After conducting extensive research, we selected the Flash Furniture Mid-back Ergonomic Drafting Chair as the best standing desk chair and our Top Pick. We liked that this was a chair with four inches of height adjustment that uses a pneumatic gas lift. The ventilated mesh back kept it breathable while still offering built-in lumbar support and a cushioned seat to promote good posture. Plus the flip-up armrests and variety of color choices made this a solid option for a wide range of users.
To create our guide for the best chairs and stools for standing desks, we focused on the following key features: seat height, adjustability, footrest, and materials. Depending on your desk height — and your height — you’ll need to confirm that a seat can adjust within a range that’s still comfortable for you to use it. We also considered options that included a footrest, backrests, and added features like flip-up armrests. And we included a range of materials such as mesh fabric and vinyl because they’re durable and easy to maintain.
Top 10 Best Standing Desk Chairs
#1 Flash Furniture Mid-Back Black Mesh Standing Desk Chair
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: A standing desk chair featuring flip-up padded armrests, seat height adjustment from 17.25 to 20.25 inches, and a breathable combination mesh design.
- Breathable combination design
- Flip-up padded arms
- Seat height adjustment from 17.25 to 20.25”
- Lacks a footrest
A good standing desk chair should give you the freedom to adjust your seat height while still giving you a comfortable and supportive backrest for proper lumbar support. We nominated the Flash Furniture mid-back standing desk chair as our Top Pick because it’s one of the most comfortable office chairs and it comes with a variety of standard features that are intuitive while still being a great affordable option.
A major benefit is the flip-up armrests because it makes it more versatile for a wide range of body types. In case you have back problems, look for the best office chairs for scoliosis victims that can also help to prevent sciatica and muscle strain. Along the same line, this chair can support up to 250 pounds. While the seat adjustment isn’t the highest with just three inches from 17.25 to 20.25 inches, it’s controlled through a pneumatic gas lift. Also, you may want to take a look at some of the best office chairs under $300 that have ergonomic and fully adjustable features. You’ll also appreciate this standing desk chair’s breathable mesh backrest for added comfort. Plus you can choose from a variety of color choices to match your office decor.
#2 Modway Veer Standing Desk Chair Chair
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: A high-quality standing chair with a large height adjustment range of 21.5 to 29.5 inches, flip-up arms, and a breathable mesh for the best drafting chair for a standing desk.
- Available in multiple colors
- Adjust height from 21.5 to 29.5 inches
- Breathable mesh seat back
- Limited lumbar support
If you want a more traditional standing chair, this pick from Modway is a great choice. It’s available in four colors and comes with padded flip-up arms. We like that it offers a wide seat height adjustment of eight inches from 21.5 to 29.5 inches, which is why we think it’s the best drafting chair for standing desks. But you’ll also like that this pick comes with a foot ring so that when it’s fully extended, you have somewhere to rest your feet.
Related: Check our list of the best white office chairs.
The only drawback we saw with this Modway chair is that the lumbar support is limited when compared against other chairs in our guide. But you still get a combination mesh seat with a waterfall edge to protect your legs. And you’ll like that you can use the knob under the seat to adjust the tilt tension and to lock the angle. The Modway Veer is one of the best office chairs on the market.
#3 Seville Classics Airlift 360 Sit-Stand Desk Chair
Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: An ergonomic standing chair with a saddle seat, eight inches of height adjustment, and a 10-degree tilt control in any direction for an active sitting experience that works your core muscles.
Read Full Review: Seville Classics Airlift 360 Sit-Stand Adjustable Ergonomic Active Balance Non-Slip Desk Stool
- Height range from 20” to 28”
- Active sitting chair that leans 10 degrees
- 360-degree rotation
- May not be ideal for shorter people
- Lacks a footrest
If you want to take things a step further than just using a standing desk, then this active sitting stool is going to be ideal. You’ll like the Seville Classics active sitting wobble standing chair because it allows for tilting in addition to a large eight-inch height adjustment range. We also noted that this pick was easy to assemble and can be done without tools too.
While the 20 to 28-inch height adjustment is ideal for use standard height and standing desks, we did note that this height range may be incompatible for shorter people. For a more generous height range, take a peek at the best office stability chair that also comes with non-slip vinyl and a good weight capacity. The 10-degree “wobble” feature on this Airlift 360 is a key component of the active sitting feature that allows you to work your core while you sit. This standing chair features 360-degree rotation but lacks a footrest. We also appreciated that this seat can support up to 250 pounds. And for a chair that distributes weight evenly throughout your lower back and legs, look for the best ergonomic kneeling chair.
#4 Learniture Adjustable Height Active Learning Standing Desk Chair
Award: BEST FOR ALL AGES
WHY WE LIKE IT: A great active learning stool that’s safe for even children to use, with a 10.5-inch height adjustment, which is perfect for use with standing desks and is easy to move.
