What are good standing desk brands?

There are plenty of great brands that make the best standing desks. For example, Flexispot has two models on this list. Some direct-to-consumer brands have grown in popularity, too, like the Branch Standing Desk and the Lillipad . However, there isn’t one brand that is better than the other; our article is meant to showcase the many great options that might fit a consumer’s needs.

What is a good standing desk height?

Dr. Kross recommends a user measure the distance from the floor to the elbow. But it’s important to also think about sitting down as well as standing: You want a standing desk that will be able to accommodate both because the combination is what offers the most benefits. “It is important that the frequency of sitting to standing time is determined by being mindfully aware of body signals and listening to body cues," says Dr. Kross. "It is helpful to experiment and figure out what personally works best.” When looking for the best height, consider the height you need when toggling between both positions.

What length of standing desk do I need?

The length of the standing desk is going to depend on the space you’re putting it in. If you have limited room, the only thing that matters is if it’ll fit in the space available. From there, you can consider how much equipment you’ll need on the desk: Those with several monitors will likely need more room, as will those who plan to keep things like desk lamps or office supply organizers on the surface.

The 9 Best Standing Desks of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Branch Standing Desk Tested and Reviewed — Photo:
People / Nicole Lund

With hybrid and remote work serving as the new normal for many office workers, many have begun to set up their home offices for longer-term use. Standing desks have become a popular option for those who want more variety in their work lives — and the best standing desks can help to remove or decrease back or neck pain, too.

According to Dr. Tawny Kross, a physical therapist and pain and wellness coach, standing desks serve as a way to manage the pains that come with working at a computer all day. Dr. Kross says the benefits of standing desks are “more related to how they can help break up sitting time, encourage more frequent changes of position, and reduce sedentary behavior, all of which is thought to indirectly impact neck, shoulder, and back pain.” Simply put, they’re great options for a more productive and comfortable workday.

Our PEOPLE Tested team tried 14 top-rated standing desks over the course of several weeks (or longer) in their homes and rated each desk in the following categories: setup, design, durability, comfort, and value.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Flexispot Comhar Standing Desk at Amazon $250

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Best Overall, Runner-Up:

Tresanti Adjustable Height Desk at Amazon $490

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Best Budget:

SALE

Radlove Height Adjustable Standing Desk at Amazon ~~$229~~ $160

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Best Investment:

Lillipad Standing Desk at Lillipad.com

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Best Adjustable:

SALE

FlexiSpot Height Adjustable Desk at Amazon ~~$280~~ $210

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Best Electric:

Seville Classics Airlift Sit-Stand Desk at Amazon $350

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Best Manual:

Threshold Loring Adjustable Standing Desk at Target $200

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Best Design:

Branch Standing Desk at Amazon $749

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Easiest Assembly:

SALE

Vari Electric Standing Desk at Amazon ~~$350~~ $280

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Best Overall

Flexispot Comhar Standing Desk

Amazon Flexispot EW8 Comhar Electric Standing Desk

PHOTO: Amazon

$250 at Amazon View on Flexispot.com

Star Qualities

Quietly adjusts between height settings
Conveniently placed USB ports
Setup only took 15 minutes

Red Flags

Small drawer

The ease of using this Flexispot standing desk starts with the setup: It only took 15 minutes to assemble. This sleek alloy steel standing desk functions as both a standing desk and a sit-to-stand desk.

Some nice tech-forward features make this standing desk quick to master, including the ability to program four preset options for height, which means two users of different heights can easily set their perfect sitting and standing positions. Programming these presets is simple, and there’s a child lock to prevent tiny hands from making the desk move. The desk also has three USB A-to-C ports available, which is great for charging phones, laptops, tablets, and more without straining to reach a plug.

The desk itself goes from 28.3 inches to 47.6 inches and holds about 110 pounds of weight, making it a solid option for various work equipment. During the testing period, the desk stayed pristine, with no visible wear or tear, and we were able to stand for hours without any pain or discomfort.

PHOTO: People / Michelle Parente
PHOTO: People / Michelle Parente
PHOTO: People / Michelle Parente

Best Overall, Runner-Up

Tresanti Adjustable Height Desk

Costco Tresanti 47" Adjustable Height Desk

PHOTO: Costco

$490 at Amazon

Star Qualities

Solid, spacious electric desk
Glass top for dry-erase markers
Sit/stand reminder timer

Red Flags

Took almost an hour to assemble

This Tresanti standing desk has a similar height range as the Flexispot and also features USB ports. It’s also similar in price, and both are electric models that are adjustable with the push of a button.

A unique aspect of the Tresanti is its glass desktop. You can safely use a dry-erase marker on it to take notes; it’s easier to clean, and it protects the surface of the desk from any damage from coffee or water cups. There’s also a timer that allows users to remind themselves when to sit and when to stand again. Dr. Kross says that common ratios might fall around “one hour of sitting to one hour of standing time or two hours of sitting to one hour of standing.”

