As a remote team, Forbes Vetted writers and editors are experts at finding the best office chairs for your WFH setup. So, we combined our personal experience with guidance from medical professionals to assemble this list, which includes a handful of staffer favorites. Our top pick (which is also popular among Vetted readers) is the Branch Verve—adjustable and stylish, it comes with a breathable back and thick foam-filled seat cushion for added comfort. But, there are plenty more on this list that are suitable for a variety of office setups.
We assembled the best office chairs based on our experience as a remote team and insights from ... [+] experts. Office Chair Genuine Leather
While styles and preferences differ, experts agree: The best office chair for any desk worker should be ergonomic. “An ergonomic chair has adjustable seat heights, adjustable arm support, seat depth adjustment, tilting or reclining mechanism and back support,” explains board-certified orthopedic spine and neck surgeon Dr. Rahul Shah. So, look for a model that offers enough customization options to cater to your specific comfort level and stature (in other words, a wooden kitchen chair is not the ideal choice). Below, see the nine best office chairs according to reviewers and Forbes staffers, and for more specialized comfort, we’ve also rounded up the best office chairs for back pain.
Dimensions: 27 x 27 x 37-41 inches | Material: Polyester knit with a foam seat | Weight limit: 275 pounds | Colors: Black, pink, white, green, blue, grey
We like the Branch Verve because it’s one of the most comfortable office chairs you can buy. Fitted with an adjustable seat, armrest and lumbar support, it comes with plenty of ways to tailor the chair to your comfort preferences and workspace. (We especially recommend the Branch Verve for shorter people since the seat can be lowered to 16.5 inches.) Take it from one of our editors, who used the Branch Verve every day for the past year and found it completely revolutionized her WFH setup.
Another plus for the Branch Verve: It has a soft-knit back and is available in five sleek colors, making it a practical and beautiful addition to your office space.
What our editors say: “I don’t think I fully grasped the benefits of working in an ergonomic desk chair until I added the Branch Verve to my work-from-home setup a year ago,” says Amanda Arnold, Forbes Vetted home and kitchen editor. “Between the foam-filled seat cushion, adjustable armrests and breathable knit back, this chair provides support everywhere you need it. My only complaint is that my cat loves it, too.”
Dimensions: 20.1 x 18 x 45.3 inches | Material: Mesh | Weight limit: 300 pounds | Colors: Black
While more inexpensive options do exist, this option from Noblewell offers many perks seen in high-end office chairs, but for less than $250. We like its high mesh back and built-in lumbar support, which helps support healthy spine alignment—a must-have when you’re logging 8 (or more) hours at your desk. The design is also highly adjustable: The armrests, seat height and headrest are all customizable. And when you’re ready to kick your feet up, the Noblewell lets you recline up to 126 degrees.
What the reviews say: “I work from home, and I am in my office chair at least 10 hours or more about 6 days a week. My back does not hurt and to me that means everything,” says one buyer.
Dimensions: 39.3 x 24.5 x 19.8 inches | Material: Elastomer back and upholstered seat | Weight limit: 350 pounds | Colors: Black, white, grey
When you sit for hours at a time—like our team of fully remote editors—you’ve likely experienced some aches and pains. That’s why we recommend the Sayl chair from Herman Miller for remote workers with back pain. Built with a unique seat back made from flexible elastomer, the Sayl excels at supporting spine alignment. Plus you can add adjustable lumbar support (for an extra cost). It comes with nearly a dozen optional customizations, including your choice of color, upholstery and armrests, which earned high praise from reviews editor Anna Perling. Note: These add-ons aren’t included in the base price.
What our editors say: “My favorite part about the chair is how adjustable it is—it's a cinch to change the armrests, back and height,” says reviews editor Anna Perling. “The curved back support is somehow both firm and flexible; it feels like a hug for my back. Herman Miller also offers an awesome 12-year warranty, which made me feel confident in my purchase.”
