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The 3 Best Office Chairs of 2024

We tested office chairs from Steelcase, Herman Miller, Amazon Basics, and others to find the best for your workday needs
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Best Office Chair Review (We have spent thousands of hours testing chairs at GearLab over the last five years.)
We have spent thousands of hours testing chairs at GearLab over the last five years.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The Best Office Chairs for 2024


Whether you are working from home or at the office, having a comfortable and supportive chair is crucial for making it through those long workdays. We researched and compared some of the best-selling and most sought-after office chairs available today. After an exhaustive search, we purchased the 14 most promising options for our testers to put through the wringer. After 5 years of testing and thousands of hours of sitting, our team has uncovered which chairs are worthy of joining you on your quest to perform your best. We highlight the ins and outs of each model and crown the best of the best, the option that offers the most customization, and some of best bargain options.

If you're looking for a dedicated chair for gaming, check out our favorite gaming chairs. We also tested a variety of office essentials like the top cordless phones and best paper shredders, assessing each product via a series of side-by-side comparisons. We've thoroughly analyzed our favorite standing desk converters, the best home printers, and the best scanners, offering complete and detailed reviews. For those who are in the market for an accent chair or a lawn chair, check out our roundup list of the best chairs.

Editor's Note: We updated our office chair review on June 4, 2024, to assess our lineup and make sure the chairs in our review are current and available. We are currently testing a new lineup and will publish our findings when testing is complete.

Top 14 Office Chairs - Test Results

Displaying 1 - 14 (scroll right)
 
Awards Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Office Chair
 Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
       Best Buy Award
Best on a Tight Budget
   
Price $1,299 List
$1,039 at Amazon
$999 List
$999.00 at Amazon
$819 List
$617.60 at Amazon
$1,533 List
$1,139 at Amazon
$1,960 List
$1,900 at Amazon
$1,410 List
$549.00 at Amazon
$969 List
$969.00 at Amazon
$1,103 List
$888.00 at Amazon
$1,570 List
$1,525 at Amazon
$880 List
$425.00 at Amazon
$180 List
$132.00 at Amazon
$300 List
$129.40 at Amazon
$97 List
$76.99 at Amazon
$40 List
$39.99 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Pros Extremely comfortable, tons of adjustability, sturdy constructionIncredibly comfortable, easy to set up, 4-way adjustable arm rests, easy to adjust lumbarSupportive, 4-way adjustable arm rests available, comfortable, easy to adjustHighly adjustable, comfortable for long periods of time, high backDurable, comfortable, very adjustableComfortable, durable, easy to assembleEasy adjusting, comfortable, good breathabilityWell built, comfortable, adjustable seatSturdy, easy to assembleHigh adjustability, adjustable lumbar support, comfortable backrestInexpensive, relatively comfortable, adjustableArmrests move up and down, removable headrest, good lumbar supportInexpensive, good-looking, user-friendly instructionsDecent performance for the price, mesh backrest
Cons ExpensiveNo tilt limiter, tension knob isn't great for heavier users, expensive for the adjustments you getNo tilt limiter, no tension knob, can be difficult to adjust lumbar while sitting in itArmrests aren't universally accepted, uncomfortable if not sitting correctlyExpensive, harder to assembleVery expensive, no seat depth adjustmentArmrest comfort is subpar, headrest is hard to adjust, priceyNot as comfortable for smaller folks, subpar tilt resistanceExpensive, could be more adjustableThin plastic lumbar support, seat cushion foam prone to flatteningDurability could be betterUncomfortable, durability issues, poor headrest, short seat panLimited adjustability, poor material, seat compressesWobbly, back tensioner is difficult to release
Bottom Line The absolute best of the best, thanks to its incredible comfort, adjustability, and constructionA comfortable chair that will likely last you a long time but a bit on the expensive side for the level of adjustments you getThis is a comfortable chair with premium features at an approachable price, but could offer more lean back adjustmentsThis model is top-notch if it fits you well but isn't as universally lauded as some when it comes to comfortWhile it might be hard to justify spending this much on a chair, this one is a top performer for a reasonThis office chair is one of the nicer mesh-backed chairs we have tested but it comes at a premium priceA highly adjustable and comfortable chair suited for long days in the officeWith its highly adjustable armrests and seat, this option offers comfort for taller folksWhile decent, we expected a significantly more impressive performance from this incredibly expensive chairA decent chair in the mid-range arena, this chair offers above-average performance for comfort and ease of useA surprisingly comfortable office chair that can't compete with top tier products, but boasts an especially friendly priceA decent chair with the headrest removed, but a pretty average chair even at that, and only suitable for shorter folksThis model is best for short work sessions as it prioritizes price and aesthetics over long-term comfort and durabilityYou'll want to consider if the affordable price of this model is worth its lower-tier performance
Rating Categories Steelcase Leap Steelcase Amia Steelcase Series 2 Steelcase Gesture Herman Miller Embody Herman Miller Aeron X-Chair X2 K-Sport... Steelcase Think Humanscale Diffrien... Hon Ignition 2.0 Task Modway Articulate E... Union & Scale FlexF... Amazon Basics Class... Furmax Office Mesh
Comfort (50%)
8.7
7.7
7.7
7.0
7.6
7.7
7.3
7.0
6.7
5.7
6.0
3.3
4.0
3.0
Adjustability (35%)
9.1
8.1
7.6
7.9
8.0
6.5
8.0
6.6
5.8
7.2
5.5
5.8
4.9
3.0
Durability (10%)
9.0
9.0
8.9
9.0
8.9
9.0
6.0
9.0
8.5
7.0
4.5
5.2
2.9
3.0
Ease of Assembly (5%)
10.0
9.7
9.7
10.0
4.7
10.0
7.3
10.0
10.0
7.4
5.7
6.9
6.3
5.0
Specs Steelcase Leap Steelcase Amia Steelcase Series 2 Steelcase Gesture Herman Miller Embody Herman Miller Aeron X-Chair X2 K-Sport... Steelcase Think Humanscale Diffrien... Hon Ignition 2.0 Task Modway Articulate E... Union & Scale FlexF... Amazon Basics Class... Furmax Office Mesh
Adjustable Seat Pan Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes
Adjustable Lumbar Support Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes; you can adjust the amount, but not the location Yes No Yes No No Yes; the backrest moves up and down Option available Yes Yes
Adjustable Armrest Width Option available 2" rotation, 2" front to back movement Option available Option available Yes Option available No Option available Option available No No Option available Yes Option available
Recline Lever No Yes No No No No No No No No Yes No No No
Tilt Limiter Yes; 5 stop points Yes Yes; only locks in the upright position Yes; 4 stop points Yes; 4 stop points Yes; 3 stop points No Yes; 4 stop points No Yes; only locks in the upright position Yes; locks you into a position Semi; Upright back lock, Full recline with weight activated tention + boost, Full recline with weight activated tention Yes; 3 stop points Semi; Upright back lock, Full recline with weight activated tention + boost, Full recline with weight activated tention
Swivel Armrests Option available Yes Option available Option available No Option available No Option available Option available No No Option available No Option available
Armrest Depth Adjustment Option available Yes Option available Option available No Option available No Option available Option available No No Option available No Option available
Tension Knob Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Lumbar Support Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes; a slight protrusion Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes


Best Overall Office Chair


Steelcase Leap


89
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Comfort 8.7
  • Adjustability 9.1
  • Durability 9.0
  • Ease of Assembly 10.0
Adjustable Lumbar Support: Yes | Adjustable Seat Pan: Yes
REASONS TO BUY
Incredibly comfortable
Highly adjustable
Easy assembly
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive

The Steelcase Leap earns top marks in all of our testing metrics, cinching its place as the best overall office chair. Comfort is heavily considered in our final score, and this chair is far and away the most comfortable we've tested. It offers a tremendous amount of back support, helping you to go the distance when grinding out full days at your desk. All of our testers report that this was the chair of choice when they expected to be seated for eight to ten hours. The ability to fine-tune your chair can go a long way in terms of how well a chair will perform for you, and the Leap is adjustable in almost every way we could hope for. This chair is easy to assemble and, after months of use, showed almost no signs of wear.

The most notable downside to all this luxury is a steep price. That said, the Leap is offered in several different configurations, some of which are less adjustable and thus cost slightly less. As one would expect, this tradeoff for affordability over features affects performance. Given the quality construction, you can expect this purchase to last a long, long time, so we believe it will pay for itself in the long run when you consider the benefit to your body. The Steelcase Amia is another great Steelcase chair that will save you a few hundred bucks, but it's not as adjustable as the Leap.

