How to Assemble a FlexiSpot Standing Desk

On this page (8 sections)

1. What should you have ready before you start assembling?
2. How do you build the FlexiSpot frame upside down?
3. How do you attach the desktop to the frame?
4. How do you flip the desk over without damaging it?
5. How do you connect the controller and motors?
6. How do you level the desk and test it?
7. What should you check before loading the desk?
8. Which desk should you buy if assembly matters to you?

To assemble a FlexiSpot standing desk, build the frame upside down first, then attach the desktop and turn the whole thing over. Fit the feet, connect the controller and motors as the instructions show, then plug in and test the full height range before loading it.

The basic order matters more than the model. Once the frame is square and the top is on, the remaining steps are wiring and adjustment.

Set aside a clear floor area and allow about an hour if you're working alone.

What should you have ready before you start assembling?

Clear a flat floor area, open both boxes, and sort the parts by step. A FlexiSpot desk goes together on the floor, so the space matters more than the tools.

The E6 ships in 2 boxes, so check that both have arrived before you start. Unpack the frame pieces, the desktop, the controller, the motor cables and the hardware bag, and match them against the parts list.

Keep the desktop flat and face down on a soft surface, such as the flattened cardboard. This protects the finish and gives you a clean surface to build on.

Most FlexiSpot kits need an Allen key or screwdriver, and some include the tool. A second person helps most at the flip.

A short cordless driver speeds up the many frame screws, but hand-tighten the final turns so you don't over-torque the frame.

How do you build the FlexiSpot frame upside down?

Lay the frame pieces face down and bolt the legs and crossbars together before the top goes on. Working upside down keeps the mounting holes facing you and stops the top from resting on the frame while you bolt.

Lay the two leg assemblies on the floor with the mounting plates facing up. Fit the crossbar between them and align the bolt holes.

Start the bolts by hand so the threads catch, then tighten them in a cross pattern rather than one at a time. That keeps the frame square and avoids a leg sitting at an angle.

Check the frame for square by measuring the two diagonals between opposite corners. If they differ, loosen the crossbar bolts slightly, shift the frame and retighten.

How do the legs and feet go on?

Fit each foot to the bottom of its leg before the desk goes upright. Leave the feet roughly halfway through their travel at this stage so you have room to level the desk later.

The feet carry the whole load once the desk is up. Check that each foot sits flush against its leg mount and that no washer is left over.

How do you attach the desktop to the frame?

Line the frame up with the pre-drilled holes in the top, start every screw by hand, then tighten in a cross pattern. Fit the top while the frame is still upside down, before the desk goes upright.

Keep the top face down on the cardboard. Lift the assembled frame onto the top, aligning the mounting plates with the holes.

Start all the screws loosely first. Then tighten opposite pairs in turn, like fitting a wheel, so the top pulls down evenly without stressing one corner.

Check the edge overhang on all four sides before the final tightening. A one-piece top makes this easier, because there's no center seam to line up.

Which FlexiSpot model is easier to assemble?

The FLEXISPOT EN1 One-Piece Standing Desk is the easier build, because its one-piece top arrives as a single panel and the desk uses fewer steps and less lifting. That suits a first-time buyer or anyone assembling alone.

Its 48 x 24 in top supports up to 176 lb and adjusts from 28.9 to 46.5 in. The four memory presets let you store your sitting and standing heights once the desk is up.

The EN1 carries an 8.7 score on our site. For a dual-motor build with more height range and weight capacity, the FlexiSpot E6 3-Stage Dual Motor Desk scores 8.3 and asks more of you at assembly, since it ships in 2 boxes and uses a 55.1 x 27.5 in top.

That E6 lift runs from 23.6 to 48.8 in and holds up to 220 lb. Neither model is hard to build, but the EN1's fewer steps make it the friendlier first project.

How do you flip the desk over without damaging it?

With two people, lift the frame and top together, rotate onto the feet, and set it down evenly. This is the step where most damage happens, so take it slowly.

Stand at opposite ends and grip the frame, not the desktop edge. Lift together and tip the desk onto its feet in one smooth motion.

Set it down on a clear patch of floor and check that all four feet touch. If one corner rocks, turn that foot out until the desk sits flat.

