Really? An entire article on buying something as trivial as an office chair? Well, when you consider that this chair is going to be the throne that determines the health of your shoulders and lower back, as well as protecting you from other long-term bodily damage, it pays to know what to buy.
Good chairs are not one-size-fits-all solutions. In fact, the feel of a chair will differ greatly based on your height, weight, and shape. So don't buy a chair just because it ranks high on the list. You need to go to a store and try it yourself.
This is doubly true for economy or cheap chairs.. When it comes to cheap parts and materials, chances are the chair that feels good the first time you sit down is the chair that feels good for the long haul. There is simply no substitute for trying before you buy. If you don't try, you may regret the purchase later..
The bottom line is to use this list to prune your choices and create a list of three or four options. Then, try them and buy what your body likes the most..
So we know that everyone needs different things from a chair, but it's not like there's a huge variety of options. Depending on your body type, work environments, budget, and other requirements, here are some basic rules.
Needless to say, this is a simplistic explanation. For a better understanding of these issues, here's what to look for in an office chair.
It seems a little crazy to spend over $500 on a computer chair, right? Especially when you can get a good laptop for under $500. But just like a $1,000 laptop lasts longer and feels better than a $500 laptop, an expensive chair lasts longer and feels better than a cheap chair. economical.
Here are the few key differences between cheap and expensive chairs, so you know what's best for you.
So now you know what to look for in a computer chair, how to buy one, and the benefits of using an expensive chair. There are only two things left to do. Determine the purpose of your chair (office use, multi-person home use, gaming chair, etc.) and what you're willing to pay for it. Then choose from the list below and try.
Herman Miller Aeron Chair, Size C, Carbon Herman Miller Aeron Chair, Size C, Carbon Buy Now On Amazon $1,225.00
No article on computer chairs is complete without the iconic Aeron. The Herman Miller Aeron is a mid-back chair, meaning it ends below your neck and does not have a headrest. But since everything else is fine, it's the best middle back you can buy.
For decades, it has been the gold standard for premium ergonomic office chairs. You can't go wrong with this. Sure, Steelcase and Herman Miller make some wonderful chairs that rival the Aerons, but they're the Aerons!
First, go to the store and choose the correct size. This is one of the few chairs that we feel comfortable recommending to those who share the chair. Make sure it fits the height and weight of those sharing it, or choose the best one for yourself, based on the three sizes:
It's easy to share because of how quickly you can adjust it. Lumbar support is worth noting, as you can change the pressure you apply at eight different points. Even with varied height and size, you'll get the right support.
The Aeron uses a mesh back and mesh seat, but it's as comfortable as any leather-upholstered chair you've ever sat in. In fact, Aeron's natural curves make sure you're in the right position and not sitting up straight at your desk, which is bad for you.
Steelcase Gesture Office Desk Chair with Headrest Plus Lumbar Support Cogent Connect Licorice Fabric Standard Black Frame Hard Floor Swivel Casters Hard Caster Floor Steelcase Gesture Office Desk Chair with Headrest Plus Lumbar Support Cogent Connect Licorice Fabric Standard Black Frame Casters Hard Floor Caster Hard Floor Caster Casters Buy Now On Amazon $1,222.00
Let's take a moment to make the small distinction between "computer chair" and "office chair". An office chair is all about interacting with a desk. A computer chair is all about interacting with a laptop or PC. With your arms Steelcase seems to have achieved this by making the Steelcase Gesture, which has fully rotating armrests.
When your arms form a "V" shape to type on the keyboard, the armrests oblige. When you are using only one mouse with one hand, the arm rest will stay just below your hand. It is the most talked about feature of Steelcase Gesture by anyone who has used it.
It's also incredibly adjustable. You can move the seat back and forth, and up and down; you can change the distance in or out of the arms, as well as move them up and down; and you can change the angle of inclination of the back, as well as the tension. It's as customizable as it gets.
Steelcase also has a nice little feature that Herman Miller doesn't offer on its Aeron:a headrest. See, a headrest isn't a deal breaker, but it's nice that Steelcase gives you the option.
Both Steelcase and Herman Miller offer "everything covered" warranties on their chairs. This guarantee has been tested by various users on the Internet with mostly positive reviews. If you want to buy anything in the $200 to $1000 price range, go to a local Steelcase or Herman Miller store.
If you're spending some serious money on a chair, you want to make sure the company has your back in case things go wrong. The number of years offered on the warranty can vary by chair, but the lowest is an 8-year warranty (with most offering a 12-year warranty).
At either of these two companies, you're bound to find chairs that fit your needs and your budget. Buy what you like and don't look elsewhere..
HON Exhibition Mesh Task Chair BSXVL721LH10 - Computer Chair with 2-Way Adjustable Arms for Office Desk, Black (HVL721) HON Exhibition Mesh Task Chair BSXVL721LH10 - Computer Chair with 2-Way Adjustable Arms for Office Desk, Black (HVL721) office, black (HVL721) Buy Now On Amazon $178.99
Almost every site recommends the IKEA Markus as the best $200 office or computer chair. Almost. The Wirecutter says that HON exposure is better, and I trust the author of that article.
