Best Standing Desks 2024 - Forbes Vetted

May. 06, 2024

Looking to improve your workspace ergonomics in 2024? Our carefully curated list of the best standing desks, vetted by Forbes, is here to guide you to the ideal choice for your needs. Backed by the insights of industry experts and enriched by firsthand testing experiences, this article will help you find the standing desk that delivers on function, aesthetics, and durability.

After testing 8 desks in my home office, I found 6 winners to suit a variety of needs.

Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers

Here are all the winners from my testing process:

There are compelling reasons to make a standing desk part of your office or WFH set-up. “Sitting at a desk for extended periods can have various downsides; some of my colleagues have referred to sitting as the ‘silent killer,’” said physiotherapist Lalitha Bhowani-McSorley. While Bhowani-McSorley acknowledges that may be an exaggeration, she points out that sitting too much can have real consequences: “Individuals who sit for long periods of time will often see an increase in the risk of weight gain, cardiovascular problems and metabolic issues.” She adds that excessive sitting can lead to poor posture, weak core muscles and tight hip flexors.

If that has you convinced to start spending more time out of your chair, look for a standing desk that is easy to use, has accessories that are functional for your work habits and environment (like a desk drawer if you want office supplies tucked out of sight, or a cable management tray if you’re bothered by the sight of dangling cords) and—most importantly—that meets height and space requirements for you and your space. Read on for my review of six of the best standing desks to consider, based on my first-hand experience.

Best Standing Desk Overall

The Best Combination Of Features And Function

Branch Duo Standing Desk

Best for:

If you want reminders to sit or stand
Cable management and small accessory storage
Small spaces

Skip if:

You need a larger desktop
You want a push-button controller

For its sturdy design, attractive finish options and multi-functional paddle controller, the Branch Duo won best standing desk in my tests. It’s compact enough to fit in small spaces but doesn’t feel like a compromise on features or design. One feature that impressed me is its built-in reminder to sit or stand, a thoughtful addition not found on any other desk I tested (although a few models offer this functionality as an add-on or option within an app).

During long periods of focused work, I find it tough to remember to change positions, ignoring what ergonomist Matt Jeffs calls postural fatigue. “Brushed aside long enough, postural fatigue advances to discomfort,” he notes. “Overlooked further, discomfort becomes pain.” This standing desk gave me the impetus I needed to keep up with a regular rotation of sitting versus standing to avoid postural fatigue. It has a total lift range of 19.8 inches, with a minimum height setting of 28 inches and a maximum height setting of 47.8 inches. That range should be sufficient for most people, although the desktop doesn’t reach quite as high as a few other desks I tested, which have an upper height limit of 50 inches or more.

Thanks to a built-in reminder to stand, the Branch Duo stood out among other desks I tested.

Erica Puisis

The height settings are controlled by a simple paddle controller that you push down or pull up to move the desk. With a helpful but unobtrusive display screen that dims after input, it’s more discreet than your average touch-button controlpad but also has a slightly steeper learning curve. There are two saved heights and an optional sit-or-stand reminder that alerts you when it’s time to change position, either with a visual cue on the controller’s display screen or via a vibration that resonates across the desk (especially helpful if you’ve become drowsy during a mid-afternoon work session). These settings and options are controlled with two small buttons on either side of the controller.

There are enough customization options to make this desk appealing for just about any office or home workspace, including five options for the laminated desktop and three colors for the powder-coated steel legs. If you have a small space, the 36 x 24-inch standing desk is your best bet. If you have a little more room to work with, then take advantage of the slightly larger 48 x 24-inch option (which is what I used during testing). It provided more than enough room for my laptop stand, wireless keyboard, mouse, a notebook and a cup of coffee. Both models have a dual-motor lift system (which is usually faster and quieter than a single motor) and are covered by a 10-year warranty. That’s better than the warranty coverage of the other desks I tested, some of which had only a two- to five-year warranty.

The Branch Duo has a dual-motor lift system that ran smoothly in my tests, even when the desk was ... [+] loaded by the maximum 275-pound weight capacity.

Erica Puisis

It took about 40 minutes to assemble the desk, and the components and hardware were clearly labeled so there wasn’t any guesswork when I installed the various screws using the included hex wrench. Compared to the other desks I assembled, the Branch Duo’s instructions were clear and simple. The process took a little longer than a few other desks, but it felt relatively fast and frustration-free.

For a finishing touch, you can outfit the desk with a cable management tray to keep cords from your computer or electronics organized and out of sight, or with a desk drawer for office essentials like pens, USB devices and sticky notes. Those accessories aren’t available for most of the other standing desks I tested, adding to the Branch Duo’s appeal.

