The 14 Best Office Chairs
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You have probably given more thought to the mattress you sleep on than the chair you sit on. That’s fine! Sleep is extremely important. But if you spend several hours—more than eight, if you’re like me—at your desk, it’s a good idea to give the humble chair more attention. Finding the best office chair is not just about finding a comfortable seat. The right materials can whisk away body heat, and adjustability options can tailor the chair to your body. We’ve spent the past two years sitting on more than 50 office chairs, and these are our favorites.
Be sure to check out our other buying guides, including the Best Laptop Stands, Best Work-From-Home Gear, Best Mattresses, and the Best Window Air Conditioners.
Updated September 2024: We’ve added the Branch Softside, Allsteel O6, Flexispot C7 Lite, and Autonomous Chair Ultra.
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Tips on Sitting Properly
It's not just about finding a chair you like. We've rounded up several tips on how to set up your desk properly here, but here are a few highlights.
Sitting for too long in a day is not good for your health—no matter what chair you use. It increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. The best thing you can do is get up and move every half hour. If you can, a 40-minute walk per day, according to a recent study, can make a big difference in countering some effects of a sedentary lifestyle. You probably don't need to bother with an active chair. Our recommendation? Try a smartwatch. Most have movement reminders that encourage you to stretch your legs. If you're dealing with back pain, your first step is to consult your physician.
Make sure your chair's armrests are adjustable. Your palms should be elevated over your desk and your wrists should be straight. If the bottom of your palm is resting on the desk or wrist rest, there's a chance you're putting too much pressure on your nerves, which could lead to issues like carpal tunnel syndrome. Talk to your physician if you're feeling any kind of pain. A gaming mouse, often more ergonomic than standard mice, might be helpful; just make sure to find one that fits your palm size.
When you look forward, your eyes should align with the top of your monitor or laptop. That might mean finding a chair that can adjust up and down, elevating your laptop with a stand, or raising the height of your monitor. This puts less pressure on your neck and spine—you shouldn't be craning your neck up or down.
- Photograph: Branch
Best for Most People
Branch Ergonomic ChairA good chair often means one that offers a variety of adjustments. Branch's Ergonomic Chair fits this criterion. It's surprisingly easy to assemble in minutes (the instructions are great), and there are tons of little tweaks you can make to dial it to fit. You can push the armrest back and forward, up and down; the seat can extend out or be pushed in; you can lock the recline. There's even adjustable lumbar support. The chair does all this while managing to look sleek—there are several colors to choose from—without an outlandish price. (There's no headrest, but you can pay to add one.)
It doesn't keep my back as upright as I'd like, but the double-woven nylon mesh backrest feels nice to lean against. The seat is made of high-density foam—it's firm yet comfy—and it doesn't trap heat as much as other foam seats I've tried. It's a great chair for a variety of body sizes; my 6'4" self enjoyed sitting on it, as did my 5'1" partner. Fair warning though: Pet hair tends to cling to the upholstery, and I've noticed the fabric on the front end of the seat tends to pill quite quickly.
Branch just announced the Ergonomic Chair Pro, which improves on the original in almost every way. However, it will not be replacing the Ergonomic Chair and acts as an upgrade option in the lineup at $499. I'll be testing it very soon so stay tuned.
- Photograph: Staples
Best Budget Chair
Union & Scale FlexFit Hyken Mesh Task ChairThe humble Hyken is frequently available for just $160 during big sale events, making it one of the most affordable good chairs out there. It reclines, has a breathable mesh fabric on the back and seat, and it's sturdy. You even get a headrest and lumbar support. After four years of continuous sitting, WIRED reviewers say the Hyken's mesh has compressed a bit, but it's still comfy. However, it may not be the best option if you need a wider seat.
- Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Runner-Up
Branch Verve ChairTake everything about the Branch Ergonomic Chair and upgrade it a notch—that's the Branch Verve. It looks more elegant (especially in the lovely Coral and Cobalt colors), it keeps my back straighter, it's quite comfy, and it can make nearly the same adjustments with a higher level of polish. Nearly. The armrests only go up and down, which is limiting. I also wouldn't have minded if the seat was a smidge wider—folks who need a wider seat may want to look elsewhere.
