The Most Comfortable Office Chairs for Upgrading Your WFH Setup

Allison Bowsher
·9 min read


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As more of us move to a home office, the importance of an ergonomic workspace becomes increasingly apparent. Sure, sitting at your kitchen island with your laptop may work for an hour or two, but if this is your new permanent office, your neck, back, and legs will likely be filing a complaint with HR. Whether you’re a student or office worker, someone who needs a place to send a few emails each week, or a spot to log 40 hours or more, an ergonomic comfortable office chair is crucial to keeping you feeling good all day.

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When setting up an ergonomic workstation, body alignment is paramount. To get the correct alignment, you need the correct tools. That means a desk that can be adjusted to suit your height, which includes having screens at eye level, space for a full-sized ergonomic keyboard, and an ergonomic mouse with a supportive mousepad. Having ample lighting also helps to reduce eyestrain and it keeps you from dozing off when the 3 PM slump hits. Once your desk is set up, it’s time to find the most comfortable office chair.

Height

Similar to finding a desk that works for your height, finding a comfortable office chair that works for your height is just as important. Height is more of an issue for shorter users who will need to find a setup that allows them to place both feet flat on the floor and have their shoulders relaxed and arms at 90 degrees when typing. Look for chairs that have an adjustable height function.

Lumbar Support

Sitting for extended periods can wreak havoc on our spines and cause excessive curving and slouching, which can create reoccurring issues with the back and neck. Seats with lumbar support, especially chairs that have adjustable lumbar support, are ideal for forming to the natural curve of the spine and supporting the back.

Seat Support

The actual seat of the chair must be wide and deep enough to comfortably support the user with approximately 2 to 4 inches between the back of the knees and the chair. This helps to ensure there is no pain or tingling from a lack of blood flow to the legs, which is especially important for users who sit for extended periods.

Adjustability

From height to tilt, neck support to armrests, a chair that can be adjusted is one that can be contoured to perfectly fit your needs and create an ergonomic workspace. Ready to up your seat game? Check out our top picks for the most comfortable office chairs.

1. Herman Miller Aeron Ergonomic Chair

BEST OVERALL

The Herman Miller Aeron Ergonomic Chair continues to top lists for best office chairs year after year and for good reason. Unlike most chairs that are available in one size and can be adjusted, the Aeron comes in three sizes to give each user the most customized fit possible. The chair is still highly adjustable, including a three-posture recliner, tension control, lumbar support, spine support pads and armrests that can be moved. The height of the seat can also be raised and lowered to ensure users have their feet firmly on the ground. The mesh backing on the chair and seat keep users cools after long hours of sitting. While the Aeron does come with some sticker shock, it’s also one of the most durable and long-lasting office chairs available and will continue to provide support for years.

Herman Miller Aeron Ergonomic Chair
Herman Miller Aeron Ergonomic Chair


Buy: Herman Miller Aeron Ergonomic Chair $1,749.99

2. Steelcase Executive Chair

MOST CUSTOMIZABLE

The award-winning Executive Chair from Steelcase has found a devoted following thanks to its durability, long-lasting comfort, and ability to customize both the fit and look of the chair. Customers can choose from several upholstery colors when ordering their Executive Chair, including bright pops of color like Purple Concord and Tangerine. Once the comfortable office chair has arrived, users can easily find the most comfortable and ergonomic setup by adjusting the armrests up and down and back and forth, as well as the height of the chair. The Executive Chair boasts an ultra-supportive lumbar cushion and has a 300-pound max weight capacity, making it comfortable for most users.

Steelcase Executive Chair
Steelcase Executive Chair


Buy: Steelcase Executive Chair $1,140.00

3. Ticova Ergonomic Office Chair

ADJUSTABLE HEADREST

For users who like to sit back and let their head and neck feel supported while working, the Ticova Ergonomic Office Chair is a great affordable option. The foam headrest supports the neck and head and can tilt or be raised and lowered for optimal comfort. The ergonomic backrest has a mesh finish for breathability and can be adjusted in an up, down, forward and backward motion. Users who prefer working with armrests will appreciate the PU padding on the adjustable arms, while the 3-inch high-density W-shaped foam seat provides support for the lower back, butt, and legs. The Ticova has a 280-pound weight limit and is a great option for taller users.

Ticova Ergonomic Office Chair
Ticova Ergonomic Office Chair

4. Health Ergonomic Adjustable Desk Chair

FEATURES 3D HEALTH MONITOR

Sitting all day is not an ideal scenario, but if you’re going to sit for extended periods, do it in a chair that provides ample support. SPY received the Health Ergonomic Adjustable Desk Chair and we instantly felt the benefits of a comfortable office chair that is easy to adjust and puts the users’ comfort in the forefront of its design. The mesh back and headrest help to keep us cool after long hours at our desk and the adjustable chair (arms, headrest, lumbar, height — you name it, it adjusts) made it easy to find the ideal ergonomic setup. The chair also features a small sensor on the right arm that users can tap and receive their heart rate, HRV, blood oxygen, and fatigue reading through the Nexvoo app. Assembly was somewhat cumbersome and took two adults a little over an hour, but the pain we felt in our legs, butt, and lower back from our old desk chair has not returned since making the switch months ago.

