As a fully remote editorial team, we know that a comfortable office chair is essential for a productive workday. To find the best office chairs to sit comfortably for long hours, we recruited seven panelists to test 16 top-rated chairs for a month, scoring each one on key attributes like support, design and value. The stood out, thanks to its unique gridded-back design, ergonomic construction, customizability and minimalist aesthetic. We also recommend the , our more affordable runner-up pick, which held its own in terms of adjustability, comfort, support and durability.

Our Top Recommendations

Best Office Chair Overall

A Breathable, Supportive Option With A Firm Back

Herman Miller Sayl Chair

Forbes Vetted

Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.

4.0

Materials: Nylon and aluminum frame, elastomer back, upholstered foam seat | Adjustments: Height, recline resistance, seat depth, forward tilt | Armrests: Height, width, angle and depth adjustable | Ships assembled: Yes (in two pieces that attach without tools) | Weight limit: 350 pounds | Warranty: 12 years

Best for:

  • Its breathable design and easily adjustable armrests
  • People of short or average heights (shorter backrest)
  • Its lengthy 12-year warranty

Skip if:

  • You prefer a plush backrest
  • You’re taller than average (over 6 feet)
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The Herman Miller Sayl Chair’s stiff, gridded backrest made of elastomer strands is its defining feature, earning it high support scores. The backrest’s striking open design also distinguishes the Sayl from the other chairs on this list, helping it to blend in to home offices better than larger, more imposing executive-style chairs.

Support For Various Bodies, With Some Shortcomings

The Sayl earned high marks for support across testers representing a range of heights, and its smooth-adjusting armrests were among the best we tested. It offers firm but dynamic support—you can easily recline and move in this chair. It’s also more breathable and easier to clean than fully upholstered chairs, though some may prefer the cushier feel of extra padding.

Its design is more striking than most of the chairs on this list, but its shorter, more open backrest takes up less visual space, making it suitable for smaller rooms and blending into home offices better than larger, executive-style chairs. One potential downside, however: While petite testers preferred the shorter backrest, some especially tall people may find it lacking.

Outstanding Customizations And Warranty

The Sayl’s customizable add-ons stand out compared with other office chairs we tested because it’s adaptable for different heights and preferences. You can choose to add additional lumbar support and an adjustable-depth seat, and you can also opt for four-way arm adjustability options. These add-ons do cost extra, but Herman Miller often runs sales—and dialing in your comfort is key for a piece of furniture you’ll spend so much time in.

This chair comes with a generous 12-year warranty, one of the longest on the list. Although the Sayl’s frame is not made of recycled materials, the polyester upholstery fabric is, which is a nice feature if you’re interested in sustainability. Plus, Herman Miller says that at the end of the chair's life, up to 90% of it is recyclable.


The 2026 Forbes Vetted Best Product Awards are here: Explore our 150 top-recommended items across categories after extensive research and testing.


Best Runner-Up Office Chair Overall

Adjustable And Thoughtfully Designed, With Standout Armrests

Branch Ergonomic Chair Pro

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Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.

3.5

Materials: Mesh back, upholstered foam seat (vegan/real leather optional upgrade), aluminum base | Adjustments: Height, lumbar height, seat depth, recline resistance, forward tilt | Armrests: Height, arm width, pad width, depth and pivot adjustable | Ships assembled: No | Weight limit: 275 pounds | Warranty: 7 years

Best for:

  • Those seeking high adjustability at a midrange price
  • Those under 5-foot-11 (a is available for taller people)
  • Its range of colors and materials

Skip if:

  • You’re looking for a chair with a capacity of more than 275 pounds
  • You prioritize a speedy assembly

Branch’s new Ergonomic Chair Pro edged out many more expensive office chairs in our tests, proving itself to be comparable in comfort, support, adjustability and sturdiness to models twice the price. The trade-off, however, is that this chair requires a significant amount of assembly, although it does come with all the tools you’ll need.

Sturdy, Cushiony And Highly Adjustable

Once built, the chair felt sturdy and soft in all the right places, according to our tester. The upholstered seat pad and mesh backrest strike a good balance of softness and supportiveness, and the reclining mechanism feels smooth. The Ergonomic Chair Pro has adjustments for seat depth and height, lumbar height, recline resistance, forward tilt and tilt lock; you can also adjust the armrest five different ways.

