I spent over 5,000 hours testing all the best office chairs — here’s my top picks

I’ve been testing the best office chairs for years now and I can’t overstate the importance of having a well-built, supportive chair, especially when you’re working for long hours from the comfort of your own home like I do. You want a chair that’s comfortable but also gives your back and shoulders the extra support they need.

Over the past three years, I’ve put more than 5,000 hours into extensively testing each chair I’ve reviewed. From high-end office chairs that are an investment in your health and well-being to budget office chairs that get the job done for less, I’ve built, tested and compared them all.

Based on my testing and real-world experience, the best office chair overall is the Branch Verve Chair. It has an adjustable lumbar support, a contoured seat and a breathable 3D knit backrest for better airflow. Plus, the Branch Verve Chair comes in a variety of colors and won’t set you back anywhere near as much as some of the more expensive chairs on this list. If you’re on a tight budget though, I strongly recommend the Boulies EP460 which is often on sale for $299 and features an all-mesh design, comes with a headrest and even has a flip-out leg rest for those times when you want to fully recline.

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.

The quick list

Written by

Written by

Anthony Spadafora

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.

Three things to consider when buying an office chair

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.

For more, check out how to choose the best office chair for you.

The best office chairs you can buy today

The best office chair overall

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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

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The Boulies EP460 is ideal if you want the styling and comfort of a full mesh chair without having to breat the bank. This ergonomic mesh chair is packed with features, is super adjustable and very comfortable, yet only costs $299, making it a great budget purchase.

In testing, we loved the effortlessly comfortable support of the full mesh design. The seat base, seat back and headrest are constructed of Airy Chenille Hybrid Mesh fabric, which adapts to the shape and contours of your body and provides high levels of support. The lumbar support and armrests are also highly adjustable and lockable, providing appropriate support for upright sitting, forward sitting and reclined positions. Underneath the base of the EP460 is stashed a pull-out footrest, supporting your legs in the fully reclined position.

Naturally, the EP460’s low price results in a few corners being cut. While the chair’s build quality is still quite good, some of the materials used feel cheap and features like the leg rest and seat back height adjustment feel a little flimsy. There are also some awkward controls, namely the seat back adjustment, but no user manual from Boulies to explain how things work. Finally, the warranty is only for two years. If you need the comfort and support of a mesh chair but you’re on a strict budget, don’t let the EP460’s relatively minor flaws put you off.

Read our full Boulies EP460 review.

The best mid-range office chair

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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

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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 task chair

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With its latest release, Haworth has managed to combine excellent ergonomics, style and comfort at a much lower price than its iconic Fern office chair. The Haworth Breck is a low-back, task chair that’s designed in such a way that you don’t need to make any adjustments for a comfortable fit thanks to its weight-activated mechanism.

The Breck is available in a number of different colorways from your standard black and grey to blue and even a light mint green and depending on how you configure it, this office chair can either blend in with your existing home office décor or stand out. You also have the option to choose a white or black base for additional contrast. However, there aren’t any other customization options besides the Breck’s color.

For the price though, you’re getting a built-in lumbar support, 4D arms, hard casters and a breathable backrest made from GeoStretch technology that offers both comfort and stability. Just like the Steelcase Karman, this is also a very lightweight office chair at just 30 pounds that looks and feels like a more premium version of the Branch Ergonomic Chair. If you want a comfortable office chair to sit in while you work that can also turn heads depending on how you configure it, the Haworth Breck will absolutely meet your needs.

Read our full Haworth Breck review.

The best office chair for comfort

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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

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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

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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 task chair

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If you’re looking for a comfortable office chair with good ergonomics and a mesh back for under $400, the Vari Task Chair is a solid choice. However, if you’re willing to spend a bit more, the Vari Performance Task Chair is another great option. The Vari Task Chair also has a pivoting backrest that can move with your body throughout the day and its contoured frame is designed to follow the curves of your spine. In fact, it was designed by physical therapists and it’s the only office chair in the U.S. that has been endorsed by the World Federation of Chiropractic.

The chair itself is available in several colorways and finishes from your standard black and gray to red and blue to either blend in or stand out in your home office. The Vari Task Chair’s seat is firm but not too firm and I found it comfortable to sit in for hours on end. If you want a firmer seat though, the Performance Task Chair is what you’re after. This model isn’t available with a headrest but Vari makes another version of this chair that is but it only comes in black. Assembly was also quite easy and it only took ten or so minutes to put everything together.

