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Office chairsHelping You Find the Best
mybest
Office chairsHelping You Find the Best
13 Best Office Chairs  [Tested and Reviewed]

13 Best Office Chairs [Tested and Reviewed]

As more and more people are working from home, office chairs have become a hot item, and many of them are ergonomically designed to help prevent fatigue even after sitting for long hours. But for those who are thinking of buying one, the wide range of options available from companies like Herman Miller, Steelcase, and IKEA can make it difficult to choose.

We compared 13 of the bestselling office chairs from online sellers to find which ones are truly worth your money. In our tests, we looked at the following three points.

  • Posture support
  • Seat comfort
  • Stuffiness of seat

Just which of these office chairs ended up getting the mybest seal of approval? We'll be introducing some tips for how to choose one, so be sure to read on!

Last updated 09/28/2023
Katsuhiro Ito
Expert
Ergonomics Specialist
Katsuhiro Ito

After joining an office furniture manufacturer and engaging in product planning and marketing, Katsuhiro Ito began using his insight to provide advice on product development, work styles, and health management from an ergonomic perspective focused on concepts such as "reducing fatigue," "ease of use," "safety," and "productivity." He supervises the design of ergonomically optimal workstyles and products that do not burden the body. He actively publicizes information on themes such as ergonomics-based telework environments and has presented numerous seminars for companies. He is a certified ergonomist with the Ergonomics Society of Japan.

Katsuhiro Ito's Profile
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Dr. Jeanette De Witt
Expert
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Dr. Jeanette De Witt

Dr. Jeanette De Witt owns and operates The Wellness Track, LLC. She is a Doctor of Physical Therapy specializing in Corrective Exercise, Medical Fitness, and Nutrition Education. She is one of ten clinicians in the USA certified in the Total Motion Release technique for reducing pain, restoring symmetry, and improving alignment. Dr. De Witt is credentialed in Exercise Is Medicine with the American College of Sports Medicine. She received her Personal Training Certification, Fitness Nutrition Specialization, and Corrective Exercise Specialization with the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

Dr. Jeanette De Witt's Profile
…Continue reading
Haruka Seto
Guide
Head of Interior and Furnishings at mybest
Haruka Seto

Since joining mybest, she has been in charge of furniture and interior goods and has overseen over 350 product tests for goods such as office chairs and desks. With the personal mission to deliver accurate information by thoroughly testing each product, she works hard to curate the best content that will be beneficial to users.

Haruka Seto's Profile
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How We Tested the Products

We gathered the 13 bestselling Office Chairs and put them through rigorous testing.
  1. Posture Support

    1
    Posture Support

    Whether your chair lets you sit in a position that doesn't make you feel tired is vital for people who work at their desk and need to focus for long periods. For this test, we enlisted the expertise of ergonomics specialist Ito Katsuhiro. After adjusting the movable parts to their own liking, we asked each tester to rate the chairs for how well they supported their posture while sitting as far back into the seat as possible, based on the accepted standards of ergonomics.Evaluation points for posture supportDoes the backrest support your waist and keep your pelvis upright?Does the seat support your sit bones (ischium?)When sitting with your waist against the backrest and your feet on the floor, does it put pressure on your thigh bones?

  2. Seat Comfort

    2
    Seat Comfort

    A chair that you can relax in for long periods needs to offer a high level of seat comfort. So we asked 20 testers between the ages of 20 and 50 to sit in each one and grade their seat comfort based on the following points.Is the backrest tall enough to cover all the spots you expect to be supported?Does the backrest fit comfortably along the form of your body?Is the seat large enough to feel relaxed?Does the seat cushion have enough resistance to feel comfortable?

  3. Stuffiness of Seat

    3
    Stuffiness of Seat

    After sitting for a long time, you've probably noticed that heat builds up around your posterior. For this test, we asked five testers between the ages of 20 and 50 to sit in each office chair for three hours and rate how stuffy they felt based on the following point.Did your posterior become hot enough to be noticeably uncomfortable?

All product tests
were conducted in-house at mybest

Company Facility
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.The mybest team independently conducts its own tests to rank products.

Table of Contents

What's the Ideal Posture for Working at Your Computer?

What's the Ideal Posture for Working at Your Computer?

Even the best chair on the market can't prevent fatigue and damage to your body if you don't have the right posture. It's best to understand the right way to sit in order to improve comfort and productivity.


First, your posterior should touch the backrest. This offers extra support to your waist and makes it easier to keep a proper upright posture with your spine straight. Next, it's important to use the armrests to support your arms while typing on your PC. Holding your elbows up unsupported puts a strain on your shoulders and neck.


You should use a computer stand or even some books to make sure your computer screen is at eye level in order to prevent getting hunched over. It's also ideal to keep the screen at least 20-40 inches away from your face. If the screen is too close, it can cause fatigue in your eyes and neck, so try to maintain a healthy distance. Finally, try to keep your feet planted on the ground while you work. Holding your feet in the air unsupported puts additional pressure on your thighbones and can inhibit circulation, so it's vital to adjust the height of your seat to the proper level.


These are the things to keep in mind to maintain the ideal posture when working at a computer. And, of course, remember to take breaks periodically. By using a chair that makes for good posture, you're less likely to get tired after long work sessions and can also improve productivity.

