The 9 Best Office Chairs, Tested by BHG

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Supportive chairs that make working from home comfortable.

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Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson

Whether you work in an office or have an at-home workspace, an office chair is an essential part of any setup. You’ll likely spend hours each day using it, so you’ll want to find one that’s durable, ergonomic, and the right size for your desk. And if you’re using it at home, you may prefer an option with a stylish flair.

To help you find the best office chair, we tested several dozen picks in our Des Moines, Iowa lab. After initial testing, we used the chairs at our own desks and offices for six months, noting any changes or signs of wear. We also consulted Matthew Devoe, DC, owner of Empire City Chiropractic.

We evaluated 36 office chairs on their setup, comfort, lumbar support, adjustability, durability, and design. For more information on how we tested office chairs, check out our testing process below.

The ability to adjust the amount of lumbar support drastically improved comfort.

After six months we noticed some wear and tear where we regular leaned on the arm.

After two days of testing, the Duramont Ergonomic Adjustable Office Chair received a near-perfect score—and for good reason. It offers comfort, support, and adjustability and overall scored the highest in our testing.

During setup, which took 30 minutes, we appreciated that the chair pieces were clearly labeled and easy to identify. We like that the chair has a comfortable cushion that extends enough to offer support underneath your legs while you sit.

The most notable feature is the chair’s adjustability. To start, you're able to set both the armrests, the headrest, and the seat’s height. You can also adjust the lumbar support using a small knob on the back of the chair, a feature that significantly improved support.

The chair is only offered in black and has a fairly minimal design that’s a bit more stylish in comparison to some other office chairs. After six months of testing it for seven to eight hours a day, we noticed some wear where we regularly lean on the arm, but we’re still impressed with the overall value.

However, we think it may be best for taller individuals, as one of our testers, who is 5’6”, noted that the shortest setting is still not short enough to plant her feet firmly on the ground.

Product Details: Size: 23.6 x 26 x 42 inches | Weight Capacity: 330 pounds | Seat Height: Not listed | Swivel: Yes

The chair is offered in a few colors, so you can choose the one that best matches your setup.

The chair can't be adjusted much and doesn't have armrests, so it offers limited neck, back, and shoulder support.

The Amazon Basics Low-Back Office Chair offers a minimal design at a lower price point than other office chairs, a great option to keep in mind if you're furnishing an at-home office on a budget. The chair is offered in four colors, so you'll be able to find one that matches your decor.

The chair’s setup took 15 minutes and was made easy thanks to illustrated instructions and a minimal number of parts to assemble. It's made with a curved mesh backing and seemed to have a solid construction. The lumbar support is not adjustable, however.

Although the chair’s seat can be adjusted up and down and easily locked into place at your ideal height, the chair doesn’t feature any armrests. The armless chair design isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker, but it’s something to keep in mind if you prefer that kind of support.

Product Details: Size: 20.47 x 20.08 x 32.87–37.4 inches | Weight Capacity: 275 pounds | Seat Height: Not listed | Swivel: Yes

It automatically corrects your posture and features a comfort dial that adjusts the firmness.

You can’t adjust the angle of the backrest, and additional lumbar support is an added price.

The Steelcase Karman Office Chair may be a splurge, but after testing it we thought it was worth the investment. We found that sitting in this chair kept our posture aligned and helped keep back pain at bay. The chair came fully assembled, so the only thing to do was open the box, wheel the chair out, and sit down.

The armrests are highly adjustable, and the seat, although flat, is highly cushioned, supportive, and wide, with ample room to move around. The chair feels luxurious and supportive, but not like you're sinking into it. We found that we were sitting up straighter when in the chair. Even when fully leaning back, we felt aligned and comfortable.

The back of the chair is made of mesh so it's also quite cooling. There’s a comfort dial that can adjust the firmness of the back support, which is the chair’s standout feature. Keep in mind that you can’t adjust the angle of the backrest, and it doesn’t come with head or neck support. You can opt for additional lumbar support for an extra charge.

Product Details: Size: 26.125 x 26.125 x 39.125 inches | Weight Capacity: 29 pounds | Seat Height: 15.875–20.375 inches | Swivel: Yes

The leatherette can be cleaned with a damp cloth, so you don't have to worry about stains from spills.

