Like the Intermix textile on the Steelcase Karman, it too is designed to move with your body as you shift in your chair throughout the day. The Hinomi X1 with its split, butterfly-style backrest and adjustable lumbar support made from soft, flexible Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) is a great choice for those dealing with back pain. It’s also a very adjustable office chair with a whopping 15 adjustment points and some other standout features like its pull-out footrest. The ErgoChair Pro gives you a lot of adjustment points to lock in the perfect fit for you. You can change the position of its armrests, move its lumbar support up or down manually as well as lock it in place and there are five different levels of recline.
Avoid These Chairs
Although big and tall users have the most options, those on the shorter side are also going to want to shop carefully when looking for a new office chair. Ideally, you want your feet to be able to rest firmly on the floor while sitting in your chair and for some people — especially those below five feet tall — this can be almost impossible with some chairs. While I personally enjoy having a chair with a headrest or a high back for extra support for my shoulders and neck, many ergonomic chairs like the Aeron don’t even come with this option. The reason being is that headrests can lead to passive sitting and slouching which is certainly bad for your posture. It’s a matter of work from home ergonomics personal preference but definitely something you want to consider when choosing the right chair for your needs. Just like with the best standing desks and other home office furniture, office chairs range widely in price, from just over $100 up to $2,000 and beyond.
For example, if you’re tall, you might not need a footrest if your feet can comfortably reach the floor with your chair adjusted to the proper height. However, if you’re shorter or your desk isn’t adjustable, a footrest can be a game-changer for your comfort. He also reviews standing desks, office chairs and other home office accessories with a penchant for building desk setups. Before joining the team, Anthony wrote for ITProPortal while living in Korea and later for TechRadar Pro after moving back to the US. Based in Houston, Texas, when he’s not writing Anthony can be found tinkering with PCs and game consoles, managing cables and upgrading his smart home.
Corrections and Clarifications
- After this is done, you want to let your office chair air dry completely before using it again.
- If you have hardwood floors, then you’re going to want a chair with soft casters that can glide across the floor without damaging it.
- Place your feet flat while you sit and ensure your thighs are parallel to the floor.
- The ErgoChair Pro gives you a lot of adjustment points to lock in the perfect fit for you.
- Just like the tires on your car, office chair casters can wear down over time from heavy use.
- Work from home ergonomics is essential to prevent back strain and other potential posture problems.
Flash Furniture Kelista (★★★★☆)If you want a very budget-friendly office chair with standout looks, you’re best option is the Flash Furniture Kelista. It’s not nearly as adjustable as the other chairs on this list but its arms do swing up when you want them out of the way. The best part, it frequently goes on sale for just over $100.Read our full Flash Furniture Kelista review. I tested the Karman a few years back and no other chair has impressed me quite like this one. However, at the time, I was a bit disappointed it wasn’t available with a headrest.
“Whenever you get stuck doing the same thing, you’re going to get injured. Along with the lumbar support pillow, you can get a chair cushion, which is also going to help distribute your weight. Some cushions have a cut out for your tailbone, which is a common complaint, either from a previous injury or from childbirth. Luckily, there are tips and tricks to setting up your office (or makeshift home office) to achieve good posture and ergonomics. Chiropractor Andrew Bang, DC, discusses what to keep in mind to avoid discomfort and injury. Since few people build home office furniture as often as I do, I take a lot of notes while putting each chair together to see how easy or difficult it might be for someone with less experience to do so.
Best Office Chair Under $300
- “Even if I sit in the best possible position, if I stay there for too long, it’s going to cause me some pain and discomfort,” says Dr. Bang.
- Definition and importance of ergonomics, with emphasis on fitting jobs to workers to prevent injury.View
- These are the best office chairs for comfort, ergonomics and adjustability
- When you look forward, your eyes should align with the top of your monitor or laptop.
The ProtoArc EC100 gives you the best of both worlds with plenty of ergonomic features and adjustments without carrying a high price. It’s a great budget pick and one I can definitely recommend to those who want a full-featured office chair for less. The EC100 does lack some of the premium features found in the chairs below but at this price, it’s hard to complain. This sleek hybrid chair gives you the comfort of a gaming chair with the support and ergonomics of an office chair. It comes in multiple two-tone colorways, has plenty of adjustment points and features both lumbar and thoracic support.
More expensive chairs feature higher-quality components and materials throughout while cheaper ones may come with sticky, plasticky-feeling mesh to cut a few corners for example. Likewise, the materials used in less expensive chairs are more likely to break down over time whereas a more expensive chair can last for years if cared for properly. This ergonomic task chair gives you the best of both worlds with a mesh back and a fabric seat cushion. There’s also another all-mesh version of the HON Ignition 2.0 available at a slightly higher price.
Step 2: Desk and Workspace
Basically, you’re going to follow the assembly instructions but in reverse. Mesh provides better airflow and keeps you cool while upholstered chairs tend to feel more comfortable and provide added warmth in colder environments. There are also hybrid chairs that have a mesh backrest and an upholstered foam seat to give you the best of both worlds. A tilt mechanism is a feature that allows an office chair’s backrest and potentially even its seat to tilt backward. If you want a better overall experience while reclining in your chair, then you’re going to want to look for one with a synchro-tilt mechanism.
Several companies have successfully implemented ergonomic programs for their remote workers. Similarly, IBM’s «Remote Work» program includes a comprehensive ergonomics guide, which has led to a 20% reduction in worker’s compensation claims and a 10% increase in job satisfaction. These real-world examples show us that creating a comfortable and ergonomic home workspace is feasible and effective. Some adjustable-height desks let you save settings, so multiple users can quickly access their preferred desk height.
You will likely be using a laptop for the home office; however, they are not very ergonomic. Since the keyboard is connected to the laptop screen, it is challenging to obtain a good posture while typing. Place your feet flat while you sit and ensure your thighs are parallel to the floor. If the chair makes it difficult to keep your knees at the same height as your thighs, pad with a cushion to adjust the height. The suitable desk for you depends on whether you intend to stand or sit to do your work.
The Monitor Stands
Avoid sitting right next to a window, which may cause a glare on the computer screen. Since you’re not in an office, there’s no more walking to the printer or over to talk to a colleague, or popping down the street for lunch. “When you have set yourself up appropriately in your chair put your hands in your lap comfortably. Where your elbow lands is the same height that you want your table top to be. To check, sit side on to your table; if you have to lift your arm to reach the table top you are too low. You should be able to slide your arm over the table without lifting your shoulder up.”
Both the original Karman and this new version are exceptionally comfortable but if you want a bit more back support, you can also add an optional lumbar support bar to the back of the chair. I spent some time with the Aeron myself back when I visited my local Herman Miller store but our U.S. He spent a few weeks trying it out and not surprisingly, found it to be one of the most comfortable chairs he ever sat in. Mike also really liked just how adjustable the Aeron was and found it easy to get its fit just right for him. The reason I’ve decided to replace the X-Chair X3 with the LiberNovo Omni as my top pick for long hours is not just because of how comfortable it is to sit in. When paired with the Omni’s optional footrest, you can sleep in this chair if you want a quick power nap to recharge.
