Choosing an office chair for your desk

To help you choose the perfect chair for your office set up we have put together here at Price Crash Furniture a handy breakdown of the most common types of office chairs to help you find your perfect setup.

Task Chairs

Task chairs are the entry level design for office chairs. These desk chairs are the perfect choice for anyone who wants a cheap but practical desk chair that is designed with basic functionality and generally suited to shorter periods of use.

• Best For: Students, home offices with light use, or compact spaces.
• Features: Usually supplied with a low-to-mid height back, complete with a swivel base, and also some form of basic height adjustment.
• Pros: Affordable and compact.
• Cons: Because of their cheaper price point these chairs will often lack the lumbar support needed for an 8 hour workday.

Ergonomic or Operator Chairs

These are the mainstays of the office world. Operator chairs are among the most popular office chairs. They are designed to support the natural curve of your spine and help to maintain and promote good posture.

• Best For: Anyone who is sitting for more than 4 hours a day.
• Features: Operator chairs will normally come with all the features required for a full day’s work. Standard features for an ergonomic desk chair will normally include either fixed or adjustable armrests, lumbar support, an improved seat depth, and on some models will also include headrests. These seating options are also widely available to buy with a breathable mesh fabric designed to improve airflow and reduce sweating.
• Pros: Highly customisable to your body; can help to reduce back and neck pain.
• Cons: Depending on the level of features selected these can be quite expensive and also corporate looking.

Executive Chairs

The stylish and statement piece office chairs. Executive desk chairs help to prioritise comfort and status with a high-back design and plenty of padding.

• Best For: Executive chairs are perfect for making a statement with your office set up and design. They are also great for those who prefer a more relaxed look and feel at their desk.
• Features: Executive chairs will typically be supplied in either a leather or faux leather finish and will normally come with thick cushioning to provide a more imposing look.
• Pros: These office chairs are very comfortable for meetings, and have an impressive imposing aesthetic.
• Cons: Can get hot as they don’t come in the mesh format of operator chairs. They can be too large for small desks and compact home workspaces.

Gaming Chairs

Gaming chairs are the ones you see that are designed to look like racing car seats. These desk chairs are designed for long sessions sat at your workstation without moving. They are designed to provide you with the maximum support possible, unlike some office chairs.

Best For: Gamers and streamers.

• Features: High backs, bucket style racing seats, reclining capabilities (up to 180°), and bolder colours than the traditional choices of blue and charcoal.
• Pros: Gaming chairs have distinctive and imposing styling. These chairs are great if you are planning to spend long sessions sat in front of the screen.
• Cons: The "bucket" wings can feel restrictive for some body types and sizes. Consequently, the ergonomics can be a bit hit or miss at times.

Active Seating (Alternative)

These chairs keep your core engaged and prevent you from staying in one rigid position. They are a different option to standard office chairs.

Types:

• Kneeling Chairs: Often used by people with back pain, kneeling chairs helps you shift your weight to your shins to take pressure off the lower back.
• Saddle Chairs: These replicate a horse riding position to help you keep the pelvis tilted correctly.
• Balance Ball Chairs: These chairs will force you to use core muscles to stay upright.
• Pros: These chairs are designed to help maintain a good posture and improve your core strength.
• Cons: Hard to use for a full day; can be tiring at first.

Quick Comparison Table