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12 best ergonomic office chairs that have your back while you’re working from home

Comfort is key when sitting for long periods of time, and these top-rated chairs offer the support you need

Jon Axworthy
Monday 19 August 2024 07:57 EDT
Ergonomics come down to features such as lumbar support and adjustable seat height
Ergonomics come down to features such as lumbar support and adjustable seat height (The Indepedent)
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As more and more of us work from home, it’s important to have the best ergonomic office chair that will enhance and support good posture. Of course, you want the chair to be comfortable but you also want it to be adaptable to your body type and the many positions you get yourself into while working at your desk.

That’s why good adjustability must be built into the chair itself, so you can dial in the healthiest position possible while you work – encouraging you to have an active posture in your chair and discourage slouching and slumping. That means having a backrest that follows the natural curvature of the spine, while enabling other parts of the chair, from the headrest to the seat pad, to be tweaked accordingly.

Before we took our seats, we assessed how easy each chair was to assemble and set up, while keeping a close eye on build quality and finish. We chose the best ergonomic office chairs based on how they performed and how they looked, as it’s likely they will be on permanent display somewhere in your home.

The best ergonomic office chairs don’t have to cost the earth, either – there are plenty of affordable options out there, so, you should have no problem finding a chair to fit your home office setup.

How we tested

We assembled and tested a wide range of ergonomic office chairs
We assembled and tested a wide range of ergonomic office chairs (The Independent/Jon Axworthy)

As a freelance journalist (with confirmed and long-running back issues), our tester spends far too long, every day, sitting at a desk in front of a laptop, trying to minimise the negative effects (on their back and overall health) of prolonged sitting. To do this, they usually work at a sit-stand desk but, to test the best ergonomic office chairs, they parked their usual “active working” schedule and remained seated while working, to see how each chair mitigated those static postures that are so bad for the body, while still promoting productivity throughout the working day.

The best ergonomic office chairs for 2024 are:

  • Best overall – Boulies nubi lite: £279.99, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best budget buy – Flexispot BS3 ergonomic office chair: £99.99, Flexispot.co.uk
  • Best space-saving design – Hbada office ergonomic office chair: £129.99, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best for spinal support – Herman Miller mirra 2 butterfly ergonomic office chair: £1,034, Hermanmiller.com

Boulies nubi lite

Best eronomic office chair Boulies nubi lite
  • Best: Overall
  • Upholstery: Fabric
  • Recommended height: 175cm
  • Maximum weight: 70kg
  • Seat depth: 44.5cm – 49.5cm
  • Seat height range: 43cm – 53.5cm
  • Hydraulics: Class 4
  • Why we love it
    • Excellent adaptability
    • Comfortable

Very clear instructions meant we had this chair ready to go in no time at all. We loved the clean compact design, with its nicely contoured backrest, which locks in three different stages – meaning we felt supported throughout our working day. The backrest mechanism is weight synchronised, so it moves more than the seat when you lean back, so it really opens up your torso and hips. We were also impressed by the way it tilts you forward by four degrees automatically, considerably reducing any pressure on the lower back.

The seat depth adjustment means you can align your knees properly with the edge of the seat, according to your height, and it was by far the comfiest seat pad we tested, with foam that really takes the pressure off hamstrings and tailbone.

Designed with an emphasis on the lower back and with more distance between the armrests, Boulies is targeting this chair for adults and teenagers, which means it’s a good hybrid chair for studying students as well as professionals working from home.

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Flexispot BS3 ergonomic office chair

Flexispot BS3 ergonomic office chair
  • Best: Budget buy
  • Upholstery: Nylon and mesh
  • Recommended height: Unspecified
  • Maximum weight: 120kg
  • Seat depth: 43cm
  • Seat height range: 45.5cm – 57cm
  • Hydraulics: Unspecified
  • Why we love it
    • Good looks
    • Breathable
    • Good neck support
  • Take note
    • Tricky to assemble

Flexispot seems to get ergonomic chairs just right. The BS3 is very comfortable to sit in, while also being rather nice to look at. The headrest, in particular, conforms well to the natural curve of the neck, so it will be cradled when you sit back in your seat.

There is solid, dynamic back support, as well as a three-position tilt adjustment to 40 degrees, the tension of which can also be changed when needed. Armrest height can also be changed and the seat pad distributes the weight well, so working for a few hours at a time, with standing breaks, won’t result in a dead derriere.

