A standing desk changes the way people work revolutionarily. It encourages a different working posture and reduces discomfort in lumbar and neck. However, long hours of standing can be tiring, too. A standing desk chair comes as a perfect solution and proves to be effective in developing a more comfortable and flexible working posture. Read on to learn more about this trend-leading ergonomic chair and check the ten best standing desk chairs on the market we have compiled for you!
How does a standing desk chair work?
A standing desk chair sometimes called a wobbly chair or a perch stool is often used with a standing desk. This combination allows you to work in a standing or leaning position and reduces stress in your neck and lumbar, whereas a standing desk chair serves to support your bottom and allows your leg to stretch out.
Standing desk chairs also encourage dynamic motions with a wobbling seat. You need to engage your legs to keep balance and have more ground support, so no more stiffness and tiredness.
Many standing desk chairs can serve as ordinary office chairs as well. When you want to regain a sitting posture and have a break, it can be adjusted to a regular position.
Two types of standing desk chairs
- Standing desk chair for standing and leaning feature seats with horizontal tilt angles. They don’t wobble so as to give you firm support on your lumbar and bottom when you stand or lean.
- Wobble chairs feature limited or full-on dynamic motions. The seat of a wobble chair moves whether lifted or lowered, requiring constant adjustments for balance. This type of standing desk chair often comes with an articulating base or a wobbling bottom.
Quick comparison: ten best standing desk chairs to improve your posture
| Type | Brand | Product | Price(US$) | Grade |
| The best for standing | Ergo Impact Leanrite Elite | Best Standing Desk Chair for Leaning and Posture | 614 | A |
| The best flexible | Sitmatic | Pogo Standing Desk Stool | 419.99 | A |
| The best with footpad | Focal | Locus Chair | 298.99 | A |
| The best bang for the buck | Vari | Adjustable Standing Desk Chair | 295 | A |
| The best universal | Learniture | Adjustable Height Active Learning Stool | 165.44 | A- |
| The best seat with support | Songmics | Adjustable ergonomic standing stool | 159.99 | A- |
| The best stylish | SUN-FLEX | Ergonomic Height Adjustable Balance Foot Stool | 112.9 | B+ |
| The best for sitting | Seville | Seville Classics | 109.99 | A |
| The best dynamics | Gaiam | Balance Ball Chair Stool | 103.79 | A- |
| The best high-end | Varier | Varier Move Tilting Saddle Stool | 449 | A |
The best for standing
Ergo Impact Lean Rite: Best Standing Desk Chair for Leaning and Posture
This adjustable standing desk chair allows you to tweak its seat to four different positions. You can lean back into it with support on your lumbar, or perch on it with a suitable tilt angle. It also allows for a comfy school height position and a traditional full sitting mode. All these positions can be accessed by a simple step on the pedal and a gentle squeeze on the seat.
To relieve soreness and numbness in your feet, the seat is designed with an anti-fatigue mat. The textured finish is durable to bear years of wear and tear. All these ergonomic features make the standing desk chair a patented product recommended by ergonomists. As it meets the seating durability and stability standards of BIFMA, you can also trust it to stand the test of time. The only downside is the chair needs to be assembled. But it won’t be tough as no handicraft experience is required.
Details:
- Dimensions: 30″D x 18″W x 46.2″H
- Usage: intended for people 5’0’’-6’4’’
- Weight limit: 270 pounds
Pros:
- Four position choices for sitting, leaning, and standing
- BIFMA certificated durability and stability
- A seat with adjustable tilt angle and height
- A durable and anti-liquid finish
- An anti-fatigue mat to relieve tiredness from standing
Cons:
- It costs more than average.
- It doesn’t wobble.
The best flexible
Sitmatic: Pogo Standing Desk Stool
The Pogo chair encourages a unique sitting style. With most chairs, you will sit with a fixed seat. Changes in height and tilt rely on your adjustment. However, the industrial coil spring at the bottom adds more possibility of motion and makes the chair move with you. This sitting style will activate your core muscles and encourage a naturally curved spine.
The build quality is another thing that makes the stool stand out. The soft seat made of elastic foam and polyester offers premium comfort whether you are standing, leaning, or sitting. The base adopts the same material as tires to ensure longevity and compatibility with various types of floor surfaces. The heavy-duty base will keep the stool from sliding and allows people of all sizes to sit steadily.
This chair features a perfect balance between function and aesthetics. Its simple and unique look will add a modern air to your home décor. It is available in a choice of nine different color combinations.
Details:
Dimensions: 14’’Diameter, 26-36’’Height
Pros:
- Made in the USA
- No assembly required
- Comfortable cushioned tilting seat
- Flexibly move with you
- Adjustable seat heights with three options
- Multiple color choices
- Suitable for all weights
Cons:
It doesn’t allow for a traditional sitting posture.
