Sitting at a desk for hours on end may have negative effects on the body if the chair is not designed for proper ergonomics, whether you work in an office or telecommute from home.

This is because it’s not natural for the body to hold a sitting position for long periods of time and could lead to cumulative stress that contributes to problems like bursitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, osteoarthritis, back and neck pain, headache, poor posture, and eye strain, including blurriness, eye pain, dry eyes, and reduced focusing ability.

Because most of these problems come on slowly, it’s often difficult to recognize them until the pain becomes severe enough to limit function. Ergonomically designed chairs, however, help to prevent damage before it begins, leading to a more comfortable and healthy workplace.

Whether it’s the corner office of a large corporation, a small cubicle, a home office, or even your kitchen table, your office chair should provide comfort and support. From our research and experience, we’ve narrowed our list to the products that do just that, and also included some tips on how to set up an ergonomic workstation and sit in your new office chair.

Here are the best office chairs:

Updated on 7/20/2020 to edit the prices, titles, and remove references and ratings from third-party sites, because we’ve found them to be unreliable in the past.

The best overall

There's more to the Herman Miller Aeron than good looks - it's one of the most ergonomic office chairs out there.

You'd be hard-pressed to find a review of the best desk chairs that didn't include the Herman Miller Aeron. The chair is so iconic, it's in the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Originally released in 1994, this sleekly designed ergonomic masterpiece has no straight lines, no foam, no padding, and no leather. Instead, it's mostly mesh, woven to provide intuitive support just where you need it. Made in large part from recycled materials, and 94% recyclable itself, the Aeron is eco-friendly as well as body-friendly.

Senior Editor Les Shu knows this chair well, having sat in one since the late 1990s. And since then, he has sat in numerous office chairs - from low-end to high-end - and has found the Aeron continues to be the most comfortable and adjustable.

The Aeron has all sorts of ergonomic features: Kinemat tilt, which lets your body flex naturally; Pellicle suspension to dissipate body heat; a PostureFit mechanism to properly align your pelvis and spine; and a contoured back to reduce pressure on your spine.

It's also not one-size-fits-all. The Aeron is available in three sizes (A, B, and C), and which is best will depend on the person's height and weight. Herman Miller offers this simple chart to help you pick the right chair, but most people will fall within the B group. This could be an issue if you plan to share the chair with other people of varying height and weight.

One complaint that does occasionally crop up, however, is that the Aeron has a plastic "lip" around the seat of the chair that can make fidgeting or shifting sideways uncomfortable. The other obvious downside to this chair is its high price tag.

Pros: Ergonomic design, very breathable, intuitively and individually adjustable

Cons: Very expensive, plastic lip around seat can bother some sitters

The best runner-up

Foto: Source: Steelcase

Spend just one workday in the Steelcase Leap, and you'll know why it's one of the most popular office chairs in the world.

The beauty of the Steelcase Leap lies in its design, which is the end result of four years of research into the perfect back support for the human spine. Called the LiveBack system, the seat and backrest of the chair adjust independently and mimic the shape of your spine for all-day ergonomic sitting comfort.

You can also adjust the armrests and the height of the chair to your specifications. The chair glides easily over hard or carpeted flooring and reclines comfortably so you may vary your position throughout the day.

The chair is also 98% recyclable and made from 30% recycled materials, meaning it's a bit easier on the environment, in addition to your spine.

Pros: Ergonomic design and excellent construction, 12-year warranty

Cons: The seat and back can get hot

The best mid-priced

Foto: Source: Herman Miller

The design looks futuristic, but your back will feel great today with the superior ergonomic design of the Herman Miller Sayl chair.

If the Herman Miller Sayl chair has a familiar look that reminds you of the future, it's probably because these chairs made cameos in the "Hunger Games" movies, used by the Gamemakers in the control room to manipulate the arena.

The Sayl is comfortable and supportive in just about any position. If your budget allows and you want something like the Aeron, but not quite as expensive, the Sayl is a great alternative option.

Inspired by the suspension design of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the Sayl has an open, urethane mesh construction that not only breathes but flexes and supports your spine intuitively as you shift positions. The Y-shaped support keeps the mesh in position while adding to the stability of the chair.

Designed to be affordable yet still highly ergonomic, the Sayl is available with or without adjustable arms and seat. It comes in a lot of different colors as well.

Pros: Unique appearance, excellent ergonomic support, breathable, reasonable price for a Herman Miller chair

Cons: Not as adjustable as many other office chairs, price is still a budget-stretcher for many buyers

The best affordable

Foto: Source: Office Star

You don't have to shell out the big bucks for a supportive and comfortable office chair, and the Space Seating Professional AirGrid is proof of that.

