The Best 10 Standing Desk Chairs of 2024

Best Overall

Laura Davidson Furniture Soho II Padded Drafting Chair

$420 At Amazon $420 At lauradavidsondirect.com

If you are looking for a drafting chair that blends modern design with plush comfort, the Laura Davidson Furniture Soho Soft Drafting Chair boasts a mid-century aesthetic that complements any workspace. Its luxurious faux leather or poly-cotton fabric is available in 10 colors and ensures you'll sit in style. But the Soho Soft isn't just about looks–it’s built for comfort and functionality, too. The three soft pads combine with commercial-grade upholstery to provide extra support, while the tilt-back and swivel seat allow you to find your perfect ergonomic position. The sturdy steel frame supports an impressive 400 pounds, making it one of the strongest chairs we found.

The detachable armrests offer flexibility, and the smooth gas lift lets you reach a seat height of 33 inches, which is perfect for a bar height desk. After standing, relax your legs with the adjustable footrest, and the metal-hood casters allow you to easily move the chair. The Soho II is expensive, but it comes with a two-year warranty on the entire chair and a lifetime warranty on mechanical parts. Plus, the company offers a generous 60-day trial period with free returns and shipping. Assembly is quick and easy with the provided Allen wrench. 

_{Dimensions: 25 x 25 x 39 inches | Material: Vegan leather and steel | Weight Capacity: 400 pounds | Seat Height Adjustment: Adjusts from 25 to 33 inches  | Wheel or Base Type: Caster wheels}

Most Value

Flash Furniture Kelista Mid-Back Mesh Chair

$172 At Amazon $172 At Lowe's $172 At Best Buy

If you’re looking for a drafting chair that delivers ergonomic support without breaking the bank, the Flash Furniture Kelista mid-back drafting chair is a good option. This chair packs a ton of features designed to keep you comfortable and productive at an accessible price point. The curved back provides lumbar support, the ventilated mesh back keeps you cool, and the contoured seat enables equal weight distribution, which aids in providing good hip and lumbar support. The rounded waterfall edge mitigates leg pressure and offers support behind the knees. 

The height-adjustable foot ring keeps your feet flat and stable, and the padded armrests flip up allowing you to get closer to your workspace, encouraging better posture, and making it ideal for drafting or regular desk work. We do wish the armrest padding was thicker, though. Pneumatic height adjustment, a tilt lock mechanism, and tilt lock tension control let you tailor the chair position to your needs, but the hydraulics may break down with regular use. The good news is that replacing them is fairly straightforward. Assembly is required, but we wish the instructions were more clear. The manufacturer only provides images without any directions. Overall, this is a good option if the Laura Davidson chair is out of your price range.     

_{Dimensions: 25.5 x 24.5 x 50.75 inches | Material: Mesh, plastic | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds | Seat Height Adjustment: Adjusts from 23 to 30 inches | Wheel or Base Type: Caster wheels}

Best with Back Support

Herman Miller Aeron Stool

$1,615 At hermanmiller.com

The Aeron stool remains a popular choice for offices for a good reason—it’s durable, extremely supportive, and breathable. This highly adjustable chair comes in two sizes —counter height is for a 36-inch high surface, and bar height, for a 42-inch high surface—and gives you the ability to customize various aspects, including the arms, seat depth, and height, and lumbar support, to fit your body perfectly. The height-adjustable footrest allows for comfortable extended sitting, and the fully adjustable arms allow you to adjust them for height and angle changes. 

The real star of the show is the lumbar support. Eight zones of varying tension relieve pressure points in your back and cradle your body comfortably, and the adjustable pad stabilizes and supports your lumbar spine The chair back also flexes, moving with you as you work, encouraging a more active posture, and reducing muscle fatigue. The breathable mesh backing keeps you cool and comfortable, and it’s durable and easy to clean. 

Weighing in at 70 pounds, this chair is heavy, but that weight keeps it stable. We love that it also arrives fully assembled, so there’s no need to mess around with tools. The box even opens on the side, so you just need to roll the chair out. There’s no getting around the fact that this chair is expensive, but the adjustable features and support are worth the investment. And for peace of mind, it comes with a 12-year warranty that covers everything from electrical components, casters, pneumatic cylinders, tilts, and all moving mechanisms.

_{Dimensions: 45.63 x 27 x 17 inches (for counter height) or 49 x 27 x 17 (for bar height) | Material: Aluminum, recycled plastic | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Seat Height Adjustment: Adjusts from 24.75 to 29.25 inches (for counter height) or 28 to 34.25 inches (for bar height) | Wheel or Base Type: Caster wheels}

Best Rocker

Vari Active Seat

$295 At Amazon View On Vari.com

The Vari Active Seat offers the best of both worlds: comfortable seating and active standing. Whether you prefer sitting upright, rocking gently, or leaning back, this stool effortlessly adapts to your needs. The articulating pedestal allows for 360 degrees of movement and helps keep your core and legs engaged while seated, and the low-back design encourages good posture. The commercial-grade air-lift piston smoothly adjusts your height from 23 to 32.5 inches, so you can sit or lean as you work. The height should be equally suitable for short or tall users. 

