The 13 Best Ergonomic Office Chairs for Heavy People

Best Office Chairs for Heavy People

If we were to define comfortable office chairs with one word, the word would be “invaluable”. In fact, this is especially true if you have a few extra pounds under your belt. No matter if you need to work on your income taxes, give the finishing touches to that corporate report, or even evaluate your student’s coursework, something is clear: a comfy, ergonomic office chair specifically made for heavy folks is paramount in order to do those tasks efficiently! 

That’s why I decided to write this article. I decided to find the very best office chairs for heavier folks like me. I also talk about why they are the best ones, with detailed information about pricing, ergonomics, weight capability, and style, among other things. If you are looking to spend your hard earned money on an office chair that will feel comfortable to sit for hours on end, then this is the article for you!

In summary, here are my 13 top picks for the best ergonomic office chairs for heavy people:

  1. Secretlab Titan
  2. Duramont Ergonomic Adjustable Office Chair
  3. Steelcase Leap Plus
  4. Herman Miller Aeron (Size C)
  5. DXRacer King/Valkyrie Series
  6. Flash Furniture HERCULES Series Big and Tall Chair
  7. Flash Furniture HERCULES Series Mesh Chair
  8. HON Wave Big and Tall Executive Chair
  9. Sadie Big and Tall Office Computer Chair
  10. Ficmax Ergonomic Gaming Chair
  11. Furmax Gaming Chair with High Back
  12. REFICCER High Back Big & Tall 400lb Leather Office Chair
  13. SPACE Seating Big and Tall AirGrid

One of the forefronts of the gaming chair craze, Secretlab has really cemented a reputation over the last few years for making crazy comfortable gaming chairs that even many offices have started to adopt. The Titan is Secretlab’s big & tall model, and from all the models on this list, this is probably the best one for gamers. This is because of several reasons.

One of these reasons is the fact that the chair’s design will hold you in place really well without sacrificing comfort. As you probably knew already, Secretlab drew inspiration from racing car bucket seats when making these. The seats would hold the car’s driver & passenger in place when approaching curves, and Secretlab thought that their design would also work well as an office chair. And they were right.

The racing car inspired design also gives these chairs a big advantage: It stabilizes your spine, a big concern when sitting for long periods of time. Everybody knows that you should be sitting as straight as possible when using the computer, but it’s easier said than done though. This chair will greatly assist you with that, making sure you can play as comfortably as possible without harming your back over the long term. 

Also, one of the things that I most appreciate about Secretlab chairs is the fact that many of them feature 4D armrests. If you do not know what that is, a 4D armrest can be adjusted in 4 dimensions. Big & tall folks will really appreciate this feature, especially those that need more space to move a mouse or type on a keyboard.

Pros

  • Gaming chair design does a great job of stabilizing the spine
  • One of the most attractive chair designs on the market
  • 4D armrests ensures you can get the most comfortable position

Cons

  • The chair’s design might be a little bit too flashy for some

Duramont Ergonomic Adjustable Office Chair

Duramont Ergonomic Office Chair
$289.99

The Duramont Ergonomic Office Chair is the on the best values in terms of price vs performance on the market offering excellent build quality, adjustability and comfort.

Read our full Duramont Office Chair Review

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03/11/2024 04:27 am GMT

Weight Capacity: 330lbs

Price: $$

Similar to the office chair above, this particular offering from Duramont is good, but not great. The cushioning used on the seat is just adequate for big and tall folks, and while the comfort is just okay for what you pay, I would personally would go for something that feels more ergonomic and solid, especially when it comes to the arm and head rests. 

While the seat structure feels solid and well built, the armrests feel like they were bonded together with Elmer’s glue. Initially when you assemble this chair, the armrests feel solid, but as time goes on, they start wiggling around, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they broke eventually. The same thing can be said about the headrests.

I personally find the pricing to be a little bit too steep for what you get. Aside from the rollerblade style casters that makes it really easy to move around, this chair doesn’t really have any other redeeming qualities.

