Task Chair vs Office Chair: Is There a Difference? (2024)

Everyone is different in their office furniture needs. Some people sit down for a few hours, while others sit at their desks for nearly half of the day! Whether you’re looking for a chair to help manage your back pain or a chair that feels comfortable, there are so many options available on the market.

When searching on the market for chairs, most people confuse task chairs with office chairs. While they may look similar on the surface, it’s important to know the distinctions so that you know what to look for. In this article, we’ll highlight the specific differences between the two and tell you which type of chair is right for you.

Table of Contents

Task Chair vs Office Chair: Differences Explained

Although many people use task chairs and office chairs interchangeably, there are some key differences between the two. Task chairs are typically smaller and designed to improve efficiency in completing tasks. Office chairs are also ergonomic; however, they can vary from chair to chair. They usually are better suited for sitting for long hours and can enhance your comfort while sitting.

Design

Task chairs have a minimalistic design and are very compact in size. Typically, they will have a mid-size back with small dimensions. Some manufacturers will design the task chair similar to a lounge-chair type of feel by using velvet or very high-end fabrics such as suede. These types of task chairs are often used in people’s homes, such as a chair for women to do their makeup.

In contrast, office chairs have a greater variety in chair design. Some chairs will be compact, while others are heavy-duty, meaning they’re bulky in size. Also, some office chairs have a traditional tone, such as wood accents, while other office chairs will look extremely modern in design.

A great example is the Herman Miller Sayl Chair, which takes its inspiration from the San Francisco golden gate bridge. It has a web-like back design and can easily be featured in an art museum.

Features

Before buying a chair, you should always consider what features are most important to you. Do you need adjustable lumbar support to help prevent the nagging back pain? Or do you struggle with the neck and need a headrest to keep your head leveled? Every chair is unique in its features, but there are some common themes across both types of chairs.

Task chairs will have minimal features, which is why they are quite affordable. These chairs will come with features such as seat height adjustment, a 360-swivel, and multi-surface dual casters. For people prone to having sweaty backs, task chairs use breathable fabric such as mesh or polyester to allow cool air to pass through your chair.

Office chairs generally offer a wider range of features. For example, some chairs have a flexible seat edge to prevent numbness aches in your leg due to the pressure buildup. Some chairs like the Steelcase Gesture offer a 360-degree armrest adjustment allowing you to fully adjust the arms in any direction. This is useful for individuals that operate with multiple tech interfaces allowing the freedom to adjust the arms based on their needs.

The Herman Miller Embody doesn’t offer the typical lumbar support. However, they use their proprietary BackFit adjustment, which shifts the entire backrest support to help better align with your spine. As you can tell, there are many features an office chair may come with. If you want the latest features to make sitting more comfortable, office chairs are the better option.

Materials and Build Quality

The build quality and materials are overlooked components of the chair since they play a vital role in your comfort level and the durability of the chair. Office chairs that are well constructed can last you well over a decade, while task chairs tend to only last a few years.

Task chairs use more plastic and nylon components for their base, frame, and arms. That’s why the weight capacity of the chair tends to be lower than office chairs. Furthermore, some task chairs may use cheap fabric like low-quality polyester or knitted mesh. A coarse mesh material doesn’t offer much protection against the chair frame and feels rough against the skin.

Manufacturers pour more research and resources into the design and construction of their office chairs. Many use stronger materials like steel, aluminum, or wood, which can handle more weight and last longer. Some office chairs use higher quality upholstery, such as Herman Miller Aeron, which utilizes a softer and more flexible mesh. Some office chairs might use high-grade genuine leather as well.

Where the build quality really stands out is the warranty. There’s a reason why some manufacturers are able to offer a longer warranty than others. Office chair manufacturers will put their products through strict testing protocols by sending them to third-party organizations. These organizations will test all of the claims that manufacturers by stress-testing all of the components such as the seat, backrest, casters, and other mechanisms. This allows manufacturers to be confident in their warranty guarantees.

Ergonomics

Most people judge ergonomics as the chair’s ability to help users maintain a good posture. While adjustability is the primary component of a chair’s overall ergonomics, there are other aspects. In general, office chairs will be more ergonomic than task chairs.

