This desk is okay, no more, but also no less
25/3/2026
Translation: machine translated
Direction: Davide Arizzoli
Camera: Davide Arizzoli, Nico Bernasconi
Cutter: Davide Arizzoli
Admiration yes, love no. My relationship with the height-adjustable desk from Casaria is complicated. I have tested it extensively: The value for money is amazing, but it doesn't make me happy.
I really imagined this test to be different. Everything was in place to make a harsh judgement. A height-adjustable desk for 130 francs - what's the point? Scrap, one star, with a little mercy two.
As you can see in the video above, things turned out differently. Spoiler: It's become half a recommended buy. But I think the question is at least as important:
How can a desk actually be so cheap?
The short answer: The manufacturer optimises the costs wherever possible so that you don't notice it immediately. Or it doesn't bother you.
This starts with the packaging and delivery. I ordered a size S desk model. The top measures 120 by 60 centimetres. The delivered package is smaller. Why is that? Because in many countries the postal service sets a maximum size for parcels. The longest side must not measure more than 100 centimetres. Anything larger must be sent as more expensive bulky goods. So Deuba, the company behind the Casaria brand, has divided the desk top into three parts. You can see this in the product photos - if you look closely. Otherwise, the gaps are an unpleasant surprise after assembly. Reminiscent of the guy you meet on a date who looked so much better in the photo on the dating app.
All individual parts of the desk are carefully packed. The corners of the desk top are fitted with sturdy plastic caps. In this way, Deuba wants to avoid transport damage that would only lead to a new desk having to be sent out again.
The desk tops are not particularly thick. In fact, they tend to be particularly thin: 15 millimetres. Good desks have tops that are 25 millimetres thick. Of course, Casaria doesn't use solid wood, but pressboard coated with melamine, i.e. plastic, not a real wood veneer.
Savings were also made on the height adjustment. Now you don't have to crank the desk by hand. At least. But the built-in motor is now more Lada than Bentley. It whirs and raises the desk at a leisurely 1.2 centimetres per second. It takes just under 37 seconds from the lowest level (72 centimetres) to the highest (117 centimetres). That's not long enough for me to get a coffee. But it's long enough to annoy me. At least that's how I feel. Other height-adjustable desks are much faster, going up and down up to four times as quickly.
The Casaria desk can't keep up because it only has a weak, cheap motor. Other manufacturers usually install two, one for each leg. Speaking of installing. Nothing is built into the budget desk. The motor hangs freely on a crossbar under the desk. One desk leg is controlled directly by it, the second leg via an exposed axle, which also consists of two metal rods with a plastic intermediate section. This type of construction puts more strain on the parts, causes more vibrations and is louder.
Not everything is bad ...
The manufacturer didn't just save money. The table has a few interesting extras. For example, there is a holder for bottles or coffee cups and a holder for headphones. The two cheap plastic parts fulfil their purpose and could tempt some excessive coffee drinkers to buy them.
Two other features are inexpensive but practical. Firstly, there is a kind of cable guide in the centre back and a passage with a plastic cover for cables in the tabletop. Secondly, the desk surprises me with a charging option integrated into the desk. I can charge my iPhone via induction or plug in a cable. There are USB-A and USB-C ports. Only the charging speed is rather modest at 15 watts (wireless) or 10 watts (with cable).
The small display for height adjustment is of higher quality. I can even save the sitting and standing height that is comfortable for me. A number shows me the current height of the work surface. The maximum height of 117 centimetres is just enough for me to work standing up. If you're taller than me (1.91 metres), you should look for a desk that goes up a little further. The Casaria desk extends downwards to a height of 72 centimetres. That's okay for me, but it's not low enough for much shorter people.
If you regularly work at your desk for long periods of time, you should bear in mind that the desk in size S only offers a desk depth of 60 centimetres. This can make it difficult or even impossible to maintain the ergonomically recommended distance between your eyes and the monitor. Especially if your monitor is larger than 24 inches. However, it's okay for occasional employees using a laptop. Don't be fooled by product photos either: Monitors and keyboards sometimes look strangely shrunken.
Service and sustainability
For the test, I researched how sustainably the manufacturer Deuba operates. My question as to whether the wood chips are FSC-certified was answered positively by customer service: «Yes, the wood used is FSC-certified», writes Deuba. They attach great importance to sustainable materials «» .
And what about spare parts and repairs? To find out, I contacted customer service anonymously. My alleged problem: one of the three plates has a bad scratch, could I get a new one? Again, customer service responded quickly and positively: I should send a photo and they would be sure to find a solution.
I didn't damage the desk on purpose. After all, it would be much better if someone from the Community got it. So, whoever provides the best explanation in a comment under the test report gets the test desk. Disassembly into boot-compatible parts is up to you, as is collection in Zurich. Don't get the wrong idea - it is and remains a budget product.
In a nutshell
Meets my expectations, but still only mediocre
With the Casaria desk, you get your money's worth. For very little money. The height of the budget desk can be adjusted electrically. You can use it to improve your home office routine if you occasionally work standing up. When raised, however, it is quite wobbly because the composite worktop and the thin sheet metal parts simply cannot provide any more stability. The exposed drive rod under the table bothers me. It's annoying that I have to supply two cables and fat power supply units for the charging option and the motor.
Overall, the desk is okay. Especially for the price. Another ethical and moral question is whether a product with an expectedly short lifespan should be produced. I think it would be better if desks were passed down from generation to generation and perhaps become part of the family history. The Casaria model will be an episode at most.
Pro
- Display with memory function and stand-up reminder
- Clamps for neat cable routing
- Practical holder for headphones and drink
- Good stability in the sitting position
- Relatively simple assembly, good instructions
Contra
- only a slow motor
- Minimum height of 72 centimetres not deep enough for smaller people
- Thin table top (15 millimetres)
- Exposed engine and crankshaft
- Gap between the individual elements of the table top
- Wobbly in the standing position
- Two bulky power supply units for motor and charging station
Martin Jungfer
Head of Content
Martin.Jungfer@digitecgalaxus.chJournalist since 1997. Stopovers in Franconia (or the Franken region), Lake Constance, Obwalden, Nidwalden and Zurich. Father since 2014. Expert in editorial organisation and motivation. Focus on sustainability, home office tools, beautiful things for the home, creative toys and sports equipment.
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