.
Daily Use As An Artist Workspace
For me, this desk was never intended to hold a big gaming tower or a monitor arm. I would actually advise against a monitor arm for L-Desk’s two-tier style, as the wood is quite thin and would struggle to support the weight of a large mechanism with monitor weight attached.
However, if you are using a normal monitor, laptop, or smaller desktop, this is a fantastic piece of furniture. For me, I outfitted the L-Desk with my laptop, drawing monitors, and all my art supplies. On one side of the desk, I can paint, write, or set up a lounge space for my many cats.
On the other side is my digital art space. The desk is the perfect depth for my XPPen monitor, allowing ample room to adjust the monitor however I like. Additionally, I can easily move from sitting to standing as I work at any time. The cables for my laptop and monitor can be run under the two-tier platform to keep the cats from chewing them, and I can plug everything in via the built-in power on the desk’s top.
In the month I have been using the Huanuo L-Desk, my productivity has flourished. I can swing from my work setup to my art studio by rotating my chair and celebrate all the joy that comes from leaving in-progress work up and ready to use.
Final Score – 8/10
The Huanuo Electric Sit-Stand L-Desk is a solid, functional, dependable office option for a great price. The desk is huge, offering plenty of space for whatever projects you might be working on. While the desktop isn’t as thick as I would prefer, it feels solid and hasn’t shown any signs of distress or wear during my time using it. The functionality of the sit-stand option is a game-changer for those who need to move while at work, and the ease of use makes the desk a joy to use.
If you are looking for a solid, dependable desk for daily use, this L-Desk is worth the investment. That said, big gamers will want to look for something a bit heftier for large monitors or heavy gaming PCs. This is the perfect option for artists, work-from-home career professionals, or light gamers working from a laptop. For me, it is the perfect companion to my XPPen tablet and will be the host of my drawing projects and creative endeavors for years to come.
**Bonus Action was provided with a sample of the Huanuo Electric L-Desk with Sit-Stand for the purpose of this review. No cabinets or additional items were included or covered in this review.**
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