It’s no secret that many of us spend a large part of each day sitting at a desk. If this is something you’re familiar with, you probably agree that having an uncomfortable computer chair is part of what makes you dread your workday. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be this way. Nowadays, we are overcome with the vast amount of options available for any product we want to purchase, and the market for computer chairs is no different.
If you’re looking to buy a new office chair, you may be intimated by the sheer volume of chair manufacturers that are out there today. Between different fabrics and styles and a slate of promises that a chair can fix your posture or boost your productivity, you may be left questioning how much of that is really true, and what makes a good computer chair. Essentially–what do you really need to prioritize when making this purchase?
Why Reading This Computer Chair Buying Guide Is So Important
Buying the right computer chair that is ergonomic, made of quality materials, and isn’t an eyesore is not an easy task. What’s more, the marketplace today is flooded with computer chair companies that claim to be good for your posture and made of lasting materials, only to result in a sore back and ripped fabrics early on.
For those of us working at a desk for the majority of each day, finding a good computer chair that meets all your needs cannot be understated. In the following computer chair buying guide, we’ll discuss what makes a good computer chair, and point out the areas where you shouldn’t compromise when you’re out searching for new office furniture.
What Makes A Good Computer Chair: Buying Guide
There are a number of factors to keep in mind when looking to buy a new office chair. We’ve found that what makes a good computer chair includes features like ergonomic support, adjustable components, durable materials, good style, and a long warranty, all of which we will discuss in more detail here below.
Ergonomic Support
If you’ve been in the market for a new computer chair for a while now, or any type of furniture for that matter, you may have come across the word “ergonomic” and didn’t quite know what that meant. In simple terms, a design is considered ergonomic when it can increase comfort and efficiency in the workplace.
Most of the time, being ergonomic means that a piece of furniture is adjustable and can fit to the unique dimensions of a person’s body, in addition to being made out of comfortable and supportive materials. We will dig more into adjustable components later on in this computer chair buying guide, though it is an important aspect to be aware of when you’re shopping for ergonomic furniture of any kind. After all, an ergonomic design is one of the things that separates the best computer chair from the rest.
While many chairmakers may claim to be ergonomic and promote good posture, you need to make sure that the one you’re looking to purchase can actually bring about those promised health benefits. Quality ergonomic chairs can in fact support and improve your posture–which is an important benefit given that many people spend about a third of their days sitting in a computer chair!
Ergonomic computer chairs typically extend all the way up the spine with built-in lumbar support and a headrest, which helps prevent neck strain and improves posture. With adjustable seat height, armrests, seat depth, and more, ergonomic chairs can help prevent a variety of health issues, including misaligned hips, rounded shoulders, cervical spine strain, and can even improve heart health and overall productivity.
Adjustable Components
No two people are exactly alike, so it makes sense that a chair built with just one set of dimensions would not produce the same results for all purchasers of varying heights and body shapes. Additionally, everyone has different preferences and needs when it comes to back support, chair height, and more. What makes a good computer chair doesn’t depend on just one aspect, though having adjustable components is an important feature of this.
Therefore, it’s important to notice when buying a new computer chair whether the product has adjustable components. Some of the main components that should be adjustable include the armrests, chair height, and headrest, which is likely not a feature of all computer chairs on the market today. Especially if you are looking to purchase an ergonomic computer chair, having adjustable components is a key aspect of the chair being able to provide the marketed benefits.
As mentioned earlier in this computer chair buying guide, the choice of purchasing a chair that can adjust seat depth, height, and armrests over one that isn’t adjustable could be the difference in having a misaligned pelvis and lower back pain or not. It seems like every other product out there today has moved past the one-size-fits-all model, so put your purchase of a new computer chair to the same standards and recognize that one of the biggest factors of what makes a good computer chair is having adjustable components.
Durable Materials & Quality Craftsmanship
When you’re spending good money on a piece of furniture that you will use for a large portion of each day, you want to feel confident that it will last and not need to be replaced after just a few months. With equal importance on the quality of materials used and the craftsmanship utilized to construct the chair, both elements are crucial to what makes a good computer chair.
It’s no doubt that office chairs nowadays are much more comfortable than they were a few decades ago, and a large part of that has to do with the increased focus on quality and craftsmanship that are employed by chair manufacturers today. This isn’t to say that all computer chairs available in today’s stores will leave you pain-free after a long day of work, but there are quality options out there that weren’t around previously. So, you’ll need to do your research using the factors laid out in this computer chair buying guide to make sure you make the purchase that will bring you comfort and last for years to come.
Keep an eye out for computer chairs made out of leather or mesh, as these are quality materials that are easy to clean and ensure the chair will endure over the coming years. Oftentimes vinyl computer chairs are marketed as the easiest to clean and the most durable–which isn’t untrue–though these typically cannot compare with leather and mesh when it comes to comfortability, and you will likely begin sweating and sticking to the seat just minutes into your work day.
Not only is a high-quality material what makes a good computer chair and keeps them durable, but it also contributes to the overall comfortability and breathability of the furniture. This is highly important given the amount of time we spend in our computer chairs each day. So, don’t let the higher price tag of quality chairs intimidate you–you’ll thank yourself down the road.
Style & Aesthetics
Aside from the physical support and health benefits that a quality computer chair can provide you with, it is also a central part of your office that will drive the style and aesthetics of the room accordingly. The majority of this computer chair buying guide has focused on the physical components of the chair and how it has implications on a person’s health, though the style of the chair should not be overlooked.
Even if you are prioritizing the ergonomics and comfortability of the chair over everything else, you will still be able to find options that are pleasing to the eye. So whether you have a home office or are furnishing your workspace in a high-rise, you shouldn’t ignore the style and aesthetics of your new computer chair purchase.
Nowadays, what makes a good computer chair is the ability for chair manufacturers to maximize functionality without compromising the style and look of the furniture. There are now quality computer chairs available in a variety of colorways and styles, so you can find a good chair to match any style and that you’ll want to keep around for the coming years. Gone are the days of the one-size-fits-all, clunky desk chairs, so be aware that you can enhance comfortability without sacrificing the look of your office.
Long Warranty
Another important element of what makes a good computer chair that many may not consider is the warranty that is included with your purchase. Firstly, a company or manufacturer that doesn’t offer a long warranty probably doesn’t have a lot of faith in the durability of their products to begin with. Plus, you want to know that if there’s a faulty component or technical issue with your computer chair, there’s a simple process in place to make sure you get a replacement quickly.
Especially when making a high-ticket purchase that you’re expecting to last for the years to come, you want to make sure there’s a warranty available to protect the investment you’re making into your office. Quality computer chairs sold today should last you five years at a minimum, though if you take good care of it, it could last up to a decade! So, having a long warranty that will protect the chair while you own it is something to keep in mind.
Final Thoughts On Our Computer Chair Buying Guide
Above all, finding a good computer chair that ticks all the boxes and will last you for the years to come is not impossible, though you should take the time to do the proper research so you don’t end up with a less-than-desirable product. Maximizing form and function is possible when buying a computer chair today, so keep in mind the various elements mentioned in this computer chair buying guide next time you’re upgrading your office.
There are many options available today, especially through ErgoTune, that will give you the back support you need, without having to compromise on style and aesthetics. Our ergonomic computer chair is the best investment you can make in your office, and we even have the best-rated ergonomic chairs in Australia. Get the ergonomic office chair you deserve today to enjoy comfortable, pain-free working and enhanced productivity!
