10 Best Office Chairs for Wide Hips

Feeling cramped in a chair can be common, especially if you’re someone with wide hips. People with wide hips are more likely to press their hips on the edges of the seat. Furthermore, sitting for long periods puts the hip flexors in a shortened position, causing them to tighten up and become weaker. 

Fortunately, there are ergonomic office chairs in the market that provide ample space and relax the hip muscles. We’ll cover the ten best office chairs for wide hips and tell you how to choose the best one. 

The Best Office Chairs for Wide Hips

• Steelcase Gesture – Best Overall
• Herman Miller Aeron Size C – Best for Hip Pain
• Duramont Ergonomic Office Chair – Best Under $300
• Steelcase Series 1 – Best Under $500
• NeueChair by Secretlab – Best Value
• Secretlab Titan Evo – Best for Gaming
• Steelcase Leap Plus – Best for Heavy People
• Herman Miller Embody – Best for Back Pain
• La-Z-Boy Delano – Best Leather Office Chair

Steelcase Gesture – Overall Best Office Chair for Wide Hips

The hallmark of Steelcase chairs, especially the Gesture, is adaptability. The Gesture is equipped with adaptive ergonomic features that adjust to a wide range of positions and body types. People with wide hips can certainly benefit from its unique ergonomic features. 

The Gesture features a seat cushion with built-in air pockets. This adaptive-bolstering cushion will mimic your movements and prevent pressure build-up from any single area. Thus, it does an excellent job of eliminating pain in the hip flexors. 

Furthermore, armrests can get in the way, especially for people with wide hips. The Gesture has armrests that can rotate 360-degrees, allowing you to move them further away from you. This gives more room for the hips and supports your forearms while working. 

Posture is another critical aspect to hip support. Sitting in a position where your knees are parallel or slightly higher than your hips helps prevent hip pain. The Gesture features a 3D LiveBack Technology, specifically designed independent flexors that adapt to your every movement. As you switch postures throughout the day, these flexors continue to shift to support your back. Thus, it’s much easier to maintain an upright posture and prevent any pain in your back or hips. 

Pros:

• Adjustable seat depth helps to ensure proper posture to prevent hip pain 
• Flexible seat edge and seat cushion design helps to relieve pressure in buttocks and hips 
• 3D LiveBack technology mimics and adapts to posture changes to avoid lower back pain 
• 360-degree armrest lets you work with multiple devices 
• 400 lb weight capacity 

Cons:

• One of the most expensive chairs in the market 

Herman Miller Aeron Size C – Best Wide Office Chair for Hip Pain

Read our full Herman Miller Office Chairs Review

Hip pain is typically caused by pressure build-up that occurs when sitting in the same position for long periods. Herman Miller Aeron is armed with plenty of ergonomic features that help to prevent hip pain and other health concerns related to sitting. 

Instead of the classic foam padded seat, the Aeron uses a unique woven 8Z pellicle mesh that aims to alleviate pressure and heat build-up. The mesh has an elastomeric suspension characteristic where there are varying tension points. 

Around the edges, the mesh is tightest and gets looser towards the center. The flexibility of the mesh keeps the body weight evenly distributed. Furthermore, it encourages movement and will flex as you move in your seat for continuous support. 

The Aeron is available in three sizes: A, B, and C. We recommend choosing the size C for people with wide hips since it’s quite spacious. It has a width of 28 inches, much wider than most office chairs. The extra space prevents feeling cramped in your seat. Pressing against the edges of the seat or armrest can lead to hip pain. 

Pros:

• Wide seat width dimensions give users plenty of space 
• Elastomeric suspension relieves buttocks and hip pressure 
• PostureFit SL supports both the lumbar and base of the spine 
• 8Z pellicle mesh allows airflow to pass
• Harmonic Tilt adjusts to your weight, keeping you balanced while reclining

Cons:

• No seat depth adjustment 

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

Duramont Ergonomic Office Chair – Best Office Chair for Wide Hips Under $300

There’s many people who prefer simplicity. Although there isn’t anything special about the Duramont chair, it’s an excellent low-priced office chair that provides effective ergonomics. 

This chair offers lumbar support that is depth and height adjustable. As a result, it encourages good posture, meaning an upright back and the knees are parallel with the hips. Sitting in the proper posture goes a long way to taking stress off the hips. Not to mention, the Duramont chair features a high-density foam pad that distributes weight evenly. Thus, there’s no built-up pressure in one specific area. 

Reclining backward helps alleviate the stress placed on the lower back. Users can smoothly recline with the tilt tension adjustment. You can adjust the amount of resistance needed giving you a smooth reclining experience. 

