When you expect your employees to be buckled into their seats for eight (or more!) hours a day, it pays to make sure that seat is as comfortable as possible. Investing in high quality ergonomic chairs for your most chair-bound employees will pay off great dividends, boosting both morale and productivity while reducing grumbling about aching necks and backs.
Since there are so many chairs to choose from, we thought it’d be helpful to highlight some of the top-rated options to make your shopping a little easier.
1. Aeron by Herman Miller
1. Aeron Chair by Herman Miller – The original ergonomic office chair is still one of the best. The iconic design and high quality make office workers lust after them worldwide. Aeron comes standard with adjustable seat height, forward tilt and lumbar support. A tilt limiter, adjustable lumbar support and height- and width-adjustable arms are available for an upgrade. Reviews are mixed about leg and lumbar support, but everyone seems to love the stay-cool mesh seating. The gold standard for ergonomic chairs can also cost a mint, but it does come with a 12-year warranty. Retail starts at $889.
Leap by Steelcase
2. Steelcase Leap – While it might not be the most interesting looking chair of the bunch, the humble Leap hides plenty of innovative features. To start with, virtually the entire chair is adjustable offering seemingly infinite combinations to conform to each user’s individual needs. The LiveBack seat back adjusts to each user’s spine and there’s also adjustments for lumbar support, upper-back force, lower-back firmness, seat height and depth, armrest positioning and recline angle. Some reviewers complain it’s a little too customizable, especially when you factor in that the standard mesh can be upgraded to leather, vinyl or fabric. If that isn’t enough, the chair comes with a lifetime warranty. Retail starts at $755 (find it used at Arnolds for $395).
3. The Verte Chair by RFM Preferred Seating – This plush leather chair might look like something out of the movie “Aliens” but it is The chair for people who suffer from a lot of back pain. Its pseudo spine was designed to mimic human vertebrae; the 11 individual spring-loaded “ribs” can be individually customized to offer support where the user needs it most. This chair is one of the top pick by chiropractors for those suffering chronic back pain and is so effective many employers, insurance companies and rehab facilities buy it as a medical necessity for workers who require additional back support. Retail starts at $1,289.
Ergohuman by Eurotech
4. Ergohuman by Eurotech- Another unique-looking entry in the ergonomic chair roundup is the Ergohuman, which has been lauded for its self-positioning lumbar support that readjusts as the user leans forward or reclines back. The mesh is firm enough to offer adequate support but springy enough that you don’t experience discomfort after a long day seated. Plus, unlike leather chairs, you won’t end the day feeling sticky and sweaty. The chair also features a synchro tilt mechanism with infinite lock, sliding seat, pneumatic height adjustment and optional headrest. Retail stars at $659.
Freedom by Humanscale
5. Humanscale Freedom - Think an ergonomic chair has to come with a lot of knobs and levers Think again. The Freedom chair adjusts automatically to the user with no fidgeting required. The armrests don’t adjust independently, which was frustrating to some reviewers and reclining was awkward for others. It’s available in leather or a selection of fabrics and comes with a five-year warranty on fabric, cushions and arm pads, and 15-year warranty on other parts. The beauty in this chair is in its simplicity and comfort. Retail starts at $899 (find it at Arnolds for $325).
Start shopping for high-quality, namebrand office chairs at Arnolds.
