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Ask HN: What is the best chair for developers?

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51–60 of 76 posts

Re: Ask HN: What is the best chair for developers?

#51

Anecdata: I have had good results with the Steelcase Leap. It's not cheap, but as you note, you're going to be spending a lot of time in it so this is probably not the place to economize. I do wish there were more comparative literature on this subject, as it's difficult to find good objective ways to compare chairs. Here are the Wirecutter's recommendations: https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-office-chair/

Comparative literature? Meh. I wish there were someplace where I could go and actually try high-end office chairs. Chair preference is going to vary from person to person (which makes written reviews and comparisons kind of useless), but office supply stores like Staples or Office Depot only stock the low end (which may work for some, but don't have the adjustability or durability of higher-end chairs). I'd like some…

I'd see if you have any office supply liquidators in the area. It'll definitely depend on your location, but a good one will have a decent selection of high-quality chairs.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best chair for developers?

#52

Anecdata: I have had good results with the Steelcase Leap. It's not cheap, but as you note, you're going to be spending a lot of time in it so this is probably not the place to economize. I do wish there were more comparative literature on this subject, as it's difficult to find good objective ways to compare chairs. Here are the Wirecutter's recommendations: https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-office-chair/

Comparative literature? Meh. I wish there were someplace where I could go and actually try high-end office chairs. Chair preference is going to vary from person to person (which makes written reviews and comparisons kind of useless), but office supply stores like Staples or Office Depot only stock the low end (which may work for some, but don't have the adjustability or durability of higher-end chairs). I'd like some…

The way to find such a place is to use the Steelcase authorized dealer finder, under the assumption that if a place sells Steelcase, they will probably also sell Herman Millers. I did exactly this after striking out at Office Max, and bought a Steelcase Leap with headrest two hours ago for $999.

Protip: ask for the right wheels; one is designed for carpets, one for wood floors

Re: Ask HN: What is the best chair for developers?

#54
post #22

Whatever costs 100 dollars less than an Aeron, allocating what you saved on a gym membership for a year. That's the best use of your money.

The best use of his money is spending $100 on a gym membership where he's only going to go once anyway (like almost everybody does)?

Re: Ask HN: What is the best chair for developers?

#56

Anecdata: I have had good results with the Steelcase Leap. It's not cheap, but as you note, you're going to be spending a lot of time in it so this is probably not the place to economize. I do wish there were more comparative literature on this subject, as it's difficult to find good objective ways to compare chairs. Here are the Wirecutter's recommendations: https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-office-chair/

Comparative literature? Meh. I wish there were someplace where I could go and actually try high-end office chairs. Chair preference is going to vary from person to person (which makes written reviews and comparisons kind of useless), but office supply stores like Staples or Office Depot only stock the low end (which may work for some, but don't have the adjustability or durability of higher-end chairs). I'd like some…

> I wish there were someplace where I could go and actually try high-end office chairs.

This doesn't make as much sense as you might think. It takes several days for the benefits or drawbacks of a chair to become apparent.

I can second the Steelcase Leap recommendations; Leaps (actually, Leap 2s) more or less fixed the problems I was experiencing with my back. But, again, that only became apparent after many days of use. (I didn't choose the chair; I was contracting at VMware.)

As a contrast to the "find a local store" comments, I'll note that madisonseating.com sells used office chairs.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best chair for developers?

#57

Anecdata: I have had good results with the Steelcase Leap. It's not cheap, but as you note, you're going to be spending a lot of time in it so this is probably not the place to economize. I do wish there were more comparative literature on this subject, as it's difficult to find good objective ways to compare chairs. Here are the Wirecutter's recommendations: https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-office-chair/

Comparative literature? Meh. I wish there were someplace where I could go and actually try high-end office chairs. Chair preference is going to vary from person to person (which makes written reviews and comparisons kind of useless), but office supply stores like Staples or Office Depot only stock the low end (which may work for some, but don't have the adjustability or durability of higher-end chairs). I'd like some…

If there's a Design within Reach in your area, they have all the high-end chairs to try there. I personally really liked the Humanscale line for their back support.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best chair for developers?

#58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Comparative literature? Meh. I wish there were someplace where I could go and actually try high-end office chairs. Chair preference is going to vary from person to person (which makes written reviews and comparisons kind of useless), but office supply stores like Staples or Office Depot only stock the low end (which may work for some, but don't have the adjustability or durability of higher-end chairs). I'd like some…

I've been wanting a shop like that in Paris for years. If you want to try and buy a Steelcase here you have to make an appointment with a sales rep outside the city. I get that basically they don't want to deal with general population but it's kind of infuriating.

Same here.

Herman Miller dealers are everywhere, but I hate their chairs. The closest Steelcase dealer is an hour away, but it is worth the trip.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best chair for developers?

#59
post #2

The complete question is how to achieve the ideal seated posture and/or maintain it. I like the idea of height adjustable desks for the simple reason that it can be lowered/raised to the exact height that's correct for your build. For ideal posture, your thighs should be parallel to the ground, your back should be straight, and your arms slightly lower than parallel to the ground when you're typing. Ideally your moni…

Ikea sells desk legs that can be adjusted to the right height when you install them, but don't have all the machinery needed to adjust it's height while using it. If all you want is a desk that suits you body, grab a set of Olov legs from Ikea for $15 each and take what you saved and put it towards other ergonomic equipment.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best chair for developers?

#60
post #21

Steelcase Leap. Similar to the HM Aeron, but has cushion instead of mesh, and offers a bit more adjustment. It comes down to a matter of personal preference, but many prefer the comfort of the cushion. Personally, I sometimes sit with a leg crossed under me, or sideways in the chair, just because I like moving around, and the Leap is comfortable in all positions. Before I purchased it, I was having horrible wrist and…

Most Steelcase chairs are over $1,000 but Wallmart has the V2 for $400. I wonder if this model is as good as the others, or if it isn't really the same thing.

I endorse the Leap 2 per my other comment in this thread.
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