The 7 Best Standing Desks, Reviewed by Editors

The Uplift standing desk is one of the most customizable standing desks on the market (with plenty of accessories, storage options, etc.), and is adjustable for people between 5′4″ and 7″. They offer a wide variety of desktop styles to choose from, including laminate, bamboo, solid wood, and live edge wood. That kind of versatility on multiple fronts earned this desk top honors.

But there’s a lot more to mention. The Version 2 took less than an hour to assemble and we were impressed by how thought-out the process was. Smartly designed, it can come equipped with premium wheels that make the thing glide like a dream around the office. While large, the motor is quiet and the keypad is well-made, with a good feel to it.

About the only qualms we had involved the cloth housing that comes standard beneath the desk. It needs to be cut to size to house the cords beneath but it’s not a big issue. And we tested the larger model, which is great, but you’ll need some space for it (go with the 48″ model if real estate is tight).

But back to that savvy design. There are elevated cord cut-throughs that come with a slick fan opening and the verticality of the model is impressive. Moving it up and down is a smooth process and the desk can stop on a dime. Simply put, it’s the best standing desk we’ve used to date.

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We liked this option enough to give it the silver medal overall. It gets a spot on the podium for a variety of reasons, from fairly straightforward and swift assembly to an extremely stable frame. There are nice touches abound, like the classy bamboo surface which really pops, in an earthy kind of way.

What’s more, there’s a helpful outlet and USB/lightning charger on the desktop, which speaks volumes in terms of convenience (no bending down to find that surge protector beneath). It’s the only desk we tested where that comes standard (it is an accessory you can add to the Uplift).

The desk itself is quite responsive when adjusting, and the function is pleasant to use. It can get a little choppy, but overall you’re able to dial it in to tenths of an inch most times. The cable management sleeve also didn’t come with instructions, which added a bit more time, but eventually was enough enough to figure out. And the Jarvis came in five boxes, easily the most of any desk we tested.

All that said, the Fully is simple and straightforward to use. It’s got a premium feel, and will cost you a bit more than the standard Uplift. But it’s also a really solid standing desk.

There’s a lot to like about the Duo, beyond the friendly price tag. For starters, we had it up and running at the office in a quick 45 minutes time. While bells and whistles aren’t really this desk’s thing, it’s a straightforward work horse that won’t let you down. Car-like in the way it moves, the Duo is controlled by a paddle that toggles up and down and brings a unique approach to that design.

Issues? Not many, just the slight delay in setting the height and feet that can wobble (although the spin-to-adjust feet generally combat this). The motor is a bit louder but far from distracting. Overall, this is a perfectly serviceable desk at a great price that looks minimalistic and sharp. If you’re looking to spend the least amount of a good standing desk, the Duo is what you should hone in on.

What makes a standing desk premium? Customization, for one, as this one can be made to order right down to details like size, finish, leg color, power access, and more. There’s a motorized lift that comes with a 12-year warranty, so we can only assume it hums along just fine.

The design details take it to another level—something that we expect from anything Herman Miller builds. We’re talking a clever control lever, angled corners beneath the table to protect your legs, a cool oval-shaped surface, hidden power cord chambers in the desk leg, and a top-to-bottom aesthetic that’s so sharp you just want to wheel it out into the living room for all to see.

Not sure if you want to commit the square footage to a standing desk? This adjustable standing desk converter sits on an existing desktop (like your current desk or even a kitchen counter) to turn any surface into a standing desk. This portable workspace holds up to two large monitors, a laptop, and more. It also features a retractable ergonomic keyboard tray to provide a more streamlined workspace.

The converter comes preassembled and the larger version has become a common sighting in our offices, as these are the ones we use. Personalization comes easy as you can dial-in the height smoothly and to the millimeter. We also appreciate the security at play as the desk locks and unlocks easily and soundly. About the only trait we thought could use some improvement was the keyboard tray, which could stand to come out from the desk a bit farther on some of the models.

Standing desks tend to be on the expensive side, especially the ones involving a motorized element. That’s why we love this affordable option from Flexispot, which comes in under $200 and has a fair amount of desktop space. The motor lift mechanism can adjust the desk from 28″ to 47.6″, while an industrial-grade steel frame ensures a solid surface.

For the price, you might not expect to get an LED control panel but that’s the case here, plus four memory presets. The build is on the sturdy sign as the desk can handle 176 pounds of weight.

This desk is so new that we didn’t get to give it a proper trial at headquarters, but we know from the brand’s reputation and the tech specs of this model that it’s a born winner. If you’re looking to add a little organization to your desk setup, this is the way to go.

Fit with sleek drawers and that signature Grovemade woodsiness, the desk is hand-finished with brushed aluminum drawer chassis. And speaking of that drawer, it comes with merino felt wool-lined compartments where you can file away all your supplies. Best, the drawer is wedge-shaped and set up with a hidden handle.

It is very much on the pricier side for a standing desk. We hope to give this is test run at some point.

Are There Health Benefits of a Standing Desk?

Multiple studies support the benefits of standing desk, which include increased productivity and lowering your risk of adverse health conditions caused by sedentary habits, such as cardiometabolic disease. Another study published by the CDC found that use of a sit-stand desk reduced upper back and neck pain by 54% and improved mood and energy after just 4 weeks. Standing for a few hours every day can improve the quality of your work day, which in turn improves the quality of your life.

How Long Should You Stand at a Standing Desk?

Using a standing desk encourages people to switch from a sitting position to a standing position every hour or so, which experts say is the best way to reduce pain and strain of sitting. Try to spend one hour standing for every one to two hours of sitting. The key is to switch it up often—you don’t want your body to get too comfortable in one position, which could lead to tense muscles.

What’s the Best Height for a Standing Desk?

To reduce strain on your wrists and avoid injury, the proper height for a standing desk allows you to keep your arms at a 90 degree angle and your wrists slightly extended (tilted upwards). You also want to adjust the height of your monitors so that your eyes are looking across at the top third of the monitor comfortably.

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Meet the Expert

• Michael Fredericson, MD is a professor of orthopedic surgery at Stanford University.