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Home Computing Chair Advice

Types of Ergonomic Chairs 2022: Office, Racing & Hybrid Styles

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July 27, 2020 - Updated on July 2, 2023
Reading Time: 8 mins read

The work-from-home era made ergonomic seating ubiquitous. As a result, hundreds of new products have flooded the market. There are gaming chairs, ergonomic office chairs, and emerging gaming office hybrids. Making sense of it all can be confusing. To address that, this article defines ergonomic seating standards for the modern era. Then it classifies all types of ergonomic chairs that meet those standards. Below, check out the best in gaming, office, and hybrid chair classes.

Ergonomic chair types in 2021
Ergonomic seating breaks down as office chairs, gaming chairs, and gaming-office hybrids.

In the simplest terms, ‘ergonomic’ means ‘adjustable’. Many regard Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1938 office chair as the world’s first ergonomic model. Its main adjustable quality was a foam cushion seat that compressed as the user sat down.

Ergonomic chair design evolution
Evolution of the ergonomic desk chair. (click to expand)

It wasn’t until 1976 that the Herman Miller Ergon moved ergonomic seating forward. Eighteen years later, Herman Miller’s Aeron ergonomic office chair landed in 1994.

The first gaming chair dropped in 2006. Last year, Cougar released a revolutionary gaming office hybrid. This year, the DXRacer Air takes the gaming office genre further with a modular hybrid concept.

Ergonomic industry in flux

When the pandemic struck, ergonomic seating became a red-hot global phenomenon. In 2020, the gaming chair industry enjoyed its most successful year ever.

The Empire returns to lay siege on the gaming chair market
Many big office chair brands are swarming in to target home-based gamers and desk workers.

At the same time, the multi-billion-dollar office chair industry saw its BSB client base collapse. To compensate, that juggernaut industry began focusing on direct client sales.

That brings us to 2022, where consumers face a dizzying array of ergonomic options. Swimming through all of the jargon can make it hard to choose wisely.

To address that knowledge gap, arm yourself with ergonomic fundamentals. That will allow you to make an informed purchase best-suited to your needs.

Ergonomic desk chair fundamentals

All ergonomic chairs on the market use the same features to support the same objectives. Here is a summary:

Dynamic neutral postures are healthiest

When a human sits down, the body distorts. In particular, the lower back curve flattens. That curves the upper back and rotates the hips forward.

Sitting versus standing mechanics
Unsupported sitting flattens the lower back curve and tilts the hips forward.

Over time, sitting this way can cause serious health problems. Common posture-related ills include frequent migraines, chronic fatigue, constipation, and depression.

Most ergonomists agree that the best way to avoid problems is by using neutral sitting techniques.

Three chair components support neutral sitting

The point of any type of ergonomic chair is to support dynamic neutral sitting positions. A default neutral posture looks the same in all types of ergonomic chairs:

Neutral sitting posture examples
Neutral sitting postures look the same in all types of ergonomic chairs. (click to enlarge)

Key aspects:

  1. Plant feet firmly on the floor. This provides the power to keep the back straight.
  2. Adjust the seat height so the hips angle slightly higher than the knees. At the same time, the knees should bend at 90 degrees.
  3. Rest your body weight into the chair’s backrest. Your spine should be straight but relaxed.

To support sitting this way, all ergonomic chairs come standard with three essential features:

Essential ergonomic components for a chair
All chairs qualify as ‘ergonomic’ by having three essential adjustable features.

Here is the point of each feature. See this article for a more detailed explanation:

  • Adjustable lumbar: light pressure in the lower back reflexively keeps the upper back straight. Since all bodies are different, a lumbar should adjust to fit the individual (learn more).
  • Adjustable armrests: each human arm weighs around 10 pounds. Without support, that weight drags on the neck and shoulders, resulting in back pain. Armrests that can adjust to support the arms fix that problem.
  • Reclining backrest: a perfect sitting posture doesn’t exist. In fact, sitting in any fixed position can overwork muscles and stress the spine. A reclining backrest addresses that by enabling movement while sitting.

Almost every feature beyond the three basics are luxuries, not necessities. How much you spend will depend on how much luxury you desire.

Ergonomic office chairs

Credit Herman Miller for starting the ergonomic office chair industry with its iconic Aeron chair in 1994. That model was such a hit that it spawned an entire industry of copycat designs.

