I’ve been using one of the best standing desks for the past four years and now, I can’t imagine going back to a traditional desk. Not only do they give you the option to sit or stand while working, but you can fine tune their height down to a tenth of an inch which is ideal for creating a truly ergonomic workspace.
From simplified cable management to being able to program up to four different height presets to their sturdier build quality overall, the best sit stand desks can really help transform your home office and your workday. Suffering from a mid-day slump? Just press a button to instantly go from sitting to standing and I find this usually enough to wake you up and get you back on track.
I’ve personally built, tested and reviewed over 22 standing desks to help you find the best one for your space, workflow and your budget. These are the best standing desks you can buy right now based on countless hours of research and testing along with why you might want to consider upgrading to a standing desk in the first place.
The quick list
For a seamless blend of ease of use, stability and a wide height range, this desk from Vari stands out. In my testing, assembly was a breeze and its smooth transitions made switching positions effortless.
You don’t have to break the bank for a quality electric standing desk. This wallet-friendly desk from Fezibo proves you can get reliable height adjustment and impressive stability without overspending.
Maximize your home workspace without compromising on style with this desk from Branch. Its sleek design and compact footprint make it ideal for smaller rooms, plus you can outfit with loads of optional accessories.
If you’re tall, serious about your setup and want unwavering stability with loads of heavy gear, this desk from FlexiSpot delivers. It feels built to last even at its tallest position and is a real workhorse.
Transform any corner into a productivity powerhouse with this desk from Vari. Its L-shaped design offers ample workspace with exceptional stability, though setting it up takes a bit longer due to its massive size.
Say goodbye to cable clutter and bulky power strips with this desk from Autonomous. It has a unique cable management compartment complete with integrated power that folds away to keep your setup tidy.
Anthony Spadafora has spent the past five years working from home exclusively and during that time, he's tested dozens of standing desks, office chairs and other work from home accessories. While he oversees all of our networking and security coverage at Tom's Guide, Anthony has a penchant for home office furniture and working on desk setups.
The best standing desks you can buy today
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The best standing desk overall
Besides being one of the first standing desks I reviewed, the Vari Electric Standing Desk has remained one of my favorites even after all these years. I consider it the best overall because of how incredibly easy it is to put together while also being extremely simple to use. There are no gimmicks or unnecessary features here. Instead, this is a reliable and sturdy standing desk that you can use for years without any issues which makes it a sound investment for your home office.
Unlike other desks that require a power drill or additional tools, the Vari Electric Standing Desk can be assembled in 15 minutes — no, really — using only the included hex key. Its keypad features four height presets which are easy to program and since this is a dual-motor standing desk, it adjusts quickly and quietly. You aren’t weighed down with too many choices while configuring this desk too and you get a real wood desktop without having to pay extra.
The Vari Electric Standing Desk does have a higher starting price than many of the other desks in this guide. However, based on my testing and experience with it, you’re paying extra for a simplified assembly process and a higher quality desk that’s as reliable as it is sturdy. There are fewer configuration options with this model but if you want more choices, check out the rest of the standing desks in Vari’s lineup. I’ve used a Vari desk as my daily driver for two years now and it hasn’t let me down yet even after thousands of hours of use.
Read our full Vari Electric Standing Desk review.
The best budget standing desk
If you told me I could get an electric standing desk for just over $100 back when I started reviewing them, I wouldn’t have believed you. However, with the Fezibo Electric Standing Desk you can. Sure, it’s not as elegant as some of the other desks on this guide and a few compromises certainly had to be made at this price but if you’re building out a home office on a budget, this is a great starter standing desk.
So what do you get for the price of a decent webcam? Well a whole lot actually. The Fezibo Electric Standing Desk features three programmable height presets, grommets at the back for easier cable management and even a pair of headphone hooks. It’s also available in several colors and sizes. The best part though, even the largest 60-inch version still comes in at under $200 and Fezibo doesn’t charge extra for different color options that might be a better fit for your space.
