It’s not just your monitor and PC that need upgrading. It’s your office chair, too. While some people are content with any old chair, a comfortable office chair can help with better productivity, more focus, and overall health. It’s scientifically proven that sedentary sitting time can be detrimental to health, and a bad chair exacerbates these issues. A comfortable chair is the first step to a healthy work-life balance.
Those with a full-time desk job spend more than 1,700 hours a year sitting in their office chair. That’s assuming you stick to 35 hours a week, never work late, never eat lunch at your desk, take leave, and never work a weekend. So, in reality, that number can be much higher for many. It’s important that those hours are made as comfortable as possible with a chair that helps to relieve stress on the body.
Choosing something isn’t easy though. It’s hard to know what features will help with support and comfort. Take it from us — we’re experienced office chair sitters, after all — we can help with this particular product.
What is ergonomics?
Ergonomics is the science of making a tool or device adjustable to the individual. An ergonomic office chair will have features such as adjustable seat height and depth, adjustable armrests, back angle adjustment, and lumbar support, as well as other adjustable characteristics. The purpose of these adjustable features is to support the spine, as well as to encourage posture changes throughout the day, rather than to help the sitter find the perfect position and to leave the chair that way forever.
What features do desk chairs have?
Before making this very important purchase, take these factors into consideration:
Adjustability — If you want to maximise your comfort, find a chair that’s adjustable. Most basic options allow you to alter both the arms and height. And some fancier chairs have up to 14 different adjustments including back angle, seat width and tension control. Regardless of the number, make sure the controls are simple to use.
Armrests — You might view armrests as pedestrian and banal. They may clash with your ultra-modern aesthetic. Nevertheless, armrests help eliminate strain in your neck and shoulders. As their very name implies, they let your arms rest comfortably. Bonus points — good armrests also help prevent slouching.
Fabric — You should choose a chair with a fabric that’s aesthetically pleasing to you. But you also want one made from/with a breathable material, such as mesh. Some fabrics tend to get hot after you’ve been sitting on them for a while.
Lumbar Support — If a chair doesn’t provide adequate lower back support, you don’t want it. Sitting for extended periods can put strain on your back and cause you to slouch. Look for a chair that has adjustable lumbar support (for both height and depth). That way you can guarantee you’re not putting any undue stress on your body.
Seat Size — The depth and width of your seat is critical to comfort level. If you’re tall, you’ll want a chair that’s deeper. A shallower seat is better if you’re on the short side. Ultimately, if you’re sitting all the way back, you should have roughly 2-4 inches between the seat and the back of your knees. At least in an ideal world.
Swivel Base — For many people, a strong swivel base is a must-have for any chair. This allows you to easily access any part of your desk, cutting down on the possibility of arm fatigue. Plus, as we all know, spinning around incessantly is great for brainstorming.
Wheels — If there’s one thing we always say, it’s that not all wheels are made equal. You must account for the type of flooring in your home office. For a hard surface, it’s best to choose a chair with soft rubber wheels. If your place is carpeted, you’ll want hard wheels. This will make it easier to move around your desk and office overall.
Keep these points in mind when shopping around for your next desk chair.
What is the best office desk chair?
We've checked out the best desk chairs available right now, and lined up your best options. There should be something for everyone and every budget in this list. Just pick a favourite and take a seat.
These are the best desk chairs for 2023.
