I'm looking to buy my wife a good quality office chair for Christmas that's $300 or less and I was wondering if anyone here has a brand or model they swear by?

I know this question has probably been asked a lot of times before, but I couldn't find an answer that suited my needs, so I thought I'd post my own thread.

For some context:

• Male. 5'10. 187 pounds. Average physical build.

• I work from home, so I spend a lot of time in front of a computer, normally 8-10 hours a day.

• I usually find myself unconsciously slouching.

• I have a bad posture (not terrible, but still bad).

• My job requires me to be creative, but creativity doesn't flow when my ass starts hurting after sitting for 30 minutes, so comfortability is my number one priority.

I've been looking at the Ikea Markus and the Staples Hyken (or any other chair from those brands, for that matter), but I haven't been able to decide which one is better for me. I know higher-end chairs like a Steelcase Leap or a Herman Miller Embody are probably a better choice, but I have a very limited budget of $400-$600, and I cannot buy a refurbished/used chair because those are not common in my country.

What does Reddit suggest?

I've done research and a majority of Redditors are either Herman Miller (HM) or Steelcase (SC) purists, and recommend the average person to buy it used for $500-1000+. They are GREAT products but that is still damn expensive. The biggest justification is 'back health' which is valid and it's going to last you for 15+ years, and maybe I get it if you truly sit on your desk 4-8+ hours a day straight or have chronic pain.

But for the average WFH person from my experience, you are at your desk maybe 1-2 hours straight, then you take breaks - step out for lunch, take a shit, lie down in bed/chill out, etc. In addition I see chairs as a fashion accessory - preferences change over time, some people don't mind changing chairs every 5-10 years.

Apart from taking breaks, I also think you have other factors for back health such as - whether you exercise/stretch regularly, have chronic pain, an ergonomic desk with proper screen positioning, etc.

There can only be more competition for ergonomic chairs over time to compete with these high end office suppliers like HM or SC, prices will go down over time, and I find it hard to believe there are no cheaper alternatives for the average person in 2023.

IMO, I think recommending HM and SC is just a lazy excuse, assuming everyone is a workaholic with chronic pain history, and users will point at these brands blindly out of convenience and popularity.

TLDR: I find high-end, expensive, ergonomic chairs are overrated like HM/SC - change my mind. Do you agree/disagree?

I'm 30 and I've had gaming chairs ever since I was 17-18, despite never having any back issues, I thought to myself, "my poor gaming chair is falling apart, I might as well change for something that'll be far better for my back, better safe than sorry"

I sit for about 12+ hours a day on my chair, almost everyday of the year, I work at home on my PC and my main hobby is being on my PC, though I work out a lot, my back is quite strong

I first bought a Sihoo S100, it looked good, people didn't say that many bad things about it on reddit so I thought, why not, it got here and immediately it was awful, in a week I wasn't able to find a comfortable spot on the chair, no matter how I changed the settings

So I went for the nuclear option, sent it back, got my money and bought a used Steelcase for 400 bucks (Herman Miller are quite hard to find here in Europe), and it's even worse, I've never sat in a worse chair in my entire life, it's horribly uncomfortable to the point that I wasn't even able to give it a full week, I already went back to my gaming chair

So at this point I'm just wondering, am I so used to having a bad posture that chairs forcing me to have a better posture, actually hurt my back, or have I just been unlucky twice in a row ?

Ergonomic chairs seem to be good for working but in my case it's mixed use, I use it as much to play games, to work or to just lay around and watch youtube videos

Hey devs,

Have been having to sit for 8-12 hours for work for the last couple of years, and have been feeling the consequences of the same lately.

I work from home, so have the flexibility to choose whatever chair/desk setup I want.

If I had the budget, I would have gotten myself a herman miller embody, but alas, have to settle for something that is more affordable ranging from 10K-30K

Would love to get some suggestions for office chairs, if anyone of you has found a suitable one for yourself

Hi there,

I'm looking for a mid-range (400-700 Euros) ergonomic chair that I can sit cross-legged on. I have done a ton of research and watched probably every review about chairs on Youtube and I am still unable to decide on one. Although the Herman Miller Aeron seems to have the best features, it is too expensive, and I cannot sit cross-legged on it. I am not even sure if any regular office chair will allow me to sit cross-legged comfortably.

The other option that I am considering is the Secret Lab Titan Evo 2022 Leatherette edition. Although it is marketed as a gaming chair, it seems a lot of people think it's a solid office chair overall.

To sum it up, I would like to hear your opinions and experiences with ergonomic chairs that are high quality but affordable. Sitting cross-legged is not a strict requirement for me, but it's a factor.

For reference, my height is 1.70 meters.

Edit: a lot of people suggested great chairs, so I ended up with choice paralysis and went with the "Secretlab TITAN Evo 2022" since it has a lot of good reviews. It worked great and it doesn't cause any back pain. I can also sit cross-legged.

