The Best Editor-Tested Office Chairs You Can Buy Right Now

Over the past few years, many of us have learned the importance of a comfortable workspace at home. As tempting as it may be to post up on your couch or settle into an oversized lounge chair with a laptop perched on the arm rest, there’s no doubt that regularly doing so can wreak havoc on your posture and can eventually lend to an incredibly sore back. That’s why we recommend investing in a high-quality office chair.

Available at a variety of price points, the best office chairs feature ergonomic support, convenient design (ie: wheels and/or an adjustable height), a modest footprint, and most importantly, a comfortable (and durable!) seat and back. Since that may feel like a lot of boxes to check on your own search for the best office chair, we went ahead and got a headstart on the process. After scouring the web for highly rated silhouettes and putting the top contenders to the test, we present the seven best office chairs of 2023 — plus one honorable mention.

• Best Overall: Flexispot Ergonomic Chair Pro
• Best Value: Mid-Back Executive Swivel Office Chair
• Best Luxury: Branch Ergonomic Chair
• Best Ergonomic: Branch Verve Chair
• Best for Gamers: Vertagear SL5800
• Best Mesh: X-CHAIR X-Stack Chair
• Best Executive: TEMPUR-Lumbar Support Office Chair
• Best for Small Spaces: Zesthouse Modern Home Office Chair

There are a few things you’ll want to think about before purchasing a new office chair. They are as follows:

There are a variety of office chairs on the market, including executive, mesh, ergonomic, task, and gamer chairs — just to name a few. Where executive office chairs tend to be higher-end and often made of leather or leather-like materials, mesh office chairs are known for their more minimalist silhouettes, which still have a reputation for being comfortable, as well as breathable.

Task chairs are characterized by wheels and an adjustable design, allowing users to easily maneuver between any and all seated activities. Then there are gamer chairs, which are a bit of a hybrid, with their mesh material, task capabilities, and ergonomic design — all of which lend to a more comfortable gaming sesh.

Speaking of ergonomics, all the best office chairs feature some type of ergonomic characteristic. That said, ergonomic chairs are also a category of their own. They have contoured backs and seats to support the body, reduce sitting fatigue, and promote better posture overall. 

Most office chairs can be characterized as task chairs due to their adjustable capabilities and rolling design. That doesn’t mean that all office chairs are, though. With that in mind, it’s important to consider the capabilities that matter most to you when shopping for the perfect office chair. For example, if you want an office chair that can easily maneuver an L-shaped desk, a chair with wheels is a must; if you want a chair that fully supports good posture, opt for a chair with an ergonomic back, if not a full neck and headrest, is ideal. 

Your specific needs will determine the best type of office chair for you. For example, if you spend most of your day at your desk, an ergonomic office chair is best, as it will be more supportive. If you’re a gamer, opting for a plush, ergonomic gamer chair with cushy armrests will keep you comfortable for hours of entertainment on end. Meanwhile, if your goal is to look and feel like a CEO, an executive chair might be your best bet. Essentially, you want to think about how and how often you’ll be using it and make a decision from there. 

We tested a range of office chairs, keeping the below in mind.

• Comfort: Does the office chair have an ergonomic design? Does it help with back pain? 
• Size: Does the office chair take up a lot of space? Is it foldable? Does it work well for compact spaces?
• Appearance: How stylish is the office chair? Is it sold in a variety of colors?
• Quality: Is the office chair made of durable material? How easy is it to clean?

Throughout our research and testing, we found the Flexisport Ergonomic Chair Pro to be the best office chair overall. “This chair is extremely comfortable and breathable,” says AT associate email editor Carolyn. “The style looks a little too much like a gaming chair for my personal style but is truly one of the most comfortable chairs I’ve had. It’s extremely customizable, sturdy, and low maintenance.” 

Logistically, the chair features a high, structured back made of stretchy-yet-supportive mesh, which makes it a breathable, comfortable seating option for hours on end. And since the seat and armrests are adjustable, it’s easy to create the perfect sitting scape. That said, the customization isn’t fully without fault. “The one wish I have is that the armrests locked, because they tend to slide a bit when in use,” Carolyn admits. “Other than that, it’s a wonderful chair!”

Specifications:

• Ergonomic task chair
• Features adjustable headrest and armrests, 22.05” lift, 30° tilt, breathable mesh design
• 661 lbs. weight capacity
• Available in 2 colors
• 1-year warranty

Who It’s Best For: Those looking for a neutral, comfortable office chair that moves with ease. 

Good to Know: While this chair is shown in four colors, it’s currently only available in two. 

If you want a more stylish seat and have always loved the look of a high-end leather office chair, the Upper Square Mid-Back Executive Swivel Office Chair is worth checking out. Despite its luxe appearance, it’s sold at a great price point, making it our top pick for value. The chair, which is sold in four colors and four frame options, features a chic paneled design suitable for any space. “We’ve had this chair for three to four years now, and considering the price, I think it’s held up well,” says AT senior commerce editor Alicia. “It’s stylish and functional for the price. For those on a budget, I think that it’s a great pick.” 

