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The comparison: Expensive vs. cheap - how much does a good office chair cost?

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

Laura Hofstetter |


Whether for work in the office or for your home office – you are looking for a new office chair. In addition to ergonomics and design, price often plays a central role. Of course you want to invest your money in the best possible way and therefore ask yourself the question: “How much does a good office chair cost?” You can find out the answer to this and what lies behind a “good office chair” in this guide article. 

Table of contents:

1. Why buy a good office chair?
2. How do I recognize a good office chair?
3. What characteristics does a good office chair have?
4. Price-performance office chair: What price ranges are there?
5. What else should you pay attention to 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 promote it. Of course, you could also initially do your work on the computer at the dining table or on the couch. However, physical problems such as back or neck pain would not be long in coming. The problem with such complaints is that once they arise, they are difficult to get rid of. Therefore, in the long term it is worth giving up the comfortable armchair and buying an ergonomic office chair for longer periods of sitting.
However, it should be noted that the length of use primarily affects which office chair you need for your work on the PC.

How do I recognize a good office chair?

You can recognize a good office chair primarily because the adjustment options and the design meet your requirements and needs. This is essential for people who work in a 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 of all, it should have a stable base with high-quality wheels. Below you will find out what other properties a good desk chair should have.

What characteristics does a good office chair have?

If you have decided to buy a desk chair, the first question you probably ask yourself is what characteristics a good office chair must have. It can be noted in advance that the relationship between price and performance for office chairs differs depending on the price class.

Equipment

Depending on the price range, a good office chair has the following features:

  • High quality gas pressure spring
  • Stable base
  • Adjustable armrests
  • Ergonomically shaped backrest (fixed or adjustable)
  • Adjustable lumbar support
  • Comfortable seat part with seat depth and inclination adjustment
  • High-quality soft or hard floor casters
  • Durable cover made of mesh, fabric, real or imitation leather
  • Point synchronous mechanism/rocker mechanism

Ergonomics

When it comes to the ergonomics of a desk chair, there are big differences between the different price categories. Many good office chairs under €200 also have an ergonomically shaped backrest. However, these are usually not adjustable, but rather rigid. Higher-priced models often have a variety of adjustment options for the backrest. For example, the ERGOHUMAN series via a point synchronous mechanism that allows the seat and back angle to be adjusted up to an opening angle of 141° and can therefore be individually adjusted to your body weight. In addition, these high-end office chairs have flexible lumbar support with variable contact pressure. This supports an ergonomic sitting posture. For just under €700 you get the professional office chair with all the adjustment options to achieve the highest level of ergonomics.

But even cheaper models have ergonomic aspects that support correct posture at work. A mid-priced model like that POSTAGE MAX HIGH  also has some 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 adjust to your individual needs. Cheaper desk chairs under €200 usually have only a few ergonomic aspects. However, if you only need a good seat occasionally, a low-priced model may be enough for you.

Functional image Porto Max High

Quality

The wheat is separated from the chaff, especially when it comes to quality. When it comes to quality, you don't have to worry about more expensive office chairs because they use the most robust materials. At Professional office chairs Covers such as genuine leather or high-quality (mesh) fabric are often used, which can often withstand 60,000 or more rubs. It is not for nothing that the catchphrase: “Quality has its price”. The less the office chair costs, the more the quality deteriorates. As with the features, it depends on the situation and the purpose for which you are looking for a good desk chair.

Manufacturer

How much a good office chair costs is always a question of the manufacturer. Similar to other segments, there are manufacturers where you pay for the look and name and those who are known for their outstanding quality. This also applies to the durable office chairs from hjh OFFICE. We offer both cheap and high-priced chairs. Even with cheaper models, attention is paid to ergonomic aspects so that you can stay healthy for a long time ergonomic office chair able to sit and work.

Which functions are important?

Which setting options and functions are really important depends on you. If you are particularly tall, you should have a seat depth adjustment, for example, in order to be able to properly adjust the office chair to your height. A good office chair should always have movable armrests and an ergonomically shaped backrest. A powerful gas pressure spring should also be installed so that you do not start to “sink into the ground” after a short time while working. 
With cheaper chairs you have to expect fewer functions and features. But you have to decide for yourself whether this is a disadvantage for you. As already mentioned, the most important thing is the length of use and the purpose of the office chair. The chair must also meet your ideas and requirements. 

Price-performance office chair: What price ranges are there?

