The 9 Best Standing Desks For Beginners

The 9 Best Standing Desks For Beginners

The 9 Best Standing Desks For Beginners

The 9 Best Standing Desks For Beginners

If you’ve read any of my previous articles, I’ve spoken a lot about the dangers of sitting and the benefits of standing as opposed to sitting at your desk.

But the focus of this article, will be to help you choose the best standing desk for you.

There’s a few things you need to consider like office space, budget, whether you’re starting out, and more.

In this guide I’ll also recommend my personal tips on standing desk ergonomics, discuss the science behind standing, and list some excellent accessories to go with a standing desks.

Jarvis Standing Desk Bamboo Top

Jarvis Standing Desk Bamboo Top

  • Bamboo desktop.
  • Adjustable frame.
  • Weight capacity 350 lbs.
  • 7-year warranty.

Jarvis is a full standing desk with a beautiful looking desktop made of bamboo. The bamboo is also UV cured and coated with water-based polyurethane for durability.

Improved Stability

This standing desk can hold up to 350 lbs of weight and was designed to offer improved stability to its users. The frame is made of steel, instead of aluminum as found on most other models.

The strength of the frame is coupled with lifting columns that are wider at the bottom making the Jarvis incredibly stable even at its top height of 51’’.

The lowest you can go is 25.5’’ and you get a display on the front of the desktop where you can program up to 4 height preferences that save you the time and effort of adjusting.

Neat & Tidy

If you’re an organized type of person and dislike seeing cables hanging everywhere this might be a good choice.

Jarvis has all its exterior hardware tucked inside, and you also get two rubber grommets in the back for your cable management.

With a height adjustment speed of 1.5’’ per second and a fairly decent noise-canceling system, Jarvis deserves the top place on our list.

If you decide to order it, you should know it arrives in 2 boxes. and it’s a bit heavy to lift and move around (42 lbs desktop and 69 lbs frame) so either place it exactly where you want it prior to opening or have another person for assistance.

What We Like

  • Ability to adjust.
  • Sturdy.
  • High weight capacity.

What We Don’t Like

  • Assembly requires assistance.
  • High price range.

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The FlexiSpot M2B standing desk converter was made for people that don’t have the office or might not be ready to commit to a full standing desk.

But with a standing desk converter, you still have the convenient option of both sitting and standing while working.

They have two models, a 28’’ desk height which will accommodate people less than 6’1’’ and the 31’’ desk that is recommended for people up to 6’5’’ tall.

Compact Design

This model is a space-saver since it rises within its own footprint, unlike the alternative where you pull the desk converter towards you.

This type of design usually means that the item will be stable and won’t wobble.

To adjust the height you pull on a single handle, and you’ll be able to choose between 12 different settings.

The upper platform will fit 2 screens and a notebook, and the widened keyboard tray is removable.

Lightweight

The entire M2B converter weighs 35 lbs and to use it you simply take it out of the box and place it on your desk.

The only thing to keep in mind when using a desk converter is that the keyboard tray may be a bit high even on the lowest setting.

Since not all desks are the same, you’re probably going to need a height-adjustable office chair to get your hands in an ergonomic position when sitting.

What We Like

  • Converts your desk.
  • Easy to use.
  • Stable keyboard tray.

What We Don’t Like

  • Needs a height-adjustable chair.

Vari Electric Standing Desk 60

Vari Electric Standing Desk 60

  • Heavy-duty laminate desktop.
  • Heavy-duty steel feet.
  • Weight capacity 200 lbs.

The Vari electric standing desk  will appeal to people that appreciate heavy-duty laminate finish in their home or office.

The size of the desktop is 60’’ wide, and 30’’ deep, giving you ample room for placing objects.

However, its weight capacity is 200 lbs which is less than the Jarvis model, so this standing desk would suit users that don’t plan an elaborate set up on their desktop.

With that being said, it is still a remarkably sturdy product that comes with heavy-duty steel feet, and a cross beam between the legs.

Just like on the Jarvis, you get an LCD display with the option to memorize up to 4 height settings.

What customers are saying

Assembly is pretty straightforward; everything should come together in minutes.

Inside the box, you also get cable compartments, ties, branded rubber mallets and a rubber coaster.

The only thing customers didn’t like was the shade of the wooden print as sometimes it arrives slightly different than what they were expecting.

What We Like

  • High-end looking desk.
  • Comes with cool accessories.
  • Easy to assemble.

What We Don’t Like

  • The wood prints can be off.

SHW Electric Height Adjustable Computer Desk

SHW Electric Height Adjustable Computer Desk

  • 2 piece board.
  • Industrial steel frame.
  • Cable grommets.
  • Weight capacity 110 lbs.

