I tested 65 office chairs to choose the best

Accessories for your chair

Replace your casters

The wheels on the bottom of your chair are among the easiest parts to replace. If your current casters don’t roll easily or are too noisy, it may be worth replacing them instead of purchasing a whole new chair. I like the ones from Stealtho, a Ukrainian company. They’ll work with almost any office chair, although the company says they don’t work with Ikea products. The soft polyurethane material means they won’t scratch or chip hardwood floors like some plastic casters do, and they’ll also feel like they’re gliding silently as you roll from your desk to the fridge (don’t judge).

Fair warning: as these casters are more frictionless than normal casters, they can This sometimes causes your chair to roll, like when you get up and walk away. Stealtho has locking casters if you’re worried about your chair rolling, and they it doesn’t cost much more.

An office chair for your pet

Does your pet look longingly at your rapidly typing fingers and wish for doodles? Get the SeatMate Pet Office Chair if you don’t want to feel like a cruel and cruel pet owner. This faux fur seat is tall enough that you don’t have to bend down to pet your dog or cat when they inevitably come into your home office to distract you. Instead, they’ll sit at a reasonable height that allows you to run one hand through their fur, while the other works to operate a keyboard and mouse simultaneously. There’s a sliding ramp that allows them to climb, and my dog ​​took to it immediately, although now he’s so used to it that he jumps right onto the seat. The rear legs of the seat are on casters, making it easy to move around a room.

You can choose different fabric materials and colors, and it is easy to clean with a brush or a hand vacuum cleaner. Just keep the size in mind. My dog ​​weighs 19 pounds and is a bit long, and he just suits him when he sleeps.

A glass chair mat

Do you need a rug for your chair? Most likely not. However, the casters can scratch hard floors, so we recommend replacing them with roller wheels (see above). If you’re on a mat, it may also be difficult to move around. A rug can help solve both of these problems. I sat on this glass from Vitrazza for two years and was pleasantly surprised. (You can do a lot cheaper rugs made from other materials, also.) The safety glass is thick and I haven’t seen any noticeable scratches even after this time. It can support 1,000 pounds and does not touch p as my hardwood floor, because you have to affix rubber bumpers to separate them. You can choose from several sizes, and Vitrazza sells different shapes Also. It’s just a little difficult to clean since you have to lift it up to get to all the dirt underneath.

Seat cushions, backrests and footrests

If you can’t upgrade your seat yet, a cushion or backrest might help. Here are a few we like:

CushionLab Seat Cushion for $85: This memory foam seat is comfortable and I had no problem sitting on it for hours. It’s best to pair it with an adjustable chair, as it adds a decent amount of height to your seat, which can make typing on a keyboard difficult. It does a great job of preventing bad odors and you can also wash the cover. Just know that it’s rarely sold at full price of $85which means it’s not really on “sale.”

LoveHome Memory Foam Lumbar Support for $22: If you find yourself slumping in your seat, this comfortable memory foam pillow can help. It keeps your back straight and supported, and since it’s affordable, it’s a great option to try before shelling out hundreds for a new chair. It is also good to use in a car or wheelchair. The cover is washable and has two adjustable straps (plus an extension strap) that go around your seat to keep it in the position you need.

Secretlab Premium Footrest for $89: I’ve tried a handful of footrests, and the Secretlab Premium Footrest is by far the best: I’ve been using mine for over three years. Ideally, your feet are on the floor when you’re sitting, but it’s nice to be able to prop them on something soft every now and then. Not only is the PlushCell memory foam material soft and plush on my feet, but it also stays remarkably clean. I have a small dog and his hair is getting everywhere except the quilted fabric cover. (You can hand wash this cover to remove dirt.) The patterned silicone base also keeps it in place.

Other Office Chairs to Consider

Not every choice is a winner. Here are a few others that we like enough to recommend, but they’re not as good as our top picks above.

