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The 17 Very Best Ergonomic Office Chairs

Including conventional office chairs, balance-ball chairs, and even ergonomic stools.

Photo: Marcus McDonald
Photo: Marcus McDonald

In this article

Take it from someone who has reported on this topic for over three years now and didn’t listen to our experts’ advice (and whose neck, shoulders, and wrists paid the price): Invest in a good office chair. Whether you’re working from home at a DIY desk setup or commuting to an office, you may have begun to feel the strain that sitting for seven or more hours a day can put on a body. Finding the right ergonomic office chair, though, can be tricky — there is no universally perfect model, because every body is different. Which is why I consulted with 11 doctors to help me find the best ergonomic office chairs, sourcing a range of options that will help you sit up straight and comfortably while minimizing long-term damage to your body. I then put their top picks to the test myself — including their favorite traditional chair, balance-ball chair, and kneeling chair — to see how they stacked up.

What we’re looking for

Adjustability

A good office chair will help you maintain a neutral posture, which means sitting with your feet flat on the floor; your knees slightly higher than your hips; and your hips, shoulders, and ears all lined up with one another. “Try to create 90-degree angles at the waist and knees,” recommends chiropractor Dr. Randi Jaffe. Since that position will be slightly different for each person, the best way to find a neutral posture is with an adjustable chair — one that’s as intuitive to use as possible. Different chairs have different adjustability, including the armrests, seat height and depth, and angle of the backrest tilt. While everyone could benefit from seat adjustability, if you are shorter or taller than average, seat height and seat depth are especially important factors to look for. For each chair listed below, I’ve noted which elements can be adjusted to fit your particular needs.

Material

The material of the backrest and the seat of a chair will impact how well the chair supports your body and keeps you comfortable. Mesh is ideal if you run hot, since it’s the most breathable, while foam can add an additional layer of cushioning.

Weight capacity

To help you choose a chair that offers adequate support, we’ve listed the maximum weight limit of each chair.

Headrest vs. no headrest

While a headrest isn’t required, it does help provide additional support to your upper back, neck, and head.

Best ergonomic office chair overall

From $1,410

Adjustability: Adjustable seat height, armrests, seat depth, and tilt | Material: Mesh back, mesh seat | Weight capacity: 300 or 350 pounds | Headrest vs. no headrest: No headrest

Dubbed the “The Dot Com Throne” by New York Magazine writer Brian Kennedy way back in 2006, the Aeron chair also happens to be the office chair of choice in the former New York office that I had been sitting on several times a week for over a year and a half. The chair is every bit as comfortable and adjustable as you would imagine. I’ve also noticed my recurring shoulder and neck pain doesn’t bother me when I’m sitting in the Aeron, which I attribute to the chair’s back support, which encourages a more upright posture. Jaffe loves Herman Miller’s Aeron chair because it has adjustable lumbar support with a tilt that moves with you whether you like to lean back or remain perfectly upright, as well as an adjustable seat and armrests and three different size options: small, medium, and large that increase in height, seat width, and depth to accommodate different body sizes. The small Aeron chair is designed to support up to 300 pounds, while the medium and large can support 350 pounds. The chair’s mesh material also provides full-body support and promotes airflow to keep you cool. While Jaffe admits that the price is high, if your budget allows, “it is a great investment in your health and well being.” Dr. David Perna of Back and Body Medical also loves the Aeron chair, calling it “the standard” for ergonomic chairs and adding that many companies have tried to copy its design. One final tip from Jaffe: “Do not work from the couch or the bed. Have a designated spot for work at home, including a table or desk or countertop, in addition to a good chair.”

Best (less-expensive) ergonomic office chair

Adjustability: Adjustable seat height, armrests, seat depth, tilt, tilt tension, and lumbar support | Material: Mesh back, foam seat | Weight capacity: 300 pounds | Headrest vs. no headrest: No headrest

Branch, a direct-to-consumer brand that specializes in products for the office has a very affordable ergonomic chair. Dr. Jasmine Bhoola personally uses one and says it is “comfortable and completely customizable,” with adjustable armrests, seat height, tilt, tilt tension, seat depth, and lumbar support. The removable lumbar support moves forward and backward and the chair can accommodate up to 275 pounds. Compared to our top pick, it is only available in one size (the Aeron offers three options), and its weight capacity is 25 to 75 pounds less, so it’s not as accommodating to people with a range of body types and is ultimately less customizable. However, the chair’s high-density foam seat cushion is comfortable, and the backrest is made of double-layered mesh, making it supportive yet breathable. And for those who pay a lot of attention to aesthetics will appreciate that they can choose from two colors (black or white) for the chair’s frame, and seven for the cushion.

