10 Best Standing Desks
How To Find The Best Standing Desks
The philosophy that health is wealth should be carried out in the workplace. And after a tiring day at work, it can be difficult to muster up the energy to hit the gym or power your way through a home workout to awaken your dormant muscles.
Office fatigue is so common now that many doctors are taking notice of the negative impacts the desk-life has on employees. Thankfully, some brands have come up with a solution to revitalize leg muscles, ensuring healthy blood flow while allowing you to still be productive.
Standing desks, or desks that can move up and down with the press of a button, aren’t just futuristic pieces of furniture. They’re designed to give you the choice to stretch and be more mobile. So, instead of staying stuck glued to a chair and working endless hours in front of a monitor, users can stand whenever the mood hits—without hurting their productivity.
But, though they seem like novel pieces of furniture, there’s plenty of variety, with companies constantly bringing out newer and slicker designs. Don’t sweat it, this best standing desk article will feature noteworthy options to help you select the best one for you.
How Standing Desks Work
There was once a time when standing desks were custom-made for those higher up in the corporate world. But, now that they’ve garnered lots of hype with numerous options on the market, it’s important to note what makes each of them unique.
It’s no secret that office jobs can be physically draining despite the lack of physical activity. In short, humans simply weren’t built to withstand 8+ hours sitting in a chair—especially an uncomfortable one.
There are countless articles on the web telling us to make sure we get up and move around for five minutes every hour, but those that work in an office know how difficult that can be. Whether you’re stuck in a zoom meeting, super focused on the task at hand, or you simply forget, it’s likely that you aren’t getting your hourly stretches in.
The result? A body that stays immobile for too long. Many people end up experiencing stiff muscles, a sore back, poor posture, or weight gain… or all of the above.
Standing desks provide a solution. Whether you choose to stand all day or alternate between standing and sitting, your body will thank you.
There are even some claims that standing desks can reduce the amount of stress we feel. And, that they keep you energized as the day goes on—no more worrying about dozing off while on the clock.
If you’re clocking in a full workday in front of a desk or even a laptop or desktop at home, then you might want to consider a standing desk for its benefits.
The 10 Best Standing Desks
With so many options, it can be difficult to pick the right desk. To make things easier, we’ve selected options from 10 different brands, including household names like IKEA, as well as up-and-comers like Humanscale.
The list will break down the need-to-know deats about the companies, desk features, delivery and costs, and more. By the end of this review, you’ll have all the resources you’ll need to choose the best standing desk.
#1: Uplift Desk
About the brand:
Founded in 2002, Uplift Desk has grown to become a leading retailer of standing desks. Part of its success is due to the fact that its founder, Jon Paulsen, is a Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE) who studies workforce systems and employee habits for the betterment of working life.
With the conception of Uplift stemming from humble origins in Utah, it has become the go-to brand for fortune 500 companies, the US military, and even NASA. It develops desks that suit the uniqueness of your workstation and revolve around the philosophy of ergonomics.
What You Get:
Uplift is for anyone who needs a desk. If you’re working from a home office, don’t be deterred by the fact that this brand supplies them to NASA and the military.
Its desks come in numerous wood styles and colors to fit any room. Whether you love pristine white or the look of industrial workspaces, Uplift has a desk to match your desired aesthetic.
Uplift offers three types of standing desks, a standard front-facing desk, an L-shaped desk for those who have multiple monitors, and a curved corner desk.
Beyond these three best standing desk options, Uplift also offers adjustable conference desks and compact desks for just your device (laptop, iPad, or desktop monitor), ideal for gamers, designers, and content creators.
Uplift desks range from $199-$3400 with most standard standing desks costing around $599.
And, while standing desks are what Uplift specializes in, the brand also offers office supplies and other furniture items, such as chairs, keyboards, and storage solutions. These items are designed to complement the dimensions of its desks for a smarter and cleaner design.
Delivery & Cost:
Shipping and delivery standards are managed by FedEx. Fees are calculated upon checkout, even for customers within the US. Orders are processed and arrive depending on what zone you’re in since Uplift ships from different warehouses, meaning certain states will receive orders faster than others.
