Best Chair for Adjustable Height Desk – As working from home has become the norm for many people over the past two years, many folks have found themselves eager to create workspaces that go beyond a standard desk setup. Some have added a mini treadmill or elliptical to their workspace to allow them to work while working out, while others have opted for a standing desk to avoid getting stuck in a chair all day.
If the latter applies to you, you might be in need of a chair that gives your legs a break from standing from time to time—but a standard desk chair won’t work for your setup. The solution: an adjustable desk chair that provides you a comfortable place to rest throughout the day.
So what’s the best standing desk chair available today? In the guide below, we’ve gathered together our favourites for a range of budgets and in a variety of styles. We start with the best leaning stools, but you can skip ahead to the best drafting chairs if you prefer that type of chair. Meanwhile, if you’re shopping in general for office furniture that can help your posture, then don’t miss our guides to the best office chairs, the best standing desks and the best office chair for back pain.
ROUND UP
1.Vari Active Chair
If you’re often standing while working at your desk and looking for an exceptional standing desk chair, Vari Active Seat standing wobble perch stool might be exactly what you’re looking for.
This standing desk stool features a fully articulating pedestal that lets you lean in any direction to keep your lower body engaged throughout the day. The Active Seat chair offers an upscale touch, with a durable 17-inch polypropylene seat pan that flexes to support a comfortable foam cushion. Plus, you can adjust the height of the standing desk chair up to 35″ as well as rock or stretch whenever you want.
The only drawback of this standing desk stool is that the seat is quite hard, so if you have back issues, it might hurt at the beginning.
Features
- Made to Move: A perfect complement to any standing desk, this perch stool promotes good posture and provides a wide range of motion to engage your back, legs, and core while sitting or standing
- Premium Features: Designed with a wide 17" cushioned seat, a durable polypropylene seat pan, and a commercial-grade air-lift piston to stand the test of time
- Fully Flexible: A fully articulating pedestal means you can lean in any direction, with a tilt guard to prevent the seat from articulating forward more than 20 degrees
- Height Adjustable: This fully-assembled computer chair can support up to 250 lb, and features an air-lift piston to easily set the seat height between 25.5" and 35"
- Trustworthy: Every time you buy a Vari product, you get quality, convenience, and a risk-free purchase you can feel good about. With 30-Day Free Returns and a fantastic 1-year warranty, you can be sure you’ll love your product.
2.Office Star Deluxe
If you’re searching for a standing desk with a backrest, well, you might have just stumbled upon one. The Office Star mesh back drafting and standing desk chair is a great option under Medium you’d definitely want to check out.
This standing desk chair offers a breathable screen back and a mesh seat with built-in lumbar support. And while it’s not an upscale model, this standing desk stool does its job well. You can adjust its height from 24.25 to 33.75 inches. Plus, you can also adjust the backrest according to your sitting preferences. This standing desk chair is a great starting point if you have never used these types of chairs before.
While this standing desk chair features a foot ring, it might move back if you put any weight on it after adjusting.
Features
- Breathable Screen Back and Mesh Seat with Built-in Lumbar Support
- Pneumatic Height Adjustment 24.25 inch to 33.75 inch
- Back Adjustment
- Adjustable Footrest
- Heavy Duty Nylon Base with Dual Wheel Carpet Casters
3.Humanscale Chair
We won’t sugar coat it: this chair is expensive. But considering its unique design and rewards, Humanscale Freedom Headrest Chair might just be one of the best you can buy.
Designed by the late Niels Diffrient—described by Forbes as the “granddaddy of the ergonomic revolution”—this chair has a counterbalance design that adjusts the tension and reclining position to provide continuous support. The weight-sensitive mechanism adapts to each user’s body weight and reclines up to 20 degrees.
