The Best Adjustable Desks
It's no secret that most jobs require us to be at a desk all day, and a lot of people feel trapped in a sedentary lifestyle. Standing desks switch up this stagnant cycle by getting people on their feet. Standing desks offer tons of health benefits, yet standing all day can be quite taxing over long periods of time. That's where the numerous advantages of adjustable desks begin. With adjustable desks, you can switch your position from standing to sitting and stay loose and comfortable throughout the day. We looked far and wide and found the absolute best of the best.
What to Look For
As we scoured the market for adjustable desks, we narrowed down the top picks by asking three important questions: Does it adjust easily? Can it hold everything I need on my desk? Will it fit in any space? The desk from Flexispot quickly rose the ranks as our favorite because it can hold a lot of weight and has a large surface area for multiple desktop items. Plus, the motor is simple and adjusts the position of the desk at a smooth and steady pace. However, if you want an excellent electric desk but don’t have the biggest budget, we recommend going with SHW’s sleek and simple design. Read on below to see the rest of our top picks and the reasons why they stood out amongst the crowd.
Flexispot Height Adjustable Desk
Space for screens and everything between
Even though computers and monitors may be getting lighter, it’s become almost necessary to have multiple monitors. Frequently, you may need to have your work visible on one screen while you view video call participants on another (not to mention the all-important text chat window). In the largest available size, this Flexispot desk is fairly wide at 55 inches, but its 28-inch depth is notably generous. With a weight capacity of 132 pounds, you can pile on all your gear and spread it out over the work surface.
Pros:
- If you’re in search of an adjustable desk that can stand up to a lot of weight, go with this one. It has a limit of 150 pounds, so you can place even heavy computers on top.
- The motor moves at a steady and safe pace that takes the weight of adjustment off your shoulders.
- We loved how much surface area the top has. You can easily fit multiple monitors and devices on the top with room to spare.
Cons:
- The assembly is fairly extensive compared with other desks.
Flexispot Quick Install Height Adjustable Desk
Sit and stand when you want
When you’re purchasing essential furniture for your workspace, the last thing you want is a massive construction project in between you and your actual work. This desk is partially pre-assembled so that you can quickly get up and running. The strong design choices go far beyond the initial setup, too. While most comparable desks are built with the legs centered between the front and rear edges, these are set towards the back. This frees up more room under the desk for other items, like filing cabinets. It also means the crossbar is further back, which makes it easier to install a keyboard tray underneath the desktop for a more ergonomic configuration. Finally, the four feet are individually adjustable, so you can make sure the desk is perfectly level.
Pros:
- The motor adjusts the desk at a quiet volume, so you can work in the morning and night without waking up your family or roommates.
- We appreciate the straightforward instructions, which are clear and simple enough for anyone to follow.
Cons:
- It doesn’t have memory height settings, so you’ll have to adjust it by eye each time you change the height.
SHW Memory Preset Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk
Let the desk do the lifting
Standing desks are designed to keep you, well, standing, and the last thing you probably want to have to do before each work session is crouch down and adjust yours. Thankfully, this model from SHW Memory comes fully motorized, allowing you to automatically adjust its height at the push of a button. Even more convenient, the desk allows for four memory presets, so you can just as easily toggle between settings depending on your work needs. The design itself is also premium quality, with strong, sturdy legs constructed of industrial-grade steel and a sleek, stable tabletop that together support all of your office essentials.
Pros:
- Adjustable from 28 to 46 inches in height, this table should accommodate most people’s work-related needs.
- We like that you can choose from a few different colors and styles to best fit your desktop.
Cons:
- It has a smaller surface area than most full desks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Isn’t it time-consuming or annoying to adjust a desk back and forth during the day?
Depending on how often you like to switch positions, it may be helpful to choose a desk that has memory height settings. After you dial in your preferred settings initially, it’s easy to toggle between them quickly without having to fiddle around each time.
How do I stay active while using an adjustable desk?
The great thing about fully adjustable desks is that you aren’t limited to either standing on a bare floor or sitting in a desk chair. There are plenty of ergonomic mats available to cushion your joints as you shift your weight, and some people even like to stand on a balance board. You could also sit on a stationary bike or on an exercise ball. All of these are great options to work your legs or your core to varying degrees, and an adjustable desk can accommodate them all.
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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.