After several hours of research, I made my selection of the 7 best sit-stand desks (standing desk) among forty models currently available on the market. I have a personal preference for the Flexispot M2B if you are looking for a one screen configuration. But for a two-screen sit-stand desk, I definitely recommend the Apexdesk ZT series . If you wish to acquire a sit-stand desk but you do not know how to go about it in your research, I invite you to consult my buying guide at the end of the article.
The best cheap sit-stand desks
In this first category, I eliminated several very inexpensive models which did not offer the stability required for your equipment.
Suddenly, the models I offer here are guaranteed of good material quality and good stability, and do an excellent job if you respect the maximum authorized load mass. And this without breaking the bank.
Halter Ed 600 : the best cheap
The first sit-stand desk in my selection is one of the cheapest, but it has great features and design.
Robust and elegant, it has the advantage of being delivered all assembled. Its look is rather nice, and it is available in white, black or cherry, to best adapt to your environment. My personal preference goes however to the cherry, which I find warmer.
Its lines are very rounded, and its material is quite good. The set is robust and made to last.
It works with hydraulic cylinder / gas spring technology, which gives it great stability even when extended to its maximum. It can thus lift, smoothly and silently, up to 20 kg, which is honorable given the price.
It can raise two screens even if in this case, it will go up significantly slower than with only one. To be honest, it must be said that the hydraulic cylinder technology, if it makes much less noise than electric technology, requires that we support the thrust a little (as is the case for some seats).
Depending on the weight on the desk, this can make an effort. For some, electrical technology may therefore be preferable. But that excepted, the elevation in height of the plate is simple and direct. You just have to engage the two handles of the locking and adjustment mechanism, one to the left and the other to the right of the tray. Many users claim that their back pain has really been relieved thanks to this investment.
Its dimensions are 90 cm wide, 45 cm deep with a lifting capacity of 41 cm, which is sufficient up to 1m90 maximum. If the small tray does not suffer from any major defect preventing its optimal use, its shape could be improved to offer a better distribution.
There are also some negative points. First of all, the two handles, which allow precise elevation, are located a little too far behind the tray. You must bend down to hold the two handles simultaneously and lift the entire desk. We can’t say it’s top ergonomically. If it remains feasible with one screen, it becomes more difficult with two. The other flaw is the reduced space for the mouse.
But despite these small gaps, this model is excellent value for money. Its robustness (which is often lacking in entry-level standing desks) makes it a safe bet, and it’s a good investment for a first sit-stand desk.
Ergoneer : the ideal sit-stand desk for one screen configuration
This is a very beautiful Standing Desk, with clean lines, very classy. The desk and its mechanism form a solid assembly. It is already assembled in its packaging. No need to break your head, you take it out and put it down.
Like most of its competitors, it has a height level adjustment that changes between 12 cm and 45 cm in a few seconds with levers that are very easy to handle. Thanks to its hydraulic system, the ascent and descent are smooth, and without noise. The sturdy desk is optimized for smooth lifting and lowering, while the maximum load is over 15 kg.
However, the manufacturer claims that it can support 2 screens. However, I do not recommend it: if you calculate the weight of your equipment – including 2 screens – and add a weight of 3 to 5 kg to take into account the pressure exerted by your arms on the desk, there is a good chance that you exceed this weight.
In addition, with its 70 cm wide, it can be a little too narrow for some, depending on the material they need. So remember to measure it, and in particular your screen, before investing in it.
The intelligent “X” structure and hydraulic system provide regular and uniform support during the transition from sitting to standing position. Its frame and structure are securely mounted. Besides, the manufacturer delivers it with a 3-year warranty, which is an indication of confidence in the quality of the equipment offered.
In conclusion, you have a Standing Desk there with all the required qualities. For such a price, one cannot ask for excellence, which it does not have, moreover. But it works well, not surprisingly, and it’s one of the best options for discovering sit-stand desks in typing too high in the budget.
Songmics LSD08B : a standing desk with adjustable and detachable keyboard support
While remaining within a very reasonable price range, the Songmics LSD08B is a sit-stand desk that is perfectly suited to students, even gamers, thanks to its well thought out configuration. And if he does not excel in anything, he is good in everything.
Like most sit-stand desks, the Songmics can accommodate people up to 1.90 m in height. With its rather sober look, it easily finds its place at home as in the office.
It is a desk operating on hydraulic system for the adaptation of its height, and it offers a high quality cylinder. Suddenly, the change of the level of the height is done in a gentle way, but at the same time precise. No unnecessary shaking, you let go of the side handles and the tray immediately and securely locks in the desired location.
The little extra it offers is an adjustable and detachable keyboard support, which brings an extra touch of comfort. It is also one of the important criteria for gamers, who must have access to the keys comfortably in all circumstances.
Its ergonomics are therefore optimal on several levels. Besides, the users are formal: the back problems have really been reduced after a few weeks of use.
On the other hand, there again, contrary to what the manufacturer suggests, it is preferable to stick to a configuration with a screen, since the maximum authorized load is 15 kg. Again, it’s not just about the weight of the material, but also the pressure of your arms. But in a one-screen configuration, it really does its job.
