How Much Does a Standing Desk Cost?

Over the past few years (due in large part to the pandemic and increase in work-from-home jobs), standing desks have become more common in modern workspaces.

But how much does a standing desk cost?

The short answer is that a standing desk can be as inexpensive as around $100, or cost closer to $1,000 depending on its features and quality. 

There are now a variety of standing desks available on the market, ranging from basic manually adjustable desks to high-end models that levitate using the help of motion sensors.

Here’s more about how much you can expect to pay for a standing desk and what to consider when choosing the right one for you.

Main Takeaways

• There are several types of standing desks, including electric (the most expensive) , manual, and pneumatic.
• On average, standing desks cost between $300-$800.
• Several factors influence the price of standing desks, including the type, materials, size, and additional features.
• When choosing a standing desk, you must balance the price with quality/features.
• FlexiSpot offers a wide range of quality, yet affordable standing desks. The FlexiSpot E7 is our overall top pick!

Types of Standing Desks

While some standing desks are fixed, most are height adjustable and allow you to stand or sit.

They usually are adjustable using one of these three methods:

Electric

One of the most common types of height-adjustable standing desks is electric standing desks.

These usually operate using a small tab of controls that allow you to raise and lower the desk. Some of these desks come with memory settings that allow you to set your preferred height and switch between the settings at the push of a button.

• Price range: $150 – $3,000 (Most are around $500)

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Manual

The cheaper standing desks are often manual ones.

These use either a crank to raise and lower the desk or have a peg system that allows you to manually raise and lower the desk, locking it into place when you get it to the right height.

Manually adjustable standing desks are great for beginners, people with a smaller budget, or people who are tight on space, as they can come in very small sizes.

• Price range: $90 – $300 (Most are around $150)

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Pneumatic

Lastly, we have pneumatic standing desks. The price of these is comparable to manual standing desks.

These use a gas cylinder to adjust their height that’s powered by a lever that allows you to adjust the height.

These work in the same way as office chairs do, where you push the lever and push down or up to get the right height.

• Price range: $130 – $350 (Most are around $170)

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Factors That Influence the Price of Standing Desks

There are quite a few factors that influence the price of standing desks. Remember, insurance could cover all or part of the costs of standing desks.

A few include:

• Material- Tabletops of standing desks can be made from everything from (inexpensive) particleboard to (pricey) bamboo.
• Size- Larger desks are typically more expensive.
• Weight Capacity- Sturdier desks with higher weight capacities often cost more than ones with a lower weight capacity.
• Finish- Some customizable standing desks offer different washes, stains, and finishes for the tabletop. Certain finishes can raise the price.
• Whether it’s electric, manual, or pneumatic
• Additional features like monitor arms, motion sensors, electrical charging tracks, and more.

Budget-Friendly Standing Desk Options

Luckily, there are plenty of lower-price options available for the standing desk-curious on a budget. You can find a cheap standing desk for everything from $70 to around $500, with $200-ish being the average price for a budget standing desk.

Note that the budget category includes smaller, less convenient options that don’t have all the bells and whistles. You may have to get a desk converter manually adjustable desk or a standing desk that doesn’t give you the option of switching between sitting and standing.

Here are a few budget-friendly options:

1. FlexiSpot E2 Pro– $169

This compact offering from our favorite standing desk manufacturer, FlexiSpot, is our favorite budget-friendly, compact-sized electric adjustable desk.

It’s UL Certified, meaning it comes “with advanced features like overload protection, overheating protection, overcurrent protection, and power outage protection.”

It also offers a wide range of heights you can choose from and remains stable at any of these heights. Even at the top height setting, it doesn’t wobble or shake.

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2. Kliev Standing Desk– $69.99

This super affordable option is manually adjustable and comes on casters, allowing you to roll it around to wherever you want.

It comes with a nifty clip-on cupholder and has a reasonable height range from 27.9 inches to 37.2 inches. The desktop itself is only 23.6 inches by 15.7 inches, which is too small for a large setup but big enough for a laptop while taking up very little space.

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3. Folding Laptop Computer Desk– $99.99

This fixed-height standing desk is a stable option if you don’t need your standing desk to be adjustable. While you can’t adjust it between standing and sitting, it is foldable, so you can stow it away when not in use.

It’s 43” (a little over 3 and a half feet) tall, which is fine for people in the 5’4”-5’10” range, but not customizable for taller or shorter people.

Mid-Range Standing Desks

The mid-range standing desk options are where you’re going to find the sweet spot between advanced features and affordability. Mid-range desks will typically cost between $300 and $800, with most coming in at $500-$600.

At the mid-range, you can get just about everything you want. This price range unlocks more customization options, higher weight capacities, larger height ranges, and generally higher-quality tables. 

