1. Adjustability
Almost every chair on the market will be somewhat adjustable. For your chair, you want something that offers more than just height and armrest adjustments. Ideally, the chair should be five-way adjustable but some even go as far as adjusting in fourteen different ways. It can be tricky to figure out what’s best for you, but the only way to find that out is to physically test it. I assure you that if you take the time to examine chairs and to make the adjustments, you’ll be thankful in the end.
2. Lumbar Support Should Be Adjustable
Sciatica is one ailment that is not fun. The pain can be debilitating, and it can be caused by the lumbar support of your desk chair. Any decent chair is going to advertise lumbar support for your lower back, but a quality desk chair will offer adjustable lumbar support so you can change it according to the curvature of your spine and your body type. I suggest you adjust it to different strengths until you feel comfortable. Note that sometimes your lower back will hurt after a few hours of sitting if it is adjusted incorrectly.
3. Rolling vs. Stationary Chairs
If you sit at the middle of your desk and have to reach to be able to touch the furthest corner, you need a chair with wheels. Even if you have a small desk, being able to roll helps to prevent strain caused by reaching across your desk or to another park of your workspace.
Make sure you invest in a chair with a well-built wheelbase that easily glides over the floor’s surface. Some wheelbases are very hard and designed to roll easily on a carpet so if you work on a carpeted surface, consider investing in one of these chairs or a plastic mat for your chair to sit on. Good chairs also offer the possibility to exchange the wheels and add some rubber, which is better for hard surfaces.
A quick google search will tell you if you can get different wheels for your chair or if you have to invest in a rug or mat.
4. Swivel Base
As important as wheels are, being able to swivel is just as critical. If your chair doesn’t turn, your body will have to, and that can result in fatigue and stress to your muscles. Overextending to reach across your workspace can also cause injuries that a swivel base can easily eliminate. It’s important to make sure your chair works for your environment.
5. Fabric Is Important – You Don’t Want To Sweat
Most basic office chairs are made from synthetic materials. Perhaps one can argue there’s nothing wrong with that, but if we consider the facts, we know that’s not accurate.
Choosing the right fabric for our chair is like selecting the fabric for our suits. Something that’s breathable is going to be far more comfortable. You also want something that offers substantial cushioning to your rear, so you don’t feel the frame of the chair. This is based on your body type, weight and the way you sit. Choosing fabric is just as important as the other factors. However, it’s one area you can also improve. If you do happen to fall in love with the chair but don’t like the appearance or the cushion you can easily have the chair reupholstered and a more comfortable cushion put in. Often this can be far less expensive than upgrading to a more ‘premium’ fabric.
Mesh Beats Fabric
That being said, the most advanced office chairs on the market today often used special materials, that not only improve breathability but also help to regulate your body temperature. On top of that, they are designed to distribute your weight evenly, so you sit more comfortably all day long. Chairs like the Herman Miller Aeron, Mirra 2 or Embody are all designed in that way, and you will definitely feel the advantage over the course of a day.
You never want to sweat in a chair; that’s why most high-end office chairs will cool you because while traditional leather or cushioned fabric chairs will look great, but they are not ideal for sitting in them over extended periods of time.
6. Testing the Chair Is Essential
Would you buy a car if you weren’t allowed to sit in it first? Probably not.
Any store worth their salt is going to give you the ability to try the chair either in store or in your office with the opportunity to return it. You must be able to return the chair without any conditions. Even a chair that seems perfect in the store’s showroom might not work with your desk or flooring at the office. It may not glide well or perhaps the armrests prevent you from being as close to your desk as you’d like. Make sure you can try the chair for a few days before making a final decision. It might be a headache to pack it up and return it, but it will be far worse if you’re uncomfortable for years to come.
We highly recommend testing office chairs in person before you buy. Of course, buying it locally is the first thing that comes to mind but you can also buy it online if you can return it afterward. Places like Amazon are known for their 30-day return policy, and that gives you the opportunity to sit in your chair for a whole day and not just a few minutes at the store.