Black Friday office chair and desk deals: What to expect, early sales

When you’ve got a kitchen table and a bunch of spare shipping boxes, a standing desk and comfortable office chair can feel like excessive splurges. But investing in good ergonomic equipment doesn’t have to be expensive—not during Black Friday, at least.

In the lead-up to Thanksgiving weekend, deals in this category tend to be a little sleepier. (That’s especially so because I’m picky about what I recommend—I take user reviews, technical specs, price trends over the past year, and the feedback from PCWorld staff into account.) But a couple are already worth looking at if you want an early start on your holiday shopping.

And if these don’t suit you? Keep checking back. Things tend to heat up the closer we get to the big date, which this year is November 29.

Black Friday 2024 deals on office chairs

Staples Cartwright Task Chair, Black – $60 (50% off at Staples)

FlexiSpot Ergonomic Office Chair (A5), Black – $200 w/ coupon FGFHA5100 (50% off at FlexiSpot.com)

Believe it or not, Staples makes some very popular desk chairs. If you don’t need a chair for long sitting sessions, its lighter-use Cartright Task Chair is available for a near all-time low price. (Note for the Cartright chair: A second person makes assembling it much easier.) Meanwhile, if you need more comfort, the FlexiSpot A5 offers adjustable support comparable to far more expensive chairs.

Black Friday 2024 deals on standing desks

ErGear standing desk, 48×24, Black – $89 w/ coupon 50UYRVQ3 (50% off at Amazon)

Flexispot EN2 sit-stand desk, 55×28, White – $230 (23% off at Amazon)

Vari Essential Electric Standing Desk, 48×26 – $280 (20% off at Vari.com)

Vari Electric Standing Desk, 54×26 – $525 (25% off at Vari.com)

Flexispot is a popular brand on Amazon, and for good reason—their standing desks start at much lower prices than competitors. While a single motor model, the EN2 offers a roomy tabletop and includes a power surge protector that clamps to the desk. No need to dangle cables from the floor to any accessories you’re charging.

Standing desks and office chairs FAQ

What features should I look for in a standing desk?

A dual motor and programmable controls make for a smoother experience overall. With this motor type, the table won’t wobble as much when going up and down. The frames used for dual-motor desks usually are sturdier, too.

Meanwhile, having programmable controls lets you easily switch between different specific height positions. It’s a quality of life improvement that influence how much you like having a standing desk—manually overseeing the height adjustments can become tedious and even a little annoying over the long haul.

What makes for a good office chair?

This question is a little tricky to answer, but there are two main guidelines to consider. First, you want enough back support to avoid hunching, while also feeling relaxed while sitting. You also want to avoid pressure on your lower back while in the chair. Office chairs designed for long sitting will have backs and seats shaped to address these issues, in contrast to the flatter surfaces of kitchen and casual desk chairs.

Arm rests, head supports, and mesh fabric can also contribute to comfort, depending on your size and how warm you run. When possible, try out these features on a chair a friend owns or on display in a store first, in order to see if you need them. The mesh is particularly good for those who sweat easily.

Wheeled legs are also good for easily getting in and out of the chair. You can often upgrade the casters, as Reddit recommends, for an even smoother experience. Be aware that for hard floors, you may need a rug to protect from scratches, and for deep carpeted floor, you might need a mat for unhindered rolling.

How do I know if I’m getting a good deal on standing desks or office chairs during Black Friday?

For the deals chosen by PCWorld, both the quality of the product and the deal are considered. First and foremost, the desk or chair should be well-regarded. Prices should also be among the lowest we’ve seen, especially within context of a product’s historical cost.

If you’re weighing a deal on your own, be aware that many standing desks are rebranded models with slight variations, and so too for cheaper desk chairs. Read the product reviews, and when available, also look at the AI summaries of user reviews—skip anything with a known flaw or high return rates. Ideally, a desk or chair should have both independent reviews and high marks from users.