We've tested almost 50 of the best office chairs and computer desk seats - and these are the top chairs we recommend for your workspace.
The Steelcase Series 2 remains our favorite office chair - a beautiful, premium model that really means business. And the Corsair TC100 Relaxed, a smartly designed padded gaming chair, continues to top our list for best office chair on a budget.
But which is right for you? Our team of reviewers assembled and tested every top-rated office chair we recommend, comparing construction times, testing weight loads and height ranges, and exploring essentials from tilt and recline controls to checking just how comfortable dynamic lumbar support really is to find the best office chair for when you're sitting for long periods.
Kitting out the office? We tested the best standing desks and best office desks.
The quick list
Best office chair overall
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(Image credit: Steelcase)
(Image credit: TechRadar)
(Image credit: TechRadar)
(Image credit: TechRadar)
Buy it if
&#; You want comfort
The Series 2 provides plenty of comfort if you&#;re at your desk all day, with a breathable fabric that stays cool.
&#; You want options and lots of them
This office chair comes in a variety of models and materials to match your office furniture and seating preferences.
Don't buy it if...
&#; You like to lean back a lot
The Steelcase Series 2 doesn&#;t feature a recline lock, so the back springs back once pressure is lifted.
&#; You need a budget office chair
While it&#;s very well-priced for a professional ergonomic office chair, the Series 2 isn&#;t the cheapest on the market.
Alternative: The Flexispot C7 is a well-designed, fully featured, cheaper choice - check out our pick for home offices here
The Steelcase Series 2 takes the top slot when it comes to the best office chair. With its cushioned seat. breathable mesh fabric back, and one of the best ergonomic chair designs with height-adjustable lumbar support, we found it incredibly comfortable to sit in, even for long hours. Its gentle, elegant design makes it ideal for both the office and home office, and it&#;s even backed by a 12-year warranty.
Beyond all-round comfort, what really makes the Steelcase Series 2 stand out is the configuration line-up. We reviewed the task chair version, a mid-back executive-style desk chair, but the seat is available with a foot-stool, a headrest, or armless, letting you tailor the chair to your preferences. Seat height rests between 16.5 and 21.5in, armrests boast 3in adjustability, and there&#;s a 400lbs weight load. Overall, then, a good office chair for big and tall and most body types. In our experience, operating these adjustments with the under-seat levers and dials was very intuitive. Certainly no fumbling for controls here.
Our only real issue is that the recline doesn&#;t lock into place, returning to the upright position each time. Not a bad choice for those looking to improve posture at their desks. Plenty of chairs offer similar specs, but we found the Steelcase Series 2 to be the complete package - and at a fraction of the cost of similar ergonomic office chairs. No wonder we awarded it an impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Read our full Steelcase Series 2 Task Chair review
Best budget office chair
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(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Buy it if...
&#; You want a budget office chair
Smart and affordable, this understated seat will seamlessly blend in under any desk. That it&#;s really a gaming chair will be your own little secret.
&#; You want simple comfort
It may be a basic office chair, but it&#;s surprisingly comfortable, with good back, neck, and lumbar support.
Don't buy it if...
&#; You need a mesh office chair
The Corsair TC100 Relaxed comes in either fabric and leatherette variants, which aren&#;t as airy as mesh.
&#; You need extra support
The weight load here is just 264lbs - our 200lbs reviewer had no issues with support - but it is low to average.
Alternative: We've had great experiences with Sihoo chairs, and the Sihoo M18 available from Amazon US and Amazon UK.
The Corsair TC100 Relaxed is, technically speaking, a gaming chair - and one of the cheapest you&#;ll find from a genuine gaming brand. But don&#;t let that put you off. There&#;s no dazzling RGB strip lights surrounding the backrest, no racing stripes along the adjustable arms. Instead, what we have is a surprisingly professional-looking office chair, available in black or black-and-gray, with fabric and leatherette models, clocking in for under £200 / $250.
With a seat height of 17.7 to 21.6in, the chair ably supports those up to 6ft 2in. However, even with that wide, comfortable seat cushion, the lower weight load (264lbs) makes it less suitable for bigger users. If you&#;re within range, though, you&#;ll find ample support here from seat, back, and neck-rest. We certainly did. We couldn&#;t fault the overall comfortability here, feeling well-supported across both back and shoulders throughout our use.
It is a budget chair, so there are some trade-offs. Despite plenty of experience in this department, we didn&#;t find it especially easy to assemble (set aside 30 to 45 minutes, and grab someone to help). It might help if instructions were included in the box, rather than served up online. Nor is the design a stand-out. Like Corsair&#;s premium line, the TC100 Relaxed is muted, monochromatic. It looks as basic as they get. But it&#;s cheap, comfortable, and we found even the build quality is surprisingly good for the price.
Read our full Corsair TC100 Relaxed review
Best office chair for back pain and lumbar support
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(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Buy it if...
&#; You want an affordable ergonomic office chair
The Sihoo Doro C300 is an affordable ergonomic office that costs a lot less than rival models.
&#; You want to relieve lower back pains
With its all-over comfort and support, we experienced no pains or fatigue even when using it all day.
Don't buy it if...
&#; You want the best armrests
We liked the Doro C300&#;s 3D armrests, but more than once we placed an elbow down only to find they&#;d shifted position.
&#; You want quick and easy assembly
You&#;ll need to fit together this office chair from scratch. Instructions are simple to follow, but it may take extra time.
Alternative: For a home office alternative with adjustable lumbar support, check out the Flexispot C7.
When it comes to the best office chairs for back support and relieving back pains, ergonomics are essential. And while you&#;ll find plenty of ergonomic office chairs out there, the Sihoo Doro C300 is a stellar example, with high-end aesthetics and a dynamic lumbar support that adjusts to your movements. For us, this chair delivered all-day comfort at a fraction of the cost of other models.
The whole unit comes disassembled - you&#;ll need to fit together practically everything, so expect to spend a bit of time on the set-up. In our experience, build quality is outstanding and the frame is rock-solid. The mesh backing is comfortable - firm but relaxed, providing support across the back and shoulders. Unlike many ergo-office chairs we&#;ve tried, even the neck-rest felt effective and snug.
