For those of us who spend a lot of time clacking away at a keyboard, sitting for too long is a problem. Standing Desks could be a solution, but, how much actually are standing desks?
A standing desk costs between $200-$2000, the exact price depends on specific factors such as:
- The Lifting Mechanism (hand-cranked, electric, or none)
- Desk Size
- Build Quality
| Electric Height Adjustable Desk | Fixed Standing Desk | Hand Cranked Desk | Standing Desk Converter | |
| Typical Price Range | $300 – $2000 | $200 – $1000 | $300 – $1000 | $100 – $400 |
There’s a lot that goes into picking what type and style of standing desk is right for you. Such factors include the space you have available for your desk and the tabletop dimensions you require. These factors will also dictate how much a standing desk will cost you. The rest of this article will dive into the price ranges of different types of standing desks, to help you decide which ones could be right for you.
How Much Does Each Type Of Standing Desk Cost?
A decent quality full standing desk cost will run you anywhere from $200-$2000. A well-built electric adjustable desk costs between $400 and $2000. A hand-cranked standing desk from $300 to $1000. And a fixed standing desk from $200 to $1000.
If you want to simply convert your current sitting desk to a standing desk, a sit-to-stand desk converter is a great option. A desk riser like this will cost between $100 and $400.
In general, the most expensive brands of standing desks are those that are adjustable desks with motorized functionality. While the cheapest option is generally a standing desk converter.
How Much Do Electric Standing Desks Cost?
An electric standing desk has always been the variety to boast the most functionality. Although the price of such a desk used to put it out of the reach of many. However, there have been far more affordable varieties appearing on the market in recent years.
Equipped with a motorized crank that can adjust the height of the desk for your convenience, powered standing desks come in all shapes and sizes to suit your personal preferences. A height adjustable desk is perfect for jobs that will require you to spend long periods of time at your desk, hence why I recommend these desk for video editors and similar work.
If you’re starting your office space from scratch, then look no further than a powered standing desk―it’s everything you need in an office setup. A height adjustable desk cost can be anywhere from $300-$2000, depending on the size and quality you desire.
I would recommend $400 – $1000 as an ideal price range for getting a well-built height adjustable desk. This range eliminates most of the lower-quality options on the market, while also not breaking the bank. That said, I have previously recommended standing desks under $400 for certain purposes. And if you do sufficient research you can find some great options outside of this price range.
Although more expensive than other standing desks, electric standing desks are incredibly convenient due to their memory presets, and effortless height adjustment. The vast height adjustment range means that anyone, including shorter and taller people, can achieve the correct ergonomic sitting and standing position for them.
Cost Of A Sit-to-Stand Converter
A sit-to-stand adaptor, for example, is basically an add-on to your current desk that will raise the height of your laptop or computer to allow you to stand and still see the screen comfortably.
These can go anywhere from $100-$400, which isn’t a bad deal at all if you’ve already got a desk that you like but just want to incorporate standing into your daily routine.
Standing desk converters provide the same health benefits as any adjustable desk. Just with the downsides of a slightly smaller work area and the requirement of an existing desk too. However, for a significantly lower price this type of sit to stand desk still provides many of the same benefits as the best standing desks.
Although, you are paying for a significantly smaller surface area and lift capacity than the other standing desk options. But they do show that the cost of height adjustable standing desks doesn’t have to be as crazy as many people assume it to be.
Fixed Standing Desks Price
For around $200, you can get a fixed standing desk. You will find the price of a fixed desk will also vary greatly. The price will largely depend on build quality, stability is even more important in standing desks due to their higher position from the floor. The cheapest of these standing desks will be around $150, while a sturdy wooden desk can be worth up to $800.
They might not have the same flexibility as a sit to stand desks, but using a fixed standing desk could still be a great option for you.
The price point of this type of standing desk is noticeably lower than that of its height adjustable counterparts. The thing is, it still offers the opportunity to get out of your sitting position and adopt a stronger posture while working – the main aim of a standing desk.
If you already have a sitting desk, alternating between the two desks is a recommended strategy. Although, in this case, the total cost of your setup will likely be higher than even that of an electric standing desk.
Cost Of A Hand-Cranked Standing Desks
These desks offer the versatility of a sit-to-stand desk without the higher price tag. Hand-cranked standing desks cost $200 and upwards. But, as with all desks, there is a range in prices and quality.
For those on a budget, the hand-cranked desk is a great option to alternate sitting and standing throughout the workday so as not to stay sedentary for the whole time. It offers almost everything the electric alternatives do, excluding the height convenient presets.
Are Standing Desks Worth The Price?
Purpose Of Standing Desks
You may be wondering whether you even need a standing desk. What do they do for you anyway? In short, sitting too much in a day is pretty bad for your health.
Naturally, if most of your work is done at a computer, then you’ll be sitting upwards of 8 hours a day with very little exercise to circulate your blood.
Excessive sitting is linked to weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
Getting up from a seated position at a regular 30-minute interval is a method recommended to reduce the impact of sitting on your health.
Benefits Of Using A Standing Desk
Adjustable standing desks allow you to alternate between a seated and standing position as recommended. However, they also allow you to continue your work while taking a break from sitting. You get the health benefits, without taking a hit to your productivity.
Standing desks have become an increasingly familiar sight in offices today due to their touted health benefits. Use of standing has even been linked to an increase in productivity. I come back to this particularly regularly in my articles, the findings still amaze me.
Standing can potentially burn a few extra calories as well. Although, not quite as many as you might think. A treadmill desk is a more effective way of burning calories if this is your primary goal.
Since sitting is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, a standing desk can help you stay on your feet more often, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease. While it also gives you a better opportunity to adopt a more ergonomic posture.
Why Are Standing Desks More Expensive?
At a simple level, a standing desk requires more material to lift it higher off the ground. However, the reason for the higher price compared to a normal sitting desk mainly comes from the extra engineering required in a height adjustable standing desk. This includes making the desk sufficiently strong, despite the fact the desk can move up and down.
Consequently, if all you are looking for is a fixed standing desk, then the price increase from a standard desk is far less pronounced. And you can find an even cheaper alternative in a standing desk converter.
Is A Standing Desk Worth The Extra Money?
For most people, there are very few reasons why you shouldn’t get a standing desk, besides the steeper price than an average desk.
On the contrary, there are plenty of reasons why a standing desk is worth it.
I would personally say that an adjustable standing desk is the best standing desk for most situations.
They give you the flexibility of both sitting and standing, while also giving your the possibility of sitting seated. So if you decide standing and working isn’t for you, or you adopt the recommended sit-stand work split, you know an adjustable desk will be perfect no matter what.
How Much Should You Spend On A Standing Desk?
The answer to this question depends largely on your personal situation. The build quality of your standing desk is of great importance, and paying more is usually correlated to desk quality.
Deciding how much you should spend on a standing desk is about compromise. I would recommend $400 – $1000 as a good range for height adjustable standing desks. I’ve always found this price range reaches a good compromise between build quality and price.
Conclusion
Standing desks, new as they may be to the office space, are a great idea for your heart health and have even been suggested to make people more productive during their workday, increasing focus and concentration.
Not only do standing desks offer a wide range of benefits, but they can also be affordable and customizable for your budget.
So how much are standing desks?
As I have hopefully already gotten across, there is no specific price range all standing desks fall within. However, with anything from the cheapest standing desks that run around $200 to the $1500 mega electric standing desks that come with an array of features, there’s a standing desk out there for you that matches your office goals and fits just right in your budget.