While task chairs are designed to improve productivity, they simply don’t have enough features like many office chairs do. Some ergonomic features that task chairs have are sufficient padding to alleviate pressure, seat height adjustment, tilt function, and supportive backrest.

Office chairs that incorporate integrated lumbar support are already much more ergonomic than task chairs. Lumbar and headrest support helps to ensure a fully aligned and upright posture. It’s important to look at the chair and see whether it is ergonomically designed to help you sit in the proper position.

Adjustability

Sitting in an uncomfortable position is perhaps one of the most common reasons for back pain, neck pain, and other ailments that occur in the workplace. A chair that isn’t adjusted to your specific body type will end up doing more harm than good.

Task chairs offer basic adjustments to give average users enough to sit in a good posture. For example, they include seat height adjustments and recline function and sometimes may even offer a tilt tension function. However, some task chairs won’t come with an armrest, and many of them will be linked to the backrest. This means the armrest isn’t adjustable.

While basic adjustments can work for some people, it’s not the ideal solution, especially for tall or short individuals. Tall or short people need a seat depth adjustment. The seat depth adjustment ensures a person lets about one or two inches of space between the back of their knees and the seat edge. This helps set the user for a proper posture where their back is fully rested against the backrest.

Medium to high-end office chairs will have a diverse range of adjustments that can be customized based on the user’s body type and preferences. For example, the Steelcase office chairs typically offer adjustments for seat height, seat depth, recline, tilt-tension, synchro-tilt, lumbar support, armrests, and others.

Adjustments like the recline and lumbar support adjustment can be a crucial feature to prevent back pain. Sitting reclined helps to reduce the strain in the lower back, and the lumbar support helps to fill the gap in your lower back. When your back is fully supported, it prevents you from hunching over and placing excessive stress.

Comfort

Sitting for long periods on an uncomfortable chair can cause pressure buildup in certain areas of the body, leading to muscle knots and pain. For example, sitting on a chair with a stiff mesh material where you feel the frame can lead to coccyx pain.

Task chairs typically come with just enough cushion to help to alleviate pressure points. They may come with a square or dome-shaped padding that helps to distribute the weight evenly across the chair. Sometimes, task chairs will also have back padding to further relieve back pain.

However, high-end office chairs have these same attributes but can take it one step further. For example, the Steelcase office chairs use their proprietary LiveBack technology, which consists of flexors that flex and contract based on the user’s movements. For example, if you shift your weight in one direction, the back flexors shift to provide equal support to your body. Many high-end chairs offer adaptable features to automatically adjust the support based on changing postures.

Price

Price is a huge factor when looking for office chairs. It’s important to understand what you’re paying and what you are getting for the cost. Task chairs tend to be cheaper simply because they offer fewer features and aren’t built with the highest quality materials. Whoever, they are very affordable and fit into the price range of most college students and entry-level workers.

In comparison, office chairs will vary significantly in price. There’s a wide selection of office chairs at just about every price point. However, on average, office chairs tend to be more expensive since they are built with higher quality materials and more sturdy components. In addition, they have more adjustments and ergonomic features to justify the price.

When shopping for a chair, it’s good to look at the warranty so that you can calculate the cost per year of owning that chair. For example, let’s say a task chair costs you $200 but only offers a two-year warranty. That means you can only guarantee about two years of good use.

In comparison, a high-end office chair that costs $1,200 with a 12-year warranty means you can expect 12 years of usage. In both scenarios, you’re still paying $100 per year for the chair, but the office chair is much more comfortable and ergonomic. It’s always good to consider the value that you’re getting with your chair, not just the initial price tag.

Task Chair vs Office Chair: Pros and Cons

Now that you know the differences between the two types of chairs, here’s a summary of the pros and cons of each.

