Standing desks are an ideal option for weight-conscious and health-oriented individuals. It allows you to finish your tasks conveniently and reduces the health risks associated with other desks that force you to keep sitting for extended periods. This buying guide will help you make the proper selection with our reviews of the top five standing desks and things to consider when buying a standing desk.

Why Invest in a Standing Desk?

Firstly, you must realize the significance of a standing desk. It basically promotes a healthy lifestyle, which is why most people switch to these contemporary workstations. A standing desk helps you burn calories, reduce the risk of cardiovascular ailments, and improve posture. When deciding about the right standing desk, you have to check out the available options from various aspects. Many factors are involved in the decision, from height adjustability to size, shelving, and materials used. For your ease, we provide an overview of all these factors with our top picks in each category.

Size

You can divide standing desks into 2 categories- Add-On and Freestanding. Now, let’s understand their key differences. A freestanding desk is the same as a conventional computer desk. The only difference is that the freestanding desk would be taller. Conversely, the add-on desks feature a platform placed on the existing desk. It is comparatively smaller, so it doesn’t take up much space on your desk. Moreover, you can fit the keyboard and monitor without compromising too much on space and easily store different accessories.

Top Pick in Small, Freestanding Desk:

FEZIBO Dual-Motor Height-Adjustable Electric Standing Desk

FEZIBO Dual-Motor Height-Adjustable Electric Standing Desk

This electric design desk is just 48 inches long. However, it is still pretty functional and provides sufficient space for storing essentials. It features innovative space-saving design details to maximize the use of available space. For instance, it comes with a cable management tray, 2 desk hooks with a cord tray, and a keyboard tray. It comes with a solid alloy steel top and weighs just 78.8 pounds. Although it is a reasonably good freestanding desk, users often complain that the desk is hard to fit on the desktop. Nonetheless, its assembling guide is part of the package along with the 5-year frame, 2-year motor, and 2-year electronic warranties.

Material

Typically, standing desks come in wood, laminate, or metal materials. There are also such models available in which the frame is metal, and the top is laminate or wood.

Top Pick in Large Freestanding Design:

Vari Electric Standing Desk

Vari Electric Standing Desk (60″ x 30″)

Freestanding decks are always a hit among users. Vari’s electric freestanding desk is about 60 inches long and 30 inches deep which is sufficient to accommodate a monitor, mouse, keyboard, documents, and writing essentials with other accessories. This desk weighs around 200 pounds and can support all kinds of electronic gadgets. Its main features include a removable tray, reclaimed wood desktop, and a 5-year warranty.

Adjustability

It is worth noting that all standing desks are well-adjustable as they are designed to accommodate various height levels. This is how the user can switch between sitting and standing postures. However, the adjustability function depends on your selected model, as you may get an electronic button to be pressed or a level that you will pull to make height adjustments. Alternately, you may need to push and pull the desk to your desired height.

Top Pick in Add-On Standing Desk- Small Size:

TechOrbits Standing Desk Converter-32-inch Height Adjustable, MDF Wood, Sit Riser-Black, 32″

TechOrbits Standing Desk Converter-32-inch Height Adjustable, MDF Wood, Sit Riser-Black, 32″

TechOrbits add-on desk only appears small. Due to its deeper desktop, it lets you place a monitor, mouse, and keyboard. The desk has a wooden top and a removable keyboard tray. The keyboard tray is situated at the bottom to provide maximum workspace for the user without increasing the converter’s length. It features a manual mechanism to adjust the height and weighs around 33 pounds. It comes with a 3-year mechanism warranty. Many users appreciate the height adjustment mechanism of FlexiSpot M2B compared to other manual desks in the market.

Top Pick in Add-On Standing Desk- Large Size:

FlexiSpot Height-Adjustable Standing Desk Converter, 40″

FlexiSpot Electric Standing Desk Converter- 40″ 

FlexiSpot is the pioneer in manual, adjustable standing desks…however, this converter is motorized. This one is an add-on desk around 42” long and can hold up to 2 monitors. It features a 2-tier design, using the second tier to place a mouse and keyboard. If you don’t need it, remove it to maximize the workspace. Its top is made from engineered wood, and it weighs approximately 55 pounds. This desk has a 3-year mechanism warranty and a 5-year frame warranty. Users found its setup mechanism much easier than other large desks as the risers come already assembled, and no tools are required in the installation process.

Shelving

Many add-on and freestanding desks feature a shelf at least to keep the mouse and keyboard. Larger standing desks have multiple lower shelves to keep writing accessories, books, and other office essentials.

Top Pick in Corner Desk:

SHW 55-Inch Large Electric Height-Adjustable Computer Desk

SHW 55-Inch Large Electric Height-Adjustable Computer Desk

The SHW electric adjustable desk has an L shape design that lets you fit this desk into a corner to get maximum space in a smaller room or office. This desk comes with 2 grommets on each desktop side to help organize different cables of your monitor, phone, laptop, or other gadgets. This desk has a cherry wood top, and it weighs around 78.6 pounds. Assembling it takes no more than thirty minutes, and it never wobbles with uses at the highest adjustment level.