On your own, flip the frame onto its feet first and fit the top once the desk is upright. That avoids lifting the whole desk in one awkward piece.

How do you connect the controller and motors?

Plug the motor cables into the controller and the controller into the frame as the instructions show, then plug the desk into the wall. Keep the cables clear of the moving parts.

Route each cable along the frame and press it into any clips. Leave enough slack for the desk to travel its full height without pulling on a connector.

Fix the control panel to its bracket under the front edge. Position it where you can reach it while seated and standing, without hitting your knees.

Where does the cable tray go?

Fit a cable tray under the desk once the frame and top are together. The Litwaro No-Drill Cable Tray clamps to the desk edge without drilling, so you can add it after assembly.

It's a 13.4 x 4.72 in metal mesh basket that holds about 15 lb. It fits flat desk edges from 0.4 to 2.4 in thick, and the rubber pads on the clamps protect the finish.

The clamps let you fit it inward or outward, depending on where your outlets sit. Mount it before you dress the cables so the controller cord has somewhere to run.

How do you level the desk and test it?

Raise and lower the desk through its full range, then adjust the feet until it's steady at both sitting and standing height. A desk that's flat when low can still rock when raised.

Run the desk up to your standing height and press on each corner in turn. Any rock means one foot needs another turn.

Check the frame bolts once more now the desk is upright. The move can loosen a bolt that felt tight upside down.

Test every memory preset on the controller. If the desk stops short or one side lags, check that each motor cable is fully seated and that no cable is pinched.

What should you check before loading the desk?

Check the frame is square, the top is fully screwed down, and the desk runs quietly before you add monitors. Loading it first makes any fault harder to spot.

Run the desk to its lowest and highest points and listen for straining or grinding. The E6 uses dual motors rated at less than 50 dB.

Confirm the weight you plan to put on the desk stays under the model's capacity. The EN1 holds 176 lb and the E6 holds 220 lb.

Leave a little clearance behind the desk for the cables to travel as it rises. A desk pushed against the wall can pinch a cord at standing height.

Which desk should you buy if assembly matters to you?

If assembly matters to you, pick the FLEXISPOT EN1 One-Piece Standing Desk for the simpler build and the one-piece top. Pick the FlexiSpot E6 3-Stage Dual Motor Desk if you want more height range and more weight capacity and don't mind a bigger project with 2 boxes.

Either way, the order in this guide works: build the frame upside down, fit the top, flip onto the feet, then wire and test. Keep the instructions that came with your desk, since the controller steps differ between models.

Our comparison of the FlexiSpot vs VIVO standing desk covers how the two brands stack up on frames and controls. If you're weighing a cheaper brand instead, the Sanodesk vs FlexiSpot breakdown and our Huanuo standing desk review cover the alternatives before you commit.

For a shorter frame option, the Veken standing desk review is the one to read next.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to assemble a FlexiSpot standing desk?

Most FlexiSpot models take roughly 30 to 60 minutes with two people. The EN1 is built for quick assembly with fewer steps and less lifting.

The E6 has more parts and ships in 2 boxes, so give it the longer end of that range.

Do you need two people to build a FlexiSpot desk?

Two people make the flip safer, because the frame and top are awkward to turn over alone. A one-piece top like the EN1's is easier to handle in one piece.

On the E6, the 55.1 x 27.5 in top is light enough for two people to lift together.

Does a FlexiSpot standing desk ship in one box?

It depends on the model. The E6 ships in 2 boxes, so both need to arrive before you start.

The EN1 uses a one-piece design that simplifies setup with fewer steps and less lifting.

Check the boxes against the parts list before building.

How do you level a FlexiSpot standing desk after assembly?

Adjust the leveling feet under the frame until the desk sits flat, then check it again with the desk raised. A desk that wobbles at standing height needs another turn on the feet.

Test the full height range before you put monitors on it.

Can you assemble a FlexiSpot standing desk alone?

Yes for most steps, but the flip onto its feet is the hard part alone. Two people keep the frame square and the top safe.

If you're working solo, assemble the frame upside down on a soft surface and lift the desktop on last.