The Best Office Chairs
Working from home is on the rise in recent years, and many of us have found the need to carve out a space at home for quiet focus. Whether it be for schoolwork or the daily grind, you'll want to be sure you'll be comfortable when setting your mind to the task at hand. Choosing the right office chair can make a big difference to your working day, helping to promote ideal posture and easing mobility between worktops.
What to Look For
With so many options to choose from, we had three questions in mind while searching for the best office chairs on the market today: Do the available height, recline and tension adjustments make this chair compatible with a range of worktops? Does the seat provide comfortable and firm support whilst sitting for long periods? Are the casters durable for maximum mobility on a range of floor surfaces? Our top pick was an office chair from BestOffice, which comes equipped with the adjustable components we’d expect from a top-of-the-range chair at a fraction of the price. This option sports a mesh backing for breathability and a light weight. But if you’re looking for a throne with a little more padding, check out the premium leather chair from OFIKA. Read on below to discover more of our favorite office chairs on the market today.
BestOffice Home Office Chair
Flex and roll
Swivel into optimum focus with this 360° rotating desk chair from BestOffice. A sturdy base mounted on five smooth casters brings stability and mobility when gliding between tasks. A carefully engineered geometry puts your comfort first. The spongey cushioned seat forms a supportive base, while the flexible mesh backrest encourages ideal posture. Take charge of your seating position with an intuitively positioned height adjustment arm and manual pneumatic tension control.
Pros:
- If you’re looking for a chair to complement a bold office color scheme, this range of eight vivid color options is sure to offer the perfect match.
- The assembly was a breeze. With all hardware and instructions included, we found we could get this chair up and running in no time.
- We were blown away by the bargain price of this chair, which boasted many of the features of significantly pricier options.
Cons:
- If adjustable armrests are a dealbreaker, this chair won’t be for you.
Flash Furniture High-Back Swivel Chair
Rest your weary head
When working with screens, we might be looking for a seating option with some extra back support to help us maintain a healthy posture throughout the day. With a high-back design and adjustable headrest, this option from Flash Furniture will have you sitting comfortably no matter what you’re working on. These back supports use flexible black nylon mesh to create a soothing resistance when sitting. The two padded armrests can be flipped up for versatility and compatibility with desks of all shapes and sizes.
Pros:
- We found that the pneumatic tension on this chair had a balanced and pleasing resistance, allowing us to lean and rock freely while sitting.
- If you’re working in a warmer environment, the meshed backrest design allows a good airflow when sitting for long periods.
- The lumbar support on this chair makes for an incredibly comfortable seating position, making this a great option for anyone who regularly experiences back pain.
Cons:
- If you’re taller than average, you might find the seat on this chair to be a little shallow.
OFIKA Adjustable Executive Leather Chair
Luxury leather
If you’re sinking into some serious business, extra cushioning might be in order. With luxury double-padded leather upholstery, this option is sure to bring maximum comfort to any office setting. A heavy-duty nylon wheelbase keeps this chair light in weight yet strong. In fact, it can support up to 400 pounds. And to help you find the ideal position for any task, this chair is equipped with a 110° tilt mechanism and 4-inch height adjustment, both easily operated from a seated position.
Pros:
- Three regal leather coats cover a distinctive range of hues to suit any office aesthetic.
- With a grippy, non-slip coating on each of the five rotating wheels, this chair could hold its position firmly even on smooth office flooring.
- A pre-assembled seating component made it easy to put together. We found we could get it built out of the box in less than 15 minutes.
Cons:
- This plastic base could be more susceptible to scuffs and scratches than other metallic designs.
Irene Velvet Desk Chair
Mid-century modern
Enjoy a blast from the past with this nostalgic period design from Irene. With premium velvet upholstery this chair is snug and luxurious. Tufted rear cushioning brings a seriously chic aesthetic, whilst also working to combat folds and wrinkles in the soft fabric. A sturdy metal base offers 360° rotation and ample height adjustment. And if you’re tired of creaks and squeaks, these PVC wheels are constructed with silence in mind, for smooth mobility all around.
Pros:
- Irene has spoiled us with design options here. The fifteen different color options offer a range of vibrant tones, with various cushioning configurations and armrest contours to suit any posture.
- Despite our assumptions about the velvet exterior, we found that this chair was incredibly easy to clean. It held up well to regular spills when used by kids.
- This subtle armrest geometry meant we had little trouble sliding this chair under most desks of a regular height.
Cons:
- With a low-back design offering less support than some other options, this might not be the best option for marathon desk sessions.
Amazon Basics Padded Office Chair
Back to basics
For a no-frills seating solution at a bargain, look no further than this padded chair from Amazon Basics. This mid-back design offers maximum mobility, with pneumatic height adjustment, position tilt, and a tension knob to adjust the chair’s lean while stationary. A PU bonded leather upholstery gives soft comfort to the padded seat and armrests, ensuring you can work in comfort.
Pros:
- We found this chair to be incredibly easy to assemble thanks to the clear and thorough instruction manual.
- These durable casters had no problems when maneuvering on typically tricky surfaces, such as thick carpets.
- The swivel action on the base was smooth with a pleasing resistance when stationary.
Cons:
- If you’re used to sitting with a headrest, you might not find this chair as comfortable for longer working sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I protect the PU leather on my office chair?
PU leather, also known as bi-cast leather, is a polyurethane-coated leather commonly used in upholstery. Because of the polyurethane coating, this fabric doesn’t respond to standard leather-care products which work with the naturally absorptive properties of porous leather. To get the best life out of your upholstery, consider purchasing a PU leather protective treatment for application every 3 to 6 months to preserve the coating.
How can I prevent jammed joints and casters on my office chair?
The standard office chair has more moving parts than meets the eye. To maintain a pleasing fluidity of motion, be sure to pay attention to the condition of pneumatic components and wheels. Keeping these components free of dust and other debris will prevent jams and irregular action. If things still aren’t running smoothly after a good clean, try applying a spray of WD40 or some other household lubricant.
About the Author
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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.