Just what is an ergonomic chair? [and which ones are best?]

What is an ergonomic chair?

An ergonomic chair is one that has been designed for efficiency and comfort.

Ergonomics is an applied science primarily aimed at designing objects that people can use safely and efficiently.

Ergonomics is also referred to as biotechnology or human engineering.

Why should I care about ergonomic chairs?

Investing a little money in ergonomically designed products can increase health and well-being.

Good ergonomic gear can increase your productivity by decreasing the time to complete regular tasks and causing less wear and tear on your body.

We hope this article has answered your question, “What is an ergonomic chair?” and provides you with enough information for you to make a well-informed purchase:-)

What are the things to watch out for with a bad chair?

Ergonomically designed products aim to combat the following issues

Bad posture
Bending incorrectly
Repetitive strain injury (RSI)
Fatigue
Poor body positioning
Overstretching

What tips can you give me when I’m working?

If you are stuck behind a computer hour after hour, day after day, you might be plagued with neck and back pain or achy wrists and fingers.

Following a few ergonomic rules can help yourself and your joints stay more comfortable as you toil away over that latest blog!

How do I use an ergonomic chair?

The chair must support an individual’s spinal curves. Your feet should rest flat on the floor. Armrests should be adjusted so your arms rest gently while your shoulders relax. Your thighs should also be parallel to the ground.

Why is finding a good chair so important?

In today’s media-driven, online world, many of us sit most of the time awake. At the same time, eat breakfast, drive to work, beavering away at work, then go back home to sit on the sofa to surf the net or catch the latest Game of Thrones episode!

Although sitting takes less effort than standing or walking, it puts much stress on your lumbar area.

The effect of a sedentary lifestyle and a cheap, badly-designed office chair can lead to a multitude of health problems.

What should I look for in an ergonomic chair?

Height adjustability – a good chair will always be height-adjustable.
Backrest – this should be adjustable vertically and be able to tilt in a forward/backward direction. The backrest must provide adequate lumbar support.
Seat depth is the distance between the front and back of the seating area. This is measured from behind the back of the knees.
Stability – in most cases, a 5-point base is recommended for the best stability.

As you can see, choosing the right ergonomic chair isn’t as easy as you might think. That’s why we have done our homework to bring you the best ten ergonomic chairs to keep you healthy & productive.

Best Ergonomic Chairs

Top Ergonomic Chair – Freedom Chair by Humanscale

The Freedom chair by Humanscale has been one of the best-selling ergonomic chairs on the planet since its launch in 1999.

Freedom Chair by Humanscale: Headrest – Advanced Duron Arms – Gel seat – Standard Carpet Casters – Graphite Frame/Blue Wave Seat

Intelligent counter-balance recline mechanism.
During recline, the angle between torso and legs opens up for better body function.
Self-adjusting recline

This top-notch task chair is a leader in style and comfort. The designer Niels Diffrient has scooped up more than ten design awards in his illustrious career designing economic furniture.

The freedom chair (with the aid of physics and your body weight) provides instant, custom back relief for each person. This gorgeous chair supports the sitter, even when moving around and changing position.

Talk about comfort! The Freedom chair’s body-fitting Curves allow you to sit all day long. The cushions are designed to be comfy for 4 hours rather than the industry standard of 4 minutes.

The awesome Freedom task chair has an intelligent recline mechanism that promotes healthy and spontaneous movement while you work. We love the stylish but simple design without any cumbersome levers or knobs.

The intuitive adjustment feature is very impressive. Thanks to its revolutionary design, the backrest accommodates the changing needs of your spine by allowing automatic pivoting. The synchronous arm supports move with the chair while reclining for constant support and comfort.

This top-rated ergonomic chair is not cheap; you usually get what you pay for! If you’ve got the dough, the freedom chair will support your spine while complementing any modern office or workspace.

2nd Place – Herman Miller Embody Chair

The Embody ergonomic chair by Herman Miller is designed to keep your body in a well-balanced and neutral position so that you can stay comfortable and relaxed as you slave away over your blog or pander to your Facebook addiction.