Overall, it takes between 1-7 days for orders to be delivered. But, if you’re situated in a red zone it could take more than a week for your parcel to arrive.
Uplift also provides a 2-day delivery service as part of expedited shipping for an additional charge. There’s an assembling service if you happen to have butterfingers, but the brand also offers a 7-minute tutorial on how to assemble your desk if you’re more of a DIY kind of person.
Assembling fees are broken into three classifications:
- Two leg desk assembly: $319
- Three leg desk assembly: $419
- Packaging removal: $130 per desk
Maybe you’ve discovered the best standing desk but later realize it’s not for you. You can breathe a sigh of relief because Uplift offers 30-days free returns so you can test out a desk and other products, risk-free.
That being the case, returns take 3-5 business days to be approved. Once your return has passed this stage, it’ll take an additional 2-5 business days to process the return.
#2: Fully
About the brand:
Fully is a brand that utilizes sensors in its standing desk options. With the goal of creating a workplace in which “everyone can feel and do their best,” the company wants to provide simple and smart solutions that make day-to-day life a little easier.
David Khal, the brand’s founder, set out with a vision after a single piece of furniture altered the state of his health and ended his back pain during his corporate accounting days. Now, he strives to create office essentials that bridge the divide between the mind and body, valuing them as singular, one affecting the other.
What You Get:
The best standing desk should appeal to your workspace—not the other way around. We all know how exhausting it can be to move everything in a room just to set up a new piece of furniture. Fully has considered the big and the small, from cramped home spaces to spacious offices at large companies.
Fully offers the same desk types with front-facing, L-shaped, and cornered standing desks. But, the brand takes it a step further to include a diversification of desk options that are eye-catching and aesthetically pleasing.
Related: Read our Fully Standing Desk Review for a full analysis.
Fully has fixed-height desks that are minimalistic, standing desks with storage units attached, and even mini standing desks for really, really small spaces.
In addition to the many options, the company offers affordable pricing and occasional sales. Prices range from $100-$2500, but most desks go for $200-$300.
Overall, what makes Fully unique in producing the best standing desks is its variety of edgier and modern designs, some coming with embedded drawers, laminated tabletops, or even a treadmill. To top it all off, the smart adjuster on the standing desks only requires a simple tap so you’re not wasting time cranking a desk up and down by hand.
Delivery & Cost:
Fully ships within the US, Canada, and across Europe, with a few restrictions placed on orders sent out to Hawaii and Canada.
All shipping fees are calculated upon checkout with no expedited shipping option available. But, Fully ships orders within 1-3 business days, and shipments are processed by the closest warehouse to ensure the swiftest delivery. Deliveries take 1-7 business days.
Returns are processed for free within the first 30 days of receiving an order for those living within the US. International shipping charges are applied for regions out of state and will be determined once a return form is filled out.
#3: Flexispot
About the brand:
Flexispot is another brand that offers standing desks with a focus on ergonomics. Although you might not have heard of it, the retailer has actually been manufacturing standing desks for two decades and provides them to over 1k companies.
In contrast to other brands on this list that concentrate on a corporate and professional lifestyle, Flexispot is as flexible as its name suggests. It offers an extensive breadth of desks that facilitate different occupations and are fit for people of all ages—which is why it’s one of the best standing desks brands out there.
What You Get:
To start, Flexispot offers different standing desks. If you’re a gamer, sewer, artist, designer, or architect, you’ll find an option that has been engineered to support that activity. Plus, the desk will utilize ergonomic technology for the most comfortable experience.
For example, Flexispot has a sewing desk that has an extendable top to place a sewing machine on. It allows you to sit and sew or to stand and have all the other materials and supplies at an elevated height.
To make the company’s desks even more unique and health-conscious, it also has a bike desk. You can literally pedal your way through work.
There are even options that adjust to the average height of a child (most brands only cater to adults). With long hours spent on YouTube or online classes, finding the best standing desk for a child can be a tough mission, but Flexispot customizes desks for primary, middle school, and college-aged kids.
