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By Daphne Bugler , Esat Dedezade and Owen Gough
Invest in one of the best office chairs and your back will thank you later
Looking for the best office chair? Congratulations. It's a smart move: with more of us working from home, we can spend upwards of eight hours a day sitting down, beavering away at reports, spreadsheets, emails and, if we're being honest, more than a little doomscrolling. And if you're doing all that slumped on a couch, rigid dining chair, or a sub-par office chair, then it won't be long before your back lets its displeasure known. From aches and pains, all the way up to more serious bulging disc problems and neck issues, incorrect posture can be the downfall of even the young, fit, and healthy. No bueno.
So while forking out your hard-earned cash for something as utilitarian as a task chair might not seem like a particularly fun idea, your spine and overall sense of wellbeing will definitely thank you if you branch out with one of our top picks below. For the best office chairs will cradle you like a custom-made cloud, winning you over with their ergonomic designs, while looking good in the process. That's right, chairs can look good. In fact, some are downright design icons in their own right. Honest.
Still need convincing? That's fine. We've got all the proof below, in our extensive list of the best office chairs and ergonomic office chairs that money can buy. From veritable works of functional art, to more affordable (but still comfortable) offerings, we've covered all the bases possible, to save you from trawling through endless sites in your precious free time.
So prepare yourselves for a world of comfort. A magical world of lumbar support, adjustable armrests, mesh backs, tilt tension, and plush padding. And, if we may be so bold, you might want to also check out the best computer desks, monitors, and even the best standing desks, with the latter being a great option for taking a break from sitting down altogether. Don't forget to keep an eye out for the deals below either, and feel free to check out our other deal articles on everything from 4K TVs and smartphones, to fashion deals and even mattress deals.
If you really want your money to work for you, but you're not quite ready to drop more than £100 on an office chair, Comhoma fuses comfy build quality with affordability for an all-around high-performing swivel chair.
Known for its exceptionally high-quality office chairs, there's no beating Herman Miller when it comes to ergonomic design in the workspace. Innovative in every sense, from the linked back and seat depth, adjustable features and suspension mesh backrest, this chair is the long-lasting WFH companion you deserve, and one of our best buys.
Blending gaming comfort with an understated office-suitable felt aesthetic, the Razer Iskur provides the best of both worlds. Its built-in lumbar support earns it extra brownie points too, and will come in handy for long Zoom calls and marathon gaming sessions alike thanks to its high back office chair design and foam seat.
SKIP TO: Which is the best ergonomic office chair | What makes a good office chair | Are ergonomic office chairs better than normal chairs | What is the best office chair for sitting long hours | What type of chair is best for back pain | How we tested the best office chairs
The below picks are a roundup of our absolute favourite office chairs that will totally revolutionise your WFH set-up, no matter your budget. We've tested a few of the below, assessing the comfort levels, adjustable components and how fun it is to swivel round on them. We mark the best for how well they support your spine when you sit down and any additional extras like breathable mesh designs or pillows to support your head. For the rest, we've selected the most popular chairs available from top retailers and manufacturers, and tried to make the picks a future-proof as possible.
Take a digital stroll through the various online retailers and furniture stores and you‘ll find plenty of home office chairs for supporting your weary WFH body. Once you start doing a bit of research, you‘ll quickly realise the quality of these chairs can be wildly different depending on how much you‘re willing to spend. The best budget options will literally be a chair for you to sit on with minimum support, but if you spend a little more, you can expect mesh chairs with dedicated lumbar support for when you want to feel like working on a cloud; Herman Miller is probably the brand to go for.
Within a similar price point is Humanscale, another brand that produces high-quality chairs and is definitely worth a look. If, however, you are not prepared to spend £1,000 on an office chair and are looking for something at a more affordable price tag, brands including John Lewis, Comhoma, Ikea and Habitat all produce good, ergonomic chairs that will make a major difference in your WFH set-up. They aren't going to have the same high-end quality as a Herman Miller, but for lower budgets, they're some of the best you can find.
