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Home Computing Chair Advice

Seated Comfort Factors: Physical Vs Psychological Vs Usage

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February 25, 2023
Reading Time: 23 mins read
  • By Anil Ramsey

Once, good back support was the primary way to predict a chair’s comfort potential. These days, many esports doctors tout frequent breaks and regular exercise as more potent comfort boosters. With those in play, casual semi-neutral postures work well. Then, deep reclines and fancy styles add sensory thrills that can skyrocket a chair’s perceived comfort. So let’s break down physical vs psychological seating comfort factors for ergonomic chair users in 2023.

2023 seated comfort rating factors
A healthy, disciplined life + flexible ergonomic seating yields fun, comfy sitting experiences.

There’s no universal comfort rating system for ergonomic computing chairs. Even so, there’s enough information on the table for ChairsFX to put one together.

Gaming chair physical and mental comfort factors
You can objectively gauge a chair’s comfort potential using physiological and psychological factors.

The broadest definition of ‘comfort’ is ‘an absence of discomfort’. Traditionally, researchers study comfort as physiological reactions to environmental stimuli. These are often objective (muscle activity measurements) or subjective (reported feelings).

Kneeling stool downside
Kneeling stools provide good posture support – but only with hyper-awareness and discipline.

For example, kneeling chairs are designed to support perfect posture. Somebody motivated enough to use one properly will align their muscles, lower muscle activity, and feel relaxed. But somebody forced to use one might use poor form. That would result in reported ‘discomfort’.

Work from home comfort factors
The journey towards comfort or discomfort is largely subjective.

This shows how the perception of comfort influences how the body responds. As a result, many modern car seat studies consider both physiological (objective) and psychological (subjective) factors when measuring comfort potential(1).

We’ve mashed the best of those studies together with our existing library of ergonomic science. Combined, these produce a foolproof method for finding your ultimate ergonomic computing chair!

Important Seating Comfort Factors 2023

In 2023, choosing a good desk chair based only on its back support qualities is obtuse. These days, good back support for desktop computing remains one mark of a good desk chair.

Modern assessment factors for new ergonomic chair buyers
Modern seating potency factors: neutral + mobile posture support; psychological appeal; user health factors.

Psychological appeal is a major selling point. Multi-device computing support is emerging as the next big support challenge. Meanwhile, disciplined user habits are shaping up as the most potent back support hack of them all.

2023 Ergo Trends: Multi-Device Neutral-ish + Fitness

With frequent breaks and a healthy lifestyle, any old desk chair can provide the support that you need! Summary of comfort factors:

  1. Desktop PC back support tech has peaked: good posture support for upright deskwork remains relevant as a foundational priority. Every desk chair should provide this.
  2. Physiological comfort factors: seat & backrest fit; lumbar support fit; upholstery type & quality; padding type & quality.
  3. Psychological comfort factors: full vs mid-back / deep vs limited recline; color psychology; sensory upholstery appeal; mega-corporation brand name trust/ prestige.
  4. User-powered comfort factors: frequent breaks, stretches, and healthy lifestyles improve health and happiness. Used in tandem with a good chair = supercharge.

Desktop PC Back Support Tech Has Peaked

What defines ‘good’ seated back support? Back in the 1800s, definitions were based on pseudoscience. Then, the point of a good chair was to hold bums up against gravity. Keeping the spine straight was up to the user (and their back muscles).

Evolution of the desk chair through history
Evolution of desk chair seating technology from 1850 to 2022.

That changed in 1972. Then, NASA astronaut studies aboard the Skylab Space Station finally yielded a biomechanical healthy sitting definition: neutral postures.

Neutral body postures in zero gravity
NASA discovered the science of neutral sitting aboard Skylab in 1972.

In the early 1990s, PC computing + Internet caused a dramatic spike in sitting times(2). That sparked a rise in the global prevalence of lower back pain(3).

Biomechanics of unhealthy sitting positions
Desktop computing-era ergo chairs aim to support a healthy 25-45° lower back curve while sitting.

Chairmakers seized on this opportunity to utilize NASA’s neutral posture findings as ergonomic office chairs. Since Herman Miller’s Aeron landed in 1994, most models use the same concepts.

In brief: adjustable lumbar and arms + a reclining backrest equips a chair to support neutral postures. The main seating evolutions since the early 90s have focused on boosting psychological appeal:

Evolution of ergonomic seating from 1994 to 2023
Since the 90s, most ergonomic chairs have been stylistic riffs of the same neutral posture concepts.

So what defines a good ergonomic desk chair in 2023? Beyond back support qualities, fancy aesthetics, luxury upholsteries, and deep recline functions are trending.

