A quick glance around an office will demonstrate that no one person sits in the same way while working. Even though we all know we should position ourselves as ergonomically as possible, that’s not always a reality when we’re distracted by work and myriad other tasks we need to perform at our desks . Things don’t change just because you’re working from home today, either. In fact, you’re more likely to end up with back problems because your home office setup isn’t subject to the same occupational health checks you will find at work.
The best ergonomic chair should support the natural curve of your spine throughout the working day, especially at its lowest point: the sacrum. The lumbar or lower back region also needs to be well supported, while promoting good all-round posture, which is why plenty of adjustability is key. However, the chair should also balance functionality with form. After all, if this chair is going to be sitting in the corner of a living room, or even if it’s in a home office, it still needs to look good.
There are plenty of price points to choose from, so you need to factor in how much time you think you’re going to be spending in your chair. Are you a nailed-on WFHer who is going to need a perch to support your nine-to-five? Or are you looking for something that will offer you a step up from a kitchen stool for a few hours a day?
We spent a couple of weeks with a range of chairs from the likes of Ikea and Herman Miller to find out which ones have really got your back when it comes to the daily sit-down.
How we tested the best ergonomic office chairs
As a freelance journalist (with confirmed and long-running back issues), our tester spends far too long, every day, sitting at a desk in front of a laptop, trying to minimise the negative effects of prolonged sitting on their back and overall health. To do this, they usually work at a sit-stand desk but to test the chairs they parked their usual “active working” schedule and just sat while working, to see how each chair mitigated those static postures that are so bad for the body, while still promoting productivity throughout the working day.
The best ergonomic office chairs for 2024 are:
- Best ergonomic chair overall – Boulies EP200 ergonomic office chair: £199.99, Boulies.co.uk
- Best budget ergonomic chair – Hbada office ergonomic office chair: £129.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best executive ergonomic chair – John Lewis radcliffe ergonomic office chair: £249, Johnlewis.com
- Best ergonomic chair for spine support – Herman Miller mirra 2 butterfly ergonomic office chair: £1,034, Hermanmiller.com
Boulies EP200 ergonomic office chair
Hbada ergonomic office chair
Flexispot BS11 pro ergonomic office chair
John Lewis radcliffe ergonomic office chair
Herman Miller sayl ergonomic office chair
Herman Miller mirra 2 butterfly ergonomic office chair
Boulies fit pro ergonomic office chair
Humanscale freedom headrest ergonomic office chair
Ikea långfjåll ergonomic office chair
Ergonomic desk chairs FAQs
What does it mean if a chair is ergonomic?
How do I know if a chair is ergonomic?
What is the best chair for office work?
How much do ergonomic chairs cost?
Do I need adjustable armrests?
How to protect carpet from office chairs?
Setting up your office chair to avoid back pain
The verdict: Ergonomic desk chairs
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