5 Best Office Chairs For Big Guys: Buyer’s Guide
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Never compromise when it comes to choosing a comfortable office chair, more so if you are a big guy.
Spend a few minutes or even an hour on an uncomfortable chair and you’ll be fine. But if you are planning to sit on it for hours a day, small discomforts can balloon into serious back or neck pain, not to mention the strain on your productivity.
If you have a big body, look for a chair that offers adequate support for your weight. It also needs to be padded thickly for comfort and offer an adjustable fit.
In this buying guide, I recommend the best office chairs for big guys as well as ladies and give you some tips for choosing the most comfortable office chair for yourself.
There are more detailed reviews below; however, if you’re in a hurry, the following are my top 5 picks this year:
Key Considerations When Choosing An Office Chair For A Large Person
A. Size
Big and tall: those are the keywords when looking for the right sized office chair. Check the width and depth of the sitting area and the width and height of the back part to make sure the chair can accommodate your body size.
There’s nothing more uncomfortable than having your hips and thighs pressed between two armrests.
The best office chair for big guys offer between 18” and 22” of sitting depth and a width of about 22-24 inches.
The height of the back area is usually between 25” and 28”.
B. Max Weight
Check the maximum weight the chair can hold. If you are too heavy for the chair, it can break or won’t last as long. It also won’t feel very comfortable because of inadequate support.
You’ll find office chairs that support up to 350lbs (158kg) of body weight and heavier-duty options that support up to 500lbs (226kg).
C. Comfort
Look for a chair with thick comfortable padding. You’ll be thankful for it after spending several hours sitting on the chair.
Both the padding on the bottom and back should be thick and plush to support your weight and relieve pressure on your back and joints.
Most office chairs include an extra-thick cushion at the front of the chair that provides better support for your thighs. You’ll also find most with a contoured lumbar section that’s designed to match your curved back. This ensures there is no pressure on your spine.
D. Adjustability
Most office chairs let you adjust various aspect of the chair for a better fit and comfort.
You can usually raise or lower the height of the chair using a lever under the seat. You can also recline the back part to the most comfortable tilt.
Pricier chairs offer additional adjustments that allow you to fine-tune the chair’s comfort.
Some have a separate headrest that you can raise or lower, or move back and forwards. Others have an adjustable lumbar area. You can change the contour of the back of the chair, much like in some cars, to get it to fit your back curvature better.
E. Materials And Construction Quality
Construction quality is especially important for big guy. A poorly made chair will not last long under your weight.
A good quality chair should have a strong and durable metal base. Also, check that the casters are strong and can hold a lot of weight.
Don’t forget to check the quality of the material and stitching. Most office chairs nowadays are made with synthetic or imitation leather. It’s usually more durable than real leather, easier to take care of and cheaper as well.
One downside of synthetic leather is poor breathability, which can make you hot and clammy on warm days. Keep a fan or portable air conditioner nearby.
Check that the seams are well stitched. Look through customer reviews for any complaints about the stitching coming loose.
Best Office Chairs For Big Guys: Top 5 Reviews
1. OneSpace Commodore II Big & Tall Leather Executive Office Chair
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OneSpace Commodore II is the most expensive chair among my top picks. It’s also the most luxurious and comfortable office chair for us, big folks.
While the manufacturer says it is made with leather, not that it is synthetic leather. But it’s still plenty comfortable.
It provide ample sitting space with a depth of 20” and a width of 22”. The backing is21” wide and 23” tall.
OneSpace Commodore II is the only chair among my picks to have a separate adjustable headrest. You can raise or lower it depending on your height and comfort preferences.
The chair itself is also height adjustable with a floor-to-chair height range between 20.08” and 23.62”. And of course, you can recline the back.
For comfort, the OneSpace Commodore II chair uses extra-thick padding (6.5” foam) to absorb pressure and support your body. Both the seat and back are contoured to fit your body’s natural shape. Plush shoulder cushions reduce pressure on your shoulders.
The armrests are padded and also contoured for better comfort.
The chrome metal base and swivel wheels can support a weight of up to 350lbs.
What I like about it:
- High quality construction.
- Versatile comfort and fit, including an adjustable headrest.
- Looks great.
