When you’re working from home, it’s all too easy to spend the whole day sitting in a dining chair, a kitchen stool, or even in your bed. These seats may be convenient, but they’re killing your back. To get the support your body needs, it’s best to invest in a desk chair.
There are so many types of desk chairs, designed for every sort of work surface, that it can be hard to know where to start. Ergonomic office chairs are designed to promote good posture during the working day, minimizing your aches and pains at night. Draftsman chairs come with a metal ring to rest your feet, while high-back chairs protect your neck and shoulders.
As a shopping writer, I know all the best places to buy office chairs. I’ve scoured the sites of the top home furniture retailers, as well as specialist office furniture stores, to bring you the very best.
Whatever your home office setup, I’ve found the desk chair for you. These seats are supportive, stylish, and made to last.
Best desk chairs 2024
Materials: Aluminum, nylon, and polyester
Height: 39.25”
Width: 24.5”
Depth: 19.75”
+Stylish
+Supportive
-Some assembly required
Stylish and supportive, Herman Miller desk chairs are a home office staple. The Sayl Chair is one of their most affordable ergonomic options. The back of the chair is made from elastomer strands, which flex with your body and stretch to provide varying levels of tension. Harmonic Tilt technology in the seat supports your body’s natural movements for a smooth recline. There’s even an option to add adjustable lumbar support to keep your spine aligned. Assembly is simple, with no tools required: all you have to do is lock the seat into the base.
Materials: Mesh, plastic, steel
Height: 48.22”
Width: 19.29”
Depth: 18.5”
+Ideal for higher work surfaces
+Supportive
-Some assembly required
Designed for workers who spend long hours sitting at high surfaces, in workshops and on countertops, a draftsman chair is also ideal for sitting at standing desks. The back of this high stool is shaped to support the natural curvature of your spine, while the edge of the seat is cushioned to relieve pressure from your legs. There’s even a metal ring to rest your feet, so they don’t dangle as you draft. While there is some assembly required, Wayfair provides all the tools you need, as well as some simple instructions.
Materials: Aluminum, elastomeric, polyurethane
Height: 49.25”
Width: 27”
Depth: 17”
+Supportive
+No assembly required
-Special features cost extra
The Aeron Stool has no fewer than eight latitudinal zones of varying tension. The strong and sturdy upper backrest helps you sit up straight, while the lower back pads flex to keep you supple. Elastomer strands stretch to promote perfect posture, pushing your chest open, your shoulders back, and your pelvis slightly forward. You can customize the Aeron Stool to suit your unique support needs, with the option to add adjustable lumbar support, as well as fully adjustable arms. Just bear in mind that each of these special features costs extra, and the Aeron Stool is already pretty pricey.
Materials: Winchester leather and ash wood
Height: 34.25”
Width: 22.5”
Depth: 25.25”
+Handcrafted in the USA
+No assembly required
-Slow shipping on 'Made to Order' options
If you want to invest in a desk chair, but you just don’t like the look of metal and mesh, the Durand Chair could be your best bet. Each leg is handcrafted from ash wood, which has been kiln-dried for extra durability, and the seat cushion is covered in real Winchester leather. The Durand Chair has its own unique style, with all the functionality of an everyday office chair on top. You can select the color of your leather with Anthropologie’s ‘Made to Order’ option, but the choice is pretty limited, and the chair will take five months to make. I’d stick with the standard Durand.
Materials: Leather and plywood
Height: 33”
Width: 22”
Depth: 22.5”
+Handcrafted from natural materials
+360-degree swivel
-A little high-maintenance
Just over 30 inches high, this little desk chair should fit perfectly into smaller offices. It’s easy to maneuver in tight spaces, thanks to its 360-degree swivel. Double-caned panels on either side of the seat provide strength and texture. The seat itself is made from real leather, which should age beautifully as it molds to your body. Since the Carlos Chair is made from such high-quality materials, it’s a little high-maintenance. Just make sure to avoid abrasive cleaners and wipe up spills before they stain.
