Standing Desk Accessories Worth Buying

On this page (8 sections)

1. Which standing desk accessories are worth buying first?
2. Can a monitor arm improve a standing desk setup?
3. Does a cable tray help with a standing desk?
4. Is a keyboard tray right for your standing desk?
5. Is an anti-fatigue mat useful with a standing desk?
6. How do you choose standing desk accessories that fit?
7. What mistakes should you avoid with standing desk accessories?
8. Which standing desk accessories should you buy?

The best standing desk accessories address a real daily problem: screen position, loose cables, limited typing space, or a hard floor. Choose based on how you work and what your desk can support, not on how many add-ons you can fit.

Start with the biggest annoyance in your setup. A screen that sits too low points to a monitor arm, cords near your feet point to a cable tray, and a crowded desktop may call for a keyboard tray.

For broader desk choices, see our standing desks for a home office guide. You can also start with one accessory and add another only if the first change leaves a problem unsolved.

Which standing desk accessories are worth buying first?

A monitor arm or cable tray is often the most useful first buy when screen placement or cords get in your way. A keyboard tray and standing mat suit narrower situations, so check your space and routine before adding them.

Mounting compatibility matters as much as the feature. A clamp needs an edge with the right thickness and shape, while an under-desk mount needs open space around the frame, controls, and supports.

These accessories solve different problems, so you don't need all four. Choose one that fits your setup, then see whether you still want more open desk space, tidier cables, or a more comfortable standing area.

Can a monitor arm improve a standing desk setup?

A monitor arm suits you if your screen needs more precise positioning or takes up too much desk space. It can raise a compatible display and lets you adjust its height and angle between sitting and standing.

The ErGear Single Monitor Arm supports flat or curved monitors from 13 to 34 in, up to 19.8 lb, with a 75 x 75 mm or 100 x 100 mm VESA pattern. It adjusts up to 17.5 in in height and reaches up to 18.1 in.

Before buying, check the screen's size, weight, and VESA pattern. The C-clamp fits desks from 0.39 to 2.56 in thick, while the grommet mount fits desks from 0.39 to 2.95 in thick.

Skip an arm if your monitor isn't VESA-compatible, the desk edge is outside the mounting range, or the underside is crowded. Also check the arm's path so it won't strike a wall or nearby furniture as you reposition the screen.

For more on fit and placement, read whether you can use a monitor arm on a standing desk. If you plan to use two screens, our guide to standing desks for two monitors covers desk space for a dual-display setup.

Does a cable tray help with a standing desk?

A cable tray is a good fit when power cords and adapters hang beneath the desk or collect near your feet. It gathers them under the desktop, but the cables still need room to move with the desk.

The Litwaro No-Drill Cable Tray clamps to a flat desk edge and can face inward or outward. It measures 13.4 x 4.72 in, and its clamps fit desk edges from 0.4 to 2.4 in thick.

Before mounting, trace the route from each plug to its device at both sitting and standing heights. Leave enough slack for the desk's full movement, keep plugs reachable, and avoid tight bends that tug at connections.

Skip this tray if the desk edge is outside its clamp range or a frame bar, control box, or drawer blocks the mounting spot. Check those areas before assembly so the tray won't compete with desk hardware.

For routing options and ways to keep cords clear of a moving frame, see standing desk cable management.

Is a keyboard tray right for your standing desk?

A keyboard tray suits you when the keyboard and mouse leave too little room on the desktop. You can slide them below the surface when they're not in use, but the tray needs a clear mounting area and enough space for your legs.

The VIVO Clamp-On Keyboard Tray measures 26.8 x 11 in, with a total clamp-to-clamp length of 32.5 in. It fits desktops up to 1.25 in thick, doesn't work with beveled edges, and extends up to 8.5 in from the desk edge.

Measure the full clamp span and inspect the underside where each clamp will sit. Crossbars, drawers, or a control box can block installation, while a deep tray can reduce knee and chair clearance.

Skip it if your desktop already has enough room or if the tray would force your wrists or shoulders into an awkward position. Check the typing position at both desk heights, since a setup that feels comfortable sitting may not suit you standing.

Our guide to a standing desk with a keyboard tray explains when this arrangement can work.

Is an anti-fatigue mat useful with a standing desk?

A mat suits you if you stand on a hard floor and want cushioning underfoot. It doesn't replace changing positions, and you can skip it if you prefer a firm floor or the mat would obstruct the room.

The FEATOL Anti-Fatigue Mat measures 20 x 32 in and is 0.9 in thick, with a high-density foam core and PU leather top. Its bottom is non-slip, and its edges taper toward the floor.

Place it where you stand without blocking your chair or a walking route. Keep the tapered edges visible, and wipe the top with a damp cloth when needed; the care instructions call for hand washing.

A mat may be a poor fit in a tight space if it leaves little room to step back or move a chair. Compare the tradeoffs in our anti-fatigue mat guide for standing desks.

How do you choose standing desk accessories that fit?

Measure the desktop and inspect its underside before choosing any clamp-on accessory. Thickness, edge shape, supports, and the desk frame can all affect fit.

For a monitor arm, confirm your display's weight, size, and VESA pattern. For a cable or keyboard tray, measure the edge and check the exact clamp area for bars, drawers, or controls.

A mat needs fewer fit checks, but its footprint still matters. Make sure it fits the area where you stand and won't block your chair or a clear route through the room.

A standing desk changes height, so check how each accessory behaves through the full range. Our guide to setting up a standing desk walks through screen, keyboard, and standing positions.

What mistakes should you avoid with standing desk accessories?

The main mistake is buying for a feature before checking fit and movement. An accessory that blocks a frame, presses against a wall, or pulls on cables can make the desk harder to use.

Check that a clamp has a flat, accessible mounting surface and that the specified desk thickness range includes yours. For the monitor arm, verify screen compatibility; for the keyboard tray, measure the clamp span and check for a beveled edge.

After setup, move the desk through its full height range and watch for cable tension, collisions, or reduced legroom. Keep power plugs accessible, and reposition a mat if it creates a step or blocks your chair.

Which standing desk accessories should you buy?

Choose a monitor arm for screen placement, a cable tray for loose cords, a keyboard tray for limited desktop room, and a mat for cushioning on a hard floor. Measure first, then buy only the accessory that solves your most frequent problem.

If cords are your main concern, start with standing desk cable management options. If your screen or keyboard position needs work, follow how to set up a standing desk before adding hardware.

Keep the setup simple: add one item, use the desk at both sitting and standing heights, and decide whether another accessory would make daily work easier.

Frequently asked questions

What accessories do you need for a standing desk?

Start with the accessory that addresses a problem in your setup. A monitor arm can lift a compatible screen and free desk space, a cable tray can hold cords under the top, or a keyboard tray can move typing gear below the desktop.

A mat can cushion a hard floor, and you may need only one.

Is a monitor arm worth it for a standing desk?

A monitor arm is useful if you want to adjust screen position or free desktop space. Check your monitor's weight, size, and VESA pattern against the arm, then confirm that your desk supports the clamp or grommet mount and has clear space underneath.

Do you need a cable tray for a standing desk?

A cable tray helps when cords, power strips, or adapters hang below the desktop or get near your feet. Leave enough slack for the desk's full height range, keep plugs reachable, and check that the tray's clamp fits the desk edge and thickness.

Should you use an anti-fatigue mat with a standing desk?

A cushioned mat can make a hard floor more comfortable while you stand, but it's optional. Choose one that fits your standing area and has visible edges you can step over.

Move it aside if it blocks your chair or sits in a walking path.