How to choose an office chair: a complete buying guide

Choosing an office chair is not just about picking a nice-looking model or a good price. The chair you use to work, study or work from home should adapt to your body, your desk, the available space and, above all, the number of hours you are going to spend sitting down.

A good choice can help you work more comfortably, maintain a more natural posture and avoid the chair falling short after a short while. On the other hand, a poorly chosen chair can end up being uncomfortable even if it looks complete, has plenty of padding or includes several features.

In this guide we explain what you should check before buying an office chair, which features really matter and which details are worth paying attention to depending on how you are going to use it. If you already know what type of chair you need, you can also go straight to our selection of office chairs.

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What matters most to you when choosing your new office chair?

It is a good idea to look for a balanced office chair that offers good support, useful features, quality and a suitable price. Here are some tips on the key factors to keep in mind:

Key factors when choosing an office chair

Before buying, think about how you are going to use the chair

Before focusing on the design, the material or the price, it is worth being clear about what you are going to use the chair for. Someone who sits down occasionally does not need the same thing as someone who works eight hours a day in front of the computer. How you use it will determine what level of ergonomics you need, which features are important and how much it is worth investing.

For occasional use

If you are only going to use the chair for short periods, for example to check emails, handle paperwork or study occasionally, you can opt for a simple model, as long as it has a stable base, a suitable height and a comfortable seat. In this case it is not essential for the chair to have many adjustments, although it should let you sit in a natural posture and fit well with your desk.

For working or studying

If you are going to use the chair every day, it is worth looking for a more complete model. In this case, adjustable height, a comfortable backrest, a firm seat and armrests can make a big difference. It is also important for the chair to allow some movement. A tilt or rocking mechanism helps you change your posture slightly throughout the day and prevents you from staying too rigid for hours.

For intensive use

If you are going to spend many hours sitting down, the chair should offer a higher level of support and adaptability. In these cases it is worth paying special attention to the backrest, the lumbar support, the firmness of the seat, the materials and the adjustments. It is also advisable to check the chair's measurements carefully. The width and depth of the seat, the height of the backrest and the distance to the armrests can greatly affect comfort. If you have any doubts, you can check our guide on how to choose a chair according to height and weight.

Office chair for intensive use

Key features of a good office chair

Not all features carry the same importance. Some are basic for everyday comfort and others are extras that are only worth it depending on the use. What matters is that the chair fits your body, your desk and the hours you are going to spend sitting down.

Adjustable height and chair mechanism

Adjustable height is essential to adapt the chair to your posture and your desk. It is also worth checking whether it includes rocking, tilting or reclining, as these mechanisms let you change your position slightly throughout the day. You can find out more in the guide on the features of an office chair.

Backrest, seat and lumbar support

The backrest should offer enough support for your back and allow a comfortable posture for the time you are going to use the chair. You do not always need a very high backrest, but you do need a stable one, well shaped and suited to your height. The seat is also key. It should be comfortable, but not excessively soft. A heavily padded chair may seem pleasant at first, but if the seat sinks too much, it can end up being uncomfortable as the hours go by. If you are going to work many hours sitting down or you are especially concerned about posture, you may be interested in considering models with better lumbar support or even an ergonomic chair.

Backrest, seat and lumbar support of the chair

Armrests

Armrests are not always essential, but they can be very useful if you are going to use the chair every day. They help relieve some of the tension in your shoulders and arms, especially when you spend many hours typing or using the mouse. Ideally they should be height-adjustable. If they are also flip-up, they can be a good option for small spaces, because they let you move the chair closer to the desk when you are not using it.

Base, wheels and materials

The base of the chair should be stable and sturdy. On most office chairs, a base with five arms offers good stability for everyday use. The wheels are also important. Using the chair on parquet, wooden flooring, tiles or carpet is not the same. If you have a delicate floor, it is a good idea to choose suitable wheels or use a protective mat. As for the materials, the choice will depend on the use and the climate. Mesh tends to be more breathable, fabric offers a warm and comfortable feel, and faux leather can look elegant, although it is usually less breathable. If you want to compare options, you can read the guide on materials and fabrics for office chairs.