The best with footpad
Focal: Locus Chair
The Focal chair features an integrated footrest to reduce the discomfort of standing and leaning. It has a gentle tilt on the front to alleviate the pressure on your ankles and knees. The footrest is made of hard plywood and holds a maximum weight of 300 pounds. Two casters underneath make the stool easy to move around. When not used, the chair can fold up to save usable space.
Atop the footpad is the seat maneuvered by a handle. It tilts 5 degrees to lighten the weight on your tailbone, leans forward as you move, and swivels for more dynamic movement. You can relax your spine and engage your core in this chair.
Details:
- Dimensions: 45″D x 25.5″W x 41″H
- Usage: intended for people 4’11” to 6’10”
- Weight limit:
Pros:
- An integrated footrest
- Adjustable seat with a range of tilt angle
- Swivel function
Cons:
- It will take up a lot of space in front of your desk.
- It doesn’t allow for a normal sitting position.
The best bang for the buck
Vari: Adjustable Standing Desk Chair
This standing desk chair is the best bang for the buck. With a bearing capacity of 250 pounds, the chair is very sturdy and built to last. Made of durable polypropylene, the wide cushioned seat features a waterfall curve on the edge to reduce pressure on your thighs and improve your blood flow.
This wobble chair also allows for a wide range of motions despite its upright position. The articulating pedestal allows you to lean in all directions without tweaking the seat. The air-lift piston underneath makes it easy and seamless for you to transition from leaning to sitting and adjust the height at any time. To ensure your safety, the sturdy weighted base stays put when you move, and a tilt guard keeps you from tipping over or falling off.
Details:
- Dimensions: 75″D x 17″W x 23″H
- Weight limit:
Pros:
- No assembly required
- Comfortably firm and durable cushion
- Lightweight to move
- Sturdy pedestal
- Sitting and leaning positions available
- A wide range of motions
Cons:
- It doesn’t have a footrest.
The best universal
Learniture: Adjustable Height Active Learning Stool
Learniture is a British brand that crafts a wide range of affordable learning-centric furniture. So, you won’t be surprised to see this active learning stool will fit persons of all years, heights, and sizes. Thanks to its pneumatic gas lift, you can adjust the seat at a suitable height to fully extend your legs whether you are short or tall.
The chair looks like an ordinary chair. But don’t let it fool you. Its flexible curved base allows you to lean in any direction like a wobbly man while staying put as where it should. The seat also swivels at any angle as you wish. Padded with foam and covered with vinyl, it is comfortable to sit in and easy to clean. The finish is also customized in three different colors.
Dimensions: 13″D x 13″W x 28″H
Pros:
- Able to wobble in all directions.
- 360 degrees swivel
- Lightweight to move around
- Suitable for people of all sizes
- Available in three colors
Cons:
- The body of the chair is made of plastic.
- It may move backward on smooth floors.
- The finish of the seat is not breathable.
The best seat with support
SONGMICS: Standing Desk Chair
With an articulating base and a tilting cylinder, this standing desk chair allows you to perch on it and lean forward 15 degrees. You can also swivel for convenient movement. As the seat is upholstered with high-density foam and has a raised rear, it will comfortably support your lower back and tailbone. The two handles beside the seat make it easy to carry around. 5-inch adjustments can be easily accessed with the button underneath the seat. And the base not only stays put and sturdy when you sit but also serves as a footrest to add comfort and support. Its floor-friendly material also ensures that it won’t scratch your wooden floor.
Details:
- Dimensions: 1″D x 16.1″W x 33.3″H
- Weight limit:
Pros:
- A tilting cylinder that allows 15-degree movement forward
- Swivel up to 90 degrees
- Wide thickly padded seat
- An affordable price
Cons:
- Assembly required
The best lightweight
SUN-FLEX: Wobble Chair for Home Office
This stylish wobble chair has an attractive minimalist appearance to add a modern touch to your home office. It is also perfect for an open and active studio as its seat swivels to create an easy and relaxing working atmosphere. You can lean and wobble in the chair to give your core a workout. The base can stay put on the floor and support your foot. With a weight of only 5.5 pounds, the chair is compact, and space-saving, convenient to move around. As the chair can be lifted from 24.5’’ to 27’’, it is recommended for taller and lighter people.
Details
- Dimensions: 8″diameter x (24.5-27)”H
- Weight limit:
Pros:
- Stylish modern design
- Space-saving and lightweight
- 360-degree rotation
- Adjustable height
- Suitable for wobbling and leaning
Cons:
- The adjustment range of the height is quite limited.
- The base is not heavy-duty enough.
- It requires some assembly.
