We buy all the products we test — no freebies from companies. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission, which helps support our testing.
Since 2018, we sat, sunk, and settled into more than 65 different chairs, tallying up the remarks from our team to provide you with a list of the best chairs for wherever you plan to rest next. Our test team spans a wide range of body types and heights to give you results that cater to everyone. When shopping online for furniture, we understand how tough it can be to choose the perfect chair without trying it out first. That's why we bought every one of these chairs for hands-on testing, so rest assured, our favorite options made their way to the top for good reasons.
Editor's Note: We updated this review on November 7, 2024, with new office chair additions and increased detail that illustrates our testing process and recommendations.
The Branch Ergonomic Chair is a great all-around office chair that offers a superior blend of price and performance. Not only does it include 7 GearLab-tested points of adjustment, but it also scored highly in comfort with its thick, high-density foam cushion seat. It was a favorite among us, especially if you like a seat that's slightly on the firmer side. It's so comfortable that our collective panel of testers confirmed they could spend at least 8 hours sitting in this chair. Our previous Editors' Choice was the luxurious Steelcase Leap. However, we didn't feel right assigning this specific award to a chair that most people cannot afford. It sells around the $1,300 mark, depending on what options you select through checkout. The Branch, on the other hand, can be an achievable investment, and shadowed the Leap's scores throughout our testing trials.
The biggest reason we ranked the Branch Ergonomic so highly is hinted at through its name. Its excellent adjustability lets our different-sized testers each adjust the chair to fit their body type and preference, creating a perfectly formed chair that helps avoid the aches and pains we feel with prolonged sitting sessions. The lowest seat height we measured was 17 inches, while the highest was 21.5". This offers enough range to fit most people well, including our shortest tester at 5'3" and tallest at 6'2". We appreciated the synchronous mechanism that links the backrest and seat pan. This design helped us position the lumbar support to hug the curves of our differently shaped backs perfectly while also making sure the seat didn't hit the back of our legs. To round out customizations, the armrests move not only in height and depth but also in width. This was helpful for our bigger testers, who may have longer arms or torsos and needed a little extra wiggle room.
Here, you can see our lead tester going through the gamut of assessments and measurements to give you the full story of what this chair has to offer.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
We believe this Branch chair is a fantastic choice for people who want all-day comfort and adjustable, custom support — but who also don't have the budget to spend lavishly. As for the support, the cushy comfort doesn't stop at the seat. While the breathable double woven nylon mesh back keeps you cool, the adjustable lumbar gives you a noticeable boost to lower back support. From the wheels on up, the Branch Ergonomic seemed to be designed with a versatility mentality and an aim to keep the price low. “This chair almost does it all,” noted Rachael, one of our lead testers.
Although our full testing panel was impressed with the Branch, we identified a few areas of possible trouble. With a relatively low manufacturer-rated weight limit of 275 pounds, this chair might not be stout enough for larger users. Despite having substantial adjustability options, actually making the adjustments required too much effort. The tension knob was both hard to reach while seated and a forearm workout to twist. If you'd like better lumbar adjustability and a higher weight limit, check out the SIHOO M18. It has a sturdy 330-pound weight limit and includes an innovative 2-dimensional lumbar adjustment system that can protrude into your lower spine further. Lastly, we weren't the biggest fan of the Branch armrests. While they have 3-way modifications, they are incredibly hard, “like a rock,” according to our notes from the questionnaire. However, if you can forgive the armrests, the Branch is designed for affordable all-day sitting, and it's the only chair we tested at this price point that offered similar, and in some cases, superior adjustability and comfort as models 2 or heck, 6 times more expensive.
Looking for a gaming chair to last long raids, all the while in comfort? The AndaSeat Kaiser 3 has your back, and quite literally, with a soft set of bolsters that feel like a hug and a seat with a cushiony embrace that leaves us with such high remarks on comfort that our panel of testers could collectively sit in this chair for 8 hours at a time. Only the SecretLabs Titan Evo 2022 and Razer Iskur V2 could match the same 8 hours of bliss. From our testing, we found smooth shifts in recline with 5 locking positions maxing out at 165 degrees, which was an enjoyment when really leaning back and settling into our gaming sessions.
Armrests, lumbar support, and the neck pillow can all be adjusted to fine-tune to your specific requirements. “The neck pillow, while firm, stays in place and hasn't created any pressure spots,” noted our lead tester, Austin. Armrests are 4D adaptable, meaning they can even pivot to help you settle into any position, whether on a single-shooter simulator or on your mobile device. An added benefit for longevity is the use of a magnetic topper for the armrest that comes in a number of colors and can be exchanged if you find wear and tear after a long time of use. We really enjoyed the versatility of each component, which helped most of our testers achieve the sweet spot.
