Stand Tall, Work Smart: Discovering the Best Standing Desks
Are you shopping for a standing desk? Several features and factors come into play when searching for the perfect product. Luckily, our team of experts have researched and found the best products on the market you can choose from.
VIVO 81cm Desk Converter, K Series, Height Adjustable Sit to Stand Riser, Dual Monitor and Laptop Workstation with Wide Keyboard Tray, Black, DESK-V000K
Best overall
This is a 32” standing desk with adjustable height and is easily assembled out of the box. The desk’s top is wide and strong enough to hold two PCs, and you can easily switch from sitting to standing.
Pros
- 32-inches wide surface
- Adjustable and lockable height
- It has a keyboard tray
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Some users claim it feels wobbly when used
- It may be difficult to lower
Review
If you’re looking for an addition to your workstation to relax your muscles and help relieve stress, the VIVO DESK-V000K is a good option with a 32-inches wide and 16-inches long top desk that can hold two computers (desktop or laptop).
A keyboard tray that is 31.3-inches wide and 11.8-inches long is attached to the desk’s top surface and smoothly rises and lowers with the desk when adjusted.
Yes, the standing desk’s height is adjustable between 4.5-inches and 20-inches. When adjusted, the desk moves vertically and can be locked in place when the desired height is reached. With this desk’s patented X-design, you will like how convenient and smooth it is to switch from sitting to standing.
At 3-inches below the desk’s surface, the keyboard tray can support up to 4lbs of weight. As for the desk’s top surface, it is made from wood and can hold up to 33 lbs of weight–strong enough to hold two 24-inch PCs. When placed on a 30-inches high table, this product is best suited for 6ft tall people.
We like that this product is easily assembled out of the box without requiring prior technical know-how. However, some users have said it feels wobbly, especially when typing, despite its X-frame design. Likewise, others complained the desk was sometimes challenging to lower and required an extra push.
Overall, this VIVO DESK-V000K has a fantastic design and space and would be a great purchase if it could somehow be bolted to the desk it’s placed on to avoid wobbling.
SHW Memory Preset Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk, 120 x 60 cm, Oak
Runner up
This SHW OD-009-1 has a sleek, light cherry finish and utilizes an electric lift design to adjust the desk’s height. It has a quality build, and its 48” width will hold your workstation devices.
Pros
- 48” wide desk surface
- Adjustable height via an electric lift design
- Four height memory settings
- Sleek, light cherry finish
- It has a grommet for PC cords to pass through
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Many users said the motor broke down under 15 months of use
Review
This standing desk from SHW helps users to find a good balance between sitting and standing during work hours. Many users have praised how easy it is to assemble this product, so that’s something to look forward to.
After assembling, you will love how its sleek, light cherry finish adds more decor to your setup. But that’s not its most important feature. SHW OD-009-1 employs a completely motorized electric lift design to adjust the desk’s height between 28” and 45”. Furthermore, the solid steel legs transition from sitting to standing mode via a telescopic adjustment design.
One outstanding feature of this product is that it supports memory presets for height adjustment. Users can save up to four favorite heights by pressing and holding “M” and a corresponding number between 1-4 until the LED light flickers twice. Likewise, the height is easily adjusted by pressing the up or down button on the control board.
This standing desk is 48” wide, making it the perfect workstation table as it will conveniently hold a desktop, laptop, keyboard, and other items. The desk is also rigid, staying firm during use, courtesy of its screw-in bottom glides attached to the legs.
It doesn’t end there. There’s also a grommet on the left corner of the desk to neatly organize your computer’s power cords.
Despite these merits, many users criticized the desk’s height adjustment motor, saying it broke down within 15 months of purchase; some as early as three months.
The motor issue aside, we think SHW OD-009-1 has a quality build that will serve users for a long time.
SIDUCAL Height Adjustable Standing Desk Converter Mobile Stand Up Table Home Office Workstation Riser, Rolling Laptop Cart for Standing and Sitting, Oak
Budget pick
This low-budget standing desk by SIDUCAL is adjustable with dual desks of the exact dimensions that can be placed adjacently or above one another. The wooden desks are, however, not wide enough.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- MDF desks with vintage oak finish
- Adjustable height
- It has wheels for fast mobility
Cons
- Missing parts and instructions
- Poor construction
Review
This affordable standing desk from SIDUCAL has dual boards made from MDF and finished with vintage oak color. The product has an ergonomic design, promoting comfortable postures while standing or sitting.
