The best office chair has: be in your office chair for much of the day, you should be able to control your seat height, backrest tilt and armrest height; for other tips on minimizing weight capacity and seat size. Most chairs are adjustable enough to accommodate a variety of shapes and sizes, but workers with smaller or larger frames should see whether there are special versions that will better suit them. type, a chair should allow for at least some airflow and resist stains. Stitching should hold up to wear and tear, and seams should be placed where they won't irritate skin.Office chairs have to stand up to daily abuse, and companies should stand behind the product with a fair, straightforward warranty -- the longer and more inclusive the better, particularly for high-end models. Some warranties may not cover standard wear and tear, while others are more generous. Know before you goChoosing the best chair will take more than a few minutes on a showroom
Check the retailer's return policy; you may be able to test the chair for a couple of weeks and send it back if it's not the right pick. you use the chair? If you're going to spend hours in your office chair without a break, it makes more sense to splurge on a chair with as many ergonomic adjustments as possible. If you're buying for a home office that you may only use an hour or two every day, other factors such as budget and style might influence your decision as much (or more) than adjustability. work will you be doing? If you'll be moving around a lot, or you work in a highly collaborative space, you may want a smooth-rolling, scuff-resistant task chair with a smaller footprint. Arms might not be necessary, and you may not need very plush padding if you won't be sitting forHowever, if you'll be sitting in front of a computer without many breaks, you'll want a deeper seat with a higher back and lumbar support to ward off aches and pains.
If you tend to lean forward, certain task chairs that allow a more forward tilt might be a wise pick. On the other hand, if you like to recline while working, you'll want to check your chair's tilt limiter to make sure it allows for your preferred range of motion. If you prefer an unconventional position, such as cross-legged with a keyboard in your lap, you'll want a chair with width- and depth-adjustable armrests that won't get in existing aches and pains? If your lower back gets sore, make sure your chair has adjustable lumbar support. If you're prone to aching legs, make sure the seat has a sloped front (sometimes called a "waterfall edge") to allow adequate blood circulation -- and be sure your feet can comfortably rest flat on the floor. However, keep in mind that while a good chair can keep pain to a minimum, no chair can cure chronic pain -- and experts agree that it's best to alternate long periods of sitting with standing or walking around.
may even benefit from a standing or walking desk, both of which we cover in our separate report on standing desks. workspace have solid floors or carpet? Most casters will roll smoothly on hard surfaces, but that might not be the case with carpet. You may want to consider a chair mat in that case -- it will also save your carpet.Mesh promotes airflow and helps keep you cool -- potentially a good pick if you sit for hours at a time. Leather can offer a plush, luxurious feel, but it can also retain body heat. Vinyl is easier to clean than leather, but has the same breathability problem. Fabric is comfy for most, but is also most prone to stains. Higher-end fabrics will likely be more breathable and stain-repellent, however. Buying tactics and strategies While a large employer might view costly office chairs as a necessary investment, it's harder for individuals to stomachOne way to snag a quality chair for less? sites like Craigslist might be worth a look, also check office furniture
These resellers buy retailers' excess stock and used chairs from defunct businesses, and they're likely to have a better variety than you'll find using person-to-person classifieds. Just be sure to check out any used chair thoroughly, testing all functions and examining parts and upholstery for excess wear. Sticking to well-known models will also make it easier to order a spare part if the need arises.You do not have the Flash or Quicktime plugin and your browser does not support HTML5 video. Office chair buying guide We offer a wide range of home office chairs, from simple stools for web surfing, to complex ergonomic seats for long hours at your desk. With so much choice, our guide makes buying the perfect chair easy – all you have to do is assess your needs and working style. Watch the video above for more information on chair ergonomics. If you're considering installing a proper home office, we offer a fitted office service in our shops - find out more.
Ergonomics is the application of scientific information to the design of objects, systems and environment, making them more efficient and comfortable to use. Ergonomically correct and comfortable seating should provide stable body support in a varietyof postures. In addition, the design of the workplace and furniture should encourage a certain amount of movement and changing of posture. The main requirements for good seating are that: circulation in the thighs is not restricted, the posture requires little muscular effort to maintain, the loading (stress) on the spine is minimised and maintains the natural S-shape of the spine without the need for muscular tension. A good work chair should be: fit for the intended purpose, enabling you to move freely and carry out tasks comfortably and efficiently able to accommodate everyone who intends to use it, regardless of size or shape supportive of your body in a number of comfortable postures suited to your workstation, especially the height of the table or desk and the layout of the equipment on it.
How long will you be using the chair for? occasionally - less than 2 hours a day working part-time between 2 to 4 hours a day more than 4 hours a day - more or less full time The longer you’re using the chair, the more adjustable features you’ll need. All the adjustments should be within easy reach and you should be able to operate them, while seated, with minimal effort. Lumbar support is essential if you’re going to use the chair for long periods Will anyone else be using your chair? If s/he is quite different to you in height, weight and build, then you’ll need a chair which easily adjusts for each of you, and has height-adjustable lumbar support. This is the most important feature. Your feet should rest flat on the floor without compressing the back of your thighs, otherwise you’ll restrict blood supply to your lower legs and feet – resulting in tired and possibly numb legs. When you’re working at a table which can’t be adjusted in height, adjust your chair according to the height of your table, lowering the chair until your elbows are just above the table top.
If your feet still don’t rest flat on the floor, get a footrest. If the seat depth isn’t adjustable, it should at least allow you to sit right at the back of the chair without pressing the backs of your knees. You need to sit right at the back of the chair to use the backrest correctly and support your lumbar. It’s essential that the chair has a backrest with an appropriate size and shape, to support the lower and middle back properly without restricting arm or shoulder movements. The backrest should help you to maintain the natural S-shape of your spine when you’re sitting. Tilting the backrest allows you to adopt different postures, e.g. upright, or semi-reclined. When you sit on a work chair, the angle between your thighs and back should be around 95 to 105 degrees so that your abdomen and chest are open and not compressed. Opening up more of the angle between your body and thighs lets you breathe better, sending more oxygen to your muscles. The human body isn’t designed for static postures, especially sitting.
The longer you work, the more important the chair movement becomes, such as the ability to recline. It’s better to make small movements in the chair rather than continually fidgeting. Such chair movements depend on your weight, so office chairs should ideally have auto weight adjustment. If not, you should be able to adjust the tension of the backrest, so that you’re in total balance whether you’re upright or leaning back, and able to maintain good posture without having to exert excessive force. If you’re going to spend some time in the chair, you need to support the weight of your arms. Fixed height armrests are fine for occasional use, but for extended use, they should adjust, at least in height. Height adjustable arms can be lowered to go neatly under the desk when the chair’s not in use. The best ergonomic chairs will allow you to change the width between armrests to suit your body width, so that they are close to you where you need them. If the armrests prevent you getting close to the table or desk, you’ll end up sitting at the front edge of seat and not be able to use the backrest correctly, losing lumbar support.