Read Full Review: Learniture Adjustable-Height Active Learning Stool
- Durable vinyl upholstered foam cushion
- Height adjusts from 18.5 to 28”
- Ideal for use with standing desks
- Seat cushion lacks ventilation
A common complaint with active sitting and standing desk chairs is that they can be hard for shorter people to use. So, we’re including this office chair from Learniture because it’s a wobble stool that can be used by children as young as fifth grade. We like that it features a large 10.5-inch seat height adjustment range from 18.5 to 28 inches. Because of this, it’ll work with traditional and standing desks. You can also choose from three upholstered colors: grey, red, and black.
Adjusting the seat height is easy thanks to the pneumatic gas lifts. If you’re big on aesthetics, you should also take a look at the best office stools that focus on height adjustability, ergonomics, weight capacity, and 360° swivel capability. And thanks to the vinyl upholstery on this standing desk chair, maintenance is easy and you can keep it clean with a damp cloth. You’ll also appreciate the lightweight 3.53-ounce weight so that you can take it anywhere and reposition it as often as you please.
#5 Winsome Spectrum Standing Desk Chair
Award: BEST ON BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: An affordable and sleek standing chair with nine-inch height adjustment, a footrest, and two colors that are perfect for a modern office decor setting.
Read Full Review: Winsome 93129 Spectrum Stool
- Adjusts from 24.8 to 33.1”
- Includes a footrest
- Available in 2 colors
- Lacks true back support
- Lower weight capacity of 200lbs
If your budget won’t allow for one of the standing desk chair splurges in our guide, then you’ll like this alternative from Winsome. While we don’t think it’s a chair you should use for extended periods, it’s a great option for the occasional standing desk user. Part of the reasoning behind our saying this is that this pick — while affordable — offers some of the least cushioning throughout the seat and lacks a backrest.
Still, you’ll like that this pick offers nine inches of height adjustment from 24.8 to 33.1 inches which are controlled by pneumatic gas lift. This chair also comes with a built-in half footrest and can support up to 200 pounds. You can also choose from two colors, black and beige.
#6 Songmics Standing Desk Chair
Award: EASIEST TO USE
WHY WE LIKE IT: An active sitting standing desk chair with a one-touch height adjustment button that allows you to shift between almost 10 inches of height range.
Read Full Review: SONGMICS Standing Desk Chair, Adjustable Standing Stool
- Quick assembly
- One-touch height adjustment button
- 3.1” thick high-density foam
- Not ideal for shorter people
Adjusting the height on a chair can sometimes be a pain — especially if you have to fumble with levers. So, you’ll appreciate the user-friendly appeal of the Songmics standing desk chair. Instead of leaning over and fighting with a lever, there’s a simple single button at the base of the seat. With one push, you can shift between a large 10-inch height adjustment from 24.8 to 34.6 inches.
This is another active sitting chair so you can also enjoy up to 90 degrees of tilt control in any direction. The seat is comfortable with 3.1 inches of high-density foam for added support. For excellent lumbar support, superior quality design, and a massager, take a look at the best massage office chair. Now keep in mind that this Songmics seat is rated for best use by people who are five foot seven inches or taller. Likewise, it’s not recommended to use this chair for more than two to three hours at a time.
#7 Living Essentials Office Wobble Standing Desk Chair
Award: BEST FOR TALLER PEOPLE
WHY WE LIKE IT: An active sitting standing desk chair that’s lightweight with a tilt range of nine to 15 degrees in any direction, and a taller seat height range — making it ideal for taller people.
- Lightweight for easy repositioning
- Adjusts from 27.56 to 37.79”
- Tilt range of 9 to 15 degrees
- Not ideal for shorter people
If you’re tall, you know that finding the right chair can be difficult — especially if you’re looking for a standing desk chair. This pick from Living Essentials is a great option because it has one of the tallest height ranges in our guide. You’ll get just over 10 inches of height adjustment from 27.56 to 37.79 inches. With a minimum height of 27.56 inches, this is truly a standing chair designed for taller people.
Aside from that, keep in mind that this is another active sitting chair so you’ll also enjoy a tilt range from nine to 15 degrees in any direction. The built-in handle and lightweight frame make this a somewhat portable solution — at least for repositioning your chair around the office. This Living Essentials chair is also another user-friendly option that allows for height adjustment with the push of either button located on the underside of the chair. And we like that this chair can support up to 300 pounds.
#8 Boss Office Products Dot Standing Desk Chair
Award: BEST FOR CLASS
WHY WE LIKE IT: An understated standing desk stool with a footrest and six inches of vertical height adjustment that makes this perfect for volume purchases such as for a classroom.
Read Full Review: Boss Office Products DOT Drafting Stool
- Includes a footrest
- Available in 5 colors
- 6” adjustable height range
- Lacks a backrest
Some people prefer a simple chair or stool, which is why we’re including the Boss Office Products desk stool. This understated option still offers essential features such as mobility, height adjustment, and comfort, but is a backless model with 360-degree swivel functionality, and casters.
