Your Recommended budget office chair - Water Cooler
Your Recommended budget office chair - Water Cooler
So, my computer chair finally gave out after several years of usage. ive been allowed a budget of about $150ish to get me a replacement chair, im looking for one with some cushion for comfort, but also prefer a higher backed chair of some sort. mostly use Amazon, Sam&#;s Club, or Office Depot for our orders on office items like that. im pretty flexible with most items but the two requirements that i prefer as an absolute must are Cushioning/Padding (i dont like the Mesh Backs that are just the netting style stuff) and the ability for it to lean back a little bit.
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so what chairs do you use or prefer?
The best office chairs tested and rated
3 Things to Consider
Material - From fabric to mesh to leather, the right material can make all the difference.
Headrest - If you want a headrest, this is something you should be looking for as some chairs don&#;t come with this option.
Warranty - With an inexpensive starter chair, the warranty isn&#;t as important but with a premium office chair, you should look for one with a long warranty.
I&#;ve been using one of the best office chairs for years now and it&#;s made a huge difference in my work life. During the day, I often sit for long periods of time and a good office chair makes it so much more comfortable plus, my back and shoulders have all the extra support they need.
Based on my extensive testing, the best office chair overall is the Branch Verve Chair. I really like how its 3D knit backrest helps it stand out (in a good way) but it also allows for better airflow. The Branch Verve Chair also has an adjustable lumbar rest, a contoured seat and backrest and its casters are perfect for my hardwood floors. If you&#;re on a tight budget though, I strongly recommend the Flash Furniture Mid-Back Office Chair which is frequently on sale for just over $100.
Below, I&#;ve put together several recommendations for all types of use cases, including my favorite ergonomic option, the best office chair for back pain, my top pick for gaming and more. These are the best office chairs you can buy right now that I personally recommend.
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Written by
Written by
Anthony Spadafora
Senior EditorAnthony Spadafora has been working from home exclusively for the past six years (two full-time with Tom's Guide) and during that time, he's tested work from home accessories, standing desks and of course, office chairs. In fact, he has reviewed more than a dozen office chairs from full mesh chairs to task chairs to ergonomic chairs. Anthony can tell you how comfortable a particular chair is to sit in for long hours at a time as well as what goes into putting it together.
The best office chairs you can buy today
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The best office chair overall
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(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
As the follow-up to the Branch Ergonomic Chair, the Branch Verve Chair immediately sets itself apart from the competition thanks to its unique design which won this chair an iF Design Award. Instead of a mesh back, it has a 3D-knit backrest that's extremely comfortable while also being breathable. Besides the Coral color seen here, the Branch Verve Chair is available in black and white as well as light green and light blue.
Besides being pleasing to look at when pushed in at my desk, the chair's V-shaped suspended back also houses its adjustable lumbar rest. Likewise, its inward curving arms help the Branch Verve Chair stand out (in a good way) and I love how the base of the chair is the same color as its seat and backrest.
I found the Branch Verve Chair to be quite comfortable during testing and was impressed by how my body sunk into the chair. At the same time, its nylon casters also made a big difference and were much smoother when rolling around on my hardwood floors. The Branch Verve Chair features six points of adjustment and it felt really good leaning back in the chair while taking short breaks throughout my workday.
Read our full Branch Verve Chair review.
The best budget office chair
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(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
One reason I liked the Flash Furniture Mid-Back office chair is that, in a sea of black and gray office chairs, it stood out with its bold blue and white color scheme (it's also available in gray, yellow, red, orange, white, and yes, black).
The price of this chair varies based on the color you choose as well as the style &#; you can opt for a mid-back, high back, and drafting chair &#; but ranges from around $120 to $210, making it a very affordable model if you're on a budget.
However, as with most budget office chairs, the Flash Furniture model isn't very adjustable, you can raise and lower the seat and adjust the tilt tension, but that's it. Still, I found it pretty comfortable when sitting for long periods of time. And, when I was ready to head home for the day, the chair's arms fold up, so that I could tuck it under my desk more easily. If you're looking for a cheap office chair that looks good, this is definitely a model to consider.
Read our full Flash Furniture Mid-Back office chair review.
The best premium office chair
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(Image credit: Herman Miller)
(Image credit: Herman Miller)
(Image credit: Herman Miller)
The Herman Miller Aeron chair may be the symbol of dot-com excess, but there's a good reason for that: It is damn comfortable. I could adjust everything on this top-tier chair, including more esoteric things, like the tension of eight zones of the fabric (including the important lumbar support) and the tilt and angle of the armrests. It also supports working in two profiles: one for when you are leaning forward and another for when you are leaning back and reclining.
