Choosing the Best Office Chair for Working at Home

Recent changes to the way we work due to the COVID-19 pandemic have many of us looking for new home office furniture to ensure we are comfortable and ready to do our work remotely. Purchasing our own office furniture is new to most of us, which can make choosing the best office chair, desk, or storage option for a new workspace tricky. This article will help you choose the best office chair for working from home, taking a deeper look at the specific requirements and giving you some of the best options from our website.
A Glance at Types of Office Chairs

Before making any purchase, it's a good idea to know your options. Here, we will take a brief look at the best types of office chairs and their qualities.
Ergonomic Office Chair

Typical Cost: £100-300

Pros: Variety, customizable features, healthy posture

Cons: Expensive

One of the most popular chairs you'll find in an office environment, the Ergonomic office chair is built to last, with a sturdy design and adjustable features designed to provide maximum comfort and avoid injury. They are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials.

Leather Office Chair

Typical Cost: £50-200

Pros: Stylish, great in cold environments

Disadvantages: Poor in warm environments

Leather office chairs have an executive style and prioritize comfort for the user. They may be more expensive than other options and are better suited to cooler home offices. This material is not always the best choice in hot environments, as leather can make the chair sticky and sweatier than other materials.
Executive Office Chair

Typical Cost: £100-200

Pros: Professional, high quality materials, high back

Cons: Expensive

Executive office chairs are the best office chairs if style and professionalism are most important to you. It's made with high-quality materials so it has a long service life, and has a high back designed to provide added comfort during long days at the office.
Mesh Office Chair

Typical Cost: £50-150

Pros: Light, cheap, breathable back

Cons: Less ergonomic than other options

If you work in a warm environment, a mesh office chair is a better choice. They are lightweight and have breathable holes in the mesh material that allow air to flow, helping users stay cool during the work day.

Operator's Seat

Typical Cost: £30-100

Pros: Lumbar support and headrest, cheap

Cons: Less ergonomic and durable than other options

Considered the most basic type of office chair, Operator chairs typically have lumbar support and an adjustable headrest. If you want a less expensive option and don't typically spend a long time sitting at a desk, an operator's chair may be the best office chair for your home workspace.
Heavy Duty Office Chair

Typical Cost: £200-400

Advantages: Designed for heavier users, durable, comfortable

Disadvantages: Expensive, not easy to move

Heavy-duty office chairs have larger-than-average seats and backrests, and sturdy frames designed for larger users. They are specially tested to withstand heavier loads and use stiffer materials and gas struts for added support and longer service life.

High Back Office Chair

Typical Cost: £100-200

Pros: Designed for taller people, emphasizes back support

Cons: Expensive

The name is self-explanatory; High-back office chairs are ergonomically designed for tall people. Ergonomic features ensure users are comfortable for long periods of time in the chair, helping to avoid neck strain or other aches and pains that can be caused by standard office chairs.
Draftsman's Chair

Typical Cost: £100-200

Pros: Ideal for working on higher surfaces, adjustable

Disadvantages: Uncomfortable to sit for long periods, doing activities can be awkward

A draftsman's chair is designed to be suitable for working on a higher surface than a standard table. This chair is a great choice if you often work on surfaces like the kitchen table. Most have a ring around the base so your feet can rest comfortably, and come with a seat back, armrests, and are often tilt-adjustable.
Gaming Chair

Typical Cost: £100-300

Pros: Ergonomic, designed for long periods of sitting, stylish

Cons: Can be expensive, designed for gaming rather than work

Gaming chairs are designed to provide comfort for long periods of time. Style is also important, as most people buy gaming chairs that match the aesthetic of their gaming setup. Modeled on a race car bucket seat, the shape allows you to lean back against the seat and get support for your back, neck and head.

Key Considerations When Choosing the Best Home Office Chair

We've covered the options, but knowing what to consider when purchasing a home office chair will help you know which is best for you. Kirsty Angerer, ergonomic consultant and member of the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors, recommends checking these six features when looking for the best computer chair.

1. Height – The height of the chair must be correct or adjustable to accommodate various heights and heights.

2. Seat depth – Your seat should be deep enough to support your legs if you are tall, but not so deep that you sink into it, and this causes poor posture. The front of the seat should also be rounded so that the legs can rest comfortably.

