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The 9 Best Computer Chairs For Long Hours, According To A Chiropractor
We’ve got your back. Pun intended.
If you're sitting at your desk all day, keeping your body properly supported and comfortable is key. Tom Oddo, D.C., president of City Integrative Rehab and author of “The Myth of the Standing Desk: Strategies for Health in the Digital Age,” shares, “An ergonomically favorable chair is important for someone who sits for long hours because it will help workers maintain good positions and prevent the musculoskeletal injuries associated with poor posture (like neck, back, shoulder, and hip pain).” The best computer chairs for long hours at your laptop or PC are designed with special features like height adjustment, contouring to support your spine, and even optional footrests.
The Expert
Tom Oddo is a New York City-based Doctor of Chiropractic and president of City Integrative Rehab. In addition to his background as a chiropractor, strength coach, and ergonomics specialist, he is also the author of “The Myth of the Standing Desk: Strategies for Health in the Digital Age,” which deals specifically with ergonomics and health for desk workers.
What To Look For When Shopping For The Best Computer Chairs For Long Hours
According to Dr. Oddo, “A chair that is an appropriate (or adjustable to an appropriate) height should allow you to sit with your feet flat on the floor and knees flexed at or above 90 degrees.” All of the options here have height-adjustable seats, but some have headrests you can move up and down, while others have height-adjustable armrests (and in one case, angle-adjustable armrests).
Avoid uncushioned metal or wood chairs that would make it difficult to sustain an upright position for an extended period of time. Instead, Dr. Oddo recommends a chair that would “allow you to feel your ‘sit bones’,” while still maintaining comfort. Lumbar support can be a useful additional feature, but Dr. Oddo advises: “It is important that you use lumbar support to help maintain good posture, not serve as a crutch to substitute for using your core to maintain an upright posture.”
Many computer chairs are made with fabric, but if you’re working in a space that tends to get hot, you may want to consider a chair with a breathable mesh back to keep the air flowing. Other chairs are made with faux leather or leatherette, and they tend to have a more upscale “corner office” aesthetic, but they may feel a bit warmer during long hours at your desk.
Shop The Best Computer Chairs For Long Hours
- A Classic Executive Chair: Hoxne Executive Office Chair
- A Fully Adjustable Chair For Customizable Comfort: ErgoTune Supreme V3
- This Budget-Friendly Chair In Fun Colors: Yaheetech Mesh Computer Chair
- A Style-Savvy Splurge Worth The Price: Laura Davidson SOHO Soft Pad Management Chair
- This Extra-Padded Chair Reviewers Swear By: AmazonCommercial Rhombus-Stitched Executive Chair
- A Mesh Chair That’s So Breathable: Modway Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair
- A Budget-Friendly Chair With A Waterfall Seat: Boss Office Products Perfect Posture Task Chair
- This Ergonomic Chair With A Footrest & Adjustable Lumbar Depth: SIHOO Ergonomic Office Chair
- A Chair That’s Great For Gaming: Homall Gaming Swivel Chair
Good computer chairs also swivel and tilt, making it easier to move around and reach for items on your desk without straining. With all that in mind, here are the best computer chairs for long hours at your desk or gaming setup.
1A Classic Executive Chair
If you're looking for a stylish and comfortable executive chair to complete your home office, the Hoxne executive office chair is a great pick. It features a supportive cushioned back that has a slight contour for extra lumbar support. You can adjust the seat height anywhere from 44 to 48 inches to get the ideal ergonomic seating position with your feet flat on the floor, and you can set the chair to swivel and rock back and forth — or remain steady — with the adjustable tension knobs. The chair's sturdy wheel casters make it easy to move, but the padded armrests are not adjustable.
With its bonded leather upholstery and pewter finish, you get a high-end look at a wallet-conscious price, making it a great choice for anyone who works from home or wants a professional office setup without spending too much.
One reviewer wrote: "I use this chair for my home office and I absolutely love it! It’s extremely comfortable and it looks so nice! I’m about 5’5 and if I sit all the way back in it with it adjusted to the lowest height, my feet can just barely touch the ground. Which is ok for me, but might be a problem if you’re much shorter and want your feet to touch the ground! I’m in this chair for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week and I’m never sore or achy after using it like I was with my old chair. I highly recommend this chair!”
2An Editor-Favorite That’s Fully Adjustable
A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t cut it when it comes to determining the best chair for sitting all day, but this fully adjustable office chair delivers customization options in spades. Made with mesh for lots of ventilation, the chair offers height adjustment in the following areas: the seat, lumbar panel, headrest, and armrest. The seat itself features a waterfall design to evenly distribute weight throughout the hips and thighs, and the contoured headrest cradles your head. The chair spins, tilts, and has wheels for maneuverability. If you’re looking for a chair that gives you lots of options to achieve the most ergonomic position possible, this is the one for you.