Haworth Zody Boucle Office Chair for $1,480: Haworth’s Zody is an attractive and stylish chair, especially in this buckle version that I tried. My review unit unfortunately didn’t come with lumbar adjustment, but I still felt quite comfortable sitting in the Zody for long hours. It’s a little warm with this material, but it will be the same if you opt for leather or padding. (If this is a problem, you can also use the Zody standard mesh.) It’s very easy to recline slightly and you can even recline the chair into a more forward sitting position if you’re doing a more active task. I don’t really like the armrests on the seat – they seem a bit noisy – but I didn’t have much else to complain about about the chair. You get a 12-year warranty and you can try it for 30 days to see if it’s for you.

Ergonofis Equation Ergonomic Chair for $895: The Ergonofis equation resembles the Steelcase gesture; it’s an attractive chair, well-built and comes with all the expected adjustments, not to mention a 12-year warranty. You can lift the dual-swivel seat armrests up and down, rotate them in or out, and push them forward and back. There is a tilt lever that lets you adjust and lock it at specific angles, and you can extend the depth of the seat. I’m not entirely convinced by the company’s back support: press two buttons on the back and you can tilt the mesh back in or out (there are three angles). This didn’t give me any problems after a month of testing, but I did experience some tingling in my lower back, and I think part of that was due to not being able to specifically position the lumbar support relative to the curve of my spine. The company offers a 30-day trial.

ProtoArc Flexer Pro for $284: This is a surprisingly decent office chair for the price, although it offers better value for money if purchased at its retail price of $299 direct from ProtoArc. There are multiple adjustment points, including seat depth and four-way adjustable armrests, as well as multiple recline angles. The build quality is solid considering the price, and it looks nice. After two weeks of sitting on it, it offers relative support, although I find the seat foam a little too firm. My main problem is that the lumbar support comes off the chair too easily when I move around in my seat. (It’s happened three times now.) I wish it had been included in the record.

LiberNovo Omni for $848: I really enjoyed my stay on the LiberNovo Omni (7/10, WIRED recommends). The seat material is incredibly soft and cushiony, making it an extremely comfortable chair. The backrest is motorized (you press a button on the seat armrest to adjust it to the curve of your back) and there’s also a stretch where you can lie down and roll it up and down your spine, like a motorized foam roller. My only concerns are that LiberNovo is a new company and therefore has no track record, especially when it comes to customer service. There’s also no seat cushion adjustment, so you have to choose that at checkout; I found the larger 19-inch model still too small for my 6’4″ frame. Plus, the warranty is poor compared to other chairs at this price (five years for the chair, two years for the motorized components). And do you really want a chair with a battery, even if it’s removable? It’s a solid first entry from the company, but you have to take a leap of faith.

Hon Nucleus Drafting Chair for $601: A drafting chair is designed to accommodate elevated work surfaces, and you’ll usually see a ring under the seat, which allows you to rest your feet if they’re off the floor. I admit that I haven’t tested many drafting chairs, but I found the Nucleus completely GOOD. It looks a little dull, but the seat is moderately firm, there’s adjustable lumbar support, and the arms can move up or down and in or out. The version of the chair I tried didn’t have a recline feature, but I was able to adjust the depth and height of the seat. I didn’t find it offensive after several weeks of testing, but I didn’t fall in love with it either. I don’t think it’s worth the MSRP. I also tried the standard Nucleus chairwhich is available at a slightly lower price. This one did I have the Synchro-Tilt mechanism, and it was easy to adjust the tilt and lock it in place. Likewise, it gets the job done, but I think Branch’s Pro Ergonomic Chair remains the better buy.

