Best Computer Chair for Long Hours of Work or Gaming

Does your job require long hours in front of the computer? As a writer, I understand firsthand how difficult that can be. Mental exhaustion aside, sitting in place for such extended periods wears your body down, taking a significant toll on physical health. Fortunately, I’ve come to discover that there’s a way to ease the fatigue — and it all starts with your computer chair. 

A supportive computer chair helps you remain in the zone throughout the workday, reducing discomfort and increasing productivity as you strive to meet your deadlines. That said, there are thousands of options out there, and choosing the right one can feel like an entire workday in itself. Having gone through this process myself, I’m here to showcase the comfiest and most supportive models for your WFH office.

How We Evaluated These Computer Chairs for Long Hours

To determine which office chairs are ideal for long hours, I tested several of today’s most popular models and read hundreds of user reviews. The criteria I considered while comparing these chairs includes the following key factors:

1. Comfort – The worst part about sitting for long hours is the soreness and stiffness that accumulate in your lower back and tailbone. For that reason, this list only contains chairs that keep you comfortable and at ease for 8-hour shifts.

2. Ergonomics – Moving frequently is the key to battling fatigue when working long hours, and adjustment mechanisms help you do just that. At a minimum, your chair should incorporate height, recline, and swivel settings that adapt to your workflow on the fly.

3. Design – A chair’s look and feel significantly affect how well it supports your body and office environment. I included the best mid-back, executive, molded foam, and mesh chairs to highlight the top models in each category.

4. Quality – At SitWorkPlay, we’re all about showcasing quality products that will last you several years. The chairs on this list incorporate premium materials from reputable brands, complete with extended warranties.

5. Price – While price always affects overall quality, I’ve selected chairs ranging from under $100 to over $1000, showcasing the best computer chair in every price bracket. 

Although many exceptional chairs failed to make the final list, that’s not a slight to their craftsmanship. Rather, it’s further validation that the following ten chairs represent the very best models for working long shifts from a reliable, supportive foundation.

The Best Computer Chairs For Long Hours

Best Computer Chair for Long Hours Overall: all33 BackStrong C1

At A Glance
  • Price: $799
  • Height: 44 inches
  • Weight: 48.86 lbs
  • Best for: Posture, back pain, ergonomics
  • Available Colors: Black, Red, Tan
Highlights
  • Proprietary Sit In Motion® seat adjusts to your micromovements, reducing fatigue and improving blood flow
  • Built with 100% recyclable materials, including vegan leather and eco-safe foam
  • Seat design cradles your lower back, aligning your spine into a healthy posture
  • Warranty: Lifetime
  • Return Period: 60 Days
  • Shipping: Free

Check out the BackStrong C1 from all33 on the manufacturer’s site to see more features.

Your spine consists of 33 bones known as vertebrae. These bones flex along with your back, allowing your body the freedom to move. When sitting for long periods, however, these bones lock into place, leading to excruciating back pain and long-term postural issues. I should know — after years of suffering lower backaches due to static seating, I finally discovered the solution.

The answer lies in all33’s Sit In Motion® seat that moves with you throughout the day. At the core of this proprietary technology is a pivoting seat that stacks your vertebrae in perfect alignment no matter your posture. Developed by a licensed chiropractor, it’s the result of years of research and development specifically aimed at increasing spinal flexibility, improving blood flow, and boosting oxygenation in your muscles. Although it takes a week or two for your body to adapt to the BackStrong C1’s unique design, there’s no better option for long hours in front of the computer. 

  • Foldaway arms swing forward, providing support when you need them
  • 3″ of height adjustment and 360° swivel provide excellent adjustability
  • Comes in a classy vegan leather or fabric finish
  • Uncomfortable for the first week or two as you build core strength
  • Cradle seat design lacks much leg support

Best Ergonomic Computer Chair for Long Hours: Herman Miller Embody

At A Glance
  • Price: $1,595
  • Height: 45 inches
  • Weight: 51 lbs
  • Best for: Ergonomics, adjustability
  • Available Colors: Graphite, Titanium, White
Highlights
  • 4x reinforced polyester upholstery promotes airflow and provides a stable foundation
  • Pixelated backrest encourages motion, flexing at every level to increase blood circulation while supporting your body’s movement
  • Made from 42% recycled materials in a 100% renewable energy facility

Check out the Embody from Herman Miller on the manufacturer’s site to see more features.

Most computer chairs offer height, recline, and tilt mechanisms to help support your posture and workflow. While these settings are great, they don’t provide true customization that adapts to your body’s unique shape and curvature. The Herman Miller Embody is different, incorporating all the classic mechanisms alongside an array of proprietary technology for pinpoint support.

