Uplift and Autonomous, these two brands have parts that are made in the same country. From the frames, the motors, the gears, and the assembly. Both have pieces that are made in China. So we are also expecting slight differences if not all, for most of these patriots and they must have something to do with different manufacturers though coming from the same origin.
Autonomous may have better electronics but..
Autonomous sources their motors and electronics from TiMotion while Uplift has Jiecang. Both are China-made brands, yes. There can be slight differences between the two in terms of stability.
Jiecang seemed to have a more steady motor, but they almost performed at the same level as TiMotion. Autonomous seemed to be paying more attention to details with how the motor and gears were constructed. It has some sort of covering that prevents dirt from penetrating and accumulating inside, this may pose a problem on the performance of the motor in the future. The motor and gears of the Uplift desks are exposed with no covering or means to prevent dirt from accumulating. But there’s a big but there. While this can make the Uplift less stable, it was not the case.
The construction of the UPLIFT desk included a wedge system that can make the units more stable and less likely to wobble. And this ingenuity did make these desks more steady than Autonomous.
We have tried the bigger 80“ desks from both brands. UPLIFT did have slight wobbles back and front at the highest desk seating. But this shaking issue is more noticeable with the same Autonomous desk set at the same height.
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Description:
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Description:
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- 2 leg version, 355 lbs of weight capacity
- Height range from 25.3-51"
- 15 years of warranty
- Height range 25-52"
- 300 lbs of weight capacity
- 1 year warranty only
The UPLIFT desks, including the acquired Fully, also feel more hefty and have a more substantial weight. This added to the overall stability of the unit. While Autonomous desks also have decent weight, you’ll find it harder to lift UPLIFT desks by hand. It’s much sturdier and you can tell that it can last longer too.
Both brands offer a frame-only option but you can customize your setup more with UPLIFT
Getting the liberty to buy only the frame instead of the entire unit can be a big deal to some. Whether you want to use your old table or fancy another better top that you can’t find on their websites, choosing your top can add value to your purchase if you want to go full DIY.
And you can get this liberty from these two brands. You can opt to just buy the frame. You can either get the Smart desk frame or the V2 commercial and top it with an heirloom top you are keeping in your attic.
In case you want to get the top along with the frame from the same brand, you’d have more desktop options with UPLIFT, and their tops seem to look more sleek and aesthetic. Though the desktop options of Autonomous aren’t cheap looking, they are clean and simple, choices are limited though.
UPLIFT has a higher weight capacity and feels more steady
If you need a workstation that has more muscles and can lift heavier loads, you can get stronger ones with UPLIFT. For instance, the V2 offers more load capacity and can carry more weight compared to the SMART DESK 2. This can add more value especially if you see yourself adding more items to your desktop in the future. UPLIFT also has desks that can go higher and lower by a few more inches, such as the V2 commercial. Thereby offering more usefulness for both shorter and taller users.
This customization also extends to the stability of the unit. How so? You can get a UPLIFT desk with C legs, while Autonomous mostly have T legs. We find C-shaped legs stronger and more capable of carrying load. It seemed to render the unit more steady and stable. Since the majority of the heavy loads are often placed on the backend of the desk, C-shaped legs seem to be a wiser option if you have more things to place on the desk.
But in terms of the desk space provided by the tabletop of each brand, Autonomous can offer wider space.
Customer service and warranty of UPLIFT is one for the books
Both brands are among the ones that offer one of the gold standards in customer service. But you will be able to get more value with UPLIFT. You will be impressed with how much the brands can handle everything, from the after-sales, replacements, and returns, and oh they also have more generous coverage. Though Autonomous also handles after-sales satisfactorily, UPLIFT goes further beyond.
This coverage extends longer than what Autonomous offers. For example, Autonomous offers a 10-year warranty for mechanical parts and motors while you can get an extended 15-year warranty with UPLIFT.
UPLIFT will give you more bang for your buck
ULIFT may be more expensive than Autonomous, though the price difference is not that large. You’ll be able to get more value from an UPLIFT purchase especially if you need a more hefty desk that allows for more customization. This can be a standing desk that more professionals working from home or even at the office will find more useful for the longer years to come.