Hon Altern Chair for $305: It’s hard to find a good office chair under $300. Most people will be better served with the Branch ergonomic chair pick above, which dropped almost $300 during sales events, but the Hon Altern is a decent alternative. The best part is that the seat is wide and soft, so your butt will feel quite comfortable, and the seat depth adjustment accommodates a larger group of people. On the other hand, the back support leaves something to be desired. I want it to be more upright, but the chair forces me to lean back. The armrests can only move up and down – I wish I could move them inwards a bit more. Its design is also generic. Still, I sat on the Altern for a month, and it does the job. If you’re on a budget, this is far better than most options you’ll find at this price on Amazon. It also includes a headrest, which is usually an additional addition to many chairs.

Standalone ErgoChair Ultra 2 for $399: I’ve been sitting on Autonomous’ 3D printed ErgoChair Ultra 2 for over a month now and I’m pleasantly surprised. This is a big improvement over the original Chair Ultra, which had a flat, hard seat. The Ultra V2’s seat still isn’t as plush as some chairs, but it doesn’t feel like I’m sitting on concrete. It has all the adjustments you want, from seat depth to tilt lock, and I experienced no back pain. The all-mesh design provides good airflow, and the backrest is wide enough that it doesn’t dig into my shoulders. The only flaw? Sometimes when I put too much pressure on the armrest (like when I stand up or shift my weight), it lowers with a loud noise. crack although it is locked in place. Additionally, Autonomous has a fairly lackluster two-year warranty despite its high price, and its customer service doesn’t seem to be great. A reader reported a bad experience with the company, and that seems to match other reports I’ve read around the web.

Haworth Fern for $1,330: I think the Haworth Fern is best for shorter people (i.e. anyone no taller than 6 feet, like me). It’s adjustable to the nth degree – you can even tilt the seat for a more upright sitting position! – but the seat itself was just Large enough for me, although it is very soft and fluffy. When I increased the seat depth to the maximum, it created a gap between the seat and the back, and I didn’t like that feeling. The backrest is nice and plush, but I would say the lumbar support is quite aggressive. My back just felt like something was happening there all the time, and it was distracting. I don’t think you would have these problems if you were shorter and narrower, and this is otherwise one of the softest office chairs I sat down.

Standalone ErgoChair Pro for $399: Our first choice, the Branch ErgoChair Pro, is a better buy, but if you need a headrest and want a wide seat, consider the Autonomous ErgoChair Pro. I sat on it for a month with no major issues, except that the box it came in was huge and barely fit through my front door. The levers are also not very intuitive – I highly recommend I watch this video from the company when you first set it up to dial in your preferences. All the standard adjustments are present, from seat depth to lumbar support to fine tilt adjustment. What surprised me the most was the ability to tilt the seat so that it slopes downward – you don’t see this on many chairs. Overall build quality was solid, and I even appreciated the headrest when I relaxed to watch Home reruns during lunch. The only misfortunes? I would like the arms to stay locked, as they can slide back and forth. While the foam seat is quite comfortable, it can get hot in a toasty room (although the mesh back helps keep things cool). It’s a shame that this company has a terrible warranty period, and see my rating above on their customer service record.

Staples Hyken for $140: The humble Hyken is frequently available for just $140 during big sales, making it one of the most affordable good chairs on the market. It reclines, has breathable mesh fabric on the back and seat and is sturdy. You even get a headrest and lumbar support. After five years of continuous use, WIRED reviewers say the Hyken’s mesh has compressed a bit, but it’s still comfortable. The Staples Dexley is slightly wider, so get that if you need a wider seat.

Nouhaus Ergo3D for $330: This is another all-mesh chair. The ElastoMesh seat isn’t as comfortable as the Steelcase Karman (it will be worse on the skin if you tend to sit at your desk without pants), but it’s otherwise quite adjustable and roomy, and it even comes with two sets of wheels (casters or rollers) so you can choose the one that best suits you and your flooring. If you’re in a particularly hot environment, it won’t trap heat and will keep your entire body cool for a fraction of the cost.

