Best Computer Chair for Long Hours 2023

How We Choose

In order to give an honest review, we tried and tested each of the computer chairs we’ve reviewed in this article. It was a difficult job, but we were up for the task of sitting in each one and we’re confident in the results we found.

Narrowing it down to just five was hard, but we used a few benchmarking features like comfort, durability, and design that helped us to make a decision about which computer chairs to include in our reviews.

Our main focus was lumbar and neck support which is essential for good posture, and the quality of the materials used also played a big part. Cost and value for money were considered and we tried to cover a good range in order to appeal to a wider market and provide an option for everyone.

Things to Consider

Of course, when purchasing anything, there will be a few things of note that you need to consider, and the same goes for the best office chair for long hours. So, we’re going to go over some key features and options, all of which should be considered before you make your purchase.

Ergonomics

This is a very very important consideration as committing to a sub-optimal chair design with poor ergonomic adjustment options can have serious knock-on effects on your health. So we’ll be looking for an ergonomic chair with adjustable seat height, back support, and, ideally, adjustable seat depths.

So, why is all this ergonomic stuff so important? Unfortunately, back pain is far more prevalent than you might think, according to the Annals of Translational Medicine around 7.5% of the global population suffers from back pain regularly. This makes it one of the most common chronic ailments. This combines with the increasingly sedentary lifestyle of a lot of people in the developed world to create a perfect storm of unhealthy habits and resultant health issues. Additionally, many companies refuse to invest in ergonomic chairs for their staff, so they go without some pretty important ergonomic features that can really make a difference.

What we need in a good office chair for long hours is one with good back support/adjustable lumbar support, a good level adjustment in the mechanism all around, and high-density foam. All these features help minimize strain and back pain in the long term, making for more productivity and less pain. Let’s have a look at these features individually to see what they mean and why they’re important.

Adjustable lumbar support

This is probably the most important aspect of a well-designed office chair and the differences noticeable after going from a chair with non, to a chair with lumbar support are insane.

Essentially, your spine has a natural curve, which is the default position when standing up straight. Good lumbar support seeks to emulate this curve while sitting. Allowing for less strain and better overall posture. lumbar support usually comes in the form of an included cushion, or a mechanism in the back of the seat that allows you to vary the intensity against your lower back to your liking. It’s worth mentioning here that you can also buy aftermarket seat cushions that will accomplish the same function as a dedicated pillow. This can upgrade a previously sub-optimal chair for a relatively low cost.

Adjustable arm-rests

This one may seem a tad superfluous, but the positioning and height of your elbows and shoulders can actually negatively impact your lung capacity. Basically positioning your elbows at the correct height helps open up your chest, allowing for easier breathing and deeper breaths overall. Though not quite as important as lumbar support, this is definitely an aspect worth looking out for. Luckily even the cheapest chairs out there these days have adjustable armrests, so you can armrest easy, dear reader, as all the picks on this list will feature them.

High-density foam seats

This one sounds a little vague, so it’s worth a quick mention. High-density foam is an aspect of longevity when it comes to chairs, we are all familiar with cheap chairs and how the padding deflates rapidly leaving you feeling like you’re sitting on the floor. A high-density foam seat eliminates this as the foam resists deforming far more, some people find a high-density foam sheet uncomfortable upon taking the first seat, but its longevity is inarguable.

Adjustable height

Shockingly enough, there are still chairs out there without adjustable height options. This is particularly egregious as it leaves people who fall outside of the average height range with no options. Given that the ideal seat height will leave your knees bent at 90-degrees, adjustable height is an absolute must-have capability, so every chair on this list will have it.

Tilt tension

This one isn’t strictly speaking needed for an ergonomic desk chair experience, but it makes for a more enjoyable overall office chair experience, especially for relaxing after a tough day of work or in between intense gaming sessions. Tilt tension is one of the few tilt mechanisms common in chairs these days. Tilt tension refers to how much resistance is needed to overcome the spring in the base and rock backward. You can adjust this via the massive knob on the underside of the chair. Funnily enough, this is a feature many people have no idea exists. Chairs like the Herman Miller Aeron have all of these things and more, which is why the cost can be so astronomically high. If you’re looking for the absolute best ergonomic office chair, you’ll have to be prepared to pay the big bucks.

Cost

The most important thing to think about before you purchase a new computer chair is how much you’re willing to spend on it. There’s a huge range in price when it comes to computer chairs so you’ll have no trouble finding one to suit your budget.

It’s not always the case that higher cost equates to higher quality, but you should always stick to the key criteria which include support, comfort, and size or you might as well stick to the current chair you already have.

Design

The great thing about gaming chairs is that even at the more affordable end of the market, the majority of them are designed to look pretty awesome. Compared to office chairs, another comfortable option for people spending long hours hunched over a PC, they combine much bolder colors with more creative designs. Office chairs tend to be sleeker and more professional-looking, but there are a few exceptions to this rule.

It’s no wonder that one of the most popular styles of gaming chairs is the racer, then. With that being said, you can also find gaming chairs that offer a more toned-down look for someone who doesn’t want to make such a loud statement with their seating.

Materials

Gaming chairs are available in multiple different types of material, and each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the most common options to choose from:

Leather upholstery

Leather is commonly used for gaming chairs due to its durable nature and the fact that it’s easy to clean, although if you’re spilling things this close to your computer then you might want to watch what you keep around you…

It’s quite an expensive option, however, and it’s not suitable for anyone following a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle due to the unethical practices behind its manufacture.

Faux Leather

For the gamer-cross-animal lover, there is also a vegan-friendly version which is PU leather, a type of faux leather that doesn’t include the use of any animal by-products.

It’s a more environmentally friendly option and it’s a much cheaper alternative even though it’s similar to real leather in terms of cleaning requirements and durability.

Fabric

There’s also fabric to consider. It’s not quite as easy to clean down as either of the previous options so there’s a higher chance of stains, but they offer a completely different look to leather and they’re often not too expensive.

Fabric is an excellent choice for anyone who gets hot and uncomfortable while they’re gaming as it is constructed from multiple materials, including cotton, mesh, and polyester, which means it’s quite breathable.

Mesh material

Mesh material is well worth considering, especially if you live in a hot climate or are prone to overheating. It can have almost all the same advantages as other materials, but with temperature control on its side too. The only downside as far as we can see is the design of mech material, the chairs rarely look as cool as other materials.

Size

You’re never going to last long in a chair you can barely squeeze yourself into, so it’s important to find one that accommodates your height and size. Not only will this be way more comfortable, but it will provide better support for your neck and shoulders.

Most gaming chair manufacturers will have chairs in a few different sizes, including small, medium, and large. It’s only recently that companies have been stepping up their game when it comes to plus-sized chairs but thankfully more of these are being released.

Comfort

We saved the most important factor to consider until last, which is how comfortable you actually find the chair. You’re the one who’s going to be sitting in it all day, after all.

You’ll need to focus equally on comfortable design and ergonomic support, and gaming chairs with adjustable heads can be a great way to fit your chair to your exact individual needs. High backs are another thing to look out for and you should also be able to adjust this so that you don’t have to peer over the table your computer monitor sits on.