From quality brands, which is the best style of chair for sitting long hours working or studying programming? Ergonomic office chairs like Herman Miller or a high quality executive chair like this?

Currently using a cheapish gaming chair from JB's purchased about 5 years ago and as many know those chairs tend to peel and become quite uncomfortable over time which is why I'm in need to quickly replace what I currently have and begone with it once and for all!

I've always wanted a Secret Lab chair but I've dived a little deeper into videos and reviews and finding it to be both hit and miss, Steel case looks good overall also but quite steep in terms of pricing.

I'm not wanting an Ikea chair (I love Ikea but not wanting anything cheapish) - happy to spend roughly ~900 as this is an item I use almost daily and for long periods of time whilst WFH, I've just started looking into the Desky chairs although there isn't much in terms of reviews, any recommendations guys?

Hey everyone, I'm on the hunt for the best office chair and I desperately need some advice. I've been working from home for a while now, and my current chair is completely wrecking my back. I'm hoping to get some suggestions from people who have gone through this and found something that actually helps. Price isn't a concern.

Thanks in advance!

An ergonomic office chair is one of the mosst important items for your home office I bet, but you may not know how to choose the right one for your needs. I'll help you!!

You can find countless reviews from long-time users on Reddit about the value of ergonomic chairs. Brands like Herman Miller or Steelcase are often mentioned due to their popularity and outstanding quality, even though they can be quite expensive. However, there are many other great alternatives that can ensure your 8-hour workday is as comfortable as possible.

Few KEY points to consider are: budget + purpose + specs + warranty

Sort these out and you'll get the right chair, TECHNICALLY...the final and best is….comfort/fit

Regardless of whether it's technically the right chair, under the 4 main subjects, it might be uncomfortable, and no one wants that. Regardless of the types, models, and brands of the chair, you need to ensure that your chair is comfortable for working. If you want to buy online, you should check the level of comfortability they are offering. The comfortability of the desk chair depends on the materials used to produce the chairs.

Budget, no point looking at a one thousand chair, when you only have $500 to spend

Purpose, no point buying a chair, when you need a stool.

Specifications, if you weight 250lbs, you don't want a chair only for 150 lbs weight limit. Next, the armrest of the working desk is a crucial part of the chair bc to concentrate on working fully, you need to set the armrest in the proper place. Adjust the height of the armrest so that the seated elbow height is parallel to the armrest. Too higher and too lower of the height of the armrest provide an uncomfortable working experience.

You should also check the height adjustability feature of the chair, I'd highly advise this.

So what are the "BEST" office chair companies today?

They must be store.hermanmiller.com (Herman Miller) and steelcase.com/products/office-chairs/. These 2 are the TOP on the market but of course they're pricey. If you're willing to pay, let's go with them.

Tier 2 brands are Xchair, Haworth, Branch, Sihoo and Flexispot. They make the best mid-range office chairs on the market today.

Best specifc office chairs models for each that are highly recommended for every budget at the moment:

- Herman Miller Aeron, Herman Miller Embody and Steelcase Gesture are high-end options $1400+.

- If you want to find the best choices under $500, here you are:

• Sihoo Doro C300

• HON Ignition 2.0

• Branc Chair Pro

• Haworth Breck

• Flexispot C7 Chair

- Steelcase Karman - Haworth Fern are really worth buying if you have $1000 budget.

Hope this helped you!

I've done a bunch of searching for office chairs and what I've found is most people are looking for the Herman Miller super adjustable office chair or a super ergonomic alternative. I'm looking for the softest, cushiest, plushy, couch feeling office chair. Something I could almost sleep in. It seems like almost a taboo topic and I've seen people say it's not great for you back. But, I'm hoping there is a highly rated high quality cushy office chair.

I feel like I’m going against the grain here, but I’ve tried 5 of the most recommended ergonomic chairs in multiple sizes (Herman Miller Aeron, Embody, Sayl, Steelcase Leap, Ikea Markus) and I f*cking hated every single one of them. Yeah, the build quality is fine, but they’re super uncomfortable to me. I don’t sink into them, I don’t relax, I just feel like I’m sitting on a stiff frame that locks me into one position.

For context: I’ve never had back problems in my life, and to my understanding going to the gym religiously kinda eliminates the need for the whole “perfect ergonomic chair” thing anyway. I don’t want a torture device designed for HR departments, I want a chair that’s actually comfortable to sit in for hours.

So here’s what I’m looking for: • I don’t want RGB clown chairs, but I do like the simple one- or two-color gaming chair look. • I’m open to a cushy office/boss style chair, but only if it doesn’t look like total crap. • I want something durable enough not to snap under me in 2 years (already killed one with brackets holding it together lol).

