In 2019, the average American sat 6.5 hours a day, and the average American teenager sat eight hours a day. This was an increase of an entire hour per day since 2007, and we can only imagine the average has risen even more since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For many, the majority of these sitting hours are spent working, gaming or surfing the internet in front of a computer screen. That’s why the computer chair you own is so important. Investing in one of the best computer chairs for long hours can make the quarter of the day you spend sitting more comfortable and less dangerous to your health.
Why Sitting for a Long Time is Uncomfortable and Dangerous
Today, some call sitting the new smoking, and that’s not just because sitting for eight hours a day is uncomfortable. Yes, sitting causes your leg muscles to weaken and your hip flexors to shorten, causing pain in the lower body. It also can hurt your back if you have bad posture and a bad computer chair. All those things cause discomfort, but read on to find out why sitting in the wrong chair is actually dangerous.
According to the UK’s National Health Service, researchers have known the dangers of sitting since the 1950s when a study was released showing that London’s double-decker bus drivers were twice as likely to have heart attacks as the bus conductors who climbed about 600 stairs each day.
Today, according to the Australian government, physical inactivity is a key factor in three million preventable deaths each year. Beyond that, several studies have linked sitting all day to a wide variety of ailments, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer. Many of these studies begin with the idea that sitting for long periods actually slows the metabolism so that it can no longer regulate blood sugar or your blood pressure as accurately.
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And, even if you don’t end up with a major health condition, sitting can have other negative impacts on your health. For many, this begins with a stiff neck or back. Others might notice tight hips and weight gain. Varicose veins and even anxiety or depression can also be a result of too many hours in a chair.
However, there is one way to mitigate this discomfort and the danger of sitting. Investing in one of the best computer chairs for long hours can help you maintain good posture, preventing muscle and bone issues. We also recommend taking regular breaks to stretch and move around, even if it’s just for one or two minutes at a time. Or, investing in one of the best standing desks to stay active throughout your workday.
What to Look for in a Computer Chair
While you may not be able to avoid sitting for eight or more hours a day, you can invest in one of the best computer chairs for long hours. These chairs all have a few things in common:
- Breathable materials – Most chairs for long hours are made with mesh or other breathable materials to keep you cool and dry all day.
- Lumbar support – To prevent lower back pain, you’ll want to purchase a chair with adjustable lumbar support.
Rotating arms – We use different devices throughout the days, so make sure the arms on your chair are there to support you in every position. - Tilt – Your chair should move with you as you shift between sitting positions, so you’ll want to look for the amount of tilt in the back of the chair. Make sure it can at least move from 90 degrees to 120 degrees.
- Adjustability – In addition to the above, make sure your chair is fully adjustable in terms of height and headrest position.
Below, you’ll find our picks for the best computer chairs for working long hours. We’ve included a range of styles at a number of price points. You’ll also find chairs with plenty of padding as well as models with a more minimalist feel. Keep reading to find the one that’s just right for your office space.
1. Gabrylly Ergonomic Office Chair
BEST OVERALL
The Gabrylly Ergonomic Office Chair is an updated version of the hugely popular and impressively reviewed 2019 original. What makes this newer model stand out is its flawless reviews, having received positive ratings from every Amazon user to date. The chair includes lumbar support in the form of a double back structure to cover both your back and waist areas. The chair includes adjustable armrests which provide sizable support to your arms and move in both up and down and forward and backward directions. In addition, this computer chair that’s designed for long hours can accommodate people up to 300 pounds.
2. Amazon Basics Executive Office Desk Chair
BEST BUDGET
If you’re searching for a budget-friendly computer chair for long hours, you may want to give the Amazon Basics Executive Office Desk Chair a try. The chair has received a five-star rating from over 12,000 Amazon users. You can also adjust both the height and tilt of the chair and enjoy 360 degrees of swiveling. For comfort and style, the chair is made from polyurethane bonded leather which is accompanied by a pewter metal finish. The seat, back and armrests are all padded. Furthermore, you can choose between black, white and brown.
3. Homall Gaming Chair Office Chair
BEST GAMING CHAIR
If there’s a group of people who know about staying comfortable for hours upon hours in a chair, it’s gamers. Plus, given their choice to remain sitting in any chair is borne out of enjoyment rather than a contractual obligation, it’s a safe bet to trust what they trust. In short, it’s safe to trust the Homall Gaming Chair Office Chair if you’re looking for the best computer chair for long hours. This well-reviewed chair comes backed by over 35,000 five-star ratings from users and includes a high back, a headrest and lumbar support. It’s also available in 10 different colors, making it easy to match your chair to your office decor style.
Read More: Best Gaming Chairs Under $200
4. SIHOO Ergonomic Adjustable Office Chair
BEST LUMBAR SUPPORT
As noted above, lower back issues are some of the most common ailments caused by sitting for long hours. That’s why we recommend investing in a computer chair for long hours with adequate lumbar support. The SIHOO Ergonomic Adjustable Office Chair features a soft, sponge-wrapped lumbar pillow that can be adjusted 5.5 centimeters up and down as well as three centimeters in and out. In addition, this chair is made from a high-quality mesh to keep you cool and dry throughout your long workdays.
Read More: Best Office Chairs
5. NOUHAUS Ergo3D Ergonomic Office Chair
MOST UNIQUE
We know this list is supposed to be about the best computer chairs for long hours, and the NOUHAUS Ergo3D certainly fits that bill. But, we can’t help but comment on its appearance first. The snazzy blue color sure makes it stand out from the crowd, and it boasts blade wheels to make it even cooler. However, the real selling points of this chair are the 4D adjustable armrests, the lumbar support system and the 135-degree back tilt, all of which make this a chair that’s comfortable enough to be used more than eight hours a day.
Read More: Most Comfortable Office Chairs
6. SIDIZ T50 Home Office Desk Chair
BEST TILT
Over the years, one of the biggest problems with office chairs has been the forward tilt. We bet you often find yourself leaning forward throughout the day, whether it’s to look at your computer screen a little closer or read a stack of papers on your desk. Most computer chairs for long hours can’t adequately adjust to this position, but the SIDIZ T50 Home Office Desk Chair has a seat that slopes forward, so you can concentrate without worrying about body aches and pains later. The chair also boasts an S-curve design and a breathable, mesh back.
7. X Chair X1 Task Chair
MOST COMPACT
The X Chair company was founded in 2016 in order to bring 21st-century design to office chairs. The idea was to make a chair with the latest technology that appeals to a wide variety of users, and the company has successfully done just that with its eight chair models. We’re partial to the X1 thanks to its compact design and slightly lower price tag. It features the brand’s signature dynamic variable lumbar (DVL) support as well as infinite tilt. Everything else on the chair is completely adjustable, providing you with support in the places your unique body needs it most.
8. Steelcase Gesture Chair
BEST SPLURGE
Before designing the Gesture Chair, Steelcase conducted a worldwide study in work postures. This study spanned six continents with more than 2,000 participants. The company found that older computer chairs hadn’t kept up with shifts in technology. In fact, the average worker uses three different devices in any given workday. So, Steelcase invented the Gesture Chair, which moves with your position shifts throughout the day. The arms rotate 360 degrees so that you can use your computer, phone and tablet with ease. Additionally, the advanced synchro-tilt allows the back of the chair and the seat to move in sync as you shift throughout the day.
