Standing desk chairs and wobble stools work the core and keep the body activated, even when sitting. When used correctly, ergonomic-based active sitting can help keep all those hours at your desk from leaving you aching, twisted, and hunched. We’ve reviewed five of the top standing desk chairs and wobble stools available online and picked the best of the best. Each has its merits, and all can serve well as ergonomic chairs. Also: The 5 best ergonomic mice
Tested by the Mayo Clinic and receiving of the Neat certificationHydraulic adjustable height of up to 32.25 inchesIncludes a rubber base attachment to protect floors and prevent slippingMaximum weight capacity of 242 lbsManufactured in Europe
The Varier Move was first manufactured in 1985. This elegant standing desk chair utilizes a high-quality design and build to provide a tested active seating experience. While many wobble stools are ergonomic and can promote active sitting, the Varier is rare in that it has been tested by the Mayo Clinic and has received a Neat certification. For a product to earn this honor, it must increase energy use over sitting by more than 10%. With an easily adjustable height range of 22 inches to 32.35 inches, the Varier Move is made to fit a diversity of workspaces. The saddle shape design of the seat can provide an extra sense of comfort and support. However, not everyone finds these designs preferable. While this stool offers more than most, it also comes with a significantly steeper price tag than many competitors. The Varier Move Tilting Saddle Stool was chosen as ‘best overall’ due to its high-quality production, time-tested design, impressive height range, and Neat certification. While its price is a barrier, we feel its merits more than outweigh that downside.
Adjustable height from 23.6 to 33.3 inchesAnti-slip pads to protect the floor and prevent slippingErgonomic handles beside the seatHas a swivel/tilt radius of up to 8 degrees Maximum weight capacity of 265 lbs
The Songmics Standing Desk Chair offers a comfortable seat, utilizing a three-inch-thick ergonomic cushion. As standing desk chairs go, this model delivers well on all fronts. Specifically, it encourages ergonomic posture support and promotes active sitting without risking slippage or falling. While many models of wobble stool allow for height adjustment, this one has a greater maximum height than many, at 33.3 inches. The padded seat on this wobble stool can tilt up to eight degrees, offering a greater range of body movement than many alternatives. Thanks to the foam upholstery, the seat on the Songmics Standing Desk Chair breathes well, which helps to prevent trapped heat. Ergonomically placed handles allow for easy maneuvering of this wobble stool. The Songmics Standing Desk Chair was selected due to meeting the needs of a standing desk chair with high quality and precision, without displaying an extreme in any direction. This is an affordable wobble stool that offers a quality active sitting experience without coming in at a high price tag.
Breathable seating fabric helps to prevent sweating and discomfortHeight adjustment uses a pneumatic gas systemNon-slip grip beneath the base to protect the floor and prevent fallingErgonomic height adjustment lever within sitting reach Seat tilt up to ten degrees
This standing desk chair has the core features for active sitting, without much in the way of bells and whistles. The seat is made of breathable foam cushioning that allows for heat dissipation and body contouring support. This stool has an adjustable height that ranges from 20 inches up to 28 inches. The height adjustment lever is a circular bar beneath the seat, within easy reach of your hands while sitting. That can make it easier to adjust height without needing to rise fully, although one should still take their weight off of the seat first for safety reasons. The Seville Classics Airlift 360 Stool was selected as the “best value standing desk chair” because it provides the core functions of a standing desk chair for an affordable price, without any significant drawbacks or flaws. Beyond meeting these standards, the stool is also well-designed for comfort.
Maximum load of 264 lbsAn anti-skid surface on the base to protect floors and prevent fallingFull horizontal swivelingHeight adjustable up to 27.9 inches
The Sun-Flex Ergonomic Height Adjustable Balance Foot Stool is the most affordable of our final five wobble stools. While this product offers a more barebones experience than the Seville Classics stool, it is in a similar vein. However, the Sun-Flex does have a higher maximum weight capacity than many alternatives, at 264 pounds. This standing desk chair has an anti-skid base to prevent the chair from scratching the floor or falling over while you lean in it. The seat can swivel around a full 360 degrees, but there is no seat-specific tilt function. The seat can be adjusted from 24.5 inches up to 27.9 inches using an easy-to-reach lever. The Sun-Flex Ergonomic Height Adjustable Balance Foot Stool was selected as ‘best for affordability’ due to its deliverance of core active sitting features at a highly affordable price, without sacrificing much beyond caveats. For those who want to try using a wobble stool and see if it may be right for them, this stool may serve as an excellent entry piece.
The seat is a half-dome inflatable standing desk stool Adjustable height up to 33 inches with a hydraulic systemFull horizontal swivel, five-wheel base with locks300-lbs maximum capacity
The Gaiam Balance Ball Chair Stool offers an unusual mix of different seating designs. Unlike most wobble stools, the Gaiam has wheeled legs instead of a round base. While the wheels do lock, this can still present some difficulties and potential risks for those who like to lean in their seats. Another unique feature of this stool is the seat, which is a half-dome of inflated balance ball material. Much of the active sitting engagement in this stool comes from the inflatable seat. This stool is well-designed with quality materials, and its higher-than-usual weight capacity of 300 pounds reflects that. The inflatable seat provides a strong, slightly contouring support that can dissipate heat well. However, the tradeoff with an inflatable seat is that the rubber material of these seats does not breathe. The Gaiam Balance Ball Chair Stool offers the greatest weight capacity and some of the tallest height options of our final five stools. Although its wheeled design breaks partly with the tradition of standing desk chairs, this stool still offers the same active sitting engagement, thanks, in part, to the inflatable seat. The high cost of this stool, when compared to alternatives, can be prohibitive, however. Still, despite its higher price, the Varier Move provides nearly everything a standing desk chair should, with style and quality. These final five were then compared to each within this review using the same criteria as above. Of the five, one was selected as ZDNET’s top choice for best overall. The four runner-ups were each chosen for exemplification within a specific parameter or a specific demographic. For example, while the Varier Move was selected for “best overall,” the Sun-Flex was chosen as “best for affordability.” Some variables were given more weight than others, with ergonomic design and function being treated as the most important. Maximum weight capacity and height maximums were weighted as the next most important variables. For the most part, the price was relatively consistent between a majority of standing desk chair options, with some notable exceptions. Also: The 7 best standing desks However, they can fit with numerous types of desks, counters, and tables. You’ll want some open space underneath the surface you intend to work at, allowing for leg and leaning room. Other than that, it’s essential to make sure the height of your stool and work surface will work together.
