9 Best Office Chairs for Arthritis Sufferers

Arthritis is the tenderness and swelling of a person’s joints. Common systems include decreased range of motion, stiffness, pain, and swelling. This is a serious problem for many people. About 54 million people, or 23% of adults, have arthritis in the United States. 

However, the problem is that arthritis can occur in any joint in your body. In fact, it usually occurs in areas such as your lower back, spine, knees, shoulder, ankles, neck, jaw, and feet. You should first understand where you are diagnosed with arthritis and then figure out what features in a chair would best suit your needs. 

When it comes to finding the right office chair for arthritis, it should be designed to promote healthy posture, mitigate pain, and is highly adjustable. In this review, we’ll review the top nine chairs that we recommend for arthritis sufferers. 

The Best Office Chairs for Arthritis

• Steelcase Leap V2 – Best Overall
• Herman Miller Aeron – Best Mesh 
• Staples Hyken – Budget Pick
• Duramont Office Chair – Best Under $300
• La-Z-Boy Delano – Best for Neck and Shoulder Pain
• Steelcase Gesture – Best for Hip Pain
• Secretlab OMEGA – Best for Gaming
• Herman Miller Embody – Best for Back Pain
• HAG Capisco – Best for Degenerative Disc Disease

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Steelcase Leap V2 – The Overall Best Office Chair for Arthritis

When it comes to maximizing your productivity and improving your health, there are not many office chairs better than the Steelcase Leap V2. Spine arthritis is one of the more common forms of joint problems. Steelcase Leap V2 offers their signature 3D Live back technology, which adapts and responds to the movements and changing shape of your spine. This ensures that you’re getting fully and equally supported as you move around in your seat. 

Adjustability is another factor when it comes to dealing with arthritis. Luckily this chair has adjustable seat height, backrest, 4D adjustable armrests, seat adjustment, and lumbar adjustment. With the lumbar support, you can adjust the height of the support by 5 inches up by sliding up or down to fit the curve of your spine. 

In addition, the Leap V2 has a Natural Glide adjustment, which slides your seat forward as your reclining backpack. This ensures you’re always in an optimal posture for productivity and comfort even when you’re in a reclined position. 

Pros:

• 3D LiveBack technology shifts and mimics movements in your spine 
• Natural Glide adjustment ensures optimal posture even when reclining
• Leap V2 has a weight capacity of 400 lbs
• Ships fully assembled 
• Available in many colors 

Cons:

• Some customers complain that the padding is too thin 
• No back height adjustment 

Herman Miller Aeron – Best Mesh Office Chair for Arthritis  

Check out our guide on the Best Herman Miller Office Chairs

The Herman Miller Aeron is the gold standard when it comes to ergonomics in an office chair. One of the biggest health issues when it comes to prolonged sitting is slouching and compromising your posture. The Aeron aims to solve the issue using the PostureFit SL mechanism, which is two pads that support your lumbar area. This pad uses a high-density foam, which provides firm support. Users can adjust each pad separately for a customized fit. 

In addition, the Aeron uses a soft mesh upholstery that offers support yet has enough given to provide flexibility. The mesh helps keep users cool all day since air flows through the backrest. It prevents the problem of having a sweaty back and bearing the uncomfortable feeling of sitting in a warm chair. 

One of the great aspects of the Aeron is that it comes in three sizes: Size A, B, and C. These sites target people with a range of height and weight. This means that a wide range of people can use the Aeron without feeling like the chair is restrictive or too spacious. 

Pros:

• Herman Miller offers a 12-year warranty 
• Mesh is soft and flexible, which promote active movement and allow ventilation 
• PostureFit SL pads support the lumbar and can be adjusted individually for customized support 
• Armrests are fully adjustable by height, angle, and depth 
• It comes in multiple chair sizes, making it ideal for a wide range of users 

Cons:

• Quite expensive compared to other office chairs 
• No seat depth or back height adjustment 

Check out our guide on the Best Mesh Gaming Gaming Chairs

Staples Hyken – Best Cheap Office Chair for Arthritis

Office chairs can be quite expensive, especially if you’re looking for ones with plenty of bells and whistles. The Staples Hyken has most of the features you’ll need at an affordable price. This chair has various adjustable features such as adjustable seat height, seat depth and width, seat tilting, backrest reclining angle, armrests, and headrest. This ensures that the chair can be customized based on your body type and preferences. 

