So you are in the market for a new chair? But with an endless array of chairs to choose from, knowing which one to buy can be overwhelming.
Chairs may all look the same to some people, but different types serve different purposes. Specific chairs accommodate specific needs, and some are better for certain groups of people than others.
Among the types of office chairs you’ve heard of, you’re probably most familiar with executive and ergonomic chairs. After all, they are more commonly used in homes and workplaces than others.
Deciding which one to buy can be a challenge, especially because both chairs have distinct characteristics that make one stand out from the other. Today, however, we will help you choose by providing you with a comprehensive guide.
In this article, we will be comparing executive vs. ergonomic chairs. We will review both types, look at their pros and cons, and analyze their major differences so that you can figure out which one will work better for you.
Table of Contents
- What is an Executive Chair?
- What is an Ergonomic Chair?
- Are executive chairs ergonomic?
- What is the difference between an office chair and an executive chair?
- Executive vs. Ergonomic Chair: Side-by-Side Comparison
- Price
- Comfort
- Features
- Benefits
- Uses
- Conclusion
What is an Executive Chair?
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An executive chair, also called a boss chair, is often a high-back office chair usually reserved for higher-ups or people in a superior position in a company. Out of all the different types of office chairs, an executive chair is perhaps the most lavish.
Executive chairs are designed not only to suit the imposing aura of an executive but also to provide maximum comfort. They are typically made of either wood or steel, upholstered in top-quality fabric or leather, and padded with high-density foam.
What is an Ergonomic Chair?
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The word ‘ergonomic’ means designed for comfort and efficiency in the working environment. Hence, an ergonomic chair is built to best support the human body while sitting.
Typically, an office chair is considered ergonomic if it has adjustment options for seat height and seat pan depth and when it offers lumbar support. However, nowadays, many ergonomic chairs available in the market offer more than just these features.
Are executive chairs ergonomic?
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While executive chairs generally lack various adjustments and components available in an ergonomic chair, some executive chairs can be ergonomic.
Today, there are many ergonomic executive chairs available in the market. They include multi-adjustable features such as lumbar support, back height, and angle.
Some also come with flip-up armrests, pneumatic seat height adjustments, and thickened head and backrest. The high backrest feature allows the chair to fit the curve of the human spine to provide strong support and help you release pressure from your back.
Below are some affordable ergonomic executive chairs:
- AmazonCommercial Ergonomic High-Back Executive Chair
- Hbada Ergonomic Executive Chair
- OFM Ergonomic High-Back Bonded Leather Executive Chair
What is the difference between an office chair and an executive chair?
An office chair is an umbrella term for a variety of chairs used in offices or workspaces. They come in different styles, shapes, and sizes and cater to different people with different needs.
An executive chair is a fancy type of office chair. It usually comes with a tall, elegant back, as well as overstuffed seats, much like an office throne.
While a high backrest is pretty common for an executive chair, it is not always the case for regular office chairs. Some of them come with low or mid backrests.
Executive vs. Ergonomic Chair: Side-by-Side Comparison
Nowadays, there is very little difference between executive and ergonomic chairs. Executive chairs have come a long way from just being grand and opulent.
Today, many executive chairs have modifications and additional features that are often present in ergonomic chairs. However, there still are several distinctions between the two.
Below is a summary of the main differences between an executive and an ergonomic chair:
| Executive Chair | Ergonomic Chair | |
| Price | Generally more expensive | Generally costs less than executive chairs but can also be quite pricey depending on brand and quality |
| Comfort | Most comfortable office chair type | Usually less comfortable than executive chairs |
| Features | Usually only has two to three adjustable features | Typically has at least five adjustments |
| Benefits | Stylish-looking, comfortable, and built to last | Corrects sitting posture, reduces pain and discomfort, improves blood circulation, and increases productivity |
| Uses | Commonly used by executives or people in power | More widely used in workplaces by employees |
Price
While the cost of most office chairs is often dictated by their respective brands, executive chairs are generally more expensive than other types of chairs because of the high-quality materials used to make them and the more luxurious designs. Despite the hefty price tag, though, they are worth the investment as they will last quite a while, and some of them often come with warranties that extend up to 10 years.
Ergonomic chairs can be pretty pricey, too, especially the ones that come with a ton of adjustments and features. The best examples are ergonomic chairs from well-known brands such as Herman Miller and Steelcase.
Comfort
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The main purpose of an ergonomic chair is to best compliment safe and easy human interaction. It is built to help people work efficiently by improving posture and preventing neck, back, and shoulder pain when sitting.
While ergonomic chairs are designed to make our tasks easier, executive chairs are built to provide maximum comfort. Apart from signifying authority, executive chairs offer high back and premium quality, providing extra space and back support.
Features
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Ergonomic chairs typically have at least five available adjustments, which include a combination of the following:
- Adjustable armrests (height and width)
- Adjustable headrest (height and tilt) to support the back of the head as well as the neck
- Adjustable seat height to allow you to place your feet on the floor
- Adjustable tilt tension
- Backrest lumbar support that preventing slumping by aligning with the natural curvature of your spine
- Backrest recline function to support your body weight and reduce strain on your muscles
- Tilt lock feature
- Set of wheels/casters for mobility
Executive chairs, on the other hand, usually only have two to three of these functions.
