The 14 Best Office Chairs - WIRED

How to Sit Properly at a Desk

You can find more information on our web, so please take a look.

It's not just about finding a chair you like. We've rounded up several tips on how to set up your desk properly here, but here are a few highlights.

Sitting for too long in a day is not good for your health, no matter what chair you use. It increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. The best thing you can do is get up and move every half hour. If you can, a 40-minute walk per day can, according to a recent study, make a big difference in countering some effects of a sedentary lifestyle. You probably don't need to bother with an active chair. Our recommendation? Try a smartwatch. Most have movement reminders that encourage you to stretch your legs. If you're dealing with back pain, your first step is to consult your physician.

Make sure your chair's armrests are adjustable. Your palms should be elevated over your desk, which should be elbow-level, and your wrists should be straight. If the bottom of your palm is resting on the desk or wrist rest, there's a chance you're putting too much pressure on your nerves, which could lead to issues like carpal tunnel syndrome. Talk to your physician if you're feeling any kind of pain. A gaming mouse, often more ergonomic than a standard mouse, might be helpful; just make sure to find one that fits your palm size.

When you look forward, your eyes should align with the top of your monitor or laptop. That might mean finding a chair that can adjust up and down, elevating your laptop with a stand, or raising the height of your monitor. This puts less pressure on your neck and spine—you shouldn't be craning your neck up or down.

What Should I Look for in an Office Chair?

A good rule of thumb is that the more adjustable a chair is, the better. Now, that doesn't mean this chair is the absolute best, but it gives you the possibility to mold it to your body shape, which hopefully makes it a comfier and more supportive seat. Here's what you can expect to adjust on a chair.

Armrests: Most chairs let you move the armrests side to side, up and down, forward and back. It's even nicer when you're able to lock the armrest into place so that they don't slide around as your elbows rest on them. The armrest should naturally allow your palms to slightly hover over the desk. You'll often see descriptors like “4D” and “5D adjustable armrests,” which denotes how many directions you can adjust the armrest.

Seat height: It's worth checking a chair's maximum and minimum height before you buy because they might not work for your current desk (unless you have a standing desk where you can adjust the height). This is usually a pneumatic lift lever under the chair—pull the lever and get off the seat to let the chair go up, then sit on it and pull the lever to bring it down to your preference. Your feet should be planted on the floor at a 90- or 100-degree angle. If your chair arrives and it doesn't get as high as you'd like, don't worry, there's a very simple fix. Some office chair brands offer “tall cylinders" for not a lot of money, and if not, you can usually find third-party options on retailers like Amazon (make sure you buy for your specific chair!). Simply swap your existing cylinder with the tall version, and you'll have a greater height range to work with. You may be able to choose this option before checking out, or reach out to the company to see if they can swap it for you.

Seat depth: Seat depth is important for taller folks. This is usually a mechanism that lets you pull the seat out so that your thighs get the proper support. There should be 1 to 2 inches between the front of the seat and the back of your knees. Taller people with longer legs may not get the best support if you can't adjust the seat depth.

Seat tilt: This isn't as common as the above adjustments but it's designed to tilt the seat of the chair up or down. This can help posture and prevent back pain, though it can take some getting used to.

Lumbar support: Most office chairs offer lumbar support, which can look like a separate piece attached to the backrest that can slide up and down. This piece supports your lower back (the lumbar region!), specifically maintaining the curve of the spine to maintain good posture as you sit and, ideally, warding off back pain. Check your chair manufacturer's assembly instructions to learn how to adjust the lumbar support (it's not the same on every chair), and place the support on the curve of your lower back. What I like to do is run my hand along my spine until I reach the natural dip, then I try to make sure the lumbar support sits at that exact location. Some chairs also let you adjust the depth of the lumbar support, pushing it further inward or outward. Make sure it feels natural and that it's not digging in. Play around with this until it feels comfortable and natural. Your shoulders should align with your hips, and you shouldn't feel like you're leaning forward.

Recline: Almost every office chair lets you lock or unlock the recline, but some chairs go a step further and let you tweak the tension of the recline. This allows you to use more or less force when you lean back, which comes down to how much resistance you want when you lean back.

How We Test Office Chairs

My home office is often filled with at least four or five chairs at any given time. It takes me a while to test them because I prefer to sit on these office chairs for more than two weeks at a bare minimum, though that often extends into a month. It's hard to gauge the supportiveness of a chair by sitting on it for less than a week. I adjust it to my 6'4" preferences, and sometimes have my 5'1" wife sit on it for her two cents. I try out all the adjustments throughout the testing period, too. It's not just about the chair; aesthetics are important, and I also research these companies, looking into their warranties, customer service, and overall reliability.

