Most office chairs look much the same in a photograph. What separates them is how far they adjust, and whether those adjustments fit the person sitting in the chair for seven hours a day. Here is what to look at, in the order it matters.
1. Seat height
Set the seat so your feet rest flat on the floor with your thighs roughly parallel to it. If you are tall or short, check the height range on the specification rather than assuming: gas lifts vary, and a chair that bottoms out two inches too high will never be comfortable.
If your feet do not reach the floor once the desk height is right, a footrest is a cheaper fix than a different chair.
2. Seat depth
You want two or three fingers of clearance between the back of your knees and the front edge of the seat. A seat slide gives you that on almost any body shape, and it is the single adjustment most often missing from budget chairs.
3. Backrest and lumbar support
The curve of the backrest should meet the curve of your lower back. Height-adjustable lumbar support does this properly; a fixed bump only works if it happens to land in the right place.
4. Recline and tension
Sitting rigidly upright all day is no better than slumping. A chair that reclines with you, with tension set to your body weight so it supports rather than fights you, encourages the small movements that keep you comfortable. Synchronised mechanisms, where the seat tilts as the back reclines, do this best.
5. Arms
Arms should let your shoulders drop and your forearms rest level with the desk. If they stop the chair tucking under the desk, they are working against you. Height-adjustable arms are worth it; width and depth adjustment matter for shared desks.
Mesh, fabric or leather?
Mesh backs stay cooler and suit warm offices. Fabric is the most forgiving on price and comes in the widest colour range. Leather and leather-look finishes wipe clean and tend to be chosen for meeting and executive spaces.
Before you order
Check the chair fits under your desk, that the specification covers your height and weight, and whether it arrives built or flat-packed. If you are buying for a team, buy one first and let people sit in it for a week.
Not sure which way to go? Call us on 01473 464644 and describe the desk and the person, and we will point you at two or three that fit.
