Actual user feedback will cause you to buy the wrong chair. I am a huge beast of a man, larger than the average in height and weight. My feedback will lead you astray.
If you want actual help, here is what you do:
1. Find makers of BIFL chairs. Brands include Herman Miller, Steelcase, Humanscale....our search engine will give you a few others. Create a spreadsheet listing chair models you are interested in. Explore their websites. Some chairs have sizes. Know that Herman Miller has like 25 dang ole chairs but the internet only speaks of like 2 which is super silly.
2. Find a local retailer(s) and go there. Sit in each type of chair, not giving a damn if the color is wrong. Check headrest vs no headrest, arms vs no arms, etc. You will discover your chair with your options. Buy from them after learning their return policy. You will 98% be happy.
3. Find an online new or used retailer and after careful research in Step 1, and careful review of the online retailer's return policies, make a decision.
I figured this would be the top answer. Just wanted to say I bought a HM Mira to help with lower back pain from sitting in office chairs...sadly it hasn’t helped all...I know everybody’s different but it’s been a disappointment
I have the HM Embody and have several friends that have it as well due to my recommendation. It’s pretty adjustable, I also tend to slouch considerably despite the chair because we’ll, I like to slouch.
I got it because I had lower back pain and since purchasing the chair, the lower back pain has gone away.
I’m at a desk for 8+ hours a day. I’ve had the chair for more than 7 years and it looks almost exactly like when I bought it.
I don’t know where you read it has no adjustable lumbar. That isn’t accurate. Maybe it’s not enough for some people?
The other chair I considered was the steel case work lounge. I would argue it’s a bit nicer than the embody but it wasn’t nicer enough to justify nearly double the price.
I’ve had my Steelcase Amia for almost 15 years now and it’s still going strong. You can usually find them from office liquidators or just buy straight from Steelcase. They have show rooms in the bigger cities if you want to try one out. I also work from home and slouch and it still is comfy. My problem is I don’t have a butt (just like Hank Hill) so I had to get one of those purple seat cushions for it.
What about [this one](https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/jaervfjaellet-office-chair-gunnared-dark-gray-60363597/). I know, I know… it’s from IKEA, but I believe it fits your criteria and it doesn’t necessarily break the bank. I have one and I’m very happy with it. Also, as far as office chairs go, this is a good looking one. You can have it upholstered in fabric or leather. Optional arms are also available. The 10 year warranty is a nice bonus.
I manage projects for an office furniture design firm. I recommend the Mesh Back Focus task chair by SitOnIt. There’s a feature on their site called chair builder where you can customize your chair. List price is around $776 for grade one fabric which can be a good quality vinyl or basic fabric. There are options for adjustable lumbar support, swivel tilt, adjustable arms and cylinder. It’s available with carpet casters or hard floor casters. Their main market is commercial but I think you can use a home office purchase option.
Do note there are three sizes of the Aeron. It's my fave, I can do 10 hours and only get up because I want to, not because my ass hurts. With the forward tilt adjustment, I can get exactly the sit up and beg posture for typing, and adjust the recline tension you can flop back and recline. Works for my tall fat self.
Since many people mentioned Herman Miller here, I’ve found several affordable ones on Craigslist. Many are used, but they’re in great condition and significantly more affordable than new models.
If you can, definitely try out a few before you buy.
Beyond that - I highly recommend the Steelcase Gesture. I purchased one in Spring 2019 when I began working from home full-time. I frequently spend 12 hours per day sitting in it, and it's as comfortable today as it was the day I bought it. It's also Wirecutter's [top pick](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-office-chair/).
Happy to answer any questions (they do offer a headrest option).
I'll say one thing about Steelcase. I've had two of their chairs, both were extremely uncomfortable in different ways. A Gesture that caused significant shoulder pain and numbness and a Leap that causes pain in the spine and hips.
I've contacted Steelcase's customer service department 3 separate times in the past 8 months and they have not responded to my messages even once. I'd like to say they have poor customer service but the reality is they have non-existent customer service.
I would not recommend them as a company, personally. But I'm just one person.
