Stand up for a happier back and a stronger core.
Sitting kills. OK, maybe that's a little dramatic, but there's ample evidence that parking your posterior all day is bad for your health. Consider: You're in an office chair, hunched over a keyboard, which is hard on the back, neck and shoulders. You're bent at the waist, which can lead to tight abdominal muscles and back pain. And doing this for hours at a stretch? Without even stretching? You don't need me to tell you why that's bad. So it's time to stop sitting down on the job. The best standing desks let you alternate between butt and feet, the better to keep your limbs loose and body active.
As a full-time writer, I've used one for years, typically switching positions every 45 minutes or so. When I'm in a standing position, I like to sway a little bit, move my hips and basically just fidget on my feet — a great way to get the blood moving while staying productive.
And here's good news: We've got recommendations for the best standing desk for every need and budget. You can get a fully motorized standing desk model with multiple memory settings. You can get something compact for tight spaces or something L-shaped with tons of work surface. You can get a riser that converts your existing desk to a sit-stand setup. And there are even workstations designed with gamers in mind. (Does that make them gamestations?) Below I've rounded up some of the best standing desks from these and other categories.
Update, Dec. 18, 2024: We checked all product prices and availability. Our number one pick for the best standing desk remains unchanged.
Desktop area: 55 x 28 inches | Height range: 24 - 49.2 inches | Supported weight maximum: 220 lbs. | Drawer included: Yes
When I redesigned my office, Flexispot's Q8 was the electric standing desk I chose. Photos don't do it justice; the bamboo top is absolutely gorgeous (though you can choose other color configurations as well), and the motor moves it smoothly and quietly — no hand crank required. The assembly process was a snap; I managed it solo, though it would help to have a second person for flipping and moving the desk when finished.
The Q8 includes three features I absolutely love, starting with an embedded Qi wireless charging pad. It's virtually invisible, completely flush with the desktop surface and detectable only by the wireless symbol etched over it. Lay your phone (or AirPods, etc.) on it and presto, instant charging.
The desk also has two USB charging ports (one USB-C, one USB Type-A) alongside the front control panel, which includes four memory presets and a digital readout to show your selected range of heights in numerical form.
Finally, I love the wide built-in drawer, something you don't often see in standing desks. (People need storage!) The Q8 may be on the pricier side, but I couldn't be happier with it.
Desktop area: 48 x 24 inches | Height range: 27.7 - 46.6 inches | Supported weight maximum: 176 lbs. | Drawer included: Yes
Fezibo's versatile desk includes a drawer, presets, hooks and casters, all for a surprisingly low price.
Originally marked as high as $310, this standing desk now routinely runs about $150 — and offers considerable bang for the buck. It measures 48 by 24 inches and has a black frame, though the top is available in several different colors. Notable functionality here includes four memory presets, a pair of hooks for hanging things like backpacks and headphones, a slide-out fabric drawer and lockable casters. Yep, this desk can actually roll from one place to another.
It's worth noting that the top comes in two pieces, meaning once you've assembled it, you'll see a seam running across the middle of the tabletop. There's no functional downside to that, just an aesthetic one. (And speaking of that, not everyone may love that fabric drawer, which looks a little strange beneath a wood top.)
Desktop area: 67 x 60 inches | Height range: 24.7 - 50.3 inches | Supported weight maximum: 300 lbs. | Drawer included: No
By design, a standing desk must be a two-legged rectangle, right? Wrong: Vivo brings three telescoping legs to the stand-up party, part of a frame that can accommodate a massive L-shaped work surface and a whopping 200-plus pounds. (I'm not saying you should climb on the thing and go for a mildly entertaining ride — but you could.)
The 3E6B model measures 67 inches in one direction from one corner and 60 in the other. (Vivo does offer smaller versions if you don't have quite that much space but still want a corner setup.) It offers four adjustable height memory presets and collision detection, and Vivo backs it with an impressive three-year warranty.
My major nitpick with the desks themselves (which are available in four colors) is the lack of grommet holes for cord organization. The product listing does mention a "cable management system," but I can't see any evidence of one, and it's not mentioned on Vivo's website. I wouldn't call this a deal breaker; it's just disappointing that a seemingly premium desk would overlook cable management.