Best budget-conscious ergonomic office chair

Adjustability: Adjustable seat height, armrests, and tilt | Material: Mesh back, foam seat | Weight capacity: 331 pounds | Headrest vs. no headrest: No headrest

For a far less expensive alternative, try this chair from Modway, which has supportive mesh as well as the ability to adjust its armrests and seat height. Dr. Rudy Gehrman, the founder of New York City–based wellness center Physio Logic, suggests using the money you save on the pricier chairs above to invest in an alternative seating option, like an exercise ball or kneeling chair (both of which appear below), because “the more variety you have, the more likely you will decrease the chances of repetitive stress injuries.”

Best affordable ergonomic office chair with headrest

Adjustability: Adjustable seat height, armrests, seat depth, tilt, lumbar support, headrest | Material: Mesh back, foam seat | Weight capacity: 280 pounds | Headrest vs. no headrest: Headrest

If, like me, you suffer from neck and upper back pain, investing in a chair with a customizable headrest can offer more support to your head, neck, shoulders, and upper back. According to Bhoola, “Prolonged sitting has been associated with musculoskeletal dysfunction.” Bhoola also likes the chair’s adjustable armrests, as well as its solid lumbar support, which maintains the curve in the lower back and promotes effortless upper back posture. When adjusting your office chair, she has these tips: “First, stand in front of the chair and adjust the height so that the highest point of the seat is below the knee cap.” Then she suggests adjusting the angle and height of the chair’s backrest, so that it supports the hollow in the lower back. Finally, “adjust the seat pan tilt to a comfortable position.” She notes that the seat of the chair should be seven inches below the work surface.

Best self-adjusting ergonomic office chair

Adjustability: Adjustable seat height, armrests, seat depth, tilt, and lumbar support | Material: Foam back, foam seat | Weight capacity: 300 pounds | Headrest vs. no headrest: Headrest

New York City–based company Humanscale is well known for its stylishly designed (but still ergonomic) office furniture. The brand’s Freedom office chair uses what’s called a “self-adjusting recline,” allowing you to change the chair’s angle simply by leaning back rather than by fussing with a separate lever. Dr. Scott Bautch, a Wisconsin-based chiropractor who’s currently the president of the American Chiropractic Association’s Council on Occupational Health, likes that the Freedom chair has the “minimum amount of levers and the maximum amount of adaptability for the person sitting in it.”

Best foldable ergonomic office chair

Photo: retailers

Adjustability: N/A | Material: Mesh back, foam seat | Weight capacity: 220 pounds | Headrest vs. no headrest: No headrest

If you are dealing with a very tiny space, your options for ergonomic seating are a lot more limited (which is why I wrote a whole story dedicated to foldable ergonomic office chairs). While it’s hard to create a chair with all the bells and whistles that also folds up, if you have to compromise on adjustability in the name of saving space, this foldable option from In Stock Chairs is a solid option. While it does not have adjustable armrests or an adjustable seat height, it does offer plenty of lumbar support. Ultimately, Jaffe says, it is still a lot more ergonomic than working from a couch or bed, “which makes a chiropractor cringe.”

Best colorful office chair

Adjustability: Adjustable seat height, armrest, tilt, lumbar support, and headrest | Material: Mesh back, foam seat | Weight capacity: 300 pounds | Headrest vs. no headrest: Headrest

The ErgoChair checks a lot of boxes: It has a headrest and good adjustability; a breathable mesh back with flexible, full-body support; and a smooth tilt-tension mechanism with five lockable positions that allow you to lean further back and stretch your spine and shoulders. Recommended by Jaffe, it also comes in several bright colors, including lime green and baby blue, that you can match to your office décor.

