Material - From fabric to mesh to leather, the right material can make all the difference.
Headrest - If you want a headrest, this is something you should be looking for as some chairs don’t come with this option.
Warranty - With an inexpensive starter chair, the warranty isn’t as important but with a premium office chair, you should look for one with a long warranty.
I’ve been using one of the best office chairs for years now and it’s made a huge difference in my work life. During the day, I often sit for long periods of time and a good office chair makes it so much more comfortable plus, my back and shoulders have all the extra support they need.
Based on my extensive testing, the best office chair overall is the Branch Verve Chair. I really like how its 3D knit backrest helps it stand out (in a good way) but it also allows for better airflow. The Branch Verve Chair also has an adjustable lumbar rest, a contoured seat and backrest and its casters are perfect for my hardwood floors. If you’re on a tight budget though, I strongly recommend the Flash Furniture Mid-Back Office Chair which is frequently on sale for just over $100.
Below, I’ve put together several recommendations for all types of use cases, including my favorite ergonomic option, the best office chair for back pain, my top pick for gaming and more. These are the best office chairs you can buy right now that I personally recommend.
Recent updates
We've added our reviews of the FlexiSpot C5 and the Autonomous Ergo Chair Pro to the guide along with sub ratings in the quick list to make finding the right chair for you even easier.
The quick list
Value: ★★★★☆
Comfort: ★★★★★
Customization: ★★★☆☆
The Branch Verve Chair is as comfortable to sit in as it is beautiful to look out. The 3D-knit mesh back not only keeps you cool but it also wraps around you while you're sitting in the chair. In addition to this gorgeous coral color, the Verve chair is also available in black, white, light green and light blue.
Value: ★★★★★
Comfort: ★★☆☆☆
Customization: ★★★☆☆
The Flash Furniture Mid-Back Office Chair shows you can still get a chair with a unique design without spending a lot. This budget office chair has a mesh back and is available in yellow, red, orange, black, white and gray. It lacks the adjustability of other chairs but still looks great.
Value: ★★★★☆
Comfort: ★★★★☆
Customization: ★☆☆☆☆
The Autonomous Ergo Chair Pro is an ergonomic office chair that's quite comfortable without breaking the bank. It features a mesh backrest and headrest with a fabric seat cushion. The Ergo Chair Pro also has a flexible lumbar cushion and is quite adjustable overall. This office chair is available in several different colorways but there isn't much besides this to customize at checkout.
Value: ★★☆☆☆
Comfort: ★★★★☆
Customization: ★★★★★
The Herman Miller Aeron is the best office chair if you can afford it. It's extremely comfortable with an iconic design. The Aeron is made entirely of mesh to keep you cool and you can adjust just about everything about it.
Value: ★★★☆☆
Comfort: ★★★★☆
Customization: ★★★★☆
The Haworth Fern is an extremely comfortable office chair with a unique design. The chair's 3-part system provides plenty of support for your back but you can also outfit it with an optional lumbar support. From mesh to digital knit to leather, there are plenty of variations and color options to choose from.
Value: ★★★☆☆
Comfort: ★★★★★
Customization: ★★★★☆
The Steelcase Karman is an extremely comfortable and light office chair. It uses a proprietary textile called Intermix instead of mesh that can respond to your body's movements. The Steelcase Karman is also available in a wide variety of color combinations.
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Value: ★★★☆☆
Comfort: ★★★★☆
Customization: ★★☆☆☆
The SIHOO Doro S300 sports a futuristic look and a dual dynamic lumbar support which is also adjustable. Its mesh is made from a combination of Italian velvet and DuPont TPEE and has great elasticity. The Doro S300 is available in either white or black.
Value: ★★★☆☆
Comfort: ★★★★★
Customization: ★☆☆☆☆
The Razer Fujin Pro is a gaming chair that doubles as an office chair thanks to its sleek, all-black design. This premium chair has a mesh backrest and seat pan as well as an aluminum alloy frame. It's only available in black but offers plenty of adjustment options. If it's too expensive for your budget, you can always pick up the standard Razer Fujin instead.
