If you’re trying a standing desk for the first time, spending over $500 probably doesn’t sound that appealing.
The truth is, there are a lot of manufacturers creating affordable standing desks that rival the more expensive options.
We’ve found 10 standing desks on the market in 2019 that passed our test for affordability, design, quality, and great features.
Favorite Cheap Standing Desk
VIVO Height Adjustable 36″ Stand up Desk Converter
- Innovative & spacious ergonomic solution
- VIVO’s top selling riser desk
- Double deck design that holds up to 2 monitors
- Minimal assembly out of the box
The VIVO Standing Desk will transform your workplace for sure. It is ‘powered’ with a dual gas spring.
In order to transition between sitting and standing, all you have to do is squeeze a handle.
Not having to deal with messy assembly sounded great to us. Just take it out, follow quick instructions and place it on top of your desk.
Design & features
This 36 inch model comes in black, white and dark wood colors. It was reinforced with a steel frame that will hold up to 33 pounds.
Spacious is another thing that comes to mind when talking about the VIVO stand up desk.
It features an upper deck where you can place up to 2 monitors, and a lower deck that will hold your keyboard and mouse.
An added feature not often seen on standing desks- the keyboard tray is removable.
What customers are saying
Customers tend to be a bit worried at first, since the price tag on this model is lower than other popular brands.
Easy assembly
We’re happy to say they were extremely pleased with the VIVO stand up desk. The assembly is quick – as promised, it should take you less than 15 minutes to figure it all out.
One thing to have in mind, the VIVO desk is quite heavy, so make sure you have someone to help you with lifting.
Easy adjusting
Moving it up and down is a breeze, just make sure you pull it towards you and not upwards.
Another thing that most competitive brands lack – you’ll be able to position the angle of the keyboard tray, which is the ergonomics bread and butter.
What we like
- High quality stand up desk at a competitive price
- Spacious and sturdy
- The keyboard tray is adjustable AND it can be removed
What we don’t like
- Assembly might require two people
Best Affordable Standing Desk For Laptops
Seville Classics Airlift Pneumatic Laptop Desk
- Individual desk that can be raised up to 4.7 inches
- Made to hold any size laptop
- A mobile workstation with casters
If you’re using a laptop, the Seville Classics Airlift Pneumatic Laptop Desk is our favorite affordable option.
It is definitely not as high-tech as other stand up desks, it’s an individual work station- meaning you won’t need to place it on top of another desk.The Seville desk offers a pneumatic height adjustment. Simply release the knob, choose your preferred height, and tighten it again.
The rectangular base of this desk was made out of steel giving it amazing stability. Another thing we really like is its mobility.
Unlike the stand up desks that should be positioned in one place, the Seville laptop desk can be moved around with the help of 4 casters that can also be locked.
What customers are saying
Most of the people that bought this product say it’s a neat little desk that does what it’s supposed to.
Some prefer the simple design and enjoy being able to work standing without having to spend top dollars.
On the negative side, the castors might cause you some trouble because they’re plastic, sometimes they don’t fit too well, and do not roll on carpeted areas.
Most people have solved this problem by ordering additional castors.
What we like
- Effective standing desk
- Competitive price
- Simple design
What we don’t like
- The castors need additional work
Other Affordable Standing Desks
Fezibo Standing Desk With Height Adjustable
- Stand up desk made for a smaller work space
- Will hold up to 28.6 lbs
- Fully assembled out of the box
If you are looking for a smaller version of our VIVO standing desk, the Fezibo Standing Desk With Height Adjustable might be the perfect choice. It features an ergonomic dual-tier design. The lower tray holds a standard keyboard and a mouse, and it is removable. The upper tray will fit a single monitor and a lap top, or two 23″ monitors. Make sure you don’t go overboard placing heavy items on top of it, because it can hold up to 28.6 lbs. Just like the VIVO desk, the Fezibo has been reinforced with steel structure and comes with a black finish that looks good, and fits with any color. You’ll be able to switch between sitting and standing with the help of two small handles that have been tucked underneath the upper tray. The gas spring system will ensure a smooth sit/stand transition. This model comes fully pre-assembled so all you need to do is pull it out of the box, and place it on your desk.
