How tall should a standing desk be?

That depends on how tall you are. A standing desk should be tall enough so that your bent elbows are at a 90-degree angle from the floor, allowing you to type comfortably and without straining your wrists. Choose an adjustable height standing desk for the most customizable experience.

How do you stand at a standing desk?

The most ergonomic way to stand at a desk is with both feet planted flat, knees unlocked and approximately shoulder-width apart. Take care that your weight is distributed equally on both legs while you are standing still, shifting often to keep your circulation moving and stay alert. Be aware of your posture, and make adjustments to desk height or the position of your keyboard or mouse so that you are not looking either up or down at the screen, which can cause neck strain. Some people also prefer to use an anti-fatigue mat to prevent joint pain when standing for long periods of time.

How long should you stand at a standing desk?

Standing desks were invented to correct the modern problem of too much sitting at our desks. But, too much standing can also cause discomfort. While there is no definitive medical recommendation on how much you should sit or stand, most experts agree that a hybrid approach that allows you to change postures between sitting and standing positions is your best bet. Choose an adjustable sit-to-stand desk to create seamless options at the touch of a button so you can switch it up according to how your body feels at any given moment on any given day.

Is a standing desk beneficial?

Standing desks can help reduce the back pain caused by sitting all day, but they also put more pressure on your hips, knees, and feet. You may burn slightly more calories when using a standing desk, but not a significant amount more. The best way to use a standing desk is to alternate between sitting and standing and make sure you practice correct posture.

The 7 Best Standing Desks of 2022

Commerce Photo Composite — The Spruce / Sabrina Jiang

If you work at your desk for long periods of time, you have probably looked for ways to make it more dynamic and comfortable. A standing desk is a great way to keep your body moving and give you plenty of options to work throughout the day.

After hours of research and vetting, our best overall pick is the Seville Classics Airlift Sit-Stand Desk, which comes with convenient features like charging ports and a dry erase desktop. However, there are plenty of other options to choose from.

Read on for the best standing desks for work and home.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Seville Classics Airlift Sit-Stand Desk at Amazon

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Best Budget:

Seville Classics Airlift Adjustable Laptop Podium at Amazon

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Best Electric Adjustable:

SHW Adjustable Standing Desk at Amazon

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Best Converter:

Flexispot Standing Desk Converter at Flexispot.com

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Best L-Shaped:

Uplift Curved Corner Standing Desk at Upliftdesk.com

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Best for Small Spaces:

Vari Essential Electric Standing Desk at Vari.com

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Best Portable:

Siducal Mobile Stand Up Desk at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look for
FAQ
Why Trust The Spruce

4.9

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Home Depot View On Walmart

What We Like

Adjustable
Dry erase desktop
Multiple charging ports

What We Don't Like

Very little storage

Who else recommends it? Forbes and Gear Patrol both picked the Seville Classics Airlift Sit-Stand Desk.

What do buyers say? 90% of 1,000+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.

Our best overall pick is the Airlift Adjustable Height desk from Seville Classics, which has all of the features that you'd want in a standing desk without breaking the bank. It has multiple charging ports built in to keep your tech ready to go without having to untangle cords or look for multiple outlets. The sleek desktop works with dry erase markers, perfect for jotting down notes or working with your team.

The desk is low on storage, and you may need to purchase another cabinet if you have a lot of storage needs. The advantage of the standing desk is that it can be adjusted without clearing your workspace, making it perfect for those who want to change throughout the day.

Dimensions: 24 x 47.5 x 47.75 inches | Materials: Tempered glass | Shape: Rectangle

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Sevilleclassics.com

What We Like

Budget-friendly
Small footprint
Wheeled base

What We Don't Like

Manual adjustment
No storage

If you want to be able to work at your computer station while standing—all without investing hundreds of dollars in an elaborate desk—consider the Airlift Adjustable Laptop Podium, also from Seville Classics. It adjusts from sitting to standing manually and is great for an option that you only need occasionally. Because it has a wheeled base, it is also easy to move around for presentations or alternate workspaces.

The podium doesn’t have any storage, which makes it better for presentations or as a supplemental workspace rather than a primary desk. If you don’t need the storage or want it to be separate, the Airlift podium is a great option for your space and budget.

Dimensions: 16 x 32 x 24 inches | Materials: Metal and wood | Shape: Rectangle

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Four presets
Large adjustable height range
Various colors available

What We Don't Like

Control panel is bulky
No storage

The electric motor can adjust the Adjustable Standing Desk from SHW from 28 to 45 inches. One of the best features of this model is that you can create up to four presets. This allows desk users to adjust the desk to their perfect setup by just pressing a single button. If you have to share a desk with others, this can make everything much easier and faster.

The desk doesn’t have any storage and the control panel does stick out just a bit compared to some other standing desk options. It won’t bother most users but doesn’t provide as sleek of a look for your office.

Dimensions: 40 x 20 x 26 inches | Materials: Steel | Shape: Rectangle

The 10 Best Computer Desks for Your Home

Amazon

View On Flexispot.com

What We Like

Budget-friendly
Two risers
Works with rectangular or L-shaped desks

What We Don't Like

Industrial style
No storage

If you want the option to have a standing desk without investing a lot of money in a new piece of furniture, the Standing Desk Converter from FLEXISPOT fits the bill. It is an add-on piece that goes on top of your existing desk and can be adjusted to convert your workstation to a standing desk. It has two risers, perfect for a monitor and keyboard. It can increase the height of your desktop by 4.7 to 19.7 inches. It also works on a standard rectangular desk or an L-shaped corner desk. Overall, it has just about everything that you need.

Depending on your style, you may find the addition of a standing desk converter distracting or clunky. It comes in four different colors but is still rather utilitarian-looking overall. It also doesn’t have any additional storage, but you can use your existing desk for convenient storage solutions.

