Standing Desk Buying Guide

Standing while working is a great way to avoid the negative effects of sitting for prolonged periods of time (the sitting disease). Standing desk benefits include: burning more calories; promoting creativity and productivity; and increasing mental clarity and focus. Stand up desk ideas can range from simple do-it-yourself projects to finely designed and functional office furniture.

Which is the Best Standing Desk for You?

DIY Standing Desks:

Do-it-yourself standing desks can be constructed with empty boxes, wood blocks, milk crates and other household items placed onto a seated desk, elevating your keyboard and computer monitor to accommodate a standing position. This type of standing office desk is recommended as simply a standing desk trial, as it will likely suffer from a variety of issues, including but not limited to: lack of sturdiness; non-adjustable/fixed position keyboard and monitor, which can lead to standing desk posture concerns; and the inability to hold heavy weight.

Standing Desk Conversion Kits:

Standing desk conversions act similarly to the homemade DIY stand up desk in that they usually rest on top of your seated desk to accommodate a standing position. They have the benefit of being more affordable than purchasing a new desk, and usually adjust from a sitting to standing position without much effort. Like the DIY setup, they can suffer from stability issues (shaky monitor,) small work areas (usually large enough for only a keyboard and monitor or laptop) and low weight capacity (usually holding a maximum of 35 lbs. weight.)

Manual Standing Desks:

Those who don’t mind investing in a standing office desk can be well rewarded with a manual or electric height-adjustable standing desk. The manual versions of the desk are usually adjusted by a crank, and are less expensive than electric versions. These desks are typically offered with customizable options such as wood-colored desktops and powder coated frames, which increase the aesthetic appeal. Not only do these desks look sharp, but they easily adjust from a sitting to standing position, making it easy to alternate between sitting and standing. Plus, standing desk manufacturers offer a wide variety of desktop sizes to give you plenty of workspace depending on your needs and wants.

Electric Standing Desks:

An electric adjustable height desk can cost between $800 and $3000, and are considered the cream of the crop when it comes to aesthetics and functionality. Touch button height-adjustment, spacious work surfaces, and high weight capacity all work in its favor to create a highly functioning adjustable sit-stand desk. It’s also a possibility to pair an electric standing desk with a treadmill to create a custom treadmill desk. The only downside, per se, is that they require a nearby power source.

LifeSpan currently offers three electric standing desk sizes: 4-foot desk (Studio 4), 5-foot desk (Stand Up 5) and the 6-foot desk (Sit Stand 6.) Each one is fully customizable with your choice of desktop color, desk frame color and optional monitor arms.

Unlike traditional systems, LifeSpan’s industry-exclusive internal cable management system directs all power cords down to the floor through the desk’s frame, organizing cords to promote safety and refined appearances.

A selection of beautiful desktop colors from absolute acajou to wild cherry adds yet another level of customization. Optional colors are available with all three models.

Supporting users of all heights, LifeSpan Standing Desks feature a three-stage telescoping leg system, essential for ideal height settings during both standing and sitting. Dual, heavy-capacity motors efficiently lift loads up to 220 pounds, perfect for gently raising and lowering of your work area.

Digital Keypad:

An integrated keypad allows for swift height changes and convenient memory presets. The LED display shows the current height, while an intuitive keypad allows for precise alterations for proper standing desk ergonomics. Four customizable height presets come standard, ensuring the proper posture for each task.

LifeSpan Standing Desk Recommendations

Are you looking for a personal or collaborative desk?

The Studio 4 offers plenty of space for your individual setup with a 48” wide x 29” deep desktop. Large enough for a laptop, office phone, and plenty of personal belongings, the Studio 4 is still compact and fits snuggly into a 4-foot cubicle. For a collaborative setting the Sit Stand 6 is large enough for employees to gather around with ample room for laptops or large notepads. Alternate between sitting and standing during those long meetings to help break up the time and keep employees alert and focused.

Are you planning on alternating between sitting and standing throughout your workday?

Of course, all three LifeSpan standing desks offer easy sit-to-stand desk adjustability, however, it may be important to take your office chair into consideration when standing. With the Stand Up 5, the 60” desk width allows for plenty of standing room while your office chair fits neatly under the desk next to you.

Are you considering adding an under-desk treadmill?

LifeSpan’s standing desks are perfect for under-desk treadmills, as each one raises high enough to take the step-up height of the treadmill into consideration. Most height-adjustable desks have limited height ranges and don’t support the extra height required for treadmill usage. If you are looking to support both a treadmill and a chair side-by-side, opt for either the Stand Up 5 or Sit Stand 6 depending on how much workspace you need.