What customers are saying
The Fezibo desk has earned 4.9 out of 5* on Amazon and that says a lot! Some of the customers had a chance to compare it to more expensive models at their office, and feel beyond happy with their choice. They say it’s the perfect budget option, and can’t feel the difference compared to the most popular brands. The hydraulic lift is super easy to use, and the design looks really cool. The issue most people have is the size of the keyboard tray. If you’re using a bigger keyboard you won’t have enough room to rest your wrists. Interestingly enough, once customers complained about this issue they got an answer from the manufacturer letting them know they’re working to fix this flaw. The desk wobbles a bit, if you’re typing vigorously.
What we like
- Great looking design
- Smooth transition between sitting and standing
- Affordable price-range
- Amazing customer service
What we don’t like
- The desk wobbles a bit and feels unstable
Halter Preassembled Height Adjustable Sit/Stand Desk
- Two-tiered height adjustable table
- Elegant design
- Comes pre-assembled
- 1 year no-questions asked warranty
The Halter Preassembled Height Adjustable Sit/Stand Desk is another great budget option for your work space. The thing that makes this desk different from the others on our list is the 1 year no questions asked warranty policy. Try it out, use it a while and if you don’t like it feel free to return it for a full refund. It’s as simple as that. You’ll be able to fit two 27-inch monitors on the upper deck, and a keyboard on the lower deck. You can choose between sitting and standing by squeezing the handles on both sides. It is a sturdy desk that will help you maintain good health and circulation.
What customers are saying
The thing most customers love is the extra space they get, without breaking the bank. The upper desk is spacious and fits up to 2 monitors, speakers and extra items. The lower desk can fit a larger keyboard and extra items on the side, such as your favorite coffee mug. Most of them are amazed by how sturdy this model feels. A thing to have in mind – this model doesn’t transition smoothly, it take some effort to lift it or lower it. Also if you’re under 5’3″ and don’t have a height adjustable chair, you’ll need to sit on a pillow.
What we like
- Spacious standing desk
- Competitive price
- A lot sturdier then similar products
What we don’t like
- Difficult to transition up or down
- Won’t be good for people under 5’3″
Mount-It! Height Adjustable Standing Desk Converter
The makers of Mount-It! Height Adjustable Standing Desk Converter have included 2 extra slots on the upper platform. One slot holds your coffee mug, and the other for your phone. This ergonomic work station was made to hold one monitor or a laptop on the upper tray. The lower tray will hold a standard sized keyboard. The keyboard tray is built in, and can’t be removed. This compact design is both good-looking ad sturdy, and can be switched from sitting to standing position in a matter of seconds. It doesn’t support as much weight as the previous models on our list, and it will only hold up to 17.6 lbs.
What customers are saying
The thing that all customers agree on – this is NOT a sit/stand desk. The sitting position is awkwardly high, and it takes a lot of effort to move it up and down. Most of the people that buy it end up using it for standing only, and some have gotten creative by acquiring a bar stool to be able to sit and work on it. With that being said, if you’re interested in a stand desk, this one will accommodate people up to 6 feet high.
What we like
- A solid stand desk
- Budget pricing
What we don’t like
- Not a sit-stand desk
- It takes two people and some effort to assemble
Fancierstudio Riser Desk Standing Desk
- Sit/stand desk with 8 levels of adjustability
- Spacious workstation 38
If you have a large office space with heavy items on your desk, the Fancierstudio Riser Desk Standing Desk could be just what you need. It is a heavy duty sit/stand desk that comes fully assembled and was made to hold heavier objects – up to 30 lbs. Just place it on top of your existing desk, and you’re good to go. In order to switch between sitting and standing you will have to pull both levers to the side and lift. The product looks good, and it promises higher stability then the rest.
What customers are saying
One of the things that people especially love is the large keyboard area. Most of the similar products on the market haven’t really left enough space for that purpose, but Fancierstudio excels in this area. Due to its weight (60 lbs) make sure you have a solid, sturdy table to place it on. This desk offers a smooth transition from sitting to standing, just make sure you pull the levers to the side. A feature and that’s unique to this product, and has caused a headache to some customers.
