An ergonomic office chair is an investment in your posture, productivity and overall wellbeing. The backrest should follow the natural curvature of the spine, and the best designs have adjustable features (such as a headrest and seat pad) that can be tailored to you, the sitter.
As a writer who spends countless hours seated in front of a screen, I’ve come to understand just how crucial a good ergonomic office chair can be – not just for comfort, but for long-term health and productivity. Over the years, I’ve tested a wide range of chairs, from budget-friendly options to high-end models used in corporate offices, giving me a solid grasp of what really matters: support, adjustability, durability, and value.
The many hours of research and real-world testing (sitting, if I’m honest, lots and lots of sitting) have led me to Boulies’ chairs, which are yet to disappoint. In fact, the brand’s nubi chair is the most comfortable I’ve tested, providing support in all the right areas. However, it does come with a rather hefty price tag. So, for something less expensive, I’d recommend the Flexispot BS3. It’s nearly as comfortable, and not bad to look at, either.
Below, I’ve rounded up my pick of the best office chairs on the market, including options for lumbar support and even a compact design that will be really well suited to smaller office spaces.
How I tested
As a journalist, I spend a lot of time sitting at a desk in front of a laptop, and I also have long-standing back issues, making me the prime candidate for testing and finding chairs that provide lasting support and comfort. I swapped out my usual standing desk to see whether each one improved my posture and assessed each chair on the following criteria:
- Comfort: Unsurprisingly, I wanted to find a comfortable chair. I looked for chairs that were just as comfortable in the eighth hour of my work day as they were in the first.
- Ergonomics: Comfort and ergonomics aren’t quite the same. I wanted chairs that weren’t just comfortable, but that created good posture. These chairs had to keep my feet flat on the floor, hold my thighs horizontal, support my lower back, and keep my spine straight.
- Size: I favoured chairs that offered support without dominating a living space.
- Assembly: You only need to assemble these chairs once, but if you’re busy, DIY-averse, or have mobility issues that limit your strength, it’s worth knowing if a chair is tricky to put together.
- Price: Ergonomic chairs are notoriously expensive, so I wanted to compare those that cost £1,000 to more budget-friendly options to see if the price difference is really justified.
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At IndyBest, every product we review is tested extensively in real-world conditions, and with as many different testers as possible. We only recommend products we rate highly or believe are the best in their respective class, based on a range of factors like affordability, quality and durability. This keeps our reviews accurate, honest and unbiased.
Our tester for this review, John Axworthy, has been trialing ergonomic office chairs for years. He knows the landscape, and notes the latest innovations when selecting his favourites. After hours and hours of, well, sitting, these are the chairs John would personally recommend, and has happily used in his own working set-up.
The best ergonomic office chairs for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Boulies nubi: £229.99, Boulies.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Flexispot BS3 ergonomic office chair: £94.99, Flexispot.co.uk
- Best space-saving design – Hbada office ergonomic office chair: £119.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best for spinal support – Herman Miller mirra 2 butterfly ergonomic office chair: £1,134, Hermanmiller.com
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Boulies nubi
Best: Ergonomic office chair overall
Upholstery: Fabric
Recommended height: 175cm
Maximum weight: 70kg
Seat depth: 44.5cm – 49.5cm
Seat height range: 43cm – 53.5cm
Hydraulics: Class 4
Why we love it
- Excellent adaptability
- Comfortable
Very clear instructions meant I had this chair ready to go in no time at all. I loved the clean, compact design. The contoured backrest locks in three different stages, so I felt supported throughout my working day. The backrest mechanism is weight-synchronised, so it moves more than the seat when you lean back, opening up your torso and hips. I was also impressed by the way it tilts you forward by four degrees automatically, considerably reducing any pressure on the lower back.
The seat depth adjustment means you can align your knees properly with the edge of the seat according to your height. It has by far the comfiest seat pad I tested, with foam that took the pressure off my hamstrings and tailbone.
Designed with an emphasis on the lower back and with more distance between the armrests, Boulies is targeting this chair for adults and teenagers, which means it’s a good hybrid chair for studying students as well as professionals working from home.
