November 20, 2024
The Best Standing Desks of 2024 – Ergonomic Work Stations For Improving Posture
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The Best Standing Desks of 2024
Selecting the ideal standing desk plays a pivotal role in enhancing both your work efficiency and your overall physical well-being. As remote work setups and ‘work from home’ become the norm for a large portion of the workforce in Australia and around the world, a plethora of electric standing desks, often referred to as sit-stand desks or stand-up desks, have hit the market.
At first glance, many of these desks may seem the same, but there is huge price, warranty, design and indeed quality difference between the best standing desks. Like many products available online, the sheer quantity to choose from in standing desk options for home or office can give you ‘choice paralysis’, so we’ve shortlisted a handful of the best standing desks for different needs, budgets and designs to suit your needs.
In this article, we provide a summary of the top 8 standing desks available in Australia and online. We stand by (pardon the pun) a good standing desk to not only optimise your work performance but also contribute to the betterment of your posture and overall health.
Best Standing Desks of 2024 – Our Top Picks
Best Overall: UpDown Desk Electric Standing Desk
Best Runner-up: Fenge Piano Walnut Standing Desk
Best Budget: Artiss Electric Laptop Standing Desk
Best for Small Spaces: SHW Small Electric Standing Desk
Best Australia: Advwin Electric Standing Desk
Best for Creatives: FlexiSpot L Shape Standing Desk
Best Design: Autonomous AI Standing Desk
Best Non-Electric: Win Up Time Manual Standing Desk
Best Warranty: UpDown Desk Pro Acacia Desktop
Benefits of Using a Standing Desk
Using a standing desk can offer a multitude of benefits for posture and overall well-being. We are big advocates for using standing desks for improving overall health, with growing evidence of the dangers of sitting for long periods of time. Some of the main benefits of standing desks and how they can positively impact wellness include:
Improved Posture:
Spinal Alignment: Sitting for extended periods can lead to poor posture, as individuals tend to slouch or hunch over. Standing desks encourage better spinal alignment, reducing the risk of developing a hunched back or rounded shoulders.
Core Engagement: Standing requires continuous engagement of core muscles to maintain balance. This helps strengthen core muscles over time, supporting an upright posture.
Increased Productivity:
Enhanced Alertness: Standing encourages a more active and alert state, potentially boosting productivity and focus. Users often report increased energy levels and reduced lethargy compared to prolonged sitting.
Movement Opportunities: Standing desks often come with height-adjustable features, allowing users to switch between sitting and standing positions. This encourages movement, which can help combat the physical stagnation that can hinder productivity.
Improved Breathing Patterns:
Increased Lung Capacity: When standing, the chest cavity has more space to expand, leading to improved lung capacity. This can enhance oxygen intake and circulation, ultimately supporting better breathing patterns.
Reduced Shallow Breathing: Prolonged sitting can lead to shallow breathing patterns. Standing encourages deeper and more natural breathing, which can reduce stress and increase oxygen flow to the brain.
Reduced Headaches:
Neck Tension: Poor posture while sitting can contribute to tension in the neck and shoulders, which can trigger tension headaches. Standing with proper posture can alleviate this tension and reduce the frequency and severity of headaches.
Improved Blood Circulation: Better blood flow, often associated with standing, can help prevent headaches caused by reduced circulation and oxygen supply to the brain.
Reduced Back and Neck Pain:
Reduced Strain: Standing desks promote a more ergonomic work setup, allowing users to adjust desk height to their individual needs. Proper ergonomics can reduce strain on the lower back, neck, and shoulders.
Less Compression: Sitting for prolonged periods can lead to spinal compression. Standing can relieve this pressure, reducing the risk of chronic back pain.
Improved Blood Flow:
Enhanced Circulation: Standing promotes better blood flow throughout the body, preventing blood from pooling in the legs and feet. Improved circulation can reduce the risk of blood clots and varicose veins.
Reduced Swelling: People who sit for extended periods may experience swelling in the legs and ankles. Standing encourages the natural movement of blood and lymphatic fluid, helping to reduce swelling.