How Does WIRED Select Chairs to be Reviewed?

I routinely look at the market to find new office chairs that have hit the scene, whether it's from a newcomer or an established brand like Herman Miller. I typically reach out to these companies to ask for the product, but I do not promise any kind of editorial coverage—that goes against WIRED's editorial polcies. Yes, WIRED earns affiliate revenue if you purchase an office chair using our link, but this is not factored into the decision process when ranking chairs.

As much as I'd like to test and review every single chair, it's just not feasible with our resources. You may find some notable missing options in this guide, like the Steelcase Leap. I'll be testing it in the future, and will gradually try to evaluate all the top options in the market.

After I've finished testing a chair, I typically donate it to a local Goodwill. I keep a handful of top recommendations on hand so that I can reevaluate them or compare them to other newer options, like the Branch Ergonomic Chair Pro, Herman Miller Embody, and Anthros V2.

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 smoothly or are too loud, it might be worth replacing them instead of buying a whole new chair. I like these from Stealtho, a Ukrainian company. They'll work with nearly every office chair, though the company notes they don't work with Ikea chairs. The soft polyurethane material means these won't scratch or chip hardwood floors, as some plastic casters do, plus it'll feel like you're silently gliding as you roll from your desk to the fridge (don't judge).

Fair warning: Since these are more frictionless than normal casters, they can cause your chair to roll around sometimes, like when you stand up and walk away. Stealtho has locking casters if you're worried about your chair rolling, and they don't cost much more.

An Office Chair for Your Pet

Does your pet longingly look at your fast-typing fingers and wish for scritches? Get SeatMate's Pet Office Chair if you don't want to feel like a cruel, cruel pet owner. This faux fur seat gets high enough that you won't have to bend down to pet your dog or cat when they inevitably enter your home office to distract you. Instead, they'll sit at a reasonable height that allows you to have one hand running through their fur, while the other tries very hard to work a keyboard and mouse simultaneously. There's a pull-out ramp that lets them clamber up, and my dog instantly took to it, though now he's so used to it he jumps straight onto the seat. The back legs of the seat are on wheels, making it easier to move around a room.

You can choose different fabric materials and colors, and it's easy to clean with a brush or hand vacuum. Just keep sizing in mind. My dog is 19 pounds and a little long, and it just fits him when he sleeps.

A Glass Chair Mat

Do you need a mat for your chair? Most likely not. However, casters can scuff up hard floors, which is why we recommend upgrading them to rollerblade wheels (see above). If you're on a carpet, it can also be hard to move around on the chair. A mat can help with both of these issues. I sat on top of this glass one from Vitrazza for two years and was pleasantly surprised. (You can go for much cheaper mats made from other materials, too.) The safety glass is thick, and I did not see any notable scratches even after that time. It holds 1,000 pounds and doesn't touch my hardwood floor, as you need to affix rubber bumpers to keep them apart. You can choose from several sizes, and Vitrazza sells various shapes too. It's just a bit 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 just yet, a cushion or backrest might help. Here are a few we like:

CushionLab Seat Cushion for $75: This memory foam seat is comfortable, and I had no problems sitting on it for hours on end. It's best paired with an adjustable chair, as it adds a decent amount of height to your seat, which might make typing on a keyboard awkward. It does a great job of keeping out bad odors, and you can also wash the cover. Just know that it's rarely sold for its full price of $85, which means it isn't really on “sale.”

LoveHome Memory Foam Lumbar Support for $22: If you slouch in your seat, this comfortable memory foam pillow can help. It keeps your back straight and supported, and as it's affordable, it's a great option to try before shelling out hundreds for a new chair. It's good to use in a car or a wheelchair, too. The cover is washable, and it 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 have tried a handful of footrests, and Secretlab's Premium Footrest is easily the best—I have been using mine for more than three years. Ideally, your feet are planted on the ground as you sit, but it's nice to be able to prop them up on something soft every so often. Not only is the PlushCell memory foam material soft and cushy for my feet, but it also stays remarkably clean. I have a tiny dog, and his hair gets everywhere except the quilted fabric cover. (You can hand wash this cover to get dirt out.) The patterned silicone base does a good job of keeping it in place, too.

Other Office Chairs to Consider

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

Autonomous ErgoChair Ultra 2 for $399: I've now sat on Autonomous’s 3D-printed ErgoChair Ultra 2 for over a month, and I’m pleasantly surprised. It’s a big improvement over the original Chair Ultra, which had a flat and hard seat. The Ultra V2’s seat is still not as cushy as some chairs, but it doesn't feel like I’m sitting on concrete. It has all of the adjustments you’d want, from seat depth to a recline lock, and I didn't encounter any back pain during my time in the chair. The all-mesh design offers good airflow, and the backrest is wide enough and doesn’t dig into my shoulders. The only flaw? Sometimes when I put too much pressure on the armrest (like when I'm getting up or shifting my weight), it goes down with a loud crack despite being locked in place. Also, Autonomous has a pretty lackluster two-year warranty despite the high price.

