There are certain material items that simply make our lives easier. Particularly when it comes to long hours spent at home on the computer, an office chair is undoubtedly one of these.
However, office furniture for the household comes in all shapes and sizes, so it’s important to know exactly what you want before settling for second best. In this article we outline a few crucial questions every interested buyer should ask themselves on their chair browsing journey.
What is More Important: Price or Quality?
Before anything else you must determine, in your specific case, whether price or quality matter more. Because there are countless options out there, eliminating the most expensive or cheapest ones will put a great beginning filter on your search.
You may have to extend your budget a bit if you want the quality of your new furniture to meet your expectations. For example, the average office chair can cost anywhere from $100 to $350, but some out there, specifically luxury manufacturers, can charge thousands. The point is to think about how much you are willing to spend for the chair characteristics you desire.
What Purpose Will the Chair Serve?
After you’ve allocated your funds accordingly, it’s crucial to consider your main purpose for investing. Is this office chair going to help keep your posture upright while you work from home, or are you primarily interested in using it as an accessory for gaming or some other PC activities?
Although users commonly drop hundreds or even thousands on specialized gaming chairs, office chairs that prioritize desk-based ergonomics are actually extremely helpful for long hours of first-person shooter gaming or virtual poker playing. In fact, when it comes to engaging in the strategic card game online, a good office chair is better than a good gaming chair in the seating department every time.
It’s important to sit comfortably no matter if you’re working or gaming from the comfort of your own home, because both actions require you to be largely immobile for long periods of time. But before buying your chair, think about the main reason for your purchase so that another filter can be placed on your search.
Whether for work or play, a great office chair is an important accessory every household should invest in
How is the Seat Depth and Width?
It may sound fancy, but seat depth is just the amount of space that allows a person to receive support from the back of the chair without leaning too far back, cutting off circulation, or becoming generally uncomfortable. The recommended width is approximately 17″-20″, or enough room to allow the owner to be seated in an upright position without strain on the body.
Especially for those shopping online, it’s very important to review these measurements and metrics before pushing that “Add to Cart” button. If you’re looking for your new chair in-person at a physical store, ask the attendant if you can try out the chair’s depth and width by sitting on it like you would if you were at home.
Is it Easily Adjustable?
Along the same lines as above, test out the chair’s adjustability level and how well it is able to recline. Although it’s important to maintain good, straight posture for the spine throughout the day, sometimes you will also want to bend backwards to stretch your arms and back.
Here, it’s also helpful to consider your individual body and how it will fit in the chair. For example, specific chairs that support tall people will most likely not function the same way for shorter people. Therefore, height is also a huge factor to think about when searching for an office chair.
The backside of any office chair is an important feature, as it should be supportive and easily adjustable
What is the Return Policy or Warranty Like?
Last but not least, make sure to review the warranty attached to your purchase. Oftentimes, more luxurious office chair brands will provide a higher-quality warranty, and vice versa. This will depend 100% on the manufacturer, but it’s an important last step to complete before handing over your well-earned money.
Overall, office chairs are one of many useful accessories for the home that help with everything from gaming techniques to work productivity, comfort, and more. Although they are an investment, they are one you most likely will not regret.
