The 7 Best Ergonomic Office Chairs of 2023

Best Overall

Office Star ProGrid High Back Managers Chair

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Of all the ergonomic office chairs we tested, the Office Star ProGrid High Back Managers Chair stood above the rest because of its mid-range price point, impressive adjustability, and significant lumbar support. With a breathable mesh back and cushiony seat, it kept us comfortable for extended periods of time during our long-term tests. It also has built-in lumbar support for your back—ideal for those who spend a lot of time seated at their desks. 

Assembling the chair was a bit more complicated than we’d liked, but the process proved to be well worth the effort (and time) in the end. In fact, our tester said that using this chair consistently eliminated the need for her lumbar pillow altogether.

We also appreciated just how adjustable this office chair was, as you can easily customize the seat height from 18.25 inches to 22 inches to find the best position for your height and desk set-up. In addition to adjusting the seat height, you can use the pressurized controls to adjust the seat depth, seat tilt, and armrests. The chair swivels 360 degrees and has a weight capacity of 250 pounds. While the Office Star ProGrid High Back Managers Chair might share many of the same qualities as its high-end competitors, its moderate price point makes it more accessible compared to other options on this list.

Price at time of publish: $246

_{Seat Material: Polyester, plastic | Dimensions: 29 x 26 x 42 inches | Seat Height: 18.25-22 inches | Assembled Weight: 50 pounds | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds}

Best Splurge

Human Scale Freedom Chair with Headrest

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If you spend extended periods of time sitting down while working, purchasing a pricier ergonomic office chair may just be worth the investment. The Humanscale Freedom Headrest Chair might just be one of the best you can buy considering its impressive design and high-quality construction. This chair utilizes a weight-sensitive mechanism that adapts to each user’s body weight, adjusting the tension and reclining position to provide continuous support. This is especially helpful for those who don’t want to make manual adjustments as they shift in their seat throughout the day.

We also love that the Humanscale Freedom Headrest Chair includes a headrest for optimal support for your head and neck area. It’s neutral when you’re in an upright position, but it cradles your head and neck during reclining positions. Plus, the backrest pivots to ensure lumbar support regardless of your position, while the contoured cushions distribute your weight and reduce pressure points, providing comfortable seating even for long periods of time The arms are attached to the backrest, so they move when you move, but you can also easily adjust them. 

Thanks to the lack of bulky mechanisms, this chair, which can hold up to 300 pounds, is easy to maneuver. And while it’s undoubtedly more of a splurge than other options we tested, we think its innovation and premium comfort make it a practical purchase for those who spend a lot of time seated at their desk.

Price at time of publish: $1,538

_{Seat Material: Leather | Dimensions: 17 x 27 x 37 inches | Seat Height: 16.12-20.25 inches | Assembled Weight: 38 pounds (with arms) | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds}

Best with Headrest

Vari Task Chair with Headrest

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If you want a good headrest in a mid-range-priced chair, the Vari Task Chair with Headrest checks all of the boxes. It’s ergonomically designed to maintain proper alignment and reduce muscle strain when seated for long periods of time. If you find yourself with neck pain after working all day, the adjustable headrest will cradle around the area, preventing discomfort. The chair has a reinforced mesh back for breathability, which will help to provide airflow and keep you cool. The office chair’s comfort-oriented design also features a pivoting backrest, providing maximum lumbar support. 

You can also use the adjustable settings to customize the headrest as well as the heights of the back, seat (from 17 5/8 inches to 22 inches), and armrests. In addition, the back has adjustable settings for both tilt and tension. And while the Vari Task Chair is adjustable in almost all ways, the model’s lumbar support is not. The chair has durable rolling casters for easy maneuverability and a weight limit of 300 pounds. Shipped in pre-assembled parts, the Vari Task Chair with Headrest boasts one of the easiest setups right out of the box, requiring no tools and minimal effort.

Price at time of publish: $350

_{Seat Material: Polyester | Dimensions: 26.8 x 25.2 x 31.5 inches | Seat Height: 18-22 inches | Assembled Weight: 52 pounds | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds}

Most Supportive

Duramont Ergonomic Office Chair

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If you tend to have back or neck pain after working all day, an office chair with a supportive construction might just change your life. The Duramont Ergonomic Adjustable Office Chair is highly adjustable, extremely comfortable, and has great value considering its price point. Upon arrival, we found the chair very easy to assemble, as the instructions were very clear and the parts were clearly marked. During our lab tests, we appreciated that the soft yet sturdy seat cushion, which is made with high-density molded foam, extended well under the legs for additional comfort.

The lower lumbar support is fully adjustable both vertically and inward, which can be key to finding the most ergonomic position for your height and body type. The chair features a system of levers and knobs so you can customize just about every aspect of the chair to your person, including the armrest, headrest, and seat tilt. After six months of consistent use, we found that the Duramont Ergonomic Adjustable Office Chair performed well over time and was very supportive when working from home. However, our 5-foot-6 tester did note that the lowest height setting for the chair just allows her to plant her feet on the ground, so this model may not be suitable for those who are shorter.

Price at time of publish: $330

_{Seat Material: Foam | Dimensions: 26 x 23.6 x 42 inches | Seat Height: 16.9-20.8 inches | Assembled Weight: 44.6 pounds | Weight Capacity: 330 pounds}

Best Breathable

Alera Elusion Mesh Mid-Back Swivel/Tilt Chair

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Whether you tend to overheat easily or just prefer a working setup that allows for more ventilation, you’ll want to opt for an office chair with a breathable mesh back, such as the Alera Elusion Mesh Mid-Back Chair. The mesh is very comfortable and allows for more airflow than other materials, which can be especially helpful to prevent stuffiness when working long hours. However, it’s important to note that since the back isn’t as sturdy, the chair doesn’t provide as much lumbar and shoulder support as some of the other options on this list. The cushion is made from a thick and plush Polyurethane material, which held up extremely well over the course of six months. 

While this model doesn’t allow users to customize the lumbar support, the armrest height and seat height are both adjustable. The armrests are not adjustable width-wise, though, so the model may not be suitable for all body types. Despite some flaws, this chair is extremely comfortable and effective considering its price point–and our long-term tester even found her husband stealing the chair when she wasn’t using it.

Price at time of publish: $212

_{Seat Material: Polyurethane | Dimensions: 26 x 24.4 x 16.1 inches | Seat Height: 17-21 inches | Assembled Weight: 50.7 pounds | Weight Capacity: 275 pounds}

Most Comfortable

Poppin Max Task Chair

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While the physical benefits of spinal alignment may be the main selling point of ergonomic office chairs, they also provide a ton of comfort when sedentary for long periods of time. We were seriously impressed by The Poppin Max Task Chair, which boasts a curvy mesh backrest and firm upholstered seat. The seat cushion material was the perfect balance of soft and sturdy, and using the chair felt like sitting on living room furniture rather than a traditional office chair. However, we did notice that the seat back isn’t adjustable, which may be an issue for those looking for the most optimal lumbar support.

And while ergonomic chairs may not be the most aesthetically pleasing, we think that of all the options we tested, this one has the cleanest and sleekest look. Plus, it’s constructed with polyester so it’s easy to clean and won’t collect debris. So while this may not be the most supportive chair, we think its comfort level and modern design are a fair trade-off, depending on your priorities.

Price at time of publish: $449

_{Seat Material: Polyester | Dimensions: 25 x 27 x 38 inches | Seat Height: 17.5-20.5 inches | Assembled Weight: 46 pounds | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds}