Most people should be fine with the standard X1. But it was too wide for my partner, who is 5'1". I tested the X-2 K-Sport with the wide seat, and it fit my 6'4" frame really well.
X-Chair has a number of models to choose from. It has held up extremely well after nearly two years of continuous sitting. If you want to rest your head, you can pay extra for the headrest. The lumbar support feels like a cushion, and it adjusts as you move in your seat. Pull the seat up and push the armrests up, down, and side to side, or angle them in or out. Who doesn't want that? Every part of my body feels well supported, and you can adjust nearly everything on the chair. It also feels like you're sitting on a hammock. It doesn't just have a mesh backrest, but the seat is mesh, too, allowing for excellent airflow. Thick foam seats often trap your body heat, especially during the summer months. You can order it now, but it ships in August. Branch's Ergonomic Chair is excellent for most people, but the Verve is the more refined seat if your budget can stretch.
The company made a few tweaks from the original. The Verve is designed and manufactured by a third party, and Branch acquired exclusivity to sell it in the US. If the Verve looks familiar, that's because I previously recommended a version of it from Laura Davidson.
(I also wouldn't have minded if they were a smidge wider.) This wasn't a huge issue for me, but if you're picky about armrests, Branch says it will have some add-ons available over the next 12 months, including 3D adjustable armrests and a headrest, so you can upgrade the chair later if you think it needs those fixtures. The armrests only go up and down, and they're just about the only fault I have with this chair. It looks more elegant (especially in the lovely Coral color), it keeps my back straighter, it's quite comfy, and it can make nearly the same adjustments with a higher level of polish. Take everything about the Branch Ergonomic Chair and upgrade it a notch-that's the Branch Verve. Fair warning though: Pet hair tends to cling to the upholstery, and I've noticed the fabric on the front end of the seat tends to pill quite quickly. It's a great chair for a variety of body sizes my 6'4" self enjoyed sitting on it, as did my 5'1" partner. The seat is made of high-density foam-it's firm yet comfy-and it doesn't trap heat as much as other foam seats I've tried. It doesn't keep my back as upright as I'd like, but the double-woven nylon mesh backrest feels nice to lean against. (There's no headrest, but you can pay to add one.) It does all this while managing to look very sleek and without asking an outlandish price. You can push the armrest back and forward, up and down the seat can extend out or be pushed all the way in you can lock the recline. It's surprisingly easy to assemble in minutes (the instructions are great), and there are tons of little tweaks you can make.
Simon Hill, Louryn Strampe, Medea Giordano, and Michael Calore contributed to this guide.Ī good chair often means one that comes with a variety of adjustments. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day. com and our print magazine (if you'd like). Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year Subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). Updated June 2022: We've added the Branch Verve, Humanscale Path, Vitrazza Glass Mat, and Nouhaus Ergonomic Chair. We've spent the past year sitting on about 25 office chairs, and these are our favorites.īe sure to check out our other buying guides, including the Best Laptop Stands, Best Work-From-Home Gear, Best Mattresses, and the Best Couches. The right materials can whisk away body heat, and having plenty of adjustability options can tailor the chair to your body. It's not just about finding a comfortable seat. But if you spend several hours-more than eight, if you're me-at your desk, it's a good idea to give the humble chair more attention. That's fine! Sleep is extremely important. There's a good chance you've given more thought to the mattress you sleep on than the chair you sit on.