The Best Office Chairs 2024

If your back and shoulders ache the moment you take a break from productivity, schoolwork, or gaming, it’s time to upgrade to the best office chair for you. A premium office chair is an important investment for anyone who sits for hours on end. Knowing the essential features to consider when shopping for a new office chair helps you avoid bringing home an uncomfortable burden instead of an ergonomic blessing. The good news is there are plenty of options for those who value comfort, adjustability, and a sense of style. After comprehensive research, testing, and in-depth comparisons between many models, I’ve put together a list of the best office chairs of the year for ergonomic support, home offices, budget-conscious buyers, and everything in between.

Our top picks for the best office chairs

How we chose the best office chairs

I examined a variety of mainstream and niche office furniture brands and their product catalogs, assembled and tested a number of chairs, and researched user reviews to identify the best office chairs available today. There were many critical factors I kept in mind while compiling this list, but these were my three most important considerations:

Ergonomics

An ergonomic design and overall comfort are easily the most significant aspects I looked for in an office chair. The greatest chairs will align your spine, cradle your neck and head, and keep you seated in a position that will leave you feeling loose and limber when you stand up- even after hours of deskwork.

I absolutely appreciate models featuring customizable components such as height-adjustable armrests, a steep reclining angle, and flexible lumbar support, as they come together to provide an all-around cozier sitting experience.

Value

Premium, especially durable components like a steel frame and reinforced fabric, and a comprehensive, long-lasting warranty give expensive office furniture additional value in the long run.

Design

Since buyers should expect to get five to ten or more years of use from their office chair, it is certainly worth going out of your way to find a model that is aesthetically pleasing and matches your preexisting décor. I certainly value brands that offer chairs in an array of colors, sizes, and textiles to choose from.

What to consider when choosing the best office chairs

Comfort

Finding a reliably comfortable office chair is easily the most important factor to keep in mind. Some key ways to identify a cozy chair include an ergonomic design that properly aligns your spine while supporting your entire body, adjustable components (armrests, recline, height, etc.) that allow you to find the perfect configuration, a cushioned seat and armrests for additional support, and the optimum seat height that lets you sit with your feet on the floor and your legs at a comfortable 90-degree angle.

It's worth paying extra for an office chair that promotes good posture, healthy blood circulation, and minimizes strain on your neck and back so you’ll feel refreshed when you stand up again.

Features

Furniture brands incorporate more worthwhile bonus features into their best office chairs than you may realize, and if you need a premium model for working or gaming for many hours at a time, it’s worth seeking out one or more of these perks. The extra features that I believe have the most value include adjustable lumbar support, a steep reclining feature so you can easily kick back when work is done, a headrest, and casters that smoothly glide across hard floors.

Durability

Unless you’re buying a dirt-cheap chair, it’s a good idea to invest in an office chair that is designed to last. A metal frame, a high weight limit, and rugged materials such as leather or reinforced fabrics are all ways to identify an especially sturdy chair.

Style

If you’re going to keep a new piece of furniture in your space for years at a time, do yourself a favor and look for an office chair that matches your personal aesthetics. Whether you prefer simple neutral tones, wild neon colors, or special editions modeled after fan-favorite pop culture icons, there is surely an office chair that will catch your eye.

Budget

Budget for the best ergonomic office chair you can afford. Similar to how purchasing a quality bed provides a more restful night’s sleep and a more productive day than a cheap mattress, spending more on a superior office chair is worth it for the lumbar support, contoured seat, and overall comfort you will feel. Even if you’re on a budget, essential features to look for when comparing office chairs include a body-supporting ergonomic design and adjustable components to suit your needs and style.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How can I find a durable office chair?

Although the average office chair will last anywhere from five to 15 years, there are a handful of considerations to look for to help you get the most out of your new chair.

Look for a chair with a longer warranty. Cheaper models tend to provide shorter warranties because they know their chairs weren’t designed with longevity in mind. An office chair sporting a warranty period of 10 years or longer indicates the manufacturer has faith in the durability of their products.

