The Best Editor-Tested Office Chairs You Can Buy Right Now

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With remote work becoming more common over the past few years, many people have learned the importance of creating a comfortable workspace at home. As tempting as it may be to post up on your couch or even recline against your bed’s headboard — I’ll admit that I’ve done it before — there’s no doubt that it can wreak havoc on your posture. If you rotate between those spots, you’re probably already feeling the impact on your back and neck. It’s time to rectify it by fully committing to sitting at your desk. First things first: You have to find a high-quality office chair.

Available at a variety of price points, the best office chairs feature ergonomic support, convenient design (like wheels and an adjustable height), a modest footprint, and most importantly, a comfortable seat and back. Since that may feel like a lot of boxes to check on your own search for the best office chair, we went ahead and got a headstart on the process. After scouring the web for highly rated options and putting the top contenders to the test, we’ve come up with a group of stellar chairs. Whether you prioritize style, comfort, or a budget-friendly price, scroll to find which of our favorites works best for you.

Table of Contents

Branch Ergonomic Chair

Branch Furniture

$369

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The Best Office Chairs

What to Consider Before Buying an Office Chair

There are a few things you’ll want to think about before purchasing a new office chair. They are as follows:

Type

There are a variety of office chairs on the market, including executive, mesh, ergonomic, task, and gamer chairs — just to name a few. Where executive office chairs tend to be higher-end and often made of leather or leather-like materials, mesh office chairs are known for their more minimalist silhouettes, which still have a reputation for being comfortable, as well as breathable.

Task chairs are characterized by wheels and an adjustable design, allowing users to easily maneuver between any and all seated activities. Then there are gamer chairs, which are a bit of a hybrid, with their mesh material, task capabilities, and ergonomic design — all of which lend to a more comfortable gaming sesh.

Speaking of ergonomics, all the best office chairs feature some type of ergonomic characteristic. That said, ergonomic chairs are also a category of their own. They have contoured backs and seats to support the body, reduce sitting fatigue, and promote better posture overall.

Capabilities

Most office chairs can be characterized as task chairs due to their adjustable capabilities and rolling design. That doesn’t mean that all office chairs are, though. With that in mind, it’s important to consider the capabilities that matter most to you when shopping for the perfect office chair. For example, if you want an office chair that can easily maneuver an L-shaped desk, a chair with wheels is a must; if you want a chair that fully supports good posture, opt for a chair with an ergonomic back, if not a full neck and headrest, is ideal.

What You’ll Be Using It For

Your specific needs will determine the best type of office chair for you. For example, if you spend most of your day at your desk, an ergonomic office chair is best, as it will be more supportive. If you’re a gamer, opting for a plush, ergonomic gamer chair with cushy armrests will keep you comfortable for hours of entertainment on end. Meanwhile, if your goal is to look and feel like a CEO, an executive chair might be your best bet. Essentially, you want to think about how and how often you’ll be using it and make a decision from there.

What We Look for in an Office Chair

We tested a range of office chairs, keeping the below in mind.

Comfort: Does the office chair have an ergonomic design? Does it help with back pain?
Size: Does the office chair take up a lot of space? Is it foldable? Does it work well for compact spaces?
Appearance: How stylish is the office chair? Is it sold in a variety of colors?
Quality: Is the office chair made of durable material? How easy is it to clean?

The Best Office Chairs

Ergonomic Chair

Branch Furniture

$329

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The Branch Ergonomic Office Chair may not look super fancy but the padded mesh design is beloved by thousands of shoppers. The reason? It’s ergonomically designed, making it an incredibly comfortable pick for hours on end. According to Branch’s handy “Find Your Fit” guide, this chair was designed to be sat in for a full eight-hour day. The seat, which is made out of high-density foam, is on the firmer side and provides a lot of support to the hips. The chair also provides eight points of adjustment, so you can customize it to your fit preferences.

“This office chair perfectly curves to my spine,” Alicia, our deputy commerce editor, says. “I have always felt minorly uncomfortable in office chairs and hunch over more and more as the day goes on, but with this chair, I sit upright. I also love the mesh on both the seat and the back, which makes this chair more breathable.” While the chair is supportive on its own, there’s also the option to add a headrest with neck support, which makes it even more comfortable. That said, once the headrest is attached, the chair takes on more of a gamer chair appearance.