As has already become clear, good office chairs differ in terms of features, settings and quality in the different price segments. For example, if the office chair is back-friendly, it will cost a little more. For a better classification, we have created a table with price ranges and typical features:

Category Price Properties
Entry level models < 200 €

- limited setting options

- little ergonomic aspects

- often rigid backrest

Mid-range models 200 - 500 €

- adjustable backrest

- some setting options for more comfort

- ergonomic aspects such as adjustable lumbar support and armrests

High-end office chairs > 500 €

- many setting options for maximum comfort

- Seat depth and tilt adjustment

- Backrest adjustable in height and inclination

- very robust and durable materials


Which office chairs fall into which price segment?

Entry-level models

Home office office chair Delight

DELIGHT

  • Rocking mechanism, spring force can be individually adjusted to your body weight
  • Backrest made of breathable mesh fabric
  • Height-adjustable lumbar support
Home office office chair Relax HX

RELAX HX 100

  • Lockable rocker mechanism for relaxed leaning back
  • Softly padded armrests, foldable upwards
  • Flexible lumbar support
  • Comfortable, double padded seat
 Home office office chair zh

ZH200

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

 


Mid-range models


Spinio Elite L office chair

SPINIO ELITE L

  • Headrest and backrest height adjustable, breathable mesh cover
  • 3D armrests with soft pad support: height, angle and depth adjustable
  • Comfortably padded, wide seat with abrasion-resistant 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 inclination
  • Backrest height adjustable
Office chair ERGO LINE II  

ERGO LINE II

  • Comfortable synchronous mechanism
  • Integrated lumbar support
  • Durable fabric cover (30,000 scrub 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 abrasion-resistant mesh fabric - tested for up to 60,000 abrasion cycles
  • 4D armrests with medium-hard soft pad support
  • Design backrest with adjustable lumbar support
  • Point synchronous mechanism for adjusting the seat and back inclination, individually adjustable to body weight, lockable in 5 positions, largest opening angle: 141°
Professional office chair GENIDIA PRO

GENIDIA PRO

  • High-end office chair with great features
  • Futuristic design paired with the latest technology
  • Synchronous mechanism, individually adjustable to body weight
  • Height-adjustable lumbar support
  • 4D armrests with soft pad support: horizontally, vertically, width and radially adjustable
 Professional office chair Specter

SPECTRUM

  • Slide synchronous mechanism (sliding feeling when leaning back)
  • Height-adjustable headrest
  • Height-adjustable backrest
  • Incl. lumbar support
  • 2D armrests: fully adjustable


What else should you pay attention to when buying a desk chair?

In addition to the price, the design also plays an important role. If you are looking for an office chair for your home office, then you want a model that visually matches your interior. In the category ergonomic home office office chairs you will find it. No matter whether your home is simple, Scandinavian or industrial style - hjh OFFICE offers the right solution.

Why is it worth investing more money?

When you think about buying a good office chair, the first question you probably ask yourself is: “How much does a good office chair cost?” This cannot be answered in general terms because it depends on the different requirements. What is certain, however, is that you get more for your money with a higher quality chair. This promotes dynamic sitting and provides your body with the best possible support. Due to the high quality, the desk chair has a higher durability. The Federal Ministry of Finance assumes an average useful life of 13 years. Therefore you have one durable piece of office furniture also gained an investment for the future.

To illustrate this, an example: You purchase a high-end office chair for €900. At first it sounds like an incredible amount. But if you break down the price and expect it to last for at least 10 years, the chair will effectively cost you €7.50 per month. This price for better physical health should be very reasonable, especially for employers. Especially since this also minimizes cases of illness among the workforce. But 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 medium-priced model is sufficient. Only if you use the office chair very rarely will a cheap model be sufficient.


Tip:

If you have decided on a cheaper desk chair, you can replace it with new, high-quality ones Office chair wheels and a stronger one Gas spring upgrade many times over!

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

How much does a good office chair cost? This depends on the features and quality of the desk chair. However, a very good office chair does not have to be incredibly expensive. Weigh up the price-performance ratio for yourself and decide which model meets your requirements and wishes. A good office chair does NOT have to be expensive. Nevertheless, it is advisable not to save too much on your health. Therefore, always see a high-quality office chair as a long-term investment that is worthwhile. Are you still unsure which chair is right for you? Then please feel free to contact our certified specialist advisors at any time. We use our expertise to help you choose a good office chair for your needs!