Best Standing Desks of 2024 – Guide and Reviews
With the average work day being more and more sedentary for an increasing number of people, a standing desk is one of the best ways to combat the poor posture, back pain, neck pain, breathing dysfunction and sleep issues associated too much sitting.
Below we summarise some of the best standing desks we’ve come across for a variety of different budget and design options to suit your home office or upgrade your employees’ work stations for the better.
Best Overall: UpDown Desk Electric Standing Desk
Price: $1199AUD
Warranty: 10 years
Colour Options: Black, White
Size Options: 3
Despite the relatively high price of around $800 to $1200, the UpDown Desk is the best standing desk available in 2023. The UpDown Desk range is one of the biggest we have seen, and this brand really does specialise in upgrading your workstation with a sit stand style desk.
The UpDown Desk Pro is about $949 with the Melamine style desktop and can be bought in either a black or white frame colour option. The UpDown Desk Pro can also be purchased in a couple of different sizes, which suit individual needs: 120cm x 75cm, 150cm x 75cm, or 180cm x 75cm.
What I love about the UpDown Standing desks is the industry leading warranty of 10 years, plus free shipping in Australia and a 100 day trial period. The 100 day trial period is super generous in giving you the option to try out the UpDown desk for almost a third of a year to see if it is right for you and return it if it is not for you.
These standing desks are built with solid quality and have a strong lift capacity of up to 150kg and the buttons allow you to choose between four different preset height settings.
The height range of the UpDown Pro Standing desk is between 61.5cm to 127cm which suits most height ranges for people. These desks even have an anti collision setting which means they will stop raising or lowering if it senses something in the way.
Although these standing desks are almost triple (or more) of the cost of a lot of other standing desks out there, this is your best option for something that will last and has sound after-sales care.
Best Runner-up: Fenge Piano Walnut Standing Desk
Price: $199USD
Warranty: 1 year
Colour Options: Walnut, Oak, Black , Wood
Size Options: 2
The FENGE standing desk is the best runner up for sit stand workstation options. Our favourite standing desk in the FENGE range is the FENGE Piano Walnut standing desk, which has a beautiful walnut desktop and a unique multi level design which gives it the name ‘piano’.
The FENGE Piano standing desk is also available in Oak, Wood or Black colours with a design to suit any space. The FENGE standing desk piano walnut has two different sie options: 47” x 28” or 55” x 28”. It is worth noting that the FENGE range does not ship to Australia at the time of writing this article and only offers free shipping to USA and Canada.
The FENGE standing desk seems to have one of the best certification standards, with SGS, UL and TUV Rheinland certifications, meaning it has high grade electrical standards for safety and design material.
FENGE also have a number of options for dual standing desk layouts which are suitable for multi screen workstations or for two people. The FENGE standing desks come with a 15 year warranty which is the best we have seen.
This quality of design is very obvious with the FENGE standing desks and they have a strong and stable triangular corner support which ensures maximum stability, plus a very smart concealed cable management system which helps achieve a clean, minimal and organised space which I am all about.
Best Budget: Artiss Electric Laptop Standing Desk
Price: $359AUD
Warranty: 1 year
Colour Options: 15 options
Size Options: 1
The Artiss Electric standing desk is one for the lower budgets, hitting the mark for the best budget standing desk in our eyes. The Artiss Standing desk is available on Amazon right now for $359 although this price may be even better on Amazon Prime day in October 2023.
The Artiss Electric standing desk is 120cm x 60cm is desktop size, which is more than enough room for a laptop computer and extra space for papers, stationary and printer. The Artiss has about 15 different combinations of frame colour and desktop design which makes it one of the most diverse design ranges of a single standing desk design we’ve seen.
It features 3 preset heights to choose from and is made from powder coated metal frame and particle board desktop. Although this standing desk is maybe not on the same scale of quality as the FENGE or Updown standing desk range, it still performs well on functionality.
Best for Small Spaces: SHW Small Electric Standing Desk
Price: $224
Warranty: 1 year
Colour Options: Black, Maple, Rustic Brown, White
Size Options: 1
Some offices spaces are tight, especially when doing ‘WFH’. The SHW Standing desk is the ideal option to consider for standing desks for small spaces.
