What is the best home office chair?

July 2021

Choosing a good home office chair can be difficult. There are a lot of options available on the market, all with different styles, features and prices. So how do you decide?

The first things to think about are:

• How long will you be sitting for?
• What’s your budget?
• What material would you prefer?
• Would you prefer a more active alternative to sitting still all day?

If you need more help to understand the different options and features available you can read our simple guide: 5 things to consider when choosing an office chair.

This article is part of our Ultimate Guide to Office chairs where we cover the best chairs for a range of different needs including best ergonomic office chairs, best mesh office chairs, best office chairs for back pain and much more. We will also help you understand what to look out for while you're purchasing and explain the terms you'll see while you're doing your research. All to make sure you get the best office chair for your needs.

These are our top picks for which home office chair to buy.

Best budget office chair

Office chair FLEET, adjustable armrests (RRP £95.00*)

This simple, small office chair offers great functionality for its budget price tag, allowing you to sit comfortably all day without breaking the bank. Designed for up to 8 hours of use a day, this classic swivel desk chair features a permanent contact back (PCB) mechanism with simple two-lever operation. This means you can easily adjust the height and angle of the backrest and either fix it in the most comfortable position or leave it in free float so it follows your movements, helping you to vary your posture.

You can also adjust the seat height with a reliable gas lift mechanism. We recommend this affordable desk chair with adjustable armrests to provide additional support that will alleviate tension in your shoulders, but it is also available without armrests.

Best home office chair for posture

Office chair KINGSBURY (RRP £349.00*)

This ergonomic home office chair is ideal for anyone experiencing back pain from long hours spent at the desk. Although it comes with a higher price tag, it offers a host of smart setting options designed to support your body and alleviate back, neck and shoulder pain.

The chair features an air-regulated lumbar support, controlled by a simple hand pump, that lets you adjust the pressure on your lower back to reduce tension. Its multi-synchronous mechanism allows the backrest and seat to move together in a synchronised relationship with each other to follow your movements, ensuring the chair supports you in any position, but also offers the possibility to detach the seat and tilt it independently to any angle, giving you complete control of how you sit. By tilting the seat downwards, you open up the hip joints and improve blood circulation to your legs and feet.

The chair also has adjustable seat depth and backrest height, so you can fine tune it to your body. It comes complete with adjustable armrests and a moveable headrest, making it a very comfortable office chair for home or office use.

Best leather desk chair

High back office chair STIRLING, black synthetic leather (RRP £249.00*)

Our best leather office chair is actually covered in a high-quality synthetic leather instead of real leather. It looks just as good and will last as long but ensures our products are cruelty free and vegan friendly.

The chair offers a whole host of features to make sure you stay comfortable in your home office throughout the working day. The chair’s high backrest provides great support for your entire back and wraps around slightly at the sides for optimum comfort. It also comes with an adjustable headrest to provide extra support for your neck as well as adjustable armrests take pressure off your arms and shoulders.

The chair has a synchronous mechanism that is lockable in four positions. This means both the backrest and seat follow your movements to allow you to vary your posture and improve blood circulation, but you can also lock it in the most comfortable position if your prefer.

Best mesh office chair

Office chair with mesh back MILTON (RRP £135.00*)

Mesh office chairs are increasingly popular for both office and home use. They often offer good value and the material is surprisingly comfortable. Our bestselling MILTON office chair is an ideal example. It features a mesh back with a fabric-covered seat. By combining the two materials you get the best of both worlds: a well-padded seat with a supportive and breathable backrest that allows the air to flow through easily, keeping your body cool.

It also has adjustable armrests and a synchronous mechanism that allows the seat and backrest to follow your body's movements and contribute to a more ergonomic sitting position.

Best work from home chair for exercise and movement

Balance ball stool CHESTER (RRP £195.00*)

This modern balance stool features a built-in Pilates ball designed to keep you moving while you sit. The bouncy seat forces your body to make small continual movements in order to stay sitting in the correct position on the stool. These small movements are barely noticeable yet holding yourself upright works your core muscles and ensures good posture, which in turn reduces back, neck and shoulder pain. The stool’s light grey fabric finish is complemented by light wood legs – a stylish addition to any home office setup!

WINNER: Best work from home chair for all-round value

Office chair with mesh back MILTON (RRP £135.00*)

This is the perfect home desk chair, offering great comfort, modern design and plenty of adjustability at a very affordable price.

*Prices correct at time of writing July 2021. All prices are ex. VAT.