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Julian Chokkattu Gear Team

Gear
Jun 23, 2022 9:00 AM


THE 13 BEST OFFICE CHAIRS

Sitting at a desk for hours? Upgrade your WFH setup and work in style with these
comfy seats.
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There's a good chance you've 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 me—at your desk, it's a good idea
to give the humble chair more attention. It's not just about finding a
comfortable seat. The right materials can whisk away body heat, and having
plenty of adjustability options can tailor the chair to your body. We've spent
the past year sitting on about 25 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 Couches. 

Updated June 2022: We've added the Branch Verve, Humanscale Path, Vitrazza Glass
Mat, and Nouhaus Ergonomic Chair.

Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year Subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25
off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com and our print magazine (if
you'd like). Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

Simon Hill, Louryn Strampe, Medea Giordano, and Michael Calore contributed to
this guide.

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This
helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to
WIRED

 * Photograph: Branch
   
   
   BEST FOR MOST PEOPLE
   
   Branch Ergonomic Chair
   
   A good chair often means one that comes with a variety of adjustments.
   Branch's Ergonomic Chair fits this bill. It's surprisingly easy to assemble
   in minutes (the instructions are great), and there are tons of little tweaks
   you can make. You can push the armrest back and forward, up and down; the
   seat can extend out or be pushed all the way in; you can lock the recline.
   There's even adjustable lumbar support. It does all this while managing to
   look very sleek and without asking 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. 
   
   $329 at Branch
   
 * Photograph: Staples
   
   
   BEST BUDGET CHAIR
   
   FlexFit Hyken Mesh Task Chair
   
   Ask WIRED reviews director Jeffrey Van Camp what the best office chair is and
   he'll point you to the humble Hyken. It's frequently available for just $170
   during big sale events, making it one of the most affordable good options 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 three years of
   continuous sitting, Van Camp says the mesh has compressed a bit, but it's
   still comfy. However, it may not be the best option if you need a wider
   seat. 
   
   $200 at Staples
   $242 at Amazon
   
 * Photograph: Branch
   
   
   RUNNER-UP
   
   Branch Verve Chair
   
   Take 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 color), 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, and they're just about the only fault I
   have with this chair. (I also wouldn't have minded if they were a smidge
   wider.) This wasn't a huge issue for me, but if you're picky about armrests,
   Branch says it will have some add-ons available over the next 12 months,
   including 3D adjustable armrests and a headrest, so you can upgrade the chair
   later if you think it needs those fixtures. (I am fine without a headrest). 
   
   If the Verve looks familiar, that's because I previously recommended a
   version of it from Laura Davidson. The Verve is designed and manufactured by
   a third party, and Branch acquired exclusivity to sell it in the US. The
   company made a few tweaks from the original. Branch's Ergonomic Chair is
   excellent for most people, but the Verve is the more refined seat if your
   budget can stretch. You can order it now, but it ships in August.
   
   $499 at Branch
   
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 * Photograph: X-Chair 
   
   
   GREAT FOR AIRFLOW
   
   X-Chair X2 K-Sport Mgmt Chair
   
   No one wants a swampy butt. There, I said it. Thick foam seats often trap
   your body heat, especially during the summer months. That's why I like the
   X-Chair. It doesn't just have a mesh backrest, but the seat is mesh, too,
   allowing for excellent airflow. It also feels like you're sitting on a
   hammock. Who doesn't want that? 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 nearly two years of continuous sitting. 
   
   X-Chair has a number of models to choose from. I tested the X-2 K-Sport with
   the wide seat, and it fit my 6'4" frame really well. But it was too wide for
   my partner, who is 5'1". Most people should be fine with the standard X1. The
   only things I dislike? X-Chair offers up various cooling, heating, and
   massage attachments, but I didn't find them all that helpful. The chair is
   also very expensive.
   
   A Familiar Alternative: The Mavix M7 ($778) looks strangely similar to the
   X-Chair, and that's because both are owned by the same company. I 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 a sweaty session of League
   of Legends, and the lumbar support makes me feel like I'm in good hands. If
   you're short, contact customer support while ordering—Mavix offers shorter
   cylinders so your feet touch the ground. 
   
   $850 at X-Chair
   $940 at Amazon
 * Photograph: Steelcase
   
   
   BEST UPGRADE
   
   Steelcase Gesture
   
   Steelcase'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 very, very close in quality.   
   
   $1,036 at Amazon
   $1,397 at Best Buy
   
 * Photograph: Humanscale
   
   
   BEST FOR RECLINERS (AND ECO-FRIENDLY)
   
   Humanscale Freedom Headrest
   
   When 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're a recliner, this is the chair for you. By design, there
   aren't as many adjustments you can make compared to other spendy 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. Did I mention the 15-year warranty? 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.
   