Back when I first wanted to try out a standing desk, I was held back by their higher costs. However, with the Fezibo Electric Standing Desk, you really can try one out for yourself before making a significant investment. Keep in mind though, this is a single-motor standing desk so it won’t adjust as quickly or as quietly as a dual motor one. Still, at this price, it’s hard to argue with the lack of dual motors. If you keep your expectations in check, I guarantee you too will be surprised by what the Fezibo Electric Standing Desk offers for a lot less than the competition.
Read our full Fezibo Electric Standing Desk review.
Best standing desk for home office
Finding a standing desk that fits comfortably in a smaller home office doesn't mean sacrificing style or features, and the Branch Duo proves just that. That’s why I recommend this desk for any home office since it comes in three different sizes and the smallest configuration is just 3 feet wide. The Branch Duo is also a sleek-looking desk you can get in a variety of color options to match the rest of your home office decor. To top it off, all of Branch’s optional accessories come in the same colors to perfectly match your desk.
One thing that really stood out to me about the Branch Duo back when I reviewed it is that this is a frameless desk. Instead of having a bulky frame running across the middle, Branch specifically left it out to make room for its optional under-desk drawer, cable management tray and other accessories. Another thing that’s different about this desk is that it uses a paddle-style controller with an OLED screen instead of a keypad. You simply lift it up or lower it down to change the Duo’s height but it also has built-in reminders to encourage you to stand.
The Branch Duo is a highly customizable, dual-motor standing desk and with Branch’s slew of optional accessories, you can really maximize your desk’s storage capacity. The control paddle is fun and easy to use but it is limited to just two programmable height presets. Still, if you’re working out of a small home office, you don’t have to sacrifice features and usability to get a desk that won’t overload your space. Just be sure to save some room in your budget for all the accessories as Branch makes some cool and really useful ones.
Read our full Branch Duo Sanding Desk review.
The best standing desk for tall users
When looking for one of the best office chairs, it’s easy to find models tailored to taller individuals, but up until I reviewed the FlexiSpot E7 Plus, I couldn’t say the same for standing desks. Unlike other standing desks, this one is available with two different frame options. Both can lift a substantial 440 pounds thanks to their incredibly sturdy four-legged design, making either option ideal for heavy-duty desk setups with a big desktop PC and multiple monitors. However, the extended height frame I tested raises all the way up to 51.6 inches. At that max height, even someone as tall as Shaq could comfortably use this desk while standing with good posture.
The E7 Plus has such a wide range of movement thanks to its 3-stage legs but FlexiSpot doesn’t stop there as it also offers different customization options besides these two frames. You can get this standing desk with a curved front edge for better ergonomics, drawers on top for storage and there’s even a dedicated gaming version with a smoother desktop.
Keep in mind though, assembly is a bit more complicated with this desk since it uses a dual-motor design across its four legs. Some other high-end desks like the Branch Four Leg Standing Desk feature a quad-motor system with a separate motor for each leg for even more power and stability. Still, if you’re a taller user or need a desk that can handle a very heavy setup, the FlexiSpot E7 Plus is an excellent choice.
Read our full FlexiSpot E7 Plus review.
The best L-shaped standing desk
For those with lots of gear and other work from home accessories, a standard desk just might not cut it when it comes to available workspace. That’s where the Vari L-Shape Electric Standing Desk can help. It has a similar design and the same solid build quality as Vari’s other desks but adds an extra leg and desktop for even more desk space. Besides the standard L-shaped version we reviewed, there’s even a larger 80 x 80 inch version if you want to have the work area of two desks in one.
One of my favorite things about the Vari L-Shape desk is that you’re not limited to having the shorter desktop on a particular side. Instead, you can have it on either the right or the left depending on the shape of your home office or workspace. Like the Vari Curve desk I reviewed, this one also has a contoured front edge which acts like a built-in wrist rest. It’s also just as quiet and adjusts as quickly as Vari’s standard electric desk thanks to its powerful tri-motor design (one for each leg).
Putting the Vari L-Shape desk together is simple too and you can do so without any extra tools. However, assembly was a bit more challenging as this is a very large standing desk after all with more pieces. One thing worth noting is that this desk does have a lower max weight limit but even with a fully loaded desk setup and a printer, we didn’t get close to reaching it. If you have the budget and the space for it, the Vari L-Shape desk is the perfect upgrade for those who want a standing desk with a huge work surface.