We dove deep into each aspect of a gaming chair, measuring and comparing against each other to give you the most beneficial data needed to make the right decision for your specific needs.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
The Andaseat Kaiser 3 price tag can seem high when compared to other low-quality off-brands, but the luxury gaming chair price range can go plenty higher. The Kaiser sits at the bottom of the high-end tier, where it doesn't compromise comfortability or beneficial features that make a difference in the longevity of your enjoyment.
Although the Kaiser 3 marks a lot of adjustability, the range within that adjustability is not as wide as others. The seat height has a tight tolerance of about two and a quarter inches of vertical movement that left our testers on the outer edges of the height range (both shorter and taller), not feeling completely happy with this. Another limiting factor is the built-in lumber support that left a couple of our testers wanting more support from the internal system. The Razer Iskur V2 solves our problems by providing innovative and extrusive lumbar support for those wanting more in that region.
If you've come to this page because you're a hard-core gamer, we have you covered. The Razer Iskur V2 is one of the nicest premium options available. It will easily keep you comfortable for a full 10-hour session thanks to its highly adaptable design and excellent level of comfort. The 4D armrests provide good firm support and impress with their wide range of adjustability. We're a fan of the fabric option (which we tested) offering better breathability and coolness than faux leather models. The V2 built upon the already-liked Razer Iskur V1 with improvement across all three of our metrics. Embracing softer bolsters in the seat and widening the seat pan, plus a quick and pain-free setup that takes about 10 minutes, this new and improved model is evolving in the right direction.
The most stand-out addition to the Iskur V2 is its innovative built-in lumbar system that can be personalized to your exact preference. The back padding pivots on a single point while also having the ability to move in/out and up/down, thus providing extra support when turning our bodies and moving around during the day. It is a subtle design that makes a big difference in support, which many other models lack.
A built-in lumbar system adds to the high level of overall comfort and adjustability in this premium choice for serious gamers.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Given its 5-inch seat height range and overall top-notch design, the Iskur V2 could conceivably replace your office chair, allowing for more versatility in your work-life balance. Regardless of your use, we found ourselves easily sitting in this for prolonged periods of time, so if you know that you'll be working or playing late into the night, you won't have to worry about this chair meeting your needs.
Beyond its elevated price tag, there isn't too much to complain about with the Iskur V2. Best suited for gamers above 5'3" and below 6'2" tall, shorter people might experience the lumbar as too aggressive, and taller people could find fault with the limited adjustability of the exquisitely plush neck pillow. Otherwise, if the subdued racing style suits your aesthetic sensibilities, you might have just found what you're looking for. If you would like to consider a less expensive option with similar levels of comfort, you could take a peek at the [AndaSeat Kaiser 3], which features a milder internal lumbar support and a secure magnetic pillow that you can place almost anywhere. Both chairs deliver top-shelf comfort with superb support as well as a wide range of adjustability.
The SIHOO M18 Ergonomic Big and Tall office chair surprised our testing crew with its all-around comfort by earning an above-average GearLab comfort rating of 7.4 versus the average 6.1 score. To put that in perspective, all of us said, on average, they could sit comfortably in this chair for 7 working hours. In contrast to the product name, the seat dropped down to the lowest height of the group at 16 inches by our measurement. This chair fits our shortest 5'3" tester with ease, making it versatile for smaller sitters in addition to big and tall people, including our 6'2" tester. While the M18 only has 5 measured points of adjustment, its 4-way lumbar system lets us dial in the fit. We could raise and lower the lumbar support as well as increase or decrease the intensity to match the curve of our lower backs, which is often a key factor in how long you can sit comfortably in your workspace. This feature stood out to us, especially since we do not often find it available at this cheap price point.
While the lumbar support is great, the cushy W-shaped seat wowed us. In fact, one tester ranked it a 10/10, saying it gave her a “plush feeling of sinking in.” In our experience at our desks, the cushion did a great job of mitigating the lack of seat pan adjustment. Even though we couldn't move the seat in and out for a more perfect fit, our testers didn't feel undue points of stress under their legs until they neared 7 hours of sitting.
While the SIHOO isn't the most adjustable office chair we tested this year, it fit our shortest 5'2" tester as well as our tallest 6'2" tester with ease, thanks to its 4-way adjustable lumbar support and cushy seat.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
We believe the M18 is a great choice for any home office user trying to find an affordable chair that can get them through a work-from-home day in relative comfort. The breathable mesh back supports and conforms to our differently sized backs, and the mesh also makes this chair a good choice for warmer, humid environments because it's more breathable than typical foam cushioned chair backs. With a manufacturer maximum weight limit of 330 lbs, the SIHOO M18 is also strong enough for many heavier sitters — even though it retails at such an affordable price point. Basically, if you're a larger sitter on a budget, the SIHOO M18 is a legit option. In comparison to the Branch Ergonomic Chair, it can hold 55 more pounds than the Branch's 275-lb weight limit. With its included headrest and generous recline angle, we think it could work double-duty as a casual gamer chair, too.
