Chair at computer

[Pivo504]

So I've always bought the leather chairs from office depot... However I'm thinking of going with the mesh style chairs bc my back is not good.. Is it proven that the mesh ones are better for your back over the leather chairs? I'm referring to the Harmon miller style but I'm looking for a chair from office depot in this style that I can test out or one from Amazon?

 

[owcraftsman]

Depends my 1st experience with ergonomic chairs was a disaster. I bought cheap and it was a disaster. For example the lock for recline will not hold and occasionally cuts loose. Not good for the faint of heart.
By most accounts reading tons of reviews the gaming style chairs should be avoided like the plague.
My journey searching for the perfect chair has resulted in there is no perfect chair.
The problem is finding reviews you can trust. However I consistently see good reviews for Steelcase, Herman Miller, HON, Branch and BTOD with solid picks albeit limited to certain models.
Currently I'm liking what I see from BTOD and feel they offer solid advice. Key word, FEEL. My feelings haven't conquered my logic yet though as I haven't bit the bullet.
The refurbished Amep by BTOD is my current consideration.

The reasons I'm leaning toward BTOD
1) BTOD have great video reviews that make sense.
2) I wouldn't shy away from their refurbished as their 12 yr warranty is substantial
3) by most accounts their customer support is solid.
4) Free return shipping and No restocking fees US only
5) Solid BBB rating

One thing for sure I'm tired of having to buy a new office chair every 2 or 3 years.

Other considerations
Branch Ergonomic Chair
Ticova Ergonomic Office Chair
COLAMY Ergonomic Office Chair
Branch Ergonomic Chair Pro
Herman Miller Lino Chair (a budget pick)
Herman Miller Embody disgustingly expensive.
HON Ignition 2.0 Ergonomic

Of course since I haven't decided yet, so all opinions are welcome

 

[shleepy]

I'm sure there are SOME gaming chairs that are OK, but I wholeheartedly support quality, reputable ergo chairs. And I also second the sentiment that budget/unknown brands are bad.

I got a Herman Miller Sayl a few years ago and really like it for home use, even though it's not as fully featured as some others. A few years ago, it was a budget HM option, but I see that it's a bit more expensive now. (Based on 10 seconds of Googling, Amazon seems to have a decent price, but you should definitely look around to find the best deal.)

 

[Pivo504]

Are these considered better for your back and spine Vs leather? I wish I had a local store with these.. It really requires sitting on them and getting a feel.. Going the Amazon route is going to be extremely tedious having to install them then if you don't like it disassemble and return ugh... If you buy a good chair I don't see why you would have to replace it.. I've always bought the leather ones and if not for the cheap leather wearing there would never be a reason to replace it... I literally have an old black one that's likely 15 years old and leather held very well and still in good condition

 

[pendragon1]

I literally have an old black one that's likely 15 years old and leather held very well and still in good condition

use it then. or go to office depot and put your ass in some chairs.

 

[shleepy]

Are these considered better for your back and spine Vs leather?

Well, as in many things in life, I think the answer is "it depends," but overall probably better. Feel free to browse through per-reviewed studies for deets - e.g., https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10988004/ (I think the overall conclusions of this meta-study is that ergonomic stuff is better, but more diverse research is needed.)

Unlike most leather chairs, they're explicitly designed to promote healthier posture and comfort. There's certainly no guarantee that you'd personally benefit from one chair vs another. And of course, sitting for long periods of time is inherently unhealthy, anyway, regardless of the chair. I personally found that moving from a leather chair to an ergo chair at home reduced some pain / increased comfort, but YMMV.

Again, though, I'd emphasize actually getting it from a reputable brand. Herman Miller, for example, actually does ergonomics research. Most other brands just rip off their designs and make tweaks (and uses different materials, etc), without really figuring out how those tweaks would affect ergonomics.