NewHeights Elegante XT Conference Table Review

Review

A New Way to Stand

RightAngle’s NewHeights™ line of made-in-America electric height-adjustable work surfaces features standing desks, reception desks, converters and more, all of which offer an impressive level of customization. Customers have a high degree of control over what the final product will be: shape, size, finish, material and base color are all chosen by the customer (depending on the product in question), which allows both businesses and home offices to incorporate sit-stand functionality without disrupting existing décor. While we’re just focusing on the adjustable-height table in this review, it’s worth noting that the NewHeights line has a wide variety of related products which help employees fight “sitting disease.” Stay tuned for our reviews of these other products by subscribing to our free newsletter.

The NewHeights Elegante XT Conference Table, an offshoot of the Elegante XT Standing Desk line, proves to be a strong contender in the emerging realm of standing conference tables. With a height adjustment range of 24” to 48”, the Elegante provides true sit-to-stand capability. Its range is greater than the Focal Upright Confluence Table, which does not go low enough to allow users to sit, but 3″ lower than the iMovR Synapse’s range of up to 51″ in height. The Elegante moves up or down at a speed of 1.5” per second versus the Synapse’s 1.7”, and dramatically faster than the manual knob twisting required to adjust the Confluence, but this should only be a significant consideration if you actually intend to have sitting meetings again. Most users report that sitting meetings become quite rare once employees discover the joy of standing meetings. For the most part, adjusting the height of a standing table to optimize for the average height of all meeting attendees tends to take only a few seconds with either of the electric models.

Overall, the core functionality is there, and the table definitely fulfills the needs of an organization looking to conduct standing meetings (which, hopefully, includes yours).

An Adjustable-Height Table With Options

Brace yourselves, as the number of options available for the Elegante XT is somewhat daunting—in a good way! Two types of base are available: two-legged and four-legged. Each leg supports 162.5 lbs. This means that, for larger tabletops, two-legged versions of the desk may end up slowing down when fully stacked with laptops, a projector, and other meeting accessories, while the four-legged version should provide more than enough strength. The only problem is that both versions include an inconvenient crossbar between the legs. Depending on your configuration, taller users may find that their knees bump against the crossbars while seated.

Bases with four legs are programmable to preset heights, while bases with two legs are not by default. The standard console features only up and down arrows to control the height adjustment, while the programmable version is much more advanced and easy to operate. You can slide your finger across the screen to lock (or unlock) the desk height. It also allows for four saved height presets, which is a great feature for shared spaces that accommodate different user groups.

The Elegante XT tops are available in boat, oval or rectangle shapes. It offers a huge size range, starting at 30” x 60” and going all the way up to 48” x 120”— if you can’t find a table to fit your space in that range, you’re unlikely to find it anywhere else (outside of custom jobs.) However, not all shapes are available in all sizes—for instance, there are only two “two-legged boat” tables available. This is in contrast to iMovR’s Synapse line, which features the same nine sizes available in all four shapes. Like the rest of the NewHeights line, the Conference Table is available with a standard thermally-sealed laminate tabletop. It features a respectable 1.125” thickness. With customization perhaps its biggest asset, it would be nice to see a real hardwood option offered as well. Solid color and woodgrain laminates are available, while the base comes in silver or black. A flush-mounted AC adapter with USB charging station is also available for an additional fee, in a single or double configuration. This option is perfect for anyone that wishes to use the table for collaborative work, or simply as a convenient way to plug in your devices for presentations.

Also of note—both the tabletop and the base are available separately from RightAngle, so DIYers who want to put together a unique table have even more options to consider. The DIY market for conference-style tables may not be as large as for smaller standing desks, but it’s nice to have the option, especially as height-adjustable tables continue to find their way into homes as well.

RightAngle is known for setting high MSRP prices on their desks as they sell mostly to large institutional customers that negotiate large discounts, so the Elegante XT starts at $3,090 for the smallest (30” x 60”) two-legged model on RightAngle’s website. Compare to a similarly configured iMovR Synapse Multi-Purpose table, which features a bigger surface area, a more powerful base for the money, and a five-year warranty on all components, including the tabletop. That said, the maximum size of a Synapse is presently only 42″ x 96″ (accommodating 14 people), while the four-legged options on the NewHeights offer larger table options—and the warranty on certain parts (the support brackets, columns, and feet) is longer at ten years.

The Takeaway

The NewHeights Elegante XT Conference Table delivers a wealth of customization options, giving you a degree of control over the final product that most other manufacturers do not. And the aluminum extrusion lifting columns are classy (the most elegant element of the “Elegante”). While its design doesn’t offer anything exceptional from a range, lifting capacity or transit speed standpoint, and its crossbar may bump the knees of taller users when sitting, it’s the best option we’ve found so far for extra large, four-legged tables that are nine or ten feet long. From a value standpoint you stand to get a little less for your money in the more common table sizes as compared to tables like the iMovR Synapse Multi-Purpose Standing Table and Conference Table. The Synapse models offer a more comprehensive warranty, as both the tops and the base are covered for five years, while RightAngle, like many desk and table manufacturers, does not appear to offer a warranty on the tabletop (though certain parts are covered for ten years.)

Other Options Worthy of Consideration

As with all sit-stand tables we recommend portable standing mats and sit-stand stools for ideal ergonomics and taking the strain of off standing for long meetings.

Pricing Table

Specs

Shipping

Sitless offers the same $99 shipping price for standard shipping as RightAngle—this requires receiver to have a way to remove table from the truck, such as forklift. Sitless also offers lift gate delivery with two available upgrades: Room of Choice and White Glove (pre-assembled, debris removal). Lift gate delivers will be automatically brought to the threshold of your building. We recommend saving yourself some hassle and going with a lift gate option, unless you’re a corporate buyer with the means to unload goods from a truck.

Pricing:

$99 for all sizes, standard

Lift gate prices:

Room of choice: + $99

White Glove: + $129

Warranty

RightAngle™ NewHeights™ bases are warranted to be free of defects due to manufacturing or materials as follows: ten (10) years – support brackets, columns and feet; five (5) years – gears and/or motors, electrical components and gas cylinders. They will replace any defective part after inspection by an authorized agent. Costs incurred due to product replacement such as installation, labor charges or transportation are not covered under this warranty. Modification of original product voids warranty and is non-refundable. Customer is responsible for shipping charges to and from RightAngle™ Products.