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15 Best Upholstered Office Chairs (Review) In 2021

Written by:
Unclutterer
Last Updated: February 11, 2021
Best Choice
Serta-Leighton-Memory-Foam-Upholstered-Office-Chair-image
Serta Leighton Memory Foam Upholstered Office Chair
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Best Value
LIANFENG-Office-Desk-Chair-with-Armrests-image
LIANFENG Office Desk Chair with Armrests
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Premium Pick
Serta-Ergonomic-Leather-Executive-Office-Chair-image
Serta Ergonomic Leather Executive Office Chair
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Show Contents
Contents
  • 1. Serta Leighton Memory Foam Upholstered Office Chair
  • 2. DMF Furniture High Back Velvet Office Chair
  • 3. Serta Upholstered Layered Executive Office Chair
  • 4. Rimiking Home Office Modern Twill Fabric Adjustable Mid-Back Chair
  • 5. AmazonBasics Upholstered Low-Back Desk Chair
  • 6. Boss Office Products Executive Commercial Chair
  • 7. OFM Core Collection Upholstered Office Chair
  • 8. Serta Ashland Ergonomic Home Office Chair with Memory Foam Cushioning
  • 9. Serta Ergonomic Leather Executive Office Chair
  • 10. LIANFENG Upholstered Office Desk Chair with Armrests
  • 11. Studio Designs Contemporary Upholstered Chair
  • 12. Christopher Knight Home Bagnold Desk Chair
  • 13. NOVIGO Upholstered Home Office Chair
  • 14. ComHoma Upholstered Home Office Desk Chair
  • 15. Linon Cream Upholstered Tufted Desk Chair
Award
Brand
Rating
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Award:

Best Choice
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Brand:

Serta Leighton Memory Foam Upholstered Office Chair

Rating:

10
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Award:

Premium Pick
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Brand:

Serta Ergonomic Leather Executive Office Chair

Rating:

9
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Award:

Rustic Design
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Brand:

Linon Cream Upholstered Tufted Desk Chair

Rating:

8
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Award:

Best Value
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Brand:

LIANFENG Office Desk Chair with Arms and Adjustable Height

Rating:

7
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Award:

Budget Pick
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Brand:

AmazonBasics Low-Back Upholstered Desk Chair

Rating:

7

The Best Upholstered Office Chair

Office chair designs come in many shapes, designs, and sizes, such as swivel office chairs or ergonomic office chairs. So we compiled this review list of 15 ranging through suitability for low to high-end budgets through to how good they were when tested. Size is important, as is support - especially for those that plan to use their office chair for long periods - and we covered some wildly different styles and designs.

Take a look and hopefully, you will learn a little bit more about how to look out for the most perfect chair to suit you whether you'll be using it in the home or at the office. Some look good, some are constructed well, and quite a few are simply stunning.

Here we go...

1. Serta Leighton Memory Foam Upholstered Office Chair

Best Choice
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Key Features

    Swivel office chair

    Back height 19″

    Inside width 23″

    Height 19.25″ to 22.25″

    Twill

    10 colorways

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Serta Leighton Memory Foam Upholstered Office Chair
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We start our review list with the Serta Leighton Memory Foam Upholstered Office Chair, the best choice in our line up. It comes at a good mid-range price and with the memory foam padded seat it’s comfortable and offers a modern feel to any office. It could also be used as a feature chair. The color choices are stunning although we do think the twill fabric used will easily become worn and possible stain easily if this is used frequently. The arms have pocket coils and stand at a maximum height of 26.25 inches so it’s important to ensure you have ample space under the desk if you wish to tuck it in. We always like height adjustable office chairs and those that have a 360 degree swivel. The chrome legs and castors give you great mobility and it was easy to assemble.

    Pros

    Weight capacity 250 lbs

    Great for working from home

    Bonded leather option

    Great % of positive reviews

    Cons

    May not be genuine Serta – proceed with caution

2. DMF Furniture High Back Velvet Office Chair

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Key Features

    Swivel office chair

    Back height 20.5″

    Inside seat width 19.7″

    Height 20″ to 24″

    Velvet

    5 colorways

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DMF Furniture High Back Velvet Office Chair
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The DMF Furniture High Back Velvet Office Chair comes in a few pleasant colors and we particularly think those looking for contrasting vibrant colors in the home office will like the yellow as it stands out beautifully. It has a high back so great for support. Although the fabric is soft and this DMF Furniture chair looks stunning, it isn’t particularly comfortable if you plan on sitting for long periods but as a feature or conference chair, it’s perfect. That said, you may like that it has a fantastic percentage of 5* reviews. We think this is a great size for tall adults and manufacturers recommend maximum weight capacity is 250 lbs, about average for desk chairs of this design.