Old vs new seating styles
Cubicle-style = strict postures; WFH and gaming style = strict + relaxed.

That’s why many of 2023’s most popular work-from-home chairs are full-back thrillers with plenty of sensory extras. Check out what’s hot:

Popular Full-Back Work From Home Chairs

Physiological Vs Psychological Factors

Here’s a quick summary of both. Click any link to jump down to a more detailed explanation.

Physiological Comfort Factors

  1. Seat + Backrest fit: a chair too large or small for your size will deliver mediocre support.
  2. Lumbar type: a lumbar support system that can fit the height x depth of your particular lumbar curve is ideal.
  3. Upholstery: soft, breathable covers + squishy seat padding make chairs more ‘fun’.
  4. Workstation integration: an ill-fitting desk or screen height can negate the qualities of a good chair.

Psychological Comfort Factors

  1. Full-back Gaming Vs Mid-Back Office: flexible comfort vs strict focus. Full-back seats with headrests and deep recline deliver less accurate posture support. Even so, studies suggest most find this quasi-neutral style more comfortable.
  2. Color psychology: different chair color combinations affect the senses in subtly different ways — temporarily.
  3. Megacorporation medical-grade bias: the top-5 office furniture megacorporations are almost universally revered. Buying a chair from a top-5 brand guarantees good back support, prestige, and mega-corporate style good looks.

User-Powered Comfort Factors

Top office furniture brands are now putting out gaming chairs that support slouchier, semi-neutral postures (instead of perfect ones). Most top esports doctors will tell you that’s just fine.

Herman Miller Embody vs Vantum gaming chair
Embody vs Vantum: old vs new ergonomic philosophies for gamers.

Perfect posture while computing is good but unnecessary. Instead, frequent breaks and healthy lifestyles are the keys to peak computing performance. A good chair helps as a secondary support tool.

Evil Geniuses esports player doing neck exercises with Dr. Jordan Tsai
Dr. Jordan Tsai teaching motion exercises at Evil Geniuses headquarters. (Pic: @EvilGeniuses)

As one example, Dr. Jordan Tsai currently does performance optimization consulting for Evil Geniuses. His performance optimization priority tier places a good chair last:

Rest/nutrition/exercises > breaks > good posture > good chair. Developing healthy habits is the most important thing to work on.Dr. Jordan Tsai

In a related Twitter thread(4), he added: “Regular movement of the spine (even seated) will do far more for you than sitting in perfect posture the whole time.”

A paper from the American College of Sports Medicine(5) supports his angle. Frequent movement breaks + and healthy lifestyle habits boost computing performance more than fancy gaming furniture.

Tfue streamer health habits
Tfue is one of many mega-successful streamers who incorporate movement and fitness into their routines.

Such concepts partially explain why so many top esports teams and famous streamers are firmly atop the health and fitness bandwagon.

A good chair that supports neutral postures for desktop computing is good. One that supports multi-device computing might be even better. A fancier, more versatile full-back version could make you happier.

Work from home ergonomic seating ranking factors
Bottom left clockwise: dynamic neutral postures, 0° neck posture; full-back chair psychology; healthy lifestyles.

But frequent breaks + healthy lifestyle habits trumps all. That means you needn’t overthink the back support parts when shopping for a new chair! Learn more:

UPDATED Ergonomic Seating Criteria For WFH

Physiological Comfort Factors

Physiological comfort is the absence of musculoskeletal stress. Psychological comfort is a mentally relaxed state free from pain and negative thoughts. Both play a significant role in the perceived comfort potential of a chair.

Comfort rating three types of office chairs
Assessing the comfort potential of chairs B and C isn’t as straightforward.

For example, it’s easy to see that Chair B is more comfortable than Chair A. But the physiological and psychological differences between Chairs B and C aren’t as clear. So how to gauge which is more potentially comfortable — for your specific needs?

The answer: don’t overthink. With regular exercise, frequent breaks, and sound nutrition, any ergonomic chair can deliver the goods. The one that best connects with your sensibilities is your likely best option.

Proper Chair Sizing

A 2021 study out of Taiwan(6) sought to compare the comfort of three types of seats. It measured the objective joint angles of each user, plus subjective comfort reports.

Using those, it found the mid-back office chair more comfortable than the gaming chair. The fatal flaw with this study is that they used a gaming chair too large for the user!

Flawed gaming chair comfort study
This study measured comfort using a gaming chair that doesn’t fit the user.

Look closely and you’ll see three glaring problems that any halfwitted ‘ergonomist’ should probably notice:

  1. The gaming chair seat is too deep. That pulls his knees too far forward.
  2. Knees pulled forward curl the hips forward. That flattens the lumbar curve, causing pain.
  3. The headrest is too high. Instead of cradling his whole cervical spine, it only supports the top part.

