Best Footrests for Standing Desks in 2026: An Ergonomist's Guide

Standing desks get all the attention, but there’s a quiet hero in the ergonomic lineup that most people overlook: the humble footrest. Whether you’re sitting or standing, a good footrest changes how your entire body distributes weight — and that has cascading effects on your back, hips, and yes, even your eyes.

As an optometrist, I see the downstream effects of poor posture constantly. When your lower body isn’t supported properly, you compensate by leaning forward, which puts your eyes closer to your screen, increases eye strain, and throws your entire visual ergonomics out of alignment. A footrest won’t fix everything, but it’s a surprisingly impactful $30-70 investment.