During prolonged use - barely rising from the chair for eight to ten hours - we experienced no pains, no fatigue, no pressure of any kind that might affect the lower back. On the other hand, as a natural consequence of the 3D armrests moving up, down, back and forth, they did have a tendency to move about a bit more than we like.
Overall, we did feel this is a great ergonomic office chair for lumbar support - so long as you&#;re of average height. If you&#;re looking for one of the best office chairs for short people, you&#;ll find it here too, of course, while the weight load is an above-average 300lbs for bigger users. However, taller users may find the position of the lower back support doesn&#;t quite mold to the body.
Read our full Sihoo Doro C300 ergonomic office chair review
Best office chair for good posture
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(Image credit: Future / Mike Moore)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Moore)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Moore)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Moore)
No slouching in the back
Our expert review:
Backrest:
24 x 17.3in
Seat depth:
20.4in
Seat height:
18.5 to 21.2in
Weight load:
286lbs
Warranty:
5 years
Check AmazonView at FlexiSpot+
Very comfortable
+
Great for better posture
+
Good ergonomics
+
Unique design
-
No adjustable lumbar support
-
Assembly time longer than we&#;d like
Buy it if...
&#; You want to improve your posture
It may take a moment to adjust, but this chair seems determined to keep you sitting up straight.
&#; You enjoy all-day comfort
The Flexispot C8 / OC14 / BS11 Pro is intensely comfortable, even when used for long periods of time. We even found the armrests a restful delight.
Don't buy it if...
&#; You need an ergonomic office chair for back pain
There&#;s no adjustable or dynamic lumbar support, so you won&#;t be able to modify it if the set-up isn't comfortable.
&#; You need quick and easy set-up
It&#;s not difficult to put together the BS11 Pro, but it&#;s not the quickest assembly we&#;ve ever experienced.
Alternative: The Sihoo Doro C300 is a great all-rounder for posture, support, and ergonomics - check out our pick that's best for your back.
The Flexispot BS11 Pro has been dubbed the &#;jewel in the crown&#; of the chair-maker&#;s line-up. A strong but simple office chair that&#;s comfortable for long periods of time and possessing a professional, premium appearance way beyond its price-tag.
Confusingly, there are similar-looking seats called the Flexispot OC14, Flexispot C8, and the Ergonomic Pro. You can't miss that unique design. As far as we can tell, these are more or less identical classic mesh-and-fabric office chairs renamed for different territories.
Finding the best office chair for good posture is essential if you&#;re at a desk all day. We found the BS11 Pro was ideal for this - although we were initially skeptical. When first taking a seat, the chair and back-rest both felt solid, resistant to our natural (poor) posture. After only a few minutes, we began molding to the chair as one..
It&#;s not perfect. There&#;s no adjustable lumbar support here, so it might not be effective at relieving lower back pains. And while the chair allows for seat height adjustments between 46.4 and 49.6in, with good back and neck support for users over six-foot, weight load is only 286lbs. We also found assembly time to be on the longer side at an average of 20 minutes. But the wait was worth it.
We used this chair for eight-hour work days and it offered all-day comfort without compromising on good posture. As a testament to the build quality, even after using it daily for a month, the frame remained solid and silent (because what&#;s worse than a creaky chair?).
Read our full Flexispot BS11 Pro review
Best desk chair for the home office
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(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Ideal for any home
Our expert review:
Backrest:
23 x 20in
Seat depth:
17.3 to 19.6in
Seat height:
18.7 to 22in
Weight load:
300lbs
Warranty:
Up to 10 years
Check AmazonVisit Site+
Self-adaptive lumbar support
+
Smartly designed for home offices
+
Lots of comfort controls
+
4D armrests
-
Not a budget chair
-
Lumbar support may not suit everyone
Buy it if...
&#; You want a discreet home office desk chair
The Flexispot C7 has a fresh, minimalist design that won&#;t dominate your working space at home.
&#; You want adaptive lumbar support
With lumbar support that adjusts to your body, we found the C7 easily offered all-day comfort without aches.
Don't buy it if...
&#; You need a budget chair
With its build quality and comfort, the C7 commands a higher price-tag than other office chairs of the same design.
&#; You need specific lumbar support
We really liked this chair&#;s self-adaptive lumbar support, but it may not be for everyone.
Alternative: The Flexispot BS11 Pro is a good option from the same company - it's our choice of chair for posture.
With its unobtrusive, minimalist design, the Flexispot C7 was seemingly built for any home office. It&#;s a smart, svelte ergonomic office chair that can be quietly tucked away at the end of the day. With 4.5 stars, this one was comfortable, supportive, with tons of adjustability control.
The C7 comes in several variants - grays and blacks and fabric seats and mesh seats. The options are basic, welcome. But watch out, like other Flexispot models, it means chairs may be listed under other names like the C7B-Air or C7G-Foam, each with slightly different specs but fundamentally the same.
Overall build quality is, as we expect from the company, excellent - and we found operation smooth and silent. No squeaks and creaks to drive you to distraction (there&#;s enough of that at home). Nor did we experience any back pains or find ourselves needing to stand after extended sitting thanks to a self-adaptive lower back support that helped maintain a posture that felt natural.
It might be priced on the high-side for some - especially with its traditional office chair design, and the lumbar support may not be right for relieving every back pain. But as a professional desk chair for bringing comfort to a home office, it&#;s difficult not to recommend the C7.
Read our full Flexispot C7 ergonomic office chair review
Best office chair for long hours and comfort
(Image credit: Humanscale)
Buy it if...
&#; You want total comfort
This office chair was made to keep you comfortable and focused on the job.
&#; You&#;re sitting for long hours
Freedom is the right word - built for productivity and no fatigue when sitting for extended periods of time.
Don't buy it if...
&#; You&#;re working to a budget
Even the base model of this Humanscale office chair costs several times more than a budget office chair.
&#; You depend on your headrest
While we liked the headrest of the Humanscale Freedom, we did find it had a tendency to slip down at times.