Materials: Nylon
Height: 39"
Width: 26”
Depth: 26.5”
+Plenty of ventilation
+Slots easily under tabletops
-Some assembly required
If your home office tends to run hot, you’ll appreciate the cooling properties of a mesh chair. The holes in the mesh allow better airflow, keeping you cool and comfortable while you work. The Modway comes in black and gray, so you can choose the chair that blends best with your color palette. It’s height- and tilt-adjustable, too, with flip-up armrests to slot easily under tabletops. The biggest downside is that you’ll have to assemble it yourself.
Materials: Unlisted
Height: 39.7” unextended, 43.7” extended
Width: 23”
Depth: 21.9”
+Strong and stable base
+Massage lumbar support
-Some assembly required
The Bigroof Chair is designed with taller, broader workers in mind. With a wider seat, an extra-thick cushion, and a strong and stable base, this chair can accommodate up to 400lbs in weight. It even comes with massage lumbar support to soothe your aches and pains after a long day in the office. Just remember that there is some assembly required, though Walmart will provide the tools. According to their website, the Bigroof Chair should only take 15 minutes to set up, but I’d take that with a grain of salt.
Materials: Unlisted
Height: 39”
Width: 26.5”
Depth: 26”
+Supportive
+Made with recycled materials
-May not suit all sitters
This task chair by Humanscale is made with form-sensing technology, which adjusts to the curves of your body to move as you move. The waterfall edge is designed to relieve pressure from your legs and distribute your weight evenly across the seat. Where most office chairs are made from synthetic substances, the Humanscale Task Chair incorporates nearly two pounds of recycled fishing nets. This material is as breathable as mesh, and much kinder to the planet.
Materials: Steel, nylon, polyester
Height: 46.3” unextended, 50” extended
Width: 28.3”
Depth: 30.3”
+Supportive
+Plenty of ventilation
-Less suitable for smaller offices
While most ergonomic chairs are designed to support your lower back, the Ellis Chair protects your neck and head, too. The extra-long backrest encourages you to sit upright and straight, while the headrest relieves pressure from your neck and shoulders. The back of the chair is covered with mesh to boost airflow and wick away moisture, keeping you cool and dry. Though the Ellis Chair is on the taller side, it should be sufficiently streamlined to fit into most home offices.
Best office chair FAQs
Do I really need a desk chair?
While it might be easier, and more affordable, to use an ordinary kitchen or dining chair for your home office, it’s far worse for your back. Only a specialized desk chair can provide the lumbar support you need for an eight-hour working day. It might be more expensive upfront, but it’ll save you thousands of dollars in physical therapy bills.
Which desk chair is best?
Which desk chair is best is mostly a matter of personal preference. All the best desk chairs are ergonomically designed to protect your neck, shoulders, and back throughout the working day. If you sit at a higher work surface, you’ll appreciate the extra inches of a draftsman chair. A leather chair lends an air of sophistication, while a mesh-back model promotes ventilation to keep you cool while you work.
How long does a desk chair last?
A good-quality desk chair should last anywhere from seven to 10 years. You can get the most out of your office furniture with careful and regular cleaning. Make sure to avoid abrasive cleaners and to wipe away spills before they become stains.
Should I sit on an exercise ball to work?
In short, no. Since it’s impossible to keep your core engaged throughout the entire eight-hour working day, you’ll soon slump over your exercise ball. Unlike an ergonomic office chair, an exercise ball cannot mold to the shape of your body or provide support for your arms and shoulders. It’s best to use exercise balls in short bursts in the gym, and get an ergonomic chair for the office.
Final thoughts
Once you’ve bought one of the best desk chairs, it’s important to position it for maximum comfort and productivity. Implement one of our home office seating ideas, or play around to find your perfect placement.
If you’re building your home office from scratch, you’ll want to invest in one of the best desks, too.
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