Dimensions: 32.9 x 24.4 x 24.4 inches | Material: Upholstered | Weight limit: 250 pounds | Colors: Yellow, red, dark gray, gray, blue, green
An office chair and a task chair may seem like they’re one in the same, but they’re actually quite different. A task chair is specially designed to help aid your productivity, so it’s usually more compact and relatively bare-bones when compared to the other feature-packed office chairs on our list. But where a task chair lacks in features, it makes up for in style. This is especially true of the Elliana Task Chair from Wayfair. Available in six different colorways and two fabrics—velvet or polyester—you can customize the design based on your preferences. Our senior travel editor uses her Elliana everyday, and appreciates the chair’s beautiful fabrics, dense sponge seat and comfortable armrests.
What our editors say: “It’s super comfy and I love its arm and back support,” says senior travel editor Astrid Taran. “It’s also super affordable and looks a lot more expensive in real life! I actually attached the seat the opposite way the instructions said to, so not sure if that was a mistake on Wayfair's part, but it's way more comfortable this way.”
Dimensions: 16.75 x 27 x 41 inches | Material: Mesh | Weight limit: 300 - 350 (depending on size selected) | Colors: Black, grey
Although the Herman Miller Aeron is one of the most expensive office chairs on our list, it’s worth every penny according to two Forbes Vetted editors who’ve been using it for years. Made from durable materials, it’s super sturdy and features a supportive mesh seat. We especially like how customizable it is—oftentimes you’re limited to customizing the seat fabric but with the Aeron, you can customize nearly every aspect of the chair, from its frame and base to its back support to the armrest position.
What our editors say: “I have been using the Herman Miller Aeron chair for over two years now and I can gladly affirm that the hype is real,” says home and kitchen editor Sholeen Damarwala. “This chair has seen me through 10-hour work days and a full pregnancy. The mesh back design helps keep my back upright—in fact, I rarely ever find myself slouching or having to constantly correct my posture while I'm using it. I also have an old tailbone injury and after years of having suffered through bad desk chairs, the Aeron has been truly wonderful.”
Dimensions: 16.5 x 21.7 x 44.9 inches | Material: Mesh back with sponge seat | Weight limit: 250 pounds | Colors: Black, purple, red, grey, green, blue, black/white
When you need an office chair in a pinch, we recommend shopping on Amazon to take advantage of the speedy delivery. And out of the hundreds of office chairs on the site, we appreciate the ergonomic features of the Mimoglad chair the most. It features a mesh back to help keep you from overheating, while its ergonomic backrest—which fits snuggly against your spine—provides great support. (The company also offers a free lumbar cushion if the chair’s built-in support doesn’t meet your needs.) Our updates writer also enjoys the chair’s thick foam cushion and how the armrests flip up, which helps save space, particularly for apartment-dwellers.
What our writers say: “As someone with a history of back problems, I really appreciate this chair's adjustable lumbar support, wide headrest and 4-inch thick foam cushion,” says updates writer Alexandra Garrett. “I’ve had it for a several months, and I’ve noticed that my lower back is less stiff at the end of the day. Plus, it comes in a bunch of fun colors.”
Dimensions: 25 x 25 x 36.5 inches | Material: Faux leather with foam seat| Weight limit: 400 pounds | Colors: Black, blue, brown, grey, white, tan, red, orange
For those who need extra cushioning, we recommend the Soho II Soft-Pad Management Chair from Laura Davidson Furniture due to its plush, cushy feel. Built with three soft faux leather pads for the back and seat bottom, it provides ample comfort for long work days. Adjust the seat height up to 21 inches, or tilt the chair back and swivel as needed. We also like how durable this chair is; it can support up to 400 pounds, which is one of the highest weight capacities we’ve seen among office chairs.
What our editors say: Executive direct of commerce Cory Baldwin says that the Laura Davidson Office Chair was her primary WFH chair for two years (and it’s still in her rotation). “I love that it offers a modern silhouette in many colorways without breaking the bank, and it has proven to be sturdy enough to stand up to long hours of use,” says Baldwin. “While it does have some adjustability, this model doesn't offer all the ergonomic features some other (less chic) office chairs may provide, such as a high back and adjustable arm rests, so you may want to consider if any of these features are a requirement for your comfort.” However, she adds that for less rigorous use or for those who value design above adjustability, the Soho II is a “fantastic” choice.
