The 4 best standing desk converters of 2024

Pros: Good for small spaces, great value, very stable

Cons: Some assembly required

Unlike other desks that move forward or backward as you raise or lower them, the Vivo K series uses an x-shaped frame (like an ironing board), so it only moves vertically when you adjust the height. That makes it an excellent choice for work desks of all sizes, including smaller workspaces. I like that it fits on my slim main desk (the base width is only 16 inches), and that it's not too heavy to tuck away when I want a more traditional workspace. 

The Vivo K Series is all about options. The series offers converters in six different widths, ranging from 26 to 42 inches. I tested the 32-inch model, which had plenty of space for working with a laptop and additional monitor. The desks also come in six color options, which you can match to your workplace. With rounded edges and a curved keyboard level, the Vivo K Series was comfortable and visually appealing. 

The only minor downside is that it requires some assembly. It took me about 15 minutes to set it up, which included time to find a screwdriver. The assembly directions weren't very clear, but the process was intuitive. 

Pros: Small footprint, yet generous workspace; good value; excellent adjustment quality; nice shape and finish

Cons: Slightly unsturdy at higher heights; some assembly required; may not work for taller people

If you're looking for a smaller standing desk converter, the Mount-It Compact Standing Desk has a lot going for it. First of all, it's aesthetically pleasing with a quality finish. It did get one scratch during assembly, although I'll confess I accidentally dropped a screw driver, so it may have been my fault. The surface area is small by design, but it did not feel crowded. The Mount-It also had the smoothest adjustment of any of the desks I tested. Thanks to the gas spring adjustment, I felt like I could move this converter up or down with the touch of a finger. 

However, it has some downsides. Most importantly, this desk won't work for tall people, since its maximum height is only 16 inches above the host desk. The highest setting worked for me, and I'm 5'7", so I can't recommend this desk for people taller than that. In addition, the Mount-It vibrated slightly at that height when I typed. Although it never felt unstable, the slight movement was annoying. 

Despite that, I really liked this desk, particularly for shorter people and folks who have a small workspace. It was easy to assemble and move on or off my desk, while still providing plenty of space to work while standing. 

Pros: Top-notch materials and finish, comes fully assembled, generous work space

Cons: Very heavy, takes up lots of space

VariDesks are well built and beautiful. The downside to them — and the reason that they were not a top pick — is that the desks themselves (and their price tags) are big. Too big, I found. 

I tested three 36 inch Vari desks. The VariDesk Corner Cube 36 was my favorite, and the one I'll focus on the most here. It's also the most expensive, meant to work for L-shaped desks and fit two monitors. I liked the generous workspace and curved design. I also liked the VariDesk Pro Plus 36, but didn't enjoy the U shape of the worksurface. The VariDesk Essential 36 was a hit, except that the keyboard level was cut straight, rather than curved. My belly tended to hit the straight edge, so it wasn't as comfortable as the curved options. 

I adore that VariDesks come fully assembled. All you need to do is open the box and put it on your desk, and you're ready to work. A hydraulic lift makes the desks easy to lift and lower to 11 pre-set height variations. Vari says that its desks are made with commercial-grade quality materials, and it shows. The finish was aesthetically pleasing and felt very hardy. These desks were super stable while I was working. 

The downside to that is that the desks are incredibly heavy, weighing more than 50 pounds. This isn't a desk that you'd want to have to lug to the office, and it's not one you'll be able to remove and store easily (although it's not meant to be). 

VariDesks have tons of workspace, but in return they take up a lot of space. As you raise a VariDesk, it moves horizontally out toward you. At its maximum height the Cube Corner 36 takes up 41 ¾ inches of depth, from base to keyboard tray. That felt overwhelming in my narrow office. Vari recommends that the host desk be at least 25.75 inches, so these desks are not a good choice for people with narrow work areas. 

Pros: Slim-line footprint is good for narrow desks, monitor and keyboard platforms adjust independently, generous work area, good for tall people

Cons: Industrial look that some might not like, designed for a more permanent setup, not for people who work without an external monitor

The Ergo Desktop Kangaroo Pro Junior was the narrowest standing desk converter that I tested. It only requires your host desk to be 16 inches deep, so it's great for narrow desks like mine. The Kangaroo Pro Junior is meant for people who are looking for a more permanent standing desk setup — that can be a good or a bad thing, depending on what you're looking for.

