Best office chairs of 2026: top picks for your home office
After testing the best office chairs for the past five years, I can’t stress enough how important having a well-built, supportive chair can be, especially when you’re working for long hours at a time. However, finding the best office chair for you is no easy task which is where I can help.
Besides finding a comfortable chair, you want one with great ergonomic features to help you maintain good posture and you also want the right amount of support. Mesh chairs provide better airflow and can help keep you cool while ones with a foam seat cushion offer improved support.
You’re also going to want a chair with plenty of adjustability, the right casters or wheels for carpet or hardwood and one that’s easy to clean and care for. Of all the chairs I’ve tested, the Branch Verve Chair is the best for most people, as it’s adjustable, cooling and stylish.
Anthony Spadafora has been working from home for the past eight years (four full-time with Tom’s Guide) and during that time, he’s tested work from home accessories, standing desks and of course, office chairs. In fact, he has reviewed more than a dozen office chairs from full mesh chairs to task chairs to ergonomic chairs. Anthony can tell you how comfortable a particular chair is to sit in for long hours at a time, how adjustable it is, what extra features it has, whether or not it’s a good choice for back pain as well as what goes into putting it together.
The best office chairs you can buy today
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The best office chair overall
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The Branch Verve Chair is a stylish and comfortable office chair that will support you all day long. While I was impressed with the features, comfort and the price of the original Branch Ergonomic Chair, the Verve Chair takes things up a notch in several ways.
For starters, instead of a more traditional mesh backrest, it uses a 3D knit one that’s soft to the touch and feels like fabric but still gives you plenty of airflow. The Verve Chair also uses an adjustable padded lumbar support instead of a plastic one and its armrests curve inward for a more distinct look.
I found the Branch Verve Chair to be quite comfortable to sit in for long stretches of time thanks to its foam seat. However, its seat and backrest are both contoured which also helped me maintain good posture while doing so.
It also offers a variety of adjustments but not so many that you might be overwhelmed. Even though you can recline in it and decrease its tilt tension to make doing so easier, I preferred using it upright as Branch’s optional headrest wasn’t available back when I reviewed it.
Another thing that really sets the Verve Chair apart from your typical office chair is that it’s available in seven different colors. Say you pick up this chair in mint, the entire chair from its casters to its backrest will come in this color. This can really help add a dash of color to your home office setup.
The Branch Verve Chair is an excellent option for most people with a weight limit of 275 pounds but if you want all the bells and whistles like armrests that can turn all the way around, keep reading as I also recommend some more full-featured chairs like the Herman Miller Aeron.
The best budget office chair
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The Sihoo M56C proves you don’t have to pay a ton to get a capable ergonomic office chair with plenty of features and adjustments. It’s a great choice if you’re on a tight budget but don’t want to miss out on essentials like a headrest and a mesh backrest.
The M56C does lack some of the premium features found in the chairs below but at just over $200, it’s hard to complain. One thing I really like about the M56C is what you see is exactly what you get as there aren’t any optional upgrades or add-ons you’ll have to pay more for at checkout.
While other companies charge you extra for a headrest or lumbar support for your lower back, that isn’t the case here. However, if you’re after a wallet-friendly chair that stands out for its looks, I’m afraid you’re out of luck here as this one only comes in black.
The M56C has a mesh backrest and headrest combined with a thick, comfortable cushion. When testing this chair, our own Josh Render was very impressed at what you get for the price.
One of the standout features was its W-shaped seat which he found very comfortable and wide enough that he didn’t feel stuck in his chair. However, Josh did struggle a bit when putting this chair together as the included instructions weren’t the easiest to follow.
I decided to make this my new budget pick since you get all of the features you’d expect from an ergonomic office chair without the sticker shock. While the Sihoo M56C likely won’t be your forever chair, it should serve you well for years to come or until you figure out exactly what you’re looking for in a mid-range or even premium office chair.
