Ask HN: Is buying an expensive standing desk worth it?

Have you tried working standing for a few weeks? It's not for everyone. Prop your desk up on some milk crates or something and give it a go before you consider an expensive buy.

Ikea sell a reasonably priced hand cranked one, and also an electric one.

Worth it if you believe standing part or all of the day is good for your body. I guess it is.

If you're not sure probably get a cheaper one and see how it works, I have one I made out of Ikea bits (before they had their own product) and a draughtsman's stool. Had it for years and does the job.

I had one and it was fine until it just died one day on one side and everything on my desk fell off lol. So if you get one make sure you secure stuff on it down in case it fails.

Try this first to see if you can get comfortable while standing

https://alphacolin.com/ikea-standing-desk-for-22-dollars/amp...

I use a Husky adjustable workbench paired with a Grovemade monitor stand and I like it. I’ve been using the setup for a few months now. I removed my chair from my office entirely, so I stand for most of the day. I do have a small bench in my office that I sit on when my feet get tired or when I need to think (the thinking bench is away from the desk). And my feet do get tired/sore some days; I wear shoes to help alleviate that.

Overall, I like it. I feel better standing all day, and have less upper back pain. The Husky workbench is pretty affordable compared to a “standing desk.”

I bought Ikeas standing desk that I raise and lower by hand. I think it costs 300 USD. For me it’s worth it, plus you get a small workout when you have to change position.

I have had a $250 FlexiSpot desk (the EN1 or whatever) for a couple years now. It's as good as the day I bought it. It goes up and down a lot.

Yes, but make sure you get a sturdy one that doesn't wobble as you type.

It's worth it. I switch often between standing and sitting with most of my time sitting. I have one from autonomous AI. If you get a hand crank one, depending on the type of person you are, there's a good chance you'll actually switch between sit and stand all too often. Standing for long periods of time isn't great either, best is to just switch positions often.

Two questions:

Do you NEED a standing desk?

Can you afford a standing desk?

If you can answer 'YES' to either of these two questions, go right on ahead. Otherwise you might as well stick with a sitting style of desk.

Another alternative is the 'kneeling' style of chair for your desk. https://www.amazon.com.au/Levede-Kneeling-Ergonomic-Posture-...

I bought a used Vertilift Pro (from gumtree/craiglist if you're from the US) 2 years ago - over the course of a few weeks - fixed my lower back pain. So if you dont want to spring the real $$$ this used $200AUD solution is great. $450 or so brand new.

You can't really put a price on good ergonomics IMO. Expensive is going to be different for every individual probably so that's not too relevant here. I have never bought a standing desk myself and use some hospital-type movable/extendable tray (found at a thrift store) for a keyboard/mouse and place monitors elsewhere. Wish I had a designated desk but it doesn't fit my workspace well.

Just do/find what works and go from there.

I have tried standing desks and personally I prefer to sit while working. Lifting some weights, as an amateur, seems to solve any posture problems I have, and stops the repetitive strain injuries from developing (In my completely subjective experience).