The dimensions of the tray also tend towards a single screen configuration: 80 cm wide by 62 deep. The height, on the other hand, is entirely in line with expectations, going from 12 cm to 46 cm in elevation. Note that, if that was not enough, the LSD06BK version is 95 cm wide by 40 cm deep. I am nevertheless less convinced by its stability, the cross-shaped foot being very offset on the side.
The LSD08B, on the other hand, offers very good general stability thanks to its X-shaped frame. The assembly is quite simple because all you have to do is fix the keyboard support and some wiring.
It is therefore a standing desk which does not lack advantages, especially for this price, and which I warmly recommend to anyone who does not have an excess of material to put on his desk. It is just unfortunate that the nobility of the materials is lacking a little (especially at the level of the coating, which is easily scratched).
The best mid-range sit-stand desks
The models offered in this second section benefit from technological innovations in terms of ergonomics and assembly at extremely competitive prices compared to their functionalities.
Flexispot M2B : the best mid-range
Those who wish to transform their current office or workspace into a Standing Desk and integrate a standing station should consider seriously considering the Flexispot M2B. Of course, it represents a certain investment, but it is definitely a safe bet.
It is also my favorite standing desk in this selection, thanks to its reliability, its rock-solid stability and its advanced ergonomics.
First of all, it should be emphasized that its look, with its rounded shapes and its worked coating (black or white), is rather nice.
The pneumatic gas cylinder system is very fluid and allows the workstation to deploy very smoothly, very easily. There is absolutely no need to force, you just need to operate a handle, on the right side, under the table. No fear of falling, whether for your PC or your coffee.
If it is not delivered fully assembled, assembly should not take you more than 10 minutes. We just fix the keyboard, a plastic cover on the bottom rail, and voila.
It has dimensions rather well suited to any type of situation, with 89 cm wide, 78 cm deep and 15 cm high (not deployed). Once deployed, it reaches 50 cm, which is the greatest height of my selection. It has 12 height adjustment positions, and should be perfectly suitable for anyone up to around 1.95m.
On the other hand, if it has a major defect, it is at the level of its maximum authorized load: 16 kg. So it excels in a one screen configuration, but I don’t recommend it again if you have two. In the latter case, I would rather direct you to the Apexdesk ZT Series or the Flexispot M4B, which I will tell you about next.
Apexdesk ZT series : the best configuration for two screens
It is the standing desk of my selection most recently released on the market, since it dates from 2018.
Design side first, I find it pretty well worked, and it makes me strongly think of the Flexispot. Currently, it is very difficult to get it in Europe in a color other than black, but if you have the opportunity, I recommend the “hazelnut” version, which has a wood coating of the most beautiful effect.
At the reception, simply remove it from its box and install it on your desk. There, that’s about it !
It is again a motorized gas spring system, offering an adjustment height of 14.5 to 46 cm. Again, it’s in the standards. On the other hand, its work surface is a little larger, with a width of 91.4 cm and a depth of 61 cm, which allows you rather easily to opt for a configuration with two screens, especially since the load maximum authorized of 20 kg allows it (well, of course, it always depends on your screens!).
The little extra offered by this model is the USB slot that it integrates, which allows you to easily charge your smartphone, for example. We know how often the USB ports are insufficient when working with many materials!
Honestly, this standing desk constitutes an excellent value for money, since it is the first of my selection to truly allow a configuration with two screens, with quality materials (even if it seems less robust than the Flexispot), and this for a very reasonable price. It only needs a little more life to see what it is really worth in use. But it seems to me to be an excellent option.
FLEXISPOT M4B : a corner model
I have already presented the Flexispot M2B, with which it has many common points, if only at the level of design and material quality. But the M4B still has some differences, which make it a completely separate option.
First of all, it should be noted that this is the first (and only) corner desk of my selection. It is delivered almost entirely assembled, but it remains to fix the keyboard platform. A pledge of additional ergonomics, the Flexispot includes four cable organizers to route these. It is quite rare to emphasize this.
As with the M2B, it is very easy to adjust the height of the Flexispot desk. 12 levels of adjustment are available from 12 to 48 cm, but you just have to release the handles at the desired height so that the tray locks automatically and securely.
Its hydraulic gas suspension system really allows you to adjust the desk smoothly, even under full load. But again, it is a pity that the maximum authorized load is limited to 15 kg. Even if the configuration of the desktop itself seems ideal for installing two monitors, it is strongly advised to check the weight of these!
Another complaint is that the mouse space is a little tight for placing a standard mouse pad.
In the end, I think it remains a great option, especially at this price. It is a standing desk that I highly recommend to those who need an angled space configuration. Its material quality means that you will keep it for many years, which pays off its price … As long as you do not exceed the maximum authorized load, of course!
The best high-end sit-stand desk
The high-end and professional standing desk still have a little trouble making their way into the European market. But among the rare survivors, I managed to find you an excellent model which, without surprise, is signed by the prestigious brand which launched the sit-stand office market, Varidesk.