Are there actually good gaming chairs that aren’t Secretlab 1000+ BGN/€500+, or is there a “hidden gem” office chair that has the same cushy vibe but doesn’t look like an eyesore?

I work as a programmer and i am looking for an ergonomic chair for around 700$ it can be refurbished

Spending 8+ hours a day at your desk can be brutal on your back, and let’s be honest—not all chairs are built for long-term comfort. Some people swear by high-end ergonomic office chairs, while others say a good budget option can get the job done just as well.

Ergonomic chairs do make a difference, but are they really worth the price? Some high-end chairs cost over $1000, while there are plenty of mid-range options that claim to offer similar support.

Here are some of the best office chairs I’ve found for long hours of sitting:

Premium chairs ($800+)

• Herman Miller Aeron – PostureFit SL lumbar support, Pellicle mesh, ergonomic recline

• Steelcase Leap – LiveBack technology, fully adjustable for posture support

• Humanscale Freedom Chair – Self-adjusting recline, synchronized armrests, solid frame

Mid-range chairs ($500-$800)

• Autonomous ErgoChair Ultra 2 – 4-layer fusion seat, adaptive backrest, invisible lumbar support

• Nouhaus Ergo3D – 3D lumbar support, adjustable armrests & headrest, breathable mesh

• Eurotech Vera Mesh – Plush seat cushion, breathable mesh, 4D armrests

Budget-friendly picks (Under $300-$500)

• Autonomous ErgoChair Pro – Adjustable backrest, seat tilt, flexible lumbar support, breathable mesh

• X-Chair X2 – 4-way adjustable arms, dynamic lumbar support, tilt positions

• Branch Ergonomic Chair - 8 points of adjustment, firm lumbar support, breathable mesh, sleek design

I know gaming chairs get a lot of criticism for long-term use, but I’ve seen some people swear by them. Others say mesh chairs are the way to go, while some prefer foam cushioning for all-day comfort.

If you’ve been using a chair for long hours, what’s worked best for you? Are high-end chairs really worth it, or is there a solid mid-range or budget option that gets the job done?

A 300-350 dollar budget will give you more liberty to choose a comfortable office chair. There are more nice options compared to a meager 100 or 200-dollar unit.

But the ones that offer a lot of ergo features, and these must work for the chair and complement the other parts of the unit.

Best office chairs within $350 - Recommendations for Redditors

• ⭐ SIHOO Doro C300

• ⭐ Branch Daily Chair

• ⭐ HON Crio

• ⭐ Nochaus Ergo3dL

• ⭐ Molents Office Chair

• ⭐ La-Z-Boy Sutherland Quilted

• ⭐ Oline ErgoPro

• ⭐ Branch task chair

• ⭐ Modway Jive Ribbed

Our buying guide outlines the more important factors that you should consider for your 350-dollar budget.

You may not be able to get a unit that feels sublime on your lower back, but it can be decent enough to use for more than 5 hours.

And here are some of the ergo features that you should prioritize

Seat height and depth

You now will be able to find a unit that can go high enough if you are 6 feet tall. But you also have to consider the seat depth or if the seat pan can be adjusted. Not all 300-dollar chairs that can go high enough will allow for ample clearance for those with longer legs. So you have to watch out for this.

Lumbar support

Either fixed or adjustable, you may still be able to find a unit that will be comfortable for long hours of work.

And if you need more customized back support, there are 300-dollar chairs that offer both adjustable height and depth.

Overall comfort

If the chair is made of. mesh material, make sure that it isn’t too rigid. Though you cannot expect a very intuitive mesh chair for this budget, you can’t find one that is sufficient enough, so do not settle for a very rough mesh thinking that you have no options here.

And if it’s a padded chair, the padding is not too firm. Does it offer enough support?

Unlike 200 or 100-dollar chairs where a mesh one is the safer choice, you can enjoy a padded chair and still get enough support.

Durability

It may not be an expensive chair, but you are still looking at something that can last about three to five years.

As such, you must refrain from buying ones that have more plastic parts and feel squeaky when you first sit on them.

You should also pay attention to how durable the material of the chair is including caster wheels and the backrest. You will be able to see more insights on legit reviews.

Hey all, Ahnestly here! I review chairs on YouTube and after collecting comments from my community mixed w/ my own personal opinion, I create an annual ultimate chair buying guide video for every budget and height (currently has a 99.3% like ratio, which is insane!). The mods have allowed me to link the video below, but it is NOT mandatory to watch. I'll list out the chairs first and link will be at the bottom for anyone who cares to watch that.

Preliminary notes: People wonder why companies don't make chairs for really short or really tall people. I wish I could show you guys my video's analytics...the vast majority of time watched occurs in the average height section. These companies are out here to make a profit, and sometimes that means targeting the majority, not the minority. Please keep that in mind as you will see a lot of overlap with these chairs.

