Are you a squirmer? A leaner? A recliner? Or, maybe an edge of seater? A quick glance around any office will demonstrate that no one person sits in the same way – we all know how we should position ourselves for perfect ergonomics, but that’s not always a reality when we’re distracted by work and the myriad of other tasks we need to perform at our desks.
That’s why a good task chair should be able to support you in a number of different positions, while gradually coaxing you back to the optimum position for healthy bum-based work.
The back rest and seat pad should be immediately comfortable, but also be able to prop you up into an ergonomic position throughout the day using the chosen combination of upholstery and adjustability.
The backrest, in particular, needs to do the job of supporting the S-shaped curve of your spine all the way down to your lumbar region, while the seat pad should distribute the weight of your body, which will take pressure off your legs.
A chair’s recline facility is also a marker of quality and you should be able to lean back effortlessly and without feeling like you’re taking part in a trust fall every time you do. And ergonomics should blend with aesthetics, which shouldn’t be an afterthought, after all the best office chairs will promote productivity, so hopefully you’ll spend more time out of the chair looking at it than sitting in it with your nose to the grindstone.
How we tested
All the chairs were tested in a household made up of two home workers and three children in primary, secondary and higher education, so that we could be sure the chairs would run the full gamut of what would be asked of them – from a full day of working to bouts of homework and revision.
We were particularly looking at whether the chair was able to minimise those static postures that aren’t good for the body, and instead make it easy to change position and stay comfortable, so that the worker remained focussed on the task at hand, and got up from the chair without feeling any stiffness.
Humanscale liberty ocean ergonomic chair
This updated version of Humanscale’s best-selling liberty task chair is so-called because it’s made with almost 2lbs of recycled fishing net in each chair. Of course, you won’t notice this anywhere in the construction but you will notice the instant support that the form-sensing mesh back provides. This is then backed up with Humanscale’s recline tension mechanism, which automatically adjusts tension according to how much weight you’re exerting against it.
All you have to do is sit and the chair will do the work for you, leaving you to concentrate on yours. The recline is beautifully controlled and the seat pad remains independent of the mechanism, staying flat so you can still keep your feet on the ground and maintain a good working position.
The seat pad itself is nicely cushioned with plenty of room to move, and because of the automatic pivoting mechanism of the chair, the only time you’re going to need to touch a lever is to adjust the seat height, depth or to reposition the comfortable, well-padded armrests. In terms of looks, the chair is rather unassuming which will suit many office spaces, and the fact that it comes fully assembled will also be a bonus for many.
FlexiSpot back support office chair
Combining a foam rubber and fabric seat pad with a mesh back rest, this chair has plenty to offer in the way of ergonomics. The moulded back rest was incredibly comfortable with a well-rounded headrest and a pronounced mound where the lower back meets the chair. This lumbar support can also be adjusted to flex more easily, if needed, which was a really great way of getting the lower back support dialled in, to maximise personal ergonomics.
From the bottom up, you feel like the chair will be able to support all-day keyboard and mouse usage, because the seat pad doesn’t let you sink too far into it and has an impression moulded in that relieves pressure. The armrests are comfortable and raise up and down, and there’s height adjustability and a recline that takes the chair back to 120-degrees. All our testers agreed that the chair had a really modern look to it with a monochrome colour scheme that would sit happily among most decors.
Herman Miller sayl ergonomic chair
This futuristic looking chair will obviously fit well in a modern office space, but it’s a long way from being a gimmick. The rubber webbing that forms the backrest was supremely supportive and moves with you well; no matter how much of a squirmer you are it will always feel like this chair is supporting the S-curve.
All those holes in the backrest means that it’s very breathable when things warm up, which is a bonus if you’re using it in a home office that, most likely, won’t have air conditioning. The seat is just the right side of firm, with good depth so it supports the thighs, and the upholstery is comfortable to perch on throughout the entire day. When it comes to adjustability you have the option of tinkering with the recline tension, as well as how far back the chair goes.
In terms of its styling it’s a bit of a Marmite chair, but the fact that it was used in The Hunger Games should tell you that it has a very futuristic look that will definitely stand out in any office space. All our testers loved the aesthetics of it.