Different office chairs naturally suit different people, but there are some key features that are worth looking out for when shopping for the best one for you. Lynda Rowe, Officer Furniture Buyer at John Lewis says that “a good office chair should be supportive of your body, allowing for plenty of movement. It should also be suited to your workstation, especially the height of the table or desk top, which you need to be able to rest your forearms comfortably on. For those whose feet don't quite reach the floor, a foot rest can help — a good one will allow you to rock your feet to help with blood circulation.”
Rowe also added: “the longer you're using the chair daily, the more features you should take into consideration, like lumbar support, seat height and tilt adjustments. If more than one person will be using the chair, look for one that has dynamic adjustment and integrated lumbar support. For those sat for several hours a day, you will find mesh a cooler fabric option”.
We‘ve all been warned about the perils of spending too long slouching over a laptop on your desk, but you do actually need to take it seriously if you‘re still working from home a lot. Your posture can take a battering over many hours sitting down, so you have to grab a chair that will give you optimum support for your back over long periods. Th best office chairs embody maximum support and comfort, and you’ll want to ensure you get a quality one that will stand the test of time. Some of the more impressive offerings even have things like a 12-year warranty, so keep an eye out for those extra details.
Contrary to what you might have been trying to convince yourself for the past year, a wooden kitchen chair simply does not help you improve your sitting position. Not only is it bad for your posture and your joints, but they are also really uncomfortable when you’ve been sitting for a long period of time. We’d recommend investing in an ergonomic office chair that will adapt the back of the chair to your position throughout the day, provide support to your back and lumbar and allow you to sit at the right height for the desk you’re working at.
You might want to also think about if you want to move around on your chair. Some of our favourite options will have either casters (which are basically rotating wheels fixed to the bottom of the spokes) or glides, which are metal discs that help you slide around a bit easier. Wheels are normally the preferred choice, for wooden floors, whereas glides can be good for moving around on carpet without leaving dents. Of course, here at GQ we also appreciate a stylish office chair, so keep an eye on the upholstery and colourway as well — from black and blues, to more bright, vibrant options, there’s something here for everyone.
You want to keep an eye out for any chairs that are considered ergonomic if you plan to take care of your lower back pain. Ergonomic means something that's designed for efficiency or comfort in the working environment, which we are, of course, absolutely here for. When it comes to chairs, this normally means that there will be some level of additional back (both lower back and mid-back) or adjustable lumbar support, as well as the ability to adjust the seat height and angle to suit your body type, size and preferences. Ideally, this should mean you are sitting comfortably with your lower legs perpendicular to the floor –definitely don’t sit cross-legged or leaning over the arm as we do. Comfortable chairs should support and promote good posture with strong backrests and castor wheels, comfortable seat cushions and perhaps a headrest or armrest to dispel any repetitive strain injury potential as you work.
Oh, and make sure you look out for an included warranty before you checkout, as the last thing you want is for it to break and have to pay for a whole new one to be shipped over to you.
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Reasons to buy: One of the best affordable office chairs the Comhoma has all of the basics covered
Comhoma's office chair has long been a favourite among GQ readers, and it remains a staple in many of our home offices to this day. One of the most functional options for less than £100, the desk chair has got most of the basic ergonomic features we look for covered, making for a significant upgrade to your standard solid wood or plastic dining room chair.
While not our favourite aesthetically, the black design is pretty standard of office chairs, and can slot easily into most interior set-ups, adding a professional tone. Adjust the height to your preferred level to make sure you're sitting comfortably, and then enjoy the rocking function that'll keep you in a good place throughout the day. And if you're an Amazon Prime member, you'll also get free delivery and a next day delivery option.
Reasons to buy: A great middle-of-the-road chair that has premium support features without a blown-out price.
If we had to pick an office chair that epitomised that middle-ground between the premium Herman Miller chairs, and Amazon's more budget-friendly offerings, John Lewis & Partners' Murray would fit the bill to a tee. Designed to be used for up to eight hours per day, this chair has a form-comforting mesh backrest that you can lean back into as well as a built-in lumbar support system to ensure you're supported.
The basic adjustable features are also present, including the ever-important height adjustable option to make sure you're sitting at the right height for your body and to ensure you maintain good posture while working at your desk. This is an office chair that is as standard as they come. No bells and whistles, just the fundamental basics.
Reasons to buy: The Aeron is the absolute pinnacle of WFH comfort thanks to the wealth of adjustable options. It kept us sitting straight and we loved the comfort.
