Working in a modern office can be hazardous to your health. And we’re not talking about the quality of the “coffee” or how Doug from the mailroom keeps trying to tackle you in the lunchroom. Sit-to-stand desks are an awesome way to mitigate some of these risks, so let’s talk about them. 

Sit-to-stand desks are all of the rage nowadays, and especially when it comes to your home office – and they most definitely should be. 

As the Desk Jockey Physio, you can imagine that this is a topic I talk about a lot, so I wanted to share some of my thoughts on the topic. So here are the top 3 Sit-To-Stand Desks Available for your home office. 

There are 3 big things to consider when you are looking to purchase one of these bad boys.

1. Space.

The biggest factor above all else is the actual space you have available on your desk for your new sit-stand desk. You could purchase the most expensive one on the market, but if you don’t have space for it – it’s no good for you. I know this sounds self-explanatory, but it happens more than you think!

Most sit-to-stand desks are meant to sit right on top of your existing desk and come ready out of the box. Adjustability is limited in terms of its width. You also don’t want to forget about the vertical height – you’ll want a clear path around the sit-to-stand desk so that when you elevate it, nothing gets in the way.  

So, the first thing you should do is measure your existing desk, and go from there. Once you know how much real estate you’re dealing with, choosing the right fit will be a lot easier!

If space isn’t an issue, my all-time favorite is the Fellowes Lotus Sit-To-Stand solution. It takes up a bit of room with its base, but it uses that support. I love how solid it feels, but still raises and lowers super easily.

2. Don’t Cheap Out

It’s always tempting to go with the cheapest option, but with Sit-To-Stand desks, this is not your best option. You’re purchasing this thing because you want to promote movement in your day and live a healthier lifestyle. If you purchase a cheap sit-to-stand desk that’s rickety, poorly built or shakey, you’ll be back, sitting on your bottom in no time.

Remember, some of you may be putting a big monitor on your desk, sometimes even two. If every time you change from the sitting to the standing position, you’re worried you about your monitor falling off, or it collapsing (it’s happened!), you won’t be using it long.

You don’t need to spend thousands on these things, but they have to be built well and built to last. 

3. Get The Real Estate You Need

An important question to as yourself is, what exactly, and how much do you plan on putting on this sit-to-stand riser. For example, are you just going to be using a laptop, keyboard, and mouse, or are you going to be using a double monitor? Maybe you’re also going to be writing by hand on them, with a coffee cup, and a water bottle. Maybe you also want to have a desk lamp on top?

All this becomes important, because just as most office spaces become cluttered quickly, so do sit-to-stand desks!

Now, if you’re going to be going simple, meaning you’re using your laptop as a monitor, plugging in a USB hub and using an external keyboard and mouse, then, almost any set-up will do. (Check out my free 5 step ergonomic lap-top set-up guide if you want more assistance with this.)

But, if you’re like me, you want to be prepared for all outcomes. I know that my desk always ends up being more cluttered than I’d like to admit. Most sit-stand desks have a similar footprint, like my overall favorite mentioned above, the Fellowes Lotus Sit-To-Stand.

Conclusion

So that’s it. Those are the 3 biggest things you should consider when purchasing a sit-to-stand desk for your home, or office. You’ve got to make sure you have the space to house it, the price reflects the quality, and it has enough surface area to get the job done!

Stay tuned for future posts on our top sit-to-stand and standing desk recommendations. 

Until then, keep moving!