Hbada ergonomic office chair
If space saving is a priority for your work from home area then this could be a good option, as the armrests flip up at 90-degrees, so once you’ve finished work you can lower the chair and tuck it right into the desk. The mesh back was hammock-like, cradling our back throughout the day and the seat pad, filled with high density foam, wasn’t too firm which allowed for all-day comfort. Adjustability comes in the form of a rocking mechanism and height adjustment, so if you’re after a task chair to use for a few hours a day then the Hbada is an excellent investment.
Herman Miller aeron onyx ergonomic chair
Another sustainable office chair, this one is made with ocean plastic and, because it’s the Aeron chair, you know it won’t end up as landfill next year – renowned as a workhorse, it’s one of the manufacturer’s most popular chairs. The all mesh back rest is breathable and had a good spring to it that seemed to encourage the micro movements that are so crucial for spine and back health.
The PostureFit SL is an adjustable support that allows you to fine tune how the mesh props up your back, with a lower and upper lumbar support that does an excellent job of reinforcing stability in this area. The recline was controlled, and supported a full range of backwards movements. Plus, you can vary the tension as well as limit how far the chair will lean back. The all-round adjustability continues with the arm rests, which raise up and down and angle in and out.
Finally, it’s mesh and exo-skeleton styling gives it a modernist look compared to chairs that are designed to hide all their inner workings away, and it comes fully assembled, so you can get working with the chair on delivery day.
Steelcase gesture ergonomic office chair
If you want a task chair that you can truly personalise to your own ergonomic requirements then the gesture will be a serious contender for your office. Seat depth, tilt tension, seat height and recline are all at your fingertips, and the arm rests rotate so they are easily moved to support whatever you’re currently working on.
Rather than just tilt when you recline, the gesture’s back flexes so you can get to the angle you want with more movement going through your spine which adds to the overall comfort when using the chair at work.
Like the Humanscale liberty ocean (£881, Humanscale.com) the seat remains flat, even when you lean back, which adds to the overall comfort when sitting in the chair throughout the day. The foam and fabric are plush without it feeling like you’re sinking into the foam without any support, while the chair has a clean, professional look with a pronounced S-bend to the back rest, which will suit both modern and more traditional spaces.
Hon ignition 2.0 ergonomic chair
It’s not going to win any design awards, but this chair really does get all the ergonomic basics right. It combines a springy mesh back rest, that’s supportive in all the right places, with a thick fabric and foam seat pad that allows just enough give to feel comfortable throughout the day (without that sinking feeling as you work).
All the adjustments you need to optimise your sitting position are present: seat-depth adjustment, tilt tension, tilt lock, seat height, and height-adjustable arms. They’re all precise and clearly able to stand up to years of tinkering because the overall build quality of the chair is excellent. The adjustable lumbar support was easy to move when you’re sat in the chair, which makes a discernible difference, and we could feel the benefit through the mesh.
Hag SoFi 7500 ergonomic chair
Personalisation is easily achieved with the SoFi, with possible adjustments to the seat depth, seat height, lumbar support and the tilt resistance, while the recline can also be locked in place. The high, heavy duty, mesh back seemed particularly suited for taller workers, as they were supported almost to the base of the neck while the wide, well-padded seat was comfortable with nice rounded edges for good weight distribution.
The chair’s tilt mechanism allows for continuous movement when you’re working so that, unconsciously, your muscles stay activated while the constant posture changes helps to keep you focussed and productive. The padded armrests slide back, which means you can get up close to the desk for any tasks that require it, or sit sideways, which again allows for an alternative position while working. Aesthetically, we really liked the curves on the SoFi, which makes it stand out from the crowd.
Ikea hattefjall ergonomic chair
This office chair from the popular outlet has a firm feel to both its backrest and the seat pad, but the curved contours of the design really do encourage a posturally positive seating position throughout the day. There’s a lot of adjustability, from the height and back tilt to the seat pad, which can move forward and back, and a backrest that can move up and down. All these adjustments were easy to make while sat down in the chair too.
The armrests are comfortable, moving forwards and backwards, and the polyester fabric covering the chair is durable and easy to care for. The built in lumbar bump does a good job of supporting the area and the smaller size of the chair, while the three colour options might make this a very good option for a children’s desk.