The mesh bottom and back of the Aeron also allowed for plenty of airflow, which was welcome on warm days when my air conditioning wasn't working as well as it should have. However, this came with a little tradeoff, as I didn't think the Aeron offered as much support as the Steelcase Leap, which has a firmer fabric bottom and back.
Check out our comparison of the Herman Miller Embody vs Aeron if you've having a hard time deciding which is best for you.
It's perhaps no surprise that all of this comes at a price, as the Aeron starts at more than $1,000. My advice is to look for sales of office furniture as companies clear out their buildings of unwanted items. You're bound to find an Aeron for a lot less used.
Read our full Herman Miller Aeron chair review.
The best office chair for home office
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(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
From the moment I first saw the Haworth Fern, I knew this was an office chair I had to try for myself. This ergonomic chair features a very interesting design that&#;s actually inspired by a fern leaf. Haworth uses a 3-part system made up of flexible fronds that resemble the leaves of a fern to achieve this chair&#;s unique look.
Available with a mesh back, a digital knit one or in full leather, there are plenty of different variations on the Haworth Fern to suit your needs. In fact, you can even get an Xbox version if you want a gaming chair that looks like an office chair. I tried the mesh version of the Haworth Fern and its mesh backrest kept me cool while working while its fabric seat cushion provided excellent support for my lower body.
When it comes to adjustability, the Haworth Fern features eight adjustment points. I really like the crank on the side that lets you adjust the chair&#;s tilt tension. However, you can also outfit this chair with forward tilt which lets you lean forward by five degrees for when you want to focus on a particular task. The Haworth Fern is a premium office chair that starts at over $1,000 but it is backed by a 12-year warranty. It&#;s a great upgrade from a budget or mid-range chair but not an ideal starter chair given its higher price.
Read our full Haworth Fern review
The best office chair for ergonomics
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(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
The Steelcase Karman goes beyond a traditional mesh chair thanks to the company's proprietary Intermix textile. This office chair is available in a number of different colors and even color combinations since it's created using a weaving process where yarns and other filaments are injected into the weave.
The Steelcase Karman is also exceptionally light at just 29 pounds and unlike every office chair I have reviewed so far, it comes fully assembled. Under the chair's seat, there's a weight-activated mechanism that when combined with Intermix, literally wrapped around my body and supported me, regardless of which angle I was sitting at.
The Steelcase Karman may lack a dedicated lumbar support but in my own testing, I found I didn't need one due to how the chair responded to my body's movements throughout the day. This level of comfort and engineering doesn't come cheap though but Steelcase does back up the Karman with a 12-year warranty.
Read our full Steelcase Karman review.
The best office chair for back pain
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(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
6. Sihoo Doro S300
A futuristic-looking office chair with great support for your back
Our expert review:
Average Amazon review:
Specifications
Colors:
Black and grey
Material:
Italian velvet, DuPont TPEE
Seat width:
20.28 inches
Weight Limit:
300 Pounds
View at AmazonView at SIHOOReasons to buy
+
Split lumbar support
+
Premium build quality
+
Aesthetically pleasing design
+
Mesh allows for excellent airflow
Reasons to avoid
-
Armrests move too easily
-
Complicated assembly process
The SIHOO Doro S300 offers some big improvements over the SIHOO Doro C300 which we also reviewed. These include its dual dynamic lumbar support, its anti-gravity mechanism and its mesh which is made from a woven combination of Italian velvet and DuPont TPEE.
This premium-looking office chair is available in either white or black but there aren't any other add-ons or upgrades you need to worry about. It is more expensive than the C300 at $799 but if you're on a tighter budget, there's also the SIHOO Doro S100 to consider which features a very similar design albeit with less premium materials.
During our testing, we were very impressed with its futuristic design, how its mesh kept us cool while working and the way in which the dual dynamic lumbar support cradled our back. The armrests do leave a bit to be desired though and we found they moved a bit too easily for our liking. Also, the Doro S300's recline is limited to three positions. Still though, this office chair will be a huge help for those with back problems and it offers plenty of adjustability.
Read our full SIHOO Doro S300 review.