Even though the SIHOO is a comfortable, adjustable chair, it doesn't compete in material quality with premium office chairs that usually cost more than a $1,000, like the Steelcase Leap. For instance, the M18 armrests are a bit hard, and they don't move in and out, which means that people with wider hips might feel a bit constrained compared to chairs with in/out armrest adjustments. In addition, the wheels don't rotate and roll well, making our testers frustrated by the amount of effort it took to move the chair into position at their desks. If you roll around quite a bit near your workstation, you might want to consider the aforementioned Branch Ergonomic, which has much smoother wheels, or even consider replacing the wheels on the SIHOO M18. Still, if those drawbacks don't turn you off, the cushy seat and lumbar support make the SIHOO M18 easy to recommend to those looking for affordable comfort.
While the Sihoo M18 lacks the premium build quality of office chairs that cost 5 times as much, we were impressed with its supportive mesh back, soft seat, and solid ergonomic comfort when we tested it in our GearLab offices.
If you are shopping for a new affordable seat that can last your whole work day, the Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh could be the chair for you. While it can't match the top products for support or versatility, it did quite well in our timed comfort testing, averaging 8 hours of contentment before we had to take a long break from the seat. This is an impressive score given that the only other chairs that could last longer were the Steelcase Leap and Herman Miller chairs that cost around 10 times the price. With a robust manufacturer-rated weight limit of 331 pounds, well above the typical 275-pound limit seen in most budget office chairs, we're pleased to share that this chair accommodates a wider range of body types without breaking the bank.
While the Modway delivered solid performances in most features, its standout attribute that caught our attention was the easy-to-reach and adjust tension knob. The tension was surprisingly responsive and didn't require much effort compared to other chairs in this lineup. In combination with an easy access recline and tilt lock, this product made it easy for us to kick back to our perfect lounge position when it was time to reconsider a pesky work problem or daydream solutions.
The little things do truly add up with the Modway. Tilt resistance, lock, and recline all factor into a great cradling embrace we expect to feel when moving around throughout our work day.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Based on our experience, we believe this Modway mesh chair is a great option for anyone looking for a straightforward, reasonably comfortable chair at a lower price point. The breathable mesh back is great for warm office environments, and the generous 6-inch seat cushion thickness delivers padding for multi-hour sitting sessions. While most of our testers felt they could work full days in this chair, they'd rather do it on an intermittent work-from-home day than five straight days in the office.
With notes like, “nothing special,” the Modway just didn't give us the excitement to go back to it day after day. The lumbar support was never present enough for us, and it's a slippery seat, so watch out if you're slouching because you could slide right off. Furthermore, the seat offers limited versatility at just 4 adjustment points, and the armrests have a more limited range of motion compared to some of the competing models. The armrests can't drop as low, pivot, or adjust their depth to the point you can with other models like the armrest leaders from the Steelcase brand. The default position of the armrests also feels a tad on the wide side for smaller sitters, but for those of us with wider hips, the extra space is appreciated. If adjustability is important to you and you can stretch your budget a bit, check out the Branch Ergonomic Chair, which is much more adjustable. Still, for the Modway's typical price range, it's hard to find a better office chair for less money.
Going through all our measurements and adjustments, the seat height stood out to our smallest tester at the time (5'2"). The lowest setting at 17.5 inches didn't allow her to plant her heels fully on the ground, so this is a heads up for the shorter readers out there.
With its remarkably soft synthetic leather, above-average adjustability, and wallet-friendly pricing, the Dowinx Retro Series LS-6689S offers exceptional value for gamers on a budget. While it didn't get the highest scores in our comfort testing, there wasn't much aversion to this chair. “A simple design that's overall pretty comfortable,” noted one of our testers. A retractable padded footrest adds extra support when kicking back. We really enjoyed the strapped-in lumbar pillow. Though it's quite prominent, it can be shifted up and down, giving you the convenience of shifting to whatever height you need.
The adjustability continues, with plenty of mobility to be had from the 165° recline to the 180° of possible lean when its tilt is unlocked. The armrests have an average up/down range but can be adjusted forward/back, in/out, and swivel to fine-tune for a variety of limb sizes and gaming needs. We were impressed that this budget-friendly model could provide the necessary essentials for adjustability, whereas most others in this price range fall off drastically.
We measured the design range of key components of each gaming chair.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
The seat is situated a bit low to the ground with a small height range that makes it not ideal for every desk setup, so it's probably not the best candidate to double as an office chair or for those that hit above the 6-foot mark. That being said, we were able to get in about 6 hours of reasonably comfortable gameplay, making this a good companion to lengthy raids on the computer. The Dowinx chair is for the moderate gamer who may not want to commit to the staggering price tag that some of the market wields.
