If you&#;re working from home, investing in one of the best office chairs is a must. Comfort and ergonomics are the most important considerations, of course, but it&#;s entirely possible to find a quality office chair that&#;s also aesthetically pleasing.
Our editors and writers have personally tested each of these top picks and can attest that not only are they attractive, they keep you pain-free and structurally supported even during the longest work days.
We&#;ve curated a variety of styles, including classic executive chairs and unique contemporary styles. They&#;re all absolute winners, but these are the standouts that really bubbled up to the top:
Read on to discover the very best ergonomic office chairs of (and jump straight to the bottom for expert commentary on ergonomics, notes on how we tested and why you should trust our reviews).
Tester: Terri Williams, contributor
My experience: This mesh office chair looks as good as it feels. Using synchronous tilt and adjustable lumbar support, it elicits an ahhhhh every time I sit down. The standard-size chair has a slim back that keeps it from being bulky and still provides ergonomic support. The mesh weave is breathable, and the seat cushion is made of high-density foam for a comfortable experience, even over long periods of time. The chair also has seven adjustment options, including seat pan depth, lumbar, and tilt, so it&#;s easy to find the right angle. The chair is also a good value for the money.
Specs
Dimensions: 38&#;42"H x 25"W x 24"D
Materials: Double-woven nylon mesh, high-density foam cushion, anodized aluminum base
Weight Capacity: 275 lbs.
Frame colors: Black or white
Seat colors: Black, pebble, sand, graphite, light blue, poppy, and Baltic blue
Warranty: 7 years
Adjustability:
What we really liked
What you should keep in mind
Tester: Terri Williams, contributor
My experience: There&#;s already a Branch chair on the list; however, the Branch Verve Chair is a newer and sportier model. As a general practice, the armrests on ergonomic office chairs tend to be bulky, and the Branch Verve Chair immediately stands out because of the versatile armrest design, which gives it a futuristic look. I can also adjust the height of the softly-padded armrests, the seat depth, the tilt, and the tilt tension. Plus I can adjust the padded lumbar support on the chair&#;s V-shaped suspended back for the most comfortable level of spine support. (If you struggle to find a chair that fits you just right, you&#;ll love all of these customization options.) The chair back is covered with 3D knit, which allows air to flow through it and keeps me cool. The Branch Verse is available in Coral, Galaxy, and Mist.
Specs
Dimensions: 41"H x 27"W x 27"D
Materials: 3D knit, foam, and aluminum
Weight Capacity: 275 lbs.
Colors: Coral, lunar, mist, mint, cobalt, and galaxy
Warranty: 7 years
Adjustability:
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Tester: Livia Caligor, content operations associate
My experience: Though this chair is pretty simple in design, I had a hard time assembling it because the manual didn&#;t have any written instructions&#;just step-by-step visual instructions. I was able to eventually figure it out without making any mistakes, so I don&#;t think the $85 assembly fee would have been worth it, especially since that&#;s almost half the cost of the chair.
The chair immediately fit perfectly into my room. I like that it&#;s ergonomic, functional, and supportive yet not too bulky or large like many desk chairs tend to be. I like that this chair is simple, sleek, and monochrome with its black metal frame and black faux leather upholstery. Its square seat, light frame, and minimalist design make it cohesive with the rest of my room, unlike many desk chairs I&#;ve used that were clunky and lacked aesthetic appeal.
To me, this chair walks a fine line between decorative desk chair and a functional desk chair intended for daily use. Its contoured back, foam filling seat, and padded armrests offer lumbar support and comfort, but after sitting in it for a few long hours, it feels a bit rigid and hard.
Specs
Dimensions: 40.75"H x 23"W x 24"D
Materials: Metal, faux leather
Weight Capacity: 250 lbs.
Frame colors: Gold, chrome, black, and rose gold
Seat colors: Black, white, brown, and gray
Warranty: 2 years
Adjustability:
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Tester: Elise Portale, contributor
My experience: If anything was designed to go viral on TikTok, it&#;s the Pipersong Meditation Chair, and from the moment this bisexual saw it she needed to try it for herself. Whether you&#;re a creative sitter or just someone who tends to fidget, having the option to change your position to pretty much anything that feels comfortable is a game changer. Truthfully, the only downside is its size&#;if you&#;re looking to bring this chair into your office, take accurate measurements. It&#;s not a small chair by any means, and if you have a compact desk or sitting area, you&#;ll likely find that the wide-swiveling footstool is a bit of a challenge. But assuming you&#;ve done your due diligence, the Pipersong Meditation Chair is an excellent comfort option for WFH, whether you&#;re bisexual or not. (Read Elise&#;s full review of the Pipersong chair here).