The SHW Small standing desk has an electric lift height from 40” to 20” (or 101.6cm down to 50.8cm), and has dimensions of 101 cm W x 55.8 cm D x 71-116.8 cm H. At just over a metre wide, the SHW is big enough for you computer with a tiny bit of spare space and will fit snug into a small corner of the house.
This one is also pretty small on price, at $224 at the time of writing, with 4 preset modes and various hanging hooks for hanging headsets or headphones used in the workspace.
Best Australia: Advwin Electric Standing Desk
Price: $289.99AUD
Warranty: 1 year
Colour Options: Black, White Silver
Size Options: 2
The Advwin Electric standing desk is one of the best standing desks Australia for a completely reasonable price. The Advwin standing desk comes in White, Black or Silver frame options and features a 70cm up to 120cm range which is quite standard for a standing desk operational range.
The Advwin standing desk has an 80kg max weight rating which is quite a bit less than most, with the industry standard being around 100-150kg weight capacity. This standing desk is ideal for the home office setup which requires a simple solution for computer and printer. The Advwin desk has 3 pre programmed settings for height and has adjustable feet, a durable powder coated metal frame and additional hooks for hanging gear.
This desk has two cable management ports to help keep your desk tidy as well as a USB charging port for easy charging of devices. The only major downside of the Advwin standing desk is that it comes with a very measly 3 month warranty on the purchase, however the very cheap price is reflective of this warranty.
Best for Creatives: FlexiSpot L Shape Standing Desk
Price: $1299AUD
Warranty: 1 year
Colour Options: Black, Bamboo
Size Options: 1
The Flexispot L Shaped standing desk is the go-to standing desk for creatives, with extra space and it’s key L shape design which offers loads of space for multiple screens, drawing space and placement of other creative based tools like cameras and drones or battery charging space.
The Flexispot Standing desk has three motors that allow the large desk area to raise and lower via electric means, with super spacious dimensions of 182 x 198 x 76 x 60cm.
The Flexispot standing desk is a little more expensive, at $1299 on Amazon, but you are paying for almost triple the standing desk workspace. This is also a great option for working couples with plenty of room for two people and their devices and individual stationary space – try it in a stylish black or bamboo design.
Best Design: Autonomous AI Standing Desk
Price: $499-$949USD
Warranty: 7 years
Colour Options: 6 options
Size Options: 3
The Autonomous AI standing desk is sleek and clean, with a minimalist design that I prefer over all others. The aesthetic is not the only thing t0 love about the Autonomous SmartDesk range, they also have one of the most extensive add-on or integrated accessories ranges of any standing desk.
The Autonomous SmartDesk Pro is $499 for the smallest sized desk for one, or they offer discounts for economies of scale when you buy multiple desks for an office or commercial space. Prices range between $499 to $949 for the XL version, with 6 colour options for the desktop and 3 colour options for the desk frame.
The Autonomous SmartDesk has a pretty decent warranty too. The 7 year warranty and solid steel frame makes it a reliable purchase, and the Autonomous range has some of the best customer standing desk reviews in comparison, with 4.8 out 5 stars across 1233 reviews.
The Autonomous SmartDesk has a super strong lift capacity of 310lbs and a quite motor which operates at 40dB. They also offer free shipping and a 30 day trial period, which doesn’t quite match the 100 day trial period for the UpDown standing desk, but still good.
Best Non-Electric: Win Up Time Manual Standing Desk
Price: $1020AUD
Warranty: 1 year
Colour Options: 1
Size Options: 1
Not everyone wants to go electric. For those just happy to stay grounded and opt for the manual, crank style standing desk, the Win Up Time standing desk is the best option here. The Win Up Time standing desk might not be as flash as some of the other electric sit stand desks we have mentioned, but it still gets you from ‘A to B’.
The Win Up Time standing desk on Amazon is 120cm x 60 cm which is an average desk size and comes with quite a basic Maple coloured engineered wood top. The beauty of this manual standing desk is there is no messing around with wires and if there a power outage you can still practice good sit stand ergonomics at your workspace.
Best Warranty: UpDown Desk Pro Acacia Desktop
Price: $1199AUD
Warranty: 10 years
Colour Options: Black, White
Size Options: 3
The Updown Desk Pro has one of the best standing desk warranties on the market. Yes, sure the FENGE range has a 15 year warranty too, but we have factored in the fact that UpDown also offer a 100 day trial period.