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Today, you can spend over $1000 for a genuine Herman Miller chair. There are also several Aeron knockoffs that cost under $250.

This section explains the key differences between price ranges.

Synchro-tilt task chairs ($600-$1000)

All models in the $600 to $1500+ range also offer synchronous tilt. That tilts the seat up as the user reclines. Beyond sync-tilt, most models at the higher end of this price range add two extras.

Steelcase gesture synchro-tilt feature
Synchro-tilt functionality on the $1200 Steelcase Gesture.

The first is an ultra-adaptive backrest. For example, the $1495 Herman Miller Embody has a responsive backrest that resembles a human spine. As the user moves, the entire backrest adapts to provide consistent support.

Embody chair shell and inner construction diagram
The Embody chair’s ‘Pixelated’ seat and backrest provides world-class adaptivity.

The second extra is a longer warranty. Most chairs that cost over $1000 usually come with a 12-year warranty or better.

The top models come from either Herman Miller or Steelcase. Slightly cheaper variations come from brands like Sidiz and Humanscale. Check out all of the best task chairs in the high-end price range:

Best premium ergonomic office chairs

Conventional tilt task chairs ($350-$600)

Price range: $359 to $799

A step down from synchro-tilt task chairs are conventional tilt models. Instead of sync-tilt functionality, these have seats that stay fixed at all times.

NeueChair ergonomic task chair
The Neue Chair ($549) is an Aeron chair clone without synchro-tilt functionality.

As well, instead of high-tech ultra-adaptive backrests, these models use conventional mesh. It works the same and the fancy stuff, but not as spectacularly.

The third big cutback is warranty protection. Most models in this price range come guaranteed for only 3-5 years.

By trimming out those luxuries, you get a high-end chair for half the price of a sync-tilt model. For example, the Sidiz T50 costs $419.00 on Amazon.

Sidiz T50 downward seat slope
The T50 comes with downward seat slope function to support forward-leaning positions.

It comes with an adjustable lumbar and headrest, 3D armrests, and a 3-year warranty. It also has a downward sloping seat feature tailored to those who prefer leaning forward at a desk.

PC gaming chairs

Racing seat developer Recaro launched their first racing style ergonomic seat in 1967. That featured a body-hugging seat shell, adjustment options, and foam upholstery. In 2005, they revolutionized seating design with a new lightweight PU leather shell.

DXRacer original blueprint
The original DXRacer’s ergonomic features are still at the core of most modern gaming chairs.

A year later, DXRacer stood on the shoulders of race car seat giants. They borrowed the rich ergonomic development and modified it for gamers.

Today, we can classify PC gaming chairs into three price categories:

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There’s less variation between cheap, affordable, and premium gaming chairs. Paying more generally gets you slightly better adjustability and significantly better durability.

Cheap gaming chairs (under $200)

Cheap gaming chairs are best for small-sized part-time users. These models offer less adjustability than premium chairs and use lower-grade materials.

Best budget gaming chairs of 2021
Here are some of the best cheap (compact-sized) gaming chairs on the market.

Used full-time, expect cheap gaming chairs to wear down fast. But as a part-time bedroom or gaming seat, these work a treat. They’re cheap, effective, and comfortable enough to support a few hours of use per day.

One of the top models in this price class is the GTRacing Pro Series Red (Price not available on Amazon).

GTRacing Classic GT099-RED
Pro Series GT099-RED from GTRacing.

That model comes with 2D armrests and a 1-year warranty. Many comparable models exist with similar styling and features:

Best cheap gaming chairs under $200

Premium gaming chairs (over $300)

These models are ideal for full-timers and power users. The best pro esports chairs have the richest ergonomic features.

Best high-end luxury gaming chairs of 2021
Top makers of premium models include Noblechairs, AKRacing, and Secretlab.

Those come with 4D armrests and a multifunction tilt-lock. That lets you tilt and lock the seat at different angles. It’s like a manual version of synchro-tilt.

Gaming chair multifunction tilt-lock explained
Premium chairs also come with a multifunction tilt-lock mechanism.

Higher-end models from brands like Secretlab and AKRacing also come with 5-year warranty protection.

Best premium gaming chairs over $300 $300

Hybrid gaming office chairs

This is a recently-emerging ergonomic class. It fuses ergonomic office chair features with gaming chair concepts. The result is ergonomically sound and aesthetically striking.

At present, there are two noteworthy brands offering hybrid chairs. The most spectacular model in this genre is the DXRacer Air. This model is slated for release in July, 2021.