The office chair for gaming
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(Image credit: Razer)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
7. Razer Fujin Pro
The best gaming chair for your home office
Our expert review:
Specifications
Colors:
Black
Material:
Mesh backrest and seat pan, aluminum alloy frame
Seat width:
20.9 inches
Weight Limit:
300 Pounds
For more information, please visit Anji Fengge Furniture.
View at RazerCheck AmazonReasons to buy
+
Easy assembly
+
Great lumbar support
+
Fantastic build quality
+
Comfortable padding on the armrests
Reasons to avoid
-
Questionable warranty
The Razer Fujin Pro is as much an office chair as it is one of the best gaming chairs. Unlike other gaming chairs with flashy designs, Razer went with a sleek, all-black look for its latest chair. The Fujin Pro also features a mesh backrest and seat pan to keep you cool while working or gaming along with a sturdy, aluminum alloy frame.
If the Razer Fujin Pro is a bit out of your price range at $, you can get the standard Razer Fujin for $649, though it lacks the aluminum alloy frame and mesh headrest available with the pro model. Another thing I really like about this office chair is that there aren't any add-ons or extra costs to consider at checkout.
In our testing, we found the Razer Fujin Pro to be very easy to assemble and to adjust. The adjustable lumbar support dwarfs those you'd find on other gaming chairs and the padding on its armrests is extremely comfortable too. The seat pan can be moved forward or backward as well for taller people.
The Razer Fujin Pro does double duty as a gaming and office chair and unlike other gaming chairs, you won't be embarrassed to be seen sitting in this one during video calls or even at the office.
Read our full Razer Fujin Pro review.
The best budget office chair for ergonomics
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(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
8. FlexiSpot C5
A comfortable ergonomic office chair at a more affordable price
Our expert review:
Specifications
Colors:
Black and gray
Material:
Mesh backrest and headrest, foam and fabric seat cushion, metal base
Seat width:
20.1 inches
Weight Limit:
300 Pounds
View at FlexiSpot Inc.Check AmazonReasons to buy
+
Great armrests
+
Affordable ergonomics
+
Comfortable seat cushion
+
Solid lumbar support
Reasons to avoid
-
Not ideal for tall users
-
Headrest can be difficult to adjust
The FlexiSpot C5 is a step up from the Flash Furniture Mid-Back Office Chair when it comes to comfort and especially ergonomics on a budget. This office chair is available in either black or gray but regardless of which option you pick, you don't have to pay extra for a headrest.
A combination of mesh and foam, the FlexiSpot C5 provides you with breathability in its backrest and headrest along with a bit more comfort in its seat cushion. This chair supports a max weight of 300 pounds and while the recommended height is from 5.3" to 6.5", our 6.3" reviewer found it to be a bit too short for his liking. Regardless, he did find it comfortable to sit in for long stretches and was impressed with its cushy armrests which have a bit of a concave dip down the center.
As for adjustability, the FlexiSpot C5 comes with a 2D lumbar support that you can tailor to your liking using a knob on the back of the chair. Likewise, you can also raise and lower the armrests and the chair can recline up to 115 degrees when you want to relax. The FlexiSpot C5 is a good choice if you're looking for a budget-friendly chair that's also comfortable and better for your posture.
Read our full FlexiSpot C5 review.
The best office chair for long hours
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(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
When I sat in the X-Chair X2 and turned on its optional heating and massage pad, it transported me back to the days when I would go to the mall and relax in the massage chairs at Brookstone.
Nostalgia aside, the X2 Chair is a very slick and very comfortable office chair. Both the seat back and bottom are mesh, which provides plenty of breathability, and the chair has a ton of adjustment points, so you can get it to fit you just right. The one downside is that it took me a good while to get everything just the way I wanted it.
I also loved the look of the X2; it's not quite as flashy as a gaming chair, but it's not as subdued as one of the thousands of generic office chairs you can find online. It's also sturdily built: part of the frame and the base are made out of metal, which has a shiny chrome finish
At around $900, the X2 is not cheap; it's about the same as you'll pay for a Herman Miller Aeron. But, it's a chair that will definitely keep you comfortable &#; especially if you buy the massage pad.
Read our full X-Chair X2 review.