We consider the warranty and trial period a combined effort, and the Updown Standing desk Pro really has a strong balance with this. The Updown Desk Pro comes with a 10 year frame warranty and some pretty strong review stats to match.
The UpDown Desk Pro with Acacia Desktop is $1199, with free shipping, 100 day trial and 10 year warranty, which is all round one of the most valuable standing desk offers online. They have good access to installation instructions online which are visible before purchase so you can also see what you are buying prior to purchase.
How We Choose Best Standing Desk
Choosing the best standing desk requires careful consideration of various factors to ensure it meets your specific needs and preferences. Aside from quality, we look for a few other key factors when shopping for a standing desk online or in store.
1. Determine Your Budget
Start by establishing a budget range for your standing desk. Standing desks come in a wide price range, so knowing your budget upfront can help narrow down your options. The average price of an electric standing desk from our research is between $200 to $1700. The price difference is usually associated with the size of the standing desk as well as the accessories it includes and the quality of the material used in the design.
Desks at the lower end of the price range may offer basic functionality and fewer customization options, while those at the higher end may boast premium features, larger surface areas, and more durable construction. By establishing a budget range that aligns with your requirements, you can focus your search on standing desks that offer the best balance of affordability and quality for your specific needs.
2. Assess Your Workspace
Measure the available space in your home or office where you intend to place the desk. Ensure it can accommodate the dimensions of the desk, including its height adjustments. Most standing desks come in a standard rectangle shape, however if you are looking for a standing desk to suit a corner of a room, there are also options for this. Doing personal measurements of your space and comparing them with the dimensions of the standing desk is key here!
Start by measuring the length and width of the area where the desk will be positioned, taking into account any obstacles or obstructions such as doors, windows, or furniture. Additionally, consider the height of the room to ensure that the desk’s height adjustments will not be limited by low ceilings or other overhead structures.
While most standing desks come in a standard rectangular shape, there are also options available to suit corner spaces or other unique layouts. If you’re considering a corner desk, be sure to measure the dimensions of the corner space accurately and compare them with the desk’s specifications to ensure a proper fit.
3. Consider Height Adjustability
Look for a desk with easy and precise height adjustment mechanisms. Electric standing desks are popular for their convenience, while manual crank desks can be more budget-friendly. If you are super tall, it is definitely worth considering the maximum raise height of each standing desk, as some are designed for the average persons height in mind.
For individuals who are taller than average, it’s essential to consider the maximum height range of each standing desk. Some models may be designed with the average person’s height in mind, which could limit their suitability for taller individuals. By checking the maximum raise height of each desk, you can ensure that it will accommodate your height comfortably and provide the ergonomic support you need for proper posture and alignment.
Whether you opt for an electric or manual standing desk, prioritize ease of height adjustment and ensure that the desk’s height range meets your specific requirements. By selecting a desk with the right features and specifications for your needs, you can create a comfortable and ergonomic workspace that supports your health and productivity.
4. Weight Capacity
Check the desk’s weight capacity to ensure it can support your equipment, such as monitors, computer, and other accessories. A higher weight capacity is generally better. Most people only have a computer and some stationary on their standing desk, but having a higher weight capacity is usually associated with the overall quality of the design. From our experience a higher weight capacity translates to higher quality!
While many people may only have a computer and a few stationary items on their standing desk, opting for a desk with a higher weight capacity is generally advisable. A higher weight capacity not only ensures that the desk can accommodate heavier equipment but is also often indicative of the overall quality and durability of the desk’s design.
In our experience, desks with a higher weight capacity tend to be constructed from sturdier materials and feature robust engineering, making them more resilient to wear and tear over time. This translates to a longer lifespan for the desk and a more reliable and stable workspace for you.
5. Ergonomics
Look for desks with ergonomic features. This includes a curved or contoured front edge to reduce wrist strain, and cable management systems to keep wires organized and out of the way. If you have multiple devices, we would recommend opting for a multi level or multi platform standing desk for which there are many options An L-shaped standing desk can also be a good choice for this too.