The best office chair for back pain
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The LiberNovo Omni is an ergonomic office chair that I spent more time sitting in than I’d like to admit due to just how comfortable it is. In addition to being incredibly supportive and great for your back, its seat cushion is made from multi-layered foam with a soft front edge to reduce pressure on your legs.
Likewise, its seat, backrest and headrest are all wrapped in a soft-feeling elastic fabric. After testing countless chairs over the years, I was immediately surprised by what LibreNovo has managed to achieve with the Omni as a newcomer.
While it may look like your standard office chair at first glance, spinning it around reveals its motorized lumbar support system and its dynamic Bionic FlexFit backrest which is made up of eight flexible panels. Like the Intermix textile on the Steelcase Karman, it too is designed to move with your body as you shift in your chair throughout the day.
The reason I’ve decided to replace the Hbada X1 with the LiberNovo Omni as my top pick for back pain is not just because of how comfortable it is to sit in; it’s the Omni’s revolutionary recovery suite. When paired with the Omni’s optional footrest, you can lie back and let it reset your spine in a similar way to taking a trip to the chiropractor.
Next to the buttons to control its adjustable lumbar depth feature, there’s another button to activate what LiberNovo calls its OmniStretch feature. When engaged, it raises and lowers the chair’s lumbar support to help stretch out your back.
The LiberNovo Omni is definitely a premium office chair, but if you work long hours at your desk or spend a lot of time there gaming in the evenings and suffer from back pain, it’s definitely a worthwhile investment. The chair’s focus on dynamic movement and spinal decompression set it apart and really help it shine, even among more expensive models from Herman Miller and Steelcase.
If you’re looking for an office chair that does things differently by almost perfectly combining comfort and ergonomics with a one-button fix for back pain, the LiberNovo Omni is absolutely worth considering.
The best office chair for ergonomics
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The Autonomous ErgoChair Pro is a highly adjustable ergonomic office chair with some great customization options at a mid-range price. It’s a great upgrade for those coming from a budget office chair that’s well-suited for both home and office use without being too expensive.
Normally when shopping for an office chair, you have to choose between a more supportive foam seat or an all-mesh design. What I really like about the ErgoChair Pro is that Autonomous offers both options.
We tested the version with a foam seat and a mesh backrest and headrest but you can get this chair with a mesh seat instead. Doing so does cut down the color options from seven to just two but this is a great option to have.
The ErgoChair Pro gives you a lot of adjustment points to lock in the perfect fit for you. You can change the position of its armrests, move its lumbar support up or down manually as well as lock it in place and there are five different levels of recline.
Our reviews editor Peter Wolinski tested this chair and found its mesh backrest and headrest to be very comfy while its backrest and adjustable lumbar support did a great job supporting his back.
However, he would have liked to have more padding on its armrests and at the back of its seat. Peter also wouldn’t recommend this chair to taller people as even at 5’11” he found its adjustable height range to be somewhat limited.
The Autonomous ErgoChair Pro packs in plenty of features at its mid-range price and being able to choose between all-mesh or some mesh and a foam seat cushion is a customization option few chairs offer.
This office chair is a good fit for those who value ergonomics and having the right amount of adjustments to tailor it to their body shape and workflow
The best office chair for comfort
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The Steelcase Karman is a premium office chair that’s not only extremely comfortable, it’s also surprisingly lightweight at just 28-31 pounds depending on which version you get. It’s one of my all-time favorites and a chair I keep coming back to again and again.
This all-mesh chair is built differently from the ground up and what really sets it apart is Steelcase’s proprietary Intermix textile. It’s soft and supportive yet very flexible and when you sit in the Karman, it feels like the chair wraps around you.
On top of this, it moves with your body and reacts to even the smallest movements thanks to its weight-activated mechanism. There are also different versions of Intermix and some are closer to the traditional look and feel of mesh while others feel more like fabric.
I tested the Karman a few years back and no other chair has impressed me quite like this one. However, at the time, I was a bit disappointed it wasn’t available with a headrest.
