The 10 Best Home Office Chairs to Upgrade Your Work-at-Home Space
By Corrie Pelc
The world has seen a major shift from working in offices to working at home. Even with COVID-19 restrictions easing and companies starting to move back to the office, many are choosing to allow their employees to continue to work from home either part of the week or permanently. According to a recent Gallup poll, 72 percent of white-collar U.S. workers reported still working in a remote setting.
When working at home, a proper home office set-up is crucial to make sure you’re staying just as productive as you would be in the office. While a desk, computer, and printer are obviously important, probably one of the most important pieces normally overlooked is the home office chair. You'll be sitting in that chair for a full eight hours — if not longer! — so having a comfortable home office chair that is kind to your back and the rest of your body is crucial.
We’ve come up with the best chairs to round out your home office and the test factors we considered when choosing.
Top Picks
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Best Overall Home Office Chair: Alera Elusion Series Mesh Mid-Back Multifunction ChairA mesh-backed home office chair with lots of comfort options for under $200.
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Best Budget Home Office Chair: Furmax Office Mid Back Swivel Ergonomic Desk ChairA budget-friendly home office chair with integrated lumbar support.
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Best Home Office Chair for Back Pain: Ticova Ergonomic Office ChairA fully adjustable ergonomic home office chair that can help save your back during long workdays.
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Best Home Office Chair for Tall People: HON Wave Mesh Big and Tall Executive ChairThe best option for home office workers of all sizes.
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Best Home Office Chair for Standing Desks: Seville Classics Airlift Adjustable Desk StoolA comfortable stool for when you want to have a seat at your standing desk.
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Best Kneeling Office Chair: Flash Furniture Mobile Wooden Ergonomic Kneeling Office ChairGive your back a break with a kneeling office chair.
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Best Gaming Chair: Secretlab OMEGA 2020 SeriesTake a page out of the computer gamer’s comfort playbook when looking for an office chair.
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Best Home Office Chair Without Wheels: Art Leon Mid-Century Modern Swivel Accent ChairA non-wheeled home office chair that is both stylish and supportive.
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Best Leather Home Office Chair: Amazon Basics Executive Office Desk ChairFeel like a powerful executive without breaking the bank!
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Best Eco-Friendly Office Chair: Steelcase Amia Fabric Office ChairA home office chair offering excellent lumbar support and made of eco-friendly materials.
Components of a Home Office Chair
Every office chair is built differently and with parts that serve a specific purpose. There are a few specs to consider when it comes to the makeup of a home office chair:
- Material — Generally speaking, most home office chairs will either have a seat made of foam or a foam-like material covered in a material made of leather, synthetic leather, vinyl, or plastic. The back of the chair may also be a cushiony material covered in the same upholstery fabric as the seat, or may be made of a mesh fabric. A mesh-backed office chair allows for more breathability for those who run hot.
- Adjustability — As no person is made the same, having a home office chair with adjustments allows you to customize the chair to your specific needs, making it more ergonomic and therefore reducing back pain. Look for the ability to adjust the height of your chair to ensure you can sit properly no matter what your leg length is. And adjustable armrests, headrests, and backrests can also bring added comfort to your workday.
- Lumbar Support — Many of today's home office chairs offer lumbar support, which helps support discs of the spine while sitting for extended periods of time. The lumbar support helps promote good posture so you stay seated properly, helping to keep the spine in a proper position.
- Wheels or No Wheels? — Home office chairs can be found both with caster wheels, which allow you to move around your desk or office, or sans wheels. The decision on this is totally up to personal preference.
Factors We Considered When Picking the Best Home Office Chairs
Here’s a round-up of the test factors we used in deciding our list of the best home office chairs you can buy in 2021:
- Price: There are home office chairs available at all several price points.
- Weight Capacity: How much weight can the chair safely handle?
- Seat Material: Home office chairs are generally made of leather, vinyl, or plastic.
- Back Material: What type of material is used to construct the back of the chair? While a leather material may be more luxurious, a mesh-backed home office chair offers breathability and is generally less expensive.
- Seat Depth: Depending on body size, a home office chair with a seat wide enough to sit comfortably on is imperative. Taller individuals will want a large seat depth, while shorter sitters will want a more shallow seat depth.
- Adjustable Height: When sitting in an office chair, feet should be flat on the floor and thighs horizontal to the floor. Most home office chairs should have a lever or button to adjust the height of the chair to get to the proper seated position.
- Adjustable Armrests: Home office chairs can be made with armrests or without, and which is best is dependent on personal preference. Armrests can help with proper posture, so if someone slouches in their seat, they may want to opt for an office chair with armrests.
- Adjustable Headrest: Some home office chairs include a headrest that can be moved forward or backward.
- Adjustable Backrest: Home office chairs generally allow the backrest to be tilted forward or back and locked into place, depending on the body and comfort needs.
- Lumbar Support: Does the office chair offer lumbar support for better posture?
- Wheels: Some home office chairs have wheels and some do not—this is really a matter of preference.
- Swivel: A swiveling office chair provides more ergonomic benefits as the user can easily reach for items on a desk or face someone speaking to them without possibly pulling a muscle or tendon in their body.
