15 Best Office Chairs That Aren’t Hideous, Tested by Us (2025)

When you’re working from dwelling, investing in among the best workplace chairs (and never only a double-duty eating chair) is a essential evil that may assist right a persistent case of tech neck and perhaps even enhance your WFH morale—however no guarantees there.

Consolation and ergonomics are necessary, positive, however as a result of we’re AD, there’s equal consideration given to the aesthetics of your desk seating. Perhaps that price range mesh and foam contraption you picked up from an workplace provide retailer clocks in and does the job each morning, however is it the fitting tradition match for the very curated aesthetic that you simply’ve cultivated in your house?

Over time that we’ve been testing workplace chairs, we’ve expanded our search to incorporate a high-low collection of wallet-friendly picks, but additionally family names within the ergonomic house, from Herman Miller to Knoll, that come authorised by design lovers like us. Our editors and writers have personally sat on, labored on, and Zoomed from every of those picks and may attest that not solely are they engaging, however they may even relieve stress in your backside and again—protecting you structurally supported even through the longest blocks of conferences. Learn on for extra intel on our favourite ergonomic workplace chairs and soar straight to the underside for knowledgeable commentary on ergonomics, notes on how we examined, how we selected the whole lot, and why it’s best to belief our critiques.

Our Prime Picks for the Greatest Workplace Chairs

Greatest General: Herman Miller Aeron Chair, $1,410Best Funds Decide: Department Ergonomic Chair, $339Best Further Soft Workplace Chair: Department Ergonomic Chair Professional, $499Best Futuristic Model: Asari Chair by Herman Miller, $1,395 $1,116Best Shade Choices: Steelcase Karman Workplace Chair, $1,265Best Armchair-Model Possibility: Herman Miller Zeph Chair, $495Best Chair With a Separate Head Relaxation: Humanscale Freedom Headrest Chair, $1,779Best Minimal Workplace Chair: Article Svelti Workplace Chair, $89

Tester: Zoë Sessums, senior digital design editor

My expertise: There’s a motive the Aeron is Herman Miller’s most beloved and acknowledged workplace chair. The enduring chair is actually supportive and provides you each little bit of adjustment to take a seat in a great manner. I used to be capable of undergo a digital becoming with an ergonomic knowledgeable at Herman Miller, who walked me by all of the adjustable options, although the location’s gallery could be very informative if you happen to can’t check out a chair first. As soon as the chair was delivered—no meeting required—I understood the facility of the patented PostureFit SL again help, which permits for chest open, shoulders again, and pelvis tilted barely ahead. This chair will save your physique. It’s straightforward to see why folks spend money on supreme desk setups. It isn’t essentially probably the most stylish piece of furnishings, however your whole physique will thanks, so in that case I’d advocate the Aeron chair time and again.

Tester: Terri Williams, contributor

My expertise: This mesh workplace chair appears nearly as good because it feels. Utilizing synchronous tilt and adjustable lumbar help, it elicits an ahhhhh each time I sit down. The usual-size chair has a slim again that retains it from being cumbersome and nonetheless gives ergonomic help. The mesh weave is breathable, and the seat cushion is made from high-density foam for a cushty expertise, even over lengthy intervals of time.

Tester: Audrey Lee, commerce editor

My expertise: A foul case of tech neck hates to see the Department Ergo Professional coming. That’s as a result of the chair’s totally customizable help system is calibrated to make sure that your posture is optimized, even throughout lengthy hours in a single mounted place. It provides 14 factors of changes complete (rely ’em!) to maintain you comfy, from the seat top to the headrest for many who are blessed with longer limbs. And in comparison with the unique model of the chair seen above, this one is way cushier on the seat and armrests, with seven further factors of adjustability. It’s barely much less svelte and in addition barely dearer than its predecessor, which is why that one stays our favourite price range decide.

I used to be particularly keen on the arm rests that helped me obtain excellent elbow help (a really particular want since I’ve lately loved working with a laptop computer stand) and that the adjustable tilt possibility gave me the liberty to stretch my again out at any time when wanted. I’ve been spoiled previously with workplace chairs that arrived both totally or virtually totally assembled, so the Ergo Professional development course of was a little bit of a studying curve for me. Nonetheless, the whole lot got here collectively shortly (about half-hour or much less) and was straightforward sufficient to finish solo, with out phoning a buddy. The chair arrived properly packed up in its field and since it may be totally disassembled, it’s additionally a terrific possibility for frequent movers.

