Best Chair for Standing Desk – Whether you use a standing desk to promote good posture or increase circulation while you work, it’s natural to want to lean or sit periodically. The best stools for a standing desk provide a place for you to do just that, and generally fall into two categories: stationary stools and active stools that tilt or wobble to encourage movement and core engagement. Which style you choose is a matter of preference, but let’s take a closer look at some features to consider when it comes to choosing a stool for your work setup.
By nature, active or wobble stools have a slightly unstable design that’s meant to encourage movement, whether you choose an option with a rounded bottom that rocks or one with a tilting pedestal attached to a steady base. These designs will keep your body engaged and are generally best for leaning, rather than fully sitting. If you want the option of sitting, a stationary stool is the better choice. It should have a wide, stable base, and a footrest to help reduce strain and pinching at your hips.
Standing chairs are a cool new emerging product category. I really like the idea behind incorporating different seating and standing postures throughout the day. These chairs are a great addition to a standing desk to help alleviate stress and soreness caused by standing for prolonged hours. I do think it is important to limit expectations with standing chairs though. They are not going to be a good replacement for a chair that is used for 8-12 hours a day. The firm seats, lack of armrests and lack of backrests make it very difficult to use standing chairs for more than a couple hours at a time.
I think that these chairs are best suited as a secondary option for people that are sitting or standing for a prolonged period of time. I also think they are great for people that are up and out of their desks a lot. The market is growing rapidly and there are quite a few options to choose from now. Sometimes it can get confusing to sort through all of the options. This list should be a good starting point in your hunt for a new standing chair.
ROUND UP
1.Vari Active Seat
The Vari Active Seat rises considerably higher than most adjustable standing desk chairs that we’ve seen, making it a good choice for tall users. Using the commercial-grade, air lift piston mechanism, the chair can easily adjust in height up to 35 inches.
It also has a wider seat of 17 inches, compared to the Vari Active Seat Basic version, which has a 14-inch seat. The seat is made of foam, which is covered by vinyl. Also, the seat can accommodate up to 250 pounds.
The fully articulating pedestal lets you lean and rock in any direction while standing or sitting. However, it also has a tilt guard to ensure that the seat doesn’t move forward more than 20 degrees.
Features
- Made to Move: A perfect complement to any standing desk, this perch stool promotes good posture and provides a wide range of motion to engage your back, legs, and core while sitting or standing
- Premium Features: Designed with a wide 17" cushioned seat, a durable polypropylene seat pan, and a commercial-grade air-lift piston to stand the test of time
- Fully Flexible: A fully articulating pedestal means you can lean in any direction, with a tilt guard to prevent the seat from articulating forward more than 20 degrees
- Height Adjustable: This fully-assembled computer chair can support up to 250 lb, and features an air-lift piston to easily set the seat height between 25.5" and 35"
- Trustworthy: Every time you buy a Vari product, you get quality, convenience, and a risk-free purchase you can feel good about. With 30-Day Free Returns and a fantastic 1-year warranty, you can be sure you’ll love your product.
2.Adjustable Learning Stool
The most budget-friendly option on the list, Learniture’s standing desk stool has a weighted, curved base that rolls and tilts to keep your body in motion, and a backless design that promotes good posture and core muscle engagement. The stool’s padded seat measures just over 12.5 inches across and can be adjusted between a height of 18.5 inches and 28 inches to accommodate a broad range of users. The wide height adjustment also means it can be used with both conventional and standing desk designs. The sit-stand stool has a weight capacity of 256 pounds and, according to several reviewers, the nonskid rubberized base is textured to prevent sliding on a variety of floor surfaces.
“I have an adjustable standing desk that I love and was looking for a stool to relieve my back occasionally throughout the day. This arrived and was PERFECT! Easy assembly, easy to operate and comfy! It adjusts to standard desk height but I will be using it mostly for standing/leaning/sitting purposes.”
Features
- Easy-to-use pneumatic gas lift adjusts the seat height from 18 1/2 to 28 inches.
- The non-slip, curved base features a wide range of motion.
- Backless design encourages proper posture while strengthening core muscles.
- The 12 5/8"-wide seat is constructed from easy-to-clean vinyl-covered foam.
- Lightweight design for easy mobility and storage.
3.Mesh Ergonomic Drafting Chair
Our pick for the best overall standing desk chair is this one from Hylone. What makes it so great is that all parts of it are adjustable: the height, the foot ring, and the arms can all be customized to suit your personal comfort and needs.
This swivel drafting chair can be raised up to 31.2 inches to reach some of the highest desks, and its footrest can be adjusted to relieve pressure on your legs after you’ve been standing for hours. The padded arm rests add extra comfort if you need to sit back, relax, and unwind after a long day.
If you do happen to catch yourself leaning back in this chair, the mesh material is breathable, so you won’t overheat while taking a break.
