Many of us recently realised that we prefer working from home, and converted spare rooms into gorgeous home offices decked out with standing desks and ergonomic chairs. But your setup is not complete unless you personalise it with accessories that improve its aesthetics and maximise its functionality.
I’ve scoured all corners of the web to put together the essential standing desk accessory guide below. Use it to reduce fatigue, improve your home office ergonomics and improve your productivity.
(Related: Artiss: Australia’s Best Budget Standing Desk?)
Balance Boards And Standing Mats.
Foot pain is the number one complaint among people using standing desks.
While you can probably walk for 1-2 hours without much discomfort, you’ll struggle to stand without moving for longer than 15 minutes.
Balance boards and standing desk mats solve this issue by creating an unstable surface that forces you to continuously shift your weight.
1. FEZIBO Standing Desk Balance Board.
The FEZIBO board is ergonomically engineered to reduce muscle fatigue. It:
- Features an 8.5-degree tilt to create mild instability that keeps your hips, ankles and calf muscles working.
- Has a rough surface that improves circulation when used barefoot.
- Reasonably priced, costing about $240.
- Has a 4.4 star rating, with over 1800 satisfied customers.
(Related: Stando Pulse Standing Desk Review: Pros, Cons & Verdict).
2. Desky Standing Desk Mat.
This standing desk mat prevents foot soreness typically associated with prolonged standing. It:
- Encourages you to shift weight throughout your day.
- Helps you stand for long periods (how long should I stand at a standing desk?)
- Is more stable than balance boards, which some users find distracting.
The Desky mat includes a 5-year manufacturer’s guarantee.
Expert Tip.
Standing desk mats and boards encourage mobility, but do not replace a proper exercise program. Remember to train at least 3 times per week and check out these standing desk exercises to elevate your health and well-being.
3. Aenean Anti-Fatigue Mat.
This anti-fatigue mat is more basic than most but is one of the most comfortable.
This mat:
- Has ¾-inches of high-density foam to relieve pain in your feet, knees, legs, and back.
- Costs approximately $42, far less than the Desky mat and Fezibo board above.
- Stands up to wear and tear well over time despite the lower cost.
It is stain-resistant, easy to clean, and uses non-slip materials: a win-win.
(Related: Essential Furniture For A WFH Setup).
Standing Desk Stools & Chairs.
Although a standing desk mat or balance board can help you stand longer, you will need to sit down for at least a part of your workday.
I find that standing for longer than 3-4 hours is not possible – I start slouching, using elbows to prop myself up and generally feeling more mentally fatigued than usual.
(Related: Secretlab Magnus Pro Standing Desk Review: The Good, Bad & Ugly).
But before you give up, lower your desk and plonk yourself in a traditional office chair, consider a half-way option.
A wobble stool is a perfect standing desk accessory that relieves pressure from your feet while encouraging you to stay mobile.
1. Desky Standing Desk Stool.
This wobble stool leans 30 degrees off-centre in any direction and rotates in a full circle, allowing you to tilt, rock and keep your core muscles engaged,
It also:
- Adjusts from 63 to 88 centimetres, allowing you to sit at a typical desk height or lean next to your standing desk workstation.
- Has a soft foam cushion to keep your butt comfortable.
- Allows you to maintain proper posture while working your core muscles.
It also comes in at a reasonable price of $189.
2. Vari Active Seat Desk Stool.
The Vari standing desk stool has a 17-inch cushioned seat, which promises to keep you comfortable all day.
This standing desk accessory:
- Allows you to adjust the height between 25.5 and 35 inches easily, the ideal position for most desks.
- Helps to improve posture and boasts a wide range of motion.
- Allows you to exercise your back, legs, and core while using this stool in the office.
This item is more expensive, costing about $300 but offers much more flexibility and various uses.
(Related: Best Corner Desks For Your Home Office).
Ergonomic Office Chairs.
You can’t stand and wobble all day, every day. Give your muscles a break with the most expensive standing desk accessory you’ll likely need to buy – a top-notch ergonomic office chair.
Prices range from $300 to $3,000, but the sweet spot that balances cost with ergonomics is around the $600 – $1,500 range.
Check out two options below: pick one up for around $750 and the other for about half as much
1. Ergotune High-Back Ergonomic Chair.
Prevent aches and pains and keep yourself in an ergonomic position with the ErgoTune Supreme. This chair is available in three colours, three height options and:
- Includes built-in adjustbale lumbar support to support the C-shape of your spine.
- Offers a waterfall edge seat to promote blood flow to your legs.
This office chair has a 21-day trial, and the company will cover the cost of return shipping (and arrange courier pickup from your home) if you decide to return it.
