Best cheap standing desks 2022

The best cheap standing desks are those that are flexible enough to work well in not just your existing workspace, but just about anywhere around your home. Standing while working— even in short spurts—is one of the simplest things you can do for your health if you are physically able to. The trouble with standing desks, however, is that they are often expensive and need replacing otherwise perfect office furniture. But thankfully, there are several affordable and portable alternatives out there. Our favorite overall is the FLEXISPOT Standing Desk Converter because it sits on top of an existing desk or tabletop, and it is incredibly spacious, sturdy, and adjustable.

These are the best standing desks for your back and your wallet

flexispot em7mb standing desk

(Image credit: flexispot)

FLEXISPOT Standing Desk Converter (EM7MB)

Double-up your desktop

$239.99

at Amazon

Solid and sturdy

Big enough to hold a laptop and two monitors

Easy to adjust the height

Excellent price

Very large

Heavy to move

Requires assembly

In addition to the standalone electronic and manual desks, FLEXISPOT also makes several desktop units that you can pair with your existing workspace. Out of these, this standing desk converter is hands-down our favorite. The unit consists of two levels—an upper section for your laptop and/or monitor(s) and a lower area for your mouse, keyboard, notepad, and other stuff.

This particular unit (EM7MB) is operated by hand, using two clasps on each side that let you grip down on to raise or lower the desk. The raising mechanism is fluid and smooth enough so that practically anyone can operate it, regardless of coordination or strength. It’s also sturdy and doesn’t move much when elevated, so you can rest assured that your laptop and monitor will be well-supported. Both levels combined can handle a total weight of 55 pounds.

That said, the most significant downsides to this stand are arguably its weight, size, and assembly process. While it’s easy for anyone to operate while in place, getting it up onto the desktop might prove to be challenging. It weighs in at 36.9 pounds and is around 36 by 24 x 5.7 inches in size, so it will take up a quite a big chunk of your existing desk real estate.

shw height adjustable electic desk stand

(Image credit: SHW)

SHW Electric Height Adjustable Computer Desk

Going up?

$199.87

at Amazon

Electric controls

Clean, classic look

Comes in multiple finishes and sizes

Plenty of tabletop space

Memory presets

No storage options

No wheels or casters to move easily

This adjustable electric desk might be more of something that you picture when you think of an open-plan office filled with worker bees at their standing desks, but we’re sure there’s a reason for that. This is an excellent form factor having a wide tabletop, plenty of legroom, and the ability to raise and lower at will with the push of a button.

You can get this desk in many different configurations, sizes, and colors, but we think most will opt for the 48-inch or 55-inch rectangular tabletop models. In addition, you can choose from a black or walnut finish to fit the style of your decor. The desk can be adjusted easily, and there are four memory presets to accommodate the needs of multiple users.

One of the most significant drawbacks to a desk like this is that you don’t have much storage space (apart from a wire cord organizer under the desk), so if you want to keep the stand up and clutter-free, you’ll need to invest in some boxes or other such storage accessories. Also, once you put this desk where you want it, it’s not that easy to move, as it doesn’t come with wheels or castors. Just something to keep in mind as you arrange your home office space!

fitueyes gas spring standing desk converter

(Image credit: fitueyes)

FITUEYES Height Adjustable Standing Desk

It fits in many spots

Check Amazon

Small footprint

Sturdy construction

Portable

Great price

Raising or lowering requires some strength

30 inches may not be enough for your needs

Not only is this standing desk a great value, but it’s also one of the most versatile and portable options we’ve come across. With 26-inch and 30-inch options, this desk is manageable enough for most people to move around. That said, don’t let its small form factor fool you. With its non-slip footings and sturdy steel frame, this thing is durable enough for both occasional and daily use.

