If you spend a lot of time in front of a screen, you know the importance of an ergonomic office chair. Occupational health specialist physiotherapist Maree Weber says the key to a supportive office chair is adjustability. “If the chair can be adjusted to suit the user, and is able to provide appropriate support, it may be considered ‘ergonomic’,” she says. Plus, with 80 per cent of Maree’s referrals related to discomfort experienced by office workers, it’s imperative to pick out a chair that ticks the right ergonomic boxes. We’ve rounded up our favourite finds and their key features to help you discover the perfect ergonomic office chair for you.
Best for adjustability: Pago Radar III Synchro Ergonomic Mesh Chair Ash Grey
Weight capacity: 130kg
Usage time: 8+ hours
Minimum recommended user height: 174cm
Invest in your own comfort with an office chair that has every adjustable feature you can think of. A synchronised tilt and lock mechanism means the backrest and seat adjust together, the lumbar support and armrests can be adjusted to your preference and you can change the seat depth for complete comfort. To top it all off, the seat is padded with 8cm of thick premium moulded foam. Plus, with its Blue Tick Level 6 certification from the Australasian Furnishing Research and Development Institute (AFRDI), you can sit easy knowing it has been tested for strength, durability and stability.
Hot Tip: It’s important to take “micro-breaks” if you are sitting at a computer for hours at a time. Regularly standing up and stretching every 30 to 40 minutes promotes good cardiovascular health, says Maree.
Best for technology: Haworth Aloha Active Ergonomic Chair Grey
Weight capacity: 146kg
Usage time: 8+ hours
Minimum recommended user height: 157cm
You’ve heard of a smartphone, even a smart TV, but what about a smart office chair? The Haworth Aloha’s backrest tilt incorporates a clever weight-activated system so it intuitively adjusts to the user. It also offers all the necessary adjustments to cater to your needs: armrests, lumbar support, seat depth and chair height can all be tweaked. Finally, its seat cushion, made from thick moulded foam, and high-rise nylon base offers an ultra-comfortable and sturdy seat.
Best value find: Otto Kronborg Ergonomic Chair Pink
Weight capacity: 120kg
Usage time: 3-5 hours
Minimum recommended user height: 176cm
With a recommended usage time of up to five hours, the Otto Kronborg is perfect if your days are a blend of office and on-the-go activities. With synchronised tilt and lock adjustability, the backrest and seat move together to suit your preference for cohesive comfort. With the chair fabric made from 100 per cent post-consumer recycled PET plastics, you can also be comforted knowing it’s a sustainable choice helping to reduce plastic pollution.
SEE ALSO: How to Create a Work From Anywhere Ergonomic Setup
Best for overall support: Pago Pinnacle Ergonomic Mesh Chair
Weight capacity: 130kg
Usage time 8+ hours
Minimum recommended user height: 170cm
This office chair gives you support from head to toe. Perched on top of its high mesh backrest is a padded headrest you can adjust for optimum head and neck support, and you can alter the armrests and chair height to make sure your feet and legs rest comfortably. Most importantly, you’ll be supported with a 7cm-thick moulded foam seat designed to keep you comfortable, even for those long days at the desk.
Best for design: Pago Aries Chair Grey
Weight capacity: 130kg
Usage time: 5-8 hours
Minimum recommended user height: 150cm
Keep things light and breezy with the Pago Aries. Its mesh backrest allows for great airflow to keep you cool in the warmer months. When chair tilt is unlocked, the chair is in free-flow position to tilt back and forth together with you. Seat height can be adjusted and its nylon armrests offer basic shoulder support. Plus, it's cleverly designed to keep the levers out of sight to create a clean and simple look.
SEE ALSO: Create the Perfect Office Set-Up
Best for back support: Doncaster Ergonomic High Back Chair Black
Weight capacity: 130kg
Usage time: 5-8 hours
Minimum recommended user height: 170cm
With a high backrest, the J.Burrows Doncaster provides support for both your upper and lower back to help encourage good posture. Easily adjust its height, back and seat tilt using its three-lever system. On the seat, six centimetres of moulded foam retains its shape and plushness for longer.
Hot Tip: When choosing an office chair, it’s important to consider if it will encourage “a neutral midline posture”, says Maree. To ensure a neutral posture, your ears need to be in line with your shoulders and your head in line with the centre of your core.
Best all-rounder: J.Burrows Halifax Ergonomic Chair Grey/White
Weight capacity: 135kg
Usage time: 5-8 hours
Minimum recommended user height: 163cm
The J.Burrows Halifax has all the essential adjustments you need in an ergonomic chair. In addition to chair height, it has chair tilt and armrest height adjustments to ensure you are seated comfortably throughout the day. Its grey and white colour scheme gives it a smart, clean look that will suit any space.
Best for seat padding: Washington Ergonomic Chair Grey Fabric
Weight capacity: 130kg
Usage time: 8+ hours
Minimum recommended user height: 185cm
Your comfort is this chair’s priority. The seat of the J.Burrows Washington has a generous 11cm layer of foam and coil springs to help maintain shape and ensure maximum comfort. The Washington has all the necessary ergonomic functions including adjustable chair height, seat and back tilt, and adjustable armrests.
SEE ALSO: 6 Desk Stretches to Ease Muscle Tension
Best for adjustability: Pago Sky Ergonomic Chair Blue
Weight capacity: 130kg
Usage time: 8+ hours
Minimum recommended user height: 168cm
The Pago Sky may look sweet but it’s serious about its ergonomics. The chair has a curved profile with built-in lumbar support to help you maintain a neutral posture, and you can easily adjust chair height and tilt to your liking. The armrests are also adjustable; you can move them back and forth as well as rotate them in or outwards for better arm and shoulder support. The Pago Sky also has an AFRDI Blue Tick Level 6 certification, meaning it has been tested for strength, durability and stability, and is ideal for heavy commercial use.
Best for colour choices: Pago Zeke Ergonomic Chair Red
Weight capacity: 130kg
Usage time: 8+ hours
Minimum recommended user height: 153cm
Featuring Posturesure®, the Pago Zeke synchronises its tilt and tension functions to intuitively adapt to the user’s needs. The backrest has built-in lumbar support and is wrapped in a thick woven mesh, adding a knitted texture that looks and feels amazing. The seat is designed with a curved, waterfall edge to help improve blood flow and thanks to 9.5cm of moulded foam, your seat will retain its shape for longer. Plus, it is AFRDI Blue Tick Level 6 certified, making it a great option for commercial use.
Design your own ergonomic office chair
Still looking for something that feels like it’s made just for you? We’ve got just the thing: design your own chair and have it delivered straight to your door. Choose everything from backrest style right down to the chair base to ensure complete comfort. You can even make your very own desk to go with it.
For added support…
What will help with my posture? Lumbar support helps correct your posture. This works by encouraging the natural inward curve in your lower back, also known as lumbar spine.
How can I help with blood flow while I’m sitting? In addition to choosing a good chair and taking micro-breaks, footrests can help with circulation while seated. Having your feet and legs slightly elevated can help improve circulation and blood flow as well as aiding posture and comfort.
How is a seat cushion ergonomic? It all comes back to good posture. Adding a seat cushion on top of your chair can improve postural alignment and help with adjusting your seat height and hip position. A cushion will also add that extra bit of comfort, and who doesn’t love being comfortable?