The best for sitting
Seville Classics: 360 Ergonomic Balance Stool
This chair from Seville Classics is perfect for those who wish to try something less aggressive to get used to the wobbling posture. It allows for a full-on swivel plus a minor degree of wobble to work your core and supports you steadily if you prefer to sit still. The seat offers comfortable support with a gentle half-dome design and breathable mesh fabric. Its height is simple to adjust with a circular metal control underneath to fit people tall or short. Due to the sturdy construction of the chair, it can support people weighing up to 250 pounds.
Details:
- Dimensions: 1″ Diameter x (20″ to 28″ H)
- Weight limit:
Pros:
- A small wobbling and tilting angle
- 360-degree rotation
- Breathable half-dome-shaped seat
- Suitable to people of all heights
Cons:
- It requires some assembly.
The best dynamics
Gaiam: Balance Ball Chair Stool
Imagine working on a yoga ball for better productivity and health…This chair from Gaiam combines a yoga ball with a rolling stool creatively. The process of assembly will be funny as well, as you will not only put different parts together but also inflate the domes yourself with an included air pump! The firmness and height of the seat are customized as you wish.
This intriguing design is meant to promote more micro-movements of your core. Like many other products, this chair allows a full swivel and a wide adjustable range of heights. It also comes with five smooth lockable casters for easy mobility and a sturdy metal ring to rest your feet.
The build quality of the chair is on par. With durable anti-burst seat materials and a solid metal frame, the chair can hold a maximum weight of 300 pounds.
Details:
- Dimensions: 19″ Diameter x 33″H
- Weight limit: 300 pounds
Pros:
- It forces you to use your core to stay balanced.
- The seat is customized in firmness and height.
- It is available in two sizes to accommodate people of different heights.
- It has five lockable casters for convenient mobility.
- It has a high weight capacity.
Cons:
- It requires to be reinflated from time to time.
The best high-end
Varier: Move™ Tilting Saddle Stool
Originally designed by a Norwegian designer and crafted in Europe, this tilting stool is a perfect fusion of refined craftsmanship, ergonomic functionality, and elegant style. The chair comes in five fashionable colors to go with your home décor. And it is crafted with plywood, veneer, and solid steel.
Whether you want to sit with a range of motions or stand with adequate support, this rotatable saddle stool meets your requests. The gas lift adjusts from 22’’ to 32.5’’ to enable different postures. The saddle-shaped seat and the curved base encourage you to change your posture from time to time. A rubber piece underneath the base protects your floor when you rock.
Details:
- Dimensions: 1″D x 17.6″W x 9.4″H
- Weight limit: 242 pounds
Pros:
- A full swivel
- Suitable for standing and leaning
- A saddle shape for more dynamic movements
- Adjustable height
- Premium workmanship
- Sturdy construction
Cons:
- It requires some assembly.
- It might put pressure on sensitive areas.
What to look for in a standing desk chair?
Robustness of the base
To activate your core and legs properly a sturdy base is a must-have feature in a standing desk chair. It ensures your dynamic motions in the chair are safe from potential accidents.
Seat comfort
Imagine the discomfort a stiff seat can add when you try to stay balanced with constant motions in the chair. The point of a standing desk chair is for you to use your core and legs more without causing discomfort or distraction. That is why a seat with adequate paddings and a skin-friendly finish matters. It will make sitting on a perch chair more natural and easier to accept on your body.
Suitable seat height
A suitable height is essential as you need your standing desk chair to reach your bottom when you stand or lean back. Even though most perch chairs on the market are adjustable in height, you still might feel the available range is too limited to meet your needs. So, figure out the optimal seat height when you stand and sit and seek the best fit before purchasing.
FAQ
Should I buy a standing desk chair?
If you are on the fence and wondering if a standing desk chair is a good idea, we have concluded some pros and cons based on user reviews for your reference.
Pros
- It breaks the traditional mode of sitting and working with more choices of working postures.
- It engages your core and legs and makes them toned.
- It allows for active sitting and dynamic movements.
Cons
- It may add extra weight to your ankles.
- Standing desk chairs are usually less comfortable than a regular chair to sit in.
- It requires a high working surface, like a standing desk or an architect’s desk.
Can I use it all day long?
We would suggest using a standing desk chair as an accessory to enrich your workstation. It is perfect if you already have a standing desk and like to try something new in addition to standing and sitting. But using it all day long may cause tiredness and soreness in your body. A flexible shift between a standing desk stool and an ordinary chair is strongly recommended.
What choices do I have to improve office ergonomics?
If you are seeking something to go with your standing desk, walking pads or under-desk treadmills are popular choices to engage your full body after long hours of concentrating on your work. As for something for a regular writing table, there are also many compatible dynamic chairs on the market with a shorter height.
Conclusion
A standing desk chair is perfect whether you need something to go with your standing desk or are a fidget person. It frees up your body from the traditional sitting posture and promotes a healthier and more dynamic one. What’s more, it encourages a more flexible and relaxing working environment, making you more interactive and energetic from the body to the heart. As a result, your core will be toned, and your productivity boosted.