It's not the best choice for taller people, as it has limited height options.

The Laura Davidson Furniture Soho Management Chair has a mid-century modern feel that’ll look great in just about any office setting. The stylish chair is made with faux leather and is offered in 10 colors, so you’ll be able to find one that complements your space.

During testing, the chair's design impressed us, especially the stylish chrome finishes throughout. It’s upholstered in leatherette, which can be cleaned with a damp cloth, meaning you won’t have to worry if you spill any of your morning coffee on it. After six months of regular use, we haven’t noticed any damage or change in quality.

It’s worth noting that if you’re looking for an ergonomic office chair and you happen to be tall, this isn’t the best option. One of our testers who is over 6 feet tall found that even though the chair is adjustable, he had trouble finding a comfortable position.

Plus, the chair has limited height options, a key need when setting up an ergonomic workspace. We also found that the seat, which is 18 inches wide, wasn’t large enough for every body type. One of our testers found that the metal arms dug into her hips, making it uncomfortable to use.

Product Details: Size: 25 x 25 x 34–37 inches | Weight Capacity: 275 pounds | Seat Height: 18–21 inches | Swivel: Yes

It is offered in over 240 colors to match any home decor scheme.

Only the height is adjustable, and it doesn't tilt.

Overall, our favorite upholstered pick is the Room & Board Cora Office Chair. We liked that the chair is firm but cushy with ample back support. Although it doesn’t have armrests, this makes you use your core more when adjusting yourself, sitting down, or standing up.

During testing, we thought the chair was padded enough to comfortably sit in it all day, with an impressively deep seat. The lumbar support is not adjustable, but it was still comfortable for working at a desk. In relation to adjustability, you can only change the chair’s height, and it doesn’t tilt either.

Although it’s not as ergonomically-shaped as some other office chairs we tested, the back of the chair is so high, and the seat so deep, that if you’re learning all the way back, you won’t slouch. The chair is also well-made and felt durable during testing.

With this option, you can choose from a whopping 240+ fabric colors to match your home decor perfectly. The material is thick and hardy, and it is undeniably beautiful. The wheels make it easily transportable from room to room as well, and you can even use it as an extra dining chair.

Product Details: Size: 23 x 34 x 26 inches | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Seat Height: 17–20 inches | Swivel: Yes

It's great for small spaces as it can tuck away under a desk and out of sight.

This chair does not have a back, so while it's designed to enhance your posture and support your overall spinal health, it doesn't specifically support the lumbar spine.

One look at the Branch Furniture Saddle Chair and you can tell that it’s not your average office chair. This stool is designed to help you stand more, keep correct posture when you are seated, and it can swiftly be tucked under your desk, which is ideal for small spaces.

Setting up the chair was super straightforward, and the instruction manual was clear. It took just five minutes to put the wheeled base, the middle pole, and the seat together without any extra tools or assistance.

While the chair doesn’t give you that sitting-on-a-cloud feeling (the seat has some padding, but it's thicker than it is fluffy and cozy), we found it to be comfortable in the sense that it kept our posture aligned and took pressure off the neck and back.

While it’s definitely not uncomfortable to sit on, we felt that we needed to get up every 30–45 minutes or so to stretch—which is exactly what the chair has been designed to do. It encourages you to stand more frequently while working, which is healthier for your body.

Sitting in this chair helps you to keep an upright position and takes a lot of strain off the neck and back. The design of the saddle also helps keep the feet flat on the ground as well. When in the chair, we didn’t feel that we had to pay attention to our posture as it was just automatically in line.

This chair is also great for those in small apartments looking for an ergonomic chair with a minimal footprint, and there are five colors to choose from.

Product Details: Size: 16.9 x 21.2 x 14.2 inches | Weight Capacity: 9.9 pounds | Seat Height: 21.2–31.5 inches | Swivel: Yes

The armrests are especially adjustable, with a forward sliding feature.

We thought the seat cushion material felt a little cheap.

The TEMPUR-Lumbar Support Office Chair is a well-built chair that, after rigorous testing, we found to provide exceptional comfort and support. This pick has a sleek, modern, and fairly minimal design that can blend well with various decor schemes.

