Best Standing Desks In 2023 – Top 12 Rated Reviews

Standing desks are also called standing work-stations and stand up desks. They are now available in a huge variety of styles and sizes. In fact, over the last ten years, there has been an explosion in the use of standing desks.

Whether you choose to buy a dedicated standing desk or convert your existing desk, with a desk converter, it has proven health benefits. Reduction of back pain, increased weight loss and the decreased likelihood of several illnesses are all potential benefits.

Standing desks need not necessarily be expensive. Regardless of your needs or your budget, there’s plenty of choices currently available.

Our review covers 12 diverse styles of the best standing desks available, to help you select the perfect one for you.

So, let’s dive in and take a look at the first on our list…

Top 12 Best Standing Desks In 2023 Reviews

1 UPLIFT Desk – V2 2-Leg Height Adjustable Standing Desk Frame (Black) with Advanced 1-Touch Digital Memory Keypad – Best Motorised Adjustable Standing Desks for Dual Monitors

This is a standing desk frame only, and we like this idea. It’s great to have all the flexibility of a standing desk and also be able to choose your own desktop finish. The possibilities to be creative are endless.

Unfortunately, not quite so endless are the choice of only 4 colors for the frame. We’re looking at the white one here. But if white is not your thing you can choose from either black, gray or industrial.

The UPLIFT Desk – V2 can support any chunk of wood you find between 42” x 30” to 80” x 30”. It’s got a high load capacity of 355lbs so there’ll be no problem in raising and lowering it, however, you choose to set up your workstation.

Quick and quiet operation…

The desk is operated by dual motors which are some of the quickest and quietest on the market. The desk can be raised at a speed of 1.7” a second and will max out at just 50 decibels during motion. The motor is covered by a 7-year warranty and has a height range of 25.5”.

The motor has four height presets that are easy to program and easy to use. Better still, the UPLIFT Desk – V2 also has a built-in anti-collision sensor.

This means that if you hit something on the way up or down the motor will automatically stop. It’s a great feature and could undoubtedly save a few embarrassing accidents.

Hammock anyone…

Interestingly, the desk comes with a large number of mounting points under the desk for accessories. They have a patent-pending for this design and are proud to show it. They are also proud to show the ability to be able to mount a hammock under the desk!

Really? We’re not sold on the hammock idea at all. That looks like crazy stuff to us but points for trying.

Our rating: (4.4 / 5)

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2 ApexDesk Elite Series 71″ W Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk (Memory Controller, 71″ Red Cherry Top, Black Frame)

This is a well-constructed and stable desk that provides great value at its price point.

The ApexDesk Elite comes in a great selection of frames and desktops. There is a selection of different color frames as well as a choice between either a 71” x 33” or a 60” x 33” frame.

Shapely and attractive…

We like the nice curve and the shape of the desktop. We like the choice of different desktops. There should be something to suit everyone, though we really like the black frame and cherry top combination we’re reviewing here.

Except, wait a minute, it isn’t cherry, is it? The fact is, as I think we all know, it’s MDF with a cherry finish. For the price, we don’t expect real wood, honestly, but this type of description in the title is misleading.

But don’t lie to us…

They do point out, a lot further down in the product details, that the desktop is MDF. Which is OK. But they describe the MDF as being a ‘premium material’. No, it isn’t a premium material. Not cool guys. Not cool.

The desk has a dual-motor system, it’s quiet and can shift the desk at a rate of 1.3” a second. It’s a little slow but not terrible. The motor has four height presets and has a range of 19”.

Careful of your load…

The desk has a weight limit of 225 lbs. However, the top weighs in at 60lbs so you’ll need to configure that into your calculations before you set up the desk.

When the desk is delivered to you, the frame comes in one piece so assembly is easy. You only need basic tools and the claimed time to complete the job in 60 minutes is accurate.

