This is my detailed review of the E7 Flow standing desk from Flexispot, including my experience with the ordering process, shipment, installation, and daily use. I'll also provide some tips and insights to help others who are considering this desk.
If you're looking for a TL;DR, see the conclusion at the bottom.
Desk specifications
- Model: Flexispot E7 Flow
- Size: 160 × 80 cm
- Color: Volcano Grey
- Accessories: No Extras
- Site: flexispot.nl
- Order date: 2025-11-28
- Assembly date: 2025-12-06
Introduction
My previous desk was a simple rectangular, solid wood block-style desk with a 3-level drawer on the left and sitting area on the right. It was only 130 × 75 cm in size. I've been using that desk all my life as a student and later as a remote worker. It was boring, but extremely stable.
At work, I tried a standing desk for the first time and really liked it, so I decided to finally upgrade my home office with one as well. Finding a solid standing desk can be challenging, especially with so many options available and most of the well-known companies being based in the US.
After a couple of days of research, I found Flexispot to be a good option given its desk features, price/quality ratio, and positive reviews.
Initially, I wanted to go for the E7 Plus (four-legged standing desk) as I was afraid to experience the infamous wobble. But after reading further into it and considering my simple setup (desktop PC, monitor and dual speakers, no heavy equipment), I convinced myself it was overkill for my use case and placed my bet on a two-legged desk instead. The E7 Flow was just released around that time, so I decided to order it.
Ordering process
Black Friday was only a few months away, so I decided to wait for the sale. Flexispot had an "enter your email here and get a discount code" pop-up on their website for the E7 Flow, so I signed up. On the day, I noticed they had another discount going, and my code only saved me about 20 bucks more compared to that one - but hey, every bit counts.
The ordering process itself was smooth and I got a confirmation email right away.
Shipment
The package shipped in 3 separate packages, as mentioned on the website. Delivery was fast and professional, handled by local carriers.
Some minor annoyances:
- The tracking numbers were not provided on the dashboard; it just said "shipping". I had to check my email for the tracking numbers received from the shipping companies.
- The packages arrived on different days, one of which was sent by a different shipping company, so I had to keep track of multiple shipments and make sure I was home on those days.
- Two of the packages were processed on the same day and shipped by the same company, so it would've been nice if they were aware they belonged together so both could be delivered on the same day by the same courier.
I'm not sure how much control Flexispot has over these issues, if any, though. So no big deal.
The package
The packages arrived in good condition, with no visible damage. The boxes were sturdy and well-sealed. This became even more apparent when I opened them and found the contents wrapped in multiple layers of protective material, including foam and plastic wrappers. No scratches or dents were visible on any of the parts.
Installation process
In the instruction video, they promised it would take about 20 minutes to install... Yeah well.
It took me - a complete newbie at assembling furniture - about 10 hours for the desk assembly itself, and 20+ hours total including cable management and organizing my workspace. If you're a complete newbie like me, take your time and don't rush it. It can be a fun project if you approach it with the right mindset.
It probably would've been easier if the instructions were more detailed. More on that below.
The instructions
I'll be honest: the instructions are a nightmare, especially for beginners. They're very minimal and lack detail. Some steps are not explained well, and some of the parts were scattered around the different boxes (for example the instruction manual says a part can be found in box A but it was actually in box C). I had to watch the installation video + read the manual multiple times to put the complete puzzle together and understand what to do.
Below I'll go over each step of the installation process and share my experience, including any issues I encountered and how I resolved them.
Preparation before installation
- Install on foam / carpet to prevent scratches: I used the cardboard from the desktop box, which worked out alright. I had a minor scratch in the middle after assembly, but that's entirely my fault as I wasn't careful enough when moving the desk around.
- Screwdriver / drill: not needed; I only used the tools that came with the package.
- Get a friend to help: I managed to do the assembly and desk flip alone (I'm not exactly strong), but I did ask for help to move the desk into its final position. If you must do it solo from start to finish then it should be possible with some furniture sliders and patience.
01 - Attach the side brackets to the beam
This step was already pretty difficult for me. In the instruction video and manual, they only mention which side of the beam should be up, but they don't explain how to rotate the beam into the correct orientation. If you skip through the video, it is briefly shown that the "blue part" of the beam is on the instructor's right side, but it's easy to miss. Basically, if you have a power plug on the left of your desk (as I do), it's best to have the blue part on the other side of the beam than what is shown, so the power cable is closest to the plug. It would've been nice if this was mentioned in the instructions.
You also have to pay close attention to the side brackets, as one side of the bracket is longer than the other. Remember the E7 Flow has C-shaped legs, not T-shaped. This is easy to miss if you go over the instructions too fast. Also would've been nice if there was some kind of warning about this in the manual.
Furthermore, the manual mentions to "fit the shock-absorbing washers". But I couldn't for the life of me find these in the box. The video didn't even mention it and someone on the subreddit (a mod, if I recall correctly) said that they are not necessary. So I decided to skip this step. As I briefly mentioned above, the rubbers turned out to be placed in a completely random box at the bottom, in a different location than what the manual said. So be sure to check all boxes for any small parts you think you're missing.
