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The comparison: expensive vs. affordable - how much does a good office chair cost?

Der Vergleich: Teuer vs. günstig - was kostet ein guter Bürostuhl? - buerostuhl24

Laura Hofstetter |


Whether for working in the office or in your home office – you’re looking for a new office chair. Alongside ergonomics and design, price often plays the key role. Naturally, you want to invest your money as wisely as possible, so you may be asking yourself: “How much does a good office chair cost?” You’ll find the answer to that question and what exactly makes a “good office chair” in this guide. 

Table of contents:

1. Why buy a good office chair?
2. How do I recognise a good office chair?
3. What features does a good office chair have?
4. Office chair value for money: what price ranges are there?
5. What else should you look out for when buying a desk chair?
6. Why is it worth investing more money?
7. Conclusion: does a good office chair have to be expensive?

Why buy a good office chair?

Spending money on a good office chair has many health benefits. Our health is our greatest asset, which is why we should do everything we can to maintain and improve it. Of course, you could initially do your computer work at the dining table or on the sofa. However, physical problems such as back or neck pain would soon follow. The problem with these complaints is that once they appear, they can be difficult to get rid of. That’s why, in the long term, it’s worth giving up the cosy armchair and getting yourself an ergonomic office chair for extended periods of sitting.
However, it should be noted that the length of time you use it is a key factor in determining which office chair you need for your PC work.

How do I recognise a good office chair?

You can recognise a good office chair primarily by whether its adjustment options and design match your requirements and needs. This is essential for people who work at their desk chair for eight hours or more every day. A good ergonomic office chair not only has a positive effect on our physical health, but also on our general well-being. First and foremost, it should have a sturdy base and high-quality castors. You can find out below what other features a good desk chair should have.

What features does a good office chair have?

If you have decided to buy a desk chair, the first question you will probably ask yourself is what features a good office chair should have. First of all, it can be said that the relationship between price and performance varies from one office chair price range to another.

Features

A good office chair has the following features, depending on the price range:

  • High-quality gas lift
  • Sturdy base
  • Adjustable armrests
  • Ergonomically shaped backrest (fixed or adjustable)
  • Adjustable lumbar support
  • Comfortable seat with seat depth and tilt adjustment
  • High-quality castors for soft or hard floors
  • Durable upholstery in mesh, fabric, genuine leather or faux leather
  • Synchronous mechanism / tilt mechanism

Ergonomics

When it comes to the ergonomics of a desk chair, there are major differences between the various price categories. Many good office chairs under 200 € also have an ergonomically shaped backrest. However, these are usually fixed rather than adjustable. Higher-priced models often offer a wide range of backrest adjustment options. For example, the ERGOHUMAN series features a synchronous mechanism that allows the seat and backrest angle to be adjusted up to an opening angle of 141° and can therefore be individually adapted to your body weight. In addition, these high-end office chairs feature flexible lumbar support with variable contact pressure. This helps support an ergonomic sitting posture. For just under 700 €, you get a professional office chair with every adjustment option needed to achieve maximum ergonomics.

But even more affordable models include ergonomic features that support correct posture at the workplace. A mid-priced model such as the PORTO MAX HIGH  also offers a number of ergonomic features. This office chair also has adjustable lumbar support and seat depth adjustment. A height-adjustable headrest and armrests also make it easier to tailor the chair to your individual needs. Cheaper desk chairs under 200 € usually offer only a few ergonomic features. However, if you only need a good seat occasionally, a lower-priced model may still be sufficient for you.

Funktionsbild Porto Max High

Quality

Quality is also, or above all, where the wheat is separated from the chaff. When it comes to quality, you do not need to have any concerns with more expensive office chairs, as the most robust materials are used here. Professional office chairs often feature covers such as genuine leather or high-quality mesh or fabric, which can often withstand 60,000 or more abrasion cycles. It is not for nothing that people say: “Quality has its price.” The less an office chair costs, the more the quality tends to decline. As with the features, however, it ultimately depends on your individual situation and the purpose for which you are looking for a good desk chair.

Manufacturer

How much a good office chair costs is always also a question of the manufacturer. As in other segments, there are manufacturers where you pay for the look and the name, and others that are known for their outstanding quality. The durable office chairs from hjh OFFICE are a perfect example. We offer both affordable and premium-priced chairs. Even with more affordable models, ergonomic aspects are taken into account so that you can sit and work healthily for a long time on your ergonomic office chair.

Which functions are important?

Which adjustment options and functions are really important depends on you. If you are particularly tall, for example, seat depth adjustment is essential so that the office chair can be properly adapted to your height. However, a good office chair should always offer adjustable armrests and an ergonomically shaped backrest. It should also be fitted with a high-performance gas lift so that you do not start to “sink to the floor” while working after only a short time. 
With budget chairs, you should expect fewer functions and features. Whether this is a disadvantage for you, however, is something only you can decide. As already mentioned, what matters most is how long the office chair will be used and what it will be used for. In addition, the chair must meet your expectations and requirements. 

Office chair value for money: What price ranges are there?

