Is An Expensive Office Chair Worth It?

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

You have one goal at work: To be as efficient and productive as possible. To make the most out of your work hours so that you can spend less time in the office and more time enjoying your life. You’ve invested thousands of dollars into creating the optimal workspace to achieve this goal. You’re wireless, always connected, and running a super-charged system complete with the latest hardware and duel LCD monitors to fit your ADD lifestyle. The only kink in your routine is that every thirty minutes you’re forced to stop what you’re doing and crack your back. Or take a walk to relieve the pressure in your spine. To stand up and to give your wrists a break.

Investing in a better office chair can eliminate your need for these rest periods and put hours back in your day. You’ll never work another 10-hour day again.

Anyone who thinks that cost and quality don’t matter when buying an office chair has never had to sit nine hours in a bad one or felt the wrath of sore wrists, neck and back muscles after an all-nighter at the office. Sure, you can find discounted office chairs for $50 to $100 each at a local office warehouse, but these chairs are not a good investment for everyday business use. Low-cost chairs are not durable and don’t come with the ergonomic features that prevent workplace injuries. Don’t think of your office chair as something you simply sit on all day. Think of it as another productivity tool and invest in it as such. Those who cheap out with discount chairs end up adding frustration and discomfort to their day and chiropractor visits to their life.

So, what can a quality office chair offer you?

• Increased Productivity: Jotting off to Staples or cruising Amazon.com to score yourself a discount chair sounds great to your bank account, but it may end up costing you more in the end. Take a second to consider how much time per day/week/month that you spend at your computer. When you’re uncomfortable at work you waste time getting distracted and are left feeling fatigued. Expensive chairs save you money by increasing the number of hours you can work without interruption. When you’re able to dive into a project without having to constantly stop to rest your limbs or adjust how you’re seated, it allows you to be better-focused and more efficient. If it sounds difficult to justify spending $500-$600 on an office chair, consider the number of hours you’ll be saving by becoming more productive in the office. Some quick math should show that quality chairs pay for themselves in the long run and get you out of the office faster.

• Better Working Environment: When you sit down and work while seated in a comfortable chair, you end up caring more about your work environment. That’s because being comfortable while working can lead to increased organization, productivity and efficiency. Suddenly, the question shifts from wondering if an expensive office chair is worth it, to, can you really afford not to have a great chair?

  The reason that office chairs like the Aeron cost more is because they allow you to adjust the chair to fit your specific comfort level. By tweaking the chair to fit your body type and preferences, you’re able to reduce the strain that sitting places on your back and spine.

  Many of the high-end office chairs feature adjustable arm rests that move horizontally and vertically to address shoulder, neck and back pain. If you have problems with your spine, a chair that allows you to tilt forward slightly while you type may help to relieve extra pressure.

Does an Increased Cost Result in a Better Investment?

Your office chair is arguably the single most important piece in your workspace and should be thought of us an investment in productivity, not simply a piece of furniture. Chairs from Obus Forme and Haworth are inviting to business professionals because of their durability. These high quality office chairs can stand up to 10-15 years of consistent use. In fact, Herman Miller gives his chairs a 12-year warranty so you know it’s going to last.

But a high price tag does not always equate to the best chair. While the $900 Haworth Zody is one of the most feature-rich chairs available, other chairs such as the Obus Forme 4430 Series retail at $700 and provide only minimal levels of adjustment. The Celle by Herman Miller retails for more than $500 but is often said to be unforgiving on your back and far too stiff to be considered comfortable. Or what about the one-of Herman Miller Aeron Chaise we saw a few years back that’s nothing more than an overpriced recliner riding on the coattails of the Aeron’s success? These chairs illustrate the importance of seeing the chairs in person and testing them out before buying.

The Herman Miller Aeron Chair

When it comes down to buying office chairs, don’t assume that the biggest brands will always offer the most comfort and provide the best value. While buying a Herman Miller Aeron Chair has become a symbol of prestige, at nearly $1,000 per chair, who can afford to dress up their entire office with Aerons? If you’re serious about being productive and efficient, find ways to maximize your dollar and your productivity. For example, the Haworth Improv H.E. is a great fit for almost everyone. These chairs offer eight different adjustment points to allow you to customize your chair for maximum comfort, and are often available for under $300 if you’re willing to take the time to hunt for one.

An office chair is only worth the hefty price tag if it makes you more comfortable and more productive when seated at your desk.

There’s a difference between being cheap and being a smart shopper, though. Recall the Lifehacker story from last year that discussed recovering old chairs to make them look funky and new again. While a funky $5 office chair may turn out to be a fun addition to spruce up your living room, we can only hope you’re not using it for business use.

Go Ergonomic and Boost Comfort and Productivity

For the past few years nearly every piece of office furniture from desks and chairs to mice and keyboards – are being called “ergonomic”. Ergonomic simply means that the product was designed to maximize human productivity and efficiency while reducing the stress placed on the body. In other words, it’s super comfortable, molded to your body and helps you do your job better.

Ergonomic office chairs are worth the investment, but you still have to do your research. Buying a chair simply because it claims to be ergonomic is not always a wise decision. You need to get in the chair and test it out to ensure it’s what you need to work better. Not everything labeled ergonomic actually is.

Here are some tips and recommendations for testing out ergonomic chairs:

1. Check the back (lumbar) support, width and depth of the chair first. If you struggle to fill out the chair, or feel yourself shifting around to fit better — stop. You’re not sitting in a truly ergonomic office chair.

2. Adjust the height and tilting of the chair while seated at a work surface that matches your office setup. It’s important to feel how the armrests, seat cushions and backing feel. Many chair look plush and comfortable, but end up feeling lumpy or spotty when you’re seated at your desk and hammering away on the keyboard. Check the armrests to make sure they’ll work with the level of your desk.

3. When you’re working, you’re still mobile, just in a limited area around your desk. You’ll need to roll a bit to reach your printer, swivel to answer your phone, or adjust your height if you’re writing or just casually using the computer. Test how well the chair reacts on the surface and space you often work in. Do the wheels move easily or are they stiff and resistant to changing directions? Can you lean back in your chair or does is begin to move and become unsteady?

Decide What Your Office Chair Is Worth to You

The office chair you ultimately decide on will be determined by how and where you plan to use it. If you’re writing code or blogging all day, you need to find yourself a strong chair that supports your arms and lower back. It’s likely that you’ll be seated for long durations at a time, so a chair that can hold you in an optimal working position is recommended.

You’ll also need to consider the size of your workspace. If you don’t have much room to work with, some of the more larger, expensive chairs may dominate your space and make you feel confined. A chair like the Steelcase Uno Mid Back Chair by Turnstone, however, will provide you with ample back support without overpowering the room.

If you’re a more animated desk jockey, you will probably appreciate a looser chair. A chair that features less reclining or rolling resistance will serve you better as you move about and get things done.

Ultimately, you need to start thinking about how much you’re willing to spend on an office chair and what comfort is worth to you. A chair can’t make you work harder, but it can make you more productive if it keeps you comfortable in your working position. You don’t necessarily need an expensive office chair, but you do need one that can be adjusted to help you stay pain-free and productive throughout your workday. Chances are, with a little effort and a bit of research, you’ll be able to find a chair that fits your budget while also fitting your needs.

photo credit: daxiang stef

Tagged as: business, buying guide, chairs, furniture, office, office equipment