After more than a year, Branch finally released a headrest for this chair, but disappointingly, it's only compatible with newer versions that have screw holes under the top of the chair's frame. That means if you bought the Verve when it originally launched, in 2022, you're out of luck. The company sent me the new version, and I installed the headrest—a very simple process—and I still really like the chair overall. The headrest doesn't go as high as I'd like, but this won't be an issue for most people, as I'm a 6'4" man.
I try to sit on these chairs for several weeks if not months, but I rarely can sit on one for years as I have so many to test. However, I have a friend who owns the Verve who said that after more than two years, the chair started to sink whenever he sat on it. Thankfully, he says Branch's customer service was very responsive and promptly sent him a new cylinder.
- Photograph: Amazon
Best Under $100
Staples Union & Scale Essentials Ergonomic Fabric Swivel Task ChairThe Staples Essentials Task Chair is regularly under $80 on sale, making it the cheapest chair in this guide. It's not very adjustable, with a fixed back and static armrests, but it’s relatively uncomplicated. The simple design makes assembly a breeze.
The build quality and material thickness are what you’d expect at this price, but it's not bad. It can support a weight up to 275 pounds, and the mesh back feels solid but still flexible enough that you can move around a bit. The bottom cushion provides ample support when sitting. You can adjust the height and tilt tension and lock the tilt, but that's about it. If your budget is tight, this will do, but the lack of adjustability will severely limit this chair’s practicality and comfort for prolonged use. —Henri Robbins
- Photograph: Steelcase
Upgrade Pick
Steelcase GestureSteelcase's Gesture is comfortable, no matter how you're sitting. Tuck one leg under the other, cross your legs at the knee, or sling one over the armrest, and you'll be fairly well-supported. The adjustments also have a wide range, so you can precisely tailor the whole package to your body and posture. Unfortunately, it isn't as breathable as other cheaper chairs, and the upholstered fabric hasn't held up as well as other pricey chairs like the Herman Miller Embody (see below). That said, there are several different fabrics you can choose from, and Steelcase also has one of the best warranties around (12 years).
We initially had this chair as an alternative to the Embody, but the Herman Miller chair has exploded in price since we tested it. The Gesture costs much less but comes close in quality.
- Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Best for Airflow
Steelcase KarmanI sat on Steelcase's Karman for more than three months, and it's my new favorite all-mesh chair, especially since it has a smaller footprint than some of its peers. These types of office chairs are great for people who run warm or are generally working in hot spaces—maybe you don't want to run the window AC all day. The Karman's Intermix mesh fabric was comfy to sit on—I'm 6'4" but my 5'1" wife also likes it—and it didn't feel abrasive against the skin.
There's not much to adjust here, and that's by design—the company says the chair “responds automatically to your weight.” You can raise or lower the seat and the armrests, lock the recline, and adjust the angle of the armrests, but that's about it. It doesn't have any traditional lumbar support, though you can add it as an upgrade during checkout. I didn't need it. Even after long stretches on the chair, my back felt well-supported. Most importantly, my body never ran too hot. Steelcase has unveiled a high-back version of this chair and I'll be testing it soon.
★ A cheaper alternative: The Nouhaus Ergo3D Ergonomic Office Chair ($370) is another all-mesh chair. The ElastoMesh seat isn't as comfy (it'll feel worse on the skin if you, uh, tend to sit at your desk without pants), but it's otherwise quite adjustable and roomy, plus it even comes with two sets of wheels (casters or rollerblades) so you can choose which works best for you and your flooring. If you're in a particularly hot environment, it won't trap heat and will keep your whole body cool for a fraction of the price.
- Photograph: Autonomous
Best If You Need a Wider Seat
Autonomous Chair ErgoIf your budget can stretch a little over $500, I think it's worth shelling out for the Branch Verve above. However, if you must have a headrest and you often find yourself wishing for a wider seat, then take a look at the Autonomous Chair Ergo (formerly called ErgoChair Pro). I sat on it for a month with no major problems, except that the box it came in was massive and barely fit through my front door. The levers under the chair also aren't super intuitive—I highly recommend checking out this video from the company when you first set it up to dial in your preferences.
All the standard adjustments are present, from seat depth and lumbar support to fine-tuning the recline. What surprised me more was the ability to tilt the seat so it's angled down—you don't see that in many chairs. The overall build quality has been solid, and I'm even enjoying the headrest when I'm kicking back and watching House during lunch. The only woes? I wish there was a locking mechanism for the arms, as they tend to slide back and forth. And while the foam seat is quite comfy, it can get warm if you're in a toasty room (though the mesh back helps keep things cool).