Buy now £229.99, Boulies.co.uk
Flexispot BS3 ergonomic office chair
Best: Budget ergonomic office chair
Upholstery: Nylon and mesh
Recommended height: Unspecified
Maximum weight: 120kg
Seat depth: 43cm
Seat height range: 45.5cm – 57cm
Hydraulics: Unspecified
Why we love it
- Good looks
- Breathable
- Good neck support
Take note
- Tricky to assemble
Flexispot seems to get ergonomic chairs just right. The BS3 is very comfortable to sit in, while also being rather nice to look at. The headrest, in particular, conforms well to the natural curve of your neck, so it will be cradled when you sit back in your seat.
There is solid, dynamic back support, as well as a three-position tilt adjustment to 40 degrees, the tension of which can also be changed when needed. Armrest height can also be changed, and the seat pad distributes the weight well. Working for a few hours at a time with standing breaks won’t result in a dead derriere.
If you’re looking for a place to hang your jacket or work bag, there’s a purpose-built hangar on the back of the chair, but it doesn’t interfere with the tilt mechanism.
Buy now £94.99, Flexispot.co.uk
Hbada ergonomic office chair
Best: Compact ergonomic office chair
Upholstery: Nylon mesh
Recommended height: 5ft 5in – 6f t3in
Maximum weight: 113kg
Seat depth: 48cm fixed
Seat height range: 45cm – 54cm
Hydraulics: Class 4
Why we love it
- Great for space saving
- All-day comfort
If space-saving is a priority for your at-home work area, Hbada’s ergonomic office chair is the one I’d recommend. The armrests flip up at 90 degrees, so once you’ve finished work, you can lower the chair and tuck it right into the desk.
The mesh back was hammock-like, cradling my back throughout the day, and the seat pad, filled with high-density foam, wasn’t too firm, allowing for all-day comfort. Adjustability comes in the form of a rocking mechanism and height adjustment, so if you’re after a task chair to use for a few hours a day, the Hbada is an excellent investment.
Buy now £120.01, Amazon.co.uk
John Lewis Anyday inset office chair
Best: Ergonomic office chair for posture
Upholstery: Faux leather and mesh
Recommended height: Unspecified
Maximum weight: 118kg
Seat depth: 44cm
Seat height range: 46cm – 54cm
Hydraulics: Unspecified
Why we love it
- Quick to assemble
- Good adjustability
After a straightforward assembly, I was left with a very smart, professional-looking chair made from a combination of mesh and faux leather. The backrest was comfortable and encouraged me to take a more active posture in the chair, sitting slightly forward and more upright than normal. The seat pad was firm and did a good job of taking pressure off the backs of my legs, helping me to sit with my feet flat on the floor.
There’s enough seat height and armrest adjustability to allow you to find the best possible position for any work task. The tilt mechanism was nice and controlled, and can be locked if needed.
Buy now £129.00, Johnlewis.com
Flexispot BS11 pro ergonomic office chair
Best: Mesh ergonomic office chair
Upholstery: Mesh cloth and PU
Recommended height: 5ft 1in – 6ft 3in
Maximum weight: 130kg
Seat depth: 20.4in
Seat height range: 47cm – 54cm
Hydraulics: Class 4
Why we love it
- Stylish look
- Breathable and comfortable
- Discourages slouching
- Great for neck support
Take note
- Difficult to assemble
Flexispot’s BS11 pro is not the easiest to assemble, mainly because the instructions are a bit too simplistic, so there’s a bit of trial and error involved. However, once the job’s done, you will be rewarded with a very eye-catching and well-built chair (available in grey, black and light blue), with quality components and plenty of emphasis on good ergonomics.
There is a mesh backrest and seat, which makes for a very comfortable sitting experience. I found the chair to be breathable, which will appeal to many workers, particularly during the summer months. The BS11 pro also offers excellent customisation throughout, with the seat setting you up in a position that props you up and discourages the slouching effect that can often lead to an aching back at the end of a long day.
What I loved most, though, was the arch-shaped design of the headrest, which offered excellent relief from ‘tech neck’ and seemed to really help in reducing the pressure on my neck.
Buy now £260.01, Flexispot.co.uk
Herman Miller sayl ergonomic office chair
Best: Statement ergonomic office chair
Upholstery: Fabric
Recommended height: 5ft 5in – 6ft 3in
Maximum weight: 159kg
Seat depth: 40.6cm – 45.7cm
Seat height range: 41.9cm – 55.9cm
Hydraulics: Class 4
Why we love it
- Breathable and comfort
- Easily adjustable
- Lots of design choices
Take note
- Marmite look
It’s not often I sit in a chair that’s inspired by the design of the world’s suspension bridges. I liked it even more when I was sitting in it. The “elastomer” strands aren’t just marketing; they’re all tensioned differently, so your spine feels nicely cradled as you shift position, as well as providing responsive comfort and lots of breathability for warm afternoons at work.