However, what gives this chair such high marks from us is a feature that you just don’t seem to find on many office chairs at the moment, which are the braking castors that stop the chair in its tracks when you stand up, and automatically release when you sit back down.
John Lewis & Partners ratio ergonomic chair
This faux leather chair will tick the box for workers who like the executive look at their office desk, and is styled with a nice high back and headrest. Well-padded but without feeling too spongy the chair manages to retain a firm feel for good ergonomics, and the large seat pad allows for easy movement and shifting of weight, so you’re never going to get up and suffer a bout of pins and needles.
The generous padding extends to the armrests, but the padding and the overall size of the chair mean that if you want to slide the chair out of the way you’re going to need quite a big desk. The swivel seat is height-adjustable, the backrest has a tilt mechanism that locks into place and there’s no lumbar support. However, this suited a few of our testers who would rather get the support that they need in that area from a cushion of their choice.
Ergonomic desk chairs FAQs
What does it mean if a chair is ergonomic?
Working from home has meant that people have ended up working in less desirable conditions. Ergonomic chairs aim to create more desired conditions, and are designed with the human body in mind, considering posture, support, comfort and health.
How do I know if a chair is ergonomic?
There is quite a specific set of requirements that make a chair ergonomic. The common ones are present in most office chairs – i.e a swivel base, seat height adjustment, five-spoke wheelbase and arm support adjustment. But there are a few more to look out for that mean a chair is truly ergonomic…
A back tilt tension adjustment that lets you rock back in your chair, lumbar support, and back angle adjustment that allows you to fine-tune the back into the most comfortable position for you. You should also look for backrest adjustment, which allows you to arrange the contours of the back cushion for optimal support and more.
What is the best chair for office work?
There are some really innovative and oh-so-comfortable ergonomic chairs on the market but finding your perfect chair is kind of like a goldilocks situation. You should narrow down a few factors like your budget, how much swivel room you have under your desk and whether you need a headrest. But, ultimately, the whole idea of an ergonomic chair is that you can alter the settings so it perfectly fits and supports your own body.
How much do ergonomic chairs cost?
Especially if you are working from home, it is a worthwhile investment to purchase a good ergonomic office chair. A decent one can range anywhere from £200 all the way to £2,000.
Do I need adjustable armrests?
Let’s start by saying there’s pros and cons to having armrests: if you use them properly they can support your limbs and relieve your back when seated. But they can also encourage shoulder shrugging if set too high and can have the effect of a leaning posture if one of them is set slightly higher than the other.
Your elbows should be in line with the desk, so for those of us where that’s not the case, adjustable armrests can come in handy in helping you find the correct setup. To really make your working from home space a place of comfort, make sure your armrests are positioned correctly. It’s the last thing you should be adjusting and ideally, they should sit just below your elbow when your hands are resting in your lap (a lot lower than most would think).
For the best and most comfy setup, you would switch between using the armrest to, well, rest your arms on and going without during your day.
Setting up your office chair to avoid back pain
First off, it’s pretty crucial the height of the chair harmonises with the rest of your setup. In terms of the tilt on the back of the chair, it’s best to be relatively upright when you can be, but feel free to recline the backrest every now and again. As a rule of thumb, you should be as close to your desk as possible, so if you can, push the seat forward so the armrests fit underneath your desk.
Then, if it isn’t already, ensure your computer screen is on a level with your eye-line. Preferably, you should be looking 2-3in below the casing on the top of the screen – you don’t want to be tilting your head up or down for long periods.
Finally, remember to get up and move around a least once every half hour. Long periods of sitting are a stressor for the muscles and discs in your back, so it’s good to switch up your posture up every now and again. And, by leaving the desk you’re less likely to forget about maintaining your posture throughout the day – anything to avoid the dreaded slouch.
The verdict: Ergonomic desk chairs
Offering immediate support for any in-chair movement, the Humanscale liberty ocean works with you as you move, without you having to break focus and keep pulling levers and knobs to get the chair to fit personal ergonomics. Comfortable for day-long working, suited to a range of tasks, it’s constructed with quality materials that will withstand years of use.