As has already become clear, good office chairs differ across the various price segments in terms of features, adjustment options and quality. For example, if an office chair is back-friendly, it will cost a little more. To help you compare, we have put together a table showing price ranges and typical features:

Category Price Features
Entry-level models < 200 €

- limited adjustment options

- few ergonomic features

- often a fixed backrest

Mid-range models 200 - 500 €

- adjustable backrest

- some adjustment options for greater comfort

- ergonomic features such as adjustable lumbar support and armrests

High-end office chairs > 500 €

- numerous adjustment options for maximum comfort

- seat depth and tilt adjustment

- backrest adjustable in height and tilt

- very robust and durable materials


Which office chairs fall into which price segment?

Entry-level models

Home office chair Delight

DELIGHT

  • Tilt mechanism, spring tension individually adjustable to body weight
  • Backrest made of breathable mesh fabric
  • Height-adjustable lumbar support
Home office chair Relax HX

RELAX HX 100

  • Lockable tilt mechanism for relaxed reclining
  • Softly padded armrests, foldable upwards
  • Flexible lumbar support
  • Comfortable, double-padded seat surface
 Home office chair zh

ZH 200

  • Comfortable synchronous mechanism
  • Height-adjustable headrest
  • Cover: fabric and mesh combined
  • Integrated lumbar support

 


Mid-range models


Office chair Spinio Elite L

SPINIO ELITE L

  • Headrest and backrest height-adjustable, breathable mesh cover
  • 3D armrests with soft pad tops: adjustable in height, angle and depth
  • Comfortably padded, wide seat with hard-wearing fabric cover
  • Synchronous mechanism, individually adjustable to body weight
VENUS Base office chair

VENUS BASE

  • Synchronous mechanism, lockable in 4 positions
  • Flexible lumbar support
  • Ergonomic seat with adjustable seat depth
  • Headrest adjustable in height and tilt
  • Backrest height-adjustable
Office chair ERGO LINE II  

ERGO LINE II

  • Comfortable synchronous mechanism
  • Integrated lumbar support
  • Hard-wearing fabric cover (30,000 abrasion cycles)
  • Seat depth adjustment
  • Tested by TÜV SÜD Product Service GmbH

High-end models


Professional office chair Ergohuman Gen2

ERGOHUMAN GEN2

  • Ergonomic seat with seat depth adjustment
  • Extremely hard-wearing mesh fabric - tested up to 60,000 abrasion cycles
  • 4D armrests with medium-soft soft pad tops
  • Designer backrest with adjustable lumbar support
  • Point-synchronous mechanism for adjusting seat and backrest tilt, individually adjustable to body weight, lockable in 5 positions, maximum opening angle: 141°
Professional office chair GENIDIA PRO

GENIDIA PRO

  • High-end office chair with excellent features
  • Futuristic design combined with cutting-edge technology
  • Synchronous mechanism, individually adjustable to body weight
  • Height-adjustable lumbar support
  • 4D armrests with soft pad support: adjustable horizontally, vertically, in width and radially
 Professional office chair Spektre

SPEKTRE

  • Slide synchronous mechanism (smooth gliding feel when leaning back)
  • Height-adjustable headrest
  • Height-adjustable backrest
  • Including lumbar support
  • 2D armrests: fully adjustable


5. What else should you look for when buying a desk chair?

Besides the price, design also plays an important role. If you are looking for an office chair for your home office, you will want a model that visually matches your interior. You will find what you are looking for in the  ergonomic home office chairs  category. Whether your home is furnished in a minimalist, Scandinavian or industrial style – hjh OFFICE offers the right solution.

6. Why is it worth investing more money?

If you are considering buying a good office chair, the first question you will probably ask yourself is: “How much does a good office chair cost?”. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, as it depends on the different requirements involved. What is certain, however, is that with a higher-quality chair you get more for your money. This promotes dynamic sitting and supports your body in the best possible way. Thanks to its high quality, the desk chair also offers greater durability. The Federal Ministry of Finance assumes an average useful life of 13 years here. This means that with a  durable piece of office furniture  you’ve also made an investment in the future.

To illustrate this, here’s an example: you buy a high-end office chair for 900 €. At first glance, that sounds incredibly expensive. But if you break the price down and assume a service life of at least 10 years, the chair effectively costs you 7.50 € per month. This price for better physical health should be very reasonable, especially for employers. Particularly as it can also reduce staff sickness levels. However, it doesn’t always have to be the most expensive office chair to support your physical health. Depending on which criteria the piece of furniture needs to meet for you, a mid-range model may also be sufficient. Only if you use the office chair very rarely will a budget model be enough.


Tip:

If you’ve chosen a more affordable desk chair, you can upgrade it considerably with new high-quality office chair castors and a stronger gas lift !

Conclusion: Does a good office chair have to be expensive?

How much does a good office chair cost? That depends on the features and quality of the desk chair. However, a very good office chair does not have to be unimaginably expensive. Weigh up the price-performance ratio for yourself and decide individually which model best matches your requirements and preferences. So a good office chair does NOT have to be expensive. Even so, it’s advisable not to cut too many corners when it comes to your health. That’s why you should always view a high-quality office chair as a worthwhile long-term investment. Still unsure which chair is right for you? Then feel free to contact our certified specialist advisors at any time. With our expertise, we’ll support you in choosing a good office chair for your needs!