Standout Armrest Adjustability And Extra Features

The versatility of the armrests in particular, despite their slight wobble, helps the Ergonomic Chair Pro stand apart from other chairs in this price range. You can set the width by flipping the levers beneath the unit to push them wider or narrower, then you can adjust them further by pushing the pads around in any direction. This made it one of the few mid-priced chairs to offer the same level of arm pad adjustability as the more expensive —although the pricier models felt sturdier and slid more smoothly.

Furthermore, this chair offers forward tilt, which is a good feature for gamers who like to lean into their desks. There’s also an optional height-adjustable headrest, but all our testers preferred this chair without the headrest.

Adaptable To Various Decor Styles And Has A Solid Warranty

The Ergonomic Chair Pro has a more standard-looking design than many other chairs included here, but the fact that it’s available in a variety of colors and your choice of a black or white frame at no additional charge—as well as various leathers and faux leathers, for a premium—makes it adaptable to a wide variety of interior styles. As Branch is a newer brand, it’s hard to say how its furniture will hold up in the long run. Still, the seven-year warranty is reassuring, even if it’s a few years short of the more established brands’ offerings.

Related: Branch’s estensive features extend beyond its office chairs—visit our guide to the best desks to find out why a Branch model is one of our favorites.


Best Value Office Chair

Surprisingly Sturdy For Its Price Range

Mimoglad Office Chair

Forbes Vetted

Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.

3.0

Materials: Mesh back and upholstered foam seat, plastic frame | Adjustments: Height, lumbar height, tilt lock, recline resistance, headrest height | Armrests: Not adjustable but can be flipped up | Ships assembled: No | Weight limit: 300 pounds | Warranty: 5 years

Best for:

  • Its solid construction and wide array of colorways
  • Those looking for adjustable lumbar height and tilt lock
  • Anyone who wants the option to fold armrests out of the way 

Skip if:

  • You prefer a wide or highly responsive seat
  • You don’t want a significant amount of assembly

We were surprised that the Mimoglad Office Chair is as good as it is, considering its low price. While it would never be confused for a Steelcase or Herman Miller model, we found it comparable to options like the for less than half the price.

Missing Some Key Features, Except Tilt And Lumbar

Admittedly, for the affordability, you do have to give up some features, such as seat depth adjustability and adjustable armrests (though they can flip up and out of the way if the default position doesn’t work for you). But you still get tilt lock and adjustable lumbar height; the latter feature, in fact, garnered it a spot on our list of the best office chairs for back pain.

An Involved Assembly, But Has A Lengthy Warranty

This chair requires full assembly—even the swivel base needs to be screwed together—and the lack of an external frame supporting the seat pad gave our testers some pause with respect to its long-term durability. However, for its price, it’s backed by an impressively long five-year warranty in case anything breaks or wears out. Overall, it feels like a chair that you could get a few good years out of but that’s unlikely to last for a decade or more.

Expert Tip: Choose A Refurbished Herman Miller Or Steelcase

If you are on a tight budget and looking for an office chair that will last, our research suggests that you may be better off buying a used model from a brand like Herman Miller or Steelcase, and shopping locally if you can swing it. You can often find refurbished secondhand chairs from these name brands at a discount (online retailers like offer them, too), and they can still be repaired for years to come.


Best Upgrade Office Chair

Instant Comfort, Plenty Of Adjustability And Long-Lasting Construction

Steelcase Leap

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4.3

Materials: Upholstered back and seat, painted steel and plastic frame | Adjustments: Height, seat depth, lumbar height, tilt lock/limit (four positions), recline resistance | Armrests: Height adjustable | Ships assembled: Yes (in three pieces that attach without tools) | Weight limit: 400 pounds | Warranty: 12 years

Best for:

  • Its clearly labeled adjustment controls
  • Highly customizable finishes, including premium leather upholstery options
  • Those seeking a heavy-duty option with a higher-than-average weight limit

Skip if:

  • You prefer a more modern design

If you’re looking for a high-end chair with just about every available ergonomic adjustment and a top-tier warranty, Steelcase’s Leap offers everything you need in its $1,399 base configuration. It was one of the best-constructed chairs we tested, full stop: There’s nary a squeak, creak or wobble to be found throughout the whole frame.