Not all office chairs come with a headrest. It’s nice that Duramont offers a height and depth adjustable headrest. Typically, the headrest serves as a cue to keep your posture upright. Furthermore, this chair features a flexible mesh backrest to allow ventilation through the seat. 

Pros:

• Very affordable office chair
• A high-density foam pad relieves pressure and prevents hip pain 
• Two-way adjustable lumbar support encourages good posture 
• Mesh backrest keeps users cool 
• Adjustable headrest alleviates neck tension 

Cons:

• The backrest only reclines up to 120 degrees 

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

Steelcase Series 1 – Best Office Chair for Wide Hips Under $500

The Steelcase Series 1 is like the little brother of the Gesture. It has some of the signature features that Steelcase has to offer, except it’s much more affordable for the average user. The Series 1 is still a great pick for wide-hip individuals despite its lower cost. 

Series 1 has a seat-depth adjustment, allowing users to position the seat pan forward or backward. Thus, it ensures your back is properly against the backrest without cutting off circulation at the knees. Good posture results in less stress on the hip flexors and keeps your back pain-free. 

Additionally, Series 1 has excellent features to support your back. It offers their Comfort Dial Back Control, where you can recline into three positions. The advanced weight-activated mechanisms offer intuitive support that automatically adjusts the back tension based on your weight. Thus, it feels incredibly smooth and balanced when sitting in a reclined position. 

Users can also benefit from the adjustable lumbar support and LiveBack technology flexors. You can either slide the support up or down to ensure that the support fits precisely in the curve of your lower back. The LiveBack flexors will flex and bend in your lower back to support changing positions. 

Pros:

• Adjustable seat depth promotes good posture, which prevents hip pain 
• Lack of hard edges and wide seat dimension is great for people with wide hips 
• Plenty of colors to choose from
• 4D adjustable arms maximize forearm comfort 
• LiveBack technology has flexors that adjust to support micromovements 

Cons:

• The armrests feel a little flimsy 

Check out our guide on the Best Office Chairs Under $500

Secretlab Titan Evo – Best Gaming Chair for Wide Hips

Finding a supportive and comfortable chair is imperative if you’re an avid video game enthusiast. There are three sizes available for the Secretlab Titan Evo. We recommend users with wide hips choose the XL size to provide more space to move in the seat. 

Unlike other chairs that have a bucket seat design, the Evo has a flat pebble seat. This open seat design doesn’t restrict movement or make you feel cramped when sitting. The Evo is a chair that can support over eight hours of sitting per day. Its seat is constructed with cold-cure foam that dissipates any built-in pressure and alleviates pressure across your hips and buttocks.

It also is equipped with a unique L-ADAPT lumbar support. The support is adjustable by depth, and height will fill the gap in your lower back. Thus, it lessens the load on your spine and aids in keeping your posture upright. Furthermore, it has flexors that can adapt to micromovements as you change postures or move in your seat. 

Pros:

• The XL size offers a generous amount of space for wide hips 
• Cold-cure foam seat along with pebble seat base supports wide hips and alleviates pressure 
• L-ADAPT lumbar support has depth and height adjustability to support the lower back 
• The backrest can recline up to 165 degrees 
• Magnetic memory foam head pillow keeps neck cool and eliminates pressure points 

Cons:

• Lacks seat depth adjustable 
• It doesn’t offer mesh material upholstery options 

Steelcase Leap Plus – Best Wide Office Chair for Heavy People

Finding ergonomic office chairs for heavy people isn’t always easy. Unfortunately, there are fewer options available. However, the Steelcase Leap Plus is an excellent choice for heavy people. That’s because it supports an incredible 500 pounds and feels sturdy when sitting on it.

The Steelcase Leap Plus maintains all of the features that the original Leap has except it offers denser foam padding and larger dimensions for heavy users and people with wide hips. 

Like most Steelcase chairs, this one features the 3D LiveBack technology, which flexes and adapts to your movement and body shape. With continual support, the lumbar curve remains intact. As a result, this ensures a healthy posture and proper hip alignment. 

Another standout feature is the synchro-tilt. For every two degrees that the user tilts back, the seat will rise up by only one degree. This ensures that the thighs are consistently parallel to the floor and the hip is in proper alignment. Also, it keeps you within reach of your desk to allow you to work even while in a reclined position. 