If you’re looking for a very decent standing desk that is motorized but won’t break the bank- I’d highly recommend SHW’s Oak Desk.

The frame on this standing desk was made of industrial steel and features solid steel legs that use telescoping adjustments. It doesn’t have a cross-bar and its weight limit is set to 110 lbs.

The desktop is a two-piece board with 48’’ of length and 24’’ of depth. It comfortably holds one screen, a keyboard and other possible gadgets.

You also get a cable management grommets often found on higher-end models, plus a wire cable basket.

Adjustable & Sturdy

The height is adjustable with the help of an LCD screen with 4 memory presets. You can lift it up to 46’’ and its lowest setting is 28’’.

The desk is stable unless you decide to mount a monitor arm; in that case, it could get a bit wobbly.

What We Like

  • Budget-friendly price
  • Cable-management system

What We Don’t Like

  • Low weight capacity

Seville Classics Pneumatic Height-Adjustable Laptop Desk

Seville Classics Pneumatic Height-Adjustable Laptop Desk

  • Multi-use desk.
  • Airlift lever.
  • Weight capacity 35 lbs.

The Seville Classics height-adjustable desk will successfully hold your laptop, but as a bonus can also be used as an office podium among other things.

The 1’’ wooden desktop is 24.5’’ wide and 16.9’’ deep and it can hold a monitor clamp. Just make sure you don’t go over the 35 lbs weight limit.

Mobile

The Seville is a mobile desk that comes with 4’’ castor wheels, allowing you to roll it around. You can also lock 2 of the wheels for stability.

The height can be adjusted with a pneumatic lift that’s easy to operate.

What customers are saying

Do not expect too much from the castor wheels on this model though, as some customers have complained that they are not great and need to be replaced with heavy-duty wheels.

Other than that most people seem to love this little desk, and use it daily.

What We Like

  • Budget-friendly price.
  • Height adjustable.
  • Small footprint.

What We Don’t Like

  • Uncooperative wheels.

Flexispot

Flexispot is a branch of the Loctek B2B brand that is consumer oriented. Loctek was founded in Ningbo, China in 2004.

They have been doing extensive research and development on desk converters and standing desks since 2009.

In 2013 they created Flexispot and expanded their business to Fremont, California and Memphis, Tennessee.

Customers like their products due to their competitive prices, but their main point of interest lies inside the large companies that wish to provide their employees with ergonomic work-space.

On their list of happy customers are companies like Amazon, eBay, Home Depot, and others.

Varidesk

The Vari Company seems to be extremely loved and appreciated by its customers. This is due to 3 attributes the company possesses.

First of all, they work with quality products and do not cut corners. Another thing that helped them achieve success is working directly with the customers and adding space planning to their portfolio.

Finally, they are not afraid of unsatisfied customers, and offer a 30-day return guarantee on all of their products.

Their story started with a standing desk, and soon expanded to all kinds of ergonomic furniture solutions. This in turn created a worldwide fan base for Vari.

Jarvis (Fully)

Fully is the company that brought us the well-known Jarvis standing desk, and their motto is ‘Creating a human-oriented approach to the work-space.’

Just like Vari, they serve higher quality materials at reasonable prices because they sell directly to the customer.

It is important to note that Fully is a certified B corporation that is legally required to maintain a high level of positive impact on their staff, users, suppliers, the community and the environment.

Uplift

Uplift is a mid-sized US company located in Austin, Texas that is devoted to ‘creating a healthier workplace’.

The founder of Uplift, Jon Paulsen is a mechanical engineer and a Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE) that has distilled his lifetime of design experience to create the best stand solutions.

He designed his first Uplift desk in 2011 and since then the company included ergonomic chairs, standing desk converters, and other accessories to their line.

ApexDesk Elite Height Adjustable Standing Desk

If you’re looking for an electric standing desk that offers the most usable space, this is the one. With a length of 71’’ it is the longest desk on our list.

The cave-in middle section design allows you to sit closer to your laptop and the frame is made of industrial-grade steel that will support up to 225 lbs of weight.

You’ll be able to adjust the height of this desk with the help of 2 integrated motors, and a tiny display that allows you to program up to 4 height preferences.

The highest point is set to 48’’ and the lowest it will go is 29’’. The desktop is made of medium density fiber and is available in 6 different wood colors.

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This Uplift desk was made to provide space for all the extra items you wish to remove from your main work-desk.

It is a nice looking side-desk with its platform made of solid Hevea Brasiliensis tree and the frame has a fixed height of 29’’ that is not adjustable.

This desk will hold up to 355 lbs of weight, so the manufacturer recommends adding some casters for easier maneuvering.

FEZIBO Electric Corner Standing Desk Converter

The Fezibo desk converter was designed to save you space and can be placed in the corner of your desk or cubicle.