The recline in this chair has the grandiose name “harmonic tilt”, but it lives up to this billing. This feature means you can lean back effortlessly without feeling like you’re taking part in a trust fall. There was plenty of easy adjustability throughout the rest of the chair, too, for fine-tuning the optimal sitting position. There’s an open-mouth-shaped, height-adjustable lumbar support, which was one of the best supports I tested across all the chairs, while the seat pad design distributed the weight of the body, taking pressure off my legs.
With three different fabric choices, five different colour choices and fully assembled delivery, this is an investment chair that will repay you in terms of comfort, sitting health and very impressive build quality.
Buy now £770.00, Hermanmiller.com
Herman Miller mirra 2 butterfly ergonomic office chair
Best: Ergonomic office chair for lumbar support
Upholstery: Fabric and polymer
Recommended height: 5ft 5in – 6ft 3in
Maximum weight: 159kg
Seat depth: 41cm
Seat height range: 42cm – 56cm
Hydraulics: Class 4
Why we love it
- Stylish backrest
- Very supportive
- Very comfortable even over prolonged periods
Take note
- Very expensive
Another wonderfully engineered and striking chair, this will add some style to your office setup, thanks to the butterfly-shaped backrest that is made to move with the worker. Even micromovements, such as leaning to the side or slightly bending forward, are supported by the backrest, which did a great job of maintaining my spine’s S-shaped curve all the way down to the lumbar region.
Offering a smooth reclining mechanism and a full range of movement in the armrests, the chair was incredibly comfortable to sit in, even for prolonged periods, responding to even the slightest movement, which the manufacturer calls “personalised ergonomics”. With excellent lumbar support, which can be adjusted according to height, the seat pad distributes weight well, and the mesh offers excellent breathability.
Overall, the chair promotes better posture throughout the working day and makes finding the optimum working position incredibly easy, thanks to the many micro-adjustments available.
Buy now £1134.00, Hermanmiller.com
Ikea långfjåll ergonomic office chair
Best: Customisable ergonomic office chair
Upholstery: Recycled polyester
Recommended height: 5ft 5in – 6ft 3in
Maximum weight: 110kg
Seat depth: 41cm
Seat height range: 43cm – 53cm
Hydraulics: Class 4
Why we love it
- Fully customisable
- Easy assembly
- Lots of colour choices
A well-designed, value chair that won’t look out of place if you’re working at a kitchen or dining table, the långfjåll is fully customisable so you can add armrests if required. Very easy to assemble, the design of the seat back offered good support, and the height-adjusting mechanism was well-engineered and robust enough to cope with plenty of use.
I found the fabric-covered foam comfortable, and it’s available in eight different colour choices to suit your taste and your walls. The castors roll easily and are fitted with a weight-activated brake mechanism that anchors the chair when you stand up, and releases when you sit down.
Buy now £115.00, Ikea.com
Boulies fit pro ergonomic office chair
Best: Ergonomic office chair for tall people
Upholstery: Fabric or nappa leather
Recommended height: 5ft 1in – 6ft 3in
Maximum weight: 100kg
Seat depth: 44cm – 48cm
Seat height range: 43.5cm – 53.5cm
Hydraulics: Class 4
Why we love it
- Great support
- All-round adjustability
- Well designed lumbar support
- UK manufacturer
This ergonomic chair’s tall back and headrest provided support all day, whether I was leaning towards the desk or reclining backwards. There’s all-around adjustability with three levels of backrest recline, as well as lumbar, head pillow, seat depth and armrest customisation.
The lumbar support is particularly well-designed. After a day in the fit pro, I was surprised to leave the office without the usual stiffness I’ve experienced after long sitting sessions in the past.
Great for back health, supremely comfortable and very easy on the eye, this is a superb task chair that warrants the extra expense.
