A solid desk is essential to every workplace and PC battle station, but to take your setup to greater heights—both figuratively and literally—you'll want a standing desk. Our top standing desk is the FlexiSpot Pro Plus Standing Desk E7, and we’ve found other quality options that range in price, size, and functionality. Click to jump to a detailed look at the best standing desks, or check the list below:
TL;DR – These are the Best Standing Desks:
- FlexiSpot Pro Plus Standing Desk E7
- Autonomous SmartDesk Core
- FlexiSpot Standard Standing Desk E2
- Autonomous SmartDesk Corner
- Secretlab Magnus Pro
- Uplift V2 4-Leg Standing Desk
- ApexDesk Pneumatic Stand Desk
- VIVO 32-inch Desk Converter
- Xdesk Flex
- EvoDesk Pro Aviator
The best standing desks let you dial in the perfect ergonomics for your setup. So whether you want a sturdy, motorized platform for all your gear or a simple way to bring your current desk to new heights, we’ve selected some top-tier standing desks ready to rise up to the challenge – and find them in the UK.
Best Standing Desks
1. FlexiSpot Pro Plus Standing Desk E7
Best Standing Desk
Starting at under $600, the FlexiSpot Pro Plus Standing Desk E7 offers a dual electric motor capable of raising a hefty 355 pounds smoothly and efficiently between 22.8 and 48.4 inches for major flexibility. Using up and down arrows on an LCD display, the table glides to whatever position you please, and you can even see the exact height of the table and store four height settings in its memory. That display also features a USB port to charge accessories and a child-lock feature for added safety.
Beyond its impressive standing capability, the FlexiSpot Pro Plus Standing Desk E7 offers a sizable desk surface that measures 48 inches wide and 24 inches deep, providing ample space for your PC setup. If that doesn't seem like enough surface space, there’s a variety of other desktop-size choices along with material options, like laminate, bamboo, or wood. Assembly is simple, as the sturdy and thick T-style legs are easy-to-attach, but it may be a two-person job to stand the completed desk upright.
2. Autonomous SmartDesk Core
Best Budget Standing Desk
If you don’t have $1,000+ for a high-end standing desk, Autonomous gets you well-equipped for less than half that. The SmartDesk Core is a classy, simple number with a strong and stable design which includes a solid steel frame that stands firm on thick, T-shaped legs. Running on dual motors, it has the power to lift to 265 pounds at a quiet 50 decibels, so you don't have to worry about it accommodating a three-monitor setup or disturbing your coworkers.
The SmartDesk Core provides a large desk space at 53 inches wide and 29 inches deep, but you can go bigger or smaller depending on the surface space you need. And Autonomous makes it easy to get a style that matches your office aesthetic, as there are three frame colors and nine different desktop styles — super sturdy oak included. On the side edge of the desk surface is a simple programmable keypad that lets you adjust the height from 29.4 to 48 inches and store preferred heights for quick switching.
3. FlexiSpot Standard Standing Desk E2
Best Ultra Cheap Standing Desk
Desks with motor lifts are a perk, but that extra functionality doesn't necessarily translate to a hefty price tag. FlexiSpot's Standard Standing Desk brings the flexibility of a sit-stand option at a much more affordable price starting well under $300. You still get a single motor and electronic control panel with up and down buttons for easy height adjustments, letting you go from 28 to 47.6 inches, giving you considerable range to get the most ergonomic position standing or sitting.
Don’t worry, the Standard Standing Desk isn’t some wobbly disaster either, as it’s built on a sturdy steel frame, which offers a lifting capacity of up to 187 pounds. On top of the frame is a spacious 42-inch wide by 24-inch deep tabletop made from one-inch-thick laminated chipboard ready to hold a heavy load and stand up to some wear and tear. However, a larger desktop surface and different materials like bamboo or fiberboard are available for a price.
4. Autonomous SmartDesk Corner
Best L-Shaped Standing Desk
For many of us, a typical long desk does the job, but for the ballers with a ton of gear, multiple gaming monitors, a gaming PC, a gaming laptop, and some consoles to boot, more space is a necessity. Enter the L-shaped desk, specifically, the Autonomous SmartDesk Corner, which rocks a massive tabletop, a hefty max load, and the muscle it takes to lift it all. It’s even modular, so you can decide how you want the longer and shorter pieces set up to make the most of your space.
The Autonomous SmartDesk Corner offers a primary surface measuring 77 inches by 29 inches and tags on a second 35 inches long by 29 inches wide section, ensuring you can easily fit your entire battle station on top. All that rests on a solid steel base capable of height adjustments between 28.4 to 47 inches using a responsive keypad with four programmable positions. You might worry about such a hulking desk getting shaky, but with three electric motors ready to lift 400 pounds efficiently and quietly, you can rest assured there won’t be any mishaps.
5. Secretlab Magnus Pro
Best Standing Desk for Gaming
Gaming while standing might not sound as pleasant as lounging in a comfy gaming chair, but it can do wonders for your body to get up now and then. Secretlab’s Magnus Pro makes it easy to raise your desk surface from 25.6 inches to 49.2 inches using a built-in control panel and powerful motor. If you’re worried about it handling your hefty gaming setup, with a sturdy steel chassis, large tabletop, and 265-pound max load, you should be covered.