The desks are also waterproof and have safe cornered edges. So, you can rest easy knowing that it will last and take on any child-related damage—or coffee spills.
Plus, if you’re a visual learner, Flexispot also has a desk with a tabletop that’s an entire whiteboard. It can be fully adjusted to face forwards or lowered as a typical desk, and regardless of what position it’s in, you can write all over it.
Standing desks from Flexispot start around $200 and will increase based on how customized it is.
Delivery & Cost:
Flexispot offers free shipping to 48 US states—residents in Hawaii and Alaska are charged shipping fees associated with FedEx ground shipping. Orders generally take 3-8 business days to be delivered.
The brand offers a 30-day risk-free trial and allows returns within this period. In order to redeem a refund, a request form must be filled out and if approved, your refund will arrive within 7-10 business days.
If items are in a brand-new condition and pass an inspection check, then Flexispot does not apply a restocking fee. Otherwise, a 10% reduction is applied on the return. If you’d like to make a return that’s past 30 days, a shipping fee will also be deducted.
#4: Branch Furniture
About the brand:
Clean and minimalistic, Branch is an office furniture supplier that offers great savings for those shopping on a budget.
Founded in 2018, Greg Hayes discovered something we’ve all had at the back of our minds—office furniture is often ugly and hard to shop for. Plus, customers usually have to choose between really expensive pieces that take ages to arrive or cheaply built items with speedy delivery.
Ultimately, Branch’s philosophy is to offer furniture and supplies at half the cost without compromising quality or efficiency. So, you get the full package without hurting your wallet.
What You Get:
If you’re wondering what makes Branch’s product one of the best standing desks, it’s because the company only offers one. When designing this product, the brand really honed in all the engineering and technology to produce a single product that it considers perfect.
Related: Read our Brand Furniture Review to learn more.
Branch’s standing desk comes with a sensor and four levels of modification, as well as legs that adjust to three different height levels. It’s designed to be functional for different tasks and to fit a variety of spaces with its modern look of white metal and light oak.
Despite the brand’s promise of affordability, the desk is priced at $925. An extendable arm comes with the additional charge of $159.
Delivery & Cost:
Delivery and assembling are free on orders over $1000. So, if you intend on getting the standing desk with the extendable arm, you will be well within this requirement. Otherwise, shipping fees will be applied and calculated upon checking out.
If you’re alarmed by the price but really want to purchase this desk, you can always choose to purchase with the installment payment option. This option allows you to pay over the course of 3, 6, or even 12 months.
Branch offers a 30-day return policy. To make a return, all products must be unused, undamaged, and within the original packaging. There is a return shipping charge that is applied on the return and may be redacted from the refund amount.
#5: Xdesk
About the brand:
Xdesk is an Austen, Texas-based retailer that offers handcrafted desks, ranging from traditional designs to modern structures. As a brand producing desks, it believes in a 500-year-old tradition of crafting furniture the “old way,” or as the founding fathers of America would. But, it values ergonomics at the heart of everything it does.
In addition to staying true to the past, Xdesk believes in simple materials and practices to hand-make the finest desks. It doesn’t want to overwhelm shoppers by jumping on short-lived trends. Instead, it offers classic pieces.
What You Get:
To make purchasing a desk a simpler task, Xdesk filters its desk category into five distinctive collections:
- Vintage
- Exclusive & custom
- Compact & hybrid
- Air (aluminum top desks)
- Terra (the most technologically advanced desk)
These categories allow you to pick a desk based on your profession and area of expertise. So, even if you’re interested in a desk for recreational use, Xdesk can craft the exact desk you envision. This personal touch makes it a brand with some of the best standing desks.
The company also has a showroom in Texas, so if you’re in the area, you can check out the desks in person. Here, you’ll be able to check out what customizable features they have—it’s almost like buying a home appliance with all the various specs!
One of the pricier brands on this list, most Xdesks cost around $2500.