Haworth Fern for $1,242: I think the Haworth Fern is best for shorter people (aka anyone not above 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 wide enough for me, though it's plenty soft and pillowy. When I pulled out the seat depth to the max, it created a gap between the seat and the backrest, and I didn't love this feeling. The backrest is nice and soft, but I'd argue the lumbar support is quite aggressive. My back just felt like something was there all the time, and it felt distracting. I don't think you'd have these issues if you are shorter and narrower, and it's otherwise one of the softest office chairs I've sat on.

Autonomous ErgoChair Pro for $399: Our top pick, the Branch Ergonomic Chair 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 problems, except that the box it came in was massive and barely fit through my front door. The levers under the chair also aren't super intuitive—I highly recommend checking out 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 and lumbar support to fine-tuning the recline. What surprised me more was the ability to tilt the seat so it's angled down—you don't see that in many chairs. The overall build quality has been solid, and I even enjoyed the headrest when kicking back to watch House reruns during lunch. The only woes? I wish the arms stayed locked, as they can slide back and forth. While the foam seat is quite comfy, it can get warm in a toasty room (though the mesh back helps keep things cool). It's a shame this company has an abysmal warranty period.

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

Nouhaus Ergo3D for $370: This is another all-mesh chair. The ElastoMesh seat isn't as comfy as the Steelcase Karman (it'll feel worse on the skin if you, uh, tend to sit at your desk without pants), but it's otherwise quite adjustable and roomy, plus it even comes with two sets of wheels (casters or rollerblades) so you can choose which works best for you and your flooring. If you're in a particularly hot environment, it won't trap heat and will keep your whole body cool for a fraction of the price.

Haworth Breck for $419: I like Haworth's newest chair, the Breck. After sitting on it for a month, I didn't have problems (no back pain!), though I can safely say it's better suited for shorter people (roughly under 5'8"). That's because the Breck's seat is short, and the seat depth only extends an extra 2 inches. The weight-activated recline requires some push on your end, more than you might expect—it wasn't too hard for me, but lighter-weight people may find it problematic. The seat padding is thin, but I didn't see this as an issue even after hours of sitting. The best part is how amazingly simple it is to set up—no tools required! But my main gripe? Simply getting up from the seat causes the gas spring cylinder to loudly lift. This, and the fact that it tends to make some noises when I fidget around on the chair, makes it feel a little cheap.

Branch Verve for $599: The Verve used to be a top pick above, but I think the Ergonomic Chair Pro is better value considering they're similar in price. It is elegant (especially in the lovely Coral and Cobalt colors), it keeps my back straight, and it's quite comfy. It can make nearly the same adjustments, but there's no seat tilt, and the armrests are much more limited. I also wouldn't have minded if the seat was a smidge wider—folks who need a wider seat may want to look elsewhere. I try to sit on these chairs for several weeks, if not months, but I rarely can sit on one for years, as I have so many to test. However, I have a colleague who owns the Verve who said that after more than two years, the chair started to sink whenever he sat on it. Thankfully, he says Branch's customer service was very responsive and promptly sent him a new cylinder.

Eureka Ergonomic Royal Chair for $450: Some folks chase that executive chair aesthetic—you know, plush leather and a high back so you can swivel around and reveal a cat in your lap as you laugh maniacally. This chair from Eureka fits the bill without costing a fortune, and it's been an OK chair for the month I've sat in it. The setup was quick, and the seat and back are soft and a little bouncy. I found my back sweaty after a few hours of sitting because there was just nowhere for body heat to go. The lumbar support isn't great, as prolonged sitting has left me with some sensations in my lower back. Not pain, just my back telling me I ought to get up. There's not much to adjust, but the recline and headrest. Also, if you need a wide seat, this is not the chair for you as the armrests will feel like they're boxing you in (it just fits me and I'm 6'4"). I thought this chair would look pretty poor after a month but it's easy to clean with a damp cloth, and the fake leather has held up. Too bad about the two-year warranty.

Secretlab Titan Evo for $549: This gaming chair (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is classy enough for the home office. It sets itself apart from similarly priced competitors with its durability and flexibility. It’s comfortable for marathon gaming sessions, thanks to the adjustability it offers (particularly the lumbar support). The headrest pillow is magnetic and stays attached to the chair, which is a nice touch. But the firm, cold cure foam molds to your body and may not suit everyone. It will also make you feel sweaty.