   If you don't care for the headrest, there's a version without it that's a
   little cheaper. And sustainably, 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. This rating is certified by the International
   Living Future Institute, a nonprofit organization. 
   
   $1,499 at Humanscale (Customizable)
   $1,593 at Wayfair
   $1,656 at Crate & Barrel

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 * Photograph: Amazon
   
   
   BEST UNDER $100
   
   AmazonBasics Mesh
   
   I bought this chair when I started working from home and needed something
   cheap. I didn't expect to like it so much, considering the price. This isn't
   a $1,500 ultra-ergonomic chaise lounge, but it is surprisingly comfortable,
   even after hours and hours of sitting. The mesh back is breathable, the
   casters are smooth, and the armrests don't feel too obstructive. Amazon has
   since updated the model slightly, so your mileage may vary. Luckily, returns
   are free in case your experience differs.
   
   $84 at Amazon
 * Photograph: QOR360
   
   
   GREAT FOR EASING BACK PAIN
   
   QOR360 The Ariel
   
   You might be wondering why the best “chair” for your back is a stool with no
   backrest. Well, that's because the QOR360 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. 
   
   You should definitely follow the company's instructions and ease into it. I
   started with 30 minutes a day because sitting on it for any longer just left
   me really 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 left
   the house. 
   
   $395 at QOR360
 * Photograph: Embody
   
   
   A LUXURY PICK
   
   Herman Miller Embody
   
   It might take you a week or two (maybe even a month) to get used to the
   Herman Miller Embody, but it's well worth it. Its upright positioning
   supported my back and eased lingering back pain from 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 great
   job of whisking heat away from my body, though not as well as mesh backrests
   and seats. 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 rib-like design on the back. Not to
   mention it has a surprisingly small footprint. I know, I know, it's
   incredibly spendy—in fact, I bought it for roughly $1,465 back in 2020 and
   the price has skyrocketed since. But what's amazing is that after two 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 chair, and it
   arrives completely assembled.  
   
   $1,845 at Herman Miller
   $1,845 at Design Within Reach

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 * Photograph: Humanscale
   
   
   BEST FOR TIGHT SPACES (ALSO ECO-FRIENDLY)
   
   Humanscale Path
   
   Maybe 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. 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 above), this Path task chair earns high
   marks for its minimal ecological impact. It's also just a very comfortable
   chair, with Humanscale's ergonomic reclining mechanism on the back and a
   smoothly supportive cylinder beneath the seat. Just be sure to choose the
   right type of casters for your floor. Get the hard ones for carpet or the
   soft ones for hard floors.
   
   $1,229 at Humanscale
   $1,049 at Humanscale (Armless)
 * Photograph: Secretlab
   
   
   BEST GAMING CHAIR
   
   Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 Series
   
   I don't recommend most gaming chairs—that's coming from someone that sat on
   one for several years. They mostly go after a particular racing car aesthetic
   and are often quite adjustable, but they're not very comfy, breathable, or
   ergonomic. For most people, the above chairs will work better. But if you
   absolutely must have the gaming chair aesthetic, then the Secretlab Titan Evo
   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. This material also doesn't deal well with
   heat—it can get hot in the lower back area.
   
   $519 at Secretlab
 * Photograph: Pipersong
   
   
   BEST FOR CROSS-LEGGED SITTERS
   
   Pipersong Meditation Chair
   
   Have a problem sitting normally? If your legs need to be bent and twisted for
   you to be comfortable, you'll want to check out the Pipersong. 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, and anyone with a larger hip-to-butt ratio may not get
   the support needed to sit all day.
   
   $349 at Amazon

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 * Photograph: Herman Miller
   
   
   BUY IT USED
   
   Herman Miller Aeron
   
   There'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—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 at a local furniture reseller, on eBay, or on
   Facebook Marketplace. Or you can luck out like WIRED senior editor Michael
   Calore, who walked away with a free Aeron after an office in his town closed
   up shop.
   
   Read our guide on buying used gear on eBay to make sure you don't overpay.
   
   $1,845 at Herman Miller
   $1,985 at Amazon
   Buy at Ebay
   
 * Photograph: IKEA
   
   
   HONORABLE MENTIONS
   
   More Great Chairs
   
   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. 
   
   Fully Alani for $379: The Alani, from the maker of our favorite standing
   desk, comes in a few color combos that blend neatly into any home office.
   There’s a nice contoured cushion on the base and a mesh back to keep you
   cool, plus lumbar support for good posture. You can adjust the height, seat
   depth, armrests, and recline tension, and lock the recline. I found it comfy
   for long days of up to 16 hours. It worked for my 6'1" self, and my 5'
   daughter also liked it. It’s a solid alternative to the Branch Ergonomic
   Chair (our top pick), but it's a smidge more expensive. 
   