Specifications:

Ergonomic mesh task chair
Features firm lumbar support, contoured upper back, breathable mesh seat and back, adjustable height, swivel, rolling design
Available in 2 frame colors and 5 material colors

Who It’s Best For: Those with (or those trying to avoid) back pain.

Good to Know: The mesh of this chair makes it breathable and cozy to sit in but it’s also a touch harder to clean. Your best bet is a spot-clean approach with soap and water.

Mid-Back Executive Swivel Office Chair with Metal Frame

Wayfair

$175.99 (was $204.99)

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If you want a more stylish seat and have always loved the look of a high-end leather office chair, the Upper Square Mid-Back Executive Swivel Office Chair is worth checking out. Despite its luxe appearance, it’s sold at a great price point, making it our top pick for value. The chair, which is sold in four colors and four frame options, features a chic paneled design suitable for any space. “We’ve had this chair for three to four years now, and considering the price, I think it’s held up well,” says Alicia. “It’s stylish and functional for the price. For those on a budget, I think that it’s a great pick.”

Keep in mind, though, that this chair is pretty cheap, ringing in at under $200. While it will hold up for at least a few years, Alicia found that the material began to crack a little over time. If your goal is to acquire a chair that will last four years or more, she suggests looking into a different option.

Specifications:

Features lumbar support, adjustable height, swivel, tilt, rolling design
Available in 4 frame colors and 4 material colors

Who It’s Best For: Those with a champagne taste on a beer budget.

Good to Know: Although this executive chair looks like high-quality leather, it’s actually made of faux leather, which is known to not hold up as well over time.

Fern Office Chair, Leather

Haworth

$1,151 (was $1,355)

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If you aren’t afraid to invest in something that you know you’ll use for hours every day — and that’ll help correct your posture — then Haworth should be your first stop. The family-owned brand has been creating commercial furniture for decades, spending just as long researching office solutions, so you know you’re snagging a chair of a high caliber when you shop from its website. Specifically, if you’re ready to splurge, then the highly-rated Fern Chair is our pick.

It offers total support, from your neck to your lower back, with its cradling lumbar support — which happens to be an exclusive system unique to Haworth. Further, it has adjustments so that you can fit it exactly to your needs. “The chair is highly customizable so you can adjust it for comfort no matter who’s sitting in it, which is a plus since it seems like everyone in our house has different seat preferences,” says Troy, our tester, who opted for the Fern Office Chair in black leather. That being said, another benefit is that you can tailor the look of this long-lasting piece of office furniture exactly to your space, with the options of breathable mesh, digital knit, gradient knit, or leather. Troy adds, “It’s a huge upgrade from our old desk chair and a lot easier on my back.”

Specifications:

Features adjustable lumbar support, contoured 3-part back system, breathable mesh seat and back, adjustable height, adjustable seat depth, forward tilt and tension, 4D movable arms, swivel, rolling design
Option to add a headrest and lumbar
Available in 6 colors and 4 material colors

Who It’s Best For: Those who want a luxury option to support their back; those who want a highly customizable chair; those who spend large amounts of time working from home.

Good to Know: The Fern is also a great choice if you’re after an eco-friendly chair. The knit fabric is made from 100% recycled polyester yarn, which the brand says “reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 6.3 metric tons each year — equivalent to the CO2 produced by driving a car 15,000 miles or charging 766,000 smart phones.”

Doro S300 “Gravity-Defying” Ergonomic Chair

Sihoo

$639.99 (was $899.99)

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Couldn’t care less about looks and couldn’t care more about comfort? Then you’ll want to check out our choice for Best Ergonomic chair, which includes contoured backs and seats that provide ample support to your body. Luckily, SIHOO’s chair comes across as sleek and high-end while serving the aforementioned purpose. When you sit down in the chair, you’re met with its anti-gravity mechanism, which makes for a weightless recline experience. The headrest will keep your neck and shoulders straight.

