Sitting at your desk from 9 to 5 can be exhausting, not just for your brain but for your body too. That's why it's vital to ensure a comfortable place to sit while you work, especially if you suffer from lower back pain or backache. A good, adjustable, and ergonomic office chair can improve your posture and even your mindset, but how can you tell which will do enough to keep you happy on a Monday morning?
You may prefer a mesh chair with lumbar back support for those long shifts at home, a fancy-looking leather executive one with armrests, or you could just be looking for a cheap multi-use or gaming chair. Either way, to save you hunting through endless websites, we took a look at the most popular products on UK sites like Argos, John Lewis, Amazon, and eBay to find the best office chairs, including investment pieces and affordable options.
Quick List - Top Office Chairs
John Lewis & Partners
Classic, Comfortable and Reliable With Full Support
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You're going to use this chair every day, so it's good to have a little variety in positions to ensure you're not sat stagnant at your desk and cramping up. As a minimum, look out for a chair that has a lever under the seat to control the height, as this will ensure you're able to see everything properly and then tuck it under your desk while you're on your lunch break.
As well as this standard adjustment, you might also want to look for chairs that adjust or tilt at the back, so you can recline and stretch out when your back needs a rest. Generally, when sitting at a desk chair, your thighs should be horizontal to the floor, and your back should be straight. Its features like the above that make an office chair adaptable to your unique height and body type, so don't skip them!
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Lumbar support is crucial for combatting back pain while you're seated. In case you've never come across this term before, it refers to a chair with a contoured shape on the lower part of the backrest. Preferably, your back should be positioned so that it's slightly arched to stop aches and pains after long periods sitting down, which is exactly what lumbar support initiates.
Attachable lumbar supports (which some of you may already have) are available, in which case you could consider a more basic office chair. However, we'd recommend buying a chair that already has lumbar support included to make things easier. Lumbar supports don't necessarily make your chair any more expensive, as the price mainly varies depending on the model and the brand.
It doesn't matter whether you use a computer, a laptop, a mouse, or even a typewriter – you need to make sure your arms are comfortable to prevent sore wrists and shoulders. To do this, look for an office chair with armrests to keep yourself from having to hold your elbows up all day.
Some chairs on our list don't have armrests; if you're only going to use the chair for short periods, you may require just a basic design for when you have a meeting. For everyone else, though, it's recommended that you invest in a model with enough ergonomic features to keep you comfortable all day - like our number 1 product!
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Swivel chairs give you more freedom to move around your desk and office (and they're also super fun to spin in when no one is looking!). If you sit at an L-shaped desk, a swivel chair is ideal for making good use of the space that you've got.
With swivel chairs, you feel less penned in, and you can easily turn to speak to any colleagues without having to twist around. All in all, a chair with a swivel is bound to be comfier than a stationary chair, so it's well worth considering even if you work from home without any colleagues!
Lastly, the material of the chair. Mesh is perhaps the most common and is very practical, particularly if you work in a busy environment or with limited ventilation. It's breathable, cooling, and will stave off a sweaty back. Not to mention, the mesh is flexible and stretchy so that you can sink into your seat.
On the other hand, you may prefer a fully-padded fabric chair – in which case your options are either a trendy-looking leather or faux leather design or something more casual like canvas or polyester. They're usually less breathable but can be more of a style statement; it all depends on your priorities!
