The best office chairs aren't just supposed to be the best seats in the house, but they need to be supportive and comfortable for hours of sitting if your job requires it. If you find yourself feeling sore at the end of a work day, chances are you might need a new chair. Or, if you keep wriggling in your seat, again, you likely need a new office chair.
Not only will the best office chairs support your head, neck and back, but also help increase your productivity because you're not in pain too much and aren't shifting too much in your chair. Finding the right one for your body, though, isn't very easy.
Ideally you’ll want a chair that offers comfort in the places where it’s needed most. Think about your lower back, your arms and even your neck posture. You’ll also want a chair with the right amount of adjustments so you can tailor the experience to your needs.
Ultimately the chair needs to be comfortable while also reinforcing a healthy posture – lest you hunch over your desk in a prawn-like shape. The chair needs to be built to last with high quality materials and needs to be made of a fabric you actually like. Living in Australia, I prefer fabrics to leathers, for example.
The checklist of things you need to consider is also stymied by your budget – but if you ask me, and this isn’t just because I’m writing a guide to the best office chairs in Australia, you shouldn’t be afraid of spending the big bucks on a good seat. You’ll be using it for a while and a bad seat certainly won’t do you any favours.
So that’s where we come in. Our team of experts has been reviewing dozens of office chairs to find the best seat for your needs. Let’s get into it.
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Sharmishta has had back issues for years and is constantly in search of her 'perfect' office chair. She's reviewed quite a few of the chairs listed below, and has picked up a thing or two about what to look for when shopping for an office chair.
Best Office Chairs: the quick list
A brilliant office chair that is well-designed and constructed, with top-notch adjustability that offers comfort all day long. It can take a while to get used to, but your body will thank you for it.
Our pick for relieving back pain while sitting for long hours – an ergonomic office chair that gave us all-day comfort and zero fatigue. It does come at a hefty price though.
A chair with a splash of personality (well, colour), the Steelcase Personality Plus has been designed with physical appeal in mind, but it doesn't compromise on comfort either. It's not 'cheap', but is good bang for buck.
The Herman Miller x Logitech Embody laughs in the face of gaming chair naysayers as an extremely comfortable office chair carrying the Logitech G badge. It looks great and sits very nicely indeed... if you can afford it.
Not the cheapest office and gaming chair, but the Razer Enki features excellent lumbar support and a smart design built for a range of body types. Importantly, for a fully cushioned chair, it doesn't hold body heat.
This Aussie-owned office chair is for those who like simplicity and need to move a little more when sitting down. It's designed to offer micro movements that can help maintain your overall health.
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This entry-level chair is great value for money, especially if you're after an executive-level aesthetic and comfort level. It's headline act is the self-adjusting backrest, but some users might not enjoy the headrest or armrests.
One of the best gaming chairs is a top pick for those with larger bodies, with leather and fabric variants available. Excellent build quality, with adjustable lumbar support means you can use it all day for work, then seamlessly move on to gaming.
Mesh chairs won’t cut it for everyone, and as a real leather chair with a premium build and a stack of customisation options, the Noblechairs Epic Real Leather ticks all the boxes.
Best office chair overall
Taking the top spot on our list of the best office chairs is the ErgoTune Supreme V3, a brilliant office chair that office great adjustability and an excellent 12-year warranty.
It’s ergonomically designed to provide comfort for hours on end while being customisable from head to toe. The stiff mesh back is designed to suit your sitting posture, perfectly suited for most body sizes.
That being said, the seat may be seen as narrow for some and the lumbar support, while effective, might feel a bit harsh. Reclining resistance could also be a little stronger.
Out of all the chairs that we’ve reviewed, the ErgoTune Supreme V3 is one of the only ones that offers the complete package.
Read our full ErgoTune Supreme V3 review
Best for ergonomics
Ergonomics are obviously an important part of every chair and the Sihoo Doro S300 has some of the best we’ve ever seen. The dynamic lumbar support of the Doro S300 makes it an extremely worthwhile investment if you’re looking for all-day comfort at what is honestly a pretty good price for a chair like this.
The build quality of the C300 is outstanding, but that comes with a caveat: you’ll be building it yourself, with the seat coming completely disassembled. The back support is completely mesh with support up to the shoulder level.
