Sitting feels great after a long day on your feet, but not so great if you have to do it all day. Those of you who spend most of their time at a desk know exactly what I mean. You also then know that choosing an office chair is very important. You're going to be spending a substantial amount of time sitting in one (even if you split time between a standing desk) so you want to make sure you know exactly what you're getting yourself into. Not sure which chair is best for you? I've rounded up some of the best chairs available now.
The X-Chair X-Tech Executive is the most recent office chair I reviewed, and I was blown away by what I've been missing all my life. It's as expensive as the other top competition and the headrest feels a bit flimsy, but it's otherwise flawless. Setup is quick and easy, you can adjust everything from top to bottom, there's free-floating lumbar support with optional heat and massage, and the X-Wheels roll smooth and won't damage hardwood floors. If you want one of the best office chairs out there, this is it.
Unlike other chairs, the Leap V2 reclines in two parts. The back keeps its spine contour intact while it moves, and the seat, instead of just tipping back, slides forward to keep you in line. You get crucial lumbar support, there's soft seat padding to reduce pressure on your legs, and ample adjustments are made easy with a host of levers and dials. There are a ton of refurbished models available, which cuts the price down significantly.
Adding to the chair's comfort is the built-in lumbar support and lockable tilt function, so no matter which way you sit, your back and head will be supported. Add in a pneumatic lift, and you have a chair perfect for any desk. Don't be fooled by the all-metal design; the seat itself has plenty of cushioning, the back is made of a mesh material that lets in air, and the armrests can be removed.
The Gesture is a chair for the modern lifestyle that includes tablets, laptops, and phones. Its armrests adjust to fit any body type or task, the back of the chair contours to your spine and stays there no matter what you're doing, and there's plenty of seat cushioning. There are also more than 50 colors and materials to choose from to best fit your style.
The Aeron is a chair with no straight lines — it instead aligns with the natural curves of the body. It also has a woven suspension membrane that distributes weight evenly across the surface and allows breathability. Virtually every facet of the Aeron is adjustable, so you can tweak the position of the lumbar support and the height of the armrest and the tilt of the back all to fit your unique body.
The Knoll ReGeneration was designed from the start with minimalism in mind. It isn't bulky, and it doesn't use a ton of materials, but it's nevertheless as comfortable as many of the other, more expensive options on this list. The backrest is contoured to offer excellent lumbar support, and the breathable mesh keeps your back from getting sweaty.
This chair resembles a human body, with a spine running up the middle of the back ribs that conform around you when you sit. The seat is made up of four layers of entirely different materials, allowing airflow and sensitive accommodating for all your curves. It's durable, it comes in a ton of colors, and you get a 12-year warranty to protect your investment.
The Sayl uses a minimal amount of material to keep the environment happy, yet it's still just as comfortable as most other chairs. You can adjust the arms, seat height, seat depth, and back tilt, and there's ample seat padding to prevent leg pain. The mesh back stretches and encompasses your back, and they come in a bunch of different color combinations to match your office.
HON's Exposure has plenty of adjustment options, including horizontal seat placement, height, recline, and lumbar. The armrests can likewise be adjusted to help cut down on slouching. This chair thinks it costs a lot more than it does, and it comes with a 5-year limited warranty to back that up.
This mid-back mesh chair has a pneumatic lift for perfect height adjustment, and there's a controllable tilt function that can be set to any tension. The mesh backing has lumbar support and won't leave you sweaty on a hot day, and the thick padding on the seat won't hurt your behind.
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Any of the chairs from this roundup should prove to be a worthwhile addition to your home or work office, but you might still be wondering which one to zero in on.
It might be one of the most expensive option on the list, but I can't help but recommend the X-Chair X-Tech Executive. I tested the chair every day for a couple of months, ultimately culminating in my X-Chair X-Tech review. It's the most comfortable office chair I've ever used, and it helped alleviate back and leg pain I've been experiencing for years. It's easy to assemble, it's made from high-quality materials and breathable material, and everything from top to bottom is adjustable.
The lumbar support sort of floats to follow your movements in the chair, and you can even add a heating and massage portion behind the lumbar portion for added comfort. If you want a high-quality chair that's not from Herman Miller or Steelcase, this is easy to recommend.
If you're looking to save some money, IKEA's Markus is a stellar pick used by a few people at Windows Central. It has a high back with a padded headrest, the mesh back provides ample lumbar support and keeps air moving freely, and the armrests can be removed if that's your style. A lockable tilt function and pneumatic lift mean you can get the right angle and height for your desk, and there's thick padding on the seat to keep your rear and legs comfy.
Don't want to spend quite as much as this roundup demands? There are plenty of great budget chairs out there. And if you're focused on ergonomics, our collection of the best ergonomic office chairs will help you get the right fit.