The headrest is neutral when you’re in an upright position, but it cradles your head and neck during reclining positions. And since it’s an articulating headrest, there’s no need to make manual adjustments. The backrest pivots to ensure lumbar support regardless of your position—it tilts seven degrees—and the contoured cushions (which have a waterfall edge and Coccyx cutout) provide comfortable seating even for long periods of time to properly distribute your weight and reduce pressure points. The arms are attached to the backrest, so they move when you move, but you can also easily adjust them.
The lack of bulky mechanisms also makes the chair, which can hold up to 300 pounds, easier to maneuver. Also, the customization options are plentiful: you can choose from several fabric colors and types of leather, along with standard or gel arms, a standard foam or gel seat, various cylinder heights, and four types of casters.
Features
- The Different World chair has just two manual settings: one each for seat height and seat depth, all other are automatic
- Package Dimensions: 74.422 H x 59.69 L x 69.85 W (centimeters)
- Package Weight: 17.645 kilograms
- Country of Origin : China
4.SOHO Management Chair
If you have an open floor plan, your office is visible to everyone, and you need a chair that’s not only ergonomic but also fits into your design aesthetic. This midcentury modern SOHO Soft Pad Management Chair does both. The ergonomic design includes two thick foam cushions for your back, and another generous foam cushion for you to sit on. The pneumatic gas operation adjusts the seat height (19 inches to 23 inches) and the tilt lock features controls how far you can lean back.
The chair has a full aluminum base, metal wheel hoods, and chromed steel armrests (that can be removed if you don’t like armrests). It’s also available in a variety of colors. Vegan leather options include Black, White, Brown, Dark Brown, Grey, Dark Grey, and Blue. Poly-cotton options include charcoal, grey, and dark blue. The chair is easy to assemble and has a weight limit of 400 pounds.
Features
- #1 Rated mid century modern office chair from Laura Davidson Direct. Commercial grade construction for home or office - 2 year warranty.
- Durable yet comfortable leatherette seat cleans easily with a damp cloth.
- Supportive chrome steel tube frame; leatherette seating area with two upholstered foam cushions on the back and one on the seat.
- 5-star base with tilt-swivel mechanism, pneumatic gas seat-height adjustment, and tilt lock feature.
- Seat measures 19 inches wide by 17 inches deep, with a seat height range of 18 to 21 inches; 2 year warranty.
5.Steelcase Gesture Office
Many of the ergonomic chairs on this list are superbly designed, but if we had to pick the one that’s the most adjustable, it would be the Steelcase Gesture Office Chair. As usual, you get what you pay for, so expect to pay a pretty penny for this one. The chair has 360-degree arms, so you can adjust not just the height, but also the width, pivot, and depth of the arms to support your shoulders and arms regardless of your task. This means that you can sit in a variety of postures, and you can even sit sideways in the chair. There are also several seat adjustments that you can make, including the seat’s height (39 ¼ to 44 ½), depth, and angle.
In addition, the chair’s back can be adjusted for back tension, core equalizer, lumbar height, and variable backstop. The 3D LiveBack adjusts to fit your spine as you change positions. The chair is available in four frame colors and numerous upholstery colors, including Malt, Nickel, Graphite, Blue Jay, Wasabi, and Tangerine. It’s also available in several leather colors, including Ebony, Espresso, Blue, and Scarlet Red. You can also choose from three different chair heights: the standard height model, the low height model, or the high height model. The seat has a weight capacity of 300 pounds.
Features
- New Gesture Chair with Headrest Plus Lumbar Support - A new sitting experience designed with a back and seat that move as a synchronized system moving with each user to provide continue and persistent support
- Arms move like a human arm which allows users to be supported in any position
- Seat has comfort all the way to the edge with a flexible perimeter to allow users to sit in a range of positions
- Arms and shoulders remain supported regardless of device being used
- Designed to be quickly adjustable and takes into account various body types and sitting preferences
6.Mesh Ergonomic Chair
Mesh chairs have become one of the most popular types of office chairs. Mesh offers a unique sitting experience and a look that cannot be replicated by any other type of upholstery. Because of their popularity, there are literally thousands of different mesh office chairs.