Pros:

• Wide dimensions and thick padded seat cushion provides users with wide hips, more space, and better comfort 
• Natural Glide System technology allows users to maintain good posture and within reach of their work while reclining 
• Supports up to 500 lbs 
• Chair ships fully assembled, and Steelcase provides a 12-year warranty 
• 4D adjustable armrest keeps arm supported and in alignment with desk 

Cons:

• Design is quite basic 

Check out our guide on the Best Office Chairs for Heavy People

Herman Miller Embody – Best Wide Office Chair for Back Pain

Visually, the Embody looks quite different than most office chairs. It has a much thinner and curved backrest design. Herman Miller sought help from dozens of experts ranging from biomechanics to physical therapy. The narrow backrest design allows greater flexibility in movement while still promoting good posture. 

Furthermore, the Embody features a unique BackFit adjustment feature. Most office chairs only can adjust the angle of the lower back support. However, the BackFit adjustment is designed to support all parts of the back, including the cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine and sacrum. Users can adjust the angle of the support to ensure the backrest fits to their unique spinal shape. 

Not to mention, the Embody features pixelated backrest support. There are ribs that contract and flex as your body moves and changes positions. 

Since the chair does an excellent job of keeping you supported in a healthy posture, it also translates to preventing hip pain. Its wide-open seat design is also conducive for giving you ample space when sitting. 

Pros:

• Seat depth keeps the pelvis aligned and promotes good posture 
• Wide seat dimensions give users more space in the seat
• The Backfit adjustment aligns the support to your spinal curve 
• Pixelated support conforms to micromovements for constant support 
• Four support upholstery layers provide breathability and comfort 

Cons:

• The seat pan is on the firm side 
• The chair is quite expensive 

La-Z-Boy Delano – Best Leather Office Chair for Wide Hips

If comfort is your priority, there aren’t many office chairs that can compete with the La-Z-Boy Delano. This chair is equipped with multiple layers of memory foam cushions throughout the chair, especially the seat cushion. 

Unlike standard foam cushions, memory foam provides body-hugging support that contours to your body shape. This ensures more customized support based on your body shape and movement. Furthermore, it helps to relieve pressure points in your hips, buttocks, back, knees, and shoulders. 

Although leather chairs aren’t very breathable, they do offer a nice sophisticated touch to your interior space. The Delano uses a luxurious bonded leather that is soft and smooth, which only enhances the comfort of sitting. Combined with the rich mahogany wooden arms and base, you get a classic executive chair that blends well with any interior design. 

Another great characteristic of the Delano is its durable construction. This chair has been tested, approved, and certified by BIFMA standards. That means that all components have passed rigorous standards to ensure that all components are sustainable, durable, and safe to use. It’s built with sturdy components such as a steel seat plate and a thick plywood base resulting in a weight capacity of 350 pounds. 

Pros:

• Wide dimensions give users lots of space 
• Memory foam cushioning contours to the body and relieves hip and buttocks pressure 
• Bonded leather feels smooth and soft 
• The base is built with steel plate and thick plywood for durability 
• Supports up to 350 pounds 

Cons:

• The armrest isn’t adjustable 

Choosing the Best Office Chair for Wide Hips – Buyer’s Guide

Understanding what features to look for can help when deciding which office chair to buy. We’ll tell you what to consider when it comes to the build quality, seat comfort adjustability, back support, etc.

Materials and Build Quality

Most chairs will differ in the materials they use and it’s overall build quality. The upholstery is the most noticeable difference in material. Some use leather upholstery, while others may use mesh or fabric upholstery. In terms of upholstery, it depends on the quality of it. 

Some leather-like cheap faux leather can be prone to abrasion. But the higher quality full-grain or even bonded leather can last significantly longer if you’re willing to spend a bit more up front. If you opt for a mesh or fabric upholstery, we recommend a chair with a flexible mesh material or a fabric material with multiple layers. 

In terms of build quality, the chair base and frame play a big role in durability. Consider chairs that use a form of metal such as steel or aluminum for the base and frame. These materials are the strongest and last the longest. 

Also, look at the warranty policy and whether the chair has any certifications. If a manufacturer guarantees a longer warranty, they are usually much more confident about the chair’s durability. For example, premium chairs from brands like Steelcase and Herman Miller offer a 12-year warranty. While lower quality brands usually offer 1-3 years of warranty. 

A manufacturer may also send their chair to be tested by a third-party organization like BIFMA. They test chairs and the individual components for safety and sustainability. Typically, they usually are tested based on the base stability, arm and back durability, seat drop, back pull, tilt mechanism performance, etc. Look for chairs that have been BIFMA certified. 

Open Seat Design

Chairs with a bucket design often can be restrictive especially for people with wide hips. An open seat design means the seat pan is completely flat. A seat that curves up like a bucket can press against your hips. It’s important to look for seats with a wide width measurement and open seat design. For width, we recommend any seat width above 20 inches to be larger than average. 