The Hyken features a full mesh upholstery throughout the entire seat. As a result, users will stay cool when sitting for long periods. Other upholstery materials such as PU leather may retain heat, which causes sweating or an uncomfortably warm seat. 

In addition, the seat edge of the seat slopes downward, which is designed to reduce the pressure and increase blood flow circulation to your lower extremities. Lack of circulation can cause stiffness and overcompensation of one muscle group or joint to take on more load than it should. 

Pros:

• Very affordable office chair 
• Breathable mesh upholstery keeps users cool all-day 
• Users can adjust the tilt tension 
• It comes with a headrest for optimal neck support 
• Includes a waterfall seat edge design to relieve tension in your lower body 

Cons:

• The mesh material can feel rigid on this chair
• Armrests can only be adjusted by height 

Check out our guide on the Best Office Chairs Under $200

Duramont Office Chair – Best Office Chair for Arthritis Under $300

Duramont office chair is one of the chairs where you get the most bang-for-your-buck. It has some features that enhance comfort to help with sitting long hours, and it has ergonomic features to help prevent pain, which is great for arthritis sufferers. 

Similar to the Staples Hyken, the Duramont chairs use a mesh back upholstery for airflow and ventilation. However, it uses a soft fabric upholstered seat and headrest. In addition, the seat and headrest are padded with a high-density foam cushion to relieve tension and support. Having a seat cushion alleviates pressure from your tailbone, spine, and hips. Since there’s less load on your spine, it’ll be much easier to uphold a healthy posture. Furthermore, it won’t exacerbate any joint pain in your back or hips for arthritis sufferers. 

Another feature we like is the lumbar support. There’s a knob in the back of the chair that allows you to adjust the depth and height of the support. The height adjustment helps you fit the support within the curve of your spine. While the depth adjustment ensures you get just the right amount of support without feeling obtrusive or feeling like the support is lacking. 

Pros:

• Supports up to 330 lbs 
• The seat has a thick, high-density foam cushion to relieve pressure and enhance comfort 
• Includes a lumbar knob to adjust lumbar support by height and depth 
• Casters roll smoothly on most surfaces 
• It offers a tilt and reclines adjustment, so users can relax and lean back

Cons:

• The chair doesn’t have a seat depth adjustment 

Check out our guide on the Best Office Chairs Under $300

La-Z-Boy Delano – Best Office Chair for Arthritis Sufferers with Neck and Shoulder Pain

My pick for the best office chair for neck and shoulder pain is the La-Z-Boy Delano. If you love a chair with lots of cushion and padding, the La-Z-Boy Delano might be right for you. The La-Z-Boy Delano doesn’t have all of the ergonomic features that many of the other chairs listed have. Nor does it have a wide array of adjustable features. However, the chair is covered in memory foam padding throughout. 

The Delano used advanced ComfortCore and memory foam padding to alleviate all of the tension in your body and conform to your body’s natural curves. Many people describe sitting on memory foam as sitting on a cloud. Sitting on memory foam improves posture, circulation and decreases the stress on your spine, back and hips. As an executive style office chair, the Delano features a high-back design with ample padding at the head and shoulder region, providing pressure relief for those with neck and shoulder pain.

In addition, the Delano has quite an elegant and rich finish due to its use of mahogany wood. However, the wood isn’t just for show; it’s also highly durable and sturdy. It’s one of the reasons why the Delano can hold up to 400 pounds. Also, it uses a beautiful deep brown bonded leather upholstery that provides a sophisticated look and would be an excellent addition to your office space. Bonded leather is known to be smooth, supple, and quite easy to maintain. 

