Buying an ergonomic office chair isn't simply a case of choosing the chair with the longest list of features.
A chair can have adjustable lumbar support, 4D armrests, seat depth adjustment and an advanced movement mechanism and still be completely wrong for the person sitting in it.
The most important consideration is fit.
Before buying an ergonomic office chair, here are seven things worth checking.
1. Check the Seat Height Range
Most office chairs have adjustable seat height, but the actual adjustment range varies considerably.
If you're particularly tall or petite, a standard gas stem may not allow the chair to reach the height you need.
Your feet should be properly supported and you should be able to position yourself at an appropriate height in relation to your desk. Depending on your body measurements and workstation, this might mean choosing a chair with a lower or higher gas stem or using a suitable footrest.
Don't just check that the chair is "height adjustable". Check the actual minimum and maximum seat heights.
2. Measure the Seat Depth
Seat depth is one of the most important measurements when choosing an office chair and one of the easiest to overlook.
If the seat is too deep, you may find yourself sitting towards the front of the chair rather than using the backrest properly. It can also create uncomfortable pressure behind the knees.
If it's too shallow, your thighs may not receive sufficient support.
Many ergonomic chairs have sliding seat depth adjustment, but again, don't assume that means it will fit. Check the actual minimum and maximum seat depth against your own measurements.
3. Don't Assume a Wider Seat Is Better
A large seat can sound more comfortable, but bigger isn't necessarily better when it comes to ergonomic seating.
The seat needs to provide sufficient space without restricting movement, but an unnecessarily wide chair can create other problems.
In particular, the armrests may end up too far apart to support your forearms comfortably. This can encourage you to move your arms away from your body or leave your shoulders and upper limbs unsupported.
Seat width should therefore be appropriate for your body, rather than simply as wide as possible.
4. Check Where the Lumbar Support Actually Sits
A chair being advertised with "lumbar support" tells you very little about whether that support will be in the right place for you.
People have different torso lengths and the natural curve of the lower back isn't at exactly the same height for everyone.
Some chairs allow the lumbar support to be adjusted vertically, while others allow you to alter its depth or firmness. Specialist ergonomic chairs may offer several different lumbar support options.
The important thing is whether the support can be positioned appropriately for your lower back, rather than simply whether the chair has one.
5. Look Carefully at the Armrests
Armrests can be extremely useful when they're positioned correctly and surprisingly irritating when they're not.
They should allow your forearms to be comfortably supported without forcing you to raise your shoulders or move your elbows too far away from your body.
Depending on your requirements, useful adjustments can include:
- height
- width
- depth
- rotation
Width adjustment is particularly worth checking. Two chairs may both advertise "4D armrests" while offering very different adjustment ranges.
Also consider whether the armrests will allow you to position yourself appropriately at your desk.
6. Choose a Chair That Allows You to Move
Good ergonomic seating isn't about finding one "perfect posture" and staying there for eight hours.
The human body is designed to move.
A suitable recline or dynamic movement mechanism allows you to change position throughout the day while remaining supported by the chair.
Different manufacturers achieve this in different ways, so don't become too focused on the name of the mechanism. What's important is that the chair supports comfortable movement and allows you to vary your posture during the working day.
Even the best ergonomic chair doesn't remove the need to get up, change position and move regularly.
7. Measure Yourself Before You Choose the Chair
This is probably the most important point of all.
Two people who are both 5 ft 8 in tall can require completely different chairs.
One may have relatively long legs and a short torso, while the other has shorter legs and a longer torso. They may also have completely different hip widths, shoulder widths and arm proportions.
This is why ergonomists use anthropometric measurements when assessing seating.
Useful measurements include:
- lower leg length
- thigh length
- hip width
- shoulder width
- seat-to-shoulder height
- elbow height
- lumbar height
You don't necessarily need a professional assessment every time you buy an office chair, but taking some basic measurements can prevent an expensive mistake.
Don't Choose an Ergonomic Chair by Features Alone
There are some excellent ergonomic office chairs available, but there isn't one chair that's best for everybody.
A £1,000 chair that doesn't fit you is still the wrong chair.
Instead of asking "Which is the best ergonomic office chair?", a better question is:
"Which ergonomic office chair is the best fit for me?"
Understanding your measurements and checking them against the dimensions and adjustment ranges of the chair will give you a much better starting point.
For a more detailed explanation of chair sizing, anthropometric measurements and individual adjustments, read our How to Choose an Ergonomic Office Chair guide.
If you already have an ergonomic chair but aren't sure whether you're getting the best from it, our How to Adjust an Ergonomic Office Chair guide explains how to set up the main adjustments correctly.
Need Help Choosing?
DSE Office Ergonomics supplies ergonomic office chairs for a wide range of users, including petite, tall, plus-size and specialist seating requirements.
Browse our Ergonomic Office Chairs, or contact us if you're unsure which chair dimensions and adjustments are likely to suit you.