Specs
Dimensions: 30.71"H x 27.56"W x 30.71"D
Materials: Alloy steel, leather
Weight Capacity: 200 lbs.
Frame colors: Black, grey, ivory, pink, tan
Seat colors: Black, grey, ivory, pink, tan
Warranty: One-year limited warranty on manufacturing defects from the date of delivery
Adjustability:
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Tester: Audrey Lee, commerce editor
My experience: Designed by Tokyo-based designer Naoto Fukasawa (whose credentials include B&B Italia, Boffi, Issey Miyake, and Samsung), the Asari chair brings together comfort, functionality, and style. Glamorous but understated, this office chair exudes quiet luxury. Focusing on the design, the subtle curves and soft edges make the chair&#;s clam shell inspiration apparent. The backrest naturally tilts out slightly so it doesn&#;t feel like your back is against a board and the stow leather is a luxurious touch to an already luxurious seat.
There&#;s no assembly required, so as soon as you adjust the height lever to your preference it&#;s good to go. With a high price tag comes high expectations, but the Asari chair has elevated what a traditional office chair can be. I really appreciated the attention to detail, from the smooth chair glides and soft leather to the amount of foam fill in the seat and backrest that make it a treat to sit down and work. And after working from home on the chair for several weeks, it&#;s gotten even better. The chair has noticeably softened in a delightful way that&#;s ultra-accommodating to my dimensions without feeling too sunken in or too stiff. I find a lot of leather office chairs are harsh or overly masculine, but the Asari&#;s look is unparalleled. I&#;d absolutely recommend this chair to anyone looking to splurge for their home office. From physical appearance to practical use, it scores 10s across the board for me.
Specs
Dimensions: 37&#;"H x 29&#;"W x 29&#;"D
Materials: Powder-coated aluminum, dual-density foam, stow leather upholstery
Weight Capacity: 350 lbs.
Colors: Raven (black), jettison (blue), Etruscan (coral), clarion (yellow), submerge (teal), knight (dark gray), bulb (light gray), and antler (medium gray)
Warranty: 12 years
Adjustability:
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Tester: Audrey Lee, commerce editor
My experience: The first time you sit on the Karman chair you can feel your weight settle in&#;it&#;s a little like floating on air. Assembly was quick and easy, all I needed to do was fit the chair onto the wheeled base and adjust the height and armrests to my preferences. This chair is the definition of ergonomic&#;the mesh weave back rest melds comfortably against the spine without feeling unsteady and the overall design feels extremely durable.
The same mesh weave technology is used for the seat&#;sitting on it, with the underlying cushion, is comfortable, if slightly hard. The armrest pads slide back and forth and can pivot to make adjustments inwards or outwards, plus the armrest height is adjustable with a button located on the underside. Height adjustments are easy with a lever under the seat and there&#;s even a knob for making back tension adjustments. All this to say, everything is very intuitive and easy to use. After several full workdays of using this chair, I felt noticeable relief in places where I usually get aches on my back and hips. After a few weeks, most of my aches were basically gone.
Specs
Dimensions: 39.1&#;43.5"H x 26.1"W x 26.1"D
Materials: Plastic frame and legs, textile mesh seat and back
Weight Capacity: 350 lbs.
Colors: Peacock (teal and white), seagull (beige and matte brass), black intermix, red/blue intermix, and Baltic intermix
Warranty: 12 years
Adjustability:
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Tester: Zoë Sessums, senior digital design editor
My experience: There is a reason the Aeron is Herman Miller&#;s most beloved and recognized office chair. The iconic chair is truly supportive and gives you every bit of adjustment to sit in an ideal way. I was able to go through a virtual fitting with an ergonomic expert at Herman Miller, who walked me through all the adjustable features, though the site&#;s gallery is very informative if you can&#;t try out a chair first. Once the chair was delivered&#;no assembly required&#;I understood the power of the patented PostureFit SL back support, which allows for chest open, shoulders back, and pelvis tilted slightly forward. This chair will save your body. After sitting in this chair it&#;s easy to see why people invest in supreme desk setups. It isn&#;t necessarily the most chic piece of furniture, but your entire body will thank you, so in that case I would recommend the Aeron chair again and again.
