Want to learn more about how much standing desks cost? Check out this breakdown of the costs for every type of standing desk.
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One of the primary buying decision influencers, regardless of industry, is cost. Every purchase is ultimately driven by a budget of some sort.
We often get the question, how much does your standing desks cost? Here's the straightforward, honest-to-goodness answer: it depends.
Thanks for nothing, right? Well, it's the truth, but here's a little more information on what influences the total cost of buying a standing desk. Let's take a look at what you can expect to pay and what you will get for that money.
Just to make sure we're clear, a standing desk is a desk you stand at. Ok, you probably figured that one out already, but we need to understand that not all standing desks are created equal. In most cases you can find Standing Desks from StandDesk.Co that cost between $100-$2000 depending on the type of desk.
There are several standing desks with different features and designs available. This is great because it allows you to find the desk option that will be the perfect fit for your needs, although, it also means there are a lot of decisions to be made.
Sometimes, more choices mean more frustration, not less. So let's break down those choices...
Some of the "standing desk" options available are made to sit on top of your current desk. Basically, you're buying a mini desk that holds your computer or monitor and keyboard. Some of these desk converters, or monitor risers, are height adjustable and others are stationary.
This option can cost anywhere from $100 to $450, but keep in mind that this price is only for an add-on to the desk you're already using.
Work sitting or standing with this ultra-easy solution and enjoy all the benefits adding movement to your workday brings – increased productivity, energy and wellness.
A sit-to-stand desk is height adjustable and allows you to transition from sitting to standing. Some of these designs make it easy to change your working position during the day, and others... not so much.
Your basic sit-to-stand desk, with no bells and whistles, start at about $180 and go up from there.
There's one major downside to a plain ol' sit-to-stand desk: if it isn't easy to adjust the height quickly, as you'll have to manually crank it up or down by hand. More than likely you'll leave it in one position permanently rather than going through the hassle of manually adjusting the height.
Then, when your feet are screaming to take the load off, you'll be at the mercy of the immovable standing desk. The internet is full of folks who have failed to take into account the work involved in adjusting their sit-to-stand desks.
For what it's worth, a desktop converter that can be raised and lowered easily is a better choice than a manual adjustable desk.
If you plan to transition between sitting and standing at a desk throughout your day, then an electric standing desk is the way to go. Electric sit-to-stand desks allow you to adjust the height with the push of a button. The added feature means it costs a little more, but it's totally worth it!
Electric sit-to-stand desks can cost anywhere from $480 to $2,000, depending on the quality construction, features, and engineering.
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Most electric sit-to-stand desks have a two-button control to move the desk up and down. That's great and all, but what if your desk had memory? It could move to the perfect height at the touch of a button. Well, some do!
These desks allow you to program height presets, like the perfect standing and sitting heights, so you can literally sit-to-stand with the push of a button. You'll get the height right every time, which is important for achieving perfect working posture.
Standing desks with memory start at about $600.
There are a ton of other great features that you can add on to your standing desk, like a monitor arm, ergonomic keyboard tray, cable tray, or integrated power strip. Unlike StandDesk, some standing desks consider wire grommets an add-on.
The cost of standing desks will vary based on company, quality, and features, and as well as a number of other factors. It's best to shop around and decide exactly what you want. Then, sit back (or stand up) and enjoy the freedom to work the way you want.
Yes, standing desks are absolutely worth it. Standing desks have shown to help boost your activity levels, your mood, and increase productivity. The simple act of switching out a traditional desk for a standing desk can have a significant impact on your health and your life.
To find the right standing desk for your office, check out the link below.
CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.
While working at a desk all day, you can begin to suffer from a sore back, lack of focus or feeling like you need to move. With a standing desk, you have the option to switch up your position and make it easier to continue throughout the day. There are also other upsides, like health benefits.
Research has shown that sitting for long stretches isn't healthy. It's associated with cardiovascular disease, obesity and other potential health risks. That's not great for office workers, who have to be at a desk all day, but standing desks can help make a difference. Scientists are still looking into exactly how much of a health difference standing can have against sitting, but some research shows that an average person will burn 8 additional calories per hour of standing instead of sitting. Other estimates are significantly higher.
Right now, the best standing desk you can buy is the Branch Standing Desk. With a mid-level price tag and high-end build quality, the Branch fits most people's standing desk needs perfectly. It has four programmable heights, and the base is so sturdy the desk feels solid even at full extension.
While standing instead of sitting might not lead to weight loss, it's still shown to help moderate blood sugar faster following a meal and reduce the potential for back or shoulder pain (although you might be trading that for leg or foot pain). Check out these tips on how to position your desk for maximum comfort, whether you're sitting or standing.