Sale

Herman Miller Embody Ergonomic Office Chair | Fully Adjustable Arms and Carpet Casters | Black Rhythm

RHYTHM fabric is tight, smooth soft to the touch, and prevents heat buildup
INNOVATIVE ERGONOMIC DESIGN – More than 20 physicians and PhDs in the fields of biomechanics,…
BACKFIT ADJUSTMENT – Embody’s back is designed like a human’s, with a central spine and flexible…

This state-of-the-art task chair stimulates oxygen and blood flow thanks to the dynamic matrix of pixels in the seat and back. The chair automatically distributes your weight evenly and adapts to your every movement.

When sitting in the Embody chair, it feels like you are floating, which reduces fatigue so that you can remain alert when working for extended periods.

The manufacturer Herman Miller claims that his high-tech chair lowers your heart rate and reduces stress – Yippee! The advanced ergonomic design means that when you move in the chair, your head stays aligned with your computer screen. The tilting technology also provides three main support areas for your thighs, sacrum / sitting bones, and thorax.

This brilliant chair comes in one size only. The Embody automatically adapts to the wide variation of postures, body shapes, weights, sizes, and spinal curves of different people. We love that the depth of the seat adjusts to differing thigh lengths, making the chair feel “made to measure.”

So, if you are looking for an ergonomic chair that can reduce your stress levels, boost your creativity, promote a healthy posture, and contours to your unique body type, this baby could be for you!

3rd Place – Eurotech Seating Ergohuman Swivel Chair

The Ergohuman Eurotech is a contender for the number one spot.

Eurotech Seating Ergohuman Mid Back Mesh Swivel Chair, Black

[WIDE ADJUSTMENT RANGE & 360-DEGREE MOVEMENT]: Adjust the arms’ height and depth, as well as the…
[ERGONOMIC LUMBAR SUPPORT]: The Ergohuman all mesh chair features a full-length backrest and…
[PREMIUM QUALITY MATERIALS]: This office chair is a great asset to your business, workspace, gaming,…

We are big fans of this eco-friendly office chair which has an incredible 97% recyclability. The futuristic and high-tech chair has been lovingly designed with comfort as the driving force.

The Ergohuman Eurotech has been made principally for those of us who work for long periods, known as intensive sitting (or being a lazy @#$%*, this beautiful chair allows total and precise adjustment with such features as an automatic lumbar support system, synchro-tilt, a sliding seat, height adjustment, height/angle adjustable armrests, and an adjustable headrest – Phew!

We love the breathable mesh seat and back areas, which work great for circulation and provide robust support. The chair is perfect for those up to about 250 lb, but other higher-rated models are available on Amazon.

Straight out of the box, the Ergohuman is easy to assemble with only six screws. The back can be locked to avoid tilting, and the armrests have nine different height settings and three directional settings.

Rated by many experts as the best economic chair on the market, we are sure this one won’t disappoint.

4th Place- Steelcase Leap Task Chair

It’s not cheap but is the Steelcase Leap chair worth it? Oh yes! With features like live-back technology, thermal comfort, and a natural glide system, this ergonomic chair is a “hero among heroes.”

Sale

Steelcase Leap Chair, Grey Fabric –

Polished aluminum frame and base | Designed with the planet in mind and is up to 98% recyclable by…
Product dimensions – 27″ W x 21.75″-24.75” D x 38.5″-43.5” H | Seat dimensions –…
Live Back technology that allows the back of the chair to mimic the movements of the spine

The Steelcase Leap changes shape to support your every move. Using the live back technology, the chair copies the movements of your spine and dynamically moves forward and backward. This built-in ergonomic feature allows the seat to support your entire spine as you move around.

This nifty seat also moves forward to recline while maintaining your head position and reach zone to stay more focused on your work. This feature promotes various postures to reduce the static load on the spine.

Relief is at hand for those with existing back issues, thanks to lower back firmness control. This feature allows the user to enable a constant amount of “firmness,” which assists with keeping the spine in its natural Curve.

A great feature is the upper back force control which gives you control over the amount of “pushback/springiness” you like when reclining. We also love the telescopic arms, which move in, out, forward, and back and pivot so that you can find that perfect position supporting the wrists, shoulders, back, and forearms.

