Solo Ryzer by Progressive Desk: My Honest Review
·~5 min·Tech · Gear
Today, I’ll be sharing my experience with the Solo Ryzer by Progressive Desk which is a key part of my workspace that I use for software development, content creation, gaming, and building keyboards. Although my sim racing setup is separate, this desk even plays a role in that.
Before diving into the review, here’s a quick disclosure: I got this desk for free by winning an Instagram contest hosted by Progressive Desk during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Regardless of how I obtained it, you’ll always get my honest opinions.
Desk Overview
The Solo Riser comes in three sizes:
- 48x30 inches starting at $747 CAD
- 60x30 inches for $847 CAD
- 72x30 inches for $1,015 CAD
I ended up going with the 72x30 version because I wanted the largest desk area for my setup. They are also based in Vancouver so I received my order really fast.
The desk comes in two boxes, one for the legs and the other for the table top. The setup instructions were clear and they even have video tutorials online. I did have a minor issue with my shipment though, one of the plastic leg covers weren't seated properly. Not really a deal breaker but at this price point I expect everything to be flawless out of the box.
Setup and Installation
It took me about 30-40 minutes to setup and that included capturing footage for the review video. I do recommend getting some help for the heavy lifting when attaching the legs to the table top. It would've been a lot easier if I had someone else helping me there.
The desk has dual motors one for each leg and it features collision detection. This allows it to stop if it detects there's something in the way while moving up or down. The desk can handle up to 270lbs of weight and I tested with my own 160lbs lying on it while it goes up.
The height ranges from 24.4 inches to 50 inches and I'm typically using it at around 28.6 inches while sitting and 41.4 inches for standing. The lowest height works great for me when I do some sim racing since I need to get the monitor as close to the wheel as I can.
Noise and Stability
The motors are not the quietest but they're also not too loud. You can definitely hear it while the desk goes up and down. I also don't notice any jerky movements when the desk is moving, it is smooth and feels stable.
The desk comes with a 15-year warranty and Progressive Desk covers any potential issues with the tabletops, legs, or other components which is nice given how much these desks costs.
Tabletop Durability
The desk comes in a wide range of colors and I ended up going with warm white to match my space. The tabletop is about an inch thick and it's made out of MDF. I had concerns about whether it could support my monitor arms since my old IKEA desks couldn't handle the weight, but after several months of use it's held up perfectly with no issues. I'm using the Ergotron HX monitor arm for my ultra wide and I have an amazon arm for my 27 inch monitors and the desk supports them al without any issues.
The Grommet Problem
My main issue with the desk is the huge grommet hole, with the 72x30 version there's a large rectangle cutout that's supposed to be used for cable management but I would've preferred to not have this at all. I end up covering it with my GoXLR and Stream Deck but it is still a bit of an eyesore.
Wobble While Standing
While sitting the desk is rock solid and there isn't any wobble at all. When I'm standing there is a bit of a wobble but that's most likely because of my monitor arms. Thankfully it doesn't wobble enough to really disrupt my typing but it's something to be aware if you're using monitor arms.
Accessories
For the accessories I got the black remote, a headphone hanger, and a couple of their cable management trays. I wasn't 100% sure about the trays but they've worked out great. My cable management solution has been "out of sight, out of mind" and they hide the cables pretty well. My power bar fits perfectly inside them and some cables do pop out but it's not a big issue. It makes everything look super tidy and I don't have any cables just dangling.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I’m really happy with this desk. If I were buying it today, I wouldn’t hesitate. It meets all my needs, sturdy legs, a durable tabletop, and no major wobble while sitting. If you’re in Canada, I highly recommend checking out Red Flag Deals for potential group buys, which can save you around 25%.
Other standing desk options like Autonomous and Fully exist, but if you're in Canada, you'll want to consider potential duties and shipping costs. By the time those are factored in, you’ll be paying a similar price to what Progressive Desk offers. Another option worth considering is Effy Desk, which my brother-in-law uses and loves.
If you have any questions about this desk or my setup, feel free to find me on discord or any of my socials and I'll be happy to help answer any questions!