Best Office Chairs in 2023: The Ultimate Guide

Whether you work from home or at the office, chances are you spend about a third of your day in an office chair.

So it makes sense to try and make those eight or nine hours a little more comfortable.

You can get up every now and then for a quick stretch, but to avoid soreness and muscle tightness, you need a comfy office chair.

The best office chairs can provide lumbar support and proper cushioning. They can make those endless work hours go by comfortably.

Buying an office chair is an investment in your comfort level, health, and happiness.

Let’s look at some of the best office chairs in 2023 and how you can pick the right one for you.

The Best Office Chairs in 2023

Choosing the right office chair can feel a bit overwhelming.

Luckily, we’ve gone through them with a fine-tooth comb and unearthed the best office chairs on the market.

Are you sitting down? Good. Now let’s take a look at the most comfortable chairs you can find on the market.

Branch Ergonomic Chair – The Best Overall

The Branch Ergonomic Chair is our pick for the overall best office chair.

It offers just the right mix of quality, impressive features, and affordability. (You’d normally expect an office chair like this to be in a much higher price category.)

The Branch Ergonomic Chair features an elegant, classy look that comes with sporty, adjustable comfort features.

Like most chairs, you can control the seat height. However, the chair also lets you control the tilt tension all the way up to 20 degrees.

The Branch Ergonomic Chair also comes with a linked backrest and seat pan, which means that when you tilt, they move together. You usually find such a feature only in premium and high-end chairs. Once you find the comfiest tilt for you, it lets you lock it in with just one action.

Armrests, lumbar support, and seat pan depth are some of the other adjustable features the Branch Ergonomic Chair has to offer.

The backrest is made from a breathable mesh material that prevents heat retention and promotes airflow for a cooling effect.

The seat pan is made from a high-density foam cushion, making it perfect for people who have to work long hours without getting up.

The Branch Ergonomic Chair shows off its sturdiness with a five-star anodized aluminum base and a strong durable frame. Because of this, it can support up to 275 lbs. of weight.

It comes with three seat color options and two frame color options to choose from.

Being one of the strongest names in the office chair industry, Branch boasts a very reliable customer service team. However, with premium quality like this chair, chances are you won’t need it.

Pros

• Premium quality
• Affordable price
• Comfy, high-density foam cushion
• Adjustable armrests, lumbar support, and seat pan depth
• Five-star anodized aluminum base
• Meets the BIFMA standard for commercial-grade use 

Cons

• Headrest sold separately

Bottom Line

The Branch Ergonomic Chair hits it out of the park in terms of quality versus affordability.

You get premium features, great comfort level, and adjustability without having to spend as much as you normally would on a similar model.

Branch Verve Chair – The Best for Petite Users

The Branch Verve Chair is the best chair pick for petite individuals.

It combines comfort and luxury all into one. It looks professional enough to be placed in any work setting, but it’s also comfortable enough for those working from home.

In terms of adjustability, the Branch Verve Chair gives you almost complete control of your sitting position.

You can adjust the seat height anywhere between 16.5 and 20.5 inches. This is usually suitable for people up to 6ft. 5in.

You can also control the seat tilt tension and depth using the levers on both sides of the chair.

The Branch Verve Chair comes with a unique lumbar support system. It allows your spine to naturally assume its normal curvature and alignment.

Unlike most office chairs, it doesn’t push against your lower back to provide lumbar support. You can manually adjust the lumbar support by pushing up or down, using the arms.

The Branch Verve Chair also sports a soft knit back and a padded lumbar rest for the ultimate level of coziness.

It’s also quite affordable compared to other chairs with similar features and quality and comes with a 7-year warranty.

The chair also comes in three different colors.

Pros

• Ergonomic design
• Comfortable and adjustable
• Reliable lumbar padding
• 7-year warranty

Cons

• Not suitable for taller individuals over 6ft. 5in.

