The Best Home Office Desk in 2021 (Reviewed & Compared)

Are you looking for the best home office desk to boost your productivity in these lockdown-ridden times? Well, you’ve certainly come to the right place!

To make sure your home-based office inspires you, we’ve selected only the very best based on the following criteria:

• Ergonomics 
• Overall quality
• Practical features
• Terms of sale

Interested to know more? Then just keep on reading!

Affiliate Disclosure

Overview — The Shift desk 2.0 from ergonofis is not only fingerprint-resistant, but it is also antimicrobial. Likewise, it comes with heat- and scratch-resistant properties — hence why we dubbed it one of the best home office desks for 2021, if not the best.

Couple that with the minimalist, sleek-looking design that matches most modern interiors and you get to fight the pesky coronavirus with style with this desk.

Construction — The sturdy steel frame of the Shift desk 2.0 is available in either black or white variants. However, to our delight, the soft-touch laminate is available in 5 color schemes, meaning there are 10 possible color patterns to choose from. And best of all, if you’re not sure which one to pick, there’s a free trial available.

In addition, the grommets’ positions (left/right), as well as the numbers, are also customizable.

Also, due to its sturdy design, the desk has a 300lbs lifting capacity. Thus, making it one of the best desks for gaming as gamers can place all of their heavy gaming equipment on top of it without the fear of breaking.

Dimensions — What we also like is that the Shift desk 2.0 comes in 3 different sizes and an adjustable height ranging from 24.5” to 50”.

Terms of Sale — A lengthy 10-years warranty and free shipping are just some of the perks that make this one of the best desks for 2021.

Pros:

• Highly customizable 
• Antimicrobial, fingerprint-resistant desktop 
• 300lbs lifting capacity
• Suitable for tall people

Cons:

• Shipping fee for US returns

Overview — SpassWay’s Classic Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk is so easy to use, it literally does all the work for you. Namely, the desk can memorize 3 of your preferred height positions, making its adjustment completely hassle-free.

Yet, this is not the only feature that makes it one of the best desks for home office use. It contains a file package, a bag hook, and adjustable footpads. Hence, all of these accessories contribute to making your work that much easier.

Better yet, the rounded edges and the lock function make this desk perfect for those with children.

Construction — We have nothing but words of praise for the quality materials used for making this desk, as do the numerous certifications. As a result, the desk can easily handle 220lbs of weight capacity, making it one of the best computer desks for a home office.

Moreover, the desk itself is relatively stylish, as per many customer reviews. It’s beautifully crafted, childproof, waterproof, and oil-resistant, yet what they liked the most was the walnut-patterned board.

Dimensions — The SpassWay is medium-sized sitting at 48” x 24” with an adjustable height between 29.1” to 48”. Nevertheless, what makes it particularly impressive is the silent electric motor (<55db). 

In addition, the 2-segment steel legs are there to provide added support and make the lifting as steady as can be.

Terms of Sale — This already exceptional electric desk offers free worldwide shipment, which is just a cherry on top!

Pros:

• Water- and oil-proof desktop
• Many practical accessories
• Childproof (lock mode, rounded edges)
• Free shipping worldwide 

Cons:

• Medium-level assembly

Overview — If you want a multi-adjustable design that is user-friendly, then this is the desk for you. 

Namely, this is among the best home office desks for gamers and coders due to its adjustable design. Everyone who works at a computer for extended periods of time will appreciate the easy-to-use dual motor system with which you can revert between your favorite sitting and standing heights.

Construction — Speaking of the dual motors, they are relatively quick (35mm/s) and you won’t hear any annoying buzzing sounds while you adjust your desk.

What’s more, the welded steel frame and reinforced base make it both sturdy and adjustable at the same time. Hence, coders and gamers can easily place their two monitors, which is standard practice when it comes to these two groups, making this the best home office desk for multiple monitors.

Dimensions — This MotionGrey design allows two sizes (standard and large) on the same extendable steel frame, which is decent. The first one being 47” x 23.6” large, and the latter 59” x 23.6”. 

Terms of Sale — You’ll be happy to hear that the price is more than reasonable for this modern ergonomic office solution. Better yet, it comes with a 3-year warranty.

On the downside, there’s no free shipping.