It will take a little longer to assemble than the Flexispot — around 40 minutes to an hour — and while it’s a benefit that this desk is solidly constructed, it also means that it’s likely a two-person job to move it.

PHOTO: People / Jessica Fleming
PHOTO: People / Jessica Fleming

Best Budget

Radlove Height Adjustable Standing Desk

Amazon Radlove Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk

PHOTO: Amazon

$229 $160 at Amazon

Star Qualities

Sleek stainless steel material
Equipped with tech organizers

Red Flags

No child lock

Finding a budget-friendly standing desk that’s electric and spacious enough to hold a laptop and monitor is a feat in itself, but we’ve found one in the Radlove standing desk. The sturdy desk holds up to 176 pounds of weight and easily fits equipment in addition to office supplies. It’s also fairly design-forward with its sleek stainless exterior and a faux wood top for the work area. Plus, it’s water-resistant and easy to wipe down with a wet cloth.

There are four presets for this electric option, but users should note that there are no child locks, so it’s fairly easy to accidentally hit a button and set it off in motion. The back of the desk has two holes to allow wires to pass through, and it also includes a basket on the underside of the desk to easily collect and gather wires.

After using this metal desk for almost a year, there is zero damage, and it has never wobbled or swayed when in use. It was easy to set up (although it did take around an hour to assemble) and is relatively quiet when adjusting up and down. For the price, it’s a truly excellent option.

PHOTO: People / Ashleigh Morley
PHOTO: People / Ashleigh Morley
PHOTO: People / Ashleigh Morley

Best Investment

Lillipad Standing Desk

PHOTO: Lillipad

View on Lillipad.com

Star Qualities

Stores flat when not in use
Two sizes to accommodate taller people
Three surge-protected outlets

Red Flags

Monitor arm must be purchased separately

The Lillipad standing desk is an investment piece, but it’s worth a purchase for those who value a tech-forward, versatile desk or have limited space. There are two sizes available in the Lillipad: a 42-inch desk that’s made for users up to 5'9" tall and a 48-inch desk to accommodate users 5'10" and up. It's an electric collapsible standing desk, which means it condenses to six inches high and can be stored underneath a living room couch or a bed.

This standing desk also has a nice array of tech options. There are three surge-protected outlets for heavy-duty plugs like monitors, three USB outlets, and one USB-C outlet, ensuring anything and everything can be plugged right into the desk. There are two programmable height presets in addition to a lock button for the touchpad. The Lillipad also comes with collision protection that will sense an object when raising or lowering.

Because the Lillipad is meant for small spaces or hybrid workspaces where you might not need it sitting out all the time, it does have a smaller work surface. For those who need to work with monitors, however, there are single and dual monitor arms available for purchase separately, and if you don’t need them, the hole for installing them can be used for cable management instead.

Type: Electric | Height Range: 27 to 48 inches | Dimensions: 52 x 25 inches | Weight Capacity: 75 lbs. | Material: Industrial-grade materials | Features: 3 surge-protected outlets, 3 USB outlets, 2 programmable height presets, 1 USB-C outlet

PHOTO: People / Anna Knief
PHOTO: People / Anna Knief

Best Adjustable

FlexiSpot Height Adjustable Desk

PHOTO: Amazon

$280 $210 at Amazon

Star Qualities

Easy-to-use electronic panel
Different sizes and finishes available

Red Flags

Wobbles occasionally

This electric standing desk from Flexispot is a simple, affordable desk that has some nice features for the price, including customization. There are five different sizes available, as well as several steel and faux wood finishes for the top and the legs. It lacks a lot of the add-ons that one might expect to see in a standing desk; however, it has four programmable height presets and is made of industrial-grade steel.

We experienced minimal frustrations during assembly — the product comes in two different boxes, and the product page even notes that users may need an electric drill during assembly. However, the biggest issue was the lack of clarity in some of the instructions, as we needed to refer to YouTube to get things assembled perfectly.

Overall, we were satisfied with this sturdy, affordable electric standing desk, and its biggest draw is those easy, programmable presets and the ability to move the desk up and down inch by inch. While there was some light wobbling now and then, it didn’t affect performance or movement, as it seems to only happen in the legs and base. Plus, there's plenty of clearance to accommodate compact fitness equipment, such as an under-desk elliptical or walking pad for exercise breaks.

PHOTO: People / David Carr
PHOTO: People / David Carr

Best Electric

Seville Classics Airlift Sit-Stand Desk

Seville Classics Airlift Electric Sit-Stand Desk

PHOTO: Home depot

$350 at Amazon $400 at Target $390 $342 at Walmart

Star Qualities

Smooth, quiet motor doesn’t jostle fragile items
Touch-sensitive screen blends in with the woodgrain

Red Flags

Tempered glass top shows fingerprints

The Seville Classics Airlift Table is a great electric standing desk with a nice range of heights up to 46.5 inches, a touch-sensitive control panel, and quiet, seamless movements. It also has three programmable height presets and a safety lock feature to prevent accidental movements. We found the movements to be incredibly smooth and quiet.