Bottom Line

The Branch Verve Chair is beautifully designed, combining comfort, adjustability, and lumbar support.

It’s great for shorter people looking for versatility and quality at an affordable price.

Herman Miller Sayl Gaming Chair – The Best for Gamers

Looking for the ultimate gaming chair that lets you get work done in the morning and kick back and play games at night?

The Herman Miller Sayl Gaming Chair has it all. This gaming chair packs luxury, comfort, and impressive quality, all in one sturdy frame.

At first, you’ll probably think the Sayl Gaming Chair isn’t a gaming chair because it doesn’t have the traditional racing seat. However, once you give it a go and check out all of its features, you’ll realize it’s a gamer’s throne.

The Sayl Gaming Chair comes with 4D armrests, customizable seat depth, and lumbar support.

It gives you full control of seat height, tilt, and leaning angle. You can even adjust its sensitivity to leaning pressure.

It might not have adjustable lumbar support, but it’s still incredibly ergonomic and the elastomer back is designed with comfort in mind.

You can also customize the seat for the utmost level of comfort.

Customizable Herman Miller lumbar pads can help with lower back pain. You can opt for the added padding when purchasing the chair, but it’ll cost a bit more.

Herman Miller lets you choose from several different colors and a number of upholstery options for the seat.

There are two options when it comes to the caster wheels: one for carpets and another for hard floors.

In terms of durability, the Sayl Gaming Chair is made from some of the best materials you can find at this price point. It’s truly a quality office chair.

To prove just how durable it is, this Herman Miller chair comes with a 12-year warranty. That’s well beyond the average warranty of office chairs.

Pros

• Durable and made with the best materials
• Great for work and gaming
• 12-year warranty
• Lots of colors and upholstery options to choose from

Cons

• Some adjustable features come with an added cost

Bottom Line

If you’re a gamer who wants to work in the morning and then kick back with your controller at night, the Herman Miller Sayl Gaming Chair is a great option for you.

It provides the perfect combination of durability, quality, and comfort every gamer deserves to get the win.

Steelcase Leap – The Best for Back Pain

If you’re someone who suffers from back pain or discomfort regularly, then you should consider Steelcase Leap.

It’s designed to provide the utmost comfort for your spine, lower back, and posture.

Normally, a comfortable office chair would allow you to adjust it according to your preference. The Steelcase Leap, however, adjusts itself according to your body.

As you move in the chair, the lumbar support shifts, the back bends, and every last bit of the chair tilts to match your body. You can control this self-adjusting feature using three controls.

So if you’re suffering from chronic lower back pain or joint pain, it can help relieve some of the pain caused by sitting for hours.

With its comfortable seat and cushioned backrest, you can get more work done without having to get up every now and then from the pain.

The Steelcase Leap also comes with four recline angle stop settings and an upright back lock. You can adjust the seat depth and recline angle to your comfort.

Speaking from a price point, it’s definitely not a cheap office chair. However, if you’re willing to pay a bit extra, it can do wonders for your back problems.

Pros

• Has great lumbar support
• Incorporates LiveBack Technology which conforms to your body shape
• The adjustments are labeled in English and Braille
• Ergonomic seat

Cons

• A bit expensive compared to other office chairs

Bottom Line

If you suffer from chronic back problems and is willing to splurge a bit, the Steelcase Leap is a great option to consider.

Autonomous ErgoChair Core – The Best Budget Chair

Who says budget chairs have to have poor quality?

If you’re looking for a solid chair that doesn’t cost too much and gives you elite-quality features, the Autonomous ErgoChair is a great option.

The ErgoChair gives you control over lumber support, height, seat pan, and armrest adjustments.

The mesh back distributes weight evenly and is very breathable which minimizes heat retention.

The seat cushion is made from high-quality polyester packed with thick foam, making it much more comfortable than your typical office chair.

