10 Best Standing Desk Converters for 2020

We have spent 18 months and 1,000s of hours learning about, testing, comparing and reviewing dozens of different standing desk converters. We currently have over 40 of them in our testing room. We save them so that we can use them as a reference point for any article we write or customer question we might have. I am confident in saying that you will not find a more extensive resource for standing desk converters than The Learning Center at BTOD.com. This is our most current list of the best standing desk converters for 2020.

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Best Standing Desk Converters For 2020

What is a standing desk converter?

A standing desk converter is a product that is placed on top of, or attached to, a desk or table that allows you to stand while working. Some people love their existing desk and don’t want to give it up. Other people may not have enough room for a full standing desk and some may simply want a low-priced option. Standing desk converters open the door for almost anyone to be able to stand while working.

Compare The Best Sit Stand Desk Converters for 2020

Our Top 5 Desktop Converter Picks Video

The Best Standing Desk Converter List

1. Ergotron WorkFit-S Converter – 83/100 Rating



Ergotron WorkFit-S Starting Price: $461.00

Read Full Ergotron WorkFit-S Stand Desk Converter Review >>



WorkFit-S Pros and Cons

Pros: Keyboard lowers below desk

Dual ergonomics

Large range with infinite position lock

Easy counterbalance adjustment

High build quality

Strong Warranty Cons: Keyboard bounce

Long assembly process

Small keyboard space

Poor return policy

Ergotron WorkFit-S Summary

The Ergotron WorkFit-S is the most well rounded standing desk converter I have tested. It is a post mount system with a column that tilts away from you. It features a three tier system and mounts to the front of your desk. The top tier holds your monitor(s) with Vesa mounts. The second tier has space available for you to add an optional work surface. The third tier is a keyboard tray. The entire unit is highly adjustable and features a keyboard tray that can be adjusted to be below your desk. There are no buttons or levers needed for adjustment and they are all very easy to perform due to the counterbalance system used. The WorkFit-S has a really nice build quality and an industry leading warranty. The biggest downfalls with the WorkFit-S will come with the keyboard tray. It has more bounce than most converters and is also fairly small which will limit your keyboard choices.

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2. VertDesk Converter – 82/100 Rating



VertDesk Converter Price: $319.00

Read Full VertDesk Standing Desk Converter Review >>



VertDesk Converter Pros and Cons

Pros: 30 day risk free trial

No assembly required

Great stability

Good build quality

Infinite position lock

Keyboard tray tilt

Easy to adjust

Strong warranty

Grommet mount on monitor platform

Good task and monitor space Cons: Raises minimum height when sitting

Not a good ergonomic option for people over 6’1″

Dual ergonomics requires monitor arm

Small keyboard tray

VertDesk Converter Summary

The VertDesk Converter has a double z shaped base. The build quality is the highest I have seen on a fixed dual platform converter. The unit has two gas lift cylinders that operate smoothly and quietly. There are two handles underneath the monitor platform that you need to hold down in order to allow the platforms to move up and down. Adjusting the unit is easy and you are not limited to a set number of heights because it has infinite position lock. The VertDesk Converter is currently the most stable product we have tested. The platform is large enough to fit dual 24” monitors and it also comes with a standard grommet hole. The downside is that you will need to use a monitor arm to for dual ergonomic functionality. The keyboard tray is also quite small so your keyboard options will be more limited than other some competing models.