Dimensions: 21 x 17.7 x 36.7 inches | Material: Foam | Weight limit: 350 pounds | Colors: White, black, blue, grey, pink
Working remotely sometimes means working from your kitchen counter or bedroom dresser. In those cases, we recommend opting for a taller-than-average office chair that adjusts easily to the height you need, like this chair from Bojuzija chair. Unlike a standard stool, its back cushion offers ergonomic support that rivals many other chairs on our list. But perhaps most importantly, its height rises up to 44 inches, and thanks to the height-adjustable footrest, your legs don’t need to be dangling. Our deals editor also loves how well the chair’s design fits in with her apartment decor.
What our editors say: “I use my kitchen island as a desk, so finding an office chair that was high enough to reach it was a little tough,” says deals editor Kara Cuzzone. “I ended up going with this ergonomically designed drafting chair, and I'm so glad I did. It was super easy to assemble and it's very comfortable. Plus, I like that it's not a total eyesore since it sits right in the middle of my apartment.”
Dimensions: 23.7 x 34.7 x 44.3 inches | Material: Upholstered back and cushion | Weight limit: 400 pounds | Colors: Black, blue, grey, tan, brown
The Steelcase Gesture is undoubtedly pricey, but we think it’s a worthwhile splurge for those serious about upgrading their WFH setup. Adjustability-wise, it offers a full range of ergonomic adjustments including height, seat depth, recline and a 360-degree armrest positioning, which our deputy editor finds especially useful. Heavyweight folks should also appreciate this chair’s 400-pound weight capacity and ultra-sturdy construction.
What our editors say: “The seat is comfortable for all-day use and does a great job of supporting my back no matter how I'm sitting,” says deputy editor Dave Johnson. “The armrests are so easy to adjust that I find myself moving them around a lot to accommodate whatever I'm doing instead of leaving them in one place like I have done with other chairs I've owned.”
While we have not tried these models ourselves, these well-rated picks are worthy contenders based on their sleek looks, supportive construction, solid customer ratings and overall value.
Dimensions: 26 x 23.6 x 42 inches | Material: Mesh | Weight limit: 330 pounds | Colors: Black, grey
Proper lumbar support is key to keeping your neck and spine properly aligned throughout the day. That’s why we selected the Duramont Ergonomic Office Chair as the most supportive option because it offers an adjustable design that lets you move its lumbar support in two different ways. Use the dials on the back of the chair to slide the piece up and down, or in and out, to find the most comfortable position for your body.
The seat is firmer than your average office chair (which is half the reason it’s so supportive), so if you like the feel of plush-soft padding, you may be better off with a softer pick. However, heavyweight individuals and taller folks should especially appreciate this chair’s sturdier design.
What the reviews say: “The very first thing I noticed was the firmness of the seat cushion,” says a reviewer. “I feel like I'm sitting on it [as opposed to] my other chair, where I was sinking in it. It's so firm and comfortable and keeps me in a solid upright position. The second thing I noticed was the excellent lumbar support.”
Dimensions: 26 x 26 x 53 inches | Material: Mesh | Weight limit: 300 pounds | Colors: Black, grey, blue, red, white
If you get hot easily or live in a warmer climate, we recommend Oline’s mesh office chair. Its tall mesh back promotes airflow, but you can also adjust the headrest, armrests, height, knee tilt and tilt tension as needed. Plus, the lumbar support responds to the amount of pressure placed on it, and it’s available in several colors to match your space.
What the reviews say: “Sitting in this chair was a ‘wow’ moment,” shares a reviewer. “The mesh material sits at an intersection of breathability, comfort and support that makes me question my previous life of sitting in cheap, boring ol' office chairs.”
Dimensions: 28.5 x 27 x 44.5 inches | Material: Mesh back and foam seat | Weight limit: 300 pounds | Colors: Black, black/grey
If you’re looking for a high-end office chair, you don’t have to make a huge investment. The Hon Ignition 2.0 gives you many of the features you’ll find in pricier chairs, but at a lower cost. Constructed from breathable mesh fabric, the bestselling chair will help you stay cool as you work. Its cleverly contoured seat and reclining mechanism will also help you maintain a high level of comfort during your workday.
