When long-time remote working first started back in 2020, many people quickly set up their home office spaces with the thought that they'd only be working there for a matter of weeks during the early stages of the pandemic. However, the professional landscape has evolved pretty drastically since then, with many people now using their makeshift offices on a full-time basis. If you find yourself in a similar situation, it may be time for some upgraded equipment.
A standing desk can be a great option (or a great gift!) for any office setup. Not only does it give you a designated space to work, but it provides an opportunity to stretch your legs throughout the day — which is important since there are a number of health risks associated with sitting all day.
What are the risks of sitting for too long? | Best standing desks | Best standing desk converters | FAQs | How we chose | Meet our experts
What are the risks of sitting for too long?
Research has shown that sitting for significant amounts of time has been associated with higher symptoms of depression and anxiety and even an increased risk of certain diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure and more.
“Sitting for more than a couple hours at a time is really injurious to your health,” Dr. Jordan Metzel, a sports medicine physician at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, previously shared in a segment for TODAY.
And if you're someone who often finds yourself feeling a lot of aches and pains at the end of the day, that could be why. "Staying in one position for longer than 30 minutes to an hour is what can cause orthopedic issues like low back pain, hip pain, shoulder and neck pain," shares Dr. Jacob VanDenMeerendonk, a physical therapist in Southern California.
"Sitting puts a lot of pressure on your spine, hips and other joints in the body," shares New York City-based chiropractor, Dr. Randi Jaffe. A standing desk can help counteract some of those issues. "Standing helps improve posture and increases circulation and oxygen to the muscles." she says.
Plus, you are more likely to move around when you're using a standing desk, so you burn more calories, Jaffe says. "Standing allows us to feel less tired than sitting. Standing can also boost our mood and energy level."
While many ergonomic desks can get pricey, we found some top-rated options for under $300. From desk converters to mobile options, you'll want to upgrade your home office space with one of these affordable standing desks.
Best standing desks of 2024, according to shoppers
Costway Adjustable Angle & Height Rolling Desk Stand
- Sections for laptop and mouse
- Rotatable
- No assembly instructions
"I was hesitant about buying this desk since I already have a stationary desk, but I bit the bullet and I'm so glad I did," one shopper proclaimed about this affordable compact desk stand. You can perfectly customize it to your liking with two height options, a swivel base, two top parts for your laptop and mouse and an adjustable tilt angle. Plus, when you figure out where exactly you'd like to work, you can lock the wheels in place to make it stationary.
Fezibo Standing Desk with Drawer
- Electric motor system
- "Well packaged"
- Storage drawer not sturdy
Durable and sturdy, you can't go wrong with this desk with over 6,800 five-star Amazon ratings. It's 48 inches across, so it's more suitable for those who have a solid amount of office space. You can feed your wires through the small hole in the back to prevent them from getting too jumbled, and it's great for the whole family to use since you can set up to four preset heights.
Seville Classics Height Adjustable Mobile Laptop Desk
- Can be moved around easily
- Doubles as a couch desk
- Top may wobble after a while
Switching up your location, from the bedroom to the living room and the kitchen and back, can make workdays feel more interesting when you're at home. This affordable rolling desk makes that easier. You can twist the knob on the stand to adjust it to match your height. Plus, you can choose between different desk styles, from a tilted platform to a flattop, depending on what you find most comfortable.
Siducal Mobile Stand Up Desk
- Portable
- Hooks for cords and headphones
- Some didn't have instructions
For those low on square footage, this adjustable desk will fit perfectly in a small corner or nook. The double-platform design is great for storing multiple monitors or books and office supplies.
Mind Reader Standing Adjustable Laptop Desk
- Adjustable from 27 to 45 in.
- "easy to assemble"
- Some say it's flimsy
If your office space is as limited as your budget, this two-tier desk can help you create a convenient workstation no matter where you are. Roll it around a classroom to become more accessible to students or lock up the wheels to remain stationary while working in your living room.
Symple Stuff Hassen Adjustable Standing Desk
- Built-in storage shelf
- Foldable for easy storage
- Heavy
If you like your desk to double as a miscellaneous storage spot, you'll appreciate this standing desk. In addition to the large desk surface, it features two shelves where you can store books, office supplies or anything else that needs a place to be stored. It also folds for easy storage.
Stand Steady Joy Standing Desk
- Storage cubbies
- 7 sq. feet of surface space
- Not adjustable
Choose from a design featuring white marble or wood for this stylish modern desk. Unlike the other options, this one is not adjustable, though the 41-inch height is pretty standard for a standing desk.
Sobaniilo 48” x 24” Electric Standing Desk
- Spacious surface
- 176 pound weight capacity
- Assembly may be tricky
If you’re looking to stretch your legs throughout the day, you might like this sit-stand desk. It features a motorized base, so you can adjust the height with a push of a button. It also includes memory functionality which allows you to customize three permanent presets.
Flexispot Electric Standing Desk
- Multiple sizes available
- Electric lift system
- Complicated assembly
This electric desk features a two-button control, which you can use to transition from sitting to standing in seconds. It has over 7,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, and reviewers say they love the large surface space and the sturdy feel.
Best standing desk converters of 2024, according to shoppers
AirSpace Adjustable Laptop Desk in Black
- Vented tray for cooling
- Doubles as lap desk
- Not tall enough for some
This small stand can be placed on top of your desk or on your lap for lounging. It’s easy to adjust and move around, so it’s great for anyone who likes to change up their location throughout the day. Once it’s time to clock off, simply fold it up to store.
FlexiSpot AlcoveRiser Sit-To-Stand Desk Converter
- No assembly required
- Keyboard tray
- Supports 33 pounds
This small but mighty standing desk converter is designed with a sturdy aluminum frame and is said to hold up to 33 pounds. According to the brand, it can help you find a healthy balance of sitting and standing throughout the workday.
Symple Stuff Hassett Height Adjustable Standing Desk Riser
- Stores flat
- Easy to adjust height
- Heavier than expected
This durable 28-inch option has a modern design and requires absolutely no assembly when it arrives at your home. Several Wayfair shoppers also rave about how easy it is to maneuver.
The Original DeskStand Standing Desk
- Stylish
- Hole on top shelf for cords
- Assembly required
This sit-stand desk converter from Etsy is made from a strong birch material that will match any office space. You can move the tray up and down the 10 different notches to adjust to your needs. The laptop sits securely on the top of the stand, so there's plenty of room on the tray for things like your keyboard, mouse and notebook. It also has a vertical slot that can perfectly hold your smartphone or tablet!
Flexispot Stand Up Desk Converter
- Removable keyboard tray
- Non-slip rubber feet
- Some say it wobbles
At 32 inches wide, this converter will conveniently fit on top of most desks. It comes with a removable keyboard tray and the easy-to-use lever makes it simple to adjust the height. Plus, it's ready to go as soon as you take it out of the box — no complicated setup required.
Vivo Stand Up Height Adjustable 32-Inch Desk Converter
- Room for dual monitors
- Variety of colors
- Minimal assembly
This sturdy riser is designed to hold up to 33 pounds, so it's great for anyone who has multiple heavy desktops or laptops. You can move it from sitting to standing in seconds, and the dual-tier design creates plenty of room so you can keep all your essentials close by.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall your standing desk should be depends on your own height, but there's an easy way to test if it's the right one for you. "When your hands are on your keyboard your elbow angle should be just slightly greater than 90 degrees," shares VanDenMeerendon. "Also, the top of your computer screen should be directly level with your eyes."
While electric standing desks tend to be pricey, both experts cite them as their top choice.
"I find that you are much more likely to use your standing desk if it is electric," Jaffe says. "Even better, there are Bluetooth options where the height can be adjusted through an app. You can also set reminders and keep a schedule through the app."
Though, if cost is a factor both manual standing desks and standing desk converters work well. "I love a standing desk converter," Jaffe says. "This is a great budget-friendly option and can quickly and easily convert any desk or even counter into a standing work option."
"It is great to alternate throughout the day between sitting and standing," Jaffe shares. "It is recommended that you sit for 30 minutes and stand for 30 minutes, ideally. This isn’t an exact science, so be gentle on yourself as you get used to your standing desk. I recommend setting a timer to remind yourself to change from sitting to standing and back again."
How we chose
We combed through shopper reviews to find some of the best standing desks of 2024.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time. Learn more about Shop TODAY.
Meet our experts
- Dr. Jacob VanDenMeerendonk, PT, DPT, is a doctor of physical therapy in Southern California. He has been a practicing physical therapist in Southern California for over nine years. His focus has been orthopedics, kinesiology and mobility.
- Dr. Randi Jaffe, DC, is a chiropractor in New York City. She has been practicing chiropractic for over 25 years. She treats people of all ages, with a special interest in the treatment of children and pregnant and postpartum moms.
