A lot of people with office jobs end up working so many hours every day, they literally forget to get up and go to the toilet. While stretching is important and you need to take at least a 5-minute break per hour so you can move your legs around a little, it is also important to choose a chair that helps support your body in a proper position.
Not all chairs are created alike, which means that not all ergonomic chairs are good. So, how do you choose one of these and what are some of the products worth buying this year?
Top 3 Picks
Best Overall: Gabrylly Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair
“This chair is made to last, and I absolutely do not regret this purchase and would recommend it to my friends and family members.” (Customer review)
Customer’s choice: Billups Ergonomic Mesh Task Chair
“Great chair! Perfect amount of comfort and support. I love how the back of the chair adjusts to allow you to lean back. And it looks great as well.” (Customer review)
Budget pick: Mccrady Ergonomic Task Chair
Even if it lacks head support, the Mccrady chair seems to check all the right boxes and, to top it off, is sold at a really good price.
What to Look For
Even if the pandemic has got most of us working from home, that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t invest in the equipment needed to provide us with comfort and a suitable working environment whilst we do our jobs. Ergonomic chairs aren’t just for offices, they are good even for people that work from home or spend hours sitting down behind a desk after they get home from work. So, what makes a good ergonomic chair and what is it that you should look out for before you buy one?
- Pick models that have as many adjustable features as possible. It’s silly to think that a chair that’s comfortable for a person will provide the same comfort regardless of whoever sits on it. Chairs need to be adjustable so that one model can cater to the needs of multiple buyers which can adjust it to what their body needs.
- Seat height is important and should be adjustable, because you want the back of your needs to form a 90-degree angle as the soles of your feet completely touch the ground. Look for chairs that have pneumatic height adjustment. This is usually controlled by a lever located underneath the seat. Seat heights usually range from 16 to 21 inches from the ground, which is enough for most people.
- The seat’s depth is also important because it should be able to comfortably support different users. As far as ergonomic office chairs are concerned, the seat depth usually varies between 17 and 20 inches. You know a chair has the proper depth when you are able to sit with your back against the backrest and still have between 2 and 4 inches between the back of your knees and the chair’s seat. A good ergonomic chair should also allow you to adjust the forward or backward tilt.
- A good ergonomic chair will provide you with decent lumbar support. This means support in your lower back which, as you already know, as an inward curve that requires support when you sit down for longer periods of time. Without this support, the natural curve will flatten and put strain on the lower spine structure. The best ergonomic chairs come with adjustable lumbar support.
- As far as the backrest is concerned, you need to find chairs that have a 12 to 19 inches width. Models that have backrests which are separate from the seat should allow you to adjust the height and angle. Models that come with the backrest attached to the seat should come with back and forth adjustability as well, plus a locking mechanism to secure the setting.
- Both the seat and the backrest (but especially the seat) should have enough padding to make it comfortable to sit on for longer periods of time. While leather chairs are considered high-quality and expensive, something along the lines of a cloth fabric might be more suitable because the material is more breathable.
- The armrests on your ergonomic chair should be adjustable. This will allow your arms to lean against them and rest without stressing the shoulders too much.
What to Avoid
Even if it’s “just” an office chair, that doesn’t mean that you should pay close attention to what you’re buying. A lot of people underestimate the importance of investing in a product that’s right for them, and they end up making many mistakes in the shopping process. Some of the most common mistakes include:
Choosing the wrong materials
A lot of people assume that a very expensive chair is just right for everyone. While leather is definitely used to make quality upholstery for office furniture, have you ever tried sitting down for hours on end on leather fabric during the summer? It is not the type of breathable material you need, but it is one of the most elegant options. It really depends on who will be using the chair and where it’s going to stay. Leather chairs are suitable for conference rooms because they look very elegant and are super-easy to clean.
Disregarding the weight capacity
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people buy ergonomic chairs on clearance just to have them snap in less than a month. That’s because poorly-made chairs are not designed to hold a lot of weight, and cave in when the user is heavier than the specified weight limit. Pay close to attention to how much weight an ergonomic chair can handle. The best ones should support at least 200 to 250 pounds in weight.
Choosing a chair because it looks good
First of all, it doesn’t even matter how the chair looks because you’ll be sitting on it most of the time, so you can’t really look at it while doing that. Second, looks should never be the number one priority when it comes to choosing a chair. At best, looks occupy fourth place, after support, comfort, and durability. Make sure you choose chairs that have cushioning and support in key areas.
Best Working From Home Ergonomic Chairs
Hillard Ergonomic Executive Chair
Elegant and supportive, the Hillard ergonomic chair is just what you need if you’re doing office work and have to sit down for the most part of the day. It comes with plenty of features that make this a product worth purchasing, including the ultra-plush padding that offers additional comfort compared to low-end ergonomic chairs, curves and contour that offer support in your lower back and neck, and all kinds of adjustable features as well. It has pneumatic height adjustment, tilt tension, and 360-degree swivel. It can support up to 250 pounds in weight and it’s covered entirely in faux leather.
Pros:
- Lumbar and neck support.
- Ultra-plush padding.
- Center tilt and tilt lock.
Cons:
- Faux leather upholstery is not very breathable.
Steelcase Series 1 Ergonomic Mesh Task Chair
The Steelcase ergonomic chair has a very unique and appealing design to it, delivering comfortable seating packed in a product that’s stylish and convenient. It can support up to 300 pounds in weight, quite impressive when you compared it with the Hillard which is larger in size. It comes with cotton padding and polyester upholstery that provides a lot of breathability compared to other chairs, as is expected from mesh fabric. It comes with adjustable lumbar support, 360-degree swivel, rubber armrests, and tilt mechanism and lock.
Pros:
- Adjustable lumbar support.
- Supports up to 300 pounds in weight.
