10 Best Office Chairs Under $1000

As the world transitions to remote work, more people are now required to work from home. This means using your kitchen countertop stool or four-legged dining table chair at home just won’t cut it. 

Poor posture accompanied by long hours of sitting will increase your risk of potential health problems. In fact, bad posture is linked to chronic pain, poor circulation, increased stress, negative mood, and fatigue. Investing in a high-quality ergonomic chair will help prevent pain and keep you productive and comfortable throughout the day. Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of the ten best office chairs under $1,000 for you, along with a buyer’s guide on how to pick the right chair. 

The Best Office Chairs Under $1000

• Steelcase Leap – Best Overall
• Duramont Ergonomic Office Chair – Budget Pick
• Steelcase Series 1 – Best Under $500
• Steelcase Series 2 – Best Value
• Secretlab Titan Evo – Best for Gaming
• NeueChair by Secretlab – Best Mesh
• Herman Miller Sayl – Best for Short People
• Eurotech Ergohuman – Best Adjustability
• Haworth Fern – Best for Back Pain
• La-Z-Boy Delano – Best for Heavy People

Steelcase Leap – Overall Best Office Chair Under $1000

Changing postures and sitting positions helps increase circulation in the body and prevent your muscles from becoming stiff, leading to soreness. The Steelcase Leap was designed to encourage movement and offer responsive features to adapt to changing postures. 

For instance, the Leap features its signature 3D LiveBack technology to provide continuous support to users as they fidget or move around in their seats. That’s because it has flexors within the backrest that flex and bend as your body moves. Consistent support ensures proper hip alignment and keeps your lumbar curve intact. 

Furthermore, the Leap has an adaptive bolstering feature with built-in air pockets that conform to the user’s body. Like the 3D LiveBack technology, the seat cushion offers dynamic support as your body changes postures. The foam cushion helps to disperse the weight, thus relieving any pressure points in your buttocks, hips, and thighs.

Not to mention, the Leap is equipped with a wide range of adjustments such as seat height, seat depth, back angle, synchro-tilt, 4D adjustable arms, and lumbar support. 

Pros:

• 3D LiveBack technology flexes based on your movement and unique body shape to provide a personalized and continuous support 
• Synchro-tilt features help to improve spinal alignment and keep posture intact as you recline 
• Plenty of adjustments to accommodate your sitting preferences and body type 
• Steelcase offers a 12-year warranty 
• Adaptive bolstering seat leverages built-in air pockets to relieve pressure points and adapt to your movement 

Cons: 

• Chair design looks basic 

Check out our guide on the Best Fabric Office Chairs

Duramont Ergonomic Office Chair – Best Cheap Office Chair Under $1000

For those looking for a good-quality ergonomic chair at an affordable price, the Duramont office chair is a worthy pick. Despite the low cost, you still receive essential ergonomic features to accommodate your needs. 

Its best feature is the four-way adjustable lumbar support system, which has height and depth adjustability. Adjusting the height of the lumbar support allows it to fit precisely onto your lumbar curve. Additionally, the depth adjustment lets you customize the amount of support you want. The result is a lumbar support system that protects your lower back from pain and supports a healthy posture. 

Breathability is another critical aspect to comfort. Seats that have heat build-up can leave you feeling uncomfortable and sweaty. The Duramont office chair uses a breathable mesh material for the backrest and a light fabric cover for the seat cushion to maximize airflow and keep you cool. 

Pros:

• Affordable chair with plenty of adjustable options 
• The four-way lumbar support system is height and depth adjustable 
• Smooth-rolling rubber casters to prevent scratches on the floor and enhance durability 
• Breathable mesh backrest keeps users cool and dry 
• A highly dense seat cushion helps to disperse weight evenly for comfortable seating 

Cons: 

• Duramont only reclines up to 120 degrees 

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

Steelcase Series 1 – Best Office Chair Under $500

When it comes to getting the most “bang-for-your-buck,” you’d be hard-pressed to find a better deal than the Steelcase Series 1. That’s because it offers many signature Steelcase features without the high price tag. 

Comfort is one of the big reasons why Series 1 made it on our list. It features a thick-padded contoured cushion with adaptive bolstering to help minimize pressure points and enhance comfort. Pressure build-up can leave you feeling sore after sitting. However, Series 1 has an adaptive bolstering feature where the built-in air pockets will shift based on your movements. 

We also like that the Series 1 has a variety of adjustments such as seat height, seat depth, adjustable lumbar support, 4D adjustable arms, and back angle. Users can adjust the recline to three different angles with the comfort dial back control. Furthermore, it comes with a weight-activated mechanism to provide intuitive support. This mechanism automatically adjusts the amount of support provided based on the user’s weight. 

