Interested in getting out of that uncomfortable office chair for a few hours a day? It’s no surprise that standing desks have become more popular over the last five years, specifically due to the increasing number of jobs that are putting people in front of a computer eight hours a day.

Unfortunately, buying a standing desk (especially one with mechanical adjustable options) can be very expensive. Some of the most popular standing desks start around $500 and range all the way up to $5,000 for models with advanced electronics.

Of course, who wants to spend all that money just to stand up? We certainly don’t. Here are some of our favorite standing desk options that won’t cost you more than a couple Benjamins.

The StandDesk 2200 ($22)

Developed by an awesome IKEA hacker, the StandDesk 2200 is basically a super-cheap standing desk option that requires a little work to build. Designed to sit on an existing desk, this build requires a side table, shelf, brackets and some screws to create. The concept is also very easy to expand upon if you want to add additional monitors.

The downside to using this design is that portability is terrible. It also takes up a significant amount of space in your office, assuming you are switching between sitting and standing on a regular basis. Of course, the cost savings are fairly tremendous when compared to other options. It’s a cheap way to see if you like standing at your desk.

The Oristand ($39 shipped)

Created by the CEO of Hootsuite, the Oristand is a foldable standing desk that’s built out of industrial-grade cardboard. Ideal for either laptop or desktop users, the Oristand can accommodate a monitor or laptop on the top platform with a keyboard / mouse on the bottom.

Of course, you will need to have an existing flat surface to setup the desk. While definitely portable, it’s not ideal for public areas like a coffee shop, mainly due to the large size of the desk taking up a significant amount of space. It would be ideal for an office though, easy to setup or take down when you want to stand.

The StandStand ($75)

Small enough to slide into a laptop bag, the StandStand is the ultimate standing desk for someone that requires extreme portability. Opposite from the Oristand, this product would be perfect for public places (assuming you exclusively use a laptop). Made out of birch wood, the pieces can be easily assembled in less than a minute.

The downside to the StandStand is that you will be looking down at your laptop screen instead of straight ahead like other standing desk options. In addition, there’s no space for an additional mouse or other accessories (only room for a laptop).

The ReadyDesk ($169)

If you don’t want to give up your dual monitor setup, consider the ReadyDesk. Ideal for anyone that’s still on a desktop, the ReadyDesk can accommodate two 27-inch monitors or a monitor / laptop combo. This desk is particularly ideal for anyone that shares a workspace as the height adjustment options work for for anyone between 5’3″ and 6’3″. T

Of course, this isn’t a portable solution for the majority of users. Once the ReadyDesk is setup, it’s likely going to remain there. That being said, users could always shift their monitors down to the secondary platform and their keyboard / mouse to the desk if they wanted to transition to sitting.

The Chairigami ($95 to $165)

If you are into eco-friendly furniture, then check out the Chairigami desk. Starting at $95 for the Kickstarter model (42″) and ranging up to $165 for a larger size (seen above), the Chairigami may be an interesting option for anyone in need of a full-size, temporary desk; perhaps ideal for a college student living off-campus.

The downside to Chairigami products is how long they actually last. Chairigami estimates that a desk will have a two to three year life before it needs to be replaced. Of course, you may be over the whole standing desk fad by then. The desk can be recycled easily after it’s worn out.

The StorkStand ($99 to $199)

Removing the need for any actual desk, the StorkStand is an option for laptop users that lets you use a simple office chair as your desk. Supporting up to 50 pounds, the StorkStand creates a platform for your laptop on the top of a office chair using a metal brace and a Velcro strap.

While ideal for impromptu meetings with limited conference room table space, the downside to this design is that your platform will likely move with the chair; thus it’s only as stable at the office chair. In addition, some office chairs with low backs may not work well at all with this design.

6 Unique Standing Desks That are Less Than $200

Gaining in popularity among gaming enthusiasts over the last few years, mechanical keyboards typically allow you to type quickly and more accurately.

In addition, the life of a mechanical keyboard is longer due to the quality of the key witches and overall build, compared to a standard keyboard.

While most mechanical keyboards are build without size in mind, the HAVIT Mechanical Keyboard is designed more for someone on the go. Forgoing the number pad, this keyboard is just under an inch in height and weighs just over 1 pound. Rather than using a fixed cord, the keyboard utilizes a detachable USB to micro cable to connect to your PC.

Forgoing full RGB, the HAVIT board comes with Kailh Blue Switch keys and an Ice Blue LED color shading that’s adjustable using multiple backlight modes. Those modes can be programmed for quick access to the function keys at the top of the board.

If you are looking for a smaller mechanical board for travel, this could potentially be ideal for you. MSRP: $59.99; here’s the link on Amazon. You can check out the specifications below as well as more images.

