Office Chair Recommendations

[Supercrumpet]

I've just witnessed the death of my third office chair. The first was really cheap, probably around $100, and the hydraulic piston gave out after a few years. The second was free from a friend, works great, but the cushion material is peeling and it looks pretty gross. The third was also $100, and about an hour ago, finally gave out after the plastic arms holding the seat base and seat back together cracked and the back fell off with me in it. Was pretty spectacular, but I guess I have a cool stool now.

 

Anyways, I think it's time that I did something different. I'm interested in getting something nicer since I plant my butt in front of this PC for far too many hours per day doing a wide variety of useless things, so I'll up my budget to maybe $300-400? I don't think I'm ready to commit to something double that price, but I'm not sure what's good in that middle bracket. Meanwhile, I think I'll hold onto the base of this chair, give the cushions to a friend who's more crafty than I am, and then try to find a car seat to put on this base and have a cool backup chair.

 

I'm in the US, and I'm open to driving somewhere within an hour or two and picking it up myself if there's a good suggestion that comes with some astronomical shipping price.

 

Thanks!

[Cerberus]

i used a serta office chair from office depot, lasted me ~6 years, bought another because I liked it so much, ended up breaking in a year ( warrantied parts) used it for another 2 years.

 

just spent the coin and got a secretlabs titan xl, its a bit stiff but i hope the build is better.

[ArchStanton]

5 hours ago, Supercrumpet said:

but I guess I have a cool stool now.

We have 3 or 4 of those "rolling stools" that used to be office chairs back in the shop.  Odd how many of the generic rolling office chairs with the plastic arms fail exactly the same way.  Anyway, they (the "stools") are pretty handy for use in the "garage".

[Supercrumpet]

3 hours ago, Cerberus said:

i used a serta office chair from office depot, lasted me ~6 years, bought another because I liked it so much, ended up breaking in a year ( warrantied parts) used it for another 2 years.

 

just spent the coin and got a secretlabs titan xl, its a bit stiff but i hope the build is better.

 

I'm not really interested in the gamer chair aesthetic since they seem pretty gaudy to me and the only one I ever sat it (yeah, massive sample size, I know) wasn't the most comfortable thing I've ever felt, especially considering the price. I'm interested to see what you think of yours long-term though.

 

1 hour ago, ArchStanton said:

We have 3 or 4 of those "rolling stools" that used to be office chairs back in the shop.  Odd how many of the generic rolling office chairs with the plastic arms fail exactly the same way.  Anyway, they (the "stools") are pretty handy for use in the "garage".

 

You know, if I end up not bothering with the whole car seat idea, using it as a cushy rolling stool at the FSAE shop isn't a bad idea at all.

[tictoc]

I picked up one of these chairs on a sale at Office Depot. https://www.officedepot.com/a/products/510830/WorkPro-Quantum-9000-Series-Ergonomic-MeshMesh/ 

 

Excellent chair for the price.  After 5 years of daily 6+ hour use, it is still in like new conditon, with only some small cracking of the foam/rubber armrests.  Pre-covid I think I paid something like $325, but even at $450 I would still buy it agin.

 

[The Pook]

have an Office Depot locally? look at the Zephyrus and Amphion chairs 

[Sir Beregond]

For $300-$400 I'd look for maybe a secondhand/refurbished Steelcase Leap. Every time I use one, I am reminded as to why it is my favorite office chair. Armrests that move anywhere you want them in whatever direction you want them, and pretty good ergonomics overall for the low back and leaning features. I've had this chair at two jobs now (at the office anyway), and I love it. Very sturdy too.

Edited April 18, 2022 by Sir Beregond

[Supercrumpet]

19 hours ago, tictoc said:

I picked up one of these chairs on a sale at Office Depot. https://www.officedepot.com/a/products/510830/WorkPro-Quantum-9000-Series-Ergonomic-MeshMesh/ 

 

Excellent chair for the price.  After 5 years of daily 6+ hour use, it is still in like new conditon, with only some small cracking of the foam/rubber armrests.  Pre-covid I think I paid something like $325, but even at $450 I would still buy it agin.

 

 

18 hours ago, The Pook said:

have an Office Depot locally? look at the Zephyrus and Amphion chairs 

 

I had honestly totally disregarded stuff branded as from office supply stores, but the Amphion actually looks pretty nice for the price. Considering cost and my preference to have a headrest, I think that's my preferred out of the three.

 

18 hours ago, Sir Beregond said:

For $300-$400 I'd look for maybe a secondhand/refurbished Steelcase Leap. Every time I use one, I am reminded as to why it is my favorite office chair. Armrests that move anywhere you want them in whatever direction you want them, and pretty good ergonomics overall for the low back and leaning features. I've had this chair at two jobs now (at the office anyway), and I love it. Very sturdy too.