Universally Comfortable And Ergonomic

This chair is comfortable from the get-go: It’s soft in all the right places and, based on our testing, is supportive across a wide range of body sizes. It was the only chair to earn a rating of 8 or higher from our testers across the categories of build quality, comfort and support; these testers ranged in height from 5 feet 2 inches to 6 feet 2 inches, indicating that the chair can suit a number of body types. This universal appeal may have something to do with its “LiveBack” design, which brings the seat up ever so slightly as you recline in order to maintain an ergonomically supported position.

Highly Customizable And Designed For Longevity

As a bonus, this chair is available in 29 color and upholstery options, including leather. You can also choose between two frame and base colors and consider a $22 soft-wheel upgrade for use on hardwood floors. Should anything go wrong, Steelcase’s 12-year warranty is among the best on the market. And the fact that this model is available both used and refurbished through many outlets is a good sign of its longevity.


Best Office Chair To Buy On Amazon

A One-Size-Fits-Many Option With A Lifetime Warranty

MOST POPULAR

Hon Ignition Task Chair 2.0

Forbes Vetted

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3.0

Materials: Mesh, plastic frame, upholstered foam seat | Adjustments: Height, seat depth, tilt resistance, forward tilt | Armrests: Height and width adjustable | Ships assembled: No | Weight limit: 300 pounds | Warranty: Lifetime (some parts are covered only for 12 years)

Best for:

  • Those who want a well-constructed chair for under $1,000 
  • Immediate comfort before making adjustments
  • Amazon Prime members who want a quality office chair

Skip if:

  • You want more adjustability than this chair offers
  • You prefer a seat that’s not as wide or deep

The Hon Ignition Task Chair 2.0 offers everything you need out of a chair for under $500. Further, if the chair doesn’t end up working out, you can return it via Amazon Prime—and it has a generous limited lifetime warranty, too. (If you don’t have Prime, the Hon Ignition Task Chair 2.0 is also for a slightly higher price.)

Best For Taller Bodies, With Limited Adjustments

The Hon Ignition’s armrests do adjust along height and width, but the 20-inch seat width means that the arm pads are quite far apart, even on the narrowest setting; this led our 5-foot-5-inch tester to rate it a 3 for comfort. (This was not an issue with the Branch and other higher-end chairs with movable armrests.)

One of our taller testers fared better, however: “Easy to figure out all the adjustments because there are hardly any. But it feels pretty comfortable and ergonomic despite that,” they say. Its worth noting that although the unit we were sent for testing didn’t have seat depth and lumbar support adjustments, the model sold on Amazon does, which is helpful in achieving a supported position.

Certain Features Won’t Work For Every Body

Of all the office chairs we tested, the Ignition was perhaps the largest-looking model. Although it’s technically the same depth and width as the , its sizable upholstered seat cushion, square seat corners and tall square back (it’s 2.5 inches taller than the Pro) would make it look very large in a small space. Further, its supportive seat cushion and soft mesh back worked for most testers, but its rudimentary adjustability means you won’t be able to dial in a fit specific to your body if it’s not immediately comfortable.


Best Office Chair To Buy Used

Buy This Classic For Life, Then Pass It On

Herman Miller Aeron Chair

Forbes Vetted

Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.

4.5

Materials: Mesh back and seat, powder-coated/polished aluminum frame | Adjustments: Height, seat depth, lumbar height, tilt lock/limit, recline resistance, forward tilt | Armrests: Angle, depth and height | Ships assembled: Yes | Weight limit: 350 pounds for sizes B and C (only 300 pounds for size A) | Warranty: 12 years

Best for:

  • Fans of Herman Miller’s iconic design
  • Users of varying heights (available in three height-specific sizes)
  • Those looking for easy-repair chairs that have numerous aftermarket parts available

Skip if:

  • You prefer a plusher seat

When the Herman Miller Aeron Chair was released in 1994, it looked like nothing that had come before it. Even today, it stands distinct from the 14 other chairs we evaluated for this review—not only in its aesthetic, but in how it’s adjusted. Plus, our testers loved how instantly supportive the Aeron Chair felt, especially after fine-tuning the adjustment points to their preferences.

