Getting one of the best office chairs is a bit of a minefield, especially with all the choice and various prices points on offer. However, doing your research and making the right decision is worth it, as what you sit on is important! We all spend long hours sitting at our desks at work, but sometimes what we sit on is the last thing that we think of. Which is odd! We spend a lot of time choosing our tech and our software, so it only makes sense to take time choosing the best office chairs for long sessions at work.
Our selection below is a combination of chairs that we've used for a long period of time (and sometimes still have), and chairs that we've researched and found to be deemed the best in specific classes (price, comfort, design, etc). In our list, we've catered to all budgets, from more expensive options that offer guarantees to some of the best cheap desk chairs, allowing you to find some of the best office chair deals on options that will last, and that our body will thank you for it.
Of course, the best office chair for you will be one that fits with your desk (see our guide to the best desks for suggestions there, or you might even want to skip the chair and go for one of the best standing desks). Note, these best office chairs are a combination of quality and design. If you're particularly worried about your back health, you might also want to see our guide to the best office chair for back pain specifically. Below, we'll begin with the best office chairs in the US, but you can also scroll down to the best office chairs in the UK if you're on that side of the Atlantic.
The best office chairs in the US
- Skip to the best office chairs in the UK
Our top pick right now is this iconic design from Herman Miller. The Mirra 2 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. The mesh 'TriFlex' back delivers zoned support, is breathable and can be cleaned thoroughly, while the 'Airwave 2' seat distributes your weight evenly to eliminate pressure points. While it's not the cheapest, advanced features make this chair a worthwhile investment for your home office. If you want a page dedicated to the best Herman Miller Mirra 2 prices, we're got you covered. See our comparison of Herman Miller Mirra 2 vs Aeron to see how this chair compares against another Herman Miller classic.
Next up on our list is this OFM Essentials Collection Plush Office Chair. It's padded all over, including on the arms (no mesh here) and has a high back, which means it's super comfy to sit in. It also looks good: the cover is made from soft micro-suede fabric, and comes in a choice of brown, grey or tan. We think the brown has a certain Mad Men feel about it. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles and style features you'll find in more expensive options – the armrests are fixed, for example – but it does the job well and is perfect for larger desks or spaces.
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 for use as an office chair, 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 – 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. All see our guide to the seven factors that make an office chair ergonomic for more about how an ergonomic chair can help your posture.
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). The Amazon reviews praise how solid and good quality it feels, but a few customers have commented the armrests feel flimsy for the price.
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, this chair is a winner.
Another entry from Herman Miller in our roundup, the Sayl is a masterclass in delivering high performance through a minimal design. The star of the show is the frameless suspension back, fashioned from elastomer stands that vary in thickness to provide targeted support.
There are plenty of adjustment options – back tilt, seat angle, lumbar support, seat depth, arms, and more. Note, however, these don't all come as standard; you need to select which ones you want when you order, and most come with a fairly hefty additional fee. Although, of course, that does mean you'll only get the added extras you actually want and need. You can also pick from a wide range of back and seat colours, and armpad finishes, to tie in with your home office decor.
Design-wise, it's not the most exciting entry in our list, but if you're after an effective no-frills option, IKEA's Markus office chair might just do the trick. 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: where are 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 more affordable alternative to Herman Miller's wildly successful Aeron chair. With 10 different adjustment systems, the Mirra 2 is a refined, comfortable and fantastically supportive office desk chair that looks brilliant. It definitely isn't the cheapest model out there (see below for some more budget 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 GT Omega Pro Racing Office Chair is originally meant for gamers, but if you sit down for a long time then you'll 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.
If you suffer from back pain, then the HAG Capisco Puls 8106 is worth considering, as it's one of the best office chairs for back pain out there. It might look a bit odd at first glance, but trust us, that's a good thing: this is one of the most ergonomic office chairs you can get.
This Scandinavian chair is made of a mixture of steel and plastic, and unlike most others, is suitable for sit-standing desks. It has a moulded seat based on a horse rider's saddle – the foam infill places your legs quite wide apart, encouraging you to place your feet flat on the floor. Meanwhile, the adjustable seat is angled to fit with the natural curve of your lower back. HAG is all about encouraging movement, so you can also sit on this ergonomic office chair back-to-front, and use those extruding parts as elbow rests. It's available in various colours – we like petroleum – and comes with a 10-year guarantee.
While Herman Miller's Aeron chair is the best office chair money can buy, we think its more affordable cousin, the Sayl, comes close for style. It comes in at roughly half the price, and the British School of Osteopathy uses it at its training centre, so you know it has top ergonomic credentials.
This chair was inspired by San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. And although the idea of a suspension bridge-inspired chair might seem odd at first, it makes sense once you sit in it – it's all about getting more from the least materials possible. The 'suspension finish' back moves with you as you shift around, providing more support in some areas of your back and allowing the back to maintain its natural curve. It's supremely comfortable, and comes with a 12-year guarantee – though we doubt you'll need it. These chairs are built to last a lifetime.
Wayfair has plenty of office chair options, but we like this Blair desk chair, 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?
FlexiSpot's BS9 is a fairly simple affordable office chair but it offers generous padding and “3D lumbar support”, which basically means the shape of the mesh curves in a way that supports the gap between the lumbar spine and the seat. The support isn't adjustable, but it does work.
The seat height can be adjusted between 44.5cm and 53.5cm using the gas lift operated by a lever, and the back tilt (between 90 degrees and 120 degrees) can be adjusted by pressing your back against it. The W-shaped seat is nicely designed, with foam rubber to stop you sliding and slouching. On the downside, the armrests are fixed and there’s no headrest, but if you’re looking for something cheap and comfortable, this is a good value office chair and ergonomically sound.
The best office chair prices today
For more of the best current prices on office chair, see the options listed below.
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