Pros

  • Rollerblade casters make it really easy to roll around

Cons

  • Pricing is a bit too steep for what you get
  • Flimsy armrests feel like they are going to break apart at any moment

Steelcase Leap Plus

Steelcase Leap Plus
$1,970.00

The Steelcase Leap Plus gives you the same comfort and adjustability that you would expect with a wider seat area and studier build supporting up to 500lbs.

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03/11/2024 01:17 am GMT

Weight Capacity: 500lbs

Price: $$$

Out of all of the office chairs that I have sat on in my life, the Steelcase Leap has been the very best. It is made in America with top quality materials that are built to last. Whil

If you are looking for an attractive, yet classy looking office chair that you can sit on for hours on end without you ever feeling uncomfortable, then this is the one for you! 

Aside from this, another thing that I love about this office chair is how well built it is. As soon as you sit on it, you will notice how substantial it feels, as if it weighs much more than the advertised 58 pounds. This chair is #1 on the list for a reason: it has the best combination for style, weight capacity, comfort, and sturdiness. Highly recommended!

As I mentioned above, I have sat on countless office chairs of the big & tall variety, and while many of them feel relatively comfortable to sit initially, over time you just want to sit somewhere else. Either the cushioning is too hard or the chair’s ergonomics do not fit my body too well. However, this isn’t the case with this one. 

The chair’s cushioning is just soft enough that you can sit on it pretty much all day without your butt feeling cramped, without it being too mushy either. The chair has been weight tested to up to 500 pounds, and I’m pretty sure this is a conservative number. This chair feels so rock solid that 600 pounders could easily sit on this chair without a problem.

Combine this with a very ergonomic backrest and you have the makings of a very cozy and snug office chair with a very elegant aesthetic. The chair’s minimalist but classy design would fit right in the office of a company CEO or physician. It definitely looks expensive, and guess what: it is! Actually, this is the only con that I have found on this chair, but if you are looking for something that will handle more than 500 pounds while feeling super comfortable to sit for several hours, then you can’t do much better than getting this chair!

Pros

  • Extremely comfortable office chair, perfect for folks with back pain
  • Very elegant aesthetic, feels and looks expensive
  • Will easily handle 500 pounds without any problem

Cons

  • Steep price tag will turn away a lot of people

Herman Miller Aeron (Size C)

Weight Capacity: 350lbs

Price: $$$

Read our full guide on the Best Herman Miller Chairs

Herman Miller is no stranger to best office chair lists, and this specific model is perfect for folks that are a little bit bulkier than usual. Herman Miller offers 3 sizes in their Aeron model, and this is their size C, specifically made for big & tall people. This is one of my favorite models because of the fact that it’s a little bit lighter and more maneuverable than other chairs on this list, perfect for people who need to be moving often inside an office on even a bigger bedroom.

This model only weighs 39 pounds, unlike the Steelcase Plus that weighs 20 pounds more. Herman Miller achieved this weight by focusing on using lighter materials throughout, with them using mostly mesh on the back rest & actual seat portion. In the process of doing so, they made sure not to skimp on the ergonomics of the chair. The result is a light but sturdy chair perfect for any gamer or office employee that needs to be moving often as I said above. 

There’s algo a big pro of using mesh over other materials: it ventilates better than the traditional cushioning used on most office chairs. This makes this chair a better choice than what you might think for sitting for long periods of time. Foam cushioning might be quite comfortable but it heats up so much, especially on rooms with no air conditioning.

Aside from this, another big advantage of the Aeron and the main reason why this chair is so comfortable for big & tall folks is the PostureFit technology used in this model. Which means that you can adjust this structure to fit the curve of your spine. This is the great thing about the chairs on this list: they are built so that they can be accommodated to your specific body type, and not the other way around, and the PostureFit support is one of the reasons why Herman Miller is one of the leaders when it comes to big & tall chairs.