   Ikea Markus for $249: 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—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 crisscrossed, the width between the arms will make you
   uncomfortable.
   
   Nouhaus Ergo3D Ergonomic Office Chair for $370: Here's another completely
   mesh chair (seat and backrest), just like the X-Chair. It seriously looks
   very similar to it, but the ElastoMesh seat isn't as comfy as the X-Chair's
   mesh (it'll feel worse on the skin if you, uh, tend to sit at your desk
   without pants). It's otherwise quite adjustable, roomy, and even comes with
   two sets of wheels so you can choose which works best for you based on your
   room. 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 of the X-Chair. 
   
   
 * Photograph: Cushionlabs
   
   
   SEAT CUSHIONS AND BACKRESTS
   
   Other Alternatives
   
   If 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 very 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.
   
   LoveHome Memory Foam Lumbar Support for $29: If you slouch in your seat, this
   comfortable memory foam pillow can help. It keeps your back straight and
   supported, and as it's very 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.
   
   

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 * Photograph: Stealtho
   
   
   REPLACE YOUR CASTERS
   
   Stealtho Office Chair Wheels
   
   The 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
   roll around sometimes, like when you get up and walk away from the chair.
   Stealtho has locking casters if you're worried, and they don't cost much
   more.
   
   $40 at Amazon
   $45 at Stealtho
 * Photograph: Vitrazza
   
   
   A GLASS CHAIR MAT
   
   Vitrazza Rectangle Glass Chair Mat
   
   Do you need a mat for your chair? Most likely not. However, castors can scuff
   up floors, which is why we recommend upgrading them to rollerblade wheels
   (see above). If you're on carpet, it can also be hard to move around on the
   chair. A mat can help with both of these issues. I've been sitting on top of
   this glass one from Vitrazza and have been pleasantly surprised. (You can
   totally go for much cheaper mats made from other materials too.) The safety
   glass is thick and has zero scratches even after more than a month of wear,
   it holds 1,000 pounds, and it doesn't touch my hardwood floor as you need to
   affix rubber bumpers to keep them apart. You can choose from a variety of
   sizes, and Vitrazza sells various shapes too.
   
   $249 at Vitrazza
 * Photograph: Steelcase
   
   
   AVOID THESE CHAIRS
   
   You Can Do Better
   
   If you come across these chairs, we recommend you save your cash and go for
   one of the picks above. 
   
   Steelcase Series 1 for $491: I wanted to like the Series 1, especially after
   having such a good experience with the Gesture. My biggest issue is with the
   armrest—the tops slide back and forth and side to side, which could be a good
   thing, except I managed to pinch my arm every time I moved. There's no way to
   lock them in place, so while my trunk felt supported, my 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 $330: 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 just feels like a cheap
   low-resistance exercise bike, so you’re getting the worst of both worlds. You
   also need a standing desk to accommodate it. 
   
   Poppin Task Chair for $399: This is as simple as office chairs come. There
   aren't many parts of it you can adjust, but the back does an OK job of
   aligning with the spine. The upholstered seat is fine in terms of comfort,
   but the mesh material on the backrest makes it breathable. Unfortunately, the
   casters don't roll smoothly and are pretty loud. It's also puzzling why the
   Poppin costs as much as it does when you get so much more with our top pick
   that's a little cheaper. 
   
   Flexispot Soutien for $290: The thick foam padding is very poor at managing
   heat, so you will feel sweaty in this chair over time. The mesh backrest
   helps a bit, and it's reasonably plushy and comfortable. It feels
   unnecessarily large though, and the lumbar support slides around too easily
   when you move.
   
   Teknion Around Chair for $675: I'm still struggling to see why this chair
   costs as much as it does. It feels incredibly similar to the Poppin Task
   Chair above (which is almost half the price), but the casters on the Teknion
   are even worse. They're annoyingly loud and feel cheap.
   
   

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 * Photograph: Guido Mieth/Getty Images
   
   
   TIPS ON SITTING PROPERLY
   
   Proper Ergonomics
   
   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-min walk per day, according to a recent study, can make a big
   difference in countering some effects of a sedentary lifestyle. 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 making sure you find 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. 
   
   




Julian Chokkattu is the reviews editor at WIRED, covering personal technology
and reviewing consumer products. Previously he was the mobile and wearables
editor at Digital Trends, steering coverage and reviews of smartphones and
smartwatches, and an intern at TechCrunch. He graduated from Rutgers University
with a bachelor's degree in English... Read more
Reviews Editor
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