What are the advantages of a standing desk?

When you're kept on your feet instead of sitting all day, you'll automatically burn more calories. You'll get to exercise the muscles in your lower back instead of forcing them to contort and tense up for the long hours you might be working. You may even be more productive, given that you're up and moving around, getting your blood flowing. You'll feel better in general if you're not sitting all day with your body forced into an unnatural position.

Do I still need to exercise if I work at a standing desk?

Yes. Standing isn't a replacement for exercise. You'll still want to move around instead of staying in one place all day because you'll need to make sure you're burning enough calories. Standing is no substitute for getting up and moving around your home.

What can I use to make a standing desk more comfortable?

You'll want to wear shoes with a supportive heel, and don't stand barefoot if you'll be working for long hours. Also, invest in a cushioned mat to take some of the pressure off of your feet if you're going to stay on them for some time. You may be taking the heat away from your back, but you don't want to shift that pain to your feet.

The 7 Best Standing Desks of 2022

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It's more important than ever that we take care of ourselves while working at home. Many of us have transitioned to working from our home offices, and that has often meant sacrificing good ergonomics for convenience. Working from the sofa or a desk that's too short is undoubtedly causing you problems each day. That's where a standing desk comes in. It helps you remain on your feet to keep the blood pumping, stretch your muscles, and burn a few more calories than you would otherwise while sitting down.

The best standing desks are simple to assemble and help you improve your posture and stay healthier in general. If you find that you've been suffering from a sore back for some time, it could be time to improve your office setup with a standing desk and say goodbye to daily pain.

Continue reading for our picks for the best standing desks you’ll find on the market. You won’t believe how you can transform your working space.

The Rundown

Best Overall:

ApexDesk Elite Series 71-Inch at Amazon

Best DIY:

UPLIFT V2 Standing Desk Frame at Amazon

Best Design:

Jarvis Bamboo Standing Desk at Amazon

Best Classic Design:

Flexispot Theodore Standing Desk at Flexispot.com

Best Budget:

SHW Electric Height Adjustable Computer Desk at Amazon

Best Converter:

FlexiSpot M2B Standing Desk at Amazon

Best for Laptops:

AGZ Mobile Rolling Laptop Stand at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Durable desk with wood top and beveled edges
Supports up to 225 pounds
Quick setup

What We Don't Like

Those with larger frames might want to opt for a different setup

If you want a standing desk that checks all the boxes, the ApexDesk Elite is an excellent choice. It's a durable desk with a wood top, beveled edges, and a cutout area that makes it more ergonomic for your living space. It features an electric adjustable lift system so you can raise or lower it to your liking, and its steel frame can support up to 225 pounds. That means anything you need to place atop your desk should fit just fine.

There's even a programmable controller with several presets for you to save different heights and automatically return to them if you ever end up moving the desk. It doesn't take long to set up, and it's got ample area for you to work on a computer or laptop.

_{Controls: Six-button LED memory controller | Motorized/Unmotorized: Motorized | Passthrough: Grommet | Weight Capacity: 225 pounds}

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Use your own desktop within a variety of sizes
Electric desk for easy moving and customization
Quick and efficient

What We Don't Like

You must provide your own desktop surface as it doesn’t come with one

If you want to get a standing desk but still want the option to customize, the Uplift V2 might be exactly what you're looking for. This electric desk lets you change things up to your liking. You can add your own desktop surface to the three-stage, dual-motor frame. You can choose a desktop between 42 and 80 inches, and then program the desk height that works best for you.

It's meant to be efficient, quiet, and ready for you to use however you see fit. You can move it as much as you want to find the best position in terms of ergonomics, which makes this workspace great for all users.

_{Controls: Digital memory keypad | Motorized/Unmotorized: Motorized | Passthrough: N/A | Weight Capacity: 355 pounds}

Home Office Design Examples

View On Amazon View On Fully.com

What We Like

Modern design
Supports up to 350 pounds
Includes OLED handset to program different heights

What We Don't Like

Bamboo may not seem as sturdy to some buyers

If you're looking for an elegant desk that fits with a variety of room decor, the Jarvis Standing Desk may very well be your best choice. Its included desktop surface is crafted from bamboo, and you can use it either sitting or standing. It can adjust from 24.5 to 50 inches without a desktop. It supports 350 pounds with a quiet motorized adjustment option, and includes an OLED handset that allows you to program several heights into the machine to return to them later.

The desk comes in several hues and could be what you need to save your back and tie your room together, as it goes all out in the aesthetics department.

_{Controls: Digital display handset | Motorized/Unmotorized: Motorized | Passthrough: Grommet | Weight Capacity: 350 pounds}

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Courtesy of Slickdeals

View On Flexispot.com

What We Like

Motorized controls
Massive 47.6-inch desktop width
Easy setup

What We Don't Like

Controls are sometimes finicky
Heavy

Flexispot Theodore Standing Desk

With two USB ports for charging a phone or your work headset, the FlexiSpot Theodore Standing Desk offers the classic executive office look thanks to a walnut veneer finish. Raising up to nearly 50 inches, the desk can accommodate almost all heights. A small storage drawer with rustic knobs also gives the option for easy quick storage for small home office items, and the desktop is so large easily pack it full of laptops, planners, lights, and more, and there will be room to spare.