Delivery & Cost:
Xdesk allows you to purchase specific models and collections risk-free with no payments or interest charges for up to 6 months. And, it offers a financing service where you can purchase your desk through installment payments.
Due to the personalized features of every desk, shipping costs and times vary and are dependent on the weight and size, as well as the individual components you ask Xdesk to include. The delivery process itself generally takes 2-5 business days.
Returns must be done within the first 30 days of purchase and must be completed by contacting a representative by phone. Once your return has been made, Xdesk takes 7 business days to credit you back your refund. If you purchase with a credit card, it will take 14 days for a refund to be issued.
#6: Ikea
About the brand:
A brand needing no introduction, the Swedish company is a global furniture retailer that offers affordable furniture and home solutions. In operation since 1943, this brand is the oldest on our list.
The largest furniture retailer in the world since 2008, the company was originally founded by 17-year-old Ingvar Kamprad and has grown exponentially. It is now a conglomerate giant known for its affordable pricing and DIY approach to shopping, with stores found all across the globe.
What You Get:
IKEA has a few standing desks, but the IDÅSEN is the most unique. It optimizes the features of pricier brands, such as through its adjustable lever that can set the desk to your desired level, ranging from 24 to 50 inches in height.
What makes this option one of the best standing desks is its outline design, which is specifically created for arm support. Plus, it has a stain-resistant tabletop. This desk also comes with an app feature to connect your phone to the desk so you can adjust it remotely.
The price of this desk is $679, but IKEA also offers cheaper options if you’re willing to put in a little work and crank your desk with the use of a lever. Doing so will shockingly save you close to $400, as those desks are usually priced around $200.
Of course, this is IKEA we’re talking about, so mixing and matching tabletops and legs is also an option. You can purchase the underframe separately and take apart an already-existing IKEA table to fit a pre-existing top to a new frame.
Delivery & Cost:
With easy home assembly that you can do yourself, IKEA desks can usually be purchased with a single trip to its warehouse section. Most desks come flat-packed and should fit in the back of an SUV or truck.
That being the case, the retailer does provide delivery and assembling with charges that are determined upon checking out. Delivery is usually based on how far you live from an IKEA store and the weight of your item, and assembling is also based on the complexity of the furniture being assembled.
Another reason why IKEA is a brand with the best standing desks is the fact that there are no additional charges for returns or warranty. Most standing desks come with a 10-year warranty and customers can make returns at their leisure with a copy of the receipt.
But, if you intend to ship back a return, a lengthier process takes place and must adhere to IKEA’s online policies and return form.
#7: Humanscale
About the brand:
Founded by Bob King in 1983, Humanscale is a sustainable office furniture company based in New York. It’s a leading ergonomics retailer, with its origins beginning with keyboards and evolving to include desks, chairs, and other workplace goods.
The brand considers its desks to be individual workstations that should contain innovative designs to achieve the healthiest work environment possible. Available in over 28 countries, Huamscale has even been featured in some popular TV shows and movies, like New Girl, Mission Impossible 3, and Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
What You Get:
Humanscale’s standing desks come in white or oak tabletop options across the various versions the brand offers. These offerings range from compact designs to the iconic float option, with a few cornered desks available as well.
For most standing desks, there is an attached touchpad that allows you to pick from four adjustable functions. The touchpad is also ‘smart’ in the sense that it operates on a memory basis and remembers the height and settings you use the most.
Related: Read our full Humanscale Chair Review for more information.
In addition to this feature, the desk adjustment is noiseless. So, if you’re in an office space where you need to be mindful of others, the desk can be adjusted without having to worry about the amount of noise it’ll make.
The real icing on the cake is the certified sustainable label that comes with all Humanscale products. What you purchase will be eco-friendly and made from recycled materials.
Humanscale standing desks range from $269-$2000 depending on the size and features you choose.
Delivery & Cost:
Humanscale offers international shipping. But, the brand does not state shipping fees and delivery times upfront. These costs can only be determined upon checking out.
But, the brand does state that online orders ship free with a 30-day risk-free commitment. All returns made past this time period are subject to additional charges and restocking fees, and these costs can only be calculated once you’ve spoken to a representative.