Interested in this chair? Bustle editor, Danielle Kraese, tested it for four months and shared her thoughts here.
One reviewer wrote: “I love this chair. I have been meaning to get an ergonomic chair for years and finally did. Wish I had earlier. The chair is great with all its adjustable points to make it suited to your body. I have noticed I am not in pain anymore and it’s great.”
3This Budget-Friendly Chair In Fun Colors
- Also available on Yaheetech, $86
If you’re looking to cheer up your workspace, this basic mesh computer chair is a fun pick that comes in colors like red, royal blue, and purple — and you can also get it in classic shades like gray and black. The height-adjustable chair features a curved back to support your spine, and the breathable material keeps the air moving. The chair has wheels on the bottom, and it tilts and swivels, so you can multitask with ease, but the armrests are not height-adjustable. And while this doesn’t have the upgraded features or customization of some other picks on this list, it’s cute, wallet-friendly, and many reviewers are pleased with the amount of comfort it offers.
One reviewer wrote: “I love my new office chair! I chose the blue to add a little pizzazz to my office. The price was right in my budget. Pretty easy to install. You may need an extra pair of hands to assist in helping to attach the arms to the back of the chair. [...] The chair is comfortable to sit in. Adjusts easily to your needs. I definitely would re-order this office chair as well as recommend it.”
4A Style-Savvy Splurge That’s Worth The Price
If you want something sleek and modern — but don’t want to sacrifice comfort for style — this office chair is a great pick that looks as good as it feels. Ergonomic without being obvious, the highly rated chair has thick padding on both the seat and back, and it’s curved to support good posture and the natural shape of your spine. The swiveling seat is height- and tilt-adjustable, so you can find a comfortable position while you work, and the wheels roll smoothly along the ground. The one drawback? The armrests aren’t height-adjustable, so you’ll have to make do with their preset positioning. To make up for it, the chair is available in a range of leatherette options, like black, brown, and gray, as well as several understated fabric options, like charcoal and navy.
One reviewer wrote: “I’m really happy with this chair. The look and feel were exactly what I wanted, and it is so comfortable. I’m short, so I needed a smaller chair. I was having some back and hip problems, and realized I need a better chair since I work from home many days. Feels so much better after just a couple days.”
5This Extra-Padded Chair Reviewers Swear By
This high-back executive option is built for comfort, featuring generous padding on the seat, an elevated headrest, and a contoured back cushion that offers great lumbar support, all of which make it one of the best office chairs for long hours. It tilts, rolls, and swivels 360 degrees, and features adjustable height settings, so you can find a position that allows you to place your feet flat on the ground. Speaking of height adjustment, you can raise or lower the armrests, and they’re padded to cushion your forearms while you work. It’s made from faux leather and comes in two neutral colors: dark gray and ivory.
One reviewer wrote: “I was long overdue for an upgrade to my desk chair after suffering through back pain from sitting long hours. After some research I decided to pull the trigger on this chair as it offered a stylish look that fit with my home office and offered lumbar support. What a game-changer! Assembly was a breeze (I did it by myself within 20 min) and it has drastically improved my back pain from sitting long hours. Totally recommend for a more sophisticated gaming chair or an upgrade to your office chair.”
6A Mesh Chair That’s So Breathable
- Also available on Walmart, $172
For contemporary office spaces — or simply staying cool while you work — the Modway ergonomic chair is a great choice. It's designed with a breathable mesh contour back to provide great lumbar support and ventilation while working at your desk. This ergonomic chair also has a 6-inch-thick padded seat cushion for all-day comfort, and the contouring and waterfall design help reduce strain on your hips and upper thighs. With its adjustable armrests and tilt lever system, you can tailor the chair to your personal preferences. It reclines a bit, and the higher back offers a little more full-body support than the more budget-friendly mesh option.
Additional features include a 360-degree swivel for natural movement and dual-wheel casters for smooth rolling over both wood and carpeted areas. Plus, this stylish chair is available in six different colors ranging from red to lime green so it can easily complement a variety of bedrooms or home offices.
One reviewer wrote: “Super adjustable, height is great for me (a lot of chairs aren't, or have weirdly placed lumbar), haven't had any issues whatsoever with it. I do game, sometimes for long sessions, and have never been uncomfortable in this thing aside from the normal fatigue of sitting for extended periods. I also work in an office so I wanted a good chair at home.”
7A Budget-Friendly Chair With A Waterfall Seat
- Also available on Home Depot, $106
The Boss Office Perfect Posture chair is a budget-friendly option that will still keep you comfortable thanks to the built-in lumbar support. The seat features a unique waterfall design to help ease stress on your legs and improve circulation when sitting for extended periods, according to the manufacturer. Even though it's less than $100, it still has plenty of adjustable parts including the armrests, back height, and depth of the chair. Similar to the others on this list, it can swivel and has wheel casters for increased mobility while working.