When working for eight hours or more, you tend to alternate between leaning forward and backward to try and get comfortable. The ErgoChair allows you to switch between upright and 18-degree recline settings in a single action.

As you spend more time sitting in this chair, you’ll come to appreciate things like adjustable armrests, seat depth adjustment, and mesh back breathability.

You can choose from two color options, and there are several optional add-ons like a headrest and footrest.

Pros

• Affordable with elite-quality features
• Offers great adjustability features
• Mesh back for breathability

Cons

• The warranty only lasts one year, which is below average

Bottom Line

The ErgoChair is an adjustable chair that offers amazing quality with your comfort in mind.

It provides all the essential features you want at an affordable price, making it a great addition to your home office or workplace.

Herman Miller Aeron Chair – The Extravagant-But-Worthy Option

The Herman Miller Aeron Chair is probably the most expensive chair on this list, but it’s worth every penny if you can afford it.

The Aeron Chair allows you to adjust pretty much everything, from lumbar support to the tension of eight different zones of fabric!

You can work in two different positions: reclined and leaning forward.

It has adjustable arms and tilt features for a tailored sitting position.

It’s an extremely breathable chair thanks to its unique mesh back construction.

The seat of the Aeron Chair isn’t just padded, it’s designed to conform to the shape of your bottom.

Couple that with the adjustable arms and you’ll feel like you’re in a hammock. No wonder the Aeron Chair has been a benchmark for ergonomic seating for years.

It also boasts a unique elastomeric suspension, with eight different support zones that prevent your body’s pressure points from being triggered. This feature helps promote proper circulation and blood flow.

You can choose from four different color options: onyx, mineral, carbon, and graphite.

Herman Miller offers three different sizes for the Aeron Chair: small, medium, and large.

Unlike most desk chairs, the Herman Miller Aeron Chair comes fully assembled. You just take it out of the box, sit comfortably, and start tackling the tasks on your computer screen.

Pros

• Excellent quality
• Uniquely designed for comfort and proper blood circulation
• Highly adjustable
• Tons of customizable options upon purchase

Cons

• One of the most expensive models on this list
• Doesn’t come with a headrest

Bottom Line

The Herman Miller Aeron Chair might be more expensive than basic office chairs, but it’s definitely worth the splurge.

It provides comfort, adjustability, and insane quality which justifies the high price point.

Factors to Consider Before Buying an Office Chair

Choosing the perfect office chair is both a science and an art.

Instead of going out and buying the first chair you see, keep a few factors in mind to help you make an informed decision.

Here’s how to pick your next office chair:

1. Adjustability

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to office chairs.

People have different heights, body weights, and body shapes, so you can’t expect a chair’s default settings to accommodate everyone comfortably.

Adjustability is key.

You want to choose an office chair that offers some degree of adjustability for things like seat height, angle, and depth.

Ideally, you want to be able to control the height, width, and angle of the armrest and backrest, as well. This is especially important for taller folks.

Of course, the more adjustable the office chair is, the more expensive it tends to be.

If you want your chair to fit like a glove, opt for a more expensive model that gives you as many adjustable features as possible.

Budget office chairs usually don’t allow you to adjust anything other than height. This is okay if your main concern is affordability, but if you want added comfort, aim for premium chairs.

Some of the best office chairs give you full control over tilt distance and the force needed to lean back in the chair.

The world of customization and adjustability is endless, choose what makes you feel most comfortable.

2. Lumbar Support

Office chairs with adjustable lumbar support are one of the things standing between you and chronic back pain.

Our spines have a naturally curved alignment that is best for our health and overall posture.

When we sit for long periods of time, we tend to slouch, sit too upright, or lean forward, messing up this natural alignment. This can lead to back pain, soreness, and muscle tightness.

That’s why lumbar support is so important. It helps promote the natural curves in our spine, ensuring that we’re comfortable without negatively affecting our posture.

The best ergonomic chairs are designed with this in mind.

