The 13 Best Office Chairs of 2024, According to Lab Testing

The best office chairs are supportive, durable, and adjustable. We researched and tested the best picks, and spoke to an expert to learn what to look for in an office chair.

Best Overall

Duramont Ergonomic Office Chair

  • Setup5/5
  • Comfort5/5
  • Lumbar Support4/5
  • Adjustability4/5
  • Design5/5
  • The seat is adjustable and has a durable construction that'll hold up against frequent use.

The seat is adjustable and has a durable construction that'll hold up against frequent use.

  • The lever to recline the seat has a spring that caught our hand, so you’ll want to be mindful when using it.

The lever to recline the seat has a spring that caught our hand, so you’ll want to be mindful when using it.

After two days of testing, the Duramont Ergonomic Adjustable Office Chair received a near-perfect score—and for good reason. It offers comfort, support, and adjustability and overall scored the highest in our testing.

During setup, which took 30 minutes, we appreciated that the chair pieces were clearly labeled and easy to identify. The chair also came with an easy-to-use wrench as well as white gloves to prevent our hands from getting messy, a nice touch many office chairs don’t include.

Once assembled, we liked that the chair had a comfortable cushion that extended enough to offer support underneath your legs while you sit. The most notable features, however, are the chair’s adjustable capabilities. To start, you’ll be able to set both the armrests, the headrest, and the seat’s height. You’ll also be able to adjust the chair’s lumbar support using a small knob on the back of the chair, a feature that significantly improved support.

The chair is only offered in black and has a fairly minimal design that’s a bit more stylish in comparison to some other office chairs on the market. We felt that it seemed durable, specifically the chair’s long metal legs. Overall, the chair received a perfect score for its value, as the chair seems to be high quality and was well worth the price tag.

After six months of testing this office chair for seven to eight hours a day, we’ve noticed some wear where we regularly lean on the arm, but we’re still impressed with the overall value. However, we think it may be best for taller individuals, as one of our testers, who is 5’6”, noted that the shortest setting is still not short enough to plant her feet firmly on the ground.

Product Details: Size: 23.6 x 26 x 42 inches | Weight Capacity: 330 pounds | Seat Height: Not listed | Swivel: Yes

  • BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

Best Budget

Amazon Basics Low-Back Office Desk Chair

  • Setup5/5
  • Comfort3/5
  • Lumbar Support3/5
  • Adjustability2/5
  • Design3/5
  • The chair is fairly easy to set up and is offered in a few colors, so you can choose the one that best matches your setup.

The chair is fairly easy to set up and is offered in a few colors, so you can choose the one that best matches your setup.

  • The chair can't be adjusted much and doesn't have armrests, so it offers limited neck, back, and shoulder support.

The chair can't be adjusted much and doesn't have armrests, so it offers limited neck, back, and shoulder support.

The Amazon Basics Low-Back Office Chair offers a minimal design at a lower price point than other office chairs out there, a great option to keep in mind if you're furnishing an at-home office on a budget. The chair is offered in four colors, so you'll be able to find one that matches your decor.

Overall, the chair received a 3.5/5 during lab testing, with its highest scores in setup and durability. The chair’s setup, which we gave a perfect score, took 15 minutes and was made easy thanks to illustrated instructions and a minimal number of parts to assemble.

The chair is made with a curved mesh backing and seemed to have a solid construction, earning this design a 4/5 score for durability. The lumbar support is not adjustable, however, which led to us giving the office chair a 2/5 for overall adjustability.

Although the chair’s seat can be adjusted up and down and easily locked into place at your ideal height, the chair doesn’t feature any armrests. The armless design isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker, but it’s something to keep in mind if you prefer that kind of support. Overall, the chair is ideal for at-home workspaces that won’t get used very frequently.

Product Details: Size: 20.47 x 20.08 x 32.87-37.4 inches | Weight Capacity: 275 pounds | Seat Height: Not listed | Swivel: Yes

  • BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

Best Splurge

Steelcase Karman

  • Setup5/5
  • Comfort5/5
  • Lumbar Support4.3/5
  • Adjustability4.5/5
  • Design5/5
  • It comes fully assembled, feels high-quality, and automatically corrects your posture.