Dimensions: 23.2 x 28.4 x 28 inches | Materials: Engineered wood and steel | Shape: Rectangle

Uplift

View On Upliftdesk.com

What We Like

Large adjustable height range
Large desktop

What We Don't Like

Accessories cost extra

There is a noticeable lack of options for L-shaped standing desks, so it’s no surprise that the well-designed Curved Corner desk from UPLIFT is quite pricey. It adjusts from 25.3 inches to 50.9 inches, which the company recommends for users from 5 feet 4 inches tall to 6 feet 10 inches tall. The L-shaped desktop is one piece, so you'll have plenty of space to spread out for larger projects.

You can add accessories to your workspace bundle, such as small storage drawers or standing rocker boards, but they do cost extra. Considering the Curved Corner standing desk is already an expensive desk, it can end up costing quite a lot to get the ideal setup.

Dimensions: 72 x 47 x 28 inches | Materials: Recycled wood, bamboo, or rubberwood | Shape: L-shaped

We Tested 22 Office Chairs in Our Des Moines Lab—Here Are 9 of the Best

Vari

View On Vari.com

What We Like

Small footprint
Four presets
Budget-friendly

What We Don't Like

No storage
Cable tray not compatible

Vari is a well-respected name in standing desks, and the Essential Electric standing desk has all of the reliable features without taking up too much space. The height can be adjusted with the touch of a button from 27.5 to 47.2 inches. There are also four preset options that can be programmed.

The desk doesn’t have any storage included, which may be an issue in smaller spaces. Vari does offer a file cabinet that fits underneath, even in the sitting desk configuration, but it almost doubles the price of your entire setup. It also doesn’t work with the Vari cable tray, so you will need to find another option to keep your cords tidy.

Dimensions: 48 x 24 x 27.5 inches | Materials: Laminate | Shape: Rectangle

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Wheeled base
Double adjustable desktops

What We Don't Like

Can be shaky

This rolling stand-up desk from SIDUCAL has adjustable height and multiple workspaces. You can convert it from 27.5 to 45.3 inches tall and adjust the angle of the two workspaces independently to make it easier to write, draw, or draft. If you need a larger workspace, simply keep the two desktops level and spread out.

The wheels make it easy to move but might impact stability, especially if you have the desk set up on carpet or another uneven surface. For aggressive typers, this can become quite an issue. The wheels do have brakes, which will keep the desk from rolling away.

Dimensions: 21.65 x 21.65 x 45.3 inches | Materials: Laminate and steel | Shape: Rectangle

The Best Home Office Desks for Every Size, Shape, and Need

Final Verdict

Our top pick is the Seville Classics Airlift Sit-Stand Desk for its budget-friendly price, ease of adjustment, and compatibility with tech needs. The desktop surface that works with dry erase markers for notes really puts it over the top. If you're looking to convert your existing desk into a standing option, we recommend the FLEXISPOT Standing Desk Adjustment Workstation.

Fixed vs adjustable

If you know that you will want to move between a sitting desk and a standing desk as you work, you will want to look for an adjustable height desk. This allows you to change the height based on how you want to use it. Adjustable height desks can be powered manually or with electricity. Electric models tend to be more expensive but often integrate well with technology.

Height range

Adjustable standing desks typically operate within the range of 25 inches (for sitting) and 50 inches (for standing). If you are particularly tall or short, you may want to look for something that has a larger range. Also, consider if you use a chair riser or support that will adjust your height while working.

Desktop surface

Make sure that you find a desk that has a large enough workspace surface for your needs. Many standing desks are designed to work well with computers and may not be as well suited for larger projects. If you know that you will need the space to spread out, make sure to look for a large desktop surface.

Storage

Standing desks are notorious for having very little storage. Most have just a small drawer, and some don’t have any storage at all. Fortunately, they do have plenty of open space underneath, which can be used to put additional storage pieces. If having storage is a priority for you, look for a standing desk with drawers or set money aside for additional storage solutions.

FAQ

How tall should a standing desk be?

That depends on how tall you are. A standing desk should be tall enough so that your bent elbows are at a 90-degree angle from the floor, allowing you to type comfortably and without straining your wrists. Choose an adjustable height standing desk for the most customizable experience.
How do you stand at a standing desk?

The most ergonomic way to stand at a desk is with both feet planted flat, knees unlocked and approximately shoulder-width apart. Take care that your weight is distributed equally on both legs while you are standing still, shifting often to keep your circulation moving and stay alert. Be aware of your posture, and make adjustments to desk height or the position of your keyboard or mouse so that you are not looking either up or down at the screen, which can cause neck strain. Some people also prefer to use an anti-fatigue mat to prevent joint pain when standing for long periods of time.
How long should you stand at a standing desk?

Standing desks were invented to correct the modern problem of too much sitting at our desks. But, too much standing can also cause discomfort. While there is no definitive medical recommendation on how much you should sit or stand, most experts agree that a hybrid approach that allows you to change postures between sitting and standing positions is your best bet. Choose an adjustable sit-to-stand desk to create seamless options at the touch of a button so you can switch it up according to how your body feels at any given moment on any given day.
Is a standing desk beneficial?

Standing desks can help reduce the back pain caused by sitting all day, but they also put more pressure on your hips, knees, and feet. You may burn slightly more calories when using a standing desk, but not a significant amount more. The best way to use a standing desk is to alternate between sitting and standing and make sure you practice correct posture.

This article was researched and written by Katie Begley, a freelance writer specializing in home and family products. Katie has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. She has worked in office spaces with standing desks as well as set up a convertible riser in her home office. To compile this list, she considered how well each desk fit the needs of daily work as well as ease of adjustment.