Everyone knows that sitting for hours in the office is bad for the back, but we rarely do anything about it. Backcare Awareness Week, which runs from 6 to 12 October, is a good time to change your usual office chair for one that offers better ergonomic support. But there are a lot to choose from, so to help you out, here’s our pick. 1. Humanscale Freedom Office Chair, £999, John Lewis With a backrest that automatically adapts to your body shape and headrest that moves according to how far you recline, the Humanscale Freedom Office Chair offers the latest in ergonomic technology. Plus, the snug cushions mould to the shape of your body. At nearly a thousand pounds, it’s a lot to cough up for a chair, but worthwhile if you want one of the best on the market. 2. Herman Miller Aeron Office Chair, £925, John Lewis If you are a design buff, this is the one for you. The Museum of Modern Art in New York has an Aeron in its permanent collection, so its design credentials are well established.
But this chair is not just pretty to look at – its cushions are made from Pellicle, a high tech material which avoids heat build-ups, helping prevent muscular discomfort. 3. Comfort Operator Chair, £49, Office Furniture Online It’s not a thing of beauty, but the Comfort Operator Chair is good value for its specification. The three levers allow you to vary the height of the chair and tilt the back rest and seat. Also, the curved foam provides good ergonomic support. This is the reliable Volkswagen – rather than the flashy Ferrari – of the office chair world. Available with or without arms. 4. HÅG Capisco Saddle Chair, £291, Wellworking If you find yourself fidgeting in your usual seat, try the Saddle Chair. The unique design, modelled on a horse rider’s saddle, allows you to sit equally comfortably whether facing forward or turned to the side. Free movement does not have to cost the planet though – this product is made from recycled car bumpers. 5. Classic Balance Ball Chair, £80, amazon
You are sure to be greeted with a few raised eyebrows when you bring this into the office, but bemusement could soon turn into envy. Not only is the Classic Balance Ball Chair comfortable, but the act of balancing on it also gives you a powerful core-strengthening workout. 6. Herman Miller Sayl Office Chair, £383, Wellworking Effective spine and neck support needn’t result in a sweaty back. Inspired by the design principles of suspension bridges and modelled on a ship’s sail, the webbed chair back allows good air circulation, keeping you cool. Comes in four colours. 7. Markus Swivel Chair, £130, Ikea This is one of the cheapest executive style office chairs on the market. Offering easy height adjustment and a lockable tilt function – plus a headrest for good neck support – you get all the basics for a reasonable price. Also, this product comes with a 10 year guarantee, so it won’t risk your hard earned cash. 8. Back App Ergonomic Stool, £556, Back2
When you sit on the Back App your feet are placed on the footboard rather than the floor. This allows the chair to rotate around as you move, allowing a greater freedom of movement than that offered by conventional office chairs. At first this can make your lower back feel tired, but after a week or so this should go away. For wacky style with green credentials, go for the HÅG Capisco Saddle Chair. If you are on more of a budget, the Comfort Operator or the Markus Swivel Chairs are your best bet. Office chair technophiles with money to spend should consider the Humanscale Freedom. But for sheer workmanship and iconic design, the Aeron is my top pick. IndyBest product reviews are unbiased, independent advice you can trust. On some occasions, we earn revenue if you click the links and buy the products, but we never allow this to bias our coverage. The reviews are compiled through a mix of expert opinion and real-world testing About Best Sellers in Desk Chairs These lists, updated hourly, contain best-selling items.
While it's easy focus your time, money and attention on hardware and the latest titles, it can also pay to invest in a comfortable chair to support you during those lengthy gaming sessions.Even affordable models are a substantial step up from your average office chair, with many featuring proper back support, height adjustment options and enviable designs that bring some color to your gaming space.Whether you're looking for an all-out leather-bound beauty that makes you feel like an F1 champ, or a more modest plush spinner, we've spent days, weeks and even months testing the gaming chairs below to make sure they're a great fit for you.Dimensions: 84 x 38 x 70 cm (W × D × H) | Seat height: (Minimum to maximum: 131 - 141 cm | Maximum load: 180 kgThe king of gaming chairs, noblechairs' flagship Epic Real Leather lives up to its name, as it is both epic and is mostly made of real (rather than faux) leather. If you're looking for a no-compromises gaming throne that looks, feels and even smells expensive, this is it.
