Chair Buying Guide

Everyone is different, so why should our chairs all be the same? Fortunately, they do not have to be. Different body shapes, sizes and statures require different chair features and functions in order to best adapt and conform to your unique comfort and support preferences. With an extensive range of office chairs, there truly is more than what meets the eye-or back. From several high quality manufacturers, Office Ready carefully selects chairs with pleasing aesthetics and a multitude of functions and features, so you get the most out of your chair, and your work gets the most out of you.

How do you know what chair is best for you? We made that simple by creating this buying guide for you, taking out all of the guesswork. We have broken down all of the fine details to make it easier for you to make the best choice.

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Pneumatic Seat Height Adjustment

Take your chair to greater - or smaller - heights. This pneumatic adjustment feature allows you to change the height of the seat based on your height, so your feet stay grounded, without any gaps between you and the floor.

Our picks:

basyx by HON HVL511 Mesh Mid-Back Task Chair

The combination of simplicity and contemporary makes this chair a nice addition to any workspace, while also being comfortable and affordable. It features a curved mesh back to allow for better airflow and a curved, multi-layer foam seat cushion for complete body support. Fixed armrests provide support for forearms while typing, maintaining an ideal posture. This mid-back task chair also includes a pneumatic seat height adjustment feature, allowing the seat to be moved up or down, accommodating different body heights.

Alera® Etros Series Mesh Mid-Back Petite Multifunction Chair

This mesh, mid-back chair is an affordable option, without sacrificing comfort and support. Designed specifically for petite users, but can be adjusted to suit users of various sizes. This chair provides options, allowing the user full control. A three-lever multifunction mechanism adjusts the back angle relative to seat, seat slide and forward tilt. Along with height and width adjustable arms, the back of the chair can also be heightened or lowered according to the height of the user.

Back Height Adjustment

 Need a back adjustment? This feature allows you to adjust the height of the back of the chair in proportion to the seat cushion, reducing strain on the lower back, for a more supportive posture.

Our picks:

Alera® Elusion Series Mesh Mid-Back Multifunction Chair

Featuring a multifunction mechanism with seat glide, Alera built this chair to work and move with you. Adjust the back angle in proportion to the seat, or adjust the tilt in free floating, infinite locking or forward tilt positions. Rest arms atop plush polyurethane pads and adjust the height and width to reach your desired placement. Keep cool with a breathable mesh back, and stay comfortable with a curved, sloping seat cushion designed to alleviate pressure on the legs, making it easier to sit for an extended period of time. A five-star base with casters allows for effortless maneuverability around the workspace.

Alera® Etros Series Mesh Mid-Back Petite Multifunction Chair

This mesh, mid-back chair is an affordable option, without sacrificing comfort and support. Designed specifically for petite users, but can be adjusted to suit users of various sizes, this chair provides options, allowing the user full control. A three-lever multifunction mechanism adjusts the back angle relative to seat, seat slide and forward tilt. Along with height and width adjustable arms, the back of the chair can also be heightened or lowered based on the height of the user.

Seat Glide Mechanism

 Glide through your workday with this seat glide mechanism. This feature allows you to slide the seat forward or backward to achieve a suitable seat depth for you, which in turn enhances back support and maintains optimal circulation of the legs.

Our picks:

Alera® Elusion Series Mesh Mid-Back Multifunction Chair

Featuring a multifunction mechanism with seat glide, Alera built this chair to work and move with you. Adjust the back angle in proportion to the seat, or adjust the tilt in free floating, infinite locking or forward tilt positions. Rest arms atop plush polyurethane pads and adjust the height and width to reach your desired placement. Keep cool with a breathable mesh back, and stay comfortable with a curved, sloping seat cushion designed to alleviate pressure on the legs, making it easier to sit for an extended period of time. A five-star base with casters allows for effortless maneuverability around the workspace.

Compel Derby Task Chair

This contemporary yet simple task chair features an adjustable, curved mesh back to allow for better air circulation and lower back support. A multi-density foam seat cushion provides comfort while sitting for extended periods of time and dual casters allow for effortless maneuverability. This functional chair also includes adjustable arms, seat slide adjustment and pneumatic seat height adjustment to accommodate various statures.

Eurotech Apollo MT9400 Mesh Office Chair

A consistent user favorite; the Apollo has it all. It merges superior comfort, quality and adjustability. It features a breathable mesh to keep you cool, and a curved seat cushion with a gradual sloped edge to alleviate pressure behind the knees. This chair is highly customizable and adaptable, including a seat glide mechanism, allowing the user to slide the seat forward or back to achieve the desired placement.

Tilt Tension/Tilt Lock

 Not to worry, this is a good type of tension. This feature allows the back to recline at a 1:1 ratio to the seat, promoting a more comfortable seated position and balancing weight distribution to ease pressure on the body. Tilt tension regulates the rate and ease that the chair reclines. Once the desired position is achieved, the lock-out tilt feature keeps the chair in a secure, upright position.

Our picks:

basyx by HON HVL511 Mesh Mid-Back Task Chair

The combination of simplicity and contemporary makes this chair a nice addition to any workspace, while also being comfortable and affordable. It features a curved mesh back to allow for better airflow and a curved, multi-layer foam seat cushion for complete body support. Fixed armrests provide support for forearms while typing, maintaining an ideal posture. This chair also features tilt tension and tilt lock mechanisms to control the rate of recline and lock it in place.

Eurotech Apollo MT9400 Mesh Office Chair

A consistent user favorite; the Apollo has it all. It merges superior comfort, quality and adjustability. It features a breathable mesh to keep you cool, and a curved seat cushion with a gradual sloped edge to alleviate pressure behind the knees. This chair is highly customizable and adaptable, including tilt tension and tilt lock features, allowing the user to adjust the rate of recline and lock it in place.