- Breathable mesh upholstery.
Cons:
- Arm rests can’t be locked.
Leaman Ergonomic Executive Chair
Probably one of the most elegant chairs in today’s list is the Leaman. It is the type of chair that you’d expect to see in a fancy conference room, offering a mid-century modern style that fits into a lot of decors. It is constructed with a steel frame and a polished chrome base, and is capable of supporting up to 250 pounds in weight. It comes with lumbar support for your back. The upholstery is made from faux leather and it’s super easy to clean. The upholstery is padded with foam for added comfort. Some of the other features of interest include waterfall seating to reduce pressure in the legs, seat height adjustment, and tilt tension knob adjustment.
Pros:
- Comfortable foam cushioning.
- Easy to clean faux leather upholstery.
- Adjustable seat height.
Cons:
- Lacks neck support.
Billups Ergonomic Mesh Task Chair
The Billups ergonomic chair is designed to provide you with a customizable seating option available in upholstery of different colors. The transparent mesh back is going to make you happy you bought it during hot summer days, as it allows your back to breathe without your skin sticking to it. It comes with built-in lumbar support to make sitting more comfortable. You can lock the seat in place using the integrated multi-tilt lock mechanism. The padded arms are adjustable, while the pneumatic seat comes with adjustable height as well. It can support a total weight of 250 pounds and it’s not recommended for usage more than 8 hours a day.
Pros:
- Breathable mesh upholstery.
- Adjustable and removable armrests.
- Tilt lock mechanism.
Cons:
- Questionable long-term durability.
Mccrady Ergonomic Task Chair
There is so much we like about the Mccrady chair, it’s going to be difficult to express it in just a few words. It is a product that almost makes it pleasant to sit behind the desk the entire day thanks to the extra-comfortable padding of the seat (which is covered in faux leather and super-easy to clean) and the supporting backrest which is constructed with breathable mesh fabric. Whenever the armrests get in the way, you can simply flip them up and they will level with the backrest. It can support a total weight of 250 pounds and comes with quality casters for easy mobility. We have to deduct a point for the lack of head support, though.
Pros:
- Multiple upholstery color options.
- Adjustable seat height.
- Easy to clean faux leather seating.
- Breathable mesh fabric.
Cons:
- No head support.
Ticova Ergonomic Office Chair
The Gabrylly ergonomic chair is designed with mesh upholstery that leaves your back breathing, whilst gathering all the other important features that are needed from a chair meant to provide comfort and support for long hours during the day. It comes with adjustable armrests that can be flipped up to a 45-degree angle whenever you feel they’re in the way. The headrest is also adjustable both in terms of height and angle, so you can customise your seating the way you like it. The tilt function works at a degree of 120 degrees max if you feel the need to lay back for a bit. The chair is made to support up to 280 pounds in weight.
Pros:
- 280 pounds weight limit.
- Tilt function.
- Adjustable headrest.
Cons:
- Seat could use more padding.
Gabrylly Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair
The Ticova ergonomic chair is designed for people who spend a lot of time seated, but also for those who want a chair made from breathable upholstery because they heat up whilst working behind the desk. This chair checks off a lot of the boxes on our “must-have” list. It has an ergonomic curved headrest so that you can lean back and take a deep breath, maybe even relax during your break. It’s made from quality breathable mesh and a PA nylon frame that’s much stronger than it looks. The seating measures three inches in thickness and is filled with high-density foam.
Pros:
- Lumbar support with adjustable height and depth.
- Quality high-density foam padding.
- Rocking and lockable backrest.
Cons:
- Poor headrest positioning.
Beckson Ergonomic Mesh Task Chair
A tad more expensive than the others, but with long-lasting quality construction and all the support elements you expect to see in an ergonomic chair, the Beckson is the kind of product that you might have to save money for, but it’s absolutely worth it when you buy it. It has a padded seat to offer you comfort as you sit down. The backrest is made from mesh all the way through, offering excellent airflow to prevent heating and discomfort. Both the lumber and the head areas are designed to support your body in a natural position. The seat has adjustable height, the armrests are adjustable as well, and there is a tilt mechanism plus a swivel feature.
Pros:
- High level of adjustability.
- Tilt lock mechanism.
- Breathable mesh upholstery.
Cons:
- Seat could use some extra cushioning.
FAQ
What does it mean if a chair is ergonomic?
An ergonomic chair has specific design details and is constructed in such a way as to support the human body to the best of its abilities. These chairs will have you sitting in a correct posture, but also one that’s comfortable for you to sit in.
What is the best chair for sitting all day?
Generally speaking, sitting down all day is detrimental to your health and your physical posture. Even if you work for long hours behind a desk, it is important that you get up as often as possible and stretch your legs. If you do have to sit down the entire day, you want an ergonomic office or gaming chairs, as these come with padding for comfort and lumbar plus neck support.
What is the best ergonomic office chair?
The best ergonomic chair is the one that offers the following: head and lower back support, the ability to tilt the chair and lock the position in place, padded and adjustable armrests, comfortable and cushioned seating, plus the ability to adjust the height of the chair.
Are ergonomic chairs worth it?
It depends on how long you plan on sitting on it. Generally speaking, ergonomic chairs are exceptional for people who spend long hours behind the desk, where they’re working, playing games, or crafting.
In Conclusion
There are plenty of ergonomic chairs available on the market but not all of them are worth the money. It’s very important to invest in a chair that meets your needs, depending on how long you have to use it every day and your personal body configuration that might require more adjustability compared to what other people need. Overall, ergonomic chairs should be comfortable, offer support, have as many adjustable parts as possible, and be made from a quality material that’s easy to clean and allows the skin to breathe.
The post If You Work from Home You Might Want an Ergonomic Office Chair appeared first on Home Decorating Trends - Homedit.
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