What we like
- Great sit/stand desk that delivers what’s promised
- Sturdy product that will not wobble
- Great for your pocket
What we don’t like
- It requires a solid desk to place it on
- The lever system confused some people
Mount-It! Sit Stand Workstation Standing Desk Converter
- Double tiered sit/stand desk
- Gel wrist pads protect from carpal tunnel
- Double monitor mount on upper tray
The Mount-It! Sit Stand Workstation Standing Desk Converter is an amazing product that will give you more than enough space to work with. It comes with a wide base that gives it increased stability. This is an important feature since this product allows you to mount two monitors on top of the upper tray. And that’s not all – the monitors can be rotated 360 degrees. What we especially liked is the gel wrist pads positioned on the lower tray which is great news for people working for 6-8 hours in front of the computer. No more fear of carpal tunnel syndrome for you. It can be moved up and down with the help of a gas spring system, often seen on office chairs. The integrated cable management is another amazing addition, since most of the the other models on the market have an issue with cables getting pinched between the trays.
What customers are saying
Most of the people that bought this product are beyond happy with it and agree it’s a must-buy at a great price. They really like the double monitor mount and how easy it is to pop them in. The desk is super easy to manipulate from sitting to standing position, but the monitors have to be unscrewed if you wish to move them up and down. Some people found this annoying, because it looks great when you’re standing, but they tend to be a bit high when sitting. Also make sure you understand you’ll need around 2 hours to assemble it.
What we like
- Dual monitor mount
- Easy to switch between sitting and standing
- Ergonomic gel wrist pads
What we don’t like
- The monitors can’t be moved up and down w/o effort
- Time-consuming assembly
If you’re looking for something a bit more basic, and are not a huge fan of double tiered systems, we’ve researched some basic standing desks for you:
SHW Height Adjustable Mobile Laptop Stand Desk
- Rolling desk that’s 26 inches wide
- Two out of four wheels can be locked
The SHW Height Adjustable Mobile Laptop Stand Desk features only one platform made to hold your laptop and mouse. The height is adjustable and you’ll be able to lift it up to 33”. The price is absolutely competitive compared to similar products, and affordable as hell. To raise it you will have to work with an adjustable knob.
What customers are saying
The opinions are pretty much divided on this product. The people that are satisfied say it’s a convenient desk that does its purpose. They use it with smaller laptops or notebooks. The other half of the customers is completely dissatisfied, and says it has serious design flaws. The center of gravity has not been done right, so it topples over. Also the wheels need to be a bit bigger and sturdier. Almost everyone had to do a certain kind of intervention and correct the manufacturers flaws, like the wheels not being level.
What we like
- Budget option that holds lighter items
What we don’t like
- The center of gravity is off
- The wheels are not level
Mount-It! Mobile Stand Up Desk/Height Adjustable Computer Workstation
- Height adjustable stand up desk
- 4 platforms to store your hardware
- Can be used as a speaker’s podium
The Mount-It! Mobile Stand Up Desk/Height Adjustable Computer Workstation will do good if you plan on using it for presentations or a standing desk. It goes a bit higher than similar products, and will do its job even for people that are 6” tall. It was made of thick wood with a powdered finish, so it will be quite sturdy. You should be able to place 33 lbs on each of the 4 platforms. The stand up desk comes with 4 wheels that should roll fine on smooth surfaces.
What customers are saying
Most people that were dissatisfied complain it can’t be used as a sit desk, but the manufacturer of this specific model never made that promise. If you have issues raising it up, there’s an adjustment knob in the back.
What we like
- Good design that is stable and should last you a long time.
- Budget price
What we don’t like
- The separate trays can’t be adjusted
- A bit difficult to roll on carpets
DEVAISE Standing Desk
- Spacious and ergonomic work space
- Will hold 2 monitors, or up to 100 lbs
- Can be adjusted for height with a pull out crank
The DEVAISE Standing Desk offers a clean look and enough space to place two monitors. The assembly is medium hard, and it would help to have another person with you. It was not made to be switched between sitting and standing. The highest it will go is 45.5 inches which should be enough for most people. It is operated with the help of a pull-out crank, and will hold up to 100 lbs.
What customers are saying
Most people like this product and say it’s a good bang for your buck. Some people have had issues with missing assembly parts, but the customer service was very responsive and shipped them quickly.
What we like
- Good customer support
- Budget price compared to similar products
What we don’t like
- Feels a bit wobbly at the highest level
- It takes 80 turns to raise it up
As you can see from our list, there are really good options to save your neck and back that cost less than $200. All you have to do is choose which model will satisfy your specific needs. No need to thank us.
