chair

 

The Best Office Chairs of 2020

For someone who sits most of the workday, I've never thought much about office chairs. Before quarantine started back in March, I spent most of my work hours at the CNET Smart Home, an actual house where we test security cameras, smart speakers and other products. I filed stories from upright dining room chairs, cushioned sofas and butt-numbing patio furniture.

I've mainly stuck with my Smart Home method for the six-plus months I've been working from my own home. Some days, I write from a sofa; other days, I sit in a rocking chair on the front porch. No two days are the same and I'm slowly realizing it's terrible for my back and my posture. My husband's been working from home too, at a desk we rarely used before the pandemic. As it turns out, the no-seat-cushion, no-back-support office chair we use with that desk isn't working out particularly well for him, either. 

I also spoke with an ergonomics expert for general tips on how to improve work setups, whether that's at home or in a more traditional office setting. Factors like seat height, backrest, adjustable arms, adjustable lumbar support, tilt tension and seat depth all factor in to getting the most from your desk chair.

For the purposes of this list, I only tested traditional office chairs, so if you're looking for something like a gaming chair or drafting chair, or something more out there, like a kneeling chair, this might not be the right place for you.

Note: Product pricing tends to vary on third-party sites, so the prices I quote as of writing this may change slightly over time. I'll do my best to update the list often to reflect the most accurate prices at the time of publishing.Ergonomics is the "science of work," explains Gary Allread, the program director for the ergonomics division at Ohio State University's Spine Research Institute. That definition doesn't just apply to our jobs, though; ergonomic principles can be used for pretty much any activity (that means an ergonomic chair isn't going to immediately fix your lower back pain). Allread and his team offer consultation services for a variety of workplaces, from manufacturing plants to the auto industry and more. They even occasionally provide input on product design to help companies better understand how to create products "to make sure they can interact with people as well as possible," Allread says.

A less-than-ideal work setup might cause pain in your back, arms, hands or wrists. You might also find yourself fidgeting, making more mistakes or taking more breaks -- all because you're uncomfortable -- says Allread. Long-term, you might end up with tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome.