Office chairs may not be the most coveted piece of furniture around, but this is one instance where they’re more about function more than style alone.
They’re important to get right, especially if you work in an office or spend long shifts in front of a computer while working from home.
What specs to look for in an office chair
A good chair should boast an ergonomic design to support your spine and frame, leaving you to concentrate on your work without distraction.
Adjustability is key too: look for models that allow you to tweak seat height, seat depth, armrests and tilts. Wheels are a useful addition, allowing free movement to the printer, home intercom or the fridge to raid for snacks without getting up. They can also help manoeuvre the chair easily around the room - useful if you want to roll it away after a WFH day.
We all have specific sitting requirements so a chair that lets you adjust various elements to your preferred settings is ideal.
What is the best fabric for an office chair?
You should also pay close attention to the materials used. A fabric seat and back feel comfortable against the skin but are also tougher to clean accidental spills and stains off. Leather office chairs offer an exec look but come at a price - vegan leather gives the same aesthetic for a fraction of the price. If possible, look for chairs that promote breathability, like mesh panels on the back of the seat.
Are office chairs expensive?
In general yes, office chairs can be considered expensive. They average in the £150 ballpark, although that figure can swing either way depending on how basic or design-led your dream office chair is. That said, it’s worth investing in a good one, especially if you’re a hybrid employee who works from home for at least some of the week. Trust us, your spine will thank you for it.
There’s an array of choices out there, which, while pleasing in terms of competition, does make it challenging to narrow down the selection. That’s where ES Best comes in - we’ve done the legwork to make choosing your next office chair a breeze.
Below you’ll find our little black book of the best office chair brands, with each one rated in terms of priciness. A single pound sterling sign means you can expect budget prices while three pound signs is likely a bigger splash. We hope that this makes it easier to see if the design you want falls roughly within your budget.
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Amazon
Price range: ££
Okay, you got us: Amazon isn't exactly a specialist in office chairs, but it does list them by the thousands. Competitively priced and with many boasting next-day delivery with Prime - well, how could we not include the retail behemoth?
While many chairs come from unknown brands, there are a few recognisable names in the mix: Songmics, SIHOO and Yaheetech. Shop everything from standard office chairs with some offering massage elements or crafted for gaming so you can keep enjoying the chair long after your shift is over.
Buy now, Amazon
Flexispot
Price range: ££
Crafting ‘kinetic’ furniture that fits around modern work lifestyles, FlexiSpot makes all sorts of office furniture from storage and organisation solutions to office pods, standing desks and of course, office chairs.
The BS3 is a stunning example (if not the most imaginatively named). The wallet-friendly chair is dynamic, with adjustable lumbar support to maintain the natural curvature of the spine. Meanwhile, three degrees of tilt mean you can switch between work, relaxation and resting settings. Even the armrests are height-adjustable so that you can find a supportive position easily.
Buy now, Flexispot
Furniture At Work
Price range: ££
Find a wealth of office chair options at Furniture At Work, a site that sells pieces exactly as advertised. The range is huge with everything from conference chairs, faux leather, mesh backed and more in the mix. Prices start at £67 for a swivel office chair on wheels.
While the frill-free site feels directed to a corporate audience - prices are offered with and without VAT making purchases clearer for office procurement managers - chairs are available to buy individually for civilians.
Buy now, Furniture At Work
Herman Miller
Price range: £££
If you’ve got the cash to splash, Herman Miller is one of the best names in the biz. Never mind triple figures - some of the top-end models are priced as much as £1500.
So what can you expect for such heavy coin? Unique designs are developed around humans rather than a checklist. Every detail is considered around the core principles of comfort and support.
The Cosm design is a prime example, with instant responses to bodyweight shifting so that you’re always supported. Features like a flexible frame, auto-harmonic tilt and intercept suspension will make you forget you’re sitting in a chair at all.
Buy now, John Lewis
Humanscale
Price range: £££
A leading name in the office chair world, Humanscale is based in New York City, a metropolis that rivals London in terms of office workers. The brand offers streamlined, minimalistic chairs for working environments and is centred around the idea that 'good design achieves more with less'.
Chairs typically feature an upholstered seat with a robust mesh back to promote airflow and thus, breathability.
Buy now, John Lewis
IKEA
Price range: £
The Swedish furniture chain may be best known for its flat-packed wonders, but it also does a great line of office chairs to pair with its streamlined desks.
Offered at its famously low prices, the collection is a largely fancy-free affair which is also, pleasingly, reflected in its RRPs - the cheapest option costs just £75. Most are under £200 though including the JÄRVFJÄLLET (£179) which comes with a high back and armrests for full back support.
Buy now, IKEA
Posturite
Price range: £££
If we don't start paying attention to our back health soon, Britain is going to have a collective chronic issue in the near future. Posturite is on a mission to straighten things up with nifty designs that promote active sitting. All products are designed with correct spinal alignment in mind, from ergonomically engineered chairs with adjustability on practically every feature to help you find your sweet spot. Our favourite? The tall backed designs with headrests: you’ll feel superior support throughout the 9 - 5.
Buy now, Posturite
Varier
Price range: £££
Champions of active sitting, Varier's office chairs offer a departure from typical designs. The Norwegian company's popular kneeling chairs are made with curved, rocking chair-like legs to keep you engaging your core using three features: movement, balance and forward tilt.
Unsually there are no adjustable features here: the kneeling chairs and stools arrive as one unit. The big plus? They're not as square-looking as traditional office chairs and come in fun colours making a more playful addition to your interior aesthetic.
Buy now, Amazon
Viking Direct
Price range: £
So the website isn't going to win any best-designed awards, but it's the content that matters here. Viking Direct sells all sorts of office essentials, from the small - envelopes and staples - to major pieces of furniture like filing cabinets, desks and office chairs.
There are tons of branded and unbranded options here, with many under the £100 mark, making it a must-visit destination for anyone upgrading their WFH desk on a budget.
Buy now, Viking Direct