Desktop area: 65 x 27 inches | Height range: 29.9 - 48.4 inches | Supported weight maximum: 200 lbs. | Drawer included: No
With its LED lighting, colorful design and handy cup holder, this standing desk is fun before you even fire up a video game.
Eureka Ergonomic's monster stretches out nearly 65 inches from end to end and comes dressed to party. The two-piece top comes covered in a striking carbon-fiber finish, while the full-width mouse pad covers the seam and adds a slick splash of red. There are six-color LED light panels embedded into either side, a double headphone hook at one end and even a cupholder at the other.
Another nice touch: Eureka supplies a freestanding game-controller rack that includes slots for three game cases and has four powered USB ports in its base.
As a standing desk, the S62B offers the usual range of motion, four memory presets and an anti-collision sensor. And make no mistake: 65 inches is big, meaning enough space for multiple monitors, speakers and other gaming essentials. Available accessories include a side-mount tower/console case holder, a monitor arm and an under-desk keyboard tray (similar to the one listed below).
Worth noting: This desk earned an impressive 4.6-star average from over 300 buyers.
Desktop area: 40 x 24 inches | Height range: 28 - 45 inches | Supported weight maximum: Not stated | Drawer included: No
Strapped for space? If you're working in a cramped bedroom, home office or apartment, this 40-inch desk might be the perfect fit. (Larger sizes are available as well if you have plenty of room to spread out.)
SHW offers a handful of wood finishes atop a black or white frame, and the desk itself has a wire basket underneath to accommodate power cords and bricks. (I legit wish every desk offered this simple but essential add-on.)
It also has hooks and four memory presets. But what's really remarkable is the review average: 4.5 stars from over 20,000 buyers. So chances are good that if you're looking for a relatively compact standing desk, you'll like this one.
Desktop area: 20 x 22.8 inches | Height range: Users 5'1" - 6'2" | Supported weight maximum: 300 lbs. | Drawer included: No
Sitting is completely sedentary, but it's not like standing gives you a workout. If you want to mix fitness and productivity, consider the FlexiSpot Desk Bike V9. It's available with a small desktop for a completely standalone solution, or you can get it without one and park it beneath just about any standing desk.
Available in black or white, the V9 promises quiet operation from its 5-pound flywheel. The bike itself sits on lockable casters, meaning you can easily roll it out of the way if you want a break from biking. There's no power cord; the integrated digital display relies on a pair of AA batteries. The seat can adjust to anywhere from 30 inches to a max height of 37 inches using a very simple latch lever. FlexiSpot says that height range should accommodate people from 5 feet 1 to 6 feet 2 in height. Weight capacity: 300 pounds.
A single dial lets you choose between eight resistance settings. It's important to understand, this is no Peloton; the bike uses friction resistance, not magnetic. I suspect the ideal usage is a low resistance and simple, steady pedaling, just to keep your heart rate up a bit. But if that's your goal, this makes a very good standing-desk companion — or simply a biking-desk workstation.
Desktop area: 36, 40 or 48 inches | Height range: 0 - 20 inches | Supported weight maximum: 80 lbs. | Drawer included: No
Already own a desk you love? You'll probably love it even more with the PowerPro Elite sitting on top. Available in multiple colors, each with widths ranging from 36 to 48 inches, this two-tier sit-stand riser features three customizable presets, a USB charging port (only one, though) and something I've rarely seen in any desk: an LED panel that illuminates the keyboard.
The PowerPro Elite also has grommet holes for cable management or, if you're a power user, monitor arms. (The riser can lift up to 80 pounds, so it'll have no trouble with two or even three screens.)
Even fancier, this standing desk converter can pair with your phone via Bluetooth. The VersaDesk companion app includes not only raise/lower controls (which seem a little unnecessary), but also custom reminders that will nudge you when it's time to sit or stand. There's even a game aspect to it: If work colleagues have a similarly equipped VersaDesk, you can compete for the top spot on a sit-stand leaderboard.
One often-overlooked problem with standing desks is keyboard position. If you raise the desk to a comfortable monitor height, you may find the keyboard too high. If you lower it for better typing comfort, the screen might be too low.
Solution: Install an adjustable keyboard tray, one that's able to retract underneath the desk when not needed and also wide enough to accommodate your mouse.
