The 10 Best Ergonomic Stools
Special Honors
Sit Healthier Split Saddle The split-seated saddle stool by Sit Healthier offers an array of customizable color options and caster types. Its angled design keeps your pelvis tilted forward and the back in an upright position to encourage an optimal sitting posture, making it a dependable choice for use in medical offices and salons. Furthermore, its gas lift cylinder can be customized to accommodate users up to six feet fall. sithealthier.com
Human Solution Via Riva Good for use at sit-stand workstations, the Human Solution Via Riva easily supports 220 pounds and features a dense polyurethane foam cushion, 20-inch diameter height-adjustable foot ring, and convenient posture controls that allow you to either lock its backrest into one of three tilted positions or leave it unlocked so that it can rock. thehumansolution.com
Editor's Notes
June 10, 2020:
A couple of years ago when we were replacing a side-by-side fridge with a new French door model, I made the idiotic move of attempting to empty the contents of the old freezer section without using any kind of support stool or chair to save my back while I was bending down to reach those pullout drawers. Aside from the fact that I was sick and tired of dealing with the limited space available in those two-door fridges, I ended up pulling a very large muscle in my lower back as a result of bending so far down and close to the linoleum floor in our kitchen. For the next week after that, I was in a lot of pain and to this day, I still feel the occasional "twinge" when I bend in a certain way. The moral of this story is to take advantage of the benefits provided by these ergonomic stools when it comes to having additional support while completing physical projects. While dealing with kitchen tasks might not be the first thing that comes to mind with these pieces of furniture, they can definitely help to improve your posture and prevent an injury like the one I just described.
Both the Boss Be Well and AmazonBasics Multipurpose feature dependable backrests and smooth rolling casters, the former of which has an extra-thick cushion that provides plenty of comfort when used in a medical office while the latter comes with a dedicated foot rest.
I can imagine seeing either the Seville Airlift 360 or Uncaged Wobble in a music studio or office setting with large standing desks. Both of these stools can tilt off center.
We've also included models with saddle-style seats like the Master Massage Swivel and Jobri BetterPosture, the former of which is waterproof and supports 550 pounds while the latter offers a "waterfall" effect that allows the legs to hang naturally over its edge, reducing thigh pressure and allowing for increased blood circulation to the lower body.
Unlike some of its counterparts, the Dragonn Kneeling has an angled design that may take some getting used to, but it also promotes optimal spine alignment and distributes weight evenly between your buttocks and legs.
We've also added the ErgoErgo Plus, an accordion-style inflatable option that provides support in areas with particularly limited space. This model also comes in a kid-friendly version.
Finally, while the Nexel Standing may not win the contest for most comfortable stool, we felt its ability to rock, tilt, and lock in place still makes it a worthy inclusion.