The Best Standing Desks
Whether you work from home or want to upgrade your office, a standing desk can make a big difference in your day-to-day life. While a standing desk can't do your work for you nor write that email you've been dreading, it can provide you with a more comfortable workplace and a healthier posture throughout the day. Those of us who've worked long hours sitting at a desk know that the struggle is real, and the physical discomfort is a warning sign that you should heed. To protect your spine and neck, opt for a standing desk, which can be raised when you feel like standing and lowered when you're ready to sit again.
What to Look For
In order to find the best standing desks on the market, we asked ourselves three questions: How sturdy is the desk’s construction? How easy is it to adjust the height? How big is the desk’s surface? Our favorite product was the ApexDesk Elite Pro Series, which is a fine balance of sturdy, sleek, responsive, and affordable. However, the ApexDesk does come with a hefty price tag, and that’s precisely why FEZIBO’s solid, budget-friendly desk made its way into our favorites. Read on to learn about the rest of our top picks and why they stood out to us.
ApexDesk Elite Pro Series Electric Adjustable Standing Desk
The pinnacle of perfection
Our pick for the best standing desk is this one from ApexDesk. Its design is spectacular. The shape of the top is ergonomically curved so that you can sit or stand closer to the desk. The top is made from MDF wood, which is very durable and will last for years. It has a smooth matte finish and beveled edges for a finished look. The base is made from heavy-duty black steel, which you can count on to hold up. When you want to adjust this desk from sitting to standing, you simply press a button. Then the two integrated motors kick in and raise the desk to your desired height.
Pros
- Adjustments are fast and responsive.
- This strong desk can support up to 235 pounds.
- We appreciate that the four height presets can be programmed to your preferences.
- While it isn’t cheap, this is the kind of high-quality furniture that you can count on to last for many years.
Cons
- It doesn’t come with a cable management tray.
Vari Electric Standing Desk
Quality doesn't come cheap
This is a top-notch standing desk from Vari, and you can assemble it in less than five minutes. And the fun doesn’t stop there. After you assemble this desk, you will like what you see. The top is spacious enough to hold three monitors. It is constructed from high-quality laminate, which looks great and can stand the test of time. The steel frame has a crossbar to make sure the top is stable at any height. Speaking of heights, you can adjust this desk between a wide range of heights. It comes with a cable management tray to keep all of your cables in order.
Pros
- It can be assembled in less than five minutes.
- It’s available in several different sizes and styles, so you can choose the perfect pick for your workspace and stature.
- Thanks to the wide variety of color options, you can find a color that complements your workspace.
Cons
- You have to hold down the “memory” button to get to your preset height, rather than having to simply press the button once.
FEZIBO Height Adjustable Electric Standing Desk
No need to splurge
You’ve probably noticed that electric standing desks can be pretty pricey. That’s why we love this option from FEZIBO, which offers all the strength, convenience, and style of most premium options. Yet with such a bargain price point, the sturdiness and smooth adjustments surprised us. We were also thrilled to see all the different designs, with options ranging from all-black to rustic faux-wood grain. Best of all, the assembly is fast and easy, so you can start enjoying your budget desk within less than an hour.
Pros
- The motor operates relatively quietly.
- It includes a hanger on the side for headphones and other gadgets.
- This is one of the lowest prices on the market for an electric standing desk.
Cons
- The tabletop isn’t solid wood, as it assembles together from two separate pieces.
SHW Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk
More space to scribble
For another terrific standing desk, check out this one from SHW. At 55 inches long, it will have plenty of room to hold your monitors, keyboard, mouse, joystick, and anything else you want to put on it. It has a digital display handset that is very easy to use to adjust the height of the desk. The strong steel legs use telescopic adjustment to move up and down. This desk’s lowest height is 28 inches, and its highest height is 45 inches. To help you deal with all of your wires, this desk has a hole in it that you can run all the cables through. Then, under the top, there is a hanging wire basket to hold all of the cords.
Pros
- Not all standing desks are as beautiful as this. If you want a desk that’ll also add visual flair to the room, this one will do it.
- Programming your custom height presets is a cinch — you won’t have to wrangle with a clunky interface to dial in your preferred settings.
Cons
- You might need a second person to help you assemble this desk.
Flexispot EC1 Essential Adjustable Desk
Fine-tuning made easy
Flexispot has made a fantastic standing desk. The electric motor moves the desk at a speed of one inch per second, allowing you to go from sitting to standing in less than 10 seconds. It has a minimum height of 28 inches and a maximum height of 47.6 inches. The motor is very quiet, so you hardly notice it. The frame is made from industrial-strength, powder-coated steel tubing, which can reliably hold a maximum of 154 pounds and is also scratch-resistant. The top of the desktop offers plenty of workspace for desktop computers, speakers, keyboards, and more. The two-button controller is easy to use and programmable with three preset heights, too.
Pros
- The desktop is a single piece, so there aren’t any gaps to worry about.
- The quiet motor makes this desk great for offices, as it won’t disturb your coworkers when you adjust the desk’s height.
- Standing desks in this price range are usually pretty unreliable, but this pick truly punches above its weight.
Cons
- The included wire clips may not be sufficient to hold all of your cables.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the standing desk be set at any height or only two heights?
Most electric standing desks let you adjust the height to whatever level you want (within its minimum and maximum bounds). Most standing desks will allow you to set a few custom heights so that at the click of a button, you can go from sitting to standing at the right level without having to measure every time.
How long does the standing desk take to assemble?
The assembly time varies considerably for each desk. Most take anywhere from five minutes to two hours. But you only have to do it once, and then you’re set with a great desk.
Does the standing desk have a battery or need to be plugged in?
The standing desks that have electric motors need to be plugged in as they usually do not have batteries. Each desk differs, so make sure to read the instruction manual to find out how your desk works.
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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.