Here are some moderately priced options:

1. FlexiSpot E7– $499

Our favorite overall standing desk across all of these price points is the FlexiSpot E7. It comes with plenty of stand color and tabletop material options. For this price, you’ll get memory settings, a height range of up to 50”, and 355 lbs weight capacity. You’ll also get a cable tray to keep everything in order. (Read our FlexiSpot E7 review.)

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2. Vari Standing Desk– $850

Another popular mid-range option is the Vari Standing Desk. While this is on the higher end of the mid-range, they often have deals going on.

This one also comes with memory settings and has 4 attractive reclaimed wood finishes. The height range is between 25” and 50”, making it great for shorter or taller folks. (Read our Vari Desk review.)

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3. Uplift V2 Desk– $678

The Uplift V2 is the most customizable in the mid-price range, with 4 different tabletop size options and 20 different color combinations with different frame colors and tabletop materials and styles.

It also has one of the largest height ranges, suitable for most people 4’11” to 6’5”. It comes with memory settings and has a weight capacity of 355 lbs.

High-End and Premium Standing Desk Models

If you’re a fancy pants looking for a higher-end standing desk, you’ll find some pretty amazing features. These will cost anywhere from $900 to $3,000 (most hovering around the $1,200 range) and come with all of the bells and whistles you could dream of.

If you have the budget, you can enjoy luxurious features like dual-motor systems, monitor mounting gear, and even desktops that light up to music.

Here are some high-end, premium standing desks.

1. FlexiSpot E7 Plus– $899

The FlexiSpot E7 Plus is the brand's premium standing desk. It can support up to 540 lbs, and has a keypad with 4 programmable heights, along with a USB charging port. The E7 Plus is known for its great stability. I tried out the E7 Pro, which isn't as premium as this model, but even the E7 Pro was extremely solid.

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2. SmartDesk Levitate– $999

The SmartDesk Levitate is pretty wild. The biggest, most unique selling feature is the motion sensor that allows you to raise and lower the desk by simply hovering your hand over it. It comes on 4 sleek legs (most other ones come on 2) and the tabletop is either 53” x 29” or 59” by 31.5”. It also has a versatile power track built into the desk itself for easy charging.

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3. Uplift Customizable Desk– $899

The fancy cousin to the V2, the Uplift customizable desk offers a huge range of tabletop and frame options to suit any taste. Aside from aesthetic possibilities, customization options also include variations on the control panel, allowing you to choose a high-tech LCD screen or foot pedal for hands-free operation.

Cost vs. Value – Making the Standing Desk Right Choice

So how do you know how much to spend? The real answer is that it depends.

When you’re trying to figure out how much you need to set aside for a standing desk, consider the long-term benefits as well as what features you need, as well as extras or aesthetics that you want.

A few key items to consider when determining the most valuable option for you include:

• Desktop size and material
• Height range requirements
• Mode of operation (electric vs pneumatic vs. manual)
• Additional features
• Weight capacity
• Aesthetic appeal

If you want a full guide, check out our ultimate standing desk buying guide.

Keep in mind the value that a standing desk offers. Using standing desks, specifically sit-stand adjustable desks, offers health benefits and productivity gains. You could experience less lower and upper back pain, reduced blood pressure for folks with high BP, and even improved mood and increased energy.

Get an Affordable, High-Quality Standing Desk

If you want a trusted brand (that we’ve tried out personally!) that has quality options for every price range, head over to FlexiSpot. Their products are easy to assemble, affordable, and come with great customer service.

A few of our favorite products from this company are:

• Best Budget Option: FlexiSpot E2 Pro– $169, a wide range of heights, 187 lbs capacity, stable at every height, anti-collision technology, compact size perfect for smaller spaces, attractive design.
• Best Desk Converter: FlexiSpot M3 Riser– $350, damage-free desk converter that you can sit on top of your existing desk, 46.9” x 23.2” surface area, load capacity up to 44 lbs, easy to set up. (Review)
• Best Mid-Price Pick: FlexiSpot E7– $499, our personal favorite, mid-price range, capacity up to 355 lbs, easy assembly, attractive design with options, memory settings, stable, dual motor, 15-year warranty. (Review)
• Best Higher-End Pick: FlexiSpot E7 Pro– $599, an upgrade from the original E7, weight capacity up to 440 lbs, max height 50”, extended cable tray and magnetic fabric cable cover, free self-gripping tape, and cable clips, dual motor, 15-year warranty. (Review)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a standing desk cost?

A standing desk can cost anywhere from $70 to $3,000, with most standing desks costing between $300 and $600.

Are standing desks expensive?

While some standing desks are expensive, they don’t have to be. There are many affordable standing desks available for around $100.

What is a reasonable price for a standing desk?

A reasonable price for a standing desk is up to $600.

Is a standing desk worth the price?

Considering the health benefits and versatility, a standing desk is worth the price, especially if you work at a desk all day.