For many these days, working from home is a given — a welcome one, too! Not only does it give us the freedom to work on our own terms, squeezing in more time for friends and family (or a little laundry), but it also saves a whole lot of life otherwise spent commuting. Of course, the students among us have been fortunate enough to enjoy this work-life balance for ages. I know I did! The only issue we face — some of us can't squeeze in a proper office setup. Nor can we really afford to buy a fancy desk and a comfortable office chair.
Whether we like it or not, sitting at a desk for prolonged periods of time does get a little same old, same old. That's why choosing one that looks appealing (see chic), with plenty of space to store your stationery, books, or study break essentials — I opt for a stack of style mags, personally — is a must. After all, a mountain of books, pens, and cables is the least inviting sight when it's day 15 of studying for your finals or a slightly hungover Friday at work. Modish desks with storage? Count me in. Elegant office desks that actually make you feel like working? I'll take the lot. Yes, I am talking about the ever-handy standing desk. Trust me on this one.
Quick Menu:
1. Adjustable standing desks
2. Laptop standing desks
3. Standing desks with drawers
Yep, a standing desk is a smart way of keeping your back (and brain) in working order, however young you think you are. Plus, it breaks up the day, adjusting from a seated height to a standing height, keeping your mind fresh so you can boss it in that big meeting or breeze the seminar you forgot to do the reading for (guilty as charged!).
Nowadays, the options out there are endless but I have scoured the net for the finest picks out there, curating my list for the average dorm-dweller or renter's budget. Serving up a variety of styles, from sleek adjustable numbers and considered pieces perfect for your lappy, to desks with drawers, my pick features only rave-reviewed products. Essentially, anything with less than four stars did not make the cut.
The best standing desks to buy
The prices below were correct at the time of publishing.
Adjustable standing desks
Generally speaking, the majority of standing desks out there are adjustable, providing you the freedom to switch up your posture for optimum health. As such, we've honed in on the best in class, choosing tech-savvy pieces as practical as they are sleek.
Size (in.): H29–47.6 x W48 x D30
Made from: Steel and engineered wood
Price: From $199.99
Meet your answer to hybrid working without the back pain. Suitably sized for smaller spaces, this modern piece combines a cool white finish with an industrial-grade steel framework and a solid surface. As for desk space, this more than delivers, with reviewers finding enough space for two monitors and a laptop. Oh, and the functionality is next to none, report shoppers, finding the electric system smooth to use. Just press the up or down button, raising it or lowering it to a height that suits you.
Size (in.): H27.6–47.06 x W47.3 x D63
Made from: Manufactured wood, solid wood, and stainless steel
Price: From $539.99
If you're after an option you and your roomies can share, or alternatively, a smart way to use up your bedroom's corner sections, this is just the ticket. Available in a selection of understated hues spanning natural, black, and rustic, this triple-motor piece is exceptionally quiet and sturdy, capable of holding up to 330 pounds. With three preset heights, it has a no-nonsense operation, perfect for the busy home worker or diligent student. Complete with cable-management trays, desk hooks, and wheels, it's ideal for quick feng-shui makeovers. As for reviews, this scores high for quality, justifying a slightly higher price tag.
Size (in.): H28.3–46.5 x W55 x D27.5
Made from: Wood and metal
Price: From $168.99
What makes this piece special, besides its timeless looks and impeccable technological performance? Good question. Short answer, it's exceptionally affordable for such a high-quality piece — trust me, shoppers couldn't say enough about it. With four preset height settings and a handy cable-management hole, this works wonders without breaking the bank. Plus, its easygoing colorways are guaranteed to chime with any home.
Laptop standing desks
If you're more of a laptop than monitor kinda gal, it's a good idea to cater your choice accordingly, opting for a small, streamlined piece that does a lot with a little. We're talking state-of-the-art tech, laptop compartments, and tilting desktops.
Size (in.): H27.95–46.06 x W45.07 x D23.62
Made from: Glass and steel
Price: From $349.99
This took my eye immediately — and for good reason. With tempered glass and an integrated touch-screen control panel, this ingenious piece offers three preset heights, and it features a cover drawer for your laptop, perfectly sized at 18.7 inches wide. On its side, you'll find handy power outlets, ideal for long shifts at your desk. Oh, and the verdict among shoppers was near enough unanimous — it's a killer piece of design. Premium technology for a reasonable price.
