Long hours spent staring at your computer screen are only made worse when you do it while sitting on an uncomfortable chair. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s worth investing in an ergonomic chair for your home office or study, the answer is always ‘yes’.
What do ergonomic chairs do?
Specially designed office chairs make it easier for you to maintain a healthy posture while you work, regardless of your body type or personal preferences.
"An ergonomic chair is one that provides us with certain support, such as for arms and our form, and it's height adjustable, too. It follows the shape of the spine, allowing us to sit in a comfortable upright position," said Dr Sherief Elsayed, a consultant spinal surgeon at OrthoPro Clinic, Dubai.
Who needs an ergonomic chair?
There's no user criterion for owning one. Every home office (or study corner) will benefit from the various points of support, but if you are prone to developing back pain, then it's a no-brainer. The same applies to sedentary jobs, where you're typing away at the desk for prolonged periods of time.
"In theory, we should all be using an ergonomic chair. It's not limited to someone with neck or back pain because it keeps our spine the way it should be. Otherwise, our muscles are working overtime to keep us upright. There's some limited research that says you're less likely to develop chronic back pain with ergonomic chairs," explained Dr Elsayed.
It's important to note that maintaining spinal health is a combination of different lifestyle factors. Regular exercise, enough vitamin D and a healthy weight are some of the best aids in your arsenal.
What is the best posture for an ergonomic chair?
Ideally, your chair must have lumbar support, says Dr Elsayed. He also added: "Make sure your feet are flat on the ground, your knees are slightly below your hips and elbows are roughly at a 90-degree angle. You should fill in the lower part of the chair so that your lower back is supported."
If you're looking at a screen, the monitor should sit just below your point of horizon. However, this is simply a matter of adjusting the height of either your ergonomic chair or monitor. Do note that every chair offers different adjustable heights, so comparing measurements against the height of your tabletop would be worthwhile.
Most of all, avoid falling into the trap of letting an ergonomic piece of furniture do all the work for you. Just as is the case with any chair, moving around every so often is much more beneficial to our spine than we think. "In adults, discs don't have a blood supply, so the more we move the better the diffusion process will be, where nutrients go in and waste products go out of the disc via the bony spine," advised Dr Elsayed.
Our list features only the best ergonomic chairs below, as we pay special attention to user reviews and ratings. Boost your work productivity by pairing the purchase with a standing desk converter and an under-desk walking pad. Buy your chair through Amazon Prime, enjoy discounts on selected items, and have it delivered to you as soon as possible.
1. Best Overall: SIHOO M57 Ergonomic Office Chair
Pros
- Auto-adaptive lumbar support
- Breathable mesh back
- Padded 3D armrests
- Dynamic headrest moves in three different directions
- User weight limit of 150kg
Cons
- Could be short for taller desks
- Assembly takes a while
Every joint is adjustable in this SIHOO M57 chair, making it truly ergonomic. Its breathable mesh backrest has an auto-adaptive lumbar support, which moves with your lower back every time you shift around. Lean back as far as 112 degrees and rest your eyes, while the headrest follows suit. Not only does it tilt, but the headrest also rotates and moves up and down in inch increments. Further down, your arms get special treatment on three-directional padded armrests that can be adjusted in every which way to help you customise the perfect angle. Reviewers love the versatility that the chair offers in terms of comfort and function, adapting to the user's unique body shape. They do wish that its maximum height could accommodate taller desks.
Bonus: Buy with 0% installments and pay Dh50 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year protection plan by Salama Care for Dh53.
2. Best Value: Daqian 615 Executive Office Chair
Pros
- Reclines up to 130 degrees
- Y-shape body for lumbar support
- Height-adjustable armrests
- Padded, memory cushion seat
- Value for money
Cons
- Headrest is not as comfortable as the rest of the chair
Made with engineering-grade, strong and durable materials, the Daqian chair is Amazon’s bestselling office chair at an affordable value. It has a Y-shaped body design that provides excellent lumbar support, and the chair also features a curved headrest to cushion an oft-neglected region of the body – the neck. To maximise comfort, you can adjust many aspects of the chair, including its rocking pressure, which determines how far back you would like to rock the chair. It also has 360-degree swivel functionality, and strong, mute wheels that make you mobile within your office. Reviewers find the chair great for tall users but note that the headrest only ever comes in use when they're in a recline position. However, compared to our best overall, the Daqian chair reclines far lower to 130 degrees, giving your back a much-needed stretch.
Bonus: Save an extra Dh100 when you apply a coupon. Get professional assembly for Dh58.50.
Warranty: The manufacturer offers a one-year warranty. Amazon offers a one-year protection plan for Dh44.