    Pros

    Beautifully designed

    Wide seat

    Easy to assemble

    Cons

    Colors may differ from images shown

    Possibly not for those with shorter stature

3. Serta Upholstered Layered Executive Office Chair

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Key Features

    Swivel desk chair

    Back height 24″

    Inside width 18.5″

    Height 18″ to 21.75″

    Fabric

    7 colorways

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Serta Upholstered Layered Executive Office Chair
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If you want to find out a little more about the Serta Upholstered Layered Executive Office Chair then here we are. It’s professionally designed by this renowned company and is a great executive chair with added pads in the right places for excellent shoulder and lumbar support, contouring to your body as you sit forward and back. The bonded leather is breathable and doesn’t become hot and sticky so if you don’t want something like a mesh task chair, this fabric offers almost equal advantages. We like the pneumatic lift and tilt feature which can lock into place, behind your desk. We recommended using a bonded leather conditioner every few months if you use the chair frequently.

    Pros

    Ergomic design

    Professional appeal

    Eco-friendly bonded leather

    Tall back rest

    Super brand name to own

    1 year warranty

    Cons

    Upholstery may scratch & tear easily

    Poor make quality

4. Rimiking Home Office Modern Twill Fabric Adjustable Mid-Back Chair

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Key Features

    Swivel mid-back chair

    Back height 14.6″

    Seat width 19.6″

    Height 14.6″ to 18.5″

    Fabric twill

    Gray

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Rimiking Home Office Modern Twill Fabric Adjustable Mid-Back Chair
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If you’re looking through armless office chairs that look the part then the Rimiking Home Office Modern Twill Fabric Adjustable Mid-Back Chair is great for those working from home and looking for a statement piece. As well as being designed well it is comfortable and height adjustable by around 4 inches. The slightly curved foam seat edges don’t dig into the backs of your knees and the team found this chair was good for sitting in for long periods. We like that it fits under the office desk without being restricted by armrests and, again, the mid-back isn’t too restrictive either.

    Pros

    Comfortable

    Great stylish design

    Easy to assemble

    Cons

    No tilt feature

    Smaller than it looks

5. AmazonBasics Upholstered Low-Back Desk Chair

Budget Pick
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Key Features

    Swivel low back chair

    Low backed

    Seat width 18.7″

    Height 18″ to 22″

    Fabric upper

    Black

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AmazonBasics Upholstered Low-Back Desk Chair
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The AmazonBasics Upholstered Desk Chair we tested is armless, has a low back, and is an ideal task chair for those with a lower budget. With its price this model is our budget pick for good reason – and the only drawback, that’s easy to live with, is that you have to assemble it yourself although this only took two of us about 10 minutes. If you’re a little on the larger size, bear in mind the weight capacity is recommended at the maximum of 250 lbs but with no arms, there’s no width restriction at the waist. It is BIFMA (Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Association) certified which means it has met stringent requirements.

    Pros

    Contoured back rest

    5 legs with castors

    Cons

    Available only in one color

6. Boss Office Products Executive Commercial Chair

Conference Model
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Key Features

    Swivel office chair

    Back height 28″ (approx.)

    Inside width 22″ (approx.)

    Height adjustment *not tested*

    Linen upper

    Wooden frame

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Boss Office Products Executive Commercial Chair
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By far a good option for using as a conference chair due to its elegant look is Boss Office Products Executive Commercial Chair, although some might think the effect given to the wooden arms and legs is a bit, well, cheap looking. Even at its high-end price, it’s more a feature than a comfortable office or desk chair. The manufacturer recommends it holds weight of up to 275 lbs which is higher than average. It features a pneumatic lift and a locking tilt mechanism.

    Pros

    Tilt mechanism

    Linen upper

    Wooden frame

    Cons

    Poor % of positive reviews

    Not for long term use

7. OFM Core Collection Upholstered Office Chair

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Key Features

    Swivel desk chair

    Low back height

    Inside seat width 19″

    Height 18″ to 21″ approx.