Shortly after its release though, Steelcase came out with the Karman High Back which extends its backrest further up and adds a sculpted pillow at the very top to provide additional support to your shoulders and neck.
Both the original Karman and this new version are exceptionally comfortable but if you want a bit more back support, you can also add an optional lumbar support bar to the back of the chair.
The Steelcase Karman is a one-of-a-kind office chair that like the Aeron carries a premium price. However, after trying out the two chairs, the Karman is far more comfortable in my opinion and I still can’t get over how incredibly light it is.
The Karman is quite a bit different from the other office chairs I’ve reviewed over the years but it’s definitely worth considering if you want a chair that’s as comfortable as it is supportive.
The best office chair for gaming
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The Herman Miller x Logitech G Vantum Gaming Chair combines the support and ergonomics of an office chair with the comfort and style of a gaming chair.
Just like my previous top pick for best gaming chair, the Razer Fujin Pro, the Vantum Gaming Chair is also a hybrid chair designed to give you the best of both worlds. After using it myself for an entire year now, it’s easy to recommend for people who plan to use it for both play and work despite its higher price compared to the rest of the picks on my list of the best gaming chairs.
Unlike the Fujin Pro, the Vantum Gaming Chair features a breathable knit backrest and headrest with a fabric seat with a comfy foam cushion as opposed to a full mesh design. While some may prefer a full-mesh office chair, I like this approach as it keeps your back cool while providing excellent support to your lower body.
The Vantum Gaming Chair also breaks the mold with its two-tone design where the front of the chair including its headrest, backrest and seat cushion are all black but a secondary color is used for its frame and underside.
Since its initial release, Herman Miller has added a ton of new color options too like a light purple lilac and a darker midnight blue. This way you can easily have your chair match the accent color of your desk setup or even your gaming chair.
Besides its unique design, I really liked how easy the Vantum Gaming Chair was to put together as its backrests and armrests both came pre-installed. After unboxing it, I had the chair built and ready to go in less than 15 minutes.
While it’s technically a gaming chair, Herman Miller and Logitech G have gone to great lengths to make it very ergonomic with loads of adjustment points. One thing that really surprised me about the Vantum Gaming Chair is that in addition to adjustable lumbar support, it also features a thoracic support mechanism just below the headrest that’s designed to take some of the load off your upper back and shoulders.
My only real gripe is that the armpads on top of its armrests tend to move a bit too easily and I found I had to readjust them quite frequently. Still, this is a lot easier and not nearly as distracting as when you have an office chair with 4D armrests that don’t lock in place either.
At $930 (though it frequently goes on sale), the Vantum Gaming Chair is definitely an investment compared to your typical gaming chair or even a mid-range office chair. However, for the price, you’re getting an excellent chair that can do double duty as both a gaming chair and an office chair.
If you work from home and also play games at your desk in the evenings or if you’re a full-time streamer or budding esports player, the Vantum Gaming Chair could be the perfect mix of comfort and support for you too.
The best office chair for home office
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The Haworth Fern is a very comfortable ergonomic office chair for extended use with a unique design that helps it stand out from the crowd. From the moment I first saw it, I knew I had to try it out for myself and I’m happy to say it lived up to the hype.
Available in mesh, knit or even leather, the Fern gets its name from Haworth’s Wave Suspension system that uses flexible fronds which resemble the leaves of a fern. Not only does this help support your back but it helps evenly distribute your weight as you move to relieve pressure.
I tested the mesh version of the Fern along with the digital knit configuration, albeit in the Xbox version for those who want a gaming chair that more closely resembles an office chair, and I found it very comfortable to use in my own home office thanks to its padded foam seat and its numerous adjustment points that let me tailor it to my liking.
Its mesh back helped keep me cool, though I really like how soft and comfy the digital knit backrest was on the other configuration I tested. The Fern is a premium chair on its own but if you want a headrest or adjustable lumbar support, it’s going to cost you extra.
The Haworth Fern checked all of the boxes for me when it came to comfort and adjustability. Plus, it’s just a good looking office chair all around. I have seen others complain online about back pain when using this chair but that was far from my experience. The Fern is a versatile and comfortable office chair but its higher price means it’s also a significant investment in your home office.
