How to Select the Office Chair That’s Right For You
Aug 12, 2026 7:32 AM
How to Select the Right Office Chair for Your Height and Shape
Not all office chairs are right for all people. Here’s how to select the right office chair for your budget, height, and physique.
Courtesy of Humanscale; Staples
I spent years taking office chairs for granted. But when I began working from home six years ago, I learned quickly that the right office chair is the difference between pain and no pain. I prefer “no pain.” Turns out the human body was not designed to sit in the same position for long hours at a time. An ergonomic office chair can mitigate the strain on your back from long hours of sitting and help you keep good posture.
Jump to Section
- How Much Should You Spend on an Office Chair?
- What Is Proper Ergonomic Posture?
- Does Your Office Chair Need Lumbar Support?
- Armrests Matter Less Than You Think
- What About Crisscross and Active Chairs?
- What's the Right Seat Height for My Office Chair?
- What's the Right Seat Depth for My Office Chair?
- Take Desk Height Into Account
- Office Chair Considerations for Larger-Bodied People
- When in Doubt, Visit the Chair in Person
- The Research
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Courtesy of Herman Miller
Herman Miller
Embody
Branch
Ergonomic Chair Pro
Staples
Dexley Ergonomic Mesh Swivel Task Chair
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Anthros
Chair V2
Humanscale
Path
Steelcase
Karman
QOR360
The Ariel 2.0 and The Ariel 1.0
Amseatec
Crisscross Office Chair
Photograph: Martin Cizmar
Photograph: Martin Cizmar
Photograph: Martin Cizmar
Vari
ComfortEdge Standing Desk
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Reporting from WIRED contributed to this story.