It comes fully assembled, feels high-quality, and automatically corrects your posture.

  • You can’t adjust the angle of the backrest, and additional lumbar support is an added price.

You can’t adjust the angle of the backrest, and additional lumbar support is an added price.

The Steelcase Karman Office Chair may be a splurge, but after testing it we thought it was worth the investment. We found that sitting in this chair kept our posture aligned and helped keep back pain at bay.

The chair came fully assembled in a massive cardboard box so the only thing left to do was open the box, wheel the chair out, and sit down. The armrests are highly adjustable, and the seat, although flat, is oddly highly cushioned, supportive, and wide with ample room to move around.

The wheels moved easily, so it’s easy to wheel around an office. The chair feels luxurious and supportive, but not like you're sinking into it. We found that we were sitting up straighter when in the chair, and even when fully leaning back, the body felt aligned and comfortable. The back of the chair is made of mesh so it's also quite cooling.

There’s a comfort dial that can adjust the firmness of the back support which is the chair’s standout feature. Keep in mind that you can’t adjust the angle of the backrest, and it doesn’t come with head or neck support. Setting it to the firmest level keeps the spine alined. You can opt for additional lumbar support for an extra $57.

Product Details: Size: 26.125 x 26.125 x 39.125 inches | Weight Capacity: 29 pounds | Seat Height: 15.875-20.375 inches | Swivel: Yes

  • BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DONNA FREYDKIN

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DONNA FREYDKIN

Best Faux Leather

Soho Management Chair

  • Setup5/5
  • Comfort2/5
  • Lumbar Support3/5
  • Adjustability3/5
  • Design4/5
  • The chair is easy to assemble and has a stylish design, unlike many other picks on the market.

The chair is easy to assemble and has a stylish design, unlike many other picks on the market.

  • There's limited lumbar support, so it's not ideal for those who sit for long periods of time.

There's limited lumbar support, so it's not ideal for those who sit for long periods of time.

The Laura Davidson Furniture Soho Management Chair has a mid-century modern feel that’ll look great in just about any office setting. The stylish chair is made with faux leather and is offered in 10 colors, so you’ll be able to find one that complements your space.

During testing, the chair received a 4/5 score for its design, with testers noting the stylish chrome finishes throughout. It’s upholstered in leatherette, which can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth, meaning you won’t have to worry if you spill any of your morning coffee on it. After six months of regular use, we haven’t noticed any damage or change in quality.

The chair received a perfect score for setup, taking us just 11 minutes to complete. We noted that there were just a few parts that needed assembly and that the chair came with fairly clear instructions and a wrench.

It’s worth noting that if you’re looking for an ergonomic office chair and you happen to be tall, this isn’t the best option. One of our testers who is over 6 feet tall found that even though the chair is adjustable, he had trouble finding a comfortable position. Plus, the chair has limited height options, a key need when setting up an ergonomic workspace. We also found that the seat, which is 18 inches wide, wasn’t large enough for every body type. One of our testers found that the metal arms dug into her hips, making it uncomfortable to use.

Product Details: Size: 25 x 25 x 34-37 inches | Weight Capacity: 275 pounds | Seat Height: 18-21 inches | Swivel: Yes

  • BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

Best Upholstered

Room and Board Cora Office Chair

  • Comfort4.5/5
  • Lumbar Support3/5
  • Adjustability4/5
  • Design5/5
  • Durability5/5
  • It looks fabulous, and is offered in over 240 colors to match any home decor scheme.

It looks fabulous, and is offered in over 240 colors to match any home decor scheme.

  • It doesn’t have arm rests and the lumbar support is not adjustable.

It doesn’t have arm rests and the lumbar support is not adjustable.

Overall, our favorite upholstered pick is the Room and Board Cora Office Chair. We liked that the chair is firm but cushy with ample back support. Although it doesn’t have armrests, this makes you use your core more when adjusting yourself, sitting down, or standing up.