Pros

  • Very light and maneuverable office chair, perfect for people that need to be moving around often
  • PostureFit technology does a great job of making chair as ergonomic as possible
  • Mesh material is very resistant while providing ample ventilation

Cons

  • Very expensive office chair

For more recommendations similar to this, check out our full guide on the Best Mesh Gaming Chairs

DXRacer Tank Series

DXRacer Tank Series
$629.00

The DXRacer Tank Series is their highest-end gaming chair designed for heavy users. Its sturdy build quality can support up to 400lbs. If you're a big and tall individual, definitely check this out.

Buy on DXRacer

Weight Capacity: 275lbs

Price: $$

Another DXRacer chair, this Tank series gaming chair is perfect for those folks who might need something that’s a little bit less bulky than a traditional big & tall chair. Now, don’t get me wrong: this is still a great choice for bigger folks, but not everybody needs 400lb weight capacity on an office chair. If this is your case, and you still want something that doesn’t skimp on comfort and quality, then this can be a great choice!

With a weight capacity of 275 lbs, this chair is perfect for those folks who are above average in both height & size, but not bulky enough to warrant the bigger Tank series chair. Anybody between 5’11 & 6’2 and 190 & 250 lbs will really love this chair. Aside from that, this DXRacer chair has everything that you might expect on a DXRacer, including 4d armrests, ergonomic fit, and a spine stabilizing construction that will really hold you in place for hours on end. 

Another thing that I love about this particular chair: it’s rather affordable, especially when you consider the MSRP of the first 2 choices above. The build quality is very solid, and the chair feels substantial without feeling overly heavy or hard to move, unlike the tank series above. 

Aside from these facts, you really have to appreciate the attention to detail DXRacer has put into these chairs. It’s safe to say that these chairs look like they were pulled straight from a Ferrari or Lamborghini, with the same luxuriousness that you would expect from those cars. All in all, this could be the perfect gaming chair for the bigger than average gamer that wants something a little bit slimmer than the Tank series chair above. 

Pros

  • Very ergonomic chair will hold back in place just like the Tank series
  • Solid build quality, typical of DXRacer products
  • Great choice if you are looking for a size smaller than the Tank series

Cons

  • 275 pounds might be a little bit too little for a chair supposed to sit big & tall people

Flash Furniture HERCULES Series Big and Tall Chair

Flash Furniture HERCULES
$218.99
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03/11/2024 04:30 am GMT

Weight Capacity: 500lbs

Price: $

As soon as you see this chair with your own eyes, you will understand why the folks at Flash Furniture decided to call this chair line HERCULES. It’s big, accommodating, and the executive color used throughout the frame makes you feel like you are sitting on a throne. This isn’t actually a traditional office desk chair, but rather a reception chair like the ones you see in the doctor’s office. This particular model was specifically made for big & tall folks, and the 500 pound weight capacity will be more than enough to ensure you are sitting comfortably for long periods of time. 

Let’s talk about one of the first reasons why you should be buying this chair: pricing. This is actually one of the most affordable chairs on this list, and while some people shy away from cheaper chairs because of the risk of them falling apart in a few days, this is one of the few ones that will probably stand the test of time. The steel used on this chair makes it feel very sturdy, which surprised me given how simple the seat looks in real life, which brings me to my next point.

This chair will withstand a massive amount of weight. In fact, this is the chair that will hold the most weight on this list. However, the problem with it is that it’s not an actual office chair with wheels, so while the steel frame will be sturdy enough for even the biggest folks out there, moving it to go to the kitchen or any other room will be much more cumbersome. Because of this, this isn’t the kind of chair that you get to have it in the middle of your room.

Another con of this chair is the fact that it’s not as ergonomic as the other choices presented above. It’s very easy to slouch when sitting on this chair, so if you are looking for something to keep your back straight, you might want to get something different. This one can withstand a massive amount of weight though, and it’s rather cheap too, especially when you consider the build quality of it.

