This content was originally published on OldHouseOnline.com and has been republished here as part of a merger between our two businesses. All copy is presented here as it originally appeared there.

When sitting on a chair, office tasks sound easy, but the reality is not the same. Thousands of workers yearly suffer from backache and muscle spasms when sitting for long hours in an incorrect body posture. Besides, an ordinary plastic chair is not comfortable and durable compared to the latest office chairs. These specialized office chairs are designed to support your back muscles and spinal cord for those long working hours. You can also recline them during the breaks and relax your body. However, not all companies manufacture satisfying and durable products, so it’s challenging when deciding to make a purchase. So, we have reviewed the top office chairs in 2023 to help you get the most comfortable seating while working.

Finding Your Next Office Chair: A Buyer’s Guide

Now that you are aware of the top office chairs on the market, you are halfway down your buying journey. Since all of them are manufactured with top-notch materials and deliver the best comfort for an extended period, selecting one among them becomes extremely difficult and overwhelming. Hence, we have compiled a detailed buying guide to help you find the most suitable product for yourself. But before revealing the factors, let’s see why you need a quality office chair.

What Are the Advantages of Using a Good Quality Office Chair?

A good-quality office chair is designed so that it provides decent support to your back and prevents body aches while sitting. Besides, the padded cushion seat provides enhanced comfort and helps you focus on your work for a more extended period. You can also adjust the height of most chairs to work on your desk efficiently. If you want to relax your muscles during breaks, you can recline the back at a suitable angle. Therefore, investing your money in a good-quality office chair will increase productivity without body pain.

What Are Some Crucial Factors To Consider for Buying the Best Office Chair?

Seat size

A large seat size offers you sufficient space for sitting comfortably. In contrast, a small seat can be uncomfortable to sit on. You may often find yourself sitting in an incorrect posture to adjust to the chair. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase an office chair with 18 to 23 inches of width to get the most of it.

Cushion padding

You should find a chair having a seat padded with a high-density sponge or cushion material. These materials do not compress or wither out even after long-term use. Also, make sure the chair you choose has padding on the armrest and back for extra comfort.

Chair base

Its base construction and material decide a chair’s durability and sturdiness. A quality base is built from BIFMA certified materials, including stainless steel, polyethylene, etc. Hence, it provides excellent stability and safety to the user while sitting on it.

Weight capacity

The next crucial factor to focus on before making your final decision is the weight an office chair can handle. Our research concluded that most products have weight capacity in the range of 250lbs to 265lbs, which is sufficient for use by a healthy human.

Height adjustment

A good office chair should be adjustable according to the different work desks and the user’s body height. This feature will help you get more leg space and comfort while sitting on the chair for long hours. Moreover, you should invest in a product where you can adjust the armrest, headrest, and all the other parts to get the best comfort without compromising your working efficiency on your work desk.

Wheels and casters

If your office chair is reinforced with flexible and 360-degree rotatable wheels, you can effortlessly move your chair. You should also ensure it has casters made from floor-friendly material like rubber so that they do not scratch the floor or make squeaky noise while moving.

Color

Considering the official environment, black or brown are the ideal color options for a chair as they will easily match the room’s other furniture. However, if you are working from home and want to decorate your workspace, you can find chairs available in various other colors and select one according to your preferences.

Assembling process

Make sure to purchase an easy-to-assemble office chair. Some chairs can be easily assembled within 10 to 15 minutes using basic tools. Besides, you can refer to the instruction manual and online video for guidance on assembling the chair parts.

What Are the Features of a Backrest in a Good Office Chair?

A quality office chair should have an ergonomic backrest design reinforced with a wing-shaped back, natural back curve, and more to help you maintain the correct sitting posture while working. This type of back also supports your lumbar and spinal cord, saving them from serious damage in the long term. You can also recline the backrest of a quality office chair to 125 to 180 degrees to relax your body. Hence, make sure to grab a product with an excellent back design to increase your productivity without backache.

Mesh Fabric vs. Leather – Which Material Is Better for an Office Chair?

Office chairs are mostly reinforced with one of the two types of fabrics- mesh fabric or leather. If you want a breathable back, we recommend purchasing one that has mesh fabric because it offers better air circulation while sitting. In contrast, leather chairs are more durable, dense, and skin-friendly. They offer better comfort than mesh fabric when padded with suitable cushioning material like a high-density sponge. However, some people are allergic to leather. An office chair manufactured with mesh fabric is a better option.

Long-Lasting Office Chair Worth Considering

Furmax Office Chair

– Best Overall

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This chair is ideal for spending long sitting hours in the office and at home. Since its back is reinforced with mesh fabric, it is breathable and allows adequate air circulation. Also, you can comfortably sit on this chair due to its high-density sponge seat. Furthermore, it has an ergonomic wingback design that gives enhanced support to your spinal cord and helps you maintain a healthy seating position.