Further, it has an independent backrest that you can adjust between five levels, suiting your body type exactly, as well as adjustable armrests that’ll keep your body comfortable all day long. The latter has especially impressed our tester Hernetta, who also adds, “The wheels roll smoothly and the recline feature is great. I love how the mid-back pads feel like a hug.” What more could you ask for in an office chair?

Specifications:

Ergonomic mesh task chair
Features lumbar support, adjustable backrest, 6D adjustable armrests, breathable mesh seat and back, headrest, adjustable height, recline, swivel, rolling design
30-day trial and 3-year warranty

Who It’s Best For: Those who like to feel weightless in their office chair; those who prioritize long-lasting support from their head to their toes; those who are looking for greater pressure relief during long bouts of sitting.

Good to Know: It’s made to last, crafted from eco-friendly, aerospace-grade materials, which have all been certified by BIFMA and SGS.

Breck Office Chair

Haworth

$389 (was $419)

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When you start to feel overheated, mesh will be your saving grace. Not only is the material airy and breathable, but it’s also springy enough to keep you supported for extended periods of time. If that sounds like the central qualities that you’re looking for in an office chair, then allow us to point you in the direction of Haworth’s ultra-stylish Breck Chair. Our second Haworth pick is on the more budget-conscious side, but it will still give you the durability and comfort that the brand is known for.

The chair adapts to the way you sit and recline, triggered by a weight-activated mechanism. Three zones are made with geometric stretch technology, which the brand claims provides the “optimal ratio of back suspension.” Our tester, Carolyn, confirms that it’s “more comfortable and provides more back support” than others she’s owned. “I had a lumbar pillow that I thought I would need, but I don’t use it all with this chair,” she says, adding that the chair also has a good height for her desk.

Specifications:

Features adjustable lumbar, 3-position backstop, geometric stretch back, adjustable height, adjustable seat depth, swivel, rolling design
Available in 2 frame colors and 6 seat colors

Who It’s Best For: Those who want a stellar ergonomic design at an affordable price; those who want a chair that provides ample back support; those who run hot.

Good to Know: This chair is likely more comfortable for those 5’4″ and under.

*Honorable Mention: Carolyn also loves the Steelcase Series 1 Air, which her husband uses in their shared home office, as a mesh option that she (and some reviewers) believe is more comfortable for those 5’5″ and up. It’s geometric back is built to support changes in posture, and while the back is breathable, the seat is made of pressure-relieving foam.

Efomao Desk Office Chair

Amazon

$229.99 (was $299.99)

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Commerce SEO editor Sarah used to favor the TikTok-viral cross-legged office chair before she started noticing its structural issues and the back pain it induced. When she decided to make the switch, she still wanted an oversized version that would allow her to sit in the same position. That’s where the ergonomic Efomao chair came in. Since adding it to her space, Sarah has been impressed by its high back and cloud-like cushions, which come together to create a cozy sitting experience. The footrest takes it to the next level; you can pull it up to the height of the seat, which allows you to sit cross-legged.

“Since switching to this chair, my lower back pain is all but gone, and I’ve even noticed my overall posture has improved!” Sarah explains in her review. Plus, thanks to the adjustable footrest: “I’m finally able to sit in every which way and still keep my back supported.”

Read our full review of the Efomao Desk Chair.

Specifications:

Ergonomic executive office chair
Features lumbar support, sponge seat cushion, back angle, leg rest, adjustable height, tilt, swivel, rolling design

Who It’s Best For: Those who like to change their sitting position throughout the day; those who prefer extra cushion; those who want a supportive chair at an affordable price point.

Good to Know:

Rya Office Chair – Ivory Wool Bouclé

Article

$399

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If you generally find yourself staying stationary at your desk during the workday — and prefer a chair that requires less maintenance and offers more stability — then you might want to consider a wheel-less option. One of our favorite furniture brands, Article, has one such chair that checks a ton of other boxes: It’s extremely fashionable, for one, seeing that it’s wrapped in trendy bouclé fabric. It also has the perk of durability, since the brand thoroughly tests its fabrics for abrasion resistance, putting it through 50,000 rubs to make sure it holds up. The cushion is plush and wide for comfortable seating — so if you live in a small space, it comes in handy as an extra spot for guests to lounge.