#8: Wayfair
About the brand:
One of the largest online retailers in the world, Wayfair is known for its extensive range of furniture and home goods. It has been a worldwide retailer since 2002 with fulfillment centers all across the globe.
Founded by Steve Conine and the e-commerce company’s presiding CEO, Niraj Shah, Wayfair has it all while offering competitive prices, flash deals, and daily sales. It’s a single site that holds millions of possibilities.
What You Get:
Wayfair may truly be the only stop you make to purchase the best standing desk with hundreds of options to browse through. What makes the retailer the right choice is its smart search feature which allows you to filter desks based on price range, size, width, color, shape, and type so you can easily find one that works for you—even if you have certain requirements.
Related: Check out our Wayfair Furniture Review for a full analysis.
Generally speaking, most standing desks from Wayfair can be as low as $100—even cheaper if you manage to catch a sale. It’s important to note the individual specs as well as customer reviews before buying and checking out.
Delivery & Cost:
Delivery and shipping are usually free as the retailer offers free shipping on orders over $35. Since standing desks can range anywhere from $68-$1000, free shipping is a given.
In regards to delivery times, items usually arrive on a timely basis and typically take 1-7 business days. But, if you happen to live close to a fulfillment center, you can expect your order to arrive within 1-3 business days.
Wayfair offers returns within 30 days, but a shipping cost is applied and determined once you’ve contacted its help center to process a return. And, if you purchase a desk on clearance, it will not be eligible for a return. Instead, you can reach out to the brand and ask for store credit or an exchange.
#9: Evodesk
About the brand:
Evodesk is a division of Xdesk, which offers unique, individualistic designs with innovative features. The parent company boasts that it represents the finest US-made goods—it houses three other brands, including Evodesk, to provide a selection of over 40 desk options.
With the same founders and company philosophy as Xdesk, Evodesk differs in the sense that its desks are handcrafted with more personalization. Plus, they’re sustainable, made with plant-friendly and solvent-free materials such as bamboo, without losing an ounce of quality or durability.
What You Get:
Say goodbye to laminate and desk edges that bend. Instead, say hello to consciously crafted designs that feature a craftsman’s touch.
With an abundance of personal care going into the desk-making process, you can expect detailed specs and classifications. Evodesk places each of its 40 desk varieties into three core categories, which are:
- Specialty
- Premium electric
- Electric
These categories are further filtered based on the number of columns (desk legs) you’d like, the shape of the desk, as well as budget-friendly or executive desks.
There’s also a build your own desk option that offers a 3D design and print so you can see what your customized desk looks like from a realistic perspective. So, you won’t have to only imagine a desk, but can instead visually see its dynamics and how it’ll fit within your space.
Delivery & Cost:
Evodesk bases its shipping on the size and weight of some of its desks via FedEx, free of charge. But, desks with 4-8 columns are shipped by truck and cost an additional $200.
The brand also provides international shipping which is calculated upon checkout. Customers outside of the US are not eligible for free shipping.
Meanwhile, deliveries usually take between 2-4 business days with an additional 4 days needed to process your order. But, dates and times are subject to the courier and whatever tracking information FedEx provides.
#10: Design Within Reach
About the brand:
Sleek and modern, Design Within Reach is a furniture retailer that offers artistic possibilities for your office and home needs.
With a philosophy centered on practicality and modern sensibilities, the brand was founded in 1998 by Rob Forbes in one of the busiest metropolitan centers in the world—London. With old-school roots that began with a catalog, Design Within Reach grew from a small team of 20 to be a part of the Herman Miller furniture company in 2015.
What You Get:
Despite the brand’s belief in fine quality and revolutionary design, the standing desk category only offers five desk options that look alike. But, they differ in finishes, such as color.
All of the brand’s standing desks come with a laminated top to ensure that it is waterproof and stain-resistant. Meanwhile, the touch bars are smart, with adjustable features in place to achieve your desired height.