I tested a lot of standing desks of various prices, styles and options to get to this list of favorites. Each model is a little different, but they all share one key feature: the ability to raise or lower on demand to suit your specific home office needs.
At first glance, the Branch standing desk looks pretty generic, but the level of craftsmanship is apparent on closer inspection. All of the materials feel premium, with a weight that only comes from good engineering.
Putting it together was simple and only took about 30 minutes, though I think having two people would reduce that significantly. It was also extremely well packaged -- something that Branch does with all its products -- so it was in top shape once I had it all together.
The Branch desk can remember four separate heights and has a handy cable door at the back to keep your desk clear and tidy. While the desk can feel a little too business-like -- I bought the white top and white legs -- if you choose one of the warmer woods and the gray legs, it will likely fit into your home office better.
Of course, if you are furnishing an office, then the Branch desk and Verve office chair from our best office chairs list is a great combination.
Branch Furniture
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Branch Furniture
$851 at Amazon $851 at Amazon
At $850, the Vari Electric Standing Desk is expensive, but it's also the best standing desk I tested. Measuring 60 inches wide, with a depth of 30 inches, providing ample desktop area and a weight capacity of 200 pounds, the Vari electric desk can easily hold a dual monitor work setup using monitor arms and pretty much any other office accessories or desktop options you need. This stable standing desk looks nice, too. I got the "reclaimed wood" finish, but the top is really made of plastic (although it doesn't look cheap). The steel legs are very sturdy and you can adjust the feet if there's any wobbling.
It was surprisingly easy to install, too, considering it's the heaviest desk of the bunch. I did need help moving the top of the desk onto a flat surface for the installation (make sure the surface is cushioned to avoid scratching it) -- and flipping over the finished desk at the end, but there was minimal hardware and few steps involved overall.
The digital display on the electric control panel makes it easy to see the height of your desk, and it provides four buttons for setting custom desk heights. The adjustable standing desk also comes with an optional storage mount to organize your cables -- and a couple of sturdy hooks to hold a bag or headphones. And, it isn't loud when it's raising and lowering the adjustable height.
The Vari is too big for my house, but it's still the best standing desk with an easy installation, an attractive design, simple, quiet controls and tons of space. For the price, I do wish this one included a standing mat, but that's my only complaint.
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$949 at Secret Lab $949 at Secret Lab
I have used a lot of desks over the course of my career, but I can honestly say I've never used a desk quite like the Magnus Pro XL. It is at once the most industrial-looking table, while also giving off huge gamer energy. Measuring 70 inches long and made almost exclusively of metal parts, this desk is not meant for one-person assembly. It took nearly two hours to put it all together, but once it is finished, it's a work of art.
It has a five-setting standing system and the motors are some of the quietest I've heard while testing. The motion is smooth, and even though the desk weighs quite a lot, it rises quickly and without hassle. I never thought of using a standing desk for gaming before, but it really helps to break up the hours of sitting.
If you can manage the cost of getting the extras I would recommend it. The cable management is already excellent with the built-in power supply unit, as well as the large trench down the back, but the optional magnetic conduit lets you hide all of your wiring sins. I especially liked the PC mount that connects your gaming tower to the leg, making it rise with the table so your cables don't get stretched as the desk moves.
The cost of this desk is my only sticking point. Fully loaded, it will set you back $1,500, though you could reduce that with fewer optional extras. But if gaming is your job and you need a large desk to help you, I cannot recommend the Magnus Pro XL enough.
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$499 at Branch Furniture $499 at Branch Furniture
The Branch Duo is the company's latest line of standing desks and uses a very simple control mechanism to set heights. The display is simple and clean, and all of the accessories just ooze quality. Building it was simple, taking less than 30 minutes, and the size is perfect for smaller spaces. It's big enough for a couple of smaller monitors or one big one, with plenty of room on the top for a laptop.
I especially like the notifications that you can set to remind you to stand or sit throughout the day. Standing desks are designed to help with your health, but they only work if you remember to do it! The Branch Duo removes that problem.
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$340 at Ikea $340 at Ikea
The Ikea Trotten is an excellent option when you need a larger standing desk, but don't want to spend too much money. This simple sit-stand desk nails the basics.
This standing desk option is relatively easy to install, but I did need help screwing in some stubborn hardware -- and flipping over the completed desk after finishing the setup. The Trotten measures 47.25 by 27.5 inches. It has a sturdy, easy-to-clean work surface made of particleboard and fiberboard, as well as a steel base for a stable standing desk.
While this adjustable standing desk model doesn't have electric controls to raise or lower the desk height, the manual hand crank (which can be mounted on the right or the left side), was easy to turn for adjustments. And when you're done using it, you can slide it back under the desk.