Tester: Audrey Lee, commerce editor

My expertise: With a excessive price ticket comes excessive expectations, however the Asari chair has elevated what a conventional workplace chair may be. I actually appreciated the eye to element, from the sleek chair glides and smooth leather-based to the quantity of froth fill within the seat and backrest that make it a deal with to take a seat down and work. The chair has noticeably softened in a pleasant manner that’s ultra-accommodating to my dimensions with out feeling too sunken in or too stiff. I discover loads of leather-based workplace chairs are harsh or overly masculine, however the Asari’s look is unparalleled. I’d completely advocate this chair to anybody seeking to splurge for his or her dwelling workplace. From bodily look to sensible use, it scores 10s throughout the board for me.

Tester: Audrey Lee, commerce editor

My expertise: The primary time you sit on the Karman chair you may really feel your weight settle in—it’s a bit of like floating on air. Meeting was fast and simple, all I wanted to do was match the chair onto the wheeled base. This chair is the definition of ergonomic—the mesh weave again relaxation melds comfortably in opposition to the backbone with out feeling unsteady and the general design feels extraordinarily sturdy. The identical mesh weave know-how is used for the seat—sitting on it, with the underlying cushion, is comfy, if barely arduous. The armrest pads slide forwards and backwards and may pivot to make changes inwards or outwards, plus the armrest top is adjustable with a button situated on the underside. After a number of full workdays of utilizing this chair, I felt noticeable reduction in locations the place I often get aches on my again and hips. After a number of weeks, most of my aches had been principally gone.

Tester: Lila Allen, AD PRO affiliate director

My expertise: When you gave a shell chair superpowers, it would look one thing just like the Zeph. Like different Herman Miller workplace chairs, this seat has a wheeled base and is height-adjustable. (The adjustment lever is tremendous glossy, too—a enjoyable element for the design nerds amongst us.) When you scooch or lean whilst you work, the Zeph will transfer proper together with you. And better of all, there are many methods to make the chair suit your type: Along with eight totally different physique shade choices, Herman Miller provides a 3D-knit, slip-on seat pad in 20 shades. (A unibody cowl is on the best way, too.) A fraction the worth of an Aeron, Zeph is the gateway drug of efficiency seating.

Tester: Terri Williams, contributor

My expertise: Out of all of the workplace chairs I’ve examined, that is my favourite. I’d wholeheartedly and enthusiastically advocate it. What makes this chair so distinctive is that it mechanically adjusts to suit my physique with out the necessity for handbook controls. For instance, the chair’s armrests and articulating headrest transfer once I transfer. The chair additionally has a self-adjusting recline and pivoting backrest, along with synchronous armrests that I can pull up once I wish to use them and merely push down once they’re not wanted. Truthfully, the high-back chair is comfy sufficient to sleep in—it is so comfy that it in all probability causes me to work too lengthy. As well as, the chair is totally assembled, so there’s nothing that must be put collectively.

Tester: Alice Roth, contributor

My expertise: Meeting-wise, it was easy after some preliminary head-scratching with the directions. I did Google “Svelti chair casters” however realized I wanted to make use of my meager higher physique energy to push the wheels into the chair legs. The whole lot else was easy, so I’m assuming this meeting blip was extra of a me-problem than an Article-problem. (Not one of the critiques point out meeting confusion.)

The simple-to-clean polypropylene could be very good for somebody who’s vulnerable to spills. Ergonomics are the primary characteristic this chair is missing. There isn’t a adjustable seat top, which is crucial for a desk setup with correct posture. (In keeping with OSHA, you need your ft flat on the ground and your elbows bent at 90 levels.) If I used to be to vary something, I would come with an adjustable seat.

There’s additionally no cushion. I’m undecided this makes a distinction, besides on extremely popular days once I discover myself peeling my legs off the chair (the reply for this might simply be carrying pants through the workday, like an grownup). I ought to observe, Article sells a seat cushion individually, however it’s about the identical worth because the chair itself.

