Does your work require you to spend long hours sitting in a chair? If so, you should consider a standing desk converter. Naturally, height-adjustable desks are ideal, but they are expensive.
Standing desk converters are an affordable solution to alternate between sitting and standing with your fixed-height desk. In this guide, we reviewed the best sit-stand desk converters available in Australia and discussed the criteria we used to shortlist them. Let’s dive in.
Our Top Picks
Looking for the best standing desk converter in Australia? Here are our top three picks:
Standesk Pro Desk Converter
Best overall standing desk converter with a worksurface area of 90 × 52 cm, height adjustment (10-54cm), and load capacity of 50 kg.
Elevar Maxishift-E Workstation
Best electric sit-stand desk converter with a worksurface area of 90 × 53 cm, height adjustment (16-59.5cm), and a weight capacity of 45 kg.
VIVO 32-Inch Desk Converter
Best budget standing desk converter with a worksurface area of 80 × 40 cm, height adjustment (11.43-50.8cm), and a weight capacity of 14.9 kg.
Top 6 Sit-Stand Desk Converters for Australians
Finding the perfect sit-stand desk converter can be challenging with the numerous options available on the Australian market. So, we did the heavy lifting, researching and compiling a list of the best stand-up desk converters. Here's an in-depth review of each model we shortlisted.
1. Standesk Pro Memory Desk Converter
Best Overall Standing Desk Converter
Height adjustment: 10 - 54 cm
Keyboard tray: 80 × 30 cm
Load capacity: 50 kg
The Standesk Pro Memory Desk Converter is the best standing desk converter on the Australian market. It is an upgrade of the traditional Standesk and a high-end motorised converter. Standesk's Pro Memory converter transforms your normal fixed-height desk into an ergonomic sit-stand desk.
One such feature is its memory function; it can remember three different heights, and with one button press, it will move to the saved height. Unlike some wobbly converters, the Standesk Pro Desk Converter stays stable when adjusting, so you don’t have to worry about your equipment falling over. You can adjust it to any height between 10 and 54 cm.
The electric sit-stand desk converter has an anti-collision feature that ensures the safety of your surrounding items during height adjustments and an automatic sleep or standby function that saves power when not in use. You also get a spacious workspace, a lifting capacity of 50 kg, and a split work surface design to house your keyboard, mouse, and monitor.
The desktop surface is 90 × 52 cm, while the keyboard space measures 80 × 30 cm and is suitable for up to three monitor brackets. While more expensive than most standing desk converters, it leaves little to nothing to complain about. Plus, it comes with a 5-year warranty that makes it worth the investment if you are looking for the best standing desk converter.
Pros
- Very stable
- Load capacity of 50 kg
- 3 height memory function
- Quiet during use
- Large workspace
Cons
- Pricey
2. Ergotron WorkFit TL Workstation
Best Standesk Desk Converter Alternative
Height adjustment: Up to 38 cm
Keyboard tray: 69 × 28 cm
Weight capacity: 4.5 to 18.1 kg
If you want a standing desk converter that's almost as good as the Standesk Pro but more affordable, check out the Ergotron WorkFit TL Workstation. It has hand brake levers and 15 height settings, so you can find the perfect level. It's just as stable as the Standesk and is quiet when adjusting.
Ergotron's Workfit TL desk converter does not sway or tilt while adjusting its height. So you don’t have to worry about your monitors falling. It features a large workspace measuring 95 × 60 cm and can accommodate two monitors, provided they’re 30 inches or under. You also get an integrated cable management system to keep your cables tucked away safely.
Like the Standesk, Ergotron's desk converter is available in black and white colours and comes with a 5-year warranty. On the downside, it has a weight capacity of 18 kg, compared to Standesk's 50 kg.
Pros
- Quiet during use
- 15 height adjustment positions
- Can accommodate two monitors
- No assembly required
- Stable in operation
Cons
- Load capacity of 18 kg
3. Elevar Maxishift-E Electric Workstation
Best Electric Sit Stand Desk Converter
Height adjustment: 16 - 59.5 cm
Keyboard tray: 68 × 26.5 cm
Weight capacity: 45 kg
The Elevar Maxishift-E Electric Sit-Stand Workstation suits single and dual monitor or laptop setups. It features a workspace large enough for extra accessories after setup and is electrically adjustable. You only have to press the up or down buttons to adjust the height from 16.0 to 59.5 cm. However, unlike Standesk Pro, you get no height presets.
Elevar's electric desk converter comes with a 68 × 26.5 cm keyboard tray that moves up together with the upper deck. The tool is excellent for use with a monitor mount. Maxishift-E has the second-highest weight capacity on our list, just 5 kg less than the Standesk Pro.
