Bestcovery’s Office Chair Shopping Guide
Chairs to Avoid
As you shop around for the best desk chair, it's important to be wary of overly gimmicky chairs or chairs that provide no support for the spine. Especially as more people than ever are working remotely, the search for the best home office chair can yield some “out-of-the-box” results.
For instance, many people tout the supposed benefits of balance ball chairs or even backless stools. However, these have no back support and can be painful or even dangerous to use for extended periods of time. And while executive-style chairs offer an imposing silhouette, they can often be too bulky and tend to be less adjustable than an ergonomic chair, which means that long hours in an executive chair can cause more strain on your body.
How to Choose an Ergonomically Correct Chair
By using the best office chair for your body, you can improve your posture and reduce your overall back pain. To ensure that you're picking a chair with the best ergonomics, pay attention to the following:
Seat height adjustability: During normal use, your feet should be able to lay flat on the ground while your thighs remain parallel to the ground. Height adjustability allows you to ensure the optimal position for your legs to avoid stress.
Lumbar support: A quality chair should be able to support your lower back, which lowers the strain on your lumbar muscles and reduces lower back pain.
Armrest adjustability: With your shoulders relaxed, you should be able to rest your arms comfortably on the armrest. The best chairs have the ability to adjust the arms up and down, allowing you to ensure the right position for you.
Breathability: The material that comes in contact with your body should be breathable, allowing you to avoid sweating from constant contact with an impermeable surface.
How to Keep Your Brand-New Office Chair Clean
By preventing dirt and bacteria buildup, you can lengthen your chair's overall lifespan while keeping it feeling and looking its best for longer.
To best care for your chair's cleanliness, be sure to wipe it down with a damp cloth regularly, which will remove dust and dirt buildup without introducing water damage to more sensitive materials.
If a stain occurs, try using a mild detergent with water and lightly scrubbing. While caring for and maintaining your chair, try to avoid using harsher chemicals as they can damage the various materials, adhesives, and finishes on your chair, which can ultimately harm both its appearance and structural integrity.
Frequently Asked Questions for Office Chairs
Which brand is best for office chairs?
While the best brand for chairs will most likely depend on your personal preference for comfort options and style, there are a handful of brands that tend to dominate "best of" lists consistently. Among them are Herman Miller, Branch, Steelcase, and HON. As a budget option, Ikea tends to get fair reviews. This is not to say that chairs from other brands will not meet your needs. Again, it comes down to personal preference and budget, but many users rank the brands above highly for comfort and longevity.
What is the best office chair for long hours?
If you need to spend multiple hours a day in your office chair, then an ergonomic chair with lots of adjustable features (to better fit your particular body shape) will be your best bet for staying comfortable and out of pain.
Should I buy an office chair or gaming chair?
Gaming chairs can be comfortable for a casual gaming session, but office chairs are more often used for full-time work. Whenever you're spending that much time in a chair, it's better to use something with more lumbar support and adjustability, which are features that are often missing in gaming chairs.
Are expensive office chairs worth it?
Though you may often be able to find something that works for you on a smaller budget, the best office chairs are typically one area where you get the quality you pay for. While it's important to look at your own particular needs and budget, the higher price of the best chairs usually speaks to the higher quality of materials used, which will often buy you more comfort, ergonomics, and durability.
How long do office chairs last?
The longevity of an office chair depends greatly on the quality of the materials used. A low-quality bargain office chair may only last a couple of years, but a high-quality chair that is well-engineered and then well-maintained by the user can last upwards of 10 years. If you find that the chair you use is no longer giving you good support or has become uncomfortable to sit in for the amount of time you need to use it, it's probably time to replace it.