Sure, you could build a box fort on top of your kitchen table, but a standing desk and comfortable office chair don’t have to be excessive splurges. Investing in good ergonomic equipment can be affordable—at least, it can during Black Friday.
Deals in these categories can take a little longer to heat up, but even with the sleepier start, a handful are worth looking at. We’ve pulled together our list based on user reviews, technical specs, price trends over the year, and feedback from the PCWorld staff.
If none of these suit you, keep checking back. More bargains should emerge closer to the big date, which this year is November 29.
It may come as a surprise, but Staples makes some very popular desk chairs. If you don’t need a chair for long sitting sessions, its lighter-use Cartright Task Chair is available for a near all-time low price. (Note for the Cartright chair: A second person makes assembling it much easier.) Meanwhile, if you need more comfort, the FlexiSpot A5 offers adjustable support comparable to far more expensive chairs.
Flexispot is a popular brand on Amazon, and for good reason—their standing desks start at much lower prices than competitors. While a single-motor model, the EN2 offers a roomy tabletop and includes a power surge protector that clamps to the desk. No need to dangle cables from the floor to any accessories you’re charging.
A dual motor and programmable controls make for a smoother experience overall. With this motor type, the table won’t wobble as much when going up and down. The frames used for dual-motor desks usually are sturdier, too.
Meanwhile, having programmable controls lets you easily switch between different specific height positions. It’s a quality-of-life improvement that influences how much you like having a standing desk—manually overseeing the height adjustments can become tedious and even a little annoying over the long haul.
This question is a little tricky to answer, but there are two main things to consider. First, you want enough back support to avoid hunching, while also feeling relaxed while sitting. You also want to avoid pressure on your lower back while in the chair. Office chairs designed for long sitting will have backs and seats shaped to address these issues, in contrast to the flatter surfaces of kitchen and casual desk chairs.
Arm rests, head supports, and mesh fabric can also contribute to comfort, depending on your size and how warm you run. When possible, try out these features on a chair a friend owns or on display in a store first, in order to see if you need them. The mesh is particularly good for those who sweat easily.
Wheeled legs are also good for easily getting in and out of the chair. You can often upgrade the casters, as Reddit recommends, for an even smoother experience. Be aware that for hard floors, you may need a rug to protect from scratches, and for deep-carpeted floor, you might need a mat for unhindered rolling.
For the deals chosen by PCWorld, both the quality of the product and the deal are considered. First and foremost, the desk or chair should be well-regarded. Prices should also be among the lowest we’ve seen, especially within context of a product’s historical cost.
If you’re weighing a deal on your own, be aware that many standing desks are rebranded models with slight variations, and so too for cheaper desk chairs. Read the product reviews, and when available, also look at the AI summaries of user reviews—skip anything with a known flaw or high return rates. Ideally, a desk or chair should have both independent reviews and high marks from users.