The best office chair for tall users
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The Oak Hollow Aloria is an ergonomic office chair with a mesh back to keep you cool and a genuine leather seat packed with high density molded foam. However, my favorite part is the fact that you can choose between three cylinder heights which makes this an ideal chair for tall users since your knees won’t be sticking up in the air when you sit down in it.
The Aloria is an expensive chair at $849 full price but it’s often on sale for $100 less and the combination of mesh and leather does give it a premium look. Another nice touch is that switching from the standard height cylinder to the short or tall one doesn’t cost extra. Besides that though, there aren’t any other optional add-ons to worry about and you also get a mesh headrest with this chair.
In his review, Billy Givens called it a stylish chair with a “sleek black aesthetic accented with a chrome wheelbase and backrest frame.” If you’re looking for an office chair to give the rest of your work from home setup a touch of class, the Aloria is certainly worth considering. Billy also called the chair’s genuine cowhide leather very comfortable but he also liked how it’s less resistant to wear and tear than the cheaper synthetic materials you’ll find on other office chairs.
While the Aloria is a sleek office chair, it’s also very adjustable too. However, adjusting the height of the armrests did take some getting used to as this is done via a button on the side as opposed to on the armrests themselves. They also click into place with a loud popping noise which is less than ideal but once you lock in the right height, you likely won’t have to adjust them that often after that.
If you’re looking for an executive-style, ergonomic office chair with all the bells and whistles, the Oak Hollow Aloria certainly fits the bill. It also offers the perfect combination of airflow and comfort by pairing a mesh backrest with a well-cushioned seat.
The best premium office chair
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The Herman Miller Aeron is a premium ergonomic office chair that almost needs no introduction. It’s considered the best of the best by many since it was first launched back in 1994 and to this day, it remains a mainstay in the home offices and workspaces of those that can afford it.
The Aeron features an all-mesh design, loads of adjustment points and if you order this chair directly through Herman Miller, you can customize it to your liking. One thing that surprised me about this chair after learning more about it is that it’s actually available in three different sizes which makes it a great choice for both big and tall people as well as shorter ones.
The Aeron has a high starting price to begin with but with upgrades to its arms, armrests and backrest, you’re looking at a chair that costs thousands of dollars. I spent some time with the Aeron myself back when I visited my local Herman Miller store but our U.S. Editor-in-Chief Mike Prospero reviewed it.
He spent a few weeks trying it out and, not surprisingly, found it to be one of the most comfortable chairs he ever sat in. Mike also really liked just how adjustable the Aeron was and found it easy to get its fit just right for him.
The Herman Miller Aeron is responsible for popularizing ergonomic chairs in the first place and for good reason. It’s designed to help you maintain optimal posture so you can work comfortably and focus on the task at hand.
The Aeron is the ultimate home office investment and if you’re thinking of upgrading to one, keep an eye out for sales as it does see the occasional discount from time to time.
Also tested
We test a lot of different office chairs at Tom’s Guide and while many are great in their own right, not all of them make our top picks. I also like to prioritize chairs that are easy to find online at major retailers or better yet, in a store near you so that you can test them out for yourself. If none of the picks above have what you’re after, check out these office chairs below, many of which offer unique features or cater to specific needs.
Office chairs compared
How to choose the best office chair for you
Finding the right office chair for your particular needs and budget can feel overwhelming with so many different options to choose from. This is why you want to take several factors into consideration as you narrow down your search.
Price
Just like with the best standing desks and other home office furniture, office chairs range widely in price, from just over $100 up to $2,000 and beyond. It’s also difficult to test out a variety of chairs before you find the right one and returning a chair that doesn’t work for you can be quite a hassle.
This is why I often recommend that people pick up a starter chair first to see what works for them before dropping a lot of money on a more expensive, full-featured chair.