 

I keep seeing this suggestion, or something along those lines. It seems like that's a symptom of the general market having an overload of mediocre $50 - $200 basic office and gaming chairs, and a lot of super high quality $800+ chairs, but not much in between that's good value. Anyways I did some poking around and I didn't find anything particularly appealing around me. If I was more capable of living with either a chair with no back or a $10 dining chair from Ikea for hours a day, I'd be more patient and probably wait for something like this.

 

With that being said, I think I may actually go for this. It's not a Leap, but seems to be a really low price for a Steelcase. If I like it, I can get the add-on headrest elsewhere to fulfill that desire. Quick shipping from Amazon, and their convenient return policy if things don't work out so well. Also interested in trying out a mesh chair. Thoughts?

 

Sorry! Something went wrong!

WWW.AMAZON.COM

 

[firedfly]

8 minutes ago, Supercrumpet said:

Also interested in trying out a mesh chair.

 

I'm a fan of a mesh back.  However, I won't get another chair with a mesh bottom.  It was fine at first, but over the course of a few months, the mesh seemed to stretch a bit and I was eventually sitting on the frame around the edges of the seat bottom.  It became quite uncomfortable.

 

Having said that, that type of chair (mesh bottom/back) is the default that my company purchases for employees.  I don't recall anyone else complaining about that issue.  Perhaps I got a dud...or just need to lose some weight 

[Sir Beregond]

2 hours ago, Supercrumpet said:

 

 

I had honestly totally disregarded stuff branded as from office supply stores, but the Amphion actually looks pretty nice for the price. Considering cost and my preference to have a headrest, I think that's my preferred out of the three.

 

 

I keep seeing this suggestion, or something along those lines. It seems like that's a symptom of the general market having an overload of mediocre $50 - $200 basic office and gaming chairs, and a lot of super high quality $800+ chairs, but not much in between that's good value. Anyways I did some poking around and I didn't find anything particularly appealing around me. If I was more capable of living with either a chair with no back or a $10 dining chair from Ikea for hours a day, I'd be more patient and probably wait for something like this.

 

With that being said, I think I may actually go for this. It's not a Leap, but seems to be a really low price for a Steelcase. If I like it, I can get the add-on headrest elsewhere to fulfill that desire. Quick shipping from Amazon, and their convenient return policy if things don't work out so well. Also interested in trying out a mesh chair. Thoughts?

 

Sorry! Something went wrong!

WWW.AMAZON.COM

 

Looks like it has most of the features I personally like from the Leap, mainly the fully adjustable armrests, and adjustments in how it does the recline, seat depth, lumbar. Only thing missing is the lean feature where reclining back also slightly leans the rest of the chair on the Leap.

 

I personally am not a fan of mesh chairs/backs, but that's just me and my personal preference. I worked another office for about a year that had Herman Miller Aeron chairs and personally I didn't like them at all. I see why others would like them.

 

I think this looks like a nice chair for the money.

Edited April 19, 2022 by Sir Beregond

[Snakecharmed]

Check out BTOD or Crandall Office Furniture for refurbished Steelcases or returns instead of buying new from Amazon. That's probably the route I would go for a Steelcase chair. Crandall especially seems to have a lot of customization options for the refurbished route.

 

Ergonomic Office Chairs and Furniture from BTOD.com

WWW.BTOD.COM

---

Shop a wide selection of office furniture at beyondtheofficedoor.com. Free shipping and no sales tax on everything shipped outside of WI.

 

Crandall Office Furniture - Remanufactured Office Chairs & Chair Parts

WWW.CRANDALLOFFICE.COM

---

Remanufactured / Refurbished Used Steelcase & Herman MIller Office Chairs. Office Chair Parts. Office Furniture Buyback / Decomissions

 

 

[Supercrumpet]

9 hours ago, Snakecharmed said:

Check out BTOD or Crandall Office Furniture for refurbished Steelcases or returns instead of buying new from Amazon. That's probably the route I would go for a Steelcase chair. Crandall especially seems to have a lot of customization options for the refurbished route. However it looks like the

 

Ergonomic Office Chairs and Furniture from BTOD.com

WWW.BTOD.COM

---

Shop a wide selection of office furniture at beyondtheofficedoor.com. Free shipping and no sales tax on everything shipped outside of WI.