Keep in mind, though, that this chair is pretty cheap, ringing in at under $200. While it will hold up for at least a few years, Alicia found that the material began to crack a little over time. If your goal is to acquire a chair that will last four years or more, she suggests looking into a different option.

Specifications:

• Executive task chair
• Features adjustable seat and swivel, rolling design
• 250 lbs. weight capacity
• Available in 4 frame colors and 4 material colors
• 2-year warranty

Who It’s Best For: Those with a champagne taste on a beer budget. 

Good to Know: Although this executive chair looks like high-quality leather, it’s actually made of faux leather, which is known to not hold up as well over time. 

The Branch Ergonomic Office Chair may not look super fancy but the padded mesh design is beloved by thousands of shoppers. The reason? It’s ergonomically designed, making it an incredibly comfortable pick for hours on end. According to Branch’s handy “Find Your Fit” guide, this chair was designed to be sat in for a full eight-hour day. The seat, which is made out of high-density foam, is on the firmer side and provides a lot of support to the hips. The chair also provides eight points of adjustment, so you can customize it to your fit preferences.

“This office chair perfectly curves to my spine,” Alicia says. “I have always felt minorly uncomfortable in office chairs and hunch over more and more as the day goes on, but with this chair, I sit upright. I also love the mesh on both the seat and the back, which makes this chair more breathable.” While the chair is supportive on its own, there’s also the option to add a headrest with neck support, which makes it even more comfortable. That said, once the headrest is attached, the chair takes on more of a gamer chair appearance. 

Specifications:

• Ergonomic mesh task chair
• Features firm lumbar support, contoured upper back, breathable mesh seat and back, adjustable height, swivel, rolling design
• Option to add a headrest
• 275 lbs. weight capacity
• Available in 2 frame colors and 5 material colors
• 7-year warranty

Who It’s Best For: Those with (or those trying to avoid) back pain.

Good to Know: The mesh of this chair makes it breathable and cozy to sit in but it’s also a touch harder to clean. Your best bet is a spot clean approach with soap and water. 

Branch is a key player in the office chair market, so it’s no surprise that the brand is behind not one but two of our best office chairs of 2023. The Branch Verve Chair features a more modern silhouette than the Ergonomic Office Chair, but it still provides plenty of back support — and with colorful style to boot! The ergonomic mesh task chair is sold in common neutrals, as well as coral, sage, and navy blue, making it a great choice for anyone craving a pop of color in their space. 

While the chair is undoubtedly an investment at just under $600, AT assistant news and culture editor Noella says it’s well worth shelling out your hard-earned cash for. “I now find myself looking forward to working at my desk,” she says. “Since I’ve gotten extremely comfortable with the chair in the last month, I fully understand the benefits of investing in your workspace, especially making it a cozy transitional space for an evening (after work hours) at your desk. I’m currently writing my first book, so I’m trying to curate a writing space that encourages me to stay at my desk past my regular working hours. Between my standing desk and ergonomic chair, I can safely say that I would recommend the Verve chair for those that work from home, frequently write, or find themselves gaming online.”

Read our full review of the Branch Verve Chair.

Specifications:

• Ergonomic mesh task chair
• Features adjustable seat height, seat depth, armrests, lumbar support, and tilt, plus a rolling, rotating design
• 275 lbs. weight capacity
• Available in 6 colors
• 7-year warranty

Who It’s Best For: Those who prioritize ergonomics but don’t want to sacrifice aesthetics. 

Good to Know: Some shoppers warn that the mesh material rips easily. 

People who identify as gamers tend to spend hours and hours perched in front of their TVs and computers, seeking new high scores without acquiring abysmally poor posture in the process. When it comes to the latter, a gamer chair is essential. And in the realm of such a category, nothing compares to the Vertagear SL5800. The cushy PUC leather and memory foam chair features ergonomic support, not to mention sleek LED backlighting that can be synced with your game’s visuals. 

“This is my first-ever gaming chair, and I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I’ve enjoyed my experience with the Vertagear chair,” says Best List editor Britt. “I think I need to spend more time adjusting it to my preferences because I haven’t quite found the perfect settings for me, but I won’t be getting rid of this chair any time soon!” Speaking of settings, the Vertagear SL5800 features an adjustable seat and armrests, not to mention adjustable tilt.

Specifications:

• Ergonomic gamer task chair
• Features memory foam back and seat, lumbar support, adjustable height, ventilated, rolling, swivel design
• Includes removable headrest cushion
• 250 lbs. weight capacity
• Available in 6 colors
• Option to add LED lighting to back and legs, as well as the option to add a custom engraving
• 10-year limited warranty

Who It’s Best For: Gamers looking to play in comfort and style. 

Good to Know: Some shoppers find that the lumbar support protrudes a bit too much, making the chair feel unnatural at first. 

*Honorable Mention: Looking for a more portable, breathable, and colorful gaming chair? The Mavix M4 Gaming Chair is the perfect choice with its mesh design and colorful customization. It’s not just about looks, though. This gamer chair is super comfortable, too. 

