Are Expensive Office Chairs Worth it?

Have you been using the same chair at your desk for years? Maybe you’re experiencing discomfort in your current chair and considering an upgrade. Perhaps you picked up a cheap office chair from a big sale at an office supply store, and so far, it’s always seemed to work well enough. Maybe it would even shock you to learn that a high-end office chair sometimes costs well over a thousand dollars. 

This begs the question, why are people willing to spend so much money on a chair? Is it worth considering switching from your old low-cost standby? In short, are expensive office chairs worth it?

In this article, we’ll explore these questions and get into why some people are willing to shell out extra for a chair, while others are sitting happily in a cheaper alternative, and which may be right for you.

Are Expensive Office Chairs Worth it?

If you can afford the upfront cost, there are many benefits to expensive office chairs, especially if you sit at your desk for several hours each day. More expensive chairs offer increased comfort, build quality, and customization. With more expensive chairs lasting considerably longer, the per year cost of more expensive chairs is closer to cheaper alternatives than you might think.

Having an Expensive vs Low-Cost Office Chair

It turns out you get what you pay for when it comes to office chairs. Spending means more effort has gone into the design of the chair as well as the quality of its parts.

Furthermore, more expensive chairs are often rated to support more weight and survive more use. This means that although they are quite a bit more expensive up front, the difference in the cost per year may actually be relatively small for a chair that will end up lasting you longer. 

A long-lasting chair is more important the more time you spend in your chair. For instance, if you work from home or are a hardcore gamer and can count on spending anywhere from at least four to eight hours at your desk on an average day, you may be looking for quality and comfort.

A high-quality chair will cost more upfront, but save you money when withstanding wear and tear in the long run. On top of that, you will be spending time in a much better chair designed for comfort and support over long hours of use.

Does that mean if you have a few thousand dollars to spend, you should rush out to buy the most expensive chair you can find? We don’t think so. If your current chair isn’t causing you any pain or discomfort and you enjoy sitting in it, then you may be fine sticking with what you’ve got.

If, however, you have been experiencing discomfort or want to make a longer-term investment in a chair that doesn’t need replacing every few years, it may be time to start looking at more expensive chairs.

What Are the Benefits of an Expensive Office Chair?

When it comes to the benefits of expensive office chairs, things like comfort, better ergonomics, and more adjustability are what come to mind first, but there is more to keep in mind.

Most importantly, expensive office chairs offer you a higher quality product that will ultimately pay off over the life of the chair.

More expensive chairs are made of higher-quality materials that will last far longer than their budget counterparts. As well as saving you the time and money of replacing your chair every few years, this provides the ecological benefit of keeping more chairs out of the landfill.

Some more expensive chairs also boast great warranties of 12 years or longer, while cheaper chairs may have limited warranties or lack a warranty altogether. This can leave you vulnerable to losing money if a cheap chair breaks or malfunctions unexpectedly.

For the most part, the quality will go up with price. This means that if you want the most comfortable chair with the best build quality and, therefore, better protection, you can typically expect to pay more.

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What Are the Downsides of an Expensive Office Chair?

While it was tough for us to find many downsides to purchasing an expensive office chair, the one major argument for purchasing a cheap chair is exactly that: the cost.

If you’re in a financial situation where dropping upwards of a thousand dollars on a chair doesn’t seem feasible, it is better to look for something that you can afford without going into detrimental debt. A cheaper chair will do.

If you’re not using your chair every day, or at least a couple of times per week, spending a lot of money on it won’t necessarily be a good investment.

Expensive office chairs are worth it, but only when you plan to use them. If you are looking for a spare chair or a chair that is only used occasionally, you may consider opting for a less expensive option.

Who are Expensive Office Chairs for?

Expensive office chairs are for anyone who spends a considerable amount of time at their desk. If you work from home or often spend leisure time in your office chair, buying an expensive office chair is worth serious consideration.

Expensive office chairs can also be very helpful for people who suffer from chronic back, knee, hip, neck, or shoulder pains. Not only will it cost less when weighing the price against the average lifespan of the chair, but it will help keep you comfortable with supportive and ergonomic design functions.

How to Choose a Quality Office Chair

If you have already chosen to purchase a more expensive high-quality office chair, you’ll first want to try out different options.

Ideally, the best way to do this is to visit retailers in person and spend a good amount of time sitting in each one. Start with the middle range of expensive chairs and work your way toward the most expensive options.

This will give you a good idea of what’s available, what you’re drawn to, and how much you may end up spending at the time of purchase.

Also, look up some reviews online to understand your options and point you in the right direction.

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Final Words

All things considered, expensive office chairs are, for the most part, worth it. There are many compelling reasons you may want to spend more money upfront to buy a better office chair. A more expensive office chair can be a valuable investment in your health and comfort, as well as the longevity of your office setup.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you may be able to find an expensive chair at a significant discount and still in good condition when opting to buy something used. We suggest keeping an eye out for deals at an office liquidation store or holiday deals from national retailers.

While not everyone necessarily needs or can afford the very top-of-the-line office chair model, being willing to put more money down will result in you being happier and more confident with your purchase in the long run.