 

Crandall Office Furniture - Remanufactured Office Chairs & Chair Parts

WWW.CRANDALLOFFICE.COM

---

Remanufactured / Refurbished Used Steelcase & Herman MIller Office Chairs. Office Chair Parts. Office Furniture Buyback / Decomissions

 

 

 

I watched a good handful of BTOD's videos when researching nicer chairs, but I didn't realize they had a big refurbished section. Good resource. Crandall especially has a super impressive selection of refurbished and used stuff. However, out of their (relatively) cheaper stuff, it doesn't look like I'd save much vs Amazon, and the best option they had included a couple blemishes and has since been purchased anyways. Really really great site though, worth keeping in mind for the future. Thanks for that.

 

I think I'm gonna go for the Amazon option. The shipping time is an extra incentive too, this Ikea dining chair is killing me.

[iamjanco]

4 hours ago, Supercrumpet said:

 

I watched a good handful of BTOD's videos when researching nicer chairs, but I didn't realize they had a big refurbished section. Good resource. Crandall especially has a super impressive selection of refurbished and used stuff. However, out of their (relatively) cheaper stuff, it doesn't look like I'd save much vs Amazon, and the best option they had included a couple blemishes and has since been purchased anyways. Really really great site though, worth keeping in mind for the future. Thanks for that.

 

I think I'm gonna go for the Amazon option. The shipping time is an extra incentive too, this Ikea dining chair is killing me.

 

Been following this thread myself because my dx 'speed' racer chair has pretty much been tearing the gears up in my rear end to the extent that even an oil change won't help it. It's time for me to downsize from this truly uncomfortable behemoth; so I think I'm going to pull the lever on the following Crandall purchase when I get up later today:

 

 

It's not a refurb per se, but a factory authorized return; and it's about ~$500 cheaper than buying it from Steelcase. 

 

[ArchStanton]

For that kind of money, it seems like that chair should come with something like these:  Amazon.com : Office Chair Wheels Black Replacement Rubber Chair casters for Hardwood Floors and Carpet, Set of 5, Heavy Duty Office Chair casters for Chairs to Replace Chair mats - Universal fit : Office Products 

 

[Sir Beregond]

7 hours ago, iamjanco said:

 

Been following this thread myself because my dx 'speed' racer chair has pretty much been tearing the gears up in my rear end to the extent that even an oil change won't help it. It's time for me to downsize from this truly uncomfortable behemoth; so I think I'm going to pull the lever on the following Crandall purchase when I get up later today:

 

 

It's not a refurb per se, but a factory authorized return; and it's about ~$500 cheaper than buying it from Steelcase. 

 

Nice! This one is definitely on my short list when the time comes to replace my own racer chair. I got used to having the full back though, so this definitely looks like a good option.

[iamjanco]

5 hours ago, ArchStanton said:

For that kind of money, it seems like that chair should come with something like these:  Amazon.com : Office Chair Wheels Black Replacement Rubber Chair casters for Hardwood Floors and Carpet, Set of 5, Heavy Duty Office Chair casters for Chairs to Replace Chair mats - Universal fit : Office Products 

 

 

^Chuckle, yeah, you'd think... and a little guy that pushes me around the workbench as I tinker with things and make adjustments?

 

I did tick the box that tells them to send me the oversized 75mm casters for carpet, which were a $20 additional charge. I've bookmarked the link you provided though, just in case those I get turn out to be garbage. 

 

Anyway, given the pricing, maybe I should've ordered the leather scratch n' sniff  version? It might not glide easier over my workroom floor, but at least I'll know my chair doesn't smell like butt (read: me). 

 

[ArchStanton]

2 minutes ago, iamjanco said:

I did tick the box that tells them to send me the oversized 75mm casters for carpet, which were a $20 additional charge. I've bookmarked the link you provided though, just in case those I get turn out to be garbage. 

Cool.  I got those for my chair at home.  They have exceeded my expectations.  It would be difficult for me to go back to the "plastic" wheels that seem to be the default for office chairs.

[Snakecharmed]

I'm liking the Steelcase Gesture with headrest when I get to a point of really wanting a new chair. I'd probably go for roller blade casters.

 

I was also considering the Leap V2 with headrest, but there are a lot of mixed reviews on the headrest that goes with that chair.

[Sir Beregond]

9 minutes ago, Snakecharmed said:

I'm liking the Steelcase Gesture with headrest when I get to a point of really wanting a new chair. I'd probably go for roller blade casters.

 

I was also considering the Leap V2 with headrest, but there are a lot of mixed reviews on the headrest that goes with that chair.

Yeah I noticed that too with the Leap. I've always used the normal version without one and liked it at the office, but for home, definitely like the look of the Gesture.

[Supercrumpet]

The Series 1 has arrived and it took about 60 seconds to put together, so that was nice. Comfort is quite good, no real complaints so far. I think I'll pick up the headrest.

