Top 10 Best Standing Desks in the UK 2021

So where to start? There are so many to choose from – do you want an electric or manual desk? Will it be adjustable or a fixed height? Our buying guide will look at all the options and help you find the best fit.

The first consideration to make is whether you want to buy a whole new desk entirely, or an add-on attachment. 

If you’re happy with the desk you already have or your main concern is budget, a desk converter may be the option for you. Used atop your desk, they have a platform you can raise to standing level. Not only are they easier on the wallet, but they're ideal for those who don't want to commit to a large piece of furniture.

However, they don’t give you as much control over customisability as a full-size standing desk. Though a larger investment, full standing desks are also able to withhold more weight, so they’re better for those using large setups with multiple monitors as opposed to just a laptop. 

To those of you fully committing to having a standing desk, you’ll have to choose between an electric and a manual desk. Whichever design you're leaning towards, it's worth weighing up the pros and cons of each variety, which we'll discuss below. 

Electric standing desks are the more popular and common choice – and it’s no surprise, due to all their benefits. They hold more weight than any other type of standing desk so it doesn’t matter if you have a heavy-duty multiple device setup for your desktop. 

They also usually have memory presets for your preferred heights so you don’t need to spend precious time adjusting each time you move from sitting to standing. Additionally, these desks usually provide the best customisable options in terms of colour and size. 

As you can predict, electric desks are usually on the higher end of the scale budget-wise. Plus, the noise of the electric motor may be distracting, especially if you’re sharing a space with others. 

Alternatively, you can go for a manual crank-adjustable desk. They are often less expensive than their electric counterparts but still provide most of the benefits of a full capacity desk, such as the larger desk space, plus they're quieter to use.

The main drawback with these is that you have to spend more effort and time adjusting the height of the desk each time, especially as they don't have memory presets as electric desks do. If you're on precious time, you may not have the minutes to spare!

Seeing as a standing desk is all about improving your health and wellbeing whilst working, it's important that the model you go for can be adjusted to the correct heights for your requirements. 

In order to determine this, it's recommended that you take the lowest measurement when sitting in your usual chair, wearing your usual shoes and with your elbows bent as if typing. Here, measure from the distance from beneath your elbow to the floor. 

Then, for the highest height, stand up and take the same measurement again. If there will be more than one of you using the desk, you'll have to ensure the desk can adjust to meet everyone's requirements. 

Many desks, especially full-sized electric ones, require some assembly and DIY know-how. 

If you’re not too handy at the whole DIY thing, you may prefer to just order a desk and have it shipped all in one. This means you can just take the desk out of the box and use it straight away without any fuss.

However, this may cut down on the options available to you in terms of desks and customisation options. Many full-size standing models have the option to choose different size desktops, so if you need something more tailored, you may need to do some assembling! 

As mentioned earlier, customisation may be a big deal, especially if you are particular about the way your home or office looks. 

Having a stark grey desk may look out of place in your bright, white office so you’d rather something more fitting. Or perhaps you work requires at least 3 monitors, a large keyboard and a drawing tablet for your work so you need a larger desk than standard. 

Many desks have separate frames and desktops so you can fully customise your desk in different sizes as well as colours, materials and finishes – just be sure to check the descriptions before you buy. 

Now you're clued up on which specifications you'd prefer, it's time to browse our recommendations. From basic converters on a budget to full-sized investments that'll last many a financial year, we've included a varied selection to appeal to every worker. 

Before you get started and stand for 8 hours straight at your new desk, it’s important to note that all advice suggests it’s best to switch between standing and sitting. 

Although sitting down for too long may not be good for you, doing the opposite and standing for you too long isn’t good either. To get the best health benefits, ensure you alternate between standing and sitting for around 20 minutes each. 

It’s also important to ensure you’re wearing comfortable footwear too – improperly fitting shoes may be detrimental to your joints and posture, increasing knee and back pain! If it helps, getting an anti-fatigue mat could help increase your comfort levels as well. 

If you're after a few more gadgets and accessories to kit out your home office or workplace, you're in the right place! Follow the links below for more of our guides and recommendations to help you get set up. 

So with all that in mind, there are our recommendations for best standing desks. No matter which type you go for, we hope our guide helped you find the perfect fit, allowing you to do your work with a whole new level of increased comfort and productivity. 

Author: Dodo Wang