Alternative: In the same premium price-bracket, the Steelcase Series 2 performs a similar role - check out our choice for best office chair overall.
With 4.5 stars and a TechRadar Recommends badge, the Humanscale Freedom is the best office chair for long hours and comfort. It&#;s not ultra-padded, so you won&#;t sink into it like an ancient leather reading chair, where work becomes a distant memory. But nor will you find yourself constantly adjusting and reclining and trying to find the perfect spot.
The basic model boasts a fabric cushioning and a sturdy graphite frame, although there is a leather chair that is about double the price. We reviewed the fabric version, and it comfortably met our needs. Especially the flexible backrest, impressive in the way it moves and molds to your shape for constant comfort even for long periods of time.
Everything about the chair, from the smooth-rolling casters and padded armrests to the detachable headrest feels well-made (although our headrest had a tendency to slip from position at times). You&#;d expect that, of course, from a chair with a starting price of around $500 / £500 - and the high price-tag is one of the very few downsides we found when testing the chair.
Read our full Humanscale Freedom office chair review
Best big and tall office chair
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(Image credit: TechRadar Pro / Sharmishta Sarkar)
(Image credit: TechRadar Pro / Sharmishta Sarkar)
(Image credit: TechRadar Pro / Sharmishta Sarkar)
(Image credit: TechRadar Pro / Sharmishta Sarkar)
(Image credit: TechRadar Pro / Sharmishta Sarkar)
Buy it if...
&#; You want an office chair for the big and the tall
The Steelcase Gesture boasts a weight load of up to 400lbs, which is higher than the average office chair.
&#; You want an office chair that looks the business
The Gesture is stylish, elegant, with a premium look that matches its premium price-tag.
Don't buy it if...
&#; You&#;re on a budget
This office chair doesn&#;t come cheap - and in many ways it&#;s hard to justify its high price-tag.
&#; You need great lumbar support
Lumbar support, while present, is distinctly lacking and undefined behind the cushioning.
Alternative: For a chair that felt great for our tall reviewer, see out our Hinomi X1 Ergonomic Chair review while Flexispot's budget B3 is build for big and tall users in the US.
The Steelcase Gesture is seemingly tailor-made for big and tall users - not exclusively, of course. But with a 400lbs weight load and with its wide, cushioned seating area, the chair offers above-average support.
We enjoyed the level of customization and adjustability on offer. If you&#;re anything like us, you&#;ll gleefully pull and turn and twist at every level and dial to find the pinnacle set-up. It can take time, especially with the seat and backrest, although armrests adjustments are incredibly easy.
Despite how comfortable it was, there&#;s no denying that the lumbar support is a let-down. It is there, we&#;re assured, but during our tests, the curve was imperceptible and hard to define it through the chair&#;s cushioning. The headrest, too, may be too firm for some. The Steelcase Gesture will certainly offer more than enough support for almost any body type, and if you don&#;t mind the lack of breathable mesh in the cushioned design, it&#;s well worth consideration.
Read our full Steelcase Gesture review
Best office chair for gaming
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(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Buy it if...
&#; You want comfy gaming and office chair
In our opinion, this one of the most comfortable gaming chairs - ideal for putting to work as an office chair.
&#; You want excellent fixed lumbar support
&#;Terrific&#; is how we described the lumbar support on this chair, which is fixed in position and capably promotes good posture.
Don't buy it if...
&#; You need the cheapest chair for your office
Well-built and comfortable though it is, this isn&#;t the cheapest gaming chair with a business-like design.
&#; You need dynamic or adjustable lumbar support
There&#;s only a fixed lumbar support on this chair. It feels great, but it won&#;t adjust to your movements.
Alternative: Our top pick for gaming office chair is the slightly pricier Secretlab Titan - read the review here
There are a number of office chairs suited to gaming after hours - we especially like the Corsair TC100 Relaxed and the Secretlab Titan. For an alternative that has all-day comfort and a solid construction, the Razer Enki is a solid pick. With 4.5 stars and a TechRadar Pro Recommends badge, it&#;s doing something right.
The Enki is slightly more expensive than the Titan and TC100 Relaxed, but like both it boasts a beautiful black design that looks as professional as any traditional office chair. Comfort levels, build quality, are excellent, and in our view, it has one of the best lumbar supports of any chair at this price. If it were adjustable, it might&#;ve been perfect. Elsewhere, extended shoulder arches and a wide seat base make it more suitable for a range of body types (weight loads tops out at 300lbs).
There&#;s no mesh variant here, which is preferred for breathability, but we did find the soft materials didn&#;t retain much body heat, so it never became too hot or uncomfortable even during longer sessions in the chair.
Read our full Razer Enki review
Honorable mentions
Our team of office furniture experts have tested nearly 50 different office chairs, task chairs, and desk seats.
And while not all can be crowned best office chair, these are some models we've reviewed that are worth an honorable mention.
Best office chair accessories
Prefer to upgrade your office chair for a more comfortable sit? We checked out some of the best-reviewed office chair accessories and essentials on Amazon.
Everlasting Comfort office chair seat cushion
$33 at Amazon
£30 at Amazon UK
A small investment for all-day comfort, the Everlasting Comfort seat cushion is a well-reviewed extra for your office chair. Ergonomically designed to alleviate pressure on the lower back and improve posture, the gel-infused memory foam should make for a supportive sit if it&#;s anything like the Lemonduck chair cushion we use daily. The price is about average, but worth catching in the sales if you can.
Fortem lumbar support pillow
$25 at Amazon
£16 at Amazon UK
Designed for lower back support, the Fortem lumbar support pillow straps to the back of most office chairs Construction is standard - memory foam cushioning and mesh cover. We frequently see it discounted on Amazon, so if you can wait until the sales, you can save more.
For a full-back lumbar pillow, we&#;re taken by the sleek, professional design of the Max&Love backrest, which is $16 at Amazon or £30 at Amazon UK.
Everlasting Comfort office foot rest
$29 at Amazon
£40 at Amazon UK
If you&#;re not looking to splash out too much, the foot rest from Everlasting Comfort has a lot of good reviews. Made from memory foam and measuring 5x10x17in, the wedge design elevates and cushions feet under the desk. This is another office extra that is often discounted if you&#;re prepared to wait for the right deal.