    Fabric upper

    Gray

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OFM Core Collection Upholstered Office Chair
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The Core Collection office chairs from OFM are simple in design and don’t offer much by way of lumbar support. They do look pleasant however and great if you want a no-fuss style. The OFM Core Collection Upholstered Office Chair has a 3″ coiled seat so that itself is comfortable and the entire chair is cushioned although it isn’t ergonomic in design so we wouldn’t recommend using this for prolonged periods. The height is adjustable by around 3 inches and ideal as a short-term use computer chair. The arms sit wide of the seat so it will be important to check the space under the desk if you need to tuck it in. The recommended weight capacity is up to 275 lbs.

    Pros

    Modern look

    Simple design

    All over padding

    Chrome feature legs

    Cons

    May prefer lower arm height

    Lacking back support

    Not for prolonged use

8. Serta Ashland Ergonomic Home Office Chair with Memory Foam Cushioning

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Key Features

    Swivel office chair

    Back height 17″

    Inside seat width 18.5″

    Height 21″ to 24″

    Fabric

    8 colorways

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Serta Ashland Ergonomic Home Office Chair with Memory Foam Cushioning
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The Serta Ashland Ergonomic Home Office Chair with Memory Foam Cushioning is one of the best office or task chairs for those seeking comfort and support without looking too utilitarian. It has a touch of modern elegance for the home, office or even entertainment space to use as a gaming chair. The padded arms feature pocket coils and the seat is memory foam, so your buttocks and elbows won’t suffer! The only thing we didn’t like was that although there are plenty of color options the choices are pretty muted but some might like that they are neutral enough to fit into any space. Ideal if you’re working from home or need a permanent fixture in any office space.

    Pros

    Comfortable

    Easy to assemble

    Adds a soft touch

    Cons

    Not for those of shorter stature

    Poor % of positive ratings

9. Serta Ergonomic Leather Executive Office Chair

Premium Pick
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Key Features

    Swivel office chairs

    Back height 24″

    Inside width 19.75″

    Height 17″ to 20″ approx.

    Bonded leather w. fabric option

    5 color options

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Serta Ergonomic Leather Executive Office Chair
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Looking like more a modernistic gaming chair the Serta Ergonomic Leather Executive Office Chair is very functional, comfortable, and built for support in the right places. It does lack elegance though. Great lumbar support is provided with a cleverly tilting back and tilting seat feature. This is the Unclutterer teams’ premium pick.

Manufactured by the renowned Serta it’s well designed – but a pain to assemble if there’s just one of you! We tested the bonded leather version, it’s a breathable material and is eco-friendly and we didn’t stick to it when it got a bit hot in the office. The cushioning has been added to all the right spots. We only don’t recommend if you are looking for a classic design rather than a futuristic one.

    Pros

    Seat tilts for comfort

    Adjustable armrests

    Excellent amount of cushioned support

    Push-button height adjustment

    Ergonomic design

    Cons

    Height might be too much for shorter statures

    High-end price compared to others in our review list

    Doesn’t feel very stable – ensure assembled safely

10. LIANFENG Upholstered Office Desk Chair with Armrests

Best Value
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Key Features

    Swivel chair

    Back height 20″ approx.

    Inside width 18.5″

    Height 15.4″ to 19.4″

    Fabric upper

    Gray/white

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LIANFENG Upholstered Office Desk Chair with Armrests
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Supporting the weight of up to 250 lbs, the LIANFENG Upholstered Office Desk Chair with Armrests can be used with or without the arms, it’s up to you when you assemble it but they do offer support when you need it. The seat is fairly well cushioned so at first it’s comfortable and without the arms, it should fit snugly under a desk. It isn’t ergonomically designed so won’t offer the lumbar support that some do. The backrest has a slight tilt and we like the white legs and arms which are a breath of fresh air from the standard black or chrome finish.

As you would expect it swivels 360 degrees and the five legs have casters for mobility around the home or office space. One of the best office chairs for those looking for simplicity. All in all, it’s a good office chair for the lower budget.

    Pros

    Feels sturdy

    30 day return policy

    Simple design

    1 year warranty

    Breathable fabric

    Cons

    Not comfortable for prolonged sitting

11. Studio Designs Contemporary Upholstered Chair

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Key Features

    Swivel chair 360 degrees

    Back height 18″

    Inside width 18.5″

    Seat height 21″

    Polyester or bonded leather

    Variety of colorways

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Studio Designs Contemporary Upholstered Chair
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You can relax in style with Studio Designs Contemporary Upholstered Chair and you can use it as a feature chair in the lounge, company waiting room, home office, studio, or even as a bedroom chair. The colors are fairly muted and we tested the blue which is more like a subtle teal – a classic color that supplements any decor. Because it isn’t height-adjustable we recommend checking the height of the seat so that if you are on the taller or shorter side it fits you suitably. The design is sleek and features 360 degrees swivel so there is movement that you need in any task chair.