Benefits
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Both executive and ergonomic chairs help encourage proper sitting posture, decrease risks of body pains and discomfort, and lower the chances of developing more serious health problems. They share similar benefits, with a few exceptions.
An ergonomic chair is better at improving blood circulation because it encourages an optimal seated position while tasking. It also offers increased productivity because of its multi-adjustment features.
Executive chairs, on the other hand, are much more comfortable and stylish-looking. They are highly durable and often come with extended warranties.
Uses
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While executive chairs are often reserved for people from the top management, ergonomic chairs are more commonly used by normal employees, independent contractors like consultants, and freelancers, as well as students.
Higher-ups such as VPs and directors usually spend more time joining meetings and attending teleconferences than hunching over their computers, so executive chairs suit their daily activities best. When they answer calls, they usually lean back on their chairs to relax, and that is precisely why executive chairs have thickly padded backrests.
Meanwhile, regular office employees spend their days with eyes fixed on their monitors and arms on their keyboards. Ergonomic chairs enable them to maintain a proper sitting posture while working and discourage slouching.
This doesn’t mean, though, that you’re not entitled to an executive chair if you’re not an executive. If you have a home office, and you prefer an executive chair over an ergonomic one, then you should go for it.
Tall people will generally benefit more from an executive than an ergonomic chair in terms of full-back support. However, if your job requires you to do some heavy taskings and a lot of sitting, then you are probably better off with a high-back ergonomic chair.
Conclusion
There is a myriad of office chairs available in the market. Choosing one depends on a variety of factors, such as your work setting, budget, and preferences.
While many types of chairs, such as executive and ergonomic chairs, have many similarities and offer a good amount of comfort, they do have plenty of differences. What sets one apart from the other is the features and characteristics each of them possesses.
Apart from design, the two may appear the same when it comes to functionalities, but they serve different needs and suit different people. So before deciding which one to buy, make sure you know exactly what you will use them for.
FAQs
What is the difference between ergonomic chair and office chair? ›
Ergonomic Chair Vs Office Chair: The Comparison. In simple terms, ergonomic chairs adapt to every user's needs, while office chairs follow a more straightforward and stricter design.
Is the Eames executive chair ergonomic? ›Eames chairs are not designed only to look great. With upholstered seats that are attached to wood shells, these chairs are ergonomically-designed for exceptional comfort. These chairs feature back support with an angled seat that will allow you to receive the lower back support that you need to feel relaxed.
Are ergonomic chairs better? ›An ergonomic office chair can both improve your physical health and help you stay focused while you work, experts told us.
What type of chair is best for office work? ›With a robust design and adjustable features, sitting in an ergonomic chair for long periods is easily done. For those whose days are spent (for the majority) at their desks, an ergonomic chair seems like a no-brainer. On top of that, ergonomic chairs come in all shapes, sizes, and materials.
What type of chair should be used in a workplace? ›Ergonomic Chair
A backrest that can be raised and lowered, as well as moved forward and backward, to meet the back without bending or stretching. Firm lumbar support. Stability, preferably in the form of a five-point base. Appropriate seat depth for the worker using it.
You have the same design with two back cushions and one thick seat cushion that, just from the pictures, looks very comfortable. Many of the replicas out there might look great on photos, but once you actually try them, you realize that the leather, fabric and foam are of terrible quality.
Are Eames office chairs good for your back? ›Eames Office Chairs
Having an Eames office chair is one of the best ways to increase your comfort, maximize your productivity, and prevent back neck, or arm problems.
The Eames Managment Chair is a classic, and as long as you don't expect it to overwhelm the modern ergonomics and performance enhancers present in high end chairs, it's going to meet every expectation of a great office chair. Ergonomically, the main benefit of this chair is that it's comfortable.
What type of chair is best for back pain? ›- Aeron Ergonomic Chair Herman Miller. ...
- Series 2 Office Chair Steelcase. ...
- Freedom Office Desk Chair Humanscale. ...
- Ergonomic Chair Branch Furniture. ...
- VIVO Ergonomic Kneeling Chair DRAGONN. ...
- Sayl Chair Herman Miller. ...
- Balance Yoga Ball Chair Gaiam. ...
- Kroy Mesh Task Chair Staples.
What's the biggest problem with most standard office chairs? People who make so-called ergonomic chairs have realized that when you sit in a 90–90–90 configuration, you lose the back's natural curve. So they've tried to reconstitute it with lumbar support — by pushing on the small of the back to regain that curve.
How important is an ergonomic chair? ›
Ergonomic chairs support the natural 'S' shape of the spine, which prevents slumping and reduces stress on the spine and the pelvis. An adjustable backrest allows users to align the curve in the chair with the curve in their spine, for optimal support.
Do ergonomic office chairs work? ›Ergonomic chairs can help ease lower back pain, give support to the spine, keep joints in a neutral position, and alleviate neck and shoulder pains. Using ergonomic office products can also reduce the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders that damage the neck and back. Ergonomic chairs provide more comfort.