The converter itself comes fully assembled. However, you need to screw your monitor onto the VESA mount. VESA is an industry standard, so most monitors will fit, but it's best to double check that yours does before you order. In addition, the monitor must weigh less than 12 pounds. If you don't use a monitor while you work, look at other options; the Kangaroo Pro Junior loses its utility if you don't mount a monitor. 

A major perk of this converter is that the monitor height and the keyboard work area adjust independently. That means you can find the fit that's right for you. The keyboard platform can reach up to 14.5 inches above the host desk, while the center of the monitor can go up to 24 inches above the desk, so the Kangaroo Pro Junior is a good choice for tall people. If you need more height, Ergo also offers the option to customize your height setting when you order. 

The Kangaroo Pro Junior was very stable. The adjustment felt a bit jumpy and awkward, but once the height was in place it was solid. Being able to tilt the monitor on the VESA mount was a great touch. The silver and black components give the Kangaroo Pro Junior an industrial look that won't be for everyone, but the form of this converter makes it great for narrow desks and workspaces. 

Pros: Comes fully assembled, large work space, adjustable, angled keyboard platform, cord management system

Cons: Finish didn't feel top quality

The VertDesk allows for infinite adjustments between 6.25 and 20.25 inches above your host desk, so you can really dial in your ideal height. It was also the only standing desk converter that I tested that allowed you to adjust the angle of the keyboard platform. While I preferred the platform parallel to my desk, the angles would be great for people with sensitive wrists. 

The Btod VertDesk has a very spacious top platform at 35.5 inches wide. However, the keyboard area is much smaller at 26.25 inches. I felt a bit crowded using my keyboard and mouse in that smaller space. In addition, since the VertDesk doesn't have the belly-accommodating curve on the keyboard platform, it may not be the best option for larger-bodied people like me. 

The VertDesk's build quality felt solid, but not nearly as quality as VariDesks, which are at a similar price point. Like VariDesks, the VertDesk moves out toward you as you raise it. At maximum height, the whole setup is 32 inches deep. That's still fairly slimline, so the VertDesk can work for smaller workspaces, but it's something to be aware of. 

Adjustments and portability: Above all else, a standing desk converter should be easy to use. If not, it will just become another piece of office furniture collecting dust. Since most people don't want to stand all the time, the desk converter should either be comfortable to work at in a seated position, or be portable enough that you can move it off your existing desk when you want to sit. 

Ergonomics: Next, look for a desk that is comfortable for your body. If you're particularly short or tall, check the minimum and maximum adjustment heights. If, like me, you have a bit of a belly, look for a desk with a curved cutout that keeps your front from rubbing against the converter while you work. Choose a desk that is wide enough to accompany your shoulders without your arms feeling cramped, particularly if you are built broad. 

Desk size: Finally, look for a desk that fits your work space. If your existing desk is narrow, you'll need a standing desk converter with a slimmer base. Most companies publish their standing desk converter base measurements, so pull out the tape measure before you purchase to make sure the standing desk converter has enough space. 

We then tested 10 standing desk converters in real-life conditions according to the following criteria:

• Assembly: We timed how long it took to set up the desk, from unboxing to ready for work. 
• Size and portability: We evaluated how well the converter fit on our testing desk, whether it was light enough to move around if needed, and if it provided an adequate work space. 
• Adjustments: We tested the minimum and maximum heights, and noted how many options were in between. We made sure that the desk was stable at each height and easy to adjust. 
• Value: We compared the price of the desk to the build quality to determine whether it felt like good value for money. 

What are the benefits of standing desks?

Standing to work, rather than sitting, may have some health benefits. Some research has found that standing can reduce your insulin resistance (help your body better process blood sugar), improve blood flow and help cholesterol levels. You might also find it more comfortable: one study found that people who stood for work reported having less shoulder and neck pain than when they were sitting. 

What is a standing desk converter?

A standing desk converter transforms a normal desk into a standing desk. These converters sit on top of your existing workspace, providing a new surface to put your monitor, keyboard and mouse on. They have a mechanism that can raise or lower them, allowing you to work while sitting or standing. 

How tall should my standing desk converter be?

If you're working at a standing desk converter, your monitor should be right in front of your eyes. Your keyboard should be at a height where you can type without holding your arms up or down — essentially, 90-degrees out from your elbows. The height you need from your standing desk converter will depend on how tall you are and how tall your existing desk is, so you may need to pull out the measuring tape before ordering. Here's a handy guide to work surface heights.