If you spend many hours a day working at your computer from home, sooner or later, your hard work will be rewarded with a curious backache. When it comes to work or play, having a good chair is just as important as having a computer that meets your needs. Finding the right chair is essential to ensure you work comfortably and without hurting your back in the long run. That's why it's crucial to dedicate some time to researching where you'll be sitting to work. If you're currently using an uncomfortable chair and have been thinking about finding a better alternative, here's everything you need to know to choose the right ergonomic chair for your needs.
The importance of having a good chair
If you're someone who spends many hours sitting at a desk, working or simply playing games, you already know how important it is to stop and stretch. But in addition to these exercises that help increase flexibility and reduce muscle tension , having a good chair helps a lot.
The importance of having a good chair goes beyond preventing your back or other parts of your body from hurting more or less. The true value is that it is able to adapt to your needs so that these symptoms do not worsen. For this reason, chairs that allow and seek better ergonomics are so important and recommended.
How to choose a good chair
If you're looking for advice on choosing a good chair for work or gaming, you'll find all sorts of recommendations. In some cases, what you read might even be contradictory. Why? Because there's really no single right answer, and depending on the type of activity, one solution might be more useful than another . And of course, everyone's individual needs should also be considered.
To find your ideal chair, the first thing you should do is observe yourself. Notice how you sit when you work or play, how you position your arms and legs—in general, observe your posture throughout the day and how you interact with the rest of your furniture. Sitting and playing video games with a gamepad is not the same as using a keyboard and mouse. Similarly, the posture of someone who writes for hours is not the same as that of someone who edits video or designs with a graphics tablet or while interacting with other objects on their desk.
If it works for you, here are some considerations so that you can choose a chair that suits your real needs and not those that someone tells you by falling into clichés. Because not everyone needs a gaming chair despite its proven comfort in many situations.
Seat: the key element of any chair is its seat. The comfort it provides you will be key and will influence the rest of the parts. When you sit down you must feel comfortable and for this there will be those who need a generously sized seat, capable of completely “collecting” it and without feeling that their legs dangle. If it offers a better adjustable seat depth, because you can adapt it more precisely.
Support: the size of the backrest is also important, but sometimes it may be better to opt for an ergonomic chair that does not incorporate it or is smaller than usual. It will depend on the activity and the activity itself and movements that you need to perform.
lumbar cushion: Having the lower back perfectly tucked in is something that many value and appreciate, but here it depends a lot on the type of posture that you adopt naturally. That is, the curvature in said area of the back is not the same for everyone. Therefore, there are times when these cushions still do not help as much. What is clear is that, if you want it, they must be perfectly aligned with your lower back. So, a height-adjustable lumbar cushion is an important thing to include. That or find the chair whose cushion fits perfectly with your lower back.
Support arms: the use and need for the armrests will depend more on the size of your desk (depth) than with the actual chair. If you rest your arms on the desk, you will already be avoiding the tension that can accumulate in the neck area, so you would not need to have them on the chair itself. If, on the contrary, you don't, the armrests prevent you from ending up tensing the trapezius.
Wheel: Having wheels helps to move around the room or office, so it always helps. Because conventional chairs can be comfortable, but if you are constantly getting up and sitting down, you end up making uncomfortable movements.
height adjustment: bending the knees 90 degrees and touching the soles of the feet completely to the ground is the optimal way to sit. Therefore, being able to adjust the height of the chair is important. In addition, it must be borne in mind that no matter how much a chair can be adjusted in height, it does not mean that it is for everyone. A person who asks for 1,60 and another who measures two meters will hardly be able to use the same chair, whether or not it is height adjustable.
Backrest inclination adjustment: If you work offering customer service and listening to the user, it is likely that being able to recline back will interest you, just like if you play games for hours. If not, it's not that important. Although it will always be an extra that you should value.
To summarize a bit, having a good seat, which facilitates a good posture for the back, as well as comfort when getting up, turning or moving around the work environment are what are really important when choosing a good chair. The rest of the details and aspects such as the aesthetics itself are the extras that will make you decide between the candidates for the ideal chair.
One last thing, do not forget that the materials are really comfortable and suitable for your environment. That is to say, that it is breathable and fresh will be vital if you live in hot areas or when the good weather arrives.
Leatherette vs fabric, what to choose?
One of the doubts that will probably come to mind when choosing a chair to work or to play hours and hours in front of the PC or the console will be the type of fabric used for the seat lining. Most gamer chairs use a material that imitates leather called leatherette, which at first offers a very good touch and is very pleasant, however, this material ages terribly badly and ends up cracking over time. It is very common to see many gamer chairs completely destroyed at a static level simply because they used leatherette as lining material, causing deterioration that is immediately visible.
This is especially the case for those users who spend many hours sitting in the chair. The material is not very breathable, it ends up suffering over time and, when it dries out, it fragments. The most common is that the surface begins to pulverize, expel many chips of the material and end up fuzzing the cushion over time. Our recommendation is that you always opt for fabric to avoid these problems, unless the model is made of real leather, which will last you many years if you give it proper care (hydration and cleaning).
Office chairs for work and play
The gaming chair market has always been huge. And in recent years, it's become even more so with the arrival of brands launching models with a clear focus on gaming , paying particular attention to ergonomics for that activity. Therefore, choosing a chair isn't easy. However, by reading user reviews and ratings, you can narrow down your choices.