Specs
Dimensions: 38½"H x 25¾"W x 16"D
Materials: Aluminum frame and base; 8Z pellicle elastomeric suspension seat and backrest
Weight Capacity: 300&#;350 lbs. (depending on model size)
Base colors: Satin aluminum, polished aluminum, and onyx ultra matte
Frame colors: Graphite, mineral, and black
Warranty: 12 years
Adjustability:
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Tester: Lila Allen, AD Pro senior editor
My experience: If you gave a shell chair superpowers, it might look something like the Zeph. Like other Herman Miller office chairs, this seat has a wheeled base and is height-adjustable. (The adjustment lever is super sleek, too&#;a fun detail for the design nerds among us.) If you scooch or lean while you work, the Zeph will move right along with you. I tested a version with integrated arms, but an armless version is also available. And best of all, there are plenty of ways to make the chair fit your style: In addition to eight different body color options, Herman Miller offers a 3D-knit, slip-on seat pad in 20 shades. (A unibody cover is on the way, too.) A fraction the price of an Aeron, Zeph is the gateway drug of performance seating.
Specs
Dimensions: 34&#;"H 24¼"W 19&#;"D
Materials: Polymer shell, optional 3D-knit fabric made from 50% recycled fibers
Weight Capacity: 350 lbs.
Shell colors: Alpine, black, carbon, cocoa, glacier, olive, and nightfall
Seat colors: Alpine, black, carbon, cocoa, glacier, olive, nightfall, tea rose, mustard seed, and blaze
Warranty: 12 years
Adjustability:
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Note: Formerly called the Flexispot Soutien
Tester: Terri Williams, contributor
My experience: If you want a good office chair at an economical price, the Flexispot OC3B Chair is the best of both worlds. The entire chair (back, seat, headrest) is made of breathable mesh, which contributes to air circulation. Although my preference is a leather chair, I found the Flexispot to be quite comfortable, even when sitting for a long time. Also, since it&#;s a see-through mesh, the chair doesn&#;t take up a lot of visual space. The chair can tilt up to 45 degrees, and the height of the seat and armrests can also be adjusted. There&#;s also a nifty clothes hanger on the back of the chair.
Specs
Dimensions: 51.9"H x 25.2"W x 21.2"D
Materials: Mesh, nylon, metal
Weight Capacity: 220 lbs.
Colors: Gray, blue, and black
Warranty: 1 year
Adjustability:
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Tester: Terri Williams, contributor
My experience: The ErgoChairPro is such a comfortable office chair that I think I could fall asleep in it. My favorite feature is the synchro-tilt that allows me to tilt way back (up to 22 degrees) when I&#;m taking a break&#;and I can even lock in my five favorite recline positions, so the chair can remember them. The adjustable headrest is also a nice touch when reclining or just leaning back. The chair has a weight capacity of 300 pounds, and almost everything on it is adjustable. In addition to the back tilt tension, I can also adjust the seat tilt. Plus the chair&#;s height can adjust from 18 to 20 inches, and the seat&#;s depth can be adjusted as well. I can adjust the height of the armrest from 26.7 inches to 32.2 inches, and can also move the armrests in and out (there&#;s the option to take them completely off as well). The ErgoChair Pro is made of polyester fabric, molded foam, and has a nylon plastic frame. Seen here in a bright blue, it&#;s also available in apple red and lime green, as well as tried-and-true classics like black, white, and gray.
Specs
Dimensions: 46&#;50"H x 29"W x 29"D
Materials: Polyester fabric with molded foam and nylon plastic
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs.
Colors: All black, black and white, evergreen, red apple, and baby blue
Anji Fengge Furniture contains other products and information you need, so please check it out.
Warranty: 2 years
Adjustability:
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Tester: Terri Williams, contributor
My experience: Out of all the office chairs I've tested, this is my favorite. I would wholeheartedly and enthusiastically recommend it. What makes this chair so unique is that it automatically adjusts to fit my body without the need for manual controls. For example, the chair's armrests and articulating headrest move when I move. The chair also has a self-adjusting recline and pivoting backrest, in addition to synchronous armrests that I can pull up when I want to use them and merely push down when they&#;re not needed. Honestly, the high-back chair is comfortable enough to sleep in&#;it's so comfortable that it probably causes me to work too long. In addition, the chair is fully assembled, so there&#;s nothing that needs to be put together.It&#;s available in eight fabric choices, including black, gray, pumpkin, red, navy, Balsam green, and Thalo blue (pictured).
Specs
Dimensions: 48.2&#;53"H x 26.75"W x 17.40&#;19.85"D
Materials: Corvara leather, technogel cushions, polished aluminum
Weight Capacity: 400 lbs.