That way, you can figure out what you like before committing to a top-tier chair like the Aeron for years to come. If you are going to buy a premium chair though, see if they have physical stores like Herman Miller or showrooms around the world like Steelcase does.
There are a few key factors that set budget chairs apart from premium ones. More expensive chairs feature higher-quality components and materials throughout while cheaper ones may come with sticky, plasticky-feeling mesh to cut a few corners for example. Likewise, the materials used in less expensive chairs are more likely to break down over time whereas a more expensive chair can last for years if cared for properly.
Adjustability and extra features is another area where these two types of chairs differ. Premium chairs will have all the bells and whistles with all of the adjustment points you expect along with some less common ones like being able to tilt your seat forward for when you need to concentrate on a particular task. The same goes for extras like adjustable lumbar support, a headrest and my favorite, rollerblade style wheels.
Another thing that really sets premium chairs apart from their less expensive counterparts is their design. High-end chairs often try to make a statement and often look as good pushed in at a desk as they are comfortable to sit in.
Sure, you can get a no-frills chair for less but oftentimes, an office chair with a unique design can tie your whole home office together, especially if you’re going for a particular look.
If you find a chair you really like that’s out of your price range, it’s worth looking around for one with a similar design and features at a less expensive price. Mid-range and budget office chair makers will often try to recreate the look and experience of a premium chair in their own designs.
At the same time, you can also take a look at the used market since companies often outfit an office with premium chairs and then end up getting rid of them in a few years or when downsizing.
When buying a more expensive office chair, keep in mind that you don’t want to go too far beyond your budget as then you won’t have much left to furnish the rest of your home office or workspace.
Ergonomic needs
Ergonomics is important, as you don’t just want a comfortable chair, you want one that will keep your body supported throughout the day. This will help you avoid succumbing to the aches and pains associated with using a poorly designed chair for hours on end.
At the bare minimum, I’d say you should try to find a chair with built-in lumbar support. This ergonomic feature helps keep your lower back supported while you sit and can also help you maintain good posture.
The whole reason you’re likely investing in a new office chair is to avoid being slumped over your desk and a lumbar support mechanism will certainly help with this. There are three kinds of lumbar support mechanisms: fixed, adjustable and dynamic.
A fixed lumbar support remains in place and can’t be moved and depending on your height, may not be ideal for you. Adjustable lumbar support mechanisms give you the option to move them up and down and some even allow you to move their position forward or backward.
You get a lot of control with this type of lumbar support but if you’d rather have your chair do the work for you, then consider dynamic lumbar support instead. They aren’t nearly as customizable but a dynamic lumbar support mechanism will adjust automatically based on your movements and posture changes.
Ergonomics also comes into play with your chair’s seat. Foam seats provide more support and help relieve pressure in your lower body while mesh ones give you more airflow at the cost of support.
If you find your legs cramping up or suffer from poor circulation, then you might want to pay a bit more for a seat with a waterfall edge. This type of edge puts less stress on your hamstrings as opposed to a seat with a hard edge which can contribute to or make any back pain you’re experiencing worse.
While I personally enjoy having a chair with a headrest or a high back for extra support for my shoulders and neck, many ergonomic chairs like the Aeron don’t even come with this option as headrests can lead to passive sitting and slouching which is certainly bad for your posture.
However, these days, more and more ergonomic chairs come with headrests. It’s a matter of personal preference but definitely something you want to consider when choosing the right chair for your needs.
Body type and size
When deciding between one chair over another, you want to take a look at a chair’s listing page to see what the recommended height and weight range are. While some chairs are tailored to big and tall users, others aren’t at all.
However, some chairs give you the option for a wider seat or a stronger base, usually at an extra cost. Though you might have to pay more initially, it’s better to get a chair tailored to your body type and size from the get go.
Although big and tall users have the most options, those on the shorter side are also going to want to shop carefully when looking for a new office chair. Ideally, you want your feet to be able to rest firmly on the floor while sitting in your chair and for some people — especially those below five feet tall — this can be almost impossible with some chairs.