That makes the Taiwanese study a failure at accurately measuring gaming vs office chair comfort.

Even so, it serves as a great example of how the wrong-sized chair can ruin one’s sitting experience! As another example, look at this poor little guy:

Short person using large chair
A short person using a chair too large can suffer from back pain.

From the rear, his gaming chair fit looks great. But a closer look shows that he’s in a world of hurt:

  1. The overly-high armrests put pressure on his shoulders and arms.
  2. His hips curl forward instead of tucking deep into the backrest.
  3. The seat is too high, forcing an overly sharp drop for his thighs. That forces his hips forward even more.

Bottom line: for the best ergonomic results, choose a chair suitable for your size!

The Ultimate Gaming Chair Sizing Guide

Lumbar Support Type & Fit

Lumbar support can help or hinder your sitting experience. Support set too low will curl your hips forward. Setting support too high will tilt the upper spine, promoting a forward slouch.

Gaming chair lumbar pillow placement
Lumbar support set to the right height and depth will negate spinal disc compression issues.

This comprehensive peer review advises using a 110-130° recline angle with a depth of 4cm. But at what height?

Proper lumbar support positioning
A chair’s lumbar support should hit slightly above the belt-line with around 4 cm of depth (1.5 inches).

In general, your support should hit slightly above the beltline. That’s around 7.5″ above the seat for the average man/ and 5.5″ for women. There are several types to choose from. Our top 4 picks:

  1. 4-way integrated: built-in height x depth adjustability; tricky to get right.
  2. Height-adjustable integrated: built-in height adjustability; not as precise as 4-way systems.
  3. External memory foam pillow: soft and malleable; needs constant readjustment.
  4. Gaming chair pillow: works well; tricky to figure out for beginners.

Each of the four does a decent job in a pinch. The 4-way integrated (my favorite) does a similar job as the others, but with noticeably better precision. Video summary:

Two lumbar styles to be wary of are 3D dynamic and fixed non-adjustable versions. If the height of these systems hits the wrong part of your spine, it will annoy rather than support. Learn more:

Best Adjustable Lumbar Types: Good Ergonomics Vs Gimmicks

Upholstery & Padding Comfort Factors

Computing chairs come in three types of upholstery: mesh; faux leather over padding, or soft fabric over padding. Which is the most comfortable? At a glance, it’s clear that mesh offers much better breathability than a fabric gaming chair.

Full mesh vs fabric chair
Full mesh chairs are significantly more breathable than fabric gaming chairs.

But there are other factors to consider. At the 2020 International Comfort Conference, a comfort rating system was proposed to assess desk chair upholsteries(7).

Gaming chair upholstery closeups
Extreme closeups: Aeron 8Z Pellicle Mesh; DXRacer PU leather; Secretlab Softweave fabric.

It cites sensorial, thermophysiological (breathability), and ergonomic factors as the keys. Considering these factors, let’s compare an ultra-breathable Herman Miller Aeron against a Secretlab Mint Green SoftWeave chair. Which is more comfortable?

Aeron vs Titan comfort comparison
A Herman Miller Aeron vs Secretlab Titan Softweave comfort comparison has a clear winner.

The Aeron has the thermophysiological edge by a large margin. The Titan’s soft fabric delivers more relaxing sensations than the Aeron’s synthetic, steely mesh.

Expert reviews of the best fabric gaming chairs
Best fabric gaming chairs of 2022.

Which style is better? It’s entirely subjective — wholly up to your preferences. Personally, I love the soft, soothing, homey feeling of fabric:

Best Fabric Gaming Chairs For Deep Relaxation

Firm Vs Squishy Padded Seats

One’s choice of chair padding will also impact its comfort potential. Cheaper padded chairs are squishier; more expensive ones tend to be firmer.

Cheap gaming chair padding
Cheap gaming chair with PE foam padding vs premium chair with cold foam padding.

Softer, seat padding is more comfortable — in the short-term. Over time, it provides unstable support that overwork muscles. That’s why many people feel exhausted after long periods on a sofa.

Furniture industry foam densities
Padding density examples in the furniture industry.

Similar principles apply with mesh. New mesh chairs provide firm, steady support. Over time, cheaper mesh sags. Then, it starts delivering similarly unsteady support.

Case Study: Soft vs Firm Gaming Chair Padding

Related: Mesh Upholstery Pros And Cons

Proper Workstation Integration

Finding a chair that fits your body type is only part of the battle. For best computing results, you also need to sync your chair with your workstation. There are two factors to consider here:

All Users Under 5’10” Need A Footrest

Most adult-sized desks are 28-30″ high. For a proper desk sync, users shorter than 5’10” must raise the armrests too high. That places the neck and shoulders in an uncomfortable position. Over time, that will cause pain.

