Best Ergonomic Chairs According to r/OfficeChairs

"Take it from someone who just finally settled on a chair (Ergocentric Aircentric) after 11 months of searching and trying out almost every option (Haworth Fern, Steelcase Leap, 3 Amia’s, Steelcase think, Haworth Zody and a few lesser known brands i.e, teknion contessa, teknion projek…the list goes on), there’s no substitute for trying out a chair in your own space. If possible, get them new with a good return policy, try it out for a week or so, and you can usually tell if it’s for you. Keep in mind some chairs take some time to adjust to but for me I could usually tell within the first week or two if a chair worked for me. Note: The chair I ended up with is not super “loungey” but I can sit on it for many hours with no real discomfort (back pain or shoulder pain etc.)"

"i had a look around and couldn't really find the aircentric 1 available, the aircentric 2 and 3 are too pricey for me and not available where i am, looking at the shape design of the back rest it would hit my elbows as i pull back which is too wide for what i am after doing, the seat base looked too far forward from the back and not as close as id like but i didn't research if it was able to go back and forth with adjustments. thanks for the recommendation, do you have any other suggestions?"

"The airCentric is a great model, and this one looks like it would fit you well. Note that its lumbar support curve is a bit subtler than the Markus' unless it has the optional "air lumbar" feature that lets you adjust the lumbar support tension."

"The cushioning to me is great. It is thick, but not plush. You don't sink deep into it, but it has give to it. I would say it is probably a 8.5/9 out of 10 on comfort. I have not tried the memory foam from Neutral Posture, but my NP rep loves it. I also have teamed up with someone who is an occupational therapist and the 8000 is one of the main chairs she fits her clients with. She goes with the memory foam more times than not for them. I need to try it, but generally I don't like memory foam because of the constriction. It is comfortable for sure, but over longer periods of time, I feel it does more harm than good. In my experience, it restricts movement and proper blood flow. Some food for thought - what my NP rep said about the memory foam, "N-Dulgent is our tried & true but like most tempurpedic foam it warms the longer you are seated""

"A [Lifeform chair](https://relaxtheback.com/collections/lifeform-ergonomic-office-chairs) is pretty comfortable. Or a [Neutral Posture 8000](https://www.reddit.com/r/OfficeChairs/comments/z5iuzp/neutral_posture_nps8000_review_the_chair_to_end/)."

"You’re not missing anything by not getting a Herman Miller. From that list I would get the Neutral Posture 8000. It has the most adjustments so you can adjust the chair to perfectly support your unique body. And it also has real cushions for comfort during work. [https://www.reddit.com/r/OfficeChairs/comments/z5iuzp/neutral\_posture\_nps8000\_review\_the\_chair\_to\_end/](https://www.reddit.com/r/OfficeChairs/comments/z5iuzp/neutral_posture_nps8000_review_the_chair_to_end/) Neutral Posture 8000 meets all the requirements explained in this expert video about how to choose a chair. https://preview.redd.it/o7iegt1tqmhf1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bb4d4ae89f50fc301ad3f225f62093a489a1ebc6"

"https://preview.redd.it/p4dcnon5bi3e1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a93cd4b635e1b6f917069d0cbc1d84bff8716ea9 It might be a stretch, but we have these Håg Capisco ergonomic chairs at work, which allow a leaning style. It's really nice to be leaning like this while listening on a teams meeting. The type of chair you drew looks like a sort of kneeling chair. I have no experience in them."

"I have the capisco and while I initially liked it, I am not as big a fan anymore. The seat is just a bit too small for me to sit comfortably, and unless you sit up straight at all times, it just feels uncomfortable after a while. I also don’t use the other sitting styles, as they sound cool on paper but aren’t very practical to me n"

"The Capisco is great, but it does require good sitting habits and a little bit of core strength to get the most out of it. Taller people have to be extra carefull about seated posture, and even more so with a capisco. That said, if you can keep upright with your core engaged and not crane your neck forward, it should be a great choice. If you use the headrest, make sure it's not cranked so far forward that it affects your posture. It should be for supporting the head/neck when you lean back. Just checking - have you got the chair unlocked to so it tilts back and forth?"

