You need to take a break from even the most ergonomic office chairs from time to time, and if you don’t want to miss out on work or the action of your favorite PC game, a standing desk is the perfect alternative. Our favorite desk offering a wide range of height adjustability is the Flexispot E7 Pro. But whether you’re after something ultra-affordable you lift manually or a premium option that rises with the push of a button, we’ve got you covered.
TL;DR – These Are the Best Standing Desks:
- FlexiSpot E7 Pro Premium Standing Desk – Best overall
- Autonomous Desk Eureka – Best budget
- FlexiSpot Standard Standing Desk E2 – Best ultra cheap
- Autonomous Desk Expanse – Best L-shaped
- Eureka Aero Pro – Best for gaming
- Uplift V2 4-Leg Standing Desk – Best high performance
- ApexDesk Pneumatic Stand Desk – Best pneumatic
- VIVO 32-inch Desk Converter – Best conversion
- Xdesk Flex – Best couch-side
- EvoDesk Pro Aviator – Best high end
The best standing desks must be sturdy enough to hold an entire work or gaming setup, while height transitions remain butter smooth via a motor or pneumatically to prevent a wobbly monitor catastrophe. Ergonomics are key, so the desk should reach the perfect position for proper posture and comfort– sitting or standing. From there, size, style, and other customizations come into play, ensuring it caters to your space.
Taking all of this into account, we’ve found ten top-tier standing desks to fit any budget or need. Check out our picks below — and here’s where to find the best standing desks in the UK.
1. FlexiSpot E7 Pro Premium Standing Desk
Best Standing Desk
The FlexiSpot’s E7 Standing Desk long held the top spot on this guide, and its latest revamp, the E7 Pro, is officially taking the crown. With it comes a heavier load capacity, a wider height range, extra cable management solutions, and better stability. Those improvements mean the Pro model costs slightly more than the original, but we think it’s worth it. Plus, this standing desk still offers a great midrange price.
Holding together the FlexiSpot E7 Pro is a sturdy, automotive-grade steel frame with thick, stable legs ready for even the largest gaming battle station – we’re talking up to 440-pound setups. Each of the two T-shaped legs houses a motor for smooth height adjustments between 50.6 and 25 inches, and even at the top height level, there’s no wobble. An easy-to-master control panel raises and lowers the desk, and up to four heights can be saved, so going from sitting to standing is truly as simple as the touch of a button. The USB-A port and child lock feature are also handy additions.
Resting on top of the frame is your choice of desktop, with chipboard being the cheapest option. However, we’d recommend grabbing something with better longevity like bamboo, solid wood, or a special gaming tabletop that adds a bit of friction for easier gaming mouse movements. No matter which desktop you go with, each comes in various sizes to fit any setup. FlexiSpot also helps save desk space and minimize cable clutter, thanks to a large cable management tray with a magnetic fabric cable cover under the desk. Just be prepared for the desk to be quite heavy, so it may be a two-person job to stand the completed desk upright.
2. Autonomous Desk Eureka
Best Budget Standing Desk
If you don’t have $1,000+ for a high-end standing desk, Autonomous gets you well-equipped for less than half that. The Desk Eureka (formerly known as the SmartDesk Core) is a classy, simple number with a strong and stable design which includes a solid steel frame that stands firm on thick, T-shaped legs. Running on dual motors, it has the power to lift to 250 pounds at a quiet 45 decibels, so you don't have to worry about it accommodating a three-monitor setup or disturbing your coworkers.
The SmartDesk Core provides a large desk space at 53 inches wide and 29 inches deep, but you can go bigger or smaller depending on the surface space you need. And Autonomous makes it easy to get a style that matches your office aesthetic, as there are three frame colors and nine different desktop styles — super sturdy oak included. On the side edge of the desk surface is a simple programmable keypad that lets you adjust the height from 28.3 to 47.5 inches and store preferred heights for quick switching. However, there isn't an anti-collision feature, so be mindful when making adjustments.