Sizing scenario at a desk
L-R: good fit (chair only); poor fit (paired with desk); good fit (desk + footrest).

The solution is to add a footrest. Here are three shots of a 5’9″ user in a Secretlab Omega (rated for sizes 5’3″ to 5’11”).

  1. Short person + small chair: good fit.
  2. Small chair + standard desk: to keep feet planted and sync with the desk, short bodies must raise the armrests too high. That bunches up the shoulders.
  3. Small chair + desk + footrest: a footrest lets the user sit taller. As a result, short people can enjoy a good sync of chair, body, and desk.
Mind Reader Ergonomic Footrest
Mind Reader footrest: a cheap and easy way to sit taller at a desk.

Beyond letting you sit taller, footrests also add unique movement opportunities. Learn more:

Sit Taller And More Dynamically With A Footrest

Consider Height-Adjustable Monitor Stands

A well-fitting chair synced perfectly to a desk can still go wrong if computer screens are too low. Any configuration that makes you tilt your head down will curl the upper back into a slouch.

Benefit of using a desk-mounted monitor arm with a desk
Desk-mounted monitor arms let you adjust your screen to prevent a forward head tilt.

A cheap and easy fix is to replace your screen stands with desk-mounted adjustable ones. These attach one or more screens to floating arms.

Introduction to desk-mounted monitor arms

With slight finger pressure, you can adjust the height, swivel the screen, or position it any way you like.

There are plenty of good-quality single, dual, and triple screen mounts on Amazon. Most cost less than $100 and are easy to install.

Ergonomic Computer Screen Setup Guide

Standing Desks For Height & Movement Extras

A great option to stack with monitor arms is a standing desk. In 2023, using one can provide desktop and mobile computing support while sitting and standing.

Mobile computing positions with and without ergonomic support
L-R: unhealthy mobile computing; mobile use with standing desk support; best-case benchmark.

As a second bonus, a standing desk can also boost movement while computing. Shifting from sitting to standing (or vice versa) positions replicates a squat. That works core muscles in a short burst.

Magnus Pro desk providing multi-device computing support
Healthy neutral postures while sitting, mobile computing, and standing.

Sitting versus standing also works different muscles to hold the torso up against gravity. That keeps your muscles active and guessing — rather than loving down into fixed, slouchy postures.

Woman working her hips while sitting and standing at a computer desk
Work your hips, legs, and spinal muscles every time you switch from sitting to standing.

I’ve been using a Secretlab Magnus Pro standing desk for around six months. Its stunning good looks and versatility have definitely boosted my happiness.

As predicted, frequent transitions between sitting and standing keep me more active (vs static sitting). Finally, customizable height support helps me prevent a forward head tilt while mobile computing!

Multi-Device Ergonomics: Why You Need A Sit-Stand Desk

Related: Starter Guide: How To Choose A Good Standing Desk

Psychological Comfort Factors

This picture conveys the psychological difference between the two types of seating. Mid-back chairs imply a business-like style that’s strict and precise.

Formal vs casual chair styles
Mid-back office chairs and full-back gaming ones produce very different psychological expectations.

In contrast, full-back gaming chairs connote a stronger sense of deep relaxation. Here’s a closer look at the psychological differences behind the two styles:

Strict Mid-Back Vs Relaxed Full-Back

Full-back seats with imperfect postures are more comfortable. A study on passenger aircraft seats found that headrests trigger a comfort expectation. Without one, users instinctively keep their heads balanced at a clean 0° tilt. But adding a headrest to a seat compels users to tilt their heads rearward.

Aircraft seat study
Comfort vs posture in aircraft seats with and without headrests.

The study found that using a headrest doesn’t significantly reduce neck muscle activity. But it does (slightly) degrade postural accuracy by rounding the upper back.

Even so, most participants were willing to sacrifice postural perfection for slouched, relaxed postures. These were especially favored for passive tasks like watching in-flight films.

Mega-Corporations Embrace Casual Neutral Postures

Sacrificing good posture for slouchier, more casual sitting styles is so hot right now. In 2022, Haworth and Herman Miller both released pricey gaming chairs that sacrifice perfect neutral postures for more relaxed variations.

Embody vs Vantum comfort perception
The Embody’s back support is very good for you — but not as ‘fun’ as the more casual Vantum support style.

