Chairs and standing desks
Sit well, stand often: chairs and desks in centimetres and kilos.
Seat height and depth in cm, maximum load in kg, 2D, 3D or 4D armrests, gas lift class and desk height ranges, set side by side so you can tell which chair and desk actually fit your body and your room.
Our top picks
All buying guides- Best L-shaped and corner standing desks
HSSTYLE L-shaped desk: dual motor, 200 kg
72 to 117 cm · 200 kg · Dual
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Best electric standing desks
Maidesite T2 Pro Plus frame: 62 to 125 cm, dual motor
62 to 125 cm · 125 kg · Dual
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Best ergonomic office chairs for a home office
Steelcase Think: synchro tilt, 4D arms, LiveBack
150 kg · 4D
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Best fabric gaming chairs
Corsair T3 Rush: soft fabric, 4D arms, 150 kg
150 kg · 4D
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
Desk-height fit
Open the calculator →Target desk height, sitting
64 cm
In the desk's range
Target desk height, standing
106 cm
In the desk's range
Target = elbow height minus keyboard height, rounded to 0.5 cm. Type decimals with a point, for example 66.5. A guide to comfortable posture, not a medical assessment.
Topics
From mesh task chairs to dual-motor desks, each compared on the measurements that decide the fit.
- Office chairsErgonomic task chairs for long days at a desk, from mid-range mesh to Herman Miller and Steelcase.18 guides · 4 buying guides
- Gaming chairsBucket-seat gaming chairs from Secretlab, Noblechairs, AndaSeat and Corsair, judged on fit and adjustment.3 guides · 2 buying guides
- Standing desksElectric sit-stand desks by height range, motors, frame stability and desktop size.11 guides · 6 buying guides
- Desk convertersSit-stand risers that sit on an existing desk, with lift range, monitor space and stability compared.1 guide · 1 buying guide
- Big & tallChairs and desks for taller and heavier users, with seat sizes, load ratings and height ranges in cm and kg.1 guide · 2 buying guides
- Mesh or fabricMesh, woven fabric and PU leather covers compared for breathability, wear and cleaning.2 guides · 2 buying guides
- 1Seat height (gas lift)
- 2Seat depth slide
- 3Lumbar height and depth
- 4Back angle and tilt tension
- 5Armrest height
- 6Headrest
Calculators
Desk heights worked out from your elbows, and US listings converted to cm and kg.
Chair and desk problems
Sinking seats, wobbling desks, creaking tilts and stuck motors: likely causes and what to check first.
- Desk sways or shakes, worst at full heightReduce standing desk wobble: tighten frame bolts, level the feet, add support, choose the right top depth, and which frame designs tend to wobble less at height.
- Desk will not move, only goes down or stopsStanding desk not moving, only going down or stopping halfway? Check power, keypad lock, cables, overload, reset and uneven legs before suspecting the motor.
- Display shows an error or letter codeWhat common standing desk controller codes such as E01, E04, ASR, RST, LOC and HOT usually mean, and the fix to try for each before contacting the maker.
- Back will not recline, lock or hold positionChair will not lean back, will not lock or flops backwards? Check the tilt lock, tension knob, lever cables and mechanism in order before replacing parts.
- Squeaks or creaks when you sit, lean or swivelFind where an office or gaming chair squeak comes from (tilt, bolts, castors, gas lift or arms) and fix it with the right lubricant or a quick tighten.
- Seat slowly drops while you sitWhy an office or gaming chair slowly lowers while you sit: worn gas lift seals, a stuck lever, the hose clamp and pipe tricks, and when to replace the cylinder.
Comparisons
- Standing desk vs desk converterStanding desk vs desk converter compared on height range, keyboard position, stability, load and space, and when a riser on your old desk is enough.
- Single vs dual motor standing desksSingle vs dual motor standing desks compared on lift speed, load in kg, noise and wobble, and which desk sizes and setups really need two motors.
- Mesh vs fabric vs PU leather office chairsMesh, woven fabric and PU leather chair covers compared on breathability, wear, cleaning and how each ages, with an example chair of each from our guides.
- Kneeling chair vs office chairKneeling chair vs office chair: how each seat is built and adjusted, how long people tend to use them, ball chairs too, and why many people use both.
- Herman Miller vs Steelcase: which chair maker suits you?Herman Miller vs Steelcase compared: Aeron and Embody against Series 1, Think, Leap and Gesture on sizing, adjustment, tilt, warranty and UK buying.
- Herman Miller vs Secretlab for gaming and workHerman Miller task chairs against Secretlab gaming chairs: seat shape, recline, armrests, cover materials and which suits long work days or gaming.
Buying guides
Focused guides to one type of chair or desk each, compared on what the listings state.
- Best L-shaped and corner standing desks
- Best electric standing desks
- Best ergonomic office chairs for a home office
- Best fabric gaming chairs
- Best gaming chairs under £400
- Best gaming chairs for adults
- Best Herman Miller alternatives
- Best mesh office chairs
- Best office chairs for tall people
- Best office chairs under £300
- Best ergonomic office chairs with a footrest
- Best office and gaming chairs for heavier people
- Best small standing desks for small spaces
- Best standing desk converters
- Best standing desk frames to fit your own desktop
- Best standing desks under £400
Guides & advice
- Why are Herman Miller chairs so expensive?Why Herman Miller chairs cost so much: materials, sizing, design, a 12-year warranty and resale value, plus what to check when buying one second hand.
- Why do some gaming chairs feel uncomfortable?Why some gaming chairs feel uncomfortable: tight side bolsters, narrow seats, neck pillows in the wrong place and soft foam, plus the sizes to check before buying.
- What is an ergonomic chair?What ergonomic should mean on a chair: the adjustments, seat sizes and standards such as BS EN 1335, and how to choose one that fits your body and desk.
- Standing desk height chart by your heightRough seated and standing desk heights in cm by body height, how to measure your own elbow height, and how to check a desk's range fits you before buying.
- Do you need a standing desk for a walking pad?What a desk needs for a walking pad: extra height for the deck, space between the legs, desk depth, cable reach and frame stability while you walk, in cm.
- How much does a standing desk cost, and what changes with price?What you gain moving up standing desk price tiers: motors, leg stages, height range, load, controllers, tops and warranty, and where spending more is worth it.