Pros

  • Able to withstand a massive amount of weight (500 lbs)
  • Very affordable for what you are getting

Cons

  • Not a traditional office chair, ergonomics are a bit lacking

Flash Furniture HERCULES Series Mesh Chair

Flash Furniture HERCULES Mesh
$352.53
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03/11/2024 12:24 pm GMT

Weight Capacity: 400 lbs

Price: $$

Another big & tall chair from Flash Furniture, this model distinguishes itself by being quite light and maneuverable given its size and level of support. The mesh material used is also quite breathable, perfect if you do not have air conditioning in the room that you are going to be using this chair on or if you want something other than leather in general. It’s also much more affordable than the first options on this list. Just keep in mind that this chair isn’t as wide as I would personally like. 

One of the first things that you are going to notice about this chair is the mesh used in the backrest and seat itself. Out of all the seats with mesh material on this list, this is probably the one that is most breathable as I mentioned in the above paragraph. Also, the mesh material is super comfortable, and while I would prefer the material to have a little bit more give, It still feels much more resistant than the average mesh chair out there. 

Also, I would strongly recommend this chair if you are very tall but not super wide. As I mentioned above, this chair’s seat portion isn’t that spacious, especially when compared to other options on this list, and while the backrest part will be tall enough for 99% of big & tall folks out there, you might have problems with seat if you are over 300 pounds. It might be wise to try this chair out in real life before purchasing.

Pros

  • Mesh material used throughout allows for ample breathability
  • Much more affordable than the first choices on this list
  • Mesh material feels very comfortable and not scratchy at all

Cons

  • The chair’s seat portion could be a little bit wider
  • Not as ergonomic as I would like

HON Wave Big and Tall Executive Chair

HON Wave
$539.37
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03/11/2024 01:34 am GMT

Weight Capacity: 450 lbs

Price: $$

Some people will shy away from the traditional gaming chair designs that have been so widespread the last few years. After all, not everybody wants a seat that makes you think you are sitting on a race car! And if this is the case, then let me tell you that there are alternatives to that design, especially in the big & tall category. This office chair from HON is one of them, combining an executive style appearance, a mesh covering, and lot’s of cushioning on the back rest & butt area to make an excellent office chair for big & tall people.

While not as ergonomic as some of the first choices above, this office chair more than makes up for it with bang for your buck. Again, this office chair won’t contour to your body, but that doesn’t mean that it’s uncomfortable by any means. In fact, this chair is super comfy and sturdy, perfect for folks who need to sit hours on it on end doing office work, gaming, or just watching tv. However, it won’t keep your spine straightened up like the king & tank series above though. The lumbar support also leaves something to be desired. Just something to keep in mind if you are interested in that.

Another thing that I love about this office chair is its build quality. This baby can hold up to 450 pounds, and thanks to its steel construction it does so without it bulging even a tiny bit. 

Now, HON had to cut costs some way to ensure this chair is profitable for them, and you kind of can notice that when you look at more minor details. One of the things that they did to reduce costs is using cheaper wheels and lower quality plastics under the chair itself. Thankfully, it doesn’t affect the resistance of the seat itself, but if you are looking for something premium that looks luxurious from top to bottom, then you might want to skip this one.

Pros

  • Very classy, executive aesthetic that will look good in any kind of room
  • Can hold a solid 450 lbs
  • While not the most ergonomic seat out there, it more than makes up for it with sheer comfort

Cons

  • Coasters are very cheap and you might have to replace them quickly

Sadie Big and Tall Office Computer Chair

Sadie Big and Tall Office Computer Chair
$308.70

The Sadie Office Chair is one of my top picks for big and tall people. Its heavy-duty design supports individuals up to 400lbs.

Buy on Amazon
03/11/2024 02:55 am GMT

Weight Capacity: 400lbs

Price: $

Another office chair from HON in the big & tall category, I have found both pros & cons in this seat. Whether the cons are a deal breaker or not will depend on what exactly are you looking for in an office chair. While the foam cushioning used on this chair is ridiculously comfortable, both for average sized & big and tall folks, some of the other components and materials of this chair leaves something to be desired.