Katsuhiro Ito
Ergonomics Specialist
Katsuhiro Ito

Your spine is curved like the letter S, but if you slouch over while sitting, it makes it harder to stand up using your pelvic bone and adds extra stress to your body. Particularly, sitting at the edge of your seat and leaning forward to work on your PC puts a burden on your back, so you should avoid this posture. Chairs designed with ergonomics in mind help maintain the natural S shape of your back, so choosing the right chair will both prevent fatigue and help you keep a healthy posture.

Why Is It So Important to Choose the Right Office Chair?

Using a quality office chair helps you maintain good posture and also prevents fatigue. Working with bad posture puts stress on your back and neck, which also affects the quality of your work. In this section, we'll look at some chairs that help you maintain good posture.

Sitting Puts 1.4 Times More Stress on Your Body Than Standing, so Be Sure to Choose a Chair That Lets You Maintain Good Posture

Sitting Puts 1.4 Times More Stress on Your Body Than Standing, so Be Sure to Choose a Chair That Lets You Maintain Good Posture

Finding a chair that fits your form will help you maintain good posture and prevent you from getting tired. People who do sedentary work every day, in particular, should take the time to find a good chair to maintain a healthy workflow. When choosing a chair, you should look at how well it supports your back, posterior, and arms.


Well-made chairs should have cushioning around the back to ensure your spine remains in the S curve position, which lessens fatigue in your back. On the other hand, cheaply made chairs don't have enough cushioning on the backrest to support your back, which makes it difficult to keep the natural S curve in your spine


Next, look at how it supports your gluteus maximus. Well-made chairs are built to support the bones around your pelvis, often referred to as sit bones, and keeping them upright disperses the pressure put on your muscles. This helps prevent your glutes from getting sore, even after sitting for long hours. But chairs that scored lower in our tests had flat seats that weren't made to support your sit bones and are more likely to put stress on your posterior.


Lastly, a good office chair should also support your arms. Ones with adjustable armrests can be set to the best position to support your arms while typing, which takes the burden off your shoulders and neck. Office chairs without adjustable armrests make it hard to rest your arms at the ideal height, which can lead to fatigue. We go into more detail in the "How to Choose" section, so be sure to keep reading.

Katsuhiro Ito
Ergonomics Specialist
Katsuhiro Ito

The wheels on a chair also perform an important function. People who spend a long time at their desk working will often find themselves moving around a bit from side to side, or leaning forward and back. If your chair has wheels, it will slide around with the direction your body is moving, which takes less effort on your part and ultimately helps prevent fatigue.

Chairs That Feel Comfortable Initially Don't Always Support Posture

Chairs That Feel Comfortable Initially Don't Always Support Posture

During our tests, we discovered that chairs which felt good to sit in and those that help to maintain posture didn't always overlap. Office chairs that scored highest in our tests on seat comfort either had headrests that allowed the user to comfortably lie back or were large with soft cushioning like a car seat.


A headrest isn't necessary for keeping healthy posture. But, for people who work in creative industries and often spend time with their head back thinking, or those who often watch videos and relax in their office chair, having a headrest is definitely useful for staying comfortable.


Also, keep in mind that office chairs which are similar to car seats don't have the same resistance in their backrests or seat padding, which means your rear is likely to sink in and put more pressure on the rest of your body. When choosing an office chair that will help prevent getting tired after long work sessions, you should be looking not only at comfort, but also whether it's been designed ergonomically to help maintain the correct posture.

Haruka Seto
Head of Interior and Furnishings at mybest
Haruka Seto

Some of the chairs in this ranking that didn't have headrests do offer them as a paid option, so be sure to check the product information if having a headrest is important to you.

How to Choose Office Chairs

Here are the points to keep in mind when choosing the best Office Chairs.

1

If Desk Work Is Your Main Job, Choose a Chair That Keeps Your Posture Straight

If you're sitting all day at work, you definitely want a chair that's less likely to make you tired. Maintaining a good posture will lessen the burden on your muscles, even after a full day of desk work. But the truth is that it's difficult to keep up this posture on your own for long periods, so we'll introduce some office chairs that are built to help you maintain this posture.

Backrests That Protrude at the Bottom Keep Your Pelvis in the Ideal Position

Backrests That Protrude at the Bottom Keep Your Pelvis in the Ideal Position

A good backrest is one that's built to support your back. Chairs that help you keep a good posture have a sufficiently firm backrest with a protrusion in the lower back region to support and maintain the natural S curvature of your spine. This keeps your pelvis in the correct upright position and lessens the load on your body, making it less likely you'll get tired after sitting for a long time.


Conversely, backrests without protruding cushioning don't offer as much support and allow your back to slump, putting your spine into a less ideal C shape. This also results in your pelvis tilting and puts additional stress on your body, which will make you feel tired after sitting for too long.

Office Chairs With a Soft Seat Keep Your Posterior From Getting Sore Even After Long Hours

Office Chairs With a Soft Seat Keep Your Posterior From Getting Sore Even After Long Hours

Many people have probably noticed that their rear end gets sore after sitting for a long time, and they can't concentrate anymore. How adequate the support capability of the seat cushion on your chair is will affect whether or not your backside takes damage. If you can use the sit bones in your posterior to support your body's core, it disperses the pressure on your muscles and makes it less likely for your glutes to get sore even after sitting for a long time.


