With most of us working from home for some or all of 2020, it’s safe to say that we all have started paying a lot more attention to the chairs we sit in. If you didn’t have a home office set up prior to this year, you probably quickly realized that your dining room chair was just about the last thing you wanted to be stuck sitting in for more than the length of a dinner.
When it comes to shopping for office chairs, there’s roughly a million options on the market, all with various features and terminology that the average consumer might be unfamiliar with. Two that we think are the most important features you’ll want to have for the sake of comfort: adjustable arms and an adjustable lumbar/back feature. For our 2021 best office chair picks, we recognize that chairs are very personal, and everyone fits them differently, but we feel confident that the below list is going to work for people 95% of the time.
Best All Around Chair: Haworth Fern
Starting at $675*
We are probably biased, but this is the chair that everyone at our showroom sits in, and our backs have never been happier. This chair has a Wave Suspension system that was created based off years of scientific research, input from physiotherapists and ergonomists, and 5.5 billion high-resolution pressure mapping data points. The result is an incredibly comfortable, flexible, and supportive back from top to bottom.
Optional Features:
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- Adjustable lumbar support
- Seat depth adjustment
- Forward tilt
- Multi-position back stop/tilt tension
- Non-adjustable, height adjustable, or 4D arms
- Breathable knit or mesh back
Best Bang for your Buck Chair: Hon Ignition
Starting at $350*
This chair is the perfect mix between commercial quality that will last you for years and an approachable price tag that still includes enough features to be comfortable for 8 hours a day. There are several different options to choose from, but we recommend upgrading from the base model to have height adjustable arms to ensure a good fit.
Optional Features:
- Adjustable back height
- Seat depth adjustment
- Tilt tension to control the recline ease
- Non-adjustable, height adjustable, or all-adjustable arms
- Breathable mesh back
Best Not-Quite-A-Desk-Chair Chair: OFS Harpin
Starting at $325*
We’re all trying to navigate adding a makeshift office into our homes, so sometimes having a chair that looks less “office” and more stylish is on the ‘Must Have’ list. This chair offers dozens of color choices to match your aesthetic, can be fully or partially upholstered so there’s a little cushion for comfort, and has a slim enough profile to tuck out of the way when 5 o’clock hits. Although it doesn’t have any adjustability, it is still comfortable enough for a days work and is a perfect option for a “sometimes WFH, sometimes work from the office” schedule.
- Plastic, wood, or fully upholstered seat and back
- Multiple base styles including with or without wheels
- Armless or non-adjustable arms
- Swivel seat
Best Quick Ship Option: Haworth Store
Want to pick from multiple options and want them to arrive quick? As March brought on an immediate need for the comforts of commercial seating at homes across the country, Haworth responded by creating a completely self-service option: The Haworth Store. We are always happy to help find the perfect chair for you, but sometimes online shopping after the kids are asleep is what works best for your schedule. The store offers five chairs with a dozen different options (plus desks, lighting, and accessories) and everything can be purchased without having to talk to a single person. We’ve tested this store out ourselves and were very happy with the ease of use and quick shipping. The best part? The chairs are ready to go straight out of the box.
Looking for a whole work from home set up, standing desk and all? We’re here to help – reach out to us today and let’s start chatting.
*Pricing information as of January 2021. Subject to change.
