Human beings were made to move, to act, to run and jump and skip – or whatever the manly version of skipping is: mosey? – not sit all day staring at screens. The problem is when we have all of existence at our fingertips, and millions of cat videos to get through before we even talk about all the Netflix series we have to bingewatch, we don’t want to go capering about like some loon. We want to read insane tweets, do some work, check and double check our online dating profile, scroll through a bunch of fake Facebook news, enjoy a little light pornography, frag some noobs, and write inflammatory things on our blog before going to bed to dream of electric sheep.
The issue with this lifestyle is it’s killing our silly meat-sac bodies which still haven’t learned to survive hours upon hours of sitting still staring at our computer. Thanks evolution. Which means we have to use our big human brains to come up with the solutions that nature in all its glory still hasn’t provided. What we’ve got so far are the 16 best computer chairs for keeping your rump right where it is.
What To Get In Any Office Chair
Chairs are ubiquitous wherever you are, so if you plan on going rogue and picking your own chair, or have found a few that look good at your local secondhand shop, then you’ll need to know what makes sitting apparatus worthy of your bum. Here’s the simple factors to consider:
- Adjustability – The more movement options a chair has, the better it is. Since each body is a beautiful snowflake made out of meat, the more versatility you can get out of a chair, the better your sitting sessions are going to be. Look for more than merely up and down, but armrests that alter and can be removed, several tilting angles, and lumbar/back/neck support that can be altered to suit your frame.
- Ergonomics – Chairs that cradle you with a lot of contact points and keep your body in a healthy position will reduce long-term pain in your hips and back. The less a chair touches you, the less it supports you, which tends to lead to hunching and compacting of your spinal column.
- Breathability – Leather chairs might look damn dapper, but they often don’t breathe worth a damn. Your body needs airflow or you’ll quickly turn into a sticky, sweaty mess. If the chair doesn’t have gaps or padding that keep you cool, it’s usually a bust.
AmazonBasics Mid-Back Mesh
A solid chair for lighter users, anyone who goes near the 200 lbs. mark should give this a miss, since it will fall apart on you. For those more petite, it’s a great chair that punches well above its weight for support, natural alignment, long-term comfort, and easy use.
Alera Elusion Series Mesh High-Back
It won’t catch the eye, but it won’t break the bank either. Stripped down to only what you need, there’s a no-frills comfort and appeal to the Elusion that makes it work comfortably without adding in loads of adjustment extras you may very well not need. When it comes to solidity and quality in a staid body, here’s how to roll.
IKEA Markus
Strangely easy to assemble, the Markus is the affordable solution for those who like a high back with a load of levers for finding the perfect balance for your body. Though the back is mesh, the included lumbar support makes the most of its contact points for both a cool dorsal region and a straight spine.
WorkPro Commercial Mesh Back Executive
Using the split back design used in some more expensive chairs, WorkPro has managed to make the executive affordable enough for the middle manager who needs to ameliorate their scoliosis. Fiddle until you find the sweet spot, and then enjoy the sitting pleasure.
Office Master OM5
The chair that dares to conform, the OM5 automatically senses your weight and posture, then adjusts accordingly in a way that starts out creepy, then becomes buttered heaven. Naturally you can adjust the height and armrests, contributing some agency, but it’s hardly needed since the chair shifts as you do. Find one and give it a test. Those looking to save money or who want to control their posture would do well to also consider the Affirm.
Herman Miller SAYL
Ecologically sound right down to the spartan packaging, the SAYL is the best entry-level HM chair out there. It’s made for those who sit all day, putting a seriously padded cushion under your hindquarters and using that unusual mesh back to give you a one-two combination of support and airiness you need to spend 14 hours in to truly appreciate.
Knoll ReGeneration
Light, tight, and employing corn by-products in the backing, the ReGeneration is a striking beast that’s ideal for the minimalist who wants the best without adding a hefty throne to their office. It works for people of all shapes and sizes, so those who have tried and been disappointed by other options should seek redemption here.
Ergohuman Office
Obsessive adjusters who want to tweak every square inch of their sitting apparatus will be in hog heaven using this multi-tiered design from Ergohuman. There’s few adjustments you can’t make, and the comfy body with it’s mesh frame is good for going the pull-an-all-nighter distance.
Steelcase Leap
Steelcase worked long an hard to perfect the Leap, which is their banner product because it is truly astounding. Relying on the LiveBack system which is fluid, offering convenient adjustment of back, arms, and seat at any point. You can even recline onto the back that mimics your spine’s shape to a T without actually getting further away from your labors.
Herman Miller Aeron
A long-term purchase, the Aeron is many people’s entry to the Herman Miller line, since they can often be found for sale on the secondary market. Miles of adjustment features and a mesh back make it comfortable, though brand new the price is a little steep for an item that doesn’t have the same bells and whistles as cheaper choices.
Steelcase Gesture
Let the fact that a lifetime warranty comes out of the box with this chair tell you a little about what you’re getting for the money. Hands down one of the most comfortable seats you’ll ever find, period. It holds you like a newborn babe as safe and secure as possible, making every other chair – literally every other chair – feel like a sad imitation.
Freedom Task
Sparing no expense, the Freedom Task Chair strives to add sharp looks to go with the automated comfort adjustment. It senses your movement and adjusts itself to fit throughout the day while avoiding the functional, mesh look that most have. A true power chair, it’s good, but dauntingly priced.
Herman Miller Embody
The spine and ribs promote proper posture while the body conforms to your every movement, attempting to optimize circulation and support you no matter what twisted shape you get yourself into. Though the price is hefty, it earns it by helping to prevent neck, back, and hip injuries from repetitive stress, and breathes like a gossamer dream.
Porsche 911 Office Chair
Perhaps the closest most of us will get to sitting in a real 911, these use the same continuous adjustment of height and the ability to electrically change the backrest that are found in the Carrera GTS and GT3. More than just a pretty body, there’s leather accents, with the middle made of Alcantara that breathes beautifully.
Ferrari F360 Challenge Carbon Fiber Chair
Built by OMP to go into the F360 Challenge car, the seat has now been fitted to a badass carbon fiber chair frame, using actual items from the real cars themselves. Connolly leather through and through with adjustments all over the map, it’s certainly Ferrari priced, but still irresistible for anyone looking to pump up their desk game. Good luck finding one in the wild, though. Call it aspirational!
