Many people enjoy working at a standing desk during the day, but if you ever want to take a load off, you need a special chair to accommodate the extra height of your work space. The best standing desk chairs extend to a much taller height than standard office chairs, allowing you to comfortably use them with higher desks. Our top pick is the Flash Furniture Waylon Office Chair, a highly adjustable option that extends up to 32 inches.
Standing desk chairs come in two main styles: drafting chairs, which are taller versions of regular office chairs, and stools, which offer a place to rest but no back support. No matter which option you choose, you want to be sure the chair is tall enough to use with your preferred desk height and that it has ergonomic features to support your body throughout the work day. With these considerations in mind, we’ve rounded up the best standing desk chairs to use with your standing desk.
Best Standing Desk Chair Overall: Flash Furniture Waylon Office Chair
Best Affordable Standing Desk Chair: Boss Office Products Drafting Chair
Best Standing Desk Stool: Vari Active Seat
Best Standing Desk Chair With Back Support: Felixking Drafting Chair
Best Adjustable Standing Desk Chair: Herman Miller Aeron Stool
Best Standing Desk Chair For Big & Tall People: Steelcase Series 1 Stool
Most Versatile Standing Desk Chair: HÅG Capisco Chair
Most Stylish Standing Desk Chair: Laura Davidson Soho II Drafting Chair
Best Standing Desk Chair Overall
An Ergonomic Option That’s Easy To Adjust
Style: Drafting chair | Weight: 44.3 pounds | Seat height range: 24.5–32 inches | Weight limit: 300 pounds
Pros:
- Several adjustable features for improved ergonomics
- Mesh seat and back for breathability
- Multiple colors available
Cons:
- Lack of padding may be uncomfortable for long periods of sitting
The Flash Furniture Waylon Office Chair is a taller version of a standard office chair, and its seat adjusts between 24.5 and 32 inches, allowing you to comfortably sit at most standing desks. This chair has a supportive seat and back with lumbar support, and it offers several areas of adjustability, including a height-adjustable foot ring, tilt tension adjustment and retractable armrests.
This standing desk chair comes in four color options to match your office style, and its mesh fabric is breathable enough to use in warm weather. It has a waterfall seat to reduce pressure on the back of your legs while sitting, and all the tools needed for assembly are included with the chair.
Best Affordable Standing Desk Chair
A Basic Padded Chair With A Footrest
Style: Drafting chair | Weight: 32 pounds | Seat height range: 25.5–30.5 inches | Weight limit: 275 pounds
Pros:
- Affordable price point
- Multiple arm styles
- Comfortable padded seat and back
Cons:
- Doesn’t go as high as other chairs
- Limited adjustability
If you don’t want to spend too much on a standing desk chair, the Boss Drafting chair is a budget-friendly option that extends to a maximum seat height of 30.5 inches. It has a padded seat and back that are covered in black tweed fabric, and there’s a fixed-height foot ring for added support while you’re working. There are multiple arm styles to choose from, including height-adjustable arms, no arms and loop arms, but keep in mind that the loop arm option doesn’t have adjustable features, so it’s best for short periods of sitting during the day.
Best Standing Desk Stool
An Adjustable Stool That Lets You Lean
Style: Leaning stool | Weight: 23.8 pounds | Seat height range: 23–32.5 inches | Weight limit: 250 pounds
Pros:
- Promotes better posture
- Articulating pedestal is comfortable for leaning
- Padded foam seat
Cons:
- No back support
The Vari Active Seat is a stool designed specifically for use at standing desks—it offers a way to rest your feet while still reaping the benefits of an upright position. Its seat extends to a maximum height of 32.5 inches, and you can either sit on the padded seat or use its unique articulating design to lean against. This takes some of the pressure off your feet while still engaging your core muscles and promoting good posture. The stool can tilt forward up to 20 degrees, and while it doesn’t have caster wheels like most office chairs, it’s lightweight enough to move around easily.
Best Standing Desk Chair With Back Support
A Drafting Chair With Adjustable Lumbar Support
Style: Drafting chair | Weight: 24 pounds | Seat height range: 22.4–30.3 inches | Weight limit: 300 pounds
Pros:
- Adjustable lumbar support and foot ring
- Padded seat for comfort
- Available in several colors
Cons:
- No tilting feature
If you’re looking for a chair that provides back support for long days at the office, the Felixking Drafting chair has an adjustable lumbar support pad. The padded design relieves pressure on your lower back while you sit, and you can move it up or down to suit your frame.
