On average, we spend nearly one-third of our lives in the office. So finding the best office chair isn’t just a luxury, it’s paramount to our health and wellbeing.
In this guide, we’ve got our favourite office chairs for 2024, all with a considered mix of ergonomics, comfort, and style, as well as a general buyers’ guide to set you on the right track.
Best Office Chairs Top Picks for 2024
Top Pick: Smile and Enjoy Executive Office Chair Medium Back with Leather Seat
The most durable, comfortable, and all round enjoyable office chair is the Executive Office Chair (Medium Back) from Smile and Enjoy. It’s easy going comfort, with a pinch of style thrown in to make sure that this durable chair doesn’t go unnoticed.
Its simple mechanisms make it really easy to adjust too, but however you use it, you’ll be using it in comfort, making any day at the office infinitely more comfortable.
Premium Choice: Smile and Enjoy Executive Office Chair – High Back with Fabric Seat
When it comes to true ergonomics, which really do need to be considered, Smile and Enjoy’s Executive Office Chair range are just unbeatable. They’re comfortable, practical and offer well considered support to your back, shoulder, neck and hip, and make sure your legs are seated nicely too.
Like most Smile and Enjoy office chairs, the executive range comes with a durable metal base, and smooth rolling castors as standard too, so you get a lot for your money, making this ergonomic office chair well worth every penny.
Budget Pick: Swan Mesh Office Chair
It might not have the bells and whistles of some office chairs out there, but when it comes to buying office chairs on a budget, it doesn’t get much better than Swan. This new mesh office chair from Swan offers postural support, breathable comfort, and a well-padded seat, and it looks good too.
Just because you’re in an office all day doesn’t mean you have to feel like that. This tidy chair definitely still looks professional, but it’s friendly too. Great for meetings, and inviting others into your communal offices, and making them feel cared for.
Choosing the Best Office Chairs
Most of us, particularly those in communal spaces, are stuck with basic office chairs that offer no support, and very little comfort. In this article, we’re going to look at what makes the best office chair, and why ergonomics, while important, aren’t necessarily everything.
Comfort is one of the biggest boosts to our mental wellbeing, so making your office chair is a pleasure to sit in should trump all other concerns.
But, when it comes to finding the best office chair, you need to find a mix of back support, comfort and ergonomics, all in one attractive package. Our list below, shares a handful of the best office chairs on the market in 2024, and will hopefully put you on the right track for enjoying (and coping) with the third of your life you spend in the office.
Best Office Chair Brands in Australia
Like everything in life, there are always outliers; unknown brands, producers, or generic names that offer something truly spectacular. But, if you’re serious about comfort, and posture, then sticking to a few dedicated brands will definitely give you peace of mind.
Some of our favourites are below in a list that is by no means exhaustive. However, they are reliable, long-served brands, who all share a focus on manufacturing office chairs to suit all needs. Whether you’re after budget bulk buys, or bespoke ergonomics.
JasonL
JasonL isn’t just a shop, they manufacture their own chairs too. But, amongst their range you’ll find incredible brands like Smile & Enjoy, HumanScale, and Swan. Each of them produce exceptionally comfortable office chairs, but Swan tends to come out on top in terms of value – offering beautifully comfortable chairs, which can’t be beaten on price for their level of quality.
Workzone office chairs
Workzone office chairs, sold through Furniture Zone, are stylish, lightweight, and smooth. Their whole range is sold with strong castors that glide across most floor types (even low-pile carpets), and nearly all of their chairs have breathable fabrics.
What to Look for in a New Office Chair
Before we start drilling down into specific models, I want to talk a bit about why we’ve chosen the chairs we’ve chosen. So, if you’re not a huge fan of the looks of the chairs below, you can go off and find your own. Just make sure to follow the guide below, which gives you all the key points to check for when buying any office chair.
Office Chair Features
We’ve all heard of ergonomics. In fact, it’s one of the most popular searches alongside office chairs on Google, but is it truly as important as comfort? Below, I’m going to run down some of the things to consider alongside the all-important ergonomics of your office chair.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics isn’t just a fancy word for posture support. It means that a chair, or tool, will offer some sort of physical benefit, whether it’s posture, grip, or spinal support, and can be applied to everything from spades to chairs.
In the case of office chairs, it’s nearly always postural ergonomics. Ergonomic office chairs are designed to provide the support you need to encourage correct posture. That might be in the form of lower back arches, or shoulder support. It could also mean shaped arm rests.
Essentially, if you’re looking for an ergonomic office chair, you need to consider your own posture first, and which parts of your back, shoulder, legs, or arms are going to require support.
Personally, I tend to hunch while I write, and in standard chairs, will compensate for that by crossing one leg over the other. It’s incredibly bad for my back, groyne, knees, and wrists.
My chair therefore needs to have adjustable height, no removable arm rests, and lower back support to encourage better, more upright posture. That isn’t the rule for everyone, but just one example of why looking for specific ergonomic features is more important than just buying any old thing.