Synchronized Knee Tilt

Practice synchronized sitting. Much like the knee tilt feature, this feature also allows the back to recline, while keeping feet flat on the floor. This is considered a “synchronized” knee tilt because it restricts the extent that the front seat raises when the back is reclined. This helps maintain an ideal posture while maintaining optimal leg circulation.

Our picks:

Alera® EB-T Series Synchro Mid-Back Flip-Arm Chair

This chair was designed with ergonomics in mind. It features an airy mesh back and a well-cushioned leather seat with a gradually sloped edge, keeping you comfortable for hours on end. This chair gives the user control, with highly convenient features, such as flip-back height adjustable arms that swivel backward and out of the way when not in use. This chair also includes a synchronized knee tilt feature, to manage the extent that the back reclines and with that, the extent of which the seat raises.

Posture Lock

Posture is important, especially throughout a long workday. This feature allows the user to adjust the back according to their preferences and needs within a fixed range. This promotes better spinal alignment and weight distribution tailored to the user. Once he desired back placement is established, this feature keeps it locked in place.

Our pick:

Global Graphic 2738MB Mesh Posture Back Task Chair

Modern in appearance, this task chair features a breathable mesh back to keep you cool and comfortable and G4 arms with high-strength, Self-Skinned Urethane (SSU) arm caps that slide forward of back for the ideal placement. Designed with posture in mind, this chair allows the user and the back of the chair to rotate from the same point, creating a smooth motion.

Multi-Task Control

We are big fans of multi-tasking; our chairs are, too. This feature includes a single lever that easily adjusts the angle of the back and seat individually. This provides an infinite number of locking positions within a set range, allowing you to modify and personalize the chair to your preferences.

Our pick:

Global Goal 2237-3 Low Back Multi-Tilter Task Chair

This task chair is a cost-effective choice, designed with the same comfort and quality you would expect from its high-end counterparts. It includes height-adjustable and removable Self-Skinned Urethane (SSU) arm rests and features a single lever that adjusts the angle of the back and seat, giving you more control.

Asynchronous Control

This feature includes three levers intended to adjust the angle of the back relative to the seat and control tilt and forward tilt in free floating or locking positions. This mechanism allows a diverse range of movement, spinal alignment and weight distribution.

Our picks:

HON® 7700 Series High-performance Task Chair

This swivel task chair features stain resistant fabric that is sloped and contoured with a cushioned foam seat and polymer back for extra comfort and structure. Three levers provide asynchronous control, making it built to adjust to user preferences, including control of the back angle in relation to the seat and tilt and forward tilt in free floating or locking positions.

HON® Crio Mid-Back Task Chair

Use all your resources. This mid-back task chair was designed to be useful. Featuring a cool mesh back and curved seat, this chair compliments all workspaces, maintaining a clean, professional aesthetic. This chair offers effortless maneuverability with a five-star base and 360-swivel, and three-lever, asynchronous control makes it highly adjustable and customizable, for easy adjustment of posture by modifying the back angle.

Variable Synchro-Tilt

It is all about the variables. The variable synchro-tilt feature allows the back to recline in a 2:1 ratio to the seat angle. It also allows change of tilt, including a forward tilt to ease pressure points and locks in five different positions.

Our pick:

Alera® EY Series Mesh Multifunction Chair

This multifunction chair is simple, sleek and modern with a tall back and slender profile. It features a soft, knit-like mesh fabric to allow for sufficient airflow, height-adjustable arms with softly sloped arm pads, and a shiny, chrome five-star base with casters. This chair also features a variable synchro-tilt mechanism, creating a more relaxed position by allowing the back to recline in a 2:1 ratio to the seat angle.

Integral Lumbar Support

Lower back support is essential when it comes to chairs. This lumbar support feature allows the height of the back to adjust for optimal placement, helping to better support the lower back, reducing stress and discomfort.

Our picks:

Alera® Etros Series Mesh Mid-Back Petite Multifunction Chair

This mesh, mid-back chair is an affordable option, without sacrificing comfort and support. Designed specifically for petite users, but can be adjusted to suit users of various sizes. This chair provides options, allowing the user full control. A three-lever multifunction mechanism adjusts the back angle relative to seat, seat slide and forward tilt. Along with height and width adjustable arms, the back of the chair can also be heightened or lowered based on the height of the user to better support the lower back.

Compel Derby Task Chair

This contemporary yet simple task chair features an adjustable, curved mesh back to allow for better air circulation and lower back support. A multi-density foam seat cushion provides comfort while sitting for extended periods of time and dual casters allow for effortless maneuverability. This functional chair also includes adjustable arms, seat slide adjustment and pneumatic seat height adjustment to accommodate various statures.

Eurotech Apollo MT9400 Mesh Office Chair

A consistent user favorite; the Apollo has it all. It merges superior comfort, quality and adjustability. It features a breathable mesh to keep you cool, and a curved seat cushion with a gradual sloped edge to alleviate pressure behind the knees. This chair is highly customizable and adaptable, including integral lumbar support, reducing tension on the lower back.

This chair buying guide is designed to provide information about chair functions and features so you can make an informed decision based on your needs, preferences and styles.

Still unsure what features are best for you? We are here to help.  As displayed within this guide, different chairs have different combinations of features and functions, giving you many options. But, many options can be overwhelming; that is where we step in. We understand all of the fancy and technical details of office furniture. If you have more questions or are unsure what chair best fits your needs, Office Ready is happy to help point you in the right direction.