Best ergonomic office chair for movement

Adjustability: Adjustable seat height | Material: Foam back, foam seat | Weight: 250 pounds | Headrest vs. no headrest: No headrest

Strategist contributor Natalie So spent ten years sitting uncomfortably in a variety of office chairs before a Pilates teacher told her about the Pipersong Meditation chair. What sets it apart is an extra-low platform that “swivels 360 degrees around the seat, allowing its sitter to position their legs (mostly!) however they want,” she explains. Ideal for anyone who’s constantly changing positions while working, the brand states the chair allows for nine different positions. “I find myself constantly changing positions in the Pipersong, sometimes every few minutes — and that feels far more natural and intuitive to me,” notes So. “When I sit in it, I feel as though I’m doing something good for my body without exerting much effort.” In addition to the tan color shown above, the chair is available in black, gray, and ivory.

Best ergonomic balance-ball chair

Adjustability: N/A | Material: Plastic | Weight capacity: 300 pounds | Headrest vs. no headrest: No headrest

When I started testing out the balance ball chair from Gaiam, I certainly got a lot of looks from colleagues wondering what I was doing (which is fair, since I was basically balancing on a giant yoga ball while answering emails). I found that while it took some time to get comfortable, once I got used to it, I didn’t even want to switch back to my regular office chair. While ball chairs don’t have much back support, meaning you’ll have to be mindful of slouching, they encourage proper positioning by “engaging your trunk muscle and thus increase core strength, improve posture, and engage muscles that are normally not engaged when sitting in a traditional chair,” explains Wersland. While the Gaiam is designed for users between 5’ and 5’ 11 ” tall and fits most standard-height desks, the base is not adjustable, so I did need to raise my laptop to keep my arms and wrists positioned properly over my keyboard. The chair also comes with an illustrated guide full of stretching and strength moves you can do at your desk. However, having to adjust my desk setup to accommodate the ball chair was absolutely worth it since I felt energized and back-pain-free all day. “I love balls and ball chairs,” says Bautch. Because they help to add more motion to your everyday routine, Jaffe agrees, adding that ball chairs not only “promote good posture while engaging the core,” but the exercise ball can also be removed from its base so you can use it for workouts.

Best (less-expensive) ergonomic balance-ball chair

Adjustability: N/A | Material: Plastic | Weight capacity: 600 pounds | Headrest vs. no headrest: No headrest

If you want to try out a balance ball but want something a little more affordable, Dr. Andrew Veech recommends simply sitting on this anti-slip exercise ball — that comes in ten different colors — in addition to an ergonomic office or kneeling chair.

Best balance-ball accessory

Adjustability: N/A | Material: Plastic | Weight capacity: 300 pounds | Headrest vs. no headrest: No headrest

If you’re ball-chair curious but not ready to fully commit, the lowest-intervention option is a half-ball like this balance disk from Gaiam — a favorite of Jaffe’s — that you can place on any office chair you might already own or use. It’ll activate your core and give you many of the same health benefits as a more traditional ball chair would but with a significantly less risk of falling. It also makes it easy to switch between sitting on a ball and a regular chair.

Best ergonomic kneeling chair

$100

Adjustability: Adjustable height | Material: Metal frame | Weight capacity: 250 pounds | Headrest vs. no headrest: No headrest

A few editors at the Strategist have had a kneeling chair, which I would often ask to test out. A kneeling chair is great because sitting in one lengthens your hip flexors (which can get tight while sitting), takes some pressure off your glute and hamstring muscles, and promotes a more neutral lumbar spine. Using one, even for 15 minutes at a time, felt like going to a stretching class in the middle of the day. If you want to try a kneeling chair, Gehrman recommends this one. But he cautions to use kneeling chairs intermittently since they do put some pressure on your knees — ideally, you should alternate between a kneeling chair, a regular chair, and standing throughout the workday.