    Pros

    Swivel seat feature

    Lovely colors

    Blended leather option available

    Cons

    Not on wheels

    Not height adjustable

12. Christopher Knight Home Bagnold Desk Chair

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Key Features

    Swivel chair

    Back height 20.5″

    Inside width 22″

    Seat height 20.5″

    Polyester upper

    Navy blue

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Christopher Knight Home Bagnold Desk Chair
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With chrome feature legs that sit on castors, the Christopher Knight Home Bagnold Desk Chair looks the part and the navy blue color fits in with any decor. Although this office chair doesn’t have armrests, it does have small sleek edges that lead up the back of the chair and we found that was ideal so that you don’t end up slipping off either side when in deep concentration! It’s a nice looking chair, with a classic design but it’s also functional although we wouldn’t recommend it for extended use.

    Pros

    Armless

    Classic yet functional

    Cons

    Not particularly sturdy/feels unstable

    Not for prolonged use

13. NOVIGO Upholstered Home Office Chair

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Key Features

    Swivel chair

    Back height 19.6″

    Inside seat width 18.8″

    Height 17.4″ to 20.4″ approx.

    Fabric upper

    Gray

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NOVIGO Upholstered Home Office Chair
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With a recommended maximum weight capacity of 275 lbs this is the NOVIGO Upholstered Home Office Chair which comes in a dark gray fabric so supplements most decor colors. It has a modern design and is height adjustable with the maximum height being just over 20 inches. It does seem to lean back a little so doesn’t offer much in the way of lumbar support – it isn’t ergonomically designed – but if you are looking for a fabric chair that sits well in your home or office and doesn’t have the typical ‘industrial’ or utilitarian look then this might be the best task chair for you. We wouldn’t recommend it for long working hours.

    Pros

    Good as a conference chair

    90 day refund policy

    3 year limited warranty

    Cons

    Not an ideal desk chair

    Difficult to follow assembly instructions

14. ComHoma Upholstered Home Office Desk Chair

Rustic Design
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Key Features

    Swivel desk chair

    High back support

    Inside seat width 19″

    Floor to armrest 25″ approx.

    Linen

    Gray with contrast piping

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ComHoma Upholstered Home Office Desk Chair
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Nicely padded, although the ComHoma Upholstered Home Office Desk Chair is ergonomically designed it doesn’t quite have that typically dull office look. It’s well-styled in a mottled gray fabric and finished off with a contrast piping. It looks quite feminine and feels comfortable at the desk. The seat is nice and wide and the armrests are slightly padded too although we recommend measuring carefully so that it will fit snugly under your desk or office space. It has a nice high rest for the back and at first, seems very comfy in all the right areas.

We will mention that it’s ‘cute’, sits well, and feels sturdy, but the fabric has a slight sparkle – there’s a metallic weave through the material – so for some, it might look a bit on the cheap end. There are two PU leather options in gray and black if you prefer material that’s a little less likely to stain.

    Pros

    Very comfortable chair

    Looks pretty

    Tilt mechanism

    Easy assembly

    Wide seat area

    Cons

    Not a long-lasting option

    Fabric is sparkly – not mentioned/shown in description

15. Linon Cream Upholstered Tufted Desk Chair

Rustic Design
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Key Features

    Swivel chair

    Back support 18.5″

    Seat width 19″

    Height 18″ to 21″

    Polyester upper

    Washed ivory color

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Linon Cream Upholstered Tufted Desk Chair
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One thing that stood out for us with this Linon Cream Upholstered Tufted Desk Chair is that, as far as desk chairs go, it looks elegant. That’s where it stops. The positives are that it doesn’t have restrictive armrests, is height adjustable, and is designed so it resembles almost a vintage French style. The negatives for the Unclutterer team were the washed finish to the legs and the construction feels almost flimsy. The cushioning is fairly hard. Also, for the price we found, it’s at the high end of any budget. If you are looking for something that looks pleasant and isn’t for prolonged use then this is a great chair.

    Pros

    Classic design

    Armless

    Cons

    Is expensive

    Leg finish looks cheap

Features To Consider With Upholstered Office Chairs

Adjustability

Resting your arms is important, as is how height-adjustable an office chair is. Most will be able to vary the height from around three to four inches and the armrests, with some of the best support being for the back, shoulders, and elbows.