When it comes to the gold standard of office chairs, this is your winner. The Aeron is designed with such high attention to detail that its backrest has been structured with eight different zones, each offering varying tensions so as to maximise the support it offers for the back. With engineering so advanced that the back and seat work together to respond to your body, and a frame that encourages better posture, it's the kind of chair that's a lifelong investment, and one that'll actively improve the quality of your day-to-day life when you're sitting down. There's no wonder this heavy duty chair is almost always sold out.
Reasons to buy: A good, affordable option
Another good, affordable office chair, Yaheetech is all about stripping things down to the essentials, keeping it as budget-friendly as possible. You won't find much in the way of advanced features or technologically enhanced designs, but you'll be able to feel significantly more comfortable throughout the working day. And if you're not fancying making a huge investment here, that's a pretty decent result.
For less than £60, you'll have to put up with the standard black design of the chair, but you'll be able to enjoy the ergonomic elemts like lumbar back support, adjustable height and the comfortably designed seat. It's simple, but it's effective.
Reasons to buy: The automatic contouring to the curvature of your spine is a dream when you try it out - just sink in and let it cradle you as you work.
Herman Miller is the absolute gold standard when it comes to desk chairs, and while that does mean its offerings can be on the pricier side, you absolutely get what you pay for. When it comes to selecting which Herman Miller to go for, however, the decision is a little trickier. With a minimalist design that has been built to streamline around the user, this chair is ergonomically made to move and conform with you as you change positions throughout the day. This uses a “Kinematic Spine” technology that bends with the user, as well as an elastomeric fabric to contour around your shape while instead of levels, the chair will react and respond to you and the way you sit.
Tech aside, it’s just an absolute pleasure to behold, and almost has a Dyson or Apple-esque feel to its design. It also seems to fit the perfect size spot for most people, managing to be large enough to be comfortable, without being an imposing lumbering, mass that dominates the room. If you’re not fussed about taller backs and headrests, then this is the sort of form factor you should be after. Ultimately, this is a chair you'll be investing in for life and it is well worth it.
Reasons to buy: A top-spec chair designed for gamers, but is just as adept in the hands of a spreadsheet demon as it is a FIFA god.
As much as you might like idea of topping the Call of Duty: Warzone leaderboard, you probably won't want your colleagues seeing you sit on any brightly coloured, LED-lit gaming behemoth during your Monday morning Zoom call. So if you're inclined to spring for a gaming chair that looks a little less like something an energy-drinking teen might have in their bedroom, then you'll be more than a little pleased to hear that the Razer Iskur is on the more subtle end of the gaming chair spectrum. Its designers have nailed the brief, with a sleek-yet-subtle design that wouldn't look out of place in any serious home office. Standout features include adjustable lumbar support that's designed to contour to the shape of your spine, promising comfortable Teams calls, dungeon raids, and everything in between. An ideal choice that bridges the gap between work and play without looking garish or tacky.
Reasons to buy: Very thick seat cushion
It’s hard to take the name seriously, but if you can get past it, Realm of Thrones is one of the best office chairs on Amazon for a major home office comfort upgrade. Starting with the seat cushion, a saddle-inspired design that’s 10cm thick, with pressure-relieving contouring, and working up to the padded armrests and ultimately the height adjustable headrest that’s curved to help support your spine, the brand has taken care to put as many ergonomic features as possible into the chair, helping to support your posture and your comfort at your desk. These aside, you can also adjust the tension of the chair, take pleasure in the breathable mesh backrest, and use the flip-up arms to store the chair easily under your desk while you’re not using it.
Reasons to buy: As far as affordable office chairs go, Comhoma's has the best balance of ergonomic features, as well as a refreshing grey colour that is significantly more easy on the eyes than your standard black
When it comes to buying an office chair, you can either go all out and invest in the ergonomic genius of a Herman Miller, or you can try and find a more budget-friendly alternative that still delivers on plenty of the most important ergonomic elements, but without taking a huge chunk out of your paycheck. Should the latter be your chosen approach, Comhoma is set to be your new WFH best friend. Combining a lumbar support system with a padded back and seat and a mesh backrest, as well as an adjustable height and flip-up armrests, this chair does all of the basics pretty well, and it won't even cost you £100. The icing on the cake? It comes in a refreshing grey colour, a welcome sight in a sea of too many black office chairs.