Extra Workplace Chairs We Advocate, With Reservations

Notice: Previously known as the Flexispot Soutien

Tester: Terri Williams, contributor

My expertise: If you would like a superb workplace chair at a cheap worth, the Flexispot OC3B Chair is the perfect of each worlds. The complete chair (again, seat, headrest) is made from breathable mesh, which contributes to air circulation. Though my desire is a leather-based chair, I discovered the Flexispot to be fairly comfy, even when sitting for a very long time. Additionally, because it’s a see-through mesh, the chair doesn’t take up loads of visible house. The chair can tilt as much as 45 levels, and the peak of the seat and armrests can be adjusted. There’s additionally a nifty garments hanger on the again of the chair.

Tester: Terri Williams, contributor

My expertise: There’s already a Department chair on the checklist; nevertheless, the Department Verve Chair is a more recent and sportier mannequin. As a basic follow, the armrests on ergonomic workplace chairs are usually cumbersome, and the Department Verve Chair instantly stands out due to the versatile armrest design, which provides it a futuristic look. I may regulate the peak of the softly-padded armrests, the seat depth, the lean, the lean rigidity, and the padded lumbar help.

Tester: Audrey Lee, commerce editor

My expertise: There’s so much to love about Haworth’s Breck chair. It arrived swiftly in a big field that I had no hassle carrying inside my dwelling, and meeting itself can also be a breeze. There are directions written on the flaps of the supply field however Haworth has the identical handbook accessible on their web site in addition to a brief video that offers you step-by-step instructions, do you have to want it. The entire course of actually takes lower than a few minutes earlier than you’re able to put the chair in motion.

Don’t be fooled by the straightforward meeting course of, although, as this workplace chair is extra superior than meets the attention. I first acquired the Breck throughout a warmth wave and appreciated the ultra-breathable backrest which allowed a cushty quantity of air to circulation by. What stands out probably the most to me, nevertheless, is all of the adjustable options that will let you customise the seat to your precise preferences. Want extra tilt? No drawback. Want the armrests had been only a tad longer? Simple. Peak? Seat depth? Lumbar help? Finished, finished, and finished. And whereas these are all feats you’ll anticipate from a excessive price ticket chair that prices $1,000+, the Breck provides them at beneath $500.

Tester: Julia Harrison, commerce author

My expertise: The very first thing you discover concerning the Fern chair is its mastery of sturdiness and luxury directly. You’re feeling each comfy and safe within the seat, and any changes you wish to make to your positioning, you may, with adjustable armrests, seat, lumbar help and headrest, if you happen to decide in. Being 5’3” I handed on the headrest, and located the seat perhaps a bit of too fitted to a much bigger physique kind. Its total top and depth make it so the adjustable lumbar help can’t fairly attain the a part of my again it ought to. That being mentioned, it’s a supremely comfy possibility, particularly for an workplace chair, and no a part of me feels the ache of hours at a desk once I get up, so it’s clearly doing its job within the help division.

Tester: Rachel Fletcher, commerce director

My expertise: The Newson Job chair by Australian industrial designer Marc Newson appears to embody all the perfect elements of Knoll’s know-how with a cultured and modern aptitude. The lean mechanism is superior to most I’ve examined earlier than, and the contoured and cantilevered seat and again are all one streamlined piece that’s extremely versatile and responsive once I recline, nevertheless it nonetheless feels supportive when placing in lengthy hours. And let’s discuss the way it appears. The chair is out there in 4 shades (Ink, Umber, Petal, and Graphite), and it’s fully monochromatic—aside from the chunky and vibrant crimson knobs that add a playful contact and management suspension, armrest place, and seat top. I took dwelling the blue model, and the seat cushion is made from a denim-like cloth that makes it look much more high-end.

Tester: Terri Williams, contributor

My expertise: I’d advocate the Vari Job Chair for anybody in search of a cushty workplace chair. Vari’s whole lineup is filled with excellent workplace chairs (and among the finest standing desks), and this chair continues the custom. This chair is ridiculously comfy—it has an excellent thick foam seat and extremely breathable again with nice airflow. The backrest gives lumbar help and pivots. I like that I may create the utmost stage of consolation: It’s obtained an adjustable tilt mechanism, plus adjustable armrests and adjustable seat top—and all of this adjustability and customization actually makes a distinction if you’re sitting at your workspace for lengthy intervals of time. Pair this chair with good posture and also you’ll be golden.