Pros:

• Relatively affordable chair with plenty of ergonomic features 
• The compact size makes it ideal for small or tight spaces 
• Many bold colors to choose from
• Integrated LiveBack system to provide responsive support to a broad range of sitting postures 
• Adaptive bolstering feature on the seat cushion helps to provide dynamic support for your unique body shape

Cons: 

• Backrest tension isn’t adjustable 

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

Steelcase Series 2 – Best Value Office Chair Under $1000

The Steelcase Series 2 is one notch above Series 1 and offers a few upgrades. At first glance, the Series 2 has a more attractive design with a clean black frame around the edge of the backrest and a clear mesh in the middle. 

Apart from visual appeal, the Series 2 includes the Air LiveBack technology, which is an upgrade over the integrated LiveBack technology that the Series 1 has. It uses flexible geometrics that moves in several directions to provide personalized spinal support. For example, if you shift your body weight in one direction, the flexors will provide equal support where pressure is applied to keep you supported and comfortable. 

Also, the Series 2 features a fully adjustable armrest that adjusts in nearly any direction. It can raise up or down, shift left or right, forward or back and pivot in and out. Having fully adjustable arms helps your arms to remain parallel to your workstation to prevent strains in your wrists or arms. Furthermore, the armrest helps take pressure off your neck and shoulders. 

Pros:

• Plenty of adjustable options such as seat depth, weight height, back angle, 4D arms, etc
• Supports up to 400 pounds 
• Air LiveBack technology flexes in two dimensions to provide personalized comfort to users 
• Flexible seat edge bends when you sit to alleviate pressure at your knees and under your thighs 
• The advanced weight-activated mechanism adjusts the backrest tension based on the user’s weight and pressure applied to help you recline smoothly and feel balanced while sitting 

Cons: 

• Polyester fabric feels a little cheap and could lack durability 

Secretlab Titan Evo – Best Gaming Chair Under $1000

The Secretlab Titan Evo is the cream of the crop for gaming chairs. It has the perfect combination of aesthetic designs, advanced ergonomic technology, and an array of adjustable options. 

Unlike most gaming chairs that use low-quality faux leather upholstery, consumers can choose between a Neo Hybrid leatherette or SoftWeave Plus fabric. The leatherette material is a premium grade material that is 12 times more durable than standard PU leather and provides a luxurious feel similar to the seat of a sports car. 

Conversely, the SoftWeave Plus fabric is designed with looping threads to allow air to pass through your seat. Not to mention, it offers a very soft texture to keep you comfortable. 

Moreover, the Evo has dynamic lumbar support called the L-ADAPT system. This feature has height and depth adjustability, letting users control their back support. As a result, you can control how much support you need and the placement of the lower back support. In addition, there are flexors that bend based on your spinal movement to offer continuous support. 

Pros:

• Three sizes available to accommodate short, tall, and average-sized people 
• L-ADAPT lumbar support has four-way adjustability and flexes to support your spinal movement 
• The backrest reclines up to 165 degrees to give your back a rest 
• Magnetic memory foam head pillow snaps into place and relieves pressure points in your neck 
• Available in NEO hybrid leatherette or SoftWeave Plus fabric to meet your comfort needs 

Cons: 

• The chair doesn’t have a seat depth adjustment 

NeueChair by Secretlab – Best Mesh Office Chair Under $1000

Mesh office chairs have become increasingly popular. However, low-quality mesh materials are stiff, which doesn’t support any movement. Also, it can feel too hard on your coccyx and hips since there’s no cushion to protect against feeling the chair frame. 

However, NeueChair is different. They use a premium three-layer mesh that combines DuPont yarn and polyester fiber. The mesh material is thicker and more flexible than your standard mesh. 

As the user moves in the seat, the mesh can adapt and flex to support the movement and pressure applied. Not to mention, the mesh material has passed rigorous ASTM tensile and tearing strength tests to ensure durability and abrasion resistance. 

One unique aspect of the Secretlab is its infinite recline function. Users can recline from 85 degrees to 130 degrees. Most chairs have a tilt-lock function, where they can only stop the recline at specific angles. However, the NeueChair allows you to set the recline to any angle within the range, which means better precision and customization.

