Perhaps an uncomfortable chair would be actually better, because it will nudge you in the direction of taking breaks more? I think office chairs are a rabbit hole just like mechanical keyboards are. Many people will be comfortable with the cheap option, while others will tell you you're risking your health by not going for the highend option.
Ask HN: Best office chair for home office work?
41–50 of 140 posts
Re: Ask HN: Best office chair for home office work?
#42One of the under appreciated aspects of chair buying, in my opinion of course, is what you weigh. Generally the materials and construction which expect to flex and conform do so within a set of limits that the chair designer had but may not have put into the spec. You can both be too light for a chair and too heavy. That is why actually sitting in the chair is something you might want to spend some time doing if you can.
I use a $200 mesh back chair that I got from Wayfair back in the day, it works well for me. I tried it at a chair retailer in SF and decided to get one. I've found the Herman Miller chairs too stiff at times, but given the adjustability I admit I have not sat down on a chair and spent the 30 - 45 minutes of "tuning" that such an exercise takes using the manual.
When I was at Google I took their "ergo eval" which at the time did an ergonomics check for chair, mouse, keyboard, and monitor height. They recommended a Steel Case chair which I used, and it was comfortable, but it wasn't specially more comfortable than my cheap chair as far as I can tell.
Re: Ask HN: Best office chair for home office work?
#43> I really wish there was a service that I could test out an office chair for two weeks and return if it doesn't not perform as expected.
It's called Amazon.
Re: Ask HN: Best office chair for home office work?
#44Steelcase Leap is an amazing chair, but more than $500 (or at least it was when I bought mine). I tried a bunch when I finally decided to upgrade from the $200 Staples chairs that wear out in a year and found this one the most comfortable by far. Have used it for a few years now with absolutely no complaints.
Steelcase furniture can be bought at pennies on the dollar at office space auctions. In fact in many places companies hold “clearing sales” to clear the office space from any furniture due to the high costs of disposing of the furnishings when their tenancy ends or when they sale the building. I bought a Steelcase workstation desk complex that costs around £3000 in the UK for £257 at an auction such as that.
Out of interest, how do you find such auctions in the UK?
Re: Ask HN: Best office chair for home office work?
#45Steelcase Leap is an amazing chair, but more than $500 (or at least it was when I bought mine). I tried a bunch when I finally decided to upgrade from the $200 Staples chairs that wear out in a year and found this one the most comfortable by far. Have used it for a few years now with absolutely no complaints.
Steelcase furniture can be bought at pennies on the dollar at office space auctions. In fact in many places companies hold “clearing sales” to clear the office space from any furniture due to the high costs of disposing of the furnishings when their tenancy ends or when they sale the building. I bought a Steelcase workstation desk complex that costs around £3000 in the UK for £257 at an auction such as that.
How do you find those auctions? Is there a website with a schedule of them?
Re: Ask HN: Best office chair for home office work?
#46I got a Staples Hyken chair and couldn't be happier.
I second this for home. Great value, but not quite as nice as the Aaeron or Leap I've used at work.
Re: Ask HN: Best office chair for home office work?
#47I fell in love with Capisco by HÅG. It’s a tad expensive but it’s very well made. I have one at home and one at the office and they are both like new after five years of daily use.
Re: Ask HN: Best office chair for home office work?
#48Earlier quoted context omitted.
Steelcase furniture can be bought at pennies on the dollar at office space auctions. In fact in many places companies hold “clearing sales” to clear the office space from any furniture due to the high costs of disposing of the furnishings when their tenancy ends or when they sale the building. I bought a Steelcase workstation desk complex that costs around £3000 in the UK for £257 at an auction such as that.
How do you find those auctions? Is there a website with a schedule of them?
I've also had decent luck on Craigslist. (ymmv, my Craigslist is close enough to SV where the availability is there)
Re: Ask HN: Best office chair for home office work?
#49Stools. Yes, Backless stools, particularly those made for desk usage. Paired with a standing mat and sit/stand setup (either via sit/stand desk or some adjustable desktopper like the ergodesktop Kangaroo) stools can be easily thrown under the desk and hidden away if your home office doubles for exercise or breakfast room use.
My bookmarked list of stools:
The Swopper - http://swopperusa.com/ - Expensive. Use this regularly and it's been nice.
ErgoErgo - http://ergoergo.com/ - Usually ~100 and found at places like The Container Store. Pair with a Muji cushion or any round cushion.
Topstar Sitness - https://www.topstar.de/en/swivel-chairs-seating-furniture/si... - don't own this one but looked neat. They also sell a simpler ball stool called the Sitness Alpine.
Turnstone Buoy - https://myturnstone.com/products/chairs-and-stools/buoy/ - don't own but looks decent too.
Re: Ask HN: Best office chair for home office work?
#50I really enjoy my Swopper (http://www.swopperusa.com/swopper-classic-1/). Especially because I tend to take a break if I’m not willing to sit in it any longer.
Helped me a lot with my back pain.