We found that seat cushions which are comfortable to sit on have different levels of firmness in different spots. Specifically, they're soft around the spot that meets your ischium pelvic bones and then firmer surrounding that in order to support your hip joints and lessen the burden on your gluteus maximus.


Seats that don't have this type of protrusion and are uniform in firmness, however, don't offer as much support for your hip joints, and ultimately don't fit as well along your posterior. So, they can make your backside hurt even after a short work session.

Adjusting the Armrests for the Type of Work You're Doing Prevents Shoulder Fatigue

Adjusting the Armrests for the Type of Work You're Doing Prevents Shoulder Fatigue

Being able to adjust the height of the armrests can lessen the burden on your muscles. Adjusting them to a position that's natural for you adds support to your arms and takes the pressure off your neck and shoulders. But if the armrests on your chair are stuck in place, you may often find yourself holding your elbows up in the air while typing, which defeats the purpose of having armrests in the first place.


For the average person, each arm weighs 11 pounds, so without the support of armrests, you're effectively putting 22 pounds of stress on your shoulders while you work. That's quite a heavy burden on your shoulders and can inhibit concentration after long periods.

Check Whether Your Chair's Seat Height Is Adjustable so That Your Feet Sit Comfortably on the Floor

Check Whether Your Chair's Seat Height Is Adjustable so That Your Feet Sit Comfortably on the Floor

While you should maintain a good posture, keeping your feet planted firmly on the floor is also important for working comfortably. Sitting as far back on the seat as possible with your soles on the floor is the ideal position. If your feet float in the air, the weight hangs on the back of your thighs and can cause fatigue or poor circulation. Nearly all office chairs allow for adjustment of the seat height, but we still recommend making sure that the one you plan on buying can be set to your own ideal height. 


Of the office chairs in our list, two that received excellent scores for posture support both had large ranges for adjusting the seat height. Each person has a different ideal height for chair seats, so you can use the data on seat heights in our ranking as a reference.

Katsuhiro Ito
Ergonomics Specialist
Katsuhiro Ito

Each chair has a different range the seat height can be adjusted to, so it's best to check each one just to be safe. Generally, if the seat height can be set to one quarter of your own height, you shouldn't have any trouble.

2

Adjusting the Direction of the Armrests Gives You Breathing Room

If you're able to adjust the direction of the armrests, it's easier to find the appropriate sitting posture for the type of work you're doing or your own body type. Office chairs that allow you to adjust the direction of the armrests aren't common, so be sure to check beforehand if it's a feature you're interested in.

Facing the Armrests Outward Makes It Easier to Sit Depending on Your Body Type

Facing the Armrests Outward Makes It Easier to Sit Depending on Your Body Type

Adjusting the direction of the armrests on your chair is a convenient feature for matching the position you sit in with your own body type. Facing them outward gives you more space around your waist and makes work more enjoyable. But if the armrests are stuck in place, people with a larger frame may feel cramped, which of course negatively effects overall seat comfort.


We also found that the size of the armrests can create a difference in seat comfort. Small armrests are hard to place your elbows on and don't contribute to a feeling of stability in your arms. In order to create the ideal work environment, it's a good idea to look for an office chair that allows you to adjust the armrest direction and supports your arms as much as possible.

3

People Who Sweat a Lot Should Look for Mesh Seats

Many people may notice that their underside gets hot after sitting for long periods. In the next section, we'll discuss how seat material affects the buildup of heat, so keep reading to find out more.

Seats Without Cushioning Have Better Ventilation and Don't Make You Hot and Sweaty

Seats Without Cushioning Have Better Ventilation and Don't Make You Hot and Sweaty

The seat fabric on office chairs is usually made of either mesh, polyester, or leather. The results of our tests showed that seats made of mesh fabric were less likely to become hot and stuffy, thanks to how easily air passes through the fabric. Heat is less likely to build up even after sitting for long periods, so you can get work done without enduring stuffiness.


On the other hand, seats made of polyester or leather don't ventilate as well and are more likely to retain heat. This can make you feel hot and stuffy after sitting for a long time, and people who are prone to sweating should avoid these types of chairs.

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13 Best Office Chairs Ranking

Here are the best Office Chairs we found after testing them. We ranked them after weighting each of our testing specs.
Recommended
Price Performance
Sort
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Seat comfort
Seat breathability
Products
Image
mybest Score
Click to purchase
Key features
Main Score
Details
Seat comfort
Posture support
Stuffiness of seat
Seat material
Leg material
Backrest material
Total width
Total depth
Total height
Seat width
Seat depth
Height from floor to seat
Seat thickness
Total weight
Load capacity
Warranty period
Wheel lock
Headrest
Armrest
Lumbar support
Forward tilt
Tilt tension
1

Herman Miller

Aeron ChairAER1B21HWSZSG1G1G1BBBK23103

Herman Miller Aeron Chair 1
4.83

mybest's Top Choice! Ergonomically Designed for Long Sessions and Increased Work Productivity

4.27
5.00
4.93

8Z Pellicle elastomeric

Aluminum

8Z Pellicle elastomeric

27 in.

16.75 in.