Its Adjustments Can Be A Double-Edged Sword

The Aeron’s plethora of adjustments, however, left everyone flummoxed, especially the positioning of its various dials and levers. Adjusting the armrest requires flipping switch locks at the point where they attach to the backrest, sliding it up and down, then re-engaging the locks. “It has so many different adjustment points that it was actually a bit overwhelming at times,” one tester says.

Still, all the testers (who ranged in height from 5 feet 5 inches to 6 feet 3 inches) unanimously said the Aeron was one of the most comfortable and well-made office chairs they tested. “The forward tilt is nice for working at a laptop,” says one, adding that the finish was “exquisite.” Some of the finishes might not be for everyone, however—another tester found the chrome legs “silly,” though they say that despite the fussiness of the chair’s adjustments, “it feels pretty good.”

Refurbished Options Are A Good Alternative

If you’re set on getting this classic chair, it will come at a high price. For instance, if you want all the adjustability features that come standard on a , you’ll pay around $1,800 for a new, similarly outfitted Aeron (the most basic Aeron you can get, without most adjustability features, starts at around $1,400).

This cost may be worth it to you, but you can often find a used or refurbished Aeron at a fraction of the price if you’re flexible on the configuration. While you may lose some durability over time with a used chair, the savings may be worth it for most home-office users.


Best Office Chair For Taller People

Cradles The Entire Neck And Back Of Folks Up To 6-Foot-11

FlexiSpot Premium Ergonomic Office Chair (C7 2025 Model)

Forbes Vetted

Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.

3.5

Materials: Mesh back, upholstered foam seat, plastic frame | Adjustments: Height, seat depth, lumbar position, forward tilt, tilt lock/limit (three positions), recline resistance, headrest position | Armrests: Height, width, depth and angle adjustable | Ships assembled: No | Weight limit: 300 pounds | Warranty: 2 to 3 years (most components), 10 years (frame)

Best for:

  • Tall people of up to 6-foot-11
  • Its array of armrest adjustments (rare for office chairs under $500)
  • Those who prefer a more forward tilt, like gamers

Skip if:

  • Its lumbar support is too prominent for your particular spine shape

If you’re a taller person looking for a comfortable model that cradles your entire back and neck, the FlexiSpot C7 is a great option. It is wider and taller than most of the chairs we tested and has a highly adjustable lumbar support that moves independently of the seat back.

Spacious And Comfortable, With Helpful Adjustments

For the FlexiSpot’s price (and it’s often on sale), our testers—particularly the ones over 6 feet tall—were impressed by its available adjustments. “This chair has plenty of room and modularity. It’s very comfortable,” one says. Its armrests swivel in addition to adjusting in height and depth, which is a rarity in this price range. It also offers more forward tilt than any of the other chairs on this list, making it a good option for gaming.

Its Lumbar Support Isn’t For Everyone

That said, the fact that it is specifically designed for taller bodies makes it difficult to recommend to a broad audience. The prominence of the lumbar support, in particular, prevented some testers from getting fully comfortable in any position. “The lumbar support cuts into my spine if I lean back too much,” one explains. This chair also has a shorter two- to three-year warranty, compared to some of the other winners on the list.

Related: Check out our guide to the best big and tall office chairs for more options.


Best Armrests On An Office Chair

An Ergonomic Design That Supports You From Every Angle

Steelcase Gesture

Forbes Vetted

Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.

4.0

Materials: Upholstered back and seat, painted steel and plastic frame | Adjustments: Height, seat depth, lumbar height, tilt lock/limit (three positions), recline resistance | Armrests: Adjustable in every direction | Ships assembled: Yes (in two pieces that attach without tools) | Weight limit: 400 pounds | Warranty: 12 years

Best for:

  • Its array of armrest adjustments
  • A broad range of heights, thanks to its low-profile design
  • Those who want to sit in a more ergonomic, back-friendly position

Skip if:

  • You prefer a plusher seat

The Steelcase Gesture takes the supportive LiveBack design first developed for the (our pick for Best Upgrade) and adds the most adjustable armrests we found in our research and testing. And while similarly priced to the Leap at between $1,400 and $2,300, depending on your customizations, this chair is widely available to buy used and refurbished if you prefer to go that route.

