The best office chairs can enhance productivity, improve comfort and reduce back pain.
Many people do not realise the importance of investing in a quality office chair and with a huge range of choices, it can be difficult to figure out which chairs are best.
The following reviews and buyer’s guide will help you find the best office chair in no time at all.
1. Ergohuman Plus Elite V2 Office Chair – Best for Most People
If you’re looking for a high quality, ergonomic office chair, but don’t want to fork out $1000+, you should start your search with the Elite V2 from Ergohuman. This chair is comfortable, sturdy, looks great, and helps you maintain a healthy posture while you work.
The chair is designed for maximum comfort and support during extended periods of sitting. It features automatic flexible lumbar support that adjusts to your body shape and weight and provides continual support to your lower back.
One of the main selling points of the Elite V2 is its adjustability. From the single lever mechanism you can control the seat slide, seat tilt, and pneumatic height adjustment. The arm rest and head rest positions are also adjustable.
For peace of mind, the chair comes with a 5 Year Australian Warranty.
NOTE: The Ergohuman Elite V2 is also available in with 100% Leather Upholstery (View at Temple & Webster)
What We Like:
- Affordable for a high-quality ergonomic office chair
- Multiple adjustment settings
- Available in Mesh or Leather
- 5 Year Australian Warranty
What We Don’t Like:
- Minor assembly required
2. Artiss Office Chair with Premium PU Leather High Back – Best Budget Option
This Eames replica chair will be a great addition to your home office. If features a high-back design for comfort and support along with height and tilt adjustments.
The sturdy chrome finish base is not only sturdy, but also looks great, and compliments the faux leather upholstery. Removable padded armrests allow you to customise your chair for maximum comfort.
What We Like:
- Very affordable
- Easy to assemble
- High-back for support
- Stylish design
What We Don’t Like:
- Less breathable than mesh
3. Swan Black Mesh Office Chair
This great looking office chair is a solid option for most home offices. It is built to last with a 120kg max load and an ergonomic design makes it comfortable and supportive.
In addition to a range of height positions, the adjustable tension and back tilt means you can customise the chair to best suit your body and sitting posture.
The Swan office chair comes in a range of colour options and you can also select whether you want the back to be mesh, plastic, or fabric. To top things off, it comes with a 5 year guarantee.
What We Like:
- Great value
- Adjustable height, tension, and tilt settings
- Available in a range of colours and materials
What We Don’t Like:
- Assembly required
4. Artiss Mesh Office Chair
The Artiss Mesh Office Chair’s ergonomic design makes it a classic option that provides support and comfort whether you are working or relaxing. This black mesh chair will look great in any workspace.
The S-shaped high back design is covered in a high-quality mesh that is durable and also allows air to flow through. The chair also has padded lumbar support, a padded headrest and padded armrests, all of which can be adjusted to suit you.
The seat height and tilt can be adjusted, the chrome base has castor wheels and the chair can swivel 360 degrees.
All of this comes together to ensure you can position the chair exactly as needed with minimum effort. This is a simplistic design that is easy to set up and easy to care for.
What We Like:
- Classic design
- Comfortable with adjustable features
- Good value
What We Don’t Like:
- Armrest adjustment at the back of the chair so cannot adjust while seated
5. Herman Miller Aeron Remastered Office Chair
The Aeron Remastered Office Chair from Herman Miller is often thought to be the best office chair available, although it is very expensive.
It is designed to provide comfort and posture support making it ideal if you are sitting at your desk for prolonged periods of time.
The ergonomic design has been remastered for the modern office environment and has been engineered to improve health.
This high-quality chair has a smart graphite finish and features adjustable arms, tilt limiter and seat angle adjuster, seat height adjuster and a balanced recline so you can find the most comfortable position for you while your posture remains supported.
The pellicle weave has 8 tension spots to provide support where it is needed, while the material is also breathable and will help keep you cool during warmer workdays.
Herman Miller is well-known for creating products with a focus on health and this Aeron chair is no different.
The high initial price may be offputting but when you consider the health and posture improvements and the 12-year warranty you can see why this office chair is so popular.
What We Like:
- Supports posture
- High-quality, comfortable and ergonomic
- 12-year warranty
What We Don’t Like:
- High price tag
6. Harvard Office Desk Chair
The Harvard Office Chair provides ultimate comfort with its deep padded seats and adjustable positioning. With a black and polished metal finish, it looks professional and will suit any work environment.
The seat can be raised or lowered using a gas lift so the best working height is easily achieved. The seat can also be tilted to provide personalised posture support as you work.
One of the key features of this chair is the generous seat padding.
