The 8 Best Standing Desks of 2021

Stretch your legs and correct your posture

Written by
Anne Fritz
Anne Fritz is a health and lifestyle writer for The Spruce. She was also the founding editor of Create For Me, a magazine for women in their 20s.
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Anne Fritz
Updated 01/07/21

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Flexispot Electric Sit Stand Desk at Amazon
"With room for two computer monitors and a keyboard, this desk adjusts from a seated desk to a standing one with a button press."
Best Budget:
Mind Reader 2 Tier Sit and Stand Desk at Staples.com
"This versatile desk is sturdy and has wheels to allow you to move it around while giving presentations or for a change of scenery."
Best Converter:
VIVO Black Height Adjustable Converter at Amazon
"Arriving fully assembled, this converter sits on your existing desk and has a dual-tiered design and removable keyboard tray."
Best Sit-to-Stand:
FEZIBO Electric Height Adjustable with Drawer at Amazon
"This desk offers the versatility of smoothly adjusting height between sitting and standing with a memory function for storing settings."
Best for Small Spaces:
Mr Ironstone Folding Computer Desk at Amazon
"This stylish desk is great for small spaces because it can be folded down and stored and can double as a kitchen bar table."
Best for Tall People:
Vari Electric Standing Desk at Amazon
"With a top height of 50.5 inches, this desk has a beautiful reclaimed wood surface and four programmable height settings."
Best Style:
Bush Business Furniture Height Adjustable L-Shape Desk at Wayfair
"Attractive and functional, this L-shaped desk is height adjustable and can be used seated or standing."
Best Treadmill:
Goplus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill at Walmart
"This under desk treadmill works in conjunction with your standing desk, has a quiet motor, and speed ranges from 1 to 4 kilometers an hour."

If you notice your butt falling asleep, legs going numb, or lower back aching from too much sitting at your desk, an ergonomic standing desk can help alleviate back, shoulder, and bum pain by activating different muscles. Constant chair sitting has been linked to an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and the potential for weight gain.

If you’re considering a standing desk, it’s advised to start slowly; otherwise, you risk a sore back, feet, and legs. Most standing desks convert between sitting and standing heights—some manually, and others with the touch of a button. Look at easily adjustable desks with multiple height options and additional features like drawers, hanging hooks, and portability.

Read on to see the best standing desks that are available online.

Best Overall: Flexispot Standing Desk 48 x 30 Inches Height Adjustable Desk Electric Sit Stand Desk

Flexispot Standing Desk 48 x 30 Inches
Buy on Amazon

When selecting a standing desk for your office, you want one that keeps your elbows at a 90-degree position from the floor. The Flexispot standing desk is adjustable, converting from a seated desk or a standing one. It goes from 28 inches to 47.6 inches at the speed of 1-inch per second at the touch of a button. The desktop offers an oversize workspace of 48 inches by 30 inches—enough to accommodate two computer monitors, a keyboard, and a pad of paper. It can hold up to 154 pounds.

Best Budget: Mind Reader 2 Tier Sit and Stand Desk

Mind Reader 2 Tier Sit and Stand Desk
Buy on Staples.com

This two-tiered standing desk has one level for your keyboard and one for your monitor. It also has wheels, which makes it easy to roll over to a corner when not in use or allows you to walk around your space while presenting. The wheels can lock into place if you need them to stay put.

It is sturdy and effective, but it is missing features like motorized lifting or lowering of the table. To change the table height, you need to manually adjust it by turning knobs. The workspace surface is 28 by 27 inches.

Best Converter: VIVO Black Height Adjustable 32 inch Standing Desk Converter

VIVO Black Height Adjustable Converter
Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart

If you don’t want to buy a whole new desk, you can get a desk converter. VIVO's option goes from 4.5 inches to 20 inches with the push of a lever.

It has a dual-tiered design and a keyboard tray for better ergonomic placement of the monitor at eye level. If you work on a laptop and only need the top tray, the keyboard tray is easily removable, though it does not slide in and out.

The desktop measures 31.5 by 15.7 inches, which is large enough for two computer monitors. It comes nearly fully assembled. You only need to attach the keyboard tray with the included screws and a Philips screwdriver.

Best Sit-to-Stand: FEZIBO Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk with Drawer

FEZIBO Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk with Drawer
Buy on Amazon

You may find that you prefer to sit for part of the day, especially when doing a lot of handwriting, which benefits from seated stability. An easy to use sit-to-stand desk smoothly adjusts from a seated height to a standing one with the push of a button. The Fezibo desk has a memory function that stores up to four of your preferred height settings. The workspace surface measures 48 x 24 inches and has a drawer and a hook.

Best for Small Spaces: Mr Ironstone 31.5” Folding Computer Desk

Mr IRONSTONE 31.5” Folding Computer Desk
Buy on Amazon

If space is an issue, this foldable 39.4 inch-high desk can be stored in a closet or under your bed when not in use. The 31.5-inch x 15.7-inch workspace is made of scratch-resistant P2 MDF board while the hairpin legs are made of stylish matte metal. It comes with 10 hooks where you can conveniently store headphones, a backpack, or a jacket. It comes fully assembled, only requiring that the desktop is clipped into place. It weighs 25 pounds and is easily portable. It can serve double-duty in the kitchen or as a bar table for your next party.

Best for Tall People: Vari Electric Standing Desk 60" x 30"

Vari Electric Standing Desk 60" x 30"
Buy on Amazon

Taller people need taller desks. A 5-foot, 11-inch person needs a desk that is about 44-inches high to work comfortably. The luxe Vari electric desk reaches a top height of 50.5 inches and goes down to 25.5 inches for sitting. The LED control panel holds four programmable height settings, a perfect option if you share this surface with a roommate or partner. The 60- by 30-inch work surface is made of a solid piece of beautiful reclaimed wood. Accessories sold separately include a power hub and active stand mat.

Best Style: Bush Business Furniture Series C Height Adjustable L-Shape Standing Desk

Adjustable L-Shape Standing Desk
Buy on Wayfair

A standing desk doesn’t have to be an eyesore, this bow-front desk is as attractive as it is functional. The top is made of 1" thick thermally fused laminate and the back is finished so you can use the L-shaped desk with its bow-front design in the corner or with some walking space around it. The standing desk is height adjustable and it can be used seated or mechanically lifted to 37, 40, and 43 inches. Thoughtful extras include a wire management system for annoying electronic cords, a three drawer filing cabinet that holds legal, letter, and A4 size folders, and a lock and key.

Best Treadmill: Goplus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill

Goplus 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill
Buy on Walmart

While some of the research on the benefits of standing desks is preliminary, what is proven are the benefits of walking. You can make your workday more active by investing in an under desk treadmill that will work in conjunction with your standing desk (sold separately). If you're on a phone or video conference call, you might appreciate the built-in Bluetooth that pairs with wireless speakers. The motor is quiet, and in walking mode, the speed ranges from 1 to 4 kilometers per hour. It folds, but it is heavy to lift and move.

Final Verdict

A good standing desk allows you to adjust the desk from sitting height to standing height without much effort. With a touch of the button, the Flexispot Standing Desk (view at Amazon) nearly reaches 48 inches and offers ample surface space without gobbling up too much of a footprint. If space is limited, you can look at the Mr. Ironstone 31.5” Folding Computer Desk (view at Amazon), a collapsible desk that you can fold and store. It can even double as a bar table for your next party.
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