Standing desks are popular, but choosing a good one is no easy task.

You could go with a motorized, whole desk replacement, or DIY a simple solution.

You could even buy an adjustable attachment to go on top of your existing desk.

That shouldnt come as a huge surprise.

Weve known for a while thatsitting all day is terrible for you.

Weve lookedat the best standing desksas alternatives, and while they can help, theyrecertainly not a panacea.

In short,regular activity is really the key to healthier living.

So before you plunge headlong into the world of standing desks, keep that in mind.

First, take some measurements.

Some standing desks are quite large, while others just add some bulk to the desk you already have.

Next, measure yourself.

Specifically, measure your height, and where you like to keep a keyboard in front of you.

Similarly, youll want tomeasure how high you want your setup to be.

Now youll need the accessories to make an adjustable desk work.

EvenThe Wirecutter has a suggestion.

Theres something for every budget, and every space.

Finally, many people overlook cables and cable management when they buy or build a standing desk.

Long or retractable cables will keep your workspace organized without sacrificing its adjustability.

Budget is obviously a consideration as well.

However, buying a standing desk comes with its own issues.

On-desk attachments can be affordable and adjustable, but sacrifice space and freedom of movement.

Either way, keep time and budget in mind when you go shopping for standing desks.

Then you could move into more specificand often expensivestanding desk builds.

They even have options for single display and dual display setups.

Converting it back to a sitting position when you want to sit though may be a challenge.

The shelves are wide enough to accommodate long keyboards, and give you plenty of room to work.

The trick here though is that for your affordability you get pretty much a big wooden shelf.

Ergotrons WorkFitseries of desk attachments come at a variety of price points and configuration options.

These are just a handful of options.

They also have some options for laptop workers who just want a single, small, adjustable surface.

Uplifts range from $600 to $800 or more, depending on the options you choose.

The UpDeskis another fully-motorized standing desk that can be raised or lowered with a single touch.

The NextDesk Terraisthe Wirecutters favorite standing desk.

It also supports up to 630lb of equipment.

Its also programmable for different users and different heights.

Its a simple, minimal desk, designed to be affordable and effective (supporting up to 225lb.)

Youre essentially buying an appliance though, which is important to keep in mind.

If the motor dies, youll need warranty support or someone to call to buy a new one.

You also get tons of customization options and the power to build a desk thats perfect for you.

Even so, that luxury costs money.

Many of our favorite DIY standing desks start with a couple of dollars at IKEA.

Youll have to use a laptop or a small PC with it, though.

This desk conversion jacks up your current deskinstead of raising your monitor and keyboard.

This great-looking, wide standing desk is adjustable for sitting or standing, and looks good in any position.

This electric standing deskis a bigger build, but an incredibly sturdy one.

Add in a few power strips, and your workstation is pretty self-contained.

Photos byChance Reecher,jkfid,Lairbob,ReadyDesk,NextDesk, andMatthew.