[Supercrumpet]

Double post but HAH! I just noticed that the chair I just bought has gone up in price by $75 since I ordered it. Good timing.

[Snakecharmed]

On 20/04/2022 at 13:16, Snakecharmed said:

I'm liking the Steelcase Gesture with headrest when I get to a point of really wanting a new chair. I'd probably go for roller blade casters.

 

I was also considering the Leap V2 with headrest, but there are a lot of mixed reviews on the headrest that goes with that chair.

 

Follow-up to my old post: I ended up getting a refurbished Steelcase Leap V2 without a headrest from Crandall. I went for their thicker seat and back pad options for extra cushioning, as well as the rollerblade casters. Total out the door was under $650. If I had gone with a refurbished Gesture with a headrest, it would have cost well over $1000 with the options I wanted, but I read some mixed reviews about the Gesture's back support and decided it wasn't worth double the cost of a refurbished Leap V2.

 

What prompted me to get a new chair now was my old cheap office chair's seat cushion foam going completely flat over the last month, so I was basically sitting on an upholstered hard surface, and my butt and lower back were hurting as a result.

 

So far, the Leap V2 has been great. I haven't really sat in a chair with good lumbar support since a few years ago when I worked in an office that had Aeron chairs. This chair's lumbar support is better than the Aeron's and the pressure on my lumbar causes me to push my upper back against the seatback and sit up straight instead of slouch. I'm also more actively aware of stretching out my upper back and neck muscles while sitting as well.

 

The casters are nice. They roll so much better on my chair mat than the casters on my old chair. The adjustable armrests are very versatile.

 

As for the headrest, I realized that I usually don't need one unless I'm trying to lean back and recline. However, for the times that I do, I'll be doing this mod since I'd rather not drill holes in the seatback. I know I don't really need it because these chairs are fairly easy to work on, but I may as well preserve Crandall's 12-year warranty. Because I went for the platinum frame on my Leap V2, I'll look for a lighter colored Engineered Now H3 headrest and use stainless steel zip ties which should look a little more professional than your usual black plastic ones.

 

Leap v2 Aftermarket Headrest Hack : OfficeChairs

OLD.REDDIT.COM

---

I purchased a used Leap v2 about five years ago and it has been a fantastic chair for me. I recently found myself wanting a headrest...

 

Edited September 4, 2022 by Snakecharmed

[Sir Beregond]

I love the Leap. Best chair bar none in my opinion. Glad you are liking yours!

[Snakecharmed]

So this is what the jerry-rigged Engineered Now H3 headrest looks like on my Leap V2. It's really no different than any other example where someone did this, but the mineral gray is a little lighter than the chair, and it looks slightly less jerry-rigged (not by much though) with stainless rather than plastic zip ties. It's very secure though and also doesn't void the 12-year Crandall warranty. The headrest also has tension screw adjustments to lock the tilt position in place.

 

The biggest adjustment I had to get used to was using the headrest as a neckrest because it's farther forward than where you would want a typical headrest to be positioned. However, it works better this way because the mesh contours well to my neck and also further stretches out my neck and upper back muscles.

 

 

 

 

Despite having worked in an office for about 15 years, most of those companies didn't have very good chairs. The only other "good" chair I can compare the Leap V2 to is the Aeron, and it's not even close. One of the Leap's strengths is the versatility of its armrests and it reminds me of why I could never get an Aeron perfectly set up to my liking.

 

The Leap's armrests are independent from the seat back and the heights are notched. Being independent from the seat back makes reclining less awkward and easier to adjust quickly. I also don't like infinitely adjustable armrest heights because it's tedious to get them perfectly level with each other. These are major drawbacks with the Aeron's armrests and I realized they were part of the reason I couldn't get the Aeron dialed in. I also never really liked the mesh seat or the hard plastic edge of the seat frame.

 

This also applies to the Knoll Generation, which Sir Beregond mentioned in another thread was the worst chair he sat in. Some reviews have mentioned that the Generation's armrest anchor points feel loose, which reminds me of some worn out Aeron armrest adjustment tracks and tension wheels I've had the displeasure of using. It also doesn't make sense to me to tie an armrest to a seat back. Its armrest position when reclining looks uncomfortable and kind of absurd.

[acoustic]

I have a Secret Labs Titan XL and I can’t wait to get rid of it. I’m giving myself another year, and then going to hunt down a used Aeron, or maybe a Steelcase since you seem really happy with it. I bought the Titan because it had great reviews, but quite frankly I just don’t think it’s the right chair for me. Nothing really wrong with it build quality wise, except my cats loved the material and I couldn’t stop them from scratching it.. so it’s all fucked up now…