The 7 Best Ergonomic Chairs
This wiki has been updated 24 times since it was first published in March of 2018. It's no secret that spending the majority of your time sitting isn't good for your body, but for many people, there's no escaping the confines of a desk. These ergonomic chairs are designed to help keep you comfortable, efficient, and properly aligned. We can't promise they'll alleviate all your back and neck pain completely, but they're certainly a step in the right direction. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Steelcase Leap v2
2. Steelcase Series 1
3. Herman Miller Mirra 2
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.
4. Alera Elusion Series
5. Herman Miller Aeron
6. FDW Office
7. BestOffice VN-H03
Building PCs, remodeling, and cooking since he was young, quasi-renowned trumpeter Christopher Thomas traveled the USA performing at and organizing shows from an early age. His work experiences led him to open a catering company, eventually becoming a sous chef in several fine LA restaurants. He enjoys all sorts of barely necessary gadgets, specialty computing, cutting-edge video games, and modern social policy. He has given talks on debunking pseudoscience, the Dunning-Kruger effect, culinary technique, and traveling. After two decades of product and market research, Chris has a keen sense of what people want to know and how to explain it clearly. He delights in parsing complex subjects for anyone who will listen -- because teaching is the best way to ensure that you understand things yourself.