According to Herman Miller’s Gaming Jon Campbell, this caters to a generational difference in perceived comfort:

Gamers require versatility. A strong active posture is critical for gameplay, but having an equally supported, reclined position for moments of relaxation is key.​Jon Campbell

Full-Back Gaming Vs Mid-Back Ergonomic Office Chairs

Gaming chairs have deep reclines and headrests. These are designed to support neutral postures while upright plus semi-neutral reclined positions. In contrast, mid-back office chairs have limited recline ranges.

Aeron posture control limits
The Herman Miller Aeron forces you to sit straight with a tiny 104° max recline range.

These force users to sit basically upright at all times. That’s why they’re often called ‘task’ chairs: they’re strictly for doing deskwork tasks.

Gaming chair versatility
Full-back gaming chairs provide versatile all-day sitting support.

Versatile full-back gaming chairs deliver more versatile work-from-home support. Beyond deskwork, they support deep relaxation for other endeavors.

Ninja now uses a Herman Miller Embody gaming chair
Ninja is one of several top streamers who’ve made ultimate upgrades to Herman Miller chairs.

Notably, many of the world’s top streamers start out grinding all day using lounge-style gaming chairs. But when they hit the big time, they cut down their streaming times to business-like, tactical levels.

Then, it’s common to switch to a stricter, more posturally-precise support style. That explains the major differences in a nutshell.

Difference between gaming chairs and ergonomic office chairs
Secretlab Titan full-back gaming chair vs Herman Miller Embody mid-back ergonomic chair.

Bottom line: full-back chairs provide more versatile all-day sitting support. Mid-back chairs enforce stricter postures that promote focus. The former better supports casual WFH. The latter is ideal for shorter bursts of high-tensity ultra-productivity. Learn more:

Full-Back Gaming Chairs Vs Mid-Back Ergonomic Office Chairs

Color Psychology

The most vivid chair I ever tested was a bright-yellow Cyberpunk edition. For around six weeks, it seemed to light up my entire office with intense, crackling energy. Every time I entered my office was a thrill.

Secretlab Titan Cyberpunk 2077 gaming chair review
The thrill of this chair’s intense visuals lasted around six weeks.

However, that effect only lasted for around six weeks. After that, the chair blended in as a regular part of my workspace.

But even if temporary, the color of your chair will have an impact on the energies in your workspace. Different colors produce different light energies.

Color Psychology Fundamentals

When these strike the retina, they convert to electrical impulses. Each hue sends unique inputs to the hypothalamus(8).

Seretlab Titan chairs on the color spectrum

For thousands of years, green was an important indicator of potential food sources. As a result, it’s the only color that requires no mental processing before the brain recognizes it.

To the left of the green wavelengths are blue ones. Studies have shown these calm the mind and spark out-of-the-box thinking. On the other side, warm reds raise subconscious alarm bells. That boosts focus on tasks requiring mental focus (like proofreading or translation).

Titan Evo 2022 best chair colors
Secretlab Titan chairs arranged into cool, neutral, and warm shades.

In between are plain old neutral blacks, grays, and whites — longtime corporate staples.

Summary Of Gaming Chair Color Palette Effects

  • Warm vs cool colors: warm colors reflect more light and energy, yielding a more energetic dynamic. Bright reds and yellows (like McDonald’s colors) stimulate appetites while evoking energetic optimism. Meanwhile, cool colors stimulate creativity while fostering a sense of calm.
  • Chromatic vs achromatic colors: achromatic (neutral) colors slow the heart rate. Chromatic (color spectrum) hues increase it. Usually, chromatic rooms are considered more attractive for working in. Meanwhile, achromatic colors give off a more formal and harmonious dynamic(9).
  • Bottom line: the color of your chair only makes a small impact. In a shared office, your chair should blend with the existing office decor. At home, the novelty of any style will wear off after a few weeks. Learn more:

    Gaming Chair Color Psychology: Physical & Mental Effects

    Mega-Corporation Quality Bias

    The world’s top-5 ergonomic office furniture brands are almost universally revered. Buying a chair from any of these mega-corps brings massive prestige via powerful brand influence.

    Top office furniture manufacturers of 2022
    The top six office furniture companies of 2022 (based on 2021 earnings).

    In sharp contrast, the world’s first gaming chair emerged in 2006. Ever since, there’s been a small-but-vocal minority expressing fiery hatred for these designs.

    They’re widely panned as too casual, emphasizing style over posture-precise support. However, when megacorporations release their own flashy gaming chairs, they’re widely adored.

    Haworth Fern Halo edition gaming chair
    The latest wave of mega-corporate gaming chairs (like the Fern Halo edition) are widely adored.

    For instance, Haworth’s Halo X Fern chair is a flashy stunner that supports slouchy postures. Before the Fern, Herman Miller’s Vantum gaming chair also drew mega-hype. This broke the company’s long-held own posture support standards to also embrace a slouchier, more casual style.

