If you work a lot at a desk and you're worried about the health of your back, getting an ergonomic chair is a great investment. I've been testing the best office chairs for back pain for several years now, and I've seen how using them has had a massive positive knock on effect in my life. And the experts agree.
According to research by the University of Hampshire, if you work long hours at a desk, using an ergonomic chair that follows the natural curvature of your spine and provides support to your lower back can decrease the risk of developing a cumulative trauma disorder.
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Joel Olive, Herman Miller's senior product manager for the Aeron chair is clear why he's dedicated to ergonomic chairs: "Nearly 80 per cent of all people in the US that work in an office complain of back pain," he states. For more on what he suggests to combat this, head to the Chair expert Q&A section.
Based on expert best practice, when reviewing ergonomic chairs I consider back support, adjustability, comfort, build quality and materials. I also consider the design and the price (I've put together a list of the best budget chairs if that's your chief concern). I spend months with each chair to get a proper feel for each one, and make notes on every feature and how it makes me feel. I use each chair for office work, for gaming, and just hanging out on. Read on for my list of the best office chairs for back pain.
Beren Neale
I have well over a decade of experience writing about creative tech, and have racked up hours testing and reviewing everything from laptops and monitors to office chairs. In 2020 I realised the importance of ergonomic office chairs to creatives. That's why I've dedicated myself to finding the best ergo chairs that creatives would be proud to sit on.
This is the most comfortable chair I've ever sat on. It's the ultimate ergonomic chair that promotes micro-movements and therefore healthy blood flow. It also has the best arm rests in the business. A fantastic office chair (weirdly marketed as a gaming chair in the UK), which will set you back a suitable amount. Read more below
Sihoo has made its name by providing decent budget chair options to the world – but they struck gold with the M18. It punches way above its weight when it comes to comfort, ergonomics and cool. And it's regularly priced under $200 direct from Sihoo. This is the best budget chair money can buy right now. Read more below
The Aeron was first released in 1994 and has been a leader in the ergonomic chair game ever since. It's an iconic design, and extremely comfortable to sit in, with a suitable price tag attached. It's packed with excellent features and adjustability. Read more below
Built from premium materials, including Italian leather, the X4 gives you solid support and supreme comfort. It's fairly heavy at 31kg, but with that weight comes incredible back support, and a soft-yet-solid comfort that feels great - plus plenty of adjustability, and optional features like a headrest, 360 degree armrests, and massage and heating pads. Read more below
Branch is a San Fransico company that's released a beautifully designed ergonomic chair with the Verve. But it's not just looks. It's comfortable, with great adjustable lumbar support too. Only downside is the lack of adjustable arms. Read more below
While it looks unusual, this chair allows you to sit as if you are saddling a horse, which is reportedly beneficial for countering back pain - though you will need to regularly adjust your position. It has good lumbar and lower back support, and it’s very comfortable and adjustable too. Read more below
This chic, offbeat take on the classic Herman Miller chairs comes in a slightly smaller form factor and at a more affordable price point. It still has a sharp design and great ergonomic features, providing an excellent balance between support and comfort, not to mention great air circulation. Read more below
Don't let its backless form factor fool you; if you want an effective, beautiful-looking seating solution that will benefit your back and body, the Muista stool is worth your time. It encourages you to move while seated, encouraging blood flow and keeping your muscles gently engaged Read more below
Hinomi are masters of the mid-range office chair, and with the X1 they're offering a solid ergonomic seat with butterfly/twin plate back and lumbar supports. It certainly has a distinct design, which may not be to your liking. But if you do like the look of it, it's certainly a comfy, ergo-minded chair for around $600. Read more below
If you're a gamer, look no further than the Secretlab Titan Evo. It's sturdy, comfortable and feature-filled, with a fully adjustable lumbar support system. This premium racing seat uses cold-cure foam for padding, has a magnetic headrest and comes in a range of sizes for various body types. Read more below
The $1,000 + will exclude many budgets – but it's worth it
★★★★
Buy it if
✅ You want the best ergonomics: The Embody is the best ergonomic chair I've reviewed to date. It's both incredibly comfortable, and incredibly supportive. It's has loads of adjustability for your specific body type, but more than that, it is designed to support whatever siting position you prefer. There's not another chair on the market that does this.
✅ You want peace of mind after purchase: If you buy straight through Herman Miller, you get their 12-year warranty, including parts and labour. This is the the best warranty that I've come across so far, and speaks to the confidence that Herman Miller has with its chairs.
Don't buy it if:
❌ Budget is important to you: There's no two ways about it, the Herman Miller chairs, and the Embody in particular, are expensive chairs. That is fine if you want to commit to a chair for the rest of your life. But if a low budget is your priority, this is not the chair for you – even during sales!
❌ You don't want to make a design statement: It's totally subjective, of course, but if you don't like the look of the Embody, then you probably shouldn't get it. With such a steep price tag, you should feel 100% happy with everything about this chair, and I can see how its aesthetics could put people off. I personally love it, but you're not buying it for me!