This chair boasts a weighted base that stays put during your workday, ensuring stability even while you’re moving. The wide seat offers ample space and firm support, capable of holding up to 250 pounds. Although it’s cushioned, the seat errs on the firmer side, which is less comfortable for extended sitting sessions. A big plus is the fully assembled design — no need to fumble with tools. Additionally, the chair comes with a one-year warranty and a 30-day return policy, giving you peace of mind and the option to return it if it doesn't meet your needs.

_{Dimensions: 13.75 x 17 x 23 inches | Material: Polypropylene frame; faux leather seat | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds | Seat Height Adjustment Range: Adjusts from 23 to 32.5 inches | Wheel or Base Type: Weighted flat base}

Best Height Adjustments

Hylone Drafting Chair

$170 At Amazon

If you’re struggling with back pain at your standing desk, the Hylone Drafting Chair elevates your comfort and productivity. This chair towers over your average office chair, rising to 51.4 inches, via the commercial-grade gas lift, providing better support for those with taller postures and longer legs. The high-back chair offers built-in lumbar support to fit the curve of your spine, and the padded armrests flip up when needed, ensuring your elbows stay neutral and close to your body. Multiple tilt adjustments let you adapt to different tasks and positions seamlessly, and the drafting chair swivels 360 degrees, so you can reach around your desk without strain. The Hylone also boasts a unique height-adjustable footrest, which keeps your feet flat and supported, reducing pressure on the back of your legs. 

This chair can handle up to 285 pounds, and the heavy-duty base provides a solid foundation. As versatile and comfortable as this chair is at both sitting and standing desk heights, there is a slight forward tilt that some users may not like. We also wish the foot support ring was more adjustable, so it was more comfortable for shorter users. 

_{Dimensions: 21.4 x 20.5 x 43.7 inches | Material: Polypropylene, nylon | Weight Capacity: 285 pounds | Seat Height Adjustment: Adjusts from 21.4 to 29.1 inches | Wheel or Base Type: Dual-wheel casters}

Best Swivel

Songmics Standing Desk Chair

$150 At Amazon View On Songmics.com

If you’re not interested in a traditional chair, the Songmics Standing Desk Chair offers the perfect solution. This active-sitting stool boasts a 3-inch thick, high-density foam seat wrapped in stylish black leather for comfort that lasts. Adjust your height effortlessly (from 23.6 inches to 33.3 inches) with the gas cylinder lift controlled by a convenient under-seat button. Two handles aid in height adjustment and act as optional armrests.

We like the swivel on the Songmics stool because it simultaneously tilts in any direction up to 8 degrees, not only promoting active sitting but allowing you to effortlessly move from one task to the next, reducing the strain on your body. When you stand, the chair returns to a 90-degree angle. Plus, the wide, stable base with anti-slip pads protects your floors, and this stool supports up to 265 pounds. Keep in mind that the pneumatic cylinder's spring-back feature might pose a challenge for shorter users getting on and off, and if you’re over 5 feet 7 inches, the stool may not adjust high enough for you. 

_{Dimensions: 16.1 x 10.8 x 23.6 inches | Material: PP (Polypropylene), steel, foam, polyester | Weight Capacity: 264 pounds | Height Adjustment Range: Adjusts from 23.6 to 33.3 inches | Wheel or Base Type: Weighted flat base}

Best Leaning Stool

Uncaged Ergonomics Wobble Stool

$130 At Amazon

The Uncaged Ergonomics Wobble Stool looks like a kid’s play item but it’s a balance chair designed to promote active sitting. This isn't just a tall stool for standing desks; it's a tool for a more comfortable, productive, and engaging workday. Unlike other leaning stools that leave you constantly balancing, the Wobble Stool prioritizes ergonomics. The rounded base, where the stool meets the floor is what provides both the wobble and the stability. It allows you to rock back and tilt, yet the weight allows the stool to return to its upright position. 

This counterbalanced design provides natural stability, allowing you to sit upright and take some pressure off your legs while you rock, and the 360-degree swivel keeps everything in reach. Because the seat is meant for perching, it only measures 13 inches in diameter, which allows your legs to move easily as you tilt, rock, or swivel.

The Wobble Stool adjusts from 24.2 to 34.2 inches high with a push of the button on the bottom of the seat, ensuring a comfortable fit. For added peace of mind, the rubber coating is non-skid and scratch-resistant, gripping surfaces securely, while also protecting floors. It’s worth noting that the cushion is hard, but since this stool isn’t designed for long stretches of sitting, that firmness reminds you to stand up regularly. Assembly is required but it’s easy and tool-free. 