If you’re looking for a place to hang your jacket or work bag, there’s a purpose-built hangar on the back of the chair but it doesn’t interfere with the tilt mechanism.

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Hbada ergonomic office chair

best ergonomic office hair uk
  • Best: Space-saving design
  • Upholstery: Nylon mesh
  • Recommended height: 5ft 5in – 6f t3in
  • Maximum weight: 113kg
  • Seat depth: 48cm fixed
  • Seat height range: 45cm – 54cm
  • Hydraulics: Class 4
  • Why we love it
    • Great for space saving
    • All-day comfort

If space-saving is a priority for your at-home work area, this ergonomic office chair could be a good option, because the armrests flip up at 90 degrees, so, once you’ve finished work, you can lower the chair and tuck it right into the desk.

The mesh back was hammock-like, cradling our back throughout the day, and the seat pad, filled with high-density foam, wasn’t too firm, allowing for all-day comfort. Adjustability comes in the form of a rocking mechanism and height adjustment, so, if you’re after a task chair to use for a few hours a day, the Hbada is an excellent investment.

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Flexispot BS11 pro ergonomic office chair

best ergonomic office chair uk
  • Best: Mesh chair
  • Upholstery: Mesh cloth and PU
  • Recommended height: 5ft 1in – 6ft 3in
  • Maximum weight: 130kg
  • Seat depth: 20.4in
  • Seat height range: 47cm – 54cm
  • Hydraulics: Class 4
  • Why we love it
    • Stylish look
    • Breathable and comfortable
    • Discourages slouching
    • Great for neck support
  • Take note
    • Difficult to assemble

OK, let’s get our take on the assembly of this product out of the way first, because, quite simply, the BS11 pro doesn’t make it easy. This is mainly because the accompanying instructions are a bit too simplistic, so there’s a bit of trial and error involved, which can be frustrating. However, once the job’s done, you will be rewarded with a very eye-catching and well-built chair (available in grey, black and light blue) with quality components and plenty of emphasis on good ergonomics.

There’s a mesh backrest and seat, which makes for a very comfortable sitting experience, and we found the chair to be breathable, which will appeal to many workers, particularly as we head into heatwave season. The BS11 pro also offers excellent customisation throughout, with the seat setting you up in a position that props you up and discourages the slouching effect that can often lead to an aching back at the end of a long day.

What we loved most though was the arch-shaped design of the headrest, which offered excellent relief from ‘tech neck’ and seemed to really help in reducing the pressure from our daily sit.

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Herman Miller sayl ergonomic office chair

best ergonomic office chair uk reviews
  • Best: Statement chair
  • Upholstery: Fabric
  • Recommended height: 5ft 5in – 6ft 3in
  • Maximum weight: 159kg
  • Seat depth: 40.6cm – 45.7cm
  • Seat height range: 41.9cm – 55.9cm
  • Hydraulics: Class 4
  • Why we love it
    • Breathable and comfort
    • Easily adjustable
    • Lots of design choices
  • Take note
    • Marmite look

It’s not often we sit in a chair that’s inspired by the design of the world’s suspension bridges but it’s immediately apparent what the designers were going for – making this a bit of a Marmite chair, we reckon. Personally, we like the statement it makes, and we liked it even more when we sat in it and experienced the elastomer strands that are all tensioned differently, so your spine feels nicely cradled as you shift position, as well as providing responsive comfort and lots of breathability for warm afternoons at work.

Herman Miller has imbued the chair with something called “harmonic tilt” in the chair’s recline facility, which means you can lean back effortlessly without feeling like you’re taking part in a trust fall. There was plenty of easy adjustability throughout the rest of the chair, too, for fine-tuning the optimal sitting position. There’s an open-mouth-shaped, height-adjustable lumbar support, which was one of the best supports we tested across all the chairs, while the seat pad design distributed the weight of the body, taking pressure off the legs.

With three different fabric choices, five different colour choices and fully assembled delivery, this is an investment chair that will repay you in terms of comfort, sitting health and very impressive build quality.