Best office chairs: Frequently asked questions
Ergonomic office chair
An office or home ergonomic office chair is designed for comfort and better posture while sitting, with support for your lower back and improved bodyweight distribution.
Executive office chair
A premium. padded office chair, usually boasting a high-back and leather upholstery, designed for all-day comfort and support.
Mid-back office chair
As the name suggests, this is a seat with a low backrest that reaches below the shoulders. The design is popular in smaller home offices, boardrooms, and communal areas.
Gaming chair
A plush, adjustable chair, usually covered with fabric or leatherette for soft cushioning during long gaming sessions
High-back office chair
The classic tall office chair design, offering full back support from the base of the spine to the neck. Often, high-back office chairs feature a built-in or detachable headrest.
Task chair
A functional chair that&#;s built for most workspaces and employee body types, they usually feature a slim profile and compact, ergonomic design, and a focus on productivity.
The short answer is yes, but to expand on that, we asked David Patton, Vice President of Product Design at Vari, for his thoughts. He said:
"It's about letting the design of the chair, desk, and workspace support you because the whole premise is that you want to stay as comfortable, as focused, as efficient, and enjoy your work as much at the end of the day as you do at the beginning."
For the best results, it's worth understanding what is lumbar support and why it's important. Not all office seating can help alleviate any existing back pain or keep back discomfort at bay, so choosing the right one for you is key. However, it also isn&#;t as simple as that. You have to take an active role in ensuring it. When sitting, make sure you have proper support and adjust the chair to fit your unique needs, including adjustable lumbar support and armrests. Keep your computer screen at eye level to reduce strain on your neck and shoulders.
You should also take measures to reduce the risk of health concerns from sitting for long periods in an office chair. It's important to change up your positions and posture throughout the day. Use a timer or app to remind you to change positions, if you must. Be sure to also take frequent breaks to stretch or do simple exercises.
If you want a little extra help taking care of your back, some chairs come with floating lumbar support, which not only helps keep your spine in alignment but also adjust to your body&#;s movement.
Office chairs are a broad category, with high-back and mid-back styles, sometimes padded. Mesh designs are popular in modern offices, while padded ones are usually seen at home and in executive offices.
A task chair is a type of office chair designed for functional use across almost any workspace. This type of office chair tends to be small, ergonomic, and business-like.
A gaming chair usually has a well-padded design for long, comfortable gaming sessions. While some have RGB accents, others feature professional designs fit for home and office.
There are a few differences when it comes to office chairs vs desk chairs. Some gaming chairs work great and many traditional office seating options can be used as gaming chairs. In fact, many gamers out there opt for a good office chair over those kitschy bucket seat gaming chairs that promise comfort but don&#;t exactly deliver.
That said, the one thing that generally sets the best gaming chairs apart from office chairs is their design. They&#;re heavily inspired by race car bucket seats, oversized frames, support cushions, gaming logos, and bright or distinctive colors. Meanwhile, office and task chairs built for work and productivity are designed to blend into a business or work-from-home environment and usually feature subtle colors, flatter seat cushions, and a mesh or padded backrest.
An office chair, task chair, or gaming chair will offer plenty of options to adjust the armrest, tilt tension and locking, seat height and depth, lumbar support, and more. However, in our experience, gaming chairs often offer more flexibility in the reclining options, having most chairs recline back and feature a headrest pillow for extra gaming support.
When you need to know How to make an office chair more comfortable, it's worth considering that many of the top choices offer lots of flexibility, customization, and adjustability. This way, you can find the most comfortable position for extended hours. If you're struggling to find the right position for comfort, it may be your posture or the chair's current set-up.
When it comes to budget, there's no right or wrong answer - so long as you're not making these 5 common mistakes most people make when buying an office chair.
You can find a super-comfortable office chair for around the $200 / £200 mark, or spend thousands on a premium ergonomic seat. Generally speaking, we'd avoid suspiciously cheap chairs - anything below $50 will likely suffer from poor build quality and limited adjustability and padding. In our experience, those in the $100 bracket can be very hit and miss, so check reviews.
There are many factors at play when you're looking at how to buy an office chair and you can find a comfortable and ergonomic chair in every budget range.
So, you're wondering What is the best type of office chair for long hours? And without breaking the bank?
In our experience, the best office chair under $200 that offers all-day comfort, we&#;re big fans of the Corsair TC100 Relaxed. It&#;s our best budget pick, a well-cushioned padded seat with headrest and lumbar pillow for maximum comfort. It retails for around the $200 / £200 mark, but you&#;ll occasionally find it on sale.
For the best office chair under $500, the ergonomic Sihoo Doro C300 is one of our favorites. Our reviewer used this desk seat for eight-to-ten-hour days without any fatigue setting in. Solid, stable build quality, firm, supportive mesh backrest, and a smart, professional silhouette. Best of all, it has dynamic lumbar support that adds support even when you move around in your chair. It&#;s available from Amazon for $360 / £360 - with frequent discounts via coupons, vouchers, and limited-time sales.
The answer isn&#;t quite straightforward here. Obviously, if you&#;ve got a chair that&#;s broken or no longer provides good support, there&#;s no better time than now to replace it &#; hopefully with a better option. But if you&#;ve got a working chair that has no massive issues, chair manufacturers somewhat disagree on when you should replace yours. And, that&#;s really due to the fact that it largely depends on their build.
Some crafted for home and office will last you seven to eight years, others will last you five. A handful, like the Humanscale Freedom, will last you 15 or more years. Of course, factors like the level and amount of usage, as well as environmental conditions, matter as well. We recommend consulting your chair&#;s manufacturer first before dropping another $150/£150 to $2,000/£2,000 on a new chair. And also, trust your gut. You&#;ll know when your trusty old chair just isn&#;t cutting it anymore.
How to choose the best office chair for you
Choosing the best office chair for you depends on several factors. When you're looking at how to choose an office chair there are 5 essential features to be aware of.
