The best standing desk chairs and stools

A standing desk, also known as a stand-up desk, is a type of desk that allows the user to work while standing up, rather than sitting down. The key features of a standing desk include adjustable height, allowing the user to raise or lower the desk surface to their desired standing height, which helps accommodate people of different heights and allows the desk to be used for both standing and sitting.

A standing desk chair, also known as a perch stool or tall chair, is a specialized type of seating solution designed for use with standing desks. The key features of a standing desk chair include an elevated seat height, typically ranging from 24 to 33 inches, which allows the user to sit at a standing desk while maintaining good posture and ergonomic alignment.

These chairs often have a minimal or reduced backrest, or no backrest at all, to encourage the user to maintain an upright, engaged posture rather than leaning back. Like traditional office chairs, standing desk chairs typically feature 360-degree swivel capabilities and casters for easy mobility around the workstation.

Many standing desk chairs incorporate a footrest or foot ring, which provides a place to rest the feet and shift weight while sitting, helping to improve circulation and reduce strain on the lower body.

The idea behind standing chairs is to accompany a standing desk so that you spend the best part of your working time standing, but you still have the option to sit at regular intervals in order to rest.

"Standing desk chairs are great for improving your posture and general health says James Crow from Posture Stars. "They give you an active support that can keep you upright and able to shift position much more easily than a standard chair. Plus they're fantastic for keeping you lively and alert for your online meetings too."

In short, standing chairs allow you to get the best of both worlds: to use a standing desk for a more active work setup, but also to be able to rest and change your position to avoid getting tired, especially if you're not used to standing up for long periods of time.

"I love the way you can quickly switch from standing to perching, to get a variety of good postures," Crow adds. "And they help to avoid the aching feet that can come from standing at a desk for long periods of time."

The best standing desks have become popular in recent years and for good reason. People have realised that a sedentary lifestyle can cause a wide range of health problems, including back pain and poor posture. Spending more time on our feet can help correct that.

Standing desks are designed with ergonomics in mind, encouraging a more upright posture and reducing the risk of back pain, neck strain, and other musculoskeletal issues associated with prolonged sitting. Using a standing desk can help reduce sedentary behavior and increase physical activity throughout the workday, as you're less likely to remain stationary for extended periods. Standing can also improve blood circulation, which may help boost energy levels and cognitive function.

Many standing desks offer additional features, such as built-in storage, cable management systems, and even treadmill or bike attachments, to further enhance your work experience. The use of standing desks has become increasingly popular in recent years, as more people recognize the potential health benefits of reducing prolonged sitting during the workday.

"Standing desks may be a great solution for those who may not be comfortable sitting, either because of pain or just preference," says Dr Amy Hoover, physiotherapist at P.volve. "Standing vs sitting may also encourage better posture and spinal alignment. Standing allows us to engage more postural muscles, and helps encourage muscular support, and distributes forces throughout our body to lessen stress on one area."

Using a standing desk doesn't mean you can completely forget about paying attention to posture. You need to be aware of how you're standing, just as you would try to sit in the most healthy way possible in a chair.

"You need to be mindful of your posture when using a standing desk," says Dr Amy. "Try standing with your ears, shoulders, hips and ankles in a line, and keep your joints soft, and distribute your weight evenly between both legs. Moving often is still necessary, and arguably more when you use a standing desk. Doing some waking every 30 minutes can help encourage blood flow and keep your muscles from tightening up."