I can’t stress this strongly enough, you absolutely want to take your weight, height and body shape into consideration before you begin your search for a new office chair. That way, you won’t be disappointed when the chair you had your heart set on doesn’t work for you.
Work environment
When picking out an office chair, you also want to consider where you’ll be using it. A big, bulky chair might not be the best fit if you live in a high-rise apartment building and a lightweight chair that isn’t as sturdy probably won’t work well in a high-traffic environment. You also don’t want a chair that stands out too much in an office environment or one that doesn’t mesh well with the rest of your home office decor.
At the same time, you want to consider the surface you’ll be using a particular chair on. If your workspace is carpeted, then you’re going to want a chair with hard casters that roll easily on it.
If you have hardwood floors, then you’re going to want a chair with soft casters that can glide across the floor without damaging it. It’s also worth noting that some casters are quieter than others which could be quite important if you’re using your chair in a shared workspace.
Before you even begin putting together a short list for your next office chair, you want to take the time and write down a list of features that you absolutely want along with a few that would be nice to have to narrow down your search.
From a headrest to lumbar support to how far back you want to recline, you want to take all of these features into consideration when shopping for an office chair. Unlike with a desk, it’s almost impossible to add extra features to a lot of chairs after you buy them.
Sure, you might be able to add a headrest and you can always easily swap your chair’s casters but you won’t be able to add lumbar support or swap out a foam seat for a mesh one.
You also want to make sure the chair you’re considering has all of the adjustment points you want from the start as not being able to reposition your chair’s lumbar support manually or being able to slide its seat forward or backward could end up being a deal breaker.
The best way to approach shopping for a new office chair is to think of it like buying a car. Be ready to move onto the next chair if it doesn’t have the particular features you want and the same goes for if its price is too high.
Remember how I recommended getting a starter chair before? Doing so can help you narrow down the features you absolutely need and avoid paying extra for the ones you probably won’t end up using.
Office chair terms to know before you buy
I know I’ve gone through a few of these terms throughout this guide but I figured I’d explain some of the most common ones here to make shopping for a new office chair easier for you.
Lumbar support
A lumbar support mechanism is an extra piece found in many ergonomic chairs that provides additional support to the lower part of your back where your spine naturally curves inward.
Chairs with one built-in help your spine maintain its natural curve while reducing pressure on your back and promoting better posture overall. A lumbar support can be fixed, adjustable or dynamic and getting a chair with the one that works best for you is essential.
Waterfall edge
While the seats of some chairs have a hard front edge, others have a waterfall edge instead. This ergonomic feature helps improve comfort as well as circulation in your legs while also reducing pressure on the back of your things.
If you sit for long periods of time, getting a chair with a waterfall edge can be a huge upgrade as you’ll be able to sit comfortably while maintaining proper posture. This can also help prevent back pain.
Tilt mechanism
A tilt mechanism is a feature that allows an office chair’s backrest and potentially even its seat to tilt backward. If you want a better overall experience while reclining in your chair, then you’re going to want to look for one with a synchro-tilt mechanism.
This enables a chair’s backrest and seat to tilt backward together while keeping your spine properly aligned. If you like to recline and stay in that position, then you should also look for a chair with tilt lock so that you can lock it in place.
Mesh vs. upholstery
Office chairs are typically made from upholstery or mesh. Mesh provides better airflow and keeps you cool while upholstered chairs tend to feel more comfortable and provide added warmth in colder environments. There are also hybrid chairs that have a mesh backrest and an upholstered foam seat to give you the best of both worlds.
4D Armrests
Office chair armrests used to only go up and down but more and more chairs now come with 4D armrests instead.
In addition to up and down, 4D armrests can be moved forward and backward for different arm lengths, from side to side depending on the width of your shoulders and they can swivel which is great when you want them out of the way.
One thing to keep in mind with 4D armrests though is that some move too easily. If this is something you’re concerned about, look for a chair with ones that lock in place.
