Choosing the Best Office Chair for Working at Home

The recent changes to the way we work because of the COVID-19 pandemic left many of us looking for new home office furniture to ensure we are comfortable and equipped to do our jobs remotely. Buying our own office furniture is new to most of us, which can make choosing the best office chair, desk, or storage options for our new working space tricky. This article will help you choose the best office chair for working at home, looking deeper at specific requirements and providing you with some of the best options from our website.

Quick Look at Office Chair Types

Before making any purchase, it’s good to know your options. Here, we will take a quick glance at the best types of office chairs and their qualities.

Ergonomic Office Chairs

Typical Cost: £100-300

Pros: Variety, adjustable features, healthy posture

Cons: Expensive

One of the most popular chairs you’ll find in office settings, Ergonomic office chairs are built to last, with robust designs and adjustable features designed to provide maximum comfort and avoid injury. They’re available in a range of shapes, sizes, and materials.

Leather Office Chairs

Typical Cost: £50-200

Pros: Stylish, good in cool environments

Cons: Poor in warm environments

Leather office chairs have an executive style and prioritise comfort for the user. They can be more expensive than other options and are more suitable for cooler home offices. They’re not always the best choice in hot environments, as the leather can make the chair sticky and sweatier than other materials.

Executive Office Chairs

Typical Cost: £100-200

Pros: Professional, high-quality materials, tall back

Cons: Expensive

Executive office chairs are the best office chair if style and professionalism are most important to you. They are made with high-quality materials so have a long lifespan, and have a tall back designed to provide additional comfort during long days in the office.

Mesh Office Chairs

Typical Cost: £50-150

Pros: Lightweight, cheap, breathable back

Cons: Less ergonomic than other options

If you do work in a warm environment, mesh office chairs are the preferable option. They are lightweight and have breathable holes in the mesh material that allow air to flow through, helping the user stay cool during the working day.

Operator Chairs

Typical Cost: £30-100

Pros: Lumbar support and headrest, cheap

Cons: Less ergonomic and durable than other options

Considered the most basic type of office chair, Operator chairs usually have adjustable lumbar support and a headrest. If you want a cheaper option and don’t usually spend long periods of time sitting at your desk, operator chairs might be the best office chair for your home working space.

Heavy Duty Office Chairs

Typical Cost: £200-400

Pros: Designed for heavier users, durable, comfortable

Cons: Expensive, not easily moved

Heavy-duty office chairs have a larger than average seat and backrest, and a robust frame designed for larger users. They are specifically tested to hold heavier weights and use tougher materials and gas struts for additional support and a longer lifespan.

High Back Office Chairs

Typical Cost: £100-200

Pros: Designed for taller people, prioritises back support

Cons: Expensive

The name is self-explanatory; high back-office chairs are ergonomically designed for tall people. Ergonomic features ensure the user is comfortable for long periods on the chair, helping avoid neck strain or other aches and pains that standard office chairs could cause.

Draughtsman Chairs

Typical Cost: £100-200

Pros: Ideal for working on higher surfaces, adjustable

Cons: Not comfortable for long periods sitting, getting on can be clumsy

Draughtsman or drafting chairs are designed to be suitable for working on surfaces higher than a standard desk. These chairs are great option if you regularly work on surfaces such as a kitchen counter. Most include a ring around the base for your feet to rest comfortably, and come with seat backs, armrests, and often tilt adjustment.

Gaming Chairs

Typical Cost: £100-300

Pros: Ergonomic, designed for long periods sitting down, stylish

Cons: Can be expensive, designed for gaming rather than working

Gaming chairs are designed to provide comfort over long periods. Style is also important, with most people buying a gaming chair that fits the aesthetics of their gaming setup. Modelled on the bucket seat of a racing car, the shape allows you to lean into them and gain support across your back, neck, and head.

Key Considerations When Choosing the Best Home Office Chair

We have discussed the options, but knowing what to consider when buying a home office chair will help you know which is best for you. Kirsty Angerer, ergonomic consultant and member of the Chartered Institute of Ergonomic & Human Factors, recommends checking for these six features when looking for the best computer chair.  

1. Height – It’s important the height of the chair is either correct or adjustable to accommodate different statures and heights.