In our review, we found the C300 to be comfortable all day, however the 3D armrests (named so as they can move left, right, back, forward, up and down) have a tendency to wiggle about and be a distraction.
Read our full Sihoo Doro C300 ergonomic office chair review
Best budget
It's not the most ergonomic chair we've tried, but we love the Steelcase Personality Plus for its value for money. Not only is it well designed, with different colours available directly from the manufacturer, it's got some features that you won't find in some other entry-level office chairs. For one, the armrests pivot a little and can be adjusted for height, the seat itself can be moved back and forth marginally and, importantly, it's well made with a sturdy frame.
We prefer the mesh back Personality Plus models, as these are more suitable to hot Aussie summers, but you can opt for an upholstered/padded version too.
Despite the limited number of adjustments that can be made, the Personality Plus is very comfortable, but it lacks decent lumbar support. There is a moveable curved panel for some curvature, but you'll hardly know it's there. If your lower back doesn't require that additional support, the Personality Plus will go a long way, with a 12-year warranty in place.
Read our in-depth Steelcase Personality Plus review to find out more.
Best for long hours
With two variants including one co-designed by Logitech, the Herman Miller Embody is a chair that has been designed to keep you comfortable for hours at a stretch, whether you’re gaming or working. It features a modern design that looks like it’s been picked right out of a utopian science-fiction movie, and has been built with high-quality materials so it’ll also go the distance, even with long periods of use.
It comes out of the box prebuilt, and is suitable for both petite and larger people, thanks to a comfortable spring/foam hybrid backrest that is suitable for taller folks as well. There’s a stack of adjustability options on this chair too, though they’re not all the most intuitive. Besides typical office chair adjustments such as armrest height, the BackFit adjustments allow the chair’s backrest to be tightened or loosened, for a level of customisation that comes down to an individual’s spine.
Read our full Herman Miller Embody review
Best for gamers
If you’re looking for a gaming chair that has the form and aesthetic that the niche attracts, then you’d best consider the Razer Enki. boasting a brilliant level of comfort and great fixed lumbar support, the Enki is ideal for both work and play.
The Razer Enki comes in a gorgeous black design that we can’t help but love, though it is on the pricier side of office chairs. Its wide shoulder arches make it a great choice for a wide range of body types.
Although there’s no mesh variant, we were perfectly comfortable with how well the Enki dealt with body heat. It never became too hot in the seat to stop gaming. We liked this chair so much that we gave it a Techradar Pro Recommends badge, but if you’re looking for something cheaper, you might want to consider the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022.
Read our full Razer Enki review
Best for under AU$500
Simple and more budget-friendly than every other chair on this list, the Desky Swivel 3D Tilt is no slouch at this price point. While it doesn't have any cushioning or padding on its seat and backrest, it does something no other chair can handle as well – it offers a full 360º tilt on its axis (or the gas lift mechanism) that encourages micro movements while you're working. These movements burn calories and, importantly, can help your core muscles a little, although it takes a little more effort to move the seat in some angles than it does in others.
Our reviewer didn't think this chair would suit everyone. The seat is narrow and the plastic build can get hot and uncomfortable during Aussie summer conditions if you don't have an air con going. It would best suit a small-built person and the chair itself is ideal for small spaces.
Other than the tilting feature and changing height, there are no other adjustments you can make to the chair. It lacks lumbar support but, if you don't have lower back issues, you likely won't miss it at all.
Also note that this chair is only available in a single white-grey colour scheme – while that will suit most spaces, whether at home or in an office space, you can't expect a pop of colour here.
Read our full Desky Swivel 3D Tilt office chair review
Best executive chair
Humanscale makes some seriously nifty high-end ergonomic office chairs, and the Freedom is, for us, the pinnacle of that niftiness. It not only looks fabulous – particularly in the leather option – but the really clever bit is that the Freedom is designed to do away with the complex knobs or levers that many ergonomic options can baffle you with. Instead, it adjusts itself automatically to fit the ideal ergonomics for your body.
