675 reviews
Ergonomic office chair purchasing advice: how to choose the right product
- What You Need to Know
- Ergonomic office chairs help to achieve a healthy sitting position and thus prevent back problems.
- Adjustable parts such as the backrest, seat or headrest help to find the ideal and most comfortable sitting position.
- Different versions range from office swivel chairs to executive chairs and models for the gaming sector to special designs for people with back problems.
- Mechanisms built into the chair facilitate movement during work and prevent overly static sitting for long periods of time.
The ergonomic office chair – not only for the office
It is not only since 2020 that many people spend their working hours in their own homes. More and more people are moving their workplace into their own four walls. The home office has a lot of advantages. However, people often work at home at the kitchen table or on the sofa. Ergonomics are neglected in the process. Just as in the office, the following applies in the home office: if you want to stay healthy in the long term when working at a computer, you need a well-furnished workplace. An important detail is the seating. There is no way around a suitable office chair.
Sitting at a desk or in front of a computer for long periods of time damages many parts of the body. The wrong posture or unsuitable seating furniture can be particularly conducive to this. Since we spend a large part of the day sitting anyway, but the body also needs activity in everyday life, we must actively prevent muscular or circulatory diseases. On the one hand, this can be achieved with sufficient exercise, also around working hours, and on the other hand, an ergonomic office chair provides relief. According to a study by the German Sport University Cologne, people with office jobs spend an average of eleven hours a day sitting. People who earn their money with streaming or e-sports spend up to twelve hours a day just sitting at the computer. Therefore, the range of special gaming chairs has been growing for several years.
What makes an ergonomic office chair?
Ergonomic chair models are individually adjustable at various points to ensure greater sitting comfort and prevent physical ailments. Adjustable seat, backrest and armrest help the user to adopt a healthy position. The castors on the feet of the chairs are made of different materials, each suitable for a different surface. The cover of the seat and backrest surfaces also satisfy different requirements. If you sit in the chair for eight hours a day, you should choose a more robust material than someone who sits in it only sporadically or for shorter periods of time.
Preventing back problems with flexibility
Especially people who suffer from back problems or who want to prevent them have high demands on their seating. A flexible seat, for example, strengthens the back muscles, and people with intervertebral disc problems can use swivel chairs that have a special seat. An ergonomic design prevents poor posture and avoids sitting incorrectly. An optimal sitting position reduces fatigue and tension – this increases the ability to concentrate. The reduced strain makes it easier to work, which ultimately results in a higher working speed.
If this work equipment is selected in a way that is suitable for the back, not only are unpleasant complaints prevented, but existing ailments can also be alleviated. A chair that is correctly adjusted in its many components helps to correct an incorrect back posture. But be careful: on the other hand, this also means that the wrong office chair and a wrong sitting posture have the opposite effect. If the backrest is set at the wrong angle, back pain can quickly develop. Generally speaking, however, gentle sitting alone does not keep you healthy. In principle, experts recommend moving around the workplace as often as possible.
Where does an ergonomic office chair need to be adjustable?
The first thing to consider when buying: the more parts that are adjustable, the greater the likelihood of optimal comfort and adjustment to . Most office chairs have a lot of individual parts that can be moved: Backrest, seat, armrest or lumbar support. Almost all components can be adjusted in height, length or inclination so that people of different heights could sit comfortably on the office chair and ergonomically beneficial sitting is possible. If you sit up straight and notice that your arms are out of place or that something is pressing uncomfortably on your back, you have not adjusted your seat properly.
Seat height
For people between 1.50 and 1.90 metres tall, a seat height of between 47 and 60 centimetres is recommended. If you are taller, you should make sure that the seat can be adjusted to a height of 68 centimetres. A gas spring in the chair leg provides the height adjustment. In an upright sitting position, the user must be able to place both soles of the feet on the floor while at the same time the lower and upper thighs each form an angle of slightly more than 90 degrees. The thigh slopes slightly towards the knee. The forearms must be able to be placed comfortably on their backrests, while they are also at a right angle to the upper arms. Once the perfect sitting position has been found, the height should still have a margin in both directions.
Seating surface
Suspension in the seat is recommended. On the one hand, it makes it easier to stand up, and on the other, it cushions the body weight when sitting down. Some modern models have a seat that can also be moved to the sides, which promotes the back muscles. Experts refer to this as dynamic sitting because the body involuntarily remains in motion. This can be a rocking, bouncing or slight swaying – in any case, it ensures that the body never remains completely motionless and the user does not slide into passivity. Even the best sitting position is of no use if the user remains rigidly in it. Recommended: When the back is firmly against the backrest with the seat upright, there is ideally still about five centimetres of space between the edge of the seat and the back of the knee. It is recommended that the seat depth can be adjusted by up to ten centimetres. The seat should not be higher towards the back, as this would cause the body to slide forward, perhaps unnoticed.
Armrests
There are various options for modifying the armrests. To prevent pain and incorrect posture, the shoulders should be relieved. Ideally, the upper and lower arms should form a right angle, but at the same time they should neither spread too far from the body nor be too tight. Therefore, the armrests must be adjustable not only in height but also to the sides. The length should roughly correspond to the length of the forearm. If the armrests are too long, it is no longer possible to roll close to the desk. Some models have so-called 4-D armrests that can be adjusted not only in height, length and width, but also radially in all directions. Last but not least, it is important to ensure that they are stable, as they often serve as a stand-up aid.
Backrest
In general, it is recommended to look for a rather wide backrest that reaches up to the shoulder blades. If it becomes narrower towards the top and is slightly rounded backwards at the upper end, the user can stretch and lean backwards without being disturbed by part of the backrest. A synchro-mechanism in the backrest allows the owner to recline comfortably, which is sometimes permitted even in the most stressful working day. The mechanism adjusts the position ergonomically, which is not only comfortable but also promotes blood circulation. If a headrest is available, it should also be adjustable; in height as well as forwards and backwards. This allows the head to rest comfortably. Alternatively, some people find a neck support comfortable.
What is a lumbar support?
The lumbar support is located on the lower part of the backrest and can be adjusted either together with the backrest or separately. It supports the spine, which is slightly curved inwards in the lower part of the body. It is important that it is individually adjustable because the lumbar vertebrae also sit higher up or lower down, depending on body size. The correct position ensures a comfortable seat in an upright position and relaxes the back muscles. The backrest thus adapts to the shape of a healthy spine and holds it in place. The support works best when it is adjusted on the lower iliac crest, approximately at the level of the girdle. Some models also offer adjustability in the amount of pressure. If the lumbar support exerts a slightly noticeable pressure without being uncomfortable, it provides good support for the spine when the back is lying flat.
A chair for every occasion
Comfortable and ergonomic office and desk chairs come in a variety of designs. The classic office swivel chair is the smallest of these. It is covered with fabric and sometimes fully upholstered. A special mesh fabric is suitable for more comfortable work in summer because the heat can escape better. A fully upholstered chair, on the other hand, is much softer and warmer.
So-called executive chairs are covered with leather or imitation leather and have a much larger and wider backrest. Due to their expansive dimensions, they are more suitable for spacious individual offices or home offices. The special gaming chairs made of imitation leather usually have a racing look, which gives them a modern and dynamic appearance. They are optimised for long periods of sitting and are therefore perfect for gamers and streamers, but also for working from home. Manufacturers such as DXRacer, Recaro or GT Player have specialised in these products.
There are also special swivel chairs for children. These are much smaller, but should be equipped with the same adjustment options as chairs for adults. Even though children generally spend less time on them than people with office and desk jobs, it is important that parents pay the same attention to ergonomic requirements here. This ensures that the little ones grow out of sitting with a healthy posture right away and that malpositions do not form early on. A correct sitting posture for children has the same characteristics as for adults. However, parents should make sure that the seat height and backrest can be adjusted within a wide range so that the chair “grows” with the child. It would be annoying if a lot of money is invested in an ergonomic office chair and the child can no longer sit on it properly after a relatively short time.