Colors: Black, graphite, balsam, driftwood, navy, nimbus, and granite
Warranty: 15 years
Adjustability:
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Tester: Terri Williams, contributor
My experience: I would recommend the Vari Task Chair for anyone looking for a comfortable office chair. Vari's entire lineup is full of outstanding office chairs (and some of the best standing desks), and this chair continues the tradition. This chair is ridiculously comfortable&#;it has a super thick foam seat and highly breathable back with great airflow. The backrest provides lumbar support and pivots. I like that I can also create the maximum level of comfort: It&#;s got an adjustable tilt mechanism, plus adjustable armrests and adjustable seat height&#;and all of this adjustability and customization really makes a difference when you&#;re sitting at your workspace for long periods of time. Pair this chair with good posture and you&#;ll be golden.
Specs
Dimensions: 38.6&#;43.2"H x 25.5"W x 20"D
Materials: Mesh, foam, metal
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs.
Colors: Black
Warranty: 5 years
Adjustability:
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Amazon
Nick Mafi
Tester: Nick Mafi, senior digital features editor
My experience: After the order for my Soho Pro Soft Pad Management Chair was placed, it only took a few days for the delivery to arrive at my apartment. After unboxing it, I was pleasantly surprised by the ease in which the chair was put together (so much so that I thought I must&#;ve been doing something wrong). What&#;s more, after putting it together (it literally took five minutes and most of that was due to removing the protective wrapping paper), the chair itself proved to be as stylish as advertised on my computer screen. The lumbar support and material feel are the two most defining features of this chair, both of which go a long way in terms of comfort after several hours behind a laptop. Simply put, this chair is everything that ends in an exclamation point.
Specs
Dimensions: 25"H x 19"W x 17"D
Materials: Steel and vegan leather
Weight Capacity: 400 lbs.
Adjustability:
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Tester: Alice Roth, contributor
My experience: Assembly-wise, it was simple after some initial head-scratching with the instructions. I did Google &#;Svelti chair casters&#; but realized I needed to use my meager upper body strength to push the wheels into the chair legs. Everything else was straightforward, so I&#;m assuming this assembly blip was more of a me-problem than an Article-problem. (None of the reviews mention assembly confusion.)
The easy-to-clean polypropylene is very nice for someone who is prone to spills. Ergonomics are the main feature this chair is lacking. There is no adjustable seat height, which is essential for a desk setup with proper posture. (According to OSHA, you want your feet flat on the floor and your elbows bent at 90 degrees.) If I was to change anything, I would include an adjustable seat.
There&#;s also no cushion. I&#;m not sure this makes a difference, except on very hot days when I find myself peeling my legs off the chair (the answer for this could just be wearing pants during the workday, like an adult). I should note, Article sells a seat cushion separately, but it is about the same price as the chair itself.
Specs
Dimensions: 35.5"H x 24"W x 24"D
Materials: Molded polypropylene, powder-coated metal, rubber castors
Weight Capacity: 225 lbs.
Adjustability: Not adjustable
What we really liked
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Tester: Audrey Lee, commerce editor
My experience: There&#;s a lot to like about Haworth&#;s Breck chair. It arrived swiftly in a large box that I had no trouble carrying inside my home, and assembly itself is also a breeze. There&#;s instructions written on the flaps of the delivery box but Haworth has the same manual available on their website as well as a short video that gives you step-by-step directions, should you need it. The whole process literally takes less than a couple of minutes before you&#;re ready to put the chair in action. Don&#;t be fooled by the easy assembly process, though, this office chair is more advanced than meets the eye and comfortable to boot. I first received the Breck during a heat wave and appreciated the ultra-breathable backrest which allowed a comfortable amount of air to flow through. What stands out the most to me, however, is all the adjustable features that allow you to customize the seat to your exact preferences. Need more tilt? No problem. Wish the armrests were just a tad longer? Easy. Height? Seat depth? Lumbar support? Done, done, and done. And while these are all feats you would expect from a high price tag chair that costs $1,000+, the Breck supplies them at under $500.
I would definitely recommend the Breck chair to anyone who&#;s looking for a versatile office chair. With a design that emphasizes adjustability at an approachable price point, it&#;s a worthwhile purchase to make, especially if you work from home a few days a week and have yet to find a chair that suits your preferences. Haworth also has free returns within 30 days so you won&#;t have to worry if the chair ultimately isn&#;t a fit for you.
Specs
Dimensions: 39" to 44"H x 28.5"W x 28.5"D
Materials: Plastic, foam, steel
Weight Capacity: 325 lbs
Adjustability:
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Tester: Rebecca Grambone, social media manager
My experience: On work-from-home days I&#;ve always worked from a dining room chair (later commuting to my couch around 4 p.m. when I need a change of scenery). But as hybrid work weeks have become the norm, and as my back has started to feel the aftermath of sitting in a seat that doesn&#;t really prompt great postural habits, I found that it was finally time to try out a more ergonomic chair. The Rickards Office Chair from Lulu and Georgia looked perfectly designed for long hours of work, yet it didn&#;t skimp on style.