How do you know which mesh chair is best for your needs? That can be a difficult question to answer with so many options available. We have done our best to help you answer that question with this list. We have used the data from our many years of experience selling mesh chairs, along with our personal experience using them to compile this list.
This list has a variety of mesh office chairs that are best suited for specific applications. Our picks may not necessarily be the only options and they may not even be the absolute best choice for you. But this list can provide a nice groundwork for what is available and what to look for when shopping for your next mesh office chair.
Features
- 【Flip-up Arms】Contoured padded arm pads are easy to get cozy, take pressure off your shoulders and neck; Flip up arms design makes your body closer to the desk, ensuring a good sitting posture. Let this ergonomic, high-back drafting chair bring your workday to new heights
- 【Adjustable Foot Ring】This tall swivel drafting chair has a height-adjustable footrest, which is ideal at standing desks, sit-to-stand desks, and bar tables; It also helps you move your feet more often and reduce pressure on the back of your legs
- 【Fully Adjustable】BIFMA-Tested lift and tilt-tension mechanism allows you to adjust height, seat tilt, and tilt tension; Ergonomic designed back and built-in lumbar support fit your body curve well and offer good protection for your spine and waist
- 【Quality Materials】1.The breathable mesh back allows air to circulate, offers cool comfort all day long; 2.Waterfall edge seat relieves pressure and promote blood flow to your legs; 3.Nylon dual-wheel casters offers great stability and mobility
- 【Built for Comfort】Let this ergonomic, high-back drafting chair bring your workday to new heights. We insist on fabulous materials and high-end craftsmanship. Every drafting stool we sell comes with a 1-year guaranteed warranty
Things to Consider When Buying a Standing Desk Chair or Stool
You probably agree with us on the fact that standing desk stools look very unusual, making it quite hard to decide which one you should go for. Here are a few things you might want to consider to make the right choice.
Does the stool have a stable non-slip base?
If you’re going to buy a standing desk stool, you want to ensure it won’t slip while you’re moving in it. Otherwise, you can end up with injuries, and we don’t want that to happen.
Does the chair have a wide seat?
The seats in standing desk chairs usually are more rigid than in regular chairs. That’s why it’s important to check whether the standing desk stool you chose has enough sitting area to make you feel comfortable.
Does it come with a rubber pad?
A rubber pad can add more stability to your standing desk stool and take your sitting experience to a whole new level. Some of the high-end standing desk chairs already come with high-quality rubber pads. If not, you might consider acquiring one.
How much weight does it support?
Unfortunately, you probably won’t have any luck finding a standing desk chair that would support 400 pounds like some heavy-duty chairs. So, if you need a chair that would hold more than 250 pounds, a standing desk stool is not your best option.
Does the chair have a foot ring?
Some of the standing desk stools come with an adjustable foot ring that you can use to either adjust the chair’s height or rest your feet when needed. If you think that’s the feature you’d want to have, then go for a standing desk chair with a foot ring.
Does the stool feature wobbling and tilting?
The whole purpose of a standing desk stool is to keep your posture safe and engage your core, letting you burn a few extra calories while sitting. If you’d like that, then you should better go for an active sitting stool.
Does it have a backrest and armrests?
If you still want to use your standing desk chair as a regular chair, being able to lean back and rest, then a drafting chair is your best bet. They’re comfortable enough to use as a standard chair and will fit nicely to your sit-to-stand desk.
Is the chair suitable for both adults and kids?
If you plan on using a standing desk chair together with your child, it’s better to choose a wobble active sitting stool. Usually, they can be adjusted to fit taller adults and shorter kids.
Do you plan on using the stool all day long?
Beware that standing desk stools aren’t meant to be used for extended periods of time. That’s why it might take you a while to get adjusted to it and feel comfortable. If you still would like to try and use it throughout your workday, you should consider one of the high-end standing desk stool models.
