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Unlike smartphones and laptops, which are updated quite frequently, home office furniture tends to fall out of favor. This old desk and matching office chair has been around for years, so what’s the point in upgrading?
While a new smartphone or laptop can help you get more done, one of the best office chairs is an investment that will last you for years to come if cared for properly. Whether you work from home full time or just want to spend some time in your home office with paperwork after a long day, a new office chair is one of those upgrades that you’ll notice the difference right away. You can also pair your new chair with one of the best standing desks for a complete home office makeover.
Even if you can only upgrade one piece of home office furniture at a time, it makes sense to start with an office chair. A new chair will help you sit up straight, so you can finally say goodbye to all those hours at your desk.
If you’re looking for a new office chair and haven’t bought one in a long time (which you probably haven’t), here are five things you need to keep in mind when shopping to make sure you get the right chair first.
Using a worn out old office chair or a chair that wasn’t great to begin with can lead to back pain. It will only get worse over time, especially if you sit for long periods of time during the day.
While you can adjust the height of your office chair so that your feet are on the floor with your knees bent at 90 degrees, and make other adjustments to make it more comfortable, the importance of lumbar support cannot be underestimated.
When you sit in a chair, the “lumbar” or lower back is under much greater stress than when you are standing. Over time, if your lumbar region is not supported while sitting, this tension can cause stiffness and make you more susceptible to lower back injuries. That is why you will definitely want to pick up an office chair with built-in lumbar support.
Many office chairs (like the Branch ergonomic chair pictured above) have lumbar support that can be adjusted by stretching on the chair while sitting. This way you can position it in line with your waist and sit in a straighter and more comfortable position.
Unlike lumbar support, which is considered mandatory, the headrest on an office chair is entirely up to you.
Many experts, even renowned furniture company Herman Miller, agree that ergonomic office chairs don’t even need a headrest, as their backs are designed to support the natural curve of the spine.
For example, if you look at our review of the Herman Miller Aeron, you will see that neither it nor the Herman Miller Embody has headrests. Of course, you can add third-party headrests(Opens in a new tab) after the fact, but Herman Miller insists you don’t need a chair with one of these.
You probably don’t need a headrest if you’re sitting perfectly upright in your chair, but many office chairs allow you to recline, and doing so without a headrest can be uncomfortable. Even if you buy an office chair with a headrest, you can always remove it if you find yourself rarely using it. It’s also worth noting that some office chairs, like the X-Chair X2 K-Sport Management, have headrests that tilt towards you so you can sit in an ergonomic position while using them.
Wheels – in this case, casters – are one of the main things that sets an office chair apart from other chairs in your home. However, the type you choose for your new office chairs depends on the surface you use them on.
While office chairs are often equipped with twin-wheeled casters like the one pictured above, inline skates have grown in popularity in recent years. As the name suggests, these wheels look exactly like roller skate wheels and they even have ball bearings like skateboard wheels.
If you plan to use your office chair in a carpeted room, tandem casters are your best bet. However, if you use these types of wheels on wooden floors, you are more likely to scratch them, especially if dirt or debris gets on them.
While you can spend a little more on a new office chair with roller skate wheels, you can also buy them individually ($37, Amazon (opens in a new tab)) to upgrade your existing office chair. Either way, they will make the floor look smoother on hardwood floors, not to mention they will look cooler.
Along with lumbar support and a good set of casters, armrests play an important role in how you use your office chair. You will need a chair with adjustable armrests that you can comfortably rest your elbows on during the day. However, they can also get in your way, depending on what you’re doing.
This is why many office chairs now have movable armrests. When you work at your desk, the armrests are in the best position to help you sit up straight. You can then push them aside for tasks that require more space.
However, some office chairs have more arm movement than others. For example, the FS 360 armrest(opens in new tab) pictured above is an optional accessory for the X-Chair. They can rotate 360 degrees, but you probably don’t want armrests with that much adjustment.
Armrests that can rotate 45 degrees should be more than enough for most people, but it’s good to know there are other options if you want to play guitar or do other activities that require your hands to be free while you’re sitting. in the office. chair.
Depending on the environment, it can be very hot while working in your home office. The last thing you want is for your office chair to get dirty with sweat, which is why breathable backrests have become very popular.
The breathable back allows air to pass through the back of the chair, keeping you cool while you work. However, an added bonus is that they are easier to clean than thickly upholstered backs. You can easily wipe the sides of the chair with a damp cloth to keep it clean and looking great.
If airflow is really important to you, you might also want to consider an office chair with a breathable seat. They offer the same benefits as breathable backs, and designs that combine the two have become more common.
Office chairs typically last between seven and eight years if cared for properly, so don’t be in a hurry to buy. In addition to the features listed in this article, you’ll want to do your own research and find out which features are right for you.
Luckily, many home office furniture stores and brands have return policies that give you the option to use your new office chair for a while before you decide if you want to keep it. Also, if possible, it’s always a good idea to test out a few chairs yourself before choosing one.
While a new smartphone or laptop certainly looks more attractive, a quality, well-made office chair with all the features you need is an investment that you can use for years to come. Plus, your body will thank you.
Anthony Spadafora is the editor of Tom’s Guide to Security and Networking, where he covers everything from data breaches and ransomware groups to password managers, and the best ways to reach your entire home or business with Wi-Fi. Before joining the team, he wrote for ITProPortal while living in Korea and then for TechRadar Pro when he returned to the US. Anthony lives in Houston, Texas, and when he’s not writing, Anthony fixes PCs and game consoles, runs cables, and upgrades his smart home.
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Post time: Apr-13-2023