The Best Standing Desks, According to Real Simple Editors
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Hours spent dedicated to devices and computer tasks may be causing neck pain—commonly known as “tech neck”—and other pervasive issues, including an arched back, hunched shoulders, and an extended chin. One powerful way to combat those woes is to use a standing desk.
We incorporated 14 standing desks into our work-from-home setups for over a year to see if they operated smoothly, could hold the weight of our laptops, monitors, and other home office essentials, accommodated different heights, and were durable enough to last through everyday use. Don’t worry: We made sure they looked good, too. Check out our five faves below.
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The FlexiSpot Comhar desk has a sturdy build and sleek design that looks great in any home office. This desk easily and quietly rises and lowers, and we programmed presets so it can rise to the ideal height every time. The max height is about 48 inches, which we found works for anyone up to 6-foot-5.
Setup was simple and only took 15 minutes—the fastest build in the group. We were amazed at how strong and durable it feels, and after using it for over a year, it still looks and performs as good as new, with not a single scratch in sight. The only wear it ever accumulated was fingerprints, but a quick swipe erases them.
Two charging ports (USB-A and USB-C) and a child lock button to prevent kids from accidentally lowering it made our lives a lot easier. The wide desk drawer is great to store our workday essentials, too.
This desk comes in 48- and 55-inch-wide options, and you can choose between a glass or wood desktop. It has a weight capacity of 110 pounds, which is a lot but also the lowest out of all the desks we tested. (A laptop weighs between 4 and 5 pounds, with monitors weighing up to 20 pounds—think a big, curved gaming screen.) We piled on multiple computers and laptops without issue—just make sure to add up the weight of your belongings before adding to cart.
Tabletop Size: 47.3 by 23.7 inches or 55 by 28 in. | Height Range: 28.3 to 47.6 in. | Lift Mechanism: Electric | Weight Capacity: 110 lbs.
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This standing desk from Radlove costs about $100 less than our top pick, but it brings a stiff competition. We’ve been using it for three years, and it still operates just as seamlessly as the day we got it.
It would be a disservice to call this model simple. You can preset up to four different height adjustments, and there are hooks on the side to hang a backpack, work bag, water bottle, or headphones. There are several cable management features to limit clutter, including two wire collection holes and a wire basket. The wire basket is on the smaller side but still spacious enough for our computer cords.
The only minor issue we experienced with this desk was in relation to its height adjustment buttons. They don’t lock the desk’s position, so kids could easily come by, press a button or two, and disrupt your flow.
Other than that, it can accommodate up to 176 pounds, which is more than enough for most needs, and it looks great in any space (aka you don’t need to sacrifice style for function). You can grab it in a few different size options ranging from 48 to 63 inches wide, and it even comes in an L-shaped style.
Tabletop Size: 48 by 24 inches, 55 by 24 inches, 59 by 24 inches, or 63 by 30 in. | Height Range: 27 to 45 in. | Lift Mechanism: Electric | Weight Capacity: 176 lbs.
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If you don’t need a fancy-pants electric option, this manual standing desk from Threshold has everything you need and nothing more. It’s strong, secure, and durable. After a year of use and a cross-country move, it has no dings or dents—just very minor, hard-to-see scratches on the wood top from a keyboard.
The surface measures 47 by 24 inches, giving us room for a laptop, monitor, keyboard, mouse, pen holder, and stationery with plenty of room left over. It never wobbles or feels unsteady while changing heights via the hand crank. You can adjust it from 29 to 48 inches. Using it to stand has drastically decreased our back, neck, and knee pain.
While it doesn’t have any drawers, we still think it’s a good pick for people who want a simple, fuss-free adjustable desk, with no extra cords or noise. The hand crank is a little stiff to use, but we got used to it, and it allowed us to make small adjustments as needed.
One thing we will call out is to be prepared for a longer assembly process. The instructions said to insert screws into pre-drilled holes that were nonexistent, so we had to purchase a drill to finish setting it up, which ended up taking over four hours. Once the assembly was out of the way, it was all worth it.
Tabletop Size: 47.24 by 23.62 in. | Height Range: 28.66 to 48.35 in. | Lift Mechanism: Hand crank | Weight Capacity: 121 lbs.
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The Vari Essential Electric Standing Desk was a bit cumbersome to carry up to our apartment—it’s a two-person job—but once inside, we found it surprisingly easy to assemble as the whole desk came together in less than 30 minutes.
After a year of use, during which we moved apartments, there were no signs of damage, which was impressive since our other furniture got roughed up quite a bit. The desk looks and operates the same as the day we got it, and the materials are so sturdy that it hasn’t faltered in the slightest.
Some of our favorite things about this model are how intuitive the height controller is to use, with four programmable preset buttons. We also love its noise level. It was nearly silent when in use. It also has a spacious tabletop at 24 by 48 inches, which was more than enough for our computers, monitors, and work devices. We really liked the cord organizers and thoughtfully placed indents that held each cable.
When it comes to managing desktop mess, though, this pick could use some improvement. It doesn’t have drawers or shelves, so it’s not an efficient use of space for cramped apartments where things pile up quickly. That said, the quality, ease of use, and simple assembly make this a no-brainer for anyone looking to improve their posture during the workday by way of a reliable standing desk.