41 in.

unknown

unknown

16-20.5 in.

unknown

41 lb.

350 lb.

12 years

unknown

2

Steelcase

Gesture

Steelcase  Gesture 1
4.52

Provides Plenty of Posture Support and the Optional Headrest Is Great for Relaxing

4.27
4.65
4.22

unknown

unknown

unknown

22.38 - 34.63 in.

21 - 23.63 in.

39.25 - 44.25 in.

20 in.

18.25 in.

16 - 21 in.

unknown

unknown

400 lb.

unknown

(Optional)

(Optional)

3

Herman Miller

Sayl Chair

Herman Miller Sayl Chair 1
4.42

Won't Leave You Tired Even After Long Work Sessions, Plus, It's Aesthetically Pleasing

3.93
4.65
4.07

Polyester

unknown

Elastomer

24.5 in.

26 in.

40.75 in.

18 in.

unknown

15.5-20 in.

unknown

54 lb.

unknown

12 years

(Optional)

4

HON

Ignition 2.0HONI2M2AMLC10TK

HON  Ignition 2.0 1
4.18

Keeps Your Backside Comfy, but Tends to Let Your Waist Slant

4.09
4.29
3.72

Plastic

unknown

Mesh

27 in.

28.5 in.

44.5 in.

unknown

unknown

unknown

unknown

‎54 lb.

300 lb.

Limited Lifetime

5

Steelcase

Steelcase Series 2436AIR3D3

Steelcase Steelcase Series 2 1
4.11

Firm Enough to Help Keep Good Posture, but Lacks Spaciousness

3.81
4.29
3.65

Fabric

unknown

unknown

27 in.

19.25 - 22 in.

38 - 42.5 in.

18.9 in.

14.2 - 17.7 in.

16.5 - 21.7 in.

unknown

33.5 lb.

399 lb.

unknown

(Optional)

6

Sihoo

Ergonomic Office Chair

Sihoo Ergonomic Office Chair 1
4.03

Not Meant for Long Work Sessions Due to the Pressure It Puts on Your Pelvic Bones

4.11
3.93
4.65

Polyester,Cotton

unknown

PP & fiber

unknown

unknown

43.31-50.20 in.

20.07 in.

18.11 in.

unknown

unknown

unknown

300 lb.

1080 day

7

Furmax

Mid Back Swivel Lumbar Support Desk Chair

Furmax Mid Back Swivel Lumbar Support Desk Chair 1
3.90

Lacks Waist Support and Leads to Sore Shoulders

3.50
3.93
4.86

unknown

unknown

Mesh

19.7 in.

19.7 in.

41 in.

unknown

unknown

14 - 18 in.

3 in.

23.92 lb.

265 lb.

unknown

8

Secretlab

TITAN Evo

Secretlab TITAN Evo 1
3.79

Lacks Curvature Needed to Maintain Good Posture, but Feels Good to Relax In

4.71
3.57
4.15

Faux Leather

Alminum alloy

Faux Leather

29.1 in.

unknown

51.2 in.

22 in.

19.3 in.

17.7 - 20.5 in.

unknown

76.1 lb.

285 lb.

5 years

(Head Pillow)

9

GABRYLLY

Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair

GABRYLLY Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair 1
3.73

The Backrest Doesn't Offer Sufficient Waist Support, and the Stiffness Gets Tiring

3.91
3.57
4.86

Mesh

unknown

Mesh

22 in.

25.6 in.

43.7 - 49.6 in.

19.3 in.

20 in.

18.5 - 22.4 in.

unknown

unknown

unknown

1 year

10

Amazon Basics

Classic Puresoft Padded Mid-Back Office Computer Desk Chair‎HOC-02

Amazon Basics Classic Puresoft Padded Mid-Back Office Computer Desk Chair 1
3.68

Can't Be Adjusted to Match Your Preferences and Ultimately Weighs You Down

4.01
3.57
3.93

‎Polyurethane

Metal

‎Polyurethane

23.75 in.

26 in.

38.25 in.

19.5 in.

17.75 in.

unknown

3.5 in.

25.3 lb.

275 lb.

1 year

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1
Top Choice Office Chairs
No.1 in Posture support
No.1 in Stuffiness of seat

Herman Miller
Aeron ChairAER1B21HWSZSG1G1G1BBBK23103

mybest Score
4.83
Seat comfort
4.27
Posture support
5.00
Stuffiness of seat
4.93
View on Amazon
Aeron Chair 1
Lowest price
$1,454.99
High
Lowest price
$1,454.99
High
Seat material8Z Pellicle elastomeric
Headrest
Armrest
Lumbar support
Forward tilt
unknown

mybest's Top Choice! Ergonomically Designed for Long Sessions and Increased Work Productivity

Herman Miller's Aeron Chair is an office chair with a traditional design that was introduced in 1994. It offers three size options as well as customizable parts and colors. It's been well-received for its sleek design and won't look out of place at home. During our tests, this chair received overall favorable reviews for its posture support. The seat cushion is firm enough in spots where your pelvis rests to offer support for extended use and won't make your backside sore. The lower half of the backrest also protrudes a bit to push your waist forward, which in turn keeps your pelvis upright and maintains the S curve shape of your back as it should.