Benefits of a Standing Desk Chair
If you’re still hesitating, here are a few advantages of using a standing desk chair:
- It keeps your core engaged while sitting
- It helps you burn extra calories
- It lets your body move while sitting
- It enables you to maintain a better posture
- It provides you with a variety of sitting positions
- It’s a great addition to your ergonomic office setup
- It helps reduce fatigue
- It can sometimes be used as a regular chair
- It can be affordable, depending on the brand and features
- It can improve your productivity
Should I Buy a Standing Desk Stool
A standing desk stool is an excellent choice if you prefer standing when working. Standing desk chairs come in a variety of shapes, colors and have multiple features. Switching to an active sitting stool is also a great way to create an ergonomic home office environment. A standing desk stool can help you move more during the workday and keep your posture safe.
We say a standing desk chair is worth a try. But ultimately, it’s your choice.
We hope you managed to find what you were looking for. And if you have any questions or have an idea of what we should review next, please let us know.
How We Review: Our Office Chair Ratings Methodology
At Overheard on Conference Calls, we take pride in how we review office chairs. Our team of office chair experts spend hours researching and reviewing dozens of products before they even start writing their review or article. Our goal is to bring you honest and unbiased information to help you make an informed choice that will be the best for you. Our recommendations are not for sale and they are not influenced by any of the manufacturers we review.
When reviewing an office chair, there are numerous factors we analyze to determine our recommendations. Here are our four most important:
- Comfort: Comfort is key to a good office chair. It’s likely you’ll be sitting in it for hours so you’ll want something that won’t cause you aches and pains after hours of use. We gauge comfort by testing for 4+ hours as well as looking at the thickness of the seat cushion and its material.
- Durability: Not all office chairs are built the same. Our durability factor looks at the quality of the materials and how sturdy the chair is after assembly. Because we have a limited tested period, we also conduct customer research of longtime users.
- Lumbar Support: While this is an ergonomic feature, we made this its own separate rating factor because of how important it is to your overall posture, health, and comfort. We analyze each chair for its lumbar support or lack thereof.
- Ergonomic Features: In addition to lumbar support, we also look at other ergonomic features such as the armrests, height adjustment, reclining, seat ergonomics, and more. The better it is for your ergonomics and the more features/adjustability, the better.
Why isn’t price included on that list? Fair question! We do consider price in the order of our recommendations but because everyone has their own budget in mind, we won’t rule a chair in or out just because it has premium or budget price.
Our team has researched and reviewed hundreds of chairs and we’re confident in our recommendations. We strive to only recommend the best products and we periodically refresh our reviews and rankings.
Why should I buy a standing chair?
“Standing desk chairs are great for improving your posture and general health says James Crow from Posture Stars. “They give you an active support that can keep you upright and able to shift position much more easily than a standard chair. Plus they’re fantastic for keeping you lively and alert for your online meetings too.”
In short, standing chairs allow you to get the best of both worlds: to use a standing desk for a more active work setup, but also to be able to rest and change your position to avoid getting tired, especially if you’re not used to standing up for long periods of time.
” I love the way you can quickly switch from standing to perching, to get a variety of good postures,” Crow adds. “And they help to avoid the aching feet that can come from standing at a desk for long periods of time.”
What’s the point of a standing desk?
“Standing desks may be a great solution for those who may not be comfortable sitting, either because of pain or just preference,” says Dr Amy Hoover, physiotherapist at P.volve. “Standing vs sitting may also encourage better posture and spinal alignment. Standing allows us to engage more postural muscles, and helps encourage muscular support, and distributes forces throughout our body to lessen stress on one area.”
How should you stand at a standing desk?
“You need to be mindful of your posture when using a standing desk,” says Dr Amy. “Try standing with your ears, shoulders, hips and ankles in a line, and keep your joints soft, and distribute your weight evenly between both legs. Moving often is still necessary, and arguably more when you use a standing desk. Doing some waking every 30 minutes can help encourage blood flow and keep your muscles from tightening up.”
