Office Chairs Buyers Guide
What makes a good office chair?
Table of Contents
Features to Consider When Buying an Office Chair
Height Adjustment
This is the most important feature of any office chair as you should sit in a position where your feet are flat on the floor without any pressure on the back of your thighs. Such position allows the right blood circulation and prevents your legs from going numb. To smoothly adjust the office chair’s height, you should choose a chair with a pneumatic lever which is the most convenient system for increasing or decreasing the height in office chairs. See our range of chairs.
Lumbar Support
It is a must for all quality office chairs to have a proper backrest which will thoroughly support all parts of the user’s back and allow easy movement of arms and shoulders at the same time. The natural spine position is an S-shape one and office chairs with contoured backrest deliver such support for both lower and middle back. See our range of chairs with Lumbar Support
Adjustable Back Rest and Tilt
This function lets you choose the position that is the most comfortable for your type of work. Such mechanism should allow you to move the backrest forwards or backwards and have a locking mechanism to prevent unwanted movement of the backrest. Office chairs supplied with backrest height adjustability allows you to angle the back to a position which provides the most support for your lower back and gives you the most comfort when working.
Armrests
Armrests have an important function of taking some of the strain off your back, neck and shoulders. You should choose office chairs with armrests that allow you to comfortably rest your arms at an angle of 90 degrees and be able to operate a keyboard, mouse, etc. Fixed armrests are usually sufficient for occasional use but for office chairs that are used for 7-8 hours a day you should consider adjustable armrests – the minimum standard should be the ability to adjust the height of the armrests.
Upholstery and Padding
When using an office chair for extended periods on a daily basis you should be using office chairs covered with fabric that is able to breathe and provides the user with more comfort. Fabric and mesh are the best choices in terms of breathability and they are the most popular when choosing office seating for everyday general use. Padding is also very important and it should give the user a cross between being comfortable as well as offering the right support. If the padding is too soft it won’t deliver enough support and if it is too hard it won’t be suitable to sit on for a couple of hours.
See our range of chairs and select your material type
Swivel and Castors
Swivel is one of the features which increase the usability and efficiency of office seating. It allows the user to reach for items that are on various parts of a desk or even beside it without the need to twist your back but the actual chair itself. Proper castors also add on to the functionality of office chairs – it is worth choosing the castors depending on the floor type to allow easy movement of the chair. There are castors which are suitable for hard floors, carpet floors and universal ones which can be used on both types of surfaces.
Sliding Seat
This feature allows setting the right depth of the chair seat which depends on the user's height. To sit in the most comfortable position you should be able to have your back against the backrest and a bit of space between the back of your knees and the chair seat. If a chair doesn't have a sliding seat option you should choose a deeper seat if you are taller and a shallower one if not too tall.
If you require additional chair accessories, see our range of ergonomic chair accessories.
Frequently Asked Questions |
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| 1 - How much should you pay for a good office chair? | ||||||||||||||||
| A high-quality ergonomic task chair suitable for daily use can be in the region of €200-€800+. These chairs usually come with a favourable guarantee and have the key options and features discussed earlier such as Adjustable Height, Lumbar Support, Adjustable Backrest and Tilt & Armrests. Customization options are also available on the higher priced chairs. If these numbers are out of your price range, we have task chairs beginning at the €150 mark, but you'll sacrifice a lot of ergonomic features. | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 - What to look for in a good office chair | ||||||||||||||||
| Some of the key features to consider when choosing an office chair are, height adjustment & lumbar support, also does it have adjustable back rest & tilt? Don’t forget to think about armrest – would they be beneficial and if so, would they need to be adjustable? Depending on the office environment a swivel chair could be an important addition (think of the flooring) and one last valuable feature is a sliding seat, especially beneficial for differing heights for hot desks etc. | ||||||||||||||||
| 3 - What makes a good office chair? | ||||||||||||||||