3. FlexiSpot Standard Standing Desk E2
Best Ultra Cheap Standing Desk
Desks with motor lifts are a perk, but that extra functionality doesn't necessarily translate to a hefty price tag. FlexiSpot's Standard Standing Desk E2 brings the flexibility of a sit-stand option at a much more affordable price starting well under $300. You still get a single motor and electronic control panel with up and down buttons for easy height adjustments, letting you go from 28 to 47.6 inches, giving you considerable range to get the most ergonomic position standing or sitting.
The Standard Standing Desk isn’t some wobbly disaster either. It’s built on a sturdy steel frame, which offers a lifting capacity of up to 187 pounds. On top of the frame is a spacious 42-inch wide by 24-inch deep tabletop made from one-inch-thick laminated chipboard ready to hold a heavy load and stand up to some wear and tear. However, a larger desktop surface and different materials like bamboo or fiberboard are available at different prices.
4. Autonomous Desk Expanse
Best L-Shaped Standing Desk
For many of us, a typical long desk does the job, but for the ballers with a ton of gear, multiple gaming monitors, a gaming PC, a gaming laptop, and some consoles to boot, more space is a necessity. Enter the L-shaped desk, specifically, the Autonomous Desk Expanse (formerly known as the SmartDesk Corner), which rocks a massive tabletop, a hefty max load, and the muscle it takes to lift it all. It’s modular, so you can decide how you want the longer and shorter pieces set up to make the most of your space.
The Autonomous SmartDesk Corner offers a primary surface measuring 77 inches by 29 inches and tacks on a second 35 inches long by 29 inches wide section, ensuring you can easily fit your entire battle station. All of that rests on a solid steel base capable of height adjustments between 28.4 to 47 inches using a responsive keypad with four programmable positions. You might worry about such a hulking desk getting shaky, but with three electric motors ready to lift 400 pounds efficiently and quietly, you can rest assure there won’t be any mishaps.
5. Eureka Aero Pro
Best Standing Desk for Gaming
When you're looking for one of the best gaming desks, there are a couple things that seperate them from any other standing desk on this list. Primarily, you need more space for monitors and other hardware, and it helps to have a high weight limit for more heavy-duty hardware. The Eureka Aero Pro easily ticks both of these boxes, and does so in style with its nice wing-shape design.
Measuring a whopping 63 inches long to start, this gaming desk can easily fit several monitors and a gaming PC, making it perfect for setting up an excellent gaming environment. Plus, it has a headset mount and a drink holder, so you can stay glued to your game for hours without missing a beat. The only thing that really holds the Eureka Aero Pro back is how much of a pain it is to assemble. This gaming desk is shipped out to you in two seperate boxes, and will take at least an hour to assemble. But, once all that sweaty work is out of the way, you're rewarded with an awesome standing desk for gaming. Hard to complain about that, right?
6. Uplift V2 4-Leg Standing Desk
Best High-Performance Standing Desk
If you want a standing desk that's as solid as a rock, you need the Uplift V2 4-Leg Standing Desk. It’s one of the few options on the market with four motorized legs, letting it lift a whopping 535 pounds without breaking a sweat. You can smoothly and safely adjust the height from 25.3 inches to 50.9 inches, and anti-collision technology detects any resistance while the desk is in motion, preventing damage or injury.
On top of its incredible lifting power, the Uplift V2 4-Leg Standing Desk is extremely customizable from the start, and we’re not just talking about add-ons here. You’ll have a wealth of choices for desktop material, color, size and style, frame color and type, the keypad, and even grommet covers, meaning you can really make it your own before purchasing. Starting at $1,200, Uplift’s desk ain’t cheap, but it’s an incredibly sturdy, reliable option backed by a 15-year warranty.
