The Best Standing Desks of 2024
By Linus Tan
Updated Jan 2024
You may be comfortable working at a desk, but the truth is, sitting for most of the day can have long-term health implications (not to mention back pain and strain on your shoulders).
A standing desk based on your needs can help you work in a more comfortable position, while also increasing productivity and burning calories when you switch between sitting and standing frequently. Who wouldn't want that?
To help you better align your posture and make the leap into a healthier workspace, we've rounded up the best standing desks.
Best Overall: Uplift V2 Standing Desk
✓ Adjust from 64.26 cm to 129.29 cm
✓ Convenient LED display
✓ Customisable 48 mounting points
✓ Supports up to 161 kg
Best for Durability: Fully Jarvis Bamboo Standing Desk
✓ Adjust from 64.2 cm to 129 cm
✓ Sustainably grown solid bamboo
✓ Motorised steramlined design
✓ Supports up to 158 kg
Best for Simplicity: Vari Electric Standing Desk
✓ Adjust from 63.5 cm to 128 cm
✓ Easy and quick assembly process
✓ Programmable height settings
✓ Smooth and consistent movement
Best for Budget: IKEA TROTTEN Desk
✓ Adjust from 72 cm to 122 cm
✓ Manual handle adjustment
✓ Solid table surface
✓ Sturdy steel base frame
Best Standing Desk Converter: VariDesk Pro Plus 36
✓ Adjust from 4.5-inch to 17.5-inch
✓ Works with your current desk
✓ Weighted base with Dual Stability Bars
✓ 30-inch long work surface
#1 Best Overall: Uplift V2 Standing Desk
Uplift V2 Standing Desk
Configure and customise your desktop style to your heart's desire with the Uplift V2 standing desk.
Design
On the back of the Uplift V2, you'll find holes to thread wires through on both sides. At the front, you'll find a keypad which can be placed on either the left or right side. There's also an LED display to show the current desk height, a button to move the desk up, another to move it down, four memory preset buttons, and an "M" button to lock in your preferred sitting or standing height.
On the underside of the desk, you'll find a frame containing the control box. The Uplift V2 has 48 mounting points, giving you the option to expand your desk by adding new features whenever you want.
The Uplift V2 standing desk prides itself on its array of customisation options. You can choose from a variety of surfaces, including a whiteboard option. You can also select the size of your surfaces, frame types, and frame colours.
Uplift V2 Standing Desk
Set-Up
The beams in the Uplift V2 must be attached by the user. As a result, setup time is roughly about 30 minutes.
Features
The Uplift V2 Standing Desk performs exceptionally well compared to the rest of the list. It quietly adjusts to the desired sitting and standing heights. The desk can support up to 161 kg, enough to handle a heavy workstation, multiple monitors, and other accessories. The desk has a minimum height of 64.26 cm and a maximum height of 129.29 cm, roughly the same range as the Vari Electric standing desk.
Potential Dealbreakers
The Uplift V2 comes with adjustable foot glides, but it's a pity that oil begins to run down its leg after a certain period of wear.
Conclusion
Overall, the Uplift V2 standing desk has a nice touch, with 48 accessory mounting points available to customise it to your liking.
Uplift V2 Standing Desk
Best Overall
✓ Adjust from 64.26 cm to 129.29 cm
✓ Convenient LED display
✓ Customisable 48 mounting points
✓ Supports up to 161 kg
Best for Durability: Fully Jarvis Bamboo Standing Desk
Fully Jarvis Bamboo Standing Desk
The Fully Jarvis Bamboo has many advantages as a standing desk. Not only is the material sustainably grown bamboo, but it is also protected with a tough polyurethane coating.
Design
The word that comes to mind when using the Fully Jarvis Bamboo is "classy". If you've been using low-quality IKEA desks for years, the smooth, nearly-svelte surface of the Fully Jarvis Bamboo will be a completely new experience. You can customise the Fully Jarvis Bamboo standing desk to suit your needs. You can select the shape, size, and finish of your desk.
The Fully Jarvis Bamboo standing desk is similar to the Vari Electric, featuring motorised components concealed in the legs for a streamlined design. The sturdy and solid build of the table lets it support an impressive weight of up to 158kg. Additionally, there are circular cutouts at the rear for cable routing.
Fully Jarvis Bamboo Standing Desk
Set-Up
Many have noted that assembling the Fully Jarvis Bamboo is not as easy as the Vari Electric, as the latter comes with part of the support framework already mounted on the side and your only job is to attach the legs and feet. The Fully Jarvis Bamboo will take about half an hour to set up with the additional work — twice as much time as the Vari Electric. You’ll also need a Phillips-head screwdriver during the assembly process.
Features
We have no complaints regarding performance - the Fully Jarvis Bamboo rises and lowers silently. The touch control for adjusting height works differently from others: rather than two buttons, you must press the front of the button to lower the desk and the underside of the button to raise it.
The Fully Jarvis Bamboo Standing Desk has a height range between 64.2 cm and 129 cm. Compared to the Vari Electric.
Dealbreakers
As mentioned, the Fully Jarvis Bamboo takes longer to assemble but that’s a one-time trade-off you’ll have to make.
Conclusion
Overall, the Fully Jarvis Bamboo standing desk is a solid addition to your workspace if you're looking for something that's both attractive and handles a large weight capacity.
Fully Jarvis Bamboo Standing Desk
Best for Durability
✓ Adjust from 64.2 cm to 129 cm
✓ Sustainably grown solid bamboo
✓ Motorised steramlined design
✓ Supports up to 158 kg
Best for Simplicity: Vari Electric Standing Desk
Vari Electric Standing Desk
The Vari Electric standing desk has earned top spots in many critics' lists and for good reason.
