Desk chairs can make or break your productivity. We've tested the best office chairs on the market so you can find the perfect one for your workspace.
Updated Dec. 8, 2023 12:04 p.m. PT back bar stool
CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. Read how we test products and services.
Avoid back, arm and wrist pain with good posture. Sit back in your seat and support your feet the best you can.
A chair with lumbar support will help keep your lower back from getting sore. If it doesn’t have support, roll up a towel to put behind your back.
It may not feel important, but an office chair with wheels that roll well will make your life easier. Look for strong wheels or invest in an upgrade.
Try comprehensive home device insurance covering defects, failures and normal wear and tear. Pay only $12/month + tax for 3 months, then $25/month + tax after that. Find out more
Whether you work or game at home, you need a comfortable chair to make that time behind a desk palatable. Office chairs are normally the most comfortable way to spend eight hours sitting down, and we've rounded up the best chairs below.
If you spend time working, gaming or doing anything that involves sitting for a long period of time, you need a high-quality office chair. Our top pick, the Branch Verve , is a mid-price option that's comfortable and durable.
Getting the right support while you're sitting can help with your posture as well as the muscle soreness that can stem from a bad chair. During the pandemic, many of us at CNET had to turn parts of our homes into offices, which gave us a chance to test a lot of office chairs. Today, hybrid and remote work are sticking around, making a good office chair imperative.
We've been testing office chairs at CNET for over nine years, and I've been sitting on them for decades. That means we can help you make an informed decision about where to rest your rump.
Note: Prices vary on third-party sites, so prices quoted here may change over time. We'll regularly update this list of the best office chairs to reflect the most accurate prices.
The difference between a cheap chair and a more expensive one can be amazing. I have spent years using a $100 chair -- and having back pain most of that time. The Verve chair by Branch costs more, but everything about it oozes quality. The heavy metal fittings, the quality of the fabric and the movement of the wheels show the care and attention put into making this chair.
Comfort rating: Super comfortable
I liked this Amazon Basics chair right away. This swivel chair was easy to assemble, the leather design looks nice, and the adjustable seat and back are cushioned and comfortable.
This chair is relatively affordable without sacrificing much, with one exception: lumbar support. If lumbar support is a must-have, consider one of our other favorites. Overall, this reasonably priced ergonomic chair is easy to put together, comfortable and easy on the eyes.
The Anthros chair is amazing. The lumbar support helps stabilize your pelvis, and the wide seat is comfortable for all body types, including my 270-pound frame. The Anthros comes with a posture guarantee, so if you don't feel it has helped your posture or made you feel comfortable, you can get your money back. The Anthros feels high quality, and if money were no object, it would be my No. 1 pick for the best office chair -- and I would tell you to buy one, too.
But money does matter, and the Anthros is downright expensive. A good office chair is an investment that should last a long time, but at $1,849, it's probably worth some serious thought before you take the plunge.
Like the Branch above, the Ignition 2.0 is a well-constructed chair that looks sophisticated in my office. I'm a big guy, so I'm always concerned that chairs won't hold my weight, but the Ignition is clearly designed with people like me in mind.
Adjustments can be made to the lumbar support, height and armrests, but my favorite is being able to move the seat in and out. Having the seat further forward supports my long legs much better. Overall, this is an excellent chair for the money. It's comfortable, easy to build and solidly constructed.
Like the OC14 before it, the C7 has an extremely comfortable headrest. While you may not use it all day like your lumbar support, it does make more relaxed moments much nicer. The mesh back is very comfortable as well. It's breathable but feels strong enough to support my weight without ripping.
I like the soft padded armrests, and they're adjustable in three ways: in/out, up/down and left/right. I wish the lumbar support was equally adjustable. It can move in and out, but it can't be raised to fit the curve of my tall back, so it never feels as supportive as I would like.
The newest chair from Steelcase wins a spot on this list not because it's comfortable -- though it is, especially in the lumbar region -- but because of its customization options. You can choose the color of the chair, of course, but you can also add additional lumbar support (you'll want that), additional movement for the armrests, or wheels for hard floors or carpets.
I found the chair excellent over long periods, and I especially liked how well the locking system works. Some chairs feel like they lean back too far, even when locked, but the Karman was rock solid the whole time.
I'm 6-foot-1 and 275 pounds, and finding a comfortable chair has been an issue for me for years. I've even had several chairs' wheels break while I've been using them. This gaming chair has a weight limit of 350 pounds and features adjustable armrests that go up and down and rotate. A tall back and wide base make this a comfortable pick for bigger frames. While this isn't strictly an office chair, I have used the EasySMX for over a year as my primary seat, and it still works well.
CNET staffers spend a lot of time sitting at desks. While we'd all love to own the best office chairs, we often have to make do with what we have, or we've found something we like and have stuck with it. These picks are not tested in the same way as the ones on our best list above, but here's what we're using regularly.
The Herman Miller Mirra 2 is expensive, but I justified the cost because I spend hours sitting in front of a computer screen. Boy, am I glad I did. Its mesh seat remains comfortable and supportive after five and a half years of steady use. When I sit down, I feel an actual moment of pleasure that it's still good. This is a huge step up from foam seat chairs that compress over time. The mesh is easier to clean and keeps cool, too. I like the adjustments, which I set up once and have left alone since then.
