How to Find the Best Office Chair for Your Needs and Budget

January 15, 2024

A good office chair can be important to your health and well-being. Workers who spend long periods of time sitting in uncomfortable seating without a headrest or back support may experience discomfort. A good desk chair with ergonomic options can help workers feel more comfortable, happier, and more productive.

With such a large selection of furniture, finding the right desk chair that is right for you or your workers’ needs can be challenging. In this article, learn about different types of office chairs and how they might benefit you or your staff.

Ergonomic Chair

One of the main benefits of ergonomic office chairs is that they can meet the needs of different workers. They do this through their many adjustable features to fit various body types, like armrests and reclining features.

Typically, ergonomic chairs include the following features:


 
  • Height adjustment
  • Seat pan depth adjustment
  • Backrest height adjustment
  • Back angle adjustment
  • Armrest adjustment
  • Head tilt adjustment
  • Back tilt adjustment

Adjusting the head tilt can help reduce upper body tension, especially in the neck and shoulders. Also consider finding an ergonomic office chair with adjustable arms. Adjustable armrests can provide support and comfort, helping reduce shoulder and upper body tension.

If you feel you could benefit from an ergonomic desk chair, there are many ergonomic options available.

High-Back Office Chair

Many of us slouch when sitting at our desks. When you spend hours in the same chair daily, finding a chair that promotes proper posture to help reduce muscle tension is important.

Posture is often a key reason many office workers are uncomfortable. A high-back office chair is ideal for providing all-day support and is well-suited for working long hours. A high-back desk chair provides head, neck, and back support.

Specifically, they can be helpful for:


  • Head and Neck.  A high-back desk chair provides support for the head and neck.
  • Shoulders. A high-back desk chair gives extra shoulder support. If you use a laptop for work or leisure, you might benefit from a high computer chair.
  • Back. A high-back desk chair encourages proper posture, helping reduce stress on your back as you work. It’s also an office chair with lumbar support, providing additional benefits for the lower back.

As with ergonomic chairs, a high-back desk chair comes with adjustable lumbar support so you can adapt it to suit your needs.

Mid-Back Office Chair

A mid-back office chair offers mid-back support. It can also help support the shoulder and neck areas, the lower back, and the spine. They make an excellent choice for computer stations and conference rooms. However, they aren’t suitable for sitting in for long periods.

A mid-back office chair doesn’t have the same ergonomic features as a high-back chair but is usually less expensive. Whether a mid- or high-back office chair, it should offer:


 
  • Good lumbar support
  • Ample seat depth
  • Adjustable seat
  • Adjustable armrests

Mesh Office Chair

A mesh office chair is more breathable, which helps with ventilation and cool temperatures throughout the day. Those looking for back support may benefit from these chairs, especially if the chair contains additional lumbar support.

A mesh-back office chair offers flexibility, and the swivel chair often comes with adjustable controls, suiting a wide range of tasks. A strong, breathable mesh chair also provides support and stability and tends to keep its shape better than other materials.

Typically, these chairs look stylish, making them ideal for creating a contemporary feel in your office. As well as breathability and adjustability, a mesh desk chair has other advantages. These include:

  • Pricing. Although it may depend on the brand, mesh-back desk chairs are usually less expensive than high-end leather ones.
  • Easy maintenance. Mesh office chairs are easier to maintain than leather alternatives.
  • Space-efficient. Mesh office chairs usually take up less space than larger leather office chairs, making them a good choice if space is limited in your work area.

Some features found in a mesh desk chair can include:


  • Fabric and mesh materials cushion the body for comfort
  • Ergonomic design to support the lower back and enhance the natural curve of your spine
  • Waterfall seat cushion that slopes slightly downward to help reduce stress on legs
  • A pneumatic mechanism to move the seat height up and down
  • Adjustable tilt tension and a tilt lock to help find the best reclining angle

 


When Is It Time to Buy a New Office Chair?

If there are more aches than usual after spending a long workday seated in a chair, it might be time to get a new comfortable office chair. Those aches may have started because regular office chairs might not be giving the needed support.

However, aches aren’t the only reason a new chair might be a good idea. Other reasons include:

  • The office chair is years old.
    Over time, an office chair may no longer offer the support it used to or sometimes needs change. Or a neck or back problem might have developed, which could require extra support during the working day.
  • The office chair isn’t ergonomic.
    Ergonomic office chairs have many benefits, and switching to an ergonomic chair might offer better support.
  • The office chair is starting to show signs of wear.
    If there are obvious signs of wear, it’s time to consider buying a new high-quality office chair.

Important Features To Look For in an Office Chair

There are budget-friendly office chairs at every price point. But before you buy, what features should an office chair have? While ergonomics are important, other chair features to consider include:

Quality

Price ranges differ, but that doesn’t mean the quality should. What makes an office chair top-quality? The best chairs use durable materials and upholstery and show signs of good artistry, like neat stitching. It may also come with industry-standard labels.

A Comfortable Seat Cushion

A padded seat can reduce back and hip discomfort. Make sure the seat cushion is comfortable to sit in and gives support in all the right places.

Promotes Good Posture

You should be able to sit in the chair comfortably with your feet flat on the floor or the footrest. The adjustable height feature can help limit some of the aches associated with bad posture.

Finally, always buy from a well-known supplier with an excellent reputation for high-quality office furniture.


About the Author

Jane Fazackarley is a freelance writer with special interests in e-commerce and retail.

All content provided herein is for educational purposes only. It is provided “as is,” and neither the author nor Office Depot warrants the accuracy of the information provided, nor do they assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein.

[The contents of this article are for information purposes only. The information does not constitute a medical consultation and cannot replace medical advice. Any information should never be used as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other health care provider. There are many possible causes for physical discomfort. If you are experiencing persistent symptoms or symptoms that are severe enough to interfere with your job or personal activities, consider seeking medical assistance.]