Best ergonomic stool

Adjustability: Adjustable seat height | Material: Foam seat | Weight capacity: 270 pounds | Headrest vs. no headrest: No headrest

Another affordable — but still ergonomic — alternative to a proper office chair is a stool, which Jaffe says can help improve posture while engaging the core as you sit. “It also makes it easy to go from sitting to standing,” she explains, and is easier to move or stow away (a plus if you’re working from home with roommates or working from a small space). She recommends this one because it has an adjustable seat to accommodate lots of different heights. Dr. Adam Lamb of Lamb Chiropractic, a New York City–based practice that offers house calls, also likes stools, saying he personally sits on one at his office because it encourages good posture and allows you to build strength and balance as you answer emails. As with the balance-ball chair, you should be cautious not to slouch while sitting on it since that defeats the purpose of improving your posture.

Best ergonomic desk chair for kids

Adjustability: Adjustable seat height, seat depth, backrest, and swivel | Material: Foam back, foam seat | Weight capacity: Unknown | Headrest vs. no headrest: No headrest

If you’re looking for an ergonomic chair to complete your child’s homework setup, California-based chiropractor Dr. Brook Sheehan recommends this affordable chair because it has an adjustable seat and backrest that can be adjusted between 21 and 32 inches to accommodate your child’s height. The chair also has a locking base that allows it to swivel 15 degrees to the left and the right when engaged. “The locking mechanism stops the chair from swiveling too much, keeping the child in a proper, stable position, but also allowing for easy exit should they need to stand up,” she explains.

Best ergonomic balance-ball chair for kids

Gaiam Kids Balance Ball Chair
From $65
From $65

Adjustability: N/A | Material: Plastic | Weight capacity: 175 pounds | Headrest vs. no headrest: No headrest

Like adults, kids can also benefit from a balance-ball chair, since they improve posture and also require kids to actively balance, so they are more physically engaged than they would be in a regular seat, which helps reduce fidgeting and restlessness and increases focus. Caitlin Meister, founder of private educational-consulting practice Greer Meister Group, recommends this model from Gaiam, which also makes our pick for adults, above.

Best ergonomic desk chair for teens

Adjustability: Adjustable seat height, lumbar support, and armrests | Material: Foam back, foam seat | Weight capacity: 250 pounds | Headrest vs. no headrest: Headrest

For teens, this high-back gaming chair has adjustable lumbar support, a headrest pillow, armrests, a seat with an adjustable height that tilts, and a footrest that pulls out from under the seat. “Geared toward an audience with more developed spinal structures, it helps to maintain the spinal curves that are present,” says Sheehan, adding that over time it can even help correct bad posture.

Best ergonomic accessory for office chairs

ErgoFoam Ergonomic Footrest
$34
$34

Adjustability: N/A | Material: Foam | Weight capacity: Unknown | Headrest vs. no headrest: No headrest

Even if you’ve found the ideal ergonomic office chair, adding in a few accessories to your setup can make it even more comfortable. Chiropractor Dr. Jan Lefkowitz of Body in Balance Chiropractic explains that a footrest can “improve circulation by taking pressure off the veins in the back of your thigh where a chair compresses your legs.” Footrests also encourage better body positioning while sitting at your desk. “Because the footrest is static, this will force you to sit back against a desk chair in proper posture,” explains Dr. Daniel Huyang, a chiropractic-sports physician at Level Up Sports Chiropractic. Both Huang and chiropractor Dr. Cariann Paul love this memory-foam footrest, which is available in two different heights: 3.9 inches and 5.5 inches.

Some more ergonomic office chairs we’ve written about

Our experts

Dr. Marc Agulnick, orthopedic surgeon
Dr. Scott Bautch, chiropractor and president of the American Chiropractic Association’s Council on Occupational Health
Dr. Jasmine Bhoola, chiropractor
• Dr. Rudy Gehrman, chiropractor and founder of wellness center Physio Logic
• Dr. Daniel Huang, chiropractic-sports physician at Level Up Sports Chiropractic
Dr. Randi Jaffe, chiropractor
• Dr. Adam Lamb, chiropractor and founder of Lamb Chiropractic
• Dr. Jan Lefkowitz, chiropractor at Body in Balance Chiropractic
• Caitlin Meister, founder of private educational-consulting practice Greer Meister Group
Dr. David Perna, chiropractor
Dr. Brook Sheehan, chiropractor
Natalie So, Strategist contributor
• Dr. Jason Wersland, chiropractor and founder of Theragun

Additional reporting by Maxine Builder

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The 17 Very Best Ergonomic Office Chairs