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Best Executive Office Chairs

Updated February 2024
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Steelcase Gesture Chair, Licorice
Steelcase
Gesture Chair, Licorice
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Premium Ergonomics
Bottom Line

A hi-tech, impressively adjustable, brand-name executive office chair at a premium price.

Pros

A plethora of adjustable options and a synchronized seat-and-back movement allow the user to customize the fit to support various body sizes. The controls are large and easy to grasp. Comes fully assembled.

Cons

Plastic design elements clash with the high price. Doesn’t have the traditional “executive” look.

Best Bang for the Buck
AmazonCommercial Ergonomic High-Back Bonded Leather Executive Chair
AmazonCommercial
Ergonomic High-Back Bonded Leather Executive Chair
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Professional Design
Bottom Line

This office chair has the features and structure you'd expect in an executive model for an appealing mid-level price.

Pros

Ergonomic model that boasts a high back for notable support while working. Durable, attractive brushed-aluminum frame and smooth-moving casters. Components, including the flip-up armrests, are adjustable for customized comfort.

Cons

Cushioning isn't as thick as that of pricier competitors. Rare reports of issues with the seat-lifting system.

HON Ignition 2.0 Mid-Back Adjustable Lumbar Work Mesh Computer Chair
HON
Ignition 2.0 Mid-Back Adjustable Lumbar Work Mesh Computer Chair
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Breathable Mesh
Bottom Line

Stylish, contemporary, mesh-back, ergonomic executive chair from office furniture specialists.

Pros

Stretch-mesh back and mesh cushion seat keep users cool and comfortable. The arms adjust in 3 dimensions for comfort and support in various positions. Can be ordered with an optional lumbar support accessory.

Cons

Some buyers consider the mesh fabric not as high quality as leather. Does not come assembled.

La-Z-Boy Delano Big and Tall Chair
La-Z-Boy
Delano Big and Tall Chair
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Luxurious Comfort
Bottom Line

Maximum comfort from a brand known for it, in leather and polished wood.

Pros

Thick memory foam and oversized padding offer extra comfort when sitting at a desk or computer for long periods. Rated to support 400 pounds. Luxurious bonded leather and polished wood finishes.

Cons

Pricey. Big-and-tall design isn't for everyone. Does not come assembled.

Flash Furniture Whitney High Back Desk Chair
Flash Furniture
Whitney High Back Desk Chair
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More stores

Most Stylish
Bottom Line

This attractive chair delivers the perfect blend of comfort and style for a price that won't break your budget.

Pros

Stands out for its sleek white finish that looks great with modern office decor. Upholstered in a faux leather material with a realistic appearance and soft texture. Nice cushioning. Easy to assemble. Price falls on the lower end of the scale.

Cons

Not the most spacious chair. Seat doesn't always stay locked in the "up" position.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Buying guide for Best executive office chairs

If you’re outfitting your office with new furniture, one of the best investments you can make is in comfortable seating. Rather than buying yet another regular office chair, opt for an executive office chair instead. Not only are these chairs more comfortable, they look professional, too.

Executive office chairs resemble pared-down wing chairs on a wheeled base. They range from simple with minimal detail and cushioning to full-fledged ergonomic chairs with an exhaustive list of adjustable settings. As far as materials go, affordably priced executive office chairs are made of synthetic or bonded leather, while many premium chairs are made from high-grade leather and often have accents or embellishments that elevate their style.

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If you have a smaller desk, it may limit your options when it comes to an executive office chair. Even when adjusted to their lowest height, some don’t leave ample space for your legs under the desk.

Key considerations 

Assess your needs

Before you begin comparing executive office chairs, conduct a personal inventory to assess your needs. 

Size: Consider the size of your office or workspace. Smaller areas do well with a compact design, while the sky’s the limit if room isn’t an issue. 

Comfort: Your executive office chair should be comfortable, especially since you’ll spend several hours a day in it. 

Quality: The craftsmanship should be carefully examined, too, because low-quality chairs can be unstable, uncomfortable, or flimsy.

Design

In addition to making a choice based on your needs, choose an executive office chair that suits your style or room décor. 

Formal: For a formal office setting, upscale designs are recommended, especially if they’re paired with a lavish executive desk. These chairs often feature pintuck cushions, a highly contoured seat back, and unique metal embellishments. 

Casual: In more casual office settings, including home offices, a classic, understated style is ideal. Executive office chairs in this category stick to simple, streamlined silhouettes.

Use the right products to clean your executive office chair. Leather should be treated with leather cleaners and conditioners. Synthetic chairs can be cleaned with most alcohol- and bleach-free surface cleaners.

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Features

Seat

The better the quality of the seat materials, the more expensive the executive office chair. 

Lower-quality seat materials include vinyl, cloth, and synthetics. While affordable, these seats can look worn after a moderate amount of use and eventually peel or shred. 