The Vari Task Chair has all of the basic adjustments you’d expect along with a few more beyond that. You can change the height of its seat and armrests, how far back the chair reclines and the armrests and seat can be moved forward or backward too. I also really liked the way the hinged system on its backrest automatically supported my lumbar spine. Normally, I prefer an adjustable lumbar support system but I didn’t miss having one when testing out the Vari Task Chair. If you want a great chair that’s up to any task without breaking the bank, this one will definitely do the job.

Read our full Vari Task Chair review.

The best office chair for home office

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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 long hours

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The X-Chair X3 ATR Mgmt chair gives you the best of both worlds with a mesh backrest and a foam seat. While an all-mesh design will keep you cooler, I found the extra support from the X3’s comfy foam seat to be more beneficial when working for long hours. Likewise, instead of your standard run-of-the-mill mesh found on a budget and mid-range office chairs, X-Chair used its proprietary Advanced Tensile Recovery (A.T.R.) fabric for the X3. Not only does it have a more responsive feel than standard mesh, but it’s also spill and stain-resistant.

Up until I reviewed the X3, the X-Chair X2 was one of my favorite office chairs of all time. Fortunately though, this newer model has a similar design to its predecessor and only costs $100 more. I’d say between the two, it’s certainly worth upgrading to the X3 over the X2, especially if you spend a lot of time seated at your desk each day. X-Chair has also equipped this office chair with its SciFloat Infinite Recline which lets you adjust the resistance of how the X3 reclines so that you can float between upright and all the way back.

If you’re already investing $1,000 in a premium office chair like this one, it might be worth taking a look at some of X-Chair’s optional add-ons. For instance, you can add a headrest, rollerblade style wheels or even the company’s ELEMAX cooling, heat and massage unit which slots into the X3’s Dynamic Variable Lumbar (DVL) support. While the Elemax unit is normally $150 on its own, X-Chair often throws it in as a free extra during sales events. The X-Chair X3 is certainly an investment but it’s the perfect upgrade for those who have worked remotely for some time and plan to continue working from home for the foreseeable future.

Read our full X-Chair X3 review.

Best office chair for mesh

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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 are 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.

Flash Furniture Kelista (★★★★☆)

If you want a very budget-friendly office chair with standout looks, you're best option is the Flash Furniture Kelista. It's not nearly as adjustable as the other chairs on this list but its arms do swing up when you want them out of the way. The best part, it frequently goes on sale for just over $100.

Read our full Flash Furniture Kelista review.

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Branch Ergonomic Chair (★★★★☆)

This ergonomic office chair gives you the best of both worlds with a mesh back and a fabric seat cushion. It's available in a number of different colors and you can also add an optional headrest. Still, we like the Branch Verve Chair a bit more for its unique design and its 3D knit backrest.

Read our full Branch Ergonomic Chair review.

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FlexiSpot C5 (★★★★☆)

This ergonomic office chair combines a mesh backrest and headrest with a fabric seat cushion. Previously our top budget pick, the FlexiSpot C5 could still be worth it if you aren't looking for an all-mesh chair and want the extra support that comes from having a foam-padded seat cushion.

Read our full FlexiSpot C5 review.

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ErgoTune Supreme V3 (★★★★☆)

Our previous pick for the best mesh chair, the ErgoTune Supreme V3 is a more affordable option at $599 that's available in several different colorways. It offers excellent lumbar support in a sturdy yet comfortable all-mesh design.

Read our full ErgoTune Supreme V3 review.

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HON Ignition 2.0 (★★★★☆)

This ergonomic task chair gives you the best of both worlds with a mesh back and a fabric seat cushion. There's also another all-mesh version of the HON Ignition 2.0 available at a slightly higher price. Likewise, you can add an optional headrest to this chair too.

Read our full HON Ignition 2.0 review.

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OdinLake Ergo PLUS 743 (★★★★☆)

This premium all-mesh office chair has an attractive design and is quite comfortable. While the OdinLake Ergo PLUS 743 is well built, the mesh material used in this chair can be a bit clingy. It's still a great chair but for a bit more, you can get the OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753 instead.

Read our full OdinLake Ergo PLUS 743 review.

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Office chairs compared

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

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.

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