Branch Ergonomic Review

Branch is a relatively young office furniture manufacturer that has earned attention for producing near-premium chairs at midrange price points, including its Ergonomic office chair. From buttery-smooth wheels up to its breathable mesh backrest, our testers all agreed that the Branch Ergonomic was more than capable of going toe-to-toe with competitors with much higher price points. With advanced adjustment features including seat depth, armrest position, tilt tension, and adjustable and removable lumbar support, we loved how easy it was to customize this chair to find the optimal position for long-term comfort.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

Comfort reigned supreme in our testing of the Branch Ergonomic Office Chair and we put as many tester's bottoms in the chair as possible to capture a wide range of expert feedback. We had four testers each spend a full day in the Branch Ergonomic chair, taking notes on everything from seat comfort to wheel performance. In addition to asking each reviewer to provide an overall score out of 10 in each of our three key areas of focus (comfort, adjustability, and ease of assembly), we asked each of our sitters to respond to a survey of 16 questions designed to uncover what makes the Branch comfortable — and what doesn't.

In addition to prodding our testers with expected questions like “how comfortable was the backrest” we also included unconventional inquiries about whether Branch Ergonomic supported unconventional seating positions like criss-cross or with one leg folded under a thigh. The Branch Ergonomic earned high marks on comfort overall, which was largely due to the combination of a comfortable seat and backrest combined with great adjustability.

Measured Seat Pan Width

Product	Width
Best	26.5
Average	20.3
Branch Ergonomic	20.0
Worst	18.0

The seat pad is made from a supportive foam that contours to the shape of the sitter's body. In general, our testers reported a firm yet comfortable backside feel. However, some of our testers thought the seat pan felt a bit narrow even though it technically measured very close to average.

Considering the chair has a weight limit of 275 pounds, we found Branch's claim that this chair is made for “bodies of all shapes and sizes” a bit misleading for larger sitters. For reference, some strong office chairs have weight limits up to 400 pounds, while the average of the chairs we tested support just over 320 pounds. Our testers ranged in height from 5'3" to 6'1" and while some felt the seat could maintain comfort for a 10-hour day, others felt that the hard armrests and mediocre lumbar support pulled the overall long-hour comfort score down.

Lumbar support was one of the only average aspects of the Branch Ergonomic when it came to comfort. While none of our testers disliked the lumbar support, none found it especially strong either. Another one of our testers, Austin, noted that while the lumbar support wasn't “aggressive” he was able to feel it independently of the backrest.

Another feature we appreciated when testing for comfort was the double-layered mesh backrest. Not only does the tight mesh weave provide firm but light back support, the small gap between the two mesh layers allows for much-needed airflow. To this end, you can really let your back breathe by completely removing the lumbar support cushion.

The Branch Ergonomic Office Chair isn't without its flaws. For instance, Austin noted, “The biggest downfall for this chair is the armrests.” He wasn't alone in that conclusion. In fact, the armrests were the only area that all four of our testers agreed the Branch could use comfortability improvements. Not only were they unanimously found to be too hard, they were also prone to abruptly unlocking out of their adjusted position.

Maximum Recline Angle

Product	Angle
Best	154
Average	66.7
Branch Ergonomic	56
Worst	42

Reclining less than most of the competition, we measured the recline angle on the Ergonomic Chair at just 56 degrees. In the office, we didn't feel constrained by this measurement. In fact, Rachael felt this chair could be “napable” if you purchase the add-on Ergonomic Headrest Accessory.

Last of all, there is one other comfort factor that impressed us: the quality and responsiveness of the wheels. Wheels are often overlooked when it comes to comfort, but when it's time to reposition yourself at your desk, the last thing you want to do is struggle to get the wheels to roll at the angle you intend to move. Gliding from front to back, left to right or at angles in between is a breeze thanks to the rigid anodized aluminum base and the smooth casters.

Adjustability

Adjustability is a critical aspect of what separates great office chairs from good office chairs. Not only is adjustability the key to finding the most comfortable position, it's also good for ergonomic position. On that note, Branch dedicates a webpage, Ergonomics 101, to teaching their customers how to most effectively use the adjustability of Branch products to craft the ideal seating position for comfort and posture health. We tested the base, tilt, seat, armrests, lumbar, and backrest adjustability across four individual testers and were blown away by how much adjustability this chair offered for such a reasonable price.