Best Standing Desk Runner-Up

Designed To Look Good And Last For Years

Herman Miller

Jarvis Bamboo Standing Desk

Dimensions: 48 x 27 inches, 60 x 27 inches, 72 x 30 inches | Height Range: 25.5 inches (minimum); 51 inches (maximum) | Memory Settings: 4 | Motor: Dual | Weight Capacity: 350 pounds | Warranty: 5 years (desktop); 15 years (frame, mechanical parts, motors, and electrical components)

Best for:

An alternative to laminate desktops
A wide range of height settings

Skip if:

Having a variety of finish options is important
You’re looking for a budget-friendly option

The Fully Jarvis Bamboo Standing Desk impressed me during testing with its strength and durability, and it has a classic aesthetic that will blend into most workspaces. The bamboo desktop is a sustainable, natural alternative to laminate surfaces, and you can pair it with a silver, black or white metal frame. Aside from an option for a curved desktop, there’s not much room for customizing the appearance of the Fully Jarvis desk. Its warranty, however, stands out: it’s five years for the desktop and 15 years for the other major components, which is second only to the Uplift V2 (which covers all components for 15 years).

The Fully Jarvis has a bamboo surface, a more sustainable alternative to laminate.

Erica Puisis

When standing or sitting at this bamboo desk, I had no complaints about the form or function. The desk smoothly transitions from seated to standing and back using the up/down toggle buttons or four memory presets on the programmable keyset, which has a crisp OLED display that makes the numbers easy to read. The desk has a 350-pound weight capacity (about the same as other full-size standing desks) and had no noticeable wobble when I propped my elbows on the desk during use. It easily lifted 200 pounds during testing, without any slowdown or protest from the motor so it’s safe to say that it can handle even dual-monitor computer set-ups and plenty of paperwork. It also didn’t scratch or stain when I used the desk with a laptop stand, dropped a container full of pens on the desk’s surface, or spilled a cup of hot coffee.

Best Splurge Standing Desk

Sleek, Durable And Easy To Assemble

Steelcase

Steelcase Solo Sit-to-Stand Desk

Best for:

A wide range of height adjustments
Fast assembly
Simple, easy-to-use controller

Skip if:

You can’t live without memory height adjustments

The Steelcase Solo Sit-To-Stand Desk is a worthy upgrade because it has a sleek aesthetic, feels incredibly sturdy and offers the easiest assembly of any standing desk I tested. While there’s much to say about the features that justify its high price-tag, the bottom line is that this model performed well during testing and would make a great choice for any office or home environment.

The Solo Standing Desk made a terrific first impression with its lightning-fast assembly. While other desks required at least a handful of screws and bolts and took an hour (or more) to put together, Steelcase has streamlined assembly to two simple steps: snap the legs, which are already attached, into the frame and use a screwdriver to attach the paddle controller. The whole process was done in 10 minutes flat.

The Steelcase Solo Sit-To-Stand Desk was the easiest to assemble of any desk I tested.

Erica Puisis

Belying its simple assembly, the desk is excellently constructed. The desktop is commercial-grade, high-pressure laminate that is more impact- and scratch-resistant than other types of laminate surfaces. It comes in seven different finish options, and the steel frame is available in black or white. Its biggest limitation is that it’s only available with a paddle controller, not a programmable handset, so there’s no option for saving your preferred sitting or standing height. That said, I noticed that height adjustments are smooth and quiet, even when the desk was loaded up with 200 pounds—an impressive feat for a single-motor standing desk.

The Solo Standing Desk is backed by a 12-year warranty, so it should hold up to years of use in a commercial office environment. Aesthetically, it fit right into my home office without looking clunky or industrial.

Best Customizable Standing Desk

A Desk With Many Size Options and Accessories

Uplift

Uplift V2 Standing Desk

Dimensions: 42 x 30 inches, 48 x 30 inches, 60 x 30 inches, 72 x 30 inches, 80 x 30 inches | Height Range: 25.3 inches (minimum); 50.9 inches (maximum) | Memory Settings: 4 | Motor: Dual | Weight Capacity: 355 pounds | Warranty: 15 years

Best for:

A wide range of sizes and finishes
Organizational add-ons and accessories, including a hammock
Free returns within 30 days

Skip if:

You need an easy-to-assemble option
Your space requires a desk that’s 24 inches deep

All of the best standing desks offer at least a few options for customizing its size and appearance, but no standing desk offers as many finishes, features and accessories as the Uplift V2 Standing Desk. It’s hands-down the most customizable standing desk I tested, and it’s worth the effort to pick out and assemble this desk if you want one you can tailor to your needs and workspace.

You can order the V2 Standing Desk in five different sizes, four different frame colors and more than 30 different finishes, including laminate, bamboo and solid wood options. While the starting price of this desk sits in the middle compared to others I tested, the price does climb if you select one of the larger sizes or a solid wood desktop. You can also get this desk in certain colors and sizes from Amazon.

The Uplift V2's programmable controller is easy to use, with four preset heights and a digital display.

Erica Puisis

Uplift’s wide range of add-ons makes the V2 ideal for customizing for your work or hobbies. You can pick from accessories like cable organizers, drawers, a storage cubby or a foot hammock or full-size hammock (only available for 72-inch desks or larger). Uplift adds some free accessories to your order, too, like a balance board for more comfort and movement while standing at the desk. Another standout optional accessory is the Bluetooth USB adaptor, which I found to be helpful for controlling the desk’s height and receiving sit or stand reminders. The programmable controller is also simple to use, with four preset heights and a digital display.

For more electric standing desk 60x30, and the best adjustable electric desk, check out FreErgo's comprehensive collection.

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