The Best Desk Chairs for Back Pain and Long Hours

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If you feel like you’re always stuck in front of your computer monitor or tied to your desk, you’re not alone. Though getting up to walk around and take quick breaks throughout the workday is important to your health, it’s just as important to invest in a high-quality desk chair that offers proper lumbar support. Desk chairs that are comfortable, adjustable and ergonomic not only make it easier to maintain good posture (and stop slouching!), but they can help reduce any pain or strain you’re feeling in your back, hips and neck. To help you find a desk chair that you won’t mind spending hours in, our pros have narrowed down the best desk chairs on the market below.

The engineers and home experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute test every office essential needed to create the most productive, comfortable working environment, from the best office desks to standing desks, office chairs on Amazon, desk mats and more. When selecting the best desk chairs, our pros considered a number of factors like adjustability, comfort, materials, ergonomics and design. Whenever possible, we asked our at-home testers to share feedback on how easy the chair was to set up, whether it was comfortable throughout hours of use and more. These are the best desk chairs of 2023, including picks from top-performing brands, editor favorites and ones with rave consumer reviews.

After our top picks, continue reading to learn more about what to look for when shopping for a desk chair as well as tips from orthopedic experts on how to properly sit in a desk chair.

Ergonomic Chair

Investing in a great desk chair doesn't have to cost a fortune, and that's just one of the reasons our experts love this ergonomic chair from Branch. Our pros agree that it's the perfect combo of comfort, price and style. The chair, which comes in five breathable mesh colors, features eight different points of adjustment so you can customize things like the chair height, seat depth, armrests, lumbar support and more. For an additional fee, you can add an adjustable mesh headrest.

Our pros found assembly of the Branch chair very simple, and we like how it will look stylish in just about any home office thanks to a sleek, modern design. It took Good Housekeeping's Health Editor Zee Krstic under 10 minutes to put the chair together with only a few parts to screw in. "Assembly was exceptionally impressive, and the eight-point system is all functional and customizable," he says. He also appreciated the chair's aesthetic, though did find that the curvature of the seat almost forced him to sit upright as opposed to naturally supporting the lower back where needed.

Office Chair

If you want to avoid spending hundreds on your next desk chair, consider this Amazon best-seller with more than 60,000 reviews and an average 4.3-star rating. Not only is this swivel chair under $50, but its mesh material shouldn’t retain heat and the padded seat will be comfortable enough to endure long meetings. We especially like that it comes in classic colors like black, white and grey as well as 7 fun shades to match your office’s décor.

Though we haven't tested it yet in the Lab, we like that you can raise and lower the seat height or tilt the chair back up to 130 degrees, just note that the armrests aren’t adjustable and the seat can feel narrow, according to some online reviewers. Other users describe this chair as comfortable, easy to assemble, sturdy and love that it offers sufficient back support to get through the workday.

ErgoChair Pro

Write, sit in on meetings or spend hours gaming in this comfortable chair from Autonomous. While we haven’t yet tested it in the Lab, online reviewers rave about its strong back and neck support, how comfy it is and its high-quality construction. Many note that it’s easy to assemble, while our pros appreciate the chair’s breathable, mesh back and soft foam seat cushion. "Lumbar support is comfortable and fits snuggly against your back," says one online reviewer.

To stay comfortable throughout the day, you can recline up to 22 degrees or lock the chair in five positions. The adjustable headrest is also a nice touch that makes it possible to lean back and feel supported while looking at your computer monitor. It’s an excellent choice for offices, and you’re able to choose among six color combinations, including bright shades like red apple, evergreen and baby blue.

Aeron Ergonomic Chair

This chair from Herman Miller will cost you a pretty penny, but it's one of the most comfortable picks on this list. Most of its features are customizable and adjustable, ranging from what kind of arm pad support you want to how much back support you need. Unlike other chairs, you have the choice between small, medium and large sizes so you get the best fit for your body. This chair is suitable for a wide range of consumers and our pros like its breathable fabric, though some wish there were more colors offered. "This is one of the finest items I have ever purchased!!" one online reviewer raves. "The quality, precision and detail are amazing." Others mention that it's super comfortable, durable and well worth the money.

Gesture Office Chair

This chair from Steelcase is ideal for those who work long hours or experience back pain. Our pros have tested several Steelcase chairs in the Lab, and we laud the brand for its quality construction. Our experts like the Gesture 360 arm feature that lets you adjust armrests to support you whether you're typing on a keyboard or texting on your phone. And we like that you're able to find the most comfortable fit by adjusting the seat depth as well as the seat height. It also reclines in four positions so you're not stuck in the same position all day long.