Material
The importance of the material of your chair is sometimes undervalued. However, the difference between leather and mesh-backed chairs is significant. Some common choices are vinyl, leather, mesh, and synthetic leather.
Mesh office chairs are the classic choice. Light, breathable, inexpensive - allowing for more airflow and a great choice if you don&#;t want to get too hot. For breathability, fabric office chairs offer a middle ground between mesh and leatherette.
Vinyl is standard for workplace chairs and is incredibly easy to clean. However, mesh and fabric chairs have become increasingly popular recently, especially in the ergonomic realm. Their most significant benefit is breathability, especially if the entire backrest of a chair is an interlaced mesh, as that allows air to flow freely. These are also pretty easy to clean, and when sat in, conforms to your back, helping with comfort and ergonomics.
Leather has stood atop the list as the "premium" option for quite some time. It&#;s timeless, luxurious, and easy to clean as well. One downside is that it&#;s not always the most cooling option, and those who run hot would be wise to go for the fabrics instead.
Synthetic leather, sometimes called leatherette, is found on most padded office chairs. it looks similar to real or genuine leather, but it's hypoallergenic and more breathable. The downside is that it does not last as long on average as a leather counterpart.
Size
There are three main sizes to consider. Petite, standard, and ample. In short, they are exactly as they sound. Petite is more minor, designed for shorter individuals and smaller office spaces if space is limited. Standard is a typical size built for someone between 5 and 6 feet tall. Lastly, there is a larger size offered. These are made for those taller than 6 feet and can fit people up to 500 pounds on average.
The best way to sit in an office chair is with both feet on the floor and your elbows at a 90 to 110 degree angle.
> If you&#;re under 5&#;3&#;, find a chair whose lowest seat height is below 17 inches.
> If you're under 4&#;11&#;, the best office chair will be below 16 inches. There aren&#;t many chairs in this range, but we recommend the Herman Miller Embody and the Steelcase Leap.
> If you're taller than 6&#;5&#;, select a chair with a seat height of 21 inches or above.
Lumbar and Back Support
When sitting for long periods, lumbar and back support is essential for maintaining comfort, posture, and alleviating pain. Many of the best office chair options are molded to a curve for additional support for the lower back - this is known as fixed lumbar support. A lot of ergonomic office chairs feature adjustable or dynamic lumbar support that adapts to your movements for constant back support.
Adjustability
Depending on the chair, some adjustments can be made to customize the fit to your liking. Some chairs have one or no adjustments. Others have dozens. These can range from the depth of lumbar support to the tension for how easy it is to recline. Different adjustability settings may be desired depending on the use of the chair.
Armrests on some office chairs may also be adjustable. 2D armrests move backwards and forwards, 3D armrests move backwards, forwards, up, and down. 4D armrests move backwards, forwards, up, down, in, and out for maximum customization.
Cost
The cost is still a dominant factor in choosing. Finding a balance of cost efficiency, material, and features is essentially what any chair purchase comes down to. Some manufacturers of higher-end chairs have a prominent pre-owned market, allowing the best of both worlds - high-end and cheaper.
Try it out
Sometimes, you need to try out an office chair yourself - and that&#;s not always easy if you&#;re buying online. You want to know how soft that cushion is, how the adjustments work, and whether it&#;s the right pick for your build or set-up. Thankfully, most top retailers offer a 30-day money back guarantee, letting you return the item if it&#;s not right for you.
As you&#;d expect, these come with Ts and Cs attached, so it&#;s always worth checking the company&#;s returns policy before committing to a desk chair you&#;re not sure about.
On an aesthetic level, many retailers now offer AR visualisation. In other words, you can use your as a screen to scan your room and view a virtual version of your chosen office chair on the screen. It&#;s like it&#;s in the room with you. And it&#;s a good way of seeing if the chair is the right fit for your home office, both from a design perspective and size.
Warranty and returns
All of the best office chair manufacturers offer some level of warranty - at minimum a year, although three-year warranties are the lowest we&#;d generally recommend going. For premium models, expect 10- and 15-year warranties for core parts of the seat. This means, should something go wrong with your seat within the specified time period, the company will repair or replace it.
If a chair doesn&#;t quite meet your standards, or there&#;s something wrong with the item, you&#;ll need to return it. All of our top picks are from retailers that offer some sort of returns policy - often a 30- or 90-day money back guarantee - although there will be terms and conditions associated with this. For example, you may have to disassemble the office chair, and ensure everything is repackaged, including instructions, in a &#;like new&#; fashion. So, when buying your office chair, especially online, it&#;s always worth checking the company&#;s returns policy page.
How we test the best office chairs
We've comprehensively tested, reviewed, and rated plenty of office furniture, including the best standing desk converters and the best standing desk mats.
When it comes to chairs for the office and home, we take the same rigorous approach, assessing the chair's overall design, adjustability, and comfort.
With expert reviewers of different heights and weights, we can test out how each chair fits with different body types. We don't just take the manufacturer's word for it when evaluating height range and weight load; we check real-world examples.
We painstakingly assess every single one for at least a week - in one case, we've continued using the chair for years. When undertaking our tests, we're paying close attention to the materials used, the number of adjustments on hand, the ease of setup and use, and naturally, the level of comfort it offers. Naturally, as part of this review process, we use a stopwatch to accurately check assembly times, as well as ease of assembly. We consider anything that takes 45 minutes and above to be on the long side, and will note these in our reviews, to give you a good idea what to expect.
Finally, we compare prices and value-for-money before making our final recommendations. The very best office chairs cover a broad range, with premium, mid-range, and budget choices, and we make it a point to get them all into our labs for testing. So, we can give you a good idea of which models are worth your money and what brands are most reliable. This includes noting the warranty and returns policy for office chairs, for added peace of mind.
You can see more about our comprehensive testing process in How we test, review and rate on TechRadar Pro: Office Chairs
I&#;ve been using one of the best office chairs for years now and it&#;s made a huge difference in my work life. During the day, I often sit for long periods of time and a good office chair makes it so much more comfortable plus, my back and shoulders have all the extra support they need.
For more information, please visit JE Group.
