The best office chair is one of the few things in life that's worth spending a decent amount of money on. After all, consider how many hours we spend in our lives sitting at a desk... and how many more hours we might spend suffering discomfort, if we don't use a comfortable one.
So in the long term, it makes sense to take time and the best office chairs for your needs. To help you out, we've tried out and reviewed a range of chairs. And below we list those we've found the best in terms of comfort, design and more.
Our guide features the best office chairs for a range of budgets, from more expensive options to some of the best cheap desk chairs. We've divided it into two sections, starting with the best office chairs in the US. So if you're on the other side of the pond, feel free to skip ahead to the best office chairs in the UK.
Meanwhile, if you're kitting out your office in full, then also check out our guides to the best desks and the best standing desks. And if you're particularly worried about your spinal health, our guide to the best office chair for back pain will sort you out.
The best office chairs in the US
We'll start with the best office chair on the the market today. This iconic design from Herman Miller is designed to respond to your body and movements as you work, to ensure you're fully supported and comfortable at all times, and almost every part of the chair can be easily adjusted to fit you exactly. (For more about how an ergonomic chair can help your posture, see our guide to the seven factors that make an office chair ergonomic.)
The mesh 'TriFlex' back delivers zoned support, is breathable and can be cleaned thoroughly. Meanwhile the 'Airwave 2' seat distributes your weight evenly to eliminate pressure points. While it's not the cheapest model on our list, advanced features make this chair a worthwhile investment for your home office. (And our guide to the best Herman Miller Mirra 2 prices should help keep your costs down.)
We make no apologies for including a second Herman Miller model on our list of the best office chairs. Firstly because Herman Miller is the most love and respected brand when it comes to chairs, and secondly because the Aeron is perhaps even more iconic than the Mirra 2.
Both are high-end, premium quality chairs, with brilliant ergonomic designs, at suitably premium prices. Both are aesthetically beautiful: the Aeron is more conservative and functional-looking, while the Mirra 2 is more youthful and funky, so it's largely a matter of personal choice. The Aeron is more configurable in terms of sizes, frames and back supports, but on the whole it's a little more expensive too, which is why we've made it number two on our list.
It's a close call, though, and it's worth weighing up both models depending on your needs. For more details, see our article Herman Miller Mirra 2 vs Aeron.
The Union & Scale FlexFit Dexley is a comfy desk chair that's easy to adjust to your perfect seated position. It has adjustable lumbar support that you can slide up and down, tilt tension and tilt lock options, and even an angle-adjustable headrest.
The breathable mesh material will stop you getting too sweaty on hot days (plus can be cleaned easily). We like the blue colour – although it's also available in black if you prefer – and think this office chair would be a fitting addition to plenty of workspaces. It also comes with a seven-year limited manufacturer's guarantee.
The best officer for gamers may suit you better than you think. Although the Secretlab Titan Evo was designed for gamers, we think designers, illustrators or anyone who sits in a chair for a long period of time will find it exceedingly comfortable to use. And while the look of a gaming chair might not appeal to everyone, this option from Secretlab tones down the racing-style look and could actually pass as quite an elegant office chair, even for meetings with clients.
This gaming office chair boasts user-friendly ergonomics with an advanced base that allows tilt of the seat pan as well as the back. It has a soft memory foam neck pillow and built-in adjustable lumbar support. It has 4D armrests a comfortable seat rest, and even a magnetic head cushion – which means no more fiddly straps.
The chair is available in three sizes: S, R, and XL, and you can choose from a new "Neo Hybrid Leatherette" material or Secretlab's excellent Softweave fabric. It might seem like an expensive chair, but this is a great investment in comfort, and you get a three-year warranty too.
Gaming chairs generally have a reputation for being super comfy but quite ugly – or at least very distinctive – to look at. The Noblechairs Icon Gaming Chair manages to find a happy middle ground.
Available in real leather, faux leather or PU hybrid leather and a range of colourways, this chair can do double duty as both office chair and gaming chair. The armrest can be adjusted in four dimensions and the back can be reclined back to a massive 135 degrees (that's basically lying down – we don't recommend it for your working day). Online reviews praise how solid and good quality it feels, but a few customers have commented the armrests feel flimsy for the price.
Short on funds? The cheap and cheerful Mainstays Vinyl and Mesh Task Office Chair is another great value pick. For around the $50 mark, this office chair is easy to put together, height-adjustable, and comes in a range of colourways.
There's a generously padded back and seat although no armrests (but you may not find you need them when you're sitting at a desk). You may need to purchase a lumbar cushion if you're going to be doing long stints sitting on this. Overall, though, in terms of ease of assembly, use and value for money, it's a winner.