Allsteel O6 for $1,289: While this chair is eye-searingly expensive, every part—from the casters and the adjustments to the design—is incredibly refined. The adjustable lumbar support provided shockingly good support even for hours of work. My only complaint is that the armrest adjustments are a bit stiff, but besides that, this is an exceptional chair that’s comfortable and intuitive enough for me to completely forget about once I sit down and start working. Fair warning: This chair comes fully assembled, which is nice, but the box is massive. —Henri Robbins

Hinomi X1 for $729: Hinomi's X1 mesh chair has a trick up its sleeve—a built-in footrest! Just extend and flip out the footrest; voilà, your feet are now propped up. This might not be very practical for fellow tall people, as my legs often hit the wall behind my desk, but it's quite comfy. I also just didn't end up using the footrest as much as I thought. The chair is otherwise well-built. I like the lumbar support here, and there's a good amount of adjustments you can make. The seat itself is a bit firm, but I got used to it after some time. Hinomi offers a 12-year warranty, but best of all you can snag it in a dusty pink from the company’s website. I'd buy this over the X-Chair mesh chair listed below.

Odinlake Ergo Max747 for $849: The Ergo Max747 is, all around, a great chair to sit in. The three-piece back provides great back support and comfort, and the easy-access paddles on either side of the seat make most adjustments quick and simple. Even sitting in this chair for hours, I never felt uncomfortable, whether I was sitting up or reclining (this chair reclines incredibly far, from 90 to 135 degrees). The bag holder in the back (which I typically used to hold a hat or small backpack) was a surprisingly nice touch, and the mesh backing and seat are breathable, preventing overheating during prolonged use. I still don’t know how I feel about the polished metal frame, and the inclusion of gloves for assembly makes me worry about how easily this seat will pick up smudges over the years, but the polished finish itself is spotless and well-executed. At 6'3", I had to max out the back height to comfortably sit in the chair. The secondary adjustments (back height, lumbar support, and headrest height) were awkward to adjust due to complicated ratcheting mechanisms keeping them in place. However, the comfort and breathability of this chair make it a compelling choice. —Henri Robbins

Vari Task Chair for $399: Vari’s Task Chair is surprisingly comfy given its relatively simple construction. Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano tested it and asked her husband to use it during his long gaming sessions. They agreed that the angled back provides ample lumbar support to make those sessions comfortable. It also takes very little time to construct. You can recline a bit, but even at the lowest tension, it pushes you back up, and there’s no head support. It’s more for rocking than actually leaning. Her biggest gripe is that the armrests are quite hard. A little more padding would be a huge improvement.

Branch Softside for $299: I tested the high-back version of the Softside and like it a lot. It's different from all the other chairs in this guide, but comfy and cushiony. If you need a wider seat, this might not be the option for you as the armrests do box you in. There's not much to adjust, but my back didn't have any issues after weeks of sitting in this chair for full workdays. The build quality overall is OK. Considering it starts at $299, the overall seating experience, and the lovely design in fun colors, this is a pretty good value if you are after a soft and cushiony experience.

BodyBilt Midcelli for $949: BodyBilt’s chair looks quite average, but the seat pad is plushy and soft, and it's contoured to your butt and legs, which I liked more than I expected. The mesh back has some give to it, so it doesn't feel rigid, and there are all the usual points of adjustment, including moving the seat forward and back. I wish the arms could lock to a position. It has a lifetime warranty on select parts, while other chair areas are covered for 12, seven, five, or three years. There are more customization options on BodyBilt's website—with the option to get a consultation—but I just think it's overpriced.

Razer Fujin Pro for $1,050: Razer is asking Herman Miller and Steelcase prices despite offering a measly five-year warranty on this $1,000-plus chair. Still, my colleague Eric Ravenscraft likes the Fujin Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends). There are a good number of adjustments you can make, the armrests are useful, and the mesh is breathable. Oh, and it doesn't have the overused gaming chair race-car seat aesthetic.

Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Lumbar Support Office Chair for $352: I think this is a nice alternative to the Branch Ergonomic Chair above. The Tempur seat cushion is, perhaps unsurprisingly, wonderfully comfy to sit on for hours at a time. And most chairs that have a thick lumbar cushion end up causing me back pain, but not here—I've had no issues sitting on this chair for a month. The mesh back is nice for airflow, too. The arms tend to move around a bit, though, and the mechanism to adjust them is not elegant. Installation wasn't too hard, but the instructions weren't as simple as Branch's, and the overall build quality feels cheap.