I own (and like) the Huanuo Keyboard Tray, which uses six screws to attach to the underside of the desk and is therefore stable enough to handle the weight of your wrists. You can adjust both the tilt and height of the tray using a simple lever that locks and unlocks the position. The tray can even pivot left and right, handy for off-center computer setups.
Huanuo also provides a peel-and-stick wrist rest that extends the length of the tray. However, it collects and shows a lot of dust and dirt, and I found it less comfortable to type with it than without it. Thus, after a few days I ended up removing it.
In all other respects, though, this proved a great addition to my standing desk, so it's easy to recommend.
What should you look for in a standing desk? Obviously, size will be a key consideration, along with frame color and price tag. But there are some other features to evaluate as well:
Height settings: This isn't crucial, but it's awfully nice to have a height adjustable electric model. With the push of a button, the desk will raise to your preferred height. Another push and it lowers to exactly where you like it. These adjustable height preset buttons are increasingly common, but if you're going to be sharing the desk with, say, a family member in a home office, look for one that offers multiple preset heights and customization options.
USB ports: Need to charge your phone, earbuds and other gear? Choose a desk with powered USB ports embedded in the top or front edge. This is a seriously handy feature, one I truly prize.
Cable management: Standing desks are wide open underneath, meaning you may end up looking at unsightly cords running from your home office workstation to the power outlet. If you're not wild about that, consider a desk that has cable-management options: grommet holes, rear or underside cord clips and so on. Luckily, it's pretty easy to add that stuff to just about any desk; here's a complete cord-management kit for $15.
Built-in drawers: When you switch to a standing desk, you often give up storage. A built-in filing cabinet, for example, is out of the question due to weight. But even drawers tend to be somewhat rare, which raises the question of where to keep all your pens, paper clips and the like. Thankfully, there are some desks that have drawers; I've identified one top pick in the list below.
Anti-collision sensors: If a desk encounters some kind of obstacle while lowering — your chair, for example — it could seriously damage the motor, to say nothing of whatever it ends up squishing. Some desks automatically halt if they detect an obstacle.
My selections were based on a number of specs, including user ratings, professional reviews, product reputation, price point and, where possible, personal experience. (Unfortunately neither time nor space — office space, that is — permitted me to conduct hands-on reviews of all the products.) It should go without saying that if there's a desk listed above, it deserves to be here.
As noted above, sitting for long periods can be detrimental to your health. According to at least one study, long hours of sitting are linked to higher risks of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and straight-up "premature death."
Thus, the key benefit to using a standing desk is a simple one: less sitting. You're not likely to burn many calories, so don't look upon this as a weight-loss tool (unless you add an under-desk treadmill to the mix), but standing can help reduce neck and shoulder pain and even return blood-sugar levels to normal more quickly compared with sitting at a standard desk.
Of course, too much standing can be hard on the feet, and it's important to keep good posture while you're upright. That's why most experts recommend starting slowly as you add standing into your work day and switching back and forth between sitting and standing throughout the day.
If you already own a desk, you don't necessarily need to replace it with a new desk. A mechanical or motorized riser (like the VersaDesk PowerPro Elite, above) can sit on top of your desk and raise or lower to give you the desired sit-stand options. The benefit with a standing desk converter is that you get to leverage the furniture you already own (which may have drawers and other storage options you like) and potentially save some money: Risers tend to be cheaper than standalone standing desks.
However, a desk riser or standing desk converter will likely have less usable workspace area than a full-fledged desk, something to consider if you want to, say, spread out with multiple monitors. And because it sits atop your desk, it adds a little extra desk height even when it's in the "down" position. That could make it trickier to find comfortable keyboard and monitor placement, especially when you're seated.
The answer for this will depend on how long you spend at your desk each day. Studies on standing desk usage conclude you should be standing one hour for every one to two hours you sit. That means if you’re at your desk for an eight-hour day, you’ll want to try to stand for at least 3 of those hours. Of course, you can break up the time in a way that works best for you.
According to the Orthopedic Hospital of Wisconsin, using proper ergonomics at a standing desk can help improve your posture at the computer. It’s recommended that your monitor be at eye level and about 20 inches from your face.
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