2. OFM Essentials Collection ESS-6040-BLK Bonded Leather Executive Chair
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If you are looking for something more budget friendly, but still good quality and comfortable, try the OFM Big and Tall Bonded Leather Executive Chair.
The OFM chair is designed specifically for big and tall persons. I wouldn’t recommend it if you weigh more than average but are short. The chair is too deep for folks with short legs. Your feet will hang in the air.
But for large guys with long legs, it’s perfect. The chair features plenty of extra cushioning under your bottom, thighs, back and shoulders. It feels plush without being overstuffed. So you still enjoy good support.
An integrated headset (not adjustable, unfortunately) provides head and neck support while padded armrests provide a comfy place to rest your arms.
You can adjust the sit height as well as tilt.
The 360-degree swivel wheels provide easy mobility and turning while the nylon and metal base ensure durability. The weight capacity is 350lbs.
What I like about it:
- Plush yet supportive.
- Perfect for heavy and tall individuals.
- Adjustable comfort.
3. Serta Big & Tall Executive Office Chair
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Looking for an even cheaper office chair? I recommend this one from Serta.
It has most of the features you need in a comfortable chair: thickly padded sitting area and back, elevated headrest for neck and head support, contoured lumbar support and comfortable armrests.
With a seat depth of 18.75”, the Serta chair is not as deep as my other picks. This makes it a good choice for big folk with shorter legs. You’ll be able to plant your feet on the floor.
If you have longer legs, use the pneumatic lever to raise the seat higher. You can also tilt the back of the chair.
The chair sits on a strong and durable base that can support up to 350lbs. Heavy-duty dual wheel casters roll smoothly on any kind of floor including tile, hardwood and carpet.
What I like about it:
- Plush and comfortable, yet supportive.
- Ideal for people with short legs.
- Adjustable height and tilt.
4. BestOffice Big And Tall Office Chair
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If you need an office chair that can support more weight than the usual 350lb, I recommend the BestOffice big and tall office chair. It has a maximum weight capacity of 500lbs.
The chair’s dimensions are specifically for large and tall people. The seating area is 21.5” deep and 24” wide. The back area is 25.4” high.
To ensure a perfect fit, you can raise and lower the chair’s height between 20” and 23”. You can also adjust the tilt of the chair.
To provide the best balance between plush comfort and firm support, the BestOffice chair combines foam and springs. This not only makes the chair more supportive while relieving pressure, it also makes it more durable.
The PU leather material is also very durable and the stitching doesn’t come lose. The base is sturdy and the wheels roll around easily.
The BestOffice chair comes with a built-in lumbar massage feature powered by USB. The vibrating massage can reduce tension and pain in your back.
You can connect the USB cable to a computer, power bank or wall adapter. When not using it, roll up the cable and store it out of reach in a mesh pouch under the seat.
What I like about it:
- Comfortable and supportive.
- High weight capacity.
- Built-in massage.
5. AmazonBasics Big & Tall Executive Computer Desk Chair
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Shopping on a budget? The AmazonBasics big and tall executive chair is my most affordable pick. It can support a weight of up to 350lbs with adjustable height and tilt for a perfect comfort fit.
One thing I like about the AmazonBasics chair is that you can adjust the lumbar contouring. You can adjust it inwards or let it bulge outwards depending on what feels most comfortable for your back.
The padded armrests, back and headrest feel great.
Many customers say the padding on the seating area is a bit on the firm side. If you prefer a plusher feel, consider one of the other chairs.
Built quality is not quite as good as that of pricier office chairs. Some customers had to replace the gas lift cylinder after about a year.
There are also several reports of the chair arriving with scratches on the bonded leather surface.
But for the price, the quality of the AmazonBasics chair is better than expected. With good care and perhaps a couple replaced parts, it’ll serve you well for about 3-5 years.
Just make sure you assemble it well to avoid the creaking and wobbling issues some customers have experienced.
What I like about it:
- Low price.
- Adjustable lumbar support.
- Easy to use smooth-rolling casters.
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Mike J Farman
I’ve been a programmer for most of my life. I live in Chicago, IL with my lovely wife and 2 year old boy. Today, I’m proud to be considered somewhat of an authority on chairs – a seating aficionado if you will. Now, did I choose this path? Definitely not; but my readers demand it!
