The best standing desks have become highly sought after in recent months. With much of the world's workforce now working from home, being comfortable and safe while working is more important than ever.
There are plenty of reasons to choose a standing desk over a traditional desk: they encourage you to be less sedentary, they help reduce back pain, and it's even been suggested that they can help reduce anxiety.
So what should you look for? First off, getting a standing desk with adjustable height is important, so you can make sure the working position is exactly right for you. Some standing desks are motorised, and enable you to program different heights and switch between sitting and standing height at the touch of a button. There are also solutions that can turn an ordinary desk into a standard one, which are more affordable and a great choice if you want to keep your existing furniture.
If you want to give your studio a complete overhaul, don't miss our guides to the best office chairs and best desks (for those of you who are happy sitting, that is). Below, you'll find all the best deals on the best standing desks available right now.
The best standing desks available now
An important thing to consider with motorised standing desks is the weight they can support, and the that we tested supports up to 125kg, which is 5kg more than the Flytta 2 (below), and all for around half the price. In our testing we had a desktop PC, 3D printer, keyboard, and printer on the desk, and the motor did a brilliant job.
Having chosen which frame you want, you’ll need to select a top. We opted for a maple top section, but you have the choice of up to nine different colours and finishes, such as maple, marble, white, and mahogany, and you also get a more limited selection of colours to choose from with the frame. Assembling the table is cinch, and you’ll be up and running within an hour or so; sooner, if you have some help with the assembly (which we’d recommend).
The desk is operated via an energy-efficient LED display, which goes into sleep mode to reduce power usage when the desk is stationary. Using this display, you can pre-set three different height options, and it even has an alarm to remind you when to take a screen break, if required. For the price, it’s hard to see where this desk can be beaten right now.
Flytta is a Nordic word meaning 'move', and the smart standing desk can do exactly that. It features dual motors that adjust its height smoothly, with collision-detection technology to avoid accidents when lowering it. It has a lift capacity of 120kg, making it suitable for even heavy desktop computers, and can store your preferred stitting and standing heights for future use. The Flytta 2 is available as a frame only (if you have an existing top that you want to use) or a complete desk, so make sure you pick the right option when ordering.
Many of the best standing desks are adjusted by electric motors, but the uses a manual crank handle instead. Not only does this make it a more affordable option (those electrical components don't come cheap), it also means that this desk is lighter than many others without compromising on strength. You can adjust the height between 70cm and 120cm, letting you work comfortably either sitting or standing. The crank can be fitted on either side, depending on whether you're right or left-handed, and can be tucked neatly out of the way when not in use.
The will make switching to a standing desk effortless. Rather than a crank or motors, it uses a counterbalance mechanism (much like a sash window) that lets you change its height in seconds, making it a clear entry for this best standing desks article. You can adjust it single-handed, even fully laden with computer equipment, reference books and other work; just turn the weight adjustment handle a few times to compensate, then press the handle under the desktop and lift or lower it. The Humanscale Float is tough too, and environmentally sound with a frame made from recycled steel and a tabletop made without toxic chemicals.
Install the Desk Control app on your smartphone or tablet, and you can adjust the height of the standing desk without even touching it. Just tap with your thumb to choose exactly the right level for sitting or standing, and let the motors do the rest. The veneer desktop might not be to everyone's liking, but it's durable and wipes clean easily (handy if you use soft media like charcoal or pastels) with contours to support your wrists. A net underneath helps keep wires and cables out of the way, leaving you more room to work, all of which makes this one of the best standing desks around.
If you use a shared workspace then the might be the tool for you. It folds down flat for easy carrying, and allows you to transform any regular desk into a standing one. It's not flimsy, either; this portable standing desk solution a strong gas spring that allows it to open and close smoothly, and lock securely in place. The keyboard tray is detachable too, letting it pack down even smaller for stashing in a bag. This model is recommended if you're between five and six feet tall, but Yo-Yo also makes desks for shorter and taller people.
Like the Yo-Yo Desk 90 above, the collapses flat for transport and storage, and can be raised and lowered easily thanks to its spring-loaded design (with 11 different height settings). The Varidesk has a more plush, premium feel than the Yo-Yo, with a less industrial look and smoother edges. It's seriously strong too, with an upper level that's easily capable of supporting a dual-monitor setup, or a monitor and laptop. The lower deck provides enough space for a full-sized keyboard, mouse, plus a graphics tablet for illustrators.
If you're looking for the best standing desk to make a statement in your studio, take a look at the . Simply slot this standing desk adaptor together (choosing your own height for the monitor and keyboard sections) and you're ready to get to work. Its unusual design means it's not suitable for desktop PCs, but if you use a laptop it's surprisingly practical thanks to thoughtfully designed cable management, a smartphone dock, and even a pen well. It's made from sustainably sourced birch coated with a clear lacquer that'll keep it looking great for years to come.
The is designed to help you maintain good posture while you're working long hours on a project. This standing desk adaptor's adjustable drop-down tray helps you maintain the correct distance beween your hands and monitor, and can also be used while you're sitting (the whole unit flattens down to just a few inches). The WorkFit-TX provides a huge workspace for monitors, laptops, graphics tablets and other devices, and it can support up to 40lb of equipment without so much as a wobble. It's not cheap, but it's an impressive feat of engineering that will transform your workspace. One of the best standing desks, and to our mind, the best ergonomic standing desks.
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