Best buys · The trader's desk

The best office chair worth buying

Our pick is the Herman Miller Aeron. Below: why, what actually matters when buying one, what to get for less, the step up, and whether today's price is a good one.

The chair

Herman Miller Aeron

The office chair the others are measured against, with a twelve-year warranty and a large refurbished market. For hours at a desk, it is the cheapest thing per hour on this shelf.

Buy it for
Full days at the desk, and anyone whose back has started to complain.
Skip it if
You sit for an hour a day. Save the money.

What actually matters when buying an office chair

  1. The right size. Many good chairs come in sizes; the wrong one is uncomfortable however good it is.
  2. Adjustable lumbar support, seat depth and armrests.
  3. Warranty length, the clearest sign of how long the maker expects it to last.
  4. Refurbished office chairs from reputable dealers are a legitimate way into a good one.

Either side of the pick

Spend less

A refurbished Aeron or Steelcase Leap

The same chairs, from office clear-outs, often with a dealer warranty.

Check the price at Amazon ↗