If you work from home, you'll know how important it is to have the right setup. Since the doomed days of Covid, there's a variety of ergonomic equipment available to buy, and it's often difficult knowing where to start. From the best standing desks to the best under-desk treadmills, there's a lot of choice when it comes to the surface you're working from, but what about the surface you're sitting on?
The best office chairs are often overlooked, but they're actually incredibly important for making sure your body is comfortable and well-supported throughout the day. We've tested a whole bunch out at T3, and now our attention has turned to a recent addition to the market. Slouch is a small UK-based brand that sells only one kind of office chair, the Task One. The company prides itself in putting all resources and development experience into producing a one of a kind product without all the faff, and we're all here for that.
I've been lucky enough to test out the Task One over the past few weeks, and you'll find all my thoughts below.
Slouch Task One review: price and availability
As mentioned, the Task One is the only office chair that Slouch currently sells, but there's a variety of design options that determines its cost. To begin, there are five different fabric options to choose from: bluestone, cedar, charcoal, fog and pink. Consumers can also choose whether they'd prefer the chair to have arms or not, and can opt for a black or grey frame.
There's also a chance to select a forward seat tilt feature, priced at £39. Consumers can also choose to add hard-floor castors for an extra £19.
I've been reviewing the Task One in cedar fabric and grey frame. I went for the no arms option with the forward seat tilt. As my office area is carpeted, there was no need to opt for the hard-floor castors. This all came to £308 and delivery was free.
Slouch Task One review: unboxing and set up
The Slouch Task One turned up in a rather large cardboard box, although it wasn't excessively heavy. I was slightly concerned there would be a lot of assembly required, but opened the box to realise the chair was already partially put together. This was a huge relief, especially given my track record with flat pack furniture.
I came across the seat first, which I soon realised was the culprit behind the heavy box. The colour was perfect, and fit in really nicely with my home's colour scheme. I then found the backrest unit and 5-star base, followed by the gas adjustment column and instructions/assembly tools.
Putting the chair together probably took around 15 minutes in total, and just required fastening the seat to the backrest using the supplied bolts. Even though I went for the no arms option, the seat comes with the arms attached if selected, so you wouldn't have to worry about assembling those either.
This was an incredibly easy set up compared to other office chairs, and it certainly meant things got off to a great start. The chair would also be really easy to disassemble if you were to move home or put it into storage.
Slouch Task One review: design and features
There's a whole bunch of features that make the Slouch Task One an appealing (and ergonomic) choice for an office chair. To begin, the chair's seat is really thick, making it highly comfortable underneath. It's made of moulded seat foam, meaning it adjusts to its user and provides comfort throughout the whole day. The backrest unit is made from 3D spacer mesh, providing breathability and support.
There's also a panel on the back of the chair which provides adjustable lumbar support. This is probably one of my favourite features about the Task One, especially as my lower back often feels the effects of working from a desk all day. There's 55mm of vertical adjustment available, and you just simply move the panel up and down to improve your comfort levels and posture.
Other features include adjustable seat depth and adjustable seat height. These work together to make the seat even more comfortable, also allowing you to adjust the chair to whatever desk you're working from. For example, if your desk is on the higher side, you're able to extend the gas column for the perfect fit. The adjustable seat depth can bring closer into the desk or further away from it.
As mentioned, I opted for the forward seat tilt when customising the chair during checkout. This enables the front of the seat to position itself downwards, lifting your lower back up.
There's also an option to tilt the backrest unit backwards, allowing users to find the perfect tension to balance weight and movement. You can also lock the backrest into place if you find a tilt position that works perfectly for you.
Slouch Task One review: performance
I've been testing the Slouch Task One for around three weeks now, and it's one of the best office chairs I've used so far. Choosing a chair that works for my inside space was important to me, so I loved being able to choose between design options.
However, the best thing about the Task One is how fully adjustable it is. You can customise the chair to your preferences, and it's really easy to switch between settings if you need to adjust your comfort levels throughout the day. Despite not leaving my desk very often when working from home, my back and legs have felt highly supported for hours on end. If I have started feeling slightly stiff, the adjustable lumbar support and forward seat tilt have been great for resetting my seating position.
There really isn't anything negative I can say about the Slouch Task One. Compared to other office chairs, it's important to know that the 5-star base is on the wider side. As my desk is open underneath, this wasn't an issue for me. However, if you own a desk with drawers or a small underneath space, I'd recommend getting your tape measure out before your debit card.
Slouch Task One review: verdict
I'm over the moon with the Slouch Task One, and it's undeniably one of the best office chairs I've used. Not only can you select its exact design, but it's a fully adjustable chair that can be customised to whatever your comfort levels require. It has a range of ergonomic features that ensure maintained support throughout the day and it is incredibly easy to set up. I would recommend measuring your office space before purchasing as the 5-star base is on the wider side, but this is hardly a reason not to buy.
Slouch Task One review: alternatives to consider
If you like the look of the Slouch Task One, I'd recommend the Quersus ICOS office chair. It's a great chair with very few niggles, and is perfect for those who need a comfortable office chair for gaming, streaming or general computer work. It's a little more expensive, but you certainly get a lot for what you pay.
Another alternative to consider would be the Boulies EP200. It's a great value solution for improving your office environment, and our reviewer found it extremely comfortable throughout his working day.
If you're looking for a gaming chair, check out our round up of the best gaming chairs instead.