Pros:

• Bonded leather upholstery is easy to clean and maintain
• Uses memory foam cushion which contours to your body
• Mahogany wood construction is sturdy and aesthetically appealing 
• Armrests have padding 
• Holds a maximum weight of 400 lbs 

Cons:

• Armrests aren’t adjustable
• It doesn’t have an adjustable lumbar system

Check out our guide on the Best Office Chairs for Neck and Shoulder Pain

Steelcase Gesture – Best Office Chair for Arthritis Sufferers with Hip pain

Our pick for the best office chair for arthritis sufferers with hip pain is the Steelcase Gesture. This premium office chair suits a wide range of users due to its adjustability and adaptability. Not to mention, it’s also one of the most ergonomic chairs in the market. As with the Leap V2, the Gesture also adopts the 3D live back technology, which mimics and responds to any motion from the spine. In action to your spine’s natural movements, it will contour to all positions. This is crucial because a static backrest typically can’t accommodate movements in your posture. 

In addition, the Gesture stands out from its competitors with its wide range of adjustable features. The armrests can be rotated by 360 degrees so that you can position your armrests to where it feels most comfortable. This means you can align it with your work desk and relieve the tension from your shoulder and neck. A properly adjusted armrest also minimizes your wrist movement, which reduces the likelihood of carpal tunnel syndrome. 

Another unique adjustable feature is the Gesture’s Core Equalizer feature. It’s a clamshell-looking device that specifically connects the back and seat. This device will automatically adjust the lumbar resistance based on the angle of your recline position and your body size. 

Pros:

• Steelcase ships these chairs fully assembled and offered a 12-year warranty 
• It offers a 4-position recline lock 
• Arms can rotate a full 360 degrees 
• The seat edge can bend, which relieves pressure points underneath your thighs 
• 3D live back technology contours to the shape of your spine 

Cons:

• The chair weighs over 70 lbs 
• It doesn’t have a back-height adjustment 

Check out my guide on the Best Office Chairs for Hip Pain

Secretlab OMEGA – Best Gaming Chair for Arthritis

For those who want the benefits of a flashy gaming chair while also receiving the ergonomic benefits of an office chair, the Secretlab Omega is an excellent choice. This chair aims to provide comfort for long periods by gaming by using high-density cold cure foam and memory foam pillows. The cushioning of the chair will reduce the pressure and load on your hips, spine, underneath your thighs, and back. Since the Omega offers a memory pillow for your lower back and your headrest, this helps to reduce pain from the two most vulnerable places; your lower back and neck. 

Arthritis sufferers also need customizable back and lumbar support. The Omega provides lumbar support that is both height and depth support. Like the Duramont, you can turn the knob to adjust the support to fit your needs. Most other gaming chairs don’t have any adjustable lumbar support. 

In addition, the chair reclines further than most office chairs. The backrest angle can recline up to 165 degrees allowing users to rest and take a nap if needed. No matter how comfortable or ergonomic a chair is, sitting all day in one position isn’t good for your body. Reclining back lets you relax your shoulders and back and take the pressure off your spine. 

Pros:

• Available in various upholstery and design schemes 
• Lumbar support can be adjusted by height and depth 
• Armrests are 4D adjustable to reduce carpal tunnel syndrome 
• It comes in a memory foam headrest pillow and lumbar pillow
• The Omega can recline up to 165 degrees

Cons:

• It may not be suitable for big and tall individuals 

Herman Miller Embody – Best Office Chair for Arthritis Sufferers with Back Pain

Herman Miller went above and beyond to ensure the Embody was the perfect chair to minimize the negative effects of prolonged sitting. They had help from dozens of experts in the field of physical therapy, biomechanics, and ergonomics to guide them in the development of the Embody. 

This chair was purposely designed to mimic the human back, so it has flexible ribs to encourage and support movements. In addition, the Embody’s backrest can line up with your spine’s natural curvature, which helps to obtain the optimal posture. Instead of using excessive amounts of padding like other chairs, it uses a suspended rubber canvas supported by the skeletal structure. As the user moves, bends and twists, the backrest will conform to your movements and support all of your back muscles. 

For lumbar and spinal support, there’s a BackFit dial, which increases or decreases the curve located in the spine’s thoracic part. In addition, you can adjust the curve of the chair to fit the shape of your spine. Although these adjustments may feel uncomfortable at first, it is designed to correct your posture. After a few days, the chair starts to feel much better. 