Pros:

• 4 colors to choose from
• 4 customizable height positions 
• 2 desktop sizes
• Welded steel frame

Cons:

• Medium-level assembly

Overview — The Movel Mobile Adjustable Desk is designed for laptops, specifically for those weighing up to 17.6lbs. Likewise, the surface of this desktop features a ledge stopper for safety when you want to tilt it.

Construction — To our delight, there are four different angles to choose from when it comes to this neat little desk; namely, 0°, 10°, 20°, and 30°.

Also, due to the small size of the board it’s one of the most suitable desks for small spaces. Plus, it’s lightweight so you can move it around anywhere you want. The caster-wheeled base will make this a walk in the park.

Dimensions — The Movel Mobile Adjustable Desk is a modest 23.6’’ x 20.5’’ in size. Still, you get to choose between 3 height levels, ranging from 29.8” to 44.4”.

And seeing how the desktop can be inclined at will, it’s definitely among the best office desks for your home workstation if you use a drawing tablet to make a living. 

Terms of Sale — Apart from the reasonable price, the brand also provides a 30-day trial period, which is very generous of them. 

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Movable with castor wheels
• Tiltable desktop with ledge stopper
• Space-saving design

Cons:

• Weight capacity of only 17.6lbs

Overview — Those looking for a large-surface, durable and affordable sit/stand desk look no further than EleTab’s Manual Standing. Just keep in mind that this desk can only hold working equipment of up to 88lbs.

Construction — This is a relatively large home office desk. And unlike other work desks on our list, it uses a discrete crank mechanism to shift heights, ranging between 29” and 47.6”. 

Upon doing so, the lift system becomes invisible if you slide the crank into the crank slot. And we have largely to thank this manual height adjustment for its relatively low price, allowing us to rank it as one of the best cheap desks for a home office.

Another plus is that the steel frame features a crossbar for extra stability. Moreover, the desk’s footpads are adjustable, thus protecting your floor.

Dimensions — The wide height range of this desk can easily accommodate tall people. Plus, the wide desktop surface (55.1” x 23.6”) allows for added comfort while you work.

Terms of Sale — Apart from the affordable price tag, the shipping is also free across the US. 

Last but not least, there’s a 7-year warranty as well.

Pros:

• Wide working surface
• Side slot for the crank
• Good quality/price ratio
• 7-year warranty

Cons:

• Small weight capacity 88lbs
• Manual height adjustment

Overview — If you prefer a more classical design, then you’ll simply love the Conrad Desk by Gus Modern. 

In fact, anyone working with lots of files will appreciate this desk’s self-closing hanging file drawer, along with the two other self-closing drawers.

Construction — This beautiful home office furniture has a sleek walnut wood finish. And as such, there’s a good chance it will look beautiful wherever you put it.

Also, despite it being quite heavy, worry not! The slender brushed stainless steel legs feature bottom bumpers to protect your flooring. 

That said, assembling it can be quite a challenge for some.

Dimensions — In terms of dimensions, it is definitely one of the best home office desks for small spaces due to its relatively small size.

Terms of Sale — A shipping fee applies for items over 55lbs, but there are plenty of shipping options. There is also a generous 45-day return policy.

Pros:

• 50’s style retro design
• 3 self-closing drawers
• Fits small spaces
• FSC-Certified wood

Cons:

• Somewhat challenging assembling
• Not a whole lot of home office desk reviews

Overview — Branch Executive Office Desk is ideal for those searching for multi-purpose desks. As a matter of fact, you can even drink your homemade juice on it without much fuss due to its stain-resistant top, which is perfect for modern, dynamic workers.

In standard working environments, it’s extremely popular among professional teams. So much so that it’s regarded as one of the best executive desks on the market.

Construction — This desk uses a combination of stainless steel (desk frame) and flared aluminum legs, as well as a double-laminated desktop.

Other practical, thoughtful details like height-adjustable feet and a brushed cable port are also mentioned in numerous customer reviews. 

What’s more, you can further customize this executive desk by adding accessories such as in-desk power, a monitor arm, or even anti-COVID-19 (privacy) panels.

Dimensions — The sheer size of this desk makes it the best computer desk for home office settings with multiple workers, such as couples for instance. And despite its size, it has a robust design so it won’t wobble.

Terms of Sale — What better way to close out this mini-review than with a 10-year warranty. Best of all, you can trade your old desk for a new one.

