Are Standing Desks Worth It?

For most working adults, being strapped to a desk for hours every day means dealing with back pains and other ailments like high blood pressure and excess body fat.

To save our lower back (and most likely, to introduce a new product in the market), furniture makers have come up with a solution – standing desks.  

With all the hype built around the table that allows us to work on our feet, the question remains – are standing desks worth it? Let’s examine the advantages and disadvantages to help us make a stand.

Pros and Cons: Are Standing Desks Worth It?

We often hear the adage, “Sitting is the new smoking.” According to experts, sitting for long periods can be associated with health issues, such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease,  and even cancer.

With that in mind, it’s no wonder that standing desks are making the rounds these days. In fact, it’s seen as a healthier alternative to the traditional version linked to ailments mentioned above.

Despite the perceived novelty of a desk that lets you stand while working, the idea behind the product isn’t as new as it seems. For instance, some claim that Leonardo da Vinci used a standing desk while painting. There are also accounts saying that this type of furniture was common among wealthy English households during the 18th century.

If these anecdotes were real, our forefathers must have also explored the idea of avoiding extended periods of sitting down. Which leads us back to the questions: are standing desks worth it, or are they overrated?

Pros 

Here are some benefits of a standing desk:

• Improves energy 
• Helps improve posture
• Makes it easier to move, thereby keeping you on the go 
• Helps avoid health issues linked to sitting for extended periods 

Cons

Below are some disadvantages of a standing desk:

• Can be hard on your legs and feet, especially if you’re wearing high heels
• Reduces privacy if used in traditional offices 
• Can be more tiring if used for longer periods

So, are standing desks worth it? It depends on which of the pros and cons above are the most important to you. 

For instance, a standing desk might be an excellent choice for your home office since you’ll be wearing comfy slippers while working. However, it may be a different story if you’re acquiring furniture for an actual office where users wear less uncomfortable footwear.

On another note, a standing desk can be well worth it if you want to move more for health reasons. Standing encourages you to move now and then, avoiding a long period of being in the same position.  

Those who find it impractical to buy a new desk choose to get a desk converter instead. It’s a small table placed on top of an existing desk, allowing one to stand while working.

5 Standing Desks to Consider

If you’re looking for the best standing desk in the market, here are five fantastic options to consider:

1. iMovR Lander Desk

The people who designed Lander Desk from iMovR put a premium on ease-of-use. For one, it’s delivered to users “98% factory pre-assembled.” This means you won’t need tools to assemble the desk. Added to that, you can sync the hand controller to your smartphone for touchless controls.

Price: iMovR Lander Desk costs $1,049 on iMovR’s website.

2. UPLIFT V2

This product was chosen “Best Standing Desk” by Wirecutter twice in a row. A Certified Professional Ergonomist, this desk features a vertical height adjustment range, making it a good fit for users of all heights. It’s also quite sturdy, with a 355 lb lifting capacity. You can choose from more than a dozen variants – from walnut and rubberwood to ash gray and whiteboard. 

Price: UPLIFT V2 sells for $599.00 from their website.

3. Ikea IDÅSEN Standing Desk 

If you’re looking for an Ikea standing desk, IDÅSEN variant is a good option to look at. It’s a simple but reliable desk that’s designed to “outlast years of coffee and hard work.” Besides giving the user ample space to work on, it also features a solution to keep cords neat and organized underneath.

Price: IDÅSEN Standing Desk sells for $599 on Ikea’s website.

4. Fully Jarvis Bamboo

If you’re a conscious shopper looking for a desk made from sustainable materials, Jarvis Standing Desk is worth considering. The sleek and elegant standing desk is made from eco-friendly bamboo, coupled with the brand’s award-winning frame. It also has an LED-programmable handset you can use to adjust the height of the desk.

Price: Jarvis Standing Desk costs €579.00 or around $680 available on Fully’s website.

5. Varidesk Electric Standing Desk

Varidesk Electric Standing Desk features a quiet but powerful electric motor and four programmable memory settings. The heavy-duty frame pairs well with T-Style legs and a durable laminate finish. It comes in five variants: white, black, butcher block, reclaimed wood, and dark wood. The desk comes with easy-to-use tools allowing you to set it up in minutes.
Price: Varidesk Electric Standing Desk 60×30 comes at $650 on their website.