Chairs Buying Guide
How to choose your office chair?
Most people with an office job work for hours a day sitting behind a desk. To avoid physical complaints, it is important that you have a chair to support you during those hours and help you keep the correct posture. Office chairs come with many different features, which makes the decision to find the correct one difficult. Read on to explore more about different types of office chair features, to help you make the right decision.
Choose your office chair?
Office chairs are available in all price ranges and designs. The more adjustable components an office chair has, the more ergonomic it becomes. Which adjustments are needed varies per person, based on their needs and body type. These four questions will help find a suitable model for your needs:
- Which mechanism suits your use?
- How do you want to adjust your armrests?
- How long do you need to use the chair?
- Mesh, Fabric, or Leather?
Which mechanism suits your use?
The type of mechanisms used in office chairs allow the chair to respond better to the user and determine the adjustability of the seat and backrest. The correct mechanism depends on the seating wishes of the user. The most common four mechanisms are:
Permanent contact
- Backrest follows movements of the upper body
- Seat does not tilt
- Option to lock backrest in place
- Supports lower back constant backrest contact
Basic tilt mechanism
- Backrest and seat tilt together
- The tilt angle remains the same
- Upper legs and feet are lifted when leaning back
- Option to lock the tilt in place
- Option to adjust the resistance of tilt
Knee tilt mechanism
- Backrest and seat tilt together
- The tilt angle remains the same
- Tilt lock and tilt resistance adjustments
- Provides balanced posture during reclining
- Feet remain on the floor during recline
Synchro tilt mechanism
- Backrest and seat tilt together at different ratios
- More balanced and comfortable reclining motion
- Adaptable to individual postures
- Tilt lock and tilt resistance adjustments
- Maintains good posture by aligning to the spine’s natural curve
How do you want to adjust your armrests?
The armrests of office chairs can be adjusted in up to five ways. The increase in adjustability options help accommodate different needs and preferences, making the chair more ergonomic. The types of armrests are categorised by the number of adjustable dimensions. The five armrest options are:
Fixed armrests
- Positioned at a fixed height and width
- Basic arm support without customisation
Height adjustable armrests
- Can be raised or lowered to suit the user's preference
- Helps align arms comfortably with desk height
2D armrests
- Can be raised or lowered to suit the user's preference and desk height
- Can be moved closer to or farther from the user's body for a better fit
3D armrests
- Height, depth, and width adjustment
- Provides significant customisation for various tasks
4D armrests
- Combines height, width, depth, and pivot adjustments
- Offers extensive customisation for optimal arm and shoulder support
No armrests
- Open sides, providing unrestricted movement and freedom.
- Sleek, simple appearance often preferred in modern or compact spaces
Impact of Sitting Time
Chairs are often designed with specific durations in mind to ensure optimal comfort and support. Finding a chair that is tailored to your daily schedule and needs, can help minimise complaints and maintain overall health and well-being.
Chairs for up to 5 hours
- Provides medium-length ergonomic support
- Comfortable for shorter sitting durations
- Versatile usage
- Cost-effective
Chairs for 6 to 8 hours
- Sustained comfort throughout the workday
- Provides long-lasting ergonomic support
- Designed for extended use
- Durable
Chairs for more than 8 hours
- Ergonomic support for prolonged sitting
- All-day comfort
- Ideal for intensive use
- Health-centric design
Mesh, Fabric or Leather?
Office chairs are available in a variety of fabrics. The choice of cover not only significantly impacts the chair’s appearance, but also affects the comfort levels of the user.
Mesh office chairs
Mesh chairs are designed to optimise air flow for a cooler seating experience and provide a modern option that prioritises comfort and support.
- Breathable, allows air to circulate easily
- Easy to clean
- Springy nature responds to body shape
Fabric office chairs
Fabric chairs provide a comfortable seating experience due to the soft and plush nature of the upholstery. Fabric chairs are available in various colours, patterns, and textures, so you can build and customise your chair to your style and office decor.
- Soft and comfortable
- Durable and hardwearing
- Large variety of colour and style options
Leather office chairs
Leather chairs are known for their elegance and durability, providing a stylish seating option that seamlessly blends timeless style with exceptional comfort, ideal for both home and office settings.
- Luxurious look and feel
- Easy to clean
- Durable construction
Alternative Chairs
If you are looking for something less traditional, there are a few other options in the market that you can consider.
Draughtsman Chairs
- Ideal for working above normal desk height
- Extensive height adjustment options
- Options with footrest bars, seat backs, and armrests
Stacking Chairs
- Space-saving and portable
- Cost-effective
- Wide range of options
Gaming Chairs
- High level of adjustability
- Comfortable for long hours
- Wide range of options
Sitting Balls
- Helps strengthen back muscles
- Better spinal posture
- Promotes good balance and stability
- Preferred for shorter sitting durations
How to adjust your chair ergonomically
- Seat height: The seat height should be set so that the soles of both feet are flat and in complete contact with the floor. The thighs and lower legs should form a 90-degree angle when seated.
- Backrest: The form and size of the backrest should match the back of the user and ideally be height adjustable. However, it is also vital that the backrest supports the lumbar region in the lower back. A lumbar support feature provides additional support for the lower back by helping to maintain the natural curve of the spine and the correct posture.
- Seat depth and area: The entire sitting area of the chair should be used. You can achieve this by sitting far enough back in the chair to ensure your back is in full contact with the backrest, and there is approximately a hand’s width between the back of your knee and the front of the seat.
- Neck and head support: The head support should be adjusted to the height of the neck in order to help relieve stress and support the neck correctly.
- Castors: These should not only be robust and of high quality to withstand intensive daily use, but they should also match the type of floor. Our chairs are fitted with castors for carpet flooring as standard. However, castors for hard floors are also available for most chairs.
Popular Chair Accessories
If you are interested in enhancing your chair with additional items that improve comfort, here are some popular chair accessories and their benefits:
Footrests
Helps keep feet comfortably positioned, promoting better posture and reducing leg strain.
Chairs mats
Protects flooring and allows for smoother rolling of office chairs, reducing wear on carpet or hardwood floors.
Office chair back rests
Attaches to the chair to offer enhanced support and promote better posture.
Ergonomic seat cushions
Adds cushioning to the seat for improved comfort, especially for prolonged sitting.
Quality demands
Viking places great value in offering high-quality, excellent products. This is our top priority when it comes to office chairs, which is why all models in our Niceday and Realspace ranges are subject to intensive tests and are required to meet a wide range of European standards. These standards comprise various factors including the seating time, load-bearing capacity, and roller capabilities. This overview provides a summary of the standards that the different chairs are required to meet before they can be included in our range.
- Office Chairs: EN 1335-1, EN 1335-2, EN 1335-3 (incl. EN 1022)
- Heavy-load chairs: BS 5459-2
- Chairs for professional use: EN 16139 (incl. EN 1728 and EN 1022)
- Chairs for domestic use: EN 12520 (incl. EN 1728 and EN 1022)
- Chairs for outdoor use: EN 581-1, EN 581-2 (incl. EN 1728 and EN 1022)
Our Bestsellers
Best Seller
Viking Malaga Executive Chair
- Basic tilt mechanism
- Bonded leather
- Fixed and padded armrests
Best Seller
Realspace Karl Office Chair
- Synchro tilt mechanism
- Lumbar support
- Height adjustable armrests
Best Seller
Realspace Draughtsman Chair
- Permanent contact
- Fabric covering
- Seat height adjustable