Chair-related pain usually takes a while to develop. The culprit? The huge amount of time we spend in our office chairs - the postures and small movements we barely even register when we're caught up in our work tasks.
In a lifetime, the average UK adult will spend 11 solid years sitting down. According to a study of 2,000 people, they'll spend up to four hours a day on their feet, which is half the amount of time they'll spend in a chair.
Three-quarters of participants said their employer does nothing to encourage more movement and over half admitted to sometimes sitting for so long that their back starts to hurt.
It's findings like these that reinforce the importance of not only moving more but of having a good, adjustable ergonomic chair during those times when sitting down is required. There are many ergonomic office chairs available, which can make the buying process challenging.
Helpful guides like our online art of sitting resource take you through some of the key buying tips for choosing the right ergonomic chair. What functions should your chair have? How should you set up and use it?
But before you set your ergonomic chair up, you've got to choose one. Here's our pick of the best 5 ergonomic chairs for general use in the office in 2022. We've chosen them for adjustability and versatility so that they suit as wide a range of people as possible.
1. HÅG SoFi Mesh: The gold standard
Widely regarded as one of the world's finest examples of office chair design - for both looks and functionality, the HÅG SoFi Mesh takes the top spot on our list of the best work and home office chairs to buy this year.
HÅG SoFi is the product of a partnership between award-winning designers and the famous Scandinavian chair brand Flokk. Of course, it had to look good, and it does. With all the moving parts and functions contained within a sleek, nearly seamless body, HÅG SoFi is proof that ergonomics doesn’t have to be a synonym for ugly.
It’s got all the standard features a good ergonomic chair needs – back and seat adjustment, adjustable gas stem, an ergonomic back with good support. But that’s not where it ends.
What’s special about it?
Active sitting function: when activated, the tilt function allows the chair to move with your body so you can rock back and forth to stimulate blood flow and keep you active even when you’re sitting.
Mesh back: Not just there to look stylish (although it does), the warp-knitted mesh is both heavy-duty and comfortable thanks to the air flowing in through the gaps.
Where to buy: HÅG SoFi Mesh
2. RH Mereo: The flexibility champion
The RH Mereo 300, also from Scandinavian brand Flokk, is all about flexibility and ease of use. Like the HÅG SoFi, RH Mereo moves with the user, giving it a natural feel that supports the body without forcing it into any awkward postures. It has a large, square back in a choice of colours. The RH Mereo can also be customised with a range of extras, including armrests and a coat hanger.
What’s special about it?
Active sitting function: Lean backwards or forwards and RH Mereo comes with you. This inbuilt movement keeps you active even when you have to be seated – great for circulation and concentration.
Where to buy: RH Mereo
3. Positiv Me: The heavy lifter
The Positiv Me collection is an office workhorse. Not quite as sleek and neat-looking as offerings from HÅG and RH, but it does have the added bonus of a double seat slide mechanism which can be adjusted to fit both petite and larger users. It’s hugely popular for the fact that it’s versatile, highly adjustable and very reasonably priced for what you get.
What’s special about it?
Double seat slide mechanism: This allows the seat to slide backwards for the petite users, or forward to suit those with longer legs.
Highly customisable: When you buy your Positiv Me, you get the chance to add on special features like a coccyx cut-out, inbuilt lumbar support and seat padding. This means you end up with an ergonomic chair tailored precisely to you and your needs.
Where to buy: Positiv Me
4. RH Logic: The king of ergonomics
RH Logic is a 24/7 chair built to stand the test of time. There are two models in the collection: a medium back, great for the average user, and high back for taller or larger users. The maximum weight capacity is 150 kg (23.5 stone), and the shaped back and large seat promise to support the body in a natural, comfortable position.
What’s special about it?
Large and robust: RH Logic is a particularly large, sturdy chair with components that are built to last. This makes it a good choice for 24/7 seating where users work in shifts, or if users expect to be spending a lot of time sitting down.
Highly customisable: Select from a wide range of options, including coccyx cut-out seat, neckrest and armrests. This makes it ideal for those who have already experienced musculoskeletal disorders like back pain.
Where to buy: RH Logic
5. Positiv P-Sit: The comfortable all-rounder
The Positiv Me’s younger sibling, the P-Sit, offers good quality ergonomic design at a much lower price. It’s simple but classic, offering sturdy, adjustable support that has the flexibility to suit a range of environments.
What’s special about it?
Cost-effective: One of the cheapest (but still high quality) ergonomic chairs available.
Configuration options: Choose from a huge range of options to design the perfect task chair for you.
Where to buy: Positiv P-Sit
Which of these chairs is the best?
All in all, there is no one true answer as to which of these chairs is the best as everyone has a different preference.
Some people like high-backed chairs with lumbar support cushions, some may need a bariatric chair with a hefty base. One thing that we can confidently say is that you’d be hard-pressed to find a chair better than those on this list.
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That concludes our list of the best ergonomic chairs to buy in 2022. Whether you're working to a strict budget, or you're willing to invest in the best ergonomic chair for you, we hope you've found what you're looking for.
If you're buying office chairs for an organisation, our Seating Projects team is available to guide you through the entire process with expert advice and hands-on trials. This includes sourcing, selecting, evaluating, installing and setting up chairs for individual users.
This leaves you to focus on other matters while your workforce is looked after.
