Best Office Chairs For Heavy People: Big And Tall 400 lbs

Space Seating XL (400 lbs)

$342.50 on Amazon
Rated #1

Like most chairs in this review, the Space Seating XL has basic features. Highlights: 2D arms, a height-adjustable lumbar, an adjustable seat height, and a rocking function with tilt tension.

This 400 lb office chair model ranks #1 because of its warranty. Parts are guaranteed for life; the padding and upholstery is guaranteed for 3 years. Those terms plus the price of this chair makes it the best value in this review.

Chair features

The Space Seating XL comes with a lifetime warranty on parts + 3 years protection on the upholstery. Its features are basic: you can adjust the lumbar and arms plus rock or lock the seat.

There’s also a tilt-tension function and a seat height adjustment. Summary of features:

• Functionality: 2D armrests; adjustable lumbar support; rocking function with tilt-lock.
• Upholstery: mesh backrest; fabric seat with foam padding.
• Warranty: lifetime on gas lift, base and casters; 3 years on upholstery and fabric.

Sizing

The Space Seating XL does not come with a manufacturer size rating. However, its moderately deep 21″ seat should support sizes 5’7″ (167 cm) and up; the height-adjustable lumbar and 22.5″ backrest height is sufficient for sizes up to 6’2″ tall. Here’s how it compares with the Herman Miller Aeron Size C:

Space Seating Advice

This model has similar features as other sub-$500 XL ergonomic chairs. But its lifetime parts and 3-year upholstery add significant value. Indeed, it has a super-solid build that feels like a tank!

Even so, cheaper models exist with similar features. Make sure to browse them all before making your pick.

Space Seating Big & Tall on Amazon $342.50

Flash Hercules (mesh, 500 lbs)

$308.10 on Amazon

Flash Furniture makes a series of Hercules ’24-hours’ chairs. These are multi-shift task chairs serving up 24-hour support for dispatch offices, medical stations, call centers, etc.

The Hercules 500-pounder has a mesh backrest and a pressurized depth-adjustable lumbar support. You can’t adjust the height of the lumbar, but you can adjust the entire backrest height. Combined, those two features allow very precise back support control.

Functionality

The Flash Hercules mesh edition provides solid ergonomic support. Besides the ultra-wide seat, the precise back support functions are a big highlight. A pressurized dial on the rear side lets you control the depth of support.

You can also adjust the height of the backrest unit with a 3″ range. Combined, these features let you customize support for your particular lower back curve.

• Functionality: 1D armrests; tilt tension and rocking.
• Back support: depth-adjustable lumbar + height-adjustable backrest.
• Upholstery: padded fabric seat; mesh backrest.
• Warranty: 5-year limited warranty.

The 5-year warranty only covers non-moving metal parts. Components are covered for 2 years. The mesh, fabric, and padding are only guaranteed for one year.

Sizing

The Hercules Mesh (GO-99-3-GG) is a larger variation of the 400 lbs Hercules fabric edition. Here’s how the two models measure up:

Advice

This model is cheaper than the Hercules fabric chair, with better lumbar functionality and a more modern-ish style. It’s comfortable, built like a tank, and suitable for ultra-wide bottoms.

Flash Hercules mesh chair on Amazon $308.10

Flash Furniture Hercules (fabric, 400 lbs)

$314.94 on Amazon

The second Hercules chair in this review is a slightly smaller version with support for 400 lbs. Like the Hercules 500-pounder, it has a pressurized, depth-adjustable lumbar — but no height-adjustable backrest. Without height controls, this delivers less precision than the 500-pound version.

Chair features

Like the Space Seating XL, the Hercules GO-2085-GG pairs an adjustable lumbar and arms with rocking + locking functionality.

Notably, its lumbar is only depth-adjustable (using a pressurized knob under the seat). It’s designed to fit average sizes between 5’7″ to 6’2″. Users at the extreme short or tall ends may find an imperfect lumbar fit.

• Functionality: 2D armrests; adjustable lumbar support; tilt tension and rocking.
• Upholstery: padded seat and backrest with built-in neck support; black fabric cover.
• Warranty: 5-year limited warranty.

As well, the 5-year warranty only covers non-moving metal parts. Component parts (pneumatic cylinder, control mechanism, base, casters) are only covered for 2 years.

Everything else (fabric and padding) comes with a 1-year warranty. Even so, the fabric is an ultra-durable nylon mesh that’s almost indestructible. With a proper fabric chair cleaning routine, this chair could possibly last for years.

