Maybe you’ve heard: “sitting is the new smoking.” That might be an exaggerated and oversimplified catchphrase, but there’s no question that sitting still for a prolonged period of time may lead to various health problems such as back pain, weight gain, and a heightened risk for various diseases.
As the dangers of too much sitting become more widely known and firmly established, many companies and employees are looking for ways to reduce the time spent sitting at work.
A growing amount of scientific research has been pointing to the benefits of standing desks in order to combat the dangers of prolonged sitting. Standing at work may result in increased productivity through staying alert and focused, as well as a healthier body with more calories burnt in a day.
A quick Google search will reveal several standing desk reviews, discussing the pros and cons of a variety of items. The possibilities are nearly endless, and that’s why we’ve taken the time to research and review 5 of the best standing desk options — each a little different from the others, so as to fit your individual needs.
40″ Mobile Adjustable-Height Stand Up Desk with Monitor Mount
Streamlined and minimalistic, this desk is an excellent option as one of your most basic standing desks. The desk is adjustable, so that it can be assembled at an ideal height for the individual user — but it is not a hand-crank or motorized desk, so it may be cumbersome to adjust to different heights once assembly is complete.
The adjustable monitor mount clears up space on the desktop by allowing the user to mount a monitor screen above the desktop (which is also a good ergonomic feature because it elevates the monitor screen to eye level), but the mount can be removed if it’s not needed. The desk is made with a gray metal frame, and comes with two color options for the desktop, black or dark walnut.
An Amazon bestseller with an affordable price tag and a host of 4 and 5-star reviews, this desk provides a great balance between design and functionality.
60″ Split Top Electric Stand Up Desk
This split top desk allows for easy motorized height adjustment, a great feature to have if you will need to alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day or if multiple people will use the same desk.
The split top allows for a computer monitor to be placed above a keyboard, creating a better ergonomic space by setting the monitor closer to eye level (similar to the effect of the monitor mount).
The split top does, however, create a less streamlined effect, and the break in shelf space may not provide the maximum space or highest efficiency in storing whatever items need to go on the desk. This is fine if you don’t need a lot of storage space on a desktop, or if you simply prefer the aesthetic design of two shelves rather than a flat tabletop desk.
The design is similar to the 40” desk, with a steel frame and the option to choose between black or dark walnut shelves. This is another one with lots of 4 and 5-star reviews on Amazon.
Mobile Laptop Desk Cart with or without Side Table
If you are a laptop user looking for the cheapest option, the greatest amount of mobility, and the simplest style, then the laptop desk cart from Seville Options is a great choice.
It can be purchased with or without a small side table attached to the desk. The side table is excellent if you wish to use your laptop with a mouse, or if you want a place to set a drink or snack.
The height is easily adjustable on both desks, but the desk with the side table features an adjustable tabletop that can be slanted to different angles. Even if you don’t need the side table, the slanted tabletop is preferable from an ergonomic standpoint.
The desk is on wheels (both options), which makes it easily transportable throughout a home or workspace, and is small enough to be moved between locations if necessary.
UpTrak Standing Desk – Conversion Desk
If you’re in an office of cubicles or another environment where you can’t buy a whole new desk, then a conversion kit may be ideal.
This adjustable shelf can be placed on a normal desk, then raised and lowered to create a standing desk that is ideal for your individual height. There is room on the desktop surface for either a laptop or a monitor and keyboard.
One of the advantages to a conversion kit like this is that you could still use your main desktop as a storage shelf, while making the heightened desktop your primary work area.
StandDesk’s Customizable Stand Up Desk
StandDesk’s sleekly designed, motorized-adjustable desk allows the purchaser to build their own desk through a few unique customization options.
For the desktop, you can choose between black or white laminate or between two styles of bamboo.
For the frame, you have the options of “standard,” “plus,” and “deluxe”—standard meaning you get the basic frame with a simple 2-button controller to adjust the height of the desk, the plus design including the 2-button height controller in addition to a cable management tray, and the deluxe option providing a more complex memory-height controller along with the cable management tray.
You can also purchase other accessories and extras through StandDesk’s website.
The simple yet elegant design of this desk is one of its best features — the flat tabletop minimizes any feel of clutter, and the bamboo top can even be used with dry-erase markers!
But the desk is just as practical as it is beautiful, with plenty of room for either a laptop or a standard desktop computer. The ease of height adjustment even gives you the option to switch between standing and sitting if necessary at any point, and the competitive pricing provides excellent value for money.
Conclusion on the Best Standing Desk
As you can see from these standing desk reviews, there is a huge amount of variety in standing desks. Some products are designed only for standing, while others are designed to allow the user to alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day.
You can purchase an entire desk that is designed to function as a standing desk, or you can purchase a shelf-style add-on to your traditional desk. With so many options, there’s no longer any excuse to remain sitting all day, and we hope this list will help you to find the best standing desk for you and your own needs!