Base, wheels and materials of the office chair

The chair should also fit your desk and your space

An office chair is not chosen in isolation. It should also fit the height of your desk, the available space and the way you work. Before buying, make sure you can sit with your feet resting on the floor and your arms in a comfortable position relative to the desk. It is also important that the chair can move without constantly bumping into furniture, drawer units or walls.

Pay special attention to these measurements: Minimum and maximum seat height. Total width of the chair. Seat depth. Armrest height. Free space under the desk. Type of floor where the wheels will be used. If you are setting up a complete workspace, you can check our guide on desks and chairs.

Chair that fits the desk and the available space

Common mistakes when buying an office chair

Buying an office chair seems easy, but there are very common mistakes worth avoiding.

Choosing based on design alone

A nice-looking chair is not always comfortable. Before deciding, check the height, the seat, the backrest, the base and the materials. Design matters, but it should go hand in hand with comfort and functionality.

Buying a chair that is too basic for intensive use

An affordable chair may be enough for occasional use. But if you are going to work or study for many hours, you need something more sturdy and comfortable. The problem is not buying cheap, but buying a chair that does not match the use you are going to give it.

Not checking the measurements

This is one of the most common mistakes. Before buying, check the seat height, the width, the depth, the backrest height and the maximum recommended weight. Also measure the space where you are going to place it. This way you will avoid the chair being too big or not fitting well with the desk.

Not checking that the chair fits your everyday use

Before choosing, it is worth looking at the chair's features and assessing whether they adapt to the use you are going to give it and the environment where you are going to place it. For example, if you tend to feel hot, it may be best to avoid heavily padded seats and opt for mesh upholstery, which is more breathable. It is also important to check that the wheels are suitable for the type of floor and that the chair's measurements are compatible with your body and your desk. These details may seem secondary, but they have a big impact on comfort and everyday use.

Checking that the chair fits your everyday use

Final checklist before buying

Before deciding on a model, go over these questions. They are not a substitute for the whole guide, but they help you confirm whether the chair you liked really fits your needs.

Do you need it for occasional use, studying, working from home or a full working day?

If it is for occasional use, a simple chair may do. If you are going to use it several hours a day, look for a better backrest, a more comfortable seat and more sturdy materials.

Does the chair fit your height and that of your desk?

Check that you can rest your feet on the floor and that your arms are comfortable relative to the desk. If the chair is too high or too low, it will not be comfortable day to day. Check the width and depth of the seat. It should give you enough space without preventing you from resting your back properly against the backrest.

What is the space like where you are going to use it?

Look at the total width, the base and the armrests. If you have little space, a compact chair or one with flip-up arms may be more practical. Also check that the wheels are suitable for your floor.

Does the material fit the use you are going to give it?

For many hours, breathability matters. For a chair that is easy to clean, faux leather can be practical. For balanced everyday use, fabric or mesh usually work well. Check whether the maximum recommended weight fits you.

Does the price make sense for the hours of use?

If you are going to use it little, you do not need a very advanced chair. If it is going to be your daily work chair, it is worth investing in a more comfortable and sturdy option.

Relationship between the price and the hours of use of the chair

How to get it right when choosing your office chair

The best office chair is not always the most expensive one, but the one that fits you, your desk and your daily routine best. Once you are clear about which features you need, the next step is to compare specific models. Looking for a simple chair for occasional use is not the same as looking for a more complete chair to work every day or spend many hours in front of the computer.

To help you with that decision, we have prepared a selection of the best office chairs, where you can compare recommended models based on comfort, ergonomics, materials, price and type of use. This comparison can serve as the next step after reading this guide, especially if you are already clear about which features you need and want to see specific options before buying.

If you want to compare models according to your needs, you can see our office chairs category and choose the option that best fits the way you work, study or work from home.