For example, when reclining the chair, it automatically adjusts the backrest resistance to the optimal level. The end result is a whole lot of comfortable sitting, without having to do any thinking about tension settings and so forth. There are, of course, some adjustable elements, including the armrests which move in tandem (so they’re always at the same height as each other).
This is not a chair for the faint of wallet, but bear in mind that the pricier models are the leather and polished aluminium offerings. Remember that there are versions with plain fabric and a graphite frame – they might not look as high-end, but they still provide the same superb sitting experience, often for hundreds of dollars less. Also note that the Freedom is backed by a 15-year warranty.
Check out our full Humanscale Freedom review for more info.
Best for larger people
Secretlab is known for its quality gaming chairs, and while most thrones in this category might be considered a little bit too flashy for the office, this isn't as important when you're in your own home. In fact, for a gaming chair, the default design of the latest 2022 model Titan Evo is actually rather subdued, with minimal branding and quieter trimmings, but there's plenty of customisation to be had if that's what you're after.
The best thing about the Titan is that there's an XL option that's purpose-built for people on the larger side – both vertically and horizontally – so people that fit this category don't have to make do with a 'one-size-fits-all' solution. You have plenty in the way of adjustments, including lumbar support, and the pleather is easy to clean (albeit a little sweaty at times).
You can check out our detailed Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 gaming chair review to get a better idea of what you're in for.
Best leather office chair
It's not as aesthetically subtle as the other offering from Noblechairs, but if you don't mind that then it's a real winner. From the cross-thatched embroidery to the real leather of its namesake, if you’re looking for a no-compromises gaming throne, this is it. Plus, it’s surprisingly quick and easy to set up. And, once the set-up is complete, the Epic Real Leather is a dream to sit on – and you can customise your position however you want. Just do us a favour, and read the instructions while you’re setting it up. Synthetic leather is also an option if you want to save some money.
Best office chairs: FAQs
What are the different types of office chairs?
Ergonomic office chair
An office or home ergonomic office chair is designed for comfort and better posture while sitting, with support for your lower back and improved bodyweight distribution.
Executive office chair
A premium. padded office chair, usually boasting a high-back and leather upholstery, designed for all-day comfort and support.
Mid-back office chair
As the name suggests, this is a seat with a low backrest that reaches below the shoulders. The design is popular in smaller home offices, boardrooms, and communal areas.
Gaming chair
A plush, adjustable chair, usually covered with fabric or leatherette for soft cushioning during long gaming sessions
High-back office chair
The classic tall office chair design, offering full back support from the base of the spine to the neck. Often, high-back office chairs feature a built-in or detachable headrest.
Task chair
A functional chair that’s built for most workspaces and employee body types, they usually feature a slim profile and compact, ergonomic design, and a focus on productivity.
What is the difference between an office chair, task chair, and gaming chair?
Office chairs are a broad category, with high-back and mid-back styles, sometimes padded. Mesh designs are popular in modern offices, while padded ones are usually seen at home and in executive offices.
A task chair is a type of office chair designed for functional use across almost any workspace. This type of office chair tends to be small, ergonomic, and business-like.
A gaming chair usually has a well-padded design for long, comfortable gaming sessions. While some have RGB accents, others feature professional designs fit for home and office.
There are a few differences when it comes to office chairs vs desk chairs. Some gaming chairs work great and many traditional office seating options can be used as gaming chairs. In fact, many gamers out there opt for a good office chair over those kitschy bucket seat gaming chairs that promise comfort but don’t exactly deliver.
That said, the one thing that generally sets the best gaming chairs apart from office chairs is their design. They’re heavily inspired by race car bucket seats, oversized frames, support cushions, gaming logos, and bright or distinctive colors. Meanwhile, office and task chairs built for work and productivity are designed to blend into a business or work-from-home environment and usually feature subtle colors, flatter seat cushions, and a mesh or padded backrest.
An office chair, task chair, or gaming chair will offer plenty of options to adjust the armrest, tilt tension and locking, seat height and depth, lumbar support, and more. However, in our experience, gaming chairs often offer more flexibility in the reclining options, having most chairs recline back and feature a headrest pillow for extra gaming support.
How can I make my work chair more comfortable?