Design
Vari's Electric standing desk comes in three widths: 48 inches, 60 inches, and 72 inches. It is available in five finishes: reclaimed wood, black, white, butcher block, and dark wood. It supports up to 90.7kg, making it suitable for users with heavier workstations or multiple monitors.
The desk features two T-shaped legs with a motor that allows it to be adjusted from 63.5 cm to 128 cm in height.The control panel is installed on the right side of the desk's front. You can easily switch it to the left by removing two screws, depending on your preference. The panel has up and down arrows to raise or lower the Vari, and an LCD readout that tells you the exact height in inches or centimetres (you can toggle between metric and imperial units).
What's more, Vari includes two hooks that clamp onto the side of the desk (to hang headphones, a purse, or other items), six Velcro-like straps for cable management, and a silicone coaster to prevent coffee rings.
Vari Electric Standing Desk
Set-up
Critics have high praise for the standing desk due to its thoughtful assembly process. The frame comes pre-attached, so customers only need to assemble the four legs. It takes about 15 minutes to put together, which is about half the time required for other standing desks. If you're not handy with assembling furniture, this is the standing desk for you.
Features
We are impressed with the Vari Electric's adjustable height range. Whether you're short or tall, you can easily find a comfortable sitting or standing height. You can also save your preferred sitting or standing height. After pressing the "M" button and one of the programmable buttons on the control panel, you can press the programmed buttons and the desk will adjust the height automatically.
We are enamoured with the Vari Electric for its quiet, smooth, and consistent movement when adjusting sitting and standing heights. Even with a full cup of coffee, the desk can be raised or lowered without spilling a single drop.
Dealbreakers
Unfortunately, if you need more help organising your cables, the Cable Management Tray will cost extra.
Conclusion
Overall, the Vari Electric Standing Desk should be one of the choices on your list. It's one of the easiest to assemble, comes with attractive accessories, and allows you to customise the style to choose the right one for your workspace.
Vari Electric Standing Desk
Best for Simplicity
✓ Adjust from 63.5 cm to 128 cm
✓ Easy and quick assembly process
✓ Programmable height settings
✓ Smooth and consistent movement
Best for Budget: IKEA TROTTEN Desk
IKEA TROTTEN Desk
Standing desks can be quite a costly investment for most. If you’re looking to reap the benefits of owning one while on a tighter budget, the IKEA TROTTEN Desk will be worth considering.
Design
Many of us would be more familiar with electric standing desks that automatically rise or fall at the push of the button. The IKEA TROTTEN Desk takes on a more manual design with a rotating hand crank that turns to adjust the height of the table. You can either install it on the left or right side of the table and hide it underneath when it is not in use.
You are able to adjust the height of the table from 72 cm all the way up to 122 cm. This is definitely a tighter range than the rest of the tables on this list but it’s a trade-off for a more affordable and manual set up.
The IKEA TROTTEN features a solid table surface made out of fibreboard and particleboard along with a sturdy steel base frame. The table surface measure 120 cm in length and 70 cm in depth.
IKEA TROTTEN Desk
Setup
The IKEA TROTTEN has a relatively easier setup as you won’t have to deal with any cables. The main consideration would be the placement of the crank handle on either the left or right side of the table.
Dealbreakers
The primary drawback of the IKEA TROTTEN Desk comes with its trade-off on budget. Its manual design may not be ideal for those who prefer the convenience of an electric standing desk. So, if you don't want to manually crank the handle to adjust the table height, this desk may not be the one for you.
Conclusion
Overall, the IKEA TROTTEN Desk offers a budget option for users who would like access to a great table with height adjustment features.
IKEA TROTTEN Desk
Best for Budget
✓ Adjust from 72 cm to 122 cm
✓ Manual handle adjustment
✓ Solid table surface
✓ Sturdy steel base frame
Best Standing Desk Converter: VariDesk Pro Plus 36
VariDesk Pro Plus 36
If you're not sure if a standing desk is right for you and don't want to commit fully yet, consider a standing desk converter. This tool sits on top of your current desk and lets you easily switch to a standing position. Of all the standing desk converters on the market, we recommend the VariDesk Pro Plus 36 (which is also from Vari).
Design
The VariDesk Pro Plus 36 has a weighted base with Dual Stability Bars to reduce lateral movement or wobbling across all 11 height settings. It comes in all-black or all-white finishes and features a two-tier design with a lower keyboard deck and an upper monitor deck.
You get a 30-inch long work surface, which is enough space to fit only your essentials, such as a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. You'll need to rely on your actual table to hold other items, like paperwork, speakers, or lamps.
The VariDesk Pro Plus 36 operates using a spring system to adjust its height between 4.5 and 17.5 inches off your current desk. Its locking mechanism is held in place and secured by levers on either side of the desk converter, which make it convenient and easy to adjust whenever needed.
VariDesk Pro Plus 36
Setup
The VariDesk Pro Plus 36 is the easiest to set up of all the options. It comes fully assembled, so all you need to do is place it on your current desk. No motors or cables to plug in, so you're ready to go straight out of the box.
Dealbreakers
As a standing desk converter, you're working with a smaller space than a full-length table. Some users may find this a bit cramped.
Conclusion
Overall, the VariDesk Pro Plus 36 makes it easy to experiment with standing while working, without having to make major changes to your setup.
VariDesk Pro Plus 36
Best Standing Desk Converter
✓ Adjust from 4.5-inch to 17.5-inch
✓ Works with your current desk
✓ Weighted base with Dual Stability Bars
✓ 30-inch long work surface
Compare The Best Standing Desks
Final Thoughts
We typically spend too much time sitting at our desks during a workweek. With a standing desk, you'll be more motivated to keep tapping, gaming, or whatever you do, well into the night and beyond without having to worry about your posture.
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