Read more: Steelcase Leap review

The Steelcase Leap is highly adjustable.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Best Bang for the Buck


Steelcase Series 2


79
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Comfort 7.7
  • Adjustability 7.6
  • Durability 8.9
  • Ease of Assembly 9.7
Adjustable Lumbar Support: Yes | Adjustable Seat Pan: Yes
REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable
Good price for premium features
Lots of adjustment abilities
REASONS TO AVOID
No tilt limiter

The Steelcase Series 2 is a great office chair overall and retails for noticeably less than some of the most premium chairs we have tested. Despite this price break, it still offers many of the same features, comfort, and adjustability, from a trusted brand with a well-earned reputation for great chairs. This model features an adjustable lumbar support and some of the best 4-way adjustable armrests in the industry.

Our test team really liked the Series 2, but we identified some minor things that could be better. Adjusting the lumbar is doable while sitting but can be a bit challenging, and the lack of a tilt limiter, in addition to the absence of a tension knob, had our tallest and heaviest user leaning back without adequate resistance for his size and weight. While the majority of users may never experience this issue, it's something for prospective buyers to consider. Overall, the Series 2 is a great option for most people, offering excellent value as a premium chair with a more approachable price. However, we understand that not everyone wants to spend so much on an office chair. If that's you, take a look at the Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh below, which offers decent comfort and adjustability for a low price.

Read more: Steelcase Series 2 review

The Steelcase Series 2 is a comfortable chair that offers the features and adjustability of more expensive chairs.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Best on a Tight Budget


Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh


57
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Comfort 6.0
  • Adjustability 5.5
  • Durability 4.5
  • Ease of Assembly 5.7
Adjustable Lumbar Support: Yes | Adjustable Seat Pan: No
REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Decently comfortable
Respectable adjustability
REASONS TO AVOID
Less durable

If you are shopping for a new seat and don't want to spend a ton of cash, then the Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh could be the chair for you. While it can't match the top products for comfort or adjustability, it does quite well, especially considering it costs substantially less than our higher-performing options. Overall, this chair was rated very favorably, with most of our testers finding it more than suitable to sit in for a full workday.

Unfortunately, the seat of the Modway isn't very adjustable, and the armrests have a more restricted range of motion than some of the competition. The armrests can't drop as low, pivot, or adjust their depth to the point you can with other models. The default position of the armrests also feels a tad on the wide side. This is quite unfortunate, as these flaws are somewhat significant, although it's hard to find a better office chair for less money.

Read more: Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh review

The Modway allows users to kick back as much as they want with its three easy-to-use and accessible levers.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Compare Products

select up to 5 products to compare
Score Product Price
89
Steelcase Leap
Best Overall Office Chair
$1,299
Editors' Choice Award
81
Steelcase Amia
$999
79
Steelcase Series 2
Best Bang for the Buck
$819
Best Buy Award
77
Steelcase Gesture
$1,533
77
Herman Miller Embody
$1,960
75
Herman Miller Aeron
$1,410
74
X-Chair X2 K-Sport Mgmt
$969
72
Steelcase Think
$1,103
67
Humanscale Diffrient Smart Office Chair
$1,570
64
Hon Ignition 2.0 Task
$880
57
Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh
Best on a Tight Budget
$180
Best Buy Award
45
Union & Scale FlexFit Hyken Mesh
$300
43
Amazon Basics Classic Puresoft
$97
31
Furmax Office Mesh
$40

The Steelcase Leap includes shock-absorbing suspension, so your lower back will be thanking you when plopping into the chair.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

How We Test Office Chairs


Our team has tested dozens of office chairs since 2018 using our rigorous side-by-side testing approach. We evaluated each model's comfort through extended use and a targeted comfort questionnaire that covers the individual components of each chair. We looked at adjustability, focusing on options, range, and user-friendliness, utilizing each adjustment to judge its efficacy. To gauge durability, we scoured the internet for reviews highlighting durability issues and identified trends with the product. We contrasted this information with our experience using each product. Lastly, to assess ease of assembly, we graded the instructions, timed ourselves during setup, and noted any difficult steps along the way.

We tested our selection of office chairs based on four weighted performance metrics:
  • Comfort (50% of total score weighting)
  • Adjustability (35% weighting)
  • Durability (10% weighting)
  • Ease of Assembly (5% weighting)

Why Trust GearLab


Our test team consists of folks who are no strangers to sitting for long periods at work. This gives them some strong opinions about what constitutes a good office chair as well as strong feelings towards any chair they felt didn't pass muster. Our lead tester for this review, Austin Palmer, spends copious amounts of time sitting for his work at GearLab. Furthermore, he is an avid PC gamer who spends even more time sitting in his free time. We also utilized other members of our in-house GearLab team who spend more than eight hours a day sitting at their desks. Collectively, we spent ample time in each chair, collecting updates on comfort and ergonomics along the way.

office chair - from long days at the office to working from home, we've tested...
From long days at the office to working from home, we've tested these chairs to the max.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Analysis and Test Results


We've spent years testing some of these products side-by-side, dividing our testing process into key metrics and sub-metrics. To determine the best chairs, we consulted a panel of judges with varying body types and heights and had them try out each chair for an extended period. We then had them fill out a survey about each chair to get their thoughts on comfort, adjustability, and assembly. When assessing durability, we researched existing customer reviews as well as examined how well the chairs actually held up to our rigorous testing process.


What's the Best Value?


During your hunt for the top office chair, you likely noticed an enormous range in pricing. Budget chairs can retail for a hundred bucks or less, but your back may end up paying the price in return. Top-of-the-line models can retail in the thousands but tend to offer much more support and adjustability to improve your sitting experience. Our favorite overall chair is the Steelcase Leap, which comes at a very high price, depending on which options you select. While we can't deny the expensive price tag, the investment is well worth it to avoid any sitting-related health issues, and it's durable enough that it should last for many years. The Steelcase Think is another good value option; while it is certainly not cheap, it is less than the most expensive models in our test suite for a high-quality product.

If the substantial price tags of our top-rated models scare you, one consideration is the Steelcase Series 2. It retails for significantly less than the absolute top models, is nearly as comfortable, and features most of the same adjustments. Still, while the Series 2 is less expensive than the most premium chairs available, it still may be a little beyond the reach of those shopping on a super tight budget or those who need a handful of chairs for a conference room. For those people and use cases, the Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh is a basic, budget-friendly chair that fits the bill. Its comfort level is decent, and it offers a solid set of adjustments — though it doesn't feel as well built as the top products. For those on the tightest budget, the Furmax Office Mesh is worth mentioning. No surprise, it does not offer the higher-tiered performance of our premium options, but it is more than adequate for shorter workdays.

office chair - the furmax provides decent performance, especially for its price.
The Furmax provides decent performance, especially for its price.
Credit: Laura Casner

Comfort


This is our most significant testing metric. In particular, we had our panel of judges rate the comfort of each chair's seat, backrest, and armrests. We also rated overall impressions and how happy we would be to sit in each chair for a full workday. Our panel of judges comprised men and women with a wide range of heights who tried out each chair side-by-side for a few months.


Earning the highest marks out of the entire group, the Steelcase Leap is our judges' favorite regarding comfort. Most of our judges rated this chair exceptionally well- the most comfortable to date- with only one person scoring other chairs higher. This lone dissenting voice was also our tallest judge (6'3"), so you may want to consider this if you're a taller individual deciding if the Steelcase Leap is a good fit for you. Our judges unanimously agreed that this was one of the most comfortable regarding the backrest, and our tallest judge was again the only person to question the comfort of the seat and armrest. However, they all stated they would be happy to use the Leap for a full workday or longer.

office chair - despite new competition this year, the leap remains one of the most...
Despite new competition this year, the Leap remains one of the most comfortable chairs we have ever tested.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

The Herman Miller Aeron received positive comments from most of our testers, with only two judges rating it as below average, primarily due to its backrest. This chair encourages the user to sit correctly — no slouching, slumping, crossing your legs, etc. Some judges were fine with this, while others thoroughly disliked the lack of freedom. The armrests, however, received positive marks across the board, and all of our judges could sit in this chair for a full workday without too much of an issue.

office chair - the aeron gets the nod for its superior breathable mesh suspension...
The Aeron gets the nod for its superior breathable mesh suspension, but the design focuses more on your back and posture. With Herman Miller's PostureFit SL back support technology, this chair encourages the user to sit correctly, which can reward you with long-term comfort when you get it right.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

With similarities to the Steelcase Leap, the Steelcase Amia and Steelcase Series 2 also set themselves apart as really comfortable chairs. Both of these are close runner-ups to the Leap, with comfortable seat padding and lumbar support, as well as 4-way adjustable armrests. , The Amia especially stood out above the rest of the models we tested for its exceptionally comfortable backrest.

