The best standing desk converter can save you from the expense and hassle of buying and assembling a full standing desk. Instead of that, you just position a converter on top of your existing desk, allowing you to raise the height of your laptop or monitor.
As well as saving you the time and expense involved in buying a whole new desk, this also has the benefit that it can allow you to spend some of the day sitting rather than standing the whole time. This is especially useful if you’re just getting used to a new way of working.
While a handful of DIY standing desk conversions work well if you’re willing to put in the time and effort, there’s no shortage of quality commercial standing desk converters for those who don’t want a hacksaw and hammer to update their desk situation.
Many standing desk converters have sit-stand (that’s sitting and standing) capabilities and features, with varying texture and build options, from bevelled wood to aluminium. Some have an adjustable height range (standing desk setups that don’t offer your desired height are no good) and a keyboard shelf (one even has a removable tray!). Other adjustable standing desk converter options have surface areas for a keyboard and mouse mat at the same height as the computer monitor. If you have limited working space, others are much smaller, with a laptop riser and just enough room for the essentials (sorry about your keyboard and your dual monitor setup). Ultimately though, you’re going to want a sit-stand desk that will get you out of your traditional seated desk and lead to a healthier, less tired, happier you and a quality working session.
We’ve rounded up a list of the seven best standing desk converters on the market to help you choose the right one for you. Keep reading to see our favourites and learn how to choose yours.
A standing desk is largely thought of as a healthier alternative to sitting all day. It can help you increase your productivity levels, maintain your energy and maybe even improve longevity, which is potentially relieving benefits for anyone with a job that requires using a computer for hours on end.
Making the switch to a standing desk doesn’t mean you need to ditch your current desk altogether. And you certainly don’t need to crowd your workspace with a different full standing desk. With the best sit-stand desk converter, the transition to a standing desk can be smooth and effortless.
Working from the comfort of your couch certainly has its benefits, but it isn’t exactly easy on your posture. As one chiropractor told us, an ideal work-from-home desk should accommodate both sitting and standing and offer “the most versatility for changes of position to accommodate a variety of body types and postures.” A standing-desk converter certainly falls in line with those orders, especially if you don’t want to get a whole new desk. While we’ve written about lots of ergonomic office furniture — including the best laptop stands, office chairs, and standing desks — here, we’ve rounded up the best standing-desk converters, as praised by the most enthusiastic reviewers on Amazon.
Why Get a Converter?
Aside from the health benefits of standing, there are many reasons to consider a standing desk converter. Here are the main advantages of getting a converter:
Pros
- Price – If budget is your concern, a standing desk converter can be one of the most cost-effective ways to start standing at work. The unit itself is commonly less expensive than a full-standing desk, but you also won’t have the extra costs associated with removing, disposing, or donating your current desk. There are also additional cost savings when it comes to shipping. Due to their compact size, they’re shipped with normal parcel carriers right to your door.
- Ease or Lack of Assembly – Assembling furniture is rarely enjoyable, and if you’re like most of us and don’t want to spend time building your desk, a standing desk converter may be best for you. Most options are ready to go right out of the box, with maybe one or two small tasks like clipping on the keyboard tray. Most converters do not require any tools with assembly.
- Keep Your Current Desk – Keeping your existing desk or furniture is one of the most popular reasons to get a standing desk converter. If you have a desk you love or one with ample storage, it may not be realistic to get rid of it. A converter is a great compliment to any existing desk.
- Portability – A standing desk converter does allow you to change locations. Converters aren’t light, but you could move them to another desk, the kitchen counter, or a dining table. Why not find out more.
Overall, there are many advantages to getting a standing desk converter as an alternative to a full standing desk unit. However, there are also some disadvantages of standing desk converters:
Cons
- Desktop Space While Standing – Standing desk converters in their raised position can leave you disconnected from items on your desk you may frequently use. While converters have their own desktop that raises with you, space can be limited. Many manufacturers now offer oversized models with a much larger desktop surface area than converters of the past. If you think this issue may impact your work, consider buying a 36-inch wide model or larger.
- Appearance – Some shoppers choose not to use a standing desk converter due to their looks. Converters are a very mechanical device that leans more toward practicality than aesthetics. Of course, this varies by unit. We’re seeing many more sleek designs come onto the market, offering colours other than the ubiquitous black, such as white, and grey, and some even offering wood desktop and keyboard tray surfaces.
- Limit of Value for Money – While standing desk converters can be a cost-effective alternative to a full standing desk, there is a limit to when it makes sense. Full-standing desks are getting less expensive, and for around $490, you can buy a quality electric standing desk. Some converters can come close to this range at a price and might cause you to question whether a converter makes sense given the relative prices. We recommend spending less than $300 on a converter to get the range of benefits they offer without losing any value for money on your investment.