Additionally, it uses mesh fabric for good ventilation and doesn't become hot or stuffy even after sitting for long periods. Our testers in particular appreciated this point, saying, "It didn't get stuffy or sweaty and stayed comfortable." 

In the category of seat comfort, however, it only received average scores. We appreciated that the armrests are large and can be adjusted in fine increments, but the lack of a headrest means you won't be able to put your head back and relax. You would probably need to get up and find somewhere else to relax if you needed to take a break from work. Even so, with an ergonomic design that helps maintain posture and prevent fatigue even after sitting for many hours, this is one office chair we can confidently recommend to improve work performance.

Leg materialAluminum
Backrest material8Z Pellicle elastomeric
Total width27 in.
Total depth16.75 in.
Total height41 in.
Seat widthunknown
Seat depthunknown
Height from floor to seat16-20.5 in.
Seat thicknessunknown
Total weight41 lb.
Load capacity350 lb.
Warranty period12 years
Wheel lock
Tilt tension
View all
Was this Ranking helpful?
No.2

Steelcase
Gesture

Lowest price
$1,424.00
High Mid
Seat materialunknown
Headrest(Optional)
Armrest
Lumbar support
(Optional)
Forward tilt

Provides Plenty of Posture Support and the Optional Headrest Is Great for Relaxing

Steelcase's Gesture offers eight different colors, so you can easily match it to the decor of your room. It also has a headrest option, allowing for some customization. This office chair proved itself to offer excellent posture support during our tests

The backrest cradles the shape of your body nicely once you sit with your waist against it, and the cushioning offers the right amount of resistance to maintain the natural S curve of your back. Not only can the seat height be adjusted and the backrest reclined, but the position of the armrests and seat can also be adjusted in precise increments. All of these adjustments are easy to make with a single hand, so you should have no trouble getting it to match your preferred work position.


As for seat comfort, however, it wasn't quite as appealing. It's true the seat cushion is sufficiently thick to make sitting comfortable, but if you don't opt for the headrest, there's nothing to support your neck. And although it wasn't noticeable enough to be detrimental, it did allow some heat to build up underneath the person sitting, so it doesn't exactly excel in ventilation. That being said, the fact that it helps maintain good posture so well and gives you the option of adding a headrest make it an excellent choice for both work and relaxation.
Leg materialunknown
Backrest materialunknown
Total width22.38 - 34.63 in.
Total depth21 - 23.63 in.
Total height39.25 - 44.25 in.
Seat width20 in.
Seat depth18.25 in.
Height from floor to seat16 - 21 in.
Seat thicknessunknown
Total weightunknown
Load capacity400 lb.
Warranty periodunknown
Wheel lock
Tilt tension
View all
No.3

Herman Miller
Sayl Chair

mybest Score
4.42
Seat comfort
3.93
Posture support
4.65
Stuffiness of seat
4.07
Lowest price
$735.00
High Mid
Seat materialPolyester
Headrest
Armrest
Lumbar support
(Optional)
Forward tilt

Won't Leave You Tired Even After Long Work Sessions, Plus, It's Aesthetically Pleasing

You can choose between nine color options with Herman Miller's Sayl Chair. The tall, aerodynamic-looking backrest makes a satisfying addition to the look of your room. When evaluating it on posture support, we found that the backrest is firmer in areas that help push your waist forward and maintain the S shape of your spine. It also does a good job supporting your pelvic bones, making it comfortable to sit in for long periods.

We weren't quite as impressed with the overall comfort, however. The armrests are stuck in place and can't be adjusted, which made it feel somewhat cramped to sit in. And without a headrest, there's no way to lie back and relax. In terms of stuffiness, we also couldn't help notice some warmth build up around the seat after a while, indicating a lack of ventilation. But with its compact size and sleek design, people who are just as concerned about how their office chair looks as they are about its functionality should keep it in mind.
Leg materialunknown
Backrest materialElastomer
Total width24.5 in.
Total depth26 in.
Total height40.75 in.
Seat width18 in.
Seat depthunknown
Height from floor to seat15.5-20 in.
Seat thicknessunknown
Total weight54 lb.
Load capacityunknown
Warranty period12 years
Wheel lock
Tilt tension
View all
No.4

HON
Ignition 2.0HONI2M2AMLC10TK

Lowest price
$425.00
Mid
Seat materialPlastic
Headrest
Armrest
Lumbar support
Forward tilt

Keeps Your Backside Comfy, but Tends to Let Your Waist Slant

The Ignition 2.0 by HON has a simple design using mesh fabric for the backrest. It's notably lightweight and allows for uninhibited movement. The seat cushion offers the right amount of resistance to support your pelvic bones and prevent fatigue even after sitting for long hours. Unfortunately, it doesn't support the lumbar region as well, and you'll notice that your lower back tends to sag downward when resting your body weight on the backrest.

Opinions were split on overall comfort. We couldn't ignore the lack of a headrest or the small size of the armrests, which made it difficult to put our arms down comfortably. It works well if you're leaning forward to work, but doesn't lend itself toward relaxation.