The MDF boards are the same size; 23.62 inches wide and 11.81 inches long. Although their dimensions are relatively small, they can be adjusted to lay side-by-side for a larger surface. In the same way, you can adjust the height of the boards from 27.5 inches to 45.3 inches, still on the same level or with one board elevated above the other.
When elevated above each other, the top board can hold a computer while the lower board serves as the keyboard tray. While it can be managed as a workstation, its portable size makes it more suitable as a reading table or bookshelf decor.
The desks are supported by a steel frame with four wheels underneath them for easy mobility around the house or office. However, some users have complained about some wheels staying locked when trying to move the desk.
A downside of this product is that many users complained about receiving products with missing parts and incomplete instructions, which made installation quite tricky. Another issue is that some past users were dissatisfied with the construction quality of the components, saying they quickly fell apart.
In our opinion, this standing desk is moderately good if you’re working on a tight budget or maybe intend to use it once in a while. Otherwise, our top pick is a better option.
BON AUGURE L Shaped Desk with Shelves, Reversible Corner Computer Desk, Rustic Wood Home Office Desks (59 Inch, Vintage Oak)
Best premium
The BON AUGURE L-shaped standing desk is 59-inches long and 55-inches wide to provide users with a large workspace area. It is not adjustable but is easily assembled and has a rustic finish.
Pros
- Large space
- Easy to put together
- It has storage shelves
- Rustic finish
- Non-slip leg bottom pads
Cons
- The veneer finish may peel
- Height is not adjustable
Review
The BON AUGURE L-shaped standing desk is perfect for people needing a large desk for home or office use. With its L-shape design, it fits nicely in corners, and the L shape can even be assembled to the right or left, depending on the space you will place it.
The desk’s partitioned storage shelves make it the perfect option for people with lots of paperwork. That way, documents can be neatly arranged in boxes and stored away, decluttering their working space.
Its dimensions are 59-inches length, 55-inches width, and 30-inches height. The main desk surface is built to hold 275lbs of weight, while the top, middle, and bottom shelves can hold 165lbs, 55lbs, and 165lbs, respectively.
Similarly, there are about 43 inches of space below the desk so users can comfortably place or stretch their legs. Also, all the table legs have non-slip pads underneath them to promote balance and stability of the product.
This product comes with instructions and installation materials and can be quickly assembled in an hour, as confirmed by previous buyers. Although the manufacturers claim it is quickly assembled in 25 minutes, it makes sense it takes an hour, considering its size and many parts.
This desk has a rustic finish that catches everyone’s attention, but some users say to be careful with the veneer as it tends to come off easily. Another disadvantage is that the desk’s height is not adjustable, making it less suitable as a standing desk.
Altogether, the BON AUGURE desk is perfect for people that need a bigger workspace and is very sturdy, making it a good investment.
FLEXISPOT Height Adjustable Desk 55 x 28 inch Electric Standing Desk Whole-Piece Desk Board Stand Up Desk for Home Office Classic (Gray Frame + 55" Natural Top)
Also good
FLEXISPOT’s standing desk is a 48-inches by 24-inches adjustable desk made from bamboo. This desk is 1-inch thick, holds up to 154lbs, and uses a low-noise motor to raise or lower its height.
Pros
- Electric height adjustment system
- Waterproof finish
- Sturdy
- Long length
- 154lbs capacity
Cons
- Difficult to assemble
- Shipped in two packages that may be delivered separately
Review
The FLEXISPOT adjustable standing desk is a heavy-duty desk made from bamboo and steel for lasting durability. The desk is waterproof and has a smooth walnut finish that is resistant to scratches.
This desk offers an extended length of 48 inches but is not so wide, having a width of only 24 inches. Regardless, the desk is big enough to hold two PCs placed side by side. Additionally, the desk’s top has a 1-inch thickness that can hold up to 154lbs of weight.
Its height is adjustable as advertised, courtesy of an electric lift system powered by a motor. The height can be quietly adjusted from 27.8 inches to 47.4 inches at a pace of one inch per second. Height adjustment is made via an easy increase/decrease control underneath the desk, so whether you are working from home or your office, this standing desk allows you to stay relaxed and engaged.
The desk is firm and sturdy, with two thick non-slip bases under the frame. The frame, made from steel, supports the desk’s top and provides more rigidity to the whole desk.
Despite these merits, the product is shipped in two separate packages that may be delivered at different times. Likewise, assembling it is tricky as the instruction manual isn’t much help and some pre-drilled holes are useless, requiring users to drill new ones themselves. Some users also complained the installation bolts were missing from their packages.
While the complex setup may be discouraging, we think the FLEXISPOT standing desk is a sturdy product that will give buyers their money’s worth.