- Warranty: Does the manufacturer back their product?
Let's dive in to our list of the best home office chairs.
Best Overall Home Office Chair: Alera Elusion Series Mesh Mid-Back Multifunction Chair
For an overall comfy and customizable office chair that checks all the boxes, we suggest the Alera Elusion Series Mesh Mid-Back Multifunction Chair. This office chair is very customizable thanks to a multifunction lever system underneath the seat that allows you to adjust your tilt, forward tilt, and back angle in relation to the seat for additional lumbar support. Speaking of the seat, the contoured padded seat cushion is upholstered with premium fabric and features a " waterfall edge," where the front edges are rounded and curved downwards. This helps to eliminate pressure on the back of your legs and helps improve blood circulation when you're sitting for a long time. The Alera Elusion Series Mesh Mid-Back Multifunction Chair moves around on five caster wheels, and the chair's armrests are both height and width adjustable.
Pros
- Mesh back for increased breathability and air circulation
- Extremely adjustable
- Five-year limited warranty
Cons
- Weight limit is a bit low
- Company mentions caster wheels are not suitable for all floor types
Best Budget Home Office Chair: Furmax Office Mid Back Swivel Ergonomic Desk Chair
Although two of the eight available color options are slightly above $100, the Furmax Office Mid Back Swivel Lumbar Support Desk, Computer Ergonomic Mesh Chair is still our top pick for a budget home office chair. This office chair features a mesh fabric used for both the back of the chair for added breathability and covering the high-density foam padding of the chair's seat. Two lumbar supports built into the chair's back offer a wing-back design for ergonomic support while you are working. The chair height is fully adjustable through a lever underneath the seat, as is the chair's ability to tilt back to 130 degrees. And this value office chair features five 360-degree wheels for excellent mobility that are also very quiet on hard flooring, which is ideal for above-ground-level apartment dwellers.
Pros
- Budget-friendly price
- Mesh back allows for excellent breathability
- Integrated lumbar system for ergonomic support
Cons
- Lumbar support wings are not adjustable
- Armrests are not adjustable
- Warranty is very limited
Best Home Office Chair for Back Pain: Ticova Ergonomic Office Chair
With more than 1,500 reviews and 4.5 stars on Amazon, the Ticova Ergonomic Office Chair is a solid choice for home workers who need more support for their back during the day. For starters, the backrest on this home office chair is fully adjustable, allowing it to hug your spine throughout your workday for pain and fatigue relief and giving your back the love it needs. The chair's seat is made from a high-density foam with a W-shape and waterfall edge design to provide less pressure on your legs. Pretty much everything on this chair is adjustable, including the padded armrests and seat cushion height and headrest, which is made of curved foam for increased head and neck support.
Pros
- Fully adjustable backrest for increased lumbar support
- High-density foam seat with a W-shape and waterfall edge design
- Ergonomic curved foam headrest
Cons
- Warranty is a bit low
- Only comes in black
Best Home Office Chair for Tall People: HON Wave Mesh Big and Tall Executive Chair
For home workers who have longer legs, finding a home office chair that is comfortable to sit in for long periods of time can be challenging. Thankfully, the HON Wave Mesh Big and Tall Executive Chair is built just for this purpose, featuring lots of adjustable elements and capable of holding up to 450 pounds. For starters, the chair's armrests are both height and width adjustable, allowing you to find the right fit for your body. The chair also features pneumatic (air pressurized) height adjustment, an adjustable recline, and a wider seat depth of up to 22 inches to accommodate a variety of body types. Upholstered with a combination of leather and mesh, the HON Wave Mesh Big and Tall Executive Chair also offers a customizable lower back lumbar support and adjustable recline.
Pros
- Built to accommodate a variety of body sizes
- Height and width-adjustable armrests
- Customizable lower back support
Cons
- Only available in black
Best Home Office Chair for Standing Desks: Seville Classics Airlift Adjustable Desk Stool
With standing desks being a great option for home workers who want to combat some of the health issues surrounding sitting for long periods of time, there are now office chairs designed to provide a quick seat for those who need a break from standing all day. The Seville Classics Airlift 360 Wobble Sit-Stand Adjustable Ergonomic Active Balance Non-Slip Desk Stool offers just that, while also keeping you moving and burning calories with its 10 degrees off-center wobble that keeps your core, back, and leg muscles engaged the whole time. Adjustable from 20 to 28 inches in height with just the push of a pneumatic adjustment, the desk stool features a half-dome mesh fabric seat with a foam cushion for added comfort. And the Airlift 360 Wobble Sit-Stand Adjustable Ergonomic Active Balance Non-Slip Desk Stool features a non-slip base so you don't move around while wobbling.