During breaks, you can recline this chair up to 130 degrees to relax your muscles. Moreover, its five 360-degree rotatable wheels allow free movement without scratching the floor or squeaking. You can adjust the seat’s height to a suitable level to work on your desk with adequate leg space.

Pros

  • Can handle weight up to 265 lbs, making it suitable for most people
  • The large seat padded with a top-notch sponge to provide comfort
  • The back of this chair can be tilted up to 130 degrees for relaxing your body

Cons

  • No headrest has been attached to this chair

BestOffice Office Chair

– Runner Up

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With a seat of 18.5 inches in width, this office chair provides more space for sitting. To provide adequate lumbar support, this chair comes with a comfortable back made with mesh fabric that can be tilted to 125 degrees. The seat is also padded with a high-density cotton cushion which is breathable in nature and does not compress even after long-term usage.

Moreover, you can adjust the height of this chair from 17.1 to 20.3 inches as per your work desk level. Made from heavy-duty material, its base is stable and durable. It also has 360-degree rotatable casters that enable smooth movement of the chair. On top of everything, you can assemble this office chair in 10 to 15 minutes using tools delivered with the product package.

Pros

  • Has a maximum weight capacity of 250lbs
  • Designed in a variety of color options to match any furniture
  • BIFMA tested chair so safe and durable for long term

Cons

  • Some customers find it smaller in size

Amazon Basics Office Chair

– Honorable Mention

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Searching for a leather chair? This office chair is built from high-quality polyurethane bonded faux leather, making it durable, comfortable, and skin-friendly. With its three classic color options- black, white, and brown, you can choose one that complements your furniture and gives a classy look to the room. You can adjust the height of this chair in the range of 38.25 to 42 inches to get easy access to your workstation.

With a capacity to bear weight up to 275 pounds, this chair is safe for most people. You can easily maintain correct body posture while working and avoid backache because of its padded seat and back. Furthermore, this chair is bolstered with five sturdy wheels that provide swift mobility while sitting.

Pros

  • The upholstered leather seat provides enhanced comfort
  • Comfortable nylon-made armrests and durable metal-made frame
  • The reclining backrest allows relaxation during breaks

Cons

  • Some customers receive damaged parts

Hbada Office Chair

– Another Option

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This stylish and sleek design chair will give you the best seating experience while adding a modern touch to your working station. Its back is ergonomically designed to fit the natural shape of your lower back and offer adequate support. Furthermore, this rocking-style chair can be leaned up to an angle of 120 degrees to provide superior comfort. You can also lift its armrest to slide this chair under your working station when not in use. Thus, it will save space and make your room look tidy.

Besides, you can move from your workstation to your colleague’s workstation without getting up from your chair because of the 360-degree rotatable swivels. It is also bolstered with smooth and mute rolling casters that do not squeak and can move while lifting weight up to 250 lbs. Thanks to the pneumatic height adjustment, you can also set the seat level from 17.7 to 21.2 inches, according to your work desk.

Pros

  • Noiseless wheels that can absorb shock and resist wear and tear
  • Flippable armrests for saving space
  • Smooth and noiseless rolling casters

Cons

  • Cushion padding is not comfortable for long term use

Homall Office Chair

– Also Consider

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This office gaming chair is padded with high-density shaping foam that takes seating and immersive experience to a whole new level because of the immense comfort it provides. The chair’s 1.8mm thick steel frame structure gives it additional sturdiness and durability to handle weights up to 300lbs. Since its seat and back are covered with PU leather, you do not need to worry about skin allergies while using this chair.

You can also effortlessly adjust the chair’s height from 17.3 to 21.5 inches according to your convenience. Thanks to the padded armrests, you can comfortably place your hands and say bye to arm cramps. Furthermore, this chair can be reclined at any angle up to 180 degrees to rest during your work breaks easily. You can also make 360-degree movements while sitting on this chair due to its swivels and multi-direction wheels.

Pros

  • The soft headrest and lumbar supportive back of this chair give superior comfort
  • Rubber-made casters that allow noiseless movement

Cons

  • Might not match your office setup

People Also Asked

Q: How can I assemble the new office chair?

A: You can quickly assemble your new office chair by following the simple steps mentioned in the instruction manual. Some chairs are delivered with the tools required to assemble them, so you do not face any difficulty getting the final usable product.

Q: What is the benefit of flippable arms in an office chair?

A: You can flip the chair’s arms and slide it under the desk when not in use. This will save room space and prevent you from stumbling while you walk around your work desk.

Q: How to clean an office chair?

A: You can wipe your office chair using a damp cloth or sponge. Furthermore, you can clean the seat covers of some chairs by hand wash method using regular washing detergents.

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Old House Journal

Founded in 1973, Old House Journal is the original authority when it comes to old-house restoration, traditional house styles, period kitchens, bath & kitchen restoration, DIY projects, gardens & landscaping, and more-- from Colonial and Victorian through Arts & Crafts and Mid-century Modern homes.

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