Best Ergonomic Office Chair

It is difficult to find one chair that is perfect for everyone. In fact, its impossible. However, through in-house testing and the analysis of sales reports and user reviews we can make a few recommendations for the best ergonomic chair. The chairs being considered when making this "best of" decision were from different price groups, but shared a fairly common feature list.

Our #1 recommendation for the best ergonomic office chair is the Terra task chair by VIA Seating. This is by no means the most expensive chair out there, but its not a cheapo either. It is a very well-made, highly popular ergonomic chair that is in the $300 to $700 price range. The thing that is great about this chair is that its not a one-size-fits-all solution. When purchasing this chair you have the option of three seat sizes, three back support sizes, four adjustable seat mechanisms, three arm options, and dozens of colors and fabric grades. Depending on which options you choose you can acquire this chair for as low as about $300, or as much as $700 if you choose the very advanced features or high-end fabrics.

VIA Seating is a major player in the ergonomic seating industry and their brand is well-known worldwide. The Terra chair has been the top selling VIA chair for many years, and it is expected to remain so. They are generally not as expensive as brands like Humanscale and Herman Miller, but their product is at just about the same level in terms of quality and durability. The really expensive chairs may have a few extra bells and whistles, and may look a little cooler, but if you're not rich don't feel bad that you can't afford them, you too can be extremely comfortable and productive for about half the price.

If you really want ultra-high quality, and you're willing to pay a little more, go with a chair made by Neutral Posture. They are one of the most well-known and respected names in the chairs business and for a good reason. They provide so many variations and options there's almost no chance you won't find a chair to fit everybody. You can view a line-up of their best-selling models in the Ergonomic Office Chairs category over at ErgoDirectUSA.com. Their pricing is competitive and they offer free shipping on both the VIA Seating and Neutral Posture chairs.

Ergonomic Computer Chair Alternative

So you're at the point where you are seriously considering the purchase of an ergonomic computer chair. Your back hurts, your body aches, and you've had enough. The best thing you can do is go out and buy the most expensive chair you can afford, right? You should be surprised to know that this is not always the case.

Before you go to the store and buy a chair you need to do a little self-assessment. A quick analysis of your personal behavior will help determine which ergonomic seating devices are most logical and will be the most beneficial. The main consideration is how active you are on a daily basis. Lets face it, if you happen to be someone who works out or plays a sport four or more days a week you are probably in better shape and have stronger muscles than someone who has little physical activity other than being seated. If you are an active person and have fairly strong core muscles (back muscles and abs) you are probably best with a high-end ergonomic chair that has an advanced adjustment mechanism and plush material. So go read up on VIA, Humanscale, and Herman Miller chairs and pick your favorite.

Now if you are someone who is not very active and does not have very strong core body muscles that expensive ergonomic chair is not your best choice. The following advice is not just a random thought, it is actually recommended by chiropractors for many people. Believe it or not, an exercise ball makes a fantastic chair, and will relieve back pain faster than an expensive chair in some scenarios. This is the type of exercise ball that is usually available in 55", 65" and 75" sizes and in a variety of colors. They are normally used for exercise routines but they in fact make great chairs for people who need to strengthen their core muscles or those with frequent back pain. What is does is it makes you sit up straight because if you slouch you will start to roll off of the ball. This sitting up straight posture makes your abs and back muscles work and will over time strengthen your mid body.

Using an exercise ball as a chair also has the health benefit of being an "active sitting" alternative. It is considered active because while you are seated you can gently pivot your hips left and right, and front to back to relieve tension in your spine and give your muscles a light stretch. Some people just cant get used to sitting on an exercise ball at the computer but if you are someone who experiences back pain while sitting it cant hurt you any more to give this a try. An exercise ball will cost you about $20 while most ergonomic chairs range from $200-$1000.