Pros of Task Chairs:

Typically very affordable chairs
Designed to provide enough adjustable features and comfort without the high cost
Armless task chairs are great for individuals that work on wide or L-shaped desks
Usually upholstered with breathable to keep you cool
Lightweight and compact chairs that don’t take up a lot of space and are easy to assemble

Cons of Task Chairs:

Not the best type of chair for sitting long hours
Padding is minimal
Not the best type of chair for big, tall, or heavy people

Pros of Office Chairs:

Office chairs are versatile in price range, features, and adjustments
Available in all types of upholstery, including mesh, fabric, and leather
Typically made from stronger components meaning better durability and warranty
Offers more ergonomic functions like adjustable lumbar support, flexible seat edge, etc.
Tends to be more comfortable to sit on for long hours

Cons of Office Chairs

Can be difficult to find quality office chairs on a low budget
More options mean it can be harder to choose

Task Chair vs Office Chair: Which Should You Choose?

The choice between task chairs versus office chairs ultimately comes down to your needs. Task chairs are better suited for people on a tight budget who want to sit comfortably and get their things done without paying a lot of money. However, they’re not designed for sitting long hours since they don’t offer enough comfort. Task chairs are also useful as secondary chairs around the house. Let’s say you have a makeup table and need a quality chair for that.

Office chairs are suited for all types of people. Whether you’re someone with back pain, arthritis, or you’re a big and tall person; there’s an office chair made for you. The beauty of office chairs is that there are so many options; you can find a chair that suits your specific needs and budget. If you want a high-end ergonomically designed chair with lots of adjustments and a modern design, we believe office chairs are the way to go.

Task Chair vs Office Chair: Our Top Picks

With so many chairs on the market, it can be difficult to figure out where to start. Fortunately, we’ve provided two recommendations to help you on your journey with finding the right task or office chair.

Recommended Task Chair: HON Volt Armless Task Chair

Hon Volt armless task chair is a great example of an affordable task chair that gives you all the basic functionality to get things done. It features a soft textile breathable fabric over a padded seat cushion and backrest to provide some comfort while sitting. The dome shape seat cushion is soft and helps to alleviate pressure points in your body.

This task chair doesn’t include any armrest, which can be seen as a pro or a con. Of course, that means the task chair can’t provide any arm support. However, the lack of arm support gives you the freedom to change positions and easily navigate around your desk, especially if you use wider desks or even L-shaped desks. Some professions, such as architects, designers, and engineers, will need a large space to perform their drawings, meaning they’ll need space to move their arms freely.

The Holt Von task chair offers simple adjustments such as a pneumatic cylinder to adjust the seat height along with a recline function, tilt tension, tilt lock, and even a synchro-tilt. A tilt-tension function allows users to adjust how much pressure is required to recline back, which helps them to feel more secure based on their weight.

Additionally, a synchro-tilt will raise the seat height one degree for every two degrees the backrest reclines. As a result, this keeps you within reach of your desk even when reclining while also improving leg circulation and spinal alignment.

Recommended Office Chair: Herman Miller Aeron

Herman Miller Aeron is the gold standard for office chairs and tends to be a popular choice for consumers looking for the most ergonomic chair. Perhaps it’s best known for its unique 8Z Pellicle mesh material, which provides an elastomeric suspension to allow for greater flexibility. The material is very adaptive and will conform to your body shape and movements to ensure personalized support.

Another unique feature is their PostureFit SL back support system. It provides a greater range of support to your spine compared to most chairs. That’s because it supports both your lower back and the base of your spine. Users can also adjust the height and depth of it, giving you a fully customizable experience to maintain proper posture.

The Aeron comes with many adjustment features to help you get into the right seating position. Its recline function is very smooth, allowing you to rock back and forth or recline without feeling unstable. In addition, there’s a forward tilt feature where users can tilt to chair forward to enhance focus and productivity.

What’s great about the Aeron is that Herman Miller offers a 12-year warranty on all the parts and components of the chair. This means you’re guaranteed to have a premium quality chair in good working condition for at least 12 years.

Conclusion

There is no perfect answer for everyone. Due to budget constraints, task chairs might be the better option. Or, if you’re willing to invest in a high-end ergonomic chair, perhaps office chairs are the right choice.

Now that you’re educated about the differences between task and office chairs, you can distinguish the two and find ones that have what you’re looking for. We recommend making a list of features and qualities you want in your chair so that you know what to look for. Now it’s your turn to take the information and research the best chair for your needs.

Task Chair vs Office Chair: Is There a Difference?