During testing, we thought the chair was padded enough to comfortably sit in it all day, with an impressively deep seat. The lumbar support is not adjustable but it was still comfortable for working at a desk.

In relation to adjustability, you can only change the chair’s height, and it doesn’t tilt either. Although it’s not as ergonomically-shaped as some other office chairs we tested, the back of this chair is so high, and the seat so deep, that if you’re learning all the way back, you won’t slouch. The chair is also well-made and felt durable during testing.

With this option, you can choose from a whopping 240+ fabric colors to match your home decor perfectly. The material is thick and hardy, and it is undeniably beautiful. The wheels make it easily transportable from room to room as well, and you can even use it as an extra dining chair.

Product Details: Size: 23 x 34 x 26 inches | Weight Capacity: 27 pounds | Seat Height: 17-20 inches | Swivel: Yes

  • BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DONNA FREYDKIN

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DONNA FREYDKIN

Best Mesh

Alera Mesh Mid-Back Swivel/Tilt Chair

  • Setup3/5
  • Comfort5/5
  • Lumbar Support3.5/5
  • Adjustability4/5
  • Design4/5
  • The chair is comfortable and adjustable, so you can set it however you see fit.

The chair is comfortable and adjustable, so you can set it however you see fit.

  • Assembly instructions were unclear, making setup more difficult.

Assembly instructions were unclear, making setup more difficult.

Many office chairs are designed with cushioned backing, but if you prefer a mesh option for breathability, the Alera Manager’s Chair is worth considering. We found that the chair was comfortable and fairly adjustable, so you can set it to your ideal position.

The mesh chair has a classic armchair design that’s offered in two colors—black and white. Overall, the chair received a 3.8/5 score, with high scores in comfort, adjustability, design, durability, and value.

We appreciated that the seat was soft and comfortable and had a thick cushion, which has held up after six months of regular use. However, the seat is so thick that our legs sometimes fell asleep after sitting in the chair for hours. We also liked that the seat height was adjustable and could be set with an easy-to-reach lever.

It’s worth noting that although we found the chair to be comfortable, Dr. Devoe cautions against mesh options. “Avoid mesh as it will cradle poor posture and not provide the support needed to sit properly,” Dr. Devoe says. We would’ve preferred more ergonomic support over the mesh ventilation, as we began using a lumbar pillow to improve our posture and alleviate back pain while testing this chair.

Overall, the chair is best for someone who won’t be sitting at their desk often or for long periods of time.

Product Details: Size: 25.63 x 26 x 36.63-42.88 inches | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds | Seat Height: Not listed | Swivel: Yes

  • BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

Best Adjustable

Autonomous ErgoChair Pro

  • Setup4.7/5
  • Comfort4.8/5
  • Lumbar Support4.8/5
  • Adjustability5/5
  • Design5/5
  • This highly adjustable chair can be tweaked to your exact preference and comfort level, and there’s a headrest that keeps your head and neck in the proper position.

This highly adjustable chair can be tweaked to your exact preference and comfort level, and there’s a headrest that keeps your head and neck in the proper position.

  • The armrests could do with more padding.

The armrests could do with more padding.

For an adjustable option, the consider the Autonomous ErgoChair Pro. The chair was comfortable and remained consistent throughout the day.

The instructions provided were clear and easy to follow and included helpful illustrations. The chair parts were also labeled well, and all tools were provided. One person can easily put the chair together and it should take around 15-20 minutes.

We liked that the chair is highly adjustable, including seat height, the back, the armrests, the recline, and tilt. It’s worth noting that it may take a little trial and error to make sure that it's set up properly for your body type and personal comfort.

The chair felt supportive, and was also wide and deep enough to feel comfortable. The seat on this chair is padded enough for sitting comfortably for long periods of time, but not so thick to cause your legs to fall asleep. The armrests can be adjusted vertically and horizontally, and provide ample arm support, although we would have preferred more padding on the armrests.