Pros:

• The Embody offers an array of color options and two choices of fabric upholstery 
• It has plenty of adjustments such as seat height, seat depth, and arm width 
• Herman Miller offers a 12-year warranty 
• The backrest conforms to the body’s micromovements
• Narrow backrest encourages proper posture while also promoting active sitting

Cons:

• Not designed for people who prefer chairs with lots of cushions 

Check out our guide on the Best Gaming Chairs for Back Pain

HAG Capisco – Best for Degenerative Disk Disease

Arthritis and Degenerative Disc Disease typically go hand in hand. If you’re someone who suffers from degenerative disc disease, then you’ll need a chair that is ergonomic and promotes good posture. Our pick for the best office chairs for arthritis sufferers with degenerative disc disease is the The HAG Capisco. This is the best chair on our list in terms of supporting and encouraging active sitting. This means that you’re engaging some of your muscles while sitting in a chair, such as your leg, back, or abdominal muscles. For arthritis sufferers, this prevents the joints from stiffening up, improves posture, and prevents muscle pain associated with sitting for long periods. 

The HAG Capisco was designed to allow users to switch between many positions to keep blood flowing. Its seat height adjustment range is much wider, meaning you can use this chair as a stool for taller desks. For example, if you have a standing desk, you can use the Capisco periodically to rest your legs while still working. The seat height ranges from 21.5″ to 30.50″. 

Another aspect we love about the Capiso is that you’re able to tilt the backrest forward or backward. Most office chairs can only recline backward. By tilting the backrest forward, you’re able to engage in your work better and be more productive with your time. 

Pros:

• It offers a fully adjustable back height, back tilt, seat depth, and seat height 
• 95% of materials are recyclable 
• The saddle seat promotes blood flow 
• Offers 10-year warranty 
• Wide height range allows you to use it with a standing desk 

Cons:

• It doesn’t offer any cushion 

Choosing the Best Office Chair for Arthritis – Buyer’s Guide

Selecting the right office chair for arthritis chairs isn’t easy. There are endless options you can choose from. That’s why we’ve broken down some of the main factors you’ll need to consider. 

Ergonomics

The premise of an ergonomic chair is to make something more efficient and safer for humans. Adjustability will ensure you can operate in a comfortable and productive position. However, each chair has its unique set of ergonomic features. 

For example, the Steelcase Leap V2 has a 3D live-back technology that responds to your movements whether you bend, twist, or shift your spine. This encourages you to move around in your seat, increasing blood flow and preventing stiffness in your back. 

Other examples are the synchro-tilt tension feature. A synchro-tilt ensures that your seat and backrest moves in unison as you recline. This means for every 2 degrees that the backrest reclines, the seat will rise up by 1 degree. As a result, you’ll maintain a healthy posture even as you’re reclining. Some chairs allow you to adjust the backrest and seat angle separately. 

Back Support

Back support is a crucial factor when it comes to arthritis and most health problems associated with sitting. Sitting in a bad posture will cause compression on the discs of your spine, leading to chronic lower back pain. When looking for back support, you want a chair that encourages a healthy posture and supports the lumbar region of your back. 

An office chair should have adjustable lumbar support. Some chairs allow you to adjust the height and depth of the support, while others will adjust it for you automatically. For example, the Duramont office chair and Secretlab Omega have a knob on the back of the chair. You can adjust the height of the lumbar support to fit the curve of your spine. In addition, you can tweak the amount of resistance that the support gives or the amount in which the support protrudes outward. Some people prefer more resistance, while others prefer very subtle resistance. 

In addition, some chairs may automatically account for your lumbar resistance. For instance, the Herman Miller Embody is designed to match the shape of your spine. You can adjust only the curvature of the backrest to better align with your spine. Another example is the Steelcase Gesture, which has a Core Equalizer feature. It will determine the amount of resistance based on the recline position and your body type. 

Many of the premium chairs have the technology to adjust to your back movements. For example, the 8Z pellicle design on the Herman Miller Aeron is designed to eliminate the circulation-restricting pressure points in your back. And the 3D live-back technology in the Steelcase chairs will mimic and respond to your movements. It’s difficult to have to stabilize back support when you move. However, these premium chairs have adaptable features to ensure you’re always well-supported. 