If you do lots of typing then the arm should be rested comfortably on the desk rather than on the chair arms. The height, although between three and four inches when adjustable sounds minimal, does make a big difference. You should be able to sit comfortably without the back of the knees being under pressure so do measure that the lowest and tallest heights meat your own measurements, especially if you will be using your office chair for prolonged periods.

Armrests vs No Armrests

Arms can be useful especially if chairs are for meetings or conference rooms and they do offer a little comfort when you sit back in the chair. They can, however, be obstructive and this is especially true if you want to sit the chair snugly under a desk or keep your arms free from restrictions.

Arms will support your upper limbs and support your back when you want to rest from leaning forward onto the desk. On the other note, they can cause you to tense your shoulders and reduce what would otherwise be a strong posture. If your chair has no arms it might encourage you to almost slump forward onto your desk, causing issues with posture and back pain.

If you aren't sure, it's worth looking at height adjustable arms and make sure that you can use your own 'core' to work at your desk rather than relying on the arms on your chair.

Back Support

It's ideal if you can find a selection of office chairs that offer good padding or a lumbar roll which will help with posture as you sit. Not all desk chairs are ideal for extended use so you need to be motivated to get up from your chair regularly and stretch out your body. If you're thinking about staying a bit more active while working, then a kneeling chair is the perfect choice for you.

Simply put, any support that offers space between the lower back and the back of the office chair will help relieve pressure. For additional back support, we made a buying guide with some of the best back support accessories currently available.

the best upholstered office chair

Comfort

Comfort is key and often we look at the design rather than the fabric makeup of an office chair. Back mesh designs will mean that you don't over-sweat, especially in the heat of summer. Bonded leather also is a breathable material that won't mean you sweat as you would with, say, leather.

As far as design goes, a movable backrest or tilting feature may help so that you aren't encouraged to lean back too much in the chair. Any way that you can fill the space between your lower back and the backrest of the chair is a good idea. In this case, look out for an ergonomic design where the chair has padding and support in all the right places.

If you are open to something that looks a bit unique, a gaming chair is usually, and specifically designed, to prevent slouching and slumping when used for long periods of time.

While you might prefer the look and style of office chairs, a comfortable chair is designed so that it is able to support the limbs, back, neck and shoulders and should support your body so that your back doesn't have to. For additional comfort and multifunctionality of your office chair, check out some of these great office chair accessories currently available.

Design

A good office chair should be ergonomically designed and even functional construction can be stylish. If you have a tendency to slouch or slump forward, office chairs with arms might just give you that few minutes break as you lean back and stretch out your limbs and back. Those without arms may subconsciously make you lean forward and can cause pressure on your back - and with prolonged use can really affect your posture.

Task chairs are usually armless and aimed at using for short periods of time. Desk chairs will usually have arms and although usually more expensive, do offer long term benefits to your back.

A good thing to look out for is:

  • Height adjustable
  • Tilting mechanism - both backrest and seat
  • Unrestricted use - arms that can be removed or adjusted

Material

Fabric is generally going to be more high maintenance, especially if you are likely to get spills and sometimes your pant fabric can wear into the grain of the material.

Leather or bonded leather should be treated every 3 to 6 months with a conditioner to keep the material supple so it is less likely to split and wear. Even though leather office chairs are a bit high maintenance, those models are most suited to slide under the executive desk.

the best upholstered office chair

Size

Most of the best office chairs will have a weight limit of around 250 to 275 lbs. If you might be on the wider side then check the inside size of the seat. If you have armrests then the movement will be limited. A high back on the best office chairs can offer support to the lower and mid-spine as well as the neck. A mid or low-backed chair will offer far fewer restrictions when it comes to arm and head movement.

Swivel

The best office chairs will swivel at 360 degrees, giving you movement so you can reach for items around your desk so you don't have to shove a cumbersome and solid chair out of the way or stretch too far to get objects.

Tilting

Tilting features aren't to everyone's taste. A back tilt can be handy so you can lean back and stretch just a little when you take a minute. Seat tilts can feel like you are being pushed forward and some report that they feel like they're slipping off the seat although this works for those who do like to lean forward into the desk.

Weight Capacity

The majority of chairs are tested and this typically offers support to those 250 to 275 lbs or less. There are chairs that are larger and much more sturdy that can support those of a heavier stature so do look at the description and reviews so that you know, clearly, that the chair is suitable.

Sources

    How to Choose an Ergonomic Chair - Environmental Health and Safety

Related Reads

Best Office Chair Accessories
Best Leather Office Chairs
Best Office Chair Back Supports
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