Value: ★★★★☆
Comfort: ★★★☆☆
Customization: ★☆☆☆☆
The FlexiSpot C5 is a budget-friendly ergonomic office chair with a mesh backrest and a foam seat cushion. It's available in either black or gray and comes with a built-in headrest. The FlexiSpot C5 also features an adjustable lumbar rest that you can position to your liking using a knob on the back of the chair.
Value: ★★★☆☆
Comfort: ★★★★☆
Customization: ★★★★★
The X-Chair X2 K-Sport Management Chair is a full mesh office chair that comes at a premium price. Its a durable and well designed chair with a lumbar support that reacts to your movement. There are also some great optional accessories like a heat and massage unit.
Value: ★★★☆☆
Comfort: ★★★★☆
Customization: ★☆☆☆☆
The OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753 is a premium mesh office chair with a unique design and plenty of features. It's only available in black but it does come with a built-in headrest. The back bar at the top of the lumbar rest makes the chair easy to move and it's also perfect for hanging up your jacket.
Anthony Spadafora has been working from home exclusively for the past six years (two full-time with Tom's Guide) and during that time, he's tested work from home accessories, standing desks and of course, office chairs. In fact, he has reviewed more than a dozen office chairs from full mesh chairs to task chairs to ergonomic chairs. Anthony can tell you how comfortable a particular chair is to sit in for long hours at a time as well as what goes into putting it together.
The best office chairs you can buy today
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The best office chair overall
As the follow-up to the Branch Ergonomic Chair, the Branch Verve Chair immediately sets itself apart from the competition thanks to its unique design which won this chair an iF Design Award. Instead of a mesh back, it has a 3D-knit backrest that's extremely comfortable while also being breathable. Besides the Coral color seen here, the Branch Verve Chair is available in black and white as well as light green and light blue.
Besides being pleasing to look at when pushed in at my desk, the chair's V-shaped suspended back also houses its adjustable lumbar rest. Likewise, its inward curving arms help the Branch Verve Chair stand out (in a good way) and I love how the base of the chair is the same color as its seat and backrest.
I found the Branch Verve Chair to be quite comfortable during testing and was impressed by how my body sunk into the chair. At the same time, its nylon casters also made a big difference and were much smoother when rolling around on my hardwood floors. The Branch Verve Chair features six points of adjustment and it felt really good leaning back in the chair while taking short breaks throughout my workday.
Read our full Branch Verve Chair review.
The best budget office chair
Unlike other budget office chairs that only come in black, what immediately stuck out to me about the Flash Furniture Mid-Back office chair is the wealth of different color options. This is almost unheard of for a chair that costs $200 but frequently goes on sale for just over $100. In addition to the blue and white version we reviewed, you can also get the Flash Furniture Mid-Back office chair in white, red, orange and even neon yellow if that’s your thing.
While you can’t customize all of the various aspects of this chair like you could with more expensive ones, it does come in several variations. YOu can opt for a mid-back, high back and even a drafting chair version depending on your needs.
Like with most budget office chairs, the Flash Furniture Mid-Back isn’t very adjustable. You can raise and lower its seat and adjust the tilt tension but that’s about it. Still, we found it to be pretty comfortable to sit in for long periods of time. Another nice touch is that its arms fold up, so that it can be easily tucked away underneath a desk. If you’re looking for a cheap office chair with a bit more flair, this is definitely one worth considering.
Read our full Flash Furniture Mid-Back office chair review.
The best mid-range office chair
The Autonomous ErgoChair Pro should definitely be added to your shortlist if you need a highly-adjustable mid-range office chair with the benefits of a mesh design. The headrest and back cushion of this chair are both made from extremely comfortable mesh, and there’s plenty of adjustment, including 5-stage lockable recline, adjustable lumbar support and a movable headrest.
