Best Ergonomic Office Chair for Standing Desk – Despite its name, standing desks are not meant to be used for standing for long stretches of time. In fact, a 2015 study found that prolonged standing can contribute to everything from varicose veins, lower back pain, to cardiovascular problems.
This is where a tall office chair can really come in handy. This lets you alternate between sitting and standing to get only the benefits of a standing desk minus the risks.
In this buyer’s guide we researched and filtered the 6 very best tall office chairs that go well with standing desks, each with something unique depending on your needs.
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.
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1.Hylone Drafting Chair
The highlight of the Hylone Tall Office Chair is its easily dismissible flip-up arms. Instead of rolling the chair out of the way when you wish to switch to standing, you can simply tuck the chair under your standing desk to minimize the space it takes up.
The backrest of the Hylone can rock up to 120°, a feature that a lot of drafting chairs lack. This robust tilt and tension control will relieve the pressure on your lower back after prolonged standing. The curved back is also made of a mesh material that will keep you cool while working.
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
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 Air Grid back with built-in lumbar support
- Thick padded black mesh seat with one-touch pneumatic seat height adjustment
- 4-way adjustable flip arms with 3-position lock and polyurethane foam pads
- Adjustable chrome footring
- Heavy duty nylon base with oversized dual wheel carpet casters
3.Boss Office Products
Are you on the lookout for a standing desk chair with a backrest and adjustable armrests? If yes, you might not need to look around anymore. The Boss Office ergonomic drafting chair offers everything you’re searching for.
While it looks like a regular chair, it lets you adjust the seat height up to 31.5 inches and use it along with your standing desk. This comfortable standing desk chair features a contoured back and seat to help you relieve back-strain and make your workdays more pleasant.
Apart from that, this standing desk stool has a strong 20″ diameter chrome foot ring and optional glides that you can use in place of casters.
However, while the foot ring is a great feature, you might find it located too high.
Features
- Breathable Woven mesh Back
- Thick padded Black icon Seat (-231)
- One touch pneumatic Seat Height adjustment
4.Flash Furniture
Would you like to sit on a chair that is known for its commercial-grade quality? The Flash Furniture mid-back standing desk chair will help you take your workstation to the next level.
This mesh sit-stand chair offers a ventilated curved back with lumbar support, full-swivel seat, height-adjustable chrome foot ring, and pressure-relieving waterfall edge. You can also adjust the height of the chair up to 30 inches as well as control the tilting and rocking features.
Plus, padded flip-up arms allow you to switch between different sitting positions — no wonder why this brand is trusted for more than 20 years on the market.
While this chair offers everything possible you can think of, the only thing you might notice is that it’s not possible to adjust the height of armrests; you can only flip them up or down.
Features
- Dimensions: 19.5" W x 23.5" D x 49.5" H | Maximum Seat Height (in.): 33 | Minimum Seat Height (in.): 23 | Seat Width (in.): 18 | Weight: 29 lbs
- The economical drafting chair features pneumatic seat height adjustment allowing quick positioning for every task
- Heavy duty nylon base with dual wheel carpet casters allow you to move smoothly and efficiently.
- Back height and seat depth adjustment gives you a personalized ergonomic preference
- Height adjustable footrest for additional support.
- Weight Capacity: 250 lb
5.Humanscale Freedom Headrest 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
- Sculptured seat and back
- One touch pneumatic seat height adjustment
- Back height adjustment
- Seat depth adjustment ; Fabric Infomation: A Grade Icon Black Fabric
- Heavy duty nylon base with dual wheel carpet casters; Locking Tilt Control with Adjustable Tilt Tension
6.BenchPro Deluxe
The BenchPro Task Chair is a highly robust high chair that you can use in many different environments, be it in labs, healthcare, offices, or at home. It boasts a 10-year unconditional warranty so you know that you’re getting a quality product at a reasonable price.
This tall chair is tested to handle up to 450 lbs of weight (the highest on our list!) though the company suggests switching to glides if you weigh more than 300 lbs for safety. The seat and backrest are firm but still have enough give to be comfortable since they’re made of high quality self-skinning polyurethane foam.
Common Questions About Tall Office Chairs for Standing Desks
Now, we’ll answer some of the frequently asked questions that can help you maximize the benefits of using a tall office chair with your standing desk.
How Often Should I Sit While Using a Standing Desk?
Research says that the optimal ratio is an hour of standing for every two hours of sitting. This will enable you to maintain a good level of comfort and energy without affecting your productivity.
If you get tired from standing easily, use an anti-fatigue mat and switch to 30 minutes of standing and 1 hour of sitting.
What Is the Ideal Standing Desk Height from an Ergonomic Standpoint?
The ideal workstation height depends on your body height. For a standing desk, the goal is to keep your elbows at a right angle from the desk when you’re standing up.
That means the desk height should be at or slightly below your elbow height. For example, for a 5’8” person, the standing desk height should be around 44.8” high.
< class="clearclass">What Is the Ideal Tall Office Chair Height?
The ideal office chair height when paired with a standing desk again comes down to your elbows’ angle.
When you sit on your tall chair, your elbows should still be at a 90 – 110° angle from the surface of the standing desk. At this angle everything from your forearms to your shoulders are relaxed. It also puts your wrists at a neutral position relative to the keyboard to minimize strain when typing.
If your standing desk is height-adjustable, then theoretically any ergonomic office chair can be used, as you simply lower your desk to attain the right elbow angle. However, lowering your desk frequently is not only a hassle, but may mean eventually you’ll simply end up sitting down most of the time.
A better set up is to get a tall office chair that can be raised to meet the height of your standing desk in its standing configuration. For most people, a tall chair with a maximum height that is around 12″ below your desk surface height will work just fine.
Most Important Things to Look for in a Tall Office Chair
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.
Seat Height
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.
Seat Size and Shape
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.
Upholstery
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.
Backrest
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.
Armrest
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.
Footrest
When you’re using a high chair, your feet won’t be able to reach the floor, so a robust foot ring is a must. Make sure the footrest is sturdy and made out of metal, since you’ll most likely be using this to step down from your seat .
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.”
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.
WRAP UP
Best Ergonomic Office Chair for Standing Desk – If you’re avid user of a standing desk or you have recently transitioned to one and now looking for a proper chair to pair it with. A standing desk chair, AKA a standing desk stool, will let you take a break between standing and sitting. So, you can consider it a middle option between those two positions.
Apart from a standing desk chair, you can also use a drafting chair or an active sitting stool together with your standing desk. These types of chairs will help you create an ergonomic workstation and keep your body engaged throughout the day.
So, how do you choose a proper stool for an ergonomic office setup? Check out our in-depth guide to discover what standing desk chair is the best for your needs.
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