2. Sihoo Budget Office Chair.
The Sihoo M57 ergonomic office chair offers outstanding value for money. I don’t love its chrome base and the awkward location of its tilt tension mechanism, but for $350 I can’t really complain.
3D adjustable armrests with very nice arm pads are great for digging your elbows into, and the optional footrest is surprisingly useful for kicking back behind your standing desk and watching videos.
Under-Desk Walking Mats & Treadmills.
Get more steps into your workday by investing in a walking mat or an under-desk treadmill.
Spend as little as $300 on a basic walking pad or as much as $1,500 on a gym-grade treadmill that will keep you running at over 15 km/hour.
Hot Tip.
I don’t recommend that you start showing up to every Zoom meeting while walking on a treadmill. Your colleagues will probably find your new obsession less endearing than you think.
Laptop Stands For Standing Desks.
Laptop stands are helpful to ease neck pain and eye strain by placing your laptop screen at the most optimal level. Many of us use our laptop screens at the incorrect angle without even realising it.
Try one of the options below to support yourself better.
1. LIFELONG Ergonomic Laptop Stand.
There are many reasons to add this cheap laptop stand to your standing desk setup. You can:
- Use it to elevate your laptop screen to your eye level, reducing strain on your neck muscles.
- Make it work with any laptop between 10 and 17 inches in size.
- Fold it away when travelling or working from public spaces.
Expert Tip!
The laptop stand has cooling technology to keep your laptop from overheating on long Australian days.
2. Soundance Laptop Stand.
This laptop is compatible with laptops between 10 and 15.6 inches. It’s not height adjustbale (the height is fixed at 13 cm) and it doesn’t fold for easy storage, but is is three times cheaper than the LIFELONG laptop stand I recommended earlier.
It features:
- Strong metal braces to firmly support your device.
- Aluminium finish that makes it look like it’s a genuine Apple product.
Lamps For Stand-Up Desks.
Do your eyes hurt or burn after a long day of work? You’re not alone. The wrong standing desk accessories can cause unnecessary eye strain and fatigue.
The good news is that desk lamps are easy to fix and can be easily adjusted to your needs.
1. Skyleo LED Desk Lamp.
This standing desk lamp is gentle on your eyes with three colour modes and dimming features.
- The soft light won’t glare or flicker, allowing you to concentrate on your screen without distractions.
- The arm can rotate 180 degrees while the base rotates 270 degrees.
- You can clamp this desk lamp to any surface up to 2 inches wide.
The great news: it costs less than $20, which is far more affordable than the following option.
2. Kary LED Desk Lamp.
Although the Kary LED lamp is more expensive than many, it is well worth the purchase. This lamp:
- Is 31.5 inches wide with a 2.87-inch wide metal base – suitable for most desk set-ups.
- Provides 1800 LM brightness so that every corner of your desk is well-lit.
- Offers five colour temperatures, five brightness levels, plus a smart dimmer.
Storage Accessories For Standing Desks.
Are you easily distracted by the mountains of paper, pens, and notebooks on your desk? It’s time to organise your space.
Many standing desks do not include storage space, but luckily, several storage add-ons help.
1. Elevation Lab Elevation Shelf.
This standing desk accessory is a simple, effective solution to clutter and frustration. It sticks under your desk in minutes to create a space for hiding your pens, notepads and other stationery.
I recommend attaching it with double-sided tape instead of screws in case you change your mind about its optimal location.
2. Cup-Holster Anti-Spill Cup Holder.
This anti-spill coffee holder will save you the trouble of redoing reports after a spill – we’ve all been there. This one:
- Is sturdy enough to hold large drinks up to 3.4 inches in diameter.
- Will fit most go-to cups or thermoses, with space for a handle.
- Costs less than $20.
The screw caps won’t scratch the surface of your desk.
3. COZOO Headphone Stand With USB Charger.
This headphone stand hangs underneath your desk, allowing you to declutter your desk by moving up to two clunky headphones out of sight.
It includes:
- A USB charger with three ports to charge all your devices quickly.
- A 90-day money-back guarantee and a 24-month warranty.
You should have no qualms about spending $30 for this must-have purchase.
Bottom Line On Choosing Standing Desk Accessories.
Standing desks offer a range of health and well-being benefits. They have become a simple solution for corporate offices and work-from-home set-ups alike.
When your job requires you to spend long hours at your screen, you can use standing desk accessories to support your physical body and mind better.
We recommend:
- Alternating between mats and stools so you can stay active without adding strain
- Investing in laptop mounts and lamps to reduce eye strain and fatigue
- For the finishing touch – ensure your space is well-organised with storage options
You need more than a desk to support you throughout the day. By using the essential standing desk accessories outlined above, you can increase productivity, minimise pain, and improve your outlook on work overall.
Steven
Cody says:
Hi,
Do you know 9am HOME standing desks?
I want to know how about their desk.