Best office chair for mesh
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(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
10. OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753
A mesh office chair with a unique design and a useful back bar
Our expert review:
Specifications
Colors:
Black
Material:
Mesh and aluminium
Seat width:
20 inches
Weight Limit:
350 pounds
View at OdinLakeCheck AmazonReasons to buy
+
Unique butterfly design
+
Loads of adjustments
+
15-year warranty
+
Breathable mesh and built-in headrest
Reasons to avoid
-
Expensive
-
Heavy
The OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753 is an ergonomic mesh office chair that stands out thanks to its innovative and one-of-a-kind design. Its butterfly split backrest makes it immediately recognizable while the back bar above it makes it easy to pull out and push into your desk. Plus, you can use the back bar as a coat hanger and the headrest comes standard.
To help you find the right fit for you, the OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753 features eight adjustment points. The backrest has five levels of up and down adjustment while its seat can be moved either forward or backward 2-inches. Likewise, you can raise or lower the chair's height with a simple pinch of the right armrest or lock in its 90-135 degree tilt at any angle by pinching the left armrest. Surprisingly, many of these tweaks are handled by the OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753's bicycle brake line-inspired adjustment system which I've yet to see on any other office chair so far.
At just under $, the OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753 is a premium office chair that's more of an investment than a simple upgrade. However, since it's backed by a 15-year warranty, this is an ergonomic mesh office chair that you'll be able to use for years to come.
Read our full OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753 review.
Also tested
We test a lot of different office chairs at Tom's Guide and while many our great in their own right, not all of them end up on our top list. At the same time, a newer model from the same brand might take its predecessor's spot. If none of the picks above have what you're after, you may want to check out these office chairs below.
Branch Ergonomic Chair (&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;)
This ergonomic office chair gives you the best of both worlds with a mesh back and a fabric seat cushion. It's available in a number of different colors and you can also add an optional headrest. Still, we like the Branch Verve Chair a bit more for its unique design and its 3D knit backrest.
Read our full Branch Ergonomic Chair review.
ErgoTune Supreme V3 (&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;)
Our previous pick for the best mesh chair, the ErgoTune Supreme V3 is a more affordable option at $599 that's available in several different colorways. It offers excellent lumbar support in a sturdy yet comfortable all-mesh design.
Read our full ErgoTune Supreme V3 review.
HON Ignition 2.0 (&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;)
This ergonomic task chair gives you the best of both worlds with a mesh back and a fabric seat cushion. There's also another all-mesh version of the HON Ignition 2.0 available at a slightly higher price. Likewise, you can add an optional headrest to this chair too.
Read our full HON Ignition 2.0 review.
OdinLake Ergo PLUS 743 (&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;)
This premium all-mesh office chair has an attractive design and is quite comfortable. While the OdinLake Ergo PLUS 743 is well built, the mesh material used in this chair can be a bit clingy. It's still a great chair but for a bit more, you can get the OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753 instead.
Read our full OdinLake Ergo PLUS 743 review.
Office chairs compared
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Row 0 - Cell 0
MaterialSeat WidthWeight limitBranch Verve ChairFabric20 inches275 poundsFlash Furniture Mid-Back Office ChairFabric, plastic20 inches265 poundsHerman Miller Aeron8Z pellicle elastomeric and aluminum16-18.5 inches350 poundsSteelcase KarmanIntermix textile20 inches350 poundsSihoo Doro S300Italian velvet, DuPont TPEE20.28 inches300 poundsRazer Fujin ProMesh backrest and seat pan20.9 inches300 poundsFlexiSpot C5Mesh, fabric20.1 inches300 poundsX-Chair X2 K-Sport Management chairFabric20 inches250 poundsBranch Ergonomic ChairFabric20 inches300 poundsOdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753Fabric20 inches350 poundsHow long should you sit?
Even if you have the best office chair in the world, it's unhealthy to remain seated for hours on end. A number of studies have found that sitting for prolonged periods can have negative effects on your body, such as higher rates of heart disease, obesity, and cancer.
To that end, a number of experts recommend you stand up every so often. The Mayo Clinic, for example, suggests that you stand up every 30 minutes, or invest in one of the best standing desks, as well as one of the best under-desk treadmills. Either way, get up and stretch your muscles. One strategy I use myself is to set a timer; some of the best smartwatches, such as the Apple Watch, will automatically remind you to move if you've been sedentary for too long. Also be sure to check out our guide on the best exercises if you sit all day.
How to choose the best office chair for you
When it comes to picking out the best office chair for your needs, there are several factors that come into play which we go into further detail below:
Price
Office chairs range widely in price, from less than $100 up to $2,000. Ultimately, you should purchase an office chair that best fits with your budget. There are two main differences between budget office chairs and more expensive models. The first is materials: Less expensive chairs will often be made with cheaper materials, and may not have as big an emphasis on design. More expensive chairs will be more fashion-forward, and will be made from more premium materials, and may even provide you more options for customization.