Our tester Rebecca had no issues getting the standing desk setup, and she found it easily accommodated her 5 foot, 8 inches height with room to spare for taller people. She did have some minor issues with the controls but found it didn't interfere too much in her day-to-day usage.

_{Controls: Up/down keypad | Motorized/Unmotorized: Motorized | Passthrough: 3 built-in USB | Weight Capacity: 99 pounds}

"The Flexispot was the answer to everything I needed in my workspace: classy; modern; and completely adjustable." — Rebecca Isaacs, Product Tester

SHW Electric Height Adjustable Computer Desk

Amazon

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What We Like

Budget-friendly
Adjusts from 28 to 46 inches
Includes under-table cable management basket and wire management options

What We Don't Like

Crafted of some lesser materials than more expensive desks

Not everyone wants to break the bank when it comes to purchasing a standing desk, and the SHW Electric Height-Adjustable Computer Desk should fit the bill just fine. It comes in four different finishes with a beautiful wood grain look. It also comes with a digital handset to save four adjustment preset options.

Despite it being a budget option, it also includes telescopic height adjustment, as well as a motorized lift that can take it between 28 and 46 inches tall. Even with all that, it's still fairly barebones, but it should be able to handle anything you need to place on top.

This is a nice, simple, modest desk that doesn't include some of the niceties other, more expensive models might offer, but it doesn't really need those things when its primary function is remaining sturdy for you to work on instead of sitting on a sofa or other non-ergonomic surface. It does include some options for wire management as well as an under-table cable management basket.

_{Controls: Digital display handset | Motorized/Unmotorized: Motorized | Passthrough: Grommets | Weight Capacity: 110 pounds}

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Turn any desk into a standing one
12 different height options
Pop-out keyboard tray

What We Don't Like

No electrical components

Getting a standing desk can be a bit of a commitment, but it doesn't have to be. You can always opt for a way to turn the desk you already have into one that gets you off your feet. The Flexispot Height-Adjustable Standing Desk Converter uses a single handle to help turn the desk you're already sitting at into the perfect standing desk. Just set it atop your workstation, and it will unfold and vertically rise.

There's plenty of space with a groove-free and deep desktop area. A quick-release keyboard tray lets you move around your keyboard to accommodate you when standing. It also comes with 12 different height levels, so no matter how tall you are, you can simply decide to stand up and start working on your feet without any fanfare. It's exactly the kind of product that encourages you to use it because of its ease and convenience, and it's great for anyone with a small workspace.

_{Controls: Single handle | Motorized/Unmotorized: Unmotorized | Passthrough: N/A | Weight Capacity: 33 pounds}

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Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Light and easy to maneuver
Attractive aluminum alloy
Adjustable height options

What We Don't Like

Few customizable options

If you routinely work from a laptop, you may find you need much less space than a traditional standing desk requires. The AGZ Mobile Rolling Laptop Stand is a great alternative to what can typically be unwieldy and large mechanisms. It's a sleek option that still delivers everything you need, crafted out of aluminum alloy.

It features adjustable height options, hollow cooling to keep your computer from overheating, and an ergonomic design. You can roll it around how you see fit, and it's light and easy to move, just like your laptop.

_{Controls: Single handle | Motorized/Unmotorized: Unmotorized | Passthrough: N/A | Weight Capacity: 44 pounds}

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Final Verdict

Out of the standing desk options, the ApexDesk Elite Series 71-inch (view on Amazon) comes out on top. Not only is it durable and supportive of weight up to 225 pounds, but it features an electric adjustable system to make sure you can raise and lower it to your liking. It also comes with a programmable controller to save the heights that you're happy with. If you're looking for an all-purpose standing desk, this is the best one to choose.

About Our Trusted Experts

Brittany Vincent is a freelance video game and entertainment writer whose work has been featured in publications and online venues including G4TV.com, Joystiq, Complex, IGN, GamesRadar, Destructoid, Kotaku, GameSpot, Mashable, and The Escapist. She is the editor-in-chief of mojodo.com.

Rebecca Isaacs has been writing for Lifewire since 2019 covering a wide variety of consumer technology, lifestyle, and health devices. She's particularly familiar with office furniture and accessories.

FAQ

What are the advantages of a standing desk?

When you're kept on your feet instead of sitting all day, you'll automatically burn more calories. You'll get to exercise the muscles in your lower back instead of forcing them to contort and tense up for the long hours you might be working. You may even be more productive, given that you're up and moving around, getting your blood flowing. You'll feel better in general if you're not sitting all day with your body forced into an unnatural position.
Do I still need to exercise if I work at a standing desk?

Yes. Standing isn't a replacement for exercise. You'll still want to move around instead of staying in one place all day because you'll need to make sure you're burning enough calories. Standing is no substitute for getting up and moving around your home.
What can I use to make a standing desk more comfortable?

You'll want to wear shoes with a supportive heel, and don't stand barefoot if you'll be working for long hours. Also, invest in a cushioned mat to take some of the pressure off of your feet if you're going to stay on them for some time. You may be taking the heat away from your back, but you don't want to shift that pain to your feet.