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3. OFM 5100 – 81/100 Rating



5100 Converter Price: $388.99

Read Full OFM 5100 Standing Desk Converter Review >>



OFM 5100 Converter Pros and Cons

Pros: Great stability

Easy to use

Strong warranty

Large task space

Large keyboard space

Grommet mount for a monitor arm Cons: Small keyboard tray

No infinite lock position

Dual ergonomics requires monitor arm

Raises minimum keyboard height

OFM 5100 Converter Summary

The OFM 5100 has a double x shaped base with dual fixed platforms. The movement is assisted by a gas cylinder found on each side of the base. The operation is smooth and simple. The movement is straight up and down and requires little physical effort. The 5100 offers 12 different height options with a range that works for people that are just over 6’0”. The best things going for the OFM 5100 are the massive monitor and keyboard platforms. Both are among the largest in the category, which is great for maximizing usable space. You will have no problem using dual 24” monitors with multiple other accessories. This is also a nice choice for people that like to use unconventionally large keyboards or mice. The biggest downsides to the 5100 are ergonomics. The limited range and lack of infinite position lock means that the OFM 5100 won’t work for everyone.

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4. BTOD Duke Vesa – 81/100 Rating



Duke VESA Price: $555.99

Read Full Duke VESA Sit Stand Desk Converter Review >>



Duke VESA Pros and Cons

Pros: Made in USA

Dual ergonomics

Built-In wire management

Very stable at all heights

Easy height adjustment

Large range with infinite position lock

Strong Warranty Cons: Difficult monitor height adjustment

Requires assembly

Close viewing distance

BTOD Duke VESA Summary

The Duke Vesa is another product that tests well in almost every category. The Duke is one of a few products on this list that is American made. It features a vertical extruded aluminum column with a solid steel place. It sits on top of your desk and can be turned or moved if needed. It has Vesa mounted monitors and a separate platform for your keyboard. There is also a raised secondary platform that can be used for additional task space. The height adjustment is assisted with a gas lift and counterbalance system that is easy enough to use with one hand. The Duke Vesa’s keyboard tray has a very slim profile to your desk and features almost 17” of adjustment range. The Duke Vesa is one of the most stable standing desk converters I have tested. The biggest downside with the Duke Vesa is that the monitor height adjustment is a bit difficult to perform.

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5. Innovative Winston – 81/100 Rating



Innovative Winston Price: $642.99

Read Full Innovative Winston Workstation Review >>



Innovative Winston Pros and Cons

Pros: Large Work surface

Holds large monitors

Holds up to 4 monitors

Large range with infinite position lock

Dual ergonomics

Strong Warranty Cons: Difficult monitor height adjustment

Requires assembly

Large increase in minimum keyboard height

Long shipping time

Innovative Winston Summary

The Winston WorkStation features a vertical metal column with heavy duty steel base. The unit sits on top of your desk with the ability to move around your desktop. It has a very large, single platform that is used for your keyboard, mouse and tasking. The unit features a Vesa mounted monitor system with fully adjustable monitors. The Winston is one of the few converters that allows for multiple monitors over 24” and is the only converter I know of that can hold four monitors. The unit features dual ergonomics with a massive adjustment range and infinite position lock on the platform and monitor. The Winston struggles with a couple things. It has a difficult monitor height adjustment process. You will need to loosen a couple screws and then re-tighten them after adjusting the height. It also features a very thick keyboard tray that increases your minimum keyboard tray height by almost 1.5”. This can create an awkward typing position for some people when sitting.

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6. Humanscale QuickStand – 81/100 Rating



Humanscale QuickStand Price: $699.00

Read Full Humanscale Quickstand Converter Review >>



Humanscale QuickStand Pros and Cons

Pros: Attractive design and high build quality

Fully integrated cable management

Easy counterbalance adjustment

Large range with infinite position lock

Dual ergonomics

Strong Warranty Cons: Long shipping time

Lengthy installation process

Keyboard bounce when standing with large platform

Close viewing distance and limited task space with standard platform

Humanscale QuickStand Summary

The Humanscale QuickStand features a vertical column that tilts away from you. The QuickStand comes standard with a clamp mount that attaches to the back of your desk. You can go with a freestanding base for an upcharge. The monitors are attached with Vesa mounts and the unit features a separate platform for typing and tasking. The QuickStand is dual ergonomic with large adjustments ranges. The counterbalance system makes all of the adjustments easy to perform and can be done within seconds. The QuickStand stands out from the crowd because of its sleek design and fully integrated wire management system. The unit has plugs built into the column so you can fully hide your cords from sight. The biggest downside on the QuickStand is going to be the keyboard tray. The standard model is only big enough for a keyboard and mouse and also puts you very close to the monitors. If you want task space or an optimal viewing experience, then you need to upgrade to the large platform.