Specifications:

Key number: 87 keys
Size: 354*127.5*22.5mm
Net weight: 520g
Interface Type: USB
Cable length: 1500mm (Black USB cable)
Operating force: 45±10gf
Travel(Total): 3.0mm
Voltage: 4.75V±10%
Current: ≤ 50mA （No backlight），≤ 250 mA （brightest backlight）
Service Life: >50 Million Key Operation
Fully Compatible with: Win 10/8/7/Vista/Mac/Linux/IBM PC

Shut Up and Take My Money: HAVIT Mechanical Keyboard

Ideal for anyone that frequently switches between multiple devices, the Logitech K480 Multi-Device keyboard allows a user to switch between three different Bluetooth-enabled devices using a yellow dial (on the black model) on the left side of the keyboard. Basically eliminating the need to constantly re-pair devices of Bluetooth, users can quickly pop between their smartphone, tablet and computer.

In addition to the Bluetooth switching feature, the keyboard also includes a cradle at the top of the keyboard to rest your mobile devices. The devices are angled back with the screen facing the user as a more direct angle. Logitech has also attempted to make the keyboard compatible for both Windows and Mac users, thus users will find key notations for both types of user on the keyboard.

Seeing that it’s been designed with mobile devices in mind, the keyboard is completely dependent on AAA batteries for a power source. There’s no way to plug the keyboard in, unfortunate for anyone that wants to use the keyboard as a desktop for an extended period of time. However, Logitech estimates that the batteries will last approximately two years (or two million keystrokes). There’s also a device on off switch to preserve battery life over time.

Logitech is pricing the keyboard at a $49.99 MSRP, thus it’s likely that the device will be on sale in the $35 to $40 range by the holiday season. To learn more about the device, you can watch the video below or check out the product page here.

Shut Up and Take My Money: Logitech K480 Multi-Device Keyboard

Many people, both gamers and office workers alike, spend their days toiling away on throw-in keyboards.  While the peripheral may lack the glamour of a 27-inch display or 3TB external drive, those who make the decision to seek out a better keyboard rarely look back. That’s where the Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. line-up of keyboards comes into view.

Sense and Sensibility    

Whereas the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 and S.T.R.I.K.E. 5 include lots of interchangeable pieces and some kind of mothership-controlling touchscreen, the S.T.R.I.K.E. 3 feature set is built around the features that matter most for a keyboard with just a side of gamer style.  In addition to the normal keyboard keys, the S.T.R.I.K.E. 3 has 12 programmable keys, a switch for locking the windows button lock, media keys, wrist rest and a gaming shell.  The standout feature, though, is the illuminated keyboard membrane, taken straight from the high-dollar S.T.R.I.K.E. 7.

At a price of $100, most buyers don’t care how many stickers come in the box. They want keys with flawless and reliable action and just maybe some unique style.  So it’s a good thing that Mad Catz must have had this notion in mind when creating the S.T.R.I.K.E. 3.

First Generation

The S.T.R.I.K.E. series is a new product line, and when looking at some of the secondary features, it’s clear this is a first generation product.  The software for the programmable keys is functional but there’s room for improvement.  The media keys seem to have been thrown in, and exist as six alternate F keys.  The overall shape of the keyboard hogs more desk space than necessary, and the wrist rest literally rests in place, giving it a cheap feel despite the slick look.

Keeps It Real

The keyboard’s membrane, the one lifted from the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7, by name means that the S.T.R.I.K.E. 3 isn’t mechanical. Mechanical keyboards use a switch for each key, an old, expensive design that many swear by. Whether typing or playing a shooter like Battlefield 4, the keys feel like they were dipped in solid awesome. When crouching in-game or clicking the trusty Control + C, Control + V, the concave left Control key feel is a guilty pleasure.  My sole gripe with the keys is the spacing around the backspace area, too close to the F keys and too far from the Insert, Home and Page Up keys.

While the keys feel like they traveled back in time from one of those sexy planets on Star Trek, Mad Catz has managed some things with illuminated keys that seem like a breakthrough.  Not only can you set one of 16 million colors for the backlights, but the result just beats the crap out of the range of many other illuminated keyboards in my possession from Razer to HP, and even white light leaking  Apple.

Combine the Cylon-looking backlighting with either the glossy black or glossy white, and the keyboard looks better than most “gaming” style products deserve to.  The red model, on the other hand, seems a lot more like the typical “gaming” product eyesore. (The Amazon sales availability seems to back up this opinion on the three color options.)

Build Quality

The keyboard seems like a great choice for fighting off a zombie; it’s light but strong.  The top has a loop that seems inspired by carrying handles, but is too small for human hands, including my own childlike mitts.