Pros:

• NeueMesh material feels soft on the skin and flexible to support movement in the chair 
• Breathable mesh material maximizes airflow to keep users cool throughout the day 
• ComfortShift levers are conveniently located under armrests giving users easy access to seat height and back angle adjustments 
• Lumbar support is height and depth adjustable to support a healthy posture 
• Infinite recline allows you to lock at any angle between 85 to 130 degrees 

Cons: 

• It may not be suitable for big and tall or short individuals since the height recommendations are between 5’3” to 6’0” 

Check out our guide on the Best Mesh Gaming Chairs

Herman Miller Sayl – Best Office Chair Under $1000 for Short People

Herman Miller Sayl has quite the futuristic design that people either love or hate. It was inspired by the Golden Gate bridge, which is why it has a dome-shaped frameless suspension back. 

Instead of a standard backrest with lumbar support, the Sayl has an unframed 3D intelligent backrest. It has elastomer strands that stretch or contract based on the amount of pressure applied by the user and how they move. The strands are flexible in areas such as the lower and midback, where users will shift and change positions the most. As a result, you get dynamic back support that changes based on your posture and body shape. 

The base of the spine is often a neglected area that isn’t properly supported. Fortunately, the Sayl features a unique PostureFit spinal support which provides additional reinforcement sacrum to prevent slouching and sitting fatigue. This helps the spine maintain its natural S-shape curve and provides a stronger posture while sitting. 

Furthermore, the chair has a relatively compact design with plenty of adjustments such as seat height, seat depth, forward tilt, back recline, synchro-tilt, and 4D armrest. The plethora of adjustments and compact specifications make it suitable for short people. 

Pros:

• Compact design and adjustable options make it ideal for short people 
• 4D adjustable arms prevent wrist strain and keep your arms in a better position to work on your computer 
• 3D intelligent backrest contracts and stretches to provide dynamic support as you move 
• The PostureFit feature helps to support the base of the spine to reinforce the pelvis and prevent slouching 
• Contoured cushioned seat pad provides a nice soft and cozy seat to enhance comfort 

Cons: 

• Some people may not like the design of the chair 

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

Eurotech Ergohuman – Best Adjustability

No two people are exactly alike. Everyone has a unique body shape and size, meaning your office chair should have plenty of adjustable options to suit your needs. The Eurotech Ergohuman is equipped with many adjustments for seat height, seat depth, synchro-tilt, back angle, tilt tension, armrest, and headrest. 

Rather than using a manually adjustable lumbar support, the Ergohuman features an integrated lumbar system that automatically adjusts to your body weight and the amount of pressure being applied to it. This saves you the hassle of manually adjusting the lumbar support yourself. 

Having a headrest can aid in providing a cue to keep your head up and posture upright. The Ergonhuman has a neck roll headrest designed to fit in the crutch of your neck and head. This provides better support and doesn’t stick out as some headrest pillows do. 

We also like the seat depth and synchro-tilt mechanism. Seat depth prevents blood flow circulation cut-off at the knees or thighs, and the synchro-tilt helps with better spinal alignment. It also lets your feet remain relatively flat while in a reclined position. 

Pros:

• Auto-adjusting lumbar support automatically customize support based on the amount of pressure applied 
• The Neckroll headrest is height adjustable by two inches to support your neck and posture 
• Breathable mesh upholstery keeps you cool and prevents sweaty backs 
• Seat depth adjustable ensures proper back support for people of all heights 
• The backrest recline has three tilt-lock positions letting you set your desired position to work or relax in 

Cons: 

• The armrest isn’t width adjustable 

Haworth Fern – Best Office Chair Under $1000 for Back Pain

Gone are the days of having a simple straight-back chair. Office chairs are becoming more sophisticated than ever, and the Haworth Fern is a testament to that. The backrest has a slight curve built-in that mimics the spinal to accommodate for your lumbar and thoracic spine. Its narrow backrest is designed to provide greater freedom of movement as well. 

Running down the center of the backrest is a rigid center cut-off. The rigid support is designed to be a placeholder for your spine and provides an aesthetic element to the chair. Additionally, the backrest features a web-like mesh material that adapts to the movement of your body. The thicker fabric will shift as you move based on the pressure applied. As a result, you get a response back rest similar to the 3D LiveBack technology that Steelcase offers. 

The Haworth Fern features an edgeless design, meaning there aren’t any hard cut-offs or edges around the seat or backrest. Hard edges can feel rough on your body and lead to pressure points. The entire make-up of the chair is built to allow blood flow circulation throughout the body and distribute pressure evenly to prevent any knotted muscles. 

