The Best Standing Desk Converters for an Ergonomic Setup

Between commuting to and from the office, manning the desk during work, and lounging around on the couch, most of us will spend as much as 10 hours sitting each day. Sure, it might seem like a luxury to kick back in your favorite chair while on the job, but there’s an overwhelming amount of research damning sitting as the new smoking. In other words, if you’re looking to up your productivity, improve your mood, and eliminate aches and pains, it’s in your best interest to get some more time on your feet with a standing desk. Being big fans of them ourselves, we’ve rounded up a list of what we feel to be the best options on the market. So, rather than attempting to sift through a slew of subpar offerings and cheap imitators, have a read to see what we’ve picked in our guide to the best standing desk converters; any one of them is sure to take your office standards to new heights.

Are standing desk converters worth it?

Standing desks have come into vogue as of late, offering users a quick way to raise and lower their workstations with just the touch of a button. However, for all of their convenience, such setups are, admittedly, pretty pricey for most would-be converts. Thus, standing desk converters make for the perfect alternative, as they allow you to give any surface some instant adjustability, they’re much easier to set up, and can even be portable if small enough.

How long should you stand at your desk?

Trying to intersperse around an hour of standing in between every couple of hours of sitting is a good rule of thumb. Alternatively, you could get a small treadmill and take your healthy setup to the next level. It’s also important to make sure your posture is still good to enjoy the benefits of the standing desk.

what to look for

Material: You’ll be working with plastic, metal, and wood for the most part, and going for a converter that matches your setup is the best bet. If you prefer easy maintenance, a plastic option might be for you, but the durability and personality of wood is hard to deny.

Features: Adjustable heights, keyboard/mouse trays, and a host of other features can elevate a standing desk converter. So be sure that you have a good understanding of the essentials in your setup, and how they will fit in a potential converter.

Size: Since these are mainly a space/time-saving alternative to complete standing desks, it’s important to know how big they are.

MOFT Z Invisible Thin Sit-Stand Desk

Best Portable Converter: Moft is all about creating easy-to-carry gear that improves your workflow, just like this portable standing desk converter that comes ready with four adjustable heights. It’s durably made, able to handle up to 22 lbs, and folds down easily in a form that makes it easy to store anywhere (in a unique Z-style fold). So if you’re looking for a quick and easy converter for traveling, then this offering from Moft is truly worth a look.

StandStand Mouse

Best Starter Converter: This handy mobile standing desk converter packs down for convenient carry, making it quick and easy to get elevated on the go. Crafted from a robust, hard-wearing natural birch plywood, it holds up to five times its own dry mass — and that’s no small feat, considering it weighs just 2.5lbs (3.3lbs for the taller model) and folds to the size of a laptop. Better still, though, is the fact that it comes with a completely reversible design, meaning it’s comfortable and ergonomic to use regardless of whether you’re a righty or a lefty.

TheDeskStand Original DeskStand

Best Etsy Converter: Another excellent wood option, this desk from TheDeskStand is built durably using premium Baltic Birch plywood. The unique two-shelf and ladder design offers ten adjustable height settings, and there are plenty of device slots if you need space for your smartphone or tablet. And if you want to sit down, you can adjust it to be an ergonomic monitor stand easily. For those with large setups (and plenty of desk space), this is the perfect all-arounder, and it’s handmade by a small business on Etsy.

Uplift Desk E3 Compact Standing Desk Converter

Best Compact Converter: This lightweight standing desk converter allows you to elevate your worktop in seconds, as it features a slim and lightweight design along with gas spring operation. Simply slide the tab to unlock, lift the desktop up, and you’re ready to go. This pick is definitely more portable than some of our other options, coming in at only an inch tall when closed and weighing about 12 pounds. You also get a 15-year warranty, so if you do decide to travel, you don’t need to worry about banging it up.

VIVO Dual Monitor Riser

Best Dual-Monitor Converter: On the other hand, there are times when a more permanent option may be the best call, in which case this riser from Vivo could prove a far better pick. Above all else, we like it because of its expansive 36” x 22” desktop, as it gives you plenty of room for dual-screen setups. However, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the merits of its built-in keyboard tray, an addition that allows for a much more accommodating resting position. Of course, at ~40lbs per unit, it’s a pretty heavy setup, but you also have to consider that it comes with things like a pneumatic lift-assist and an intuitive touch locking mechanism.

Vari VariDesk Pro Plus 30

Best Full Setup Converter: While this option from Vari appears similar to some of our other options in terms of its overall design, it actually comes with a number of notable distinctions. For instance, it features a rowing-lift raising mechanism that allows you to move the desktop forwards and back (rather than simply up and down) in order to improve your posture. And because it comes with a weighted base, you can mount your monitor securely without the need for any fiddly clips or clamps. Top it off with a 17.5″ maximum standing height and a slew of compatible accessories, and the result is a standing desk converter that’s ready to revolutionize your WFH setup.

Humanscale QuickStand Eco

Best Premium Converter: At over $500 per unit, Humanscale’s Quickstand Eco is definitely a bit of an investment (after all, some complete standing desk setups are pretty comparable in cost). However, if you’re looking for one of the cleanest, highest-quality converters on the market, it’s an option that’s well worth the premium price tag. Made from sustainable, non-toxic plastics and steel, it comes with a sleek, minimalist design and an impressive 18.6″ of extension. Not only that, but it also sports some handy organizational features like integrated cable management and a knob-free, self-locking adjustability mechanism. Oh, and because of its compact footprint, it leaves you with considerably more usable space around the rest of your desk.

The Best Lap Desks for a Comfortable Work Space

While lap desks may not be as ergonomically friendly as standing desks, they’re still a useful tool. So check out our best lap desks guide to see the best on the market.