Adjustable Armrests Support Many Positions

Simply by activating a switch, you can move the armrest to almost any position you could possibly desire. This lets you find a supportive position for when you’re fully reclined and scrolling on your phone just as easily as when you’re typing away on a keyboard. It also means you can move them fully out of your way if you decide you don’t want that support at the moment.

Less Cushy Than The Leap, But Has Excellent Back Support

The seat pad felt a bit less cushy than the one on the slightly larger Leap, so it scored a point lower on comfort among a couple of testers. But once you’re seated for a while, you forget about that initial bit of firmness and settle into a highly supported position. That’s largely thanks to the Gesture’s highly supportive back design, which garnered praise from testers for its shape, built-in tilt lock and tilt tension adjustment points.

One tester shares that they were able to work for hours on end in this chair without any back issues. Two praise the adjustment knob, with one remarking: “I appreciate that they put all the adjustment controls in one place, so you just start adjusting until it feels good and then leave it.” And there’s a bonus: “Once adjusted, the chair doesn’t rattle when you lean back, like with some other similarly priced chairs I tested,” reports one panelist.

Related: It’s worth checking out the Gesture model that comes with a headrest. Visit our guide to the best office chairs for back pain to learn more.


Best Dynamic Office Chair

A Versatile And Highly Configurable Pick

Generation By Knoll

Forbes Vetted

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4.0

Materials: Cast aluminum or plastic base, cast aluminum arms with nylon supports, steel cylinder, elastomer back, upholstered foam seat | Adjustments: Height, tilt lock/limit, seat depth, lumbar height | Armrests: Height, width, angle and depth adjustable | Ships assembled: Yes | Weight limit: 300 pounds | Warranty: 12 years

Best for:

  • Moving around comfortably while you work
  • Its classic design
  • Accommodating various sitting styles, body shapes and heights

Skip if:

  • Its 30-inch profile is too bulky for your workspace

The Generation by Knoll is a premium chair that proved to be the most springy, dynamic chair in our testing. This chair also has a long 12-year warranty should anything happen to it, and it’s easy to find used versions as well. As a bonus, it’s made from breathable fabric.

Versatile Without Sacrificing Comfort

The Generation was notably versatile for different sitting styles, and also for different body shapes and heights. We had people with heights between 5 feet 4 inches and 6 feet test out this chair, and all testers found comfortable configurations for seat height and depth, as well as armrest adjustments.

Specifically, they highlighted the seat depth and tilt lock/limit configurations, which let them move from sitting rigidly upright while writing to leaning back during a presentation at different points during their workday. Further, the Generation’s flexible elastomer back and tilting seat can accommodate shifting in weight while changing postures; this allowed our testers to stretch, lean and otherwise move around in basically every direction seamlessly throughout the day.

Two Considerations Before You Buy

The only two downsides of this chair are its relatively bulky profile—it weighs 37 pounds and measures almost 30 inches wide (compared to some others on our list that are closer to 25 inches). It’s also considerably high-cost for the most basic configuration, exceeding our top pick by over $500.

Another note: If you specifically want lumbar support, you have to buy that separately, but the springiness we referenced above and the recline resistance (at its most resistant) provided adequate enough support for our testers’ backs.


Best Office Chair For Standing Desks

Uniquely Saddle-Shaped For Movement

Håg Capisco 8106

Forbes Vetted

Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.

3.5

Materials: Upholstered back and seat, painted steel frame | Adjustments: Height, seat depth, back height, tilt lock, recline resistance | Armrests: N/A | Ships assembled: No | Weight limit: 245 pounds | Warranty: 10 years

Best for:

  • Encouraging movement throughout the day
  • Its adaptability, which suits a variety of postures
  • Those seeking a chair with excellent build quality

Skip if:

  • Comfort during extended sitting is your number one priority
  • You want a more traditional office chair design

If you just bought a standing desk in hopes that you’ll stand more than you’ll sit, the Håg Capisco 8106 (specifically with the sit-to-stand height cylinder and foot ring add-on) is the perfect companion. We wanted to test this chair due to a lack of published reviews; we can now confirm that it’s extremely well constructed and helped our testers develop healthier sit-to-stand habits.