My favorite among the Embody’s unique technology is its Pixelated backrest. This futuristic-looking integration features a matrix of tiny channels that continually shift like the ebb and flow of the tide. Adding to this support, the Embody’s BackFit™ and tilt adjustment knobs offer personalized flexibility that reclines based on your height, weight, and current activity.

If I had to nit-pick one design flaw, it would be the lack of a headrest. As it sits, the Embody offers great upper-body support, but dedicated head and neck support would bump it up to near-perfect ratings.

  • 5-star aluminum base accommodates users up to 300 pounds
  • Adjusts in nearly every capacity, including height, recline, tilt, seat depth, and more 
  • Extremely comfortable chair design includes a 21-inch-wide seat for roomy work sessions
  • Does not come with (or support) a headrest
  • Adjustable armrests show slight wobble and only offer height and width adjustment

Best Computer Chair for Long Hours in Comfort: Steelcase Leap

At A Glance
  • Price: $979
  • Height: 43.5 inches
  • Weight: 46.7 lbs
  • Best for: Performance, back support
  • Available Colors: Black, Graphite, Blue Jay
Highlights
  • LiveBack® technology adapts to the motion of your spine while working
  • Natural Glide™ lets you move forward and recline in one fluid motion
  • Pliable foam cushions relieve pressure points and support overall comfort
  • Warranty: Lifetime
  • Return Period: 14 Days
  • Shipping: Free

Check out the Leap from Steelcase on the manufacturer’s site to see more features.

The Steelcase Leap is like a hammock, moving with you while you peck away at the keyboard and swing your mouse around the workstation. When testing it out, I was blown away by the unique cradle-like LiveBack® backrest that flexes up and down as you work. It feels as though there’s zero resistance, further bolstered by the Natural Glide System™ and air pocket cushion that suspend you in perfect harmony against the oft-overbearing weight of gravity.

My main complaint with the Leap is that it starts to feel a bit hot when working full days in temperatures 75° and up. While this can be remedied by proper airflow within your work environment, it’d be nice to have some built-in breathability.

  • Seat cushion incorporates air pockets to reduce pressure on your tailbone
  • Smooth-rolling 360°-rotating casters glide on carpet or hardwood
  • Accommodates users up to 400 pounds
  • Lacks a back-height mechanism
  • Some find the all-fabric design gets too hot, with little breathability

Best Budget Computer Chair for Long Hours: Neo Chair MB7

At A Glance
  • Price: $79.98
  • Height: 35.8 inches
  • Weight: 22 pounds
  • Best for: Budgets < $100
  • Available Colors: Black, Blue, Gray, Pink, Sky Blue
Highlights
  • Contoured backrest reclines down to 130°
  • High-density foam cushion provides a supportive foundation for your sacrum
  • Boasts a soft, luxurious finish with fabric upholstery and breathable mesh
  • Warranty: 6 Months
  • Return Period: 30 Days
  • Shipping: Free

Check out the MB7 from Neo Chair on the manufacturer’s site to see more features.

When I first encountered the Neo Chair MB7, I genuinely couldn’t believe my eyes. Classy aesthetics aside, this feature-packed chair provides unbelievable support for under $100.

Although it doesn’t incorporate the finest craftsmanship (most of the parts are plastic), you do receive excellent support for the same price as a night on the town. The nylon base features a genuine SGS-certified Class III gas lift that provides several inches of height-adjustable functionality, and it glides in full 360° rotation without issue. Concerning comfort, the dimpled seat and contoured backrest give the best of both worlds, combining the coziness of fabric-covered foam with the breathability of mesh. The Neo Chair also features 130° of recline for exceptional customizability that adapts to your work environment with ease.

  • Durable nylon base features a Class III SGS-certified gas cylinder
  • Offers excellent rotation with 360° nylon casters
  • Classy aesthetic features a pleasing 2-tone color palette
  • Fixed armrests lack adjustability
  • Moderate craftsmanship; components begin to show wear within a year

Best Mesh Computer Chair for Long Hours: Fully Desk Chair

At A Glance
  • Price: $299
  • Height: 41.3 inches
  • Weight: 46 pounds
  • Best for: Mid-range budgets
  • Available Colors: Black, Blue, Gray
Highlights
  • Mesh back provides breathability and moderate springiness
  • 3D armrests accommodate various sitting postures
  • Contoured seat pan and backrest mimic your body’s inherent curvature
  • Warranty: 5 Years
  • Return Period: 30 Days
  • Shipping: Free

Check out the Fully Desk Chair from Fully on the manufacturer’s site to see more features.