The main reasons for choosing the HON exposure over Markus is its adjustability. As mentioned above, it offers the three essential elements of fit:the arms, the height, and the tilt. But it also allows you to change the depth of the seat, which is a nice little feature for those who are shorter or taller than average.
But as always, you must sit in the chair before making a decision. So find a HON store near you and give it a try.
If you can't find a HON store but it's easier to find an IKEA, try IKEA Markus. And if you like it, buy it. It's one of the internet's favorite computer chairs, so you can't go wrong.
It's not as adjustable as the HON Exposure, but the IKEA Markus' tall, firm back has its own set of fans. While The Wirecutter found the HON Exposure seat to be better, long-term IKEA Markus users swear by its Homer Simpson-like indentation.
Modway Articulating Ergonomic Office Chair in Black Modway Articulating Ergonomic Office Chair in Black Buy Now On Amazon $125.44
At a glance, there are about eight different manufacturers on Amazon offering the exact same chair as the Modway Articulate. Of these, the Modway Articulate has the most positive reviews without the fake Amazon reviews.
It meets the basic requirements of a good budget chair, with its mesh back and fit. You can adjust the seat height, armrest height, back tilt, as well as how far back the chair seat can tilt. The differentiation between the tilt of the backrest and that of the seat is a small feature that begins to show around this price.
Other than that, Modway Articulate does what it says it will do.
AmazonBasics Mid-Back Black Mesh Chair AmazonBasics Mid-Back Black Mesh Chair Buy Now On Amazon $67.99
When I see an AmazonBasics product, my first reaction is to distrust it or avoid it. However, it would be a mistake to do so with the AmazonBasics Mid-Back Mesh Chair. For a basic budget office or computer chair, you won't get much better at this price.
It doesn't really meet our "3 Fit Essentials" because it lacks adjustable arms, but no other chair offers that either. But hey, it has a nice mesh back, a decent seat (it's a bit stiff and may need a new cushion after 6-9 months), and it can hold up to 225lbs.
The chair typically retails for around $65, and for a pre-assembled chair, it's a steal. But you can often get it cheaper (around $50-55) on Amazon Lightning Deals and other discounts.
However, at this price, you should disregard any long-term warranty claims. Sure, if things go wrong in the first week or two, Amazon will probably help you out. But six months to a year after purchase, good luck with your clams.
Flash Furniture HERCULES Series Big &Tall 500lb Black Leather Executive Swivel Chair with Extra Wide Seat Flash Furniture HERCULES Series Big &Tall 500lb Black Leather Executive Swivel Chair with Extra Wide Seat Buy Now On Amazon $229.78
At the beginning of the article, I mentioned that chairs depend on their size and weight. If you are big or tall, some of the chairs mentioned above are not designed to be comfortable for your frame for long hours. But Hercules makes a chair designed for you..
On the company's website, you can find several different models depending on your needs. The most popular on Amazon is the Hercules Series 500, which can handle 500 pounds of weight for 24/7 use (such as for security personnel, emergency services, or if you really want to finish a video game in a single session).
Unfortunately, the depth and width of the seat aren't adjustable, but at 22×22 inches, it should be plenty for most users. The most appreciated part of the chair has been its 4 inch thick extra foam padded seat, which makes it comfortable for long hours.
Other than that, you get a high-back design, built-in lumbar support, and tilt lock, so there's little to complain about.
Unfortunately, Hercules has gotten a bit of a bad rap on the internet recently because it seems the company has been spamming Reddit and other forums with fake reviews. All that aside, these are still decent chairs, based on other, more genuine buyers.
If the Hercules 500 Series is too expensive, check out the AmazonBasics Big &Tall Executive Chair. You get big discounts during Amazon Prime Day or other big sales days, and if you combine it with the right credit cards or offers, you can get it for close to $100.
AmazonBasics Big &Tall Executive Chair - Brown AmazonBasics Big &Tall Executive Chair - Brown Buy Now On Amazon $168.00
This is probably a controversial claim, but don't waste your money on so-called "gaming chairs" or anything like marketing jazz. For a long gaming session, comfort matters more than frills like fake vibration feedback.
Any of the above chairs will serve you better during long hours of gaming on a PC. If you're a console gamer, you can always lay back on your couch or couch. Gaming-specific chairs aren't worth it.
By the end of this guide, you should be able to find a good chair that protects your body from potential harm. The most important thing to remember is to try the chair out for yourself before you buy it, whether it's a budget purchase or a premium ergonomic chair.
That said, no chair will protect you from the health problems of sitting too long. Even if you buy the best chair, be sure to take breaks from that sitting position to move from time to time.
Remember, a break from a sitting position doesn't have to be a break from work, especially if you use an adjustable standing desk The Best Adjustable Standing Desks (And Why You Need One) The Best Adjustable Standing Desks (And Why You Need One ) ) Do you have back pain or pain in your legs? Make the switch to a standing desk in 2018. And not just any standing desk – an adjustable standing desk. Read more . In case you are in a productive mood, get up and continue working. But make sure you get up!
