What I like about it:
The Ergonomic Pro chair is the latest addition to Branch’s impressive lineup. Taking cues from the Verve chair and other ergonomic chairs, you can feel the quality and pedigree when you sit on it. The whole chair feels incredibly well put together, with a solid metal wheel base instead of nylon, and fixtures and fittings the ooze quality. The lumbar support is excellent and while the headrest is a little low for my large frame, it’s comfortable to lean back on when taking a rest from typing.

The Ergo Pro’s many adjustment points also make for a comfortable seat. The arms can move in almost any direction, up and down, of course, but also forward, back, and even twist to get the perfect angle for support when you’re working. It does help to reduce wrist strain when you get the arm position right.

Who is it good for:
The Ergonomic Pro is our best office chair overall because it’s great for everyone. The stylish look and comfortable foam seat make it a great all-rounder for anyone. If you spend eight hours a day at a desk then this is the chair to do it in.

Who shouldn’t get it:
The wheels are the only small detail I would change about the Ergo Pro. A chair this good deserves proper rubber wheels to make it roll more easily. If you have thick carpet in your office I would swap these wheels out for some inline skate-style wheels.

What I like about it:
The Simple Austin Chair isn’t the cheapest on our list, but for those in need of extra back support, the sturdy lumbar support bar is worth it. 

The Austin chair has a classic look with a single back pad and armrests that slide both in and out and side to side to accommodate folks of various arm lengths. The seat raises seamlessly from 17 inches up to just over 22 inches. The lever is intuitively positioned, and the seat feels secure as it rises and lowers. 

One of my favorite things about the Austin is its minimalist design, which blends seamlessly with my rustic home office. It feels premium but won’t completely bust your home office budget. The powder blue and dove white colors don’t scream corporate cubicle, though a black option is offered if you prefer.

Who is it good for:
Folks with back issues will appreciate the Austin chair’s lumbar support and comfortable seat.

Who shouldn’t get it:
Folks looking for head support should look elsewhere, as the Austin chair lacks a headrest, though one can be purchased as an extra.

At 40 pounds, it’s heavy for an office chair, which I like, but some may find it cumbersome if they need to move it often.

-David Watsky

What I liked about it:
The LiberNovo Omni is for those who need something more versatile than the traditional office chairs. If your needs include working from home, gaming, entertainment and even napping, the LiberNovo Omni offers the most adjustability of any office chair I’ve tested, along with great comfort. The back, seat and headrest are all well-padded and adjustable.

The key selling pointed is the motorized “bionic” spine that lets it be as soft and relaxing as you want for gaming and relaxing or as firm and supportive as you want for focused office work. The adjustment is made with a pair of buttons on the left side of the armrest, which can themselves be raised, lowered or slid forward or backward.

An included massaging function can help stretch out your spine when fully reclined. Speaking of reclining, this chair can recline to 160 degrees in four positions.

One feature I especially liked is that the chair doesn’t need to be plugged in. Power is provided by a 2,200-mAh battery that can last up to 30 days of daily use or up to a year if you’re a set-it-and-forget-it person.

Who it’s good for:
The LiberNovo Omni is a great choice for maximum adjustability for those who use an office chair for working from home, gaming, and entertainment throughout the day. It offers impressive adjustability in back support and firmness, thanks to the motorized “bionic” spine, which allows it to accommodate a wide range of postures and use cases.

Who shouldn’t get it:
The LiberNovo Omni is one of the more expensive office chairs we recommend at $1,099 at full price. It’s not quite as expensive as our splurge pick, the Anthros chair, but if you’re looking for a more affordable and comfortable option, our Branch, our best overall, and the Austin chair are all good options that won’t break the bank.

-Ajay Kumar

What I like about it:

I liked this Amazon Basics chair right away. This swivel style was easy to assemble, the leather-like design looks nice, and the adjustable seat and back are cushioned and comfortable. It’s a great chair to use if you’re sitting at a desk for an hour or so to do homework or write the occasional email.

Who is it good for:

Not everyone sits at a desk for eight hours a day. Sometimes you might only need a chair for a few minutes. The AmazonBasics chair is good enough for occasional use such as homework.