From the cross-thatched embroidery adorning the lower back position to the red logo on the seat, it's the fine details that will make you want to drag strangers walking past outside into your home just to show it off.This fine piece of German engineering is surprisingly quick and easy to set up considering the trouble we had putting some of the other chairs on this list together, which is owed to its quality parts and solid construction from top to bottom.Just be very careful not to put your hands anywhere near the metal seat mechanism before the back rest is attached, as one accidental press of that lever and it's capable of slicing off a finger or two. Read the instructions thoroughly, folks.Once set up, the chair is a dream to sit on. A combination of durable leather, a sturdy metal frame and high-density cold foam upholstery all add to its comfort levels, whether you're sat bolt upright or reclining back at its full 14-degree position.If we have any complaints, they're directed at its polyutherane arm rests which feel a little substandard considering the premium quality found everywhere else.
Oh, and make sure your room is big enough to give the Epic Real Leather room to breathe – this sizeable gaming chair isn't suitable for cubicle-sized dens.A striking white chair that might not stay white for longDimensions: 54 × 53 × 140 to 149.9 cm (W × D × H) | Seat height: (Minimum to maximum): 30 - 49 cm | Maximum load: 155 kgThe white and blue edition of Vertagear’s Racing Series S-Line SL4000 Gaming Chair is definitely one of the more striking chairs we’ve had the pleasure of testing. In fact, it’s now become a common occurrence for people walking through the office to comment on it, and to ask whether its occupant has won some sort of prize. During the setup of the chair, finding a screw hole within the chair’s back was something of a challenge, and lead to the whole process taking around an hour, but once the chair was together it feels sturdy and well made, and is comfortable to sit in for long periods. It certainly looks nice when you first get it set up as well, but you’re going to have to be prepared to clean it regularly if you want its white leather to stay white over time, since this chair is a magnet for dirt.
But if you’re prepared to pay the price for a sleek white chair, the SL4000 from Vertagear is a great option. Dimensions: 54 × 56 × 131 to 141 cm (W × D × H - minimum and maximum) | Seat height: 49 - 59 cm (minimum to maximum) | Maximum load: 180 kgThe Epic Gaming Chair from noblechairs is the best choice for the classier gamer. It features a faux leather covering inspired by car seats combining both comfort and a high-end look to make one of the best gaming chairs money can buy. It looks low-key and the black design is far more elegant than some of the other brightly colored options on this list.While it’s a leather design, it’s 100% vegan friendly so anyone can buy this chair and use it for their gaming on a daily basis. fortable accommodation for the larger gamerDimensions: 53 x 58 x 127 - 137 cm (W × D × H - minimum to maximum) | Seat height: 50 - 60 cm (minimum to maximum) | Maximum load: 200 kgFor those looking for some extra space in their seating arrangement the Vertagear Racing Series PL6000 is a must-have.
Specially designed to provide both added width and height, it’s a delight for those with larger frames with a solid base and impressive range of movement.The wheelbase is smooth and responsive on both carpet and hard floors, while the adjustable headrest provides additional comfort for the neck. One week point to the design comes in the form of the lumbar pillow, which doesn’t have a proper way of attaching over the rear of the chair, which means it sits right at the base of your spine.Assembly wasn’t relatively straightforward, but we’d advise that it’s a two-person job - so grab your co-op buddy for some real life two player action.Smart-looking, comfy but a right pain to put togetherDimensions: 50 × 50 117 - 124 cm (W x D x H) | Seat height: (minimum to maximum): 47 - 54 cm | Maximum load: 120kgThe C80 Pure Series Gaming Chair is a great-looking, comfy gaming chair that could easily double up as an office chair. It looks more expensive than it actually is - this is all because of some decent design flourishes.