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$569 at Uplift $569 at Uplift
Not only was this model easier to install than expected (you only need a few tools, and Uplift includes accessories for no extra cost to organize all those pesky device cables), it was by far the most customizable standing desk of the bunch.
You have the basic options, including five desk sizes, a handful of frame colors (gray, dark gray, white or black) and over two dozen desktops, ranging from laminate (most affordable) to solid wood. From there, you have the ability to add multiple additional accessories, such as grommet covers that screw into either size of the desk for additional storage, outlets and more. There are also five different keypads to choose from in a black finish and three different keypad options in gray and white -- and a wireless foot switch accessory if you'd like to raise and lower your desk via a pedal at your feet (in addition to the keypad).
I tested the 48 by 30-inch model with a white frame and rubberwood desktop, complete with one cupholder grommet and one power grommet (the power grommet brings two outlets up your desktop so you can more easily charge your phone or other handheld devices) and a paddle keypad you can press up or down to raise/lower your desk.
Overall it's an excellent, sturdy desk that seems durable enough to stand up to years of use. Again, if the $569 price doesn't scare you away, consider adding the Uplift Standing Desk V2 to your shortlist.
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I selected desks of different sizes and styles. Some are controlled manually, while others have electric motors for height adjustment. To test each standing desk, I started out by building each one and noting the ease or difficulty, including whether I needed help with any of the steps. Then I spent a full day working at each one -- switching between sitting and standing -- making notes when something worked particularly well or caused a problem.
Of the others I tested -- the Seville Classics Airlift Height Adjustable Desk with Glass Top, the Seville Classics Airlift Pro S3 Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk (no longer available), the Steelcase Solo Sit-To-Stand Desk and the Fezibo Height Adjustable Electric Standing Desk with Double Drawer -- didn't make the cut. The Airlift with Glass Top came close to earning a spot above. It's a beautiful, sturdy desk at a midrange price. It also features a small center drawer for holding the basics. Unfortunately, its built-in touchscreen wasn't very responsive and the two USB-A ports, while a nice tech feature in theory, are outdated for today's phones and tablets.
The Airlift Pro S3 was a decent desk, too, but it was a little tougher to install than the others in its size range and it had a cheaper-looking finish than the overall winner for best standing desk (the Vari desk).
The Steelcase Solo desk was surprisingly simple to install for its size (the same as the Vari desk). Instead of using screws to install the legs, these simply lock into place. The desk is sturdy, looks nice and is quiet when raising and lowering. But the Vari has a more sophisticated control panel, a nicer-looking finish and comes with desk accessories.
The Fezibo model intrigued me due to its built-in storage, but I found this model more difficult to assemble than many of the others. Still, it's a reasonable option if you'd like storage compartments integrated into your desk and two levels -- one for holding your monitor and the other for your keyboard and related accessories.
As always, consider your specific needs before you buy a sit-stand desk. Do you have a lot of space and a higher budget? Consider the Vari or Uplift models. The Ikea model is a fantastic midsize manual desk at a great price. The Latitude Run Amilcar is the best option when you want a sturdy standing desk that won't take up a ton of space. Regardless of your home setup, one of these models is bound to suit your needs. But if you aren't sold on a standing desk, consider a standing desk converter for your existing desk instead.
As with any new piece of furniture, you'll want to take a little time to balance your needs with the space and budget you have for it.
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Prices range widely for standing desks, but you can find a great one to suit your needs at almost any budget. As noted above, the Latitude Run Amilcar and Ikea Trotten Standing Desk were my favorite options under $300.
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Make sure you have enough space for your standing desk before you make your purchase. Don't just consider the room it's going in, either. Also think about the doors, stairwells and other places the box must pass through. It might fit in your planned office space, but if you can't get it up your third-floor walk-up, you'll be in trouble.
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All adjustable-height desks have a low and a high range for sitting and standing, but the height adjustment ranges aren't universal across different styles and brands. If you're on the shorter or taller end, certain models might not be comfortable for you, so check the specs beforehand to determine if you'll be comfortable using the desk, both sitting and standing.
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Electric standing desks cost more than manual desks, so your budget will absolutely come into play here, but there's more to consider. Manual desks, which have pneumatic pedals, hand cranks or other manual controls, are lighter and quieter (because there's no heavy, noise-making motor mounted under your desk). Manual desks also don't require proximity to an outlet to work. Electric desks allow for easy raising and lowering with the press of a button; some even have digital height readouts so you can always return your desk to the exact same sitting or standing height settings.
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Some standing desks (typically the smaller ones) come with wheel attachments for better mobility. Others allow you to mount the electric or manual height control to the left or right side, to favor your dominant hand. Some even have two levels so you can put a monitor on the higher level and your keyboard and mouse on the lower one. If any of these sound appealing, factor those into your purchase decisions.