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7. HealthPostures TaskMate Executive 6100 – 78/100 Rating

TaskMate Executive Price: $850.00

Read Full HealthPosture TaskMate Executive Sit Stand Converter Review >>



TaskMate Executive Pros and Cons

Pros: Keyboard lowers below desk

Dual ergonomics

Large range with infinite position lock

Push button adjustment

Strong Warranty

75 lbs. lifting capacity Cons: High price point

Low quality electronics

Poor stability

Safety concerns

Takes up a lot of space

No wire management

Requires assembly

Awkward Task Space

HealthPostures TaskMate Executive 6100 Summary

The TaskMate Executive is American made and features a single z shaped base that sits on top of your desk. It is powered by a linear actuator and is adjusted by pressing the up or down button on the front of the unit. It has a platform on top for your monitor and a separate keyboard tray that can adjust on its own in several directions. The keyboard is capable of lowering below your normal desk height and the entire unit has infinite position lock.

There are some negatives to consider with the TaskMate Executive. Although it is made in the USA, the unit features Chinese made electronics. These are not only low quality but add to my safety concerns. It has very noticeable keyboard bounce at all heights and also lacks a wire management system, which is something I expected to see on such a high-priced item. The movement pattern is also something to be aware of since the unit pushes you so far away from your desk when it is lowered.

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8. Ergotron WorkFit-A – 77/100 Rating



Ergotron WorkFit-A Price: $495.99

Read Full Ergotron WorkFit-A Desk Converter Review >>



Ergotron WorkFit-A Pros and Cons

Pros: Strong warranty

Good build quality

Great desktop mobility

Easy to adjust

Huge adjustment range

Built-In wire management Cons: Poor stability

Limited task space

Long assembly process

Ergotron WorkFit-A Summary

The WorkFit-A is a high-quality product that operates the same way as a monitor arm. It mounts to the back of your desk with a clamp. At the end of the arm is a Vesa mount for your monitors and a platform for your keyboard tray. You can opt for a small work surface for an upcharge. The WorkFit-A is one of the most adjustable standing desk converters available. It has several points of adjustment and almost all of them are tension controlled with a counterbalance system. The counterbalance makes the product very easy to adjust. The WorkFit-A is a nice option for people that would like to be able to use their existing desktop when needed since the unit can swing out of the way. There are some drawbacks to the WorkFit-A. The unit has very noticeable keyboard bounce and monitor movement. There is also very limited task space for standing height, even when adding the optional platform.

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9. Humanscale QuickStand Eco – 77/100 Rating



QuickStand Eco Price: $399.00

Read Full Humanscale Quickstand Eco Converter Review >>



QuickStand Eco Pros and Cons

Pros: Strong warranty

High build quality

Large adjustment range

Infinite position lock

Easy keyboard platform adjustment

Dual ergonomics Cons: Keyboard bounce

Requires assembly

Difficult monitor height adjustment

Not ergonomic while seated

Humanscale QuickStand Eco Summary

The QuickStand Eco is a more price friendly version of their premium QuickStand product. You still get the strong warranty, high-end build and sleek look that Humanscale is known for, but at a lower price point. It comes in three versions: a tray only for laptop use, single monitor or dual monitor. The monitors are attached to the column with vesa mounts. The Eco features a post and tray design that sits on top of your desk. The counterbalance keyboard tray adjustment is incredibly easy to use and offers infinite-position lock. The Eco comes standard with dual ergonomics and it has a large enough adjustment range for people up to 6’7”. There are some drawbacks to the Eco. It does not have an easy monitor adjustment, like the premium QuickStand. Instead, you will need to remove screws to adjust the height. This unit is also not quite as ergonomic in the seated position because the keyboard design increases the minimum height over an inch.

