Standing desks, also known as sit-stand desks or height-adjustable desks, allow users to switch between sitting and standing positions while at work. From improved posture and reduced back pain, to an increase in focus and productivity levels, the benefits of standing desks have been well documented, and it's no wonder more of us are looking to invest in one.
FreErgo Product Page
However, because there are so many options available, choosing the right standing desk can be a daunting and difficult task. The good news is that we're here to help!
In this comprehensive guide, we share the key factors you should consider when choosing a standing desk, as well as the top questions you should ask yourself to narrow down your selections, starting with determining the best type of desk for you.
There are several different types of standing desks, but the biggest difference between types is whether they are electric, pneumatic or manual. In other words, the method by which the desk adjusts.
Electric desks tend to be quieter and easier to use, but manual desks are more affordable and don't require power to use. Learn more about the key differences between electric and manual standing desks here.
The average desk width is 48 to 72 inches, and the average depth is between 20 and 30 inches. However, there isn&#;t one right answer as to how wide or deep a desk should be. Consider how much space you have, and what you will be using the desk for, before you make a decision on size.
Don't forget to consider what you want to keep on your desk and how you want to position it. In general, if you have a full-size desk mat, keyboard and monitor (or just like to spread out), you will need a deeper desk than those with just a laptop.
On a similar note, each standing desk has a weight limit which determines how much you can store on top of your desk before it will start to struggle to adjust in height. If you exceed the recommended limits, it may damage the motor, and in very rare cases, your desk might collapse under the weight.
Standing desks can typically hold a maximum of 80 kg to 160 kg in weight which is more than enough to hold your standard desk setup (laptop, keyboard, mouse). However, additional desk accessories, such as a monitor, laptop stand, printer and lamp can significantly increase the load.
Determine what you want to store on your desk before you make a decision, and choose a desk that accommodates this load.
How much height range does your ideal desk have? If you&#;re taller or shorter than average, then you need to make sure the desk adjusts to a height that is comfortable for you.
Whether you're standing up or sitting down, your desk should be at a height that allows your elbows to rest at your sides while typing, with your forearms parallel to the ground. Your monitor(s) should also be at eye level, so you don't need to look up or down at your screen.
Additional accessories, such as a laptop stand or monitor arms, can help to lift the screen up to the recommended height and position if it's not possible with your desk.
If multiple people are sharing the sit-stand desk then it&#;s best to find a desk with a large range, to accommodate for all heights and requirements.
The construction and materials used for a standing desk play a crucial role in its durability, stability, and overall performance.
Steel frames are well-known for being robust and stable, which makes them suitable for heavy-duty and long-term use. Aluminium frames are another good option, offering a lighter alternative to steel that still provides a strong and stable base.
As well as the frame itself, you need to consider the desktop materials. Solid wood, laminate and melamine faced chipboard (MFC) tend to be the most popular choices.
The design of the standing desk should compliment the overall aesthetic of your workspace, so choose a desk finish and colour that goes with your existing colour palette and furniture. In addition, consider the material and finish of any additional features, such as your port hole covers.
On a similar note, consider how you can enhance the function and organisation of your desk through storage solutions, shelves or a cable management system. After all, a cluttered and chaotic desk will hinder your work environment, rather than help it.
Need additional help with the aesthetics of your standing desk? Read our full guide on How to Make Your Standing Desk Look Better.
RGB lighting to enhance your sessions.
Got a gaming setup ? Consider adding
Investing in a quality standing desk is a worthwhile long-term investment in your health, but it&#;s important that you set a budget and research standing desks within your price range.
On a similar note, while it might be tempting to opt for the cheapest option available, it's essential to balance cost with quality and features.
If you need additional equipment or accessories, such as monitor arms, cable management systems or an anti-fatigue standing desk mat, make sure you include these within your budget.
To narrow down your options and make an informed decision, you should ask yourself:
Will it be just you using the desk, or will other people benefit, such as your colleagues, partner or
children?
Will your standing desk be in one place, or do you need one that you can move around an office on wheels, for example?
If you're requesting a standing desk at work, find out your company's existing policies regarding workspace accommodations and wellness initiatives first, as you could be eligible for a desk as a reasonable adjustment.
standing desk you choose, we hope this article has helped you come to the right decision for your specific space and needs. Need additional help choosing a standing desk?
Get in contact with our expert team
with any queries.
Regardless of whatstanding desk you choose, we hope this article has helped you come to the right decision for your specific space and needs. Need additional help choosing a standing desk?
Looking for a standing desk for your home, office or
workspace? Check out our full collection of
standing desks
, available for
next working day delivery if ordered by 3pm
. Our desks come with a 7 year warranty, 30 day risk free return, as well as access to a UK-based customer service team to answer any questions that you might have. Otherwise, our
blog
provides more useful tips on using a standing desk for a more balanced lifestyle. Feel free to contact us with any questions, with the handy live chat feature on our site, or via at
.
So you&#;re considering switching to a sit-stand desk but aren&#;t entirely sure whether it is worth the investment. You see, standing desks aren&#;t all that cheap and even the ones that aren&#;t made with quality materials may cost you a few more Benjamins than you expect.
Even if you find affordable options, the sheer amount of features and alternative models out there can leave you feeling confused, or perhaps even overwhelmed. To make your choice a little easier for you, we have compiled a list of questions as a guide to you picking the right sit-stand desk for your needs.
1. What Kind of Budget Are You Working With?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question and how much you spend on a sit-stand desk should depend on the level of quality you&#;re expecting in exchange for your investment. Like any purchase, you can find sit-stand desks in a variety of price points. However, before settling for the cheapest options, remind yourself that you are investing in the health benefits of height adjustable desks.
It really helps to consider quality features and how long a model will last you. The latter is also a good reason to look for warranties so you can protect your investment in case the desk malfunctions.
