6 best ergonomic office chairs, tried and tested for a better WFH set-up

KANIKA SINGH RATHORE,

Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source

Since many of us work, at least partially, from home, a good office chair is essential. This will make it easier for you to concentrate, help maintain good posture and support your back to avoid physical injury. If your chair isn’t working for you, you may feel the effects of it on your arms, neck or back.

To ensure the best working position, your chair should be flexible, movable, and above all, adjustable. It should have wheels and seat height adjustment, and premium models should include lumbar and headrest movement – ​​and choosing the right chair is only half the puzzle, it also needs to be properly adjusted to fit your body and working set-up.

According to physiotherapist and director Laura Wilson swiss touchYour feet should be flat, either on the floor or on a footrest, and you need proper lumbar support. You should also be able to recline the seat. “You want a temperature of about 90 degrees or slightly higher between your hips and knees,” she advises. Without this function, it is likely that you could get “too much stiffness and mechanical load on your lower back, which can cause pain over time”.

It is also important to get the position of the armrest correct. Wilson says your elbows should either be at 90 degrees to your shoulders, so you can rest your forearms on the chair, or you should be able to fully lower the armrest with your forearms on the desk. If they’re too high, the armrests can “create too much compression within the shoulder and neck joint, and this can lead to stiffness and impingement over time”, she explains.

ALSO READ  China outlines greater controls on exports of rare earths and technology

If you do a lot of repetitive movement in one direction, Wilson also suggests using a chair that rotates, while whether you’ll want a headrest will depend on what you find comfortable. Also pay attention to cushioning. She recommends a firm but padded seat that will “absorb shock” but still ensure you “sit properly” as opposed to a soft chair that conforms to you.

Among the chairs I compared for this review was Humanscale’s Freedom Chair (£1,107.01, humanscale.com) had the edge, thanks to its automatic adjustment capability and unmatched comfort level. But for a more affordable chair that will serve you well for everyday use, Sihu’s Doro C300 (£269.99, Sihoooffice.com), with its comfortable mesh seat, will also serve you well. Keep reading for top-rated reviewed chairs for every budget, from Herman Miller to Habitat.

how i tested

Support, adjustability and materials evaluated during several hours of testing
Support, adjustability and materials evaluated during several hours of testing ,Alistair Jennings/The Independent,

I set up every office chair in my home where I spent many hours sitting and typing, and evaluated each on a carefully crafted set of criteria below.

  • lumbar support: The adjustment that fits to the small of your back was a major consideration for comfort, distinguishing everyday chairs from those you use occasionally.
  • Adjustment Capacity: To fit your body shape and size, an office chair requires height, arm, and backrest adjustments. Some premium models enable you to adjust seat depth or additional levels of comfort.
  • Material: While I personally prefer the aesthetic of solid leather or fabric finishes, mesh enables more airflow, and may be more comfortable when sitting for long periods of time. I also paid attention to support and durability.
  • sustainability: Office furniture is designed to be used on a daily basis, so you expect it to withstand a lot of wear and tear. I checked which brands offer repairs, upgrades or length warranties in this review.
ALSO READ  Ministers have warned that tax growth can accelerate money migration

Why can you trust IndyBest reviews?

Alistair Jennings is a technology journalist with over 30 years’ experience. They’ve conducted intensive, hands-on testing with countless pieces of kit, from cameras to laptops. Alistair reviewed Bamboo Lab H2D Laser Full Combo 3D Printer For IndependentFor example. And as a journalist, he’s a WFH pro, which means he understands the hassles and hassles of sitting in the wrong chair. After hours of use, these are the models that passed their tests.

The best ergonomic office chairs for 2025 are:

  • overall best – Humanscale Freedom Chair: £1,107.01, humanscale.com
  • best budget option – Habitat Ezra office chair: £90, Habitat.co.uk
  • Best for back support – Flexispot C7 Morpher: £599.99, flexispot.co.uk
  • Best for adjustability – Hinomi H2 Pro: £639, hinomi.co
Uk