At a tad under a thousand bucks, is the Steelcase Leap chair worth it? In our opinion – “yes!” With features like live-back technology, thermal comfort, and a natural glide system, this ergonomic chair is a “hero among heroes.”

5th Place – Herman Miller Classic Aeron Task Chair

The Herman Miller Classic Aeron task chair is probably the most well-known ergonomic chair ever.

Herman Miller Aeron Executive Office Chair-Stainless Steel, Size B-Fully Adjustable Arms-lumbar Support Open Box

Tension Control /Fully Loaded Chair
Rear Tilt Lock/ Forward Tilt / Lumbar Lumbar

This chair was the first to use a woven and breathable membrane to replace the old-style fabric and foam models. It is a class leader in distributing your weight evenly and eliminating any pressure points and overheating.

The classic Aeron is available in three sizes to fit all body types. This model won the decade’s design by the Designers Society of America and Businessweek Magazine. Various high-tech materials make a unique aesthetic that has propelled the Herman Miller Classic Aeron ergonomic spotlight.

Posturefit is utilized so that the sacral region (spine) is adequately supported and the pelvis maintains a natural position keeping the spine correctly aligned. The patented kinematic tilt adjusts to the body’s pivot points (hips, knees, and ankles) so that the chair follows your movement and doesn’t work against it.

The back of the chair is a perfect height and does a great job of taking pressure away from the spine. We love the seat’s waterfall edge, which removes pressure from the thigh area to promote blood circulation and helps keep the user focused and alert.

This remarkable task chair has challenged nearly every convention surrounding office chairs with its aeration, responsive movement, all-inclusive sizing, and support for natural body posture.

6th Place – Herman Miller Sayl Task Chair

The Herman Miller Sayl ergonomic task chair is a beauty! It was designed to give total comfort in a minimalist design that provides the most freedom using the least materials.

Herman Miller Sayl Task Chair: Tilt Limiter – Stationary Seat Depth – Stationary Arms – Standard Carpet Casters – Fog Base/Studio White Frame

Sayl is a task chair that enables an unprecedented sense of freedom for the sitter in a design that…
Breathable unframed back keeps you cool while you work
The organic shape of the Sayl back makes it elegant anywhere, from every angle

The super funky organic shape of the Sayl makes it a top choice for those working in design or modern offices. The 12-year Herman Miller warranty is legendary, and each chair has its own amusing “Born-on-Date” sticker.

The Revolutionary 3D intelligent suspension eliminates the need for a frame, and the back molds to your lumbar area to give you all the support you need. The elastomer back adapts to each person’s unique body shape, making this chair seriously comfortable.

This baby is eco-friendly too! Weighing at only 37 lbs., the Sayl is 93% recyclable. It is our pick of task chairs for aesthetics. The ergonomic shape of the Herman Miller Sayl looks fantastic anywhere and from any angle.

The designer Yves Behar’s intention when creating the spectacular chair was to “make a product with the best design for the most people at the smallest cost.” We are sure that Yves has achieved what he set out to do.

7th Place – DXRacer Gaming Chair

The DXRacer series has proven extremely popular since its release. Due to considerable demand for this racy ergonomic chair, some models and color schemes are running out of stock.

DXRacer Racing Series OH/RE0/NO Gaming Office Chair

Ergonomic design– more efficiently and comfortably, Free bonus: headrest cushion & lumbar cushion
Patent race car seat breathable material:PU
Extra higher backrest to save neck and spinal, Flexible seat back with adjustment

This model is a slightly bigger version of the best-selling F-series (Formula Series.) It has a more oversized backrest to accommodate even the chubbiest user. The high-density cold-cure foam filling provides Extreme Comfort. This makes the chair suitable for long periods of work/gaming (8 hours or more.)

The fantastic stability is a significant plus of the DXRacer Gaming Chair DOH/RE0/NOs. This model now features a footrest-shaped base made with super-strong nylon material.

The DXRacer was made initially for gamers but has since crossed to mainstream usage because of its superior comfort levels and ergonomic design.

Unlike other office chairs, the DXRacer has a high backrest to support the entire spine from the pelvis to the neck. The chair has a five-point metal base with a gas spring to allow height adjustment.