02 - Adjust the length of the frame
A crucial piece of information is missing for this step: how to correctly position the desktop. The manual only shows a square desktop, but the E7 Flow has an ergonomic edge, so there is a clear "front" and "back" to the desk. The video doesn't clarify this either. If you look closely, you'll see that the "back" of the desk has two white "dots" on the underside, which are not present on the front. Make sure to align the frame with the correct side facing forward.
This positioning step itself was pretty straightforward, but demanded patience. I needed a flashlight to properly "look under" the beam as I positioned it to see if the holes aligned.
03 - Affix the desktop
This step should've been easy but caused another major confusion. There are unused screw holes on the beam in the middle of the frame. The manual mentions that "you may have extra screws depending on how far the frame is extended", but it doesn't clarify. In the video, they don't even mention it and skip over it. Looking this up on the subreddit, some people said they skipped it and other people said they just drilled the holes themselves. Given this is supposed to be a "pre-drilled holes" desk, I decided to just leave the holes unused as well.
The manual also warns to "keep the centerline label centered when adjusting the frame". This is not mentioned in the video, and I didn't notice it until after I had already positioned the frame. Luckily I had some room to adjust it a bit further inwards to center the label. Why wasn't this mentioned in the previous step where you position the frame?
Furthermore, the screws closest to the center of the beam didn't actually screw in as there was no real hole to screw them into. The pointy screw was basically pressing against the metal beam. Looking this up on the subreddit, people said this is a normal thing and you're just supposed to tighten it this way, not screw it in. This was so strange to me and it's not mentioned anywhere in the manual or video. More on that later.
04 - Install the leg columns
This step was (finally) easy.
According to a comment on the subreddit, this is the point where you could test the motors if you want to see if they work. It would've been nice if this was mentioned in the manual or video as well. I imagine this could have saved some people a lot of trouble if they discovered a faulty motor before fully assembling the desk.
05 - Attach the feet
This step required some extra attention again because the feet part has a long and a short side, similar to the side brackets. It's difficult to see on the picture in the manual, but the video shows it briefly. Make sure to attach the feet with the long side facing outwards. You can check out pictures of the assembled desk online to figure this out if you're unsure.
06 - Fix the keypad
This step was easy as well. Just make sure you attach it on the side you prefer. Remember that we still have to turn the desk around later, so choose accordingly.
I assembled the desk in a small corner in my room. If you're in a similar spot like me, make sure you don't accidentally break the keypad either when turning the desk around or moving it to its final position.
07 - Connect the wires
Finally another easy step. Just make sure to connect the wires properly according to the labels. The power cable didn't "click" into place for me like the other cables, but I just pushed it in firmly and it has worked fine so far.
08 - Adjust the foot pads for balance
This is where the video diverges from the manual a bit. The video goes over the cable tray first. For consistency, I'll document my experience in the same order as the manual.
The foot pads adjustment was pretty straightforward. Just make sure to adjust them evenly on both sides to keep the desk level. I heard some people skipped over this step and had issues with wobbling later on, so don't skip it unless you have a good reason to.
09 - Pre-installation preparation for the cable tray
This step was the worst one of them all. It says to "check if there are any protruding screws on the beam, if so replace them with set screws". So in other words, remember those screws in step 3 that didn't actually screw in? Yeah, unscrew those again and use these other screws instead! What?! This is so incredibly counter-intuitive. Why wasn't this mentioned in step 3 where you actually put in the screws? This would've saved me so much confusion.
Also, I kind of messed up one of the screws because I tightened it too much and it got stuck. I can't unscrew it anymore, so now I have a "set screw" that I can't replace. I'm not completely sure it affects the desk's stability or function, but so far it seems alright. But still, what a pain.
10 - Adjust the cable tray assembly
This step was easy. The tray itself felt a bit more flimsy than I expected, but it does its job.
11 - Attach the cable tray
This step was also straightforward, though I wasn't sure how tight the screws should be. Too tight and it feels like the tray might crack, too loose and it wobbles a bit. I just tightened them until they felt secure enough (though there's a bit of wobble still).
12 - Cable management
The included velcro straps are a nice touch. They are sturdy and reusable, which is great for cable management. I used them to bundle my cables together and keep them organized under the desk. Personally I had plenty of strap left over after managing all my cables, but that depends on your setup of course.
13 - Install the cable management U-bracket
Another nice touch to help with cable management. The included bracket feels sturdy. Sometimes it shifts a bit when I open the cable tray, but it's easy to reposition it. It doesn't fall off or anything, so no big deal.
14 - Install the cable organizer post
The next set of parts to improve cable management even further. The cable clips are easy to attach and move around. It does its job to keep the cables organized. I used it to route my monitor, dual speakers and desktop cables, which helps keep them from tangling.
The only minor gripe I have with this system is that the clips can't interfere with the beam (as mentioned in the manual). Thus, there's less "real" space in the tray than it looks initially. Depending on the type of cable (thick head or flat head, thick or thin cable), you might not be able to fit everything in there. For my setup, after fiddling around with it for a couple of hours and attaching the power strip at the perfect angle, it was just enough room to fit everything.
