The Best Standing Desks Under $100
Alex Dabek | Aug 21, 2022
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Whether you want to improve your posture, add functionality to your office, or both, a standing desk is a great tool to have at home.
Unfortunately, most standing desks can cost upwards of $500. Luckily, you don't need to break the bank to get most of the benefits of a standing desk. In this list, I put together the best standing desks under $100.
Price was not the only consideration for this list. I chose the best desks I could find based on reviews, ergonomics, features, and quality. So, let's jump in!
What Makes a Good Standing Desk?
1. It Should Be Ergonomic
To get the most comfort and health benefits, your standing desk should be posture perfect.
- Height (for viewing angle) - Ideally, your eyes should be level with the top of your monitor. This minimizes stress on your neck, shoulders, and back as opposed to looking down or being hunched over.
- Keyboard Area: Ideally, your arms should be about 90 degrees or more for typing. This minimizes strain on your elbows and wrists.
2. The Quality
- Sturdiness and durability
- Features (like a keyboard tray, electric motor, etc)
- Functionality (is it easy to put away, adjust the height, etc)
- Design (does it look good?)
These are the main considerations to choose the perfect desk. With a $100 budget it's hard to tick all of the boxes, but here are the best options I found from around the internet:
1. AIZ Mobile Sit-Stand Desk
This dual-layer desk is the complete package. It's mobile with wheels and has a good adjustable height range. It's designed for use in both sitting and standing positions so you don't need to stack it over another desk.
- Height: 27.5-45.3 inches
- Width: 21.6 inches
- Depth: 23.6 inches
- Weight Capacity: 80 lbs
- The only full sit-stand desk on this list
- Ergonomic: dual-levels for your keyboard and screen, both adjustable
- Can replace the desk you have or be a new work area in your house
- Relatively narrow and small dimensions
- Not the best design out there
2. Hanging Window Desk
Catch some nice views while standing over this handmade window-mounted desk. It's not practical for everyone, but if you have a good window to take advantage of this would be a great work station.
- Height: Custom
- Width: 23.5 inches
- Depth: 11.5 inches
- Weight Capacity: Unknown
- Awesome views
- Nothing but good reviews on Etsy
- Can only put it on windows
- Not the most ergonomic since you're looking down at the screen
3. Standing Desk Converter by FDW
Go from sitting to standing in seconds with this elegant, double level standing desk. Its "gas spring" mechanism makes height adjustment smooth and easy and it provides enough room for a monitor, laptop, full-sized keyboard, mouse, and a few extra accessories.
- Height: 5.3-20.5 inches
- Width: 31.5 inches
- Depth: 17.7 inches
- Weight Capacity: 33 lbs
- 4.7 stars out of 2000+ reviews
- Spacious two-tier design
- Very sturdy and made of metal
- Has a multi-function slot for holding phones, tablets, pens, etc
- It's heavy and weighs ~27 lbs
4. Adjustable Wooden Standing Desk
This is a handmade, dual-level standing desk that's also adaptable for sitting positions. It holds up to 70 pounds of weight while remaining stable. It's also lightweight and easy to assemble, making it easy to transfer it from place to place or put away.
- Max Height: 29 inches
- Width: 13 inches
- Depth: 20 inches
- Weight Capacity: 70 lbs
- Strong construction and weighs 10 lbs
- 12 adjustable slots for height
- Old rugged design (not a con for everyone)
5. DIY Cardboard Standing Desk
Would you say yes to a guide that teaches you to build a foldable and affordable desk from scratch? This 10-page guide will lead you to construct a cardboard desk that helps you save space and a few bucks too. BYOC (bring your own cardboard).
- Height: Custom
- Width: Custom
- Depth: Custom
- Wight Capacity: Unknown
- Cheapest option on this list (you can probably even find a free tutorial on YouTube)
- Two levels for your screen and keyboard
- Lowest quality on this list
- Limited weight capacity and stability
- Longevity is questionable
6. The 'AllStand' Desk
If you want a universal desk, one you can use on your bed, desk, kitchen cabinet, and someplace else, this might be the desk you've been looking for. The "AllStand" made by ReadyDesk is a portable and super adaptable desk that can adjust into many different angles.
- Height: 0-16 inches
- Width: 16.5 inches
- Depth: 12 inches
- Weight Capacity: Unknown
- Can be used on your bed, couch as well
- Has multiple angles for books, cookbooks, drawing, a tablet holder and more
- Just two pieces of wood, making it very light and easy to assemble/put away
- You can buy an extra shelf for a keyboard tray
- Limited height and width
- Not ideal for people taller than 6ft
7. CosyFame Standing Desk Converter
The foldable CosyFame Desk can serve a variety of functions: laptop stand, book tray, standing desk. The legs can be adjusted into dozens of angles and positions. It also has built-in USB cooling fans to expel heat and keep your laptop cool.
- Max Height: 18.9 inches
- Width: 16.5 inches
- Depth: 10 inches
- Weight Capacity: 33 lbs
- Good, durable material
- Very light and portable
- Hard to adjust the legs and positions. I just keep it in one position all the time.
- No keyboard tray so you will get uncomfortable after a while