There’s a shallow drawer for office supplies on this desk, which is elevated by a felt lining and a locking feature to keep it secure when the electric desk is in motion. There are two USB charging ports as well. The tempered glass top is compatible with dry-erase markers and also makes the desk easy to clean while preventing staining or dings.

The desk was quick to assemble in about 30 minutes, likely because the legs are already complete and just need to be attached to the top. The greatest consideration for users is how heavy the desk is, especially with the tempered glass — it’s not easy to move alone. Another small consideration is the glass desktop, which does tend to collect fingerprints and will need to be cleaned often with glass cleaner.

PHOTO: People / Taylor Rock
PHOTO: People / Taylor Rock

Best Manual

Threshold Loring Adjustable Standing Desk

Threshold Loring Manual Height Adjustable Standing Desk

PHOTO: Target

$200 at Target

Star Qualities

Can place it anywhere since no outlet is required
Sturdy powder-coated steel legs

Red Flags

Complicated assembly required an electric drill

For those who aren’t interested in plugging in their desk to make it work, there are manual standing desks like this Threshold Loring option from Target. Instead of an electric motor, this has a handle that you crank up or down to adjust the desk. And because there are fewer features, it’s also priced well.

We found that the handle felt a bit stiff to maneuver, and we needed to pull it out slightly to get it to work, but overall, it worked well. The manual desk also has the same benefits as an electric one. We found that this desk helped with back and neck pain and that it was simple to adjust.

The desk has a faux woodgrain top, which we didn't think looked or felt cheap but didn’t necessarily feel super high-quality either. The legs, however, felt sturdy as they were powder-coated steel, and the desk didn’t wobble or experience any wear or tear during the testing period. It's on the smaller side but fits a laptop, monitor, keyboard, and some accessories without the desk feeling overcrowded.

Its biggest challenge is the assembly. Users should note that they will need to create their own holes with an electric drill, as some of the holes do not come pre-drilled. This made setup significantly more time-consuming.

PHOTO: People / Brit Haines
PHOTO: People / Brit Haines

Best Design

Branch Standing Desk

PHOTO: Branch

$739 at Amazon View on Branchfurniture.com $699 at West Elm

Star Qualities

Large laminated surface
Well-made with coated alloy steel legs

Red Flags

No cable management system

The Branch standing desk is one of the more aesthetically pleasing desks we’ve seen, with a laminated wood grain fiberboard top (which repels both stains and dents), coated articulated steel legs, and tapered feet. It’s both stylish and well-made, and even the cable routing system at the top of the desk is designed to be hidden from sight. The desk is available in two sizes, and you can choose from two different leg finishes and four different tops. It also has a larger surface, with more than enough room for a laptop, monitor, and decorative items.

There are four programmable height presets, and the dual motors and three-stage lift columns are made to ensure smooth, quiet operation, which is both quiet and easy to maneuver. It’s also worth noting that this desk goes higher than the other options — up to 52 inches.

The biggest drawback to the Branch standing desk is assembly: the desk arrived in two large, heavy boxes, and putting it together is likely a two-person job. The instructions weren’t clear, and we found that the pre-made holes were smaller than the screws, so we had to use an electric drill.

PHOTO: People / Nicole Lund
PHOTO: People / Nicole Lund

Easiest Assembly

Vari Electric Standing Desk

PHOTO: Amazon

$350 $280 at Amazon View on Vari.com

Star Qualities

No special tools required
Sturdy and well-made
Includes up and down buttons and presets

Red Flags

Too large for small spaces

While there are many nice features of the Vari standing desk, perhaps its biggest draw is its incredibly easy assembly. The brand’s patent-pending design allows you to completely put it together in less than 10 minutes and without any special tools. In our testing, we found that to be true. There were 10 pieces to assemble and an easy-to-understand instruction manual with pictures.

The desk takes up a considerable amount of space (so it may not be the best for small spaces), with a lift mechanism that was intuitive to set up and use. The LED control panel displays the height right on the screen, has both up and down buttons and four programmable preset buttons, and functions quietly. There are no drawers, but the desktop itself is large and can accommodate organizers in addition to electronics, and there are also cord organizers and a spot in the back to let cables route through.

