A good office chair is one of the most important investments you can make for your home office. Spend eight hours a day in a poorly designed seat and you'll feel it in your back, neck, and shoulders before long. We've compared the best office chairs currently available in the UK, covering everything from budget-friendly options under £100 to premium ergonomic models that will last a decade or more.
Setting a chair up properly matters as much as choosing the right one. If you work from home for an employer, our UK DSE assessment checklist walks through the chair, desk and screen checks a workstation assessment covers.
What to Look for in an Office Chair
Before diving into our picks, here are the key features worth paying attention to:
- Lumbar support — adjustable lumbar support keeps your lower back properly aligned. Fixed lumbar is better than nothing, but adjustable is always preferable.
- Seat depth and height — the chair should adjust to suit your body. Look for a height range that lets your feet sit flat on the floor with thighs parallel.
- Armrests — 3D or 4D adjustable armrests let you position them to reduce shoulder strain. Fixed armrests are a compromise at best.
- Breathability — mesh backs keep you cool during long sessions. PU leather looks smart but can get warm in summer.
- Build quality — check the weight capacity and warranty. A 10-year warranty from Steelcase or Herman Miller tells you something about expected lifespan.
- Tilt mechanism — a good recline with tension adjustment lets you lean back comfortably without feeling like you're going to tip over.
What UK Rules Say a Work Chair Must Do
If you use a screen for work, the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 set out a short list of minimum requirements for the chair. They apply to employers rather than to people buying for themselves, but they make a sensible baseline for anyone choosing a chair for full working days:
- Stable, with freedom of movement — the chair should not wobble or tip, and should let you move and shift position easily. In practice that means a five-star base on castors.
- Adjustable seat height — so your feet reach the floor and your forearms sit roughly level with the desk.
- Seat back adjustable in height and tilt — this is the requirement most cheap chairs miss. A fixed back that cannot be raised, lowered or angled does not meet it.
- A footrest for anyone who wants one — if raising the seat to the right height for your desk leaves your feet dangling, a foot rest closes the gap. Our desk accessories guide covers the options.
Separately, BS EN 1335 is the British and European standard for office work chairs. It sets dimensions and adjustment ranges, and covers safety and durability testing. A chair that states it has been tested to BS EN 1335 has been designed for sustained desk work, which is a useful tie-breaker between two similar-looking budget models.
If your employer is responsible for your workstation, it's worth knowing that a chair failing these points is a legitimate thing to raise in your DSE assessment.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall — Steelcase Series 2 — Premium
Starting from £799.99 · View the Steelcase Series 2
The Steelcase Series 2 is about as good as it gets for a modern ergonomic office chair. The LiveBack technology flexes with your spine as you move, providing continuous support throughout the day. The mesh back is breathable, the build quality is outstanding, and Steelcase's reputation for durability means this chair should serve you well for years.
It's a significant investment, but if you're spending full days at a desk, the Series 2 delivers the kind of all-day comfort that cheaper chairs simply can't match.
Best for: Full-time remote workers who want premium comfort and long-term durability.
Best Value Premium — Herman Miller Aeron (Refurbished) — High-End
Starting from £690.00 · View the Herman Miller Aeron
The Herman Miller Aeron needs no introduction — it's arguably the most iconic office chair ever made. Buying refurbished brings the price down considerably while still giving you the same patented PostureFit support, breathable Pellicle mesh, and the kind of build quality that lasts 15+ years.
Size B fits most people, and the tilt mechanism is one of the smoothest you'll find at any price. If you want an Aeron without the new price tag, refurbished is the smart move.
Best for: Anyone who wants a legendary ergonomic chair at a more accessible price point.
Best Mid-Range — Steelcase Series 1 — Mid-to-Premium
Starting from £599.00 · View the Steelcase Series 1
The Series 1 sits just below the Series 2 in Steelcase's lineup but still delivers excellent ergonomics. It's lighter and more compact, making it a good choice for smaller home offices. The adjustability is impressive for the price — you get 4D armrests, adjustable lumbar, and a smooth recline mechanism.
If the Series 2 is out of budget but you still want Steelcase quality, the Series 1 is the one to go for.
Best for: Home office workers who want Steelcase build quality without the top-tier price.
Best Affordable Ergonomic — SIHOO Doro C300 — Mid-Range
Starting from £259.99 · View the SIHOO Doro C300
The Doro C300 is SIHOO's flagship and it punches well above its weight. The adaptive lumbar support moves with you, the mesh is comfortable for long sessions, and the 3D armrests offer plenty of adjustment. Build quality feels solid for the price, and the design is understated enough for any office.
At this price point, it's hard to find a better-specced ergonomic chair in the UK market.
Best for: Those who want proper ergonomic features without spending over £300.