| Chairs with Ergonomic & posture benefits are always a good choice for continuous office use, these chairs offer better positioning for leg, pelvic and lumbar. The height should be adjustable to provide proper lumbar support. Both horizontal and vertical adjustments are recommended. Properly designed armrests help support upper arms, back and neck. A good ergonomic office chair will have enough adjustments to suit most people. A well-built budget office chair with adjustable height, tilt & lumbar support will suit most office workers. However the main thing to remember is maintaining good posture when in a sitting position for increased amounts of time. | ||||||||||||||||
| 4 - Which type of chair is best for long sitting? | ||||||||||||||||
| Ergonomic & Posture chairs would be ideally suited for sitting on for long periods. The quality of these chairs and positioning features allow for comfort and lumbar benefits. When sitting all day, it is important not to be cramped and continually shuffling. Comfortable posture whilst working is very important and has many health benefits. Taking advantage of features such as adjustable backrests, armrests, backrests, neck rests, and seat height will ensure a comfortable sitting position. | ||||||||||||||||
| 5 - Which type of chair is best for studying? | ||||||||||||||||
| Maintaining good posture when sitting for long hours can be challenging but choosing the right office chair is key. A comfortable chair can boost your mood to study so kitchen chairs and chairs that do not support you whilst sitting should be avoided. Ensure your chair choice is comfortable and durable. Lumbar support chairs can relieve back pain. Consider the material and fabric as soft cushioning and padding is also important. A good quality task chair or general office chair would be ideal for study purposes. If studying for an increased number of hours you might consider looking at the ergonomic/posture range. | ||||||||||||||||
| 6 - Are expensive chairs worth it? | ||||||||||||||||
| A more expensive office chair is well worth investing in if you're looking for a higher quality upgrade on your current chair. The cost of an office chair can be impacted by factors such as ergonomic features and durability. More expensive chairs provide more customisation options and ergonomics features that standard, cheaper office chairs do not. Comfort for your workday should be made a priority – especially if you sit in an office chair for hours on end – spending a bit more on a quality chair will make a difference in the long run. | ||||||||||||||||
| 7 - Finding the Perfect Chair for Your Height | ||||||||||||||||
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Based on our experience matching people of varying heights to office chairs, the following chart gives you a good idea what maximum seat height to look for in an office chair according to your body height:
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Best Selling Office Chairs
NV Posture Office Chair with Contoured Mesh Back and Adjustable Lumbar Support Black
The NV ergonomic posture office chair is designed with comfort and style in mind. The modern ergonomic design of the NV office chair makes it a great option for any office environment and ensures maximum flexibility and comfort while working at a desk either in the office or at home.
X.44 Mesh Ergonomic Design Office Chair with S-shaped Backrest & Adjustable Lumbar Support Black
The X.44 mesh operator chair has a unique s-shape design to provide comfortable working while sitting. The Ergonomic design with an S-shaped backrest curves around the spine and provides better support. The X.44 Ergonomic office chair includes adjustable lumbar support, adjustable headrest, adjustable armrest and seat height adjustment. 5 year guarantee.
Executive High Back Mesh Office Chair in Black with Armrests and Adjustable Seat - 2 Year Warranty
Executive high back mesh posture chair. This mesh back office chair is finished in black and has a modern slim-line look. This office chair offers the user the highest comfort for eight hours a day, 5 days a week. The mesh backrest provides good airflow and allows your back to breathe while delivering firm support for maintaining correct posture. This chair comes complete with faux leather padded arms. The perfect complement to your workstation.
How to Assemble an Office Chair
Step 1 : Unpack the parts from the packaging and refer to the documentation included. Start by inserting the wheels into the base of the chair.
Step 2 : Identify the gas lift part and cover. Slot the cover over the gas lift.
Step 3 : Select the base on wheels and place gas lift into base.
Step 4 : Now place the seat plate or base connector to the seat using the markings on the seat base. Insert the screws and attach the seat plate to the seat base securely by tightening with an allen key.
Step 5 : Identify the base on wheels and then attach the seat to the base by fitting the seat into the base slot.
Step 6 : Next, we move onto the arms - screw the arms into both sides of the seat using the relevant screws provided. Tighten to secure.
Step 7 : The back then needs to be inserted between the arms and the first set of screws inserted and tightened. Once complete pull the back up into position to insert the second set of screws and tighten to secure.
Step 8 : Cover Screw Holes with the caps provided and enjoy the flexible comfort of your new office chair.