Knoll Newson for $1,424: This minimalist chair looks best in the graphite and petal colors; it's a bit drab in black and umber. It's nice that I didn't have to fuss with any levers or knobs much—it's comfy out of the box and decently adjustable if you need to make some tweaks—and it feels especially nice when you recline. (The red knob adjusts the tension of the recline, but you need to twist it for five rotations, and I found it hard to turn sometimes.) The Newson didn't give me trouble in the two months I sat in it. I'm just not a huge fan of how the elastomer mesh backrest distorts, depending on how you sit. It feels lumpy. This chair also doesn't let me sit as upright as I'd like, but maybe you're fine with a bit of give. Ultimately, it's the price that pulls it out of our top recommendations, but you do get a 12-year warranty.

Kelly Clarkson Home Louise Velvet Task Chair for $168: There's absolutely nothing you can adjust on this chair except its height, but it's cute and the seat is comfy. The velvet polyester was surprisingly durable and looked nice even after several weeks of sitting on this chair. The gold finish on the frame and legs chipped off in one area when I was unboxing it—it's frequently under $200, OK? But my biggest issue is that it is not compatible with tall or larger people. My wide shoulders caused my arms to stick out of this chair, making it difficult to type. However, I asked my 5'1" wife to try it, and the chair suited her narrower frame well. She didn't find it hard to use 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 chair for Wayfair.

X-Chair X2 K-Sport Management Chair for $969: This used to be our top mesh chair pick, but it has been supplanted by the Steelcase Karman. Sitting in the X-Chair feels like lounging in a hammock. Every part of my body feels well supported, and you can adjust nearly everything on the chair. Pull the seat up and push the armrests up, down, and side to side, or angle them in or out. The lumbar support feels like a cushion, and it 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 near-continuous sitting, but I don't like how bulky it is. X-Chair has several models to choose from. I tested the X-2 K-Sport with the wide seat, and it fits my 6'4" frame well, but it was too wide for my partner, who is 5'1". Most people should be fine with the standard X1.

Ikea Markus for $300: The Markus is a perfectly fine office chair. It’s not the most comfortable, but it’s far from the worst. The mesh design keeps you cool, and the tall back lets you fully lean into it. It’s rather thin and isn’t obtrusive in a small home office or bedroom. It was annoying to put together (lol, Ikea), and you might need someone to hold up the back of the chair while you properly attach the seat. Unfortunately, if you often sit with at least one leg up or with your legs crossed, the width between the arms will make you uncomfortable.

For more information, please visit WINNER.

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 wonderful to sit on, though it's not as heat-wicking as the all-mesh X-Chairs. It’s the Brisa Soft Touch material that impresses the most—it’s ridiculously soft. I recommend you stick with the standard armrests instead of the FS 360 armrests, which tend to move about too much. But my biggest gripe with this model is the price. Why on earth does it cost that much?

Mavix M7 for $777: If it looks strangely similar to the X-Chair (see above), that's because both are owned by the same company. WIRED reviewer Louryn Strampe ran into some issues with assembly, but customer service was able to exchange the model without much effort. The M7 has similarly adjustable armrests and seat angles, but you get wheels that lock. The mesh back and wide seat construction keep you cool and comfortable during sweaty League of Legends sessions, and the lumbar support does the job. If you're short, contact customer support while ordering—Mavix offers shorter cylinders so your feet touch the ground.

Hon Ignition 2.0 for $477: This chair is easy to set up and looks great, but it gave me really bad back pain, which is why I originally placed it in our “Avoid” section. I thought it was perhaps the long hours I was working, so I switched back to the Knoll Newson Task chair, and my pain quickly began to ease. Sometime later, I gave it a shot again. After a few hours, the pain came back, and switching to another chair dissipated it. Color me confused, because this chair has positive reviews around the web. I then asked a friend who is around 5'4" to try it for a few weeks, and she has had zero issues. This seems to be the answer. It's possible the Ignition doesn't work for my 6'4" self and is better suited for smaller folks.

Pipersong Meditation Chair for $399: Have a problem sitting in a traditional chair? If your legs need to be bent and twisted for you to be comfortable, you'll want to check this chair out. It has a 360-degree swiveling footstool that can accommodate pretty much any sitting position you want. I can go from kneeling to cross-legged to one leg up, one leg down. It’s possible to sit regularly too, with the footstool behind you and your feet flat on the floor. It's the only chair I've found that's designed for odd sitting habits. There are no armrests, which I didn’t mind because that’s what makes it possible to sit in many of these positions. The actual stool and chair back could stand to be bigger and taller, respectively. I had to use a pillow to keep my back comfy. —Medea Giordano

Avoid These Chairs

If you come across these models, I recommend you save your cash and go for one of the picks above.

