Top picks for working from home in the UK

Working from home definitely has its benefits. Back in the days of the office, it simply wasn’t acceptable to rock up in your pyjamas and work your way through 10 cups of tea before lunch. At home, you can do things your way (so long as you actually get your work done, too).

Whilst it’s great that you have the option of living your best life from Monday to Friday, there are bound to be some things you miss about the office. Besides the human connection that we’re all so desperately lacking, the office provides a lot of little luxuries that your home is probably lacking. 

Fortunately, you can now invest in a lot of the things that make the office so comfortable. We’re not suggesting you go out and drop a massive amount of cash on the professional coffee machine that keeps hundreds of your colleagues going every day. That would be taking things too far. Instead, you could seriously improve your home office setup by investing in a standing desk. These helpful products are becoming more and more popular as we all come to terms with the fact that WFH is here to stay.

You might be thinking, “why do I possibly need to stand up when it’s so comfortable down here in my usual position?” Whether you’re content sitting down or desperate to switch things up, there are plenty of reasons to consider a standing desk.

Why do you need a standing desk?

Is working from home starting to feel like a total drag? It might have something to do with your working arrangement. 

A standing desk (or desk converter) can help you to improve your posture, avoid chronic pain, and boost productivity. They aren’t going to miraculously solve all of your problems, but breaking up long periods of sitting down at the same spot is an excellent way of improving your mood and general wellbeing. It might seem like a stretch to suggest that standing can help with your posture, circulation, and more, but there is some science behind this.

The many potential health benefits of a standing desk are assumed based on findings that long periods of sitting are linked to a higher risk of things like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it makes sense that reducing sedentary time can improve your physical, metabolic, and mental health. You don’t need to be standing from nine to five to feel the benefits, but frequently transitioning between standing and sitting throughout your day could be an important lifestyle change that makes an immediate impact.

What are the most important features in a standing desk?

If you’ve come to the conclusion that you could benefit from a standing desk, you probably have a lot of questions. There are a lot of products out there with a wide range of price tags, so what do you really need? 

We’ve done the hard work and researched everything you need to know before purchasing a standing desk, in a bid to answer all of your burning questions. Before you make any sort of decision, you should carefully consider your priorities, and consider this set of important features:

Standing desk or desk converter: The first question you need to ask yourself is whether you require a standing desk or desk converter. Both do the same job, but obviously, they differ greatly. If you already own a beautiful desk that you love, you should opt for a convertor that sits on top. If you have the space and budget for a standing desk, then by all means purchase something that fits in your space.

Image: Flexispot

Material: Standing desks (and desk converters) come in many different shapes and sizes, with different finishes and materials. The best products tend to be made from steel, which is great for durability but does make it difficult to move the desk around the house. It’s also worth considering how the desk is going to look in your house. If your home office is filled with plants, natural fibres, and has that boho vibe going on, a metallic desk might look out of place. Fortunately, there are plenty of options with natural finishes like the Humanscale Float.

Height adjustment: It’s worth considering the height adjustment range of your preferred standing desk. The best electric standing desks have a large range, meaning you should always be able to find something comfortable. Desk converters don’t have the same versatility, and you tend to only have two or three height options. This is probably enough for most people though.

Weight capacity: This is important. You should pay special attention to the maximum load capacity of a standing desk, because if a product cannot handle your multiple screen, laptop, and speaker setup, it’s simply not worth considering. This should be obvious, but your desk needs to be capable of actually supporting all your stuff. Nothing ruins a video call like your desk totally collapsing.

Smart features: There is a big difference between the most advanced standing desks and the basic desk convertors highlighted in this guide. You might be looking for something straightforward, but this isn’t for everyone. Standing desks can come with smart features like anti-collision technology, programmable digital memory, and sit/stand reminders. If you want a standing desk with all the bells and whistles, you should consider something from Flexispot, Flytta, or Humanscale.

Think about what you really want from a standing desk, and then ask yourself if a product is ticking all of your boxes. If things still aren’t clear, we can help.

What is the best standing desk?

We know that finding the best product for you can be a tricky task, especially with something like standing desks. These products haven’t been around for too long, so it isn’t easy to know which brands deliver the best models. Fortunately for you, we have searched high and low for the very best standing desks, with something for everyone and every budget.

We have tried to find a selection of products to suit everyone, including electric standing desks costing over £1,000 and desk converters for under £100. All you need to do is check out the range of products that have made the cut, and pick a favourite. We wish you a lifetime of better posture, improved circulation, increased productivity, and cheerier moods.

These are the best standing desks in 2021.