How to choose a computer chair: detailed instructions

What to choose from

All chairs are divided into five categories:

• Office chairs

Easier and cheaper. Standard design, no frills, with simple mechanisms and standard components. There are quite decent models in this segment. And if you spend 2-3 hours a day at the computer and do not have any special requirements for design, feel free to choose from this category.

Office chairs

• Executive chairs

They are distinguished by increased comfort and respectable appearance. Expensive materials are used for upholstery, and decorative elements may be present in the design. They are equipped with modern mechanisms with various settings that provide additional comfort. Among this category, there are often ergonomic models where ergonomics are harmoniously combined with respectability.

Executive chairs

• Ergonomic chairs

21st century development.
Designed specifically for prolonged work at the computer. A distinctive feature is the anatomical shape of the seat, with a high back and the obligatory lumbar protrusion. They support the spine in a natural position and allow you to take a comfortable position in the chair. The production uses ultra-modern upholstery materials and multifunctional mechanisms with many settings for individual characteristics. The decor has a minimum of details: everything is strictly functional and ergonomic. Ergonomic chairs

• Gaming chairs

Reminds me of a racing car seat. And it’s no coincidence - the concept was taken from there. As they say, everything is for comfort during multi-hour gaming sessions. They have all the advantages of the above categories: ergonomics, adjustments, plus a bright design. They are distinguished by a reinforced design and high-strength materials in order to withstand hot moments, albeit virtual, but still battles. We outlined the differences between gaming chairs and office chairs in a separate article.

Gaming chairs for gamers

• And children's

This is a completely separate song.
The chairs serve as a simulator and contribute to the correct formation of the growing skeleton. We will not consider them here. If you are interested in how to choose a computer chair for a child, read this guide. What should you pay attention to first?

Requirements for children's models

Child seats are divided into three age categories:

• for children from 4 years to 8 years;
• for schoolchildren aged 8 to 12 years;
• for teenagers.

Features of placing a chair on the balcony, suitable furniture models

For babies

For schoolchildren

Teenage

The most important criteria are high reliability and stability, since a child can use the chair not only for classes, but also for games, so the radius of the cross must be at least 530 mm.

In addition, a computer chair for a child must meet a number of other requirements:

• have an orthopedic back, which allows you to relieve stress from the spine and instill the habit of sitting correctly;
• have as few additional elements in the design as possible - for example, for a first-grader, the presence of armrests is harmful, but blocking the rotation of the wheels and backrest, on the contrary, is very in demand;
• be made from environmentally friendly, hypoallergenic materials.

If a first-grader or an older child already has some problems with the spine, it is advisable to purchase a special orthopedic chair for a teenager to avoid additional stress on the back.

Minimum additional elements

Orthopedic back

Radius of the cross - no less than 530 cm

Eco-friendly materials

Chair load

It is measured in kilograms and is indicated in the characteristics of each product. The bulk of the chairs are designed for a user weight of 90-100 kg. There are also models with a load of up to 150 kg, and even 250 kg.

The load is determined by the load-bearing elements of the structure, there are only 4 of them:

• gas lift;
• crosspiece;
• rollers;
• and swing mechanism.

Each of them is designed for a certain weight, and if at least one element breaks, the chair will fail. Therefore, we recommend not to exceed the value permitted by the manufacturer. This way you will significantly increase the lifespan of your chair.

But let's return to issues of convenience.

The best computer chair without armrests

Eames PC-306 is a computer chair with a metal chrome frame, equipped with casters, made in the Art Nouveau style.
The five-beam support ensures the stability and strength of the product. The computer chair provides comfort to the user thanks to the soft back and seat. The upholstery, made of white eco-leather, is as close as possible to natural leather, has the ability to “breathe”, and is easy to care for.

Characteristics:

• product height – 920 mm;
• seat width and depth – 560x560 mm;
• manufacturer – Malaysia.

Pros:

• convenience;
• laconic design;
• solid foundation;
• affordable price.

Minuses:

• There are no adjustment functions (seat depth and width, backrest angle).

Rocking mechanism

This is an opportunity to arrange dynamic breaks without getting up from your chair. Rocking helps the muscles relax and rest, which undoubtedly adds convenience during use. This feature is useful if you sit at the computer for more than 6 hours a day.