So whether you are burning the midnight oil on your PlayStation 4 or want a chair that can be lowered to a perfect position for power napping, you should consider making this fantastic ergonomics chair part of your life.

8th Place – OFM Essentials Big and Tall Leather Executive Chair

If you are looking for a more “old school” ergonomic chair, the OFM Essentials Big & Tall leather executive chair could be right up your alley!

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The luxurious leather and bronze mist-finished frame make this office chair suitable for high flyers in the corporate world. This baby cradles the body and provides ample support as you recline in plush comfort.

The back and seat are segmented with ultra-plush cushioning to give unparalleled comfort. This comfy office chair swivels 360°, and the seat and back tilt easily. We love the padded arms to support the upper body and the stable locking recline feature when you get into that perfect position/posture.

The OFM Essentials Big and Tall is great for the larger gentleman with a 400 lb. weight limit. The metal base is five-star with ultra-robust casters. Assembly of the chair is very straightforward and should take no more than 30 minutes.

The “Harley-Davidson of office chairs” comes with an Essentials by OFM 3-year limited warranty.

9th Place – HON Volt Ergonomic Task Stool

Volt seating by HON offers high levels of comfort and cutting-edge design at incredibly affordable prices.

Sale

HON, Black Volt Leather Office Chair Sit-To-Stand Seating, Foot Ring, 250lb Max Weight With Wheels for Computer/Desk, Task Stool

COMFORT, STYLE AND VALUE: This task stool features smooth and pliable SofThread leather seats with…
SIT TO STAND: Avoid the hassle of raising and lowering your sit to stand desk–instead sit…
ERGONOMIC ADJUSTMENTS: Let this comfortable office chair take care of your body while you work with…

With a Volt Ergonomic Chair, you will find a wide range of adjustments for custom comfort and a complete set of “task-seating” that allows you to accomplish more with less “wear & tear” on your delicate back.

The finish on Volt’s seating is Second To None. The soft leather seats are tailor-stitched and look better than many office chairs costing double the price. You won’t need a sit-to-stand desk as you can sit comfortably at any height using the chair’s adjustable footrest and extended height adjustment.

Hon is an expert at making ergonomically designed office furniture that can be trusted to care for your posture and health. This great chair also features a generously proportioned seating area, contoured back cushions, and variable pneumatic height adjustment.

HON uses the highest quality materials to keep your task stool rolling around for years. Rest assured, they come with a HON three-year warranty in case of any mishaps.

The HON Volt offers upscale style and plush comfort for a surprisingly reasonable price. This excellent task chair is also perfect with standing desks and looks cool without breaking the bank.

10th Place – SPACE Seating Professional AirGrid Chair

If you are looking for a designed ergonomic office chair, the SPACE Seating Professional AirGrid chair could be a Simple Choice.

SPACE Seating Professional AirGrid Dark Back and Padded Black Eco Leather Seat, 2-to-1 Synchro Tilt Control, Adjustable Arms and Tilt Tension with Nylon Base Managers Chair

Eco Leather seat with mesh siding for breathability and comfort
One touch Pneumatic Seat Height Adjustment
2-to-1 Synchro Tilt Control with Adjustable Tilt Tension,Dimensions:25.2 D x 26.5 W x 42 H inches

The simple but functional design has many ergonomic features. These include adjustable and angled armrests, pneumatic seat height adjustment, and 2-to-1 synchro-tilt. The chair also promotes good indoor air quality as it is Greenguard-certified for low chemical emissions.

The SPACE Seating Professional AirGrid has a minimum seating height of 19 inches and a maximum of 25 inches. It is suitable for those under 250 pounds. We like the option to remove the arms from the chair if you don’t have too much space. The heavy-duty oversized wheels are smooth, allowing you to easily roll around between multiple workstations.

A warranty is provided by SPACE Seating which covers fabric for one year and manufacturing defects for five years.

Overall, the office chair is very durable compared to its higher-priced competitors. With that in mind, this could be a perfect chair for your ergonomic life.

If you enjoyed this article, you might also like to see these top mattresses for back and neck pain.