The seat doesn't allow much air to pass through and caused a bit of stuffiness. Several of our testers noticed some dampness after sitting in it for a while, so people who are prone to sweating probably wouldn't find it appealing.
Leg materialunknown
Backrest materialMesh
Total width27 in.
Total depth28.5 in.
Total height44.5 in.
Seat widthunknown
Seat depthunknown
Height from floor to seatunknown
Seat thicknessunknown
Total weight‎54 lb.
Load capacity300 lb.
Warranty periodLimited Lifetime
Wheel lock
Tilt tension
View all
No.5

Steelcase
Steelcase Series 2436AIR3D3

Lowest price
$810.00
High Mid
Seat materialFabric
Headrest(Optional)
Armrest
Lumbar support
Forward tilt

Firm Enough to Help Keep Good Posture, but Lacks Spaciousness

The Steelcase Series 2 office chair comes in 11 colors to match nearly any room, and you can choose whether or not to add a headrest. We felt it did an excellent job of supporting posture, with a seat cushion firm enough to cradle your pelvic bones and keep your pelvis upright to prevent fatigue after long work sessions. The backrest helps you to maintain the S curve of your spine as long as you sit all the way back on the seat with your waist against it, and overall it encourages healthy posture.

However, some of our testers noticed that the backrest was too hard to lie up against comfortably, which affected scores on seat comfort. At least one tester also pointed out that it's hard to lie back and relax without the optional headrest attached. People who prefer to work while leaning back should probably add the headrest. We also found that the cushioning in the seat prevented breathability, and sitting for long hours would likely cause heat to build up on your posterior.
Leg materialunknown
Backrest materialunknown
Total width27 in.
Total depth19.25 - 22 in.
Total height38 - 42.5 in.
Seat width18.9 in.
Seat depth14.2 - 17.7 in.
Height from floor to seat16.5 - 21.7 in.
Seat thicknessunknown
Total weight33.5 lb.
Load capacity399 lb.
Warranty periodunknown
Wheel lock
Tilt tension
View all
No.6

Sihoo
Ergonomic Office Chair

Lowest price
$175.99
Low Mid
Seat materialPolyester,Cotton
Headrest
Armrest
Lumbar support
Forward tilt

Not Meant for Long Work Sessions Due to the Pressure It Puts on Your Pelvic Bones

Sihoo's Ergonomic Office Chair uses mesh fabric and comes in two color variations. The steel legs are stylish enough to add a sleek, modern look to your room. Although it includes a lumbar support pad to encourage good posture, the position can't be adjusted, and would only work well with certain body types. Also, the edges of the seat are thick, which can end up putting pressure on your thigh bones. It's hard to say that it would be comfortable to sit in for a long time.

We weren't extremely impressed with the seat comfort, either. While it's commendable for having an adjustable headrest to lay your head back on, the overall stiffness prevents it from feeling like you're being gently cradled. But thankfully, the mesh fabric ventilates well and doesn't cause any build up of heat or stuffiness. People who find they sweat a lot from their legs can appreciate that.
Leg materialunknown
Backrest materialPP & fiber
Total widthunknown
Total depthunknown
Total height43.31-50.20 in.
Seat width20.07 in.
Seat depth18.11 in.
Height from floor to seatunknown
Seat thicknessunknown
Total weightunknown
Load capacity300 lb.
Warranty period1080 day
Wheel lock
Tilt tension
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No.7

Furmax
Mid Back Swivel Lumbar Support Desk Chair

mybest Score
3.90
Seat comfort
3.50
Posture support
3.93
Stuffiness of seat
4.86
Lowest price
$39.99
Low
Seat materialunknown
Headrest
Armrest
Lumbar support
Forward tilt

Lacks Waist Support and Leads to Sore Shoulders

The Mid Back Swivel Lumbar Support Desk Chair by Furmax is notable for its compact size and 10 color variants that make it easy to match with any room. This office chair only received average scores for posture support. The extra support materials on the backrest are placed on the sides, but we couldn't feel it take any of the weight off our waists. It also felt like the seat cushion bottomed out when we sat on it, revealing a lack of firmness. It's unlikely to prevent fatigue after sitting in it for several hours.

It didn't do much better in seat comfort. The armrests can't be adjusted to match the height of your arms, which can often lead to shoulder pain. And the smaller size also means that some people will feel cramped. However, it did do a very good job of preventing build up of heat and stuffiness. The relatively thin seat cushion allows air to flow through, and it doesn't become uncomfortably warm.
Leg materialunknown
Backrest materialMesh
Total width19.7 in.
Total depth19.7 in.
Total height41 in.
Seat widthunknown
Seat depthunknown
Height from floor to seat14 - 18 in.
Seat thickness3 in.
Total weight23.92 lb.
Load capacity265 lb.
Warranty periodunknown
Wheel lock
Tilt tension
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No.8
No.1 in Seat comfort

Secretlab
TITAN Evo

Lowest price
$659.00
High Mid
Seat materialFaux Leather
Headrest(Head Pillow)
Armrest
Lumbar support
Forward tilt

Lacks Curvature Needed to Maintain Good Posture, but Feels Good to Relax In

The TITAN Evo is a popular gaming chair by Secretlab. The backrest has a detachable pillow that can be adjusted to match the height of your head. We weren't impressed with its ability to support posture. There are no indentations on the seat or backrest that offer posture support, and overall it didn't fit along our bodies well. 