- Operation With Heavy Items – If you’re used to having multiple heavy monitors or a desktop-based setup, a manually-operated standing desk converter may not be the best solution. Manual standing desk converters are either coil spring or gas-strut operated, and the weight of the equipment on them directly impacts how easily it raises and lowers. A new alternative to consider is an electric standing desk converter. We recommend getting familiar with the weight limit of each product you’re considering and how that relates to your own setup.
Best Sit and Stand Desk Converter
VIVO Adjustable 32-Inch Desk Riser
With over 6,000 five-star reviews, this VIVO standing-desk converter is the best-rated one on Amazon by far. Reviewers assure that it’s easy to set up, easy to use, and suitable for all types of work setups. One, who called this a “game-changer for at-home workflow,” writes that the “quality is outstanding, [it’s] super easy to adjust to my height, and goes up and down super smooth.” Another says that using it has “resolved [they are] back, neck, and shoulder issues totally,” adding that the “best part” about this converter is how “you can raise and lower the shelf with one hand” because it “has [a] piston operated lift (so no lifting) and goes up and down very gently — even with two monitors.” Reviewers also appreciate the ample space on both tiers of this model — one says the “very sturdy” converter easily fits both of their 22-inch monitors. At the same time, another adds that “there’s enough space on the keyboard level to add in a portfolio or a tablet.” Read More Here.
VariDesk Pro Plus: 36-inch dual monitor standing desk converter
At $395, this VariDesk Pro Plus standing desk converter is the most expensive option on our list, but it’s also our favourite. It comes with everything you might want from a standing desk converter, including a large, two-tier workspace, ergonomic movement, and high-quality material. It comes fully assembled, meaning you can take it out of the box and immediately start using it. It has a spring-loaded lift and 11 different height adjustable settings, making it among the most versatile of the standing desk converters on the market.
Customers highly recommend this standing desk converter. It has more than 2,300 reviews on Amazon, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars. Customers like that it’s easy to assemble, ergonomic, and sturdy.
Pros
- Large, two-tier workspace
- Comes fully assembled
- Sturdy and well-built
Cons
- Most expensive option
- Difficult to lift up and down
Readydesk
If you were to take StandStand and turn it into a more permanent stand up desk solution, you would end up with Readydesk, a wooden workspace elevator that comes with two adjustable-height shelves.
Readydesk has a work surface wide enough to hold two 27-inch monitors, with an adjustable height to suit most people between five feet, three inches and six feet, three inches (1.5 and 1.8 meters) tall, and even features some built-in cable management.
You can also purchase an additional shelf or a laptop rises if you want additional workspace or need the tilting ability to raise your laptop a few inches.
Pros
- The Readydesk is easily assembled (without tools) and highly adjustable.
- Quality cross-braces keep the riser from shaking.
- At $155, Readydesk is still one of the cheaper standing desk converter options.
Cons
- Readydesk height adjustable standing desk is a semi-permanent standing desk conversion, meaning you likely won’t be switching your desk back and forth between sitting and standing for short periods of time or even on a daily basis.
- Adjusting the surface height of your keyboard and mouse or monitors means removing an entire shelf, making it slightly more tricky and time-consuming than other adjustable solutions.
Cora Standing Desk Converter
If you just want to use a laptop rather than a full desktop PC, the best standing converter for you probably doesn’t need a keyboard tray. In which case, we’d recommend the Cora Standing Desk Converter. It’s a well-constructed, quality device that lets you create your own standing desk on any surface (traditional desk, kitchen table, hotel room table) and tuck it away when not in use.
Just press the side levers to raise the work surface anywhere between 3.4cm and 39.4cm. The desktop is made from liquid-resistant laminate with a lightweight but sturdy aluminium base. It supports up to 10kg, and comes with non-skid pads to prevent surface damage. It looks very attractive, too, and this all comes in at a very reasonable price.
WorkEZ Standing Desk
WorkEZ is the middle ground between Varidesk Pro Plus and StandStand. This adjustable sit-stand desk provides a smooth, small and lightweight conversion that can be easily installed or removed, but it’s also highly adjustable and has a keyboard tray.
WorkEZ features three pieces: the laptop or monitor mount, a separate keyboard tray and a detachable mouse pad. The laptop and monitor riser can be adjusted to virtually any angle and up to an adjustable height of 18 inches above the existing desk height. In addition, the laptop stand, keyboard tray and mouse pad are all independently adjustable, making it one of the most customizable conversions available.