Although we are impressed by its quality and how soft to the touch it is, the faux leather lacks the breathability to keep things cool during lengthier sessions in warmer environments. In addition, standing up presents a potentially precarious situation, with tipping easier to do while sitting on the front edge of the seat. Lastly, the lumbar support might not be for everyone as it might be too pronounced for some, but the Dowinx Retro is still one of the best choices for thrifty gamers, overall providing a good level of comfort and adjustability. The GTPlayer GT800A Footrest is a comparable option that comes with an unattached lumbar pillow and an even lower price tag. Both chairs are great for keeping costs down while you enjoy your favorite games.
If funds are really tight but you still need a gaming chair that offers some versatility and comfort, the GTPlayer GT800A Footrest is a great option priced similarly to modest office chairs. This model includes the standard features one can expect to find in the gaming style category, with adjustable lumbar and neck pillows and a deeply aggressive reclining angle that we measured at 135 degrees for body-stretching breaks and power naps between gaming sessions.
As the price reduces, we inevitably see a reduction in quality, but we found the GT800A Footrest still to have good integrity in its foam seat padding. The seat cushion wasn't anything to rave about, but it had us sitting content for an average of 5 hours before needing to take a break.
Leaning back in a steep recline is comfortable when you need a break, but heavier gamers might take issue with the weak tilt tension.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The lower cost of entry translates to some loss of versatility with only 3 points of adjustments with the GT800A, but the ability to cover a large range with the seat height makes this adequate for both shorter gamers and individuals over 6 feet tall. We recommend this seat to introductory gamers who may not make this their primary chair for other uses but still want to play in the gaming chair arena.
There are a few things to consider when considering this model. The armrests are fixed and offer only a modicum of comfort. The backrest doesn't have much in the way of adjustability either, relying on adjustable neck and lumbar pillows. Some gamers will find the lumbar support a tad forceful since it applies a fixed amount of pressure. Also, it tends to shift, so some might be annoyed about constant readjustment if you move around a lot. Heavier players in our testing team noted an inability to provide adequate tension from the weak tension knob. If these limitations are concerning, another affordable option with a similar level of comfort and even better adjustability, plus adjustable armrests and built-in headrest speakers, is GTRacing's Music Series.
Throughout the multiple years of testing office chairs, our testers have desired no other product more than the Steelcase Leap. Comfort is heavily considered in our final score, and this chair is far and away the most comfortable we've tested, with a full 10 hours of bliss taken from multiple days of testing. This is an hour and a half more than other Steelcase series like the Amia and Series 2. Our lead tester mentioned playing musical chairs and testing all the chairs throughout the week, and when he got back to the Leap and sat down, it was like, “Ahhhh, that's definitely the best.” Thanks to the LiveBack technology, we found great support along our spine while we moved throughout the day, helping us to go the distance when grinding out full days at our desks.
Because humans all come in different heights and sizes, we've learned that adjustability has a major impact on all-day comfort. We counted a staggering 8 points of adjustment for the Leap. In addition, Steelcase's Natural Glide System makes transition one of the easiest and smoothest to adjust, a luxury that we all enjoy when dialing in our own specific dimensions. While the 4D adjustable padded armrests garnered a lot of praise from our testers, the ultra-comfortable back led to true love. The back features great padding and an excellent ergonomic curve. The ability to adjust the firmness of lumbar support lets you dial in the lower back fit you didn't know you were craving.
The Steelcase Leap offers eight points of adjustability, letting sitters of many sizes dial in everything from seat height to the perfect position of lumbar support.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Because the Leap is Steelcase's most adjustable chair, it's likely a great fit for most people. Our tallest tester was 6'2", and we still had some adjustment room to spare. With a manufacturer-rated 400-pound weight limit, the Leap is also strong enough to hold above-average bodies. While adjustability and comfort are clearly awesome, is it all necessary or overkill? If you need to spend long hours in your office chair all day over a full workweek, this Steelcase chair is hard to beat. And if you're putting in the overtime? Again, this is the chair most of our fellow GearLab testers would pick first.
Now, we aren't blind. We noticed the steep price tag from the beginning. At checkout, you can adjust certain options to help reduce this high amount. This trade-off between affordability and features, as expected, will affect performance. While the Steelcase Amia is a great option that saves you a few hundred dollars, it offers fewer adjustment options compared to the Leap. If all this adjustability talk gets your attention but the price point makes you anxious, consider the more affordable Branch Ergonomic Chair. While it's not as smooth and easy to use, it's nearly as adjustable as the Leap. Still, given the Leap's quality construction, you can expect your Steelcase purchase to last a long, long time — which might pay for itself if you consider the possible health effects of spending many long years at your desk.
The Leap is exceedingly well built, and our testers were constantly impressed by the smoothness of its wheels, the cushy support upon entry, overall stability, and liquid-smooth adjustments. When price isn't an issue, this is the Steelcase we recommend to our friends most often . . . and it's the chair we most often fight over in the office.