Check for sturdy components that are especially difficult to damage, such as a metal frame instead of plastic, and rugged fabrics with reinforced stitching.

Consider buying a chair with a particularly high weight limit, as these editions were designed with sturdiness in mind.

Note that you will further lengthen the lifespan of your office chair by handling it gently, routinely cleaning it, and maintaining its lubrication to keep wheels, swivel, and reclining features gliding smoothly.

What is an ergonomic office chair?

Ergonomic chairs are designed to be dependably comfortable, while providing the critical support your body needs as you sit for hours at a time. Not only do these chairs promote a healthy posture, the best ergonomic chairs leave you feeling refreshed and limber after a long day at the office.

Some features commonly incorporated into ergonomic office chairs include a flexible design, the ability to recline, adjustable armrests, a headrest, lumbar support, and both height and tilt adjustments. Although ergonomic models tend to be pricier than the average office chair, they are well-worth the investment for anyone who regularly sits for long periods of time and is sick of feeling sore and stiff when it’s time to get up.

What is the best fabric for my office chair?

That depends, as there are perks and negatives regarding the most common office chair fabrics. For instance, leather chairs are a breeze to clean and tend to be fairly durable. Mesh chairs are the most airy and cooling options available, and many prefer the coziness of a fabric-backed chair. On the other hand, leather and fabric models are better at retaining heat, and some prefer a well-padded chair over a thin, yet supportive mesh alternative.

The two most important things to keep in mind when choosing the best fabric option for your new office chair are your climate and how the chair may warm or cool you while you work, and your personal comfort preferences.

Is an expensive office chair worth it?

Absolutely! When it comes to office chairs, you generally get what you pay for, and pricier models tend to be far more durable, sport premium ergonomic designs, and are more adjustable and customizable. If you regularly work in the seated position for hours at a time, do your body a favor and invest in a quality office chair that properly supports your spine, neck, and posture.

What office chair size should you get for your height?

Unless you are an especially tall person, the average office chair should be well-suited for your height as long as its backrest supports your entire spine, and you know how to properly adjust its height to match your natural seating position. If you are still concerned about height-related comfort, look for an office chair with an integrated headrest or additional lumbar support.

For maximum comfort, adjust the seat’s height so that your feet are flat on the floor and your legs are bent at a 90-degree angle. Letting your feet dangle or putting pressure on your feet and legs while you sit is a recipe for feeling uncomfortable at best, and giving yourself unneeded muscle pain and poor blood flow to your legs and feet at worst.

Note that there are specialty office chairs that cater to tall people, and while they may be a little more expensive than the standard edition, they also tend to be markedly more durable.

How much do office chairs usually cost?

Although the average office chair retails anywhere between $200 and $400, you didn’t read this article to learn about mediocre models because you’re searching for the best office chairs available.

While the office chairs on this list start at around $500 and several are well over $1,000, these premium pieces of ergonomic furniture are meticulously designed to minimize or eliminate neck, back, and shoulder pain, will help you to more easily focus on your work because you are especially comfortable, and are far more durable than lesser chairs, making them an all-around superior investment for anyone who spends a large portion of their time seated.

Which office chair material is best?

The best office chair material is the one that best fits your personal preferences, but I’ll go over the pros and cons of the most common options:

Leather: Between its timeless style, soft feel, and overall durability, it’s easy to see why so many people opt for a leather office chair. On the other hand, leather chairs tend to be fairly pricey, and may not feel as comfortable in warmer climates.

Fabric: Available in a veritable rainbow of color options, fabric office chairs tend to be less expensive and tend to have a soft and plush feel. However, fabric chairs are also easier to stain, more difficult to clean, and the naturally porous material easily holds allergens such as dust and dander.

Mesh: These chairs sport a breezy, lightweight, and flexible design that usually provides excellent back support. Mesh office chairs are offered in both affordable and basic designs, as well as expensive high-end ergonomic models that support your entire body. While the best mesh chairs will easily endure for years to come, cheap options may sag or fall apart over time.