The Secretlab Magnus Pro offers more than just a surface to rest your battle station, with one undeniably unique feature being its use of a magnetic ecosystem in its design. That makes it simple to add cable management solutions, desk mats, and RGB lighting, though those extras will cost you. You also get an integrated power supply in the left leg of the desk and a socket to power your devices and keep cable clutter to a minimum, putting it notch above some of the best gaming desks.
6. Uplift V2 4-Leg Standing Desk
Best High-Performance Standing Desk
If you want a standing desk that's as solid as a rock, you need the Uplift V2 4-Leg Standing Desk. It’s one of the few options on the market with four motorized legs, letting it lift a whopping 535 pounds without breaking a sweat. You can smoothly and safely adjust the height from 25.3 inches to 50.9 inches, and anti-collision technology detects any resistance while the desk is in motion, preventing damage or injury.
On top of its incredible lifting power, the Uplift V2 4-Leg Standing Desk is extremely customizable from the start, and we’re not just talking about add-ons here. You’ll have a wealth of choices for desktop material, color, size and style, frame color and type, the keypad, and even grommet covers, meaning you can really make it your own before purchasing. Starting at $1,200, Uplift’s desk ain’t cheap, but it’s an incredibly sturdy, reliable option backed by a 15-year warranty.
7. ApexDesk Pneumatic Stand Desk
Best Pneumatic Standing Desk
Motorized standing desks are convenient, but if you're not a fan of slow, loud electric motors or having another cord clogging up your outlet, then a pneumatic-assisted desk, like the ApexDesk Pneumatic Stand Desk, is for you. Instead of motors, this system uses dual gas cylinders to help you lift and lower your setup between 29 and 48 inches. Youjust pull the hand lever when raising or lowering using your other hand to assist and never again worry about a motor dying.
The ApexDesk Pneumatic Stand Desk might be slightly more effort to adjust than just pushing a button, but it's also quicker, quieter, and not to mention cheaper. For under $350, you get a sturdy steel frame complete with a crossbar for added stability and a large tabletop. The desk even includes grommets to tuck away wires, while back castor wheels allow easy movement.
8. VIVO 32-inch Desk Converter
Best Standing Desk Conversion
You’ve already made a sizable investment in your current desk, so why toss it out? VIVO offers an affordable desk add-on that comes in various colors and requires a simple setup, letting you convert your existing desk into a standing model in no time. From there, you use an effortless pneumatic lift system with a 10,000-cycle longevity, letting you smoothly raise your whole setup between 4.5 and 20 inches.
With over 30 inches of work surface and a solid metal frame ready to hold up to 33 pounds, the VIVO 32-inch Desk Converter accommodates dual-monitor setups on top. Meanwhile, the lower tier raises and lowers like the top and is large enough to accommodate a full-size keyboard and mouse. This desk converter even adds some extra utility by doubling as an oversize laptop stand because when you’ve got the Vivo folded flat, the top tier is just under five inches high for a more ergonomic setup while using a laptop.
9. Xdesk Flex
Best Couch-Side Standing Desk
If you, like a good portion of the world, enjoy occasionally working from the couch, then the flexibility of the Xdesk Flex is for you. This height-adjustable table makes for a much more ergonomic experience while chilling in the living room or a recreational area at the office. You can have it sit as low as a coffee table to as high as an upright standing desk in a couple of seconds with the touch of a button. Best of all, the lift motor is completely battery-powered, and that means no wires to trip over on your way to the couch.
The Xdesk Flex offers a 100-pound weight capacity and a 30-inch by 24-inch work surface, letting you place your laptop or wireless gaming mouse and keyboard on it with little worry of wobbling. Just be prepared to shell out some serious dough, as this desk is made with the best materials, from its aircraft-grade aluminum frame and rock-solid tabletop to the high output, quiet motor.
10. EvoDesk Pro Aviator
Best High-End Standing Desk
The EvoDesk Pro Aviator is the ultimate standing desk. From its arrowhead shape silhouette to the four motorized legs and immense 500-pound load capacity, there isn't a more premium option than this. Its height ranges from 23.75 inches to 49.5 inches and hits over 250 positions, while that transition is a smooth and speedy 1.5 inches per second thanks to those highly capable motors.
A unique L-shape design gives the EvoDesk Pro Aviator 22.7 square feet of surface area for you to work, but everything in that space is within easy reach, as you can stand or sit in the center of it all. It’s made with a sturdy steel frame, while the tabletop features soft edges to help with nerve compression and fatigue. And almost everything on this desk can be customized to your exact specifications, though with all that quality comes an over $2,500 price tag, so this is definitely an investment.
Are Standing Desks Worth It?
In short, yes. Standing while you work and play is a great way to keep mobile, stretch your legs, and maintain better posture. After all, sitting for too long and hunching over your computer is bad for your health, no matter how comfy your office chair or gaming chair may be. Although there's no significant answer to the overall health impact of a standing desk for certain, there are five reasons standing desks are better for you versus sitting, according to Harvard Health:
Standing desks (versus sitting desks) assume a lower risk of:
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Cardiovascular disease
- Cancer
- Premature death
Where to Get the Best Standing Desks in the UK
Kevin Lee is IGN's Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam
Danielle Abraham is a freelance tech writer and unpaid music historian.
