Best standing desks 2023

Secretlab Magnus Pro Desk
(Image credit: Future)

We may be past the peak of the pandemic work-from-home era, but many of us do work from home, either all or part of the time. It's time for an upgrade: your home office workspace should be considerably more comfortable than a makeshift desk or your lap. Whether you're working permanently from a home office or you get to choose your office furniture, consider selecting a healthier option like a standing desk. Sitting constantly is not the best for your health if you can avoid it, but it's not always easy if your job puts you in front of a computer all day. Some of the desks listed here are complete desks, while other products convert your existing desk into a standing desk. Covering various features and price points, here are some of the best standing desks you can buy.

Best overall: Flexispot Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk

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Flexispot Height Adjustable Lifestye

(Image credit: Nicolette Roux / iMore)

The Flexispot adjustable desk is a popular desk amongst the iMore staff, and in fact is my desk of choice. It has everything you'd expect from a standing desk: a large and sturdy work area, easily adjustable height, and several color and size options to suit any decor. The electric motor that raises and lowers the desk is whisper-quiet and works with the touch of a button. You can even pre-set three different heights to suit your preferences. Just now, I realized I'd been sitting too long, so I hit the "up" button and stood up to continue working. It took only a few seconds out of my workday to make the switch. 

Sometimes I raise the desk to an even higher level so I can use an under-desk treadmill. Standing is better than sitting, but walking is even better than standing. I can't walk as I work all day, but some days I will walk (slowly, so I can still type) for an hour or so to break up my day.

You can choose a desktop ranging from 40-by-24-inches to 60-by-24-inches. Choose a base color and a desktop color to match your decor. The lowest sitting height is 28.6 inches, while the highest standing height is 46.3 inches, plus the desktop itself, which adds about an inch. 

Best for most

Reasons to buy

+
Full-sized, complete desk
+
Plenty of workspace
+
Sit, stand, or move
+
Adjust height with the touch of a button
+
Three custom pre-set height options
+
Variety of frame and top colors you can mix and match

Reasons to avoid

-
One level

Sit, stand, or move with this flexible sit-to-stand adjustable desk.

The top of the line: Secretlab MAGNUS Pro

Secretlab Magnus Pro

Secretlab MAGNUS Pro (Image credit: Future)

If you're sparing no expense, you'll want to check out this beauty from Secretlab. The MAGNUS Pro is a cut above the already excellent MAGNUS, a favorite amongst serious gamers. Whether you're using your desk for work or play, the customizable MAGNUS Pro Sit-to-Stand Metal Desk with Magnetic Ecosystem deserves your attention.

The Secretlab MAGNUS Pro doesn't look like your average office desk. It can be customized to a number of themes and colors with colorful lights that add to the incredible aesthetic. But it's not just about looks; it has a modular, magnetic system of accessories so you can get the exact features you need. Accessories you can add include a faux leather MAGPAD Desk Mat, cable management bundle, magnetic cable anchors, sheaths, a diffused RGB strip, monitor stand, PC mount, and plenty more. 

The sit/stand controls are built seamlessly into the front of the desk, so there is no protruding panel like many sit/stand desks have. You can set the desk's height between 26 and 49 inches, and there are three custom pre-sets. Power cables are housed within one of the desk's legs for a sleeker look.

Top of the line

Reasons to buy

+
Awesome build quality
+
Sit/stand with built-in controller
+
Just two legs instead of four
+
Cable management tray
+
Magnetic accessories
+
Lots of space

Reasons to avoid

-
Very big and heavy
-
Expensive
-
Pricey accessories including monitor stand

The premium desk boasts incredible build quality, thoughtful features, and clever accessories.

Best budget desk: BestOffice Adjustable Standing Desk

BestOffice adjustable desk

BestOffice Adjustable Standing Desk (Image credit: BestOffice)

Go from sitting to standing in less than a minute. The BestOffice Standing Desk adjusts from 29 to 45 inches in height when you crank the handle on the side. The workspace is 48 inches by 24 inches, large enough for two monitors. A small slot on the front provides a space to stash your tablet, cell phone, or office supplies. It's a great desk to have, especially with all the additional features. Plus, it comes in two different colors: black and white.

BestOffice Standing Desk

Well-priced

Reasons to buy

+
Complete desk
+
Large work area
+
Sit or stand

Reasons to avoid

-
One level

This straightforward standing desk has a large work area and adjusts from sitting to standing height with a hand crank.