3. Best for Long Working Hours: Duramont Ergonomic Adjustable Office Chair
Pros
- Easy to install
- Reclines up to 120 degrees with lock-in positions
- Five-year warranty and free returns
- Adjustable lumbar support
- Quiet rollerblade wheels
Cons
- Has a propensity to squeak
This state-of-the-art chair by Duramont gives you a host of adjustment options – from the seating position and the headrest and armrest, right to the lumbar support height and depth. You can also customise the backrest tilt and its tension for the perfect position. With a fully breathable mesh back, the chair remains moisture-free even when you have to sit for long periods of time. A soft cushion seat provides comfort, and rollerblade caster wheels allow you to move around your office space without damaging the flooring. It's a chair that's approved by home office workers and gamers alike, as they say they've sat in it for hours with no back ache in sight.
Bonus: Buy with 0% installments and pay Dh138.83 for 12 months with select banks. Get professional assembly for Dh89.10.
Warranty: Five-year warranty from the seller, along with 100% money-back guarantee and you can return the chair within a period of 90 days if you are not satisfied with it. Amazon offers a one-year protection plan for Dh149.
4. Best Space Saving Chair: SIHOO Ergonomic Office Chair
Pros
- S-shaped back for hugging the spine
- Doesn’t take up much space
- Great for people of smaller stature
- Flippable armrests
Cons
- Limited lumbar adjustability
- No neck support
Your chair need not have the typical high-backed office design. The petite SIHOO ergonomic chair is perfect as a space-saving seat for a home office, thanks to its compact, comfortable shape. The chair has an S-shaped backrest that can be titled to a 120-degree angle with a lumbar support that can be moved up and down by an inch. Its armrest flips up if you prefer to use the chair without any arms, and you can make multiple adjustments to the seat height to get the setting you want. The chair’s 360-degree rotating wheels are quiet and scratch-resistant, so your floors are safe from skid marks. Reviewers say that it's more suitable for those under the height of 170cm with a medium build.
Bonus: Amazon offers a one-year protection plan for Dh27.
5. Best for Students: Navodesk Kiko Chair
Pros
- Foldable backrest to save space
- Detachable headrest
- BIFMA certified for safety and durability
- Padded 3D armrests
Cons
- Some reviewers can't get it to recline
Another chair that’s great for small spaces, the KIKO has a unique folding design, so that the entire chair can slide under the desk when you’re done using it. Despite its storage capability, the chair is fully ergonomic, with a comfortable cushion seat and a mesh back that improves airflow to the back of your body. The chair is Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA) certified, which means it meets some of the best international safety standards. So, it's ideal for your teen's room, where it will hold up to any rough use, and help save space, too. The chair is available in seven colours – beige-grey, black, pure black, mint green and more - to match your space to the tee, as reviewers point out. The only qualm is that users have trouble reclining the chair as it states you have to do so with a lean-back locking system.
Bonus: Buy with 0% installments and pay Dh51.75 for 12 months with select banks. Get professional assembly for Dh89.10.
Warranty: The manufacturer offers a three-year warranty. Amazon offers a one-year protection plan for Dh62.
6. Best Budget: AmazonBasics Classic Leather-Padded Mid-Back Chair
Pros
- Comfortable even during long hours
- Fully upholstered in faux leather
- BIFMA certified
- Adjustable seat angle, tilt control and padded armrests
Cons
- No lumbar support
If you’re looking for an ergonomic chair without all the expensive frills, this is the one for you. This practical, mid-back bonded faux leather chair is perfect for a home office or study, and works well for students, too. With dual wheel casters and tilt tension knob locks that can remain at 90-degree or allow you to rock back, the chair provides a good amount of flexibility at a great price. It even tilts back in a reclined position and has stationary padded armrests. Like our KIKO ergonomic chair, this piece of furniture is BIFMA-certified for durability as well. The chair is available in white, brown or black. Reviewers are pleasantly surprised by the seat cushion, calling it plush for long hours, but the backrest does lack lumbar support. Users on a budget make up for it with a lumbar cushion.
Warranty: The manufacturer offers a one-year limited warranty. Amazon offers a one-year protection plan for Dh27.
7. Best for Occasional Use: SONGMICS Office Chair
Pros
- Extra-wide adjustable headrest
- Lumbar support moves up and down by 6cm
- Reclines up to 120 degrees
- Good safety standards
Cons
- Some reviewers say the wheels can scratch certain floors
With extra, high-density foam padding, this ergonomic chair is extremely comfortable – so much so that your body won’t complain if you work overtime. Lock your preferred recline between 90 and 120-degree angles, and while you're at it, adjust the padded lumbar support by 6cm. What stands out about this mesh ergonomic chair is the 43cm-wide headrest that's both height and tilt-adjustable, keeping your head supported even during midday naps. Due to high demand, this SONGMICS chair is often out of stock, so stay ahead of the curve and add it to your cart today. Reviewers are continuously impressed by the durability and comfort, having spent eight hours in it regularly.
Bonus: Apply a coupon to get 15 per cent off. Buy with 0% installments and pay Dh58.25 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers one-year protection plan by Salama Care for Dh62.
Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.