Specifically Designed To Move

This chair was first released in 1984 and is inspired by a horse saddle design—which is to say that it’s meant to move. Indeed, removing the tilt lock and limiter allows it to rock around almost like one of those spring-loaded ponies you might remember from the playgrounds of your youth (which have since been removed for liability reasons). It’s a downright playful experience that makes moving around feel fun. This isn’t to say that it’s uncomfortable, but given the lack of backrest and armrest adjustability, it’s not the kind of seat that anyone will feel swaddled by for hours on end.

Supports The ‘Stand’ Part Of Your Standing Desk

The problem with sitting in a really supportive desk chair is it’s hard to want to get up, so your standing desk just becomes a height-adjustable sitting desk over time. According to Star, this can be avoided if you invest in a chair like the HÅG Capisco that encourages movement by design. “An office chair shouldn’t unduly encumber your movement. You want the right balance of support and freedom of motion,” he says. Tanja Hwang, curator in the Department of Architecture and Design at The Museum of Modern Art, emphasizes this sentiment. “The office chair should allow you to change your position so that your muscles are not static,” she says.

Versatility Helps Combat Fatigue

Testers found the Håg Capisco 8106 well-suited to this task, making it a great value despite not being as adjustable or comfortable as other office chairs in its price range. “I’m able to sit/stand for longer periods in the height range between being fully down and fully standing,” notes one 5 feet 5 inches tester, who uses it at her standing desk. “It also offers several options for leaning while standing, which I find nice, since standing fatigue can set in relatively quickly.”

This is especially true of the taller models available; there are other options you can purchase at different heights. Adding the optional foot ring allows you to sit comfortably with your feet supported while your desk is still at standing height.

Related: If you’re in the market for a matching desk, visit our in-depth guide to the best standing desks of 2026.



Other Office Chairs We Tested

Our panel put six other office chairs to the test that didn’t quite make the cut. We’ve detailed each one’s pros and cons below, in case you find a chair more tailored to your needs.

  • : This is basically a textile version of the minus the amazing armrests, though they are available for an extra cost. At around $1,100, it is a few hundred dollars cheaper than the Gesture, but it’s still more expensive than the , which offers a similar feature set. It’s a solid choice if you like the look and want a sleeker-looking chair that’s comparable to any of the above.
  • : This is a well-made, attractive and supportive chair that has frustrating armrests. You can adjust only the height, not the width, and the arm pads are the narrowest of any we tested. We also didn’t like that the height adjustment mechanism, a self-locking ratchet, resets automatically if you go beyond the tallest setting. The slightly cheaper is better in every way.
  • : The Embody is a comfortable chair, but the back consists of many small, plastic panels that make annoying creaky noises as you shift around. It is highly adjustable but hard to recommend at its $1,880 starting price; this is because it didn’t feel noticeably more comfortable than our other, more affordable picks.
  • : While the feels like a more affordable version of an expensive chair, this non-Pro version feels like an expensive version of a cheaper chair. It has all the features you’d want on paper, but none of our testers wanted to spend extended time in it. The seat looks cushy but is somehow rather hard to sit on, and the adjustment knobs and levers feel cheap. The mesh back is thin, causing the lumbar support to feel intrusive rather than supportive.
  • : This chair is one of the least “corporatelooking” office chairs we tested, thanks to its rounded corners, shorter back and modern upholstery colors. The foam-and-coil cushioning and wide profile also made it feel more like an armchair, letting our tester sit cross-legged comfortably. However, it doesn’t offer much in the way of lumbar support, and it has limited adjustability; the arms, for example, are stationary (though you can remove them). The armrests are also quite thin, meaning the arm support was lacking.
  • : Unlike the other chairs in this review, the Laura Soho II is the type of chair you buy more for its looks than for support. Other than a few sloppy-looking welds (that are not visible once assembled) and a wobbly tilt-lock mechanism, the handsome chair looks and feels every bit as nice as chairs that cost twice as much. Still, the only adjustments are seat height and tilt lock, so it’s not ergonomic by any stretch.