Best Under £200 — SIHOO M18 — Budget-Mid
Starting from £194.99 · View the SIHOO M18
The M18 strikes a good balance between price and features. You get a mesh back with a built-in headrest, adjustable lumbar support, and adjustable armrests — features that are often missing at this price point. The seat cushion is comfortable enough for full workdays, though it's not quite as refined as the pricier SIHOO models.
A solid choice if you're setting up a home office on a reasonable budget.
Best for: Budget-conscious buyers who still want adjustable lumbar and headrest support.
Best Value — SIHOO M57 — Budget-Mid
Starting from £169.99 · View the SIHOO M57
The M57 offers a surprising amount of adjustability for under £170. The mesh back keeps things breathable, the 3D armrests are a welcome inclusion at this price, and the lumbar support does a decent job of keeping your posture in check. It's not going to compete with chairs twice its price, but it represents excellent value for money.
Best for: First-time ergonomic chair buyers looking for strong value.
Best Budget — Songmics Executive — Budget
Starting from £119.99 · View the Songmics Executive
If you prefer the look and feel of a traditional executive chair, the Songmics delivers a comfortable PU leather seat at a very fair price. The high back provides good support, and the tilt function lets you recline during breaks. It won't have the same adjustability as the mesh ergonomic options above, but for the price it looks and feels like a much more expensive chair.
Best for: Those who prefer a traditional executive style on a tight budget.
Best Budget Ergonomic — FlexiSpot OC3 — Budget
Starting from £94.99 · View the FlexiSpot OC3
The OC3 proves you don't have to spend a fortune to get a proper ergonomic chair. The mesh back is breathable, the 3D headrest adjusts to your neck position, and there's even a coat hanger on the back — a small but genuinely useful touch for home offices. At under £100, it's the cheapest way to get a mesh ergonomic chair from a reputable brand.
Best for: Tight budgets where ergonomic basics still matter.
How They Compare
| Chair | Price | Back Type | Lumbar Support | Armrests | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steelcase Series 2 | £799.99 | Mesh | LiveBack | 4D | Premium all-day comfort |
| Herman Miller Aeron | £690.00 | Mesh | PostureFit | 3D | Iconic long-term investment |
| Steelcase Series 1 | £599.00 | Mesh | Adjustable | 4D | Compact premium option |
| SIHOO Doro C300 | £259.99 | Mesh | Adaptive | 3D | Best mid-range value |
| SIHOO M18 | £194.99 | Mesh | Adjustable | Adjustable | Budget with headrest |
| SIHOO M57 | £169.99 | Mesh | Adjustable | 3D | Strong value pick |
| Songmics Executive | £119.99 | PU Leather | Fixed | Fixed | Traditional style |
| FlexiSpot OC3 | £94.99 | Mesh | Adjustable | Fixed | Cheapest ergonomic |
Completing the Setup
A good chair only does its job if the rest of the desk fits around it:
- Desk height — if a fixed desk forces you to raise the chair until your feet leave the floor, a height-adjustable desk solves it properly. See our best standing desks UK guide, or the standing desks under £300 round-up if budget is tight.
- Screen height — the top of the screen should sit at or just below eye level. Our monitor stands and arms guide covers risers, arms and laptop stands.
- Wrists and forearms — armrests set level with the desk take load off the shoulders, but the keyboard matters too. See the best keyboards for wrist pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I spend on an office chair?
It depends on how many hours you spend sitting. If you work full-time from home, investing £250+ in a quality ergonomic chair will pay for itself in comfort and health. For occasional use, a budget option under £150 will do the job.
What height should my office chair be?
Set the seat so your feet rest flat on the floor with your thighs roughly parallel to it, then check your elbows sit at around 90 degrees with your forearms level with the desk. If you can't get both at once, the desk is the wrong height for you: raise the chair to suit the desk and add a foot rest, or lower the desk if it adjusts.
Are refurbished office chairs worth buying?
Absolutely — especially from premium brands like Herman Miller and Steelcase. These chairs are built to last 15+ years, so a refurbished model still has plenty of life left. Just buy from a reputable seller who offers a warranty.
Mesh or leather — which is better?
Mesh is generally better for long sessions because it breathes and keeps you cool. Leather (or PU leather) looks more traditional and can feel luxurious, but it tends to get warm and may crack over time. For all-day use, mesh wins.
Do I need a headrest?
Not necessarily. A headrest is nice for leaning back during breaks, but it's not essential for good posture while working. Some people find them restrictive. If you sit upright most of the time, it's more of a nice-to-have.
How long do office chairs last?
Budget chairs typically last 2-5 years with daily use. Mid-range options from brands like SIHOO should give you 5-8 years. Premium chairs from Steelcase and Herman Miller are built to last 10-15+ years, which makes their higher upfront cost more reasonable over time.
