Best Footrest for Standing Desk Users
A footrest at a standing desk sounds contradictory — you’re standing, not sitting. But most standing desk users spend a significant portion of their day in the seated position, and the footrest need is the same as any other setup. There’s also a secondary use case specific to standing desks: a footrest used as a prop to shift weight and posture while standing. Here’s what works for both.
Footrests for Seated Position at a Standing Desk
Standing desks typically sit higher than fixed desks — often 28–36 inches in the seated position, depending on the user’s height. For shorter users especially, this means the gap between feet and floor at keyboard height is larger than at a standard desk. A footrest closes that gap the same way it does at any fixed desk: set the chair at the right keyboard height, then bring the floor up to meet your feet.
The key difference with a standing desk is that you’ll be moving the footrest in and out of position as you switch between sitting and standing. This argues for a lightweight, easy-to-move option rather than something heavy or awkward to reposition.
BlissTrends Memory Foam Foot Rest
~$25–30 · Best for Seated Use at a Standing Desk
The BlissTrends is lightweight enough to slide in and out of position without disrupting the workday — which matters more at a standing desk than a fixed desk, since you’re transitioning between positions multiple times per day. In the seated position, it provides the same foot support that makes it the best footrest under $30 for any setup: memory foam, two height settings, rocking design for circulation. Easy to kick aside when you stand, easy to pull back when you sit.
Best for: Standing desk users who need foot support in seated position and want something easy to move between sitting and standing transitions
Mind Reader Adjustable Footrest
~$25–30 · Best for Weight-Shifting While Standing
When standing for long periods, shifting your weight so one foot is slightly elevated reduces lower back fatigue significantly. This is why bar rails exist. The Mind Reader’s hard platform handles this use case better than memory foam: it’s stable under a full-body-weight foot plant, it doesn’t compress or deform when you’re actively shifting weight onto it, and the textured surface grips shoes firmly. Use it under one foot while standing, then slide it into position under both feet when you sit.
Best for: Standing desk users who want to prop one foot while standing to reduce lower back fatigue — the firm platform holds up to full weight
ComfiLife Memory Foam Footrest
~$35–40 · Best for Shorter Users at Standing Desks
Standing desks configured for a taller user can sit higher in the seated position than a shorter user needs — creating a foot gap that even the BlissTrends’s maximum height doesn’t fully close. The ComfiLife’s taller profile (up to 6 inches) handles these cases. If you’re sharing a standing desk with a taller partner, or if your desk’s minimum seated height is higher than ideal for your frame, the ComfiLife is the right choice over the BlissTrends.
Best for: Shorter users at standing desks where the seated height is higher than a typical fixed desk — more lift range than the BlissTrends
The Right Sitting-to-Standing Ratio
The research on standing desks consistently shows that alternating between sitting and standing provides better outcomes than either exclusively. A practical starting point: 50–60 minutes seated, 10 minutes standing, then repeat. Most people find the transition happens naturally once the desk height is set correctly for both positions.
→ Read: Best Footrest Under $30
→ Read: Home Office Setup Under $1,000