You’ll like that the seat height can be adjusted from 26.5 to 31 inches, making it ideal for short, average-height, and taller people. We like the simple design that relies on a pneumatic gas lift to adjust the height and the fact that without a backrest, it’ll fit under virtually any desk. The standing chair is available in five colors as well as your choice of vinyl or mesh fabric upholstery which also makes it great for use around the home too. If you’re more of a leather seater and don’t care much for breathability, then consider one of the best executive leather office chairs. And finally, you’ll like that this Boss Office chair comes with a 360-degree foot ring so that you can stay comfortable even at taller heights.
#9 Aeris Muvman Sit and Standing Desk Chair
Award: BEST MULTI-HEIGHT
WHY WE LIKE IT: A convenient sit-stand stool that’s available in two sizes to accommodate more users with a non-slip base for enhanced stability.
- Available in 6 finishes
- Offered in two size ranges
- Non-slip rubber base
- Seat cushioning can go flat prematurely
- Heavier chair at 17.8 pounds
It’s no secret that sit-stand desk chairs can be a little difficult for shorter people to use. So, this Aeris Muvman sit-stand desk chair is a game-changer since you can choose from two sizes. While the standard model can adjust from 20 to 33 inches, the taller version offers a seat height range from 23.5 to 36 inches. So no matter your height, you’ll be able to use the Aeris chair.
As is common, this sit-stand stool uses a pneumatic lift for height adjustment. You’ll also get tilt functionality so that you can safely shift four degrees in any direction with the non-skid seat base. There’s also a great built-in handle so you can easily reposition your chair. However, this is a heavier pick, coming in at 17.75 pounds. You can also choose from six different colors with the upholstered seat.
#10 Modway Thrive Standing Desk Chair
Award: BEST FOR HOME USE
WHY WE LIKE IT: A great standing desk chair with a range of colors that’s perfect for a variety of home decor schemes, a commendable 7.5-inch height adjustment range that features built-in lumbar support, and a foot ring for added comfort.
Read Full Review: Modway Thrive Drafting Chair – Tall Office Chair
- Available in five colors
- Backrest with built-in lumbar support
- Adjusts from 20.5 to 28 inches
- Fixed armrests
Standing desks aren’t just for the office, many people like to use them in their home offices too. The Thrive chair from Modway is a great option for home use because it pairs a wide array of functionality with a decent color range for added customization. This chair can be adjusted from 20.5 to 28 inches which is a solid height range. With 7.5 inches of height adjustment, you can easily use this with traditional and standing desks.
Likewise, we like that this is also one of the few picks that has a true backrest, and that comes with lumbar support. Something we like is that this chair comes with a foot ring, so at the higher positions, you’ll still be able to maintain proper posture. And of course, we like that this is another five-caster option for added mobility. But some people may not like that the armrests aren’t padded and are fixed. For an office chair without casters, check out the best office chair without wheels that come with good recline functionality.
How We Decided
Standing desk chairs are an essential office accessory that you’re going to need if you work at a taller desk or have a standing desk accessory on your current one. To create our guide, we focused on the following key features — seat height, adjustability, footrest, and materials.
While all of the picks in our guide offer seat height adjustment, that height adjustment range can vary widely. At a minimum, we found chairs that offered at least three inches of height adjustment. But more versatile options provided as much as 10 inches of seat height adjustment. But you’ll also want to keep in mind that some height ranges may not be compatible for taller or shorter people.
For adjustability, we did include a few sit-stand stools. These models take the idea of active sitting to the next level with the ability to tilt your stool within a pre-set angle range in any direction. While this model may not be ideal for everyone, you’ll want to decide if working your core as you sit is important to you.
Note that not all standing desk chairs come with a footrest. This is especially true for sit-stand stools where the whole point is that you’re in a semi-standing position for extended periods. But we did include a few chairs and stools that did come with footrests.
And finally, you’ll want to consider the materials. By and large, most of our recommendations featured either mesh or vinyl upholstery — especially in the actual seat. This is ideal because it keeps costs lower but usually is also very breathable and easier to keep clean.
Best Standing Desk Chair Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Factors to Consider
- Seat Height
Standing desks can reach heights that are much taller than traditional desks. So, if you plan on using your standing desk in the extended position for long periods, you need a taller chair. Look for standing chairs that can reach heights within eight to 12 inches below the tallest height your standing desk can reach. But keep in mind that if you’re very tall, you’ll need to find a chair with an extra-tall seat height adjustment range. - Adjustability
Look for chairs that let you adjust your seat angle and the armrests. Sometimes you’ll find seats with flip-up arms which gives you more freedom to move. Look for a seat with ergonomic adjustments so you can customize it to your needs and work comfortably. Other options can include tilt tension or seats where the backrest and seat can be raised and lowered independently. - Foot Rest
A footrest is essential since, in a higher position, a standing chair could leave your feet dangling in the air — which is bad for your body. Left dangling, you’ll put pressure on the nerves in your legs. - Material
Standing chairs can come in a variety of materials. Common options include leather to faux leather, fabric or mesh, and even plastic. Mesh is one of the most popular options because it’s the most breathable.