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Herman Miller mirra 2 butterfly ergonomic office chair

best ergonomic office chair uk reviews
  • Best: For spinal support
  • Upholstery: Fabric and polymer
  • Recommended height: 5ft 5in – 6ft 3in
  • Maximum weight: 159kg
  • Seat depth: 41cm
  • Seat height range: 42cm – 56cm
  • Hydraulics: Class 4
  • Why we love it
    • Stylish backrest
    • Very supportive
    • Very comfortable even over prolonged periods
  • Take note
    • Very expensive

Another wonderfully engineered and striking chair, this will really add some style to your office setup, thanks to the butterfly-shaped backrest that is made to move with the worker. Even micromovements, such as leaning to the side or slightly bending forward, are tracked by the backrest, which did a great job of supporting the S-shaped curve all the way down to the lumbar region.

Offering a smooth reclining mechanism and a full range of movement in the armrests, the chair was incredibly comfortable to sit in, even for prolonged periods, responding to even the slightest movement, which the manufacturer calls “personalised ergonomics”. With excellent lumbar support, which can be adjusted according to height, the seat pad distributed weight well and the mesh offered excellent breathability.

Overall, the chair actively seems to promote better posture throughout the working day and makes finding the optimum working position incredibly easy, thanks to the many micro-adjustments available.

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Ikea långfjåll ergonomic office chair

best ergonomic office chair uk reviews
  • Best: Customisable chair
  • Upholstery: Recycled polyester
  • Recommended height: 5ft 5in – 6ft 3in
  • Maximum weight: 110kg
  • Seat depth: 41cm
  • Seat height range: 43cm – 53cm
  • Hydraulics: Class 4
  • Why we love it
    • Fully customisable
    • Easy assembly
    • Lots of colour choices

A well-designed, value, chair that won’t look out of place if you’re working at a kitchen or dining table, the långfjåll is fully customisable so you can add armrests, if required. Very easy to assemble, the design of the seat back offered good support and the height adjusting mechanism was well-engineered and robust enough to cope with plenty of up and down. We found the fabric-covered foam comfortable, and it’s available in eight different colour choices to suit your taste and your walls. The castors roll easily and are fitted with a weight-activated brake mechanism that anchors the chair when you stand up, and releases when you sit down.

  1.  £115 from Ikea.com
Prices may vary
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Boulies fit pro ergonomic office chair

best ergonomic office chair uk reviews
  • Best: For taller workers
  • Upholstery: Fabric or nappa leather
  • Recommended height: 5ft 1in – 6ft 3in
  • Maximum weight: 100kg
  • Seat depth: 44cm – 48cm
  • Seat height range: 43.5cm – 53.5cm
  • Hydraulics: Class 4
  • Why we love it
    • Great support
    • All-round adjustability
    • Well designed lumbar support
    • UK manufacturer

With this ergonomic chair’s nice tall back and headrest, our working position felt well supported all day, whether we were leaning towards the desk or reclining backwards. There’s all round adjustability with three levels of backrest recline, as well as lumbar, head pillow, seat depth and armrest customisation. In particular, we found the lumbar support to be very well designed and, after a day in the fit pro, we were surprised to leave the office without the usual stiffness we’ve experienced after long sitting sessions in the past.

Great for back health, supremely comfortable and very easy on the eye, this is a superb task chair that warrants the extra expense.

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Humanscale freedom headrest ergonomic office chair

best ergonomic office chair uk reviews
  • Best: Premium task chair
  • Upholstery: Textile or chrome free leather
  • Recommended height: 5ft 5in – 6ft 3in
  • Maximum weight: 160kg
  • Seat depth: 47cm
  • Seat height range: 45cm – 54cm
  • Hydraulics: Class 4
  • Why we love it
    • All-day comfort
    • Creates a healthy working position
  • Take note
    • Expensive

The New York manufacturer has realised the value of the phrase “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, by taking the very popular freedom chair and simply adding a headrest to enhance the comfort and support. The seat and back pad contouring of the original chair remains the same, to guarantee all-day comfort and a naturally healthy working position, and there is plenty of adjustability throughout, including the headrest, which will move with you when you look down at a screen or up at a wall-mounted TV.

Again, Humanscale’s weight-sensitive recline means the chair automatically adjusts tension according to the pressure being applied to the backrest – the mechanism lifts as you sit back, so your body becomes the natural counterbalance and is firmly supported wherever it stops. This means you can stretch your back out without having to get up from the seat, which is very gratifying for deadline days or when your inbox keeps filling up.

This spine feels constantly supported, whether you’re typing or reading and reclining. Added to this is excellent lumbar support, and we liked the subtle scalloping on the front edge of the chair, which didn’t create any pressure points on the knees or behind the thighs.