Our rating: (5 / 5)

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3 Jarvis Standing Desk Bamboo Top – Electric Adjustable Height Sit Stand Desk – 3-Stage Extended Range Frame with Memory Preset Handset Controller by Fully (Black, 48 x 30 Desktop)

There’s no doubt that bamboo is a beautiful material. It can easily hold its own against a lot of other solid wood options. But when you compare it to modern MDF made desktops it’s way, way ahead.

Eco-friendly materials get extra points…

The Jarvis desk also has some good eco-credentials as they only use wood from sustainable sources. We like that and we also like the fact that the bamboo has a hard-wearing polyurethane coating that will keep the surface protected for many years to come.

Depending on your needs there are four different frame colors and a variety of different desktop sizes from 42” x 30” to 72” x 30” You can also choose between either a contoured or rectangular shape.

Decent load capacity…

The load capacity for the desk is a very decent 350lbs which should be plenty. The motor works nice and quietly and operates at 1.3” per second which is a little slow. The control panel is easy to use and has four presets.

The desk has plenty of adjustabilities so is likely to be suitable for the shortest or tallest of users. This is the case when either sat or standing. With a range of between 25.5” to 51” Jarvis have you well-covered.

A thing of beauty…

The steel frame is heavy and features a wide lifting column to ensure a more grounded and steady desk. The frame is delivered in one piece and the whole unit can be assembled in a few minutes.

Although the Jarvis Standing Desk Bamboo Top is not the cheapest standing desk it’s undoubtedly a thing of beauty.

This together with a good quality steel frame and some decent electronics make it a great option for anyone looking for a quality made, functional and stylish desk.

Our rating: (4.8 / 5)

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4 VARIDESK – Full Electric Desk – PRODESK 48 Electric Reclaimed Wood – 3-Button Memory Settings

The Varidesk is made from reclaimed wood in a butcher block style. The contrasting colors of the wood give it an interesting and stylish look. Furthermore, the satin finish brings the whole design together brilliantly.

A little original in design…

The good-looking desktop is married together with a heavy-duty and stable all-steel frame. The frame is a chunky and slightly industrial looking affair. We like the few rivets that have intentionally been exposed and the Vari logo on the frame. It’s not the kind of thing you find on most desks but it works well.

The metal frame is rock-solid and provides outstanding lateral support.

The desk has a good height range of between 25.5” to 50.5”. The motor is quiet, has four presets, and though it works smoothly, it’s a little slow. Another negative is that the load capacity is only 200 lbs.

The desk capacity might not be a deal-breaker but it’s something to keep in mind.

Save money by changing the top…

The desk we’re reviewing here is the 48” option though you can get a 60” variant if you prefer. You’re also able to buy laminate-top ones too. These will save you some money and maybe a good idea if you’re thinking of changing out the top at a later date.

The VARIDESK is easy to assemble. We’d also agree that the cable management system can be installed easily. However, their claims of being able to put together the desk in five minutes are overly optimistic.

If you’re a professional and you’ve put together hundreds of these desks, on a good day, you might make it in five minutes. For us mere mortals 20 minutes would be quick.

Our rating: (4.7 / 5)

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5 FlexiSpot Standing Desk Hight Adjustable Desk Riser with Deep Keyboard Tray for Laptop – 35″ – Black – M7MB-SBA

FlexiSpot Standing Desk Hight Adjustable Desk Riser is an affordable option for anyone seeking a budget solution to a standing desk.

This desk riser differs from the best standing desks we’ve already reviewed in two key areas. Firstly, you’ll need a desk to use in conjunction with FlexiSpot Standing Desk. This is because the FlexiSpot sits on top of your existing desktop.

Secondly, FlexiSpot does not have an electric motor. This one is adjusted by hand. However, since it’s lightweight this is a relatively quick and easy process. What’s more, once placed on the desk there is sufficient range to make it suitable for just about everyone.

Two levels to spread yourself out…

The desktop is not particularly big but it does have two levels which give you some additional room. The lower tier can be used for your keyboard or laptop and the top tier can be used for two good-sized monitors.