This chair isn’t perfect. While the back and headrest are supremely comfortable, the seat cushion features traditional foam padding, which isn’t as comfy as mesh. If you struggle with lower back pain, you may want to consider a full mesh design instead. Similarly, the armrests are quite firm, so you may need to invest in some elbow cushions or look for a different chair, if that’ll be a problem.
We also had a couple of QC issues in testing, too: namely an internal nut that came free from its housing which stopped us tightening a bolt, and a loose lumbar cushion that kept falling out of its set position in use. Still, for under $500, the Autonomous ErgoChair Pro offers decent value for money.
Read our full Autonomous ErgoChair Pro review.
The best premium office chair
In addition to being one of the most expensive chairs on this list, the Herman Miller Aeron is also the oldest. Though work began on its design during the late 1970s, the Aeron was first released in 1994. It’s still going strong all these years later and today, it’s one of the most iconic Herman Miller chairs alongside the Embody.
So what’s it like sitting in the gold standard of office chairs? Extremely comfortable to say the least. This is because you can adjust almost every aspect of the Aeron. You can raise and lower its seat, change the height and angle of its arms, raise or lower its lumbar support and even enable forward tilt for when you need to focus on a particular task.
The Aeron is available in black, gray or a combination of the two but you may not know that there are actually three different sizes. The chair comes in small, medium and large and there are also three types of arms to choose from at checkout along with the option to outfit it with leather arms if you want an even more premium look.
With an all-mesh design, the Aeron helps keep you cool while working and its ergonomic design helps you maintain good posture. In addition to a lumbar support, there’s also a sacrum support below it and you won’t find this feature in other office chairs. With a starting price of over $1,400 (when on sale), I highly recommend trying one out in person at your local Herman Miller store before investing in an Aeron chair for your home office.
Read our full Herman Miller Aeron chair review.
The best office chair for home office
From the moment I first saw the Haworth Fern, I knew this was an office chair I had to try for myself. This ergonomic chair features a very interesting design that’s actually inspired by a fern leaf. Haworth uses a 3-part system made up of flexible fronds that resemble the leaves of a fern to achieve this chair’s unique look.
Available with a mesh back, a digital knit one or in full leather, there are plenty of different variations on the Haworth Fern to suit your needs. In fact, you can even get an Xbox version if you want a gaming chair that looks like an office chair. I tried the mesh version of the Haworth Fern and its mesh backrest kept me cool while working while its fabric seat cushion provided excellent support for my lower body.
When it comes to adjustability, the Haworth Fern features eight adjustment points. I really like the crank on the side that lets you adjust the chair’s tilt tension. However, you can also outfit this chair with forward tilt which lets you lean forward by five degrees for when you want to focus on a particular task. The Haworth Fern is a premium office chair that starts at over $1,000 but it is backed by a 12-year warranty. It’s a great upgrade from a budget or mid-range chair but not an ideal starter chair given its higher price.
Read our full Haworth Fern review
The best office chair for ergonomics
The Steelcase Karman goes beyond a traditional mesh chair thanks to the company's proprietary Intermix textile. This office chair is available in a number of different colors and even color combinations since it's created using a weaving process where yarns and other filaments are injected into the weave.
The Steelcase Karman is also exceptionally light at just 29 pounds and unlike every office chair I have reviewed so far, it comes fully assembled. Under the chair's seat, there's a weight-activated mechanism that when combined with Intermix, literally wrapped around my body and supported me, regardless of which angle I was sitting at.
The Steelcase Karman may lack a dedicated lumbar support but in my own testing, I found I didn't need one due to how the chair responded to my body's movements throughout the day. This level of comfort and engineering doesn't come cheap though but Steelcase does back up the Karman with a 12-year warranty.
Read our full Steelcase Karman review.
The best office chair for back pain
The SIHOO Doro S300 offers some big improvements over the SIHOO Doro C300 which we also reviewed. These include its dual dynamic lumbar support, its anti-gravity mechanism and its mesh which is made from a woven combination of Italian velvet and DuPont TPEE.