Reasons to buy: An affordable high back office chair with adjustable features and lumbar support, available through Amazon Prime for next day delivery
Amazon’s array of office chairs is one of the most expansive of the online furniture shops we peruse, and this chair from Ticova is well worth your time. For less than £200, it’s a high-backed office chair that incorporates more adjustable features than some of the even pricier chairs on the market, including lumbar support, height and depth, headrest height and angle, armrest height angle and position, tilting angle and even seat cushion height. Given how much our bodies and proportions vary, having these kind of adjustable features means that you’re more likely to actually feel comfortable and reap the benefits of having an office chair, making it suit you and the support you need as an individual. This aside, the chair is sufficiently padded to help you when you’re working long hours, and is made from a breathable mesh that’ll help circulate airflow, a crucial feature on sticky summer days.
Reasons to buy: Less than £100, some adjustable features, suitable for multiple different floor types, heavy duty base, high density and thick cushioning
For office chair shopping on a budget, you want to really look to get as many ergonomic features as you can for the price, and for less than £100, Inbox Zero has covered most of the key things we look for. Seat height, lumbar support, head position and backrest position can all be adjusted, meaning you’ll be able to make the chair work for you, while keeping comfortable on a seat with seriously high-density cushioning. It’s a simple office chair, that’s for sure, and the levers and gadgets are kept at a minimum, but on a budget, it has us convinced.
Reasons to buy: We like that this Flexispot has top-spec materials and a design that’s kind to your back and hips, without looking like the kind of unsightly throne found in your actual office.
Most widely known for its standing desks, which we’re big fans of here at GQ, FlexiSpot’s office chair is another example of the brand’s dedication to producing premium office furniture that places ergonomics at the heart of its design. Made with a comfortable W-shaped seat design that reduces the pressure on your body while you sit, the chair has been produced specifically with people who work long hours in mind, focusing on different design elements that can make it a better experience.
The chair’s material is breathable, with fabric that should prevent odours and mould forming over time, while the swing function provides flexibility, helping you find a position that works best for your body type. And with the option to adjust the height, backrest tightness and armrests, you’ll be able to customise it even further to suit your needs.
Reasons to buy: For improving your WFH posture, the amount of adjustments and features this chair has on offer is a huge W.
We don't think there will ever come a day when John Lewis doesn't have exactly the piece of furniture we're after, especially when it's something on the practical and functional side. And proving us right once again is the Penny office chair. Part of the department store's Anyday range, the Penny is a pretty standard office chair design, with a classic black look that'll give your office a much more professional feel than your dining table chairs will. It has a good range of ergonomic features, from tilting mechanisms and a mesh backrest to a height-adjusting lever, which will be well-received by both your back and neck. Pop it into your cart, pick yourself up a laptop stand as well and consider your home office significantly improved.
Reasons to buy: Aesthetically-pleasing vintage design
Eschewing out-and-out ergonomics for a desk chair that oozes style with every swivel, Smithers of Stamford’s Mustang has all the vintage appeal of the Ford automobile from which it rips its name. An achingly cool addition to the kind of home office you can take Zoom calls from in the day and pour yourself a neat whisky come closing time, its brown or anthracite leather upholstery is neatly complemented by a distressed-looking metal frame. Easily adjusted with a few dizzying spins, though the ridges won’t align your spine to any chiropractic spec, the ridges in its back are comfortable nonetheless.
Reasons to buy: We love how comfortable this chair feels to sit in, with cushioned seating that sinks into your weight and lifts your thighs slightly for enhanced posture.
Round Office Desk For a simple, sleek design, the HÅG SoFi 7300 office chair is up there with the best. Truly premium in every aspect (we'd say it's in line with the Herman Millers in terms of quality), it is designed with a unique ‘Balance’ technology that allows you to move flexibly while seated, with the option to adjust the seat height and depth in order to make sure you can maintain a good posture and change positions seamlessly throughout longer working days. It's comfortable, carefully designed, and even suitable for up to 24 hours of use a day – not that we'd ever recommend it.