- Photograph: QOR360
Great for Easing Back Pain
QOR360 The ArielYou might be wondering why a “chair” for easing back pain is a stool with no backrest. Well, that's because The Ariel 1.0 targets the sitz bones in your pelvis to ensure you're sitting upright. The base of the stool rocks around slightly so your body will continually shift a little throughout the day, but most importantly, it made me want to get up and move. That might sound like a bad thing, but movement is one of the best ways to counter the woes of sitting in a chair all day. If you want to transition from a chair to one of these, you should definitely ease into it and follow the company's instructions. I started by using it for 30 minutes a day because sitting on it for any longer just left me sore. After a week of gradually increasing the length of time, my back pain started to disappear, and I felt my posture improve whenever I was away from my desk.
The company has since released The Ariel 2.0, which is pricier but has a comfier seat and a little more stability, but I have not tested this model yet (I'm about to!). I've written more in-depth about these kinds of active chairs here. The consensus, after speaking to experts, is that you're better off getting a normal chair and introducing more movement into your workday, even if you're just standing up to get some water every hour. After testing several active chairs, the Ariel 1.0 was the one that felt most effective, but there's a good chance you don't need it.
- Photograph: Herman Miller
For the Aesthetics (and Hassle-Free)
Herman Miller ZephI was prepared to hate the Zeph. Don't get me wrong, it looks wonderful—there are dozens of color customizations, and it looks nothing like many of the chairs in this guide. But you can only raise the seat up or down. That's it. You'll find nothing else to adjust here. Turns out, that's OK! This lack of adjustability is intentional as the Zeph is shaped to mold around your body. I sat on this plastic one-piece seat for a month and didn't experience any of the back pain I sometimes feel from switching to a new chair. It feels supportive for my 6'4" frame (my 5'1" wife likes it too), and it even makes a decent recliner. I strongly suggest you get the seat pad and arms, which add a smidge more comfort, though this will jack the price up.
The seat pad is made of 50 percent recycled polyester yarn and generates zero fabric waste. (It's also easy to remove and clean.) The padding is thin, and while I wouldn't say it's supremely comfortable, I've had no qualms. The Zeph is compact, making it a great option for smaller spaces. I still think most people will prefer having the option to adjust a chair to their liking, but if you don't want to fuss with knobs and levers, this is the chair for you. Oh, and I should mention the excellent 12-year warranty.
- Photograph: Humanscale
Best for Tight Spaces (and Armless)
Humanscale PathMaybe you work in a nook. Maybe you work in a hallway. Maybe you share home office space with one or two others. If space is at a premium in your WFH arrangement, you don't have room for a big, luxurious chair. So get this small, luxurious chair instead. Measuring 20 inches wide and 21 inches deep, the Path is one of our most compact picks (even more than the Zeph). Its minimal design features tiny arms that don't jut out. Even better, the fully configurable chair can be ordered with no arms at all, which makes it more manageable in tight spaces and also lowers the price.
Humanscale is one of the more forward-thinking office furniture companies when it comes to sustainable design. Each Path chair contains almost 22 pounds of recycled materials—mostly plastic bottles and ocean plastics—and the many textile options include an Eco Knit material made of 100 percent post-consumer recycled polyester. The recycled fabric is comfy, cool, and easy to get clean. The chair arrives in a minimal cardboard box with the three chair pieces (legs, seat, and back) wrapped in compostable bags. Like Humanscale's Freedom Headrest (see below), this Path task chair earns high marks for its minimal ecological impact. It's also just a comfortable chair, with Humanscale's ergonomic reclining mechanism on the back and a smoothly supportive cylinder beneath the seat.
- Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
A Luxury Pick
Herman Miller EmbodyIt might take you a week or two (maybe even a month) to get used to the Herman Miller Embody, but it's well worth your patience. This is what I fall back to after testing all other chairs, and it always feels like a breath of fresh air. Its upright positioning supports my back well and eased lingering back pain from years of sitting in a cheap gaming chair. The seat feels rigid at first but eventually becomes surprisingly pillowy, and the armrests stay firmly in place. It does a nice job of whisking heat away from my body, though not as well as all-mesh chairs. It's one of the most adjustable chairs around: You can pull out the seat, change the height and angle of the armrests, and tweak the Backfit adjustment to follow your spine's natural curve.