This premium-looking office chair is available in either white or black but there aren't any other add-ons or upgrades you need to worry about. It is more expensive than the C300 at $799 but if you're on a tighter budget, there's also the SIHOO Doro S100 to consider which features a very similar design albeit with less premium materials.
During our testing, we were very impressed with its futuristic design, how its mesh kept us cool while working and the way in which the dual dynamic lumbar support cradled our back. The armrests do leave a bit to be desired though and we found they moved a bit too easily for our liking. Also, the Doro S300's recline is limited to three positions. Still though, this office chair will be a huge help for those with back problems and it offers plenty of adjustability.
Read our full SIHOO Doro S300 review.
The office chair for gaming
The Razer Fujin Pro is as much an office chair as it is one of the best gaming chairs. Unlike other gaming chairs with flashy designs, Razer went with a sleek, all-black look for its latest chair. The Fujin Pro also features a mesh backrest and seat pan to keep you cool while working or gaming along with a sturdy, aluminum alloy frame.
If the Razer Fujin Pro is a bit out of your price range at $1049, you can get the standard Razer Fujin for $649, though it lacks the aluminum alloy frame and mesh headrest available with the pro model. Another thing I really like about this office chair is that there aren't any add-ons or extra costs to consider at checkout.
In our testing, we found the Razer Fujin Pro to be very easy to assemble and to adjust. The adjustable lumbar support dwarfs those you'd find on other gaming chairs and the padding on its armrests is extremely comfortable too. The seat pan can be moved forward or backward as well for taller people.
The Razer Fujin Pro does double duty as a gaming and office chair and unlike other gaming chairs, you won't be embarrassed to be seen sitting in this one during video calls or even at the office.
Read our full Razer Fujin Pro review.
The best budget office chair for ergonomics
The FlexiSpot C5 is a step up from the Flash Furniture Mid-Back Office Chair when it comes to comfort and especially ergonomics on a budget. This office chair is available in either black or gray but regardless of which option you pick, you don't have to pay extra for a headrest.
A combination of mesh and foam, the FlexiSpot C5 provides you with breathability in its backrest and headrest along with a bit more comfort in its seat cushion. This chair supports a max weight of 300 pounds and while the recommended height is from 5.3" to 6.5", our 6.3" reviewer found it to be a bit too short for his liking. Regardless, he did find it comfortable to sit in for long stretches and was impressed with its cushy armrests which have a bit of a concave dip down the center.
As for adjustability, the FlexiSpot C5 comes with a 2D lumbar support that you can tailor to your liking using a knob on the back of the chair. Likewise, you can also raise and lower the armrests and the chair can recline up to 115 degrees when you want to relax. The FlexiSpot C5 is a good choice if you're looking for a budget-friendly chair that's also comfortable and better for your posture.
Read our full FlexiSpot C5 review.
The best office chair for long hours
The X-Chair X2 is a premium all-mesh office chair with built-in lumbar support and plenty of adjustability. It’s a more affordable option than the Herman Miller Aeron and X-Chair does offer a headrest with this chair but you will have to buy it separately.
When configuring your X-Chair X2, you have a number of choices to make besides whether or not you want to opt for a headrest. The chair is available in four different colorways (black, gray, white and red) and you can also pick between two types of armrests, a standard or extended seat pan, locking or non-locking wheels and they are also available in a number of different colors. The icing on the cake though is X-Chair’s ELEMAX cooling, heat and massage unit which slots into the X2’s Dynamic Variable Lumbar (DVL) support. Normally $150 on its own, the company often includes it as a freebie during sales events.
I reviewed the X-Chair X2 a few years ago and it was so comfortable that I held onto it longer than most of the other office chairs I’ve tested. I like how you don’t have to manually adjust its lumbar support and if you opt for the locking casters, you get rollerblade style wheels instead of the standard ones you find on most other office chairs. If the Aeron is out of your price range or you want an all-mesh, ergonomic office chair with a headrest, the X-Chair X2 certainly fits the bill.