How We Tested The Best Office Chairs

Before conducting our official tests to determine the best office chairs, we took the following steps:

  • We researched models from reputable brands like Herman Miller, Steelcase, Knoll, Branch, FlexiSpot and Hon.
  • We sought out options that are resoundingly buyer-approved, with hundreds (if not thousands) of customer reviews and an average rating of 4 stars or higher.
  • We consulted remote Forbes Vetted staffers who have previously tested or personally used high-quality office chairs to add to our pool of contenders to test and rate.

With research completed, our testing methodology progressed as follows:

  • We recruited seven panel testers of varying heights and weights.
  • We had 15 review units shipped to the .
  • There, our testers rated each office chair on a scale of 1 to 10 based on ease of adjustment, comfort, support and perceived value.
  • The panelists were encouraged to give qualitative notes on what they liked and didn’t like about each model.
  • We had one panelist test an additional Knoll chair separately, but using the same criteria as above.

Related: Learn more about our in-depth approach to testing products at Forbes Vetted.


Buying Guide: Best Office Chairs

Part of finding the best office chair for logging long hours starts with finding a model that fits you. Here are some key features to consider:

Height

No two bodies are alike, so when it comes to finding the right office chair for you, all the experts we spoke with recommended prioritizing height adjustability as a must-have feature. “The chair should be adaptive to different human postures,” says Lin. “There’s no one-size-fits-all when we talk about chairs.” Hwang echoes this sentiment: It’s key to find a chair that has “adjustability to different body types, different needs and support for the back in a dynamic way,” she says.

Fortunately, even some of the most basic office chairs offer seat height adjustment, which ensures your chair will fit comfortably under your desk and allow you to position your feet squarely on the floor. The splurge-worthy picks on this list, like the and the , are highly adjustable, adding various levels of tilt limit and armrest angles. But some direct-to-consumer brands are beginning to offer comparable adjustability at a lower price point, such as the . No matter the level of adjustment on a chair, tweaking it should be easy. “Controls should be intuitive—understandable and usable without instruction,” says Star.

Lumbar Support

In addition to an adjustable seat height and depth, Shah says an ergonomic office chair should have “a tilting or reclining mechanism and back support” to help minimize the strain on your lumbar spine, or lower back, throughout the work day. Some office chairs also have a brace that supports your lumbar. While some chairs have a manual adjustment to change tilt, others integrate it into their design. “More advanced tilt mechanisms may have weight-activated tilt motion, obviating the need for manual adjustment,” says Star.

There are also certain items you can add to your setup to help you further customize your lower back comfort. “Accessories, such as a lumbar pillow, may also work to help the chair form fit to one’s body and help to support the muscles in the lower back,” explains Shah. The seat’s construction is also important: It should be wide enough to hold your entire lower body and back, which in turn helps provide support for your spine. The particularly excelled in this category during testing because it has multiple upgrade features that let you adjust lumbar support and seat depth, not to mention a unique back that flexes with your body and the option of height-adjustable or fully adjustable arms.

Armrests

In addition to fitting your back, you want a chair that can accommodate your arms in a comfortable position regardless of how you’re sitting. “Armrests should be just beneath your elbows when [your] arms are relaxed,” advises McKernan-Ace. You’ll also want to consider how armrests affect your overall desk build-out: “People should avoid arms and arm pads with irregular shapes to the extent they make pushing the chair under a desktop or tabletop difficult,” says Star.

A sub-$500 chair typically offers some height and width adjustments. Spending a bit more gets you smoother adjustability, along with the ability to adjust depth and rotate the angle of your armrests (see, for example, the arms on the ). These features make a big difference to support your arms without tension through a workday. If you’re finding you can’t adjust your armrests to a comfortable position (or to fit under your desk), you can also usually remove them altogether.

Materials

An office chair’s material has a big impact on its overall feel and breathability. Some of the more common materials you’ll spot while searching for an office chair are foam, mesh and plastic. Here’s a breakdown of some of the pros and cons of different materials.