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10. FlexiSpot ClassicRiser M2 – 76/100 Rating



FlexiSpot M2 Price: $230.49

Read Full FlexiSpot M2 35″ Standing Desk Converter Review >>



FlexiSpot M2 Pros and Cons

Pros: Easy adjustment

Good stability

Huge task space

Large keyboard platform

Grommet mount on monitor platform

Huge color selection Cons: Dual ergonomics requires monitor arm

No infinite position lock

Limited adjustment range

Raises minimum keyboard height

FlexiSpot M2 Summary

The FlexiSpot M2 features a double x shaped base with a gas cylinder on each side. There are handles under each side of the monitor platform that need to be held down in order to adjust the height. The adjustment process requires very little effort and can be done within a couple seconds. The product feels stable at all heights. The biggest thing separating the M2 from its closest competitors is its massive monitor platform and keyboard tray. The platform is large enough to fit dual 24” monitors with plenty of space left over for tasking. The keyboard is also very large, which allows you to use oversized keyboards and mice without feeling restricted. The downsides are that the M2 has a limited range and it lacks infinite position lock. Instead, it has 12 different positions to choose from. It is not going to be adjustable enough to provide an ergonomic experience for everyone.

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Other Standing Desk Converters We Tested

Why trust The Breakroom Blog?

Simply put, we are experts. We have been selling office furniture for 12 years and have seen the standing desk converter market grow from the beginning. We are not a company that is simply dedicated to writing reviews on emerging markets in hopes of making a quick buck. Office furniture is our life and we have gained extensive knowledge about the products within our space. We know what to look for and what to avoid. Our goal is to share this knowledge so that customers are better informed when making their buying decision.

One thing that really separates The Breakroom Blog from almost every other review site is that we bring in all of the products that we review. We do not do forensic reviews or reviews based on what other customers have said about the product. We order the product for ourselves so that we know how it performs. Some of the products we sell on BTOD.com but many of them we do not. Regardless, we have tested every product we have reviewed.

What is our standing desk converter testing process?

Our testing process takes us through the entire customer buying experience. We place an order for the given product. When the item arrives, we document the quality of packaging, check for damage and then perform any required assembly. If we receive a damaged or defective product, then we will reach out to customer service and document how the company handled the situation.

After getting the desktop converter assembled and set-up with monitors, a keyboard, etc., we will begin to use the product while performing our normal office tasks. After using it enough to get a good feel for the product, we will test things like stability and ease of use. We then compare the converter to the other converters in our office. We will also look over the build and design choice so that we can point out any positives or potential flaws with the build quality. Once we feel that we have enough experience and knowledge about the converter, we will begin to write about it. This process allows us to fully experience the product so that we know exactly what a customer should expect if they buy it.

How did we pick the best sit-stand desk converter for 2020?

All of the converters we have reviewed have been given an overall numbered score ranging from 1-100. The score is based on several categories that we chose. The categories below are what we feel to be the most important things to consider when shopping for a standing desk converter. Each category has its own 1-100 rating and each category has the same weight when calculating the overall score. One thing that you will notice with our scoring is that we are very realistic. There is no such thing as a perfect standing desk converter and our scores reflect that. You will not find products with 100/100 ratings here because such a product doesn’t exist. We have yet to find a converter that has scored an 85/100.

Keyboard space

The keyboard space score is designed to show how useful the space will be for your keyboard and mouse. This score will be determined based on size, shape and whether there are any restrictions on your mouse pattern. Things like small space and awkward cut-outs could be a couple of reasons for a lower score.

Ease of Use

This category is used to show how easy the product is to operate. We look at the amount of physical effort required and the number of screws, knobs or levers needed to adjust the product. A product might have a simple keyboard tray adjustment but difficult monitor height adjustment, which would cause a deduction for that product.

