Best Standing Desks Based on In-Depth Reviews
- 200+Hours of research
- 23Sources used
- 19Companies vetted
- 4Features reviewed
- 6Top
Picks
- Measure your workspace and the weight you’ll add to your desk.
- Most 2-legged standing desks will wobble at their maximum height.
- Desk warranties vary, so keep an eye on warranty coverage.
- There are cheaper desk options available, like desk converters.
How We Found the Best Standing Desks
Our Top Picks: Standing Desks Reviews
Although standing desks might seem like a new fad, you might be surprised to know that they’ve been popular for more than a century. Praise for their benefits can be tracked all the way back to Popular Science Magazine; in its July 1883 issue, there’s an article that promotes standing desks as a natural cure for dyspepsia—also known as indigestion.
Today they’ve had a marked growth in popularity, with up to 60% of employers giving their employees the option to use them. For this reason, and to help those who want a standing desk of their own, we spent over 90 hours of research and consulted over 20 resources, aiming to highlight the best standing desk types that won’t break your bank account.
In the reviews that follow, we evaluate the following standing desk features: starting price, height range, lift capacity, lift speed, and warranty. We chose to focus on these because they are the main characteristics that distinguish one standing desk from another. For example, a manual desk might not have a motorized lifting system, but could have greater height range and a better warranty than an electric one. Focusing on these characteristics helps break down the strengths and weaknesses of each desk into information that’s easier for you to manage.
Important Disclaimer: Since we weren’t able to purchase and test the desks in-house—many companies don’t ship to Puerto Rico, where our headquarters are located—we scoured the web for online customer reviews and other feedback to evaluate the factors we determined in our methodology, such as maximum height and lift capacity. When we are able to personally review the standing desks on our list, we will upgrade this article accordingly.
| Name | Best For | Minimum Height | Maximum Height | Lift Capacity | Warranty | Price |
| Uplift V2 Commercial | Overall Desk | 21.6” | 47.7” | 355 lbs. | 7-year limited warranty | $549.00 |
| Modtable Hand Crank Desk | Manual Desk | 27.5” | 47” | 130 lbs | 5-year limited warranty | $479.00 |
| iMovR Lander | Electric Desk | 24.5” | 50.5” | 365 lbs | Lifetime warranty on frame, 10 years on motors / electronics, 5 years on desktop | $1,049.00 |
| Devaise Crank Desk | Tight Budget | 29” | 44.9” | 100 lbs. | 1-year warranty | $229.00 |
| iMovR Cascade | Ergonomic Desk | 26.8” | 45” | 265 lbs. | Lifetime warranty on frame, 10 years on motors/electronics, 5 years on desktop | $993.00 |
| Flexispot M2B 35” | Desk Converter | 5.9” | 9.7” | 35 lbs. | 3-year warranty | $279.99 |
UPLIFT Desk V2 review
Best Overall
Images upliftdesk.com, January 2020.
21.6"
47.7”
355 lbs.
Available sizes: Depth: 30”, Width: 42”, 48”, 72”, 80”
The Uplift V2 Commercial stood out thanks to its stability, affordability, height range, weight capacity, and warranty. Since the desk can go as low as 21.6”, it’s the only desk on this list that can cater to customers under 5’3”. The desk is highly stable up to 43” thanks to its cross-support system, making it one the most stable desks on the market. The frame is extendable, so you can easily adapt it to your current desktop, and it comes with two free promotional items that can include a standing desk mat and a desk pad, which protects desktops from splashes and scratches.
ModTable Hand Crank Desk review
Best Manual Desk
Images multitable.com, January 2020.
27.5”
47”
130 lbs.
Available sizes: Depth: 24”, 29”, Width: 40”, 48”, 57”, 72”
The Modtable hand crank desk is a perfect fit for those who don’t want to complicate themselves with electronics. The desk is made in the USA from quality steel and post-industrial recycled content that’s greenguard-certified. Modtable’s greatest downside is its weight capacity, which falls short of our other choices. And, if you already have a desktop and just want to buy the frame, you can do so for $399.
iMovR Lander Review review
Best Electric Desk
Images imovr.com, January 2020.
24.5”
50.5”
365 lbs.