The seat doesn't move together with the backrest when it reclines, so your waist tends to dip downward, which isn't an ideal posture. The leather material allows for some build up of heat, and you'll probably feel stuffy after sitting in it for a while. However, we found that it offered a favorable experience in seat comfort. The seat is large and holds the user's body snugly, so even people with larger frames will find it easy to relax in. People who want an office chair to use for taking a break here and there or watching videos may find it helpful.

Leg materialAlminum alloy
Backrest materialFaux Leather
Total width29.1 in.
Total depthunknown
Total height51.2 in.
Seat width22 in.
Seat depth19.3 in.
Height from floor to seat17.7 - 20.5 in.
Seat thicknessunknown
Total weight76.1 lb.
Load capacity285 lb.
Warranty period5 years
Wheel lock
Tilt tension
View all
No.9

GABRYLLY
Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair

Lowest price
$269.50
Mid
Seat materialMesh
Headrest
Armrest
Lumbar support
Forward tilt

The Backrest Doesn't Offer Sufficient Waist Support, and the Stiffness Gets Tiring

The Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair by Gabrylly comes with a headrest as part of the standard package and has armrests that can be tilted backward when you're not using them. The mesh design should easily go with the decor in your room. One reason this chair didn't score high for posture support was the raised cushioning at the edge of the seat that pushes into your thigh bones. Another issue is that the backrest protrudes around the upper part of your back, so we didn't feel that it supported the most vital spot: the waist.

As for seat comfort, the fabric is stretched taut onto the frame, making it stiff enough to make your backside sore after sitting for a while. And the surface is rough in a way that sends an unpleasant feeling of friction on your skin. But at least the mesh fabric offers a high level of ventilation and won't cause any feeling of stuffiness.
Leg materialunknown
Backrest materialMesh
Total width22 in.
Total depth25.6 in.
Total height43.7 - 49.6 in.
Seat width19.3 in.
Seat depth20 in.
Height from floor to seat18.5 - 22.4 in.
Seat thicknessunknown
Total weightunknown
Load capacityunknown
Warranty period1 year
Wheel lock
Tilt tension
View all
No.10

Amazon Basics
Classic Puresoft Padded Mid-Back Office Computer Desk Chair‎HOC-02

Lowest price
$95.73
Low Mid
Seat material‎Polyurethane
Headrest
Armrest
Lumbar support
Forward tilt

Can't Be Adjusted to Match Your Preferences and Ultimately Weighs You Down

The Classic Puresoft Padded Mid-Back Office Computer Desk Chair, an offering by Amazon Basics, uses cushioning similar to that of a sofa for an overall robust appearance. This chair doesn't do a very good job of supporting posture. The cushion on the seat lacks the resistance needed to support your pelvic bones, and sitting for long periods tends to make your rear end sore. There are no adjustable parts, which makes it more or less impossible to fit to your own preferences.

It only fared slightly better in seat comfort. The backrest is short and lacks a headrest, so it can't support your neck or shoulders and feels unstable to sit in. The armrests are stuck in place at a relatively low height, which means you'll usually need to support your arms on your own. The leather material used for the seat becomes warm easily, and if your workspace doesn't have air conditioning, you'll probably start to notice some dampness after a while.
Leg materialMetal
Backrest material‎Polyurethane
Total width23.75 in.
Total depth26 in.
Total height38.25 in.
Seat width19.5 in.
Seat depth17.75 in.
Height from floor to seatunknown
Seat thickness3.5 in.
Total weight25.3 lb.
Load capacity275 lb.
Warranty period1 year
Wheel lock
Tilt tension
View all
No.11

Mimoglad
High Back Ergonomic Desk ChairOC-5188H

Lowest price
$159.99
Low Mid
Seat materialunknown
Headrest
Armrest
Lumbar support
Forward tilt

Lacks Firmness and Stability and Makes It Difficult to Maintain Posture

Mimoglad's High Back Ergonomic Desk Chair employs a gray colored seat with white trim for an overall bright, eye-catching design. The arms can be raised to make the seat feel more spacious. The cushioning was too soft to provide stability, and overall, we didn't feel it did a good job of supporting posture. While the lumbar support is fine, the other spots weren't firm enough to help us maintain good posture.

Even though it includes a headrest, it isn't positioned in a way that supports the user's neck, which detracted from seat comfort. On the other hand, we appreciated that it didn't cause build up of heat or stuffiness. The seat cushion ventilates well enough that you won't need to worry about sweat even after sitting for hours.
Leg materialAluminum alloy
Backrest materialunknown
Total width22.83 in.
Total depthunknown
Total height50.78 in.
Seat width19.68 in.
Seat depth16.53 in.
Height from floor to seat18.9 - 22.8 in.
Seat thicknessunknown
Total weight30.1 lb.
Load capacity400 lb.
Warranty period5 years
Wheel lock
Tilt tension
View all

Underperforms in Firmness and Flexibility and May Not Fit Your Form Well

The MARKUS office chair by IKEA has a notably tall backrest and comes in two color variations. The wheels have stoppers to keep it in place when you're not using it. This chair didn't excel in our tests for posture support. The backrest was too soft to maintain the S curve of our backs, nor was the seat firm enough to properly support our pelvic bones. It probably wouldn't lead to a very comfortable experience for people working remote who need to sit for long hours.