"It’s real, etc. Humanscale has very particular opinions about how an ergonomic chair should work. I think they’re in the love ‘em or hate ‘em category, and I haven’t fallen in love with them, but there’s no universe in which you could ever consider $40 for a Liberty “getting ripped off.” If it is at **all** comfortable for you, then kudos on your very, *very* cool chair. Concerning longevity, they were originally shipped with warranties covering the mechanical stuff for 15 years and the soft bits for 5 years, so Humanscale at least *thought* they were putting out a well built product. I doubt you’ll be covered by any warranty, but it should still far outlast any chair you could find for $40 new."

"thank you so much I’ve seen also a warehouse selling another used one for 249. This doesn’t seem a good deal. For context, I bought a humanscale liberty a few weeks ago because I liked how they are in my office. The only issue is the one that arrived to me was a newer version with less inclined back rest and hence less lumbar support. This after weeks of communications with humanscale support and the shop selling the chair. Then I was advised to keep the chair and “break it in” but after 2 months still not the same back support as same models at the office. So here we are looking for another chair 🥲 Do you think the leap v2 is better for lumbar support?"

"The Liberty has a pretty well thought out seat with a somewhat surprising amount of cushion for how ordinary it looks, in my opinion."

"Let me guess your situation: while typing, you probably rest your arms on the desk, which ends up causing you to lean forward without realizing it. This puts a strain on your back and neck, leaving them unsupported. When you're deep into typing, it's easy to lose track of time and forget to take breaks, which leads to muscle strain and discomfort. For your situation, I happen to know a chair that could solve your problems: the **Hinomi X1**. Here’s how it can help: 1. **Prevents forward leaning**: The lumbar and back support design helps you find the perfect balance between relaxing your torso and staying focused. Your back gets the proper support it needs. 2. **Great headrest support**: It encourages you to maintain an upright posture without slouching, which really helps your neck and upper back. 3. **Excellent armrest adjustability**: You can adjust the armrests to desk height, so your arms are always supported. Move your keyboard or laptop closer to the edge of the desk, and your arms will stay in a comfortable position without you needing to lean forward at all. 4. **Perfect match with your sit-stand desk**: Adjust the desk height so your shoulders naturally relax, with your upper arms and forearms forming a slightly wider than 90-degree angle. Rest your forearms on the armrests, and you’ll be in a super comfortable position. A lot of people don’t think about how to properly use armrests when buying an ergonomic chair. I learned this the hard way because my desk is too high. When I put my arms on it, I end up shrugging my shoulders, which causes discomfort after a while. That’s why I bought the X1. The armrest surface is flat, firm, and much wider than average—basically like a mini desk for your arms. After using this setup for 8 hours a day, 7 days a week, I’ve noticed a huge difference. My lower back pain hasn’t gotten worse, and I haven’t had any other discomfort in my body. While I highly recommend this chair, there are a couple of things to keep in mind: * If you enjoy tucking your lower legs backward, the X1’s footrest might block you, forcing your legs to rest flat on the ground. (If you extend the footrest, you can rest your feet on it, which has become one of my favorite postures. * The armrests can make a noticeable sound when rotated. * The lowest promotional price I’ve seen for the X1 is $599. I suggest waiting for a sale to get it. Their return policy is friendly, offering a 30-day trial, which is enough time to get used to the chair."

"Yeah not taking breaks is not a good idea. You're back is going to be pretty sore with. The ASUS ROG Destrier is good but it’s a bit pricey and has some wobbly armrest issues. The Hinomi X1, on the other hand, stands out with its unique backrest design that offers great support. [Desky](https://desky.com/products/desky-pro-ergonomic-chair) or the Ergodynamic EHC-420 are both under $600 and have got the goods for long sitting sessions. They’ve got solid lumbar support and a comfy headrest."

"I’m using the hinomi X1 for 6 months now. It’s been great for me so far. Could sit in it for hours on end without feeling sore compared to my previous chairs. The armrest is however a little high for me at the lowest setting (i’m 5’6 or 170cm) but not a deal breaker. Gaming chairs are not ergonomic at all."

