The best standing desks have been all the rage in open-plan offices for the past few years. Now that more and more of us are working from home, we see the value in having the option to stand while we work in our home offices as well.
When it comes to standing desks, there are a ton of different options at different price points. Whether you want an entirely new, tricked-out electronic number, or something more portable that you can move from room to room as your family's schedule necessitates, we've got you covered with some of the best standing desk options available.
The standing desk we recommend is the Vari Pro Plus 36" because it can be raised and lowered with ease, fits both a laptop and monitor, and is easy to move as needed.
Get a standing desk that's on your level
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When it comes to furniture that you're going to be spending a significant portion of your day using, you need to feel really comfortable with the ergonomics and styling of the piece. This is particularly true for a standing desk. When I was searching for a good standing desk option, I wanted something well-built and sturdy enough to hold my devices and my occasional leaning, and I wanted something that wasn't necessarily permanent. I already have a nice desk in my home office, and I didn't see the need to sell or replace it. Enter the Vari Pro Plus 36".
This standing desk can be placed on top of any existing counter, tabletop, or desk, and it's relatively easy to move in a pinch (though it's heavy enough that I wouldn't want to do so regularly). While it's not electric, the clamps on each side of the desk are engineered to glide effortlessly, regardless of your size or strength. It also features a wide lower and upper platform, which is perfect for giving you ergonomic separation between your monitor, laptop or keyboard, and mouse or trackpad. The biggest drawback of this desk is the price. You definitely pay for the quality you get with this piece of furniture.
If you are looking for an all-in-one standing desk solution but don't want to break the bank, then I suggest you take a look at this adjustable electric standing desk from Flexispot. The basic option, available in a black or gray topped finish, gives you a wide, 80 x 30-inch platform depending on what top you choose, from which to spread out and get down to business. Senior Editor, Chris Wedel, uses the bamboo-topped Pro model daily and finds it to be an excellent desk option.
The Basic model comes with an electric motor with up and down keys to quickly raise or lower the desk to suit your height and standing or sitting preferences. If you need even more room and features, Flexispot makes a Standard version of this desk that is 55 inches long, features programmable height options, and a built-in timer reminding you to switch up your sit/stand behavior. The Pro model is available for an additional cost with added features like programmable one-touch sitting and standing positions and tops like real hardwood and bamboo.
While the available finishes look beautiful, you may want to exercise some caution with how you use the tabletop. Some customers mentioned that the surface scratches and smudges rather easily for some of the finishes. So, be careful when moving the desk or your computer or monitor on/off it.
Aside from the clever name of this desk, which reminds us of a Transformer in a trance from Transylvania, this standing desk option offers a lot of flexibility in a single package. For starters, it's adjustable (believe it or not, there are standing desks that aren't). It also has a detachable second level, which can be configured to lean in closer or further out, depending on your spatial needs. One of our favorite features, though, is the attached drawer underneath the primary level. One of the biggest knocks against standing desks is that they typically don't have any storage options for things like pens, notepads, or calculators.
While this desk has a lot going for it, it does have one very polarizing feature: the hand crank. Full-sized standing desks without electronic adjustments can make even the most well-intentioned stand up worker less likely to take the time and effort to crank the desk up or down, especially multiple times per day as one should. Plus, you might feel just the slightest bit silly doing so, as if you're starting up an old Ford Model T vehicle from 100 years ago!
We've already gushed over how much we like Vari's standing desk options, but the one thing we don't love about them is how much they cost (especially if/when you start adding accessories to the mix). You're indeed getting a quality-made product for your dollar, but the initial sticker price can be hard to swallow sometimes.
What really sells us on this model desk isn't just the quality of the construction, but the look and feel of the desk. It offers one of the widest options on this list at 60 inches and is plenty deep enough for all of your materials at 30 inches. The faux finishes available not only look great, but they are very (Vari?) original, including a reclaimed wood option that looks like something right out of HGTV's Fixer Upper, to a butcher block finish that would make Martha Stewart jealous.
Even with a clean setup using one of the best Chromebooks, it's always nice to have a bit of extra storage space. With two drawers on the bottom, this Fezibo standing desk can store your computer accessories like a USB hard drive, headphones, or even some spare dongles. You can also use the drawers to enable a clean transition from computer work to something else like writing by hand or drawing.
The desk adjusts electrically so there are no handles to crank and with three programmable levels and a height between 28 and 45.5 inches. It's also strong enough for a full PC setup with support for up to 155 pounds. Adding to its flexibility are the lockable swivel casters on the bottom that makes it easy to turn or move your desk. If you want to work from a new place in the room, you only need to roll your desk to the new location.
There are two sizes, a 48-inch and a 55-inch version with 24 inches in depth. You can also pick from four different wood finishes to find one that fits your decor. You can have black, white, fir brown, or rubberwood in all sizes.
We love a convenient desk, but this L-shaped standing desk takes ease to a whole new level. It measures 62.99-by-47.24-by-29.53 inches, giving you more than enough space for up to three monitors. With a 330-pound weight capacity, you can safely store your monitors, laptop, keyboard, mouse, and other accessories or decor. If you're a designer, day trader, gamer, or anyone else who needs a lot of screen space, this desk is for you!
In addition to its plethora of surface space, this standing desk is electric. That means that you don't have to work very hard to adjust its height. In fact, with three preset buttons, you can fix your height to exactly where you want it when you're standing on your feet, sitting in a chair, or sitting on an exercise ball. This work space is perfect for long hours spent in the office.
Work better with a standing desk that fits your needs
The fact is that there are tons of excellent standing desk options, no matter your budget, style, or size of your workspace. My favorite option when it comes to the best standing desk is the Pro Plus by Vari, which was also our top pick in our Best Cheap Standing Desks roundup. How can that be? Well, for starters, this desk isn't that cheap. But more importantly, it's legitimately a great option for just about any workspace. It sits securely on top of an existing steady surface and can be moved if and when needed. Plus, the manual clamps are easy for anyone to adjust, and the multi-platform options give you all the room you need to get your work done.
While manual options can be more affordable, for most people, we'd probably recommend an electronically adjustable standing desk. People are more likely to actually stand and reap the benefits of this style of furniture if the process to raise the desk is quick and easy (at least, that's my theory!). Regardless of what your needs and budget are, we think you'll find something to suit your space from this list. Once you find the right desk, don't forget to look at a standing desk mat to match and complete the set-up.
If you're looking for something that can help while you're working in a seated position if you don't yet have a dedicated home office or simply want a change of scenery, lap desks can actually be a great option as well.