UNDER 5'3 (160cm)

- if you're a vanilla sitter (standard sitting), get a footrest.

- NO HEADREST FOR YOU. Save your money. You likely won't reach it / it'll get in the way.

$77 - Amazon Basics chair

$100 - Staples Traymore

$150 - Staples Sorina

$150 - Staples Dexley (if you want mesh)

$150 - Staples Hyken (if you want mesh)

$170 - Staples Carder (if you want swivel up arms)

**Staples is cool bc 7 year warranty and decent reports of customer service**

$240 - Clatina Mellet

$280 - Colamy Atlas

$330 - Branch Ergonomic

$400 - Open Box Haworth Soji from Crandall Office

$420 - Haworth Breck

$575 - Haworth Soji

$450 - Andaseat Kaiser 3 L or XL

$550 - Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 S, Reg, or XL

$700 - Haworth Zody Open Box from Crandall Office

$800 - Haworth Fern Open Box from Crandall Office

$900 - Haworth Zody Upholstered Open Box from Crandall Office

$1,000 - Steelcase Amia

$1,020 - Herman Miller Sayl (gaming and non gaming are identical)

$1,115 - Haworth Zody upholstered

$1,129 - Steelcase Karman

$1,200 - Haworth Fern

$1,300 - Steelcase Leap v2

$1,300 - Humanscale Freedom

$1,410 - Herman Miller Mirra 2

$1,805 - Herman Miller Aeron size A

$1,995 - Herman Miller Embody (I prefer gaming version)

-----------------------------------------
5'4 - 6'2 (163cm - 188cm)

- People under 5'7 could benefit from a footrest!

$77 - Amazon Basics chair

$130 - SIHOO M18 (one of the few chairs that's available in most of the world)

$150 - Staples Sorina

$150 - Staples Dexley (if you want mesh)

$150 - Staples Hyken (if you want mesh)

$170 - Staples Carder (if you want swivel up arms)

**Staples is cool bc 7 year warranty and decent reports of customer service**

$240 - Clatina Mellet

$280 - Colamy Atlas

$330 - Branch Ergonomic

$400 - Open Box Haworth Soji from Crandall Office

$420 - Haworth Breck

$575 - Haworth Soji

$450 - Andaseat Kaiser 3 (only if you like big seats and like to curl. Seat cushion is much softer than Secretlab)

$550 - Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 (people keep telling me they like this chair. I personally find it a bit too firm, but this list isn't just about my favorites)

$550 - Fractal Refine

$700 - Haworth Zody Open Box from Crandall Office

$800 - Haworth Fern Open Box from Crandall Office

$900 - Haworth Zody Upholstered Open Box from Crandall Office

$1,000 - Steelcase Amia

$1,020 - Herman Miller Sayl (gaming and non gaming are identical)

$1,115 - Haworth Zody upholstered

$1,129 - Steelcase Karman

$1,200 - Steelcase Karman High Back

$1,200 - Haworth Fern

$1,300 - Steelcase Leap v2

$1,300 - Humanscale Freedom (if you want a headrest, maximum height is around 6'1 to 6'2)

$1,400 - Steelcase Gesture (headrest is pretty good, but Jayz2Cents video shows the headrest has some serious longevity issues)

$1,410 - Herman Miller Mirra 2

$1,800 - Anthros chair

$1,805 - Herman Miller Aeron size B or C

$1,995 - Herman Miller Embody (I prefer gaming version)

-----------------------------------------
6'3+ (191cm+)

Honestly, my big and tall list needs some work. I plan to try some new stuff this year...stay posted!

$130 - SIHOO M18 (big + tall version...headrest may not fit you so remove it)

$170 - Staples Carder (if you want swivel up arms)

$240 - Staples Lockland

**Staples is cool bc 7 year warranty and decent reports of customer service**

$450 - Andaseat Kaiser 3 XL

$550 - Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 XL

$550 - Fractal Refine

$700 - Haworth Zody Open Box from Crandall Office

$800 - Haworth Fern Open Box from Crandall Office

$1,000 - Steelcase Amia

$1,200 - Steelcase Karman High Back

$1,200 - Haworth Fern

$1,300 - Steelcase Leap v2

$1,300 - Humanscale Freedom WITHOUT headrest (you won't fit it)

$1,400 - Steelcase Gesture WITHOUT headrest (you won't fit it)

$1,410 - Herman Miller Mirra 2

$1,800 - Anthros chair

$1,805 - Herman Miller Aeron size C

$1,995 - Herman Miller Embody (I prefer gaming version)

VIDEO LINK: If you guys want some more detail / want to see the chairs, the video link is: https://youtu.be/dMiE0l6ehRA

---Edit---

Video link was fixed!