Sure, some jobs are a dream and some are soul crushing. Some provide prestige while others merely a wage. But the great equaliser? The fact that most positions require employees to spend the majority of their day sitting down. And if you’re on your butt for hours on end, you definitely want a well crafted chair at your disposal.
That’s right, don’t underestimate the importance of a good desk chair.
Why should you upgrade your desk chair?
Many people are content with any old chair that's sitting around the house, but a comfortable office chair can lead to more productivity, better focus, and better overall health. It’s scientifically proven that sedentary sitting time can be detrimental to health, and a bad chair exacerbates these issues. It's clear that a comfortable chair is the first step to a healthy work-life balance.
Those with a full-time desk job spend more than 1,700 hours a year sitting in their office chair. That’s assuming you stick to 35 hours a week, never work late, never eat lunch at your desk, take leave, and never work a weekend. So in reality, that number can be much higher for many. It’s important that those hours are made as comfortable as possible with a chair that helps to relieve stress on the body.
What is ergonomics?
Ergonomics is the science of making a tool or device adjustable to the individual. An ergonomic office chair will have features such as adjustable seat height and depth, adjustable armrests, back angle adjustment, and lumbar support, as well as other adjustable characteristics.
The purpose of these adjustable features is to support the spine, as well as to encourage posture changes throughout the day, rather than to help the sitter find the perfect position and to leave the chair that way forever. Changing positions from time to time helps to increase blood flow and alertness and to decrease stress to the spine, hips, and other parts of the body.
What should you consider before buying a desk chair?
Before making this very important purchase, make sure you take these factors into consideration:
Lumbar Support: If a chair doesn’t provide adequate lower back support, you don’t want it. After all, sitting for extended periods can put strain on your back and cause you to slouch. We recommend looking for a chair that has adjustable lumbar support (for both height and depth). That way you can guarantee you’re not putting any undue stress on your body.
Adjustability: If you want to maximise your comfort, it’s imperative to find a chair that’s adjustable. Most basic options allow you to alter both the arms and height. And some fancier chairs have up to 14 different adjustments including back angle, seat width and tension control. Regardless of the number, make sure the controls are simple to use.
Fabric: You should choose a chair with a fabric that’s aesthetically pleasing to you. But you also want one made from/with a breathable material. Some fabrics tend to get hot after you’ve been sitting on them for a while. General comfort is certainly important as well; you don’t want a fabric that’s itchy or scratchy (unless that’s your thing). And be sure that it provides enough cushioning so that you can’t feel the base of the chair (again, unless that’s your thing).
Armrests: You might view armrests as pedestrian and banal. They may clash with your ultra-modern aesthetic. Nevertheless, armrests help eliminate strain in your neck and shoulders. As their very name implies, they let your arms rest comfortably. Bonus points — they also help prevent slouching.
Seat Depth/Width: The depth and width of your seat is critical to comfort level. If you’re tall, you’ll want a chair that’s deeper. A shallower seat is better if you’re on the short side. Ultimately, if you’re sitting all the way back, you should have roughly 2-4 inches between the seat and the back of your knees. At least in an ideal world.
Swivel Base: For many people, a strong swivel base is a must-have for any chair. This allows you to easily access any part of your desk, cutting down on the possibility of arm fatigue. Plus, as we all know, spinning around incessantly is great for brainstorming.
Wheels: If there’s one thing we always say, it’s that not all wheels are made equal. You must account for the type of flooring in your home office. For a hard surface, it’s best to choose a chair with soft rubber wheels. If your place is carpeted, you’ll want hard wheels. This will make it easier to move around your desk and office overall.
Now that you know what to consider, we've lined up some of your best options
What is the best desk chair for your home office?
We've checked out all the best desk chairs available right now, and tried to line up your best options. There should be something for everyone and every budget in this list. We recommend considering everything carefully, and weighing up each chair against your preference. Then you should be able to pick a favourite.
These are the best desk chairs in 2021.