As for seat comfort, neither the headrest nor the armrests are adjustable, which means they won't necessarily fit with your individual body type and can even get in the way. The cloth material used for the seat also heats up easily, which can lead to stuffiness in some cases. People who tend to sweat a lot should probably avoid it.
Leg materialunknown
Backrest materialSteel, Epoxy/polyester powder coating
Total width24.37 in.
Total depth23.6 in.
Total height50.75 - 55.13 in.
Seat width20.87 in.
Seat depth18.5 in.
Height from floor to seat18.12 - 22.5 in.
Seat thicknessunknown
Total weightunknown
Load capacityunknown
Warranty period10 years
Wheel lock
Tilt tension
View all
No.13

BestOffice
BestOffice Mesh Office ChairOC-YY-5290-Black

Lowest price
$40.99
Low
Seat materialCotton
Headrest
Armrest
Lumbar support
Forward tilt

Doesn't Help Maintain Posture or Cradle Your Body Well

The compact, modern-looking Home Office Mid-Back PC Computer Office Chair by BestOffice promises to be subtle enough to not dominate your room. When evaluating posture support, we found that the cushion had too much give and wasn't sturdy enough to support our pelvic bones. Sitting for too long put a burden on our backsides, and could likely lead to soreness. We also couldn't overlook the fact that the slanted backrest makes it easy to slip and doesn't keep your waist in the right position.

The armrests were a hindrance to seat comfort due to being too small and stuck in place, with the result that they couldn't take the weight off our arms. The backrest and seat are also on the small side and don't allow the user to sit uninhibited, which will eventually lead to fatigue. But on the bright side, the textured fabric did a good job letting air pass through, and it won't cause warmth to build up even after sitting for a long time.
Leg materialStainless
Backrest materialPolypropylene
Total width19.7 in.
Total depth18.9 in.
Total height38 in.
Seat widthunknown
Seat depthunknown
Height from floor to seat17.7 - 20.7 in.
Seat thicknessunknown
Total weight19 lb.
Load capacity250 lb.
Warranty period1 year
Wheel lock
Tilt tensionunknown
View all

How We Tested the Office Chairs

Office Chairs Evaluation
We compared 13 of the bestselling office chairs from sites like Amazon, Walmart and Office Depot to find out which ones are really worth your money. At mybest, we define excellent office chairs as those that support proper posture, are comfortable to sit in, and don't become hot and stuffy.

Taking the above criteria in mind, we tested them based on the following three points.

  • Posture support
  • Seat comfort
  • Stuffiness of seat

Products we tested

  1. Amazon BasicsClassic Puresoft Padded Mid-Back Office Computer Desk Chair‎HOC-02
  2. BestOfficeBestOffice Mesh Office ChairOC-YY-5290-Black
  3. FurmaxMid Back Swivel Lumbar Support Desk Chair
  4. GABRYLLYErgonomic Mesh Office Chair
  5. HON Ignition 2.0HONI2M2AMLC10TK
  6. Herman MillerSayl Chair
  7. Herman MillerAeron ChairAER1B21HWSZSG1G1G1BBBK23103
  8. IKEAMARKUS902.891.72
  9. MimogladHigh Back Ergonomic Desk ChairOC-5188H
  10. SecretlabTITAN Evo
  11. SihooErgonomic Office Chair
  12. SteelcaseSteelcase Series 2436AIR3D3
  13. Steelcase Gesture
1

Posture Support

Posture Support
Whether your chair lets you sit in a position that doesn't make you feel tired is vital for people who work at their desk and need to focus for long periods. For this test, we enlisted the expertise of ergonomics specialist Ito Katsuhiro. After adjusting the movable parts to their own liking, we asked each tester to rate the chairs for how well they supported their posture while sitting as far back into the seat as possible, based on the accepted standards of ergonomics.

Evaluation points for posture support

  • Does the backrest support your waist and keep your pelvis upright?
  • Does the seat support your sit bones (ischium?)
  • When sitting with your waist against the backrest and your feet on the floor, does it put pressure on your thigh bones?
2

Seat Comfort

Seat Comfort
A chair that you can relax in for long periods needs to offer a high level of seat comfort. So we asked 20 testers between the ages of 20 and 50 to sit in each one and grade their seat comfort based on the following points.

  • Is the backrest tall enough to cover all the spots you expect to be supported?
  • Does the backrest fit comfortably along the form of your body?
  • Is the seat large enough to feel relaxed?
  • Does the seat cushion have enough resistance to feel comfortable?
3

Stuffiness of Seat

Stuffiness of Seat
After sitting for a long time, you've probably noticed that heat builds up around your posterior. For this test, we asked five testers between the ages of 20 and 50 to sit in each office chair for three hours and rate how stuffy they felt based on the following point.

  • Did your posterior become hot enough to be noticeably uncomfortable?

Top 5 Office Chairs

No. 1: Herman MillerAeron ChairAER1B21HWSZSG1G1G1BBBK23103

No. 2: Steelcase Gesture

No. 3: Herman MillerSayl Chair

No. 4: HON Ignition 2.0HONI2M2AMLC10TK

No. 5: SteelcaseSteelcase Series 2436AIR3D3

View Full Ranking
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.

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