How do you go about choosing an office chair that is comfortable and that will last?
Regardless of whether the chair is for your employees or your home office:
Make sure you’re getting your money’s worth in terms of quality and comfort!
The point is to be able to work long hours without straining your back! This helps to boost moods and work productivity!
How To Choose An Office Chair
Don’t just pick a chair according to your budget and the way it looks with your space! If you’re going to be sitting in the chair for hours, comfort is the main priority here.
1. Construction (Materials And Durability)
How much weight can the chair withstand? Some office chairs can weigh as much as 20kg.
And if you weight more than 100kg (or 80kg for lighter chair models), you should double check the maximum weight that the chair can withstand.
Moreover, do the wheels and base look sturdy? Thick (50mm or 60mm) caster wheels are better. And metal chair bases are more durable than plastic ones.
The other thing to consider when it comes to office chairs is the material that covers the chairback, headrest and armrests. Is the fabric breathable?
PU leather and foam tend to feel warm fast if you’re not going to turn on the air conditioner!
In that case, you might want to opt for office chairs with fabric or better still, mesh backs for better airflow and ventilation!
2. Comfort Level
Whilst you can’t always try out the chair yourself in person, there are things you can look out for in a comfy chair (same as you would for a gaming chair):
- Adjustability (e.g. arm rests, seat height, head rest, etc)
- Knees should rest at a 90 degree angle when you sit on the chair
- A thick cushion that is contoured (and wide enough for your butt or to sit cross-legged)
- Curved back that follows the spine
3. Do You Need Lumbar And Back Support?
Spend about as much time in your office chair as you sleep on your mattress?
That’s why it’s important to get a chair with adequate lumbar support. There are some models that even have a firmness control in case you need the support to be softer!
Adjustable lumbar pillows might be useful too if you’re not of standard height.
4. Can The Chair Recline?
This is not a deal breaker for most people:
But if you fancy taking naps in your office chair (instead of your sofa bed), look out for this feature! Don’t assume that every office chair can recline like a massage chair!
You might want to look for a chair that has an extendable or fixed footrest for extra comfort too.
5. Your Budget
Prepare to spend at least RM200 to RM300 for a decent office chair. Those that are more solidly build tend to cost more.
The most expensive office chairs in the market cost can cost close to RM2,000.
6. Ease Of Assembly
This is only applicable if you’re ordering the chair online and assembly service is not available.
If this is the case, you should check how easy it is to assemble the chair (most likely on your own too). Take the weight and height of the chair into consideration too if you’re petite.
7. Extra Features
These days, manufacturers might add some interesting features in order to stand out from their competitors.
You may find features like the following on office chair models:
- Washable and removable fabric covers
- Massage features
- Lockable wheels
- Thick caster wheels
- Many color options
- 360° swivel
Conclusion
Choose an office chair according to your body weight and frame, and whether or not you need breathable fabric or specific features (e.g., recline).
Comfort and durability are far more important than how aesthetically pleasing an office chair is. Although it is nice to find one that looks nice too!
See our top picks for the best office chairs you can get in Malaysia!
Related: Gaming Chair VS Office Chair – Which One Should You Get?