Better-quality chairs are made with bonded leather, but don’t let the name fool you. It’s actually one of the lowest grades of leather because it only includes up to 20% real leather. The rest is typically vinyl. While these chairs look crisp and new initially, they scratch easily and fade in high-friction areas.

Premium office chairs are made with better grades of leather. These include genuine leather, which falls in the middle of the spectrum, and occasionally includes split-grain or top-grain leather in the most expensive executive office chairs from high-end designers.

Base

Seats rest on a base similar to those seen on office chairs. These bases are designed to support heavyweights, such as 250 to 350 pounds. The wheels are usually made of plastic, but some high-end executive office chairs have metal wheels.

Ergonomics

Ergonomic design is one of the top reasons people invest in an executive office chair. Many regular office chairs are fairly rigid and limited when it comes to cushioning. This can result in discomfort and even exacerbate back or neck pain.

Executive office chairs emphasize comfort through their unique designs. With strategically placed cushioning, these chairs provide support to the lower back, neck, and shoulders. Affordable designs use polyester or foam for cushioning, while premium executive office chairs use memory foam or gel.

For additional support, some executive office chairs are equipped with a pillow headrest and/or cushioned armrests. These areas usually have foam that is denser and firmer than that in the seat. 

Adjustability

At the very least, you can adjust the height of executive office chairs with a lever. More expensive chairs may have adjustable armrests, headrest, and tilt options. One of these chairs is ideal if you prefer a customized experience, though be prepared to pay a premium for it. 

Warranty

Many executive office chairs are made by reputable furniture manufacturers. These chairs often come with a warranty, which can range from 90 days to a decade. This can be a particularly attractive attribute for some consumers, especially those who expect their chair to withstand considerable wear and tear. 

One thing to keep in mind is that the warranty is usually advertised to sound as attractive as possible, but it’s important to read the fine print. Often, only certain parts of the chair are covered by a longer warranty, whereas other parts are covered by a much shorter limited warranty. If you’d like to maximize coverage for your executive office chair, as many consumers opt to do, you might be able to purchase additional warranty coverage from the manufacturer. 

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DID YOU KNOW?
Avoid sitting in an executive office chair with keys or tools in your pocket. These items can pierce the material, in which case you’ll need to pay a professional to patch it or spend more to replace the chair.
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Executive office chair prices

Executive office chairs cost between $250 and $2,000. Materials largely drive the price, though in some cases you’ll end up paying a premium for a design made by a well-known furniture manufacturer.

Inexpensive: Entry-level executive office chairs cost between $200 and $400. These designs are made with mostly synthetic materials and may be somewhat limited when it comes to cushioning and aesthetic value.

Mid-range: These executive office chairs cost between $500 and $1,200 and include ergonomic designs with high-quality construction and materials. They also are much more attractive than lower-priced options.

Expensive: High-end executive office chairs cost between $1,500 and $2,000. They’re ideal if you don’t want to compromise on any features because they offer the most in terms of quality, adjustability, and overall aesthetic value.

Save all the warranty and purchase information. In the event your chair breaks or requires repair, you’ll have all the paperwork to expedite your claim with the retailer or manufacturer.

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Tips

  • Clean the casters periodically. To ensure smooth motion at all times, dust or wipe down the casters and remove any hair or thread that may be caught in them.
  • Buy a less popular color to save money. If you’re a big fan of an executive office chair but the price is too high, find out if it’s available in a less popular or discontinued color. These designs are often less expensive since they’re harder to sell.
  • Invest in an executive desk. If you’re upgrading your desk at the same time as your seating, consider choosing an executive desk. It will complement your executive chair and provide plenty of workspace and storage options.
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If you’re using an executive office chair on a hardwood floor, invest in a chair mat. This will keep the casters from damaging the floor.

FAQ

Q. Are executive office chairs the best option if ergonomic design is my main concern?

A. If you’re willing to pay top dollar for an executive office chair with advanced ergonomic features, then yes. On the other hand, it’s worth considering a gaming chair instead. They’re designed with a high level of support in all the right areas to keep the occupant comfortable for prolonged periods of time. Unfortunately, they often lack the professional appearance and aesthetic value of executive office chairs.

Q. Do executive office chairs come assembled?

A. Sometimes, but an assembled design comes with a unique set of challenges. If it has to move through tight corridors or up a staircase, it might be too bulky to fit through these areas. For that reason, it’s often better to buy an executive office chair that arrives with the seat and the base separate. Assembly is extremely easy because you only need to screw the base to the bottom of the seat.

Q. Can executive office chairs be reupholstered?

A. Yes, especially if they’re made of high-grade leather. While those made with bonded leather or vinyl can be reupholstered by a professional, it might end up costing you more than simply buying a new chair. Keep in mind that you might need to give up your chair for a couple of weeks while it’s being worked on.

 

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