This chair just missed out on full marks because the price point makes it another investment option, and the price point you pay will depend on how you want it upholstered. However, we have no doubt this ergonomic chair will be with you for a long, long time, which is backed up by Humanscale’s generous 15-year warranty.

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Ikea Järvfjället

Best ergonomic office chairs Ikea Järvfjället
  • Best: For all-day working
  • Upholstery: Leather and mesh
  • Recommended height: Unspecified
  • Maximum weight: 110kg
  • Seat depth: 46cm
  • Seat height range: 45cm – 56cm
  • Hydraulics: Unspecified
  • Why we love it
    • Body weight-activated resistance
    • Good weight distribution
  • Take note
    • Better suited for larger spaces

We really liked the distinctive design of this chair (available in black and white) from the Swedish retailer, particularly the high, tapered mesh backrest, finished off with a comfortable leather headrest. There was a comfortable curve to the backrest itself, which gave a real sense of support while we worked, while there was excellent weight distribution across the plush, good-quality leather seat pad.

The automatic tilt function (which can be locked in three positions) means your own body weight will determine how much resistance the backrest provides as you lean back – a mechanism you will often see on chairs with higher price points. This mechanism also meant we could keep our feet flat on the floor much more easily throughout the working day.

The chair moved well on its castors, on carpet and on hard floors, and they lock in place when there is no one in the seat, so you won’t find it flying across the room every time you stand up.

  1.  £179 from Ikea.com
Prices may vary
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Argos Habitat reade office chair

Best ergonomic office chair Argos Habitat reade office chair
  • Best: For small office spaces
  • Upholstery: Nylon mesh
  • Recommended height: Unspecified
  • Maximum weight: 110kg
  • Seat depth: 43.5cm
  • Seat height range: 42cm – 52cm
  • Hydraulics: Unspecified
  • Why we love it
    • Easy to put together
    • Compact
    • Encourages active posture
  • Take note
    • No dedicated lumbar support

This mesh-backed chair didn’t pose any problems during assembly. In fact, quite the opposite – it was one of the easiest chairs to put together, although, the absence of armrests might have had something to do with that.

The simple design of the chair means it will be a good fit for most working spaces at home. The curve of the backrest promoted a good active posture while we worked, supporting our back well in the absence of an adjustable lumbar support. The padded seat is comfortable and offers good weight distribution, so you won’t be left squirming in your seat after a short time. The swivel of the chair itself is smooth and there is good height adjustability, while the absence of arm rests means it’s a good chair if your workspace is set up in a room with another primary purpose, for example a bedroom, because you can slide the chair right under the desk, out of the way.

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John Lewis Anyday inset office chair

Best ergonomic office chairs John Lewis Anyday inset office chair
  • Best: For encouraging healthy posture while you work
  • Upholstery: Faux leather and mesh
  • Recommended height: Unspecified
  • Maximum weight: 118kg
  • Seat depth: 44cm
  • Seat height range: 46cm – 54cm
  • Hydraulics: Unspecified
  • Why we love it
    • Quick to assemble
    • Good adjustability

After a very straightforward assembly, we were left with a very smart, professional-looking chair made from a combination of mesh and faux leather with a backrest that was comfortable and encouraged us to take a more active posture in the chair, sitting slightly forward and more upright than normal. The seat pad was firm and did a good job of taking pressure off the backs of our legs and allowed us to sit with our feet flat on the floor.

There’s enough seat height and armrest adjustability to allow you to find the best possible position for any work task, and the tilt mechanism was nice and controlled and can be locked, if needed.

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Ergonomic office chairs FAQs

What does it mean if a chair is ergonomic?

Working from home has meant that people have ended up working in less desirable conditions. Ergonomic chairs aim to create more desired conditions, and are designed with the human body in mind, considering posture, support, comfort and health.

What to look for in an ergonomic office chair

The best ergonomic office chairs keep you comfortable and reduce strain when working at a desk for long periods. That means your chair should adapt to your body while still offering ample support. Here are the top features to look for in an ergonomic chair.

