Best Footrests for Standing Desks in 2026

By Editorial Team Editorial | April 2026

Long days at a standing desk are brutal on your lower legs if your feet don’t have somewhere sensible to go. The VIVO STAND-FT01 is the best overall pick because it gives you real height adjustment, a grippy surface, and a steel frame for £34.99.

Our picks at a glance

Pick	Product	Price	Best for
Best overall	VIVO Ergonomic Height Adjustable Foot Rest Relief Platform	£34.99	Tall desks and standing setups that need adjustable foot support
Best upgrade	Humanscale FR300 Ergonomic Foot Rocker	£80-100	A more refined, active-feeling footrest for shoe wearers
Best budget	Kensington SoleMate Comfort Foot Rest with SmartFit System	About £25	A cheaper adjustable footrest for basic sitting support

Based on hands-on research, expert review consensus (RTings, Wirecutter, relevant subreddits), and current pricing.

Best overall: VIVO Ergonomic Height Adjustable Foot Rest Relief Platform

VIVO Ergonomic Height Adjustable Foot Rest Relief Platform — £34.99

This is the footrest that makes an awkward desk setup feel usable again. If your feet dangle, your desk sits too high, or you split time between sitting and standing, the VIVO gives you enough height range to actually fix the position instead of just softening it.

Why we picked it:

• The 5" to 10.25" height range is the point here: you can tune it to the desk instead of guessing and hoping.
• The textured anti-slip platform is better than a soft cushion if you want your feet to stay planted and stable while you work.
• The steel frame, rubber feet, and anti-slip base give it the feel of office gear rather than a cheap throwaway accessory.

The trade-off: It’s a hard-surface footrest, so it is not the one to buy if you want barefoot comfort or absolute side-to-side rigidity. Wirecutter also notes that VIVO’s footrest can shift a bit.

If you want an adjustable platform that solves the problem, buy the VIVO Ergonomic Height Adjustable Foot Rest Relief Platform.

Best upgrade: Humanscale FR300 Ergonomic Foot Rocker

Humanscale FR300 Ergonomic Foot Rocker — £80-100

The extra money buys you a more polished, furniture-grade footrest with a smoother rocking action and a more premium feel under constant use. It’s the one to choose if you wear shoes at your desk, want a footrest that encourages subtle movement, and care about build quality more than low price.

Worth it if: you want a more refined active-sitting option and you’re happy paying more for metal-and-wood construction and a lifetime warranty.

Best budget pick: Kensington SoleMate Comfort Foot Rest with SmartFit System

Kensington SoleMate Comfort Foot Rest with SmartFit System — About £25

This is the cheaper, no-drama option for people who just need basic under-desk support. It gives you multiple height settings and a lockable angle, but it is not as smooth, comfortable, or durable as the better picks, and reviewers have complained that it can feel cheap.

Worth it if: you want the lowest-cost adjustable footrest and you’re fine with a simpler feel for a stationary desk setup.

How we chose

We looked for footrests that solved the actual desk problem: legs dangling, bad chair height, and poor support under a standing or tall workstation. The main filters were adjustability, stability, surface comfort, and long-term build quality, with current expert consensus from Wirecutter and other ergonomic review sources helping to separate the serious options from the filler.

Frequently asked questions

Do you actually need a footrest for a standing desk? Yes, if the desk is too high for you to keep a comfortable posture with your feet flat or supported. It’s a simple fix, but it makes a real difference when the rest of your setup is already dialled in.

Is the VIVO footrest worth the price? At £34.99, yes — if you need height adjustment more than softness. It is cheap enough to justify, but not so cheap that you should expect luxury.

Will it work barefoot? It will work, but it is clearly better with shoes or socks than as a plush barefoot footrest.