Pros:

• No assembly required 
• Elegant, slim, and modern design to enhance any interior design 
• The edgeless design prevents circulation cut-offs in your thighs or knees 
• Haworth fern has a curved backrest design to accommodate the natural shape of the spine 
• Webbing of the chair provides wave-like adaptive support, and rigid center cut-out supports the spine

Cons: 

• The manufacturer only offers a three-year warranty on the upholstery 

La-Z-Boy Delano – Best Office Chair Under $1000 for Heavy People

Being heavy shouldn’t affect your ability to work or sit comfortably. Fortunately, the La-Z-Boy Delano is a heavy-duty office chair best suited for heavy individuals. This chair has a thicker plywood construction and an extra-large steel seat plate to ensure the chair feels sturdy and stable while sitting. The La-Z-Boy Delano supports up to 350 pounds, much more than standard office chairs. 

Unlike the other chairs listed, the Delano features their ComfortCore layered memory-foam cushions throughout the chair design to contour to your unique body shape. Memory foam helps alleviate pressure points in your body to prevent body aches and keep you comfortable. Also, the memory foam material’s softness and resilience help improve circulation in your buttocks and thighs. 

If you want to feel empowered and confident working, the Delano is an excellent choice. It is designed with chestnut brown bonded leather upholstery and rich mahogany wood accents to provide an element of elegance to your office space. 

Furthermore, it has the essential adjustment features you need, such as seat adjustment, a reclining function, and tilt tension adjustment. With the tilt lever, you can smoothly recline and relax your muscles after a long day of work. 

Pros:

• Layered memory foam cushions provide body-hugging support to adapt to your unique body shape 
• It supports up to 350 pounds making it suitable for heavy people 
• Padded armrests relieve pressure on your forearms 
• The spacious design gives you more freedom to move around in your seat
• Soft-bonded leather with rich mahogany rood provides a classic and timeless design to enhance any interior space 

Cons: 

• Leather upholstery can be conducive for heat build-up 

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

Choosing the Best Office Chair Under $1000 – Buyer’s Guide  

It’s important that we equip you with the knowledge needed to make an informed buying decision. There are many factors to consider, and we’ll tell you what to look for when evaluating whether to buy an office chair. 

Materials and Build Quality

The build-quality of an office chair is an important factor when purchasing an office chair. Primarily, we like to look for chairs that use metal materials like a steel frame or aluminum base. Metal materials tend to have greater durability and withstand greater force. 

However, the best indicator for the build quality is looking for third-party certifications. Many manufacturers will have their chairs tested by third-party companies. The ANSI/BIFMA company will put these chairs through stringent tests to ensure the chairs hold up to high standards. 

Having an ANSI/BIFMA certification is a stamp of approval that signifies the outstanding durability and quality of the product. The chair will pass the test by withstanding predetermined and repeated applications of pressure or weight. 

For instance, NeueChair has passed various tensile and tearing strength tests to ensure that the mesh material is abrasion-resistant. If the office chair has a seat cushion, we recommend the foam padding has high-density or memory foam characteristics. That’s because the air pockets are densely packed, which allows the foam to revert back to its normal shape. They tend to withstand more pressure for a long time and prevent any shape deformities that can occur with standard or lower quality foam paddings. 

Ergonomics

Apart from adjustments, you may find some unique ergonomic features to help enhance your seating experience. Any feature that improves your ability to sit in a healthy posture and improve productivity can be considered ergonomic. 

For example, Steelcase chairs such as the Leap feature a LiveBack technology that provides dynamic support based on your body’s shape and movement. These flexors flex, bend, and contract to provide equal support based on the pressure applied. As a result, your spine keeps its natural S-shape curve even as you move. 

Another example is Steelcase Leap’s Natural Glide System. The seat glides forward as you recline so that users remain in their optimal zone for reaching and seeing your work. This lets you work comfortably even when in a reclined position. 

Some chairs like the NeueChair by Secretlab can tilt forward slightly. Many users like to lean forward when working. Thus, the forward tilt mechanism lets you receive back support even when leaning forward. This improves your posture, prevents back pain, and allows you to stay productive while working. 

Seat Comfort

An office chair may provide seat comfort in different ways. However, seat comfort is achieved by distributing the weight across the seat and relieving pressure points in your buttocks, hips, and thighs. 

Some chairs use a thick seat cushion, while others use a flexible mesh. Depending on your preference, you can choose either one. For example, the Delano has multiple layers of memory foam cushion to help dissipate the pressure. Many users like memory foam or padded foam seat because it feels soft and relaxes your muscles. 

However, mesh seats can also be comfortable as well. A flexible mesh such as the one provided by NeueChair allows greater flexibility in your movement. Thus, as you shift your weight or move in your seat, the mesh material will bend based on your movement. As a result, you receive continual support. Some mesh materials can make it feel like you’re floating on the cloud because the pressure feels uplifted. 