The width of the desk is 35” though there is a smaller 28” standing desk and larger 41” and 47” options available. The desk comes with a choice of either black or brown MDF finished material. The quality is OK, but nothing more than that, and what you’d expect at this budget price point.

If you’re a handy kind of person we’d recommend buying the frame only. This will save you money and allow you to buy better quality and more inspiring work surfaces.

Portable for those who travel and work …

The desk is relatively light and can be easily erected and folded away. One of the key advantages of this is that it’s highly portable, so can easily be taken with you in your car. If you frequently travel and have to use different desks this could just be the ideal standing desk.

Our rating: (5 / 5)

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6 FlexiSpot EN1B-R5528B Electric Height Adjustable Desk, 55 x 28 Inches, Home Office Sit Stand Up Desk(Black Frame +55 inch Black Top)

Here’s another desk from Flexiport, but this, unlike the previous one, is a stand-alone version.

This is a basic, affordable and easy to assemble, motorized standing desk. It measures 55” x 28” and there are no other sizes available with this model. However, if a gray frame isn’t your thing there are black and white frames to choose from.

No louder than 50 decibels…

The motor is nice and quiet and doesn’t get louder than 50 decibels when in operation. There are three height presets. On most standing desks there are four, but we think for a budget option, three is just fine. The range of movement is from 28” to 48”. Not the best but it’s OK.

The motor is also a bit slower than a lot of its competitors. It works at just one inch a second. This, again, is not up to the standards of the best standing desks, but considering the price, it’s acceptable.

We love the alarm…

Better news, as far as the electronics are concerned, is that the control panel has a sitting/standing alarm. You can set the alarm to notify you when it’s time to either stand or sit again. Now that’s a useful feature.

The weight capacity for the FlexiSpot EN1B-R5528B Electric Height Adjustable Desk is only 155 lbs. This isn’t much at all. It also gives a clue as to the fact that this isn’t the strongest desk we’ve reviewed.

Not great, not terrible…

In short, the FlexiSpot will do everything any of the other standing desks can do but just not quite as well. However, if you’re looking for something smaller and affordable it’s not a bad option.

One last point is that the desk is delivered in two pieces in two separate deliveries.

Hopefully, they’ll get delivered at the same time!

Our rating: (4.7 / 5)

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7 Lorell Sit-to-Stand monitor riser, black

The Lorell Sit-to-Stand monitor riser is a small, light and affordable standing desk. It sits on your existing desk and works as a mechanical platform. It’s uncomplicated and very easy to use.

For singles only…

It measures just 31” x 20”. This isn’t big at all and is only suitable for use with a single keyboard and a single monitor. The keyboard should be placed on the lower tier and the monitor on the higher tier. You could substitute your laptop for a keyboard if you prefer.

One nice extra feature of the keyboard/laptop tier is that it can be moved in or out.

The Lorell Sit-to-Stand monitor riser has the lowest load capacity of all the standing desks we’ve reviewed. With a capacity of just 50lbs, you’re not going to be able to load it with more than a small monitor and laptop.

This shouldn’t be too much of an issue since, as we’ve already explained, there’s not much room for anything else anyway.

There’s no choice of different sizes and there are also only two color choices, black or white.

No beauty prizes here…

The build quality is OK but nothing special. Frankly, there are a lot of sharp edges, exposed hinges, and exposed rivets. There’s no attempt to hide its budget and functional qualities.

The monitor riser can be set in only five different positions and can also only rise 16” above the desktop. This may be suitable for a lot of people but doesn’t offer a lot of flexibility. Taller users might find that the unit is too low even when it’s fully extended.

Before buying the Lorell Sit-to-Stand monitor riser we’d recommend you try placing your monitor 16” above your desk to make sure this is a suitable height.

Let’s finish on a positive…

One of the big advantages of this desk is that it’s very light, very small and very portable. You could easily move it from room to room in your house. Alternatively, it’s small enough to fit in your car and take to any office you happen to be working from.