While the Neo Chair offers excellent bang for your buck, its lack of adjustability won’t cut it for some users. The next step up is the Fully Desk Chair, an ergonomic mesh powerhouse that comes in at a reasonable price.

Fully is a certified B Corporation focused on creating high-quality, sustainable, and supportive office products. The company’s Fully Desk Chair embodies this philosophy across its entire build. It starts with the 5-star aluminum base, which provides a sturdy foundation and 4″ of height adjustment for users up to 300 pounds. On top of that, Fully incorporates a cushy foam seat cushion and woven mesh backrest with lumbar support, encouraging proper posture throughout the workday. Then there’s my favorite feature, the 3-directional ergonomic armrests that offer excellent adaptability for the price. Unfortunately, the armrests are also Fully’s greatest flaw, as they tend to slip around with any exaggerated movement.

  • 4″ of adjustable seat height and 3″ of armrest adaptability
  • Features lovely, muted colors that blend with most office environments
  • 5-star aluminum base provides a stable, durable foundation for long days
  • Armrests don’t lock and may accidentally slip out of place
  • Firm cushions are appropriately supportive but less comfortable

Best Computer Chair for Long Gaming Sessions: Secretlab TITAN Evo

At A Glance
  • Price: $449
  • Height: 54 inches
  • Weight: 76.1 lbs
  • Best for: Comfort, style
  • Available Colors: Ash, Black, Classic
Highlights
  • Comes in three sizes — small, regular, and XL — to fit gamers from 4’11” to 6’9″
  • The L-ADAPT™ Lumbar Support System conforms with your spine to encourage healthy posture
  • Proprietary pebble seat offers an ergonomic foundation complete with upward-arching edges for extra sitting room
  • Warranty: 5 Years
  • Return Period: 49 Days
  • Shipping: $29

Check out the TITAN Evo from Secretlab on the manufacturer’s site to see more features.

Gamers are well-known for spending countless hours in their favorite titles. As a casual player myself, I enjoy those last-night sessions as much as the next person — but only when I’m using a chair like the Secretlab TITAN Evo.

The Secretlab TITAN is my go-to computer gaming chair. Its executive backrest and ultra-supportive L-ADAPT Lumbar System keep me comfortable and immersed in the gameplay long after other chairs would have worn me out. I also love the integrated adjustment mechanisms that make modifying the armrests or reclining back up to 165° as easy as crushing my opponents in the latest Call of Duty. While I personally enjoy the luxurious NEO™ Hybrid Leatherette finish for its sleek, limo-like aesthetic, it doesn’t offer much breathability when temps reach the 80s.

  • Pebble Seat incorporates patent-pending cold-cure foam for comfort and support
  • ADC12 aluminum base and steel upper frame provide excellent durability
  • Comes in your choice of NAPA leather, NEO™ Hybrid Leatherette, or SoftWeave™ Plus Fabric
  • Heavy steel frame takes effort to assemble and move
  • Thick upholstery is great for durability, but bad for breathability

Best Computer Chair for Long Hours of Hassle-Free Support: Humanscale Freedom

At A Glance
  • Price: $1,169
  • Height: 53 inches
  • Weight: 38 lbs
  • Best for: Full back support
  • Available Colors: Ash, Azure, Black, Boysenberry, Charcoal, Dark Brown, Driftwood, Glacier, Medium Gray, Peacock, Winterberry
Highlights
  • Proprietary recline mechanism automatically detects weight for posture-perfect positioning and support
  • Technogel cushions provide ample padding, distributing weight for reduced pressure
  • Curvaceous design supports the natural structure of your spine
  • Warranty: 15 Years
  • Return Period: 30 Days
  • Shipping: Free

Check out the Freedom from Humanscale on the manufacturer’s site to see more features.

I enjoy adjustment mechanisms that offer precise control over my sitting experience, but I recognize that this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. If you prefer a hassle-free experience that just works, the Humanscale Freedom is an excellent choice that adapts to your body automatically. The weight-sensitive self-locking adjustment system moves with you while you’re working, providing posture-perfect support throughout the day. Meanwhile, the synchronous arms and headrest are always there when you need them, attaching to the backrest to work with you in every position.

The major downside to legendary designer Niels Diffrient’s award-winning chair is its thin Technogel cushions, which only offer an inch of cushioning.

