Everyone probably knows this feeling. Your old office chair needs replacing, but where should you start when looking for a new one? What did you like about the old chair and what would you like to see different in a new one? Since on average we only buy a new office chair once every 6 to 8 years, this is not a decision we can make from experience. What should you pay attention to when buying a new office chair? We'll be happy to help you. That's why you'll find 10 practical tips below to help you.
- Price vs. quality: First, determine your budget and then look for chairs that offer the best value for money within that budget. Remember that the term “ergonomic office chair,” for example, does not have to scare you away. Not all ergonomic chairs are expensive, and not all cheap chairs lack quality. A set budget makes the selection easier. However, you have to look carefully within this budget because there are big differences between different chairs.
- Pay attention to function first: We quickly tend to pay attention to what we like visually first. The downside is that you may end up with a selection of chairs that don't meet the right requirements in terms of comfort, support or, for example, adjustability. Our advice is to first make a selection of suitable chairs within your chosen budget and then, within this selection, check which one you like best.
- Usage time per day: It goes without saying: the longer you have to sit in a chair every day, the higher the ergonomic requirements - i.e. the chair's adjustment options. Therefore, if you are looking for a chair for a maximum of 4 hours of sitting time per day, a simpler chair will suffice than if you spend around 8 hours sitting.
- Determine support needs: Choose a chair that offers good lumbar support. Ergonomic chairs often provide the best support, but there are also affordable chairs that provide good support for shorter periods of use. If you are 192 cm or shorter, you can look for chairs with the NEN 1335 standard; If you are larger, chairs that meet the NPR 1813 standard are best.
- adjustability: Make sure that the chair is at least adjustable in height and armrests. This allows you to achieve the best sitting position and optimal comfort for your body type. If you sit for 8 hours a day, we recommend choosing a chair with an adjustable seat and backrest.
- Roles and mobility: Most office chairs have 5 wheels. Think about what surface the chair will stand on. As standard, chairs come with castors suitable for carpeted floors. For example, if you are sitting on laminate or tiles, hard floor casters are required. Factor this into your budget. The appropriate rolls can be ordered separately from most providers. The diameter of the pin is often 10 or 11 millimeters. You can always find this information in the technical data at buerostuhl24. This way you know exactly which rolls you need to reorder. Additional tip: A protective mat on the floor can be an alternative to replacing the wheels. However, in the long run this leads to discoloration of the laminate and also causes scratches on the surface due to frequent shifting. We always recommend choosing the right casters that match the surface the chair is sitting on.
- Measure your current chair: It sounds logical, but people often forget to measure their current chair accurately. Seat length, seat height, armrest position, etc. This information is extremely helpful when looking for your next chair. You can also consider aspects that you didn't like about your current chair. If the seat is too short (more than three fingers between the seat and the knee), you need a chair with a longer seat. This way, you can sometimes choose the right chair online without actually having to try it out. You can find this relevant information for each chair on our website. The different dimensions are listed there so you can determine whether this chair is right for you. Of course, if you have any questions, you can contact our customer service at any time. Together we will find the chair you are looking for.
- Try the chair: We recommend that you try out the chair if possible to see how well it really suits you. You can come to our showroom five days a week to briefly test the chair and select the right chair together with one of our consultants. Do you prefer to buy online? Even then, you can try the chair at home or in the office for up to 60 days.
- Warranty and service: Always check the warranty conditions. A longer guarantee can be an indication of better quality and therefore ensure that you can enjoy your chair for longer. The exchange options often differ depending on the provider.
- User reviews: Last but not least, we recommend that you always read other users' reviews and assess their satisfaction. There are often reviews directly about the chairs themselves - this gives you an insight not only into the provider, but in some cases also into the product itself.
I hope that I can help you find your new office chair with these 10 tips. If you would like comprehensive support in choosing the right chair, we recommend that you use our decision aid