This drafting chair is available in several colors, including a few bright hues like pink and green, and it extends to a max height of just over 30 inches. It’s available with or without a foot ring, but if you choose the foot ring you can adjust the height to rest your legs comfortably, and its arms also tilt upwards and out of the way, if needed.
Best Adjustable Standing Desk Chair
A Splurge-Worthy Chair Known For Its Ergonomics
Style: Drafting chair | Weight: 70 pounds | Seat height range: 28–34.5 inches | Weight limit: 300 pounds
Pros:
- Highly customizable design
- Several adjustable features
- Extra-tall maximum seat height
- 12-year warranty
Cons:
- Much more expensive than other options
A high-quality office chair is a worthwhile investment if you spend long hours in the office, and the Herman Miller Aeron Stool is a taller version of the brand’s popular ergonomic office chair. You’d be hard pressed to find a chair that’s more adjustable—in addition to its height, you can change the armrest position, seat tilt and back support, and when you design your chair, you’re also able to change features like the arm pad and caster styles for maximum customization.
This high-end office chair is made from 50% recycled materials, and its back and seat are breathable for warm days. It has a wide 20-inch seat for added comfort, and the foot ring is wider than other chairs, as well, to offer more support and reduce pressure on your feet.
Best Standing Desk Chair For Big & Tall People
A Durable Option With A Higher Weight Limit
Steelcase Series 1 Stool
Style: Drafting chair | Weight: 45.5 pounds | Seat height range: 23–30.8 inches | Weight limit: 400 pounds
Pros:
- Higher-than-average weight limit
- “Boost” tension setting for heavier individuals
- Wide range of upholstery options
- 12-year warranty
Cons:
- Seat is only 19 inches wide
For taller or heavier individuals, the Steelcase Series 1 Stool has a durable design that can accommodate up to 400 pounds, and it even has a special “boost” tension setting that offers additional resistance when you sit down. This stool has a max height just under 31 inches, making it well-suited for most standing desks, and there are more than a dozen upholstery colors to choose from, allowing you to customize your design.
In terms of ergonomics, this office chair has several adjustable features. Its lumbar support pad can be raised or lowered to suit your frame, and you can adjust its recline range, too. Plus, when customizing the chair, you can opt for four-way adjustable arms, allowing you to change their height, width, angle and depth for a more comfortable fit.
Most Versatile Standing Desk Chair
A Saddle-Style Pick For Maximum Adaptability
Style: Saddle chair | Weight: 30.9 pounds | Seat height range: 22.4–31.9 inches | Weight limit: 300 pounds
Pros:
- Supports multiple sitting positions
- Made from recycled materials
- 10-year guarantee
Cons:
- High restocking fee on returns
- More expensive than other options
The HÅG Capisco has a unique saddle-shaped design that lets you sit comfortably in multiple positions. Thanks to the cutouts on its back, you can use the chair to sit sideways or even straddle it, making it a versatile choice. It can also extend to just under 32 inches in height, allowing you to sit at your standing desk comfortably.
This chair comes with several adjustment features, including a seat slider, height-adjustable back, two-position back lock and tension adjustment, and there’s a foot ring for resting your feet, as well. The design comes in four upholstery colors, and it’s made from 50% recycled materials.
Most Stylish Standing Desk Chair
A Sleek, Handsome Option To Spruce Up Your Office
Style: Drafting chair | Weight: 50 pounds | Seat height range: 24.5–33 inches | Weight limit: 400 pounds
Pros:
- Available in a wide range of colors
- Luxe faux leather upholstery and fabric options available
- High weight capacity
Cons:
- No adjustable features
The Laura Davidson Soho II Drafting Chair is a stylish option to pair with your standing desk. The sleek design comes in more than a dozen upholstery options, including several luxe faux leather finishes that will elevate your office. It has thick padding on the back and seat as well, keeping you comfortable as you work.
This drafting chair has fixed arms, a height-adjustable foot ring, and an attractive chrome-plated finish. It can extend to a maximum seat height of 33 inches, and it also has a higher weight capacity than many other chairs, supporting up to 400 pounds.