Buy now £599.99, Boulies.co.uk
Humanscale freedom headrest ergonomic office chair
Best: Premium task ergonomic office chair
Upholstery: Textile or chrome free leather
Recommended height: 5ft 5in – 6ft 3in
Maximum weight: 160kg
Seat depth: 47cm
Seat height range: 45cm – 54cm
Hydraulics: Class 4
Why we love it
- All-day comfort
- Creates a healthy working position
Take note
- Expensive
The New York manufacturer has realised the value of the phrase “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” by taking the very popular freedom chair and simply adding a headrest to enhance comfort and support. The seat and back pad contouring of the original chair remains the same, guaranteeing all-day comfort and a naturally healthy working position. There are also plenty of adjustments that can be made throughout, including the headrest, which will move with you when you look down at a screen or up at a wall-mounted TV.
Again, Humanscale’s weight-sensitive recline means the chair automatically adjusts tension according to the pressure being applied to the backrest – the mechanism lifts as you sit back, so your body becomes the natural counterbalance and is firmly supported wherever it stops. This means you can stretch your back out without having to get up from the seat, which is very gratifying for deadline days or when your inbox keeps filling up.
Your spine feels constantly supported, whether you’re typing or reading and reclining. Added to this is excellent lumbar support, and I liked the subtle scalloping on the front edge of the chair, which didn’t create any pressure points on the knees or behind the thighs.
This chair just missed out on full marks because it’s very expensive. However, I have no doubt this ergonomic chair will be with you for a long, long time, which is backed up by Humanscale’s generous 15-year warranty.
Buy now £1137.01, Officechairsuk.co.uk
Ikea Järvfjället
Best: Ergonomic office chair for all-day working
Upholstery: Leather and mesh
Recommended height: Unspecified
Maximum weight: 110kg
Seat depth: 46cm
Seat height range: 45cm – 56cm
Hydraulics: Unspecified
Why we love it
- Body weight-activated resistance
- Good weight distribution
Take note
- Better suited for larger spaces
I really liked the distinctive design of this chair, particularly the high, tapered mesh backrest, finished off with a comfortable leather headrest. There was a comfortable curve to the backrest itself, which gave a real sense of support while I worked, while there was excellent weight distribution across the plush, good-quality leather seat pad.
The automatic tilt function (which can be locked in three positions) means your own body weight will determine how much resistance the backrest provides as you lean back – a mechanism you will often see on chairs with higher price points. This mechanism also meant I could keep my feet flat on the floor much more easily throughout the working day.
The chair moves well on carpet and hard floors, and the castors lock when there is no one in the seat, so you won’t find it flying across the room every time you stand up.
Buy now £179.00, Ikea.com
Argos Habitat reade office chair
Best: Ergonomic office chair for small spaces
Upholstery: Nylon mesh
Recommended height: Unspecified
Maximum weight: 110kg
Seat depth: 43.5cm
Seat height range: 42cm – 52cm
Hydraulics: Unspecified
Why we love it
- Easy to put together
- Compact
- Encourages active posture
Take note
- No dedicated lumbar support
This mesh-backed chair didn’t pose any problems during assembly. In fact, quite the opposite – it was one of the easiest chairs to put together, although the absence of armrests might have had something to do with that.
The simple design of the chair means it will be a good fit for most working spaces at home. The curve of the backrest promoted a good active posture while I worked, supporting my back well in the absence of an adjustable lumbar support. The padded seat is comfortable and offers good weight distribution, so you won’t be left squirming in your seat after a short time.
The swivel of the chair itself is smooth and there is good height adjustability, while the absence of arm rests means it’s a good chair if your workspace is set up in a room with another primary purpose, for example a bedroom, because you can slide the chair right under the desk, out of the way.
Buy now £50.00, Argos.co.uk
FlexiSpot BS14
Best: Ergonomic office chair for full-body support
Upholstery: Mesh and plastic
Recommended height: 5ft 4in-6ft 2in
Maximum weight: 136kg
Seat depth: 44.5cm
Seat height range: 48cm – 56cm
Hydraulics: Class 4
Why we love it
- Nice forward tilt
- Good seat depth control
- Adjustable lumbar and headrest
Take note
- Armrests sit a bit wide
- White base scuffs easily
FlexiSpot’s BS14 is a more premium alternative to the brand’s BS3 and BS11 pro, offering more precise adjustability and a sturdier build. Unlike the BS3, which sticks to basic tilt and height controls, the BS14 adds seat depth adjustment and a forward-tilt setting (around 8 degrees), which genuinely helped relieve my lower back pain on longer days. There’s also a nice sliding lumbar panel that lets you position support exactly where it’s needed.
