Best Standing Desks in Canada

For years, we’ve tested and reviewed a variety of home products. When we approached standing desks in Canada, we jumped in with both feet. We thoroughly evaluated every desk on our recommended list (and many more that didn’t make the cut). Our team of amazing testers went the extra mile to use these desks for weeks and sent us a lot of detail-oriented feedback. Between that feedback and comprehensive lab testing, we were able to arrive at the list of recommendations you see above. Here are some of the different performance categories we evaluated.

• Type. What type of desk is it? There are a few different types of standing desks, including converters and full desks. We evaluated how effective each desk was based on the type of desk it is. We tried to offer a wide variety of effective desks of each type.
• Lift Type. While you can adjust some standing desks manually, there are also a variety of electric lift types on the market. We looked at each type of lift and worked to find the best each type.
• Weight Limits. Some setups are naturally heavier, especially setups with multiple monitors and other essential accessories. We tried to find options that work for all types of setups, including setups that include laptops as well as those with two or three monitors.
• Programmable Heights. Some electric desks allow you to program different height settings and remember them, allowing you to change the height with the press of a single button. We went for desks that offered standard height options, but we considered options with more memory settings (and some that have none at all).

Benefits of Using a Standing Desk

There are many different benefits to using a standing desk, particularly if you often work for long hours in your office or at home. Do you often find yourself with aches after a long day of sitting at your desk? A standing desk can fix that! Here are just some of the benefits that you might experience when you use an ergonomic standing desk.

• Productivity boost. Workers that often switch between standing and sitting positions are a lot more productive than those who sit all of the time.
• Reduced caffeine. Do you often find yourself going for lots of coffee and other caffeinated beverages during the day? Standing desks may be able to reduce your caffeine intake. The standing position helps wake you up, so you may feel like you need less coffee.
• Improved focus. The movement associated with standing and sitting may help improve your focus. This makes you a better employee, but it can also help in other aspects of your life.
• Increased energy. Standing can help improve your circulation, bring more oxygen to all parts of your body, and more. When your blood is circulating better, it’s easier to be awake and alert. You might have more energy as a result!
• Less stress. Sitting for more than six hours a day can improve stress levels, so a standing desk is a perfect solution to those workday blues.
• Better sleep. Standing helps expend more energy, and the act of sitting or standing can help. When you use more energy during the day, you might find that you sleep better – which can, in turn, make you more awake, alert, productive, and energized the next day.

A standing desk can help improve your quality of life, especially for those who are in the office for 8 or more hours a day most of the week. Though these results are not unanimous, these are just some of the things that can change your workday if you decide to start using a standing desk.

Standing Desk Posture

To get all of the benefits associated with a standing desk, you first have to know the right posture for standing at your desk. First, you’ll want to make sure that you have some sort of mat below your feet. Wear supportive shoes (and not heels, if you have a choice!). When you adjust the desk, the monitor should be a good distance from your face. It should be tall enough to be at eye level, which can be accomplished with a monitor arm if required.

As for your keyboard, it’s always best to make sure that it sits at elbow level. Your arms should extend naturally from your elbows, making it more comfortable to stand and type. Your spine should be curved, too – avoid standing too straight or locking your knees.

When you use the right standing posture, you can help reduce stress on your body, particularly if you aren’t used to it.

Choosing a Standing Desk: Basics

Before you can choose the right standing desk for your home or office, you should understand a few of the basic options available to you.

Type of Standing Desk

There are a couple of different types of standing desks. Choose the one that works best for your setup.

• Complete desks. Complete desks are one of the most common types of standing desks. This type of desk includes all of the components you need for a complete desk, including the frame, tabletop, and other accessories. Complete desks are usually sit-stand desks, but there are other types of sit-stand desks as well. These options are usually more expensive, but most are large enough to hold multiple-monitor setups.
• Sit-stand desks. A sit-stand desk easily transitions between a sitting position and a standing one. Most standing desks fit this description, but some options don’t adjust to a sitting position. In fact, some risers don’t work for sitting users, either. A sit-stand desk, regardless of the type, works in both positions and easily moves between them.
• Risers/Converters. A riser or converter sits on the tabletop that you already have. These converters are less expensive, and they take your current desk to the next level – literally. Risers may not work for sitting positions, especially those that already start with a lift. However, they can be more convenient if you don’t want to completely change your desk. Most risers use manual adjustment but have a wide range of adjustment heights as a result.