Health Ergonomic Adjustable Desk Chair
Health Ergonomic Adjustable Desk Chair


Buy: Health Ergonomic Adjustable Desk Chair $499.00

5. Furmax Office Mid Back Mesh Chair

BEST BARGAIN

Whether you need a quality office chair that won’t break the bank or are looking to buy several comfortable office chairs to outfit your workspace, the Furmax Office Mid Back Mesh Chair offers an impressive amount of support at a low price. This ergonomic office chair has a mesh back for breathability, ample lumbar support, and a thick, padded seat cushion for an overall comfortable finish. Sitting on 360-degree swivel wheels, the Furmax has a max weight capacity of 265 pounds and an adjustable tilt. The low price means that users don’t get all the custom features of other chairs, most notably the fixed armrests. But the Furmax is ideal for small spaces and the armrests can be completely removed for added versatility.

Furmax Office Mid Back Mesh Chair
Furmax Office Mid Back Mesh Chair


Buy: Furmax Office Mid Back Mesh Chair $29.98 (orig. $54.99) 45% OFF

6. Herman Miller Sayl Chair

MOST ECO-FRIENDLY

For a Herman Miller chair that has less sticker shock but still boasts ample support, there’s the Sayl Chair. The modern design of the office chair is inspired by suspension bridges and adds to the decor of an office while still providing ample support. Customers who want to have some fun with their chairs will appreciate the modern color combinations available. The tilt of the chair has four settings to choose from and the open back provides plenty of air floor for workers who run hot. Assembly is easy with the Sayl and it’s made without the use of PVC, making 90 percent of the chair recyclable at the end of its life.

Herman Miller Sayl Chair
Herman Miller Sayl Chair


Buy: Herman Miller Sayl Chair $595.00

7. CLATINA Ergonomic Big and Tall Executive Office Chair

FOR LARGER CUSTOMERS

While most comfortable office chairs have a max weight capacity of around 280 pounds, the Clatina Ergonomic Big and Tall Executive Office Chair is designed to comfortably support users who weigh up to 400 pounds. Ideal for taller users as well, the Clatina has a smooth fabric upholstery finish that makes it great for the office and for using in front of the TV when relaxing. The reinforced gas lift makes it easy to raise and lower the chair while the tilting back provides added comfort. Extra-wide padding on the seat and arms ensures users are supported and the high back provides cushioning for the neck and head.

CLATINA Ergonomic Big and Tall Executive Office Chair
CLATINA Ergonomic Big and Tall Executive Office Chair


Buy: CLATINA Ergonomic Big and Tall Executive Office Chair $249.99

8. The Edge Desk

BEST SEAT/DESK COMBO

Getting your office chair and workstation lined up can be tricky, but there is one comfortable office chair that takes the guesswork out of proper alignment. The Edge Desk is an all-in-one workstation that combines an ergonomic desk and kneeling chair that is fully adjustable, easy to store, and keeps users in correct ergonomic alignment to help relieve back and neck pain. Thanks to the padded seat and knee rest, the Edge puts users on an angle that relieves stress on their joints and creates the optimal line of vision for using a computer or writing notes. The kneeling position of the chair is a hybrid between sitting and standing and the Edge can be adjusted to work with just about any height requirement. SPY received a sample of the Edge and not only did we appreciate the high comfort level, but we also liked that the desk arrived fully assembled and was easy to collapse and store when not in use.

The Edge Desk
The Edge Desk


Buy: The Edge Desk $399.99

9. La-Z-Boy Hyland Executive Office Chair with AIR Technology

BEST UPHOLSTERED CHAIR

La-Z-Boy knows how to make seats comfortable, so it’s no surprise that their comfortable office chair is one of the best options available. The upholstered chair has a classic look that many office workers will appreciate while providing ergonomic support that your body will thank you for. Memory foam cushions inside the chair contour to the user’s body, while lumbar cushions pivot as the user moves in their seat, providing support regardless of their seated position. The height, recline, and tilt of the seat can be adjusted using the chair’s levers. At a 21” minimum height, the La-Z-Boy may be too tall for shorter users to find flat-footing and the upholstered finish may not be a great option for warm workspaces.

La-Z-Boy Hyland Executive Office Chair with AIR Technology
La-Z-Boy Hyland Executive Office Chair with AIR Technology


Buy: La-Z-Boy Hyland Executive Office Chair with AIR Technology $569.99

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