Ergonomic Office Chair Buying Guide

With the average office worker spending up to 75% of their workday sitting down, it’s no surprise that ergonomic office chairs are one of the highest priorities for professional workplaces. Most users will sit in them for at least five to six hours during an eight-hour shift. That’s around 1,300 hours per year – more than 50 full days.

That’s why investing in proper ergonomic chairs for you and your team is essential. You’ll provide a healthier and more supportive workspace, and enjoy all the additional benefits that come with it – happier employees, improved concentration and greater productivity.

Knowing which chairs to buy isn’t an easy decision, but we’ve compiled an in-depth Ergonomic Office Chair Buying Guide to give you all the information you need to make the best choice.

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What is an Ergonomic Chair?

An ergonomic chair is a seat with adjustable features designed to support your natural posture. While a standard chair forces your body to adapt to a fixed frame, an ergonomic chair lets you change the seating position to suit your body shape. Also known as an ergo chair, it offers customisable support for the upper and lower body to prevent slouching and increase comfort.

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How to Choose an Office Chair

Before choosing your new office chair, you need to consider your surroundings as well as the type of work you do. Once you understand your exact requirements, you’ll know exactly what to look for. Our ergonomic chair guide provides all the information you need by explaining:

• Chair design – find out which type of chair best suits your requirements
• Chair features – understand the advantages of each adjustable mechanism
• Chair material – choose the type that works best for your office space

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Ergonomic Chair Guide – Which Chair is Best For You?

Buying an ergonomic office chair isn’t as straightforward as simply picking the one you like the look of. There are so many different ergo chairs to choose from, each with their own unique advantages and benefits for different ways of working. Below, we’ve highlighted our most popular ergonomic chair types – and where best to use them.

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Operator Chairs

Best For – Intensive Computer Use

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24 Hour Office Chairs

Best For – Continuous Shift Work

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Mesh Office Chairs

Best For – Hot Offices

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Executive Office Chairs

Best For – Corporate Spaces

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Bariatric Office Chairs

Best For – Larger Users

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No matter which type of ergo chair you’re looking for, there’s one important thing you should always remember. Proper posture. You won’t enjoy the full benefits of an ergonomic office chair if you’re not using it correctly. Check out our advice on How to Set Up an Ergonomic Chair and follow the tips in our posture guide above.

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Ergonomic Office Chairs – Adjustable Features to Look Out For

It’s important to understand the wide variety of adjustable features available to you. Not all ergonomic office chairs are ‘fully loaded’ with everything – identify which features are most important for your requirements, so you know exactly the type of chair to look for.

If you suffer from back pain, you’ll want to prioritise an ergonomic chair with lumbar support and a dynamic synchro-tilt mechanism to keep your spine perfectly aligned when reclining. If you’re a multitasker or your chair is used by multiple team members, you’ll benefit from easy seat, back and armrest adjustments. 

Below, we’ve highlighted the most popular adjustable features to look out for when buying ergonomic chairs. For more in-depth advice, check out our Ergonomic Office Chair Features Explained guide.

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Ergonomic Office Chairs – Which Material is Best?

Fabric, leather or mesh – which is the best ergonomic office chair for you? Each material comes with its own unique benefits and disadvantages. Below, we’ve summarised the key pros and cons to help you make a more informed decision on which one is best suited to your space.

Fabric Ergonomic Chairs

When you want to combine warmth and comfort with colour-coordinated style, fabric ergonomic chairs are your go-to choice. They provide softer padding than many leather or mesh alternatives, retaining heat for a soft and cosy feel in chilly spaces. 

Fabric upholstery is available in a huge range of colours and patterns, allowing you to create an office look to support your brand identity. However, this material does come with its own challenges – it’s prone to stains and can trap dust, dirt or odours if not cleaned regularly.

Pros

• Warmth and insulation – fabric retains body heat for comfort in cool or air-conditioned offices
• Soft to touch – combines with plush padding for cushioned comfort that’s soft to touch
• Colour variety – huge choice of colours, patterns or textures to coordinate with any interior

Cons

• Prone to stains – everyday office spills such as coffee or ink can leave a permanent mark
• Collects dust – fabric traps dirt so may need regular maintenance to avoid triggering allergies
• Traps heat – lack of air circulation can make users feel hot when the temperature rises

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Leather Ergonomic Chairs

If you need to prioritise a professional appearance, leather ergonomic chairs provide the executive style that raises the profile of any corporate workspace.

Projecting an image of authority and prestige, leather is incredibly durable and easy to clean. However it does trap heat and limit airflow – not ideal for hot offices or extended spells of working.

Pros

• Executive style – a look of prestige and authority in manager’s offices or corporate settings
• Easy spot cleaning – accidental coffee or liquid spills can be wiped away with no staining
• Personalised comfort – leather is long-lasting and adapts to the shape of your body over time

Cons

• Heat build-up – traps body heat and can feel hot or sticky when the temperature rises
• Prone to scratches – susceptible to damage by sharp objects such as keys in your pocket
• Fewer colour options – typically limited to classic executive colours like black or brown

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Mesh Ergonomic Chairs

Sometimes, comfort is all about staying cool. If you work in a warm office, the breathability of mesh ergonomic chairs should be your top priority.

Mesh backrests increase airflow to and from the body, stopping you from feeling too hot and sweaty when the temperature soars. However, this ventilation comes at a cost – they lack the padding and insulation of plush fabric alternatives.

Pros

• Breathability – improves airflow to and from the body to keep you cool
• Flexible support – stretches and flexes to match the natural shape of your body
• Minimalist design – suits the contemporary style of modern office spaces

Cons

• Sagging – can sag or lose tension over time if you don’t choose a high-quality mesh
• Lack of cushioning – backrests lack the padding and insulation of other chair types
• Traps dust – tiny holes catch dust, crumbs or hair easily and require regular vacuuming

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Ergonomic Office Chair FAQs

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In Summary

With hundreds of options to choose from, it can feel a bit overwhelming when trying to find the best ergonomic office chairs for your workplace. Before choosing, you should assess exactly what you need from your chair and gain a full understanding of which features matter most.

Our comprehensive Ergonomic Office Chair Buying Guide provides all the information you need to make the right choice. And if you’re still unsure, don’t worry. Our friendly team is always available to help you find the best chairs – contact us for advice and support on anything from space planning to office refits.