Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them OfficeCanvas may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend gear we'd use ourselves. Learn more.
Buying a standing desk is the easy part. The accessories around it are what actually determine whether you use the "stand" half of sit-stand — or leave it parked at sitting height because your monitor's too low, your cables are a mess, and your feet ache after twenty minutes. This guide breaks down the accessories that matter most, organized by category, with a couple of solid picks in each so you're not scrolling through fifty near-identical options.
We've grouped these by what they solve, not by price, but we've flagged the genuinely budget-friendly options throughout — most of this list is small-dollar gear, and you can build a very functional setup without spending desk-level money. If you haven't settled on the desk itself yet, start with our best standing desks roundup before you accessorize around it.
Anti-fatigue mats
Standing on a hard floor for hours is genuinely harder on your joints than sitting, and it's the single biggest reason people quit standing desks after a week. A good anti-fatigue mat encourages your calves and feet to make small, constant micro-adjustments, which keeps blood moving and reduces the "concrete legs" feeling.
Topo by Ergodriven
Around $130–$150
The Topo has a deliberately uneven surface — a gentle slope and terraced sections — that nudges you to shift your weight and stance instead of locking into one flat position. That movement is the whole point of a good mat, and it's why this one shows up on more ergonomists' recommendation lists than flatter competitors.
- Textured surface actively encourages movement
- Dual-density foam holds up over years of daily use
- Easy to wipe clean
- Pricier than a basic flat mat
- The sloped edges take a day or two to get used to
Imprint CumulusPRO Mat
Around $60–$90
A flat, comfortably cushioned mat that does the basics well: it's soft enough to stand on for hours, has a beveled edge so you don't trip getting on and off it, and comes in enough sizes to fit a compact desk footprint or a wide dual-monitor setup.
- Noticeably cheaper than premium textured mats
- Multiple size and color options
- Flat surface doesn't encourage movement the way a textured mat does
Monitor arms: single and dual
This is arguably the highest-impact accessory on this whole list. A monitor sitting flat on your desk forces your neck down for hours a day; a proper arm lets you set the top of the screen at eye level and match your monitor's height to your desk's, whether you're sitting or standing. If you only buy one thing from this guide, make it this.
Ergotron LX Desk Monitor Arm
Around $150–$220
The LX is the arm most ergonomics guides default to, and for good reason: it has a huge range of motion, holds heavier monitors (including a lot of ultrawides) without drifting downward over time, and its gas-spring mechanism means one-hand height adjustments instead of wrestling with a knob.
- Smooth one-hand height adjustment
- Supports large and ultrawide monitors
- 10-year warranty
- Costs more than basic fixed arms
- Clamp needs a couple inches of desk edge depth
VIVO Dual Monitor Desk Mount
Around $60–$90
A no-frills dual arm that gets both screens off the desk and independently adjustable for a fraction of the price of premium dual setups. It won't glide as smoothly as the Ergotron LX Dual, but for two standard 24–27" monitors it's sturdy and holds its position well.
- Frees up significant desk space
- Independent height, tilt, and swivel per monitor
- Budget-friendly for a dual setup
- Heavier monitors (32"+) can drift over time
- Assembly instructions are thin
For the full setup — screen height, chair position, keyboard angle, all of it — our ergonomic desk setup guide walks through the measurements that matter.
Cable management: trays, sleeves, and clips
A sit-stand desk moves, and moving cables snag, yank plugs loose, or get pinched in the lift mechanism. This is the category people skip and then regret the first time a cable catches mid-adjustment.
- Under-desk cable tray (around $30–$45) — clamps to the underside of the desk and carries your power strip and excess cable along with the desk as it moves, instead of letting it dangle or drag. Check price at Uplift →
- Cable management sleeve (around $12–$18) — a zippered fabric tube that bundles multiple cords into one neat column running from desk to floor. Check price at JOTO →
- Adhesive cable clips (around $7–$10 for a multi-pack) — small mounts that route individual cables along the desk edge so they don't slide off or tangle when the desk height changes. Check price at Mount-It! →
Keyboard trays
If your desk surface sits at the "correct" standing height for your monitor, it's often a bit too high for comfortable typing — your shoulders end up shrugged instead of relaxed. A keyboard tray drops your typing surface a couple of inches below desktop height, independent of monitor height.