Did I mention it's pretty? I'd argue this is one of the most eye-catching chairs around, especially with the riblike design on the back. Not to mention the surprisingly small footprint. I know, I know, it's incredibly spendy—I bought it for roughly $1,465 back in 2020 and the price has skyrocketed since. But what's amazing is that after more than three years in this chair, it feels just as good as new with barely any squeaks. Herman Miller offers a 12-year warranty that covers every part of the Embody, and the chair arrives completely assembled. Pick one of the Medley upholstery choices with the graphite base finish to see the lowest price.
- Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Best for Recliners (and Eco-Friendly)
Humanscale Freedom HeadrestWhen I leaned back in the Humanscale Freedom Headrest—which we wrote about more than 20 years ago—I felt bliss. Designed by the famed Niels Diffrient, this chair gracefully supports my back like a mother gently laying a baby in a crib. If you tend to recline, this is the chair for you. By design, there aren't as many adjustments you can make compared to other high-end chairs; the idea is that the chair will adapt to your own body. For example, there's no way to lock the chair so it won't recline, but it never reclined when I didn't want it to. You can adjust the lumbar support, seat height, armrest height, and seat depth—I often had to readjust the headrest, as it tends to slide down—but otherwise, this chair pretty much lets you set it and forget it. It even comes fully assembled. There's a 15-year warranty to boot. The armrests are just about the only part I don't like as much—it's easy to adjust them accidentally when you shift in the seat. After more than two years of sitting on it, I've only noticed some pilling at the seat edge of the fabric.
If you don't care for the headrest, there's a version without it. And sustainability-wise, this is a net positive product, meaning the company does more good than bad by making one of these chairs. For instance, Humanscale has rainwater capture systems in its manufacturing sites and uses this for all final assembly. The product's environmental rating is certified by the International Living Future Institute, a nonprofit organization.
- Photograph: Herman Miller
Buy It Used
Herman Miller AeronThere's a reason the classic Aeron is the chair of choice in many offices: It's durable, supportive, and airy. It comes in three sizes—A, B, and C, with C being the largest—and you're able to adjust pretty much everything on the chair to suit your body. That includes the arms, seat depth, and lumbar support. That said, we don't recommend splurging on a brand-new Aeron. There's a very good chance you can find one for significantly less than full price at a local furniture reseller, on eBay, or on Facebook Marketplace. Or you can luck out like WIRED reviewer Michael Calore, who walked away with a free Aeron after a startup in his town closed up shop.
Read our guide on buying used gear on eBay to make sure you don't overpay.
- Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Best Gaming Chair
Razer Iskur V2Listen, I don’t like gaming chairs. I think the racing chair aesthetic is tired, and I have yet to find a gaming chair that doesn't make me sweat—these all-foam seats trap body heat. All of that is true with Razer’s Iskur V2 (7/10, WIRED Recommends). But hey, I still see tons of people online using and enjoying these kinds of chairs, so if that's what you want, I think the Iskur V2 is the best gaming chair right now.
The adaptive lumbar support is what makes this one unique. It slightly adjusts as your body moves in the chair, and it does a solid job with support. The seat is fairly adjustable, but you cannot push the seat depth out. Razer claimed in its marketing materials that you can sit cross-legged or with one foot up, but I couldn't do it; the seat is just not deep enough. I found the headrest quite silly. It's a foam pillow you affix around the top of the chair, and it never stays put. I didn't need it anyway. I do like that the shoulders of the chair are wide and don't cut into my body, and the width of the seat is nice. I’d replace the casters, which don't move very well on hardwood floors. Oh, and remember that you will sweat in this chair unless your gaming setup is in an industrial fridge.
★ Alternative: The Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 for $549 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is classy enough for the home office. It sets itself apart from similarly priced competitors with its durability and flexibility. It’s comfortable for marathon gaming sessions, thanks to the adjustability it offers (particularly the lumbar support). The headrest pillow is magnetic and stays attached to the chair, which is a nice touch. But the firm cold cure foam molds to your body and may not suit everyone. It also will make you feel sweaty.
Photograph: Julian ChokkattuOther Chairs to Consider
Honorable MentionsNot every chair is a winner. Here are a few others we like enough to recommend, but they're not as good as our top picks above.
