Tom's Guide Verdict
The FlexiSpot C7 Max is one of the best seats you can purchase in its price range and should, without a doubt, be on the shortlist of anyone seeking to add a new chair to their office.
Pros
- +
Top-tier ergonomics
- +
5D adjustable armrests
- +
Exceedingly comfortable
- +
Simple but elegant aesthetic
Cons
- -
Armrests move too easily
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The FlexiSpot C7 Max is an attractive and feature-filled office chair, and it's currently the company's most premium, ergonomic-focused offering. If you're looking to upgrade your office chair (or maybe move away from a gaming chair), let's go ahead and get one thing out of the way: You should have your eyes on this beauty.
In our FlexiSpot C7 Max review, we'll go into detail about why this is one of the best office chairs in its price range and why you should consider snagging one for yourself.
FlexiSpot C7 Max review: Price and availability
The FlexiSpot C7 Max is available on the FlexiSpot website for $579 in either gray or black. The optional footrest add-on will run you $40, but it's not likely to be a necessary purchase for the average user.
The FlexiSpot C7 Max is no Herman Miller chair, of course, but it's one of the best office chairs you'll find at its price point. If price is a major concern, though, you can take a look at its younger siblings, the FlexiSpot C7 or FlexiSpot C7 Lite, for more compact and budget-friendly alternatives.
FlexiSpot C7 Max review: Specs
| Price | $579 to $609 (with footrest) |
| Maximum height | 42.52-46.06 inches |
| Maximum load | 300 pounds |
| Maximum recline | 135° |
| Weight | 55 pounds |
| Material | Foam cushion with latex layer and mesh |
| Adjustment points | 10 |
| Warranty | 5 years |
FlexiSpot C7 Max review: Design, comfort, and safety
Office chairs aren't commonly frilly or aggressive in their styling, and the FlexiSpot C7 Max continues that trend. Its mesh backrest, elastic fabric cushion, and chrome accents give this gorgeous seat an elegant, premium aesthetic that will look just right in a home office or professional setting.
The FlexiSpot C7 Max features a nylon wheel base and supports a max weight of 300lbs. But while it claims to be suitable for heights up to 6'9", I'd like to point out that I'm around 6'2", and the highest setting for the headrest feels just right. If you're much taller than that, I assume (but can't prove) that the chair may feel ever-so-slightly too short when sitting perfectly upright.
But damn is it comfortable. It's sometimes hard to articulate how a chair feels through words, particularly because everyone has different preferences and needs. But in the case of the FlexiSpot C7 Max, I'll just say this: I've tested dozens of office chairs in my life — both before and after doing it for a living — and while some may have nailed specific things slightly better here and there, this chair is the best all-arounder I've had the pleasure of sitting in. Do with that information what you will.
The backrest is hands down my favorite part of the chair. The mesh lumbar zone is just downright stellar, subtly adapting to your movements to always provide the right amount of support. This dynamic design has left me feeling fantastic after many hours of work (and a bit of gaming), and I haven't felt the need to readjust it even when my posture slips just a little.
Meanwhile, the latex foam seat is supportive without feeling too firm, and I've had no issues with discomfort during prolonged sessions. Similarly, the cushions in the armrests have a lot of give in a good way, even if the cool 5D design is a mixed bag — but more on that in the next section.
The headrest is excellent as well, especially when reclining, and I'm appreciative that the design avoids the pitfalls of the FlexiSpot C5. Unlike that chair, the mesh on the headrest feels stretched tighter, offering vastly improved support and comfort. Frankly, it's delightful — which, again, is pretty much my viewpoint on the chair's comfort and ergonomics as a whole.
FlexiSpot C7 Max review: What’s adjustable
There are four settings for the seat pan depth on the FlexiSpot C7 Max, as well as five levels for both the headrest and lumbar support. All of this is extremely simple to adjust on the fly, so finding the sweet spot is a quick and easy affair. I particularly love that I can just reach behind me and slide the lumbar support up or down without having to fiddle with annoying knobs.
The FlexiSpot C7 Max reclines up to 135 degrees, and the effortless and smooth manner in which it does so (coupled with that supportive backrest) feels like being softly cradled by a cloud as you lay back. And yeah, maybe it's slightly hyperbolic, but I'd be lying if I said those weren't the exact words I spoke to my wife the first time I reclined in the chair — and I stand by it!
An optional footrest can be purchased alongside the chair, but my test unit didn't include this, so I can't comment on its functionality or comfort. If it's anywhere near the same quality as the features above, though, I suspect it's a treat for those looking to recline more frequently.
The 5D armrests on the FlexiSpot C7 Max are at once its most compelling feature and its singular flaw. On the one hand, they're the coolest aspect of the entire chair with seven height adjustments and the ability to swivel both the pads and the armrest body in almost any direction separately. It's something you have to see to believe — it's truly wonderful stuff that adds an absolutely staggering amount of customization.
Unfortunately, all of this swiveling requires very little effort to achieve, and as such, it results in some occasional unwanted movement. Periodically, when I lean left or right in the chair with my elbow on an armrest, it moves outward by one click. This wouldn't be such a big deal if I didn't have to manually readjust it when I move again, of course. But as it is, having to micromanage an armrest is certainly a mild annoyance. It's unfortunate, too, because if not for this one irritating thing, the FlexiSpot C7 Max would be virtually flawless.
FlexiSpot C7 Max review: Assembly
My FlexiSpot C7 Max arrived in a large box packed to the brim with Styrofoam and other materials that ensured every piece of the chair was adequately protected during shipping. It was all packed in very nicely and easy to unbox.
Assembly is a simple and straightforward process. As always, I would've preferred the armrests to arrive pre-installed, but putting them on added no more than five minutes to my build time. Otherwise, everything was clearly defined in the included instruction booklet, and I had it all together in around 20 minutes.
The hardest part to solo is the headrest, which requires you to screw in two screws at an awkward position while holding the headrest in place. If you have another person nearby who can make that part easier on you, that'd be ideal. Either way, this chair is a breeze to assemble overall, so don't let that minor frustration turn you off.
FlexiSpot C7 Max review: Verdict
The FlexiSpot C7 Max is my current favorite office chair and the first one in about a year that has dethroned the AndaSeat Kaiser 3 gaming chair as my daily driver. It's an ergonomic delight that provides outstanding comfort alongside its premium aesthetic. Even with some occasional quibbles with the 5D armrests, this might just be the closest thing out there to a perfect mid-range office chair, and it's definitely among the best seating options you'll find in the sub-$1000 category.