Pros:

• Durable
• High load capacity 650lbs 
• Sleek-looking design
• Easy to assemble

Cons:

• Return shipping is not free

Overview — Searching for a sturdy yet affordable home office desk? Then look no further than Urban Outfitters’ Kirby Desk! In fact, this simple, minimalist desk is the perfect fit for most house interiors. 

In addition, it’s one of the top home office desks for petite or averagely-built individuals. On the other hand, larger individuals may feel slightly uncomfortable working at a 28”-high desk.

Construction — Due to its black metal frame, this desk is somewhat industrial-looking. That said, the angular metal frame gives it a stylish look that is pleasant to the eye.  

The wooden parts of this desk (the desktop and shelves top) are made of a foil laminated particleboard, which require assembly before use.

Luckily, you have all the tools you need packed along with it.

What’s more, home office desk reviews from customers state that assembling it is relatively fast and simple. And according to one of these, it takes only about 10 mins to do so.

Dimensions — Those with smaller home office spaces can rejoice as this desk can easily fit smaller areas, such as corners, halls, etc., without much fuss. Not only that, but it also looks great and weighs only 34lbs.

Therefore, we’re dubbing it one of the best corner desks for a home office as it will make good use of your space wherever you put it.

Terms of Sale — With this desk, you’ll get free shipping (over $50) and a 30-day return policy, which is pretty sweet, huh?

Pros:

• Affordable yet sturdy
• Minimalist design
• Fits small home office places
• 2 different shades of wood (charter oak or smoked oak)

Cons:

• Sharp edges
• Not suitable for larger individuals

Overview — When talking about the best desks for an artist, a home office setup is what first comes to mind. Artists working under steep angles will love this modern home office desk in particular, as well as those that need their supplies well organized and within reach. 

Accessories — This desk features removable supply trays from both sides for better organization, plus two drawers on the right side of the desk. Thus, making it one of the best desks for a home office. 

Construction — Cherry on top, you can put up to 130lbs on its 2” thick blue safety glass desktop. The sturdy construction (read: silver steel frame) will also allow for more extensive artistic freedom, which is never a bad thing, right?

Dimensions — The work surface is quite generous (41.25” x 24”), but it may not fit all artistic profiles. Then again, when picking the best desk for your home office, it’s important to know whether or not you can tilt it manually, as is the case with this one (up to 62.5 degrees).

Last but not least, the height is adjustable and ranges between 31.5” to 49.5”.

Terms of Sale — When it comes to the Modern/Contemporary Craft Desk, shipping is completely free. But wait, there’s more!

Namely, there’s also an incredible 90-day return period.

Pros:

• Productivity-boosting, convenient design
• Tilts to 62.5 degrees 
• 2” thick safety glass desktop
• Good price/value ratio

Cons:

• Manual adjustment (tilting)

Overview — Staples’ Easy 2 Go 36″ Corner Desk is ideal for home offices with limited space. In other words, it’s perfect for individuals that like to save up on floor space, but are not willing to sacrifice their working surface.

Moreover, this beautiful product is for creative home workers who like their desk to be an indistinguishable part of their home.

Construction — Due to its optimal design, it’s one of the best small office corner desks for home environments. Additionally, the design incorporates three open shelves and a keyboard tray; everything you need for your home mini-office. 

Also, despite being made entirely out of laminated wood, the desk is quite sturdy, so you won’t have to fear it buckling under pressure.  

Dimensions — The 35.38″ x 35.38″ size and 28.88″ height make this desk an extremely comfortable working environment, considering that it’s a computer desk with a keyboard tray.

Terms of Sale — Shipping is free, no minimum fee required, yet the trial period is only 14 days.

Pros:

• Space-efficient and convenient
• Aesthetically pleasing 
• Keyboard tray
• 3 open shelves

Cons:

• Only one color scheme
• Short trial period

The first step towards an excellent home-based office is choosing the right spot. Once you’ve found it, you can start selecting the optimal desk for it.

If you want your desk to be as convenient, as functional, and as aesthetically pleasing as other modern items in your home (such as your French door refrigerator, for instance), you’ll need to measure everything. Twice!

Still, there are a lot of other factors to take into consideration. This is why we made this brief guide to help you get one of the best desks for your home office.

Desk Type

So you’ve decided to set up your perfect home office. But what kind of desk are you looking for?