One of the main reasons why you want this chair in your room or office is the fact that the seat cushion is very thick, which makes the seat very comfortable. Some people find it much more comfortable than mesh, including myself. However, the seat covering can be torn up rather easily. The covering could be easily shredded by a cat, so I personally would skip this chair if you had one, and even if you do not have one, I feel like the covering would be easily affected by wear and tear, which brings me to my next point. 

The armrests of this chair are a little bit too flimsy for me, and some users have reported that they come apart after a few months of use. Now, you can’t expect too much in this price point, so if you are looking for something that will last longer than a year or so, it might be wise to pony up and get something a little bit more expensive.

Pros

  • Comfortable seat cushion
  • Price tag is much more accessible than other choices on this list

Cons

  • Chair’s design might be too subdued and somber for some
  • Flimsy, low quality armrests

Ficmax Ergonomic Gaming Chair

Ficmax Gaming Chair

The Ficmax gaming chair is an excellent gaming chair for the price featuring high quality PU leather upholstery, 2D adjustable armrests, a massage lumbar support and a footrest.

Read our full Ficmax Gaming Chair Review

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Weight Capacity: 300lbs

Price: $

A good alternative to the DXRacer gaming chairs above, this is a very cost effective gaming chair that will really make sure you maintain good posture while playing on a computer or a console. However, just keep in mind that you get what you pay for with this. Some users have complained about a few faults in the hydraulic system and some have also commented that this isn’t the best choice for taller people. If you do not mind the cons, then you should really consider this one, especially if you are looking for a gaming chair on the cheap. 

As soon as you get this gaming chair, you will notice that the design was inspired by DXRacer gaming chairs. Actually, that is putting it mildly, this is actually a carbon copy of their original design. Not that it’s a bad thing, but some folks might prefer something a little bit more creative or innovative aesthetic wise, something more resembling designs from COUGAR or Raidmax. Again, this is more of a personal preference, but just something to keep in mind.

Something that I love about this chair is the vibrator function that is installed in the lumbar support. It’s a wonderful little feature usually only found on higher end office chairs, and if you can get a good position on this chair, you will not want to sit on anything different! While I would love for the connector cable to be a little bit longer and more resistant, you can’t really ask for that much at this price point.

There’s another thing that I must talk about this gaming chair, and it has to do with the hydraulic base that I mentioned above. Some folks have had problems with it after a few months, and it seems that Ficmax customer support hasn’t been too useful at resolving the issue. Not everybody has had problems with either the base or their customer support though, so just keep this in mind if you are looking to purchase a gaming chair on the cheap. 

Pros

  • Great alternative to DXRacer chairs
  • Much more affordable than the first choices on this list
  • Wonderful vibration feature

Cons

  • Crappy hydraulic system is a known problem of this chair, Manufacturer has poor customer service
  • Carbon copy of more well known gaming chairs on the market

Furmax Gaming Chair with High Back

Furmax Gaming Chair
$99.99
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03/10/2024 06:37 pm GMT

Weight Capacity: 300lbs

Price: $

Just like the Ficmax chair above, this is a very affordable gaming chair that resembles the DXRacer models that I talked about a few paragraphs ago. This is actually the most affordable model on this list, and while it has some cons that I will talk about below, this could be a great choice for the average big & tall gaming aficionado that wants something with a massive backrest. 

If you are very wide but not super heavy, you really need to check this model out, especially if you are looking for something that won’t break the bank. It seems that the chair’s manufacturers focused mostly on the backrest when making this model. The weight capacity is 300 lbs which isn’t bad, but I’m pretty sure that taller folks will not find it too comfortable. Somebody over 6ft tall that purchased this model commented that he looks like a clown when sitting on this gaming chair, and while the chair was wide enough for his back, the seat proportions didn’t suit him at all. 

But aside from that, the biggest deal breaker of this chair is the fact that the armrests aren’t adjustable. Not only that, but some folks have also commented that they feel really flimsy and that they break apart rather quickly. If you are thinking of purchasing this, you will have to take care of it and avoid manhandling it because the build quality isn’t the best. Like many other things in life, you get what you pay for. 