The headrest is larger than the BS11 pro’s and offers better coverage for taller users, and the comfortable mesh back keeps things breathable (though the BS11 still has the edge for airflow on hotter days). The 3D armrests move in all directions, but sit quite wide apart, so petite testers found them a bit awkward while typing. It’s also worth noting that the white plastic base on the grey model scuffed quite easily in my tests. Still, if you’ve tried the BS3 or BS11 and wanted more in-seat control and lumbar comfort, this is the FlexiSpot chair to beat.
Buy now £239.98, Flexispot.co.uk
Your questions on the best ergonomic office chairs answered
What is the best ergonomic office chair?
With its no-sweat assembly and solid build quality, the Boulies nubi lite is a great choice for dedicated home workers who will be able to feel the support in all the right areas. One of the most comfortable chairs on test, it has all the adjustability you will need to see you through your working day, without any stiffness.
However, if you have a larger budget, the Humanscale freedom and the Herman miller mirra 2 butterfly really offer tangible ergonomics that get to work as soon as you sit down.
What is the best brand of ergonomic office chair?
I’ve been testing ergonomic office chairs since 2020. I’ve found that the best brand of ergonomic office chair is Boulies (with its nubi lite chair taking the top spot in this guide for good reason). But I’d also recommend Flexispot and Herman Miller (if your budget can stretch), along with the other tried and tested chairs in this review.
What to look for in an ergonomic office chair
The best ergonomic office chairs keep you comfortable and reduce strain when working at a desk for long periods. That means your chair should adapt to your body while still offering ample support. Here are the top features to look for in an ergonomic chair.
Do I need adjustable armrests?
Let’s start by saying there are pros and cons to having armrests. If you use them properly, they can support your limbs and relieve your back when seated. However, they can also encourage shoulder shrugging if set too high and can have the effect of a leaning posture if one of them is set slightly higher than the other.
Your elbows should be in line with the desk, so, for those of us where that’s not the case, adjustable armrests can come in handy in helping you find the correct setup. To make your working-from-home space a place of comfort, make sure your armrests are positioned correctly. It’s the last thing you should be adjusting, and ideally, they should sit just below your elbow when your hands are resting in your lap (a lot lower than most would think).
For the best and most comfy setup, you would switch between using the armrest to, well, rest your arms on and going without during your day.
How to protect your carpet from office chairs
High-quality office chairs can be quite heavy, and therefore leave unwanted marks and imprints on our lovely carpets. A great way to get around this is by using an office chair mat, creating a level of protection between your chair and the floor, helping to reduce friction and damage to the carpet fibres. For chairs without wheels, chair coasters offer similar protection by protecting the space under each stationary chair leg.
Setting up your office chair to avoid back pain
First off, the height of the chair must match the rest of your setup. In terms of the tilt on the back of the chair, it’s best to be relatively upright when you can, but feel free to recline the backrest every now and again. As a rule of thumb, you should be as close to your desk as possible, so if you can, push the seat forward so the armrests fit underneath your desk.
Then, if it isn’t already, ensure your computer screen is on a level with your eye line. Preferably, you should be looking 2-3in below the casing on the top of the screen – you don’t want to be tilting your head up or down for long periods.
Finally, remember to get up and move around at least once every half hour. Long periods of sitting are a stressor for the muscles and discs in your back, so it’s good to switch up your posture every now and again. By leaving your desk, you’re less likely to forget about maintaining your posture throughout the day – anything to avoid the dreaded slouch.
How to clean an ergonomic chair
Most ergonomic office chairs are constructed from a range of materials – from chrome and nylon to faux leather – that all require a different approach when it comes to keeping them spick and span.
For chrome and plastic components, such as arm rests, you can simply wipe them clean – dampen a cloth with a mix of water and mild dish soap to tackle any stubborn marks, and be sure to dry the areas thoroughly afterwards.
When it comes to fabric components, it’s best to avoid liquid cleaning solutions, if possible. Use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner to get rid of any dust or crumbs that have accumulated on the seat and backrest of your chair. If you happen to spill your coffee (or any other fluid) on the fabric of your ergonomic chair, soak up as much of the liquid as possible and use a suitable fabric cleaner to spot clean any remaining stains – it’s a good idea to test cleaning solutions on a small, inconspicuous area, to make sure the product won’t discolour the fabric of your chair.
For more ways to make working from home more comfortable, read our round-up of the best laptop stands