“This is the most gorgeous office chair I’ve ever seen,” says commerce assistant editor Morgan, who lives in a tiny studio and didn’t want to sacrifice style for comfort. “Luckily, this one offers both in spades. The bouclé fabric is soft against my skin, and it gives it the appearance of a stylish accent chair rather than an office chair. Still, the seat and back are cushioned enough that I can sit for a long time and not get uncomfortable.”

Specifications:

Ergonomic wide-seat office chair
Features ergonomic seat and back, boucle upholstery, adjustable hydraulic seat, adjustable height, swivel, tilt
30-day satisfaction guarantee

Who It’s Best For: Those who live in small spaces; those who want their office chair to double as accent furniture; those who prefer a wider seat.

Good to Know: Morgan says she had a bit of trouble fitting the one screw into the base of the chair and decided to forgo it, but it hasn’t seemed to impact its overall structural integrity.

HINOMI H1 Pro V2 Ergonomic Office Chair

Amazon

$629

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Foot rests are ideal for people who are on the shorter side, because the addition allows them to sit with proper posture. The footrest of HINOMI’s office chair happens to be the favorite feature of Quinn, one of our staff writers. She says that “it extends pretty far, relieving the pressure on [her] hips and knees,” and it’s convenient that it folds underneath the chair when it isn’t in use. She also appreciates that so many elements are customizable, from the lumbar support to the headrest to the armrests. What’s more, you can make sure that it’s suited specifically to you because it comes in three sizes, which depend on your height. All together, these qualities, as well as its easy-maintenance fabric, make it the “perfect chair” in Quinn’s eyes.

“I feel like it’s improved my posture, as it supports me in every sense as I work, despite my desk being relatively low to the ground,” Quinn says. “The chair is super easy to adjust and it has parts you can customize to basically every body part that touches the chair.”

Specifications:

Ergonomic mesh task chair
Features adjustable lumbar support, breathable mesh seat and back, headrest, leg rest, adjustable height, 5D adjustable arms, swivel, foldable frame, rolling design
Available in 4 colors and 3 sizes

Who It’s Best For: Those who want a chair that they can adjust every aspect of; those on the shorter side; those who want a chair that’s supportive at every point.

Good to Know: “My only notes are that the armrests are one of the only parts you can’t ‘lock’ in place, so the tops tend to swivel, which can be annoying and I know other reviewers weren’t fond of; the fabric is also super breathable and easy to clean, but isn’t the softest, so it could be comfier,” Quinn says, adding that neither downside counted majorly against it.

Softside Chair With High Back

Branch Furniture

$339

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Office chairs aren’t always the prettiest thing in the world. More often than not, you have to give up style in favor of function — but not in the case of Branch’s Softside Chair. If you didn’t see the bottom portion, you would likely think this was a cozy accent chair at first glance. The seat is plush and cloud-like, but its shape is still ergonomic, with the foam-and-nested-coil cushions providing impressive support. “I wanted something that functioned like a desk chair, but didn’t look like your everyday office chair, and this pick made the perfect addition to my home office set-up,” says commerce editor Britt. “I wish the seat had a little more depth to it, but that’s nowhere near a dealbreaker. This chair saved my aching back after months of working on the couch!”

The lumbar support contours to your lower back, too. It’s even better for the fashion-forward shopper because so many design elements are customizable: You can opt for a mid- or high-back and go with either fabric, leather, or vegan leather upholstery, all of which come in a range of colors. Plus, you can remove the armrests whenever you like.

Specifications:

Ergonomic hybrid office chair
Features lumbar support, upholstered foam-and-coil cushion, adjustable height, tilt, swivel, rolling design
Option to choose back height
Available in 8 colors and 3 materials

Who It’s Best For: Those who appreciate comfort and a stylish design; those who want a comfortable chair that still offers durability.

Good to Know: When it comes to width, this chair is not as adjustable as others on the list if you plan to keep the arms connected to it.