Uplift Adjustable Keyboard Tray
Around $150–$180
Tilts, slides, and adjusts in height independently of the desk, which matters more on a sit-stand desk than a fixed one — you want the tray's angle to stay comfortable whether you're sitting or standing, not just at one height.
- Full tilt and height adjustment
- Sturdy enough for a keyboard and mouse both
- Takes some knee clearance under the desk
- Installation involves drilling into the desk underside on some models
Not everyone needs a tray — if your desk height is already dialed in for typing, you can skip this one. It's worth it mainly if you're tall, use a mechanical keyboard with extra height, or find your wrists bending upward at your current desk height.
Under-desk footrests
A footrest isn't just for sitting. On a sit-stand desk, a contoured or rocking footrest gives your feet and calves a way to shift weight while standing, similar to what an anti-fatigue mat does, and it's also useful during seated stretches while you type.
ErgoFoam Adjustable Footrest
Around $50–$65
A rocking, tilt-adjustable footrest with a memory-foam top that holds up better than the cheap hard-plastic versions. The rocking motion encourages the same kind of ankle movement you want while standing, and the height adjusts to fit under most desks.
- Memory foam top is genuinely comfortable
- Rocking motion promotes circulation
- Takes up floor space you'll need to account for when standing
Desk-mounted power
Reaching under a standing desk to find an outlet gets old fast, especially once the desk is raised. Mounting power somewhere accessible is a small change that removes a daily annoyance.
- Clamp-mount power strip (around $25–$40) — attaches to the desk edge or cable tray so outlets and USB ports stay within reach at any desk height. Check price at Anker →
- Under-desk USB-C hub (around $30–$50) — useful if you're docking a laptop daily and want one cable to connect instead of three or four. Check price at Anker →
CPU holders
If you run a desktop tower, a CPU holder mounts it under the desk on sliding rails, which keeps it off the floor (away from dust and moving cables) and off the desktop (where it eats surface space). It moves with the desk, so you don't need to disconnect anything when you raise or lower it.
- Rocelco Adjustable CPU Holder (around $35–$50) — slides out for easy access to ports, adjustable width fits most mid-tower cases. Check price at Rocelco →
Headphone hooks
Small, cheap, and easy to skip — until your headphones spend six months getting stepped on or squashed in a drawer. A clamp-on or adhesive hook keeps them off the desk surface entirely.
- Under-desk headphone hook (around $10–$15) — clamps or sticks to the desk edge and folds flat when not in use. Check price at HUANUO →
Once your desk itself is dialed in, the rest of the room matters too — poor lighting will undo a lot of the benefit of good screen height by forcing you to hunch toward the monitor. Our home office lighting guide covers that side of things. And if you want to see how a monitor arm, cable tray, or footrest will actually look and fit at your desk before ordering, the free OfficeCanvas visualizer lets you preview it in a photo of your actual room. For accessories beyond the desk itself — organizers, lighting, and general workspace gear — see our broader best desk accessories for productivity roundup.
See it in your room before you buy
Upload a photo of your space and the free OfficeCanvas visualizer drops in the desk, chair and layout you're considering — so you buy once, not twice.
Try the AI visualizer — freeFrequently asked questions
What's the single most important standing desk accessory?
A monitor arm, hands down — it lets you keep your screen at eye level whether you're sitting or standing, which a fixed monitor stand can't do as your desk height changes.
Do I really need an anti-fatigue mat?
If you plan to stand for more than 20-30 minutes at a stretch, yes — standing on a hard floor is a common reason people abandon their standing desk within the first month.
How much should I budget for standing desk accessories?
You can cover the essentials — a mat, cable clips, and a power strip — for under $150; a full setup with a monitor arm and keyboard tray typically runs $300-$500 more.
Do standing desk accessories work with any desk brand?
Most clamp-mount accessories (monitor arms, cable trays, power strips) use standard desk-edge clamps that fit the vast majority of desks, but it's worth checking your desktop's thickness against the clamp's stated range before buying.
Is a keyboard tray necessary if I already have a monitor arm?
Not always — if your desk height already feels comfortable for typing, you can skip it; a tray is most useful when your ideal monitor height leaves the desk surface a bit too high for relaxed typing.