The back of the chair is high enough to support the shoulders, and one of our favorite parts was the head rest that helps keep the head and neck in the correct position. This chair has so many points of adjustment that even after a month of use we still have to refer to the manual to tweak something when it doesn't feel right.

The lumbar support is the trickiest to get right, and it's a little awkward to adjust, but once you get the chair in the appropriate position, it’s comfort is fabulous. The chair looks sleek, feels durable, sturdy, well-made, and built to last, and is offered in six different colors.

Product Details: Size: 46 x 29 x 29 inches | Weight Capacity: 48.5 pounds | Seat Height: 18-20 inches | Swivel: Yes

Best Saddle

Branch Furniture Saddle Chair

  • Setup5/5
  • Comfort4.3/5
  • Lumbar Support4/5
  • Adjustability4/5
  • Design5/5
  • It effortlessly keeps your posture in check, encourages you to stand more, and is great for small spaces as it can just tuck away under a desk and out of sight.

It effortlessly keeps your posture in check, encourages you to stand more, and is great for small spaces as it can just tuck away under a desk and out of sight.

  • This chair does not have a back, so while it's designed to enhance your posture and support your overall spinal health, it doesn't specifically support the lumbar spine.

This chair does not have a back, so while it's designed to enhance your posture and support your overall spinal health, it doesn't specifically support the lumbar spine.

One look at the Branch Furniture Saddle Chair and you can tell that it’s not your average office chair. This stool is designed to help you stand more, keep correct posture when you are seated, and it can swiftly be tucked under your desk, which is ideal for small spaces.

Setting up the chair was super straightforward, and the instruction manual was clear. It took just five minutes to put the wheeled base, the middle pole, and the seat together without any extra tools or assistance.

While the chair doesn’t give you that sitting-on-a-cloud feeling (the seat has some padding, but it's thicker than it is fluffy and cozy), we found it to be comfortable in the sense that it kept our posture aligned and took pressure off the neck and back.

While it’s definitely not uncomfortable to sit on, we felt that we needed to get up every 30-45 minutes or so to stretch—which is exactly what the chair has been designed to do.

Sitting in this chair helps you to keep an upright position and takes a lot of strain off the neck and back. The design of the saddle also helps keep the feet flat on the ground as well. When in the chair, we didn’t feel that we had to pay attention to our posture as it was just automatically in line.

This chair is also great for those in small apartments looking for an ergonomic chair with a minimal footprint, and there are five colors to choose from.

Product Details: Size: 16.9 x 21.2 x 14.2 inches | Weight Capacity: 9.9 pounds | Seat Height: 21.2-31.5 inches | Swivel: Yes

  • BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ABBY MOORE

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ABBY MOORE

Best for Posture

Steelcase Series 1 Air

  • Setup5/5
  • Comfort5/5
  • Lumbar Support5/5
  • Adjustability4/5
  • Design5/5
  • The chair is incredibly supportive and customizable, with easy-to-use levers to get it perfect.

The chair is incredibly supportive and customizable, with easy-to-use levers to get it perfect.

  • The armrests aren’t removable and there’s no head rest.

The armrests aren’t removable and there’s no head rest.

If you struggle with poor posture, we think you need the Steelcase A1 Air. The adjustable office chair is designed to keep your posture in check, so you’ll be more comfortable while you sit in it.

Assembly was a breeze, with one person able to do it alone easily. The chair’s seat has plenty of padding and feels supportive, making it an enjoyable place to sit as well. The backrest has a permanent curve that supports the curve of the spine. The chair’s back has a nice give to it that enables you to either sit upright and feel supported and aligned, or lean back and still be comfortable and supported.

The chair goes all the way back to a 45-degree angle, so you can actually stretch your arms and back while sitting in the chair without feeling like you’re going to topple over backwards. There are easy-to-use levers to adjust the chair and armrests to your preferences, and once seated, the chair keeps you in the correct posture.