Standing desk buying guide
Despite its recent popularity, standing desks are still relatively new concepts, so purchasing them may not be as simple as it appears. The buying guide will help you make the right choice in buying and utilizing one.
What is a standing desk?
A standing desk is exactly what its name implies: a desk that allows you to work while standing. It is very adjustable, giving you the flexibility that no other desk type does. Instead of being forced to sit in a chair while working, you can adjust the table to a standing height to continue working.
With a standing desk, you can switch between sitting and standing by adjusting the desk’s height, and doing so more frequently will provide you with several benefits. First, you will avoid bad posture, and tight hips accompanying prolonged sitting and gain extra functionality while working.
What are the types of standing desks?
The types of standing desks are detailed below.
Fixed standing desks
Fixed standing desks are always set to a standard height that cannot be adjusted. This type of standing desk is only handy in a few situations. They are ideal for collaborative work environments, doctor’s offices, and other places where you need to move around and interact with clients or patients.
If you decide to use one of these, make sure you have a comfortable chair nearby. These fixed desks can also serve as functional workstations and stylish pieces of furniture.
Manual-lift standing desks
These standing desks, also known as “hand crank desks,” require manual hand adjustments to set their heights. A rotary crank raises and lowers the desk’s top surface while the feet remain fixed.
These standing desks are simple to use, inexpensive, and widely available. However, because the “cranking” is not designed for frequent adjustments, you may find adjusting challenging whenever you require a change.
Electric-lift standing desks
Think of these standing desks like the different iterations of a car window. The old models required cranking to wind the windows up and down, whereas the new models simply require the touch of a button.
Similarly, electric standing desks use an electric lift system to raise or lower the desk’s height by pushing a button. Despite their higher price, these desks are more user-friendly and can accommodate multiple users. Also, they can support and lift computers and accessories weighing over 200lbs, rendering them one of the highest lifting capacities of any standing desk.
Standing desk converter
This type of standing desk transforms your existing desk into a standing workstation. You can tailor your worktable to your preferences by placing your keyboard on the bottom tier and your monitor on the top level, with your mouse on the side deck.
Many desk converters use a common gas lift mechanism that lets you quickly raise and lower the desk by pulling a lever.
Exercise standing desks
These standing desks have a built-in treadmill or stationary bike. These desks help to incorporate physical movements into users’ work routine.
They also have adjustable height systems; some even have balance boards to help strengthen muscles while sitting or standing and fitness routines that help burn calories while working.
Features to look for when buying a standing desk
When buying a standing desk, there are primary features to look out for to ensure optimal performance. The following are the main features to consider:
Durability
Most standing desks are made from wood and steel for the desk and frame, respectively. But that’s enough; make sure the wood and steel type used are of good quality to ensure you get a sturdy and long-lasting product. It doesn’t also hurt for the product to have a scratch-resistant and waterproof finish.
Dimension
This is one of the essential features to look for when purchasing a standing desk. The standing desk must be broad and long enough to ensure you have enough space to set up your workstation. Some of the largest standing desks have widths and heights of up to 50 inches.
Dual motors
If you plan to buy an electric-lift standing desk, make sure it has dual motors. Although single motors are adequate (and less expensive), dual motors are preferable because they increase the lifting capacity of your electric standing chair.
Grommets
These holes at the far end of a standing desk allow cables to pass through. You will find them useful for desktops and laptops as they organize your power cords and prevent them from crisscrossing your work surface.
Wide range of height adjustability
This feature is critical for business owners who want to use standing desks in a hot desking office setting. This is because a wide range of adjustability will satisfy all user preferences. Under this system, multiple employees use the same desk but at preferred heights.
The same applies to individual users; you should be able to adjust to different heights of your choice, depending on your current task or mood.
Health benefits of a standing desk
Getting a standing desk benefits your workplace and your health. They are designed to be the perfect height for the user, maintaining good posture while providing additional health benefits.
Here are some examples of its health benefits:
Burns more calories
Studies have shown that standing for even an hour burns 88 calories (8 more than sitting during the same time frame). This is hugely beneficial in the fight against obesity and other calorie-based disorders.
Decreases blood sugar levels
Instead of sitting while working, a standing desk offers long-standing hours, which helps lower blood sugar levels that benefit your overall health.
Relieves back pain
Long periods of sitting are well known to cause back pain. This is especially true if you suffer from chronic back pain. Standing desks would help to correct your posture and reduce spine curvature.
Lowers the risk of heart disease
If you need to make a significant change in your work-life balance but cannot engage in strenuous exercise, incorporating a standing desk into your daily routine can help lower your risk of heart disease.
