The average business person would be startled to learn how much time they spend in their office chair. They’d work for about 1900 hours in a year if they worked 40 hours every week. When you multiply that by the typical number of years a person works, it’s clear that an office chair occupies a significant chunk of one’s life.
It is usual to spend more money on a desk than on a chair. The same may be said for office setups at home. Some people spend more time in front of the screen than they do sleeping. It only makes sense to have a comfy and supportive office chair for both the business and the home.
Consider investing in the best office chair for yourself, especially if you will be sitting in it for long periods of time. A decent office chair should make it easier for you to conduct your job while also being kind on your back and not having a negative impact on your health.
When purchasing an office chair, keep the following features in mind.
Check for Lumbar Support
Your back will appreciate the comfort and support that a curved backrest provides in your office chair. Choose an office chair that follows the natural curve of your spine. Any good office chair will provide adequate lumbar support. So that you don’t slouch throughout the day, your lower back should be supported in such a way that it is slightly arched at all times. It’s great to give this feature a try so you can get lumbar support when you need it. To avoid tension or stress on the lumbar discs in your spine, you need good lower back or lumbar support.
Adjustable Backrests
You should be able to adjust the position of your backrest to suit your needs. You should be able to adjust the backrest forward or backward if it is attached to the seat. It’s a good idea to have a locking mechanism to keep it in position so that the back doesn’t suddenly tilt backward. You should be able to modify the height and angle of a backrest that is separate from the seat to your satisfaction.
Adjustable Height
You should be able to customize the height of your office chair to fit your needs. You should sit such that your thighs are parallel to the floor for maximum comfort. Look for a pneumatic adjustment lever that allows you to raise or lower the seat.
Easier Movement With Swivel and Casters
The fact that you can move around in your chair adds to its utility. For maximum efficiency, you should be able to easily rotate your chair so that you can reach different parts of your work area. Casters allow you to move around more easily, but make sure you get the correct ones for your floor. Choose a chair with casters that are appropriate for your floor, whether it’s a carpet, a hard surface, or a combination of the two. If you have one that isn’t meant for your floor, a chair mat can be a nice investment.
Armrests for Comfort
To relieve some of the tension on your neck and shoulders, invest in an office chair with armrests. The armrests should also be movable so that you may place them so that your arms rest comfortably while reducing your tendency to slump.
Sufficient Seat Depth and Width
The seat of your office chair should be sufficiently wide and deep to allow you to sit comfortably. If you’re tall, go for a deeper seat, and if you’re not, go for a shallower one. Ideally, you should be able to sit with your back against the backrest and 2-4 inches between the back of your knees and the office chair’s seat. Depending on how you sit, you should be able to change the inclination of the seat forward or backward.
Breathable Material and Sufficient Padding
When sitting in your office chair for long periods of time, a material that allows your body to breathe is more comfortable. Fabric is a good choice, but many new materials now have this capability. The padding should be comfortable to sit on, and a seat that is overly soft or too hard should be avoided. After a few hours, a hard surface will be unpleasant, while a soft one will not provide enough support.
5 of the Best Office Chairs on Amazon
1. Steelcase Gesture
The Steelcase Gesture costs more than $1,000, but if you sit for lengthy amounts of time, the investment is well worth it—for the support, flexibility, and comfort that will last more than a decade.
It’s one of the most comfortable, supportive, and long-lasting office chairs we’ve ever tried: everything about it has lasted the test of time, from the back support to the high-quality fabric to the trustworthy adjustment knobs. The Gesture also has the most fabric and other finishing options of any of the chairs we reviewed, allowing you to personalize it for your workstation.
2. Herman Miller Aeron
The Herman Miller Aeron chair may be synonymous with dot-com luxury, but for good reason: it’s incredibly comfy. Everything about this top-tier chair may be adjusted, even more esoteric details like the tension of eight fabric zones (including the crucial lumbar support) and the tilt and angle of the armrests. It also allows you to work in two different profiles: one for leaning forward and another for leaning back and reclining.
It’s somewhat unsurprising that all of this comes at a cost, with prices starting at over $1,000. You only have one butt, so if you’re going to be working from home for a long time, it’s worth investing in a pleasant location for your behind to rest. Our recommendation is to hunt for it on sale in offices that are liquidating inventory.
3. Space Seating Professional AirGrid
The mechanics that allow for adjustable lumbar support and tension zones aren’t inexpensive to produce, therefore most low-cost office chairs aren’t highly adjustable. The Space Seating Professional AirGrid finds a wonderful balance, as you can customize many of the features of this sleek chair for about $200.
The height and position of the AirGrid’s arms can be adjusted, as well as the tilt of the seat, which is a crucial feature for achieving a comfortable sitting position when leaning back or forward. The armrests can be moved left and right, however the angle and slope cannot be changed. The back of the AirGrid is made of mesh fabric, which allows for increased ventilation on hot days. You won’t get some of the more expensive models’ fancy adjustments, but you will get the majority of the features that make for a comfortable seat.
4. Hon Exposure
The Hon Exposure is the Honda Civic of office chairs: it’s dependable, inexpensive, and functional, but it’s not very flashy. The Hon Exposure, which costs roughly $200, features adjustable arms and height, as well as a lumbar support that can be slid in and out to provide lower back support.
The Hon Exposure was comfortable, but a little stiffer than the Branch Ergonomic Chair, which had a little more style but was also around $90 more expensive. Overall, the Hon Exposure is a solid choice, although there are more interesting options available.
5. Furmax Office Mesh Chair with Armrest
Furmax includes a thick, padded seat and a mesh back with lumbar support, so your back doesn’t get overheated while still getting the support it need. The seat height may be modified from 19 inches to around 24 inches, according to internet customers.
The Furmax is supported by five casters, allowing you to move it around your home office. The slope and overall height of this chair can both be adjusted, but the armrests are not. However, you can’t have it everything at this price. This chair, on the other hand, comes in a number of colors: There’s black, but it’s also available in gray, purple, red, and white.
Why Is a Good Office Chair Important?
Aside from reducing back pain, having a nice office chair has several advantages. The weariness and discomfort that can result from sitting in the same chair for hours on end can be avoided with a nice, supportive office chair.
Employees who are more comfortable are more productive and contribute to a more favorable work atmosphere, according to studies. Finally, having the appropriate, comfortable office chair lowers the amount of breaks required by the employee owing to discomfort.
Finding the perfect chair that is both comfortable and prevents strain and damage is critical to having happy, healthy, and productive staff who aren’t out sick due to back ailments.
Allow employees to test on several chair kinds before purchasing them to ensure that the office chairs are contributing to increased productivity.