While 'ease of spin' is not a true comfort factor, spinning does give us a sense of build quality, and more importantly, illustrates our team's excitement in sharing our testing results to help you find the right chair for you!
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Our team agreed that the Herman Miller Embody has comfortable armrests, though one particular judge found the seat and backrest rather uncomfortable. Consequently, that individual could only sit in the chair for a few hours at most. The rest of our panel rated this chair very highly regarding seat and back comfort and were more than happy to use it for a full day. Comfort is highly subjective, and while we do our best to create more objective assessments across a diverse test team, nothing can fully determine what your final experience will be like. We recommend trying before you buy or ordering from a retailer with a solid return policy.

office chair - while most testers rated the embody very highly for comfort, one...
While most testers rated the Embody very highly for comfort, one 5'11" tester struggled to dial in its lumbar and back support, giving this premium chair a love it or hate it reputation in our lab.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

The Steelcase Think performed admirably in most respects, though it did not prove comfortable for all body types. Some of our shortest evaluators actively disliked it. You might want to steer clear of this chair if you are not on the taller side. The reception on the Humanscale Diffrient was a bit mixed. A pair of judges detested the chair and could only sit in it for an hour or two, while the rest of the panel rated it quite highly — though still lower than the top chairs overall.

If you're of above average height, you might appreciate the Think's...
If you're of above average height, you might appreciate the Think's high backrest.
Opinions on how long you could comfortably sit on the Humanscale...
Opinions on how long you could comfortably sit on the Humanscale differed drastically among our testers.

The X-Chair X2 K-Sport Mgmt impressed most of our judges, especially after they found their baseline adjustment settings. A problem with some mesh chairs is that the body can feel the frame underneath, but the X2 minimizes this issue. Most of the team found the seat, backrest, and headrest quite comfortable. However, our lighter-weight testers felt the lumbar support was a bit prominent for their body type and preference.

office chair - the mesh back of the x2 is breathable and manages to keep your body...
The mesh back of the X2 is breathable and manages to keep your body off the frame.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

For the most part, the performance of the Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh and Steelcase Gesture were a bit more consistent and less polarizing. None of the judges disliked these chairs, and they primarily received average to above-average evaluations across the board. The backrest and support are similar.

office chair - most testers really liked the armrests on the modway.
Most testers really liked the armrests on the Modway.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Adjustability


For our next round of testing, we compared the different adjustment levels of each office chair and how easy they were to use. We looked at the various adjustments for each chair's seat, armrests, and backrest, including lumbar support, reclining lever, tilt limiters, and the inclusion of a headrest. We also scored each chair on the ease of use and capabilities of the reclining tension knob and if you could adjust the chair to support the body in a proper ergonomic position.


office chair - we appreciate that the height of the lumbar support on the leap is...
We appreciate that the height of the lumbar support on the Leap is adjustable.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

The Steelcase Leap took the top spot for adjustability. You can adjust both the position and firmness of the lumbar support. There is no headrest, and you can't lock the chair into a reclined position, but you can set how far back you recline using the tilt limiters, with five stop points to choose from. The armrests are fully adjustable; up and down, in and out, forward and back, or swivel. Additionally, you can move the seat pan forward and back, and it's also easy to adjust the tension knob to set the proper amount of reclining resistance.

The Amia, Embody, X-Chair X2, Gesture, Series 2 and

HON Ignition 2.0 Task follow, all featuring exceptional adjustability with only a few flaws. The main flaw we found with the Embody is the inability to adjust the lumbar support height. You can engage or disengage it and adjust its curvature, but some of our testers felt it would have been better at a different height. It does have a headrest with four stopping points that you can set as tilt limiters for reclining; however, the armrests lack forward/back or swivel capabilities. The only possibility is to move them up and down or in and out. The seat is fully adjustable, but it takes a bit more work to get into a proper ergonomic stance, depending on your desk. The Gesture, on the other hand, has some of the most adjustable armrests that we have seen so far. A unique swinging mechanism allows for full adjustability with a wider range of motion than most.

Even the version of the Gesture without adjustable lumbar support...
Even the version of the Gesture without adjustable lumbar support easily conforms to most spines.
It's easy to reach all of the adjustments on the Embody.
It's easy to reach all of the adjustments on the Embody.

We like that the seat pan depth on the Gesture is adjustable, and you can order this chair with adjustable lumbar support. We tested a model that lacked this, relying on the integrated support for our lower back, and we still thought it was more than adequate. However, you can upgrade to the model with adjustable back support if you think it would benefit your lumbar. The Gesture also has a relatively high backrest and four different tilt limiters you can engage when you recline. Much like the Gesture, the Steelcase Amia features an adjustable seat pan and 4-way adjustable armrests. However, it lacks adequate seat-back tension options and a tilt limiter for larger, heavier users.

Adjustable lumbar support can make a significant difference in the ergonomics of the Amia for a wide range of people.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The X-Chair X2 is almost entirely adjustable. So adjustable that the average user will greatly benefit from watching a video or two to help dial in their baseline settings. Aside from standard features like seat height and tension control, it has 4-way adjustable armrests (not a full swivel), seat pan depth, free lockout, and adjustable lumbar support. The sleek levers are conveniently placed for easy access while sitting down. This chair is also very customizable. You can purchase a wider seat, heating pads, and even a lumbar massager.

office chair - the adjustment levers on the x2 are easy to read and use while...
The adjustment levers on the X2 are easy to read and use while sitting down.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The armrests on the Steelcase Think are completely adjustable. The seat pan depth is also adjustable — a bit of a unique feature for a budget-friendly chair — but we were far from captivated by the lumbar support or the recline/tilt functions. The Think has a brace that you can move up and down to change the lumbar support's height, but many of our judges wished you could also alter the general aggressiveness of the support. This chair has integrated reclining resistance and tilt-limiting functions that restrict the amount of control you have to four preset settings. Despite that, most people could adjust this chair to a good position for their desk without too much fuss.

The Union has a simple but easy to use lever for lowering your seat.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The armrests on the Herman Miller Aeron can swivel and move up and down, backward and forwards, but they can't adjust in width and aren't quite as adjustable as the Steelcase brand chairs. The lumbar support is adjustable in terms of support, but you can't change its position. This isn't a huge issue since the lumbar support is quite tall, but a few judges weren't fond of this. The Aeron also doesn't have a seat depth adjustment, but overall it's fairly easy to get into an ergonomic position.

The Modway allows users to adjust armrests to their height or level of comfort.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The Humanscale Diffrient, Union & Scale FlexFit Hyken Mesh, and Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh rank next in articulating features. That said, the Humanscale got off to a rough start in this metric and lost points from our judges because it lacks any sort of adjustable back support or tilt limiters to stop you from reclining all the way back. However, the Diffrient has far more armrest and seat adjustability than the Modway. Both can be easily used to set up a proper ergonomic sitting position, though the armrests on the Modway can make it a little funky, depending on your desk.

office chair - the low reclining resistance made it easy to feel like you are going...
The low reclining resistance made it easy to feel like you are going to fall out of the Humanscale.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

You can move the backrest up or down on the Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh to match the lumbar support to your spine, but it doesn't have reclining tilt limiters in the traditional sense. You can use the reclining lever to set the angle of the backrest relative to the seat and lock it in place, as well as lock or unlock the reclining pivot in the base, which gives you free rein to recline the chair with the seat and backrest locked together.

office chair - there is a good range of reclining resistance available to you with...
There is a good range of reclining resistance available to you with the Modway.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Durability


We evaluated each chair's design and construction for our next round of tests. We looked at the overall structure and quality of the components and considered any damage or wear sustained during our testing period. Additionally, we dove into user testimonials to get a sense of any trends in performance that we should pay attention to or investigate while testing.


Our Steelcase and Herman Miller chairs rose to the top regarding durability and well-built construction. We didn't find any common issues with most of these products, and none exhibited any major issues during our test period.

office chair - the series 2 by steelcase is solidly-constructed and we expect it to...
The Series 2 by Steelcase is solidly-constructed and we expect it to last for many years.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Assembly


Our final metric focused on the effort required to go from unboxing each chair to sitting in it. We looked at both the actual assembly process and the quality of the included documentation to determine scores. Since this process is something most people will only have to go through once, we placed relatively little weight on this metric.


We found the Leap, Think, Gesture, Aeron, and Humanscale Diffrient were all supremely easy to set up. These chairs essentially came fully assembled or took us less than five minutes of work to get them ready to go. The Amia and Series 2 are also incredibly fast to set up, just requiring sliding the gas cylinder into place. The seat also needs to be slid into place on the Series 2, but you will spend more time breaking down the packaging these chairs came in than anything else.

office chair - we hope our review helps you find the perfect work companion.
We hope our review helps you find the perfect work companion.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Conclusion


An ergonomic chair can make all the difference between having a productive work environment or a day plagued with stiffness and backaches. We hope this review has been a helpful side-by-side comparison of the top office chairs currently available and has given you the tools you need to find the perfect chair that matches your sitting needs and budget.

Benjamin Hickok, Hayley Thomas, Austin Palmer, and David Wise