PHOTO: People / Anna Popp
PHOTO: People / Anna Popp

Other Standing Desks We Tried

Herman Miller Jarvis Bamboo Standing Desk: This standing desk from high-end furniture brand Herman Miller is aesthetically pleasing, with sturdy legs and a beautiful bamboo top. It has four programmable heights and a smooth, quiet electric motor. We have used this for years, and it has remained in pristine condition with no wobbling after plenty of use. However, it’s on the pricier side and USB outlets need to be purchased separately.
Vivo Electric Height Adjustable Desk: This spacious desk has a large workspace and goes as high as 49.6 inches. It also features sturdy stainless steel legs and multiple holes for cable management. Its biggest drawback, however, was that while the control panel had programmable presets and even timers, sometimes it was hard to use and would require an extra-hard button press to get it to work.

What to Know About Standing Desks

Electric vs. Manual

There are two types of standing desks: electric and manual. There are benefits to both, although electric standing desks seem to be the most common (and make up the majority of this list). Electric standing desks have a motor and provide a smooth, easy way to adjust the height of a desk with the touch of a button. Manual desks tend to have a hand crank, and while they’re not as precise as an electric desk, which can sometimes be moved as little as 1/10 of an inch, they will still give users the same benefits of back or neck pain relief that an electric standing desk would. A manual standing desk might be useful for those who don’t want to plug in their desk or don’t have an available outlet in their space.

Height Range

A standing desk needs to correlate with the height of the person using it, so if you’re taller, a wider range of heights is likely preferred. Dr. Kross says to go by the elbow when measuring: “It is helpful to measure the distance from the floor to personal elbow height. The desk height should be able to support a 90-degree angle elbow bend comfortably.” If you look at the minimum to maximum height range on the desk you’re considering, this number should let you know if it’s the best standing desk for you.

Additional Features

Electric desks can also have some nice extras, like programmable presets that allow the user to save the perfect sitting and standing height. Dr. Kross notes that it’s important to go between sitting and standing while working on one of these desks, and while there are no “hard and fast rules” when it comes to how often one should sit or stand, some electric standing desks have a timer to remind users when it might be time to switch it up. Built-in USB ports are also a great add-on that you’ll see on electric desks, and some desks even have outlets, too. Being able to charge a laptop, tablet, or phone without having to use another plug is a feature many will enjoy.

While manual desks won’t have electric outlets, all standing desks can have storage, cable management systems, or drawers. Depending on how many office supplies you’ll store or use when working, it can be a great way to reduce clutter on the surface of the desk.

Price Range

Standing desks can be expensive. Our most expensive option on this list is over $1,000, while others land in the $200 to $350 range. The higher prices come from the materials used and special features or tech, such as outlets or LED control panels. Aesthetics can also play a role in a price increase, as in the Branch Standing Desk, which looks like high-end furniture in addition to being functional.

Behind the Scenes

The PEOPLE Tested team tried 14 desks over a few weeks in their home offices (although some users had their desks for much longer), and rated each desk from one to five in the following categories: setup, design, durability, comfort, and value.

Setup: Testers recorded their observations when it came to delivery, ease of unboxing, ease of transport, and ease of assembly, and a timer was used to record the assembly time.
Assessment: Over an extended period of use, testers recorded several metrics and observations about the standing desks. This included the minimum and maximum height, comfort, the lift mechanism, sturdiness, any neck or back pain increase or decrease, any damage, the ease of the programming, and any noticeable wear and tear. These metrics were used to determine the best standing desks featured in this article.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are good standing desk brands?

There are plenty of great brands that make the best standing desks. For example, Flexispot has two models on this list. Some direct-to-consumer brands have grown in popularity, too, like the Branch Standing Desk and the Lillipad. However, there isn’t one brand that is better than the other; our article is meant to showcase the many great options that might fit a consumer’s needs.
What is a good standing desk height?

Dr. Kross recommends a user measure the distance from the floor to the elbow. But it’s important to also think about sitting down as well as standing: You want a standing desk that will be able to accommodate both because the combination is what offers the most benefits. “It is important that the frequency of sitting to standing time is determined by being mindfully aware of body signals and listening to body cues," says Dr. Kross. "It is helpful to experiment and figure out what personally works best.” When looking for the best height, consider the height you need when toggling between both positions.
What length of standing desk do I need?

The length of the standing desk is going to depend on the space you’re putting it in. If you have limited room, the only thing that matters is if it’ll fit in the space available. From there, you can consider how much equipment you’ll need on the desk: Those with several monitors will likely need more room, as will those who plan to keep things like desk lamps or office supply organizers on the surface.

Why Trust PEOPLE?

Alida Nugent is a contributor for PEOPLE with an extensive background in writing, editing, and strategy. She also writes for Food Network, HGTV, and Better Homes & Gardens. She wrote this article with fresh insights from our PEOPLE Tested lab, focusing on the best standing desks you can buy. She also interviewed Dr. Tawny Kross, a physical therapist, for this article.

Our Expert Panel

Tawny Kross, D.P.T., is a physical therapist and pain and wellness coach.

What Is PEOPLE Tested?

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.