It was made with high-quality parts and can be adjusted with the push of a button.

It works smoothly and quietly. The upper platform can hold up to 2 monitors, and the keyboard tray is spacious with plenty of room for the mouse.

Due to the hard tray surface most customers end up getting a mouse pad. In the package, you also get a USB plug to keep your phone or other gadgets charged.

Seville Classics airLIFT Height Adjustable Stand Up Desk Riser

The airlift desk converter was made with a heavy-duty steel frame and medium-density fibreboard.

The upper platform was designed to hold 2 monitors and its weight capacity is set to 33 lbs of evenly distributed weight.

The built-in keyboard tray can be removed but cannot be adjusted. It is a bit narrow and will only hold a standard-sized keyboard, with very little room left for a mouse.

The vertical lifting action is performed with the help of a lever, and judging by customer experience you should expect some resistance the first 2 inches of rising.

For most people getting a standing desk marks the beginning of a new lifestyle where they start feeling better and become more productive.

However, ergonomics doesn’t stop there. Let’s explore other standing desk accessories that will offer further comfort to the user.

Standing Desk Stools

As we mentioned at the beginning of the article, most of us can’t work standing for too long. The makers of standing desks realized this very quickly and produced standing desk stools.

Most of these stools promote active sitting and engage your muscles while you work.

There’s an amazing change happening across the US with regards to ergonomics and we’re seeing more and more of these chairs in the education sector.

This helps young adults maintain a good posture and take care of their health while learning.

Anti Fatigue Mats

An anti-fatigue mat is an essential accessory to the standing desk, and one of those things you’ll have to try for yourself to truly understand the benefit.

Standing on our feet for a long time can be tiring so various developers have invented these genius mats that come padded, with curves, balls or different angles.

They help you stretch your feet, improve circulation, and maintain focus.

Balance Boards

Just like the standing stools, the balance boards were made for people that wish to stay active while they work.

They come in all shapes and sizes, and range from beginner to advanced models.

Their main benefit is to infuse life in your working day while strengthening your core muscles and improving your joint movement.

Treadmills

If you’re set on staying healthy but don’t have the time or energy to hit the gym, why not consider placing a treadmill under your standing desk?

This way you can stay productive and burn calories at the same time.

There are many different models on the market to consider, but if you’re thinking about getting one for the office make sure you have your own workspace, since most of them are bulky and require space.

In order to use your standing desk to its full potential you’ll need to be aware of certain ergonomic tips and tricks.

Since you’ll spend more time on your feet, it is advisable to get a standing mat that will keep your feet more comfortable.

The most important thing however is to adjust the desk and monitors to the correct height, so you’re not straining in any way.

The monitor should be at least 20’’ away from your eyes with the top of the monitor placed slightly below your eye level.

Also standing still while working is bad for you, so using a balance board, or simply shifting side to side, goes a long way.

Is standing a healthier option than sitting?

We have a very short answer for you: Overdoing either can be detrimental for your health. The best thing you can do is shift between sitting and standing while you work.

Remember that the goal is not to stand all day. The goal is to keep shifting your position.

This is exactly why standing desks are important for your health and the reason why there’s an increased demand for them. They keep your body moving.

How long should you stand for per day?

As soon as you start feeling your legs getting heavy you should go ahead and sit down. Standing for long hours is not good for you and definitely not the point of a standing desk.

Beginner users tend to sit more in the beginning since we’re so used to it, but as time progresses they tend to spend more and more time standing.

Accessories like the standing mat, the balance board and the standing desk stools will allow you to become even more productive while saving your feet.

What’s the ideal sit to stand schedule?

The ideal sit-to-stand switch would happen every 30 minutes.

Some people set their alarms to remind them to change positions.

What’s the ideal standing desk posture?

Try to keep your elbows at a 90-degree angle or higher (meaning your desk goes lower) so you don’t have to bend your wrists while typing.

Also make sure the desk height is set in such a way that’s preventing you from hunching.

Try to maintain the S-shape of your spine by slightly bending your knees (as opposed to locking them in place) and keep changing your center of gravity by moving your feet from time to time.

When choosing between a desk converter and full standing desk you’ll face 2 main considerations: price range and available work-space.

A full standing desk is a bigger investment that requires more space in your work area, so if you already have a desk that you like you might want to consider getting a desk converter.

They are lighter in weight, and can be used straight out of the box.

On the other hand desk converters do not hold the same weight capacity as full standing desks, so if you have a heavier set up, the standing desk would be a better choice for you.

Full standing desks are a good choice for people that wish to completely change their work environment and replace their old work-desk.

We hope this article has answered most of your standing desk concerns. If you wish to find out more about ergonomics and healthy work-space, feel free to browse our website.