"Have the Autonomous ErgoChair Pro, and I can say it’s highly adjustable and comfortable. I bought with price $449."

"The chair looks 'shockingly' similar to the autonomous ergochair pro (it isnt the same i dont think) which I had at one point in time and let me tell ya, it was kinda shit. sure it had adjustable parts and 'cool' features. the chair itself, the cushion and back werent too bad but the rest of the chair just felt as if it was built on plastic. i wouldnt recommend it to someone. if i was shoppin for a new chair in the budget range id suggest get something that is simple and feels good."

"Steelcase is quite high price range I’ve been using the ergochair pro for a couple of months now and it rocks. It’s right around $500, and for the price this office chair for 300 lbs does the job RIGHT. Hey OP If you’re looking for something super plush, this might not be for you. But for everyday use if you’re working from home a lot, I think it’s a good option."

"Office Depot and Office Max both have chairs on the floor to try. I really like the Workpro Quantum 9000. Office Depot has it for $550. I’ve had it for 5ish years and it’s still going strong. I have a couple slipped discs and this has been a really good chair for me. I got the padded seat because I can’t stand the mesh chairs. But they do have a mesh seat option and it’s a bit cheaper."

"the other design fault with these arms is that there are only a few threads in the chassis for the small bolts they use to bite into, which makes it even more likely for bolts to snap or threads to strip if they are allow to loosen. speaking of the armrests on this "family" of chairs, i have a new quantum 9000 with the old style arms that pivot into three different positions - the design is infuriating because they're WAY too high on their lowest setting to be comfortable for any extended period (i guess maybe someone who's like 6' 6" or taller might find them comfy.) i saw on a thread in this subreddit about replacing the old style armrests with the newer ones and they're supposedly about 2.5" shorter on their lowest setting. any chance you might be able to confirm that? otherwise all i can think of to do is use nuts and long bolts with a bunch of washers stacked up between the arms and chassis to space them downwards to compensate, but that only puts more stress on an already chintzy design."

"WorkPro Quantum 9000 (probably from Office Depot). It’s definitely worth $50, but I’d treat it as a stopgap while you look for a great deal on a top tier chair."

"The Amia and Leap are the best amongst those chairs. Check btod YouTube channel, they have a video comparing the Leap and the Amia because they provide different back support. That should indicate the one that fits you best."

"that’s not an amia unfortunately, but you have good options on your local facebook marketplace and there’s a few used stores in your area as well"

"Honestly best option might be a refurbished or secondhand Amia. Allows cross legged and actually ergonomic. Secretlab and all bucket style chairs are terrible for your posture."

"Both RH and Kinnarps are Swedish brands. RH was however acquired by Norwegian company Flokk. Still the same quality though. Both brands have a ton of different chairs. Kinnarp chairs costs about $600-800 brand new and RH costs $1000-1500 brand new, depending on model and what addons you add to it. You can find them used on Blocket (Swedish marketplace), Facebook Marketplace and other such websites, for anywhere between $25-600. I lucked out and managed to find a RH Logic 400 for just $60. It costed roughly $1200 brand new and is only a few years old. Sometimes when companies shutdown they sell off all their office furniture for a bargain."

"Mostly just the coverings and foam falling apart. I would need to get new foams for the base and upholster all the fabric surfaces and I've been wanting to try out a mesh chair for a while anyways. The logic 400 gets a bit toasty around summertime or after long hours of sitting on it. If i could choose, I would just have a mesh version of the logic, but alas nothing like that exists :P"

"Kinnarps Plus 6, RH Logic 400, and Malmstolen Classic are all significantly better than Embody. You can get them new or used easily in Scandinavia. Scandinavian chairs like Kinnarps are better than Herman Miller."