When you need to know How to make an office chair more comfortable, it's worth considering that many of the top choices offer lots of flexibility, customisation, and adjustability. This way, you can find the most comfortable position for extended hours. If you're struggling to find the right position for comfort, it may be your posture or the chair's current set-up.
How much should I spend on the best office chairs?
When it comes to budget, there's no right or wrong answer – so long as you're not making these 5 common mistakes most people make when buying an office chair.
You can find a super-comfortable office chair for around the AU$300 mark, or spend thousands on a premium ergonomic seat. Generally speaking, we'd avoid suspiciously cheap chairs – anything below AU$100-AU$150 will likely suffer from poor build quality, limited adjustability and padding. In our experience, those in the AU$100 bracket can be very hit and miss, so check reviews.
There are many factors at play when you're looking at how to buy an office chair and you can find a comfortable and ergonomic chair in every budget range.
How often should office chairs be replaced?
The answer isn’t quite straightforward here. Obviously, if you’ve got a chair that’s broken or no longer provides good support, there’s no better time than now to replace it – hopefully with a better option. But if you’ve got a working chair that has no massive issues, chair manufacturers somewhat disagree on when you should replace yours. And, that’s really due to the fact that it largely depends on their build.
Some crafted for home and office will last you seven to eight years, others will last you five. A handful, like the Humanscale Freedom, will last you 15 or more years. ErgoTune offers 6 years of warranty only, but the chairs are well built and could go the distance. Of course, factors like the level and amount of usage, as well as environmental conditions, matter as well. We recommend consulting your chair’s manufacturer first before dropping a chunk of change on a new chair. And also, trust your gut. You’ll know when your trusty old chair just isn’t cutting it anymore.
How to choose the best office chair
Our 5 essential features of a good office chair gives an in-depth guide of what to look out for when picking the perfect seat, but here’s a quick summary of what to look for when you’re shopping for your next piece of office furniture:
Adjustability
With a wide variety of desks, pairing the right office chair can come down to its adjustability. How high can the chair rise? Are the armrests movable? Does the backrest tilt? These options can impact how you sit at your desk, and you want to make sure you have the right chair with the adjustments you need for the most comfortable seat.
Size
You’ll want to find a chair that not only fits in your space, but also one that fits your body comfortably. While a lot of gaming chairs offer options for bigger and taller people, not every office chair has been designed to fit every body type. Each chair has weight limits and recommended heights, so it’s important to check those specifications if you’re on either end of the size spectrum.
If you’re working with a smaller space, consider looking at chairs with removable armrests and a minimalist design – though you might have to go without all the adjustability options you’d otherwise have.
Support
You’re likely going to be sitting in your office chair for hours a day, so you want to make sure it offers the right support. From lumbar support to headrests, these can be the difference between a chair that’s comfortable for the first few hours, and a chair that will keep you comfortable and sitting correctly throughout the whole day.
Ergonomic chairs can also help to keep you productive – you won’t be spending your valuable time thinking about how uncomfortable you are, and instead can focus on your task or game.
Materials
The right material can also impact the comfort of your office chair, as well as how long it'll last. High-quality materials will increase its lifespan, saving you time and money in the long run while still providing a comfortable seat.
Additionally, different materials can help keep you cool or warm, depending on your office’s climate. If you have a warmer office, consider looking into mesh chairs, or other breathable fabrics. Alternatively, if you want a premium chair and have an office with good regulated temperature, leather – or faux leather if you prefer – chairs should be your go-to, as they both look and feel the part of an executive seat.
Cost
The bigger the budget, the more options you’ll have. Though, that’s not to say there aren't high-quality affordable office chairs out there. It really will come down to what you’re looking for, but cost can be impacted by brand, material and design.
How we test
Each office chair we review is tested for over a month, with close consideration given to the comfort, material, adjustability, durability and weight limit of the seat. It’s not just a matter of sitting in the chair while we work, we carefully consider each of the above categories, and how the chair impacts our productivity.
Additionally, we also look at how easy each chair is to assemble and, more importantly, its cost. Options from both the premium and lower end of the price spectrum are put to the test, so we can assess a big variety of chairs. We also take into consideration the design and size of a chair, as each workspace will have its own spatial needs.
See more about our testing process in How we test, review and rate on TechRadar Pro: Office Chairs.
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