One of the biggest factors you should consider when shopping for a standing desk converter is whether or not it will be ergonomic for you. Being able to work in an ergonomic position is very important. It can help reduce stress and strain that can be problematic while working for long hours on a keyboard and mouse. The factors to consider for proper ergonomic positioning on your standing desk are: monitor viewing angle, distance from monitor, keyboard height and neutral reach zone.
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6 Best Standing Desk Converters For Ergonomics
- Ergotron WorkFit-S
- Ergotron WorkFit-A
- HealthPostures TaskMate Executive
- HealthPostures TaskMate Go
- Humanscale QuickStand
- BTOD Duke Vesa
- 7 Things You Must Consider For Proper Ergonomics
- Bottom Line
1. Ergotron WorkFit-S
WorkFit-S Starting Price: $419.00 + Free Shipping
Read Full WorkFit-S Review >>
Reason for Inclusion
The Ergotron WorkFit-S is going to top my list of best standing desk converters for ergonomics. The WorkFit-S has a three-tier design with a back-sloping support column. The three tiers are: a vesa mounted monitor, a work surface for tasking and a keyboard tray. All three tiers are connected to a vertical support column that slants away from you instead of straight up and down.
The two platforms can be adjusted separately from the monitor so the WorkFit-S has dual ergonomic functionality. This allows for proper spacing between your monitor and keyboard to produce the correct viewing angle. The monitor also tilts from front to back and can rotate 90 degrees which is even better for improving your viewing experience. The way that the column slants away from you was purposely done so that you are not too close to your monitor. The slanted column, coupled with the multiple platform design, ensures that you will be standing far enough away from the monitor to avoid eye strain.
The adjustment range is very large on the WorkFit-S and can extend even taller with the addition of a monitor mounting plate. One thing that really sets the WorkFit-S apart from the majority of desktop converters is that the keyboard tray is capable of going lower than your existing desk. This is great if you’re short or are used to having a keyboard tray below their desk.
There is plenty of space on the keyboard tray for your keyboard and mouse. There is also a lot of extra space on the work surface that can be used for items and tasking. This helps to keep the majority of items within your neutral reach zone. The keyboard tray is also very versatile. It has nine different mounting positions that produce different distances and angles from your monitor. The keyboard tray also has the option to use it in a negative tilt position. This is great for achieving a neutral wrist position.
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2. Ergotron WorkFit-A
TaskMate Go Price: $511.00 + Free Shipping
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Reason for Inclusion
The WorkFit-A is another product by Ergotron that is great for ergonomics. The WorkFit-A operates like a monitor arm so it has a massive range of motion and multiple different working positions. It features dual ergonomics with independent monitor height adjustment. The monitor has a 5” height adjustment range and 24” of adjustment overall, when combined with the keyboard height adjustment range. The monitor height range can accommodate short people and people up to 6’2” in an ergonomic position.
The keyboard tray has a large adjustment range of 19” and allows you to lower the keyboard tray up to 3.5” below your desk’s surface. This is a fantastic feature for short people or people that prefer to work with a keyboard tray under their desk to lower their typing position. The range also extends high enough for people up to 6’2” to be in an ergonomic typing position.
The front of the keyboard tray was 19” from my monitors so I was well within the recommended ergonomic viewing distance. When selecting the dual monitor option, the crossbar that they are attached to has a natural curve to keep the monitors facing inward to make viewing much easier. The monitors can also pan, tilt and rotate, depending on which set-up you choose, to help with improving your viewing experience.
The one downside to the ergonomic experience is going to be a lack of task space which forces you to reach out of your neutral reach zone. The standard version of the WorkFit-A does not include a work surface and it is not practical to use your desk space for tasking. This is why I included the work surface in the title and price. I think the work surface addition is a must for maximizing the ergonomic experience. Adding the work surface won’t completely solve the problem but it is an improvement.
3. HealthPostures TaskMate Executive
TaskMate Executive Price: $850.00 + Free Shipping
Read Full TaskMate Executive Review >>
Reason for Inclusion
The TaskMate Executive is another great standing desk converter when it comes to ergonomics. The TaskMate Executive is electric and the height adjustment for the unit is controlled with the push of a button. The TaskMate Executive is not only unique because it is electric but also because it goes about offering dual ergonomics in a different way than most converters with dual ergonomic functionality.