Who shouldn’t get it:

This chair is the only chair on our list under $200. It’s good as far a cheap office chairs go, it doesn’t sacrifice much, with one exception: lumbar support. If lumbar support is a must-have, consider one of our other favorites. They may cost a little more, but they will be better for your back in the long run.

What I like about it:

The Ignition 2.0 is an extremely well-constructed chair. Once it is put together it oozes sophistication and looks fantastic in my office space. I’m a big guy so I am always concerned that chairs won’t hold my weight, but the Ignition is clearly designed with people like me in mind.

Adjustments can be made to the lumbar, height and armrests but my favorite is being able to move the seat in and out. My long legs often feel unsupported but having the seat further forward supports me far better. I do wish the armrests would turn as well as rise, though, as that better supports my forearms as I type, reducing the strain on my wrists. 

Who is it good for:

The Hon 2.0 is an every-person chair. Whether you’re 6 feet, 260 pounds or 5-foot-4, 130 pounds, you’ll find it comfortable. Choose the Hon if you’re writing at a desk all day and need good support.

Who shouldn’t get it:

Mesh back chairs are not for everyone. They sometimes look and feel a little too much like office furniture. If you are looking for something a little classier then there are better options.

What I like about it:

The Autonomous Ergo Chair is a solid entry into our best office chair category. It’s well-designed to hold someone with a larger frame, with an extremely comfortable seat pad and lumbar support that you can really feel. The solid metal feel throughout, especially on the wheel hub, is welcome as it supports me well. Nylon wheel hubs can sometimes stretch, causing the pillar to slip through over time and scrape the floor. Having a metal hub negates that issue. That being said, I wish the wheels on the Ergo Chair Ultra were better. When I installed them, they were difficult to fit — unlike every other part of the build — and they don’t glide as well as I would like. The wheels are pretty weak for a chair that can hold up to 300 pounds. I would like to see some roller blade-style wheels on this in the future.

Who is it good for:

I’m a big guy at 6-foot-1 and 270 pounds, and I found the Ergo chair to be an extremely comfortable choice. If you are looking for something with good padding for an ample frame, I think the Ergo chair would be right for you.

Who shouldn’t get it:

Like many of the office chair entries, the wheels let the Ergo chair down. If you have deep-pile carpet in your office, you may want to swap out your wheels for something better if you buy this chair.

What I like about it:

The newest chair from Steelcase wins a spot on this list not because it’s comfortable — although it is, especially in the lumbar region — but because of its customization options. You can choose the color of the chair, and you can also add additional lumbar support (you’ll want that), additional movement for the armrests, and wheels for hard floors or carpets.

I found the chair excellent over long periods, and I especially liked how well the locking system works. Some chairs feel like they lean back too far, even when locked, but the Karman was rock solid the whole time. The wings of the seat were a little high, so I couldn’t have my wallet in my back pocket without it pushing uncomfortably. If you have wide hips the high wings may cause discomfort.

Who is it good for:

Customization is key with the Steelcase Karmon. If you’re looking for a chair that will fit perfectly into your home, one that you can make fit your aesthetic perfectly, then I would go for this. It’s pricey but worth it if you’re looking for the exact right thing.

Who shouldn’t get it:

The price is high on the Steelcase, so if customization is not necessary to you, then there are better ways to spend your money. The best overall pick is a more comfortable chair, even if it doesn’t give as many options.

What I like about it:

If you’re a fan of a tall, well-ventilated back on a chair with plenty of adjustment options, Oak Hollow’s Aloria Series offers an impressive option. It’s simple to set up, feels incredibly sturdy, and the controls on the left and right sides of the seat make it easy to set up for your body quickly.

This chair is available in Standard and Tall seat height options, and it’s important to know that even the lower option sits high enough that, at 6 feet tall, my feet leave the ground when leaning back further than the first position in this chair. If that’s not something you’re worried about, this chair will keep you cooler than most and plenty comfortable.

Who is it good for:

Tall people will feel much more comfortable on the Aloria chair than almost any other in this list. The seat is adjustable, and there is even an optional longer stem if you’re taller than 6-foot-1.

