Best Office Chairs for Working From Home: A Buying Guide

OSHA's desk guidance says the work surface should be raised or lowered as needed or replaced with a height adjustable one, and that leg clearance under the desk is generally between 20 and 28 inches. Its keyboard page adds that a work surface should generally be no more than 2 inches thick so the chair can be raised high enough.

If you cannot change the surface, a chair with adjustable seat height, or a footrest, can bridge the gap.

OSHA's checklist advises changing posture regularly and minimizing use time when laptops are used outside the office, and it calls for a detached keyboard when a touchscreen is used for longer stretches. OSHA's monitor guidance asks that the screen sit directly in front of you with the top at or slightly below eye level.

In practice that means a laptop stand plus a separate keyboard and mouse, so the chair can do its job without you hunching over a low screen.

Cornell's ergonomics page notes that over 1 hour a day of computer work calls for an ergonomic arrangement and over 4 hours calls for one right away. It also suggests trying any ergonomic product for at least a week and stopping if it stays uncomfortable, which is worth remembering when return policies are part of the decision.

Weight capacity matters in a shared household, and the table shows it next to the back and armrests, ranked by Ergo Score within the home office desk chair category.

Check the Amazon page for casters suited to your flooring too; OSHA asks for casters matched to the floor surface and a sturdy five-leg base.

• Seat height range: the score gives points for adjustability and more when the listed range spans at least 4 inches, useful for mismatched tables.
• Armrest adjustability: points scale with how many directions the armrests move, which helps a fixed-height desk or table.
• Weight capacity: part of the build score, which gives higher stated ratings more points; check the figure against everyone who will use the chair.
• Base: the build score looks at base material, and OSHA separately recommends a five-leg base with casters suited to the floor.
• Warranty: longer coverage earns more points, which matters when a chair is a single purchase for a small space.

1. Measure your desk or table height and clearance before you shop, using OSHA's 20 to 28 inch leg clearance as a rough guide.
2. Fit the chair so your feet rest flat; add a footrest if the table forces you to sit high.
3. Raise a laptop to eye level and connect a separate keyboard and mouse.
4. Position the screen directly in front of you, at least 20 inches away.
5. Place frequently used items within easy reach, as OSHA's checklist advises.
6. Use a trial week to judge comfort, following Cornell's advice, and keep the return window in mind.