"The Ergocentric tCentric would work. It has the most adjustable headrest and it has 3 hinges so you can adjust it to fit your head perfectly. The whole backrest moves up and down so you can adjust it to the height you need. It has tilt lock and a 12 year warranty. You will see pictures with a mesh backrest but you can order it with all cloth - https://www.ergocentric.com/product/tcentric-hybrid-mesh-back-upholstered-seat/ and https://www.reddit.com/r/OfficeChairs/comments/1gf9szi/mission_accomplished_a_big_and_tall_dudes_journey/ The Neutral Posture 8000 is a similar option with similar functions and a very adjustable headrest - https://www.reddit.com/r/OfficeChairs/comments/z5iuzp/neutral_posture_nps8000_review_the_chair_to_end/"

"My tCentric thoughts: **Backrest** Overall, the backrest on this chair was way too small for me. I kept wishing I could raise it an inch or two more. Even if I raised the backrest all the way where it was most comfortable, it was still below my shoulders by an inch or two and created a gap between the backrest and the seat. I never could get the lumbar right. Even fully deflated, it was too aggressive and hit in the wrong spot.  **Mechanism** I'm not sure how to explain this, but the seat mechanism just felt very clunky. It seemed like I was always fighting it. If I wanted to lean back, it didn't want me to lean back as far as I wanted to. When I would lean back in the chair, the backrest lumbar support would move to a different spot on my back, which was uncomfortable. **Seat** I don't have much fat on me, but I'm still 230 pounds due to my height, which caused my sit bones to be bottoming out in the seat pan. On the other hand, the seat was long enough for the first time ever. The seat height was also no problem.  \--- Returning chairs is a MAJOR pain - so I gave up for now. I'm back to my $180 chair I got from Walmart 5-ish years ago. I don't know what the brand is. It says Essendant on it, but I don't remember that being the name of it when I bought it."

"The Ergocentric tCentric meets all of your criteria, including a headrest that’s more adjustable than Atlas. It has height adjustable and depth adjustable lumbar as well. Here is a review by someone who has the chair: https://www.reddit.com/r/OfficeChairs/comments/1gf9szi/mission_accomplished_a_big_and_tall_dudes_journey/"

"I’m surprised that the Embody works for you. I’m 6’2” and the upper back pushed my shoulders forward and in too much. I just bought an Allsteel Acuity to replace it and it’s been much better for me."

"Did you use their help center "contact us" form? The supports for the back of my acuity just snapped, hoping I don't have to buy another one."

"Lots of people love the Acuity, it is a little expensive for used but if it's a newer year it's not a bad deal. The Think is a good chair I like it, the Leap as well but the Leap is for sure an older chair as it's a V1 that hasn't been made in a long time."

"Malmstolen chairs are pretty good and somewhat similar to car seats. They are expensive so you'd have to look at used ones."

"I just ordered Malmstolen 4000, best chair i ever tried, we have it at work and everyone fights to get it there x)"

"For a quality chair that will support your body, in your price range, look for a used Orangebox, RH, Kinnarps, or Malmstolen chair. They are built strong, ergonomic, and a good value if you can find it used. Look for used office furniture companies or office liquidators in your area or online, or Facebook Marketplace if that is available in your region."

"Thanks for your reply and insight. I saw a lot of ads this week on Facebook for Cushion Lab cushions. I am going to try that to make up the height. I also got a lumbar support as well."

"understood. on the normal backrest, it’s noticeable around 2-3 clicks, and i think 1-2 clicks is comparable to the minor lumbar support on the amia. curious how different it would be on the crandall leap. thank you for your insight"

"I know it's only been 17 days since your last post but how has the chair been now that you've had it for a better part of a month? I'm considering buying it and am hoping to get even a little insight into its quality over time. Thanks."

"I’m a big fan of the Generation. My daily is a Leap v2 which seems to come up a little higher, but I used a Generation for years and it was great. Nice pickup."

"Both are great chairs. I disagree about the build quality of the knoll tho. It is over engineered with much more plastic in its design, even in the mechanism. The way that the recline is designed is all plastic on plastic which over time leads to some sloppiness in the back and broken parts. You also can’t open the compartment where the springs are as it’s riveted shut. It feels much less sturdy to me than the zody and the recline is absolutely terrible imo. However the back on the generation is amazing and sitting upright in the generation hits so good compared to the zody. The recline and seat on the zody are better tho. I like the sturdiness and adjustments of the zody arms but the position of the knoll arms feels more natural. Just depends on what you’re looking for. The zody can be business and a lounger whereas the knoll is all business. Both great chairs good prices."

