When working from home, a standing desk is a very useful item. Not only does it give you the ability to break up your day between sitting and standing, but it also gives you options in other ways. The height can be changed to make it easier to fit drawer-like storage or even oddly huge tower PCs under the desk. Carbon-negative types like the Fnatic x ChopValue (opens in new tab) collaboration are definitely worth a try.

The best feature of the Fnatic x ChopValue Revive Pro desk is that it is made from recycled chopsticks. It is an eco-friendly desk. Different colors of wood combine to create a butcher block-like top.

When purchasing the desk, customers can choose which logo to put on the chop top: the ChopValue and Fnatic logos are embedded in the wood, and the number of chopsticks used is counted on the left side of the desk. On the right side, facing the front, is a special place to put your own mark. Mine is with the PC Gamer logo, which is cooler than I expected.

In practice, the tough feel of the desktop gives it a nice confidence boost, and I don't mind moving things around as much. It's definitely better than accidentally damaging it, as trying to scratch it is futile. The desk controls for raising and lowering the table top are pretty much the same as on most standing desk models, allowing you to raise or lower it yourself and customize it to a programmable level. This is fairly standard as far as I could tell, and works as expected.

That said, one other standing desk I've used a lot, the Vari Electric Standing Desk (opens in new tab), beats the Fnatic x ChopValue Revive desk when it comes to price. The Pro ChopValue desk model I am reviewing has a 65cm x 117.5cm desktop for $1,075. This is slightly smaller than similar Vari models under $1,000. Not a huge price difference, but still noticeable. Also, in Australia, the price difference is even larger, with the Vari being about half the price of the ChopValue option.

The Vari is easier to assemble than the Fnatic x ChopValue Revive standing desk, with separate legs and table top. The Fnatic took a little longer to assemble, but was easier to handle because the parts are in smaller chunks. The Revive's top was also very sturdily packaged, with multiple layers to protect it from damage; the Vari desktop had dented the veneer top by moving the monitor around, but we have yet to have such a problem with the Revive. The key to these desks is that they are customizable desktops.

In general, ChopValue desks offer much more natural wood finishes than Vari tops. Some of these can be added by you.

ChopValue is just a bit smoother and quieter than Vari. There are convenient cable holes on the back, which align nicely with the included cable organizer that attaches to the bottom of the desktop to help keep things organized. Since this desk is so small, it is very important to keep as little of the stuff on this desk as possible.

Aside from the sturdy top and metal legs, the hardest part about this desk is the price. For most of us trying to survive capitalism, this desk is not the best buy for every consumer. But if you have the money, there is great initiative behind this very good desk, plus some noticeable quality improvements. Just depends on how much extra you are willing to pay for those improvements in your area to see if it is worth sticking with the chop.