For users with multiple devices or accessories, such as monitors, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, consider opting for a multi-level or multi-platform standing desk. These desks offer multiple surfaces at different heights, allowing you to arrange your equipment in an ergonomic and efficient manner. Alternatively, an L-shaped standing desk provides ample surface area and flexibility, making it a versatile choice for accommodating various devices and work setups.
By selecting a standing desk with ergonomic features tailored to your needs, you can create a comfortable and efficient workspace that supports your health and productivity throughout the day. Whether you prefer a curved front edge, integrated cable management, or multiple levels for device organization, prioritize these features to optimize your ergonomic experience and enhance your overall work performance.
6. Stability and Durability
Pay attention to the desk’s stability, especially when extended to standing height. Quality construction materials, like steel frames and sturdy legs, contribute to stability and long-term durability. With timber desktops, we look for the timber type, with some using quality, real timber pieces rather than cheaper laminate material.
Steel frames provide excellent structural support, minimizing wobbling or shaking even when the desk is fully extended. Additionally, sturdy legs help distribute weight evenly across the desk’s surface, further enhancing stability and preventing sagging or bending over time.
For desks with timber desktops, pay attention to the type of timber used in the construction. Some desks feature real timber pieces, which offer superior quality and aesthetics compared to cheaper laminate materials. Real timber not only adds a touch of elegance to your workspace but also provides greater durability and resistance to wear and tear.
7. Memory Presets
Many electric standing desks offer memory presets that allow you to save your preferred height settings. This is convenient for switching between sitting and standing positions quickly.
Most electric standing desks will have at least one memory preset, however some will only come with a press button set height. The memory presets can be a handy feature to look for if there are multiple people using the standing desk at home or in an office which makes it easier to adjust with the press of one button.
8. Warranty and Customer Support
Check the warranty provided by the manufacturer. A longer warranty period is indicative of the manufacturer’s confidence in their product. Additionally, research the manufacturer’s customer support reputation using standing desk reviews.
The warranty is one of the key things we look at when choosing a standing desk, with warranties on offer anywhere between 1 year and 15 years.
9. Read Reviews and Compare Options
Take the time to read user reviews and expert opinions to gain insight into real-world experiences with the desk. Comparing different models can help you make an informed decision. Reading customer reviews of any standing desk BEFORE you buy may save you a lot of pain and money. Often customers will be more likely to share negative reviews so if there is a consistent issue with quality, customer service or other issue most likely you will be able to find this on a product review site, the brands Instagram page or even the website.
10. Accessories and Add-Ons
Consider any additional accessories or add-ons you may need, such as monitor arms, keyboard trays, or anti-fatigue mats, to create a complete ergonomic workstation.
Generally, most standing desk prices are based on the desk alone, with accessories coming at an additional cost. It is worth checking out what each standing desk brand has for their accessory options as they usually integrate best with the same brand, particularly when looking for additional drawers or stationary organisers. I really love having an organised workspace, so I usually can’t help myself and opt in for all add-ons.
Final Word on Best Standing Desk
There is a mind blowing amount of options out there for standing desks, and this product really experienced a big surge in demand during COVID work from home setups which has seemingly continued on for many. There is no doubt that a good standing desk has the ability to dramatically improve productivity and has wide ranging benefits for improving posture and overall health compared to sitting for long periods.
While it is tempting to go for the cheapest standing desk online, it is worth considering product quality as you may end up paying twice! As far as our research goes, the best standing desk Australia right now is the UpDown Electric Standing desk, which offers superior 10 year warranty and solid build.
If you are looking for a standing desk on a lesser budget, there’s loads of standing desks Amazon, and one of the best on Amazon is the Artiss Standing Desk which is only $274 at the time of writing this.
If you are reading this sitting down, it’s time to fix your posture and upgrade your workstation with a bit more ‘sit stand’.
Jayce Love
Jayce has spent the last decade in the military as an elite Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diver and has an ever growing passion for biohacking and recovery for peak performance. Jayce has accreditations in fitness and nutrition, cold water immersion, and regularly adopts human Guinea pig status to test out the latest tools, techniques, practices, gear and gadgets in the name of optimal fitness, recovery and wellness.