Pros
- Seat wobbles 10 degrees off-center and rotates 360 degrees to keep muscles engaged and help burn calories
- Comfortable foam seat is upholstered with a mesh fabric
- Non-slip base keeps the stool in one place
Cons
- Needs to be picked up and carried to be moved
Best Kneeling Office Chair: Flash Furniture Mobile Wooden Ergonomic Kneeling Office Chair
If your back hurts while sitting on your bottom in an office chair all day, consider a kneeling chair. A kneeling chair is designed with cushioned shin supports and allows you to shift your weight forward, helping take strain off your back and improve your posture. The Flash Furniture Mobile Wooden Ergonomic Kneeling Office Chair is a backless office chair made of wood with an upholstered and padded seat and knee rest. The single knee rest measures about 18 inches wide, allowing you to easily adjust your knees to whatever width you like. The height of this kneeling office chair can be adjusted from 20 to 26 inches, and it has two caster wheels for easy mobility. When you're done with working for the day, the Flash Furniture chair can be completely folded for storage or to pick up and move somewhere else.
Pros
- Unique design helps strengthen core muscles and alleviate back pain
- Height easily adjustable from 20 to 26 inches
- Can be completely folded for easy storage
Cons
- Seat has no back, so no lumbar support or headrest
- No armrests
- Warranty is for parts only
Best Gaming Chair: Secretlab OMEGA 2020 Series
When it comes to comfortable chairs designed to sit in for an extended period of time, computer and console gaming chairs know where it's at. And many of today's gaming chairs can easily double as a solid home office chair, even if gaming is not entirely your thing. The Secretlab OMEGA 2020 Series is a perfect example, with its four-way adjustable armrests, adjustable height, and memory foam lumbar and head pillows for comfortable support. The seat and back of the chair are padded with Secretlab's patent-pending "cold-cure foam mix," a moldable foam that’s designed to be restful yet firm for the reinforcement your posture needs during long seated sessions. The Secretlab OMEGA 2020 Series is upholstered with your choice of polyurethane leather, Secretlab's SoftWeave fabric (made of soft, high-strength yarn fibers), or napa leather, all in a variety of colors and designs.
Pros
- Four-way adjustable armrests
- Memory foam lumbar and head pillows
- Choose from three upholstery fabrics with lots of colors and designs
Cons
- Bit pricey
- Low weight capacity
Best Home Office Chair Without Wheels: Art Leon Mid-Century Modern Swivel Accent Chair
There may be a time when you don't want a home office chair with wheels. Maybe you're afraid the wheels might damage your flooring or carpeting, or you just like the aesthetic look of a static office chair. If that's the case, let us introduce you to the Art Leon Mid-Century Modern Swivel Accent Chair — a sophisticated, modern home office chair that, despite not having wheels, still offers a 360-degree swivel capability. Made of a steel frame, foam padding, and beech wood legs, the chair is either upholstered with a polyester cotton fabric or faux leather and is available in a slew of colors, from traditional brown and grey to more trendy olive green and mustard yellow. The chair's wide seat width and high weight capacity allow it to be comfortably used by a variety of different people. And while the Art Leon Mid-Century Modern Swivel Accent Chair's armrests and backrest are not adjustable, the backrest is slightly slanted and the armrests are open enough to be comfortable for most users.
Pros
- No wheels to harm hard flooring or carpeting
- Available in both fabric and faux leather with lots of color options
- 360-degree swivel capability
Cons
- No wheels
- Armrests, backrest, and seat height are not adjustable
- No lumbar support
Best Leather Home Office Chair: Amazon Basics Executive Office Desk Chair
Enjoy the luxury and sophistication of a leather home office chair without breaking the bank with the Amazon Basics Executive Office Desk Chair. Available in three colors — black, brown, and white — this office chair is upholstered with polyurethane-bonded leather (also referred to as pleather), which provides more resilience to the fabric. The chair is crowned with an elegant gold metal finish and has a padded seat, back, and armrests for extra comfort. The chair offers a pneumatic seat height adjustment and tilt lock to make sure you can adjust the chair to the correct height for your body. And the chair has a 360-degree swivel and five caster wheels for easy movability around your home office.
Pros
- Polyurethane-bonded leather upholstery material provides extra durability in case of spills
- Pneumatic seat height adjustment and tilt lock
- Padded seat, back, and armrests
Cons
- Not made from genuine leather
- Armrests are not adjustable
- No lumbar support
Best Eco-Friendly Office Chair: Steelcase Amia Fabric Office Chair
When shopping for a new home office chair, some people may be sensitive to the materials being used in the chair — such as plastics, vinyls, and foams — that may not be able to be recycled. For those who want a more eco-friendly option, check out the Steelcase Amia Fabric Office Chair. Available in four color options — black, blue, green, and off-white — this office chair is constructed from up to 34 percent of recycled materials and is 97 percent recyclable after it cannot be used anymore. The chair features the company's specialized lumbar technology, which moves with you while you're in the chair to provide excellent support for your lower back. The chair's seat depth and height are both adjustable, as are its four-way adjustable armrests. The Steelcase Amia Fabric Office Chair also has a flexible front seat edge, five hard caster wheels, and is rated to up to 400 pounds.
Pros
- Made from 34 percent of recycled materials and is 97 percent recyclable
- Lumbar technology offers excellent lower back support
- Ten-year warranty
Cons
- Bit pricey
Do you have a home office chair you enjoy sitting in all day? Tell us about it in the comments below!
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