Read our full Vari L-Shape Electric Standing Desk review.
The best standing desk for cable management
Managing all the cables that come with a complicated desk setup can be a tedious and time-consuming process but that definitely isn’t the case with the Autonomous SmartDesk 5 Pro. Not only does it have a cable management system underneath its desktop with integrated power, it drops down and then can be securely reattached once you're done plugging things in.
Though this is the desk’s standout feature, Autonomous definitely didn’t skimp out on the desk’s other features. For starters, it has an incredibly smooth HDF desktop with a rounded edge and a control pad that’s built in. The SmartDesk 5 Pro’s rounded legs give it a more premium look and their C-shaped design give you plenty of leg room with loads of stability. Autonomous also throws in a set of headphone hooks and a magnetic cable clip so that you can run the desk’s power cable down one of the legs instead of having it dangle from the middle of the desk.
The SmartDesk 5 Pro is one of the most impressive looking desks I’ve reviewed but it isn’t without its downsides. For instance, it’s only available in one size and a 55-inch wide desk likely won’t work in every home office. Likewise, though it does come with a power strip mounted inside its cable management tray, you only have two usable outlets after plugging in the desk. Still, if you’re looking for a sturdy standing desk with an eye-catching design and integrated power, the SmartDesk 5 Pro definitely punches above its weight for the price.
Read our full Autonomous SmartDesk 5 Pro review.
Other standing desks we've reviewed
How to choose the best standing desk for you
Although the best standing desks share many similarities, there are a few factors that you should consider before buying one which I'll go into more detail below. Getting the right standing desk for your space and needs the first time will be a lot easier than building one, finding out it isn't for you and then having to return it.
Surface material
Pretty much every standing desk can be ordered in a variety of materials, with prices to match. Laminate surfaces — that is, a veneer of wood overtop a core — tend to be the least expensive, while solid-core desks made from oak, maple, mahogany or some other wood type will cost more. Bamboo desks straddle the middle, and are not only a good compromise, but are very durable.
Stability
The higher you raise a standing desk, the greater potential there is for it to wobble or fall over, especially if there are a lot of heavy items on it. If you can, it’s worth checking out a standing desk in person, raising it to its maximum height and then rocking it back and forth to see how it manages. Also keep in mind that a desk with four legs will be more stable than one with just two.
Minimum and maximum height
This is the range with which the standing desk’s height can be raised or lowered. Most will fall between 25 inches to around 50 inches; better desks will have a wider range, though the difference will usually only be a few inches on either end.
Maximum weight supported
If you’re planning to use your standing desk to hold more than just your computer — maybe you want to sit on it — then you’ll want to pay attention to its maximum supported weight. Smaller, less expensive desks won’t be able to hold as much weight as more expensive models.
Ease of assembly
When it comes to putting together a standing desk, all you need is a screwdriver and a little patience. All of the models I've tested came with the requisite screws, Allen wrenches, and clear instruction manuals. Still, some desks are easier to put together than others, and most — especially those with larger tops — will require a second person to help, especially when flipping them over.
Motorized or non-motorized?
How much work do you want to put into raising and lowering your standing desk? The vast majority of standing desks are motorized, meaning all you have to do is press a button to change the height of the desk. However, if you want to save some money — and you don't plan on moving the desk much — then you might want to check out a manual standing desk. Many of these desks have a hand crank that you'll have to turn. You won't need arms like Arnold Schwarzenegger, but you will have to do a little work. However, there are also pneumatic standing desks that you only need to lift the desktop up or push it down to adjust their height. They're slightly more expensive but I think they're certainly worth it in the long run.
Customization options
Apart from the surface size and material, the better standing desk companies will also offer a variety of ways in which you can customize your desk. These can include attachments such as cable-management trays — the one accessory that you should get with a standing desk — different controls to raise and lower the desk, different leg types, frame styles and more.
How we test the best standing desks
To determine which standing desks are the best, I called in the top models as well as a few budget-friendly options. From here, I then went through the process of assembling them, noting how long it took to put each one together, how easy the instructions were to follow and if any extra tools were required for assembly.