We tested many accent chairs, and the Christopher Knight Home Evelyn stood out as one of the very best. Its linen-like fabric is nice to the touch, and its medium-firm cushions are comfortable to sit on. From a morning cup of coffee to a place to kick off your work shoes, Evelyn was the option we looked for time and time again. The chair accents just about any room with its modest color scheme and airy appearance. The Evelyn appears to be much larger than it actually is, which can help create the illusion of the room being much bigger, too.
Without anticipating a smaller chair, you might be surprised to see its actual size when it arrives. That being said, if you're trying to fill up a larger space, this model might be underwhelming. Though it is one of the softer options in our lineup, it needs a few uses before it feels broken in. Additionally, we wish the armrests had a tad more cushion. We were also quite impressed with the Lexicon Fabric. This mid-century modern option is well-built and a great addition to any room.
This Christopher Knight chair looks sharp in nearly any interior.
The stylish DAZONE Modern is ready for use in just 5 minutes of assembly. From our testing, you just unpack it from its box, screw on the legs, and it's ready to go! The barrel-shaped design subtly wraps around you to create a comfortable experience regardless of which way you lean. Plus, it includes an ottoman for an even greater lounging experience. The mustard-colored fabric brought a nice splash of color into our testing room, though there are plenty of other color options should you want a more subtle chair. Overall, we were quite impressed with the comfort of this chair, especially considering its budget-friendly price point.
We have some concerns regarding the durability of the DAZONE. Even though it held up during our daily use, we noticed some wrinkles on the upright back after it broke in. We also noticed some wobbling from the legs when we jostled around. Still, its small size is sure to fit just about any space, and we love its cozy shape. Alternatively, if you're not trying to fill a small space, the Porthos Hayes Rocker is an excellent rocking option for getting cozy by the fireplace.
The DAZONE is a comfortable bucket-shaped chair that includes an ottoman.
Living room accent, table stool, or desk chair, the Art Leon Mid-Century Modern Swivel can do it all. This modern option takes a sleek approach to a simple yet versatile approach. In tight spaces, it is an excellent accent piece thanks to its suede distressed fabric. Or, pair a few with your kitchen room table for an elegant dining experience. Overall, the chair is comfortable, with just enough cushion for a few hours of sitting. The perfect height for desks, the Art Leon tucks comfortably under most desks.
The Leon Mid-Century is on the smaller side, especially in width. With that in mind, this isn't our top choice to curl up in and read a book. Instead, this is best used for casual, shorter stents. After a few hours, our testers started to squirm around from the upright back position. However, this can help maintain a proper posture. The swivel is also nice for those who like to move around frequently while they work. The chair is available in a handful of colors and materials. The suede needed a bit of time to “off-gas” its factory smell. If you're sensitive to smell, you might want to choose one of the polyester/cotton options. Should you specifically want to curl up by the fire and read a book, you can't beat the Christopher Knight Tafton Club Chair. This durable option is wide and extra cushiony for those longer rests.
The Art Leon Mid-Century Modern Swivel is great for various spaces thanks to its sleek design and small footprint.
Lawn chairs come in various styles, sizes, and comfort levels. Ultimately, the Timber Ridge Zero Gravity Chair Oversized is hard to beat. This outdoor chair extends the entire length of your body and reclines back to a nearly lying flat position. It's lightly cushioned and suspended from strong bungee cords, making it exceptionally comfortable for hours of lounging. Being a zero gravity chair, it effortlessly glides into various positions. We specifically appreciated the light wood armrests. After sitting out for hours in the sun, they don't absorb much heat. Additionally, it has a removable headrest pillow, and the chair is available in a few colors.
Weighing in at 20 pounds, the Timber Ridge isn't the easiest piece of furniture to move around, and this sizeable model is best left in one place. Its drink holder is unimpressive; it's more of a plastic tray. All things considered, this is an excellent option for prolonged outdoor sitting, especially if you're looking to kick your feet up. The Amazon Basics Foldable Rocking Chair shares many similar features, such as a removable headrest and comfortable bungee-suspended fabric. However, this option is a rocking chair rather than a zero gravity style.
Kick your feet up with the extra-comfortable Timber Ridge Zero Gravity chair.
Get your patio set up for you and a friend with the Best Choice Products Adjustable Zero Gravity two-pack bundle. These zero gravity options are highly comfortable as you feel more like you're effortlessly being suspended above ground. This is in part due to durable fabric being attached by bungee-like cording. With a quick push, the chair extends out into a reclined position. Each includes removable headrests and a plastic tray. We love how lightweight this model is, easily movable from the poolside to the front porch and beyond.