Support and movement through the right mechanism
The synchronous mechanism (or point synchronous mechanism) is a concept in which first the backrest and then, with some delay, the seat surface move when the user leans back. The aim is that the body does not remain permanently forced into a 90-degree posture, but is stretched and the blood circulation is stimulated. Especially the vertebrae in the lower part of the spine need this support to prevent bad posture. The two elements of the office chair adapt to the movement of the body without it slipping off the seat. Since this also keeps the feet on the floor, it prevents the hips from shifting. The synchronous mechanism is the most common mechanism used in desk chairs, although many manufacturers use their own name for it.
A permanent mechanism (also called permanent contact mechanism), in which the backrest moves but the seat remains rigid, is hardly ever used today. This is the best way to adopt a reclined sitting posture. By alternating between an upright and a more relaxed sitting posture, the intervertebral discs are better supplied with nutrients.
With the rocker mechanism, which is usually operated by a lever, the backrest is also tilted backwards. However, the angle between the seat and the backrest does not change. Whether this mechanism is beneficial to health is, however, controversial. The spine is not designed to remain in the same position and the intervertebral discs also need regular movement. The fact is, however, that the lumbar vertebrae remain in contact with the lumbar support during the rocking function. The feet, however, lose firm contact with the floor as the seat surface tilts slightly upwards.
The sensitivity of the mechanism should in all cases be adjusted to the weight of the user. The less he feels his change of position, the better. If the user falls backwards when he or she only wants to lean back, the mechanism is set too loosely. If too much force has to be applied, it is too rigid. There is no one perfect mechanism; the bottom line is that you should aim to get into a comfortable sitting position and still be able to work in an upright seat.
Dynamic sitting does not refer to the mechanics of how the backrest or seat can be adjusted, but it is a very innovative concept in terms of ergonomics in office chairs. Manufacturers such as TrendGo Swooper or Haider Bioswing have installed a ball joint in the base of their models. This creates a seating system that reacts to small movements of the user. The user, in turn, controls it – actively or unconsciously. In this way, the chair prevents the user from remaining too rigid and immobile. The mechanism is installed in office chairs and executive chairs, but also in stools and standing seats.
The right castors for different floors
There are harder and softer castors for different types of floors. As a rule, they can also be distinguished by colour. On soft carpeted floors, hard, black castors can be used without hesitation. Softer versions are suitable for hard surfaces such as wood or laminate. They have a light rubber coating and are gentle on the floor. The harder plastic castors could leave unsightly scratch marks. If you want to be absolutely sure, you also have the option of getting a special, transparent protective mat. Some manufacturers also promise universal castors that are suitable for any surface, for example Ikea’s models.
The base of the office chairs is usually made of plastic, aluminium or metal. Experts recommend five castors, as this ensures the highest stability and there is no danger of losing balance. The chair must be able to withstand a lot of stress and be stable and reliable even after years of use. The TÜV or GS seal certifies the office chair as being of high quality, so that the potential buyer can be sure of purchasing a high-quality product. When it comes to plastic processing, however, it is worth taking a closer look, because some manufacturers unfortunately still do not pay conscientious attention to avoiding harmful substances altogether. This is another reason why a product test is important, as parts containing harmful ingredients can cause the item to fail.
What should an ergonomic office chair cost?
There are certainly representatives in the price segment between 100 and 300 euros that fulfil their function well. Inexpensive models can be absolutely sufficient for sporadic use. However, depending on the area of application or the length of time spent sitting, it is important to consider whether it might not be worth digging deeper into your pockets in the long run. Anyone who spends a third of the day on a walking desk chair would do well to pay enough attention to quality and the demands on their own health. This applies to the wear and tear of the mechanisms used, but also to the upholstery and the material of the covers. Make sure that they will withstand sufficient stress and friction.
However, even the highest quality office chair will eventually wear out – the material will thin, springs and lever mechanisms will wear out, and the castors will no longer run smoothly. Therefore, before buying a chair, the buyer could check whether individual parts can be reordered so that he or she does not have to buy a complete new chair at the first flaw. Some manufacturers offer removable covers or cushions so that they can be cleaned more easily or replaced if necessary. The castors can also usually be changed and make the chair suitable for a different surface.