Even at a smaller size than other desks on this list, you can still easily fit a decent-sized computer monitor and laptop side-by-side on it, all while still having room for a keyboard and mouse. The biggest downside is that it could be a little challenging to operate the mechanism to raise or lower the stand—at least in comparison to the FLEXISPOT Standing Desk Converter and its much more fluid movement, even if the gas spring mechanism helps things a bit.

s standup two tier standing desk converter

(Image credit: S standup)

S Standup Two-Tier Standing Desk Workstation

Mobile workstation

$189

at Amazon

$189

at Amazon

$189

at Amazon

Two platforms to stack your stuff on

Multiple sizes and color options

Four wheels for mobility

Very affordable

Platforms are not independently adjustable

Adjusting the height once you put stuff on the shelves can be a pain

This standing desk looks like it would fit in well in a hospital as a nurse’s mobile workstation, but it is assuredly flexible enough to fit your needs as well. It’s equipped with two desks (or platforms) that can be raised or lowered to suit your work style. You can use one platform for a keyboard and the other for a laptop or monitor, or you can even share the desk with a friend, family member, or coworker in a pinch. There’s also a lower storage shelf for keeping anything from a printer to a stack of documents.

The size here is fairly decent, so it’s not exactly difficult to take this the standing desk from one place to another. And should you want to move it around in order to make your workstation a truly mobile one, there are three smooth-scrolling castors that can also lock up to ease things up. The desk comes in four different sizes (24, 32, 40, and 48 inches) and three other color options (black/silver, black/teak, silver/walnut), so you’re sure to find a version that fits your needs and decor.

stand steady joy standing desk

(Image credit: stand steady)

Stand Steady Joy Desk

Must-have storage

$129.99

at Amazon

Amble desktop space

Multiple finish options

Cute cubbies for storage

Great design

Maybe wobbly if not adequately anchored

Among the cutest desks out there, this one stands at a good height of approximately 42 inches and has plenty of room underneath for your legs, computer workstation, trashcan, and whatever else you might need to hide down there. There is a whole lot of workspace on the main tabletop, which measures 47.25 inches by 23.75 inches, but there’s a lot more to like here.

With these spartan standing desks, what you gain in flexibility, you lose in utility with things like storage and compartments. That’s not the case here, as it features a riser to put your monitor, lamp, plant, or other accouterments on and three large cubbies to tuck away notepads and knick-knacks. This desk is available in a glass, maple, or white finish and is relatively easy to assemble.

The biggest drawback here that we can think of is that this desk can be a little on the shaky side if it’s not supported against a wall or other piece of furniture. However, if it’s anchored against something more substantial, you shouldn’t notice much of a wobble.

levit8 portable standing desk

(Image credit: levit8)

Levit8 Folding Standing Desk

Cool Contortionist

$23.95

at Amazon

$27.95

at Amazon

$32.95

at Amazon

Super lightweight and thin

Comes in different stand heights and colors

Can fit with your laptop in a bag

Won’t take up any extra space in your home

No room for anything but a laptop

Nylon not as durable as metal, wood, or steel

Can be a bit confusing to get the hang of

We’ve already seen some reasonable portable standing desk solutions on this list, but this option from Levit8 is the ultimate in portability. It weighs less than a pound and when collapsed, it’s roughly the same size as a modern laptop. After a few tries, it’s easy to assemble and disassemble quickly, and it has such a small footprint that you can turn any flat surface into a platform for your standing desk.

This one comes in three colors: Coral, Sesame, and our favorite—Sea. You also get to choose from three different heights, namely medium, large, and x-large, which equal to about 12, 14, and 16 inches respectively. All variations have the same width and depth at around 9 by 9 inches.

While we love how cleverly designed this product is, there are a few potential drawbacks to note. The biggest disadvantage of this “desk” is that it can support only one laptop and nothing else. So, if you need or want to use an external keyboard, mouse, or monitor, or if you just want room for notes and a pen, you’re out of luck. The other thing to keep in mind is that this product is made out of durable nylon and not regular materials such as metal, wood, or even plastic, so its longevity compared with other solutions is somewhat debatable.

Time to move around

The best standing desks (opens in new tab) have become a sensation in the workplace for several years now, and there’s no reason why they can’t make a move to the home office (opens in new tab) as well. One of our absolute favorite standing desk solutions is the FLEXISPOT Standing Desk Converter because it’s sturdy, supportive, spacious, and quite easy to operate. It also doesn’t require you to disrupt your current decor by getting a completely new desk or workspace but works with what you already have.

If you prefer a complete desk solution instead, there are many great ones to choose from, and more portable options for smaller spaces too. But whatever choice suits you and your space, you’re sure to come to love the freedom and flexibility that a standing desk can provide — not to mention the health benefits that follow!