MORE FROMFORBES VETTED
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted team has published dozens of articles on creating a comfortable and productive home office, using our own experiences working from home to guide our research.
- We’ve tested dozens of products for your home office, including the best office chairs, standing desks and standing desk converters.
- The Forbes Vetted home and kitchen team is run by three expert editors: deputy editor Rebekah Lowin, senior editor Amanda Arnold and editor Sholeen Damarwala.
- The author of this piece, Camryn Rabideau, is a regular contributor with extensive experience covering home and lifestyle topics.
- For expert insights on standing desk chairs, we tapped interior designer Anna Dockery, director of design at Dyer Brown & Associates, an architecture and design firm that specializes in office spaces.
How We Chose The Best Standing Desk Chairs
To find the best standing desk chairs for your WFH setup, we used guidance from our expert and looked for best-selling models that extend to the right height and receive positive feedback from online shoppers.
- We searched for top-rated office chairs from brands we know and trust, including Herman Miller, Steelcase and Laura Davidson.
- Using guidance from Dockery, we looked for chairs that extend to between 28 and 33 inches, making them suitable for use with most standing desks.
- We evaluated products based on their ergonomics, adjustable features, comfort and style, prioritizing products that are both comfortable and durable.
- We selected several styles of standing desk chairs, including drafting chairs and stools, as well as options at a wide range of price points to suit any budget.
What To Look For In The Best Standing Desk Chairs
Several factors come into play when deciding on a standing desk chair that works best for you. Here’s what to consider as you shop.
Style
There are two main styles of chairs that can be used with standing desks: drafting chairs and stools. Drafting chairs are designed to be used with drafting tables, a special style of desk often used by architects and artists. Because drafting tables are higher than your average office desk, drafting chairs are similarly tall, making them well-suited for use with standing desks.
There are also backless stools that are designed to use with standing desks. These chairs are meant to be used for short periods of sitting to give your feet a rest during the day, and many can also be leaned on while you’re standing. However, they don’t offer as much support as drafting chairs, especially for your back.
Height
“When selecting a standing desk chair, you want to make sure the seat height of the chair is compatible with the height of the standing desk,” says interior designer Anna Dockery, director of design at Dyer Brown & Associates. “Typically, a fixed standing desk will be around 42 inches high—this is referred to as a ‘bar height.’”
These chairs typically have a seat height between 28 and 33 inches, which is generally suitable for most standing desks. However, you may want to double-check the height of your standing desk to figure out what chair height is best for your setup.
Ergonomics
If you’re going to be sitting in your chair for a longer period of time, you may want to look for a product with more ergonomic features. “Consider how you will be using it throughout the day and how long a typical ‘sit’ may be,” recommends Dockery. “If you sit for longer than two to three hours at a time, you will probably want something that has more ergonomic features to it, such as lumbar support, some flex for leaning back, as well as some swivel capabilities.”
To keep your body in a comfortable, ergonomic position, you may want to look for a chair with adjustable lumbar support, adjustable arm rests and an adjustable foot ring, all of which can be tailored to your frame.
Can You Use A Chair With A Standing Desk?
It can be uncomfortable to stand up for several hours at a time, and a standing desk chair will give you the option to sit down for a few hours during the workday. However, the best type of chair for your setup will depend on the style of standing desk you have.
“If you have an adjustable-height desk, typically you would just use a standard office chair, which you would push back or aside when you adjust to a standing height,” explains Dockery. “If you have a fixed-height standing desk, the two options would be to stand or use a [standing desk chair]. With the latter, you would still be able to capitalize on both the standing posture and seated posture.”
What Is The Best Standing Chair?
For most people, we recommend a standing chair like the Flash Furniture Waylon Office Chair. This chair has a max seat height of 32 inches, making it well-suited for standing desks, and it offers several adjustable features, including a height-adjustable foot ring, tilt tension adjustment and retractable armrests. It has a waterfall seat to reduce pressure on the back of your legs, as well as a lumbar support pad.
If you want a stool to use with your standing desk, the Vari Active Seat has an articulating pedestal that lets you sit on it or lean against it, keeping your body more engaged while still taking pressure off your feet.
