Almost everyone knows this feeling. Your old office chair needs replacing, but where do you start when looking for a new one? What did you like about your old chair, and what would you want to be different in a new one? As we only buy a new office chair on average once every 6 to 8 years, it’s not a decision we can usually make from experience. What should you look out for when buying a new office chair? We’re happy to help. That’s why you’ll find 10 practical tips below to guide you.
- Price vs. quality: First, set your budget and then look for chairs that offer the best value for money within that budget. Keep in mind that, for example, the term “ergonomic office chair” shouldn’t put you off. Not all ergonomic chairs are expensive, and not all affordable chairs lack quality. Setting a budget makes the selection easier. However, you still need to look closely within that budget, as there can be major differences between the various chairs.
- Focus on function first: We often tend to look at what appeals to us visually before anything else. The downside is that you may end up with a selection of chairs that do not 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 that selection, check which one you like best.
- Daily usage time: It goes without saying: the longer you need to sit in a chair each day, the higher the ergonomic requirements – in other words, the chair’s adjustment options. So if you are looking for a chair for a maximum of 4 hours of sitting per day, a simpler chair will be sufficient compared to one you would need if you spend around 8 hours seated.
- Determine the level of support you need: Choose a chair that offers good lumbar support. Ergonomic chairs often provide the best support, but there are also affordable chairs that offer good support for shorter periods of use. If you are 192 cm tall or shorter, for example, you can look for chairs with the NEN 1335 standard; if you are taller, chairs that comply with the NPR 1813 standard are best suited.
- Adjustability: Make sure the chair is at least adjustable in height and at the armrests. This allows you to achieve the best seating position and optimum comfort for your body type. If you sit for 8 hours a day, it is advisable to choose a chair with an adjustable seat and backrest.
- Castors and mobility: Most office chairs have 5 castors. Think about the type of flooring the chair will be used on. As standard, chairs are supplied with castors suitable for carpeted floors. If you sit on laminate or tiles, for example, castors for hard floors are required. Take this into account in your budget. Suitable castors can be ordered separately from most suppliers. The pin diameter is often 10 or 11 millimetres. You can always find this information in the technical data at hjh OFFICE. That way, you know exactly which castors you need to reorder. Additional tip: A protective mat on the floor can be an alternative to replacing the castors. In the long run, however, this can cause discolouration of laminate flooring and frequent movement can also lead to scratches on the surface. We always recommend choosing the right castors to match the floor the chair will be used on.
- Measure your current chair: It sounds obvious, but people often forget to measure their current chair properly. Seat depth, seat height, armrest position, and so on. This information is extremely helpful when looking for your next chair. You can also take into account aspects you did not like about your current chair. Is the seat too short (more than three fingers between the seat and your knee)? Then you need a chair with a deeper seat. This way, you can sometimes choose the right chair online without actually having to try it first. On our website, you will find this relevant information for every chair. The different dimensions are listed there so you can determine whether the chair is suitable for you. Of course, if you have any questions, you can contact our customer service team at any time. Together, we will find the chair you are looking for.
- Try the chair: We recommend trying the chair wherever possible to see how well it really suits you. In our showroom, you can drop by five days a week to test the chair briefly and choose the right chair together with one of our advisors. Prefer to shop online? You can still try the chair at home or in the office for up to 60 days.
- Warranty and service: Always check the warranty terms. A longer warranty can be a sign of better quality and help ensure you enjoy your chair for longer. Exchange options also often vary depending on the retailer.
- User reviews: Last but not least, we recommend always reading reviews from other users to gauge overall satisfaction. There are often reviews of the chairs themselves too – giving you insight not only into the retailer, but in some cases into the product itself as well.
I hope these 10 tips will help you in your search for a new office chair. If you would like more comprehensive support in choosing the right chair, we recommend using our buying guide