Numerous inexpensive office chairs might evoke a sensation akin to being confined within a tense economy seat during a transcontinental journey. High-quality office chairs provide an enhanced experience, as they are specifically intended to provide comfortable support for your body over an extended period of time.
We have conducted extensive study on numerous office chairs, conducted interviews with four experts in ergonomics, and requested test panelists, who possess diverse body types, to engage in discussion for a total of 175 hours.
Since 2015, the Steelcase Gesture has consistently been regarded as the optimal office chair for the majority of individuals.
Why you should trust us
Kaitlyn Wells, a senior staff writer, has accumulated ten years of experience working in hybrid and remote office settings, and she recognizes the significance of possessing an exceptional office chair. In the course of her coverage of Wire cutter’s home-office beat, she has conducted tests on a wide range of devices, including standing desks, printers, paper planners, and dictation software.
Since 2019, Melanie Pinole, a senior staff writer at Wire cutter, has conducted extensive testing on numerous office chairs, along with various ergonomic products such under-desk footrests and laptop stands. Before joining Wire cutter, she had more than twelve years of experience reporting on technology and productivity for reputable publications like Consumer Reports, Lifehacker, World, and Laptop Magazine.
Who this is for
Securing an office chair can be likened to the acquisition of a mattress. If you spend approximately one-third of your lifespan in a seated or reclined position, it is imperative that the object not only promotes your overall health but also prevents back injuries. If an individual holds a full-time desk job, it is estimated that they will spend a minimum of 14,000 hours engaged in sedentary activities throughout the next decade. (This presupposes that you engage in a sedentary lifestyle for a minimum of 35 hours a week, which is highly unadvisable.)
It is now understood that prolonged periods of sitting in a chair can have negative effects on your health. However, a poor chair exacerbates the issue by placing you in postures that increase the likelihood of long-term health risks. If you possess a home office, it is a valuable pursuit to get a chair that enhances the comfort and well-being of your desk time.
If you do not spend a significant amount of time seated in front of a computer, you do not require the ergonomic and adjustable office chair that we suggest. If you engage in sporadic sitting activities such as checking email or playing games, it is advisable to get a chair that you find most comfortable or visually appealing. A significant number of individuals find it comfortable to engage in brief work while seated on a dining-room chair or a sofa. This advice is intended for individuals who engage in full-time office work while seated.
How we picked and tested
Prior to each iteration of testing, we thoroughly examine manufacturers’ websites to identify any novel models, and we meticulously review prior editions of this guide to reassess our selections and earlier rejections. In addition, we seek guidance from ergonomics specialists to determine the optimal characteristics of an office chair that can provide optimal support for your body during both brief and extended durations of sitting. The selection of chairs for testing is determined based on the following criteria:
Comfort: Selecting the ideal and most comfortable office chair is a subjective pursuit that is influenced by factors such as the nature of your job, your body dimensions, and your sitting posture. The office chairs were assessed with respect to the comfort of the seat, backrest, and armrest. The emotional state experienced when rising from a chair held equal significance to the emotional state experienced during the act of sitting. While many office chairs have a weight restriction of 300 pounds, the majority of our selections have capabilities of 350 or 400 pounds. In our most recent round of testing, our panelists included individuals who were compensated.
Lumbar and back support: According to professor Alan Hedge, a specialist in ergonomics, adjustability is crucial due to variations in torso lengths and lumbar curvatures across individuals. An effective backrest will provide support irrespective of the seating position.
The ease of reclining is a crucial factor in promoting “sustainable sitting,” as suggested by our experts, as it allows for increased bodily movement when in a seated position.
Enhanced adjustability: A chair with greater adjustability guarantees a more optimal fit for a broader spectrum of body types, hence increasing the likelihood of your satisfaction with the chair you purchase. Quality chairs include the option to modify the height of the seat, armrest, tilt, and seat depth. The optimal seats allow users the ability to personalize the tilt distance and the magnitude of force required to recline the chair.
Durability and materials: Numerous minor issues may arise with a chair, such as potential arm disengagement, knob fractures, or complete fragmentation. Less expensive chairs are renowned for acquiring peculiar squeaks and creaking sounds as time passes. The seat cushions, especially the less expensive foam, can deplete rapidly, resulting in an office chair that feels sagging. For individuals who prefer mobility during work, the quality of the caster is particularly crucial.
Price: Office chairs priced around $200 are constructed using more affordable plastic and metal materials. These chairs typically include set armrests and seat depths, and they typically have a plain appearance and inferior warranties. Chairs, which begin at approximately $300, have greater adjustability and are constructed using premium materials. At a price of $1,000, there are additional choices for color and accessories, as well as the use of premium materials and more precise adjustments for lumbar support.
guarantee: While a standard chair without a brand name may have a guarantee period of one or two years, the majority of premium chairs are accompanied by a warranty that extends for a minimum of 10 years. We seek office chairs that are accompanied by a guarantee period of no less than five years, with a preference for a longer duration. High-priced chairs are typically accompanied by comprehensive guarantees that encompass a wide range of potential damages, in contrast to the warranties offered by more affordable seats, which do not extend to typical wear and tear.
Aesthetics: While comfort is given precedence over looks, it is important to acknowledge that the subdued black and gray tones commonly found in office furniture may not satisfy all individuals. We solicit the opinions of our panelists regarding the visual appeal of every chair they test. We regard fabric selection, color, and additional customization choices as advantageous.
After consulting with ergonomists, we completely refrained from using two specific styles of chairs:
Physiotherapist and seating historian Jenny Pynt advised against using “executive-style” chairs, which exert pressure on the upper spine, namely the region between the shoulder blades, causing it to move forward. It is advisable to select an item that provides support to the back rather than shaping it.
Chairs lacking backrests or having partial backrests: Pynt cautioned against using stools and other seats without backrests as permanent seating, as they can cause slouching regardless of one’s virtue.
During the testing phase, the panelists assess chairs based on the aforementioned criteria by utilizing a modified iteration of the ergonomic seating evaluation form (PDF) provided by Cornell University. Each panelist assesses the chairs based on all criteria, utilizing a scale ranging from 0 (indicating unacceptability) to 10 (indicating excellence).
The testers evaluate many aspects of the chairs, including comfort, body support, adjustability, and durability. They assume a seated position while engaging in activities such as typing at computers, playing video games, sending emails, attending meetings, and engaging in periods of reflection.
In addition, we have collected extensive testing records on the chairs that our workers had been utilizing for several months in our offices.