You can't adjust the forward or backward tilt of the seat but you can move it forward or backward with one of three seat settings. The armrests are adjustable, and you can move them up and down, as well as sliding them in or out. The armrests aren't removable but you can opt to purchase the chair without armrests if you prefer.

The chair is comfortable and well-sized, and felt sturdy, too. The backrest looks like it's made of mesh, but it's actually plastic which is surprisingly comfortable and offers great breathability and ventilation.

Despite the lack of head rest, and no tilt or recline option, the chair did what it was supposed to do and kept us comfortably in the proper postural position while we worked, with no detected back pain after hours of use. The chair comes in a choice of five back colors, two frame base colors, and 29 seat upholstery shades. You can also choose to get the chair with wheels for either carpet of hard floors.

Product Details: Size: 23.5 x 36.5 x 21 inches | Weight Capacity: 40 pounds | Seat Height: 16.5-21.5 inches | Swivel: Yes

  • BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JESSICA FLEMING

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JESSICA FLEMING

Best Office Gaming Chair

BestOffice High Back Gaming Chair

  • Setup4/5
  • Comfort4/5
  • Lumbar Support4/5
  • Adjustability2/5
  • Design4/5
  • It's less expensive than other options on the market and has an adjustable pillow for lumbar support.

It's less expensive than other options on the market and has an adjustable pillow for lumbar support.

  • The chair is large, so it may not fit in all offices or at-home workspaces.

The chair is large, so it may not fit in all offices or at-home workspaces.

The BestOffice High Back Gaming Chair is designed with gamers in mind, but many of its features are ideal for those in need of an office chair. The ergonomic office chair scored highly across most testing categories and is a comfortable, supportive option worth considering.

Overall, the chair received a 4.1/5 score during lab testing, and we noted that the gaming chair was fairly easy to assemble. Although there were many components to piece together, we felt the instructions were clear and the screws were organized into labeled packaging, making for a smooth process.

When it came to comfort and lumbar support, we pointed to the included back pillow that can be raised or lowered, depending on the user’s preference and height. There are also padded armrests and a padded headrest, though we found it was a bit difficult to lean back and use it because of the back pillow.

We gave the chair a lower score for adjustability, noting you can’t adjust anything besides the chair’s height and back pillow. However, depending on your needs, those capabilities are some of the most important features when it comes to setting up a workspace, so they’ll most likely be enough.

We rated this chair a 4/5 for design, noting the sci-fi gaming chair look. The color pattern made it stand out amongst the other chairs, and the headrest caught the attention of coworkers on video calls. We tested this chair in white, and while we were initially worried about discoloration, there hasn’t been any after six months of regular use.

Product Details: Size: 24.5 x 27.2 x 51.2 inches | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds | Seat Height: Not listed | Swivel: Yes

  • BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

Best for Back Pain

Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Lumbar Support Office Chair

  • Setup4.1/5
  • Comfort4.8/5
  • Lumbar Support5/5
  • Adjustability5/5
  • Design4.3/5
  • The armrests are adjustable, the seat is comfortable, and it offers adjustable lumbar support.

The armrests are adjustable, the seat is comfortable, and it offers adjustable lumbar support.

  • We thought the seat cushion material felt a little cheap.

We thought the seat cushion material felt a little cheap.

The TEMPUR-Lumbar Support Office Chair is a well-built chair that, after rigorous testing, we found to provide exceptional comfort and support.

This pick has a sleek, modern, and fairly minimal design that can blend well with various decor schemes. The chair’s frame, base, armrests, and mesh back are all black, but there are six different seat color options, including beige, burgundy, and olive green.

The chair came securely packaged in a large box which was quite heavy, so an extra person is recommended to help with setup. Once unpacked, assembling the chair took just over half an hour with the provided tools. While the included instructions were helpful, we thought some aspects could have been clearer.

The seat cushion is contoured and designed to fit your body, and there’s also adjustable lumbar support that helps you keep the correct posture while you work. We found that the mesh backrest was breathable and the lumbar back pad was supportive. Plus, it kept its shape and firmness throughout the day.