Hinomi X1 Chair for $699: Hinomi's X1 mesh chair has a trick up its sleeve—a built-in footrest! Just extend and flip out the footrest; voilà, your feet are now propped up. This might not be very practical for fellow tall people, as my legs often hit the wall behind my desk, but it's quite comfy. I also just didn't end up using the footrest as much as I thought. The chair is otherwise well-built. I like the lumbar support here, and there's a good amount of adjustments you can make. The seat itself is a bit firm, but I got used to it after some time. Hinomi offers a 12-year warranty, but best of all you can snag it in a dusty pink from the company’s website. I'd buy this over the X-Chair mesh chair listed below.
Allsteel O6 for $1,289: While this chair is eye-searingly expensive, every part—from the casters and the adjustments to the design—is incredibly refined. The adjustable lumbar support provided shockingly good support even for hours of work. My only complaint is that the armrest adjustments are a bit stiff, but besides that, this is an exceptional chair that’s comfortable and intuitive enough for me to completely forget about once I sit down and start working. Fair warning: This chair comes fully assembled, which is nice, but the box is massive. —Henri Robbins
Autonomous Chair Ultra for $599: Every time I sit on this chair, I'm surprised how flat and hard the seat is. It's a jolt when I plunk my butt down. I don't like it, but the chair overall feels supportive. It's kind of like those Plank mattresses—if a harder seat is what you're after, then this chair will make you happy. The adaptive backrest feels a bit busy because the ridges of the chair's back come through the thin mesh, but the all-mesh design does a good job of dissipating my body heat. It's very adjustable overall and looks nice; it just isn't for everyone.
Branch Softside for $339: I tested the high-back version of the Softside and like it a lot. It's different from all the other chairs in this guide but comfy and cushiony. If you need a wider seat, this might not be the option for you as the armrests do box you in. There's not much to adjust, but my back didn't have any issues after weeks of sitting in this chair for full workdays. The build quality overall is OK. There's one screw at the bottom of the chair that, no matter how hard I tighten, ends up getting loose and falls off periodically. Still, considering it starts at $299, the overall seating experience, and the lovely design in fun colors, this is a pretty good value if you are after a soft and cushiony experience.
Haworth Fern for $1,335: I think the Haworth Fern is best for shorter people (aka anyone not above 6 feet like me). It's adjustable to the nth degree—you can even tilt the seat for a more upright sitting position!—but the seat itself was just wide enough for me, though it's plenty soft and pillowy. When I pulled out the seat depth to the max, it created a gap between the seat and the backrest, and I didn't love this feeling. The backrest is nice and soft, but I'd argue the lumbar support is quite aggressive. My back just felt like something was there all the time and it felt distracting. I don't think you'd have these issues if you are shorter and narrower than me, and it's otherwise one of the softest office chairs I've sat on.
Odinlake Ergo Max747 for $899: The Ergo MAX747 is, all around, a great chair to sit in. The three-piece back provides great back support and comfort, and the easy-access paddles on either side of the seat make most adjustments quick and simple. Even sitting in this chair for hours, I never felt uncomfortable, whether I was sitting up or reclining (this chair reclines incredibly far, from 90 to 135 degrees). The bag holder in the back (which I typically used to hold a hat or small backpack) was a surprisingly nice touch, and the mesh backing and seat are breathable, preventing overheating during prolonged use. I still don’t know how I feel about the polished metal frame, and the inclusion of gloves for assembly makes me worry about how easily this seat will pick up smudges over the years, but the polished finish itself is spotless and well-executed. At 6'3", I had to max out the back height to comfortably sit in the chair. The secondary adjustments (back height, lumbar support, and headrest height) were awkward to adjust due to complicated ratcheting mechanisms keeping them in place. However, the comfort and breathability of this chair make it a compelling choice. —Henri Robbins
Vari Task Chair for $375: Vari’s Task Chair is surprisingly comfy given its relatively simple construction. Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano tested it and asked her husband to use it during his long gaming sessions. They agreed that the angled back provides ample lumbar support to make those sessions comfortable. It also takes very little time to construct. You can recline a bit, but even at the lowest tension, it pushes you back up, and there’s no head support. It’s more for rocking than actually leaning. Her biggest gripe is that the armrests are quite hard. A little more padding would be a huge improvement.