    Embody vs Vantum chair neck posture
    Embody vs Vantum recline: Vantum encourages relaxed postures that sacrifice good neck posture.

    This shows how the top office furniture megacorporations enjoy a built-in psychological comfort boost. In fact, buying a chair from any top-5 mega-brand creates a massive comfort expectation.

    Worshippers revering the Herman Miller Aeron chair
    Mega-corporate chairs enjoy ergonomic demi-god status based on super-strong brand power.

    Users automatically expect a world-class build, medical-grade back support, and aesthetics fit for the finest Fortune 100 offices. Regardless of their comfort outcome, many users will likely perceive their investment as a dream.

    Powerful people using Embody ergonomic chairs
    Hedge fund billionaire Stephen Cohen and Timthetatman using Embody chairs.

    These are the seats used by hedge fund barons and world-famous multi-millionaire mega-streamers. Of course that makes them comfortable!

    Office Chair Industry Report 2022: Market Leaders & Trends

    Gaming Chair Picker Flowchart

    What kind of gaming chair is best for your particular needs? This 6-step selector flowchart considers both physiological and psychological factors. The first three steps are the hardest to decide.

    Gaming chair picker 3-step flowchart

    First, choose a full-back or mid-back design as your starting point. Second, gauge how much you’re prepared to spend. Third, decide whether you need a small, medium, or XL-sized chair.

    After that comes the fun stuff: choosing your upholstery and color preferences. That prepares you to make use of our ChairsFX gaming chair reviews. Once you know broadly what to look for, zeroing in on a final selection is fun and easy!

    Step 1: Choose Mid-Back or Full-Back

    Full-back gaming and mid-back ergonomic chairs both support dynamic neutral sitting postures. At a glance, healthy sitting looks similar in both types of chairs:

    Neutral sitting Titan vs Aeron
    Neutral postures in a Titan gaming chair and Aeron ergonomic chair.

    However, office chair industry leader Herman Miller has long insisted that mid-back chairs — without headrests — have the physiological edge. Used as intended, these support a perfect 25-45° lower back curve and 0° head tilt as the default position.

    A study on car seats with and without headrests supports this. Without one, the head naturally gravitates to its least stressful position: evenly balanced over the shoulders with a 0° neck tilt.

    How headrests ruin good posture
    Science supports Herman Miller’s claim that headrests distort good posture.

    In contrast, adding a headrest will promote a rearward or forward neck tilt. Either will round the upper back. That, in turn, will flatten the lower back curve and throw the entire spine out of alignment. Over time, that will lead to neck, shoulder, and lower back pain.

    Step 2: Choose Your Luxury Level

    What’s the difference between a cheap and an expensive ergonomic chair? Both are designed to support neutral postures over long periods. Whether you pay $200 or $1500, you can expect a similar quality of back support!

    Staples Hyken vs Herman Miller Aeron
    You don’t need to spend big money to enjoy good back support (Staples Hyken vs Herman Miller Aeron).

    Typically, paying more will get you slightly better ergonomic adjustability (arms, lumbar, support, or recline functions). Beyond good back support, these extras will give you more direct control over your sitting experience.

    More significantly, you can expect a better-quality build, nicer aesthetics, and greater sensorial appeal. Herman Miller once did a comfort study to justify luxury extras. It found that people who can personalize and prettify their workspaces enjoy enhanced well-being and comfort.

    Modway Articulate vs Secretlab Titan
    Good back support isn’t the only factor to consider when building a healthy workspace.

    The payoff is that an employee’s comfort directly affects key predictors of operational efficiency. These include productivity, job satisfaction, retention, well-being, and worker health.

    Psychological vs physical comfort factors
    Psychological comfort is emerging as a major wellness factor in today’s quiet-quitting WFH era.

    In the old cubicle era, psychological luxuries were trivialities reserved for rich people. That has changed. Recent polls suggest that over half of the workforce are now ‘quiet quitters’. They’re burned out, mentally checked out, and only there for a paycheck.

    Boring office chair vs pretty, relaxing gaming chair
    Boring cubicle-era back support vs deep recline full-back support with pleasing aesthetics.

    In the modern landscape, a bare-bones workspace can support your back just fine. Paying a premium for luxury extras will boost your happiness, perceived comfort levels, and motivation for the tasks at hand!

    Bottom line: first, choose either a full-back or mid-back chair style. Second, decide how much you’re willing to pay for luxury extras. If you don’t want any luxury, several fully-ergonomic mid-back chairs without frills cost less than $300.