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Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Herman Miller Aeron Office Chair | ![]() | The Ultimate Office Chair With Intricately Designed Features | |
2 | John Lewis & Partners Murray Ergonomic Office Chair | ![]() | Classic, Comfortable and Reliable With Full Support | |
3 | Amoiu Executive Office Chair | ![]() | Relaxing and Supportive to Aching Muscles at Work | |
4 | HOMCOM Executive Home Office Chair | ![]() | Indulgent Comfort With Heating and Massage Technology | |
5 | SIHOO Ergonomic Home Office Chair | ![]() | Breathable, Stretchy and Flexible: Great for Long Days at the Office | |
6 | COMHOMA Office Desk Chair with Armrest | ![]() | Ergonomic With High Quality Fabric and Reclining Features | |
7 | Yaheetech Faux Leather Office Desk Chair | ![]() | Combines a Simple Frame With a Moulded Leather-Look | |
8 | Office Hippo Small Office Chair | ![]() | A Simple Office Chair With an Adjustable Height | |
9 | Office Essentials Mesh Gas Lift Adjustable Chair | ![]() | An Affordable and Stylish Mesh Chair | |
10 | Ideal 365 Office Fabric Operator Chairs | ![]() | A Basic Chair to Get the Job Done |
When it comes to office chairs, this could well be the best available in the UK right now. Herman Miller's creation features professionally-designed details that work together to provide maximum comfort. It's completely adjustable from every possible angle, and the mesh will provide a lighter feel when sitting down, allowing air and body heat to easily exchange through the gaps.
As good-looking as it is practical, this chair comes in 3 size options to cater to everyone. It's also ideal for upright desk positions as it can accommodate a more relaxed stance, providing you with a wide range of different comfort mechanisms no matter how you spend your day. A worthy investment!
This office essential really does come a close second for us – it's a good, reliable option from a trusted brand and is more affordable than our top spot if you're looking for something with all the right features for a lower budget. It's sleek, professional-looking without being unsightly, and it ensures mobility and support with its lumbar technology.
Not only does this chair have an extremely breathable mesh backrest, but it also has a soft, padded base for maximum comfort and very supportive armrests. This chair is excellent for home offices and work desks alike, ensuring your body rests easy during the day.
Sitting down for hours on end is no hassle with this beast of a chair. Its extreme padding and pillow-like exterior make it the perfect solution for tired joints, aching backs and shoulders, or anywhere else that needs support - even the arms are cushioned!
But that's not all – it can also recline to a 135° angle, extending the legs out should you fancy a quick power nap before your big conference. For the days when there isn't much time to snooze, you can simply lift the chair to the height that you need to precisely match your body shape, posture and desk.
To operate, plug the chair into the wall and feel instantly relaxed as 6 powerful motors ease any tension and stress out of your body. Needless to say, all this excitement could cause a little disruption if you work in a public space, but it's ideal for your cosy home office and adds a touch of retro style, too.
There's the option to tilt and lock this chair into any reclined position you like, so you'll never be uncomfortable while you're working on your laptop or computer. We'd say it's ideal for busy offices that don't have a great deal of space as well as being a good home investment, and the breathable fabrics will be easy-going on your skin when the weather gets hot.
There's a 360° swivel feature, providing a versatile range of motion that allows you to whip around the office as you need, and thanks to its sturdy frame, this office chair could last you right through to your retirement!
You can definitely get creative with how you style this chair, but its lack of flexibility or lumbar support in the backrest sets it back a few points, as this can cause slouching and back pains after extended periods.
Office Hippo's basic chair can be considered a substantial office essential, offering padded cushioning, adjustability, and a durable black canvas exterior for a pretty low price. It's compact, easy to assemble, and it's a quick way to fix your aching bones at work.
On the downside, this chair doesn't have any lumbar support, making it less comfortable than most of the chairs on our list, particularly if you're working long hours or already suffering from aches. You can always buy your own, though!
There are a couple of reasons why this model isn't very high on our list, though. Firstly, it lacks armrests, and secondly, there is no option to adjust the backrest – so while this chair is comfortable, it doesn't provide a tailored experience.
Although the swivel abilities are a bonus for keeping mobile and small enough to take up less space in busy environments, some taller or broader users may find it a little too small. There is an option for a design with armrests, but unfortunately, this addition brings the price up a little high for such a basic, non-breathable chair.
No. 1: Herman Miller |Aeron Office Chair
No. 2: John Lewis & Partners |Murray Ergonomic Office Chair
No. 3: Amoiu|Executive Office Chair
No. 4: HOMCOM|Executive Home Office Chair
No. 5: SIHOO |Ergonomic Home Office Chair
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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