Our rating: (4.3 / 5)

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8 Uplift Desk – E7 Electric Standing Desk Converter with Bamboo Desktop and Black Base

Cue the tears and winning speeches. This has to take the award for the best looking electric standing desk converter. Silk sashes, tiaras and applause all round.

There have been no efforts spared in the design of this one. Uplift has gone the extra mile to produce a highly functional monitor riser with killer looks in spades.

From the cutting-edge design to the powder-coated steel frame, to the beautiful natural bamboo desktops, this Uplift Desk screams quality. This is a sturdy and beautiful piece of furniture that’s built to last.

And this one has a motor…

Unlike most desk converters/risers, the Uplift Desk – E7 Electric Standing Desk Converter has an electric motor. The motor is very quiet and also has an excellent height range of 21”.

The control panel has two memory settings and is easy to use. But best of all is the clever way it’s been integrated into the desktop of the upper tier. We’ve never seen a control panel placed like this before. It looks great.

Sufficient load capacity…

The load capacity is 110lbs. This is relatively good for a desktop converter and more than sufficient for a large monitor and a keyboard or laptop. The Uplift Desk is designed so the monitor sits on the higher tier and the keyboard or laptop sits on the lower tier.

Small criticisms coming…

One small criticism of this Uplift desk is that the lower tier desktop cannot be moved in or out. We’ve seen this on cheaper desktop converters and feel it’s a useful function. It could be that, in this instance, the strive for ergonomics and aesthetics has somewhat compromised practicality.

Another small negative is that because of its design, the E7 Electric Standing Desk Converter is not easily portable. It can’t fold into itself, like a lot of units, so it’s relatively hard to carry around.

This is a desk converter that should be bought, placed in situ, and never moved.

Our rating: (5 / 5)

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9 SHW Electric Height Adjustable Computer Desk, 48 x 24 Inches, Maple

You get plenty of bang for your buck with this desk.

The SHW Electric Height Adjustable Computer Desk has a simple design and some nice clean lines. It has a light maple-finished top and a white frame. The desktop measures 48” x 24” which is plenty big enough for most office purposes.

If you need something larger, the SHW only comes in a 55” variant. Corner models and desks with different color tops are also available.

Whichever desk you opt for, they all use the same lifting mechanism. The motor they use is quiet, though a little slow, and has four presets. Similar to most standing desks the control panel is positioned under the right-hand side of the desktop.

Adequate rather than impressive…

The desk has a height range of between 28” to 48” which should be adequate in most circumstances. It has a weight capacity of 110lbs. It’s a little low but again should be more than adequate in most circumstances.

The bottom line is you get plenty of desk for not a lot of money.

So all good then?

Well, not exactly.

A couple of moans and niggles…

Firstly, the desktop comes in two pieces. You have to attach the two parts when you assemble the desk. In theory, this should be a straightforward process. However, sometimes there are issues with the two pieces not marrying up properly.

Secondly, and we don’t like this, the desktop is not maple. It’s MDF. Particleboard. Whatever you want to call it. It’s annoying that the manufacturers aren’t clear about this.

We understand that, at this price, solid wood desktops are not going to be possible. That’s fine. Just be upfront about it guys. OK?

Finally, the desk is not the most stable of all the desks we’ve reviewed. It’s not bad but we did experience a little lateral movement.

Our rating: (4.2 / 5)

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10 DEVAISE Height Adjustable Standing Desk with Removable Crank, 55″ Sit Stand Up Desk Workstation for Home Office, White – Best Adjustable Standing Desks Crank Mount

Sometimes simple is good.

This is the first crank-operated standing desk in our review.

One of the obvious advantages of this desk is the price. Without an electric motor, the DEVAISE Height Adjustable Standing Desk is significantly cheaper than a motorized equivalent. Another advantage is that there’s less to go wrong down the line.

Hard to tell it apart from a standard desk…

The overall quality of the desk is basic but more than acceptable considering the price point. The desk comes in a choice of either black or white. It, of course, features the ubiquitous MDF desktop finish.

Without the need to house an electric motor the desk looks quite sleek and minimalistic. In fact, it’s quite hard to tell it apart from a standard desk.