We appreciate the inclusion of the plastic tray. More than a drink tray, it has multiple compartments for a phone or snacks. However, it isn't attached to the chair. We accidentally kept leaving it behind when moving the chair around. Additionally, the dark metal is susceptible to absorbing heat during sunny days. All things considered, the Best Choice is an excellent option for a budget-friendly price, especially if you're specifically looking for two chairs. Another reasonably priced model is the Coleman Cooler Quad. Initially appearing as a simple camp chair, it's hiding a few tricks, like a cooler pouch for a few of your favorite beverages.
With comfortable suspended fabric and an incorporated tray, the Best Choice is great for outdoor relaxing.
Headed on a camping trip? We love the ALPS Mountaineering King Kong for getting cozy by the fire and roasting up some s'mores. The durable canvas is lightly padded and comfortable for hours on end. We were quite impressed with the 800-pound weight capacity, especially considering how lightweight and portable it is. The camp chair has great accessories, including side pockets for a book or snacks and cup holders built within the armrests.
There's not much to dislike about the ALPS Mountaineering King Kong. It's durable and in it for the long haul. That being said, the side pockets lack the same construction. Additionally, the padded underside fabric isn't very breathable. Despite these small complaints, we think the King Kong is a great choice to pack up for your next trip under the stars. Camping-style chairs are often great for more than just camping. For example, if you're headed to the kid's soccer game, you might want something to keep you comfortable, and we think the Quik Shade MAX Shade Chair will do just that. This foldable chair includes a large canopy, so you don't need to worry about roasting under the sun.
The King Kong is a great go-to choice for a night under the stars thanks to its portable and comfortable design.
Credit: Laura Lingeman
How We Test
After more than half a decade of testing over 65 different chairs, we have compiled this list of our absolute favorites. We start by doing an in-depth search of the market to see which options are the most compelling. We then order the top options to be tested in rigorous back-to-back trials. Looking into specific metrics like comfort, support, style, adjustability, and more. We really get to know these chairs thoroughly. We invest the time to collectively assess each chair via hands-on testing and lab-style quantification by sitting, reclining, measuring, and evaluating our five-category (office, gaming, accent, lawn, and camping) selection in order to bring you the most unbiased and objective data available.
We put a heavy focus on comfort since this is the most important aspect of a sitting experience. Flopping onto a chair for a few moments will give a certain impression of its comfortability, but loungers who partake in extended multi-hour sessions need to know that the initial luxurious support will last into the wee hours of a workday, gaming campaign, or relaxation time. We put this to the test, having our test team sit in these chairs for the long haul to stress test each kind. Performance can be greatly affected by the breathability of the covering material, so we made additional notes on the material type we tested and how it performed when the temperatures turned up. There are a few critical components to chairs where adjustability is essential to mold to your specific body. We broke out the tape measure to give you the full adjustability range of the lumbar, neck, armrest, and height of each product, especially when assessing office and gaming chairs. After scoring them appropriately and detailing their nuances, we are able to bring you this list of our top options in each category.
Our test team went beyond just sitting in each seat by taking measurements to figure out the range of adjustability.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Why Trust GearLab
Composed of scientific minds and adventurous bodies of different shapes and sizes, our test team represents a diverse range of perspectives and decades of professional research experience. Our team for testing office chairs is led by a trio of expert sitters with years of professional research expertise. Rachael Lamore uses her experience as a researcher from the Marine Conservation Lab at Cal Poly to translate manufacturer's specs, GearLab measurements, and qualitative data into actionable insights everyone can use. For over two decades, Benjamin Hickok has worked in the tech industry, whether it be web development, software development, IoT, or hardware design. He is also a passionate product researcher who loves diving into technical specifications, developing testing plans, collecting and analyzing data, and running chairs through the gauntlet to be able to recommend the best ones for GearLab readers. David Wise, an MIT graduate, spent many years designing robots to map the ocean floor. He joined GearLab in 2016, developed the testing protocols for hundreds of products, and has led the creation of the world's most scientific testing and review process for over 300 more. Both Benjamin and David have spent many hours sitting in front of computers and truly understand why a good office chair is essential.
Senior Research Analyst, Austin Palmer, a computer expert and lifelong gaming whiz, headed our gaming chair tests. He has a rich background in research and objective review, having honed that expertise while earning a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University. He now spends the typical work week sitting at a desk for his job at GearLab, where he has also tested office chairs for seven years, so he has more than a few opinions on everyday office chairs.
Our experts testing out accent, lawn, and camping chairs include Eric Bissell and Ethan Newman, both outdoor enthusiasts. Eric spent much of the last decade living and working in Yosemite National Park as a Climbing Ranger and has scaled El Capitan over two dozen times, while Ethan has worked as an arborist, wilderness ranger, wildland firefighter for the National Park Service, and professional climbing and canyoneering guide. When not exploring the great outdoors, you can find them testing out all the best gear on the market.
Part of our tests included looking into every nook, cranny, and adjustable knob that these chairs came with.
Certain office and gaming chairs have adjustable armrests.
We assessed each aspect of a chair, making sure to consider all body types and heights.