One reviewer wrote: "Very easy to assemble, and the back gently moves with you as you sit - a really nice feature. I got the version with no arms so I could pull in closer to my desk, which I do when playing PC games. One day I may get one of those really expensive gaming chairs, but until then, this is a great chair for the price.”
8This Ergonomic Chair With A Footrest & Adjustable Lumbar Depth
Changing positions periodically may help alleviate strain on certain parts of your body, and this fully adjustable office chair allows you to do just that, thanks to reclining options and the padded, extendable footrest. When you’re not kicking back, the footrest remains flush against the chair and out of the way. Even better, everything about this chair can be customized to your preferences. The seat, headrest, and armrests are all height-adjustable, and the lumbar support can be moved up and down and the depth can be customized, so you can control just how contoured the chair is. It spins, tilts, and the breathable mesh back keeps you from overheating. Choose from two colors: black and pink.
One reviewer wrote: “I work from home and spend many hours at my computer working. This desk chair is an absolute dream. No more swollen legs and ankles! The lumbar support is awesome as well. This chair is worth every penny spent. I highly recommend it for anyone. I am 100% satisfied.”
9A Chair That’s Great For Gaming
- Also available on Wayfair, $101, and Walmart, $120
The best chair for long hours of gaming, the Homall swivel chair helps PC gamers get into the perfect seating position for long hours of play. With multi-directional wheels for more fluid movement and a 360-degree swivel for better reach, it's a gamer's dream. Plus, it's ergonomic with height options, an attached headrest pillow, and adjustable lumbar support to help you stay properly aligned. However, the armrests are not adjustable.
The tilt-locking mechanism allows you to adjust the chair from a 90-degree to a 180-degree angle so you can sit up straight or fully recline to take a quick nap between tournaments. This chair also has a sporty two-tone faux leather look that's available in 10 colors.
One reviewer wrote: “I spend 12+ hours at my desk a day and this chair has been excellent. The assembly was fairly simple and straight forward. Very comfortable and affordable.”
FAQs
What are ways to relieve back pain from sitting?
If you work sitting down or find yourself spending a lot of time at a desk or computer there are certain things you can do to prevent back pain and strained muscles. Dr. Oddo, a New York City-based Doctor of Chiropractic recommends performing “frequent postural resets” every 30 to 60 minutes. Additionally, it’s a good idea to relieve yourself by spending at least a third of your day on your feet. “Stand for communication work (like meetings and phone calls) because these activities are easy to adapt to a standing position without needing to worry about the height of your keyboard/desk,” says Dr. Oddo, who dubs this technique as “body-task matching.”
What is the best position for sitting in a chair for long hours?
Keep in mind that even the best computer chairs for long hours may not solve all of your problems. “The most important component of any ergonomic intervention is putting your body in the correct posture,” says Dr. Oddo. “Once you’re in a good position, your goal should be to orient your chair, display, keyboard, and mouse so that they help *keep you* in a good position. If you start with poor posture/position, no amount of ergonomic equipment will fix/prevent injuries.”
Follow the instructions below to achieve the best position for sitting, according to Dr. Oddo.
- Head and neck upright
- Head, neck, and trunk not twisted
- Trunk perpendicular to the floor
- Shoulders and upper arms perpendicular to the floor
- Upper arms and elbows close to the body (not extended outward)
- Forearms, wrists, and hands parallel to the floor (elbow flexed to 90 degrees)
- Wrists and hands neutral (not flexed upward, downward, outward, or inward)
- Pelvis perpendicular to the floor (neutral, not tilted forward or backward)
- Thighs parallel to floor or knees slightly below hips (with space below the table surface so that they are not trapped)
- Lower legs perpendicular to the floor
- Feet flat on the floor or supported by a stable footrest surface
How We Narrowed Down The Best Computer Chairs For Long Hours
To help us select the best computer chairs for long hours, we conducted independent research including expert outreach. The advice from a certified Doctor of Chiropractic was used to guide our decisions in choosing certain products over others. It was determined that chairs designed with special features like height adjustment and contouring to support the spine would be among some of the best chairs for sitting for long hours. Other criteria such as materials, price, and reviewer feedback were considered as well.
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If sitting for long hours is causing aches and pains all over, check out this roundup of must-have products to relieve some of those aches. Is the pain specific to your upper back? These chairs could help!
Expert:
Tom Oddo, a New York City-based Doctor of Chiropractic, President of City Integrative Rehab, and author of “The Myth of the Standing Desk: Strategies for Health in the Digital Age”
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