After each desk is assembled, I then test their stability by raising them to their maximum height and rocking them back and forth. For electric standing desks, I listen to see how loud their motors are, take note of how smoothly they go up and down and see whether or not they can be raised and lowered with a full cup of coffee without spilling a drop.
I also evaluate each desk based on aesthetics as after all, your new desk should look nice in your home office. However, since many standing desks can be configured with different surfaces from laminate to hardwood tops, colors and more, I also take into account how customizable each desk is when determining its final rating.
Finally, I factor in the price of each desk. While the standing desks I test differ when it comes to features and design, I try and configure them to best match each other so I can compare how much each would cost if it were the same as the others.
For more information on how Tom's Guide rates and reviews, check out our how we test page.
What you need to know about standing desks
Standing desk vs traditional desk
Deciding between a standing desk and one of the best desks can be hard but even if you don’t plan on standing while you work, there are still a number of benefits to owning a standing desk.
One of the main reasons you’d consider investing in a standing desk in the first place is ergonomics and this is one area where they really excel. Unlike with a regular desk, you can make small adjustments to the height of your standing desk to ensure that your keyboard is at the right height as is your laptop’s screen or monitor.
A cluttered desk can be very distracting, especially with cables going every which way. Standing desks have a reputation of offering better cable management than traditional desks since many of them come with cable management trays. Sure, you can always add a cable management tray to any desk but the fact that your standing desk needs to be able to move up and down gives you more incentive to have your cables neatly tucked away. Likewise, you can always lift your desk up so that it’s easier to manage all of your cables and you can’t do this with a traditional desk.
Another thing that separates standing desks from traditional desks is their build quality. Since standing desks are designed to move up and down frequently while supporting a lot of weight, all without wobbling even at their highest setting, most of them have strong, steel frames. This is quite different from the wooden legs you’ll find on many office desks.
You can’t go wrong either way but with a standing desk, you always have the option to stand up if you want to. With a traditional desk, you’ll need to buy a standing desk converter to do so and considering how much these can cost, you’re better off putting that money into a new standing desk instead.
Single motor vs dual-motor standing desks
If you're thinking about investing in an electric standing desk, there's one feature you absolutely shouldn't overlook: the motor or motors. While you can find some great budget options, they do come with one major downside that you might not even realize until you're putting your new desk together.
Many less expensive standing desks only have a single motor that's used to lift them up. Fortunately, these types of electric standing desks are easy to spot as they usually have a cylinder next to one of their legs. This cylinder is actually the motor and a tension rod extends from it to the other leg so that both legs can lift and lower simultaneously.
Not only does this make the assembly process more difficult but in my experience, single motor electric standing desks are much noisier than their dual-motor counterparts. This cylinder also gives single motor standing desks a less elegant look.
With dual-motor, electric standing desks, a motor is built into each leg. This makes putting your desk together a lot easier. Dual-motor standing desks are also a lot quieter and you don't have to worry about the tension rod coming loose over time.
A single motor standing desk will still get the job done but as this is a piece of home office furniture you're going to have for years, it's worth investing a bit more in a dual motor standing desk instead. However, if you're looking for a standing desk with built-in storage, a single motor may be you're only option like with the FlexiSpot Comhar or the Realspace Smart Electric Standing desk.
What about standing desk converters?
If you’re thinking of upgrading to a standing desk, then you may have come across standing desk converters during your research. Like a standing desk, a standing desk converter allows you to work while standing or sitting with plenty of room for a laptop, monitor and any other accessories you may need. However, you don’t have to replace your existing desk.
For those who work in an office or even if you’re a student in a dorm, a standing desk converter may be a better choice as most companies and colleges don’t want you replacing their furniture. Standing desk converters are also more portable which means you could technically pack one in the back of your car and bring it to and from work or school.
Although standing desk converters are usually cheaper than buying a standing desk outright, they can still get quite expensive and cost anywhere between $100 to $400 dollars. Another downside is that if you find out you don’t really like standing while working, your standing desk converter becomes a giant paperweight. For this reason, you’re better off putting that money into a nice standing desk or even a budget one and then upgrading later on.