Tabletop Size: 48 by 24 in. | Height Range: 27.5 to 47.2 in.| Lift Mechanism: Electric | Weight Capacity: 150 lbs.
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If you want to experiment with a standing desk without buying an entirely new piece of furniture, consider a standing desk converter. This one took 10 minutes to set up and was easy to maneuver with a one-sided lift mechanism. It doesn’t wobble while we work, and we found it to be very comfortable. Did we mention it’s just over $100? This compact add-on gave us exactly what we needed to maximize our vertical space.
This converter fit like a glove on our desktop. It took up most of the depth but left enough room on the sides for trinkets and decor. The upper level had enough space for two monitors or a monitor and a notebook, with a thin trench to keep your phone.
Just shy of 20 inches tall, it was comfortable for those of us above 5-foot-9—it promotes proper neck alignment and better posture. However, you may need to use a separate keyboard. Our laptop felt too low and cramped on the lower level and too high and distant on the upper level.
Tabletop Size: 37.4 by 16.1 in. | Height Range: 5 to 19.88 in. | Lift Mechanism: Hand crank | Weight Capacity: 35 lbs.
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Final Verdict
Based on its fuss-free assembly process, durability, and storage capacity, we chose the FlexiSpot EW8 Comhar Electric Standing Desk with Drawers as our top pick. If you’re not looking to make a huge investment but still want a high-performing product, we recommend the Radlove Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk.
Our Testing Process
To find the best standing desks, we put 14 popular models to the test in our own homes. For each desk, we noted how the package was delivered, how cumbersome it was to move into our space, and how easy it was to unbox and put together. Then, we used our standing desks regularly over the six-month-plus-long testing period, during which we evaluated their comfort, the effectiveness of their lift mechanisms, sturdiness, durability, and the ease of creating preset heights.
Each model was tested for at least six months, though some were tested for as long as a year and a half. We also made note of any neck or back pain that was developed or alleviated after switching to a standing desk. On desks that had storage and drawers, we considered how much storage they offered and how smoothly they opened and shut. Finally, we rated each desk based on setup experience, design, durability, comfort, and overall value for the money.
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How to Shop for Standing Desks Like a Pro
Mechanism
Standing desks feature either manual or electric lift mechanisms. The lift mechanism determines a few things: cost, ease of use, adjustability, and noise level.
An electric lift makes for a pricier purchase, though it also increases the ease of use considerably, allowing you to raise and lower the desk at the push of a button. Often, electric lifts also come with programmable memory presets so that you don’t personally have to remember ideal settings. Not only do these models do the heavy lifting for you, but they also tend to have a higher weight capacity. Those with substantial office setups (like multiple monitors or bulky speakers) should likely opt for an electric riser.
Manual risers are ideal for those with lighter technology and office setups, those on a budget, or those who want something more portable. Manual desks typically operate in one of two ways: a crank, in which the user operates a handheld crank beneath the tabletop, or a spring lift, with which the user grips the tabletop and pulls it up or down at predetermined intervals. Crank models are typically more compatible with heavier setups, while spring-lift models are often used in conjunction with lighter setups featuring one monitor or a laptop. Spring-lift models are typically a little louder than electric risers, producing a loud clicking sound when adjusted, but they are also usually more lightweight and portable.
Features
If you’re considering investing in a standing desk, you’re already looking to optimize your workspace. Many manufacturers offer additional features and customizations that can further enhance your setup by enhancing accessibility or organization. Power grommets (in-desk power outlets) are a major convenience booster, allowing you to charge your phone, headphones, and other accessories right on the desktop.
They’re also one way of eliminating drooping cords that look cluttered. (Not to mention, without them, you may need to invest in longer cables that won’t catch or snap when your desk extends to its greatest height.) A less expensive way of keeping your desktop free of unsightly cables is to invest in a desk with tabletop cutouts or cable organizers that allow you to thread cables through the desk or stow them away beneath the desktop. Many companies also provide accessories such as hanging baskets and hooks—or even hammocks and bikes—that are compatible with their standing desks.
Size
A standard standing desk will typically have a depth of around 30 inches. This means you’ll be able to place a laptop on the table in front of a monitor. If you’re looking for space to spread out laptops or notebooks horizontally (i.e., creating different workstations alongside your primary monitor) or for a home office printer or desk lamp, make sure you pick a standing desk that’s wider than the standard 48 inches. Our overall best, the Flexispot Comhar Standing Desk, is available in 55 inches, and our best budget pick, the Radlove Adjustable Standing Desk, ranges from 48 through 63 inches.
If you have a small home office or no set office space, we recommend a pick with a smaller workstation area—it can help increase your productivity if you pick the right one.
When it comes to height, the average 5-foot-11 person requires a standing desk that’s at least 44 inches tall. As a rule of thumb, a standing desk should extend high enough that the tabletop or lowest tier (essentially where your keyboard rests) should lie just beneath elbow height when your fingers reach the keyboard. The top row of characters on the computer screen should be approximately the same as your standing eye height.
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Taylor Rock, an associate editorial director at Real Simple. Taylor has worked from home since 2020 and knows too well the aches and pains associated with a poor office setup. She tested the Seville Classics airLIFT Desk and has used it every weekday for a year and a half now (paired with the FlexiSpot Premium Ergo Office Chair). It didn’t make our list because it’s more expensive than the rest, but it’s awesome—she’ll never go back to a traditional desk.
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