Available sizes: Depth: 30”, Width: 41”, 53”, 59”, 65”, 71”, 77”, 83”, 89”, 95”
With an outstanding lifetime warranty on its frame, a considerable variety of desktop sizes, and app compatibility, the iMovR is a premium electric desk with ample customizability. The desk stands out in almost every category, with its maximum height of 50.5, one of the best weight capacities, and one of the fastest lift speeds available. The desk doesn’t have memory buttons, instead, it features an LED paddle so you can adjust the height with two consecutive taps. The Lander’s paddle system also comes with a program called a “help coach” that lets you set up notification intervals to remind you when to switch from standing to sitting and vice versa. Finally, the desk has a companion app that allows you to control height via Bluetooth, as well as set up your own height preferences.
Devaise Crank Desk 55" review
Best Desk for Tight Budgets
Images devaise.com, January 2020.
29”
44.9”
100 lbs.
Available sizes: Depth: 23.6”, Width: 55”
With limited customization options, a 1-year warranty, and the lowest lift capacity for a desk on this list, you get what you pay for with the Devaise crank desk. However, for less than $300, you are still obtaining a functional manual crank desk with ample workspace that can handle up to 44”. If you have a higher budget, you should consider our other recommendations, but if you’re short on cash, the Devaise crank desk is still a great option.
iMovR Cascade review
Best Ergonomic Desk
Images imovr.com, January 2020.
26.8”
45”
265 lbs.
Available sizes: Depth: 30”, Width: 47”, 53”, 59”, 65”, 71”
A more affordable alternative to the iMovR Lander, the Cascade desk stands out for its proprietary SteadyType keyboard design, which lets you tilt the table’s keyboard tray to any angle up to 85 degrees, assuring the best ergonomic position for your arms and wrists, no matter if you’re sitting or standing. Just like the Lander, the Cascade is highly customizable, with options to increase the size and height of the frame (through the Freedom XT frame) and an array of desktop shapes, though these can increase the overall cost of the desk.
Flexispot Classic Riser M2B 35" review
Best Desk Converter
Images flexispot.com, January 2020.
5.9”
19.7”
35 lbs.
Available sizes: Depth: 23.2”, Width: 31.5” for desk,35” for keyboard tray.
If you’re attached to your current desk, you can still upgrade it to a standing desk with the Flexispot M2B 35”. Unlike z-shaped converters, which extend towards the front when you lift them, the Flexispot stays in the same position when elevated, making it an excellent choice for tight workspaces. Additionally, its ergonomic design places the keyboard tray at a lower position, improving arm and wrist posture when standing up. The converter’s lifting mechanism is also efficient, needing only one hand to lift. Flexispot’s biggest drawbacks are its low lift capacity and the inability to angle its keyboard tray.
Further Insight into Our Methodology
As we explored the standing desk industry, we noticed that things aren’t necessarily what they seem. For example, although some desks were more expensive than others, the price didn’t necessarily translate to a better product. We also noticed that electric desks weren’t undoubtedly better than manual desks, and that a greater height range didn’t automatically mean the desk would be stable at said height, or even at lower heights. Therefore, to make a solid standing desk list, we needed to evaluate them using a set of standards that were shared by all desks, while still keeping variety and affordability in mind.
After looking at 28 desks from 19 different companies, we picked six that were the best in the following six categories: best overall, manual, electric, tight budget, ergonomic, and desk converter.
Type of Desk
Since personal preferences and workspace needs vary from person to person, we couldn’t just stick with one type of desk and ignore all others. Instead, we decided to research the three types of desks available in the market: manual, electric, and desk converter.
Each desk type has a different lifting and lowering method. For manual desks, you use a crank device that’s located either at the front or side of the desk, while an electric desk uses a motorized lever or button system to change desk height. With desk converters, you normally press on one or two break paddles to change from a sitting to a standing position. Desk converters come in a variety of shapes and lifting mechanisms, including those that can arc towards you when you lift them (known as z-shaped converters) or those that remain stationary (known as x-shaped converters).
Features
To provide the best standing desk suggestions possible, we analyzed four features that companies constantly promoted about their desks: durability, height range, stability, and lift capacity. For durability, we made sure that the desktops and frames were made with sturdy, reliable materials like steel and aluminum alloy for frames, and solid wood and high-density polyethylene for desktops.