All things considered, top-of-the-line height-adjustable desks can cost you thousands of dollars but the best quality models are typically sold between the $300 and $500 range.
Click here to browse through a couple of our favorite sit-stand desks.
2. Do You Need a New Desk or One That Can Be Added On Top of An Existing Desk?
If you want to learn more, please visit our website electric height adjustable sit stand desk.
When standing desks were first introduced, interested buyers had to remove their current desk to replace it with an entirely new desk that could convert from sitting to standing with the help of an electric motor or crank. However, you will now come across several other cheaper options that include:
Height adjustable desk legs (which can replace the legs of your current desk)
Desk mounts or standing desk converters
Scissor lifts, sit-stand keyboard trays, and other combinations.
The answer to your question largely depends on how much space you have available in your office or home office space. If you&#;re dealing with a significant amount of space or if you would prefer to spread your belongings over a larger area, it would be a good idea to invest in an entirely new sit-stand desk. However, if the desk you&#;re using currently is perfect, you should look for a desk mount or standing desk converters.
Additionally, if you&#;re planning on doing most of your work while standing, you should consider the option of permanently raising your desk to a standing height as a viable solution. The only problem here is that you will need to buy a chair that is also at a raised height, such as a lab stool that has a foot ring.
If your work involves a lot more sitting than standing, you should consider buying a model that raises and lowers your entire desk. If this sounds like something you&#;ll be interested in, your only two options will be electric desks and crank desks.
3. Do You Need a Height Adjustable Desk?
In most cases, it is pretty crucial that the height of your desk be adjustable because you might need to set it at different heights for various tasks or perhaps many people may be using the same desk.
For instance, someone would prefer a particular height for their writing tasks whereas the other who prefers another height for computer-related tasks. Similarly, people with different heights and work preferences in the same home would prefer a height adjustable model.
The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA) suggests that height adjustable desks should range anywhere between 22.6 inches to 48.7 inches. However, your choice of product should depend on what you plan on using the desk for.
4. How Deep Should Your Sit-Stand Desk Be?
In case you&#;re wondering, the depth of a desk is the distance between the front to the back of the tabletop while you&#;re facing the fixture. With that in mind, you should settle for a sit-stand desk that is at least 30 inches deep.
Having a depth close to this minimum grants users the ability to fan out their belongings as opposed to working in the midst of a cluttered desk. Of course, if you have limited space in your office or if you don&#;t need this much area, you can always choose a desk with a smaller depth.
5. Is Weight Capacity An Important Consideration?
Most height adjustable desks are constructed in a manner that they can easily carry the weight of all those things that are usually kept on a desktop. This may include a , laptop, printer, desktop computer, etc.
However, if your work requires you to place much heavier items on the tabletop, you should consider looking up each model&#;s weight restrictions before investing in them. You see, the weight restrictions of all sit-stand models tend to vary quite a lot and the perfect product for you should match these requirements.
6. What Should I Consider Before Buying a Sit-Stand Desk?
Most height-adjustable standing desks exceed expectations in terms of convenience and quality. Still, some key considerations that would help you make a more informed decision include:
Noise-Level During Operation
If your productivity relies on a calm and quiet environment, then you should consider desks that feature noiseless transition between both heights.
Electric Vs. Manual Operation
Some sit-stand desks are designed to be operated with manual hand cranks while others feature pneumatic or electric lifts that can lift or lower your entire desktop with a push of a button. Which method you prefer can have a huge impact on your noise level, ease of operation, and speed.
Speed
If a desk takes a supremely long time to shift between both heights, you might not find it suitable to your work routine.
Programmability
Some sit-stand desks can easily be programmed with various height preferences so they may effortlessly glide to your preferred position.
Customizability
Ask yourself whether your choice of standing desk needs to work with specialized equipment or privacy screens? Or should the desk match a specific aesthetic in your office? By answering all of these questions, you might not be able to find a desk that complies with all of your needs but one that is the best product as compared to its alternatives.
7. Should My Desk Be Kept In a Standing Position All Day?
Since you&#;ve heard of all the desirable health benefits of height-adjustable desks, and all the health risks of a sedentary lifestyle, you may be of the opinion that keeping your desk standing all day may be a good idea. However, standing around for a very long period of time can also be as harmful as excessive sitting.
One of the health benefits of height adjustable desks is that they cure back pain by changing how they work throughout the day. The ideal way to use standing desks is to vary between both postures and divide how much of each you do over your work hours. For instance, if you remain seated for one hour, it should play to your advantage to stand up and stretch your muscles. If you&#;ve been standing up for a while, you can then relax your legs and sit down.
8. Electric vs. Manual Sit-Stand Desk: Which Is Best?
At this point, you&#;re probably sold because it isn&#;t very difficult to see the benefits of height-adjustable standing desks. However, you will still have two options to choose from: height-adjustable standing desks and crank (manually-adjustable) standing desks
You&#;re probably looking for a standing desk that can be easily transitioned from the sitting position to a standing one, without disrupting your work, and at an affordable price. Well, crank standing desks may be as affordable as they come, but they might take up to 30 turns to bring to a standing position. In contrast, an electric sit-stand desk will just have two buttons that you need to know about - the up and down buttons.
Final Thoughts
With all of your questions answered, the only thing you need to do is pick the right sit-stand desk for your office or your home office space. If you prefer a traditional American design in your height-adjustable desk, we&#;d like to introduce you to Flexispot&#;s Theodore Standing Desk.
This standing desk blends rustic elements onto a 48 inch table top, which also features a built-in USB port and an integrated storage drawer. What&#;s more, you can handle its simple set-up process yourself in just a few minutes.
Are you interested in learning more about electric standing desk with floating drawer? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!