According to the manufacturer, the 3D LiveBack Technology embedded in the chair mimics the movement of your spine to align it in a healthy shape, and the seat cushion is made to reduce pressure and conform to the body. Though this chair is definitely an investment, it should be able to provide comfort and strong lumbar support throughout the day. "The Steelcase Gesture chair has made me more comfortable at my desk than I have ever been, and I only wish that I had bought it sooner," one online reviewer shares. It also comes in a wide selection of colors, including bright, fun fabrics. But if you prefer a mesh chair, our pros also love the Steelcase Karman for its breathable design.

Smart Layers AIR Arlington Executive Chair

Fancy a desk chair with some extra cushioning and padding? This desk chair might just feel like the recliner in your living room, but it'll look professional in any Zoom background with its rich, faux leather. Though the leather could retain heat and some online reviewers claim it's not as durable as other materials, they love how comfortable the chair is. "I’ve had several chairs through the years and never had one I actually looked forward to sitting in like this one," one online reviewer shares.

Featuring a padded armrest, headrest and soft Smart Layers seat, you're guaranteed to be comfortable throughout the workday. Though you do sacrifice some adjustable features with this chair, it comes with a contoured lumbar zone, according to Serta, to support your lower back, and you're able to adjust the chair's height to your liking.

Ignition 2.0

Featuring adjustable lumbar support, a mesh back and adjustable arms, the Ignition 2.0 from HON provides superior support at a fraction of the cost of some premium desk chairs. Good Housekeeping's Health Editor, Zee Krstic, who owns and loves his HON chair, compared it to sitting in a first-class airplane seat as opposed to flying coach. "As someone who is both broader and taller than most, I can’t get over how well HON designed its seat cushion to be inclusive of people’s body shapes. In standard chairs, I notice that it’s common for armrests to slightly dig into my sides, which isn’t the case of the HON chair."

He finds the lumbar support well-executed and that the adjustable support feature supports his lower back area perfectly. The chair has also proven to be durable; after more than two years of use: "The cushion hasn’t lost its shape or support under my weight and remains very plush and supple," says Krstic. "I feel extremely supported in its very thorough design — even down to the rolling wheels, which work flawlessly despite my larger size." At the end of the day, his favorite feature is the adjustable height on the seat, which is "greater in length than most other options I’ve seen — I can actually put my feet flat on the ground rather than crisscrossing them, as my legs are very long."

Capisco Chair

If you own a standing desk, or just can't seem to ever get comfortable, this brand stands behind the notion that a saddle seat can help achieve better posture and relieve back pain by allowing the spine to rest in its natural S curve. That's why so many medical professionals use saddles seats. Not only will this chair's minimalist design stand out in your office, but it enables you to sit in a variety of sitting postures. When the Media & Tech Reviews Lab tested the Capisco chair, analysts found the chair versatile and perfect for anyone who can't sit still. You're able to sit forward, backward or sideways, and the chair remains super comfortable while keeping your posture in check.

This desk chair is offered in a variety of fun upholstery materials and colors as well as customizable bases. It's also entirely adjustable so you can find the right height, seat depth and back height for you. Though it doesn't come with armrests, we found that it's easy (and fairly comfortable) to lean your arms against the chair, though it's a bit awkward to sit crosslegged.

Freedom Headrest

This desk chair is the BMW of chairs, made from high-quality materials and offered in luxurious real leather or you can customize your own ideal configuration. As with any premium office chair, its features are adjustable and entirely customizable online. While our experts haven't tested this model out in the Lab yet, we agree it's a top pick for anyone with back pain. "It must be ten years that I've been using this chair and not only has it supported me as I grow older, it is still in perfect condition," says one longtime owner. Its ergonomic design allows for the spine to be constantly supported in a variety of postures and successfully mimics the natural contours of your body. We also love that the headrest and the recline move with the sitter, minimizing the need for manual adjustments.

Markus Chair

You can't really go wrong with IKEA. Though our pros haven't tested the Markus chair in the Lab, we think it's a reliable fit for any home office. Though it lacks several of the adjustable features of some other desk chairs (like adjustable armrests) and has limited color options, its price is hard to beat, and our experts love the chair's long, mesh back that's suitable for a range of users. With built-in lumbar support and an adjustable height, this no-frills chair is comfortable, breathable and supportive like a favorite pair of jeans.