In terms of height range, we looked at how far up the desk could go; the higher, the better. However, we supplemented height range data with stability as an additional factor, since there were many cases in which standing desks with high height ranges wobbled terribly at the upper end of said height. We then focused our online research efforts on pinpointing how stable the desks were at different height intervals, from 30” to 38”, which is the height at which most users will have their desks when standing, to 44” and 48”, if applicable, since these are the heights normally used by people between 6.7” and 6.8” tall.
Finally, we took into consideration how much weight a standing desk could manage. Our research showed that, on average, an electric standing desk can lift up to 300 lbs., while manual or crank standing desks can lift around 100 lbs. Desk converters have the lowest lift capacity, averaging at 30 lbs. We looked for standing desks and converters that met or surpassed this average; those that didn’t did not make our list.
When considering lift capacity, weighing all the items you’re planning to place on top of your desk is key, since it’ll give you an idea of how much weight you need your desk to withstand. Remember to also include the desktop’s weight in your calculations, since most companies won’t deduct it from the overall weight capacity a standing desk can withstand.
Affordability
As we explored standing desk products we noticed that, while there are very expensive desks on the market ($3,000 is quite an investment), a high price point doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is flawless. For this reason, although we didn’t automatically discard the expensive desks, we prioritized those that were more affordable, while still offering high quality. The only exception was the “best for tight budget” category, which prompted us to compromise price with reliability.
You should know that getting the longest standing desk with the highest lift capacity might be too much if you only want to place your laptop and a monitor on top of it. When purchasing a standing desk, increasing its width can make it more expensive. But you can save money by measuring your workspace and knowing how much it can accommodate. If you have the entire room to work with, then your options are limitless, but if you only have 60”, then a 50” long desk can be your best bet.
Customer Experience
For this factor, we looked at how good the standing desk’s warranty is and its positive or negative customer reviews. Almost all standing desks have their own, unique warranty lengths. Some are full warranties that cover the desktop and frame, while others are limited to the frame, the machinery, or accident protection. Make it a habit to check a desk’s warranty, as then you’ll really know what parts are being covered and for how long.
On average, standing desks have a three-to-five-year limited warranty, and desk converters averaged at one year, so anything over these standard numbers scored better with us.
Helpful Information About Standing Desks
Why get a Standing Desk?
Whether you’re working from home or at an office, a standing desk gives you the option of switching from standing to sitting—and vice versa—throughout the day. These mechanisms were designed to tackle sedentary behavior, which has been linked to health problems like cardiovascular disease, carpal tunnel syndrome, obesity, and even cancer. It’s important to note, however, that these studies only suggest an association or correlation with these health problems and not a direct connection.
Although originally designed to counter physical inactivity, the truth of the matter is that none of the studies conducted on standing desks are conclusive on their benefits, so there’s no solid scientific evidence that they can counteract the effects of a sedentary life, let alone improve cardiovascular health. It’s also a common misconception that standing desks can help you burn calories and lose weight while you work. Although some companies tout that you can burn extra calories while standing rather than sitting, studies have shown that the number of calories burned aren't enough to contribute to weight loss.
So, if there isn’t solid evidence that standing desks help you lose weight or counteract health problems, why should you spend $300 or more on one? Well, even if they don’t help you lose those pesky holiday lovehandles, standing desks can motivate you into switching positions and moving while studying or working, making your workstation more ergonomic.
“Most people don’t realize this, when you’re moving, the contraction of your muscles pumps as much blood as your heart pumps,” said Alan Hedge, a professor at the Department of Design and Environmental Analysis at Cornell University, “So that’s the key: how do you create a workplace where people can have, what we call, postural variety? They can sit for some of the work they do, they can stand for some of the work, and periodically they can move around.”
Some studies have also found that standing desks can be helpful for people with back or neck problems. “Some people are sensitive to lower back pain when sitting, and for them, alternating between sitting and standing can be an effective way to reduce their back pain,” said Dr. David Rempel, a medical professor at the University of California, San Francisco. “Not everyone with back pain has their pain improved by standing, but some do, so basically workers have to experiment themselves to see if standing helps for them. It’s usually intermittent standing throughout the day that helps people with back pain.”
Finally, although this can be subjective, some people have mentioned improvements in their stamina and productivity at work. “It has definitely improved my productivity,” said Carlos Silva, a content writer here at ConsumersAdvocate.org, “when I’m feeling sluggish, I stand up, or whenever I have to do something fast. It is more of an active position.”