Humanscale World One Task Chair for $499: Despite hailing from the well-renowned Humanscale, this chair looks quite bland. The setup was fairly quick, and … interesting. You have to hammer two pegs to affix the backrest to the seat, which I've never before had to do, after testing dozens of office chairs. It just feels cheap and a little too plasticky. Like other Humanscale chairs, there are no adjustments to make as the chair will handle it all for you (you can adjust the seat and armrest height). I loved this on the pricier Humanscale Freedom, which felt like someone was cradling my body. But here, I find my body constantly shifting in the all-mesh World One, trying to find a comfy way to recline. The mesh material also feels like it digs in a bit. This could all be because I'm 6'4," as the chair feels like it's better suited for shorter people. However, I think you can do better at this price.
Sihoo Doro S300 Chair for $800: Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano tested the Doro S300, which, in white, looks like it came straight out of the Space Force situation room. She found it comfortable. There are several adjustments you can personalize, like seat depth and recline angle. You can recline quite far, but she says she wished there was a footrest to enjoy the lowest recline position. She typically prefers a cushy gaming chair, but she says she had no trouble sitting on this chair all day—the dual lumbar support helps too. However, the headrest is too low for her to lean against even at its max height, and the arms move too easily. Simply placing her arms down pushes them out of position. It's also a squeaky chair and overpriced.
BodyBilt Midcelli Mesh Chair for $949: BodyBilt’s chair looks quite average, but the seat pad is plushy and soft, and it's contoured to your butt and legs, which I liked more than I expected. The mesh back has some give to it, so it doesn't feel rigid, and there are all the usual points of adjustment, including moving the seat forward and back. I wish the arms could lock to a position. It has a lifetime warranty on select parts, while other chair areas are covered for 12, seven, five, or three years. There are more customization options on BodyBilt's website—with the option to get a consultation—but I just think it's overpriced.
Razer Fujin Pro for $1,049: Razer is asking Herman Miller and Steelcase prices despite offering a measly five-year warranty on this $1,000-plus chair. Still, my colleague Eric Ravenscraft likes the Fujin Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends). There are a good amount of adjustments you can make, the armrests are useful, and the mesh is breathable. Oh, and it doesn't have the over-used gaming chair race-car seat aesthetic.
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Lumbar Support Office Chair for $352: I think this is a nice alternative to the Branch Ergonomic Chair, our top pick. The Tempur seat cushion is, perhaps unsurprisingly, wonderfully comfy to sit on for hours at a time. And most chairs that have a thick lumbar cushion end up causing me back pain, but not here—I've had no issues sitting on this chair for a month. The mesh back is nice for airflow too. The arms tend to move around a bit though, and the mechanism to adjust them is not elegant. Installation wasn't too hard, but the instructions weren't as simple as Branch's, and the overall build quality feels cheap.
Knoll Newson Task Chair for $1,370: This minimalist chair looks best in the graphite and petal colors; it's a bit drab in black and umber. It's nice that I didn't have to fuss with any levers or knobs much—it's comfy out of the box and decently adjustable if you need to make some tweaks—and it feels especially nice when you recline. (The red knob adjusts the tension of the recline, but you need to twist it for five rotations, and I found it hard to turn sometimes.) The Newson didn't give me trouble in the two months I sat in it. I'm just not a huge fan of how the elastomer mesh backrest distorts, depending on how you sit. It feels lumpy. This chair also doesn't let me sit as upright as I'd like, but maybe you're fine with a bit of give. Ultimately, it's the price that pulls it out of our top recommendations, but you do get a 12-year warranty.
X-Chair X2 K-Sport Management Chair for $879: This used to be our top mesh chair pick but it has been supplanted by the Steelcase Karman. Sitting in the X-Chair feels like lounging in a hammock. Every part of my body feels well supported, and you can adjust nearly everything on the chair. Pull the seat up and push the armrests up, down, and side to side, or angle them in or out. The lumbar support feels like a cushion, and it adjusts as you move in your seat. If you want to rest your head, you can pay extra for the headrest. It has held up extremely well after three years of near-continuous sitting, but I don't like how bulky it is. X-Chair has several models to choose from. I tested the X-2 K-Sport with the wide seat, and it fits my 6'4" frame well, but it was too wide for my partner, who is 5'1". Most people should be fine with the standard X1.
Ikea Markus Chair for $290: The Markus is a perfectly fine office chair. It’s not the most comfortable, but it’s far from the worst. The mesh design keeps you cool, and the tall back lets you fully lean into it. It’s rather thin and isn’t obtrusive in a small home office or bedroom. It was annoying to put together (lol, Ikea), and you might need someone to hold up the back of the chair while you properly attach the seat. Unfortunately, if you often sit with at least one leg up or with your legs crossed, the width between the arms will make you uncomfortable.
