The best ergonomic office chairs don't generally come cheap, but protecting your body while you sit at work shouldn't be a budget decision. There are certainly some chairs that cost less than others — and we have something here that should fit most budgets — but you truly get what you pay for. If you're sick of feeling sore after doing nothing but sitting, one of the best ergonomic office chairs should help fix your issues. We've rounded up a bunch right here.
Steelcase Gesture
Ideal for anyone
The gesture is built for pretty much any task using any piece of tech. The chair's back contours to your spine, the armrests adjust to support your arms whether you're at a desk or not, and there's a whole lot of cushioning to keep your backside comfortable during long days at a desk. Adjust everything manually, including seat height and depth, recline angle, and lumbar support.
Herman Miller Aeron
Premium pick
Herman Miller's Aeron chair is legendary at this point for its comfort and ergonomics. There are no straight lines on this chair, meaning it aligns with natural body curves. It makes you sit in an optimal position no matter your body shape, with three different sizes from which to choose. Everything is manually adjustable, including the seat depth and height, armrests, lumbar position, and recline. Its mesh makeup is also great for those who like to stay cool in all seasons.
Branch Ergonomic
Affordable ergonomics
Branch's Ergonomic chair is rated for more than eight hours of sitting a day, which is quite generous at this price. It's easy to assemble, yet it offers a ton of adjustments including lumbar, armrests, seat depth, height, and tilt. The thick cushion keeps your back end comfortable, and the mesh makeup keeps you cool. It even comes with a seven-year warranty to protect your investment.
FlexiSpot OC3B
Budget comfort
FlexiSpot's OC3B ergonomic chair uses breathable mesh throughout, and adds adjustable lumbar support, mesh headrest, armrests, and locking tilt positions to ensure you get the best seat possible. While the OC3B won't measure up to the truly premium options in this list, its price makes it a lot more attractive for those who aren't as committed to sitting but who still want to keep their back in prime condition.
Herman Miller Sayl
Best design
The Herman Miller Sayl is certainly the most unique chair on this list. It uses the least amount of material possible while still remaining just as comfortable as the majority of chairs on the market. Adjust the arms, seat height, seat depth, and back tilt, and enjoy tons of seat padding to alleviate leg pain. The mesh backrest has a bit of stretch to encompass your back, and there are a bunch of color combinations from which to choose.
Steelcase Leap V2
Fully adjustable
The Steelcase Leap V2 might be the best option if you like to sit back while you're working. It actually reclines in two parts, with the back keeping its natural contour intact while it moves back and the seat sliding forward to keep you in line. The lumbar support is key here, and the thick padding on the seat reduces pressure on your legs. There are plenty of manual adjustments that let you get the rest absolutely perfect.
Humanscale Freedom Headrest
Sit back and relax
The Humanscale Freedom Headrest chair might be the most high-tech option here, with a solid steel frame and padded portions that move to fit your body. Instead of having a bunch of additional hardware that allows for recline and adjustments, the chair just moves with you using body weight and gravity. This includes the headrest and armrests. All you need to do is sit down and let the chair take over.
If we're making further suggestions
The best ergonomic office chairs don't come cheap. At least compared to most of the best budget office chairs, which get you a seat with OK comfort and durability. If you want to protect your body while you're at work sitting at a desk, it's worth spending extra money for something that's built for that exact purpose.
The Steelcase Gesture and the Herman Miller Aeron are both top picks in this regard. They're super expensive, but they deliver premium seating that's designed specifically to fit your body. Each has plenty of adjustments available, seat padding that doesn't hurt the legs and rear end, and a high-end build quality that should last a long time.
If you want to spend less money, the Branch Ergonomic chair is proving itself as an affordable alternative to the truly premium options. There are plenty of adjustments available, it has a durable mesh makeup, and it comes with a seven-year warranty to protect your investment. Be sure to have a look at the overall best office chairs for home and work if you're looking for more options.
Cale Hunt is a Senior Editor at Windows Central. He focuses mainly on laptop reviews, news, and accessory coverage. He is an avid PC gamer and multi-platform user, and spends most of his time either tinkering with or writing about tech.