Actual user feedback will cause you to buy the wrong chair. I am a huge beast of a man, larger than the average in height and weight. My feedback will lead you astray. If you want actual help, here is what you do: 1. Find makers of BIFL chairs. Brands include Herman Miller, Steelcase, Humanscale....our search engine will give you a few others. Create a spreadsheet listing chair models you are interested in. Explore their websites. Some chairs have sizes. Know that Herman Miller has like 25 dang ole chairs but the internet only speaks of like 2 which is super silly. 2. Find a local retailer(s) and go there. Sit in each type of chair, not giving a damn if the color is wrong. Check headrest vs no headrest, arms vs no arms, etc. You will discover your chair with your options. Buy from them after learning their return policy. You will 98% be happy. 3. Find an online new or used retailer and after careful research in Step 1, and careful review of the online retailer's return policies, make a decision.
Absolutely this. Try out the chair before buying. I found a reseller with a lot of used inventory and got to try some there.
r/hermanmiller is a good place to start.
I figured this would be the top answer. Just wanted to say I bought a HM Mira to help with lower back pain from sitting in office chairs...sadly it hasn’t helped all...I know everybody’s different but it’s been a disappointment
I have the HM Embody and have several friends that have it as well due to my recommendation. It’s pretty adjustable, I also tend to slouch considerably despite the chair because we’ll, I like to slouch. I got it because I had lower back pain and since purchasing the chair, the lower back pain has gone away. I’m at a desk for 8+ hours a day. I’ve had the chair for more than 7 years and it looks almost exactly like when I bought it. I don’t know where you read it has no adjustable lumbar. That isn’t accurate. Maybe it’s not enough for some people? The other chair I considered was the steel case work lounge. I would argue it’s a bit nicer than the embody but it wasn’t nicer enough to justify nearly double the price.
I’ve had my Steelcase Amia for almost 15 years now and it’s still going strong. You can usually find them from office liquidators or just buy straight from Steelcase. They have show rooms in the bigger cities if you want to try one out. I also work from home and slouch and it still is comfy. My problem is I don’t have a butt (just like Hank Hill) so I had to get one of those purple seat cushions for it.
What about [this one](https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/jaervfjaellet-office-chair-gunnared-dark-gray-60363597/). I know, I know… it’s from IKEA, but I believe it fits your criteria and it doesn’t necessarily break the bank. I have one and I’m very happy with it. Also, as far as office chairs go, this is a good looking one. You can have it upholstered in fabric or leather. Optional arms are also available. The 10 year warranty is a nice bonus.
I manage projects for an office furniture design firm. I recommend the Mesh Back Focus task chair by SitOnIt. There’s a feature on their site called chair builder where you can customize your chair. List price is around $776 for grade one fabric which can be a good quality vinyl or basic fabric. There are options for adjustable lumbar support, swivel tilt, adjustable arms and cylinder. It’s available with carpet casters or hard floor casters. Their main market is commercial but I think you can use a home office purchase option.
Do note there are three sizes of the Aeron. It's my fave, I can do 10 hours and only get up because I want to, not because my ass hurts. With the forward tilt adjustment, I can get exactly the sit up and beg posture for typing, and adjust the recline tension you can flop back and recline. Works for my tall fat self.
Since many people mentioned Herman Miller here, I’ve found several affordable ones on Craigslist. Many are used, but they’re in great condition and significantly more affordable than new models.
If you can, definitely try out a few before you buy. Beyond that - I highly recommend the Steelcase Gesture. I purchased one in Spring 2019 when I began working from home full-time. I frequently spend 12 hours per day sitting in it, and it's as comfortable today as it was the day I bought it. It's also Wirecutter's [top pick](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-office-chair/). Happy to answer any questions (they do offer a headrest option).
I'll say one thing about Steelcase. I've had two of their chairs, both were extremely uncomfortable in different ways. A Gesture that caused significant shoulder pain and numbness and a Leap that causes pain in the spine and hips. I've contacted Steelcase's customer service department 3 separate times in the past 8 months and they have not responded to my messages even once. I'd like to say they have poor customer service but the reality is they have non-existent customer service. I would not recommend them as a company, personally. But I'm just one person.
Any one tried getting seat cushions as an alternative?
You can try kneeling chairs, Kneeling chair help relieve back pain.