Instead of having a separately adjustable monitor on a VESA mounting system, the TaskMate Executive has a flat monitor platform that you set your monitor on top of but the keyboard tray is independently adjustable. This allows you to raise the unit to the correct height for the proper ergonomic monitor viewing angle and then you are able to adjust the keyboard tray on its own to the correct height for the proper typing position. The monitor and keyboard tray have infinite position lock so you will not be restricted to a set number of options. On top of the separate height adjustment for the keyboard tray; it also features infinite keyboard tilt. This allows you to change your typing angle to your preferred position. The TaskMate Executive’s design allows for a monitor viewing distance of about 30” which is right in the middle of the recommended range.
The TaskMate Executive has a large adjustment range and is one of the few converters out there that allows the keyboard tray to go below your desk. Being able to adjust the keyboard tray 4” below the work surface puts the TaskMate Executive in a unique class of standing desk converters when it comes to ergonomics. One thing to keep in mind is that the minimum monitor platform height is 6.25”. This is a bit higher than we see on most standing desk converters in the seated position. Using a larger monitor may be a problem for shorter users because they may have an upward viewing angle. Adding a monitor arm can help with this problem.
The TaskMate Executive offers a large amount of space for your keyboard and mouse. There is also a decent amount of task space. After adding your monitor to the platform, there will be a little bit a space left over for smaller objects like a phone or calculator. The majority of the task space is provided by the two copy/phone holders that are attached to both sides of the unit. The copy/phone holders are nice for giving you more space but they might be awkward to get to for some people because they are about an arm’s length or more away.
4. HealthPostures TaskMate Go
TaskMate Go Price: $393.00 + Free Shipping
Read Full TaskMate Go Review >>
Reason for Inclusion
The HealthPsotures TaskMate Go is next on my list. This is a product that features a similar three tier design with a slanted support column, like the WorkFit-S. The top tier is a vesa compliant monitor mount that can be adjusted in 2” increments. The second tier is a small work surface. The third tier is a keyboard tray.
The monitor and keyboard can be adjusted independently of each other, but the monitor is restricted to specific increments. This system is still far superior to the majority of standing desk converters. The monitor has tilt adjustment when the single monitor unit is chosen. The dual monitor set-up will also allow the monitors to pan and rotate. All of these factors, combined with the column design that tilts away from you, provides for a good viewing distance of 20”+.
The adjustment range is another factor that the TaskMate Go excels in. Even though the monitor must be adjusted in 2” increments, there is still a very wide range to choose from. The work surface goes as high as 20” off your desk and the keyboard tray is capable of going underneath your desk when in a seated position. This is another great unit for shorter users or if you like to have your keyboard below desk level.
I am not a fan of the worksurface and keyboard tray size provided on the standard version. It leaves very little room for objects that you will want in your neutral reach zone. I would highly recommend upgrading to the larger platforms for about $50. The extra space will make a very big difference in reducing the amount of awkward reaching that is caused by grabbing objects that aren’t on the TaskMate Go. One thing that I am a big fan of is the tilt option available on the keyboard tray. I have only seen a couple other standing desk converters that offer a negative keyboard tilt option, one of them being the WorkFit-S above. This is a great addition to achieve a true ergonomic typing position.
5. Humanscale QuickStand with Large Platform
QuickStand Price: $789.00 + Free Shipping
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Reason for Inclusion
It’s not much of a surprise that a product designed by Humanscale made a best of ergonomics list. The Humanscale QuickStand is available with a freestanding base or clamp mount. Both options feature a two-tier design with a support column that slants away from you. The first tier is a vesa compliant monitor mounting bracket. The second tier is your work surface. This space is used for your keyboard, mouse and any accessories.
The QuickStand does feature dual ergonomics. The monitor has 5” of independent height adjustment range while the work surface has about 18” of adjustment range. The QuickStand has a large adjustment range, but the keyboard platform cannot be lowered below desk level. The QuickStand has the lowest profile I have seen on a desktop converter, at .25” above your existing work surface.
This is another product that I feel does a poor job of providing good task space with the base model offered. I feel that upgrading to the bigger platform, for an additional $50, is a must on the QuickStand for an ergonomic experience. I say this for two reasons. The first reason is that the space offered on the standard platform is barely larger than your keyboard and mouse which means you will be reaching for objects out of your neutral reach zone quite often. The second reason is the monitor viewing distance. The column slating away from you helps to increase the distance to the monitor, but it is not enough when using the standard platform. The larger platform helps to remedy both of these problems.
