A good and supportive seat will help prevent back pains, fatigue, and discomfort, making you more productive. In most offices, the chairs are part of the décor. Hence, most people tend to choose the most beautiful one without considering the chair’s health influences on the users.
Ergonomic chairs support healthy sitting by encouraging you to adopt the right posture to get rid of aches and pains resulting from long working hours. Nonetheless, the increase in the number of chairs in the market makes it challenging to narrow down your buying options.
If you wish to invest in a good ergonomic chair, look out for the following qualities.
1. Adjustability
The first feature you need to consider when buying an ergonomic chair is adjustability. Every person is different, so the seat needs to meet unique user’s needs. Most chairs have at least five adjustment functions, with some great models offering up to 14.
At a minimum, it should allow the adjustment of heights, armrests, lumbar support, and reclining angle. Some seats have a dial control, but you will have to make the adjustments manually in others.
2. Lumbar Support
The lower back support is a very crucial element in any ergonomic chair. A good seat should have adjustable lumbar support, which lets you fit the chair to your lower back. This posture provides spine support and stabilizes the body, neck, and head. Besides, the concave curve will help distribute your body weight efficiently to minimize stress.
3. Seat Height
Your height will determine your chair’s size. Individuals about 5” to 6’4” tall can consider a seat that allows adjustments from 15 to 22 inches off the floor. The correct seat height allows your feet to rest comfortably on the floor with the thighs parallels to the ground and forearm to the workplace. This position will reduce stress on the lumbar region and knees.
If you choose a significantly taller chair, you will limit blood circulation and strains sensitive areas like behind the knees. On the other hand, if it’s too low, it lifts your knees way above the hips pushing your body weight back, pressuring your sitting bones.
4. Backrest
A typical backrest in an ergonomic chair should range between 12 to 19 inches. It allows you to recline and relieve your lower back from some weight, increasing blood flow. If it’s separate from the seat, ensure that it’s adjustable in both angle and height to support the spine’s natural curve and the lumbar region.
On the other hand, if your chair contains a fitted backrest, it should allow adjustments in a back and forward angles. Still, ensure that it includes a locking mechanism to prevent it from going too backward.
5. Depth
The appropriate depth should allow you to slide the seat backward or forward to suit your leg length. It will help if you choose a deep enough chair that supports your back against the backrest and leaves around four fingers space between the chair’s end and your knees.
Also, the seat should support about ¾ of your hips.
When the chair is too long, you are more likely to lean forward, and you fail to enjoy the benefits of a backrest. As a result, it strains your legs and back.
6. Armrests
The armrest should provide sufficient support while resting and working. Besides, it should match the height of your work surface to avoid hunching your shoulders. Choose an adjustable armrest, 7” to 10” tall above the seat height. It should also let your elbows and forearm rest lightly.
7. Movement And Stability
The chair needs to smoothly rotate and move so you can reach anything around the desk without straining. A chair that turns efficiently promotes blood circulation and dynamic sitting positions. As a result, it boosts the user’s focus and energy levels. Each seat will have a wheelbase, and it would be wise to choose the right one based on the floor type in your office.
Ensure that the seat has high-quality wheels to avoid damaging the floor. Also, consider the weight capacity to ensure that you are the right user. Additionally, pick a stable chair with at least five spokes and ensure that the castles efficiently grind over several floor surfaces to avoid tipping or rollovers.
8. Seat Width
The appropriate ergonomic chair should have a suitable width of about 17” to 20” wide. Moreover, pick a seat that lets you sit comfortably with at least an inch on both sides. However, lookout so that you don’t choose an overly wide one to avoid straining while touching the armrest.
9. Seat Material
Besides the aesthetic appeal, the chair’s material creates a comfortable seating experience. It should have enough padding with high-quality foam, which allows productivity for extended periods. It worth noting that low-quality foam and insufficient padding may result in hip misalignments, discomforts, fatigue, and back pain.
Also, choose a breathable fabric that prevents the seat from overheating and getting uncomfortable after an extended period of use. For this reason, a cloth fabric appears better compared to other hard materials. Still, leather seems somewhat effortless to clean. You can also consider a mesh backrest that allows constant airflow and comfortably contours your body to spread the weight evenly across a large area.
10. Price
How much you spend on the ergonomic office chair depends on your budget and needs. However, it would be best if you pick a price worthwhile to invest in a proper chair. Remember that the seat will go through years of wear and tear, and you may want to ensure that it comes with a good warranty.
You should expect to pay anything around $200 to $800 for great model ergonomic chairs with the right features.
Based on the above factors, here are the best ergonomic office chairs we recommended.
Conclusion
It’s worth noting that the comfort and quality of your office chair dramatically affect your health and productivity. Hopefully, the above guideline on what to look for in an ergonomic office chair will help you make an informed decision.
You can try on a chair before purchase to ensure that it fits you well. Ensure that it feels comfortable and gives you enough support, especially when working for longer hours. Also, consider how you plan to use the chair, whether you need to move around a large workstation, lean or stretch to access files while working, and choose the right seat with enough adjustments to meet your needs.