Based on my extensive testing, the best office chair overall is the Branch Verve Chair. I really like how its 3D knit backrest helps it stand out (in a good way) but it also allows for better airflow. The Branch Verve Chair also has an adjustable lumbar rest, a contoured seat and backrest and its casters are perfect for my hardwood floors. If you&#;re on a tight budget though, I strongly recommend the Flash Furniture Mid-Back Office Chair which is frequently on sale for just over $100.
Below, I&#;ve put together several recommendations for all types of use cases, including my favorite ergonomic option, the best office chair for back pain, my top pick for gaming and more. These are the best office chairs you can buy right now that I personally recommend.
The quick list
Written by
Written by
Anthony Spadafora
Senior EditorAnthony Spadafora has been working from home exclusively for the past six years (two full-time with Tom's Guide) and during that time, he's tested work from home accessories, standing desks and of course, office chairs. In fact, he has reviewed more than a dozen office chairs from full mesh chairs to task chairs to ergonomic chairs. Anthony can tell you how comfortable a particular chair is to sit in for long hours at a time as well as what goes into putting it together.
Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.
The best office chair overall
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(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
As the follow-up to the Branch Ergonomic Chair, the Branch Verve Chair immediately sets itself apart from the competition thanks to its unique design which won an iF Design Award in . Instead of a mesh back, it has a 3D-knit backrest that's extremely comfortable while also being breathable. Besides the Coral color seen here, the Branch Verve Chair is available in black and white as well as light green and light blue.
Besides being pleasing to look at when pushed in at my desk, the chair's V-shaped suspended back also houses its adjustable lumbar rest. Likewise, its inward curving arms help the Branch Verve Chair stand out (in a good way) and I love how the base of the chair is the same color as its seat and backrest.
I found the Branch Verve Chair to be quite comfortable during testing and was impressed by how my body sunk into the chair. At the same time, its nylon casters also made a big difference and were much smoother when rolling around on my hardwood floors. The Branch Verve Chair features six points of adjustment and it felt really good leaning back in the chair while taking short breaks throughout my workday.
Read our full Branch Verve Chair review.
The best budget office chair
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(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
One reason I liked the Flash Furniture Mid-Back office chair is that, in a sea of black and gray office chairs, it stood out with its bold blue and white color scheme (it's also available in gray, yellow, red, orange, white, and yes, black).
The price of this chair varies based on the color you choose as well as the style &#; you can opt for a mid-back, high back, and drafting chair &#; but ranges from around $120 to $210, making it a very affordable model if you're on a budget.
However, as with most budget office chairs, the Flash Furniture model isn't very adjustable, you can raise and lower the seat and adjust the tilt tension, but that's it. Still, I found it pretty comfortable when sitting for long periods of time. And, when I was ready to head home for the day, the chair's arms fold up, so that I could tuck it under my desk more easily. If you're looking for a cheap office chair that looks good, this is definitely a model to consider.
Read our full Flash Furniture Mid-Back office chair review.
The best premium office chair
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(Image credit: Herman Miller)
(Image credit: Herman Miller)
(Image credit: Herman Miller)
The Herman Miller Aeron chair may be the symbol of dot-com excess, but there's a good reason for that: It is damn comfortable. I could adjust everything on this top-tier chair, including more esoteric things, like the tension of eight zones of the fabric (including the important lumbar support) and the tilt and angle of the armrests. It also supports working in two profiles: one for when you are leaning forward and another for when you are leaning back and reclining.
The mesh bottom and back of the Aeron also allowed for plenty of airflow, which was welcome on warm days when my air conditioning wasn't working as well as it should have. However, this came with a little tradeoff, as I didn't think the Aeron offered as much support as the Steelcase Leap, which has a firmer fabric bottom and back.
Check out our comparison of the Herman Miller Embody vs Aeron if you've having a hard time deciding which is best for you.
It's perhaps no surprise that all of this comes at a price, as the Aeron starts at more than $1,000. My advice is to look for sales of office furniture as companies clear out their buildings of unwanted items. You're bound to find an Aeron for a lot less used.
Read our full Herman Miller Aeron chair review.
The best office chair for ergonomics
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(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
The Steelcase Karman goes beyond a traditional mesh chair thanks to the company's proprietary Intermix textile. This office chair is available in a number of different colors and even color combinations since it's created using a weaving process where yarns and other filaments are injected into the weave.
The Steelcase Karman is also exceptionally light at just 29 pounds and unlike every office chair I have reviewed so far, it comes fully assembled. Under the chair's seat, there's a weight-activated mechanism that when combined with Intermix, literally wrapped around my body and supported me, regardless of which angle I was sitting at.
The Steelcase Karman may lack a dedicated lumbar support but in my own testing, I found I didn't need one due to how the chair responded to my body's movements throughout the day. This level of comfort and engineering doesn't come cheap though but Steelcase does back up the Karman with a 12-year warranty.
Read our full Steelcase Karman review.
The best office chair for back pain
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(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
A futuristic-looking office chair with great support for your back
Our expert review:
Average Amazon review:
Colors:
Black and grey
Material:
Italian velvet, DuPont TPEE
Seat width:
20.28 inches
Weight Limit:
300 Pounds
View at AmazonView at Amazon+
Split lumbar support
+
Premium build quality
+
Aesthetically pleasing design
+
Mesh allows for excellent airflow
-
Armrests move too easily
-
Complicated assembly process
The SIHOO Doro S300 offers some big improvements over the SIHOO Doro C300 which we also reviewed. These include its dual dynamic lumbar support, its anti-gravity mechanism and its mesh which is made from a woven combination of Italian velvet and DuPont TPEE.
This premium-looking office chair is available in either white or black but there aren't any other add-ons or upgrades you need to worry about. It is more expensive than the C300 at $799 but if you're on a tighter budget, there's also the SIHOO Doro S100 to consider which features a very similar design albeit with less premium materials.
During our testing, we were very impressed with its futuristic design, how its mesh kept us cool while working and the way in which the dual dynamic lumbar support cradled our back. The armrests do leave a bit to be desired though and we found they moved a bit too easily for our liking. Also, the Doro S300's recline is limited to three positions. Still though, this office chair will be a huge help for those with back problems and it offers plenty of adjustability.