Who shouldn’t get it:

The Aloria chair is heavy. If you don’t want to push a big, heavy chair around your house, look at other options. That being said, the weight comes from the solid construction, so it’s not always a negative.

What I like about it:

The harsh truth about gaming chairs is that they are uncomfortable. Even the best gaming chairs are only comfortable for short periods of time, despite how cool they look. The Axion gaming chair from Eureka improves on the feel of standard gaming chairs by bringing in office chair-style ergonomics, all while looking like it could be a part of a futuristic gaming setup. The chunky plastic, bright colors and shiny dials give it a more “gamer” look than a traditional office chair.

But make no mistake, this gaming chair can function as an office chair as well, and a good one at that. It hits all of the ergonomic points required for a good office chair, like lumbar support and adjustable arms. It’s incredibly comfortable to sit in for a full eight-hour day. I especially like the large headrest, as it lets you rest your head back while still being comfortable to work and game.

Who is it good for:

If your gaming room is your home office, then the Axion from Eureka is the best of both worlds. It looks cool, like you’d want from your gaming chair, but it actually relaxing to sit in for hours at a time.

Who shouldn’t get it:

If you have an office area that is more business than pleasure or needs to look business-like, then the Axiom may be a little gaudy. It’s incredibly comfortable, but may not be aesthetically pleasing for everyone.

What I like about it:

The Doro C300 is an extremely comfortable and fully meshed office chair. The headrest adjusts to fit my long frame, although I do find the seat a little shorter than I’d prefer for my legs. The armrests are very well-padded and move easily across a full range of motion, which is especially important when you are typing for eight hours a day. The lumbar support automatically adjusts as you lean back, which I found helpful, and the wheelbase is solid metal, not nylon, so there is less chance of it coming loose over time. Build time was fairly short, around 20 minutes, and the entire chair feels very stable, especially for a lower-priced model.

Who is it good for:

If you want an excellent office chair that’s priced much lower than it should be, then the C300 is a great choice. It’s easy to buy, easy to make, and easy to use.

Who shouldn’t get it:

I found the chair cushion a little shorter than I like. It doesn’t support my knees as well as some other chairs. If you have long legs, this might get uncomfortable over time.

What I like about it:

The Anthros chair is amazing. The lumbar support helps stabilize your pelvis in a way that feels different from normal lumbar support, to the point where my back pain has completely gone while using it. it even clears up any back pain I get from sitting on office chairs that didn’t make the best list. The seat adjusts to rest your feet perfectly on the ground, and the wide seat is comfortable for all body types, including my 270-pound frame. The Anthros comes with a posture guarantee, so if you don’t feel it has helped your posture or made you feel comfortable, you can get your money back.

The Anthros feels high quality, and if money were no object, it would be my No. 1 pick (and I would tell you to buy one too). Money does matter, though, and the Anthros are downright expensive. A good chair for your office is an investment that should last a long time, but at nearly $2,000, it’s probably worth some serious thought before you take the plunge.

Who is it good for:

If you’re looking for the pinnacle of office comfort and have a little under $2,000 to spend, then I cannot recommend this chair enough.

Who shouldn’t get it:

Everyone who isn’t the tiny percentage of people mentioned above.

What I like about it:

It’s often hard to find an executive chair that looks great but doesn’t break the bank. The cheaper ones tend to look underwhelming, while the truly expensive ones are great but out of the realm of John or Jane Q. Public. The Galene from Eureka is an excellent balance between cost and quality. It looks good and is very comfortable to sit on for long periods. The build took about 20 minutes, and it doesn’t suffer from the wobbles that budget chairs often fall victim to. It feels like a much more expensive chair than it actually is.

My only wish is that instead of arms that just raise and lower, they had more articulation so I could tailor them to my needs. Executive chairs are really designed for comfort on calls and meetings rather than extended typing, so having arms that can adjust more dynamically to my position would be great.

Who is it good for:

If you’re looking for that executive feel to your office but you don’t want to break the bank, the Galene is perfect. The leather and overall opulence make it a great choice for looking good.

Who shouldn’t get it:

If you work at your desk for eight hours, typing furiously at your keyboard, you need the right support for your arms. The Galene doesn’t give you that, so other chairs may work better.