3. Backrest height adjustment – ​​Your backrest should support the lower and middle part of your back. Height adjustment is key because it allows you to change the chair so it can provide full back support for someone your size.

4. Adjustable armrests – Similar to armrests, it is important that you adjust the armrests to ensure maximum comfort during long hours of work.

5. Recliner chair – Having a recline feature allows you to adjust the chair so that it doesn't always sit in the same position. It's also great for helping you maintain correct posture.

6. Wheels – It's a good idea to look for a chair with a five-wheel base so you can move freely without having to stretch or force yourself to reach something.

Finally, if you have something specific in mind that you're looking for in a good office chair, we'll take a look at the best office chairs for ergonomics, back pain, and a tight budget.

What is the Best Ergonomic Office Chair?

If your priority is an ergonomic office chair and budget is not too much of an issue, we recommend the following:

Belize 24HR Operator Seat (Leather) - £214

This high-back leather executive operator's chair is specially designed for 24-hour use, with premium ergonomic features that ensure maximum comfort. This is one of the more expensive options, but the durable material promises to be a worthy investment.

Ergo Comfort Operator Chair with Mesh Back - £176

If you prefer mesh over leather, but still want comfort and a variety of ergonomic features, this is the chair for you. It has a contoured seat with a waterfall front, and features include throttle height adjustment, rear height adjustment, and rear angle adjustment. This supports good posture and long-term comfort.

Cubre Executive Chair - £116

This chair is a cheaper option but is still one of the best ergonomic office chairs out there. It has a high, soft backrest with an integral headrest design. The soft seat with a waterfall front provides additional comfort for the user's feet. It also has a stylish and professional look, perfect for a productive home office.

What is the Best Office Chair for Back Pain?

Factors to consider if you are looking for the best office chair for back pain are:

Does the chair provide support when reclining?
Is the height and depth of the lumbar support adjustable?
Does the backrest and/or waist move when you sit in the chair?
What material is the waist made of?

If you have back pain, here are the best office chairs to maintain good posture and help you stay comfortable at work:

Alicanto 24 Hour Bonded Leather Chair With Headrest - £339

This chair is equipped with adjustable lumbar support, adjustable height backrest, and recline function that will support any user who suffers from back pain while working. The backrest is adjustable to help maintain good posture and the headrest provides additional neck and shoulder comfort.

Foster High Back 24 Hour Task Chair - £336

This chair has all the ergonomic features you need to reduce work-related back pain. It has lumbar support and a fully adjustable backrest. It also has a seat slide function and supports users who like to recline their chairs while working.

Simons 24 Hour Operator Chair - £231

This is one of the best office chairs for back pain and is slightly cheaper than other options. The chair is physio approved and has a range of ergonomic features including a thick, molded back, height-adjustable arms and a heavy-duty mechanism, with asynchronous movement, allowing the chair to adapt to the user's weight.

What is the Best Budget Office Chair?

You may be looking for the best office chair you can get on a budget. Here are some cheaper options from our website:

Cormac Mesh Rear Operator Seat - £88

For just £88, this chair comes with a breathable mesh backrest that offers improved ventilation. It also has a deep padded seat and ergonomic design to provide maximum comfort during long work days. Customizable features like fuel life adjustment, weight tension control and tilt lock mean you can adjust the seat to your liking.

Clarence High Back Executive Chair - £86

This executive leather office chair provides a stylish and professional look without having to spend a lot of money. It also has additional ergonomic features to help users stay comfortable and avoid injury when sitting for long hours. The high back helps support the back, neck and head, has a PVC synthetic leather lining, and padding, and the gas light allows it to be adjusted to accommodate users of different sizes.

Kendall 2 Lever High Back Operator's Chair - £70

Operator chairs are one of the most commonly used chairs in offices because they are affordable and versatile. It's comfortable and easy to move, making it perfect for office spaces or busy reception areas. This chair has a deep seat cushion with a waterfall front, is made of high-quality, durable materials, and has additional adjustable features for maximum comfort.

This guide will help you find the best office chair for your home office. If you are looking for other office furniture, such as desks or storage, you can find various options on our website.