The second difference between low- and high-priced office chairs is adjustability. Less expensive chairs can't be adjusted as much as more expensive chairs. For instance, an office chair that costs around $100 may only let you adjust its height. As you go up in price, office chairs will have more things you can adjust, such as their arms, lumbar support, seat position, and more.
However, if you see a chair that you like that's a little out of your price range, it's worth doing some digging to see if you can find a previously owned model for less. A lot of companies were forced to close or downsize their offices over the past few years which has resulted in a lot of office equipment being sold for pennies on the dollar.
Comfort
Comfort is pretty easy to understand: A comfortable chair should offer a seat that is yielding but that also provides some level of firmness. It should also wick moisture so you don't get sweaty on warm days. Seats and backs made of mesh tend to fare the best in this regard.
The seat should be wide enough that people of larger stature can sit comfortably on it and not feel like they are squeezing into a kids' chair.
The armrests should be contoured for the elbow and upper arm to lean comfortably on and be made of fabric or softer material that won't jar the elbow when you bump into it.
Lumbar support
Another critical feature is lumbar support. This piece of an office chair helps you maintain the curve of your lower back, so that you don't strain yourself by sitting for long periods (not that you should). Like other parts of an office chair, this should be adjustable so that you can move it up or down, or increase or decrease the amount it pushes out. I have also seeing some newer chairs like the Sihoo Doro-C300 incorporate lumbar support mechanisms that automatically adjust their lumbar support based on how you're sitting in them.
Material
What an office chair is made of can also have a big impact on your comfort. For the most part, office chairs are covered in some sort of fabric, with padding beneath. However, some have either a mesh back or seat, which can help with airflow, and keep you cooler throughout the day. And, if you want to make a statement, there's nothing like a leather chair.
But the materials go beyond the seat itself; pricier chairs will often use more metal parts in the base and elsewhere, whereas less expensive models will have more plastic parts.
Adjustability
Adjustability is the other major factor. The best office chairs should allow you to tweak pretty much everything, including the following:
- Seat height
- Seat angle
- Seat depth
- Armrest height
- Armrest width
- Armrest angle
- Backrest angle
- Backrest height
That's important because every person is different; getting a chair that allows you to adjust all of these things lets you configure it to your unique body shape. Generally, the more expensive the chair, the more things you'll be able to adjust. Chairs that cost less than $100 will usually only let you change their height.
How we test the best office chairs
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
Why you can trust Tom's Guide
&#; 17 years of testing and reviewing products
&#; More than 3,000 hours spent testing office chairs
&#; Over 90,000 products reviewed
In order to test the best office chairs to review them and see how well they stack up against one another, I spend a few weeks sitting in each one. During this time, I see how well each office chair supports my back, shoulders and arms and determine their comfort level. In addition to comfort, I also take a close look at how easy each chair is to adjust and whether or not the changes I make to a chair stay that way.
While I review many of these office chairs on my own from the comfort of my home, I also have family and friends of different weights and heights test them out too. This gives me a better idea of how well each chair will work with different body types and I can gauge someone else&#;s reaction to sitting in them for the first time. For the chairs that other members of the team at Tom&#;s Guide review, they do something similar when working remotely but if they&#;re in the office, other co-workers come and try out each chair.
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
During our testing process, I also take note of each chair&#;s design, appearance and how customizable they are. Likewise, I inspect their materials and parts and see how well they hold up over time. Since few people build furniture as often as I do, I take a lot of notes while putting each chair together to see how easy or difficult it might be for someone with less experience to build one. I assemble every office chair on my own but I point out in my reviews where having someone else to help during the assembly process can make it easier or speed things up.
Finally, I take into account the overall cost of a chair, the length and fine details of its warranty and how it compares to competing chairs in the same price range. For more information on our testing process, check out our how we test page for Tom&#;s guide.
More home office picks
You'll need more than one of the best office chairs to fully outfit your work-from-home space. You'll also want to check out our guide to the best standing desks, as well as the best desk lamps to ensure that you can work comfortably without straining your eyes or your back.
You'll also want to invest in one of the best webcams, best microphones, and best ring lights if you want to look and sound your best on video calls with coworkers.
And, to make sure your computer setup is as productive as possible, we have recommendations for the best Wi-Fi routers, best monitors, best keyboard, and best mouse.
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