How to Pick the Best Chair
When searching online, you may recognize the vast diversity of chairs out there. It can be overwhelming with so many different kinds, but it's important to know that each is specifically designed with a certain function in mind. You'll first want to dial in where you intend to use your chair as a solid first step in your buying process. To help with this step, we break down each type of chair, noting the benefits and drawbacks of its designs. We follow up with certain aspects that we find valuable when fully assessing each seat, regardless of the type you want.
Most gaming and office chairs include some sort of adjustability within the armrests, as shown with the GTRAcing Music Series.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Office Chairs
Whether it be a home workstation or a designated workplace, a top-rated office chair is the best option. These are designed with ergonomics in mind. They are highly adjustable and aim to keep you in a proper upright posture, allowing your body to rest in a natural place, thus reducing potential pressure points or aches. An office chair is your companion at work. For some, you may sit up to 8 hours plus a day in these seats for 5 days a week. That's a ton of log time. Because we rely so heavily on these types of chairs, we need to ensure they fit our individual body size, all the while providing enough comfort for us during the long hours of the day. That is why we enlisted our in-house testing staff to take on this testing task. With a wide variety of body types, we critically analyzed each seat to give you results for your specific self. Below is the culmination of our testing results. Read our review for a more in-depth analysis.
Metric Scores of Office Chairs
Product
Comfort
Adjustability
Assembly
Steelcase Leap
8.5
9.1
10
Steelcase Amia
7.8
8.1
9.7
Steelcase Series 2
7.6
7.6
9.7
Steelcase Gesture
6.6
7.9
10
Branch Ergonomic
7.6
7.7
8.6
Herman Miller Aeron
7.6
6.2
10
Steelcase Think
6.9
6.6
10
Herman Miller Embody
7.6
8
4.7
HON Ignition 2.0 Task
5.5
7.2
7.4
SIHOO M18 Ergonomic Big and Tall
7.4
5.8
5.4
Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh
6.9
5.8
5.7
GABRYLLY Ergonomic Mesh High Back
7.0
5.3
5.3
EDX Armless Criss Cross with Wheels
6.2
3.9
5.9
Union & Scale FlexFit Hyken Mesh
3.5
5.5
6.9
Amazon Basics Classic Puresoft
4.0
4.9
6.3
Amazon Basics Low
2.7
2.1
6.4
BestOffice Mesh Office Desk Chair
3.7
3.7
3.5
Furmax Office Mesh
3.1
2.7
5
Gaming Chairs
Gaming chairs are meant for, well, gaming. Spending hours in front of a screen playing your favorite game is made even better by a proper chair. Like office chairs, these models are highly adjustable and have armrests, wheels, and a swivel. However, they tend to ride lower than office chairs and place more of an emphasis on lounging comfort. They often include headrests, lumbar support, and recline, along with various levels of padding and occasionally a footrest.
Metric Scores of Gaming Chairs
Product
Comfort
Adjustability
Assembly
Razer Iskur V2
8.2
9.0
9.0
AndaSeat Kaiser 3
7.7
8.9
8.8
SecretLabs Titan Evo 2022
7.8
8.1
9.2
Asus ROG Destrier
5.9
8.5
7.0
Dowinx Retro Series LS-6689S
6.8
7.8
5.8
GTRacing Music Series
5.4
5.2
5.4
AutoFull C3
6.3
5.1
4.2
BestOffice High-Back Ergonomic
4.1
3.6
6.8
GTPlayer GT800A Footrest
5.2
3.8
5.2
Homall S-Racer Gaming Chair
5.3
3.6
5.2
Accent Chairs
Contrary to what the name suggests, accent chairs are more than just decoration. Though they are stylish, the best accent chair will also be a comfortable place to lounge around and read a book. Often purchased as a solo chair, they are great for boosting any living space. They are available in many different styles and comfort levels.
A rocking chair with mid-century style.
Mixed materials and excellent faux-leather make this a stylish option.
Mid-century class with quality materials and a large comfortable seat cushion.
Lawn Chairs
Made for the outdoors, these chairs can handle a little tough love. Lawn chairs are available in multiple styles, including gravity, rocking, camp, and traditional. Gravity chairs are great for spending extended periods of time lounging around by the pool, whereas camping chairs fold up and can be tossed in the car for your next journey away from home. Lawn chairs vary in price but tend to be among the cheapest seating options.
Stay cool and relaxed this summer with a quality lawn chair.
While a bit gimmicky, the canopy of the Quik Shade chair is actually pretty nice when we sit in direct sun, as long as there isn't a ton of wind.
