18 Best Ergonomic Office Chairs, According to Physical Therapists in 2022

While exercise balls alone roll around the office, ball chairs are practical because they have a sturdy frame. “This chair is a great option for those who really want a good reminder to sit up straight,” adds Karena Wu, PT, DPT, a board-certified clinical specialist in orthopedic physical therapy and owner of ActiveCare Physical Therapy in New York City. “The dynamic surface of the ball reminds you to sit upright and activate your core at the same time. The ball can also separate from the base, which then makes the ball part of your exercise routine.” Though it's armless, it can work just fine if you’re resting your elbows or wrists on your desk.

The Branch Ergonomic model has eight points of adjustment, including an optional lumbar support rest and a high-weight capacity (300 lbs). “This ergonomic chair by Branch not only fits my minimalist work station (plus my super small apartment), but it’s also been a huge relief for my back," SELF senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle previously wrote. "I can sit for long periods of time and adjust the chair to my needs.” The chair’s back is made with two layers of breathable mesh and goes high enough to support your upper back and shoulders.

This chair has adjustable armrests to ensure that your elbows are maintained at right angles. This helps unload the upper trapezius muscle, which commonly causes neck pain, shoulder pain, and headaches, Weyrauch says. “The lumbar support on these chairs is optimal; the support should hit right above the top of the pelvic bones,” she adds.

This office chair has a cushioned adjustable headrest, lumbar support, and chair cushion for the person who wants an all-around comfy chair. “The pillow on this would push your spine forward,” Marko says, which she notes might not work for everyone. Another plus is that it has cushioned armrests, which, as we mentioned, help elevate your arms so you don’t overstrain your neck muscles.

Here’s a chair with a taller back for added back and neck support that Marko recommends for an average-size person. “This chair has adjustable armrests for personalized comfort and also has adjustable tilt options,” she adds. 

Another option from Branch, its highest-end Verve model is made with a high-density foam cushion and a soft fabric back. It offers six points of adjustment, including a lumbar rest to support your spine. “This Branch chair is really comfortable, sturdy, and actually encourages me to sit straight during my work day," says Kenny Thapoung, SELF’s associate director of audience development and distribution. "The seat and armrests are adjustable, which are nice features I don’t typically see in office chairs. Sure, they’re not the chicest, and they’re a bit pricey, but if you have to sit for long periods of time, I highly recommend you look into it.” What's more, all Branch chairs have a seven-year warranty.

This office chair offers a mesh back for breathability, adjustable height, and incline options, plus a waterfall-edge seat that helps relieve pressure on your legs. It is a great budget office chair with a standard design, Wu says.

Kate Ayoub, PT, DPT, MPH, a physical therapist and certified ergonomics health coach in Washington, DC, also recommends it if you want a basic office chair for under $200. You can adjust the tilt of the chair (with the option to lock it in place) and also change the height of both the chair and the armrests, allowing you to get closer to your desk and keyboard.

For a more petite person, Marko recommends this Staples chair that she notes has a supportive mesh back for added airflow, with adjustable arms, seat height, and tilt tension. “The seat depth on this one is only 16.3 inches in depth, and thus this chair would be better suited to a shorter person,” she says.

The blueprint for many modern ergonomic chairs, Herman Miller’s models have that price tag for a reason. Though it's not the infamous Aeron, this slightly more affordable chair has customizable seat depth, hip tilt, lumbar support, height, and more. “I generally do not like to sit at a desk or in a chair for too long, and this chair makes it much more bearable. I have short legs, a long torso, and a cranky neck and back, and while I have many other qualms about working from home (I get bored and distracted, for one), being physically comfortable is definitely not one of them,” says Hannah Pasternak, SELF’s associate special projects director. “It’s a steep price point, but Herman Miller is a mainstay brand for a reason—I anticipate the chair will last me a very long time. I’ve had it for two years already and it’s in perfect condition still.” For anyone who has a difficult time feeling comfortable sitting at a desk, this is a worthwhile investment.

Here’s another mid-price high-back chair Ayoub likes that allows you to adjust the chair height and armrest. You have the option of adjusting the tilt tension too, customizing how much or how little you lean back. However, you can’t adjust the lumbar or seat depth, so you may need to supplement with a cushion if it doesn’t fit your dimensions, Ayoub says.

Marko and Weyrauch both recommended this Tempur-Pedic chair as a comfortable option that can adjust to whoever’s sitting in it. Marko likes its memory-foam bottom cushion that molds to your body for extended periods of sitting and its mesh back that’s “good for air flow but also has an enforced backing behind it to provide lumbar and thoracic support.” She also likes that you can adjust the arm width and height, seat height, and tilt tension all in one chair, which she notes is a rarity. And since the seat depth on this chair is 24.9 inches, she says it’s best suited for an average-to-tall person. Weyrauch also appreciates that the wheels on this chair and the seat allow for easy adjustment in relation to your monitor.

Here's an office chair that's totally customizable. You can choose from a low, mid, or high back; a fixed, adjustable, or leaf arm; various frame colors; and your choice of casters (for carpeting or hardwood floors). The key difference between this and others on the list is that it provides support without manual adjustments, thanks to a spine-looking responsive frame. “It sounds silly, but this office chair is my most prized possession," says SELF contributing writer Amy Marturana-Winderl. "As someone who works from home full-time, and who spent the last nine months doing so while pregnant, it has been an absolute lifesaver for my back. I used to get a really achy low back after sitting all day long, but that stopped almost entirely when I swapped my old chair for this one. It’s extremely pricey, but for me, it’s well worth it to keep me feeling comfortable and pain-free.”

This chair has a lot of adjustability with the tilt feature and headrest, allowing you to lean back comfortably while working, Ayoub says. You can also adjust the lumbar support feature, so it supports your spine, as well as change the height of both the chair and the armrests, allowing you to get closer to your desk and keyboard.

This mesh chair that Ayoub recommends has built-in lumbar support and is super adjustable for a range of bodies: You can tweak the height and depth, as well as the armrest’s height and width. You can adjust the lumbar support too, so it meets the natural curve in your spine, Ayoub says, and the recline feature allows you to sit back, while still supported, in the chair when reading.

Leaning forward to reach your keyboard? This chair has flip-back armrests, allowing you to sit as close to your desk as possible, Ayoub says. It also has an adjustable sliding seat, which changes the seat depth to decrease pressure on the backs of your legs. Lastly, the headrest and tilt adjustments let you lean back comfortably while the chair supports you.

Designed in the 1970s by ergonomic seating expert Peter Opsvik, the Variable Balans is an innovative way to keep your spine fully erect without having a chair back. “Visually, I appreciate the design and how it easily this kneeling chair fits into the palette of my apartment decor without being an eyesore,” says SELF’s creative director Amber Venerable. “From a comfort and physical standpoint, I love how it keeps my posture upright all day like I’m being trained in ballet. Most of all, I love rocking back and in forth in it. It’s weirdly soothing.” However, these kneeling chairs are not built for all body types in mind. After prolonged sitting, it’s possible to feel pressure in your shins, which is not ideal for folks with larger bodies. It might be ideal for folks who get up often during the workday or who take breaks standing with a standing desk.