Frequently asked questions
How to clean an office chair
Sooner or later, you’re going to need to clean your office chair and fortunately, doing so isn’t that difficult. However, you will want to be careful while avoiding using any strong chemicals or other cleaning agents as they can damage your chair.
To get started, you first want to vacuum your office chair. You can do so using a cordless vacuum or a shop vacuum with a long hose and either a dusting brush (the round attachment with soft bristles) or an upholstery tool (a T-shaped attachment with stiffer bristles). I’d recommend starting with a dusting brush first so as not to damage your office chair.
Once you’ve vacuumed your chair, you then want to wipe it down with water and a cloth. You don’t need to add soap or other cleaning products as just cold water will do. After this is done, you want to let your office chair air dry completely before using it again.
It’s also worth noting that you should look up the cleaning instructions for your specific office chair as, just like with laundry, many companies provide extensive guides on the best way to clean a particular chair.
How do you disassemble an office chair
Although you normally won’t have to disassemble an office chair to move it to a new house or apartment, it’s still worth knowing how to take your chair apart. Basically, you’re going to follow the assembly instructions but in reverse.
If your chair has a headrest, start by removing it. From there, you’re going to detach your chair’s backrest from its seat if possible. This is usually done by removing several bolts at the back of your chair that hold the two pieces together.
Once you’ve detached the backrest from the seat, you then need to remove the armrests, by loosening the bolts that attach it to your chair’s seat. You then need to remove the seat from its frame by lifting it up off the chair’s gas cylinder.
With that done, you just need to take the gas cylinder used to adjust the chair’s height out before removing the casters from its frame.
The whole process is fairly simple, though it might be a good idea to have someone else on hand when detaching the backrest from the seat as this is the most difficult part of building an office chair.
Once you have all the bolts removed, make sure to put them in a plastic bag to store them safely and you may also want to write which part of the chair they go to in order to make reassembling your office chair easier.
How do you remove wheels from an office chair
Removing the wheels or casters from your office chair is relatively simple and easy. While you pushed them down onto the frame when building the chair, you’re going to want to pull the casters off to remove them.
To make things easier, I recommend flipping your chair upside down or laying it on its side. That way, you can reach its casters more easily and don’t have to worry about the chair falling over or getting damaged in the process.
The biggest reason to do this is to swap out your old casters with new ones. Just like the tires on your car, office chair casters can wear down over time from heavy use. Likewise, you may want to upgrade your office chair’s casters.
I’m particularly fond of rollerblade-style casters as they have a sleek look to them, spin easily and roll very easily on hardwood floors. In fact, one of the first office chair upgrades I ever did was to remove the casters from the Branch Ergonomic Chair and replace them with rollerblade-style ones. Doing so only cost me $30 but it gave my older office chair a brand new look and feel.
How we test the best office chairs
In order to test the best office chairs to review them and see how well they stack up against one another, I spend a few weeks sitting in each one. During this time, I see how well each office chair supports my back, shoulders, neck and arms and I also determine their comfort level.
Besides comfort, I also take a close look at how easy each chair is to adjust and whether or not the changes I make to a chair’s fit remain in place. Although I review many of the office chairs highlighted above from my home, I also have family and friends of different weights and heights test them out too.
This gives me a better idea of how well each chair will work with different body types and I can gauge someone else’s reaction to sitting in them for the first time. For the chairs that other members of the team at Tom’s Guide review, they do something similar when working remotely but if they’re in the office, other co-workers will come and try out each chair.
During our testing process, I also take note of each chair’s design, appearance and how customizable they are. Likewise, I inspect their materials and parts and see how well they hold up over time.
Since few people build home office furniture as often as I do, I take a lot of notes while putting each chair together to see how easy or difficult it might be for someone with less experience to do so. I assemble every office chair on my own but I point out in my reviews where having someone else to help during the assembly process can make things easier or faster.
Finally, I take into account the overall cost of a chair, the length and fine details of its warranty and how it compares to competing chairs in the same price range. For more information on our testing process, check out our how we test page for Tom’s Guide.
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