Ergonomic Seating

There are a slew of different types of jobs and occupations out there that involve being seated for extended periods of time. Lucky for us, ergonomic seating is available in just as many forms. For most people their work day consists of sitting in front of a computer screen for hours on end, doing one thing or another depending on their job role. Ergonomic computer chairs and ergonomic task chairs target just these users. These types of chairs are designed specifically for those spending long hours on the computer and provide added support in key areas of your body.

Some people have to sit around all day in an office setting but don't necessarily work on the computer most of the time. For these lucky individuals there are ergonomic office chairs and executive ergonomic chairs that provide added support like the task chairs do, but tend to be a little more comfortable and cushy, since they are not designed for straight computer use.

Those are the two most common types of individuals who look for ergonomic office seating but there are a variety of other chairs manufactured for those who don't have such a typical job function. Industrial workers, artists, people who hand-manufacture items, and dentists are other examples of people who can benefit from ergonomic seating. For these people there is specialized seating available such as ergonomic stools, ergonomic knee chairs (sometimes called ergonomic kneeling chairs), ergonomic ball chairs, and ergonomic  drafting chairs. They even make ergonomic lounge chairs for those lucky enough to be able to kick back and relax in the middle of their work day!

Ergonomic Office Chairs

There are a few different main types of ergonomic office chairs and each type must be chosen carefully to match your daily routine. Many people assume they can buy one type of chair and use it for various functions throughout the day. While this is possible, and most people do it, it is not necessarily the right way to go about the situation if you're trying to be conscious of ergonomics.

If you sit at a desk most of your day you probably fall into one of two categories: those who are computer-task oriented whose main job function involves direct computer desk most of the day, and those who could be supervisors, managers or executives who sit at their desk most of the day but do not actually sit there doing computer work as much as others. Ergonomic seating is available to fit each of these user types.

For the task-oriented computer user who does computer work for 4 or more hours per day you need to look for what is commonly called an "ergonomic task chair". These types of ergonomic chairs are specifically designed for heavy computer use on a daily basis. They take into account how the human body should be positioned (your posture) during this type of job function and incorporate body supporting features into their designs. Good ergonomic task chairs worth spending your money on are in the $200-$800 price range. Prices depend not only on the brand but the size of the seat and back cushions, the fabric the chair is made of, and the mechanism the adjustments of the chair are controlled by.

For the supervisor/manager/executive computer user who does actual computer work for less than 4 hours a day you need to look for "ergonomic executive chairs". The term executive in the title is the term used to describe an ergonomic chair designed for these types of individuals. Ergonomic executive chairs are designed to support the user while doing computer work, like an ergonomic task chair does, but it also doubles as a posture-assisting chair for meetings, conferences, and other situations where you may be seated for an extended period but not actually working on the computer the entire time. Executive chairs tend to be slightly more expensive than task chairs and their prices are determined by all of the same characteristics. A good executive ergonomic chair can be purchased for about $250-$1200.

Ergonomic Task Chair Fundamentals

There are many basic principles involved in the design of an ergonomic task chair, most of which are very easy to understand. A good chair is important because nowadays most of us spend of a good portion of every day working on the computer, or using it for our entertainment. Its hard to ignore that almost everywhere you go you see people sitting in chairs that look cheap, old, flimsy and just plain inadequate for daily use. Investing in the right ergonomic chair will reward you with increased comfort and productivity at the computer and a decreased risk of developing any serious conditions in the future.

A high quality task chair will always be available in custom configurations, because lets face it if you're going to spend upwards of $500 or $1000 on a new chair it better be customized to your specific body size and shape. The one-size-fits-all approach only applies to the less expensive chairs, usually under $200, but there are a few decent manufacturers producing good chairs in this price range. However, you need to make sure you take some measurements of your current chair so that you know whether or not you need to go larger or smaller with a new one. This refers to the actual dimensions of the seat cushion and the back rest (or sometimes called the back support). Premium brands like Herman Miller, Humanscale and VIA Seating offer multiple size combinations with almost all of their products.