Haworth Breck for $435: I like Haworth’s new chair, the Breck. After sitting on it for a month, I had no problems (no back pain!), although I can safely say that it is best suited for shorter people (around under 5’8″). That’s because the Breck’s seat is short and the seat depth only extends an additional 2 inches. The weight-activated recline requires some pushing on your side, more than you might expect – it wasn’t too difficult for me, but lighter people may find this problematic. The seat padding is thin, but I haven’t seen this as a problem, even after hours of sitting. The best part is how incredibly simple it is to install: no tools required. But my main complaint? Just getting up from the seat causes the gas lift to raise loudly, and the fact that it tends to make noise when I move makes it feel a bit cheap.

Verve Branch for $599: The Verve used to be one of the top picks above, but I think the Pro Ergonomic Chair is a better value considering they’re similarly priced. It’s stylish (especially in the pretty coral and cobalt colors), it keeps my back straight, and it’s quite comfortable. It allows you to make roughly the same adjustments, but there’s no seat tilt and the armrests are much more limited. I also wouldn’t mind if the seat was a little wider – people who need a wider seat might want to look elsewhere. I try to sit in these chairs for several weeks or even months, but I can rarely sit in them for years because I have so many to test. However, I have a fellow Verve owner who said that after over two years, the seat started to sink in every time he sat on it. Fortunately, he says Branch’s customer service was very responsive and quickly sent him a new cylinder.

Eureka Ergonomic Royal Chair for $449: Some people want that executive aesthetic – you know, plush leather and a high back so you can swivel and reveal a cat on your lap while you laugh maniacally. This Eureka chair does the job without costing a fortune, and it’s been an OK chair for the month I’ve been sitting on it. Installation was quick and the seat and backrest are soft and a little bouncy. I found my back sweaty after a few hours of sitting, as there was simply nowhere for body heat to go. The lumbar support isn’t great, as prolonged sitting left me with some sensations in my lower back. No pain, just my back telling me I need to get up. There’s not much to adjust other than the recline and headrest. Also, if you need a wide seat, this isn’t the chair for you, as the armrests will feel like they’re boxing you in (this just fits me, I’m 1.80 m tall. I thought this chair would look pretty poor after a month, but it wiped clean easily with a damp cloth and the faux leather held up. Too bad about the two-year warranty.

Secretlab Titan Evo for $579: Our review of Secretlab Titan Evo Gaming Chair says it’s chic enough for the home office. It stands out from its similarly priced competitors with its durability and flexibility. It is comfortable for marathon gaming sessions, thanks to the adjustment possibilities it offers (notably lumbar support). The headrest pillow is magnetic and stays attached to the chair, which is a nice touch. But firm, cold-cured foam conforms to your body and may not be suitable for everyone. It will also make you sweat.

Hinomi X1 for $749: The Hinomi X1 mesh chair has a trick up its sleeve: a built-in footrest! Simply extend and flip the footrest; There you go, your feet are now supported. It might not be very practical for tall people, as my legs often hit the wall behind my desk, but it’s quite comfortable. Plus, I just didn’t use the footrest as much as I thought I would. The chair is well constructed. I like the lumbar support here and you can make lots of adjustments. The seat itself is a bit firm, but I got used to it after a while. Hinomi offers a 10-year warranty.

OdinLake Ergo Max747 for $729: The Ergo Max747 is, overall, a great chair to sit on. The three-piece backrest provides excellent back support and comfort, and the easy-access paddles on either side of the seat make most adjustments quick and simple. Even sitting for hours, I never felt uncomfortable whether I was sitting or lying down (this chair reclines incredibly far, from 90 to 135 degrees). The bag holder on the back (which I typically used to hold a hat or small backpack) was a surprisingly nice touch, and the mesh back and seat are breathable, preventing overheating during prolonged use. I’m still not sure how I feel about the polished metal frame, and the inclusion of gloves for assembly has me worried about how easily this seat will pick up stains over the years, but the polished finish itself is impeccable and well-executed. At 6’3″, I had to maximize the back height to sit comfortably in the chair. The secondary adjustments (back height, lumbar support, and headrest height) were difficult to adjust due to complicated ratchet mechanisms that held them in place. However, the comfort and breathability of this chair make it a compelling choice. —Henry Robbins