The bottom line
🔎 Embody: This is the most comfortable, most ergonomic, and cleverest chair I've ever sat on, and if you can afford it, I don't think you'll find better. ★★★★★
"More than 20 physicians and PhDs in the fields of biomechanics, vision, physical therapy, and ergonomics contributed their expertise to help guide the development of this chair," proudly states the Herman Miller website, about the Embody. And that sounds very impressive. But what does it actually mean to the user asked to spend over a grand on it? It means you'll own the most comfortable, supportive office chair out there. It's certainly the most exceptional office chair that I've ever used.
As the resident chair expert at Creative Bloq, I've tried and tested loads of office chairs and stools, and have a pretty good context for ranking them in categories such as ergonomics, comfort, design, etc. The Embody is top of the class in all categories, apart from price point. It will set you back north of a grand, and that's even with a decent sale going on. And while that will immediately have people scroll further down this page, for those that want an investment in their office furnature, I think that's great value for what you get.
Good ergonomic chairs accommodate, even encourage, movement. That may sound strange for a piece of furniture that you sit on, but according to Esports Medicine and PM&R Physician Dr Lindsey Migliore, "constant changes to your posture are integral to healthy sitting." It's because if you're sat in the exact same position for hours on end, pressure builds on your ischial tuberosities (sitting bones), and your hips, lower back and shoulders.
The Embody encourages micro-movements thanks to its unique design. It has linked chains and panels in the back and seat, distributing your weight so small movements feel lighter and easier than usual. When I sit in the Embody, it's just a joy to naturally adjust on the seat, and no matter what position I'm in – leaning on one side, stretching arms over the back, or doing my best impression of what 'good posture' is meant to be (we all do it!), I'm super comfortable and feel supported. It's a hell of an experience.
Our expert says...
Our expert says...
Beren Neale
Oooh, I love this chair. Every time I sit on it I feel supported in a way that I don't get from any other chair. Thanks to clever design, you're never stationary on it, instead you make micro movements that encourage blood flow and a healthy sitting experience.
All Sihoo chairs offer adjustability above their price tag
★★★★★
Price
This is a great buy for under $200
★★★★★
Buy it if
✅ You're on a budget: At under $200, and with comfort and style to spare, the M18 is simply the best value chair that I've reviewed. Exceptional value for money, that puts even some of the mid- and high-price Sihoo chairs to shame.
✅ You want more than a budget usually gives you: It may be cheap in price, but there's a sense of style that is lacking in other chairs that sings in the M18. The ergonomics are solid, it's super comfy, and I love the headrest and foam seat.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want the best ergonomics: The M18 gets five stars because it gives you so much more than you should really expect for the price. But if you can afford more, then there are obviously better chairs out there. See the Emboy or the Aeron.
❌ You hate lengthy constructions: Yes, Sihoo is famous for its budget chairs, and that means lengthy assembling. It's one of the ways the company cuts costs, and it'll usually take you around 20/30 minutes to construct.
The bottom line
🔎 Sihoo M18: I really, really like this chair. Some chairs just work, and the M18 is one of them. I think from the front it looks good – chic even! – though the back is more standard Sihoo fair. It is however really comfy, has good ergonomics, and one of the best headrests out there. And all for under $200?! Absolute bargain. ★★★★★
This is not the first time that a Sihoo chair has held the best budget option on this list. In fact, the M18 takes the crown from the Sihoo M57 – a decent option for sure, but just not as stylish, not as comfortable, and not as good value as the new best budget chair, the Sihoo M18.
Yes, somehow Sihoo managed to produce a chair with a lower price tag that offered more features and has more style. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that I far prefer the M18 to some of the more mid-priced chairs that Sihoo produces. I just really clicked with the M18, and to date it is the second only chair that I've given a full five star review to. The other is the very best chair on the market – the Herman Miller Embody.
Although the M18 uses the same materials as the previous choice, there's something more going on in its design, and with multiple colour options available, it just doesn't feel 'cheap' like the M57 did. In fact its mix or mesh and foam works really well on the seat and the heat rest. Of course, there's no leather, no memory foam, no brushed metal finishes. But having sat in and reviewed dozens of office chairs, I honestly think the Sihoo M18 does so much with what it has, at such an attractive asking price, that it's currently the best budget option out there.
Our expert says...
Our expert says...
Beren Neale
Good quality budget chairs are rare. Rarer still are great quality, brilliantly designed budget chairs. This is one of those rare beasts, and I think for the asking price, you can't get better (actually, for many more mid-priced chairs' asking price, you can't get better!)
From Herman Miller it's around $1,200 but come with a great warranty.
★★★★
Buy it if
✅ You want a modern classic design: The Aeron's design is a modern classic. It was made in 1994, and has become famous around the world.
✅ You want weightless comfort: It's not only beautiful. The Aeron is beautifully put together, and cradles you in the air. It's incredibly comfortable.
