Standing Desks & Treadmill Desks

Call it a desktop workstation, a sit-stand workstation, or a desktop riser, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. Ah, well, let’s step back from that a bit and just say that some of these products are on the rose spectrum while others may be closer to skunk cabbage. As always, caveat emptor, and that’s where we come in and lab test these units to find out what they’re really made of.

If you're looking for a standing desk converter for under $350, you're in the right place. We've compiled a list of the top 18 models across all model types, including Z-Lifts, X-Lifts, Hovers, Post & Base, and Electric—as long as a desk converter is under $350, it qualifies. Of course, included at the bottom of this list are many products we'd never recommend, but at the top, you'll find the overall best value standing desk converters that we've ever set eyes on, and we've set eyes on 100+ over the last 5 years of our extensive research and testing.

Most of the electric stand desk converters use a Post & Base structure, which means they come with a monitor post built-in. No need to purchase a monitor arm separately, and that’s part of what accounts for their higher price--as well as the electric motors of course. (Monitor arms are used to keep your screens at an ergonomically correct position while you sit or stand.)

Call it a desktop workstation, a sit-stand workstation, or a desktop riser, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. Ah, well, let’s step back from that a bit and just say that some of these products are on the rose spectrum while others may be closer to skunk cabbage. As always, caveat emptor, and that’s where we come in and lab test these units to find out what they’re really made of.

On cheaper X-Lifts, you’ll see tiny, inexpensive air pistons that aid little in the lifting process and basically put the burden of lifting on you alone. These will likely break sooner than larger, high quality pistons, and the issue is exacerbated when you’re adding multiple monitors. That’s why it’s so important to choose a unit with strong counterbalance force if you planning to put a lot of weight on your converter. We’ll assess each unit’s counterbalance force in our detailed reviews (as it’s not usually an advertised spec).

No need to buy an extra monitor arm with a Hover. Their design holds your monitor(s) at a proper height for ergonomic viewing. Most models cost extra for a dual monitor setup; it requires a crossbar that runs along the monitor pole. But these devices are very ergonomically adjustable; some provide keyboard tray tilt for proper ergonomic typing at a declined angle, and most also allow easy adjustment for your monitor’s angles--tilting, panning, and rotating with ease.