Vari Task Chair for $429: Varis Work chair is surprisingly comfortable considering its relatively simple construction. Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano tested it and had her husband use it during his long gaming sessions. They agreed that the angled back provides enough lumbar support to make those sessions comfortable. Its construction also takes very little time. You can recline a bit, but even at the lowest tension it pushes you up and there’s no headrest. It’s more for swinging than leaning. Its biggest complaint is that the armrests are quite hard. A little more padding would be a huge improvement.

Softside Branch for $299: I tested the high back version of the Softside and I really like it. It is different from all the other chairs in this guide, but comfortable and soft. If you need a wider seat, this may not be the option for you, as the armrests confine you. There’s not much to fix, but my back hasn’t had any issues after weeks of sitting for full work days. The build quality is generally decent. Considering it starts at $299, the overall seating experience, and the cute, fun-colored design, it’s a great value if you’re looking for a soft, plush experience.

BodyBilt Midcelli for $949: The BodyBilt chair looks pretty average, but the seat cushion is plush and soft, and it contours to your butt and legs, which I liked more than I expected. The mesh back has some give, so it doesn’t feel stiff, and there are all the usual adjustment points, including moving the seat forward and back. I wish the arms could lock in one position. He has a lifetime warranty on some pieces, while other chair areas are covered for 12, seven, five or three years. There are more customization options on The BodyBilt website…with the possibility of getting a consultation – but I just think it’s too expensive.

Tempur-Pedic Lumbar Support Office Chair for $352: I think it’s a good alternative to the Branch ergonomic chair above. The Tempur seat cushion is, unsurprisingly, wonderfully comfortable to sit on for hours on end. And most chairs with a thick lumbar cushion end up causing me back pain, but not here: I don’t I’ve had no problem sitting on it for a month. The mesh back is also nice for air circulation. However, the arms tend to move a little and the mechanism for adjusting them is not elegant. Installation wasn’t too difficult, but the instructions weren’t as simple as Branch’s, and the overall build quality feels cheap.

Kelly Clarkson Home Louise Velvet Task Chair for $156: There’s absolutely nothing you can adjust about this chair other than its height, but it’s cute and the seat is comfortable. The polyester velvet was surprisingly durable and looked nice even after several weeks of sitting in this chair. The gold finish on the frame and legs chipped in one place when I unboxed it – it’s often under $200, okay? But my biggest problem is that it is not compatible with tall or tall people. My broad shoulders pushed my arms out of this chair, making it difficult to type. However, I asked my 5’1″ wife to try it, and it suited her narrower frame well. She had no trouble using her computer. With a 30-day warranty, you get what you pay for, but this chair is more about aesthetics than anything else. Oh, and Kelly Clarkson, because she hand-picked this product for Wayfair.

X-Chair X2 K-Sport Management Chair for $879: This was once our top mesh chair pick, but has been supplanted by the Steelcase Karman. Sitting in the X-Chair is like lounging in a hammock. Every part of my body is well supported and you can adjust almost everything on the chair. Pull the seat up and push the armrests up, down and side to side, or tilt them in or out. The lumbar support feels like a cushion and adjusts as you move in your seat. If you want to rest your head, you can pay extra for the headrest. It has held up extremely well after three years of almost continuous rest, but I don’t like how bulky it is. X-Chair offers several models to choose from. I tested the X-2 K-Sport with the wide saddle, and it fit my 6’4″ frame well, but it was too wide for my partner, who is 5’1″. Most people should settle for the X1 standard.