Comfort
Comfort is key when it comes to buying a new office chair. Ergonomics are essential for our physical health, as anyone with a desk job will tell you, but our mental wellbeing is just as important to our ability to enjoy our lives, as well as enjoy our work.
Comfort is a big factor in mental wellbeing at work. It can be supported with décor, office plants, and better screen settings, but most importantly, by your chair. Finding a chair that wraps you up, as well as supports you, will make every day at work a thousand times more enjoyable.
Rolling Vs Static Office Chairs
Rolling, or swivelling office chairs, are great for convenience, but can cause bad habits. Personally, I think they’re essential, as static office chairs can be clunky and frustrating, but if you like to maintain absolute structure while working, static chairs do force you into a single position, and can boost focus.
Armrests
Armrests aren’t for everyone. They can be restrictive, but personally I couldn’t be without them. What’s really important though, is whether you want adjustable arms, or static arms.
Office chairs with static arms are cheaper, and more durable than those with movable arms, but office chairs with movable arms mean they can adapt to your proportions, and provide support for elbows that spend all day supporting typing hands.
Headrests
Headrests are handy, particularly for remote meetings, offering support and better upright posture when you’re not typing.
Curved or supportive headrests with a slight lean to them will also support you at a taller desk – particularly those desks that double up as standing desks, making sure your eye contact with the screen remains level, and reducing hunching.
Reviews of the Best Office Chairs
1. Smile and Enjoy Executive Office Chair Medium Back with Leather Seat
This outstanding office chair from Smile and Enjoy is incredibly comfortable, with fully adjustable heights, and arm angles. Its castors roll smoothly across most surfaces, and the breathable back makes it a pleasure to use even in the heights of summer.
The leather seat is easy to clean, and beautifully padded too, making sure this chair offers a perfect mix of comfort, style and ergonomics.
Pros:
- Comfortable
- Exceptional posture support
- Adjustable arms
- Smooth rolling
- Breathable back
Cons:
- Heavy
2. Smile and Enjoy Executive Office Chair – High Back with Fabric Seat
Smile and Enjoy’s Executive range, as I’ve said before, is possibly one of the best lines of office chairs there’s ever been. They’re not cheap, but they’re truly worth it if you’re looking for a chair that offers comfort, style and support all at once.
This particular model, with a high back and fabric covering, is ideal for all conditions, and won’t ever leave you overheated and sweaty in the office.
The adjustable arms boost its comfort even further, offering complete control of your own position, whether you want rigid support, or a bit more freedom of movement.
Pros:
- Brilliant posterior support
- Sculptured, well-padded seat
- Adjustable height
- Adjustable head
- Adjustable arms
- Well considered lumbar support
- Durable base
- Beautifully designed
Cons:
- Expensive
3. Swan Mesh Office Chair
One of my favourite office chairs around right now has to be the Swan Mesh office chair. I always love Swan chairs, not just because they’re comfortable, but because they look good too. Not everyone wants futuristic chairs, or beautifully crafted detail. If you like simple, clean lines, this is the office chair for you.
Again, it’s not the most ergonomically considered chair in the world, but its sturdy seat offers surprisingly good posterior support, and its arched back gives relaxed support to the spine.
Pros:
- Incredibly comfortable
- Clean design
- Reasonable back support
- Good posterior support
- Breathable back
- Adjustable height and back support
Cons:
- Static arms
4. Dove Mesh Office Chair
If you’re on a really tight budget but want a chair that will hold up to wear and tear, without adding strain to your work day, this basic office chair from Dove is surprisingly comfortable. It doesn’t offer much in the way of ergonomics, but its arched back support will encourage better posture.
The back height and seat height are fully adjustable, and apart from just offering basic support, the only downside is the base of the chair, which isn’t nearly as durable as anything else in our guide.
However, for most people, if you’re just looking for an affordable office chair, this could save you hundreds.
Pros:
- Comfortable
- Breathable back
- Adjustable height
- Great value
Cons:
- Not particularly supportive
- Budget castors and base
5. JasonL Heavy Duty Drafting Chair – AFRDI Approved
Not every office is created equal, and not every task is either. If you’re not at a computer all day or need adaptable heights for working, this heavy duty drafting chair is ideal.
It offers good back support for a chair of this type, with a wrapped backrest, and well-contoured seat, but its most important feature is the lack of restriction, offering much more movement of all parts of the upper body.
The circular foot rest means you can move around freely, and maintain good leg positioning too, whether you’re writing, drawing, or planning on paper.
Pros:
- Great value
- Adaptable height
- Free movement
- Incredibly durable
Cons:
- Limited support
- Limited comfort
6. Smile and Enjoy Executive Office Chair – High Leather Back
For those of you wanting to spend a little more on a chair that will truly last a lifetime, check out the Smile and Enjoy executive range. Their high-backed chairs offer back and neck support, adjustable armrests, and incredible posterior support.