Adjustable lumbar support is usually associated only with more premium-priced office chairs, so we were keen to evaluate Branch Ergonomic's lumbar support design. Our tests revealed that the lumbar adjustability was solid, but our testers wanted it to have more up and down range. The in and out lumbar adjustment, however, was more effective. Our testers who preferred subtle lumbar support were pleased, and those who wanted more lower back support rated it favorably.

The Ergonomic's adjustability rankings were bolstered by equally high performance in the back tilt and seat pan adjustments. Our lead tester prefers a deeper seat pan and took full advantage of the four inches of adjustment the Branch Ergonomic offers.

Although the armrests are quite hard, they made up some ground in the eyes of our testers because of their adjustability. They can be adjusted for width and for height, but they can't be angled in or out. But because they aren't the largest armrests, the utility of angling them isn't high as it is. The adjustable width of the armrests combined with the seat depth adjustment allow people of different sizes and heights to find their ideal position with relative ease. Branch claims that the Ergonomic Office Chair is suitable for people between 5'2" and 6'2" and our testers, all of whom fell within this range, were able to confirm this. The armrests are also entirely removable if you want to try to sit criss-cross.

Our reviewers all agreed that adjustability was one of the defining features of the Branch Ergonomic. One noted that this was the only chair in our tests that has almost all the same adjustment features as significantly pricier" competitors. The only catch is that adjusting the Branch Ergonomic can be a challenge. The tension knob was particularly difficult to turn. The knob itself is awkwardly placed and it's so hard to reach that one of our testers had to flip the whole chair over to make a small adjustment. Even with the chair upside down, the knob itself was difficult to firmly grasp. If you are sharing this chair and suspect you will have to frequently adjust the backrest tilt tension, this may be a deal breaker.

Ease of Assembly

Assembly might be a one-and-done task, but that doesn't mean it can't be a hassle. High quality office chairs are not only comfortable to sit in, but also easy to use and maintain. The Branch Ergonomic chair exceeds these standards. Although the Ergonomic Chair comes disassembled, it only took our self described 'not very handy' tester 12 minutes and 15 seconds to assemble.

Our testers noted that all the hardware was clearly labeled and that it was equally clear that the parts were designed with ease of assembly in mind. Many of the more complex assembly processes, such as attaching the seat base or the armrests, are aided by built-in hardware that hold things in place during assembly.

Our only gripe with the assembly process was that the only instruction manual was online and we had to scan a QR code to access it. The manual itself included visual and written instructions, which were both clear and helpful, but the fact that you need a cellphone to build the chair is a drawback. Also, having the instructions online makes it harder to save them for a later date without taking up storage space or keeping a tab open on your phone. The included FAQ and troubleshooting guides, however, are a nice touch.

Should You Buy the Branch Ergonomic Office Chair?

The Branch Ergonomic Chair is designed for people who frequently sit for an extended period of time, who demand high-end adjustability, and who want ergonomic functionality without paying premium prices. If you're 5'2" to 6'2" and weigh less than 275 pounds, the Ergonomic will likely fit great. If you use armrests frequently and prefer some cushion, the hard plastic armrests might be a reason to pass. Still, the excellent adjustability lets you dial in comfort for your personal needs, making the Ergonomic a top recommendation for workers who need to keep their backside in their chairs for long hours.

What Other Office Chairs Should You Consider?

Although the Ergonomic is highly adjustable and quite comfortable, if your budget is higher, the sweet Steelcase Leap delivers truly outstanding adjustability and all-day comfort. Meanwhile, if you want to explore adjustability beyond what typical office chairs can deliver, consider checking out a gaming chair such as the Dowinx Retro Series LS-6689S or, if you're willing to spend a bit more, the Razer Iskur V2. Don't the names on these chairs fool you, they're designed with comfort and performance in mind. In fact gaming chairs often have more advanced adjustability and bolstering for long-term support, if that's what you're after.