Ikea Markus for $300: The Markus is a perfectly suited office chair. It’s not the most comfortable, but it’s far from the worst. The mesh design keeps you cool and the high back allows you to lean back completely. It’s quite slim and won’t be obtrusive in a small home office or bedroom. It was annoying to assemble (lol, Ikea), and you might need someone to support the back of the chair while you attach the seat properly. Unfortunately, if you often sit with at least one leg raised or legs crossed, the width between the arms will make you uncomfortable.

X-Chair X-Tech Executive Chair for $1,845: Functionally, the X-Tech is similar to the X-Chair above. In this version, the M-Foam cooling gel seat is indeed pleasant to sit on, although it doesn’t wick away heat as much as the full mesh versions. It’s the Brisa Soft Touch material that impresses the most: it’s ridiculously soft. I recommend sticking with the standard armrests rather than the FS 360 armrests, which tend to move too much. But my biggest complaint with this model is its price. Why the hell does it cost so much?

Mavix M7 for $777: If it looks suspiciously like the X-Chair (see above), that’s because both are from the same company. WIRED reviewer Louryn Strampe had some assembly issues, but customer service was able to swap out the model without much effort. The M7 has similarly adjustable armrests and seat angles, but you get locking wheels. The mesh back and wide seat construction keep you cool and comfortable while sweating. League of Legends sessions, and the lumbar support does the job. If you are short, contact customer service when ordering: Mavix offers shorter cylinders so that your feet touch the ground.

Hon Ignition 2.0 for $477: The Ignition 2.0 is easy to install and looks great, but it caused me very severe back pain, which is why I initially placed it in our “Avoid” section. I thought maybe it was the long hours at work, so I moved back to the Knoll Newson Task chair and my pain quickly began to subside. Some time later I tried again. After a few hours the pain returned and the seat change cleared it up. Color me confused because this chair has positive reviews all over the web. I then asked a friend who is about 5’4″ to try it for a few weeks, and she had no problems. This seems to be the answer. It’s possible that the ignition doesn’t work for my 6’4″ self and is better suited to shorter people.

Pipesong Meditation Chair for $329: Do you have a problem sitting on a traditional chair? If your legs need to be bent and twisted for you to be comfortable, you’ll want to take a look at this seat. It has a 360-degree swivel footrest that can accommodate almost any sitting position you want. I can go from kneeling, to cross-legged, to one leg up, one leg down. It is also possible to sit regularly, with the footrest behind you and your feet flat on the floor. This is the only chair I found designed for strange sitting habits. There are no armrests, which I didn’t mind because that’s what allows you to sit in many of these positions. The stool and the back of the chair could be bigger and higher respectively. I had to use a pillow to keep my back comfortable. —Medea Giordano

Avoid these chairs

If you come across these models, I recommend saving your money and going with one of the choices above.

Eureka Ergonomic Serene Nox: This chair is easy to install; however, after sitting on it for over a week, two of the screws at the bottom of the frame came undone and the left half of the seat suddenly fell low. This isn’t something you should deal with for a $700 chair, and even after tightening the screws, it happened again a few days later. It’s a shame because it’s a pretty nice leather office chair with a nice silhouette and quite comfortable. The construction just needs work.

Razer Iskur V2X: I think Razer’s Iskur V2 is the best gaming chair if you’re looking for that race car seat aesthetic, but the cheaper V2 is not as impressive. It’s considerably cheaper, but it’s worth keeping in mind that the Iskur V2 dropped to $400 during major sales events, so the V2 that much more affordable. The seat is actually OK; the built-in lumbar support helped keep back pain away even after long hours in front of the computer. The fabric covering keeps your body warm (and a little sweaty), but it’s comfortable to sit on. My biggest problem? It squeaks so much. After only about a week on the V2 X, almost every part of the chair started to squeak. You’re going to have to use WD-40 every few weeks to keep it quiet. Or save your money and go for V2.