X-Chair X-Tech Executive Chair for $1,899: Functionally, the X-Tech is similar to the X-Chair above. In this version, the M-Foam cooling gel seat is indeed wonderful to sit on, though it's not as heat-wicking as the all-mesh X-Chairs. It’s the Brisa Soft Touch material that impresses the most—it’s ridiculously soft. I recommend you stick with the standard armrests instead of the FS 360 armrests, which tend to move about too much. But my biggest gripe with this model is the price. Why on earth does it cost that much?
Mavix M7 Chair for $777: If it looks strangely similar to the X-Chair (see above), that's because both are owned by the same company. WIRED reviewer Louryn Strampe ran into some issues with assembly, but customer service was able to exchange the model without much effort. The M7 has similarly adjustable armrests and seat angles, but you get wheels that lock. The mesh back and wide seat construction keep you cool and comfortable during sweaty League of Legends sessions, and the lumbar support does the job. If you're short, contact customer support while ordering—Mavix offers shorter cylinders so your feet touch the ground.
Hon Ignition 2.0 Office Chair for $425: This chair is easy to set up and looks great, but it gave me really bad back pain, which is why I originally placed it in our “Avoid” section. I thought it was perhaps the long hours I was working, so I switched back to the Knoll Newson Task chair and my pain quickly began to ease. Sometime later, I gave it a shot again. After a few hours, the pain came back, and switching to another chair dissipated it. Color me confused, because this chair has positive reviews around the web. I then asked a friend who is around 5'4" to try it for a few weeks, and she has had zero issues. This seems to be the answer. It's possible the Ignition doesn't work for my 6'4" self and is better suited for smaller folks.
Hon Ignition 2.0 Big and Tall for $782: I had a much better experience with this Hon chair, which, as the name suggests, is suited for big and tall people like me. It has a reinforced steel frame that can support up to 450 pounds with a wider seat. It's comfy, transfers heat away well, and does a nice job supporting my back. However, it looks incredibly dull in Boring Black. I had a fine experience in the chair, aside from the arms that tend to slide left and right whenever you put some pressure on them. I'm just not sure it's worth the weirdly high price.
Pipersong Meditation Chair for $349: Have a problem sitting in a traditional chair? If your legs need to be bent and twisted for you to be comfortable, you'll want to check this chair out. It has a 360-degree swiveling footstool that can accommodate pretty much any sitting position you want. I can go from kneeling to cross-legged to one leg up, one leg down. It’s possible to sit regularly too, with the footstool behind you and your feet flat on the floor. It's the only chair I've found that's designed for odd sitting habits. There are no armrests, which I didn’t mind because that’s what makes it possible to sit in many of these positions. The actual stool and chair back could stand to be bigger and taller, respectively. I had to use a pillow to keep my back comfy.
Photograph: CushionlabsSeat Cushions, Backrests, and Footrests
Other AlternativesIf you can't upgrade your chair just yet, a cushion or backrest might help. Here are a few we like:
CushionLab Seat Cushion for $72: This memory foam seat is comfortable, and I had no problems sitting on it for hours on end. It's best paired with an adjustable chair, as it adds a decent amount of height to your seat, which might make typing on a keyboard awkward. It does a great job of keeping out bad odors, and you can also wash the cover. Just know that it's almost never sold for its full price of $85, which means it isn't really on “sale.”
LoveHome Memory Foam Lumbar Support for $30: If you slouch in your seat, this comfortable memory foam pillow can help. It keeps your back straight and supported, and as it's affordable, it's a great option to try before shelling out hundreds for a new chair. It's good to use in a car or a wheelchair, too. The cover is washable, and it has two adjustable straps (plus an extension strap) that go around your seat to keep it in the position you need.
Secretlab Premium Footrest for $89: Ideally, your feet are planted on the ground as you sit, but it's nice to be able to prop them up on something soft every so often. I have been using Secretlab's footrest for more than six months and it's excellent. Not only is the PlushCell memory foam material it's made of soft and cushy for my feet, but it also stays remarkably clean. I have a tiny dog and his hair gets everywhere except the quilted fabric cover. (You can hand wash this cover to get dirt out.) The patterned silicone base does a good job of keeping it in place too.