Read our full SIHOO Doro S300 review.
The office chair for gaming
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(Image credit: Razer)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
The best gaming chair for your home office
Our expert review:
Colors:
Black
Material:
Mesh backrest and seat pan, aluminum alloy frame
Seat width:
20.9 inches
Weight Limit:
300 Pounds
View at RazerCheck Amazon+
Easy assembly
+
Great lumbar support
+
Fantastic build quality
+
Comfortable padding on the armrests
-
Questionable warranty
The Razer Fujin Pro is as much an office chair as it is one of the best gaming chairs. Unlike other gaming chairs with flashy designs, Razer went with a sleek, all-black look for its latest chair. The Fujin Pro also features a mesh backrest and seat pan to keep you cool while working or gaming along with a sturdy, aluminum alloy frame.
If the Razer Fujin Pro is a bit out of your price range at $, you can get the standard Razer Fujin for $649, though it lacks the aluminum alloy frame and mesh headrest available with the pro model. Another thing I really like about this office chair is that there aren't any add-ons or extra costs to consider at checkout.
In our testing, we found the Razer Fujin Pro to be very easy to assemble and to adjust. The adjustable lumbar support dwarfs those you'd find on other gaming chairs and the padding on its armrests is extremely comfortable too. The seat pan can be moved forward or backward as well for taller people.
The Razer Fujin Pro does double duty as a gaming and office chair and unlike other gaming chairs, you won't be embarrassed to be seen sitting in this one during video calls or even at the office.
Read our full Razer Fujin Pro review.
The best office chair for long hours
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(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
When I sat in the X-Chair X2 and turned on its optional heating and massage pad, it transported me back to the days when I would go to the mall and relax in the massage chairs at Brookstone.
Nostalgia aside, the X2 Chair is a very slick and very comfortable office chair. Both the seat back and bottom are mesh, which provides plenty of breathability, and the chair has a ton of adjustment points, so you can get it to fit you just right. The one downside is that it took me a good while to get everything just the way I wanted it.
I also loved the look of the X2; it's not quite as flashy as a gaming chair, but it's not as subdued as one of the thousands of generic office chairs you can find online. It's also sturdily built: part of the frame and the base are made out of metal, which has a shiny chrome finish
At around $900, the X2 is not cheap; it's about the same as you'll pay for a Herman Miller Aeron. But, it's a chair that will definitely keep you comfortable &#; especially if you buy the massage pad.
Read our full X-Chair X2 review.
The best office chair for home office
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(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
An affordable office chair that's ideal for most people
Our expert review:
Colors:
Black, white, gray
Material:
Fabric
Seat width:
20 inches
Weight Limit:
300 pounds
+
Attractive design
+
Seven-year warranty
+
Removable lumbar rest
+
Numerous adjustment points
-
Seat can be a bit firm
While sleeker than most other office chairs, there's nothing overly flashy about the Branch Ergonomic Chair, and maybe that's a good thing. Once I settled into this $300 office chair, I largely forgot about it as I sat on it while working from home. But isn't that the point of any good office chair?
The Branch Ergonomic Chair has seven adjustment points (the height and width of the armrests, as well as how far forward you want them, seat height, backrest angle, lumbar support, and position of the seat relative to the backrest). That's not as many as you'll find on more expensive models, but it's more than enough for a $300 chair like this one from Branch Furniture. Just as important: all of these adjustment points were easy to change. There's nothing worse than struggling to get a chair to fit just right.
My only real critique of the Branch chair &#; if you can call it that &#; is that its padded seat didn't feel as comfortable as mesh seats on pricier chairs, and is not as breathable. But all in all, this chair delivers excellent value.
Read our full Branch Ergonomic Chair review
Best office chair for mesh
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(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
A mesh office chair with a unique design and a useful back bar
Our expert review:
Colors:
Black
Material:
Mesh and aluminium
Seat width:
20 inches
Weight Limit:
350 pounds
View at OdinLakeCheck Amazon+
Unique butterfly design
+
Loads of adjustments
+
15-year warranty
+
Breathable mesh and built-in headrest
-
Expensive
-
Heavy
The OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753 is an ergonomic mesh office chair that stands out thanks to its innovative and one-of-a-kind design. Its butterfly split backrest makes it immediately recognizable while the back bar above it makes it easy to pull out and push into your desk. Plus, you can use the back bar as a coat hanger and the headrest comes standard.
To help you find the right fit for you, the OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753 features eight adjustment points. The backrest has five levels of up and down adjustment while its seat can be moved either forward or backward 2-inches. Likewise, you can raise or lower the chair's height with a simple pinch of the right armrest or lock in its 90-135 degree tilt at any angle by pinching the left armrest. Surprisingly, many of these tweaks are handled by the OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753's bicycle brake line-inspired adjustment system which I've yet to see on any other office chair so far.
At just under $, the OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753 is a premium office chair that's more of an investment than a simple upgrade. However, since it's backed by a 15-year warranty, this is an ergonomic mesh office chair that you'll be able to use for years to come.
Read our full OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753 review.
Also tested
We test a lot of different office chairs at Tom's Guide and while many our great in their own right, not all of them end up on our top list. At the same time, a newer model from the same brand might take its predecessor's spot. If none of the picks above have what you're after, you may want to check out these office chairs below.
ErgoTune Supreme V3 (&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;)
Our previous pick for the best mesh chair, the ErgoTune Supreme V3 is a more affordable option at $599 that's available in several different colorways. It offers excellent lumbar support in a sturdy yet comfortable all-mesh design.
Read our full ErgoTune Supreme V3 review.
HON Ignition 2.0 (&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;)
This ergonomic task chair gives you the best of both worlds with a mesh back and a fabric seat cushion. There's also another all-mesh version of the HON Ignition 2.0 available at a slightly higher price. Likewise, you can add an optional headrest to this chair too.
Read our full HON Ignition 2.0 review.