This chair offers ample adjustment opportunities: You’re able to tweak the height and width of the arms, and you’ll also enjoy pneumatic seat height adjustment and tension control to get that just-right angle. To help you get around without getting up, there are also five rolling casters on its base.
What the reviews say: “A top-quality desk chair at a fairly reasonably price,” shares one buyer. “[After using a] chair that contributed to serious lower back and leg issues, it’s refreshing to sit at my desk in a chair that supports me properly. [The] lumbar, arm rests, back and seat cushion are all adjustable so one can align oneself properly. And it glides around the floor like you’re on air. It’s also incredibly easy to assemble.”
No two bodies are alike, so when it comes to finding the right office chair for your height, Dr. Shah recommends looking for an ergonomic model with adjustable seat heights. Fortunately, in most cases even the most basic office chairs have a seat height adjustment, which ensures your chair will fit comfortably under your desk and allow you to position your feet squarely on the floor. While splurge-worthy picks like the Herman Miller Aeron and the Steelcase Gesture are highly adjustable, the more affordable Branch Verve—our top pick overall—also offers plenty of customizability.
If you’re looking for a chair with armrests, make sure you can adjust them so they keep your arms at a 90-degree angle while still keeping the seat at the right height. Armrests should be just beneath your elbows when [your] arms are relaxed,” advises Deborah McKernan-Ace, program director of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at the Rutgers School of Health Professions.
In addition to an adjustable seat height and depth, Dr. Shah says an ergonomic office chair should have “a tilting or reclining mechanism and back support” to help minimize the strain on your lumbar spine, or lower back, throughout the work day. Some office chairs also have a brace that supports your lumbar. The Herman Miller Sayl particularly excels in this category because it has multiple features that let you adjust lumbar support and seat depth, not to mention a unique back that flexes with your body and the option of height-adjustable or fully adjustable arms. And the addition of a tilting mechanism can also be helpful for relieving lower back pressure, says McKernan-Ace: “It allows for readjusting [your] back and hip angles periodically.”
There are also certain items you can add to your setup to help you further customize your lower back comfort. “Accessories, such as a lumbar pillow, may also work to help the chair form fit to one’s body and help to support the muscles in the lower back,” explains Dr. Shah. The seat’s construction is also important: It should be wide enough to hold your entire lower body and back, which in turn helps provide support for your spine.
The material of an office chair has a big impact on it’s overall feel and breathability. Two of the more common materials you’ll spot while searching for an office chair are foam and mesh.
Office chairs come in a wide range of price tags, from under $100 to over $1,500. While you can certainly find a supportive and comfortable office chair around the $100 price range (like the staff-recommended Mimoglad and Elliana), we found that the best office chairs tend to fall in the middle of that range: somewhere between $250 to $600. Chairs in that price range, like the Branch Verve and the Herman Sayl, tend to have a higher-quality construction, more attractive aesthetics, a better ergonomic design and more adjustable features. If you do plan to spend under that price point, be prepared for certain limitations like a lower weight capacity, a limited warranty policy, tricky assembly and fewer ergonomic features.
Premium office chairs like the Steelcase Gesture and Herman Miller Aeron (both priced over $1,400) are often made of more expensive materials, are highly customizable, come fully assembled—and in the case of the Aeron, available in three different sizes. They also have some of the longest warranty periods; both of the splurge picks above have 12-year warranties. At the end of the day, how much you choose to invest in an office chair depends on your pain concerns, how many hours you’ll spend working in the chair, your preferences when it comes to support and comfort, and last but not least, which specific features you can and can’t do without.
X Chair Office Chair I'm a general assignment reporter where I focus on cryptocurrency, NFTs, blockchain technology. I'm passionate about highlighting Latin founders. I also co-edit the 30 Under 30 Retail and E-commerce and Food & Drink lists. Have a tip? Reach out at mgsantillana-linares@forbes.com