TopJob Napa: The Napa should cost $200 or $250 at best, a far cry from its $449 asking price (although it appears to have a perpetual discount on the TopJob website for $369). It looks attractive, especially in the amber vegan leather. Surprisingly, my back didn’t complain after more than a week of spending several hours a day on it. I wouldn’t say it’s comfortable; There’s not a lot of plush on the seat and back, but it’s not too uncomfortable. It doesn’t have many adjustment points: you can adjust the height of the armrest, lock the tilt a few degrees, and adjust the tilt tension. That’s it. Technically you can adjust the headrest, but mine wouldn’t stay at a specific height. You can remove a footrest, but I found it more gimmicky than useful. The overall quality is a bit cheap. We can do better at this price.

Humanscale World One: Although it comes from the famous Humanscale, this chair looks quite bland. The setup was quite quick, and… interesting. You have to hammer in two dowels to attach the back to the seat, something I’ve never had to do before, having tested dozens of office chairs. It just seems cheap and a little too plasticky. Like other Humanscale offerings, there are no adjustments to make because the chair will take care of it for you (you can adjust the height of the seat and armrests). I loved this on the more expensive Humanscale Freedom, which felt like someone was rocking my body. But here I find my body constantly shifting in the all-mesh World One, trying to find a comfortable way to recline. The mesh material also feels like it sinks in a bit. This could all be because I’m 6’4″, as the chair seems better suited for shorter people. However, I think you can do better at this price.

Herman Miller Vantum: Initially, I liked the Vantum. I liked how I could hold myself in a very upright position, which made me feel more engaged in what I was doing. The mesh back also disperses heat quite well. However, the overall build quality feels cheap and doesn’t scream Herman Miller (nor does the asking price, which has since dropped by $200). The headrest isn’t great either: I almost broke it trying to move it up and down. As I remained seated, it was the back support that disappointed me the most. You can feel lumbar support in your lower back, and not in a good way, almost like it’s sinking in. At least it didn’t give me back pain.

Vilno Nobel kneeling chair: It’s a fucking on your knees chair! It was easy to put all the pieces of wood together and the seat cushion was surprisingly plump. This is called a active chairintended to keep your body moving and maintain your posture straight. This seems effective for the first few hours, but unfortunately the rocking of the seat tends to make it move on the ground, so I often have to correct my position. Worse still, my shins and knees got tired and I started to feel pain after a few days. You can’t adjust its height, so it needs to be paired with a standing desk so your palms don’t rest on your desk.

Fl existpot C7: Although this chair is simple to assemble and looks great, it seems fragile. The entire back flexes and deforms every time you move, and the lumbar support is barely connected to the rest of the chair, meaning it audibly scrapes against the main part of the back every time you adjust it and barely feels like it’s providing any real support. The footrest folds whenever weight is placed on it and the foam seat cushion accumulates mad quantities of animal hair. It feels like a few more screws and brackets would have made this a good product, but in its current state there isn’t enough material to make it sturdy. —Henry Robbins

Steelcase series 1: WIRED reviewer Louryn Strampe says her biggest problem with the Series 1 is the armrest: The tops slide back and forth and side to side, which might be a good thing, except that she managed to pinch her arm every time she moved. There’s no way to lock them in place, so while she felt supported, her arms weren’t. The seat is also quite curved, which can make you feel like you’re stuck in one position as you work throughout the day.

Sihoo Doro S300: Former WIRED critic Medea Giordano tested the DoroS300which, in white, looks like it came straight from the Space Force Situation Room. She found it comfortable. There are several settings you can customize, such as seat depth and recline angle. You can recline quite far, but she says she wishes there was a footrest to take advantage of the lowest recline position. She generally prefers a plush gaming chair, but she says she had no trouble sitting in this seat all day—the dual lumbar support helps, too. However, the headrest is too low for her to lean on, even at its maximum height, and the arms move too easily. Simply laying your arms down pushes them out of position. It’s also grating and overpriced.

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