The 11 Best Standing Desk Chairs of 2023

Best Overall

Laura Davidson Furniture Soho II Padded Drafting Chair

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Functional and stylish, the Laura Davidson Furniture Soho Soft Drafting Chair reflects a midcentury modern design. Available in both vegan leather and poly-cotton fabric, this drafting chair is available in 10 color options. The soft chair features a tilt back and includes three soft pads for added comfort, and the steel frame supports up to 400 pounds, among the highest in the chairs reviewed. The armrests are easily attached or detached to suit your needs, and we also like the smooth gas lift, which rises to a height of 40.5 inches. The foot ring is adjustable and allows you to rest your feet and legs after standing at your desk. 

The entire chair is covered for two years, and any mechanical part is covered for life. The company offers a 60-day trial and free returns and shipping. Reviewers love the luxurious faux leather and the sturdy construction, and assembly is straightforward and quick. 

Price at time of publish: $400

_{Dimensions: 25 x 25 x 40.5 inches  | Weight: 50 pounds | Seat height ranges: adjusts from 33 inches to 40.5 inches}

Best Budget

Boss Office Products Be Well Medical Spa Drafting Stool with Back

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This medical stool may seem like an unusual choice, but the Boss Office Products Be Well Medical Spa Drafting Stool is designed for productivity and comfort—making it a great fit for the office. The rolling stool is equipped with a 4-inch-thick molded foam seat, and the plush back cushion provides comfortable back support for extended periods of dedicated work time. The easy-to-reach gas lift seat provides a 6-inch vertical height range to adjust to your workspace. The chrome foot ring offers added leg and foot support.

The vinyl upholstery is no-nonsense, but it’s easy to clean. This drafting stool also has a 275-pound weight capacity, which is more generous than most standing desk chairs. Reviewers are pleased with the stool’s ease of assembly and find that the dual wheel casters move smoothly. It’s worth noting that even on the lowest setting, the stool does not go down to regular desk height. 

Price at time of publish: $80

_{Dimensions: 25 x 25 x 47 inches | Weight: 23.8 pounds | Seat height ranges: adjusts from 28 to 34 inches}

Best Sit Stand

Vari Active Seat

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The Vari Active Seat is an extremely versatile stool that works well for both sitting and standing. The articulating pedestal means you can move in any direction to keep your lower body engaged. This chair is perfect for sitting and standing, allowing you to rock, stretch, or lean throughout the day. The tilt guard prevents the seat from moving forward more than 20 degrees, and the seat adjusts from 25.5 inches to 32.5 inches via an air-lift piston. While this allows for some degree of customization, it might not be short enough for more petite users. 

The seat measures 17 inches wide and can support up to 250 pounds, while the low seat back helps promote better posture. The pedestal sits on a flat base, which keeps the stool stable. According to reviewers, this seat isn’t the most cushioned option, but all in all, it’s a great choice for the occasional sitter.

Price at time of publish: $295

_{Dimensions: 23 x 17 x 15.75 inches  | Weight: 23.84 pounds | Seat height ranges: adjusts from 25.5 inches to 32.5 inches}

Best Portable

Learniture Adjustable-Height Learning Stool

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Although the Learniture Adjustable-Height Learning Stool was originally designed for classrooms, we’d also recommend this wobbling stool for the office, because sometimes we get fidgety, and stabilizing the movement helps keeps us focused. The non-slip curved base naturally allows a slight rocking motion that can help strengthen your core muscles when you sit, while the backless design encourages proper posture (however, if you suffer from low back pain, this stool may not be for you). The height-adjustable seat is made from easy-to-clean vinyl, and it has a minimum height of 18.5 inches and a maximum height of 28 inches.

This stool is lightweight and easy to assemble, and it’s available in five colors, and it has a weight capacity of 265 pounds. One gripe that reviewers have is that the seat is too firm and not very comfortable after a couple of hours. Because of the active movement, you’ll want to be cautious when you first sit on the stool. 

Price at time of publish: $156

_{Dimensions: 13 x 13 x 28 inches | Weight: 2.20 pounds | Seat height ranges: adjusts from 18.5 inches to 28 inches}

Best Adjustable Options

Songmics Standing Desk Chair

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If you’re looking for the back support of a chair without the arms or a back, the Songmics Standing Desk Chair is a solid option. This active-sitting desk stool has a 3-inch-thick seat upholstered with high-density foam covered in black leather for extra comfort and style. The stool adjusts from 23.6 inches up to 33.3 inches — just press the button under the seat, and it moves up or down via a gas cylinder. There are also two handles to help you adjust the height or to simply use as armrests if needed. The stool swivels and tilts in any direction up to a radius of 8 degrees for active sitting, and it rebounds back to 90 degrees when you stand up. Reviewers appreciate the ability to choose their own sitting angle. The wide base offers plenty of stability and anti-slip pads protect the floor from scratches.

The Songmacs has a maximum weight capacity of 265 pounds, and it’s easy to assemble and clean. One downside is that the pneumatic cylinder springs the seat back up when not in use, which can make it challenging for shorter users to get on and off of the stool. For other users, however, it's a great pick.

Price at time of publish: $160

_{Dimensions: 16.1 x 16.1 x 33.3 inches | Weight: 20.9 pounds | Seat height ranges: adjusts from 23.6 inches to 33.3 inches}

Best for Back Pain

ErgoImpact LeanRight Elite Standing Chair

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The ErgoImpact LeanRight Elite Standing Chair isn’t really a chair; it’s not even a stool. Instead, it offers the best of both worlds with a variety of posture-supporting positions from leaning to sitting and standing. The seat pad has three adjustments—15, 45, and 90 degrees—allowing you to stand and lean against it, perch, or, if you really need to, sit. Reviewers call this a "game changer" for helping with back issues. 

