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In the age of celebrity diets and fitness mania, standing desks have become a mainstay for healthy living and the poster child for ergonomics in the workplace. You’re thinking about getting a standing desk, but after just ten minutes on Google, you realize that what you thought would be a simple change to reshape your lifestyle has morphed into a complicated journey into a world you never knew existed.
Z-Design, X-Lift, Hover, Post & Mount- as you find yourself knee-deep in standing desk converters without any end in sight, we’re here to put your mind at ease and help you navigate the basics to get you started.
So, what is a standing desk converter anyway?
If you’re slightly intimidated by the techy sounding name, you really shouldn’t be. All you really need to know is that a standing desk converter is simply a device that converts a traditional desk into a standing desk. While there are hundreds of options with all kinds of bells and whistles, they all deliver essentially the same thing – they enable you to stand as you work. With this in mind, we present our top picks for newbies based on what really counts. Stability. Budget. Size. Words that you know and concepts you can understand.
Best Overall Converter – Varidesk Pro Plus
For newbies who want a product that has it all, the Varidesk Pro Plus knocks it out of the park. Featuring 2 tiers that offer you premium work space, the Varidesk Pro Plus is designed to hold your screens on the spacious top tier (an impressive 30 x 12.5) and your keyboard and mouse below, all on a sturdy, weighted base that can accommodate 35 – 45 pounds (depending on the model). What’s more is with its spring-loaded lift design, the tiers move in tandem, meaning you can adjust both levels in one, fluid motion.
Pros
- The Varidesk Pro Plus features 11 different height settings, giving you more adjustment options than many of its competitors.
- It comes fully assembled, so you can leave your toolkit in the cupboard and get down to business the minute you open the box.
- It boasts unique ergonomic design features like its rowing-lift design, which reduces the need to strain your back and enhances posture.
- It comes in multiple color options to match any workspace.
Cons
- It’s pricey, particularly for some the higher end Varidesk Pro Plus models.
Best Value Converter – VIVO Height Adjustable Standing Desk Sit to Stand Gas Spring Riser Converter
If you are looking for a converter with the most bang for your buck, then the VIVO Height Adjustable Standing Desk Sit to Stand Gas Spring Riser Converter is for you. While the name is a mouthful, this converter gives you all the options you really need for a price that can’t be beat.
The VIVO’s impressive, steel X-design combined with gas spring power enables sleek vertical operation and an adjustable height locking mechanism that enables you to go from sitting to standing in one quick move. The VIVO desk riser also features full ergonomic features like a full keyboard tray with an arc to help your posture as you work.
Pros
- The VIVO includes a 3-year Manufacturer’s Warranty, which gives you piece of mind with your purchase.
- It’s not only easy on your wallet, it’s easy on your mind as it comes with hardly any assembly required – all you need is an ordinary Philips screwdriver.
- Stability and operation on this converter are impressive for its price range, with a sturdy, steel design that does not swing forward when it rises like others in its class
- The second-tier platform is easily removable if you don’t need a keyboard for work.
Cons
- It only comes in black. This is great if you like black, but if you were hoping for silver, white, or wooden finishes, you’re out of luck.
Best Electric Converter – VIVO Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk Converter Sit to Stand Power Riser
VIVO makes another appearance on our list as our top pick for an electric standing desk converter, and the reason is simple. With all the pricier options for electronic converters, the VIVO Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk Converter Sit to Stand Power Riser delivers all the advantages and convenience of an electrical converter, but at a very budget friendly price.
Like its manual counterpart, the VIVO Electronic Riser takes you from sitting to standing with ease, but this time with a simple click of a button. Its powerful, electric locking mechanism and electronic height adjustments makes this riser extremely easy to use. The VIVO also includes all the ergonomic features you need like a beveled desktop and wide keyboard tray.
Pros
- The unbeatable value of the VIVO Electric Riser makes this a clear winner. For nearly the same price as some of the manual converters, VIVO delivers the ease and convenience of an electric riser at a price you can afford.
- It includes a 3-year Manufacturer’s Warranty, which makes it a worry-free purchase.
- Again, hardly any assembly is required – all you need is a Philip’s screwdriver.
- The second-tier platform is removable if you don’t need a keyboard for work.
Cons
- It only comes in black. Options like silver or chrome finishes, usually found in other electric risers are not available with this model.
Best Lightweight Converter – WorkEZ Standing Desk Conversion Kit
If you plan to use a laptop or thin monitor, then the lightweight and affordable WorkEZ Standing Desk Conversion Kit is for you. Featuring a compact footprint that won’t require much space at all, the WorkEZ is one of the most flexible and adjustable converters on the market because the monitor stand, keyboard tray, and detachable mouse pad all come separately and can be adjusted independently of each other. The WorkEZ is can be easily set up and removed in minutes, as it’s collapsible and doesn’t utilize any fancy mounting or installation mechanisms.
Pros
- The price point of the WorkEZ is affordable for most and offers great value for lightweight equipment.
- It’s lighter than most on the market, making it the premium choice for those seeking a lightweight model.
- It’s the most adjustable and customizable, as the converter comes in 3 separate pieces that allows you to adjust each part to almost any angle.
Cons
- Because of its lightweight structure and materials, it’s not the most stable option and is inevitably prone to wiggle and move.
- It only fits one laptop or screen at a time, and only a lightweight device at that, up to 13 pounds (5.9 kilograms)
Best Cardboard Converter – Ergodriven Spark
Yes, surprisingly, this is actually a thing. In fact, we were so impressed with this unusual concept and extremely budget friendly price, that we just had to give it place in our top picks for newbies. Since you’re new to the ergonomic world and you only want to give standing at work a try, the Ergodriven Spark is an excellent gateway converter. Because it’s made from heavy duty cardboard, the price of this converter enables almost anyone the ability to try out the standing work lifestyle without the worry of an expensive investment.
