Are you sitting comfortably?
We ask because chances are - with flexi-working now the norm for millions - that you may well be reading this when you’re working from home.
While many welcome the change of location for at least a portion of the working week, it’s probably not doing your back any favours. In-office chairs are carefully selected and designed to safeguard employee health, but there isn’t the same checklist for your WFH desk.
But if you’re putting in the hours at home, an office chair that has your back, in every sense, should be a top priority. While you may not be keen on the eyesore of a chunky office chair in the home, this is a case of substance over style - and besides, there are plenty of well-designed chairs to work in that look good when you’re off-duty too.
There are many types of office chairs out there, from standard stationary ones to wheeled seats and kneeling stools that promote spinal health and keep your core muscles engaged - very helpful if your work is sedentary for extended periods.
The pros and cons of different office chair types
Physio Med takes us through the pros and cons of each:
- Pros: can be adjusted to any desk, and aids better posture overall by correcting the lower back position.
- Cons: only works if you’re not a sloucher to start with. Difficult to use when wearing skirts or dresses. Expensive.
Exercise ball
- Pros: increased lower back muscle activity and better spinal posture.
- Cons: can’t adjust, hard to store and uncomfortable for long periods.
- Pros: height and seat adjustable, lumbar support, seat tilt to promote good seated posture.
- Cons: unsightly, can be expensive.
If you’re planning to work from home for the long term, an ergonomic office chair is the best option and the wisest investment - provided it is adjusted to suit your frame specifically.
There are plenty of tutorials online to help you tweak your chair so that you are sitting in the correct position, but remember that no matter how supportive your chair is, getting up regularly is key to keeping your muscles engaged and spine happier - if that’s not a reason for a proper lunch break or a quick stroll around the block, we don’t know what is.
Best office chairs for posture
- Best for full body support: SIHOO Office Desk Chair - £199.99, Amazon
- Best for scientifically supported: Herman Miller Aeron Office Chair, Graphite - £1329, Johh Lewis
- Best for off-duty: AA Products Gaming Chair - £165, eBay
- Best for prettier than average: Habitat Alma High Back Office Chair - Pink - £93, Argos
- Best for auto-adjustment: Humanscale Diffrient World Chair - £752.40, Office Furniture Online
- Best for not being black or grey: Moon High Mesh Back Operator Chair - £142.80, Furniture Work
- Best for lumbar support: Hbada Office Chair Desk Chair - £129.99, Amazon
- Best for active sitting: Varier Variable Balans, Original Kneeling Chair - £299, Amazon
- Best for simply stylish: John Lewis Radcliffe Office Chair - £249, John Lewis
If you’re looking for a good office chair to enhance your WFH situation, we’ve rounded up the best ones with posture support at the top of the shopping list.
Shop the best options below
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SIHOO Office Desk Chair
Best for: full body support
A headrest = elite WFH seating. Fully customise your seat with this design from Sihoo which offers a range of adjustability, from the headrest to the seat height, as well as the lumbar support and armrests. There’s also a tilt adjustment for the back of the chair. The look is made from strong mesh and a padded seat, keeping air flowing across the back and shoulders and leaving sweat out of the equation.
Buy now £199.99, Amazon
Herman Miller Aeron Office Chair, Graphite
Best for: scientifically supported
Naturally one of the top-rated office chairs costs a fair amount, but it’s made on the back of scientific research in sitting and designed to best support posture and spinal health. It is height and seat adjustable with three versions available - the top end can support weights of up to 19.5kg.
Whether you’re leaning into a Zoom call, or you’re leaning back thinking about your next project, the streamlined tilt mechanism keeps you in a natural position. It’s a climate-controlling design too; Aeron’s innovative 8Z Pellicle suspension material allows air, body heat and water vapour to flow freely through the seat and back of the chair, helping keep you cool and comfortable throughout the working day.
Comes with a 12-year guarantee for parts.
Buy now £1329.00, John Lewis
AA Products Gaming Chair
Best for: off-duty
If you’re looking for a swivel chair that fuses function and form, this AA Products Gaming Chair is one of the best choices around.
Designed as a gaming chair, it brings together everything you need for hours of relaxation without ever getting a stiff neck or achy back. Its thick base and supportive arms make it great for lengthy sessions at your computer or gaming device, while its padded design is adjustable to suit all heights.
Buy now £165.00, eBay
Habitat Alma High Back Office Chair - Pink
Best for: prettier than average
When you get to a certain age, it’s pretty much impossible to sit down or get up without making an 'ahhhh' noise. Habitat’s Alma design offers supportive yet cloud-like comfort that’s made for sinking into.
It boasts a gas lock, tilt and five castor wheels so you can adjust and move freely while seated. The high back and headrest ensure your entire back is supported wonderfully. Max user weight: 110kg.
Buy now £93.00, Argos
Humanscale Diffrient World Chair
Best for: auto-adjustment
Available in black or white, this high-quality chair from Humanscale is designed with a weight-sensitive recline mechanism. This means it automatically adjusts to support you at every position to keep you properly supportive and balanced all day.
The mesh backrest keeps air circulating and the chair comes with a variety of adjusting features, like the seat height, depth and armrest height.
Buy now £752.40, Office Furniture Online
Moon High Mesh Back Operator Chair
Best for: not being black or grey
Available in a choice of colours including the purple seen here, this chair is a fun and functional alternative for anyone who can’t bear the thought of a looming black or grey chair crossing their threshold. The tall back is curved to help support your posture, and it also features folding arms, gas height adjustment, a fully reclining tilt mechanism and weight tension control.
Buy now £142.80, Furniture Work
Hbada Office Chair Desk Chair
Best for: lumbar support
Forget fidgeting on a dining chair or wriggling on the sofa: for a productive WFH session, you need a good chair that supports your whole body.
Enter this mid-back chair with an ergonomic backrest that fits in the lower back to keep it supported and help alleviate pain. The mesh back lets air circulate freely to your back while giving it strong support at the same time. Bend the backrest forward and tuck in the armrest before sliding it under your desk when you’re finished for the day.
Buy now £129.99, Amazon
Varier Variable Balans, Original Kneeling Chair
Best for: active sitting
Active sitting can help safeguard your back health by keeping your core muscles engaged.
One of the best styles of chairs for this is a kneeling chair, which not only will nudge your spine into a naturally straight position all day but can help improve productivity levels too. Admittedly they take some getting used to, but you’ll see and feel the difference after a few uses.
They’re offered in myriad colours - this sunshine yellow is our fave - and styles depending on your preference.
Buy now £299.00, Amazon
John Lewis Radcliffe Office Chair
Best for: simply stylish
Sometimes you don’t need all of the bells and whistles. You just want to strip things back to basics with a product that does what it says on the tin. In times like these, say hello to the John Lewis’ Radcliffe Office Chair.
This soft leather-esque chair is a great all-rounder for providing comfort and style without taking up too much room. Its comfy and supportive foam-filled seat and backrest make it suitable for a full eight-hour working day, while its lack of armrests lets you sit close to your desk and slide the chair away underneath at the end of the day.
Buy now £249.00, John Lewis