Additionally, you want to look for a chair with flexible edges or an edgeless design. Hard edges can put a strain on your knees and thighs. This restricts blood flow causing numbness aches in your lower extremities. A flexible edge will bend when pressure is applied and allow circulation to move throughout your lower body. 

Adjustability

Adjustability is the hallmark of an ergonomic chair. Every person has a unique body type and has their own seating preferences. A chair that isn’t adjusted to your needs can cause pain and discomfort. There are a few adjustments that you may find in an office chair, such as seat height, seat depth, back angle, tilt-tension, synchro-tilt, lumbar support, armrest, and headrest. 

A pneumatic seat height adjustment ensures your feet are planted on the ground, knees remain aligned with your hips, and you are eye-level with your monitor. The seat depth adjustment helps accommodate your upper leg length. This ensures users have proper back support where the weight can be evenly distributed across the seat pan. 

Arms should be adjustable so that your forearms and wrist can lay flat on your workstation. Your wrists or arms shouldn’t have to bend awkwardly to use the keyword of your computer. Bending your wrists can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome and other muscle strains in your arms. 

A synchro-tilt mechanism is an advancement adjustment where the seat raises by one degree for every two degrees that your backrest reclines. This allows your feet to remain relatively flat in recline. As a result, this puts less pressure on your knees and thighs. Furthermore, it improves circulation and helps with ensuring proper spinal alignment. 

Back Support

Every back support should have essential features such as lumbar support, reclining function, and some kind of manual or automatic tilt-tension adjustment. Office chairs will vary tremendously in how they design their back support. 

We recommend looking for adjustable lumbar support that can adjust by height and depth. Some chairs like the Steelcase ones can even adjust by firmness. The height adjustment allows you to position the support directly into the lumbar curve for a natural fit. Conversely, the depth adjustment lets you control how much support you receive. 

Next, look at the reclining function. Sitting in a reclining function allows you to take a break and change sitting positions. Changing sitting positions prevents your muscles from remaining static, leading to pressure points and muscle aches. Furthermore, reclining takes the load off of your back muscles and lets your muscles relax from sitting upright. 

A tilt-tension adjustment ensures you feel balanced while reclining. A tilt-tension set too light will cause you to feel like you are falling backward. If the tension is too tight, the user may have trouble tilting the chair at all. 

Weight Capacity

The better a chair is constructed, the higher the weight capacity typically is. Heavy-duty chairs use stronger materials, especially on the frame, base, and seat cushion to withstand more weight. On top of that, chairs with a greater weight capacity feel more stable, especially when reclining, so users feel balanced. 

Standard office chairs have an average weight capacity of 250 pounds. However, chairs like the Steelcase Leap offer an impressive weight capacity of 400 pounds. This makes it advantageous for heavy users. A heavy person should not sit on an office chair that can’t support their weight since that could lead to injury or cause the chair to break down prematurely. 

Warranty

There’s nothing worse than purchasing an office chair only to notice faulty components. It’s always good to be protected by a warranty, especially if the chair breaks down and it’s not your fault. When accessing an office chair, always look for the manufacturer’s warranty. High-quality office chairs typically provide at least three years of warranty. 

Reputable brands like Steelcase offer an impressive 12-year warranty on their components. That means all of the major components, such as the lumbar mechanism, arm caps, foam cushion, glides, casters, and headrests, can be replaced at no cost to you within 12 years. As long as you don’t damage the chair yourself, you should be able to get a part replaced or sometimes even the entire chair replaced for you. 

Recap of the Best Office Chairs Under $1000

Office Chair Under $1000	Best For
Steelcase Leap	Best Overall
Duramont Ergonomic Office Chair	Budget Pick
Steelcase Series 1	Best Under $500
Steelcase Series 2	Best Value
Secretlab Titan Evo	Best for Gaming
NeueChair by Secretlab	Best Mesh
Herman Miller Sayl	Best for Short People
Eurotech Ergohuman	Best Adjustability
Haworth Fern	Best for Back Pain
La-Z-Boy Delano	Best for Heavy People

Conclusion

A high-quality office chair is essential for your well-being and productivity. Choosing a low-quality chair can lead to more visits to the doctor and greater fatigue due to lack of circulation or muscle soreness. 

Fortunately, our list of office chairs should give you a great place to start. These chairs are some of the best seating options in the market. With our buyer’s guide, you’re ready to pick out the right office chair for your needs!