Read our full X-Chair X2 review.
Best office chair for mesh
The OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753 is an ergonomic mesh office chair that stands out thanks to its innovative and one-of-a-kind design. Its butterfly split backrest makes it immediately recognizable while the back bar above it makes it easy to pull out and push into your desk. Plus, you can use the back bar as a coat hanger and the headrest comes standard.
To help you find the right fit for you, the OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753 features eight adjustment points. The backrest has five levels of up and down adjustment while its seat can be moved either forward or backward 2-inches. Likewise, you can raise or lower the chair's height with a simple pinch of the right armrest or lock in its 90-135 degree tilt at any angle by pinching the left armrest. Surprisingly, many of these tweaks are handled by the OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753's bicycle brake line-inspired adjustment system which I've yet to see on any other office chair so far.
At just under $1000, the OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753 is a premium office chair that's more of an investment than a simple upgrade. However, since it's backed by a 15-year warranty, this is an ergonomic mesh office chair that you'll be able to use for years to come.
Read our full OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753 review.
Also tested
We test a lot of different office chairs at Tom's Guide and while many our great in their own right, not all of them end up on our top list. At the same time, a newer model from the same brand might take its predecessor's spot. If none of the picks above have what you're after, you may want to check out these office chairs below.
Office chairs compared
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Material | Seat Width | Weight limit |
| Branch Verve Chair | Fabric | 20 inches | 275 pounds |
| Flash Furniture Mid-Back Office Chair | Fabric, plastic | 20 inches | 265 pounds |
| Autonomous ErgoChair Pro | Fabric, mesh | 20 inches | 300 pounds |
| Herman Miller Aeron | 8Z pellicle elastomeric and aluminum | 16-18.5 inches | 350 pounds |
| Steelcase Karman | Intermix textile | 20 inches | 350 pounds |
| Sihoo Doro S300 | Italian velvet, DuPont TPEE | 20.28 inches | 300 pounds |
| Razer Fujin Pro | Mesh backrest and seat pan | 20.9 inches | 300 pounds |
| FlexiSpot C5 | Mesh, fabric | 20.1 inches | 300 pounds |
| X-Chair X2 K-Sport Management chair | Fabric | 20 inches | 250 pounds |
| Branch Ergonomic Chair | Fabric | 20 inches | 300 pounds |
| OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753 | Fabric | 20 inches | 350 pounds |
How long should you sit?
Even if you have the best office chair in the world, it's unhealthy to remain seated for hours on end. A number of studies have found that sitting for prolonged periods can have negative effects on your body, such as higher rates of heart disease, obesity, and cancer.
To that end, a number of experts recommend you stand up every so often. The Mayo Clinic, for example, suggests that you stand up every 30 minutes, or invest in one of the best standing desks, as well as one of the best under-desk treadmills. Either way, get up and stretch your muscles. One strategy I use myself is to set a timer; some of the best smartwatches, such as the Apple Watch, will automatically remind you to move if you've been sedentary for too long. Also be sure to check out our guide on the best exercises if you sit all day.
How to choose the best office chair for you
When it comes to picking out the best office chair for your needs, there are several factors that come into play which we go into further detail below:
Price
Office chairs range widely in price, from less than $100 up to $2,000. Ultimately, you should purchase an office chair that best fits with your budget. There are two main differences between budget office chairs and more expensive models. The first is materials: Less expensive chairs will often be made with cheaper materials, and may not have as big an emphasis on design. More expensive chairs will be more fashion-forward, and will be made from more premium materials, and may even provide you more options for customization.
The second difference between low- and high-priced office chairs is adjustability. Less expensive chairs can't be adjusted as much as more expensive chairs. For instance, an office chair that costs around $100 may only let you adjust its height. As you go up in price, office chairs will have more things you can adjust, such as their arms, lumbar support, seat position, and more.