“This chair provides great support and has a firm-yet-flexible frame that reminds me to keep my back straight when I’m sitting at my desk,” says AT contributor Nic. “I really like the adjustable headrest, too. Overall, this is a high-quality chair that gives you a wide range of motion and lets you lean back realllllly far whenever you want. And for a chair that looks so high-tech, it doesn’t take much work or time to assemble.” Keeping it real, though, Nic does admit that the chair could roll a bit smoother. But that’s a small complaint for an otherwise wonderful gamer chair. 

The X-CHAIR X-Stack Chair is one of a kind in its streamlined mesh design that still offers the convenience of motion and mobility. The non-swivel chair is available on wheels, as well as on sliders, to ensure you can move around with ease — even if you can’t fully spin around. The highlight of the chair is its compact design, though. “The X-Stack is a compact, ergonomic chair that measures 22.25″ wide and 34.25″ high and has a seat that folds up for easy storage,” says AT commerce executive director Mark. “The chair needed no assembly — all I had to do was fold the seat down. Compared to my previous big folding chair, it seemed almost tiny. But at the same time, it had everything that the folding chair didn’t. Wheels! Armrests! A pivoting backrest!”

All in all, Mark couldn’t be more pleased with the X-Stack Chair. “Everything became so much better [with this chair],” he says. “The contoured seat (which is 18″ wide) was much more comfortable than the flat plastic one I’d been used to, and my back felt like it was being cradled by the mesh backrest. The armrests lent support while I typed away on my laptop, and the chair’s wheels glided effortlessly across my floor without leaving a scratch or scuff (which, sadly, my plastic chair did).”

Best of all, Mark says that despite the chair’s minimalist nature, it offers major ergonomic support. “The biggest difference I noticed is that I could actually sit and work for hours in the X-Stack chair without feeling any fatigue or the need to get up and move around,” he reveals. “My only regret is that I didn’t upgrade sooner. It’s actually made me feel more productive and, believe it or not, I look forward to sitting down to work each day because it’s so comfortable.”

Read our full review of the X-CHAIR X-Stack Chair.

Specifications:

• Mesh chair
• Features breathable mesh design, tilted backrest, foldable, compact design
• 250 lbs. weight capacity
• Can be ordered on wheels or sliders
• 15-year limited warranty

Who It’s Best For: Those with small living and/or working quarters.

Good to Know: This chair moves around thanks to wheels or sliders but it doesn’t rotate, in case that’s a high priority for you.

If you’ve been wishing for an office chair that feels as comfortable as lying in bed, the TEMPUR-Lumbar Support Office Chair is for you. TEMPUR-PEDIC is known for making comfy mattresses, mattress toppers, and pillows, so it’s no surprise that their office chair is also a back-saver. From first glance, you likely wouldn’t expect the chair to be all that supportive — it has a thick seat and thin mesh back. In reality, it’s expertly designed to support the spine and hips, making for a luxe sitting sitch. 

“Tempur-Pedic’s TEMPUR-Lumbar Support Office Chair has been a great addition to my desk setup,” says AT commerce partnerships & strategy general manager Yasmin. “It’s comfortable and provides effective ergonomic support. It was also relatively easy to put together.”

Specifications:

• Ergonomic mesh task chair
• Features adjustable seat and armrests, tilting back, lumbar support, contoured TEMPUR seat, rolling, rotating design
• 275 lbs. weight capacity
• Available in 6 colors
• 10-year limited warranty

Who It’s Best For: Those shopping for a comfortable office chair sold in neutral colors.

Good to Know: Since the TEMPUR-Lumbar Support Office Chair is made of fabric, it’s not as easy to clean as leather. As such, you’ll want to be careful not to spill on it, as you can only spot clean the chair. 

Those who work in small quarters know what a challenge it can be to find an office chair that won’t overwhelm your workspace. Therefore, selecting the best-looking seat regardless of style isn’t really an option. Shopping for small spaces requires extra steps, such as checking measurements and capabilities to ensure it actually fits and can navigate the area. Fortunately, we found a great option in the form of the Zesthouse Modern Home Office Chair. Made of a combination of faux leather, rattan, and chrome, this durable rolling chair sits on a base with a diameter of 21.7″, and measures 34.6″ high and 17.9″ wide.

“It’s not everyday that I find an Amazon product that fits my needs so perfectly, but the Zesthouse Modern Home Office Chair does,” says commerce SEO writer Haley. “It’s stylish, comfortable, high-quality, and reasonably priced. I’m really happy with it, and my friends are impressed too. It was definitely a smart purchase.” This vintage-style office chair has an oak-stained rattan backrest, nylon wheels, and a seat equipped with high-density sponge for optimal support.

Specifications:

• Task chair
• Features adjustable seat, gas lift, and swivel design
• 260 lbs. weight capacity
• Can be ordered with or without armrests
• Available in 2 colors

Who It’s Best For: Small space dwellers who are shopping for a stylish desk chair.

Good to Know: If you aren’t used to this type of chair or material, it may be helpful to add a lumbar pillow to it for added comfort.