The rolled back padding in a polyurethane cover provides comfort while you work. This chair does require assembly so keep this in mind.
What We Like:
- Padded for comfort
- Professional finish
- Height adjustable
What We Don’t Like:
- Requires assembly
7. IKEA MARKUS Office Chair
This high-back office chair is one of the best office chairs for tall people and those looking for enhanced back support. The lumbar support is great for your lower back and gives extra relief for those with back problems.
The IKEA MARKUS Office Chair has a mesh back to allow air through keeping you comfortable when you are sitting for long periods of time.
This chair is adjustable, durable and stable. There is a tilt lock so you can adjust the tilt of the chair as needed as well as adjust the height.
A great safety feature is the castors that have a pressure-sensitive brake mechanism to keep the chair in place when you stand up. These chairs also come with a 10-year guarantee.
What We Like:
- High-back provides back support
- Safety pressure-sensitive brake mechanism
- Tilt adjustment and lock
What We Don’t Like:
- Not as many adjustment options as some office chairs
8. Executive PU Leather Office Computer Chair
This designer office chair is built to bring contemporary living into your home office. It is geared towards providing a level of luxury that a budget office chair does not offer.
As this chair is made with PU leather is can be wiped clean with a damp cloth making maintenance easy. The chair has a high back design to provide support and help with back pain. For comfort, the seat, armrests and head rest are all padded.
The height adjustment and tilt mechanism are easy to operate. This chair is on 5 castor wheels are offers 360-degree swivel.
Designed to be comfortable, stylish and luxurious, this is a high-quality office chair that is user-friendly and has simple to use adjustment features.
What We Like:
- Comfortable and padded
- User-friendly adjustments
- Easy to clean
What We Don’t Like:
- Not breathable material so your back can get hot
Office Chair Buyer’s Guide
A supportive desk chair is not only comfortable but also improves productivity and health.
While people often focus more on the desk setup than the office chair, a high-quality chair actually makes all the difference as it maximises the efficiency of the person working.
A good chair enhances your sitting experience and comfort level when working. This is why choosing the best office chair is so important and this guide will help identify the key features.
Style
There are lots of types and styles of chairs. Generally, the type of chair you choose depends on your usage. The two best and most common styles you will come across are:
- Executive chairs – these are often leather with high back support, armrests and a padded seat. They are well suited to long days in the office and are very durable. They can be a costly option but should last over 5 years.
- Ergonomic office chairs – this chair combines support and comfort. They are usually highly adjustable and have a mixed fabric and mesh back for good ventilation. An ergonomic design costs less than an executive chair but is still relatively pricey.
Support
An important part of office chairs is their seat depth and back support. They should have features to support the lower back and prevent lower back pain. Adjustable lumbar support is best as it allows the user to adjust the chair to properly fit their back. Good back support is essential to prevent back pain and strain.
Adjustability
Basic office chairs offer height and armrest adjustment but the best office chairs have many more adjustable features.
The best ergonomic office chairs usually have several adjustable options. You should be able to adjust the seat and back angle, the lumbar support, the arm height, the seat back height and the tension control.
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Material
The material should be comfortable and breathable. The chair will be used for several hours at a time so it is important they don’t become hot and uncomfortable, good airflow is the best way to ensure comfort over a long time. The seat cushion is important as the chair should be padded enough that you don’t feel the chair base when you sit down.
Common materials:
Fabric – this is a popular material for office chairs as it is simple, soft and available in a range of colours and designs. Fabric is usually used to cover the padded foam on seats.
Mesh – a mesh chair is very breathable and promotes ventilation. This improved air flow means you keep cool while you work. Mesh is usually seen on an ergonomic office chair and is designed to support your back while you work.
Leather – leather and faux leather adds a more executive feel. The material is easy to clean and is very durable and long-lasting.
Wheels
Most chairs have wheels but make sure the wheels can handle the flooring in your office. If you have carpets, the wheels need to be able to roll across it easily so keep this in mind. Rolling helps to prevent strain and makes reaching for items much easier.
Swivel function
A swivel chair adds fluid mobility making it easy to reach various part of the desk with little effort or strain. A 360-degree swivel motion is the best option.
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Office Chair FAQs
Armrests can be beneficial but they need to be adjustable so you can sit comfortably. The armrests also need to be short enough that they do not stop you from sitting close to your desk.
Mesh chairs are great because they are supportive, comfortable and breathable. The ventilation of mesh office chairs helps to keep you cool and dry even during long working days.
An ergonomic design means the chair can be adapted to the user’s needs and comfort. This customisation is often linked to promoting productivity within the office.