Another budget option, IKEA's Markus office chair is the kind of effective no-frills option you'd expect from the Scandinavian store. This smart black chair comes with in-built lumbar support to keep your back happy, and the height and back tilt can be adjusted to make sure it's perfectly comfortable for you. The mesh back lets air circulate and can be cleaned easily, too.
The Markus isn't entirely without clever add-ons, either, including brakes that automatically kick in when you stand up, to ensure the chair doesn't roll away. Like all IKEA products, it has been rigorously tested to ensure its longevity – and for extra peace of mind, there's a 10-year limited warranty.
Our only complaint is that the armrests aren't adjustable, although they can be removed altogether, if you like. See our guide to the best office chairs at IKEA for more options from the Swedish furniture giant.
The best office chairs in the UK
The Herman Miller Mirra 2 chair is a design icon, and not just because it's so stylish and attractive. With 10 different adjustment systems, the Mirra 2 is a refined, comfortable and fantastically supportive office desk chair.
It definitely isn't the cheapest model out there (see below for some cheaper office chair alternatives). But the posture support is excellent, making this one of the most ergonomic office chairs you can buy. It's also designed to regulate temperature, meaning that you can easily sit at it for hours without getting all hot and sweaty. The Herman Miller Aeron (number 2 on our list) is equally good, but as the Mirrar 2 is a little more affordable, that pushes it to number one on our list.
Herman Miller's Aeron is arguably even more iconic than the Mirra 2. And it's a fantastic office chair. We've only put it second on our list because it's a little more expensive (well, depending on the configuration). But if you can stretch to the extra cost, there's an awful lot to like.
Aeron is the elder of the two models, and it's been honed to perfection since its introduction in the 1990s. This is a premium quality chair that's both aesthetically attractive and ergonomically designed, so it will look good, and help you feel good after a long session at your desk.
As with the Mirra 2, it can support up to 159kg/350lbs and comes with a 12-year extended warranty. The seat is made from 8Z Pellicle polymer mesh, which feels quite 'floaty' when you sit on it, compared with the Mirra 2's more rigid seat. But generally, choosing between them will come down to budget, and which you like the look of best. For more details, see our guide to Herman Miller Mirra 2 vs Aeron.
The GT Omega Pro Racing Office Chair has been fundamentally designer for gamers. But if you sit down for a long time for work, then you'll also benefit from the extreme comfort and wealth of features.
With this chair, you get maximum support, with cushions for your back and head.You can customise your recline to the max as well, with the four positions, which go all the way back to practically horizontal.
The armrest is '4D' adjustible and the handy tilt lock mechanism gives you even more control. The chair comes in leather with a purple trim, which is a statement we know. But if you can live with the bold design, you won't regret this choice.
If you are looking for a gaming chair that will double as a suitable office chair, then the Noblechairs Icon Gaming Chair is it. The all-black luxury look is just what you need to make yourself look the part in those power Zoom pitches – but it has all the features to keep you comfortable for long hours of after-hours gameplay.
Faux leather options keep the price at a sensible level – but for utter decadence you can get the Icon in plush napa leather too. With a German design inspired by sports car interiors, this has all the adjustments you'd hope for to ensure correct posture and comfort.
It might not look particularly exciting, but IKEA's Markus office chair ticks a lot of boxes – and at this price it's not just one of the top chairs at IKEA, it's one of the best full stop. You can adjust its height, there's built-in lumbar support and the mesh material means the air can get to your back, which is great when you're sitting down for long periods. There's also a brake that engages when you stand up, to help avoid that awkward moment when your chair slides out from beneath you.
Many office chairs feature a back support that moulds into your back over time, but not everyone gets on with this system. The Markus chair's back support combats this by re-puffing when you get up. Happily, it also comes with a 10-year guarantee. The only real downside is that the armrests aren't adjustable, which might be a problem depending on your height and the height of your desk. However, they are removable so you can get rid of them if they start to annoy.
Wayfair has plenty of office chair options, but we like this Blair desk chair (opens in new tab), which comes in blue and mustard. It might lack some of the more sophisticated features on this list, but it's ideal if you just want an attractive design that's comfortable, with no-fuss. Some people may find the lack of armrests an annoyance, but if you don't think you'll use them then they do make the chair's design a lot neater. This chair is also very easy to put together, and costs under £125. What's not to like?
The best office chair prices today
For more of the best current prices on office chair, see the options listed below.
Read more:
- The best Herman Miller Aeron prices
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