However, if you see a chair that you like that's a little out of your price range, it's worth doing some digging to see if you can find a previously owned model for less. A lot of companies were forced to close or downsize their offices over the past few years which has resulted in a lot of office equipment being sold for pennies on the dollar.
Comfort
Comfort is pretty easy to understand: A comfortable chair should offer a seat that is yielding but that also provides some level of firmness. It should also wick moisture so you don't get sweaty on warm days. Seats and backs made of mesh tend to fare the best in this regard.
The seat should be wide enough that people of larger stature can sit comfortably on it and not feel like they are squeezing into a kids' chair.
The armrests should be contoured for the elbow and upper arm to lean comfortably on and be made of fabric or softer material that won't jar the elbow when you bump into it.
Lumbar support
Another critical feature is lumbar support. This piece of an office chair helps you maintain the curve of your lower back, so that you don't strain yourself by sitting for long periods (not that you should). Like other parts of an office chair, this should be adjustable so that you can move it up or down, or increase or decrease the amount it pushes out. I have also seeing some newer chairs like the Sihoo Doro-C300 incorporate lumbar support mechanisms that automatically adjust their lumbar support based on how you're sitting in them.
Material
What an office chair is made of can also have a big impact on your comfort. For the most part, office chairs are covered in some sort of fabric, with padding beneath. However, some have either a mesh back or seat, which can help with airflow, and keep you cooler throughout the day. And, if you want to make a statement, there's nothing like a leather chair.
But the materials go beyond the seat itself; pricier chairs will often use more metal parts in the base and elsewhere, whereas less expensive models will have more plastic parts.
Adjustability
Adjustability is the other major factor. The best office chairs should allow you to tweak pretty much everything, including the following:
- Seat height
- Seat angle
- Seat depth
- Armrest height
- Armrest width
- Armrest angle
- Backrest angle
- Backrest height
That's important because every person is different; getting a chair that allows you to adjust all of these things lets you configure it to your unique body shape. Generally, the more expensive the chair, the more things you'll be able to adjust. Chairs that cost less than $100 will usually only let you change their height.
How we test the best office chairs
✅ 17 years of testing and reviewing products
✅ More than 3,000 hours spent testing office chairs
✅ Over 90,000 products reviewed
In order to test the best office chairs to review them and see how well they stack up against one another, I spend a few weeks sitting in each one. During this time, I see how well each office chair supports my back, shoulders and arms and determine their comfort level. In addition to comfort, I also take a close look at how easy each chair is to adjust and whether or not the changes I make to a chair stay that way.
While I review many of these office chairs on my own from the comfort of my home, I also have family and friends of different weights and heights test them out too. This gives me a better idea of how well each chair will work with different body types and I can gauge someone else’s reaction to sitting in them for the first time. For the chairs that other members of the team at Tom’s Guide review, they do something similar when working remotely but if they’re in the office, other co-workers come and try out each chair.
During our testing process, I also take note of each chair’s design, appearance and how customizable they are. Likewise, I inspect their materials and parts and see how well they hold up over time. Since few people build furniture as often as I do, I take a lot of notes while putting each chair together to see how easy or difficult it might be for someone with less experience to build one. I assemble every office chair on my own but I point out in my reviews where having someone else to help during the assembly process can make it easier or speed things up.
Finally, I take into account the overall cost of a chair, the length and fine details of its warranty and how it compares to competing chairs in the same price range. For more information on our testing process, check out our how we test page for Tom’s guide.
More home office picks
You'll need more than one of the best office chairs to fully outfit your work-from-home space. You'll also want to check out our guide to the best standing desks, as well as the best desk lamps to ensure that you can work comfortably without straining your eyes or your back.
You'll also want to invest in one of the best webcams, best microphones, and best ring lights if you want to look and sound your best on video calls with coworkers.
And, to make sure your computer setup is as productive as possible, we have recommendations for the best Wi-Fi routers, best monitors, best keyboard, and best mouse.
Office chair deals