Lift Type

The type of lift that a desk uses determines how easy it is to move, but it can also weigh heavily on your decision. Here are your options.

• Manual or Manual Pneumatic. Manual adjustment uses pneumatic tubes to help you raise and lower the height of the desk. Usually, it’s only risers that offer manual adjustment. You can easily move the riser to a variety of different positions (usually unlimited), making it best for Canadians with unique needs and with no problem putting in a little work. Manual adjustment styles are the least expensive, too.
• Crank. Crank adjustment isn’t as common as pneumatic manual options, but it’s more commonly found in complete desks rather than risers. The crank slowly moves the tabletop up to your desired height, but you have to turn the handle to get the desk to move. The crank adjustment offers a wider variety of adjustment heights.
• Electric. Electric adjustment uses a motor (sometimes two) to move the top of the desk up and down as you need it. The control panel controls the height you can choose, and most offer memory options to store your preferred heights easily. With a press of a button, your desk will automatically adjust to the memory setting you choose.

Weight Limit

Your adjustable desk’s weight limit is important to consider. Everything you put on the top of the desk will count against this weight limit. Each monitor that you use with your computer adds weight to your desktop.

A higher weight limit is obviously better, especially if you use multiple monitors, have heavy speakers, or need more flexibility. You shouldn’t stack your standing desk to its weight limit, though. When you lean on the desk (or even as you type normally), you are adding weight to the surface. If you put too much on your standing desk (regardless of the type), you may damage the mechanisms or other parts of the desk.

Materials

What is the desk made of? The materials can tell you a lot about how sturdy the desk is and how it will hold up. You’ll always want to find desks with a sturdy steel frame, though heavier metals are best if you can find them.

For tabletops, you’ll usually find either plastic (for some risers), laminated wood, real wood, or veneers. Though you can choose the option that you like best, it’s important to note that laminated wood and veneers are water-resistant. If you often have drinks at your desk, you might want to choose these options. Real wood tops are more expensive, but they are also heavier. Having a real wood top can decrease the amount of weight you can add to the top of the desk yourself.

As always, look into what the desk is made of so you can make an informed decision about which option works best.

Height

How tall is the desk? How tall can it adjust to? While the height of the desk is less important when it comes to complete desks, it’s still good to know where you’re starting. Most desks list the minimum and maximum adjustable height, so make sure to check it out to ensure that you can get the most out of your desk.

Some desks also include information about users’ ideal heights, which can be important. If you are shorter than 5’4” or taller than 6’, always make sure to check the ideal height and adjustable heights. It’s important to choose one that is suited for your height, especially if you fall outside of these parameters.

Desk Size

The size of the desk itself is also important. Standard adjustable desks are usually about 55” wide, but others vary. Consider the space you need for your setup. If you only need room for your laptop or a single monitor and keyboard, a smaller size can be better. However, larger sizes are usually available for more involved setups, more than one monitor, or additional room for accessories.

Also, consider the type of adjustable desk. Complete desks should be large enough for everything you need. Risers don’t have to be large at all – just large enough to hold your monitor and keyboard.

Choosing a Standing Desk: Special Features

Before making your final decision, here are a few special features to keep an eye out for.

Memory Presets

Electric desks often have memory presets. These options allow you to assign your preferred heights so you can easily move the desk back into the perfect position. Most desks with memory functions have 2 different options to set (one for sitting and one for standing). Some desks can have up to four memory presets.

Monitor Arm

Worried about your monitors being too close to your face, or not being at the right height if your keyboard is in its proper position? That’s where a monitor arm comes in. Some standing desks come with a built-in monitor arm that allows you to hang a single monitor. Move it where you need it, find the right height for your monitor, and become more comfortable while working.

Wire Management

The best adjustable desks in Canada offer grommets and other methods for controlling your wires. Other options include wire management boxes, shelves, or baskets attached to the underside of your desk. If your setup has a lot of pesky cables, consider choosing a desk with proper cable management options.

Adjustment Speed and Noise Level

Adjusting your desk can seem like it might be disruptive to your office environment. Consider the adjustment speed available with your desk, as well as how loud the motor is (if it adjusts via electricity). A faster speed with a lower noise level is always better, so look for options that seem manageable wherever you’re using your standing desk.