Size (in.): H31 x W40 x D20
Made from: Wood and metal
Price: From $195.50
Offering Scandi minimalism with a warm, woody touch, it might be a more pared-back option, but don't be fooled into thinking it's any less functional. With an integrated charging unit, a laptop-sized drawer, and a tabletop that lifts by hand, this lets you go from seated to standing as and when you wish. Among shoppers, there's a clear consensus — it's strong, sturdy, and easy to match with any décor. The only potential gripe? When lifting, it makes a bit of noise.
Size (in.): H28.3–44 x W25.6 x D17.7
Made from: Engineered wood
Price: From $131.99
Ideal for anyone that's used to flitting between rentals (student life, hey?), this easy to maneuver piece is great for the dinkier homes out there, making do with less space in contemporary style. Pneumatically operated, this can be set to any desired height, offering easy, intuitive function thanks to the lever operation. Featuring a headphone hook and integrated wrist rest, it's a cheap and cheerful option that shoppers praise highly. Their take? Well engineered and small but mighty.
Standing desks with drawers
It goes without saying, a little extra storage goes a long way. Which is why these space-savvy pieces are a must for anyone in need of sit stand desk that saves space and your back alike.
Size (in.): H28–45 x W48 x D24
Made from: Particleboard and steel
Price: From $269.99
Combining form and function, this has a reliable, electric height adjustment system, which can go from its lowest to its highest in a mere 20 seconds. Plus, the desktop itself can hold up to 176 pounds, making it perfect for those partial to a busy desk. Like many of the quality pieces out there, it too features three preset heights, as well as an anti-knock feature that prevents it from extending too far. It's quiet, complete with wheels and two handy wooden drawers, great for keeping your specs, books, and diary. Oh, and let's not forget the headphone hooks. The reviewers' opinion? Smooth height transitions and big enough for two monitors. Perfect.
Size (in.): H27.36–46.06 x W60 x D24
Made from: Manufactured and solid wood
Price: From $389.99
With two tasteful drawers and a cubby between them, this is the perfect pick for anyone after a little extra storage space to keep their pens, pencils, and workplace essentials, all while elevating their computer or laptop above the keyboard and mousemat below. Add to this 360-degree swivel wheels, a cable-management tool, and two headphone holders, and you have one seriously handy desk. Oh, and that's without even mentioning the touch-screen control, primed with three preset heights and a custom up-down function. As for reviews, shoppers praise its easy assembly and premium construction.
Size (in.): H27.16–47.3 x W48 x D26.3
Made from: Glass, wood, and steel
Price: From $254.99
I think I know which one I'm opting for. Yep, the tempered-glass top is serving chic in abundance, while the lockable casters are a welcome addition to my smooth wooden floors. Alongside this, there are two sliding drawers, a foldout steel tray, three storage compartments, three preset heights, and *catches breath* an up-down function. Naturally, shoppers were pleased, enjoying plenty of room for their keyboard and easy-to-use tech.
FAQs
Are standing desks worth it?
Absolutely! As Steve Davis, ergonomics expert and founder of Ergonauts Performance Technologies, puts it, "Today, there’s very little cost difference between a sit/stand desk and a desk that only allows sitting." As such, it's a worthy investment — for students and workers alike. "Hybrid/remote work is now in a cadence that requires a consistent and healthy setup for work," he adds. "We are starting to see some innovative solutions that provide an ergonomic and productive work environment, but also adapt to the 'living' part of home." In other words, you're probably overdue a standing desk —especially if you aren't having to walk between meeting rooms or lecture halls anymore.
How often should you stand at a sit stand desk?
It's about balance, ultimately. Speaking with Davis, we learned that a scheduled set of intervals is best practice. "Smart companies have procedures in place to have employees move from sitting to standing hourly," he says. "Our recommendation, if there’s no medical necessity, is 50 minutes sitting and ten minutes standing, hourly." Of course, the same goes for you students! Happy working.
Where to buy a standing desk
If you haven't yet found your favorite standing desk, don't sweat it. We've listed the top retailers to try, below.
How we chose these standing desks
Look, if there's anyone whose opinion you can trust, it's the people that use and enjoy these products. That's why we spend time researching the reviews behind each product, choosing only those approved by happy shoppers. Besides that, our criteria include those integral to our very mission: style, taste, and practicality.
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