On purchase, you choose between a single or dual setup. The single setup has an ECO monitor arm that holds up to a 30-inch screen and the Pluto multi-adjust monitor arm that supports a 32-inch monitor screen. For the dual configuration, the dual ECO arm supports two 24-inch screens and a dual Pluto multi-adjust arm that holds two 27-inch screens.
Pros
- Ready to use out of the box
- Great for mounting single or dual monitors
- Built-in cable management
- Ideal for tall users
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- No height presets
4. Ergotron WorkFit Corner Workstation
Best Desk Converter for Corner Desks
Height adjustment: Up to 38.1 cm
Keyboard tray: 91 × 33 cm
Weight capacity: 15.9 kg
If you own a fixed-height corner desk, the Ergotron Workfit Workstation provides a huge 44-inch workspace that seamlessly fits against any 90-degree cube or office corner and adds ergonomic functionality to your workspace. The desk converter is adjustable up to 38.1 cm and can hold a weight capacity of 15.9 kg. It features an X-lift design and offers smooth height adjustment.
Ergotron's Corner Desk Converter has a generous keyboard tray space to accommodate your keyboard and mouse. It also has a user-friendly design; adjusting between sitting and standing only requires the release of the hand-brake levers to position the surface higher or lower.
The Corner Converter comes with a full five-year warranty, giving you peace of mind and confidence in its durability.
Pros
- Spacious
- Suitable for corner desks
- Maximum height of 38.1 cm
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- Pricey
- Load capacity of 15.9 kg
5. Desky Zero Sit Stand Desk Converter
Best for a Single Monitor
Height adjustment: 16 - 44 cm
Keyboard tray: 66 × 21.5 cm
Weight capacity: 13 kg
The Desky Zero is a compact standing desk converter. The versatile and adjustable desk converter offers smooth height adjustment levels and a 59.94 × 39.87 cm worksurface area that safely accommodates a single monitor or laptop. It also features a 66 × 21.50 cm dedicated keyboard tray that holds your keyboard and mouse in an ergonomic position for ease of use.
Desky's Zero adjustable workstation features a high-performing lever-activated lift control mechanism for smooth height adjustment. The wide height adjustment range of 16 to 44 cm allows you to set your preferred height for a smooth transition from sitting to standing. Plus, the lift system operates quietly, ensuring a non-disruptive work environment.
Pros
- Affordable price point
- Ideal setup for compact desktops
- Fewer parts ensure ease of assembly
- Quick and smooth height adjustment
- Sturdy and durable steel design
Cons
- No memory height presets
- Limited weight capacity
6. VIVO 32-inch Standing Desk Converter
Best Budget Desk Converter
Height adjustment: 11.43 - 50.8 cm
Keyboard tray: 79.5 × 30 cm
Weight capacity: 14.9 kg
Vivo's 32-inch standing desk converter is perfect for anyone looking for an option that does not cause a dent in their pocket. It has a spacious 80 × 40 cm workspace that accommodates two monitors. Alongside is a 79.5 × 30 cm keyboard tray that keeps your desk organised so you don’t get scatterbrained from all the surrounding clutter.
It offers an adjustable height range between 4.5 and 20 inches, making it suitable for taller people. The keyboard tray is also removable to make extra room should you need it. Vivo's standing desk converter comes in four different colours: black, white, dark wood, and light wood. The affordable sit-stand desk converter has a 3-year manufacturer warranty.
Pros
- Affordable option
- Adjustable height up to 50 cm
- Available in four colours
- 3-year warranty
Cons
- Load capacity of 14.9 kg
Standing Desk Converter Buying Guide
Four factors informed our decision while researching and compiling the best standing desk converters in Australia. You can use them as a buying guide to decide which desk converter best suits your needs.
1. Usability
The most crucial criterion is the usability of the converter. For any desk converter to rise to the top, it must be usable to the masses. Tall and short people should be able to use it alike. Therefore, we made sure to list only those who fit this criterion.
2. Stability
Spending money on a desk converter, only to have your equipment fall and be damaged, certainly sounds like a nightmare. But you don't have to worry about a thing because all the converters listed here offer decent, if not superb, stability for your workstation.
3. Price
There is no use denying that a higher price offers more features. But getting exceptional functionality at just the right price is always the ideal bet. Our list of the best standing desk converters has models at different price levels.
4. Space
One of the biggest benefits of owning a standing desk converter is that it allows you to declutter your workspace and organise everything around you. That wouldn’t be possible if the workspace was so small and your equipment was cramped.
How to Setup a Sit-Stand Desk Converter?