7. ApexDesk Pneumatic Stand Desk
Best Pneumatic Standing Desk
Motorized standing desks are convenient, but if you're not a fan of slow, loud electric motors or having another cord clogging up your outlet, then a pneumatic-assisted desk, like the ApexDesk Pneumatic Stand Desk, is for you. Instead of motors, this system uses dual gas cylinders to help you lift and lower your setup between 29 and 48 inches. Youjust pull the hand lever when raising or lowering using your other hand to assist and never again worry about a motor dying.
The ApexDesk Pneumatic Stand Desk might be slightly more effort to adjust than just pushing a button, but it's also quicker, quieter, and not to mention cheaper. For under $350, you get a sturdy steel frame complete with a crossbar for added stability and a large tabletop. The desk even includes grommets to tuck away wires, while back castor wheels allow easy movement.
8. VIVO 32-inch Desk Converter
Best Standing Desk Conversion
You’ve already made a sizable investment in your current desk, so why toss it out? VIVO offers an affordable desk add-on that comes in various colors and requires a simple setup, letting you convert your existing desk into a standing model in no time. From there, you use an effortless pneumatic lift system with a 10,000-cycle longevity, letting you smoothly raise your whole setup between 4.5 and 20 inches.
With over 30 inches of work surface and a solid metal frame ready to hold up to 33 pounds, the VIVO 32-inch Desk Converter accommodates dual-monitor setups on top. Meanwhile, the lower tier raises and lowers along with the top and is large enough to accommodate a full-size keyboard and mouse. This desk converter adds some extra utility by doubling as an oversized laptop stand: When you’ve got the VIVO folded flat, the top tier is just under 5 inches high for a more ergonomic setup while using a laptop.
9. Xdesk Flex
Best Couch-Side Standing Desk
If you, like a good portion of the world, enjoy occasionally working from the couch, then the flexibility of the Xdesk Flex is for you. This height-adjustable table makes for a much more ergonomic experience while chilling in the living room or a recreational area at the office. You can have it sit as low as a coffee table to as high as an upright standing desk in a couple of seconds with the touch of a button. Best of all, the lift motor is completely battery-powered, and that means no wires to trip over on your way to the couch.
The Xdesk Flex offers a 100-pound weight capacity and a 30-inch by 24-inch work surface, letting you place your laptop or wireless gaming mouse and keyboard on it with little worry of wobbling. Just be prepared to shell out some serious dough as this desk is made with the best materials, from its aircraft-grade aluminum frame and rock-solid tabletop to the high output, quiet motor.
10. EvoDesk Pro Aviator
Best High-End Standing Desk
The EvoDesk Pro Aviator is the ultimate standing desk. From its arrowhead shape silhouette to the four motorized legs and immense 500-pound load capacity, there isn't a more premium option than this. Its height ranges from 23.75 inches to 49.5 inches and hits over 250 positions, while that transition is a smooth and speedy 1.5 inches per second thanks to those highly capable motors.
A unique L-shape design gives the EvoDesk Pro Aviator 22.7 square feet of surface area for you to work, but everything in that space is within easy reach, as you can stand or sit in the center of it all. It’s made with a sturdy steel frame, while the tabletop features soft edges to help with nerve compression and fatigue. Almost everything on this desk can be customized to your exact specifications. However, the price reflects its quality at $2,500+, so this is definitely an investment.
Where to Get the Best Standing Desks in the UK
Standing Desk FAQ
Are standing desks worth it?
In short, yes. Standing while you work and play is a great way to keep mobile, stretch your legs, and maintain better posture. After all, sitting for too long and hunching over your computer is bad for your health, no matter how comfy your office chair or gaming chair may be. There are five reasons standing desks are better for you versus sitting, according to Harvard Health:
Standing desks (versus sitting desks) assume a lower risk of:
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Cardiovascular disease
- Cancer
- Premature death
Kevin Lee is IGN's Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam
Danielle Abraham is a freelance tech writer and unpaid music historian.