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Cody, I’ve never seen them before but I took a quick look for you and I’m 90% certain it’s another Jiecang desk. You can tell by the design of the feet and the lowest height (60cm). Desky, Omnidesk, Stand Desk are all pretty much the same.
Cody says:
Which one do you mean? Pesk or Robin series? I am interested in their Robin series, it looks unique and beautiful. I can’t find anyone like it in Desky.
Steven McConnell says:
I was talking about the Pesk Series. Robin series does look attractive and unusual, but I’m usually not a fan of tubular legs as they tend to be more prone to wobble. I can’t say whether this is the case in this instance, as I haven’t physically tested the desk myself. The 10 year warranty is reassuring, however. I wish they offered a risk-free trial to let you test out the legs!
Cody says:
Thank you very much, Steven; I will take your comments into consideration.
Erin says:
Do you know much about Kangadesks? There are Australian as well.
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Erin, its another Jiecang standing desk. Same as Desky, Omni, Stand Desk etc. The design of the feet and 60-125cm height range gives it away. The desk appears to currently be currently on sale for $299, which is an absolute steal and I’m wondering why they’re selling their stock at 1/3 of RRP. Regardless, even if they’re about to go bust, I’d still buy one at that price.
EDIT: Be careful. Fakespot showed these warnings while browsing their website: “Multiple eCommerce scam experiences detected, Poor customer service”
Suzy says:
Hi – given all the desks are so similar, is it possible to mix a desk from one brand with a drawer accessory from another? I don’t like the UpDown desk metal drawer (hangs very low so likely to impede leg space) but don’t mind the Desky one – can these be mixed and matched?
Thank you for the reviews! Super helpful.
Steven McConnell says:
Yes, it’s possible to play switcheroo. But you may want to consider that UpDown design is curved, so it will hurt less if you do jam your thighs into it. Desky’s meanwhile, is quite angular. Pro tip: you can also find a bunch of inexpensive slimline desk drawers on Amazon.
jason says:
I’ve spent far, far too much time agonising over which desk to get haha, definitely more than a week. Very happy that you’ve added the omni-desk to your catalogue. That was the one I was considering the most untill you came you with a review saying that it was more wobbly!
Anyways, do you have an opinion on the new updown desk KLIK Series? Its advertises to be significanlty ligher while having better (on paper) specs
Thanks!
Evelyn says:
Hi Steven, great blog post – thank you! I’m also wondering whether you have any opinion or insights on the new UpDown Desk KLIK series…they come at $100 more expensive (for the same size/table top) but seem to be ‘better’ according to the UpDown website.
Cheers!
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Evelyn, thanks! I will have a full review of the KLIK up around February 2025. It’s not necessarily a better standing desk – but it is lighter, less bulky and promises easier assembly.
Ben Clements says:
Hi. I’m interested to know more about whether I actually could fit the Desky cable management system in the Omnidesk? I’ve had a look at the omnidesks in person at the showroom and it looks like their cable management trays screw on (vs the clip in at the edges of the desk with the Desky tray). The desky system also has the power plugs that snap into place in the tray.
So I’m curious to know if you have you tried it, and if so how did you do it please? Or is your thinking that you’d just buy the power boards and plugs from Desky and rest them in the Omnidesk tray?
I’m stuck, because I prefer the Omnidesks but I really love the idea of a single power lead!
Thanks
Steven McConnell says:
I just had a new Omnidesk delivered to my house. Give me about two weeks to assemble it, test it out and report back.
Sunni says:
Thanks for your very helpful (and funny) review. I used the information to to buy a Desky standing desk in record time – no consumer agonising for weeks, as is my usual practice. It has a pneumatic up/down mechanism, so lets see how that goes.
Steven McConnell says:
Ha! You’re welcome, Sunni. Glad I helped you cut down on the agonising. The pneumatic mechanism is an interest choice – let me know what you think of it?
Amber says:
Hi Steven,
Really great and insightful review. It was refreshing to see something that wasn’t filled with ChatGPT affiliate link garbage!
I’m curious about your opinion on L-shaped standing desks? I know that Desky, UpDown and a few other retailers offer these types of desks and I would assume they are more strong and stable, but I’m not an expert and I can also imagine the opposite being true due to the irregular shape. I’ve been looking at these types of desks because I think their shape suits my space the best. Do you have any knowledge on this or do you only have experience with regular rectangular shaped desks?
Steven McConnell says:
Thanks, Amber. Did you know that I have a L-shaped standing desk review? Search for “arielle best corner standing desks” and you’ll find it.
Melissa says:
Hi Steven great article thank you!
I’ve spent way to much time on this, and I’m now leaning towards the Artiss thanks to your review.
I’m wondering if you have any insight into ergonomic chairs for the home office also?