TopJob Napa: The Napa should be $200 or $250 at best, nowhere near its $449 asking price (though it does seem to have a perpetual discount on TopJob's website for $359). It looks attractive, especially in the amber vegan leather. My back surprisingly didn't complain after more than a week of sitting in it for several hours a day. I wouldn't say it's comfy, there's not much plush to the seat and backrest, but it's not too uncomfortable. It doesn't have many points of adjustments—you can adjust the armrest height, lock the recline at a few degrees, and adjust tilt tension. That's it. Technically, you can adjust the headrest, but mine would not stay put at a specific height. You can pull out a footrest, but I found it more gimmicky than useful. The overall quality is a little cheap. You can do better at this price.

Humanscale World One: Despite hailing from the well-renowned Humanscale, this chair looks quite bland. The setup was fairly quick, and … interesting. You have to hammer two pegs to affix the backrest to the seat, which I've never before had to do, after testing dozens of office chairs. It just feels cheap and a little too plasticky. Like other Humanscale chairs, there are no adjustments to make as the chair will handle it all for you (you can adjust the seat and armrest height). I loved this on the pricier Humanscale Freedom, which felt like someone was cradling my body. But here, I find my body constantly shifting in the all-mesh World One, trying to find a comfy way to recline. The mesh material also feels like it digs in a bit. This could all be because I'm 6'4," as the chair feels like it's 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 keep myself in a super upright position, which made me feel more engaged in what I was doing. The mesh backrest 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’ve nearly broken it trying to move it up and down. As I kept sitting, it was the back support that disappointed me the most. You can feel the lumbar support on your lower back, and not in a good way, almost like it’s digging in. At least it didn’t give me back pain.

Vilno Nobel Kneeling Chair: It's a freakin' kneeling chair! It was easy to put all the wood pieces together, and the seat cushion was surprisingly plump. This is what's known as an active chair, meant to keep your body moving and keep your posture straight. It feels effective for the first few hours, but unfortunately, rocking in the seat tends to cause it to move around on the floor, so I frequently had to fix my position. Worse yet, my shins and knees grew fatigued, and I started feeling some pain after a few days. You can't adjust its height, so it needs to be paired with a standing desk so that your palms don't rest on your desk.

Flexispot C7 Lite: While this chair is simple to assemble and looks good, it feels flimsy. The entire back flexes and warps whenever you move, and the lumbar support is barely connected to the rest of the chair, meaning it audibly scratches against the main section of the back every time you adjust and hardly feels like it provides any actual support. The footrest bends whenever weight is put on it, and the foam seat cushion collects crazy amounts of pet hair. It feels like just a few extra screws and supports would have made this a good chair, but in its current state, there isn’t enough material to make it feel sturdy. —Henri Robbins

Flexispot C7: It wasn't too difficult to put this Flexispot together, and it comes in a fairly compact box despite its size. However, the lumbar section juts out so much that within two days of sitting on it, I had back pain. You can adjust the seat to mitigate it, but it didn't solve the problem. It's not just me. My 5'1" wife did not enjoy sitting on the C7 either.

Steelcase Series 1: WIRED reviewer Louryn Strampe says her biggest issue with the Series 1 is with the armrest—the tops slide back and forth and side to side, which could be a good thing, except 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 pretty curved, which can feel like you're trapped in one position as you work throughout the day.

Sihoo Doro S300: Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano tested the Doro S300, which, in white, looks like it came straight out of the Space Force situation room. She found it comfortable. There are several adjustments you can personalize, like seat depth and recline angle. You can recline quite far, but she says she wishes there were a footrest to enjoy the lowest recline position. She typically prefers a cushy gaming chair, but she says she had no trouble sitting on this chair all day—the dual lumbar support helps too. However, the headrest is too low for her to lean against, even at its max height, and the arms move too easily. Simply placing her arms down pushes them out of position. It's also squeaky and overpriced.

Whether you work in a traditional office setting or have turned your spare closet into a home office, you need a chair you can spend hours in comfortably. Unfortunately, there seems to be two extremes when it comes to buying an office chair: get the cheapest one and have to replace it soon after, or opt for the most expensive chair and break the bank.

But actually, there's another option: Herman Miller. While the company's chairs are on the pricier side, they're also backed by a serious warranty. And with such a good reputation in general, you can feel confident in splurging on one of these quality seats. Read on for our guide to this office-seating option, including when you can get Herman Miller chairs on sale.

Why Are Herman Miller Chairs So Expensive?

Herman Miller sells a variety of furniture for homes and workplaces. But without a doubt, the office chairs are some of their most popular products. They ranged in price from as little as $495 to over $5,000 at the time of this writing. Before you say "no way," hear us out! We lay out what makes them so expensive below, and you could find the cost is well worth it. (And remember that you can score discounts on Herman Miller chairs. We'll get to those in a bit!)

They're Highly Customizable

If you've purchased any kind of furniture online or in-store, you should be used to picking certain elements to customize, from fabric to finishes. With Herman Miller, the options extend even further depending on which chair you choose.