2. Seat depth – Your seat should be deep enough to support your legs if you’re tall, but not so deep you sink into it, and it leads to bad posture. The front of the seat should also be rounded so your legs can rest comfortably.

3. Backrest height adjustment – Your backrest should be supporting the lower and middle parts of your back. Height adjustment is key for this because it allows you to change the chair so it can provide complete back support for someone your size.

4. Adjustable armrests – Similar to backrests, it’s important you can adjust armrests to ensure maximum comfort during those long working hours.

5. Chair recliner – Having a recline feature allows you to adjust the chair so you’re not always sitting in the same position. It’s also good for helping you maintain the right posture.

6. Castors – It’s good to look for a chair with a five-castor base so you can move around freely without having to stretch or strain yourself reaching for things.

Finally, if you have something specific in mind you’re looking for in a good office chair, we will look at the best office chairs for ergonomics, back pain and a tight budget.

What Is the Best Ergonomic Office Chair?

If your priority is an ergonomic office chair and budget isn’t too much of an issue, we recommend the following:

Belize 24HR Operator Chair (Leather) - £214

This high back leather executive operator chair is specifically designed for 24-hour use, with premium ergonomic features that guarantee maximum comfort. It is one of the more expensive options, but durable materials promise a worthy investment.

Comfort Ergo Operator Chair with Mesh Back - £176

If you would prefer mesh to leather, but still want comfort and a range of ergonomic features, this is the chair for you. It has a contoured seat with a waterfall front, and features including gas height adjustment, back height adjustment and back angle adjustment. This supports good posture and long-lasting comfort.

Cubre Executive Chair - £116

This chair is a cheaper option but still one of the best ergonomic office chairs out there. It has a high, generously padded backrest with an integral headrest design. The deep cushioned seat with waterfall front provides additional comfort for the user’s legs. It also has a stylish, professional look, perfect for a productive home office. 

What Is the Best Office Chair for Back Pain?

Factors to consider if you’re looking for the best office chair for back pain are:

• Does the chair offer support while reclined?
• Is the lumbar support height and depth adjustable?
• Does the backrest and/or lumbar move with you in the chair?
• What material is the lumbar made from?

If you struggle with back pain, these are the best office chairs for maintaining a good posture and helping you stay comfortable at work:

Alicanto 24 Hour Bonded Leather Chair With Headrest - £339

This chair comes with adjustable lumbar support, a high adjustable backrest and a recline function that will support any user who suffers from back pain at work. The backrest is adjustable to help maintain a good posture and the headrest provides added comfort to the neck and shoulders.

Foster High Back 24-Hour Task Chair - £336

This chair has all the ergonomic features you need to reduce back pain caused by work. It has a fully adjustable lumbar support and backrest. It also has a seat slide function and supports users who like to recline their chair while working.

Simons 24 Hour Operator Chair - £231

This is one of the best office chairs for back pain and comes in a fair bit cheaper than the other options. It has been approved by a physio and has a range of ergonomic features including a thick, moulded back, height adjustable arms, and a heavy-duty mechanism, with asynchro movements, allowing the chair to adapt to the user’s weight.

What Is the Best Budget Office Chair?

You might just be looking for the best office chair you can get on a budget. Here are some cheaper options from our website:

Cormac Mesh Back Operator Chair - £88

At just £88, this chair comes with a breathable mesh back that offers increased ventilation. It also has a deep padded seat and an ergonomic design to provide maximum comfort during long working days. Adjustable features like gas life adjustment, weight tension control and tilt lock mean you can customise the chair to what works best for you.

Clarence High Back Executive Chair - £86

This executive leather office chair provides a stylish, professional look without the accompanying huge cost. It also has additional ergonomic features to help the user stay comfortable and avoid injury during long hours sitting. The high back helps support the back, neck and head, it has upholstered synthetic leather PVC, and padding, and the gas light allows it to be adjusted to accommodate users of different size.

Kendall 2 Lever High Back Operator Chair - £70

Operator chairs are one of the most common chairs used in offices because of their affordability and versatility. They are comfortable and easy to move around, making them suitable for busy office spaces or reception areas. This chair has a deeply padded seat with waterfall front, is made from high quality, durable fabric, and has additional adjustable features for maximum comfort.

This guide should help you find the best office chair for your home office. If you’re looking for more office furniture, like desks or storage, you can find a range of options on our website.