Seat Comfort

Although comfort can be subjective, there are components that make a seat more comfortable. We find that the feel, angle, depth and width of a seat are crucial elements for seat comfort.

The feel is how soft the seat feels on you. If you sink in too deep, it can hurt your posture and make it difficult to get out of the chair. However, if it’s too hard, it can inflict pain and cause stress on your hips. 

The angle means that your knees are parallel to your hips and the thighs are perpendicular to the floor. The depth helps to ensure you receive proper backrest without cutting circulation off at the knees. Lastly, the width helps to ensure you have plenty of space to move in your seat.

When it comes to comfort, we usually recommend a soft mesh or well padded seat. A soft mesh can allow greater flexibility which provides greater continuous support. A well-padded seat may do a better job in alleviating pressure and can be more comfortable to sit on. 

Adjustability

Every ergonomic chair should be equipped with many adjustments. The more adjustments a chair has, the better it can adapt to your needs. Most chairs should have adjustable seat height, seat depth, armrest, recline, tilt tension, synchro-tilt, lumbar support, and sometimes headrest. 

The seat height adjustment is important to keep your legs flat and hips properly aligned. A seat depth helps ensure tall users get the back support they need and short users don’t have any cut-off in circulation on their knees. Armrest adjustment helps to support your forearms and alleviate pressure in your shoulders and neck. The armrest keeps your wrist parallel to the desk, which prevents carpal tunnel syndrome. 

Back Support

There are several components that make up great back support. We look for lumbar support and adaptability to changing positions. 

The lumbar region takes a much greater load when in a seated position. The spine curves inward in the lower back region, meaning it’s imperative to fill the gap with support. This decreases the stress on the lower back and ensures you can maintain an upright posture with ease. 

The lumbar support should be adjustable by height and depth. Height adjustment lets you move the support up and down, so it fits precisely in the curve. Depth adjustment allows you to adjust the amount of support you receive. 

Furthermore, we recommend looking for chairs with a wide range of recline and tilt tension adjustability. Contrary to popular belief, changing posture is ideal especially when sitting for long hours. It helps increase blood flow and prevents soreness. Furthermore, reclining back will decrease the load placed on your spine, allowing your back muscles to relax. The tilt tension adjustability lets you adjust how much resistance is needed to recline. It helps to keep you feeling balanced while sitting in a recliner position. 

Lastly, you may want to consider a chair that offers continuous support. For example, the Embody features their proprietary pixelated support and the Gesture uses their 3D LiveBack technology. Basically, they work to flex and contract based on your movements. For example, if you lean slightly in one direction, the backrest follows to ensure you’re supported. A flat backrest will leave you vulnerable to aches and pains because the pressure is likely to be placed in specific areas. 

Weight Capacity

Weight capacity is often tied to build quality. Always check the weight capacity of the product description before buying. For example, a person who weighs 300 pounds shouldn’t sit on a chair that has a maximum weight capacity of 250 pounds. This can lead to a reduced lifespan of the chair and can potentially harm the user. 

Generally, chairs with higher weight capacity use reinforced materials or have a strong base. They may even have a wider base to support the additional weight. 

Price

Budget plays a significant role when deciding which chair to purchase. Fortunately, our list of chairs varies in all price ranges, giving you plenty of options to choose from. 

For budget-conscious individuals, we recommend the Duramont or Steelcase Series 1. They both offer most of the standard adjustments you need while still providing some great ergonomic features like the adjustable lumbar support. 

If you can afford mid-tier priced chairs, we like the Secretlab Titan Evo. It’s got plenty of bells and whistles that make it well worth the price. For instance, it comes with many cool designs to choose from. Also, it has a memory foam headrest pillow, unique upholstery options, and an intuitive lumbar support system. 

For those who want to maximize productivity and health, we recommend the Steelcase Gesture or Herman Miller Aeron C. Both offer highly intuitive and adaptive features that offer continuous support even while changing postures. They’re also excellent in eliminating pressure so that you feel comfortable while sitting.

Recap of the Best Office Chairs for Wide Hips

Best Office Chair for Wide Hips	Best For
Steelcase Gesture	Best Overall
Herman Miller Aeron Size C	Best for Hip Pain
Duramont Ergonomic Office Chair	Best Under $300
Steelcase Series 1	Best Under $500
NeueChair by Secretlab	Best Value
Secretlab Titan Evo	Best for Gaming
Steelcase Leap Plus	Best for Heavy People
Herman Miller Embody	Best for Back Pain
La-Z-Boy Delano	Best Leather

FAQs

If you’ve made it this far, you may still have a few unanswered questions. Here are frequently asked questions we get about this topic.