The best standing desk converter in 2023

Three of the best standing desk converters on a blue background
(Image credit: Future)

The best standing desk converters can provide the perfect compromise for anyone who doesn't have the budget, or the space, to invest in one of the best standing desks. Happily, there are plenty of options on the market, and we've reviewed several of them to choose the ones that we find most practical and reliable.

A sit stand desk converter is exactly what it sounds like. It's a piece of furniture that you put on top of a standard fixed desk in order to raise the height so that you can stand while you work – something that can be less damaging for our health than sitting and hunching over a laptop. 

We love our ergonomic furniture here at Creative Bloq, and we have personally reviewed and tested a wide range of options, including the best office chairs for backpain. Below, we've picked the best standing desk converters based on a combination of our own testing, a aggregation of customer reviews and a comparison of their specs to pick out options for different needs and budgets.

The best standing desk converters today

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How should I choose the best standing desk converter

Choosing the best standing desk converter for you will come down to a few main factors: size, price and the ease with which it can be folded away. If you're only working on a laptop, you might not need a large standing desk converter and could be better going for a smaller, lighter option that takes up less space and is easier to move around. 

However, if you use two monitors or have a lot of peripherals, you will probably want a larger option. If you're also using your table for other things, for example if you work space is also your dining table, then you will probably want the standing desk that is quickest to fold away. We've picked our options for all of these needs above.

FAQs

Why use a standing desk converter?

The idea of standing all day may seem strange, but studies have indicated a variety of health benefits. For instance, some studies have shown that after a meal, blood sugar returns to normal levels more quickly in a standing person than a sitting person. Standing also burns more calories than sitting, even if you're standing still, and it can also be much better for your posture; sitting for long periods puts pressure on your back and discs. Standing while working may not be for everyone, but there are definitely benefits to doing so.

How high should I use a standing desk converter?

You should set your standing desk converter so that the top surface is roughly elbow-height and your elbows can rest roughly 90 degrees from the floor. As a guide, a person of the rough average height of 5'11" (180cm) should have their standing desk converter set at about 44 inches, or 112cm. Ideally, your fingers should lightly meet the keys of your keyboard, and your monitor should be 20-28 inches (51-71 cm) away from your face.

Is a standing desk better than a standing desk converter?

Yes, a dedicated standing desk is usually preferable if you're able to make the investment and you have the space for a new piece of furniture (or you're willing to replace your existing desk if you have one. The downside of standing desk converters is that they sit on an existing desktop taking up space, and they can look bulky and messy. 

That might not be a problem if you're going to use them in the standing position permanently, but it can be a hassle if you also need to use the same table surface for other things, which requires moving the standing desk converter elsewhere. They can also make dusting and cleaning slightly more complicated.

How we chose the best standing desk converters

We've picked the best standing desk converters based on a combination of our own testing, a aggregation of customer reviews and a comparison of their specs to pick out options for different needs and budgets. We compared the main options on the market, evaluating their specs an the reliability of the brands behind them. After narrowing down the options, we compared customer reviews and feedback from our own contributors, finally bringing in certain options for hands-on testing if we were unsure about them.

To decide which ones to include, we considered ease of use and set up, build quality, size and value for money. We made sure to include standing desk converters for different requirements, including some large enough to hold two monitors.

Beren Neale
Deals Editor

Beren has worked on creative titles at Future Publishing for over 13 years. Cutting his teeth as Staff Writer on the digital art magazine ImagineFX, he moved on to edit several creative titles, and is currently the Deals Editor on the most effective creative website in the world. When he's not testing and reviewing the best ergonomic office chairs, he can be found finding and comparing the best deals on the tech that creatives value the most. 

With contributions from