Taller users beware…

The desk measures a good-sized 55” x 23”. The lowest height of the desk comes in at 29”. Fully extended, the desk can reach up 45”. This isn’t bad but some taller users might need to check if this is going to be enough.

To adjust the desk height the removable crank has to be inserted into the ratchet mechanism. The good news is that the crank can be inserted into either the right-hand side or the left. Whilst adjusting the desk the load capacity is 100 lbs.

Probably a little old school for some…

We like this old school lifting system though it isn’t going to suit everyone. If you’re on a tight budget it might be your only option. However, if you’re not likely to frequently adjust your desk height, why not go for something less expensive and less complicated?

It makes sense to us.

Our rating: (4.7 / 5)

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11 Fancierstudio Riser Desk Standing Desk Extra Wide 38″ Fits Two Monitor Max Height 17.7″ Work Stand Desk Computer Desk RD-01 BLK

This is an inexpensive and highly portable option for a standing desk.

It’s the cheapest of all the products we’ve reviewed here. It’s basic and made with some simple materials. This one is not going to win any design awards or beauty competitions.

Not for taller people…

The Fancierstudio Riser Desk Standing Desk is a converter that sits on your existing desk. It will elevate your desk height from anywhere between 5” to 17.7”. If you cannot quickly do the math, that’s a range of just 13”. For some of you, particularly taller people, that may not be enough.

Another potential problem is that when the desktop converter is fully down, the monitor shelf still sits 5” above the desk. This could potentially be uncomfortable and may require you to raise your seat higher when in a sitting position.

If your office chair cannot be lifted another 5”, or is impeded to do so by the arms, this might not be the right desk riser for you.

Not micro-adjustable but still…

On a more positive note, there is a choice of eight different height levels, which is a lot more than most comparable desk risers. Whilst you don’t get the same level of micro-adjustability that you get from the best adjustable standing desks, it’s still not bad.

The Fancierstudio Riser Desk Standing Desk is 38” wide and has room for a monitor on the top shelf and a keyboard or laptop on the lower shelf. The desk converter has a very low load capacity of only 30 lbs.

In our opinion, this is not enough…

30 lbs.? This could easily be surpassed with a monitor alone. Consequently, real care needs to be taken before deciding what you’re going to place on the two platforms.

We’d recommend weighing your monitor before even considering buying this.

Finishing on some good news, the design of the desk converter allows it to almost fully fold into itself. Since it’s already light and compact, it makes it perfect for transporting and taking with you to other offices and locations. Or, of course, between the rooms in your house.

Our rating: (4.7 / 5)

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12 Stand Up Desk Store Crank Adjustable Sit to Stand Up Computer Desk – Heavy Duty Steel Frame, 60 Inches, Black Frame/Teak Top

This is interesting.

The Stand Up Desk Store has created a standing desk with a two-tier design. It echoes the same design that you find on desk converters or desk risers. The difference is that this is a desk in its own right.

If you like to have your monitor sit higher than your keyboard when you’re at your desk, this could be a great option.

We’ll add them to the list…

The desk comes in a choice of different frames, desktop colors and 48” or 60” sizes. The desktop obviously isn’t made of solid wood though it doesn’t say anywhere that this is the case. We’ll add them to the huge list of manufacturers that don’t seem to know how to describe MDF.

The desk has height adjustability of between 28” and 45” with the lower tier permanently linked to the higher tier and sitting 4.5” below it. The desk has a weight limit of 154 lbs and is moved up and down by the use of a manual crank arm. The crank arm is detachable and can be used on either side of the desk.

If you’re not frequently adjusting the height of your desk, manual cranks make sense. They’re cheaper and more reliable in the long run. Sounds good to us.

Can’t see the point of castors…

The Stand Up Desk is on castors and we don’t get it. Why would you want to frequently move the position of your desk? Where on earth are you taking it? Down to the river for a picnic perhaps? Nope, makes no sense at all. It’s like having castors on your sofa for the once in a blue moon time you need to shift it. Pointless.