Stability

We test the stability of the keyboard and monitor at sitting height and standing height. We also take a look at the overall construction of the unit to see if it has any issues with things like poor locking systems, wiggling platforms or potential risks of tipping.

Ergonomics

The ergonomics score will depend on several factors. We consider things like overall adjustment range, dual ergonomics, infinite position lock and keyboard tray tilt. Products lacking in these factors will have deductions in their ergonomics score.

Task Space

This score is based purely on the usability of the task space provided. Large surfaces with standard shapes will receive the highest scores. There are numerous products that have very large monitor platforms with pronounced cut-outs in the front of the platform. This would be a good example of products that get a deduction in task space because it is not as useful as a standard rectangle.

Build Quality

This score is used to show the level of technology and the quality of the components used. This category is the best indicator for how long we feel a product will last. Products with low-quality metal, platforms or electronics will see deductions to their build quality score.

Warranty

The warranty score is based on the length of coverage and whether or not there are any exclusions. A converter may have a five-year warranty but if the moving parts are only covered for two years, then it will get a lower score than a product with a comprehensive five-year warranty.

Popular Standing Desk Converter Categories

There are now literally hundreds of different sit-stand converter products available. They come in a variety of design choices. While there are no two converters that are exactly alike. We have found that they almost all fall within five major categories: Fixed Dual Platforms, Post & Tray, Floating, Electric and Single Platform & Laptop. There are inherent advantages and disadvantages to be found within each category. I will go over the main differences between these different designs below.

1. Fixed Dual Platforms Converters

The category with the largest number of converters is the fixed dual-platform category. These products feature a monitor platform and a keyboard tray. The keyboard tray will be positioned a few inches below the monitor platform and will remain at that distance during height adjustments. They will have springs or gas lifts to aid in the height adjustment process. The one area that can differ in these products is their base design. All of the models I have tested fall within these four base designs: z shaped, double z shaped, x shaped and double x shaped.

Z shape

A z shaped base features a single arm that lays flat when you lower the converter and raises vertically when you move to standing height. This creates an arcing movement pattern that pushes you away from your desk when sitting and brings you closer to the desk when standing. This design allows the keyboard tray to be at the same level as your desk or lower. This is the only type of fixed dual-platform converter I have found that doesn’t increase your keyboard height when sitting.

Double Z shape

The double z shaped base is one of the most popular bases and it is the base used by the well-known Varidesk Pro Plus. This base has two arms that run from the base to the underside of the monitor platform. This type of design functions in the opposite way of the single z shaped. Your platforms will move out toward you as you raise the unit and the platforms will collapse back on the desk when lowered. Having a double z compared to a single allows for much larger work surfaces to be well supported.

X shape

An x shaped base can best be compared to your typical ironing board. The bottom of the base narrows in order to push the platforms higher and it widens to lower the platforms. The movement pattern on an x shaped base is straight up and down. One difference between x shaped bases and other products is that they will adjust slower when getting to taller heights and they will also take more effort at taller heights.

Double X shape

A double x shaped base has two X shaped metal arms that run from the base to the underside of the work surface. There is an X on each side of the platform which makes the platform well supported. The x shaped base produces a straight up and down movement pattern. Having two X’s compared to one makes the adjustment speed more consistent.

The main selling points for this type of converter are its ease of use and lack of assembly. They have very basic functionality, usually only featuring height adjustment. This makes them simple to use since they are not overly complicated with lots of different adjustments and moving parts. Almost all of these converters arrive ready to go out of the box which makes them an attractive option for people that don’t want to perform assembly.

The largest drawback to the fixed dual platform design is their lack of ergonomics. None of these products are dual ergonomic without the addition of a monitor arm. Almost all of them will raise your keyboard height when sitting and many of them have high monitor platforms when sitting. Very few of these converters have an adjustment range wide enough for people over 6’0” and many of these items are limited to a set number of heights.

