The Best Ergonomic Office Chairs for a More Comfortable Work Day

If you’re looking for an affordable ergonomic chair, this one from Branch has a full suite of adjustment points, including seat height and depth, armrest position, tilt, tilt tension, and lumbar support. The lumbar support can be moved forward or backward or completely removed. The seat is fashioned from a firm foam, while the back is made from contoured mesh that encourages an active posture, i.e., one where you’re not slumping in your chair (which leads to lower back pain). It's available in some cool color combinations, one of which will for sure match your stylish office decor.

For the price, this multifunction chair from Alera can’t be beat. The multifunction mechanism allows you to fully adjust the angle of the mesh back in relation to the seat, including moving the seat back and forth, changing the angle of the backrest and/or of the whole chair. The armrests move up and down as well as from side to side, giving you some control over the width. The biggest problem with this chair (well, honestly, with many of these kinds of chairs) is how difficult it is at first to remember what lever or knob does what. Save the instructions!

This VARI chair shows up in many offices, partially due to its mid-range price point and the fact that it's available at Office Depot/Office Max. The other big reason this is such a popular chair is that the seat is as cushioned and comfortable as they get. The height adjustment of the seat is excellent, too, as is the forward and backward capabilities of the seat.

Equipped with lumbar support that automatically adjusts to your body as you move, and featuring breathable, soft, flex mesh material, the X2 K-Sport Management chair is supportive, breathable, comfortable, and worth the higher price tag. As well as being ergonomic, the chair can be upgraded to include heating or cooling massage effects in the lumbar support region for an extra $100-150. Talk about a rejuvenating mid-afternoon break! We also love the other customizable options, such as castor color (including pink), armrests that swivel, and seat length.

Available with or without a seat pad, the unibody Zeph Side Chair is designed for those who need lower back support. One of the most unique things about it is that it provides ergonomic support without any adjustments: The flexible shell shifts and responds to your movements. We especially love all the fun color options and the mid-century modern inspired design, as well as the size and moderate footprint (most office chairs take up a ton of space). This one is perfect for that home office tucked into the corner of a small apartment.

If you spend long hours at your desk (wherever your office may be), consider investing in the Herman Miller Aeron Chair. It’s definitely pricey, but many consider this chair the standard for all ergonomic office chairs, so if your budget allows, why not get the OG? One of the best things about this chair is the adjustable lumbar support that moves with you, as well as the mesh back and seat that provide full support while also ensuring you don’t experience the dreaded back (or butt) sweat. The arms can be set to a variety of heights, depths, and angles, while the harmonic tilt is engineered to ensure smooth and balanced reclining.

A headrest helps support your upper back and neck, as well as your head, and this chair has a fully adjustable, curved, foam one. As a cyclist, I often suffer from neck pain. When I add into that hours spent writing or sewing, that pain can reach pretty intense thresholds. The Ticova office chair provides some relief. I also like the thick foam seat and the exceptional lumbar support, plus the fact that this particular chair supports rocking—a repetitive motion I find beneficial to critical thinking. (You can lock out the rocking feature, if you don’t agree).

This chair is for those people who hate fiddling with knobs and levers, always having issues finding the exact position they want. You know the feeling: First you move the recline back, then it feels too far, so you move it forward again but then you feel as if you’re leaning precariously and no matter what, you can’t find the optimal position. Freedom has an “intelligent recline mechanism” that automatically adjusts to your movements – both slightly creepy and brilliant at the same time.

Intelligence comes with a higher price tag than many of the other chairs on our list but, if your budget allows, it’s worth considering..

With a headrest and a breathable, flexible mesh back, the ErgoChair provides excellent support. One of the best things about this chair is the responsive lumbar support, which responds to the unique shape and curve of your body as you sit, easing pain and stiffness. It has 22 degrees of recline with five lockable positions, so you can be comfortable whether working, resting, or gaming. The green, blue, or red color options will add a vibrant burst of color to any workspace, especially if you’re someone who finds all the neutral tones of many offices rather drab.

The ErgoStool helps to improve your posture by engaging your core as you sit. Stools also make going from sitting to standing easier and more fluid. When working at my cutting and patterning table, I use a stool because I don’t have to keep shuffling it around as I work, nor does it take up a lot of real estate when I do need to stand to reach something in a different area of the table (which is four feet wide and eight feet long). It has a weighted base which means if, like me, you like to be able to lean forward or backward without falling over, the ErgoStool has you covered. I also love that ErgoStool has a space age vibe and comes in at least one bright color option. The height is adjustable from 25 to 35 inches.

If you’re blessed with knees free from cartilage tears (unlike me), a kneeling chair provides an alternative working position that will take pressure off your glute and hamstring muscles, while lengthening your hip flexors and keeping your core engaged (both good things that will help alleviate back pain). Using a kneeling chair all the time is generally not recommended by doctors, as it does put pressure on your knees, but they provide a wonderful alternative to mix up your sitting position throughout the day.

This affordable and simple chair is perfect for a child’s homework desk setup. Seat height (12 to 21 inches) and depth, as well as the backrest (21 to 32 inches) can all be adjusted with twist and lock knobs. The large range in height means this chair is capable of growing with your child. If your child is one of those who enjoys spinning and spinning in their chair there’s an anti-swivel lock–something many adult chairs might benefit from in some situations.

This PC gaming chair was designed to help maintain the spinal curves that are already present and can even help correct your teen’s bad posture over time. It has adjustable lumbar support, a headrest pillow, armrests, a seat with adjustable height and tilt, and a footrest; in fact, it may be a bit too comfortable, encouraging your teenager to spend even more time in front of their gaming set-up. This chair also has a full 155 degree recline which, with the footrest, means it makes an excellent sleeping chair as well. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.