As solid as the keyboard, keys, and nylon-braided cable feel, the unit provided by Mad Catz for review had 10 dead keys right out of the box.  The plus side of getting a dead-on-arrival unit, though, was getting to test the 2-year warranty and Mad Catz support.  I submitted a support ticket online late on a Thursday,  got an email back the following Monday, which had a support phone number. I called in, and after a brief chat with a support person, they promised to send me a replacement, which arrived within a week.

That’s really it for the warranty.  While it won’t cover bashing an intruder, it covers manufacturer defects.  After weeks of use with the replacement in a dozen games, and some 40,000 words of typing, I expect it will last until the end of time or until it is run over by a bulldozer, whichever comes first.

In Conclusion

The Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 3 is roughly $97 on Amazon as of this writing, which I think is $17 too high.  As it is, the S.T.R.I.K.E. 3 takes the best part of the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7, the keys, while boiling off the more gimmicky fat, and most of the price. I defy anyone not in a mechanical keyboard cult to argue the with perfect feel of the keys or the impressive backlighting.  Still, if your idea of the perfect keyboard includes batteries and wireless functionality, the S.T.R.I.K.E. 3 likely isn’t for you.

BUY NOW: Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 3 Gaming Keyboard for PC – Gloss Black

BUY NOW: Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 3 Gaming Keyboard for PC –  White

BUY NOW: Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 3 Gaming Keyboard for PC – Red

Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 3 Gaming Keyboard Review: Step Up Your Keyboard Game

Do you know what’s more disgusting than a toilet seat? Your computer keyboard. According to a 2011 study, your keyboard is five times dirtier than the average toilet seat with bacteria levels approximately 150 times the acceptable limit. While you can break out a disinfectant cloth to kill the majority of those nasty germs, that still doesn’t remove all the hair, food crumbs, spilled soda, dust and other particles gumming up the works; basically everything making your keyboard a hot mess of Dennis Nedry proportions.

Enter the Logitech K310 washable keyboard, a computer peripheral that can be dropped into the sink, washed and scrubbed to make sure it’s completely clean. On the bottom of the keyboard, Logitech has included drainage holes that allow water to exit the device and help the internal section dry off. You can use regular dish-washing liquid to remove soda residue, but not any type of alcohol or abrasive cleaner.

For testing purposes, I washed my Logitech K310 a few times and everything is still in perfect working order. One item of note, be sure to secure the included waterproof cap over the USB plug on the keyboard’s cord in order to keep it completely dry.

In addition to the washable design, Logitech has also included a small brush that can be detached from a clip holder on the bottom of the keyboard. It’s ideal for getting in between the keys and sweeping out anything that’s starting to collect on the keyboard. It’s really surprising how much dust, hair and other particles that collect between the keys after just a single week of use.

Regarding the design of the Logitech K310, you won’t find any back-lit keys. However, the keys have been laser etched in order to prevent wearing off. In addition, the keys have received a UV coating treatment to prevent fading over time. I’ve been using the keyboard about two to three months at this point and all the keys still look brand new.

All keys are white on a dark gray frame and the bottom of the keyboard is a bright blue color. The keyboard has a basic layout complete with a number pad on the right and standard functions tied to the F1 through F12 keys. Functions include launching programs, controlling music and volume on the PC.

Just like every other keyboard in the company’s lineup, Logitech has designed the keyboard to be completely plug-and-play with Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP. Logitech has also included risers on the bottom of the keyboard that can be flipped out to slightly angle the keyboard for a more comfortable typing experience. However, if you are using a wrist rest, the angle almost feels too low and an additional riser can help alleviate this issue.

While this keyboard won’t impress a hardcore gamer in terms of functionality, it’s really ideal for a college student living in a messy dorm room or basically anyone that eats or drinks next to a PC. I’ve purchased plenty of keyboards over the years, but this is the first one that actually feels like it could last for a while; mainly because I can (somewhat obsessively) keep it clean. Keep an eye out on Ben’s when the K310 goes on sale in the $15 to $20 range.

Check for Logitech K310 Deals on Bens

Logitech K310 Washable Keyboard Review

Developed by an Italy-based architecture and design firm called ZO_loft, the QWERTY sofa is pretty much exactly what you think it will be; an odd amalgamation between that hunk of plastic that you pound your fingers on every day and the comfortable, cushioned vortex that constantly steals the television remote, pocket change and bits of breakfast cereal. Using the sofa’s remote control, the person sitting on the couch can alter the height of each key in order to reshape the sofa for sitting, sleeping and everything else in between. It’s somewhat odd that they are calling it the QWERTY couch due to the missing “Q” and “W” on the left side.

Take a look at the final result:

Can you spell comfortable? (Trick Question)

Why Type When You Can Sit? The QWERTY Sofa