During testing, we loved how easy and convenient it was to adjust the chair. There are options to customize seat height, tilt, armrest width and height, swivel, and lumbar support positioning for a personalized seating experience. The armrests impressed us with their wide range of adjustments, including a forward sliding feature that you can set to your personal preference.

While the seat covering material felt somewhat inferior to the rest of the overall quality of the chair and seemed to attract hair and debris, we still feel that this chair is one of the best options for those with back pain.

Despite being a heavy chair, it has a 275-pound weight capacity, and the wide roller base allows for easy maneuverability. Considering all its extra features and customization options, we thought this pick was a great value.

Product Details: Size: 26 x 40.5-44 x 24 x inches | Weight Capacity: 275 pounds| Seat Height: 19-23 inches | Swivel: Yes

  • BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MARY HONEYMAN-SPEICHINGER

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MARY HONEYMAN-SPEICHINGER

Best Colors

Branch Furniture Verve Chair

  • Setup5/5
  • Comfort5/5
  • Lumbar Support4.2/5
  • Adjustability5/5
  • Design4.2/5
  • This supportive chair has a curved back to fit each user and it was easy to assemble.

This supportive chair has a curved back to fit each user and it was easy to assemble.

  • The elbow rests don’t have padding and there’s no headrest.

The elbow rests don’t have padding and there’s no headrest.

The Branch Furniture Verve Chair had one of the most straightforward setups out of all the chairs we tested. In addition to being comfortable and supportive, we also liked that the minimal design is offered in six colors, including coral and mint green.

Overall, we appreciated that the chair’s seat height, rocking function, tension adjustment, and armrest positioning can all be adjusted to your personal preferences.

It took just over 10 minutes to assemble with minimal need for instructions. It can be put together by just one person although the chair weighs 40 pounds, so having an extra pair of hands is useful.

Once we got it set up, we found the chair provided exceptional support and comfort, with various adjustability options that were easy to operate. Its narrow design keeps the elbows comfortably tucked in for working at a desk, and the adjustable seat allows for personalized positioning.

Although the chair is more expensive than others, it looks and feels high quality and seems durable and stable. It has a 275-pound weight capacity, and the seat padding offers sufficient cushioning as well.

The lumbar adjustment conforms to the natural curve of the spine, supporting the back and helping you stay in the correct posture. Just keep in mind that there’s also no headrest and the elbow rests aren’t padded for extra comfort.

Product Details: Size: 27 x 37-41 x 27 inches| Weight Capacity: 275 pounds| Seat Height: 16.5-20.5 inches | Swivel: Yes

Best Kneeling

Branch Variable Kneeling Chair

  • Setup4.2/5
  • Comfort4.7/5
  • Lumbar Support4.5/5
  • Adjustability4.1/5
  • Design5/5
  • We love the rocking design and minimal aesthetic.

We love the rocking design and minimal aesthetic.

  • We would have liked it if the seat cushion was a little softer.

We would have liked it if the seat cushion was a little softer.

The Branch Variable Kneeling Chair Office Chair has an ergonomic design and minimal aesthetic, that we think would make for a stylish addition to any office space. The chair is offered in several colors and is less expensive than other options as well.

The setup process was relatively straightforward, although the instructions consisted solely of images. We found it to be comfortable and liked that it provided us with instant lower back pain relief.

Thanks to its rocking feature, the chair allows for varied positions—you can lean forward or back and adjust the leg positioning to your preference. Although it doesn’t have lumbar support like a typical office chair, the design encourages proper posture by encouraging you to sit up straight.

The chair seemed to be made from high quality materials and felt both stable and durable. We also like its space-saving efficiency; it’s small enough to store under a desk between uses. If we could change one thing, we would have liked it if the seat cushion were a bit softer.

Product Details: Size: 19 x 28 x 20 inches | Weight Capacity: 240 pounds | Seat Height: 20 inches | Swivel: No

  • BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DONNA FREYDKIN

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DONNA FREYDKIN