- Photograph: Stealtho
Replace Your Casters
Stealtho Office Chair WheelsThe wheels on the bottom of your chair are among the easiest parts to replace. If your current casters don't roll smoothly or are too loud, it might be worth replacing them instead of buying a whole new chair. I like these from Stealtho, a Ukrainian company. They'll work with nearly every office chair, though the company notes they don't work with Ikea chairs. The soft polyurethane material means these won't scratch or chip hardwood floors, as some plastic casters do, plus it'll feel like you're silently gliding as you roll from your desk to the fridge (don't judge).
Fair warning: Since these are more frictionless than normal casters, they can cause your chair to roll around sometimes, like when you stand up and walk away. Stealtho has locking casters if you're worried about your chair rolling, and they don't cost much more.
- Photograph: Vitrazza
A Glass Chair Mat
Vitrazza Rectangle Glass Chair MatDo you need a mat for your chair? Most likely not. However, casters can scuff up hard floors, which is why we recommend upgrading them to rollerblade wheels (see above). If you're on a carpet, it can also be hard to move around on the chair. A mat can help with both of these issues. I sat on top of this glass one from Vitrazza for two years and was pleasantly surprised. (You can go for much cheaper mats made from other materials too.) The safety glass is thick and I did not see any notable scratches even after that time. It holds 1,000 pounds and doesn't touch my hardwood floor as you need to affix rubber bumpers to keep them apart. You can choose from several sizes, and Vitrazza sells various shapes too.
Photograph: VilnoAvoid These Chairs
You Can Do BetterIf you come across these chairs, we recommend you save your cash and go for one of the picks above.
Vilno Nobel Kneeling Chair for $250: It's a freakin' kneeling chair! It was easy to put all the wood pieces together, and the seat cushion was surprisingly plump. This is what's known as an active chair, meant to keep your body moving and keep your posture straight. It feels effective for the first few hours, but unfortunately, rocking in the chair tends to cause it to move around on the floor, so I frequently had to fix my position. Worse yet, my shins and knees grew fatigued, and I started feeling some pain after a few days. You can't adjust its height, so it needs to be paired with a standing desk so that your palms don't rest on your desk.
Herman Miller Vantum Gaming Chair for $895: Initially, I liked this chair. I liked how I could keep myself in a super upright position, which made me feel more engaged in what I was doing. The mesh backrest also disperses heat quite well. However, the overall build quality feels cheap and doesn’t scream Herman Miller (nor does the asking price, which has since dropped by $200). The headrest isn't great either—I’ve nearly broken it trying to move it up and down. As I kept sitting, it was the back support that disappointed me the most. You can feel the lumbar support on your lower back, and not in a good way, almost like it’s digging in. At least it didn’t give me back pain.
Flexispot C7 Lite for $280: While this chair is simple to assemble and looks good, it feels flimsy. The entire back flexes and warps whenever you move, and the lumbar support is barely connected to the rest of the chair, meaning it audibly scratches against the main section of the back every time you adjust and hardly feels like it provides any actual support. The footrest bends whenever weight is put on it, and the foam seat cushion collects crazy amounts of pet hair. It feels like just a few extra screws and supports would have made this a good chair, but in its current state, there isn’t enough material to make it feel sturdy. —Henri Robbins
Flexispot C7 Office Chair for $380: It wasn't too difficult to put this chair together, and it comes in a fairly compact box despite its size. However, the lumbar section juts out so much that within two days of sitting on it, I had back pain. You can adjust the seat to mitigate it, but it didn't solve the problem. It's not just me. My 5'1" wife did not enjoy sitting on the C7 either.
Steelcase Series 1 Office Chair for $498: WIRED reviewer Louryn Strampe says her biggest issue with the Series 1 is with the armrest—the tops slide back and forth and side to side, which could be a good thing, except she managed to pinch her arm every time she moved. There's no way to lock them in place, so while she felt supported, her arms weren't. The seat is also pretty curved, which can feel like you're trapped in one position as you work throughout the day.
Flexispot Sit2Go 2-in-1 Fitness Chair for $350: This seems like a good idea since it lets you get some exercise while sitting at a desk. I felt virtuous pedaling away while checking my email. The problem is it’s just not very comfortable. (I could not sit on it all day.) It also feels like a cheap low-resistance exercise bike, so you’re getting the worst of both worlds. You need a standing desk to accommodate it.
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