As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links to Amazon on this page are affiliate links.
Standing desk converter vs full standing desk
Updated
Buy a converter if you like the desk you have, cannot replace it, or want to try standing before you spend more. Buy a full standing desk if you want your whole work surface to move, you use more than two monitors, or you are tall. A converter is smaller and lifts far less weight, and it makes your screen sit higher when you are seated.
How they differ
| Converter | Full standing desk | |
|---|---|---|
| What moves | A platform for screens plus a keyboard tray | The whole top |
| Example size | 31.5 x 15.7 in top on the VIVO 32 in | 32 x 19 in up to 63 x 28 in on our picks |
| Listed load | 33 lb on the VIVO 32 in | 110 to 225 lb on our picks |
| Lift | By hand, with lift assist | Electric, with memory presets |
| Assembly | Very little | A real build. The VIVO Corner listing suggests 2 people |
| Floor space | None extra | Replaces your desk |
Height fit with a converter
A converter adds to the desk under it. The VIVO 32 inch converter lists a range of 4.5 to 20 inches above your desk in the bullets. Its spec table says 4.2 to 19.7 inches. On a fixed desk about 29 inches high, that puts the monitor platform at roughly 33.5 inches when lowered and up to about 49 inches when raised.
Two things follow from that.
- Seated, your screen sits higher. The platform never drops below about 4.5 inches, so your monitor ends up that much higher than it was. That can be fine if your monitor was low before. If you are short, it may put the screen too high.
- Standing, the keyboard tray is what counts. The tray hangs below the platform. The listing does not say by how much, so we can't give you the tray height. Get your standing desk height from the calculator. For someone 5 ft 8 in it is about 42 inches. After the converter arrives, measure the tray at full lift and compare.
Who should get a converter
- You rent a furnished place or have a built-in desk.
- Your current desk is solid and the right sitting height for you.
- You use a laptop or one or two light monitors. The VIVO 32 inch lists a 33 pound limit, and that includes everything on the platform and tray.
VIVO 32 inch converter (DESK-V000K). The top is 31.5 by 15.7 inches with a 31.3 inch wide keyboard tray that rises with it. It lifts straight up, so it does not push out toward you. The listing shows a 3 year maker warranty and says it needs very little assembly. Owners say it is easy to set up and moves smoothly. The caveat: owners are split on stability, with some reporting wobble while typing, and some say it got stuck in the up position.
Who should get a full desk
- You want your notebook, phone and coffee to come up with you, not stay down on the old desk.
- You run two big monitors or three screens. See desk size for 2 or 3 monitors.
- You are short and need a lower sitting surface. A converter can only add height. The HUANUO 59 x 30 3-Stage goes down to 23.6 inches.
- You want one-button presets, so changing position takes a single press.
For most home offices we'd start with the ErGear 48 x 24. All seven desks are on the best standing desks page. Loads and ranges here are maker claims from the listings, so measure when yours arrives.