If your budget is tight - and let's face it, that's true for many people, especially those of us responsible for purchasing our own office chairs - you might think you're destined to ruin your back sitting on a hard, uncomfortable chair. The Space Seating Professional AirGrid won't set you back terribly far, and while it can't compete with the high-quality offerings from Herman Miller or Steelcase, it's still a perfectly adequate, supportive, and comfortable desk chair for most users.

The Space Seating Professional AirGrid chair adjusts for height, has tilt-control, and adjustable arms. The back has a lumbar-supported mesh design similar to the Aeron or Sayl, which allows for breathability. A padded leather seat cushion provides comfort, but it may get hot for some users, and wear out over time. Cushions like this can also lose their strength and shape if the chair is heavily used.

Pros: Great price, comfortable and reasonably ergonomic, breathable back

Cons: Some complaints of squeakiness, rickety armrests, lack of durability

The best on a budget

Foto: Source: Amazon

For those who occasionally work at home, the Mid-Back Desk Office Chair from AmazonBasics is a good option at a low price.

The Mid-Back Desk Office Chair from AmazonBasics is ideal for those who sometimes work from home and need a chair with good support, but don't want to spend hundreds for one of our other recommendations. We have experience with this chair and find it comfortable and suitable for budget shoppers who need an occasional office chair.

In some ways, this option is very similar to the one from Space Seating in looks and function. It has a mesh backing (for breathability) and a cushioned seating pad and pneumatic-adjustable height. You can also move the seat forward and lock in the recline.

For the low price, you make a concession in the arms. They are not adjustable like with the Space Seating or our more expensive options. This can be a deal-breaker for some. Depending on the height of your desk, fixed arms oftentimes are too high to allow the chair to fit beneath.

There's also no real lumbar support, so users should get up from it often (in general, it's a good idea to stand up once in a while). We've also had issues with the durability of AmazonBasics casters in the past. Which is why we recommend this for people who don't need to rely on a workhorse office chair.

Pros: Low price, adjustable height and seat, mesh back

Cons: Arms are not adjustable, no real support for lower back, may not be as durable with heavy use

What does an ergonomic workstation look like?

Foto: Source: Omar Havana / Stringer / Getty Images

Your desk, chair, and computer should work together to create a workstation that is comfortable, lets you move freely, keeps you productive, and doesn't strain or tire your body.

  • Your desk should be positioned at the height that keeps your arms at a 90-degree angle while typing.
  • There should be plenty of knee room under the desk, and space to change your leg position periodically.
  • If using a footrest, the desk should still permit room for moving your legs.
  • Your desk needs to be big enough to fit your computer, papers, books, and other work essentials. You should never need to prop items on a chair, or twist your neck to view materials.
  • Use a document holder if you are taking notes from a book or papers. This avoids eyestrain and neck pain.
  • Position your monitor so the top of the screen is at eye level, or just slightly lower. You should not have to curve your neck up or down to look at your computer.
  • Laptops are not suited for long hours of work, as the screen is too low for comfort. If you primarily work on a laptop, use a riser to position the screen at eye level, with a separate keyboard and mouse for typing.
  • Your monitor should be between 18 and 24 inches away from your eyes.
  • There should be no glare or flickering lights reflecting off your monitor.

What is the best way to sit?

Foto: Source: bikeriderlondon/shutterstock

Sitting for hours can be very stressful for your body and may lead to back pain, headache, and posture problems. You should get up and stretch or walk around your office periodically throughout the day, and shift your position frequently.

A good office chair makes a big difference in your comfort and health and is one of the best investments you can make to improve the way you feel at the end of the day.

  • The height should be adjustable so that your feet are flat on the floor or on a footrest and your thighs are horizontal.
  • The seat needs to be wide enough for comfort and deep enough so you can sit with your back against the chair's backrest without pressure against your knees. You can add a lumbar support cushion to your chair if it doesn't have enough support on its own.
  • Avoid painful pressure and risk of blood clots with a chair that has a padded, gently sloping front edge of the seat.
  • A swivel chair lets you move freely to pick up items or reach across your desk without straining your back.
  • The back of the chair should provide firm support, keeping a 90-degree angle between your spine and thighs.
  • If you have armrests, they should keep a 90-degree angle in your elbows while resting. Don't keep your arms on an armrest while typing.
  • The chair should be padded enough for comfort, but also breathable enough to keep you from sweating.

Check out our other office gear guides

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