I’ve worked from home for my entire career, so I’ve had time to optimize my office setup. I’ve swapped out my desk and office chair, tried different wireless mouse designs, and just added ergonomic wrist rests, but my favorite upgrade by far is my standing desk converter. 

I’ve had the Vivo 26-Inch Desk Converter for over two years now, and it’s arguably the best investment I’ve made in my at-home productivity and comfort. I can’t imagine not having it at this point, and when I work from a different location, I notice my posture and productivity aren’t quite the same.

Whether you’re starting a new job or just want to upgrade your desk setup ahead of a brand-new semester, this sit-to-stand desk riser is the perfect, under-$150 buy. Plus, it’s regularly on sale; I’ve seen it as low as $110 (so far). 

I recommend adding it to your cart now ahead of the big sales—like Amazon’s Prime Days, which are back this summer from July 8 through July 11. If you just cannot wait for a desk upgrade (which is understandable), know it’s worth it at full price, too.

Ideal in Form and Function

I bought this desk converter at the same time I purchased my walking pad (Mine is now out-of-stock, but a newer version is available.), and I honestly didn’t think much of its functionality because I was more excited about the walking pad at the time. 

The desk riser’s 26-inch width just barely fit on the small desk I was using (an antique, flip-top secretary), which was my primary reason for purchasing this particular design. Within the past year, I switched to an L-shaped desk and I love this riser even more. It makes the corner of my desk far more spacious and maximizes the leg room I have to perfectly angle my walking pad underneath.   

The top level is the perfect size for my laptop and multiple daily beverages. I’ll even cram my lunch plate and snack bowls on it when I’m in a rush. 

I’ve never had an external monitor, but you could also easily fit a mid-sized monitor in addition to a laptop. 

As the retailer suggests, I use the keyboard tray for my wireless keyboard, mouse, and wrist rests. While this portion is a bit more crowded than I’d like, especially with a mousepad, I make it work and don’t find it too uncomfortable to use.

Plus, despite being fairly utilitarian in design, I like how this riser looks on my desk, thanks to its sleek lines. The x-frame that raises and lowers its surface is hidden from view, so a passerby might not even realize that it’s a sit-to-stand design with a glance. A nice perk!

A Sneaky, Gliding Conversion 

As I mentioned, this desk converter is surprisingly sleek, and much of its mechanical pieces are hidden below the main desk surface. Even the handle you push to raise it is hidden when you’re looking at it straight on. 

All you have to do to raise the surface is press the handle, which is located underneath the main platform on the front right. In one quick motion, the riser extends to its maximum height of 16.9 inches, and you can also adjust it to be lower if needed.

To shorten the riser, hold down on the handle and gently push the top back down—I love that this requires very little force. Both actions are also completely silent, too. There’s no squeaking or creaking from the extension. 

If standing, I typically work with the converter fully extended. At this height, it hits me mid-chest, and I’m 5-foot-4 and use a 29-inch-tall desk, for reference. My walking pad adds about 3 inches to my height, and I still find the converter easy to use with those added inches. 

I sometimes find that my arms will feel a little cramped when standing, since the riser hits me higher up, so a taller individual would most likely find this riser comfortable to use, too, without having to bend or shift.

Made-to-Last Materials and an Easy Assembly

I have the all-white model, and it doesn’t have any major stains or marks on its surface yet. It’s seen its fair share of accidental coffee spills, too, but liquid messes are very easy to wipe away with an all-purpose cleaner. 

The desk surface and keyboard tray are both made of a thick plastic, so you don’t have to worry about the surface bubbling from liquid exposure either. I pretty much never use a coaster for my iced coffee and seltzer waters, and I’ve never had an issue with condensation—even two years later.

All of the other parts are metal, which makes this riser fairly heavy to lift, but that has given me peace-of-mind regarding its durability. I’ve moved twice since purchasing it, and it’s always come out unscathed from the rougher handling of moving companies. 

While it does require a little bit of assembly, I found the setup easy to complete solo. You just have to screw the keyboard tray onto the main body of the riser and add the padded feet to the bottom of the frame. 

I just recommend being careful when you initially flip it right side up to place it on your desk, because the weight is a bit surprising.

Why It’s Worth It

Without this desk riser, I know my posture would suffer from sitting at a desk, hunched over my laptop. Its height is perfect for putting my laptop at eye level, making it more comfortable for me to work all day and easier to switch to a standing position when I want. 

If anything were to break on this desk riser (although I highly doubt it), I would repurchase it in a heartbeat. With 10 colors and six sizes to choose from, you can find a coordinating option for every size desk and design aesthetic. 

When I originally searched for a sit-to-stand desk converter, I saw plenty of options similar to this design, but the Vivo 26-Inch Desk Converter was one of the most competitive price-wise—meaning it’s already a great value compared to its competition.

But since it’s frequently on sale, the under-$150 price tag is all the more reason to upgrade your desk setup now.