How to Use Your Standing Desk
There are common physical ailments linked to sedentary behavior in the workplace, including swelling, back, neck, wrist and leg pain, as well as other problems like varicose veins in the legs. These problems don’t show up immediately, but rather take time to appear. “Research shows that it typically takes six to twelve months for problems to really start to develop,” said Hedge, “It’s similar to golf. A golfer doesn’t get golfer’s elbow the first time they hit a golf ball, you know? But over time they can develop these injuries.”
To counteract this, many companies have taken steps to provide workers with different ergonomic devices, including desks, chairs, and keyboards. Unfortunately, if you don’t know how to properly use them, you won’t be doing much to protect your body from these problems. “If you’re sitting in a chair and you’re not well supported, then back problems can happen, particularly in the lumbar spine,” said Hedge. “If your screen is in the wrong position and you’re looking down all day long, you can develop shoulder and neck problems as well.”
To use your standing desk and all other ergonomic devices to the fullest, you need to adopt a neutral posture. “A neutral posture is one where none of the parts of your body are deviated outside of a comfortable, normal range,” said Hedge, “So, nothing is twisted, nothing is bent, nothing is in an awkward position. A neutral position can be achieved for both sitting and standing.” To help you achieve a neutral position at your standing desk, we’ve designed this diagram that breaks down the proper ergonomic positioning you need to have.
2- Shoulders/upper arms - Straight down to 25 degrees forwards, < 20 degrees abducted from the side of the body
3- Hands/wrists - Straight and flat as possible - < 15 degrees extended upwards to < 25 degrees flexed downwards, and < 15 degrees radial deviation to < 25 degrees ulnar deviation.
4- Low back/hips - Not 90 degrees or less; preferably in the range 100-120 degrees recline
5- Knees/lower legs - Not 90 degrees or less; preferably in the range 100-120 degrees extended forwards
6- Feet ankles - Not < 90 degrees – preferably 100 degrees
Manual, Electric, or Converter?
If you’re unsure whether a manual or electric standing desk is best for you, or if a desk converter might be a better investment, we’ve created this chart to help you out. Each desk type has its own strengths and weaknesses. For instance, with an electric standing desk, you can set up your preferred desk heights with the press of a button, but you won’t be able to use it without electricity. Look at all the pros and cons of each category and choose the one that works best for you.
• Not electricity or motor-dependent
• Can have the same desk space as the electric model
• Less weight capacity than electric desks
• Higher weight capacity (250-500 pounds)
• Electric means it needs electricity to function, and electronic components can fail
• Cheapest option compared to electric and crank (you don’t have to buy an entire desk/substitute your original desk)
• Usually comes already assembled
• Limited space and weight capacity on the converter (means you can’t accommodate your entire desk on it)
• Limited space around you (since some models extend outside the desk)
Frame sold separately
If you’re fond of your old desk and don’t want a desk converter, you can still turn it into a standing desk by buying a standing desk frame. Not only do you get to keep your desktop, but you’ll also end up saving money. Standing desk frames are usually adjustable, so they are able to adapt to almost any desktop without hassle. Unfortunately, not all standing desk companies sell their frames separately, so check online or contact the company directly to see if they have this option available.
What to Watch Out For When Buying a Standing Desk
Standing Desks Are NOT a Substitute for Exercise
No matter what you read online, using a standing desk will never be a substitute for exercise. “Absolutely not,” said Dr. Rempel, “and the reason is that the value of exercise is that it increases your metabolic workload, so your heart has to work harder, making it stronger in the long run. The difference in metabolic load between sitting and standing is almost zero. So you might think that there’s more metabolic load when standing than sitting, but that’s not true. You’re thinking that you’re getting exercise but in reality, you’re not.”
If you’re really worried about your physical well-being or want to lose weight, you shouldn’t rely on your standing desk and should instead establish workout or walking routines throughout your week. “Usually we recommend that office workers try to get up and walk outside for at least an hour three times a week,” said Dr. Rempel, “If you can do more you’ll be healthier, and if you can do more physically demanding exercises like running or bicycle riding, then the amount required would be less. At least 3 times a week for half an hour to an hour of intense physical activity is recommended. You can do that in your free time. Whenever and wherever you could do it, you should do it.”