2. Post & Tray Converters

With four products scoring 80+, the post & tray category offers some of the highest end standing desk converters. The post with either have a freestanding metal base or it will be mounted to your desk with a clamp or grommet. It will then have a keyboard tray that is attached to the column. Some models have really large keyboard trays so that they can double as task space. Other models offer a different space for tasking on a separate tier. Most models will have Vesa mounting systems but there are a few products that offer an additional platform to use a monitor on a stand.

The biggest advantage to the post & tray products is their ergonomics and adjustability. All of the products shown in this category have dual ergonomics and large adjustment ranges. Most of them have infinite position lock and a couple of them have keyboards that go well below your desk. They each feature numerous adjustments and many are easy enough to adjust with a single hand.

The major drawbacks to products in this category are the price and how imposing they can be. The large column with multiple monitors has a large presence in your office. Some of these models also require that you mount them to your desk, which may be a problem for some people. Most of the products in this category are $500 – $800 which is quite a bit higher than the dual fixed platform converters that are usually priced around $300.

3. Floating Converters

Floating standing desk converters operate the same way as a monitor arm. They just have an attachment for a keyboard tray, along with your monitor. Some models will also give you the option to add a task space to the converter. Most products are mounted to the back of your desk with a clamp mount but there are grommet mount options available as well. The converter is tension adjustable based on the weight of your monitors.

The major attraction to the floating sit-stand converters is their desktop versatility and huge range of adjustment. Having the ability to fully articulate the arm allows you to create an unlimited number of working positions. You can swing the unit away from your desk when you don’t need it, freeing up your normal desk space. You can also easily share your screen with other people in the room since you can easily turn it in any direction. The large adjustment range also makes these products ergonomic for short and tall people.

The downsides to this design are that it lacks stability and task space. Having your monitors and keyboard tray hanging so far away from the point that it is attached to your desk means that it is not going be stable. There is an excessive amount of overall bounce on all of the products in this category. They are all among the least stable standing desk converters tested. The lack of task space is also a problem since most people want to have their most used objects right next to them instead of down on their desk.

4. Electric Standing Desk Converters

Electric standing desk converters are powered by a motor and controlled with the push of a button. The design choices will have the most variation within this category. We have tested electric converters with post & tray designs, dual fixed platforms and even single z shaped. While the designs are typically quite different, they do share very similar upsides and downsides.

The biggest advantage with an electric converter is that it requires no physical effort. You simply press a button and the motor does all the work. This is great for people with an injury, medical condition or low strength. Some electric converters also offer higher weight ratings than the 30 lbs. range we see on most sit stand converters which is attractive for people that want to load their desk with more items.

The major drawback to electric converters is that you don’t really gain much yet you are adding a lot of risk. By adding electronics, you’ve changed something from being simple but functional to something that is complicated with a much higher chance to fail. Almost all electric desktop converters are being sourced with cheap Chinese electronics. This only increases the likelihood that the electronics will fail.

5. Single Platform & Laptop Converters

Products found in this list are going to be the most basic standing desk converters and will often times be among the lowest priced options. Single platform units will most commonly have a single x shaped base and can often times have a custom designed base that doesn’t fall into any of the major categories. These products will typically have a rectangle shaped platform with height adjustment only.

The main attraction to these products is going be their low price point and versatility. Some people don’t want to spend $300+ for a standing desk converter that they use on a limited basis. Having a single platform converter that can fold down and be carried is useful for a lot more applications than just your standard monitor and keyboard set-up. These products are nice for small spaces and many of them fold down to be compact enough to take with you on the go or store away under your desk or in a closet.

The biggest downsides to the single platform & laptop products are their lack of ergonomics and poor build quality. Almost all of them are not usable when sitting because their minimum height is so high. You will need to take most of them off your desk when you want to sit. They also lack dual ergonomics since they have a single platform and have limited height adjustment ranges. These products will typically have lower build qualities with short warranties so the life expectancy will be shorter on products like these.

Additional Standing Desk Resources