Pros
- At $100, the WorkEZ Standing Desk is adequately priced between the StandStand and Varidesk Pro Plus.
- It is easily added or removed from a traditional desk surface, making the adjustable height desk ideal for both sitting and standing.
- With individual desktop surface adjustments for the laptop or monitor, keyboard and trackpad angle and height, it’s easily the most customizable sit-stand workstation, with plenty of adjustable conversions offered.
Cons
- The downside is that the WorkEZ is not the most smooth and stable stand up-conversion option.
- Like the StandStand, the WorkEZ features no additional workspace at standing height.
- WorkEZ only fits one monitor or a laptop, and it can only hold up to approximately 13 pounds. If you have an additional or heavy-duty monitor that exceeds that weight limit, you’ll need something like LIFT.
Rocelco: 46-inch large height adjustable standing desk converter
The Rocelco 46″ Large Height Standing Desk Converter really stands out for its large workspace. At 46 inches, this converter provides the largest workspace of any product on our list. In addition, you can easily fit three medium-sized monitors or two large monitors and have the option of buying an attachable monitor mount to clear up even more of your workspace. This standing desk converter also has a retractable ergonomic keyboard tray that you can position exactly where you need it.
As for customer feedback, this standing desk converter has nearly 1,000 reviews with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Customers especially like that it’s easy to manoeuver, easy to assemble, and ergonomic.
Pros
- Largest workspace
- Retractable ergonomic keyboard
- Optional three-monitor mount attachment
Cons
- Low weight limit
- Difficult to lift up and down
Standing Desk Converter Installation Tips
Getting started with your new standing desk converter is fairly straightforward but consider the following tips as you’re unpacking your new desk.
- Cable Slack – Unlike a normal, non-adjustable desk, you’ll need to account for your standing desk converter’s vertical and forward movement. Take some time to inspect your existing cables to ensure that you have enough slack to allow the desk to raise and lower without issue. We recommend at least 12 to 14 inches of slack in all cables running to the desktop surfaces. Keyboards may require even more slack since they are much further forward, and the cable must be routed away from any moving parts.
- Keyboard and Mouse Cable Routing – Depending on the type of standing desk converter you buy, this may be easy or difficult. Either way, you want to make sure any keyboard or mouse cables are routed away from any moving parts or areas where the cable could get caught and restrict the desk’s movement. This is an obvious tip, but it can be surprisingly easy to damage cables due to the spring force needed in order to make raising and lowering easy. Go to this website.
- Your Existing Desk Depth – Carefully consider the depth of your desk and how it relates to the converter. Unlike a normal desk, your keyboard area is a fixed location with a converter. This means that you should position the entire unit to optimize your typing location. For a standard depth desk, we’ve found that it’s almost always a good idea to have the rear edge of the converter close to flush with the rear edge of the desk.
- Your Existing Desk Height – When adding a standing desk converter to your existing desk, consider the new height of your keyboard as it will likely be a minimum 3/4″ higher than it was before, even with the converter in its lowest position. This will require you to raise your chair slightly and in some cases a lot. Your monitors will also be 4 to 5″ higher than they previously were and may need to be lowered significantly.
- Monitor Height – If you’re taking your existing monitors and moving them to your converter, you’ll likely have to lower them to account for the height of the converter. We also recommend experimenting with various monitor heights and chair heights to make sure that you maintain proper posture for both standing and sitting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Standing Desk Converter
Is standing desk conversion worth it?
Standing desk converters are beneficial if your company will be expanding into a new office with new furniture, but you still have time before it’s ready. In addition, you want your team to be healthy in this transitional time, so investing in this lower cost and portable option can be the right move.
Can I turn my desk into a standing desk?
Standing desk converters, also known as desktop risers or toppers, are adjustable units that you place on top of your existing desk. They give you the option of standing without getting rid of or moving your current desk.
Are desktop risers worth it?
They’re more substantial in size, convenience, and compatibility. But if you’re looking for something quick and cheap to set up right away, whether it’s because time and money are tight or because you’re not sure whether it’s worth the investment yet, a Desk Riser is almost certainly the best option.
Are standing desks better?
Standing desks seem to help ease back pain, but doctors don’t know how much time you need to stand to get this benefit. More productive: In a study of call centre employees, those with standing desks were 45% more productive on a daily basis than employees who sat during their shift.
Can you use a standing desk with a laptop?
The easiest option is to get an external keyboard that plugs into your laptop. Put that on the desk, and then find a way to raise your laptop to the right height. A sturdy cardboard box will do, although there are also several pre-made products you can buy that look nice and perform this function.