DXRacer Air gaming office hybrid
The DXRacer Air is the world’s first modular gaming office hybrid.

It has the frame of a gaming chair, the upholstery of a task chair, and a range of modular add-ons. You can add a footrest, laptop holder, or cup holder.

Luxury ergonomic brand Sidiz is also focused on the hybrid market. It recently released Iron Man and Captain America office chairs. Both blend traditional ergonomic features with gaming chair design elements.

Sidiz T80 Captain America chair
Sidiz T80 Captain America ergonomic office chair

Coming in June, the company will drop new Black Panther and Spider-Man T50 gaming chairs.

Sidiz T50 Spider-Man gaming chair
TheSidiz T50 Spider-Man chair is scheduled for release in June, 2021.

If you prefer ergonomic office chairs with flashier aesthetics, keep hybrid chairs in mind. Once this genre develops further, we’ll write a comprehensive review.

Non-ergonomic computing chair types

There are two other types of computing chairs available. Both lack the essential ergonomic features offered by the other chairs. Those are:

  1. Adjustable lumbar support
  2. Adjustable armrests
  3. Reclining backrest

Traditional office chairs ($70-$200)

Ergonomic scientists have long been pointing out office chair health hazards.

Common office chair features
Traditional office chair features fail to support the needs of full-time desk workers.

Traditional office chairs only let you adjust the seat height and rock the chair. They have fixed backrests and fixed armrests. These limited features promote static sitting positions.

Tired office worker versus energetic person using gaming chair
Good back support helps computer users be more productive.

The problem is that sitting for long periods in fixed positions is bad for your health. Sitting that way promotes muscle strain, slouching, slower circulation, and lethargy.

Most popular traditional office chairs
These are some of the best-selling traditional office chairs on Amazon.

The attraction is the price. You can get a cheap office chair delivered to your door for less than $50. If you only need a seat for a few hours a day, these models might suffice.

Review: best selling cheap office chairs

Console gaming chairs ($100-$400)

Price range: $40 to $350

Console gaming units attach to televisions. Most users play console games in the living room. Usually, options while playing are to sit on the floor or on a sofa. Both of those options are bad for your back over long periods of gaming.

Best selling console gaming chairs of 2020
Console gaming chairs provide casual back support for living room gamers.

As a result, console gaming chairs arose as a popular living room option. These are better for your back than the floor or sofa, but not ideal. Over long periods of sitting, these chairs will flatten the lumbar area and curve the spine into the shape of a boiled shrimp.

Posture problems with console gaming chairs
Floor rockers can push the hips forward and curve the upper back.

On the positive side, they’re cheap, portable, and better than sitting on the floor or sofa. There are four types of console gaming chairs to choose from. These are floor rockers, pedestal rockers, recliners, and racing simulators.

Review: best selling console gaming chairs

Conclusion

Today, most experts lay out clear guidelines for ergonomic office chairs. These models should have an adjustable lumbar, adjustable armrests, and a reclining backrest.

Home office computing setup
An effective work-from-home setup needs at least a computer, a desk, and a good ergonomic chair.

Luckily for consumers, there are now many types of ergonomic office chairs that meet the criteria. Expect the selection of options to grow quickly over the next twelve months.

When choosing a type, pay heed to its effect on your planned workspace. For a broader look at that aspect, check this feature:

WFH ergonomic setup guide

Anil Ramsey

Anil Ramsey

I'm the ChairsFX founder and Chief Editor. I'm a member of the OSHA Education Center Association (OECA), with an OSHA Ergonomics Certification. Beyond these credentials, I've been hands-on testing the world's finest ergonomic desk chairs since 2018. Learn more about me and this website on the About Us page.


 

Table of Contents

  1. Ergonomic industry in flux
  2. Ergonomic desk chair fundamentals
    1. Dynamic neutral postures are healthiest
    2. Three chair components support neutral sitting
  3. Ergonomic office chairs
    1. Synchro-tilt task chairs ($600-$1000)
    2. Conventional tilt task chairs ($350-$600)
  4. PC gaming chairs
    1. Cheap gaming chairs (under $200)
    2. Premium gaming chairs (over $300)
  5. Hybrid gaming office chairs
  6. Non-ergonomic computing chair types
    1. Traditional office chairs ($70-$200)
    2. Console gaming chairs ($100-$400)
  7. Conclusion

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