If You Find Sitting for Long Hours Uncomfortable, a Standing Desk May Be the Answer

We updated this article in February 2023 to ensure that top-rated products selected in part by the Good Housekeeping Institute were in stock and reflect current pricing.

While sitting in your office desk chair may be comfortable, stretching your legs every so often is important. A standing desk can help you achieve this goal without interrupting your workflow. “A standing desk allows you the flexibility to keep working without having to leave your workstation while you are giving your body a break from sitting,” Theresa Marko, PT, DPT, MS BS and CEO & Owner of Marko Physical Therapy PLLC says. And not only that but, according to Marko, switching to a standing desk can help your muscles stretch as you gain flexibility and even relieve pain or discomfort from being compressed in the sit position. Other industry experts agree that standing desks can be a worthy investment. “We spend so much time sitting as it is in modern society and small changes [like standing] can add up quickly to improve how you move and feel on a daily basis,” Dr. Eni Kadar, PT, DPT, CHN and founder of HolisticDPT says.

The pros at the Good Housekeeping Institute have been testing home office essentials for years, from desk mats to laptops and cheap computer desks. To narrow down the best standing desks, we relied on the help expertise of Rachel Rothman, Chief Technologist and Director of Engineering in Good Housekeeping Institute, and Stefani Sassos, MS, RDN, CSO, CDN, NASM-CPT, the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab's Deputy Director and certified personal trainer. Below you’ll find top-tested, expert-approved standing desks for 2023, which we evaluated in our own home offices for criteria such as adjustability, ease of assembly, customization options, price, size and appearance.

Our top picks:

Stick around after our top picks to learn what to keep in mind when shopping for one to ensure you make a good investment. We've also included expert advice on how to get the greatest benefit out of your standing desk.