Sit Down at Your Standing Desk With One of These High Desk Chairs

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If you work at a mini treadmill, elliptical desk, or just a plain old standing desk workspace, you know that standing still and upright all day is about as bad for you as sitting all day. Well, maybe not as bad—but to get the most out of your standing setup, you need to sit for portions of the day, too.

Some of the most popular standing desks are static, meaning you can’t lower the desk to sitting height—but a standard desk chair won’t work for your standing workspace. The solution: an adjustable desk chair that provides you with a comfortable place to rest throughout the day.

For more great additions to your home office, check out our picks for the best L-shaped computer desks, home office desks, and desk fans.

The Best Standing Desk Chairs

• Best Overall: Laura Davidson Furniture Soho Soft Drafting Chair

• Most Breathable: HYLONE Mesh High-Back Drafting Chair

• Classic Office Chair: Modway Veer Drafting Chair

• Best Upgrade: Steelcase Series 2 Stool

• Best Bargain: Office Star Sculptured Pneumatic Drafting Chair

What to Consider

To give your legs, ankles, and feet a rest at your standing desk, you need an ergonomic, adjustable chair that’s comfortable, extends to heights that suit your setup, and fits in your space when you aren’t using it. Most furniture product listings will state the height of the seat itself when extended to its highest setting. This height should reach to about 4 to 6 inches lower than the desk height to leave enough room for your thighs while you’re sitting.

If you prefer to stay active even while you sit, consider a stool without a back so you can continue to engage your core while you sit. Stools are also a good choice for small spaces since they can fit underneath your standing desk when you aren’t using them. Alternatively, opt for a cushioned chair with a back to let yourself fully rest when sitting, then move the chair aside when it’s time to stand again.

In terms of materials, adjustable chairs are most often made of steel or another more lightweight metal. Make sure you can easily lift and move the chair based on its weight, or pick one with lockable wheels. For the seat itself, we recommend PU leather for shoppers on a budget and cotton or canvas upholstery for ultimate comfort. While there are some very high-quality stools out there made of real leather and solid wood, for instance, it’s best to prioritize size and function when choosing a standing desk.

How We Evaluated

Most standing desk chairs are labeled as drafting chairs or task tools, so we researched both for the best options. We consulted consumer reviews to get some input on the types of chairs people enjoy, and scoured online retailers to find high-quality options that will last a while. We made sure to prioritize decent adjustability, comfortable seats, and ergonomic shapes that suit a standing desk workspace.

Soho Soft Drafting Chair

If you’re looking for a standing desk chair that doesn't sacrifice style, then this drafting chair could be the perfect fit. It comes in seven colors that can match any interior design scheme, and can adjust up to 33 inches in height to fit in with any standing desk setup.

Both the seat cushion and the back are padded for all-day comfort, and the arm rests give you a bit more relief if you need it. The attached footrest is also a great place to cool your heels when you want to kick back, relax, and unwind from standing at your desk all day.

Mesh High-Back 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 armrests 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.

Veer Drafting Chair

While searching for the best chair for your standing desk, you can't go wrong with a classic like this one from Modway. This model is sleek, adjustable, and ergonomic, and will give you some much-needed relief after working and standing all day. With the pull of a lever, the chair can be quickly raised from 21.5 inches to 29.5 inches.

The breathable mesh back, coupled with the lower back lumbar support, is a must-have for those who need additional comfort when they sit down. Better yet, despite this chair's long list of standout features, it will set you back just over $160 at the time of this writing.

Series 2 Stool

Steelcase is known for its ergonomic gaming and office chairs, and interior designers praise its level of customizability. Its Series 2 Stool is a worthy investment if you're looking for office longevity, as each of its parts can be replaced by ordering directly from Steelcase's website. If you're looking for a design that's best for you, you can customize the Series 2 Stool 's frame and seat colors, in addition to adding an optional headrest, adjustable lumbar and arms, and carpet-compatible wheels.

The Series 2 Stool has a highly flexible seat that instantly supports posture changes. The brand recommends this stool for counter and bar-height tables, while its height adjustment and weight capacity are the most generous on this list. Steelcase also has an impressive 12-year warranty that covers part repairs and replacements.

Sculptured Pneumatic Drafting Chair

If you’re looking for a chair for the standing desk in your office, but don’t want to break the bank, then this is a great option. For just over $80, you’ll get an ergonomic and comfortable chair that can be adjusted up to 33 inches to reach the highest of desks. The back height and seat depth of this chair are great for sitting for an extended period of time, and the adjustable footrest provides additional support.

When this chair isn’t in use, you can lower it and store it under your standing desk.

Markece Faux-Leather Drafting Chair

If you're looking for a standing desk chair that's as attractive as it is comfortable, look no further than this padded faux-leather drafting chair from Markece. It is ergonomically designed with a padded backrest and seat cushion for ideal lumbar support; that means that your whole back will feel relief when you sit on it after standing at your desk for hours on end.

And, if you have an extra high desk, the seat on this chair can be raised nearly 36 inches above the chair's base.

Canberk Drafting Chair

Add some flair to your at-home office with this ergonomic chair. It’s available in 17 colors and weighs just 15 pounds, making it easy to move around your space if you choose to redecorate.

This swivel chair can be raised up to almost 31 inches, so if your desk is a bit taller, it’ll work perfectly. And when it’s not in use, it can be easily lowered to store underneath your desk, keeping it out of sight.

Gillam Adjustable Office Chair

Modernists and minimalists alike absolutely need this chair in their office; it’s the perfect balance of style and function, and can fit well in any space. If your perfectly curated standing desk setup is in need of a chair, this one can be raised up to 34 inches. And, if you want it out of sight when it’s not in use, it can be lowered and stored under the desk.

What’s even better about this chair is that it has lumbar support in the back, so it can improve your posture—and keep you comfortable—if you happen to sit in it for a while after standing.

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