They have dynamic lumbar support and soft cushioning to support your lower back and relieve the tension and pressure on your vertebrae.

3. Material

This one is kind of tricky. There are so many different materials to choose from, but it really comes down to your personal preference, comfort, and budget.

The most popular materials include leather, vinyl, synthetic leather, and mesh.

Leather

Leather has always been the high-end option for office chair materials.

It has a certain look and feel that just exudes elegance.

Naturally, leather office chairs are a bit more expensive.

Good news, though: premium leather lasts for a long time so you’ll get your money’s worth.

The one downside to leather is that it’s usually not the most ergonomic chair for long work hours.

Synthetic Leather

Synthetic leather looks almost exactly like natural leather, but it’s manufactured, hence the name “synthetic.”

It’s designed to be more hypoallergenic and breathable than its traditional counterpart.

If expensive chairs are out of your budget but you still want that premium-leather look, you can try synthetic leather chairs.

Of course, being less expensive, they tend to have a shorter lifespan.

Vinyl

Most cheap office chairs are made from vinyl.

They offer relatively good quality, are easy to clean, and don’t cost a fortune.

Vinyl chairs are especially common in factories, hospitals, and clinics because these settings have a high chance of the chairs getting dirty.

With vinyl, you can easily remove any dirt or grime.

Mesh

As more and more people realized the importance of an ergonomic office chair, mesh gained popularity.

Mesh office chairs are known for providing an excellent degree of lumbar and back support.

Chairs with a mesh back or mesh seat are very breathable, preventing heat retention and odor buildup.

Much like vinyl chairs, they’re quite easy to clean.

So if you want comfort and practicality, opt for a mesh chair.

4. Size and Weight Capacity

When choosing a new office chair, take note of how much office room you can spare. You don’t want to end up with a large office chair and nowhere to put it.

You also want to make sure it’s the right size for you and that the seat is comfortable.

Some models have wider seats that give you more room to move, which is great for people who hate sitting still all day.

Taller and heavier individuals might want to opt for ample office chairs, while smaller folks might prefer petite chair models.

If you’re somewhere in the middle, the standard size should suit you.

If you’re unsure about size, one way you can figure it out is by checking the weight capacity.

Generally speaking, office chairs have an average weight limit of 300 lbs.

If you’re a bit heavier than that, you should opt for a more sturdy chair.

A chair’s weight capacity is a great indicator of its relative durability and sturdiness.

5. Budget

This one’s a no-brainer. Everyone has a budget. The trick is to find the best office chair within yours.

Office chairs can cost anywhere from $100 to a couple of thousand.

Note the features that matter the most to you, and they’ll help you make a smart, economic choice.

Leather chairs tend to be more expensive, while vinyl is relatively cheap.

The more adjustability the chair offers, the more it’ll probably cost.

Most chairs have the standard seat height adjustment feature, but if you want to play around with seat depth, armrests, and seat position, be prepared to pay more.

6. Warranty

Most budget office chairs come with a relatively small warranty; a year or two tops.

The more expensive and sophisticated the chair, the longer its warranty is.

The best chairs on the market can come with a 12-year warranty.

In addition, the type of warranty included is important.

Some warranties are limited, covering only basic things like product defects.

More expensive models can have warranties that even cover wear and tear with everyday use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Picking the perfect office chair takes some thought, but if you’re going to be sitting for hours on end, it’s worth doing your due diligence.

The best office chairs provide comfort, adjustability, and quality at an affordable price.

Of course, design, material, and personal preference all matter just as much.

We recommend that you consider the Branch Ergonomic Chair as it has all the important features you want in an office chair.

But if a budget office chair is what you’re looking for, then the Autonomous ErgoChair Core may suit your needs.

Of course, if you have the money to splurge, investing in a high-quality Herman Miller Aeron Chair might be worth the spend.

Keep our tips in mind when choosing the best office chair, whether for your home office or workplace.