There are several types and the most popular of them is Top Gun. Most models come with it. There are only two positions: fixing the backrest in the working position and the swing function. Sometimes this is quite enough. But if you want more comfort, read our review of the Multiblock swing mechanism and its modifications.

Upholstery

Let's say right away that the textile industry is developing rapidly. A great variety of synthetic materials are produced, which are superior in quality to natural ones and have many advantages. We will not list the features of each type here; for detailed information, see the product descriptions.

Properties of the main types, briefly:

• Textile

First advantage. Maintaining body thermoregulation at the proper level - on a hot day, the upholstery will absorb excess moisture from your body. And second. Attractive tactile sensations - it is pleasant to press against the fabric with bare skin. But there is a risk of getting your chair dirty while snacking at the computer. In any case, if you want to choose a computer chair for your home, fabric upholstery is the best option.

• Net

As a rule, only the back is made of it. The elasticity of the material provides the necessary support to the spine. And excellent ventilation - air access to the back. Chairs with a mesh back are perfect for a stuffy office; you won’t sweat in them and there won’t be any wet spots on your clothes.

Fabric executive chairs

• Eco leather

Modern cotton-based material, analogous to genuine leather and not at all like artificial leather. Has a number of advantages. Which ones? We talked about them in detail in the article “Eco leather: the best upholstery.” Among the advantages - it is easy to clean and retains its original appearance for a long time.

• Genuine Leather

Needless to say, these chairs look chic and presentable. There is no shame in placing such a chair in a luxurious home office or director's office. The most durable material of all of the above and the most expensive. But does anyone think about the cost when it is necessary to emphasize the status of the owner? And be careful if you want to save money in this case. In order to reduce the cost of products, only the front surfaces are often made from genuine leather. Therefore, carefully look at the characteristics; manufacturers indicate this point.

made of eco-leather

Main selection criteria

The main criterion for choosing a computer chair - both for an amateur and a professional - is the purpose of the purchase, or where exactly it will be used and, accordingly, how long a person will stay in it and how intense his activity will be. In addition, the design of the furniture, as well as the materials from which it is made, depend on the user’s weight and other individual requests.

Purpose

Their design directly depends on the purpose of computer chairs:

1. Products for personnel are usually equipped with a cross on rollers, a spring-screw mechanism that supports the back, a gas lift for adjusting the height of the seat, and armrests. This is a comfortable type of chair with a soft seat and back: employees can feel comfortable in them throughout the working day.
2. Models for managers are more functional and, as a rule, massive. They not only create the most comfortable working conditions, but also emphasize the status of the owner. Since the boss's working day is often irregular, it is convenient if his chair allows him to relax. Therefore, many products of this type have a massage zone or rocking function.
3. Gaming chairs - since players sometimes spend long hours in them under tension, such models have an anatomical seat that follows the contours of the body and guarantees its proper support. Products in which the backrest reclines up to 180 degrees are convenient. To make the furniture heavier and increase its strength, the frame is made of all-metal (this option can withstand a load of up to 120 kg).

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You should not use an adult model as a computer chair for a schoolchild. Products designed for them have different ergonomics: a smaller seat is located higher than in models for adults, an orthopedic back follows the lines of the spine. Such chairs have less weight and increased stability.

To the manager's office

For gaming on the computer

For furnishing office premises

Design

The computer-style chairs are designed to make it easier to sit in one position for many hours when working at a monitor. Therefore, the main criterion for their design is user convenience. To choose the right computer chair, it is important to take into account the “contribution” of each element of the product to its operation.

The shape of the back largely determines the ease of use of the product. A quality part must meet the following criteria:

• the design is adjacent to the back (has the maximum number of points of contact with it);
• there is a bend at the lumbar level, it is this that relieves fatigue; The protrusions on the sides of the structure also support posture;
• If you need support for your shoulders when working in a chair for a long time, the height of the backrest should be at least 65 cm; to relax the neck-collar area, you will need a headrest (preferably with adjustable height and angle of inclination).