Adjustability

Adjustability plays a huge role in ergonomics and how comfortable you feel. If a chair lacks adjustable features, you’ll likely be sitting in an improper posture, leading to serious health problems such as neck, back, and leg pain. The arthritis sufferers may even exacerbate your joint issues. 

There are plenty of adjustable features you’ll want to consider, such as an adjustable seat height, seat depth backrest recline, tilt tension, lumbar support, and armrests. The seat height and seat depth are designed to ensure your feet are firmly planted to the ground, knees at a 90-degree angle, and you are eye level with your computer monitor. If you have arthritis in your lower extremities, such as your knees or other areas of your leg, these adjustments are incredibly important. 

The backrest and tilt tension reduce the stress on your spine. Leaning back is a great way to have your back take a break from having to carry the weight of your body. If you have an adjustable headrest, you can even rest your head to prevent neck pain as well. 

Another important adjustability is the armrest. The armrest should be placed in a relaxed position on your desk and be parallel to your desk. As a result, your shoulders and neck can relax, which prevents those muscles from stiffening. In addition, your wrists should be relaxed, and you won’t need to strain yourself while typing, thereby reducing the chances of carpal tunnel syndrome. 

Seat Comfort

Seat comfort has plenty of health and productivity benefits. Having a comfortable seat cushion lets you relax and have your mind focus on the task at hand. The Secretlab Omega and the La-Z-Boy Delano use a high-density foam cushion or memory foam cushion to alleviate the pressure in your body. With a foam cushion, the goal is to alleviate tension from your spine, hips, tailbone, and underneath your thighs. 

You can either opt for a thick foam cushion for better comfort or something simple that provides the support you need. Chairs from the Herman Miller and Steelcase may not have the dense cushion that executive office chairs have, but they provide plenty of support and redistribute your body weight across the seat. When your seat cushion is supportive and doesn’t sink too deeply, you’re more likely to sit in an upright posture, which provides you with more energy throughout the day.  

Weight Capacity

Weight capacity plays a pivotal role, especially if you’re someone over 250 pounds. Most standard chairs only support about 250 pounds. Look for chairs with a higher weight capacity. For example, the Steelcase Leap V2 and the La-Z-Boy Delano support up to 400 pounds. Typically, chairs with a higher weight capacity will have a larger base and use durable materials such as steel. 

Price

Your budget is an important factor to consider when purchasing an office chair. The price for chairs can run the gamut between under a few hundred bucks to well over a thousand dollars. 

On the lower end, you’ll find chairs such as the Staples Hyken and Duramont Office Chair. Great viable mid-range office chairs are the La-Z-Boy Delano and Secretlab Omega. For premium chairs, many of the Herman Miller and Steelcase chairs are priced well over the other chairs. Consider what features you need and what you’re willing to spend. Keep in mind that higher quality chairs tend to be more effective and last longer, so paying more could be worth the investment. 

Read Also: How Much Does a Gaming Chair Cost?

Recap of the Best Office Chairs for Arthritis Sufferers

Best Office Chairs for Arthritis	Award
Steelcase Leap V2	Best Overall
Herman Miller Aeron	Best Mesh
Staples Hyken	Budget Pick
Duramont Office Chair	Best Under $300
La-Z-Boy Delano	Best for Neck and Shoulder Pain
Steelcase Gesture	Best for Hip Pain
Secretlab OMEGA	Best for Gaming
Herman Miller Embody	Best for Back Pain
HAG Capisco	Best for Degenerative Disc Disease

Conclusion

Depending on where you have arthritis and what other needs you have, it’s important to access them before choosing an office chair. Arthritis is a serious issue, and therefore, you should research the capabilities of each chair. A chair that provides proper back and lumbar support should be a top priority. Another priority should be ensuring each chair is highly adjustable to fit your body type. In addition, you may want a chair that is flexible to support your spine and body movements. 

We recommend the Steelcase Leap V2 because it checks all of the boxes regarding ergonomics, comfort, and adjustability. But the other choices on our list are also fantastic options. We hope that our list of best office chairs has helped narrow down your choices and give you insight into the factors that make up an ergonomic chair.