The material of the chair is not very important in terms of ergonomics but the firmness of the cushions are something to consider. Most chiropractors usually recommend sitting on the hardest surface you can handle when you are going to be seated for long periods of time. Sometimes referring to a wooden bench as a better alternative than a good ergonomic chair, they cannot always be taken literally, but the concept behind the idea is true. It is actually better for your back to sit on a firm surface rather than a really cushy one. Extremely soft chairs may be ok for lounging but if you're going to be doing work you need a nice firm seat cushion to help strengthen your back and prevent it from going out of alignment.

Having arm rests on the chair are almost always optional and it is purely up to your personal preference. However, if you do choose a chair with adjustable arms just be conscious of how often you are resting your forearms on the pads, because too much leaning will cause problems to arise in your neck and shoulders. There are many other great ergonomic products on the market that can really help make computing safer and more comfortable. After purchasing a new chair, think about looking into a new ergonomic keyboard, ergonomic mouse and adjustable keyboard tray. Those are the most popular initial upgrades to any workstation. If you need portability in your peripherals you can also opt for a curved wireless keyboard and mouse combo or an ergonomic bluetooth mouse. As far as eyewear there is a new company called Gunnar Optiks that just released their high-tech computer glasses that specifically designed to prevent Computer Vision Syndrome and Digital Eye Fatigue. All in all, buying a good task chair is a major step towards a healthier, happier work environment.

Best Ergonomic Chair Prices

The best ergonomic chairs are going to cost you, so you better be prepared. It is extremely hard to accept the fact that any old computer chair you get at Staples, Costco, Office Max or wherever is just not going to cut it if you sit on it every day for hours on end. Companies that manufacture cheap chairs are catching on that people want a comfortable chair but don't want to spend hundreds of dollars, so what's happening is they create chairs that appear to be comfortable and ergonomic but the truth is it is just as cheaply made as the others.

This creates many disappointed consumers because they see the nice looking chair for $100 or $200 and they buy it, and then anywhere from 2 to 6 months later they hate it and they're no more comfortable than they were before they bought it. Usually what happens with cheap chairs is the pneumatic cylinder begins to weaken and the chair sinks down when you sit in it. That's the first sign that you need a different chair.

Please don't be fooled. Just because a chair looks like it's ergonomic does not mean it's actually ergonomic and well-made. Ergonomic chairs are not cheap so don't expect to get a real one for under $200. What makes a good ergonomic chair that's worth spending a small fortune on? Good question, there are a few things to keep in mind when you finally decide to make a purchase.

First, you have to decide what your budget is. If you've never been chair shopping here's a general guideline: decent ergonomic chairs will cost you $200 to $400; good chairs will cost you $400 to $600; and excellent chairs can be found for anywhere between $600 and $1400+. There are decent manufacturers that make good chairs in each of those price ranges.

Next, you have to come to terms with the type of chair you are going to get for the price. It basically follows the same rule as everything else in this world - you get what you pay for. Ergonomic chairs on the lower end of the price scale have good solid features, but only moderate research and testing was put into the design. The fact is really good chairs require a lot of research, testing and designing by highly qualified individuals, which is why they cost so much. You will still get a good chair that will last you a couple of years if you stay within the $200-$400 range; it makes a good starter chair. During this period you will get accustomed to the luxuries a good chair provides but after time you may not be fully satisfied with your comfort level if you use the computer heavily every day, and you may find yourself yearning for more.

It's usually a good idea to refrain from buying a $1000 chair your first time around because you won't fully appreciate its design and all of its features until you've experienced a $400 chair. It's like jumping from a Honda to a Maserati - get the BMW first.

Quick examples of good quality chairs in each price range include:

  • VIA Seating - very good chairs in the $200-$500 range
  • Balt Inc - decent chairs in the $200-$400 range
  • Safco - decent chairs in the $200-$500 range
  • ErgoHuman - good chairs in the $500-$700 range
  • Steelcase - good chairs in the $500-$700 range
  • Herman Miller - excellent chairs above $700
  • Humanscale - excellent chairs above $700