These here are the most interesting proposals for us. Although some by price will only be within the reach of a few. Of course, remember that you do not have to spend a large amount of money to get a good model. Herman Miller's Aerons are great, but spending almost 1000 euros still doesn't appeal to you.
Razer Iskur
Specifically designed for spending long periods of time both working and playing , perfect for your desktop computer setup and made with multi-layer faux leather, foam padding, head cushion and large size for all types of users.
Another model designed for gamers from a well-established and experienced brand, this chair will also add a touch of color to your work, thanks to its spectacular LED lighting system. It offers lumbar and cervical cushions to support these sensitive areas, as well as adjustable height and tilt for the backrest and armrests.
Another highly reputable gaming brand is Corsair, which offers this model specially designed for long sessions playing your favorite video games or writing Excel reports for work. Made of faux leather, it's easy to assemble, features an ergonomic design, adjustable height, and armrests that the brand describes as 4D.
The Markus chair from IKEA has been one of the most highly recommended models for years, and for good reason. It's affordable compared to other options, comes in a variety of materials and colors, has removable armrests, is height-adjustable, and features a wide backrest that can be reclined. At €159, there are few better choices.
lidkullen
With a name that's a bit of a mouthful, Lidkullen isn't so much a conventional chair as it is a kind of height-adjustable stool that provides support when working at desks that can be used both sitting and standing. Depending on your type of work or needs, it can be either your only chair or an additional one. And it only costs 69 euros.
Corsair T2 Road Warrior
Corsair has released several interesting gaming chair models. The Corsair T2 isn't the cheapest, but it's in line with most of their models, and for those who play for many hours, it's definitely a great option.
Another option from the same manufacturer is the Corsair T3 Rush , which you might find more appealing in terms of design. You be the judge.
SONGMICS OBG24B
This is a fairly complete office chair with a very competitive price. It's one of the best-rated on Amazon and guarantees great durability. It can support up to 150 kg and is adjustable up to a height of 122 cm . Its armrests are padded, and overall, the chair is well-built. You can find it for around €130 . If you're looking for a comfortable chair but don't want to buy a typical gaming chair, you should consider this option. Regarding the tilt, it's not as flexible as some other models you'll see on this list. It can recline about 20 degrees from the vertical axis. Therefore, there are better options if you're looking for a chair where you can recline a bit.
A gaming chair with a racing car seat design, highly adjustable in height, and with reclining backrests and lumbar cushions. That's the Sharkoon Skiller , an attractive option at €165 . In this case, it's a chair designed more for gaming than for work. Among its drawbacks, we could highlight the armrests, which are quite rigid.
Fixkit office chair
This brand has several models, and we've received positive feedback on this particular one regarding its comfort and price. For under €120, you're unlikely to find more appealing options in terms of design and backrest and armrest adjustments.
Devil V-Basic
This adjustable chair features a headrest and several additional options for adjusting the reclining resistance, armrest height, and more. However, it's priced at over €200 . Nevertheless, it remains a good chair if you value everyday comfort.
Chair with footrest by mfavour
This other ergonomic chair also comes with a fairly high price tag, almost reaching €300 —although it's worth remembering that the original models on which these chairs are based cost well into the thousands. In this case, the headrest is integrated directly into the chair's backrest. The mfavour can recline up to 170 degrees and has its own footrest, should you wish to relax for a while. It features a generously sized lumbar support that can be adjusted for comfort. Naturally, the entire backrest is made of high-quality plastic. The model is available in three different colors.
This chair follows the same style as the previous one, but it includes a headrest. It's an ergonomic chair that also costs around 300 euros . Almost all the parts of this seat are adjustable to maximize comfort. The armrests are height-adjustable. The headrest can be positioned in several ways, both vertically and tilted.
The most interesting feature is the footrest itself . You can extend it completely or tuck it away under the chair when you don't need it. You can extend it to its maximum length or leave it a little closer. The backrest is made entirely of synthetic material and has a breathable design, making this chair ideal for those who will be working for extended periods. The cushion is well-padded and doesn't lose its shape at all.
When relaxing, this chair can recline up to 125 degrees , a feature made even more appealing by the footrest. The only drawback is that the headrest isn't particularly firm and feels a bit loose even when fully tightened. Otherwise, the Sihoo is a comfortable chair with a good appearance and decent materials.
Duehome ergonomic chair
One of the options that might catch your eye is an ergonomic chair from Duehome, designed to help you maintain a more active posture while working at your desk or work table. It's a great choice for more dynamic tasks, even if it doesn't seem like it at first glance. You can find it for around 90 euros.
Hag Capisco
Finally, one of the most interesting chairs I've ever tried is the Hag Capisco . It's a unique design that prioritizes ergonomics and flexibility to enhance comfort in all kinds of uses and positions. Whether you're someone who leans forward, works at a standing desk, or sits in a "conventional" way, there are plenty of options, and the design and quality are very high. However, the price is also high.
Herman Miller Enbody
Finally, Herman Miller launched its own gaming chair. A version of its popular Embody , but designed specifically for gaming, it stands out not only for its striking black finish with electric blue accents, but also for its ergonomics and details that prioritize maximum comfort during extended use. It's a high-priced option at €1.276, but with a 12-year warranty, it's a worthwhile investment if you spend many hours in front of your computer or console gaming. However, as mentioned, it's also a great choice if you're looking for a comfortable chair for work.
*Note to the reader: the links posted are part of our affiliate program with Amazon. Despite this, our list of recommendations is always created freely, without receiving or responding to any type of request from the mentioned brands.