Comfort rating: Super comfy
Since testing this latest batch of office chairs, I've grown to love the mesh back and lumbar support of the OC14 from Flexispot. I'm naturally a hot person, and having a back on my chair that allows my body to breathe is something that has been missing from my life.
The headrest is also comfortable, as it's adjustable and sits right at the base of my head. The seat itself is wide, so there's plenty of room for my wide frame to sit comfortably. The setup took me 20 minutes, and though it was a little fiddly in some places, everything feels secure and stable overall. There are no wobbles on this chair with how tough the screws were to get in.
Aesthetically, the rich maroon color works well with the gray armrests and the near-ivory color of the base. It's a good-looking chair, and well worth the money.
Comfort rating: Comfortable for long periods
I bought a kneeling chair initially because of a torn hamstring and realized how much it helped my posture. It also forced me to stand up more and not slouch. Now I move around conscientiously while working, which helps with neck and ankle stiffness. This brand stands out: It can rock, it has good padding for the knees, it's adjustable and it's definitely more affordable than others. When friends come over, they always try it and are surprised how much they like it.
-- Laura Michelle Davis
Comfort rating: Good enough
I am 6-foot-1 and this is the most durable, most comfortable office chair I've ever had. My previous one lasted eight years! I've sold enough of them that Ikea owes me some euros, and I recently bought a replacement that I expect to last almost another decade. Forget those gamer chairs that break in six months -- the Markus is the real deal for those of us who can't afford a Herman Miller or a Steelcase.
Comfort rating: Super comfy
You can sit in the chair multiple ways. It's great for those with lower back discomfort. It has a unique design, it's comfortable and it offers lots of customization. It's especially fantastic for standing desks, because it can raise up to bar-stool height.
Comfort rating: Super comfy
Ergonomics is the "science of work," says Gary Allread, program director for the ergonomics division at Ohio State University's Spine Research Institute. That definition doesn't apply only to our jobs, though; ergonomic principles can be used for pretty much any activity (and that means an ergonomic office chair isn't going to immediately fix your lower back pain). Allread and his team offer consultations for a variety of workplaces, including manufacturing plants. They even provide input on product design to help companies better understand how to create products "to make sure they can interact with people as well as possible," Allread says.
A less-than-ideal work setup might cause pain in your back, arms, hands or wrists. You might also find yourself fidgeting, making more mistakes or taking more breaks, all because you're uncomfortable, Allread warns. Long-term, you might end up with tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome.
Allread offers two main suggestions we all can try to improve how we work:
If your chair lacks lumbar support, Allread recommends rolling up a towel, securing it with tape or rubber bands, and placing it at your lower back as a lumbar cushion to "keep the back in its natural curve." Allread also notes that companies are beginning to introduce different chair sizes, supporting a wider range of body sizes, which is an important consideration if you're shopping for a new ergonomic office chair with the best seat height and seat depth.
"One mistake people make is they say, 'Well, if I get a great chair, then I'm not going to be sore anymore,' and that's not really looking at the big picture of what it takes to keep people comfortable and productive at their jobs," Allread says. A new chair is just one of many things that can make your work environment more comfortable -- so let's keep that in mind as we weigh our options for the best office chair.
Like everything we test here at CNET, these office chairs have undergone a barrage of tests. First, we assembled each chair and noted any issues with the process, including how long it should take versus how long it actually took. Then we spent two workdays, or about 16 hours, sitting in each chair, noting the level of comfort, adjustability (such as adjustable height, adjustable backrest or adjustable arm features) and any issues we had.
We also tested what I like to call the "wibble wobbles." Because office chairs are often supported by just one rod, they can wobble left and right. That movement is more stress on the chair, which can wear it out more quickly. It can also cause discomfort and even motion sickness.
I'm heavier and taller than average, and your experience may differ. That's why we asked our professional for questions you should consider when choosing your own chair. They are:
We let these questions guide us, and they helped eliminate a lot of chairs. Some felt OK, but in the long run, they didn't offer the advantages of the ones we ultimately chose.
How you clean your office chair will vary depending on its materials. The chair's user manual should detail cleaning and general maintenance tips. If you tossed the paper version, check online. Many retailers provide digital versions or downloadable PDFs of their product manuals.
That said, most chairs should be fine to clean with a damp cloth and mild soap or detergent. Test a small area first and stay away from strong chemical cleaners.
Many office chairs are adjustable. You can change the chair height and move the arms, and some office chairs have adjustable lumbar support. Before tossing your current chair, make sure you're sitting optimally by trying out different positions.
I cover ergonomics above. Allread, the expert I spoke with, has two main suggestions:
Allread also suggests rolling up a towel to use for lower back support if your chair doesn't have lumbar support.
Game Chairs If you're dealing with a squeaky office chair, identify the source of the sound. Double-check that all screws are tight and that the chair is clean and oiled. You might also need to replace a spring. Some retailers sell replacement parts, if a loose or old spring ends up being the culprit.