X2 K-Sport Management Chair

Lean your head back and relax — this chair's got your back. According to X-Chair, the X2's Dynamic Variable Lumbar Support adjusts itself to your body when you move so your lower back constantly remains supported, no matter how many hours you work. In our hands-on reviews, testers noted that it did indeed provide ample support and comfort for long work hours. Our engineers noted that assembly was straightforward and easy.

Testers raved that they could adjust the recline motion, headrest and armrests and you can even upgrade your chair with features such as a footrest of an extended chair width for the most comfortable fit. While wider than the regular X2 model, our more petite female testers found it more comfortable.

How we choose the best desk chairs

At the Good Housekeeping Institute, engineers and analysts test home products ranging from furniture to office essentials. While we haven't formally tested each of the desk chairs featured above in our Lab, we've reviewed each pick above for key criteria such as comfort, adjustability and appearance and materials. We also considered feedback from real testers as well as rave consumer reviews.

To select the best desk chairs, writer and analyst Olivia Lipski conducted interviews with orthopedic experts and professionals and collaborated closely with the engineers at the Good Housekeeping Institute and Health Editor Zee Krstic to evaluate each chair's overall comfort, construction and design, lumbar support, size and adjustable features.

How to shop for the best desk chair

There are a few key factors to look out for when shopping for the best desk chair, including:

✔️Comfort and ergonomics: Orthopaedic expert, spine surgeon and spokesperson for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Alan S. Hilibrand, MD, says that shopping for a desk chair is similar to shopping for a mattress: "More than anything, it's about personal comfort." He suggests sitting in the chair for five to 10 minutes as you would when testing a bed. "Scoot around and make sure your legs are comfortable," he suggests. And if you have the wiggle room in your budget, he recommends getting a chair that can be adjusted and has built-in lumbar support for your lower back and spine. "Generally, consumers should try to pick a chair that matches the sway of their back so it's supported."

✔️Adjustability: You should always aim to adjust your desk chair to what suits you. "Some chairs have adjustments in terms of how far the back can lean and how far the chair can go up or down," says Hilibrand. These are useful features, but it's most important to adjust the height so you don't sit too low and experience pain from stretching your sciatic nerve. When it comes to armrests, "if you can rest your arms while working at your computer or writing at your desk, that's ideal but it's not crucial," he says.

✔️Appearance and materials: The style of chair you get is mostly a personal preference. Do you prefer leather? Mesh? Bright pastel colors? Hilibrand shares that he prefers chairs that breathe so you don't feel sweaty, but that it's ultimately a personal preference and you should opt for the materials that feel comfortable to you. Investing in a durable chair that isn't prone to stains and odors is also something to consider. Always double-check the chair's dimensions so it fits your office space.

Tips for sitting properly in a desk chair

• Ensure the proper fit: Even though most of us can’t avoid sitting in a desk chair, there are proper steps to ensure you’re sitting in your chair properly and not negatively affecting your spine. According to Hilibrand, sitting relatively high is recommended over sitting too close to the floor. "Your feet should touch the ground, but you shouldn't be bending the hips more than 90 degrees,” he says. Ideally, your lower back is supported but your feet aren't dangling.

• Take breaks and stand often: It’s important to take breaks throughout the day. Hilibrand recommends "getting up for at least a few minutes every hour to walk around.” And if you have the choice between sitting and standing, consider investing in a standing desk or a standing desk converter. "Standing desks are much better for the back and your health," he says, especially if you deal with back pain. But if there's no way to avoid sitting, he suggests propping your legs up on something while you sit. For instance, you can place a ball under one leg or a footstool to relieve some pressure and pain.

• Adjust as needed: When it comes to desk chairs, there's not a one-size-fits-all. The chair has to fit the individual, which is why being able to adjust it to suit you is so important. Ask yourself: Do you want a headrest to support your neck? How far do you want to recline? Does your lower back feel supported, and if not can you make adjustments?

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Writer and product analyst Olivia Lipski covers everything from tech to home, fitness, travel and health products. Joining the Good Housekeeping Institute in 2021, she brings years of product review experience to GH and regularly collaborates with GH’s Wellness Lab and Home Improvement Lab to test and review the best home essentials to improve your WFH setup.

In his role as Health Editor, Zee Krstic works hand in hand with analysts in the Good Housekeeping Institute to highlight consumer-facing input from leading health experts; he interweaves doctors' and healthcare providers' expertise into shopping guides to better educate readers. He also independently reviews new products in the wellness space for Good Housekeeping, which he has done previously for Martha Stewart Living and Cooking Light.

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