Best value converter: Levit8 Folding Portable Standing Desk

Levit8 portable standing desk

Levit8 Portable Standing Desk (Image credit: Levit8)

Not completely sure you want to invest in a standing desk, but you want to try it? The Levit8 Folding Portable Standing Desk is a fantastic place to start. It comes flat and needs no tools or assembly. Simply open, cross, and twist to create a standing-height workspace on top of your existing desk. Fold it flat again when not in use, and put it in your bag for easy portability.

Levit8 Folding Portable Standing Desk

Origami-style

Reasons to buy

+
Inexpensive
+
No tools or assembly
+
Clever twist-to-open design

Reasons to avoid

-
Not height-adjustable
-
Not "furniture"

With a tiny investment, you can start standing right now with this portable twist-to-open standing desk.

Best two-level: Stand Steady Tranzendesk

Stand Steady Tranzendesk

Stand Steady Tranzendesk (Image credit: Amazon)

The Stand Steady Tranzendesk is a full-sized piece of furniture. The desktop measures 55 inches wide, plenty big enough for multiple computer screens. You can attach the included shelf with clamps. The shelf is the same width as the desk, and it can hold up to 35 pounds. You can adjust the desk's height via a hand crank from 29 up to 46 inches.

Stand Steady Tranzendesk - Black Top/Silver Base

Flexible furniture

Reasons to buy

+
Wide workspace
+
Two levels
+
Adjusts for sitting or standing

Reasons to avoid

-
Pricey

This extra-wide desk adjusts easily from sitting to standing and has a shelf that's just as wide.

Best rolling laptop cart: Techni Mobili Sit-to-Stand Mobile Laptop Computer Cart

Techni Mobili Sit to Stand computer cart

Techni Mobili Sit To Stand Mobile Laptop Computer Cart  (Image credit: Techni Mobili)

The Techni Mobili Sit-to-Stand Laptop Cart is a nifty little rolling desk that adjusts from 30.75 to 45.5 inches in height. The desk itself is sized to fit a laptop. There is an open storage compartment and a storage drawer. The wheels on the bottom let you move the desk around, and they lock in place when you want it to stay put. This is the best standing desk for tiny spaces or when you need a mobile solution. You get two color options: Black or Chocolate.

Techni Mobili Sit-to-Stand Mobile Laptop Computer Cart

Small space solution

Reasons to buy

+
Easily mobility with wheels that lock
+
Adjust from sitting to standing
+
Ample storage areas
+
Well-priced

Reasons to avoid

-
Only desk space for a laptop

This space-saving rolling laptop cart with storage adjusts from sitting to standing and won't break the bank.

The bottom line best standing desk

In summation, try not to spend so much time with your bottom in a chair. Using a standing desk may help you become less sedentary and can benefit your health. Before choosing the best standing desk for you, consider what features you need, how much workspace you need, your budget, and how much space you have.

Do you want something adjustable so you can sit or stand throughout the day? Do you need to be able to move your standing desk from room to room? Do you have a desk already and just want to convert your regular desk into a standing desk? Or do you need an entirely new piece of furniture from the ground up?

A good all-around, full-sized standing desk is the Flexispot Height Adjustable Desk. If you have room for it in your home or office, it's got a nice-sized work surface. You can use it as a sitting desk if you prefer to change things up. It adjusts to your desired height with the touch of a button. It only takes a few seconds to adjust it from a sitting height as low as 28.6 inches or a standing height up to 46.3 inches.

I use the Flexispot Adjustable Desk every day; I alternate between sitting, standing, and walking throughout the day. Walking is even better than standing. An under-desk treadmill turns your standing desk into a walking desk.

If you're looking to upgrade your home office in other ways this Spring, we recommend taking a look at our guide to the best USB charging stations. There's no point getting a new desk and putting all the same clutter onto it. 

Karen S Freeman
Contributor

Karen is a contributor to iMore.com as a writer and co-host of the iMore Show. She’s been writing about Apple since 2010 with a year-long break to work at an Apple Store as a product specialist. She's also a contributor at CNET. Before joining iMore in 2018, Karen wrote for Macworld, AppAdvice, WatchAware. She’s an early adopter who used to wait in long lines on release days before pre-ordering made things much easier. Karen is also a part-time teacher and occasional movie extra. She loves to spend time with her family, travel the world, and is always looking for portable tech and accessories so she can work from anywhere.