What is an executive office chair? ›What is an executive chair? An executive chair is a specific, premium type of office chair. Executive chairs are tall-backed, providing superior comfort and support for the entire upper body. Executive chairs are an icon – their height and quality conveys authority.
How do I choose a chair for a job? ›- Seat height. A good ergonomic chair will allow for the seat height to be adjusted from 15 to 22 inches off the floor. ...
- Seat width. ...
- Seat depth. ...
- Lumbar support. ...
- Backrest. ...
- Seat and backrest materials. ...
- Armrests. ...
- Movement and stability.
No matter how good your office chair is, sitting all day isn't good for you. Research suggests that standing desks are better for your health, and especially for back problems. An adjustable desk that allows both sitting and standing might be what you need instead of a fancy chair.
How do you know if a chair is ergonomic? ›An ergonomic chair should have a lumbar adjustment (both height and depth) so each user can get the proper fit to support the inward curve of the lower back. Backrest. The backrest of an ergonomic office chair should be 12 to 19 inches wide.
What is ergonomic chair? ›Ergonomic is any work-related item that was specifically designed for maximum comfort and efficiency. An ergonomic office chair is usually defined by having the following features: Seat depth. Adjustable arm height and width. Lumbar support.
Is it better to have an office chair with or without arms? ›What people say about armrests worsening your posture is not true. On the contrary, using a desk chair with armrests gives you more back and neck support. Our arms need something that holds them or supports them while we work. That reduces muscle strain and eases the load on your back.
Is the Time Life chair comfortable? ›''The Time-Life chair is beautiful, functional and so comfortable it's almost plush. '' Charles and Ray Eames designed the Time-Life chair in 1961, modeling it after a wider, stationary lounge chair they produced in 1960 for the lobby of the brand-new Time & Life Building in New York.
How do you adjust the Eames executive chair? ›To lower: Turn collar counterclockwise while holding chair arm To raise: Turn collar clock- wise while holding chair arm For use with your Aluminum Group, Soft Pad Group, or Executive Chair. Adjustments may vary according to chair model. To lower: While seated, lift lever up.
Are mesh chairs better for your back? ›
A softer mesh will give better, but may stretch and sag over time. For these reasons, few of the better chair designers will produce a chair with a mesh seat, and most mesh chairs are offered with an upholstered seat. A bigger potential problem with a mesh seat lies with the plastic frame many use.
What kind of office chair is best for sciatica? ›It has been proven that kneeling chairs are highly beneficial to people experiencing sciatica. Researchers have found that when sitting in an open-angled position, the pressure on your lumbar spine, thighs, and buttocks is dramatically reduced compared to conventional chairs.
Are gaming chairs good for office work? ›Gaming chairs do provide better ergonomic support for longer sessions, with higher backs, more adjustment options, and lumbar cushions for the bottom of the price range. However, if budget isn't an option, more premium office chairs can provide a better overall experience for a much higher price tag.
Why are ergonomic chairs so expensive? ›Research and Development. The best ergonomic task chairs are backed by years of research and development. These chairs are usually more expensive because the cost of research and development is built into the final product. Plus, you're paying for a chair that's designed to save your body from pain and stress.
How do I choose an ergonomic office chair? ›Most mesh chairs should have an adjustable form of lumbar support to be considered ergonomic. Generally the more adjustable lumbar supports ie depth and height, provide a better level of support. Mesh chairs allow for airflow and are great for warmer office spaces.
Is a backless chair better for posture? ›Without a back, there's nothing to slouch against. For this reason, backless seating aids in better posture. Our backless seats are ergonomically designed to position learners in an ideal way to aid in better posture.
What is the most comfortable chair in the world? ›Comfort by design
Created in 1962 as 6250 by G Plan it quickly became known as 'The World's Most Comfortable Chair'. And now, renamed as The Sixty Two, it's distinctive winged design, soft foam cushioning and deeply buttoned back, provide the ultimate in comfort.
Ergonomic chairs are built to support the body, promote good posture, and prevent discomfort. Provide spine support and a natural position for your joints. Align shoulders, spine, and hips. Adjustability: Ergonomic chairs are highly adjustable, meaning they can adjust to suit any body type and provide support.
How do you know if a chair is ergonomic? ›An ergonomic chair should have a lumbar adjustment (both height and depth) so each user can get the proper fit to support the inward curve of the lower back. Backrest. The backrest of an ergonomic office chair should be 12 to 19 inches wide.
What type of chair should you use when on a computer? ›Kneeling chairs (often called stools) have a great advantage over normal chairs in that you don't have to have your feet on the floor when using one. This means they can be adapted to almost any height of desk as the elbows can always be placed in the correct position.
What are the different styles of office chairs? ›
Computer Chairs for use at standard desks and tables. Conference Chairs for boardrooms and meeting spaces. Drafting Chairs and Stools for standing or adjustable-height desks. Ergonomic Chairs for enhanced comfort and adjustability.