Standing All Day is Just As Problematic As Sitting All Day
During the day, you might decide to stand for long periods of time to improve your health, but the fact is that you could be doing more harm to your body than you think. “The more hours you stand at work, the worse your cardiovascular health,” added Dr. Rempel, “if you stand for 6 to 8 hours per day, there’s an increased risk of varicose veins and increased risk of cardiovascular disease in the heart and carotid artery, as well as leg fatigue, which is basically pain in the legs.”
The same is true about sitting all day: if you sit for long periods of time, you risk harming your body just as much. “If you sit and compress the back of the knees under your thighs, you can restrict blood flow to the lower legs, and if you do that, your legs and feet will start to swell up,” said Hedge, “Studies show that up to 70% of people at the end of the day of sitting at work have swollen feet and ankles, and over time that can lead to the development of what’s called a deep vein thrombosis, or DVT.”
So, if you can’t sit or stand for too long, what should you do? Hedge recommends that you frequently alternate from sitting to standing throughout your day. “Based on research studies, I recommend the 20:8:2 work pattern: 20 minutes sitting in a good posture, 8 minutes standing, and 2 minutes of standing and moving. For a 7.5 hours workday, lunch excluded, this means a daily regimen with a total of 5 hours of sitting, 16 sit-to-stand changes, 2 hours of standing and .5 hours of moving. Following this movement pattern throughout the day should keep employees comfortable, healthy, and productive."
Sitting 
Standing 
Stretching
• 5 hours/sitting
• 2 hours of standing
• 0.5 hours of moving
• 16 sit-to-stand transitions
Careful with Optional Buys
As we vetted standing desks, we noticed that many companies prompted customers to complement their purchases with optional buys, like grommet AC power socket nodes, monitor arms, cupholders, and standing mats. Although it’s great that companies give you the option to customize your standing desk to your heart’s content, this can drive up the overall cost by hundreds of dollars.
If you’re budget-conscious and are prompted to buy additional items for your standing desk, make sure that you actually need them, since going all out might make you buy unnecessary items. The best example would be a Grommet AC power socket: it might seem more comfortable to have a power socket on your desk since you can plug in anything quickly. But if your monitor cables or laptop adapters have a long range, it might be cheaper for you to just buy a power socket extension for your wall’s power socket.
Wobble Effect
Our research showed that even the strongest two-legged standing desk frames can wobble when reaching their height limits. The reason is that, at higher intervals, two-legged desks legs aren’t able to balance the entirety of the desktop’s weight in all angles, so they end up wobbling either front to back, left to right, or both. The best solution for this is to place a cross-support between the legs, since this creates a greater balance between them. Some standing desks include cross-support as part of their standard package, while others offer it as an optional buy.
FAQs About Standing Desks
How frequently should I switch from sitting to standing with my standing desk?
It’s typically recommended that you switch from sitting to standing every 30 to 60 minutes and that you stand up to walk about every hour, since it gives your body time to incorporate movement throughout your workday. An effective way to do it is through the 20:8:2 work pattern: 20 minutes sitting, 8 minutes standing, and 2 minutes of standing and moving.
Does a standing desk’s lift capacity include the desktop’s weight?
Unfortunately, when a company promotes a standing desk’s lift capacity (300 lbs., for example), they normally don’t include the desktop’s weight. Therefore, when measuring how much weight a standing desk can withstand, always subtract the desktop’s weight to know how much extra weight it can hold.
My monitor wobbles a lot when I place it on top of a standing desk. What can I do?
No matter how stable a standing desk is, chances are that if you’re using a monitor with a base, it will wobble when you elevate your standing desk. To lessen the monitor’s shakiness, you can opt to buy an adjustable monitor arm that can elevate your monitor and keep it firm.
Are standing desks hard to assemble?
Assembling a standing desk can be a snap. Most standing desks come either pre-assembled or mostly assembled, and in many cases, all you have to do is tighten a few screws to complete assembly. For example, the iMovR Lander desk states that its assembly time is around 3 to 5 minutes since all you have to do is to assemble its legs.
Our Standing Desks Review Summed Up
| Company Name | |
|---|---|
| UPLIFT Desk V2 Standing Desk | Best Overall |
| ModTable Hand Crank Desk | Best Manual |
| iMovR Lander Standing Desk | Best Electric |
| Devaise Crank Standing Desk | Best for Tight Budgets |
| iMovR Cascade Standing Desk | Best Ergonomic |
| Flexispot Classic Riser Standing Desk | Best Desk Converter |