OdinLake Ergo PLUS 743 (&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;)
This premium all-mesh office chair has an attractive design and is quite comfortable. While the OdinLake Ergo PLUS 743 is well built, the mesh material used in this chair can be a bit clingy. It's still a great chair but for a bit more, you can get the OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753 instead.
Read our full OdinLake Ergo PLUS 743 review.
Office chairs compared
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Row 0 - Cell 0
MaterialSeat WidthWeight limitBranch Verve ChairFabric20 inches275 poundsFlash Furniture Mid-Back Office ChairFabric, plastic20 inches265 poundsHerman Miller Aeron8Z pellicle elastomeric and aluminum16-18.5 inches350 poundsSteelcase KarmanIntermix textile20 inches350 poundsSihoo Doro S300Italian velvet, DuPont TPEE20.28 inches300 poundsRazer Fujin ProMesh backrest and seat pan20.9 inches300 poundsX-Chair X2 K-Sport Management chairFabric20 inches250 poundsBranch Ergonomic ChairFabric20 inches300 poundsOdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753Fabric20 inches350 poundsHow long should you sit?
Even if you have the best office chair in the world, it's unhealthy to remain seated for hours on end. A number of studies have found that sitting for prolonged periods can have negative effects on your body, such as higher rates of heart disease, obesity, and cancer.
To that end, a number of experts recommend you stand up every so often. The Mayo Clinic, for example, suggests that you stand up every 30 minutes, or invest in one of the best standing desks, as well as one of the best under-desk treadmills. Either way, get up and stretch your muscles. One strategy I use myself is to set a timer; some of the best smartwatches, such as the Apple Watch, will automatically remind you to move if you've been sedentary for too long. Also be sure to check out our guide on the best exercises if you sit all day.
How to choose the best office chair for you
When it comes to picking out the best office chair for your needs, there are several factors that come into play which we go into further detail below:
Price
Office chairs range widely in price, from less than $100 up to $2,000. Ultimately, you should purchase an office chair that best fits with your budget. There are two main differences between budget office chairs and more expensive models. The first is materials: Less expensive chairs will often be made with cheaper materials, and may not have as big an emphasis on design. More expensive chairs will be more fashion-forward, and will be made from more premium materials, and may even provide you more options for customization.
The second difference between low- and high-priced office chairs is adjustability. Less expensive chairs can't be adjusted as much as more expensive chairs. For instance, an office chair that costs around $100 may only let you adjust its height. As you go up in price, office chairs will have more things you can adjust, such as their arms, lumbar support, seat position, and more.
However, if you see a chair that you like that's a little out of your price range, it's worth doing some digging to see if you can find a previously owned model for less. A lot of companies were forced to close or downsize their offices over the past few years which has resulted in a lot of office equipment being sold for pennies on the dollar.
Comfort
Comfort is pretty easy to understand: A comfortable chair should offer a seat that is yielding but that also provides some level of firmness. It should also wick moisture so you don't get sweaty on warm days. Seats and backs made of mesh tend to fare the best in this regard.
The seat should be wide enough that people of larger stature can sit comfortably on it and not feel like they are squeezing into a kids' chair.
The armrests should be contoured for the elbow and upper arm to lean comfortably on and be made of fabric or softer material that won't jar the elbow when you bump into it.
Lumbar support
Another critical feature is lumbar support. This piece of an office chair helps you maintain the curve of your lower back, so that you don't strain yourself by sitting for long periods (not that you should). Like other parts of an office chair, this should be adjustable so that you can move it up or down, or increase or decrease the amount it pushes out. I have also seeing some newer chairs like the Sihoo Doro-C300 incorporate lumbar support mechanisms that automatically adjust their lumbar support based on how you're sitting in them.
Material
What an office chair is made of can also have a big impact on your comfort. For the most part, office chairs are covered in some sort of fabric, with padding beneath. However, some have either a mesh back or seat, which can help with airflow, and keep you cooler throughout the day. And, if you want to make a statement, there's nothing like a leather chair.
But the materials go beyond the seat itself; pricier chairs will often use more metal parts in the base and elsewhere, whereas less expensive models will have more plastic parts.
Adjustability
Adjustability is the other major factor. The best office chairs should allow you to tweak pretty much everything, including the following:
That's important because every person is different; getting a chair that allows you to adjust all of these things lets you configure it to your unique body shape. Generally, the more expensive the chair, the more things you'll be able to adjust. Chairs that cost less than $100 will usually only let you change their height.
How we test the best office chairs
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
In order to test the best office chairs to review them and see how well they stack up against one another, I spend a few weeks sitting in each one. During this time, I see how well each office chair supports my back, shoulders and arms and determine their comfort level. In addition to comfort, I also take a close look at how easy each chair is to adjust and whether or not the changes I make to a chair stay that way.
While I review many of these office chairs on my own from the comfort of my home, I also have family and friends of different weights and heights test them out too. This gives me a better idea of how well each chair will work with different body types and I can gauge someone else&#;s reaction to sitting in them for the first time. For the chairs that other members of the team at Tom&#;s Guide review, they do something similar when working remotely but if they&#;re in the office, other co-workers come and try out each chair.
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
During our testing process, I also take note of each chair&#;s design, appearance and how customizable they are. Likewise, I inspect their materials and parts and see how well they hold up over time. Since few people build furniture as often as I do, I take a lot of notes while putting each chair together to see how easy or difficult it might be for someone with less experience to build one. I assemble every office chair on my own but I point out in my reviews where having someone else to help during the assembly process can make it easier or speed things up.
Finally, I take into account the overall cost of a chair, the length and fine details of its warranty and how it compares to competing chairs in the same price range. For more information on our testing process, check out our how we test page for Tom&#;s guide.
More home office picks
You'll need more than one of the best office chairs to fully outfit your work-from-home space. You'll also want to check out our guide to the best standing desks, as well as the best desk lamps to ensure that you can work comfortably without straining your eyes or your back.
You'll also want to invest in one of the best webcams, best microphones, and best ring lights if you want to look and sound your best on video calls with coworkers.
And, to make sure your computer setup is as productive as possible, we have recommendations for the best Wi-Fi routers, best monitors, best keyboard, and best mouse.
Office Chair deals
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