This range is one of the highlights of the market right now, with durability, longevity, comfort and style all wrapped up into one beautiful office chair.
Pros:
- Incredibly comfortable
- Highly adaptable height and proportions
- Adjustable armrests
- Comfortable seat
- Durable base
- Trusted brand
Cons:
- Expensive
7. HumanScale Freedom Racer Chair
HumanScale’s latest range of office chairs are so beautifully comfortable that you barely notice you’re using them. Their cupped seats cradle you perfectly, and their rounded backrest offers support in just the right spots.
If you’re not entirely sure what you’re after, these chairs come with a range of accessories, which can be added or removed easily, including optional headrests, armrests, and a choice of fabrics.
They’re not cheap, and there are more durable chairs on the market, but for comfort alone, they top the list.
Pros:
- Exceptional comfort
- Adaptable design
- Ideal for long days at the desk
Cons:
- Could have more durable base
- Expensive
8. You Beauty Managerial Mesh Chair
If your main concern when looking for the best office chair is style, then You Beauty have you covered. This managerial mesh chair is utterly gorgeous thanks to its crisp white finish, and tungsten-grey seat cover.
OK, so its backrest is missing some key support points, but it’s breathable, well arched, and designed with comfort in mind. And yes, its seat might not be sculpted, but it’s well padded, and offers impeccable comfort.
It’s more about comfort and style than ergonomics, but it’s still very much worth considering this stunning chair from You Beauty if you want to upgrade your office décor.
Pros:
- Beautiful design
- Generously padded seat
- Well arched backrest
- Breathable backrest
- Good value
Cons:
- Limited active posterior or lumbar support
Best Office Chairs Top Picks for 2024
Top Pick: Smile and Enjoy Executive Office Chair Medium Back with Leather Seat
The most durable, comfortable, and all round enjoyable office chair is the Executive Office Chair (Medium Back) from Smile and Enjoy. It’s easy going comfort, with a pinch of style thrown in to make sure that this durable chair doesn’t go unnoticed.
Its simple mechanisms make it really easy to adjust too, but however you use it, you’ll be using it in comfort, making any day at the office infinitely more comfortable.
Premium Choice: Smile and Enjoy Executive Office Chair – High Back with Fabric Seat
When it comes to true ergonomics, which really do need to be considered, Smile and Enjoy’s Executive Office Chair range are just unbeatable. They’re comfortable, practical and offer well considered support to your back, shoulder, neck and hip, and make sure your legs are seated nicely too.
Like most Smile and Enjoy office chairs, the executive range comes with a durable metal base, and smooth rolling castors as standard too, so you get a lot for your money, making this ergonomic office chair well worth every penny.
Budget Pick: Swan Mesh Office Chair
It might not have the bells and whistles of some office chairs out there, but when it comes to buying office chairs on a budget, it doesn’t get much better than Swan. This new mesh office chair from Swan offers postural support, breathable comfort, and a well-padded seat, and it looks good too.
Just because you’re in an office all day doesn’t mean you have to feel like that. This tidy chair definitely still looks professional, but it’s friendly too. Great for meetings, and inviting others into your communal offices, and making them feel cared for.
Office Chairs Frequently Asked Questions
What type of chair is best for desk work?
For typing and working at a computer, any chair that offers all round support is best. That means looking for chairs with headrests if possible, rounded, or arched backrests to offer some sort of ergonomic support, but also arm rests if you suffer from sore wrists or tired shoulders at the end of your work day.
What type of chair is best for long hours?
The longer you spend in the office, the more important it is to find comfort. Yes, that means ergonomics, but it also means finding a well fitted chair with a generously padded seat. When it comes to working through summer, a breathable back will massively help to improve comfort too.
What type of chair is best for drafting?
For drafting work, or any work that means reaching around and regular movement, lab chairs, or drafting chairs, are purpose made to offer freedom of movement, and better reach. They aren’t generally designed with comfort or ergonomics in mind, but some are surprisingly well adapted to longer working hours too.
How long do you spend in an office chair?
Most of us spend about one third of our lives in the office. Even with breaks, that can amount to about 9,000 hours of our lives sitting in an office chair, so it really is worth spending money on a good chair.
Looking for more chairs to choose from? Check out our list below:
Choose the Best Office Chair that Suits You
At the risk of repeating myself, finding the best office chair isn’t a luxury, it’s an essential. If you invest in the best possible ergonomic office chair now, you could literally change your life.
I know it sounds extreme, but postural discomfort can lead to chronic pain, and the vast majority of chronic back pain is a knock on effect of poor posture. The biggest cause of that is how we sit, and the longest we spend sitting in our lives is at the office.
Changing your habits doesn’t need to be mind boggling, it can be as simple as finding a chair that suits you, whether that’s the best office chair on the market, or a budget buy, it doesn’t really matter, as long as it improves your office experience.