Tester: Livia Caligor, content material operations supervisor

My expertise: I like that this chair is ergonomic, practical, and supportive but not too cumbersome or giant like many desk chairs are usually. Its sq. seat, mild body, and minimalist design make it cohesive with the remainder of my room, not like many chairs I’ve used that had been clunky and lacked aesthetic attraction. To me, this chair walks a effective line between ornamental and a practical. Its contoured again, foam filling seat, and padded armrests provide lumbar help and luxury, however after sitting in it for a number of lengthy hours, it feels a bit inflexible and arduous.

Why You Ought to Belief Us

Our dedication to bringing you high quality seat recs is properly documented, and discovering an workplace chair that may suit your wants could make the distinction between a terrific work week and a nasty one. The AD procuring group meticulously researches merchandise earlier than together with them in our roundups, and we check practically the whole lot—workplace chairs aren’t any exception. Our writers and editors truly examined greater than 30 chairs, however solely 16 made the reduce to our best-of checklist. For instance, we’ve but to discover a nice-looking gaming chair that meets our customary and different generic Amazon picks simply didn’t stand out from the gang.

Our critiques are at all times thorough, in-depth, and trustworthy. We put ourselves within the sneakers of the patron (as a result of more often than not, we’re the procuring!) to guarantee that we’re answering the questions that we’d need answered within the shopping for course of. And in the case of dwelling workplace inspiration, simply know we’ve obtained you coated on all fronts. We beneficial perusing by our dwelling tour archive for concepts—begin with this Sag Harbor hideaway’s work house or take inspo from the devoted nook on this Los Angeles dwelling.

The Choice Course of: How We Selected These

Weary distant staff can relaxation assured that each decide on this checklist has been hand-picked and personally vetted by us. Our well-rounded checklist contains designhead-approved picks (Herman Miller! Knoll! Steelcase!) with extra approachable and handy choices on Amazon (like Department and Flexispot) sprinkled in, with prime precedence going to picks that had a guaranty of at the very least 7 years and married nice design with adjustability and luxury.

It’s possible you’ll be sitting there and asking your self, “can nice ergonomics and nice appears actually go hand-in-hand?” We predict the reply is sure, which is why you’ll discover our notably engaging picks are supposed to make your working hours something however drab—particularly with unconventional designs just like the Herman Miller Asari chair that elevate your work setup.

How We Examined These Workplace Chairs

Our editors and contributors set these up of their dwelling workplaces and skilled the day-in, day-out actuality of sitting in them for a protracted time period. We then requested every of our testers about their full expertise, together with:

Supply and meeting: Working from a picket chair and ready days on finish for a supply truck to look are issues of the previous. Did the chair arrive throughout the assured supply window? When you needed to assemble it, was it comparatively straightforward to take action or did it are available 100 elements? Did the directions appear like the bible? We needed to let you realize precisely what to anticipate out of your purchases and known as out any surprises.

Dimensions: House dwellers know higher than anybody that being conservative with ground actual property isn’t a need, however a necessity. That’s why our critiques present precise measurements for the kinds we examined and any notes on whether or not we thought a chair won’t be a superb match (actually).

Score the expertise: A chair that’s each straightforward on the eyes and tush is our primary precedence. What was your first impression of the chair? Does the design match a transparent aesthetic?Is it meant to be ergonomic? How do the supplies carry out? How did you’re feeling after a full work day and week? Our critiques had been crafted to provide perception on why a chair may very well be the fitting chair on your 40-hour work week. We additionally wrote about any ingenious particulars that present how considerate the designer was in addition to why the piece was simply what our tester was in search of.

What to bear in mind: No one’s excellent and wonder may be within the eye of the beholder—which is why every chair additionally has a bit detailing what a possible purchaser ought to take into account. For instance—if meeting was notably tough, if the chair has particular care directions, and who the design won’t be fitted to. We intention to maintain tabs on any surprises that may come up so that you don’t need to.

Workplace Chair FAQs: Intel From The Consultants

Have questions on the perfect workplace chair for you? We talked to TikTok’s favourite neurosurgeon, Betsy Grunch, MD, FAANS, FACS and Gainesville Bodily Remedy’s Kristy Basinger PT, CHT to get solutions on learn how to supply the perfect chair for you.

Physician-Accredited Desk Equipment: