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It may really feel constricting to take a seat for lengthy durations of time. Standing desks provide the freedom to decide on what place you’d prefer to work in. Want deep focus to complete a time-sensitive challenge? Perhaps you need to sit. Feeling stressed at your desk? Increase the peak and stand to modify issues up whereas staying productive. However there are different advantages to standing desks past mixing up your day as you progress by way of your to-do record.
Sitting for lengthy stretches is not wholesome; it is related to heart problems, weight problems and different potential well being dangers. That is unhealthy information for workplace employees, however swapping out a daily desk for a standing model could make a distinction. Scientists are nonetheless finding out the extent of the well being distinction between sitting and standing, however some analysis reveals that a median individual burns 8 further energy per hour of standing as a substitute of sitting. Different estimates are considerably larger.
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Whereas standing as a substitute of sitting won’t result in weight reduction, it is nonetheless proven to assist average blood sugar quicker following a meal and cut back the potential for again or shoulder ache (though you is likely to be buying and selling that for leg or foot ache). Try these recommendations on tips on how to place your desk for optimum consolation, whether or not you are sitting or standing.
I examined loads of standing desks of assorted costs, kinds and choices to get to this record of favorites. Every mannequin is slightly completely different, however all of them share one key characteristic: the flexibility to boost or decrease on demand to fit your particular house workplace wants.
Greatest standing desks of 2023
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At $795, the Vari Electrical Standing Desk is pricey, but it surely’s additionally the perfect standing desk I examined. Measuring 60 inches huge, with a depth of 30 inches, offering ample desktop space and a weight capability of 200 kilos, the Vari electrical desk can simply maintain a twin monitor work setup utilizing monitor arms and just about another workplace equipment or desktop choices you want. This secure standing desk appears to be like good, too. I obtained the “reclaimed wooden” end, however the high is admittedly fabricated from plastic (though it does not look low cost). The metal legs are very sturdy and you may alter the ft if there’s any wobbling.
It was surprisingly simple to put in, too, contemplating it is the heaviest desk of the bunch. I did need assistance shifting the highest of the desk onto a flat floor for the set up (make certain the floor is cushioned to keep away from scratching it) — and flipping over the completed desk on the finish, however there was minimal {hardware} and few steps concerned total.
The digital show on the electrical management panel makes it simple to see the peak of your desk, and it gives 4 buttons for setting customized desk heights. The adjustable standing desk additionally comes with an elective storage mount to arrange your cables — and a few sturdy hooks to carry a bag or headphones. And, it is not loud when it is elevating and reducing the adjustable top.
The Vari is just too large for my home, but it surely’s nonetheless the perfect standing desk with a simple set up, a horny design, easy, quiet controls and tons of house. For the value, I do want this one included a standing mat, however that is my solely grievance.
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As configured, the Uplift Standing Desk V2 I examined clocked in at a whopping $846. Sure, it is dear. But when that is in your funds, this premium standing desk is properly value contemplating. Not solely was this mannequin simpler to put in than anticipated (you solely want a number of instruments and Uplift contains equipment for no further value to arrange all these pesky gadget cables), it was by far probably the most customizable standing desk of the bunch.
You’ve the essential choices, together with 5 desk sizes, a handful of body colours (grey, darkish grey, white or black) and over two dozen desktops, starting from laminate (most inexpensive) to stable wooden. From there, you have got the flexibility so as to add a number of further equipment, akin to grommet covers that screw into both measurement of the desk for extra storage, shops and extra. There are additionally 5 completely different keypads to select from in a black end and three completely different keypad choices in grey and white — and a wi-fi foot change accent if you would like to boost and decrease your desk by way of a pedal at your ft (along with the keypad).
I examined the 48 by 30-inch mannequin with a white body and rubberwood desktop, full with one cupholder grommet and one energy grommet (the ability grommet brings two shops up your desktop so you possibly can extra simply cost your telephone or different handheld units) and a paddle keypad you possibly can press up or down to boost/decrease your desk.
General it is a superb, sturdy desk that appears sturdy sufficient to face as much as years of use. Once more, if the $599 worth does not scare you away, contemplate including the Uplift Standing Desk V2 to your shortlist.
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The Ikea Trotten is a superb possibility while you want a bigger standing desk, however do not need to spend an excessive amount of cash. This straightforward sit-stand desk nails the fundamentals.
This standing desk possibility is comparatively simple to put in, however I did need assistance screwing in some cussed {hardware} — and flipping over the finished desk after ending the setup. The Trotten measures 47.25 by 27.5 inches. It has a sturdy, easy-to-clean work floor fabricated from particleboard and fiberboard, in addition to a metal base for a secure standing desk.
Whereas this adjustable standing desk mannequin does not have electrical controls to boost or decrease the desk top, the handbook hand crank (which could be mounted on the proper or the left facet), was simple to show for changes. And while you’re completed utilizing it, you possibly can slide it again beneath the desk.
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The Latitude Run Amilcar was by far the simplest desk to put in out of the bunch, with the fewest variety of steps and components — join the bottom to the desk leg; then join the desk leg to the desk. Accomplished. And with a width of 25 inches and a depth of 18 inches, it is a improbable possibility for smaller areas. It is also simply 29 kilos, so I used to be capable of set up it myself with no need assist.
Regardless of its lighter weight, it is a sturdy desk that is simple to boost and decrease with the pneumatic lever mounted to the proper facet of the desk. Minor gripe: Each different desk on this roundup (apart from the Seville Classics Airlift Peak Adjustable Desk with Glass High) helps you to select between the left or proper facet for mounting the electrical management panel, lever or hand crank. This one does not. So should you’re a leftie like me, the lever on this desk might be on the fallacious facet.
That mentioned, the Amilcar is a superb standing desk total that is particularly well-suited for small areas. It additionally comes with each foot mounts and wheels so you possibly can select the mobility possibility that makes probably the most sense in your house.
How I examined
I chosen desks of various sizes and kinds. Some are managed manually, whereas others have electrical motors for top adjustment. To check every standing desk, I began out by constructing each and noting the benefit or issue, together with whether or not I wanted assist with any of the steps. Then I spent a full day working at each — switching between sitting and standing — making notes when one thing labored significantly properly or triggered an issue.
Of the others I examined — the Seville Classics Airlift Peak Adjustable Desk with Glass High, the Seville Classics Airlift Professional S3 Electrical Peak Adjustable Standing Desk, the Steelcase Solo Sit-To-Stand Desk and the Fezibo Peak Adjustable Electrical Standing Desk with Double Drawer — did not make the minimize. The Airlift with Glass High got here near incomes a spot above. It is a wonderful, sturdy desk at a midrange worth. It additionally contains a small middle drawer for holding the fundamentals. Sadly, its built-in touchscreen wasn’t very responsive and the 2 USB-A ports, whereas a pleasant tech characteristic in concept, are outdated for at the moment’s telephones and tablets.
The Airlift Professional S3 was an honest desk, too, but it surely was slightly harder to put in than the others in its measurement vary and it had a cheaper-looking end than the general winner for finest standing desk (the Vari desk).
The Steelcase Solo desk was surprisingly easy to put in for its measurement (the identical because the Vari desk). As a substitute of utilizing screws to put in the legs, these merely lock into place. The desk is sturdy, appears to be like good and is quiet when elevating and reducing. However the Vari has a extra subtle management panel, a nicer-looking end and comes with desk equipment.
The Fezibo mannequin intrigued me because of its built-in storage, however I discovered this mannequin tougher to assemble than lots of the others. Nonetheless, it is a affordable possibility if you would like storage compartments built-in into your desk and two ranges — one for holding your monitor and the opposite in your keyboard and associated equipment.
As at all times, contemplate your particular wants before you purchase a sit-stand desk. Do you have got loads of house and the next funds? Contemplate the Vari or Uplift fashions. The Ikea mannequin is a improbable midsize handbook desk at an important worth. The Latitude Run Amilcar is the best choice while you desire a sturdy standing desk that will not take up a ton of house. No matter your own home setup, one in every of these fashions is certain to fit your wants. However should you aren’t offered on a standing desk, contemplate a standing desk converter in your present desk as a substitute.
Standing desks 101: What to know before you purchase
As with every new piece of furnishings, you will need to take a while to stability your wants with the house and funds you have got for it.
Costs vary broadly for standing desks, however you could find an important one to fit your wants at nearly any funds. As famous above, the Latitude Run Amilcar and Ikea Trotten Standing Desk had been my favourite choices beneath $300.
How a lot house do you have got?
Ensure you have sufficient house in your standing desk earlier than you make your buy. Do not simply contemplate the room it is stepping into, both. Additionally take into consideration the doorways, stairwells and different locations the field should cross by way of. It would slot in your deliberate workplace house, however if you cannot get it up your third-floor walk-up, you will be in bother.
How tall do you need to go?
All adjustable-height desks have a low and a excessive vary for sitting and standing, however the top adjustment ranges aren’t common throughout completely different kinds and types. Should you’re on the shorter or taller finish, sure fashions won’t be snug for you, so test the specs beforehand to find out should you’ll be snug utilizing the desk, each sitting and standing.
Electrical standing desks value greater than handbook desks, so your funds will completely come into play right here, however there’s extra to think about. Handbook desks, which have pneumatic pedals, hand cranks or different handbook controls, are lighter and quieter (as a result of there isn’t any heavy, noise-making motor mounted beneath your desk). Handbook desks additionally do not require proximity to an outlet to work. Electrical desks enable for simple elevating and reducing with the press of a button; some even have digital top readouts so you possibly can at all times return your desk to the very same sitting or standing top settings.
Different choices: Wheels, left/proper choices and additional cabinets
Some standing desks (usually the smaller ones) include wheel attachments for higher mobility. Others assist you to mount the electrical or handbook top management to the left or proper facet, to favor your dominant hand. Some even have two ranges so you possibly can put a monitor on the upper stage and your keyboard and mouse on the decrease one. If any of those sound interesting, issue these into your buy selections.