Standing desk converters are designed to go on top of your existing desk and support your monitors, laptop, keyboard, and mouse, among other things. Get the flexibility and health benefits of standing desks with standing desk converters with our step-by-step setup guide:
Step #1: Find the Right Type and Size
Start by choosing your preferred type of standing desk: manual or motorised designs. Then, select a model with the ideal footprint that will fit on your desktop surface. For example, if your desktop surface measures 90 × 50 cm, the dimensions of the base of your converter should be smaller.
Also, ensure the standing desk converter has the ideal weight limit to support your monitors, keyboard, mouse, and other accessories.
Step #2: Declutter Your Workspace
It’s vital to declutter your workspace to create a standing desk setup that will allow you to focus. Remove any items you don't need from the desktop surface to make enough room to set up your new standing desk converter.
Step #3: Assemble Your Standing Desk Converter
If your standing desk converter requires assembling, use a utility knife to open the package it came with, carefully remove its contents, and place them on a flat surface. Use the included manual to assemble the parts. You can check online for an installation video if there are any.
Step #4: Setup the Assembled Standing Desk Converter
Place the assembled standing desk converter on top of your desktop. Make sure you position it correctly for added stability and safety. Then, adjust the height of the converter to create an ergonomic workstation.
Manual converters usually have an assisted lift system to lift a single or double tier to your preferred stature based on the maximum height. Motorised converters have touch buttons that you can press to raise or lower the tiers to your preferred level, depending on the maximum height limit.
Step #5: Place Your Monitors, Keyboard, and Mouse
Place your monitor in the work area and your keyboard and mouse on the keyboard tray. Most contemporary standing desk converters have a cable management system to reduce clutter.
We recommend tucking the cables inside the cable management tray to keep them out of the way. Alternatively, you can buy an aftermarket solution compatible with your standing desk converter, such as a cable tray, basket, spine, or spiral.
Step #6: Add Ergonomic Accessories
You can add an adjustable monitor stand and an ergonomic keyboard and mouse to your setup. This will make the workstation more ergonomic. Additionally, consider using an anti-fatigue mat to support and cushion your feet.
Switching from sitting to standing can be uncomfortable. So, start slow, alternate between sitting and standing, and be willing to take regular breaks. Likewise, always pay attention to your posture when standing and focus on your feet.
Standing Desk Converters vs. Sit-Stand Desks
A sit-stand desk is a height-adjustable desk that you can raise or lower depending on your needs. This type of desk is uniquely designed to allow you to switch between sitting and standing easily. You can use it to set up a traditional office workspace or a modern standing workstation. Sit-stand desks come in two varieties – manual and electric.
On the other hand, a standing desk converter is a multi-levelled mini desk that goes on top of your existing desk. It’s an excellent option for transforming a regular office table into a standing desk. Similarly, standing desks are available in manual and electric height adjustment options.
Between these two options, it's easier and cheaper if you work with an existing desk to create a standing workstation using a standing desk converter. But, if you want a failproof setup that’s more spacious, stable, and ergonomic, a sit-stand desk would be a better choice.
Benefits of Using Standing Desk Converters
Standing desk converters help alleviate most of the problems caused by prolonged sitting. Here are key benefits you can expect from the use of a standing desk converter:
- Get Active: Standing desk converters help you get active and put an end to the sedentary lifestyle when you stand regularly at your workstation. Standing engages and uses major muscle groups rather than sitting.
- Improves Posture: Using a standing desk converter can naturally improve your posture and protect your neck. It becomes easier for you to keep your spine in a more natural alignment.
- Boosts Energy and Productivity: Incorporating standing into your routine with the help of a standing desk converter can boost your alertness level, focus, and productivity throughout the day.
- Reduces Health Risks: Prolonged sitting can cause heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, among other things. A standing desk converter introduces movements into your workday, helping you reduce health risks associated with inactivity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about standing desk converters.
How much does a standing desk converter cost?
Standing desk converters cost between $190 and $800 in Australia. Usually, the higher-priced models offer exceptional functionality. The best standing desk converters provide excellent performance at a justified price.
What is the best standing desk converter for tall people?
Taller individuals should choose a standing desk converter with a height range of up to 50 cm. An extensive height setting lets you set your desk converter to favourable heights.
Are standing desk converters different from monitor stands?
Standing desk converters have similar use cases as monitor stands. The primary difference between the two is that standing desk converters can carry more loads and offer more horizontal space than monitor stands.
Darren Sherwood
Summary
A standing desk converter has numerous health benefits. They let you alternate between sitting and standing, help burn more calories, avoid weight gain from sitting too long, and boost productivity.
Sitting for long makes you sluggish and is linked to many health problems. Stay active through a standing desk converter to keep your body alert and your mind fresh and improve your productivity.
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