A lot of us are working from home these days. Regardless of whether you're in an office or a home office, it's important to set yourself up with an ergonomic workspace to avoid getting aches and pains in your neck, back, wrists, and fingers as you work. Consider a standing desk, such as the FlexiSpot Electric Height Adjustable Desk. If you do prefer to sit, or you need to sit, do try to set up an ergonomic workstation. The items on this list can help set you up for success.
Best Overall: Flexispot Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk
The first thing I'd look for in a standing desk is the ability to adjust easily from sitting height to standing height. While working from a standing position is great for your health, there are times you'll want to sit as well. The Flexispot adjustable desk has everything you'd expect from a standing desk: a large and sturdy work area, easily adjustable height, and several color and size options to suit any decor. The electric motor that raises and lowers the desk is whisper-quiet and works with the touch of a button. You can even pre-set three different heights to suit your preferences. I actually have one preset for sitting, one for standing, and one a bit higher so I can use it with my UREVO desk treadmill. If standing is better than sitting, walking is even better than standing. I can't walk as I work all day, but some days I will walk (slowly, so I can still type) for an hour or so of my day. You can also set the desk to alert you when you've been sitting too long.
You can choose a desktop ranging from 48-by-24-inches to 48-by-30-inches. Choose a base color and a desktop color to match your decor. The lowest sitting height is 28 inches, while the highest standing height is 47.6 inches, plus the desktop itself, which adds about an inch. If desired, you can purchase additional accessories such as an under-desk bike so you can exercise while you work or under-desk drawers for extra storage.
A good standing desk that lets you sit, stand, or move easily.
Best Laptop Stand: Nulaxy Adjustable Laptop Stand
I've worked from a laptop as far back as I can remember. The simplicity and portability just work for me. However, it's not the best from an ergonomic standpoint to have the monitor so close to the keyboard and mouse or trackpad. One solution is the place the laptop on a stand when you're in your (home) office and use a separate keyboard and mouse. This raises the screen to eye level, so you don't have to hunch down to see your screen. The whole idea of using a mouse and keyboard with a laptop takes some getting used to, but you'll feel the results immediately.
I find that when I use a laptop stand, my back naturally straightens up. This one is fully adjustable, both in height and angle, so you can create the perfect setup for you. Rubber feet raise your laptop slightly for air circulation, plus there is a large cutout to prevent your laptop from overheating. It's compatible with any laptop from 10 to 17 inches.
Put your laptop at the ideal ergonomic height and angle with this stand.
Best Ergonomic Keyboard: Logitech Ergo K860 Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard
This keyboard is both sloped and split for a more natural typing position. It comes with a pillowed wrist rest to give more support and reduce wrist bending. The keys are scooped to match the shape of your fingertips. An adjustable palm lift raises the entire keyboard to your optimal angle. The Logitech Ergo K860 Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard is fully compatible with both macOS and Windows. Plus, it has a number pad for quick numerical entry.
Logitech's offering is both split and sloped for perfect positioning, plus it has a pillowed wrist rest.
Best Ergonomic Mouse: Logitech M570 Wireless Trackball Mouse
Rather than chasing your pointer around with your mouse, keep control under your thumb with the cleverly designed Logitech M570 Wireless Trackball Mouse. Since the trackball is on rather than under this mouse, you can use it on any surface. Its sculpted shape feels comfortable in hand all day. Use it with your Mac or PC; it's compatible with both. An integrated scroll wheel and backward/forward buttons give you easy control. You can go up to 18 months before you'll need to replace the battery. Sadly, this mouse is just for right-handed people.
This funky-looking mouse is designed for comfort with its thumb-controlled trackball and integrated scroll wheel.
Best Foot Rest: Mount-It! Ergonomic Under Desk Footrest
If you can't plant your feet squarely on the floor while seated and your thighs aren't parallel to the floor, then you'll want a footrest to align your body properly. This one will not only elevate your feet and legs, but adjusts to different angles for your ideal positioning. Plus, the adjustable-height platform and nubbly tread pattern let you stretch and massage your feet while you work. Reduce fatigue and increase circulation in your legs when you're sitting for long periods.
This footrest can help you get your feet and legs in better alignment with your body. It also lets you stretch and massage them.
Best Office Chair: Oak Hollow Furniture Aloria Series Office Chair
I alternate between sitting, standing, and walking my treadmill while I work. When I'm sitting, I sit in my Oak Hollow Furniture Aloria Series Office Chair, and it's so comfortable. The seat is high-density molded foam and upholstered with high-performance fabric. The mesh back is breathable, so you don't get hot. You can purchase the adjustable headrest or not; it pivots to your perfect spot. A lumbar support mechanism in the back adjusts to your comfortable spot. You can also adjust the depth of the seat.
The adjustable armrests move up and down, forward and backward, and you can pivot them inward and outward. You can lean back in your chair and even lock it in a leaning-back position. Two pneumatic cylinders are included, so a wide range of sizes can be accommodated, up to 6'9" and 300 pounds.
This comfortable, breathable, adjustable chair will work for just about anyone.
Bottom line
The Mayo Clinic suggests setting up correct chair height, equipment placement, and desk posture to prevent pain. Your chair should support your spinal curves and allow your feet to rest on the floor with your thighs parallel to the floor. If your chair is too high, use a footrest to achieve this alignment. Make sure there's plenty of clearance beneath your desk for your legs. Keep important objects within easy reach and stand up to reach items that are farther away. Keep your mouse near your keyboard and on the same level.
While typing, keep your wrists straight, your upper arms close to your body, and your hands at or slightly below elbow height. Never cradle a phone between your ear and shoulder; use a headset or speakerphone instead. Your computer's monitor should be directly in front of you, roughly arm's length away, with the top of the screen at or slightly below eye level (or one or two inches lower if you wear bifocals.) Your brightest light source should be to the side of your monitor.
Standing is even better than sitting, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you're looking into a standing desk, you'll still want to set it up in an ergonomically correct manner as outlined above. Make every effort to keep your head, neck, torso, and legs in line and vertical while at your standing workstation.