  • Upholstered foam: Overall, foam offers extra cushion and support, whether it’s only in the seat or in both the seat and back (like the ), while upholstery lends softness. “Conventional fabric-on-foam cushion upholstery may be tactilely comforting,” says Star. However, this combination of materials can trap heat, an important consideration for anyone who gets hot during the workday. Higher-end chairs use quality foam that retains its supportiveness for many years, but cheaper chairs may wear down after only a few years. Based on our research, warranty length is a good indicator of life expectancy here.
  • Mesh: There are several benefits to mesh. For one, says Star, “mesh works to dematerialize the chair, making it lighter and more agile in a workspace.” Plus, “mesh backs and seats can minimize heat buildup and ultimately wear better.” Furthermore, their slight amount of stretch contours to your body. It’s common for chairs to combine mesh backs for airflow with a foam seat for comfort (like the ), while some styles use mesh for the seat and back (like the ). Stiffer mesh, like you’d find on the Aeron, can last for decades, but softer, more fabric-like mesh may stretch and become less supportive over time.
  • Plastic: More recently, rubbery plastic has become a popular option for backrests. This material combines the breathability and durability of mesh with the springiness of foam. It’s also very simple to wipe down, especially important in shared office spaces. The ’s elastomer backrest is breathable, sturdy and easy to clean; it’s also mostly recyclable, which not all plastic parts are.

Price

Office chairs range in price from around $100 to over $2,000, but experts agree that most options worth buying—ones from reputable brands with all the basic adjustability you need and that are backed by eight- to 10-year warranties—start at $400 to $600. Stepping up to the $800 to $1,000 mark gets you better build quality, a more striking aesthetic and a wider range of adjustability—especially with the armrests.

Premium office chairs like the and (both priced over $1,300) are often made of more expensive materials, are highly customizable and fully assembled upon delivery. They also have some of the longest warranty periods; both of these upgrade-worthy picks have 12-year warranties.

Office chairs in the $300-or-under range can be comfortable enough to work from, but typically require a lot of assembly and use cheaper materials that won’t hold up as well over time. If you’re on a budget, look into used versions of the pricier options on this list since they’re often more affordable. We also recommend shopping locally from a secondhand retailer or individual seller to get a good deal on a pre-owned product.

Sustainability

Some of the best office chairs are designed to be more sustainable, whether by using recycled materials or offering longer warranties, indicating that they’re built to last, or having a recyclable design. “You want to make sure the product addresses indoor air quality and material health issues, that it makes use of recycled content, and that it’s designed for durability, repair, retrofit and recycling at the end of a long and useful life,” notes Star.

Some brands, such as Steelcase, may also offer replacement parts. You can find refurbished office chairs at a discount at local stores, offering a sustainable way to shop at a more affordable price. Just keep in mind that buying a refurbished chair may change or void any warranties.

Aesthetics

“Aesthetics are important because we care about how our spaces look,” says Hwang. “There are these innovative chairs that allow for really interesting seating positions, but then they look super funky.” Some design features, like mesh backs or shorter backrests, help a chair blend into a live-work space better than large, solid-backed chairs. Finding a balance between a chair that’s adjustable without being an eyesore is also key if you’re furnishing your home office. “Opt for a commercial-quality chair with a clean design that provides comfort and support with minimal adjustability, meaning a minimum of equipment like knobs and levers,” says Star.

Aside from aesthetics, Hwang attests that chairs are an accessible way for designers to show off their visions and new technologies: “You clearly communicate that you’re concerned about lightness, you’re concerned about air, you’re concerned about movability super easily through a chair. Everyone can see it,” she says. There are some iconic office chairs made by famous designers available to shop, too, if you want a chair that’s also a display-worthy object: , by Knoll designer Jonathan Olivares, offers a fascinating look at the history of this furniture category.


Why Trust Forbes Vetted

Forbes Vetted’s remote editors and writers have published dozens of guides on equipping your home office based on research, testing and, of course, our own work-from-home experience.


Our Experts

  • , curator in the Department of Architecture and Design at The Museum of Modern Art
  • , a professor and department chair at Northeastern University’s Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
  • , occupational therapist and former program director of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at the Rutgers School of Health Professions
  • , a board-certified orthopedic spine and neck surgeon
  • , product development leader at the design firm Gensler

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