Sizing

The Hercules GO-2085-GG fabric edition is a wider chair than the Space Seating XL. It also goes beyond the mid-back support of that model with a higher-backed style. Besides those differences, users can find a similar fit in both chairs:

Advice

This office chair for big guys has a few downsides. First, its most important components are only guaranteed for two years. Second, the pressurized lumbar knob isn’t as useful as a simple, height-adjustable lumbar slider.

On the positive side, the Hercules is a comfy chair with a solid build that’s easy to use. For heavyweight guys who absolutely need a mega-wide seat, this is a decent option.

Flash Furniture Hercules on Amazon $314.94

Hamaoka Office Chair (400 pounds)

$256.28 on Amazon
Rated #7

The Hamaoka Office Chair supports 400 pounds with a unique collection of features. These include depth-adjustable lumbar support, rollerblade wheels, and breathable bonded leather.

It also sports an extra-wide 23″ seat layered with thick, semi-firm padding. On the downside are functional limitations. For one thing, you can’t lock the recline at angles (only rock or lock). For another, the armrests are not adjustable.

Chair features

Highlights include the extra-wide seat, depth-adjustable lumbar, and 1-year warranty:

• Functionality: fixed armrests; depth-adjustable lumbar; rock or lock (90-110° range).
• Upholstery: perforated bonded leather.
• Warranty: one year

Sizing

Here’s how the Hamaoka Office Chair measures up with two competitors:

Advice

Readers burned out on fancy ergonomic chair functions might prefer going retro. The Hamaoka is an old-school office chair with adjustable lumbar support.

Super-heavyweights wanting basic, easy-to-use support should consider this chair. You can adjust the seat height, rock or lock, and adjust the lumbar support’s depth. If that’s all that you need in a 400-pound chair, check this one out:

Hamaoka Big & Tall on Amazon $256.28

Best Premium Big And Tall Gaming Chairs

Compared to the office chairs in this review, big and tall gaming chair options are more diverse. Most roughly cater to sizes from around 5’10” to as tall as 6’7″.

Most also support 400 pounds or more with extra-wide seats. Overweight sizes should find enough space in these seats.

Among the top models, the widest gaming chair seat is the AKRacing Master Max (23.5″ total width). Ultra-wide bottoms needing even more space should consider an ultra-wide office chair instead.

Review: Best Gaming Chairs For Big Guys

Seat Depth

Height-wise, chairs in this review support a range from 5’3″ to 6’6″ (160-198 cm). Those size ratings are primarily determined by the depth of the seat.

Using a seat that’s too deep for your legs will pull your knees forward and distort your posture. Instead, look for a fit that leaves a gap behind your knees and the seat edge.

Based on ChairsFX calculations, the absolute maximum seat depth for a 5’5″ (165 cm) person is 20″. Even a little bit too much can make a difference. For example, here’s my 5’9″ (177 cm) frame in Secretlab Titan medium and XL chairs.

The XL version is rated for sizes 5’11” and taller (two inches beyond my height). Because I’m too short for the chair, my knees push right up to the edge of the seat.

Best XL Chairs For Short People

These chairs have the shortest seat depths that are best suited to smaller sizes:

Using Ergonomic Support To Lose Weight

A big and tall ergonomic office chair can not directly help a person to lose weight. Rather, the point of one is to support healthy sitting postures. Good sitting posture reduces muscular strain, leaving more energy for the brain. That can power sharper self-discipline. Then, losing weight becomes more achievable.

Excess weight breaks the body down. Common problems caused by obesity include weakened spines, foot problems, and chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Beyond physical woes, obesity also impairs cognitive functioning. For instance, studies have linked obesity with short-term memory loss and diminished executive functioning.

Here’s how investing in a good heavy-duty office chair can remedy these problems:

1. Reduced muscle strain: neutral sitting prevents back muscles from overexerting.
2. More energy: less energy wasted on muscular support leaves more power for the brain.
3. Stronger discipline: an energized brain sharpens executive functions. These control focus, working memory, and self-discipline.

Bottom line: an ergonomic office chair can help you to develop neutral sitting as a habit. That will give you more mental energy — and more potent self-discipline.

With more energy and sharper discipline, adopting healthier lifestyle habits gets easier. As an example, many esports pros rely on four pillars of computing performance to help them perform at their best.

With good nutrition, proper rest, a fitness routine, and mental balance, players can physically and mentally thrive. By following their example, you can as well.