Out of the box you get 5 clips, which was more than enough for me. I only ended up using 3 of them. Again, your usage will vary depending on your setup and cable types.
15 - Install the power distribution unit
You can tell that the included power strip is of high quality. It has just the right amount of outlets (6) for my (present and future) needs. I had to apply a lot of pressure to plug my cables in though, so I recommend plugging them in before installing the power strip into the cable tray if possible.
At first, I was worried that the sockets were not compatible with my Belgian plugs. I contacted Flexispot support and they offered to refund me the cost of the power strip if it turned out to be incompatible. Very professional of them to offer that. After learning a bit more about international plug standards, I realized it was indeed compatible. The power strip has a universal design that accepts various plug types, including the Netherlands Type C, modern Belgian/French Type E and German Type F plugs.
One small complaint about the instructions: it would have been helpful if they mentioned that you can remove and rotate the mounting brackets on the sides of the power strip. Apparently, this is common for "server rack" style power strips, but I only discovered it after doing some research. Knowing this earlier would have saved me a lot of time fitting the power strip into the cable tray, since rotating the brackets allows for a better fit. In the video, the mounting brackets were also oriented differently than on my unit, which made me worry at first that I had received a faulty product.
16 - Install the velcro strap
A nice addition I didn't expect. The tray already closes magnetically, so it's not absolutely necessary but offers an additional layer of security to keep it closed when not in use.
17 - Install the magnetic cable channel
Another nice touch to keep the power strip cable and desk cable organized. The magnetic channel is easy to attach and remove. At first I felt like I didn't need it because my cable management was already managed so well thanks to all the other features, but it's a nice finishing touch nonetheless.
18 - Attach the cable clip
Personally I skipped this step because my cables were already well managed without it. But if you have extra cables that need organizing, I can see this extra cable clip being useful. You can peel off the sticker and glue it wherever you need it.
My experience using the desk
Below I'll go over my experience using the desk after having it for a couple of weeks now. I don't like to do 'scores' so I'll just list the best and worst experiences using the desk so far.
Best experiences
- Stable in standing position. Wobble isn't as bad as I feared. With my light setup, I can type and work without any issues. I did notice some slight wobble when pushing against the desk, but it's not a big deal for normal use.
- Smooth and quiet height adjustment. The dual motors work well together to provide a stable lift. This is my first standing desk, so I don't have much to compare it to, but I'm very satisfied with the performance. It's exactly as advertised.
- Cable management system. The included cable management features are a big plus for me. The cable tray, clips, and power strip help keep my workspace tidy and organized. I appreciate the thought put into these features.
- The USB-C port on the keypad is a nice addition for charging (mobile) devices. It's conveniently located and I use it more than I would have expected.
Worst experiences
- Unstable in sitting position. My monitor wobbles when my desk is lowered to sitting position and I type on the keyboard. This was the most unexpected issue for me. I thought issues like this would be more pronounced when standing, but it's actually worse when sitting. My current theory is that it's actually my monitor (Gigabyte M28U) stand that is causing the wobble. When I touch my monitor lightly by hand, it already wobbles quite a bit. So when I type on the keyboard, the vibrations from the keystrokes transfer through the table to the monitor stand and cause the screen to wobble. I'm considering getting a more stable monitor or monitor arm in the future to see if that helps. This is close to being a deal-breaker for me, and made me question whether I should return the desk. My old desk is extremely stable so I never experienced this before. For now, I manage using a DIY solution by placing foam pads (from the desk's packaging) under the left and right sides of the monitor to stabilize it a bit more.
- I'm not a fan of the "ergonomic" edge. I've been sitting on a desk with straight edges my whole life, so this took some getting used to. At first it felt like my arms were constantly slipping off the edge. After a couple of weeks, I've adapted to it, but at this point in time I would still prefer straight edges. Another thing I didn't consider enough when I purchased this desk is the fact that it's impossible to "clip" things to the front of the desk. For example I have a racing wheel (for video games like Forza Horizon 4/5) that I can no longer use on this desk. I use my desk more for work than gaming, so it's not a big deal, but something to consider if you plan to use accessories that need to be clamped to the desk.
- The tabletop collects a lot of dust. Or maybe my room has always been dusty and it's just more visible now due to the grey color of the tabletop. Either way, I find myself cleaning the desk more often than I expected. Probably not a deal-breaker, but something to keep in mind.
Conclusion
Overall, I'm satisfied with my Flexispot E7 Flow desk. It has its quirks and challenges, especially during assembly, but once set up, it provides a functional and enjoyable workspace. The standing feature is a great addition to my home office, and the cable management system helps keep things tidy.
For me, it's a great standing desk, but the sitting experience is subpar because of my monitor wobble issue described above. If you're primarily looking for a standing desk and don't mind the ergonomic edge, I would recommend it. However, if you plan to use it mainly for sitting or have the exact same monitor as I do, I would advise caution and consider testing it out first if possible.
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