The 7 Best Ergonomic Chairs
Editor's Notes
February 10, 2021:
You can get by with spending just a moderate amount on a good chair with, for example, the Alera Elusion Series or the FDW Office, although they don't use the most high-end materials. If you spend several hours every day in the chair, though, you might want to upgrade to something premium. The Steelcase Leap v2 is a universally lauded choice, in some ways even better than its more expensive relative, the Steelcase Gesture. The Herman Miller Mirra 2 is another excellent-quality model, and superior in many ways to the world-famous Herman Miller Aeron, which is still a great choice in its own right. If you don't need in-depth angle and armrest adjustments, the BestOffice VN-H03 is about as affordable as a comfortable office chair gets.
October 01, 2019:
If your work involves long hours in front of a computer, you probably already know that all that sitting takes a toll on your body. And, while a laptop stand and other ergonomic office devices can help to mitigate the damage, an ergonomic chair is one of the best investments you can make to protect your neck and spine against the short- and long-term effects of poor posture. It can also help to alleviate neck and back pain from repetitive injuries.
The Smugdesk 5579 is designed to conform to the natural curve of the spine, with an adjustable headrest and an integrated lumbar pad for your lower back. It's covered in a breathable mesh material that provides plenty of air circulation and even has a built-in hanger for your coat or suit jacket. The Duramont Office allows you to adjust the height and angle of the head and arm rests, the amount of lumbar support, the seat height, and the tilt of the backrest for customized comfort.
While it's on the high end of the price spectrum, the Herman Miller Aeron has been known as one of the most comfortable office chairs around for over 20 years, especially for those who work long hours. It comes in three sizes to accommodate users of different heights and weights, and its 8Z Pellicle suspension divides its seat and back into eight zones designed to support different parts of the body.
We've also included a few nontraditional chairs that can help to improve your posture and prevent your shoulders from slouching. Thanks to its kneeling position, the Dragonn DNC312 keeps your back upright, and it distributes weight evenly to avoid putting pressure on your hips and knees. The PharMeDoc Balance uses an exercise ball instead of a regular seat cushion, which forces you to work to keep your balance, strengthening your core muscles over time. You can also remove the backrest for a bigger challenge. However, it sits rather low to the ground, so it's not tall enough for some desks.