Varidesk Pro Plus 36 : the best high-end
Gemmy Industries is a company in its thirties and it was its employees who first felt the need for a cheap sit-stand solution for one of their colleagues. Varidesk was therefore founded on the idea of providing a quick, easy and affordable way for everyone to stand at their desk. The success was immediate and massive, which allowed the brand to develop worldwide, with an increasing number of design and product patents.
If the brand is slowly starting to suffer from competition, it nevertheless remains at the forefront, with certain quality products like this Varidesk Pro Plus 36.
One of its first big pluses is that it comes fully assembled. It is adjustable in height on 11 levels. It is one less than the Flexispot but it remains very good. And if it is necessary to support the movement a little more than with its competitor, it remains very reasonable and ergonomics is absolutely not affected.
The Pro Plus 36 is extremely stable in the low position. On the other hand, users have noticed a slight balance effect in the maximum high position, when typing a little too forcefully on the keyboard. It’s a bit of a shame considering the price of the product. The main thing is to distribute the weights well on the surface, as much as possible – a nuisance that a cross design could have avoided.
The viewing distance from the monitor is good and well within the standard of the recommendations. Namely, for example, that for a 27 inch screen, you should be at a distance of 50cm to 1m. The other point is that the upper tray is very wide in surface and that its pronounced cut allows finally to place a laptop on the keyboard tray easily. For those who need such a configuration, it is the very great advantage of this model, which will justify its acquisition.
However, again, I regret a maximum authorized load of 15.8 kg. It is hardly more than the Flexispot, but less than the Apexdesk. If you are interested in this model but the maximum weight was not enough, then I recommend the Varidesk Pro Plus 48 , which can support it up to 20 kg, with dimensions which go from 91.4 x 68.1 cm to 129.5 x 85.9 cm (so you need room for the machine!).
In the end, it is a very good sit-stand desk, with an interesting configuration, especially if you use a laptop. However, I’m not sure it is really worth the price difference compared to mid-range models.
What is certain in any case is that its material quality suffers from no defect, and that you are gone for many years of use with this model. Besides, the brand does not hesitate to offer a 5 year warranty. After all, it may be here that the price difference is justified.
The products of my selection on sale for now
How to choose your sit-stand desk?
Increasingly, the concept of well-being at work is gaining momentum in our society. This goes of course through mental well-being, but also through physical well-being.
This is why, in close partnership with research in the field of risk prevention and ergonomics, the designers of sit-stand desks (or standing desks) have developed tools intended to put movement in the life of office and correct bad postures.
As often, this furious trend of Standing Desk comes from across the Atlantic. There, researchers consider that sitting – increasingly present in our society through our lifestyle – is one of the biggest threats to health today.
Research shows that we can reduce our risk of cancer, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and back pain by simply changing our lifestyle, reducing the time we spend sitting.
If you too want to get started but do not know where to start, here are some tips that can guide you in choosing a standing desk.
Ergonomics
The ergonomics of your sit-stand desk is probably the first factor to take into account, since this is precisely the purpose of acquiring one of these machines.
Obviously, this office must therefore be comfortable and easy to use. The handle for lifting, among other things, must be perfectly accessible and allow you to change position without thinking about it. Indeed, if your standing desk is particularly difficult to adjust, you lose all the benefit of the machine, and certainly your motivation to use it.
Quality and assembly
Materials and build quality must be considered. These will indeed affect both the life of your desk and its ergonomics.
Certainly, it can be tempting to invest in certain so-called miraculous devices which cost, for example, only around thirty euros. But more often than not, they turn out to be so fragile that there is a big risk that your computer will end up on the floor. It is therefore really recommended not to balk at the quality in this area.
As for the assembly, if it is true that many standing desks arrive all assembled and only have to be placed on the desk, you will still sometimes have some assemblies to perform, especially for the wiring trays, etc. .
The adjustment height
Check carefully how far the device can go. In general, most can bring the platform to 1.25 m, which is enough for a person of 1.90 m to work standing. But if you measure 2m10, there is very little to bet in this case that you often use the standing position without suffering from back pain.
The work surface
Remember to check the dimensions of the desk according to the surface you need. You obviously won’t have the same needs if you only use one laptop or use two screens, for example.
The maximum authorized load
If your office is well loaded, check the load of what you will have to lift and if the Standing Desk that appeals to you has sufficient capacity.
Generally, the weight supported varies between 9 and 25 kg. And think about it: to the weight of the equipment, you should always add about 5 kg, which is the pressure exerted by your arms and hands.
The noise level
The question of the level of noise emitted by the device should also be considered, especially if you work in a very quiet office and have the firm intention of remaining friends with all your colleagues.
The adjustment device
There are several types of adjustment devices. I nevertheless recommend automatic adjustment devices, because with a manual method, as simple as it is to carry out, the addition of the gestures to operate can quickly become a deterrent and make you lose all the benefit of your investment.
Among the automatic devices is the electrical adjustment. It is the most common, but also one of the loudest. A sound level of 60 to 70 decibels, multiplied x times during the day and by x desks in the room, this can unfortunately calm the ardors of the most motivated.
An interesting alternative is the hydraulic adjustment, with a silent and often very powerful cylinder. It is usually enough to keep pressing the adjustment button until you reach the desired height, and voila.
Leave a Reply