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Many cheap office chairs can make you feel as if you’ve been crammed into a torturous economy seat on a cross-country flight. But quality office chairs give you an upgrade to first class — they’re designed to support your body comfortably for the long haul.
We’ve researched dozens of office chairs, interviewed four ergonomics experts, and asked test panelists (with a variety of body types) to sit in deliberation for more than 175 collective hours.
Since 2015, we’ve found that the Steelcase Gesture is the best office chair for most people.
The best office chair – Steelcase Gesture
The Steelcase Gesture costs more than $1,000, but if you sit for long periods, the expense is well worth it.
Across multiple test panels, involving dozens of staffers trying out office chairs, the Gesture has continued to be a favorite since we first recommended it, in 2015.
It’s one of the most comfortable, supportive, and durable office chairs we’ve ever tested. Everything has stood the test of time — from the back support to the quality fabric to the dependable adjustment knobs.
And of the chairs we tested, the Gesture offers the widest range of fabrics and other finishing options, so you can customize its appearance to your liking.
Iconic, comfortable, and more breathable – Herman Miller Aeron Chair
The Herman Miller Aeron Chair is iconic, comfortable, and durable. And if you run hot, the mesh back and seat make it a better option than the Steelcase Gesture.
Bottom line: If you mainly want a chair that props you up ergonomically and is comfortable to sit in for long hours of typing at a desk, the Aeron will suit you well.
The Aeron’s armrests aren’t as adjustable as the Gesture’s, so this chair is not as versatile for different tasks requiring arm support, such as propping up a tablet to read. But the Aeron is easier to move around and less bulky than the Gesture, and it doesn’t collect as much lint.
This chair is well known for its durability, and it comes with a 12-year warranty. If the price seems too high, you can probably find a lightly used Aeron — for a steep discount — at an office-furniture liquidation store.
The Aeron comes in three sizes, so we recommend checking the fit guide before you order.
Budget Pick – HON Ignition 2.0
If you’re looking for something more affordable than our other picks, the HON Ignition 2.0 is the best inexpensive office chair we’ve tested.
It has all of the standard adjustments we like to see in a chair, including seat depth, tilt tension, tilt lock, seat height, and arm height.
It’s comfortable for all-day use, with effective, adjustable lumbar support (make sure the product description says “adjustable lumbar” so you get the model with that option).
However, this chair has a minimum seat height of 17 inches, so people of below-average height may have difficulty sitting properly with their feet flat on the floor (we recommend a footrest). Also, the Ignition 2.0 isn’t as sturdy as our pricier picks, and we don’t think it will last nearly as long.
Steelcase Leap V2 – Best For Back Pain
No other chair my team has tested is as good for relieving lower back pain as the Steelcase Leap. Its strength lies in a mechanically engineered backrest that naturally molds to your body, keeping your spine aligned at any angle, while its “sticky” recline keeps your feet firmly on the ground when leaning back.
Unlike most office chairs, including the Steelcase Series 2, this seat is all about precision – dialling adjustments down to the millimeter for precise back pain relief. The adjustable lumbar support system supports the middle of the back or the lower back. Firmness can also be altered, helping you achieve a better posture.
Overall, the chair boasts incredible comfort for a range of body types (and our 6’2″ reviewer agrees), with smooth adjustment mechanisms, and a solid build quality that’s reflected in the price. The Steelcase Leap proved exceptional for long hours at the desk.
Herman Miller Embody – Best Office Chair For Long Hours
The Herman Miller Embody promotes active sitting with a distinctly freeing sensation – the backrest’s Pixelated Support instantly adjusts to your micro-movements, evenly distributing weight and alleviating pressure.
Herman Miller’s signature comfort and smart design are outstanding, but the magic lies in the Embody’s dynamic BackFit adjustment with Pixelated Support. Paired with the layered hybrid foam-spring cushioning of the seat, it all comes together in concert to cradle your back to relieve pressure points and keep you sitting upright.
In testing, the Embody delivered on its promise of comfort for long hours. There is a slight learning curve – some of the adjustments, like correcting armrest positioning and the seat depth extender, aren’t as intuitive as other models. But once you get the hang fine-tuning the seating, the experience is beyond compare.
Best for a blend of comfort and style – Branch Softside Chair
If you find traditional ergonomic chairs (like the rest of our picks) visually unappealing, the Branch Softside Chair is a fantastic alternative. It’s attractive yet still supportive.
Unlike the rest of our picks, the Softside is limited to just height adjustments. You can’t change the arm height, seat depth, or tilt tension.
During testing, the Softside was comfortable all day, and it ranked highest among testers for looks. It’s available in several upholsteries — including fabric, leather, and bouclé options — and in both low- and high-back versions.
Branch’s five-year parts warranty is longer than most chairs at this price. The Softside lacks most of the ergonomic customizations our other picks offer, including height-adjustable armrests and a height-adjustable back.