Related: Read our Design Within Reach Furniture Review to learn more.
Certain desks also come with embedded power ports and have collaborative specs. For example, the Mortia Gaming Desk was developed in collaboration with Logitech. It features anti-smudge technology, cable organizers, and an anti-glare top—all designed with gamers in mind.
Design Within Reach’s standing desks range between $800-$2900. They come with a 12-year warranty for the tabletop and a 5-year warranty for the underframe.
Delivery & Cost:
Most of the brand’s desks ship free and discount codes and promotions may be applied for additional savings upon checkout. Orders typically take 3-10 business days for delivery.
Design Within Reach uses FedEx as its courier service, meaning shipping is dependent on the size of the desk you’re purchasing. The larger the desk, the longer it’ll take, with times estimated between 1-3 weeks.
All furniture orders come with complimentary in-house delivery as well as unpacking and assembly. But, it must occur within 4 hours of the order arriving and any time spent beyond this time frame is subject to additional costs.
Returns must be claimed within the first 3 days of your order arriving as the brand recognizes that the furniture is assembled for free and you’ve had at least 24 hours to test out the product.
How To Adjust Standing Desks?
A lot of engineering and design altercations are involved in creating the best standing desks. Depending on the brand and option you choose, there will be different height specifications.
It is important to note that most sources argue that the best height for standing desks is at your elbow. And, your computer should be at eye level, which usually requires a stand.
Some adjustable desks come with a smart touch bar, while others utilize a manual lever.
Some options are more advanced and sophisticated than others, but those options usually come with a higher price point. This cost might be a worthy investment, especially if you are sharing the desk with people of different heights or plan to move between sitting and standing frequently throughout the day.
What Are The Benefits Of Standing Desks?
Standing desks revolve around the science of ergonomics to ensure work efficiency and the overall health of employees. Many individuals find that they are less likely to feel stressed or physically fatigued when they have the option of standing while working.
And, with employers and corporations noticing the difference in the work-life balance of their employees, standing desks are now high in demand. Here’s a quick run-down of additional benefits:
- Improved posture and spine alignment
- Keeps your body moving, which is good for your muscles
- Pain, especially a reduction in the risk of back and leg pain
- Burns slightly more calories than sitting
- Improved, mood, energy, and an overall feeling of alertness
Who Shouldn’t Use A Standing Desk?
Generally speaking, the elderly or those with certain medical conditions or illnesses should not use a standing desk, especially for prolonged periods. Women who are pregnant and even those who suffer from anemia should be wary of standing desks as sudden height adjustments may cause more damage than good.
But, if you do have apprehensions about using a standing desk, it’s always best to advise a doctor or a medical professional. You can also reach out to a representative at one of the brands that specialize in standing desks and ergonomics to see if they can assist in answering any concerns related to their products.
Who Is Best Suited For A Standing Desk?
If you do administrative tasks or work from home, or are a college student, gamer, designer, architect, content creator, or producer, then a standing desk is a good investment. Basically, anyone who spends long hours at a table can benefit from these products.
How To Choose The Best Standing Desk
Firstly, always know your budget and have an understanding of the going price of standing desks. A $500 desk may not seem like an affordable option, but in comparison to custom-made and specialized brands, that price point is quite decent.
Secondly, be sure to pick a desk that caters to your specific needs, and sometimes even your occupation. Whether you’re using your desk for day-to-day work, gaming, or even sewing, there are options out there that come with special features to cater to those tasks.
Thirdly, consider what you want out of a retailer. Do you want speedy and affordable delivery? Personalization? Sustainability? This will ultimately help you narrow down your options and eliminate others—you’ll be one step closer to owning the best standing desk for you.
Fourthly, consider what tech specs, assembly, and warranty options are available. Higher pricing does not always ensure the full package, and you might have to take a trip to a fulfillment center, read an instruction manual, or receive a product that is not protected by the retailer.
To summarize, consider the materials, size, weight, motor/manual, assembly, price, and warranty options. And, if you’re someone who cares about appearance, the general aesthetics of the desk will be important, too.
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