Buyer's Guide: What Type of Office Chair is Best for You?

Choosing an office chair may seem like a simple task, but when you really think about it, a lot of factors come into play and can affect your decision drastically.

From the average duration you spend sitting down per day, to the climate of the country you’re in, these variables can and should affect your decision when it comes to picking out a new office chair. Many of us don’t pay attention to the way we sit in our office chair, and it could be ruining our posture.

But instead of writing a brief overview of office chairs in general, I’m going to take the time to look closely at all the different types of chairs to help you make a more informed decision.

Ergonomic Office Chairs

Arguably the most popular type of chair in an office setting. Ergonomic office chairs come with all sorts of benefits that tend to far out-way the cons (with the cons being related to cost).

Cheap ergonomic office chairs do exist but this type of chair does start to excel when the price point reflects its functionality, often cited as premium ergonomic office chairs. First and foremost, ergonomic chairs are built with the user in mind. The needs of the user are catered for with multiple adjustable features such as lumbar, seat, back, armrests, headrest and height. All these features combined can help prevent the onset of repetitive strain injury which can be common amongst office workers.

Ergonomic chairs are built to last. With a robust design and adjustable features, sitting in an ergonomic chair for long periods is easily done. For those whose days are spent (for the majority) at their desks, an ergonomic chair seems like a no-brainer. On top of that, ergonomic chairs come in all shapes, sizes, and materials. From leather to mesh and fabric, ergonomic chairs can cater to a large range of audiences.

For a more in-depth look into ergonomic office chairs, read our article "The Ergonomics of a Chair Explained".

Leather Office Chairs

Leather office chairs instantly exude a sense of style and comfort from the get-go. While comfy, not all leather office chairs will be built to be used over long periods of time.

Typically, leather office chairs can be quite expensive but cheaper leather products do exist.

Ideally, leather chairs should be used in cooler environments. Sat within hot environments, leather can become sticky and make the user sweatier than normal.

If you’re out to make a statement and sit within a cool environment, a leather office chair may be the way to go for you.

Mesh Office Chairs

Mesh office chairs tend to be a fantastic answer to offices situated in hot climates or generally hot offices. With their breathable holes, the mesh material allows for free-flowing air to keep you cool during the day.

Mesh chairs tend to be quite lightweight. So if you require moving your chair around multiple times a day, a mesh chair can help with this situation.

Task/Operator Chairs

Task/Operator office chairs are considered to be the most basic type of office chair. With that tag they also tend to be the cheapest.

They do the simple job of providing a seat, and added benefits such as adjustable lumbar support and headrests will more often than not elude the design stage.

If you’re not looking for your chair to meet the requirements of a specific job other than a place to park yourself for an hour or two, then a task chair could be your best bet. However, if you are one to sit down for extended periods of during the day, something more robust might be necessary.

A kneeling chair helps you re-think your posture and even encourage you to sit healthily. A kneeling chair’s main purpose is to reduce the stress on our lower back by dividing our weight between our knees and buttocks. An employee of ours took it upon herself to test out a kneeling chair for a week and she reported her findings.

Heavy Duty Office Chairs

Heavy duty office chairs are undoubtedly the largest and most robust type of chair on the market. They serve a specific purpose of catering to those larger users who need it most.

With their larger than average seat and backrest this should be the go to type of chair if you’re after that much bulkier chair.

They've also been specifically tested to hold heavier weights, with tougher materials and stronger gas struts so no need to worry about the mechanisms buckling under pressure. Although it’s highly advised you check the model specifications before purchasing.

Designer Office Chairs

As you can imagine, designer office chairs are there to look good. If you want something out of the ordinary that offers that ‘wow’ factor, designer chairs fit the bill perfectly.

While their design was specifically to be different, they do offer lots of options in terms of comfort and support. Designer office chairs aren't restricted by material choice or size. They tend to mix and match from the other types of office chairs while looking incredibly stylish.

High Back Office Chairs

High back office chairs are specifically designed with taller people in mind. Sitting for extended periods on a chair without proper back and neck support can be extremely uncomfortable so it’s important to get an office chair that suits your body type.

All of our high back office chairs have been ergonomically designed to help give you the support you need throughout the working day.

High back office chairs come in a variety of styles, colours and features, making it easy to find the right office chair for you.

Choose from, mesh, leather, or fabric that are upholstered in a variety of colours. Many of our high back office chairs also come with a headrest that will adjust independently from the back for the perfect fit.

Gaming Chairs

Designed with style and comfort in mind, gaming chairs typically feature ergonomic features that help you through long gaming sessions.

Modeled on the bucket seat of a racing chair, gaming chairs are very distinctive in look. This shape allows you to lean into them, getting support across your whole back, neck and head due to their high backs.

While they are marketed towards gamers, they can easily do the job of a more traditional office chair should you really enjoy the look of these chairs.

Ergonomic Stools/Draughtsman Chairs

Ergonomics stools (also called Draughtsman Chair) are a great alternative to the more traditional office chair. They are a great way to quickly take a break from extended sitting periods.

Ergonomic stools can help boost your productivity, improve productivity and even tone your core muscles.

Perfect accompaniments to standing desks, ergonomic stools allow the thighs to slope downwards, leaving the pelvis and lower back in a neutral position, which in turn places the spine in its natural curve.

For a complete breakdown of what draughtsman chairs are and their benefits, head over to our article on just that topic.

Hopefully, I've helped you in making a more informed purchasing decision about your next office chair.