6. BTOD Duke Vesa Converter
Duke VESA Price: $555.99 + Free Shipping
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Reason for Inclusion
The Duke Vesa features a dual ergonomic design with a vertical gas lift column and steel freestanding base. The monitor is mounted to the unit and is adjustable independently of the work surface platform. The Duke has one of the lowest profile designs when in a seated position. The keyboard tray will not go below your work surface, but it will only increase the height of your existing desk by about a half an inch. All of these factors combine to provide a very wide adjustment range which means a large percentage of the population can use the Duke ergonomically.
The usable task space available on the Duke is good. You will have plenty of room for you keyboard, mouse and several other accessories you need within your neutral reach zone. But, the Duke does have a drawback when it comes to the task space. The keyboard platform may not be deep enough to provide your optimal viewing distance. Depending on your keyboard positioning and your height, you will be somewhere between 17” and 20” from the screen. 20” is on the low end of recommended viewing distance. For this reason, I would recommend using a single monitor set-up with a 24” monitor or smaller for the best ergonomic experience. The monitor is tilt adjustable and you can rotate it, which helps to improve your viewing experience.
7 Things You Must Consider When Looking For Proper Ergonomics
1. Dual Ergonomics
When a standing desk converter features a keyboard tray and monitor that can be adjusted separately of each other, it is considered dual ergonomic. This is a very important feature. It allows you to create the proper amount of space between your keyboard and monitor so that you have proper typing height and the correct monitor viewing angle.
Many desktop converters will have this feature built-in. Many converters will not be dual ergonomic out of the box, but can be made dual ergonomic with the addition of a monitor arm. Other units cannot be dual ergonomic, even with the addition of accessories. I think this function is a must have if one of your biggest concerns is ergonomics.
2. Range of Adjustment
The adjustment range is very important when considering a standing desk converter. You want to make sure that the keyboard tray will go low enough for a seated position and high enough for a standing position. It is also important to make sure the monitor can go high enough when standing to achieve the correct viewing angle, as discussed above.
Making sure the keyboard tray goes low enough is especially important for users that prefer to have their keyboard lower than their normal work surface. This is typically achieved with a keyboard tray or keyboard drawer. Most standing desk converters will sit on top of your existing desk which will increase the height of it slightly. There are very few standing desk converters that allow the keyboard tray to go below the surface of the desk it is attached to. I’ve made sure to include a few on this list.
3. Worksurface Size
The usable space and depth of the work surface are two things to think about when considering the size of the work surface. A larger task space will allow for more objects to be placed within your neutral reach zone. This helps to limit the number of times you need to grab something that isn’t on your converter. The depth is also very important because this will determine how close your eyes are to your monitor. You want to be cautious of desktop converters that put you too close to the monitor as this can cause eye strain.
4. Monitor viewing angle
A poor viewing angle can produce discomfort in the neck and shoulders. A good guideline to follow is to have the top of your monitor at eye level. This will allow you to comfortably view your screen at a slightly downward angle.
5. Distance from monitor
Having a monitor that is too close can cause eye or neck strain. A good guideline to follow is to position your eyes somewhere between 20”-40” from your monitor. You also want to sit far enough away to be able to view your entire screen without having to turn your head to the side.
6. Keyboard height
The proper ergonomic keyboard position is at elbow height, when the shoulders are relaxed, and a downward sloping angle. The goal is to achieve a neutral wrist position so that they are not bent upward, which can cause strain over time.
7. Neutral reach zone
A big part of ergonomics in the office is limiting unnatural movements while working. This includes overreaching or turning awkwardly to get an object. The area within arm’s length on your work surface is called your neutral reach zone. The less amount of time spent reaching for objects out of your neutral reach zone, the better.
Bottom Line
With so many converter options available, it is important to understand what factors are most important to you. For many people, the most important factor is ergonomics. My feeling is, that if you are going to invest in a standing desk, it only makes sense that it would be ergonomic, otherwise it could become a hindrance instead of a benefit.
Being able to recognize the characteristics that make a product ergonomic are very important. And just because a product lacks something like dual ergonomics or a large task space doesn’t mean that it won’t be ergonomic for you. Everyone is different. We all have different body shapes, movement patterns and working habits that dictate what we need to be ergonomic.
The bottom line is that there are a ton of different standing desk converters but the selection of truly ergonomic options is very limited. I hope that this list helps you to understand what to look for when trying to find a good ergonomic standing desk converter and what to avoid.