I was a bit nervous to assemble the office chair since I&#;ve never assembled one myself; however, the directions could not have been simpler. No screws or tools involved&#;just a quick pop and it locks into place. Before I knew it, I had my first at-home office chair ready to roll into place.
I immediately loved how stylish the chair was&#;at first glance, you wouldn&#;t even know it was an office chair. However, I soon realized when adjusting the height, it only got taller even though it started fairly high off the ground to begin with. My legs would have to just barely graze the top of my desk in order to make this seat work, but it was manageable. Full disclosure, I definitely had to stack some books under my laptop in order for it to be at a comfortable height. And besides being able to adjust the height, there were no other ways to adjust the chair to your ideal seating arrangement, such as adjustable armrests, an adjustable headrest or an adjustable seat. The comfort of the chair&#;s cushion seat and backing, however, made up a bit for these absent features. After some use, I have noticed a bit of pilling but this easily goes away with a quick vacuum.
After a full work week, I overall felt that I could get through the day a bit more comfortably than I would have if I had continued turning my dining room into a mock conference table. That being said, I do feel that, due to the lack of adjustability, this chair is definitely more for style than for practicality.
Overall, I would recommend this office chair to someone who may not have to be seated for more than a few hours at a time for their job. If you are working over eight hours a day, this may not be the chair for you, as it is more stylish than functional.
Specs
Dimensions: 37"H x 24"W x 22"D
Materials: Solid pinewood, polyurethane, polyester fill, fabric (71% cotton, 29% linen)
Weight Capacity: 250 lbs
Adjustability:
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Tester: Rachel Fletcher, commerce director
My experience: After the Generation by Knoll, I didn&#;t think I&#;d ever find a good office chair that filled its shoes. Luckily for me, the seating experts at Knoll teamed up with noted Australian industrial designer Marc Newson. This is the first ergonomic office chair he&#;s designed&#;his second product ever for Knoll&#;and it lives up to all of my expectations. The tilt mechanism is superior to most I&#;ve tested before, and the contoured and cantilevered seat and back are all one streamlined piece that is incredibly flexible and responsive when I recline, but it still feels supportive when putting in long hours. And let&#;s talk about how it looks. The chair is available in four shades (Ink, Umber, Petal, and Graphite), and it&#;s completely monochromatic&#;except for the chunky and bright red knobs that add a playful touch and control suspension, armrest position, and seat height. I took home the blue version, and the seat cushion is made of a denim-like fabric that makes it look even more high-end. The Newson Task chair seems to embody all the best parts of Knoll&#;s technology with a polished and contemporary flair.
Specs
Dimensions: 37.8&#;42.2"H x 26.2"W x 20.6"D
Materials: KnollTextiles Crossroad fabric, plastic or aluminum
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs.
Adjustability:
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Why You Should Trust Us
We always research products thoroughly before including them, and test nearly everything&#;office chairs are no exception. Our writers and editors actually tested more than 30 chairs, but only 13 made the cut to our best-of list. If we don't love it, we would never recommend it.
Our reviews are always thorough, in-depth, and honest. We put ourselves in the shoes of the shopper (because most of the time, we are the shopping!), and make sure that we&#;re answering the questions that we would want answered in the buying process.
How We Chose the Chairs
Our priorities in chair selection were ergonomic integrity, style, and (of course) comfort in a variety of price points.
How We Test Our Office Chairs
Our editors and contributors set these up in their home offices and experienced the day-in, day-out reality of sitting in them for a long period of time.
Have questions about the best office chair for you? We talked to TikTok's favorite neurosurgeon, Betsy Grunch, MD, FAANS, FACS and Gainesville Physical Therapy's Kristy Basinger PT, CHT to get answers on how to source the best chair for you.
What are some of the health risks associated with using a bad desk chair?
Betsy Grunch, MD, FAANS, FACS; Kristy Basinger PT, CHT: A proper fitting desk chair is one of the cornerstones of postural health. People that sit for long hours in a poorly adjusted chair will experience neck, back, shoulder and hip pain. This can trigger headaches, lack of concentration and compression of the discs in the spine. Low back pain is one of the main reasons for missed days at work so it's essential to choose a chair that supports the spine. (It's also not a bad idea to support your overall health and quality rest with a good mattress for back pain.)
If you've been sitting on a bad chair or you feel like you&#;ve damaged your spinal alignment is there anything you can do to fix it?
BG & KB: You can start by frequently checking and changing your posture in your chair.
Not 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.