    Herman Miller Aeron Vs Staples Hyken

    The Herman Miller Aeron ($1195-2195) is the top-rated mid-back chair on ChairsFX. The Staples Hyken ($220.37) is the top-rated equivalent priced under $300. The Aeron has 3D armrests; the Hyken’s can only adjust up and down.

    Staples Hyken vs Herman Miller Aeron
    The Staples Hyken (left) does a similar job as the $1600+ Herman Miller Aeron.

    Otherwise, they both provide the lumbar support and backrest recline you need to sit in neutral postures. Paying extra for the Aeron gets a softer mesh, a sturdier build, prettier looks, and fancy tilting functions.

    Aeron synchronous-tilt functions
    Aeron synchronous tilt functionality.

    All of these are nice to have — but none necessary for physiological comfort. Are they worth paying over $1000 more for? It depends on your psychological preferences.

    Learn more: Aeron Remastered Review | Staples Hyken Review

    Buy: Aeron from Herman Miller $1195-2195 | Hyken chair from Amazon $220.37

    Secretlab Titan Vs GTRacing Ace S1

    The Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 ($549-$674) is the top-rated full-back gaming chair on ChairsFX — by a large margin. The GTRacing Pro Series ($119.99) is the top-rated equivalent priced under $200.

    GTRacing Pro Series vs Secretlab Titan 2022
    GTRacing Pro Series vs Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 Series.

    The Pro Series has 1D arms, a standard tilt mechanism, and old-school lumbar and headrest pillows. Compared with the Titan, it does a similar job at supporting healthy neutral sitting positions. If money’s tight, it’s a sensible choice.

    Magisk touts the lumbar support system
    The Titan’s integrated lumbar support is both depth and height-adjustable.

    But if you have the budget, the Titan does everything better. For instance, instead of a cheap lumbar pillow, it has an integrated system with height x depth adjustability.

    Neutral postures in Embody and Titan chairs
    Perfect neutral postures: in a $1700 Embody and $560 Titan chair.

    Instead of a basic headrest pillow, the Titan has a strapless magnetic memory foam version. It has a massive 11″ adjustment range. It’s also specially designed to support a textbook 0° neck tilt!

    While impressive under the hood, Titan chairs are also spectacular on the surface. Chairs come in a whopping 50+ styles in both Softweave fabric and Neo Hybrid Leatherette versions. A final bonus: better than the Pro Series 1-year warranty, the Titan is guaranteed for five years.

    Secretlab Titan April style picks
    Popular Titan styles L-R: Mint Green; Minecraft; WOW Alliance; The Flash; T1 Esports.

    If you can afford to pay extra for such luxuries, the psychological comfort boost you’ll receive should be obvious. If not, don’t sweat it — grind away on a cheap Pro Series chair until you can afford more luxury!

    Learn more: Secretlab Titan 2022 Series Review | GTRacing Pro Series Review

    Buy: Titan from Secretlab $549-$674 | Pro Series from Amazon $119.99

    Step 3: Clarify Your Sizing Needs

    Ergonomic chairs of all types are roughly categorized into small, medium, or XL sizes. Choosing the right size is an important physiological comfort factor.

    Choosing the right sized gaming chair
    Choose the right size chair to ensure optimal back support.

    For sizing benchmarks, Secretlab Titan and Herman Miller Aeron chairs both come in three sizes.

    Full-Back Sizing Benchmarks

    The small Titan chair supports users from 4’11” to 5’6″. The medium supports sizes 5’7″ to 6’2″; the XL supports sizes 5’11” to 6’9″.

    Titan Evo 2022 sizes compared
    Titan Evo 2022 chairs come in small, medium, and XL sizes.

    Even if you don’t plan on buying a Secretlab chair, Titan sizing guidelines can help you decide which size works best for you.

    Mid-Back Sizing Benchmarks

    On the mid-back front, the Herman Miller Aeron is one of the only chairs available in three sizes. These numbers are fairly consistent with what’s offered in the mid-back industry:

    Herman Miller Aeron chair sizes

    Notably, mid-back chairs offer fewer XL options (with smaller dimensions) than full-back chairs.

    Extra-wide big & tall 400 pound gaming chairs
    Full-back gaming chairs best cater to extra-wide big & tall sizes.

    That means everybody heavier than 300 pounds will find that full-back chairs offer the best XL support:

    Best XL Gaming Chairs For Big Guys

    Step 4: Choose An Upholstery Preference

    There are three main options: mesh, faux leather, and soft fabric. The best chair upholstery comfort rating system I’ve found considers three factors.

    Gaming chair upholstery closeups
    Extreme closeups: Aeron 8Z Pellicle Mesh; DXRacer PU leather; Secretlab Softweave fabric.