  • Enjoy a full 20″ of recline and 5″ of height adjustability
  • Among the lightest high-back office chairs on the market at ~38 pounds
  • Metal alloy base and frame support users 5’0″ to 6’4″ and up to 300 pounds
  • Thin Technogel cushions too firm for some users 
  • Lacks adjustment mechanisms for fine-tune control over the chair

Best Breathable Computer Chair for Long Hours: Autonomous ErgoChair Core

At A Glance
  • Price: $399
  • Height: 49 inches
  • Weight: 34 pounds
  • Best for: Airflow, head and leg support
  • Available Colors: All Black, Cool Gray
Highlights
  • Durable BIFMA-certified mesh back provides unrivaled breathability
  • Optional headrest and leg rest provide full upper- and lower-body support
  • Weight-activated adjustment system reclines up to 18°
  • Warranty: 1 Year
  • Return Period: 30 Days
  • Shipping: Free

Check out the ErgoChair Core from Autonomous on the manufacturer’s site to see more features.

Taking inspiration from the ocean breeze, the ErgoChair Core incorporates a breathable mesh backrest atop a feather-light frame that weighs in at 34 pounds. This simple setup includes all the essential adjustment mechanisms you need for long hours, including a weight-activated recline system that moves with your body for near-perfect ergonomics throughout the day. For those seeking additional support, you can also find the ErgoChair Core with a built-in headrest and kick-out legrest. These extra accessories provide a lounge-like experience that’s ideal for relaxing throughout the workday, but they also add an extra $100 and 11 pounds to the final product.

  • Features an independently adjustable lumbar support cushion
  • Contoured foam seat with polyester fabric upholstery provides a comfortable, ergonomic foundation
  • Offers 4″ of height adjustability to work with most computer desks
  • 1D padded armrests are only height-adjustable
  • Plastic base accommodates a modest 250-pound weight limit

Best Leather Computer Chair for Long Hours: Serta AIR

At A Glance
  • Price: $271.99
  • Height: 42.75 inches
  • Weight: 38.9 lbs
  • Best for: Comfort, lumbar support
  • Available Colors: Black, Cream, Light Gray
Highlights
  • Layers of plush Serta® foam cover the seat, backrest, headrest, and arms
  • Pivoting lumbar cushions continually adjusts to your movements
  • Tension knob offers intuitive, pressure-sensitive reclining from 100° to 122°
  • Warranty: 1 Year
  • Return Period: 30 Days
  • Shipping: Free

Check out the AIR from Serta on the manufacturer’s site to see more features.

Eight hours of sleep, eight hours of work, and eight hours of play. That’s the way of life in the United States. While Serta has long dominated those first eight hours, the company’s latest office and gaming chairs are now gunning for the remainder.

The Serta AIR is one of the brand’s most popular ergonomic office chairs, and it’s stuffed to the brim with luxurious foam. What’s more, the AIR provides all the base functionality you need at your computer, including height and tilt adjustability, as well as next-level lumbar support that flexes as you move. Although it incorporates bonded leather and not the real deal, the upholstery is exceptionally breathable with perforations that keep you cool as you work. In my opinion, the Serta AIR is an excellent blend between work and play, a practical option that’s also quite cozy.

  • Features 3″ of Serta foam for extraordinary comfort
  • Multi-surface casters work well on hardwood and carpet
  • Mechanical spring offers tension-adjustable recline from 100° to 122°, supporting upright work followed by more casual office hours
  • Bonded leather tends to crack over time
  • Firm headrest only complements an upright position

Best High-Back Computer Chair for Long Hours: Ikea Markus

At A Glance
  • Price: $199
  • Height: 55.2 inches
  • Weight: 43.44 lbs
  • Best for: Minimal aesthetics, affordability
  • Available Colors: Black, Gray
Highlights
  • Pressure-sensitive casters lock when standing up, keeping the chair in place
  • Features a reclining backrest with lockable tilt functionality
  • S-shaped backrest contours with your body’s natural curvature
  • Warranty: 10 Years
  • Return Period: 1 Year
  • Shipping: $49

Check out the Markus from Ikea on the manufacturer’s site to see more features.

The IKEA Markus is one of the most supportive high-back chairs in its price range. I just love the 3-foot-tall backrest that snakes its way upwards to support your entire upper body from lumbar to head. Even though my 5’9″ build barely reaches the bottom of the dense PU headrest, I still find the Markus plenty supportive for upright, focused work. 

When it comes to quality, IKEA leveraged its corporate buying power to incorporate high-caliber materials into the Markus. For only $200, you’ll find state-of-the-art components like a 5-star aluminum base with pressure-sensitive casters and a steel backrest that holds your body without issue. While I wish the armrests incorporated the same adjustment mechanisms as the height and recline’ areas, the Markis remains an incredible option at an even better price.

  • Breathable mesh back ensures excellent airflow
  • Pressure-sensitive safety casters lock into place when standing up
  • Aluminum base with steel frame provides a strong foundation for day-long computer work
  • Armrests lack any adjustability
  • Cushy headrest is too high up for users under 6′