The best part about having an office chair is that you can choose one that you are comfortable with and that doesn’t hurt your back. You might have some issues.
There are many options for office chairs. There are many different sizes and shapes. While some have spaceship-like features while others are simple. Which one would you choose? It’s not easy, we know.
We created this ultimate guide to help you become an expert on office chairs. This is how you can choose the perfect office chair.
Many office chairs have wheels. These are commonly known as wheel-base office chairs. Do you really need one? The wheelbase isn’t there for comfort, but for mobility and convenience.
A wheel-base office chair might not be the best option for you if your desk is small, wall-mounted or regular.
When you work at U-shaped or L-shaped desks, the wheel-base is important. This is where mobility becomes crucial as it can increase productivity and efficiency.
To open a drawer you can either roll away or roll to the printer to grab the paper.
Be aware that a wheelbase can cause damage to the floor, especially if it is wooden or laminate. To prevent damage to the floor, you might consider purchasing a chair mat.
You must have adjustability
Although the term “adjustability” sounds generic, it is an essential function of an office chair. Adjustability refers to chair features that you can customize the shape and position of your chair so it suits your needs.
You can improve your comfort and get enough support for your spine and arms with the many adjustability options. Arm and height adjustments are the most popular adjustments for office chairs. These two adjustments should be sufficient for your basic needs. However, you should also know that there are many chairs with more adjustable features.
Although the buttons, knobs and levers may seem complicated at first glance, they are actually quite simple to use. You will be able to get more out of your desk chair the more adjustments you make.
Listed below are some of the adjustments that you should be looking out for:
- Lumbar support
- Arm height and arm width
- Seat pan depth
- Angle of the back and seat
- Headrest
- Tension control
Lumbar Support
Lumbar support is one of the best ergonomic features an office chair could have. This feature is intended to support your lower spine and help prevent any health problems associated with prolonged sitting.
While most office chairs provide lumbar support, only a handful of them are adjustable. Chairs without lumbar support will not fit your spine perfectly. The adjustable lumbar support allows you to adjust it to the natural curves of your spine.
Some chairs allow you to adjust the height of the back of the chair, while others let you adjust the height of the lumbar support and the back of the chair.
Height and Width
Do you ever feel pain in the upper back or shoulders? The problem could be because of incorrectly placed armrests. Good desk chairs should have adjustable armrests in height and width.
Many models have armrests that pivot towards your body and can be adjusted to increase comfort. These features are great for office chairs with slimmer frames.
Seat Pan Depth
The seat pan depth is an important adjustment for ergonomic chairs. This feature will allow you to adjust your seat’s depth. This feature allows you to move the chair back and forth.
If you’re tall, slide the seat pan away from the chair back. The opposite is true if you’re shorter. If you are sharing the chair with more than one person, it is even more important to adjust the seat pan depth.
Seat and Back Angle
While these features aren’t common in cheap office chairs, they are essential if you need a chair that can be used for multiple purposes.
This will allow you to find the perfect ergonomic spot and customize your chair to meet your needs.
Headrest
Desk chairs with headrests (often called high-back office chairs) can be either added to the chair back as an extension or as a separate module. The headrest provides support for your neck and head, making sitting more comfortable.
The headrest can help maintain a constant eye level at your monitor’s upper bezel. It is essential to take some of the burdens off your neck and shoulders. The headrest can help you do this.
Tension Control
Although tension control isn’t a necessity, it can make your chair more comfortable. It is worth considering if you work a 9-to-5 job. Tension control is often installed in tilt.
You can adjust the resistance that the chair provides when you lean back. The tilting feature is really useful here because tilt without tension control can only be used when you need to relax and lean back for a while.
Swivel base: yes or no? Let’s not get too complicated. Swivel bases are a must. No matter what line of work, every now and again you will need to reach for something. You might not find the right thing at the right time.
The swivel allows you to freely rotate. It is useful and practical, but it can also help your arms. Arm fatigue is common for people who reach for papers and office supplies often. The swivel solves this problem.
Materials and Cushion
Most people overlook the cushion and materials in an office chair. These features are often overlooked and can become uncomfortable after a while.
Fabric is the best solution. It’s soft against the skin, durable, and easy to clean. It is used by office chair manufacturers because it can easily be stretched over any cushion options.
There are many options when it comes to cushioning, from memory foams to spongy-like ones. The best solution is thick foam cushions for the seat. First, foam can easily be shaped to fit the ergonomic needs of our backs.
Good posture is dependent on the support provided by the seat. Foam is the only foam that is elastic enough to offer both comfort and support. Hard seats are also restrictive, restricting blood flow to the legs, pelvis and back. Foam seats help to reduce that compression as well as relieve fatigue and pain.
Find out how to properly try out a chair
How can you tell if a chair is right for you? It’s not possible to judge if a chair fits you by simply looking at a photo or watching a YouTube clip. You have to actually try it. It doesn’t matter if you buy the exact model. You can find the same features at a nearby shop.
You might be surprised at how not every chair fits you. It’s easy to test the chair if you have a few tricks.
The chair should be adjusted so it conforms to your natural spine shape. Also, pay attention to where the global support is located. You can move on to the next model if you are unable to do it.
You can test the height of the chair by placing your feet flat on the ground. When you’re doing this, ensure that your back is straight up. You should check whether the edge of the seat is pressing down on your back. You may need to get a larger chair or a cushioned chair.
Place your arms on the armrest. Are your shoulders relaxed? Adjust the armrests if tension is still present.
The chair should be slightly higher than your shoulders. Sitting down, feel the support between your shoulder blades. You can test the tension control feature of your chair. You should test it to see if the chair provides enough resistance to support your weight and still provide comfort.
This is all you need to know in order to find the perfect office chair. The most important things are a comfortable, high-quality seat, with appropriate lumbar and back support, as well as arm support. The second most important feature is height adjustability and swivel.
It’s you who will spend hours in this chair. Your preferences and challenges are well-known. All of these should be answered by the chair you choose.