Orthopedic models are equipped with a special corset back, equipped not only with a lumbar bolster, but also with a movable system of two pillows. It is adjusted according to the width of the back and the location of the lumbar spine, depending on the physique and height of the user. In combination with a double orthopedic seat, consisting of two independent parts, such chairs prevent many diseases to which people in sedentary professions are susceptible.

The seat of a computer chair is preferably of medium hardness, since too soft leads to the development of stooping and problems with the pelvic organs, and too hard forces you to constantly change your position, which causes rapid fatigue. Besides:

• its depth should be at least 2/3-2/4 of the length of the thigh; with a larger parameter, the likelihood of problems with blood circulation increases; with a smaller parameter, a feeling of discomfort and slipping from the chair occurs;
• the recess in the center allows you to sit fixedly and not move on it;
• In addition to height adjustment, it is also desirable to be able to tilt the seat forward up to 15 degrees and back up to 5 degrees.

The presence of armrests depends on the individual preferences of the owner. The optimal part option is with adjustable height. The height of non-adjustable armrests is 17-24 cm and depends on the person’s normal working posture (whether the elbows are on them or on the table).

The crosspiece is a “star-shaped” base of a chair with wheels. The more rays there are, the more stable the product. The most popular are five-beam models. The size (diameter - from 480 to 700 mm) differs depending on who the chair is intended for (adults, children, gamers) and its stylistic design.

The rollers used are usually plastic, suitable for soft surfaces (linoleum or carpet). To operate a chair that sits on parquet, tile, or laminate, you need rubberized casters—they are quieter and do not damage the floor surface.

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The footrest can be built into the computer chair or purchased separately. This accessory is very relevant for short people, as well as for those who are comfortable working at a computer in a reclining position. It ensures the correct angle in the ankle, knees and reduces blood stagnation in the legs.

Quick adjustment of the seat height, the ability of the chair to “spring” slightly when sitting on it (this reduces the load on the spine), its rotation by 360 is provided by a gas lift, or a hydraulic gas spring device. It has four classes, where the first two are the cheapest options, and the third and fourth are reinforced (implying an increased load of up to 150 kg). Therefore, before choosing a computer chair for your home or office, you should determine the potential load on it.

General sizes of computer chairs may vary. SanPiN “Hygienic requirements for personal electronic computers and work organization” establishes only the minimum dimensions of the workplace, including a computer chair:

• width and depth of the seat surface - not less than 400 mm;
• height adjustment of the structure - from 400 mm to 550 mm.

The depth in simple models is adjusted using a screw installed under the seat, in more complex expensive ones - with a special lever that allows you to fix the part in five positions.

Product materials

The base and body of high-end computer chairs are made of metal, the frames of the armrests and backrests are made of metal coated with plastic. Crosspieces are available in metal, polyamide and plastic (in cheap models). The latter are designed for a weight of no more than 120 kg, but if dropped or hit they can break. Polyamide ones are incomparably stronger in this regard. Wood is used as a decorative finishing material for luxury furniture.

Foam rubber and polyurethane are used as filler. The first one is cheaper, breathable, but less durable and not as resistant to deformation as the second one.

Metal cross

Polyamide

Plastic frame

Wooden frame in luxury models

Foam rubber or polyurethane foam as filler

Upholstery of computer chairs can be:

1. Made of synthetic fabric - an inexpensive material, quite durable, resistant to wear. It does not accumulate static electricity, “breathes”, and allows you to implement a variety of design ideas. Its disadvantage is its unpresentable appearance. The question of how to choose the right one is usually decided by the practicality and expediency of material investments. Synthetic fabric options - C series material (the cheapest, similar to burlap), microfiber, polyolefin (very strong, durable). They are most often used in models for home use, in children's computer chairs and in products for personnel.
2. Made from genuine leather - an elite, environmentally friendly, high-strength, wear-resistant and impressive-looking material, and therefore very expensive.
3. Made from leatherette - similar in consumer qualities to the previous one, and sometimes superior to natural leather, but at the same time costing much less.

A modern, increasingly popular material is acrylic mesh, which is extremely wear-resistant and breathable. It is used in products of any kind, but is especially popular among young people, because it looks unusual with a high level of comfort.

Synthetic upholstery

Leather

Made from eco-leather

Made from acrylic mesh