For instance, on some models you can select options as simple as the frame/base color, upholstery color, and the caster type. But with other chairs, you can go as far as choosing the frame/base color, material, size, back support, tilt option, arms, arm pads, configuration, seat depth, height range, and casters — usually, it's some combination of the above.

Consider using Herman Miller's chair selector tool; it'll give you three recommendations after you answer a few questions.

These features can add anywhere from $50 to $1,000 to the cost, depending on the model of chair and the customizations you choose. For example, selecting upgraded leather upholstery instead of the fabric option could make your chair $800 more expensive. It's in your best interest to read up on each feature, and only opt for the ones you know you need and that will be most helpful.

Not sure where to start? Consider using the chair selector tool from Herman Miller. You'll answer a handful of questions — that'll likely take less than a minute — and you'll be served up with three recommendations to compare and choose from.

They Have a Long Warranty

Herman Miller might not offer a lifetime warranty, but it still has a great one. While some exceptions exist, most Herman Miller products (office chairs included) are backed by a 12-year warranty. That includes parts and labor both, and when service is performed in the U.S. and Canada, the cost of that is also covered.

If you need to order service to handle a replacement or repair, remember to have these things available:

• A clear picture of the manufacturing label
• A description of the issue
• A photograph clearly identifying the product as well as the issue

If you can't see the manufacturing label, or it's damaged, you should contact the retailer you purchased the chair from. They can then provide you with the information you need to use in place of the label, including the complete product number, FO number, and the manufacture date. Additionally, if you need a close-up picture to document the issue, plan to send two photos — one of the product as a whole and a second showing the damaged area.

They're a High-Quality Option

If you've looked into purchasing a new office chair, odds are you've seen Herman Miller on various "best chairs" lists, including those on sites like Wirecutter. In addition to positive word-of-mouth, we think the warranty alone should speak for the chairs' quality. It's hard to believe a business would back a shoddy piece of equipment with a 12-year warranty, because they'd end up having to replace units more often than is ideal.

SEE ALSO: Want to Buy Furniture Online? Here's What You Should Know

Additionally, the Herman Miller company has been around since . It was founded then under the name Star Furniture Company in Zeeland, Michigan, but it's carried the Herman Miller name since . With that kind of longevity, it's no surprise that the company's reputation is so outstanding.

What Are the Most Popular Herman Miller Chairs?

Herman Miller offers plenty of different furniture options, including somewhere around 30 different office chairs. But by and large, workers seem to flock to two of them the most: the Aeron chair and Embody chair.

Aeron Chair

Hands down, the Aeron chair is the most popular Herman Miller office chair. First introduced in , the Aeron was called a "dotcom throne" by New York magazine, according to Wired. Though it was rebuilt in — for the better — Aeron remains one of the most in-demand office seating options. It's the chair I own, and I can honestly say I've never had an office chair this comfortable. It's a good thing these are made to last, because I can't imagine going back to a cheap office store seat after sitting in an Aeron.

Shoppers have been able to find Aeron chairs for sale since , and they remain one of the most in-demand office seating options.

Embody Chair

While the Aeron offers mesh seating and a variety of features to customize, the other highly popular Herman Miller chair is the Embody. This is probably what many of us picture when we think of a traditional office chair, as it features an upholstered seat in a variety of colors and casters to easily move around your work area. You can customize the frame, base, and upholstery color on the Embody chair to ensure it fits your design preferences. Plus, the chair is made of at least 44% recycled materials and is itself up to 95% recyclable, according to Herman Miller.

When Can You Get Herman Miller Chairs on Sale?

Herman Miller chairs are definitely an investment. But what if you can't afford — or don't want — to shell out that kind of cash when you need a new chair? Do Herman Miller chairs ever go on sale?

Shop During Herman Miller Office Chair Sales in the Fall and Winter

Hoping for a Herman Miller Aeron sale? Or an Embody chair sale? If you want to shop Herman Miller itself, you'll have the best luck finding a sale during the fall and/or winter months. Plan to purchase during the last few months of the year, or in January at the latest, if you want to buy direct. Historically, we've seen Herman Miller offer 15% off sales as frequently as every month from August through November. You may also get the chance to score as much as 30% off, as well. We recommend signing up for the list, so you can be alerted when the sales begin.

Shop Around All Year

If you're not planning to shop direct from Herman Miller, you may have to check out other sites on a semi-regular basis. For instance, we've seen Amazon list a few deals on Herman Miller chairs, and have found several offers on eBay for open-box models. However, these don't pop up in any kind of predictable pattern. Last year, the deals we saw on Amazon occurred in July, while eBay listed them in October, November, and December, and then in February . Perhaps the easiest way to monitor these kinds of offers is by creating an alert.