✅ You want the best ergonomics: The Aeron was one of the first ergonomic chairs to be made, and the human form hasn't changed much since then. It supports you in all the right places.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You're not sure which model to get: The Aeron comes not only in small, medium and large. You also get the 'entry-level' model which doesn't have the adjustable arms or lumbar support. It is cheaper though.
❌ You're on a budget: It's the most expensive chair on this list, when taking the retail price. You can get it cheaper in sale, but you'll miss the Herman Miller warranty.
The bottom line
🔎 Aeron: The Herman Miller's Aeron chair is a designer's dream. It's a beautiful thing to look at, and you feel supported and comfortable when sitting in it. All that iconic class will cost you though. ★★★★½
The Herman Miller Aeron is one of the original ergonomic office chairs, and having had one material and performance update since its 1994 release, it's a design that's stood the test of time.
It's tempting to resort to hyperbole when recommending a product to a creative audience which nails form and function as well as the Aeron. I've used it as my primary work seat for 12 weeks at the time of writing, and it's definitely one of the most comfortable, supporting and stylish chair I've ever used.
So much so that it initially crashed straight into the top spot of our list of the best chairs for back pain, knocking the brilliant X4 Executive leather chair off its perch. The only reason it's been moved down to three again, is that the X-Chair just offers way more adjustability, which is really important in ergonomic chairs. However, it's an incredibly close call!
There's something comforting (and comfortable) about the reduced adjustment options in the 'entry level' model of the Aeron I reviewed. It says something of the supreme confidence of Herman Miller: how the initial design decisions play out so effectively in the end results of comfort and support.
If you're buying the Aeron directly from Herman Miller, the price is a little steep – though you do get a great 12-year warranty. Over $1,000 is a lot for anyone's wallet, though I have seen the price drop as low as $711 over at Amazon, so you can definitely get deals on this iconic chair.
Our expert says...
Our expert says...
Beren Neale
It's a design icon, and has been one of the most popular office chairs since its 1990s release. If you like design history, and sitting very comfortably, this is an excellent chair.
A classic, executive style with large leather panels.
★★★★★
Materials
Heavy aluminum, memory foam seat and soft leather finish
★★★★★
Adjustability
Fantastic 360º arm rests and back and seat adjustments
★★★★★
Price
Around $1,139 at Amazon. As low as $999 over Black Friday
★★★★½
Buy it if
✅ You want a classic executive chair: This is not your usual mesh affair, and real leather isn't for everyone. But for those that want that touch of luxury, this is a beautiful, premium model.
✅ Arm rests are important to you: The X4's 360º arm rests are some of the best on the market, with maximum adjustability and comfort.
✅ You want a solid build: The X4 has a very heavy, solid metal base. That means that while you enjoy the soft leather furnishings at surface level, you also feel the heft of the chair under you.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You're vegetarian: X-Chair uses real Italian leather for the X4, and there's lots of it.
❌ You're on a budget: We've found the cheapest entry-level model of the X4 for $999, but that's still a grand! If you're on a tighter budget, keep scrolling down this page.
❌ You don't like lots of buying decisions: When bought through X-Chair, there are actually a lot of options before you get to the 'buy' button. Too many! It's a little annoying.
The bottom line
🔎 X-Chair's X4: I first reviewed the X4 back in early 2023 - and it's still one of my favourite office chairs, which I still enjoy using. It's supremely comfortable, and offers great ergonomic support, in both adjustable lumbar support and arm rests. ★★★★★
I've been using the X4 chair continuously in my home office for over a year now, and think it's the best ergonomic chair that I've reviewed so far, and I feel that it is the best option for most people. Here's why...
First off, the X4 Executive leather chair is one of the most comfortable ergonomic chairs. Its leather/foam combination is soft and the metal base build is solid so you get a combination of comfort and support that feels reassuring. And, when you pay extra for the 360º armrests, you get the absolute best armrests out there.
There are no surprising notes to make on the look of the X4 (though you can mix things up with one of the eight different colours that are on offer). I'd say the look is classic, with a pleasing two-part back, and a singular base making up the seat. Most importantly, the X4 really shines when you sit in it for any length of time. Built from hard plastic, chrome aluminium, mesh and leather, the X4 gives you all the solid support you'd want from a premium ergonomic chair, while also providing supreme comfort too.
It's one of the heaviest chairs featured on this list, clocking in at 31kg (that's twice the weight of some of the others). That solidity goes into providing incredible back support, and a soft-yet-solid comfort that feels great. It's also best for most people because it's really adjustable. There are loads of feature options as well, including headrest, 360 degree armrests, and massage and heating pads. For more information, check out our X-Chair X4 Executive chair review.
Our expert says...
Our expert says...
Beren Neale
Executive leather chairs can often be stuffy and trapped in the past – the X4 is very much part of the modern world, with its massage and warming/cooling features. It's a nimble yet sturdy leather chair that will offer a bit of luxury to your work set up.