Features
- 【Flip-up Arms】Contoured padded arm pads are easy to get cozy, take pressure off your shoulders and neck; Flip up arms design makes your body closer to the desk, ensuring a good sitting posture. Let this ergonomic, high-back drafting chair bring your workday to new heights
- 【Adjustable Foot Ring】This tall swivel drafting chair has a height-adjustable footrest, which is ideal at standing desks, sit-to-stand desks, and bar tables; It also helps you move your feet more often and reduce pressure on the back of your legs
- 【Fully Adjustable】BIFMA-Tested lift and tilt-tension mechanism allows you to adjust height, seat tilt, and tilt tension; Ergonomic designed back and built-in lumbar support fit your body curve well and offer good protection for your spine and waist
- 【Quality Materials】1.The breathable mesh back allows air to circulate, offers cool comfort all day long; 2.Waterfall edge seat relieves pressure and promote blood flow to your legs; 3.Nylon dual-wheel casters offers great stability and mobility
- 【Built for Comfort】Let this ergonomic, high-back drafting chair bring your workday to new heights. We insist on fabulous materials and high-end craftsmanship. Every drafting stool we sell comes with a 1-year guaranteed warranty
4.Office Star Deluxe
If you’re searching for a standing desk with a backrest, well, you might have just stumbled upon one. The Office Star mesh back drafting and standing desk chair is a great option under $100 you’d definitely want to check out.
This standing desk chair offers a breathable screen back and a mesh seat with built-in lumbar support. And while it’s not an upscale model, this standing desk stool does its job well. You can adjust its height from 24.25 to 33.75 inches. Plus, you can also adjust the backrest according to your sitting preferences. This standing desk chair is a great starting point if you have never used these types of chairs before.
While this standing desk chair features a foot ring, it might move back if you put any weight on it after adjusting.
Features
- Breathable Screen Back and Mesh Seat with Built-in Lumbar Support
- Pneumatic Height Adjustment 24.25 inch to 33.75 inch
- Back Adjustment
- Adjustable Footrest
- Heavy Duty Nylon Base with Dual Wheel Carpet Casters
5.LeanRite Standing Chair
If you don’t want to sacrifice comfort and are ready to spend more on a high-quality modern standing desk chair, the LeanRite elite ergonomic standing desk stool will exceed your expectations.
The LeanRite standing desk chair is more expensive than the rest of the options on this list, but it’s definitely worth it. This multi-award-winning standing chair has a sturdy construction and features an anti-fatigue mat that provides a comfy, stable work-base.
It also offers a wide variety of posture supporting positions from leaning to sitting and standing. And if you’re curious, this standing desk stool was tested and recommended by an orthopedic surgeon and Doctor of Physical Therapy.
However, since this standing chair has a pretty sophisticated construction, you might find it too bulky to move around often.
Features
- Maximum Comfort: Dynamic Height & Seat Positioning. High quality air-spring cylinders allow for a range of height adjustment. Featuring soft tilt seat; reducing “rear numbness” caused by pressure points.
- Smooth Operation: Move easily from one position to the next. Urethane performance wheels, allow for smooth movement around the office.
- Solid Construction: High quality aluminum provides steady support w/ easy movement by minimizing weight. 30” long anti-fatigue platform provides a stable work base.
- Professionally Developed & approved in cooperation with an Orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist. (UL) tested Compliant with BIFMA Seating Durability and Stability Standards
- Includes Shiatsu Heated Lumbar Massager deep penetrating back massage for relaxing pain relief
6.Hylone Drafting Chair
If you’re looking for a standing desk stool that you’d also like to use as a regular chair from time to time, the Hylone standing desk chair is your perfect match. This high-back drafting chair can bring your workday to new heights.
This tall standing desk chair offers a breathable mesh back, padded flip-up arms, and adjustable foot ring. The chair also allows you to adjust the height, seat tilt, and tilt tension.
This ergonomic standing desk chair is designed with built-in lumbar support to fit your body curve well and provide reasonable protection for your spine and waist. It’s perfect for standing desks, sit-to-stand desks, and bar tables if you ever wish to use it for that purpose.
The only challenge you might encounter with this standing desk stool is when you try to assemble it.
Features
- 【Flip-up Arms】Flip up arms makes your body closer to the desk, ensuring a good sitting posture; 90 degree vertically rotating armrests take pressure off your shoulders and neck
- 【Adjustable Foot Ring】This tall drafting chair has a height-adjustable footrest, which is ideal for standing desks, sit-to-stand desks, and bar tables; Sturdy chrome-plated steel foot ring also helps to enhance posture
- 【Fully Adjustable】BIFMA-Tested extra tall gas lift and tilt-tension mechanism allows you to adjust height, seat tilt, and tilt tension; Ergonomic designed back and built-in lumbar support fit your body curve well and offer good protection for your spine and waist
- 【Quality Materials】1.The breathable mesh back allows air to circulate, offers cool comfort all day long; 2.Waterfall edge seat relieves pressure and promote blood flow to your legs; 3.Nylon dual-wheel casters ensures easy gliding over carpeted surface
- 【Built for Comfort】Rethink the way you go about tackling the day with the advance tall drafting chair in mesh. We insist on fabulous materials and high-end craftsmanship. Every drafting stool we sell comes with a 1-year guaranteed warranty
WRAP UP
Best Chair for Standing Desk – As working from home has become the norm for many people over the past two years, many folks have found themselves eager to create workspaces that go beyond a standard desk setup. Some have added a mini treadmill or elliptical to their workspace to allow them to work while working out, while others have opted for a standing desk to avoid getting stuck in a chair all day.
If the latter applies to you, you might be in need of a chair that gives your legs a break from standing from time to time—but a standard desk chair won’t work for your setup. The solution: an adjustable desk chair that provides you a comfortable place to rest throughout the day.
This has also extended into the workplace. People are learning that sitting for prolonged periods of time can be detrimental to your health. This has caused an explosion in the standing desk category. Everyone from fortune 500 companies to home office users are buying standing desks.