Support Level
The term “support level” varies slightly depending on whether you're talking about accent chairs or gaming and office chairs. When considering an accent piece, this refers to the chair's stiffness. This can be broken down into soft, medium, and firm. The soft options are going to be a bit more comfortable right out of the box. They won't need much break-in time, and they'll feel a bit more plush. Firm options will be a bit stiffer, though they will often have better lumbar support. These will take longer to break in, but once they do, they will be a perfect fit. Medium support chairs fall somewhere in the middle. They don't lack structure, though they aren't going to be uncomfortably stiff to sit in.
Bottoming out is not ideal, which is why we made sure to test the padding of each chair for extended use.
Credit: Eric Bissell
When considering office and gaming chairs, support levels often refer to the adjustable support systems. These include lumbar support, armrests, reclining tension, and headrests. Of these, we fully believe lumbar support is among the most important aspects. Some of the options in our lineup have an adjustable lumbar position, which is great for fitting the chair to various heights. Typically, the more adjustable options were the most comfortable simply because they could be customized to a specific body size.
Lawn chairs aren't necessarily known for their support. Rather, they are great for a quick option to circle up with a group of friends. However, gravity chairs tend to be the exception. Though they don't have a fancy adjustable back, they contour the natural s-curve of the spine, which tends to be more comfortable.
Zero gravity chairs make it feel like you are suspended above the ground and are comfortable enough to relax in for hours.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Duration of Use
Sitting in a chair for a few minutes versus hours is going to feel quite a bit different. If you're looking for something that can hold you for small bits of time, you can be less selective on your choice. However, if you're planning on spending any considerable amount of time, say a full workday, you'll want to choose something that will keep aches away. As for office and gaming chairs, look at their key supportive elements, including back and lumbar support, arm rests, foot rests, and thick, supportive foam seat cushions. People tend to like softer options when it comes to accent chairs. These plush options will be easier to get cozy in and watch a movie. They won't necessarily have the support to keep you comfy for hours of upright sitting, though they aren't made to be work chairs.
Price Versus Comfort
Type
Hours Comfortable
List Price
Comfort Value
Steelcase Leap
Office
10
$1,299.00
1
2
3
4
5
Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh
Office
8
$175.00
1
2
3
4
5
Branch Ergonomic
Office
8
$329.00
1
2
3
4
5
AndaSeat Kaiser 3
Gaming
8
$500.00
1
2
3
4
5
Razer Iskur V2
Gaming
8
$649.00
1
2
3
4
5
Dowinx Retro Series LS-6689S
Gaming
6
$300.00
1
2
3
4
5
During our extensive in-person testing of office and gaming chairs, one interesting trend we noticed is how our comfort vs price charts reveal differences in comfort hours between office chairs and gaming chairs. After testing dozens of chairs over thousands of cumulative team testing hours, we found that relatively affordable, lower priced office chairs can now deliver very competitive comfort hours while gaming chairs with competitive comfort hours tend to cost significantly more. For example, while our testing crew found all three of these chairs to deliver 8 comfortable hours, the Branch Ergonomic has a list price of just $329, which is $171 less than the AndaSeat Kaiser 3 and $320 less than the Razer Iskur V2. Of course, gaming postures are a bit different from typical office work postures, but to get great multi-hour comfort with a gaming chair, you'll likely need to be prepared to spend a bit more than you might for a similarly comfy office chair.
For long hours in a gaming chair, footrests can ease pressure points so you can keep exploring, collaborating, racing, or hurling fire at evil creatures in your favorite games.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Adjustability
After years of testing chairs, we've learned that for many people, chair adjustability can be more important than plush cushions. This is particularly true for office and gaming chairs that need to support sitters in relatively upright postures for hours, if not a full work day.
Consider something as simple as seat height. If a chair is too low, your weight will tip toward the rear of your butt, creating a pressure point. If the seat is too high, the pressure point can move to a spot underneath your upper leg near your knee. A perfect seat height for your body spreads your weight more evenly across the seat's cushion, resulting in “just right” Goldilocks comfort for longer periods of time.
Note how poorly the same, unadjusted chair fits two differently sized GearLab office chair testers before adjusting for a personal fit. Fortunately, both testers were able to adjust this Steelcase Leap office chair to their own sizes and preferences before logging full test days at their desks.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Adjustable lumbar support lets you find the right height for your particular back, and some chairs even let you adjust the horizontal position to better hug the shape of your back. Further adjustments include tilt, multi-position arm rests, and even headrests. In general, chairs that let you customize the fit will tend to be more comfortable and are more likely to help you find healthy, ergonomic positions for your individual body shape and size that will keep you working — or playing — in comfort.
The GTRacing has an adjustable lumbar support pillow that simply slides into position.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Conclusion
With so many chair styles and options available on the market, we understand how it can be daunting to find just one comfy option. Rest assured, our team has done the testing. After many hours of sitting, we have discovered the best chairs out there. Whether you are searching for something to keep you cozy by the fire or something for your workday, we hope we have made your selection a breeze.
—
Rachael Lamore, Austin Palmer, Eric Bissell, Ethan Newman, and Chris Maxcer