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Melissa, thanks! The Artiss is a great budget pick. I’ve written numerous ergonomic chair reviews – Google “arielle best ergonomic office chairs” to find them 🙂
tania says:
hey are there any other manual desks apart from the ikea ones you don’t recommend, that you would recommend? I prefer the idea of not needing electricity to move between stand up and sit down but maybe that doesn’t really exist?
Steven McConnell says:
Hey Tania, all of the premium brands (UpDown, Desky, etc) offer a manual crank model. Definitely the way to go if you want to avoid electronics. But TBH I suggest you reconsider. Electronics are very reliable these days – and hand-cranking your standing desk is more annoying than you’d expect.
Adam says:
Hi, do you know much about the UpDown Klik vs Pro system?
Steven McConnell says:
The company has shipped their new Klik standing desk to me yesterday. Stay tuned!
Scott Long says:
You mention in your review of the Up Down Pro that you would get the cable holes and grommets done, but it looks like your (very pretty) Messmate desk doesn’t have them. Is your recommendation a hindsight reflection, or did you choose not to spoil the look of the desk with the grommets? Without the grommets can you can still run the cables behind the desk and into the cable management tray? Cheers!
Steven McConnell says:
Scott, I said in the review that grommets and holes are a great idea, not that I have them. They’re less important if your standing desk faces a wall. But if you have an open-plan style home office like mine, they’ll make your workspace look much cleaner. PS You can still run cables into the tray without the holes and grommets – the cables will simply run behind the desk.
Isaac Jenkinson says:
Hello,
Have you had a chance to try the new UpDown Lyft model? Curious about its stability vs the pro.
Steven McConnell says:
Isaac,
Not yet. On first glance, it looks like a budget alternative to the “big brothers”. It’s probably pretty good (UpDown has a reputation to maintain), but I’m of the opinion that buying cheap means you pay more in the long term. I’d save up another few hundred bucks and get the Pro. You can often get a melamine or bamboo-topped model on sale for around $900.
David says:
This is a great site and will help me decide on which desk to buy. Have you heard any good/bad reviews about the Blacklyte Atlas Lite or Ergo-Rise II from BDO furniture?
Steven McConnell says:
David, thanks for the kind words. Never heard of the Atlas Lite until you mentioned it. Looks like a decent gaming desk that borrows heavily from Secretlab Magnus – but why not just buy a real Magnus instead?
As for the Ergo-Rise – looks like a decent desk, but its height controller is outdated. The best standing desk brands have upgraded to OLED controllers.
Ben says:
Thank you for writing this review Steven; really helpful to break through the BS.
By any chance have you used or hold an opinion on Vertilift desks?
Steven McConnell says:
You’re welcome. God, I haven’t even heard of them – but thanks for the heads-up. There are too many standing desks on the Australian market. Obviously I haven’t used these in person, but I’m almost certain they’re yet another Jiecang variant (i.e., frames are identical to Desky). You can tell by the identical max and min heights, as well as the design of the foot.
Eloise says:
Hey Steven, I was recommended the Alwyn or Octavia (Living Fusion) 140cm sit and stand desks from Temple and Webster which don’t even get a mention in your review. Would you bother with any of their brands ? (I may have dodged a bullet by finding your review!)
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Louise, I haven’t had first-hand experience with the T&W standing desk (must add one to my list!).
However, I had a look through the specs for you.
It doesn’t look too bad, actually – considering the price. If you can’t stretch your budget to ~$950 for an entry-level UpDown or Desky, this could be a good option.
Jordan says:
Hi Steven, Thanks for the review! I am starting out with a home office set up and need a new chair and sit stand desk. I’m a student but I prefer to buy things I know will last, but I don’t have too much experience with sit stand desks. I initially thought to buy the Artiss but have considered buying the Acacia UpDown Pro+ so I know it lasts and I don’t have to buy another desk in a couple of years. Is it worth the price jump for me? Thanks!
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Jordan, the Artiss and the UpDown desks sell at two very different price points. If you have the budget, I suggest you stretch to the UpDown standing desk – you won’t regret it.
jason says:
I know you’ve disqualified the flexispot e7 pro so the e7 max plus would probably also be disqualified, but a quad motor 4 column desk frame at a prices competitive with UpDown desk is incredibly tempting. Plus 15 year warrenty (if the company lasts that long)
Have you had a chance to take a look? Its like half the price of the desky quad!
Steven McConnell says:
Hey Jason, great observation. I haven’t included quad standing desks here because they’ve traditionally attracted a niche consumer – someone who needs to place a tonne of gear on the desktop and doesn’t mind paying 2X the usual price. But Flexispot’s sharp pricing on their quad desk certainly changes things. I haven’t seen one in the wild yet – but the specs look promising.
Steven