"It just depends on the person, when I was younger I could sit on anything and be fine. Not everyone needs an Aeron or a Leap or whatever chairs people fetishize here. There are definitely good chairs for 500 Euro. I have a Knoll Generation I bought for $100 off Facebook and it works great for me."

"I personally love my V1. It's one of my favorite chairs. I can't stand the feel of leather, so I would pass on this. But, if leather is not something that bothers you, the gas cylinder works, then, 50 bucks is pretty damn cheap for a pretty good chair."

"A yes a fellow West Islander - that's a V1 High back! I almost impulsively bought it 2 yesterday when it was posted but I already have a normal V1 and a V2. The V1s definitely feel more solid so if you like the color I'd say go for it!"

"Yep. To be perfectly honest, I went with the V1 for the several hundred dollar price difference. With Crandalls return policy, I figured it was worth it."

"The tCentric's lumbar support is too high for short users, even at the backrest's lowest position. The geoCentric is a better fit."

"I'm sad that there aren't too many Ergocentrics on the used market. The Geocentric is one of the best chairs I've sat in. I just can't afford it."

"Yeah at 5’3, I really liked my previous geoCentrics (task and stool models).  I didn’t match with the sCentric and I assumed it was because I found the lumbar too aggressive. Would the tCentric experience be the same?  I like my airCentric3 but keep eyeing the tCentric with air pump lumbar. Guess i really need to try one. "

"The [9to5 Seating Theory](https://officechairsoutlet.com/products/9-to-5-theory-mid-back-ergonomic-task-chair?variant=43467872207091) would fit you well. It's too bad you're not in Southern California, or I'd sell you my barely used Theory for cheap."

"The [9to5 Seating Theory](https://officechairsoutlet.com/products/9-to-5-theory-mid-back-ergonomic-task-chair?variant=43467872207091) would fit you well. It's too bad you're not in Southern California, or I'd sell you my barely used Theory for cheap."

"I recommend the 9to5 Seating Theory 2160 HD (Heavy Duty, i.e. 350 lbs capacity)."

"Size A Herman Miller Aeron with the Posturefit SL, which helps the sacrum at the lower back. Haworth Zody with the extra lumbar support, which has a piece that the lower part of the backrest to support the sacrum at the lower back. Herman Miller Cosm, which has a curved seat/backrest that helps align the pelvis/sacral area. Not familiar with any cheaper options."

"Yes, its a cosm. A friend had it but did not like it much, went back to embody. Better you try it out first."

"The Leap or Aeron would be a good starting point for long hours of sitting. The Cosm has the shortest seat depth and I think the Low Back version is good for upright sitting. Mid back is also good but slightly reclined."

"I can barely sell a relate for $80 in my area, glad there's finally one other person on this planet that realizes it's a great chair"

"Yeah, I wish I saw the listing in time. I'm lucky I still have some all steel relates that I bought for 75 each, would've liked the back tensioning and the angling of the arms that these relates don't have but oh well"

"I went there and bought an Allsteel Relate in excellent condition for $119. I like it so far. Only thing I wish it had was more recline settings instead of just recline or lock. Most their other chairs were over $300 as you mentioned but I got a great deal and definitely better than what $119 would have got me at Staples. Thanks again!"

"Been using the Tritek in the office for the last 12 years. I love it so much when the office wanted to replace it with a new one in the office, I said I wanted to take it home. I am now the happy owner of a 12 year old chair that is worn but still comforable. [https://www.globalfurnituregroup.com/ca/products/tritek-ergo-select](https://www.globalfurnituregroup.com/ca/products/tritek-ergo-select)"

"Same. I have one, and the seat cushion is just way better. They use these global tritek in hospitals i believe. Been using mine for 2 year, and the cushion is still good as hell."

"u/rahrah1108 Can confirm. The Tritek is a great chair if it's in good working condition and it fits you well."