    An upholstery’s sensory qualities and its breathability are the first two. The ergonomic comfort of the chair itself is the third. Here’s how the comfort of each measures up given the three factors:

    1. Soft fabric: has the best sensory qualities and second-best breathability.
    2. Mesh: best breathability; worst (steely synthetic) sensory qualities; worst durability.
    3. Faux leather: least breathable; most attractive; easiest to maintain.

    We’ve already established that full-back gaming chairs are more comfortable/ relaxing than mid-back ones. Given the upholstery rankings, that makes fabric gaming chairs the most comfortable of all.

    Aeron vs Titan comfort comparison
    A Herman Miller Aeron vs Secretlab Titan Softweave comfort comparison has a clear winner.

    Jump down to the physiology section for a closer look at upholstery comfort factors.

    Choose a Color

    Your choice of upholstery will have a bigger comfort impact than the color of your chair. After a few weeks, even the most vibrant design will blend in with the rest of your decor.

    Titan Evo 2022 best chair colors
    Secretlab Titan gaming chairs come in 43+ styles that cover the entire spectrum.

    Even so, different colors do produce different energies in a workspace. Your basic choices are cool, neutral, or warm hues. Jump down to the color psychology section for more on this (minor) comfort factor.

    Use this flowchart to choose the perfect gaming chair for your particular needs. Start by deciding on a full or mid-back style, a price range, chair size, upholstery type, and color.

    Once you have a rough idea of your perfect seat, use ChairsFX reviews to narrow down your picks. Here’s the entire process in one picture:

    How to choose a gaming chair: step-by-step process flowchart

    6. Read ChairsFX Reviews

    Full-Back Gaming Chair Reviews (comfort) | Mid-Back Office Chair Reviews (focused productivity)

    Footnotes

    1. Matthias Rauterberg. ‘Subjective and Objective Measurements for Comfortable Truck Driver’s Seat’. Eindhoven University of Technology, 2008. https://www.academia.edu/25417370/Subjective_and_Objective_Measurements_for_Comfortable_Truck_Driver_s_Seat, (accessed 3 May 2022).
    2. Stephanie A. Prince, et al. ‘Sedentary behavior surveillance in Canada: trends, challenges and lessons’, Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 17, 34 (2020). https://ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12966-020-00925-8, (accessed 4 Jan. 2023).
    3. Aimin Wu, et al. ‘Global low back pain prevalence and years lived with disability from 1990 to 2017’, https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7186678/, (accessed 4 Jan. 2023).
    4. @DrJordantsai. ‘Thoughts on Common Gaming Injuries’, Twitter, May 3 2022. https://twitter.com/DrJordantsai/status/1521201429993574400, (accessed 3 May 2022).
    5. De Las Heras et al. ‘Exercise Improves Video Game Performance: A Win–Win Situation’. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 52(7):p 1595-1602, July 2020. DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002277
    6. Yi-Lang Chen, et al. ‘Postural Variabilities Associated with the Most Comfortable Sitting Postures: A Preliminary Study’. Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Ming Chi University of Technology, 6 December 2021. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/12/1685/htm, (accessed 3 May 2022).
    7. Bianca-Michaela Wölfling, ‘Comfort Rating for Upholstery Systems’, Conference: 2nd International Comfort Congress, June 2020. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342040536_Comfort_Rating_for_Upholstery_Systems, (accessed 3 May 2022).
    8. Kurt S, Osueke KK. ‘The Effects of Color on the Moods of College Students’, SAGE Open. January 2014, https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2158244014525423, (accessed 3 May 2022).
    9. Öztürk Gül, Elif et al. ‘The effects of achromatic and chromatic color schemes on participants’ task performance in and appraisals of an office environment’, Color Research & Application. October 2012, DOI:10.1002/col.20697, (accessed 10 Jan. 2022).

    Secretlab Titan gaming chairs on sale in March 2023

    Details: Secretlab March 2023 Sales Guide

    Table of Contents

    1. Important Seating Comfort Factors 2023
      1. Desktop PC Back Support Tech Has Peaked
      2. Physiological Vs Psychological Factors
      3. User-Powered Comfort Factors
    2. Physiological Comfort Factors
      1. Proper Chair Sizing
      2. Lumbar Support Type & Fit
      3. Upholstery & Padding Comfort Factors
      4. Proper Workstation Integration
    3. Psychological Comfort Factors
      1. Strict Mid-Back Vs Relaxed Full-Back
      2. Color Psychology
      3. Mega-Corporation Quality Bias
    4. Gaming Chair Picker Flowchart
      1. Step 1: Choose Mid-Back or Full-Back
      2. Step 2: Choose Your Luxury Level
      3. Step 3: Clarify Your Sizing Needs
      4. Step 4: Choose An Upholstery Preference

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