Last month Yahoo featured an article “Best Standing Desks of 2023.” The gist of the article was, there is no excuse not to buy a standing desk now, since they are available for ALL demographics and in variety of price ranges. The most inexpensive sit-stand desk (we prefer to use the term “sit-stand desk” because it conveys the desk’s functionality accurately) in this list is priced at $180 – an extremely attractive price point.  And the most expensive one (for gamers) costs $ 500. This is a welcome development because it encourages computer users to switch their fixed height desks to sit-stand desks and fundamentally change the way they work by alternating between sitting and standing.

Desktop height while standing

However, no one is paying attention to the most important piece of specification about a sit-stand desk – the lowest height reached by these desks. Let us explain the what, why and how.

Most sit-stand desks in the market today have desktops that move within a height range of 28” to 47” from the floor. And since most of us place the keyboard and mouse on the desktop, the desktop height effectively becomes our keyboard and typing height. The upper range of 47” works for everyone up to a height of 6’ – which is 85% of men and 99% of women in the US.  And that means the user is following the ergonomic principles of typing – the user types with relaxed shoulders while standing, elbows bent at 90-95 degrees and straight wrists. This is the ideal position to type; it will not lead to aches and pains and resulting problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tingling fingers and tendonitis. 

Desktop height while sitting

But most of these desks lower to a height of 28”, at which only a 5’11” person can type with the ideal typing posture (relaxed shoulders, bent at 90-95 degrees elbows and straight wrists). And considering that the average male height in the US is 5’9” and average female height is 5’4” according to the CDC, these desks do not go low enough for at least half of the US population.

The market is awash with these desks, which find many takers because of the low price point. Sadly, once in use, there is a rude awakening that these desks are not ergonomic in a sitting posture. One ends up typing at a height above one’s ideal height resulting in broken wrists and perched up shoulders. The situation can be repaired by investing in an under desk keyboard tray.  Spending another $100-200 unexpected dollars on an under-desk keyboard tray, however, will evaporate the benefit of an attractive sit-stand desk price. Both scenarios are troubling.

Here is a list of all the desks mentioned in this article and their height range –

Desk	Price $	Adjustable Height Range
Fezibo Standing Desk with Drawer	179.99	27.7″ – 46.6″
Vivo Electric Height Adjustable Corner StandUp Desk	699.99	24.7″ – 50.3″
Eureka Ergonomic 65-inch Electric Height Adjustable Gaming Desk Standing Desk	499.99	29.92″ – 48.43″
SHW Memory Preset Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk	200	28″ – 45″

ErgoDirect recommends that if you are considering buying a sit-stand desk and if your height falls between 5’ to 6’, buy a desk that goes all the way down to 23” as its lowest height. This is especially important if you are a petite person and below 5’4” height.  Please use this workspace planner to determine your ergonomic keyboard height.

ErgoDirect also offers a wide range of price points for sit-stand desks –

Flexispot E7 ProPlus Standing Desk – Height range is 22.8” to 48.4”, Price: $460

Flexispot E8 Oval Shaped Electric Height Adjustable Desk – Height range is 23.6” to 49.2”, Price: $480

WorkRite Fundamentals EX Electric Rectangular 2 Leg Workcenter – Height range is 22.5” to 48.7”, Price: $775.80

Workrite Sierra HX Rectangular Electric Height Adjustable Table – Height range is 22” to 48”, Price: $900.60

And here our under desk keyboard trays that lower the keyboard by 6”, in case you buy commonly available sit-stand desks.

Please fill out our desk finder form if you are in the market for a sit-stand desk. We will customize our recommendations for your height, weight, chair, typing height and working style.