Updated Jan. 28, 2024 10:08 a.m. PT
Written by
Taylor Martin
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Taylor Martin CNET Contributor
Taylor Martin has covered technology online for over six years. He has reviewed smartphones for Pocketnow and Android Authority and loves building stuff on his YouTube channel, MOD. He has a dangerous obsession with coffee and is afraid of free time.
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Readydesk
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Our bodies are meant to move. Sitting at a desk for hours on end, whether in the office or at home, can wear on the body. With a standing desk you can switch back and forth and you’re more likely to get a little more movement and prevent that stagnant feeling. Not all standing desks are the same either, there are different styles with their own features to fit your wants or needs.
If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to sitting all day, standing desks will definitely tick that box. They can help sustain your energy longer, increase your productivity and possibly even improve longevity. For anyone with a sedentary job, these potential benefits can be a game changer.
For those willing to put in the time and effort, there are DIY standing desk conversions that work well. The market is flush with commercial standing desk converters and you wouldn’t have to get out a hacksaw and hammer to update your desk situation.
Sit-stand capabilities and features come standard in many standing desk converters. From beveled wood to aluminum, they can sport varying textures and build options. Some come with an adjustable height range — standing desk setups that don’t offer your desired height are no good — and a keyboard shelf. (One even has a removable tray.) Others have room for a keyboard and mouse mat at the same height as the computer monitor. If you have limited working space, you’ll want one that’s much smaller, with a laptop riser and just enough room for the essentials, but those are less useful if you have a keyboard and dual-monitor setup.
You’re ultimately going to want a sit-stand desk that’ll get you away from your traditional seated desk and lead to a quality working session and a healthier, less tired, happier you.
If you’re ready to upgrade your regular desk or laptop stand with the best standing desk converter, the following are our top picks. We considered everything from adjustable height range to load capacity so your ordinary desk can rise to the occasion.
Best standing desk converters
Varidesk Pro Plus is one of the most compelling desk conversion kits available today, which is why it’s one of our top picks for the best standing desk converter. This stand-up desk converter boasts excellent desk riser quality and standing height stability for an overall smooth experience for its users and no wobbling. This adjustable standing desk converter is a two-tiered system that adjusts your monitors and keyboard and mouse together, in one swift motion, making it one of the best standing desk converter options for your workstation.
Varidesk Pro Plus comes preassembled and ready to use out of the box. Sit the desk riser on your existing desk, place your monitor or laptop on the top shelf, keyboard and mouse on the lower shelf, and raise the desk to one of the preset height settings.
The Varidesk Pro Plus adjustable standing desk converter comes in three different models: 30, 36 and 48. The 30 is meant for a single monitor setup, while the 36 offers a dual monitor setup. The 48 is meant for people up to 6 feet and 1 inch tall, and features work surface space for a dual monitor setup, as well as accessories on the top shelf and a keyboard, mouse, and tablet on the lower shelf of the steel frame.
Pros
Easily convertibleLots of lifting/lowering adjustments are availableLarge working areaSturdy, can hold 35-45 pounds
Cons
More pricey ($295-$500)
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The Ergotron WorkFit-T and the Varidesk Pro Plus are direct competitors. The WorkFit-T has a similar design with comparable features and variations. The major difference between the WorkFit-T and Varidesk Pro Plus is that the WorkFit-T moves vertically, whereas the Varidesk shifts outward (toward users) when raised. If space is a tight squeeze, the minimalist WorkFit-T may be a better fit.
Pros 15-inch vertical liftShips pre-assembledHolds up to 35 pounds, and has a fair amount of workspace at standing or sitting height Cons Extremely pricey at $535
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WorkEZ is the middle ground between Varidesk Pro Plus and StandStand. This adjustable sit-stand desk provides a smooth, small, and lightweight conversion that can be easily installed or removed, but it’s also highly adjustable and has a keyboard tray.
WorkEZ features three pieces: the laptop or monitor mount, a separate keyboard tray and a detachable mouse pad. The laptop and monitor riser can be adjusted to virtually any angle and up to an adjustable height of 18 inches above the existing desk height. The laptop stand, keyboard tray and mouse pad are all independently adjustable, making it one of the most customizable conversions available.
ProsGood price point ($79)Easy to install and removeEasily the most customizable sit-stand workstationConsNot the smoothest or most stable stand-up conversion optionNo additional workspace at standing heightOnly fits one monitor or a laptop, and it can only hold approximately 13 pounds
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If you would like a more permanent stand-up desk solution, you could try the Readydesk, a wooden workspace elevator that comes with two adjustable height shelves.
Readydesk has a work surface wide enough to hold two 27-inch monitors, with an adjustable height to suit most people between 5 feet, 3 inches and 6 feet, 3 inches (1.5 and 1.8 meters) tall, and even features some built-in cable management.
You can also purchase an additional shelf or a laptop rise if you want additional workspace or need the tilting ability to raise your laptop a few inches.
ProsThe Readydesk is easily assembled (without tools) and highly adjustableQuality cross-braces keep the riser from shakingAt $160, Readydesk is still one of the cheaper standing desk converter optionsConsSemipermanent, so it’s not very versatileTime-consuming to make adjustments
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Is a standing desk converter worth it?
When it comes to weighing up the pros and cons of a standing desk converter a lot of it comes down to the desk you already own.
Do you like the desk you already own?Can you afford to replace it?Is there space for a standing desk in its place?Is your desk built-in?
Replacing your entire desk with a sit-stand desk can be pricey and a standing desk converter will be a much cheaper option. Built-in desks are common too, and they can’t be replaced. A converter gives the health benefits of a standing desk without the need to tear out any furniture.
The cost of a standing desk converter is a fraction of the cost of a full desk, so it is a good way of trying the lifestyle without committing to a complete change.
How long should I use a standing desk?
Standing instead of sitting is not a zero-sum game. Most experts have suggested that for every one hour of work, around 15 minutes should be done standing, although there is research that suggests closer to 30 minutes would be better.
The consensus is that no matter how long you sit or stand, you should vary them throughout your day to get the most benefits. Even the best office chair can become uncomfortable and standing for more than two hours at a time can cause lower back pain. Everything in moderation is key.
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