The chair’s frame, base, armrests, and mesh back are all black, but there are six different seat color options, including beige, burgundy, and olive green. The chair came securely packaged in a large box which was quite heavy, so an extra person is recommended to help with setup.

Assembling the chair took just over half an hour with the provided tools. While the included instructions were helpful, we thought some aspects could have been clearer. The seat cushion is contoured and designed to fit your body, and there’s also adjustable lumbar support that helps you keep the correct posture while you work.

The mesh backrest was breathable and the lumbar back pad was supportive. During testing, it kept its shape and firmness throughout the day. We also loved how easy and convenient it was to adjust. There are options to customize seat height, tilt, armrest width and height, swivel, and lumbar support positioning for a personalized seating experience.

The armrests impressed us with a wide range of adjustments, including a forward sliding feature that you can set to your personal preference. While the seat covering material felt somewhat inferior to the rest of the overall quality of the chair and seemed to attract hair and debris, we still feel that this chair is one of the best options for those with back pain.

Despite being a heavy chair, it has a 275-pound weight capacity, and the wide roller base allows for easy maneuverability. Considering all its extra features and customization options, we thought this pick was a great value.

Product Details: Size: 26 x 40.5-44 x 24 x inches | Weight Capacity: 275 pounds| Seat Height: 19-23 inches | Swivel: Yes

We love the rocking design and minimal aesthetic.

We would have liked it if the seat cushion was a little softer.

The Branch Variable Kneeling Chair Office Chair has an ergonomic design and minimal aesthetic, that we think would make for a stylish addition to any office space. The chair is offered in several colors and is less expensive than other options as well.

The setup process was relatively straightforward, although the instructions consisted solely of images. We found it to be comfortable and liked that it provided us with instant lower back pain relief.

Thanks to its rocking feature, the chair allows for varied positions—you can lean forward or back and adjust the leg positioning to your preference. Although it doesn’t have lumbar support like a typical office chair, the design encourages proper posture by encouraging you to sit up straight.

The chair seemed to be made from high quality materials and felt both stable and durable. We also like its space-saving efficiency; it’s small enough to store under a desk between uses. If we could change one thing, we would have liked it if the seat cushion were a bit softer.

Product Details: Size: 19 x 28 x 20 inches | Weight Capacity: 240 pounds | Seat Height: 20 inches | Swivel: No

Because of the low profile, the chair can be easily tucked under a desk.

It may not be comfortable for shorter people because of the height.

The first thing you’ll notice about the Better Homes & Gardens Wyatt Velvet Office Chair is the aesthetically pleasing barrel-back design offered in three chic velvet hues: beige, olive, and ochre. We found that, because of the curved back, the chair is wider than most.

Also noteworthy about the style is that, because the back is lower with equally low-profile arm rests, the chair can be tucked under a desk to save space. Assembly was four steps total, made even easier with the included allen wrench.

The chair’s height is adjustable, and with it all the way down, our 5’10” tester’s legs were at an ergonomic 90-degree angle—making them wonder if it may not be a fit for shorter people. The swivel is surprisingly smooth on both hardwood and carpet, never getting stuck in the fibers.

The thick seat cushion was soft to the touch but firm enough to be supportive. While the low back didn’t compromise comfort as we anticipated, the lack of lumbar support could be a dealbreaker for some with back problems.

Product Details: Size: 24.5 x 24.5 x 30.75-33.75 inches | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Seat Height: 30.75-33.75 inches | Swivel: Yes

Overall, we think the best office chair is the Branch Furniture Saddle Chair because despite not having a back rest, it’s still comfortable to sit on, supportive in that it keeps you in the proper posture while you work, and it encourages you to stand after a while. It’s also small enough to tuck away under a desk when not in use and comes in five colors.

We put 36 different office chairs to the test to determine the best office chair. We set up each chair and timed ourselves assembling the products based on their included instructions. Over the course of six months, we tested the chairs at our own desks and home offices, noting any changes in quality.

From there, we scored each chair between one and five in six categories: setup, comfort, lumbar support, adjustability, design, and durability.

Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson

When it comes to office chairs, you can either choose a swivel style or a stationary option. Though it may not seem like it, a chair's ability to swivel is actually an important feature to consider, especially for those who are spending long periods of time sitting at their desk.

"This function is underrated and often overlooked but is huge in terms of allowing the user to constantly make micro-adjustments to their posture throughout the day rather than being fixated in one position," Dr. Devoe says.

Though a stationary chair may be more stylish than traditional utilitarian-looking office chairs, being able to adjust your seat height will help you fit the desk to a variety of desk heights and create an ergonomic workspace to avoid aches and pains.

"Being able to finetune the height of your seat will have a big impact on your hips and allow you to adjust your chair to most desk heights," Dr. Devoe says. Some options have one or two height settings, while others allow you explore a range that you can then lock into place, so keep that in mind while you compare options.

While you shop, Dr. Devoe also recommends selecting an option that has a firm back as opposed to the common mesh-backed options on the market. Overall, firmer options will offer more support and better protect your back over time.

"I usually avoid mesh backings for the same reason it's not good to sleep every night in a hammock," he says. "They usually promote flexion of the lumbar spine as you sink into them, and this results in increased pressure on your discs, which could lead to a bulge or herniation in the future."

Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson

We liked the Union & Scale Fabric Task Chair overall but don't think it’s ideal for someone who needs to sit in it often for long periods of time. Thanks to color-coded screws and labeled parts, we were able to easily assemble the chair within 20 minutes. However, the seat only has one height adjustment.

For something stylish and straightforward, the Better Homes & Gardens Juliet Office Chair is worth considering, especially for a smaller office space. While we liked the easy height adjustment, wide and comfortable seat, and high-quality build, we found that the armrests weren’t very effective for actually resting on, and the chair creaks during movement.

There’s a lot to love about the Pipersong Meditation Office Chair Plus: the straightforward assembly, comfortable padding, smooth movement, and quality faux leather. The variety of possible sitting positions is a major pro for people who get antsy while working, but the slight recline and non-adjustable backrest (the adjustable one costs $70 more) are impractical for the average consumer.

Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson

No matter how long you sit in an office chair, it's easy to fall into poor posture that could impact your neck and back, causing pain. According to Dr. Devoe, poor posture puts you at risk for disc bulges and herniations, sciatica, lower back pain, headaches, neck pain, and fatigue. Although a supportive office chair or a standing desk is a great place to start, your desk layout and how you use the chair are what make a difference over time.

"The first step is making sure your monitor is high enough so that it perpetuates proper posture rather than allowing you to sink down into a slouched position," Dr. Devoe says. "Step two is to sit all the way back in your chair so that your pelvis is in a neutral or slightly forward tilted position. This will promote the proper lumbar lordosis and reduce the amount of stress put on your discs throughout the day."

Lumbar support refers to support for the lower part of your back. And while it's certainly important to protect your back while sitting in an office desk chair, it's worth noting that back support is a cohesive system that requires more than just any built-in features a chair has.

"The first step to support your lumbar spine is to raise your computer so your eyes are in line with the center of your screen (not the top)," Dr. Devoe says. "Once you do this, then you can consider using either the lumbar support on your chair or adding something to your chair to help with that support."

Although adjustable seat height is a common and important feature to have in an office desk chair, some options also have other adjustable features that may catch your eye. For example, adjustable footrests, headrests, and armrests. Though it may seem like a more advanced option, Dr. Devoe cautions against them.

"There is a misconception that the more adjustable features an office chair has, the better it is," Dr. Devoe says. "While that is correct to a certain extent (e.g. seat height), more adjustable features usually just allow you to fall into a poor position for longer periods of time. This can result in deeper rooted lower back and neck pain as well as bad postural habits that are harder to break. "

Jamie Weissman is an editor with three years of experience covering home products. To make this list, she considered insights from our product testers who rated each chair's setup, comfort, lumbar support, adjustability, design, and durability. She also consulted Dr. Matthew Devoe, DC, owner of Empire City Chiropractic.

This article was updated by Kat de Naoum, a BHG writer with expertise in home decor, and Quincy Bulin, a BHG writer specializing in decor, furniture, and shopping. To update this article, they referenced testing insights from our testing lab in Des Moines, Iowa.

Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they're worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn't an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.