To give your legs, ankles, and feet a rest at your standing desk, you’ll need an ergonomic adjustable chair that’s comfortable, extends to heights that match your setup, and can actually fit in your space.
When looking for a standing desk chair, the material of the seat—as well as whether or not it has a sturdy back—is important. If you find yourself standing for the majority of the day, you don’t want your first sit-down break to be on a hard, uncomfortable surface.
Aside from comfort, whichever chair you opt for should be able to adjust to the height of your standing desk, as well as fit in your WFH space. If, when you’re sitting in the chair, you can’t properly reach the top of your desk, that model won’t be a good fit in the long run. Similarly, you’ll want to ensure that the desk chair you choose doesn’t take up too much room in your space, and you’ll want to avoid selecting a too-small chair that winds up being uncomfortable or looking undersized. The perfect standing desk chair will align with the height of your desk, and, when out of use, can be stored underneath.
When it comes to tall office chairs, there’s no one-size-fits-all. What works for another user might not work for you. To find out which high chair is the right one for you, here are some factors that you need to consider.
The seat height is the most crucial element of a tall chair. It should support at a minimum height adjustment to 30″ or higher (floor to the top of the seat) to accommodate sitting with a standing desk.
Since you’ll be spending quite a lot of time sitting while working, the next thing you need to ask yourself is whether the seat itself is comfortable. Is it wide enough to support your behind? Does it have enough give or cushioning?
The shape of the seat can affect the overall condition of your tush too. A waterfall edge seat encourages blood circulation to your lower limbs. Meanwhile, contoured seats are designed to distribute the body weight to a larger area and reduce the pressure points in the tailbone and the back of the thighs. A saddle seat, on the other hand, puts you at the most suitable position for long periods of sitting according to Danish surgeon A.C. Mandal.
When it comes to upholstery, you have several options. Mesh and fabric are popular options for people who want to stay cool while working. They are, however, not that durable and are harder to clean.
You can also opt to buy a leather tall chair but the price will depend on the quality of the material. Bonded leather is affordable, easy to clean, and chic-looking but not breathable.
A backrest is ideal if you’re going to sit for long periods of time. But, if you’ll be moving a lot, you might like the extra space that a backless model offers. It will also encourage you to maintain proper posture while working.
If you do decide to get one with a backrest, make sure it has with lumbar support.
Just like the backrest, you can get high chairs with or without arms.
If you want to have extra space or the freedom to move closer to your workbench, a model without armrests would be ideal. Should you choose to go for a drafting chair with armrests, it should have some form of cushioning to prevent repetitive strain injuries like bursitis and cubital tunnel syndrome. Alternatively, you can slip on some armrest pads. If you want to get the best of both worlds, flip-up armrests are the way to go.
WRAP UP
Best Chair for Adjustable Height Desk – The phrase best standing desk chair might sound like a contradiction in terms. Isn’t a standing desk supposed to be for, em, standing? Well, yes it is, but experts agree that you shouldn’t spend more than a portion of your working day standing up. Instead, it’s better for your posture and general energy levels to keep switching between standing, normal sitting, and what’s known as ‘active sitting’. And that’s where the best standing desk chair comes in.
One type of standing desk chair is known as a ‘leaning stool’. You don’t so much sit on it as lean or perch on it while working at a standing desk. This way it reduces the pressure on your feet, knees, hips, and lower back, but without the increased lower back stress of sitting. It also makes it much easier to move on and off your chair and take breaks, because you don’t get as comfortable and shouldn’t have the tendency to slump like you might when you’re sitting in a normal office chair for long periods of time.
Another type of standing desk chair is known as a ‘drafting chair’. This is similar to a normal office chair but can be adjusted to the height of a standing desk, or indeed other tall work surfaces such as a reception counter. Some of these can also be tilted like a leaning stool.
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