The Ergodriven Spark features a two-tier design, with space for your laptop or screen on one level and your keyboard and mouse on the other, which means your back, shoulders, and wrists align correctly for the best posture. With its lightweight design, it works well with even the smallest surfaces or tabletops. It’s the next best thing to a DIY converter.
Pros
- The price. Hands down the cheapest standing desk converter out there, you can buy it and try it with very little to lose.
- It comes in 3 sizes, accommodating people with heights under 5’4 to people as tall as 5’11.
Cons
- Obviously, this converter isn’t your best bet for heavy equipment. Although it states it can support up to 100 pounds, you are better off choosing a higher quality material for heavy monitors and computers.
- Assembly is not easy. The Ergodriven website does offer videos to help, but this converter will take you some time to set up.
Understanding Why You’re Buying Is Everything
With its tremendous popularity, more people are making the switch to standing desks each year. But understanding why you’re buying can really help you choose the right converter for you. Are you buying because:
- You love your current desk and don’t want to give it up. You spent months selecting the perfect desk, with its spacious drawers and wood grain finish that matches the wallpaper. Adding a standing desk converter is the simplest solution to let you keep the desk you know and love, but gives you the flexibility to work standing up when you want.
- You don’t have the space for a full-size standing desk. Converters can be a super solution to space issues, because they help you convert a desk, dining table, or any ordinary tabletop into a standing desk without eating up another inch of floor space you don’t have.
- Your wallet won’t allow you buy the full-size standing desk your heart truly desires. If you’re on a budget, then a standing desk converter is the next best thing, offering you the ability to stand as you work without spending the big bucks you don’t have on a full-size standing desk.
- You’ve heard the buzz word “ergonomics” and you’ve read the research that shows sitting for 8+ hours a day can be very harmful to your health. But since your job demands that you spend most of your waking hours sitting in front of a computer, the standing desk converter can offer you an easy way to add physical activity to an otherwise unphysical job. In fact, studies have shown tremendous benefits from standing desks, including reducing chronic neck and back pain, obesity, diabetes, etc.
Must Haves for your Standing Desk Converter
So, by now, you’re pretty much convinced that you need one of these. But what standard features should it include, and which are nice, but not necessary?
Stability
Locking systems should be secure, platforms should be wiggle-free, and the converter design should ensure tipping over is not an option. Since the last thing you want to do is place your expensive equipment on an unstable surface, please don’t compromising on quality by choosing a stand based on price alone.
Adjustability
Goldilocks had it right. You shouldn’t have to settle for preset heights or compromise on leg room under your desk. You must have the ability to adjust higher or lower everything from your monitor mount to your work surface to get things just right.
Ease of Use
We’re talking about everything from the moment you rip open the box to everyday adjustments. Do you have to spend ages assembling it? Do you need two hands to manage the spring riser? The last thing you want to do is kill your work buzz because you’re having to constantly fiddle with levers and locks.
Size Matters
You need to know how much usable space you’re going to have, how much weight your converter can support, and how much room you will have left over for your keyboard, mouse, coffee, pen, and Albert Einstein bobblehead.
Ergonomics
You’ve read the guides and consulted the gurus’ on the basics of office ergonomics. A good converter should help your body form the correct posture, not get in the way of it, with appropriate placement of keyboard surfaces, trays, and mounts.
Eye Candy
Besides all of the above, you should actually like the way your new workspace looks. Converters made from premium materials will not only give you the durability you need, they look far better than cheaply manufactured materials. Afterall, you are going to be spending hours standing in front of your desk, you should probably like its appearance.
FAQ’s
Does it make a difference what type of converter structure I choose?
There are five or six main types of standing desk converters (and arguably more subsectors of these types), and most product descriptions include terminology like Z-Lift Design, X-Lift Design, Post & Base, Hover, Desktop Riser, and Electrical. However, all this technical jargon really means is how the standing desk converter is shaped for balance and how it moves, so for the newbie, all structures will get you standing and working in no time.
Should I splurge on an electric standing desk converter?
While choosing an electric vs. manual converter is mainly a user preference, there are some added advantages to an electric converter in terms of ease of use, speed, noise level, and comfort. With affordable options like the VIVO Electric, the difference in price between an electric vs. manual converter becomes minimal.
Can a standing desk help with back pain?
While a standing desk can help relieve pressure and strain on your back and neck, a standing desk is not a one-stop solution. Orthopedic experts do recommend these tips for using a standing desk properly to minimize back pain.
Can standing all day while you work be dangerous?
While experts agree that sitting for long periods of time can be detrimental to your health, standing all day at work is also not recommended by due to the dangers associated with standing for long periods, such as long term back pain, muscle fatigue, and musculoskeletal diseases.
Can a standing desk help you lose weight?
The short answer – not really. While studies have shown that standing while working instead of sitting can have positive benefits on things like blood sugar levels and reduction of shoulder and back pain, there is very little evidence to support weight loss as a direct benefit of using a standing desk.
Final Thoughts
While we’ve only just scratched the surface of desk converters, our top picks are the perfect starting point for newbies. Whether you go for the Best Overall Converter, the Varidesk Pro Plus, or the Best Value VIVO Riser, you can trust you’ve got what you really need on the table (no pun intended).
As the market continues to evolve and more competitors are entering the ring, don’t get lost in the technicalities of spring risers and mechanical locks. Focus on what you do know. You know you need stability. You want it to be easy to put together and easy to use. You want to make sure it can fit and support your stuff. And you know your budget. So, keep it simple and trust your gut, because you’re already headed in the right direction towards a healthier, standing lifestyle while you work.