There are several types of office desks to choose from, for instance:

• Computer desk
• Executive desk (double pedestal desk that usually features storage drawers) 

These can be:

• L-shaped
• U-shaped
• Rectangular
• Massive desk systems

• Corner desk
• Art desk (tiltable and wide)
• Wall-mounted desk (floating desk)
• Adjustable-height desk, which can have the following mechanisms:
  • Crank
  • Pneumatic
  • Electric
• Secretary desk (characterized by a hinged desktop usually topped with a bookcase)

Last but not least, the best office desks for your home are those that suit your home interior well. These include stylish variants such as a:

• Roll-top desk
• Credenza desk

Desk Ergonomics

There are many benefits to a home office setting. For instance, you can sip your favorite CBD coffee away from the curious gaze of your coworkers or even raise your feet.

Yet, the best perk of having a home office is the opportunity to create a healthy working environment, both physically and mentally! Namely, an ergonomic desk and chair can do wonders for your back health and keep you focused and engaged with your work during the day.

Sitting vs. Standing Office Desks

By now, you probably know that not even the best standing desks for your home office will help you lose weight if you don’t exercise.

That said, intermittent standing lowers the risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes or even cancer. Therefore, even if you don’t lose any weight, getting one of these desks is never a bad idea.

In fact, most experts agree that height-adjustable standing desks are one of the healthiest options around.

Desk Size

There are no standard dimensions for an office desk per se. However, the minimum required measurements for a comfortable computer desk is 24’’ x 24’’ x 20’’; that is, the width, depth, and height, accordingly.

Height

Standing Desks

The best stand-up desks for a home office usually have an adjustable height. 

Even though there is no general rule for standing desks, you can expect them to be somewhere between 38” to 42” in size. 

Sitting Desks

The standard sitting desk height is between 28” and 30” for people between 5ft and 6.5ft. Taller people, on the other hand, may need a 30.7” desk or higher.

Width 

The standard desk width is about 60’’. That said, the best home office desks for two will have at least 40″. So, at least 20″ per person when they sit alongside each other.

Depth

The standard office desk depth depends on the kind of PC you have and how you use it. The minimum desk depth according to House Plans Helper is: 

• 18’’ for laptops
• 20’’ for a reading and writing area
• 12’’ if you use a keyboard tray
• 36’’ for two people sitting opposite each other

Construction

Wood

The best executive desks for a home office are usually made of whole wood as this particular material is considered luxurious for most. And depending on the type of wood they can be oak, walnut, cherry, pine, maple, etc.

As a result, they have their own set of advantages and disadvantages:

Pros

• Sturdy and durable
• Classy and natural look
• Various colors and wood varieties
• Great material for custom-made desks
• Has a good resale value

Cons 

• Expensive
• Heavy (solid wood)
• Sensitive to spilled water
• Scratchable

Cleaning a wooden office desk is challenging! If you don’t believe us, just read a few buyers’ home office desk reviews.

So, yes, if you have a wooden home office desk, you’ll need to stretch your budget for special cleaning and polishing agents. And no, you can’t use your hardwood floor cleaner to clean it up.

Wood, in general, requires special care. 

Metal

Given the robustness of metal, it’s no wonder the best home office desks for students are made of said material. We all know how wild students can be. However, they are also extremely heavy, making them difficult to move. 

Pros

• Robust and durable
• Scratch-resistant 
• Easy to clean
• Modern, sophisticated look
• Versatile shape

Cons 

• Usually heavy
• Incompatible with some rooms
• Retains heat and cold

Glass

If you are the kind of person that would purchase a tankless water heater to save up on space, you’ll love this type of desk.

In addition to their modern look, glass desks reflect light — hence why these are naturally considered among the best desks for a small home office. Yet, that’s not all, they have the following benefits:

Pros

• Affordable

• Easy maintenance

• Minimalistic look

• Suitable for small spaces

• Matches with most interiors

Cons 

• Needs regular cleaning
• Breakable
• Scratchable
• Dangerous

Other Materials

Last but not least, there are many variations, or combos, when it comes to these materials, as well as different composites such as plastic. 

In fact, the top cheap home office desks are usually made of these combined materials.

Bottom Line 

There are many benefits to a home office setting, yet choosing the right kind of desk is half the battle. That said, all top-quality desks have some things in common such as durability, ergonomics, and a reasonable price/value ratio. So, be on the lookout for those.

All in all, we hope our reviews helped you gain a better understanding of what makes a good desk for a home office. Now, it’s up to you to decide which fits your home and budget the most, good luck!