_{Dimensions: 13 x 13 x 24.2 inches | Material: Steel, Polypropylene | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds | Height Adjustment Range: Adjusts from 24.2 to 34.2 inches | Wheel or Base Type: Rounded base}

Best Big & Tall

Bojuzija Tall Office Chair

$100 At Amazon

Choosing the right chair is important no matter your size, but it’s especially important for taller people. That’s why we like the Bojuzija tall office chair. To accommodate larger figures, the seat is 21 inches deep and 18 inches wide, giving ample room to sit, and with its three-point adjustment system, you can customize the seat height, backrest tilt, and footrest position to find your perfect ergonomic posture. However, if you want a chair with a wider seat, we recommend considering our best with back support pick, the Herman Miller Aeron Stool. The Bojuzija chair boasts a supportive back cushion that cradles your spine, a contoured seat cushion that supports your hips, and an adjustable foot ring that reduces thigh pressure. Like more expensive chairs, this features a high-density memory cotton cushion for added comfort. Although this isn’t the tallest chair in the roundup (that would be the Hylone Drafting Chair), it adjusts from 36 inches to 44 inches, accommodating a variety of user heights and desk configurations. It also supports up to 350 pounds. We like the Bojuzija’s sleek, modern design, but we wish white wasn’t the only frame color option.

The noiseless wheels glide smoothly on both carpets and hardwood floors, protecting your surfaces from scratches. For peace of mind, this chair offers a 30-day return policy, a 1-year warranty, and lifetime support for any issues you may encounter. Assembly is required on this chair, but it’s fairly straightforward; however, having a second set of hands will make the process go more smoothly. The foot rail seems to be an issue as well, sliding down over time, and needing frequent readjustments.

_{Dimensions: 20.98 x 17.7 x 36.7 inches | Material: Plastic, Metal, Fabric | Weight Capacity: 350 pounds | Height Adjustment Range: Adjusts from 23.62 to 31.5 inches | Wheel or Base Type: Caster wheels}

Best Armless

Uplift Desk Starling Stool

View On Upliftdesk.com

The Uplift Desk Starling Stool is an ergonomic sit-stand stool that allows you to alternate between sitting and perching, promoting better posture, reducing fatigue, and keeping your body engaged throughout the day. With a 360-degree rotation from the base and a 10-degree tilt, the Starling encourages you to move and shift, keeping you energized and focused as you work. The waterfall seat edge and tilting motion work together to reduce pressure on your legs and engage your core. You can switch easily between sitting and perching with the adjustable height feature that offers 12.5 inches of adjustability, and the lightweight design and ergonomic handle make it easy to carry the stool around the office, while the wide base ensures stability. Assembly is also simple, taking just minutes with no tools required. 

The downside of this option is that the stool doesn’t lower enough for shorter users, and there’s no footrest to use while seated. The fabric seat is available in three color options, including classic gray. Overall, the Starling Stool is a great option for anyone who wants to break up long periods of sitting with comfortable perching and light movement. Its ergonomic design, adjustability, portability, and easy, tool-free assembly make it a valuable addition to any office environment.

_{Dimensions: 23.6 x 15.7 x 15.7 inches | Material: Frame material not listed; fabric seat | Weight Capacity: 297.6 pounds | Seat Height Adjustment: Adjusts from 23.6 to 33.2 inches | Wheel or Base Type: Circular flat base}

Best Portable

Branch Furniture Saddle Chair

$359 At Amazon View On Branchfurniture.com View On Ongoody.com

If you find yourself frequently switching between standing and sitting, Branch’s Saddle Chair may be the alternative seat option for you. The Saddle Chair’s unique contoured seat is designed to naturally align your spine by positioning your knees below your hips (unlike traditional chairs that keep knees parallel to the floor) which opens your hips and engages your core, to promote better posture and eliminate lower back pain commonly associated with traditional chairs. We also appreciate the 1 ½ inches of padding for added comfort. This chair isn’t designed for passive sitting—the design encourages shifts and micromovements to keep your body active and engaged. 

Made from recycled polyester and sustainable birch plywood, this chair is eco-friendly and boasts a minimalist design that blends into any space. The small footprint allows for easy under-desk storage and portability and the adjustable height ensures a comfortable fit for most. It’s worth noting that the unconventional design may take time to get used to, and the lack of back support may not be appropriate for everyone, especially if they require lumbar support. This chair is meant to be used in a specific position so it doesn’t tilt or swivel—you can only adjust the height. 

_{Dimensions: 21.2 x 16.9 x 14.2 inches | Material: Polyester and birch plywood | Weight Capacity: 265 pounds | Seat Height Adjustment: Adjusts from 21.2 to 31.5 inches | Wheel or Base Type: Caster wheels}