Anyway, for those that need to move their desk around frequently, buy this one. We don’t know of any other desks that have castors. Just be careful when you’re moving it around with all that expensive equipment wobbling around on top.

Despite the strange inclusion of castors, the desk has surprisingly little lateral movement or wobble. It’s nice and stable. Though you could always remove them to give a little bit of extra rigidity.

Our rating: (4.9 / 5)

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Buying Guide For Finding The Best Standing Desks For You

Why Stand?

The fact is that sitting is not good for you. You’ve probably got the memo on this already. It’s no secret. Sitting is bad for your back and it’s bad for your waistline. Prolonged sitting is also likely to increase your risks of diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Blimey!

Let’s look at back pain first…

80% of adults will experience back pain at some point and the consequences can be severe. Sitting down places over eight times more pressure on the lower spine than when you’re standing. Now that’s a lot and something we should all try to avoid.

Now for the other stuff…

Over the last decade, researchers have increasingly found links between prolonged sitting and a range of diseases. Our sedentary lifestyle is literally killing us and making us unhealthier and unhappier in the process.

Just standing for half of your work time, around four hours a day, can dramatically swing this balance. As well as losing weight, you’re likely to reduce damage to your spine and turn the tide against a raft of diseases.

Clearly, standing at your desk makes sense…

What is fascinating is that standing desks are very far from being new. Incredibly, the first standing desk dates back to a Cambridge University library in 1626. So now, rather than having discovered some great new way of working, we seem to merely be re-inventing the wheel.

Standing Desk Types

There are basically two kinds of standing desks.

The first kind is a self-contained desk that you can either sit or stand at. The mechanism and ability to raise or lower the standing desk varies. Everything else remains the same.

The second type of standing desk is called either a desk converter or a desk riser.

Let’s take a look at those now…

Desk Converters/Risers

These rely on an existing desk to stand upon. They are usually, though not always, a foldable design, light and easy to transport. They generally are smaller than a standing desk, have a lower load capacity and are manually operated.

The advantages of desk converters are in their ability to be easily moved and their low cost.

Motors

The best standing desks, in terms of quality and design, typically have a motor.

Most will have at least four presets though some might only have three. The best motors are quieter, around 50 decibels, and have a fast lowering and raising action. Anything close to 1.5” per second is considered to be a good speed.

Another useful option is an alarm to notify you when you’re sitting/standing needs to start or begin.

Motors are a great idea if you’re frequently altering the position of the desk.

For those on more of a budget, and without the need to frequently change desk heights, a crank-operated adjustment is a good option. As well as being cheaper there’s also less to go wrong and therefore less cost and maintenance down the line.

Tiers

Most standing desks are not tiered whereas desk risers/converters are.

Where desks are tiered, the lower tier will house a keyboard or laptop. The higher tier will house the monitor or monitors. If you don’t want to have your keyboard on a different level to the monitor, a desk converter probably won’t work for you.

Conversely, if you do want your keyboard and monitor on a different level, you need to choose your standing desk very carefully. A few standing desks offer this option, but not many.

If you didn’t find what you were looking for here, do check out our review for the Best Ergonomic Computer Desks.

If you’re interested in some cool accessories to go with your new standing desk, be sure to read our reviews on the Most Comfortable Office Chairs, the Best Printers for Art Prints, and the Best Computer Speakers.

We think you’ll all agree that standing desks are a good idea. If you’re not used to the concept it might take a little time and adjustment to stand. But once you adapt, the benefits are huge.

All the best standing desks we’ve looked at have their niche, but overall, the…

Jarvis Standing Desk Bamboo Top

…is our favorite. We loved the bamboo desktop, and we also loved its excellent eco-credentials, build quality, design and no quibble 7-year warranty on the electronics.

It’s a great desk.

The Jarvis Standing Desk Bamboo Top may not be your choice but we hope we’ve given you a few ideas and possible options. We hope you find the right desk for you.

Happy standing!