SEE ALSO: 6 Work From Home Tips

Note that if you're planning to buy from anyone but Herman Miller, your customization options could significantly decrease. For example, the two Amazon deals on the Aeron chair last year only applied to sizes A or B, and to one color. The chairs were also noted as being "fully loaded," so if you aren't interested in some of those features, you likely won't be able to opt for standard arrangements to save money if you purchase from Amazon.

You'll find the same situation with the offers on eBay. That is, specific arrangements will already be selected. So if you're picky about your seating, this might not be the way to go. Additionally, by purchasing elsewhere, you won't have the advantage of the 12-year Herman Miller warranty. Just a few things to keep in mind as you begin to shop around!

Where Should You Buy Herman Miller Chairs?

Herman Miller items can be difficult to shop, especially if you aren't around a physical store that lets you test them out before purchasing. As such, you have a few options to consider when getting ready to buy a new chair.

Check With Authorized Retailers

The Herman Miller website has a selection of tools available, should you need to decide where to buy and don't want to rely on a big e-tailer. For instance, you can check out authorized retailers to see if any are in your area. These retailers often carry items in-store, so you can try before you buy, but also have the ability to order online.

Look Into Certified Dealers

Certified dealers are similar to authorized retailers, but they're usually geared toward businesses rather than individuals. This is where you want to check if you're planning to buy multiple items for environments like health care, government offices, or standard business setups.

Want to try Herman Miller chairs before you buy? You may be able to at an authorized retailer or certified dealer.

However, just because the dealers typically focus on business purchases doesn't mean you need to skip over them. My husband and I were able to make an appointment with a certified dealer in our area, as no retailers were available. We were able to try out the Aeron chairs in person and even ordered them through the dealer, as well. They took a few weeks to arrive, but when they did, we were able to go to the local warehouse and pick them up, as we wanted to avoid an extra freight delivery fee.

Shop Online at Herman Miller

The easiest place to shop for a Herman Miller office chair is at Herman Miller itself. Many selections will qualify for free shipping, so that's one less cost to worry about. Additionally, if you purchase a chair online and aren't happy with it, you have 30 days to initiate a return for full credit. As an added perk, there's a good chance your chair will arrive fully assembled; you only have to roll it out of the box before being able to try it out. If you do have to assemble anything, it should be a minimal amount.

Shop Third-Party Sites

If you're less picky about customization and more interested in just having a high-quality chair, then shopping a third-party site could be the way to go. This doesn't mean you should look for shady websites with suspiciously low prices — instead, rely on sites like Amazon and eBay. Just be sure to find trusted sellers with good ratings — and remember if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

SEE ALSO: The Best Home Office Setup Ideas to Try Today

You'll want to check return policies and warranties when buying from third parties, in case you do need to send the chair back. And if it arrives damaged or you notice problems after using it, you'll want to know if there's any kind of warranty to cover the situation.

How Much Do Herman Miller Chairs Cost?

Prices will vary based on the model and customization options you choose, so keep that in mind when shopping for Herman Miller chairs.

What's the Average Price of a Herman Miller Chair?

Prices on Herman Miller office chairs start as low as $495, but on average you can expect to spend around $1,500, depending on the model and features you choose. However, the cost can go way over that — the highest price we noted at the time of this writing was an astonishing $5,195. Many consumers probably can't fathom paying that kind of money for a single office chair, no matter how excellent it is. The good news is that's not what you'll pay for the most popular options.

Expect to spend around $1,500 on average for a Herman Miller chair, depending on the model and features you choose.

If you're seeking out Aeron chairs for sale, prices start at $995 and go as high as $1,895. If you prefer the Embody, you can expect to pay between $1,495 and $1,895, depending on the options you select. Those are regular prices, too, so if you shop during a Herman Miller office chair sale, you'll probably pay less. While these are still pricey options compared to what you'll find at your local office supply store, at least they're not at the top of the pricing tier.

What Kinds of Discounts Can You Expect?

Speaking of shopping during a sale, you might be wondering what kind of discount you can even expect on Herman Miller chairs. Essentially, the discount is going to vary by where you shop.

Herman Miller itself often offers discounts from 15% to 30% off. That could mean you'll pay around $1,300 for that premium Aeron or Embody setup. If you prefer to shop at Amazon, you can generally expect to save around $200 compared to the list price. And if you're looking at open-box models on eBay, discounts will also vary; however, we've seen Aeron chairs for sale for as little as $399 before. We've also seen the same chairs priced at $444, so the savings are definitely there to be found.

Readers, are you interested in Herman Miller chairs? Which one would you buy? Let us know in the comments below!

For more Single Student Chairinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.