The wide base, made of aircraft-grade aluminum and polyurethane, prevents the LeanRight from tipping over, and the anti-fatigue mat reduces fatigue and stress on your lower body.  Reviewers ranging in height from 5 feet to over 6 feet reported that they were able to comfortably find the right height for them. At 270 pounds, the recommended weight limit is a little higher than other options, and the chair is relatively easy to assemble. Some reviewers wished the seat had more adjustment options, but that was the only issue we saw. 

Price at time of publish: $524

_{Dimensions: 30 x 18 x 22.5 inches | Weight: 37 pounds | Seat height ranges: adjusts from 22.5 inches to 46.2 inches}

Most Supportive

Capisco Puls by HÅG

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If you are looking to invest in an eco-friendly back-saving office chair, this may be the option for you. Inspired by a horseback rider’s posture, the HAG Capisco Adjustable Standing Desk Chair has a unique shape that offers endless ways to sit or half stand, which encourages users to vary their positions, depending on what’s most comfortable. The chair’s soft, wide saddle seat opens your hips for a more active position, and the cushioned plus-shaped chair back gives you ample support when you sit back. The unique back design also allows for comfortable sideways and backward sitting. The backrest adjusts forward for a more supportive seat depth, and the lift offers nearly 10 inches of seat height variation. Other adjustments include tilt tension backward and a three-position tilt lock. There is also an optional foot ring or step up for those who need that. 

The chair is made from 50% recycled material and is 90% recyclable, and it’s customizable with eight fabric options and three base color options to fit in your space. The sturdy five-point base is equipped with castors that are suitable for both hardwood floors and low-pile carpets. The easy-to-assemble chair holds a maximum weight of 250 pounds. One minor issue for some reviewers is that this chair is too high for standard-height desks.

Price at time of publish: $1,088

_{Dimensions: 19.5 x 22.8 x 51 inches  | Weight: 30.5 pounds | Seat height ranges: adjusts from 22.4 inches to 31.9 inches}

Best Drafting

Hylone Drafting Chair

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Drafting chairs make good options for standing desks, since they’re taller than the typical office chair and generally include flip-up armrests and tilt adjustments. This Hylone Drafting Chair fits that bill. This high-back drafting chair has a height-adjustable footrest, which is designed to remove pressure on the back of your legs, and the foot ring also helps enhance posture by keeping your feet flat. The contoured padded armrests flip up, allowing you to keep your elbows neutral and arms close to your side. The wide back and ample seat are covered with a breathable high-quality mesh, and the ergonomic backrest offers curved contours to keep your back supported and your body properly aligned. This chair has a 285-pound capacity, and it swivels 360 degrees, making it easier to reach the things around you without straining your body. 

The heavy-duty base offers plenty of stability, and the commercial-grade gas lift assures that the chair moves up and down smoothly. Reviewers love this chair because it works great at a normal desk level but is also comfortable at a standing desk height. They also found it to be easy to assemble. However, some users complained that the footrest doesn’t extend out enough to be helpful, and a few others wished there were a tilt function on the seat.

Price at time of publish: $190

_{Dimensions: 21.4 x 17.7 x 51.4 inches  | Weight: 39.4 pounds | Seat height ranges: adjusts from 22.4 inches to 30.3 inches}

Best Armless

OCOMMO Standing Desk Chair

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Whether you’re on the computer, gaming, or drafting, the OCOMMO Standing Desk Chair is a versatile choice for sit-to-stand desks. This modern stool promotes support while standing or leaning. It’s easy to adjust this backless chair—using the hand or foot lever, simply raise or lower the seat to stand, lean, or sit. There are three height options to choose from: 23.8 inches, 35.4 inches, and 46.5 inches, and users from 5 feet tall to 6 feet 4 inches tall all find it equally comfortable. 

The base is 22 inches wide and 30.7 inches long for a wide, stable platform, so there’s no need to worry about wobble or tipping. Two wheels in the back of the base move the chair around easily. The attached anti-fatigue mat is designed to reduce strain on your feet and legs.  Reviewers love the chair, but some wish the seat pad were a little less firm. Some users also complain that the base is slippery, and recommend not standing on it without shoes. 

Price at time of publish: $322

_{Dimensions: 30.7 x 22 x 46.5 inches  | Weight: 30.9 pounds | Seat height ranges: adjusts from 23.8 inches to 46.5 inches}

Most Ergonomic

Flash Furniture Kelista Mid-Back Mesh Ergonomic Drafting Chair

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The Flash Furniture Kelista Mid-Back Mesh Drafting Chair has a plethora of ergonomic features at an affordable price point. The ventilated curved seat back provides lumbar support and breathability. The waterfall edge on the front of the seat is designed to relieve pressure on the back of the thighs and offers added support to alleviate stress behind the knees, and the height-adjustable foot ring keeps your legs from hanging uncomfortably. The padded armrests flip up and out of the way so you can get closer to the desk, promoting better posture. 

The pneumatic adjustment level allows you to easily adjust the seat to your desired height, and the tilt lock mechanism rocks and tilts the chair and also locks it in an upright position. There’s also a tilt tension adjustable knob to adjust the backward tilt resistance. The main issue we found is the mixed reviews over ease of assembly. Another minor issue we encountered is that the chair gets a little squeaky over time, though that’s nothing a little WD-40 can’t solve. 

Price at time of publish: $180

_{Dimensions: 24.5 x 25.5 x 50.75 inches | Weight: 33 pounds | Seat height ranges: adjusts from 24 inches to 30 inches}