Pros

  • Extremely affordable
  • Massive backrest makes this a great choice for wider folks

Cons

  • Armrests aren’t adjustable
  • The seat’s proportions are off

REFICCER High Back Big & Tall 400lb Leather Office Chair

REFICCER Executive Office Chair
$279.99
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03/11/2024 06:32 am GMT

Weight Capacity: 400lbs

Price: $$

One of the most comfortable office chairs that I have ever sat on, this executive style chair is perfect for those big & tall folks that are going to be working on offices for hours on end. While this chair isn’t as ergonomic as some of the chairs above, it more than makes up for it with sheer comfort and luxury. While the design might be a little bit bland for some, I personally really like the business class aesthetic of this chair and it would be a great choice for anybody looking for a more elegant, subdued office chair.

I really dig the fact that this chair has a ridiculous amount of padding in the seat cushion. Reficcer actually used memory foam throughout the seat, which contours to your body as time goes on. This makes this chair extremely comfortable and while the lower part of the chair feels like an afterthought, I think it’s a good tradeoff considering how comfy this feels to sit on.

This chair isn’t all sunshine and rainbows though, and one of the things that I do not like about it is the fact that the manufacturers decided to skimp a little bit on the quality of it by using bonded leather on the seat covering. If you didn’t know, bonded leather is actually one of the cheapest hides you can find on the market, and I would have definitely appreciated them using something a little bit more upscale such as genuine leather, especially at this price point.

Pros

  • Supremely comfortable
  • 400 pounds of weight capacity will be enough for most folks 

Cons

  • Manufacturers decided to use bonded leather on the seat covering instead of something more upscale

SPACE Seating Big and Tall AirGrid

SPACE Seating Professional AirGrid
$216.99

The SPACE Seating Professional AirGrid is a budget mid-back office chair that features a breathable mesh back and comfortable Eco Leather seat.

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03/11/2024 02:59 am GMT

Weight Capacity: 400lbs

Price: $$

Another office chair that uses mesh on the backrest and seat covering, this particular model deserves your attention if you are looking for a seat that has a lot of soft cushioning. However, this model has more cons than pros sadly, and while you should definitely check it out, there are definitely some better choices out there that cost less and have more features than this.

One of the good things about this chair is that it is well built. The chair feels and is very heavy which may or may not be a good thing for you, and this weight makes it feel very substantial and solid overall. This chair will probably last you a decent amount of time. However, one of the things that I do not like that much about this chair is the comfort of it.

As I mentioned above, the seat cushion is very thick, however, the mesh covering it and the backrest portion is a little bit scratchy and uncomfortable, especially if you move a lot. Also, the ergonomics leave something to be desired. I feel like anybody under 6 feet 2 will have problems finding a comfortable position. Again, it’s important that you do your due diligence and try this seat out in a physical store before actually committing to it. 

Pros

  • Well built chair will last you a considerable amount of time

Cons

  • Not the most comfortable choice in the market
  • Mesh covering feels a little bit scratchy and uncomfortable

Conclusion

I hope you found this post helpful. Choosing the right office chair can be difficult, especially because of all the options available.

If you’re looking for the best office chairs for heavy people, then you can’t go wrong with any on this list.

I did my best to include chairs of all different styles and price points, so you’ll surely find something that that’s the right fit for you. Keep in mind that choosing the right chair can be very subjective.

Since it’s a matter of personal preference, I would highly suggest trying them out first in a physical store if you have the option to find one that really fits your body type.

And finally, remember that choosing the perfect office chair is an investment, especially if you’re a heavier individual.

Since office chairs for heavier people are larger, they’ll typically cost a bit more. Also, if you’re a very heavy person, you’ll also need to keep in mind that your body weight will wear on the chair quicker.

Sometimes, if you can, spending a little more up front on a quality chair that will last will end up saving you money in the long run.

Good luck! 🙂

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