  • Seat height: The height of the seat should allow your feet to rest flat on the floor, thighs parallel to the ground.
  • Seat depth: There should be enough room to sit back comfortably without any part of the chair pressing on your legs, back or body.
  • Backrest: Adjustable lumbar support is important. Look for a chair that allows you to fine-tune the support to the natural curve of your lower back.
  • Armrests: Adjustable height and width let you keep your elbows close to your body and shoulders relaxed while typing.
  • Backrest tilt: The ability to recline slightly can take pressure off your spine. Look for a chair with adjustable tilt tension to control the resistance.
  • Breathable fabric: Nobody wants a sweaty back. Mesh or breathable fabric upholstery keeps you cool and comfortable even on warm days.
  • Cushioning: A good chair balances support and comfort. Too firm and you'll be squirming. Too soft and you'll sink in and slouch.
  • Casters: Smooth-rolling casters let you move around easily, without straining.

What is the best chair for office work?

There are some really innovative and oh-so-comfortable ergonomic chairs on the market but finding your perfect chair is a bit of a Goldilocks situation. You should narrow down a few factors, such as your budget, how much swivel room you have under your desk and whether you need a headrest. Ultimately, the whole idea of an ergonomic chair is you can alter the settings so it perfectly fits and supports your own body.

How much do ergonomic chairs cost?

Especially if you are working from home, it is a worthwhile investment to purchase a good ergonomic office chair. A decent one can range anywhere from £200 all the way to £2,000.

Do I need adjustable armrests?

Let’s start by saying there are pros and cons to having armrests. If you use them properly, they can support your limbs and relieve your back when seated. However, they can also encourage shoulder shrugging if set too high and can have the effect of a leaning posture if one of them is set slightly higher than the other.

Your elbows should be in line with the desk, so, for those of us where that’s not the case, adjustable armrests can come in handy in helping you find the correct setup. To really make your working from home space a place of comfort, make sure your armrests are positioned correctly. It’s the last thing you should be adjusting and ideally, they should sit just below your elbow when your hands are resting in your lap (a lot lower than most would think).

For the best and most comfy setup, you would switch between using the armrest to, well, rest your arms on and going without during your day.

How to protect carpet from office chairs

High-quality office chairs can be quite heavy, and therefore leave unwanted marks and imprints on our lovely carpets. A great way to get around this is by using an office chair mat, creating a level of protection between your chair and the floor, helping to reduce friction and damage to the carpet fibres. For chairs without wheels, chair coasters offer similar protection by protecting the space under each stationary chair leg.

Setting up your office chair to avoid back pain

First off, it’s pretty crucial the height of the chair harmonises with the rest of your setup. In terms of the tilt on the back of the chair, it’s best to be relatively upright when you can, but feel free to recline the backrest every now and again. As a rule of thumb, you should be as close to your desk as possible, so if you can, push the seat forward so the armrests fit underneath your desk.

Then, if it isn’t already, ensure your computer screen is on a level with your eye-line. Preferably, you should be looking 2-3in below the casing on the top of the screen – you don’t want to be tilting your head up or down for long periods.

Finally, remember to get up and move around at least once every half hour. Long periods of sitting are a stressor for the muscles and discs in your back, so it’s good to switch up your posture up every now and again. By leaving your desk, you’re less likely to forget about maintaining your posture throughout the day – anything to avoid the dreaded slouch.

How to clean an ergonomic chair

Most ergonomic office chairs are constructed from a range of materials – from chrome and nylon to faux leather – that all require a different approach when it comes to keeping them spick and span.

For chrome and plastic components, such as arm rests, you can simply wipe them clean – dampen a cloth with a mix of water and mild dish soap to tackle any stubborn marks, and be sure to dry the areas thoroughly afterwards.

When it comes to fabric components, it’s best to avoid liquid cleaning solutions, if possible. Use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner to get rid of any dust or crumbs that have accumulated on the seat and backrest of your chair. If you happen to spill your coffee (or any other fluid) on the fabric of your ergonomic chair, soak up as much of the liquid as possible and use a suitable fabric cleaner to spot clean any remaining stains – it’s a good idea to test cleaning solutions on a small, inconspicuous area, to make sure the product won’t discolour the fabric of your chair.

The verdict: Ergonomic office chairs

With its no-sweat assembly and solid build quality, the Boulies nubi lite is a great choice for dedicated home workers who will be able to feel the support in all the right areas. One of the most comfortable chairs on test, it has all the adjustability you will need to see you through your working day, without any stiffness.

However, if you have a larger budget available, the Humanscale freedom and the Herman miller mirra 2 butterfly really offer tangible ergonomics that get to work as soon as you sit down.

For more ways to make working from home more comfortable, read our round-up of the best laptop stands

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