Whether you work in an office or have an at-home workspace, an office chair is an essential part of any setup. After all, you'll likely spend hours each day using it, so you'll want to find one that's durable, ergonomic, and the right size for your desk space. And if you're using it at home, you may prefer an option with a stylish flair. 

To find out which styles are the best, we purchased 22 office chairs and put them to the test at our lab in Des Moines, Iowa. Over the course of two days, testers evaluated each option based on seven categories: setup, comfort, lumbar support, adjustability, design, durability, and overall value. We also consulted Dr. Matthew Devoe, DC, owner of Empire City Chiropractic. 

Overall, we recommend the Duramont Ergonomic Adjustable Office Chair. The chair, which received a near-perfect score during testing, is comfortable, supportive, and adjustable. It also has a classic yet stylish look that'll work in most office spaces.   

Here, the best office chairs for your home. 

Why You Should Get It: The seat is adjustable and has a durable construction that'll hold up against frequent use. 

Keep in Mind: A tester noted the lever to recline the seat has a spring that caught their hand, so you'll want to be mindful when using it. 

After two days of testing, the Duramont Ergonomic Adjustable Office Chair received a near-perfect score—and for good reason. The chair offers comfort, support, and adjustability and is a great option for offices and at-home workspaces alike. 

During setup, which took 30 minutes, testers appreciated that the chair pieces were clearly labeled and easy to identify. The chair also came with an easy-to-use wrench as well as white gloves to prevent their hands from getting messy, a nice touch many office chairs don't include. 

Once assembled, testers liked that the chair had a comfortable cushion that extended enough to offer support underneath your legs while you sit. The most notable features, however, are the chair's adjustable capabilities. To start, you'll be able to set both the armrests, the headrest, and the seat's height. You'll also be able to adjust the chair's lumbar support using a small knob on the back of the chair, a feature testers say significantly improved support.

The chair is only offered in black and has a fairly minimal design that's a bit more stylish in comparison to some other office chairs on the market. Testers felt that it seemed durable, specifically the chair's long metal legs. Overall, the chair received a perfect score for its value, with testers noting that the chair seems to be high quality and was well worth the price tag. 

Why You Should Get It: The chair is fairly easy to set up and is offered in a few colors, so you can choose the one that best matches your setup. 

Keep in Mind: The chair can't be adjusted much and doesn't have armrests, so it offers limited neck, back, and shoulder support. 

The Amazon Basics Low-Back Office Chair offers a minimal design at a lower price point than other office chairs out there, a great option to keep in mind if you're furnishing an at-home office on a budget. The chair is offered in four colors, so you'll be able to find one that matches your decor. 

Overall, the chair received a 3.5/5 during lab testing, with its highest scores in setup and durability. The chair's setup, which testers gave a perfect score, took 15 minutes and was made easy thanks to illustrated instructions and a minimal number of parts to assemble. 

The chair is made with a curved mesh backing and seemed to have a solid construction, earning this design a 4/5 score for durability. The lumbar support is not adjustable, however, which led to testers giving the office chair a 2/5 for overall adjustability. 

Although the chair's seat can be adjusted up and down and easily locked into place at your ideal height, the chair doesn't feature any armrests. The armless design isn't necessarily a dealbreaker, but it's something to keep in mind if you prefer that kind of support. Overall, the chair is ideal for at-home workspaces that won't get used very frequently. 

Related: 7 Foldable Desks That Turn Any Blank Wall into a Home Office

Why You Should Get It: This office chair is very adjustable, so you can set it however you see fit. 

Keep in Mind: The chair is on the larger side, so you'll need a workspace that can accommodate it. Testers also noted that it was difficult to reach the lever that reclines the chair. 

If you're spending long periods of time sitting at a desk, an ergonomic office chair like the Respawn 110 Racing Style Gaming Chair is a must-have. The chair offers lumbar support and other features that make the chair a comfortable place to sit for the day. 

Overall, the chair received a 4.6/5 score during lab testing, earning high scores in every category we tested. The biggest draw of this chair is its level of support—it received near-perfect scores across the comfort, lumbar support, and adjustability tests. Testers appreciated the chair's mini back pillow, which can be adjusted based on your comfort level. The pillow encourages proper posture while you sit, a detail that will help prevent lower back pain. 

The chair also features a wide seat, padded armrests, and a pillow for the headrest, offering an additional layer of comfort. It's also highly adjustable, which earned the chair a perfect score in that category. In addition to setting your preferred chair height, you'll also be able to recline the chair up to 155 degrees, and although the armrests are not adjustable on their own, they'll move with the chair as you set it. What's more, there's even an extendable footrest, an uncommon feature in office chairs that you can use for lounging after hours. 

Why You Should Get It: The chair is easy to assemble and has a stylish design, unlike many other picks on the market. 

Keep in Mind: There's limited lumbar support, so it's not ideal for those who sit for long periods of time. 

The Laura Davidson Furniture Soho Management Chair has a mid-century modern feel that'll look great in just about any office setting. The stylish chair is made with faux leather and is offered in 10 colors, so you'll be able to find one that complements your space. 

During testing, the chair received a 4/5 score for its design, with testers noting the stylish chrome finishes throughout. It's upholstered in leatherette, which can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth, meaning you won't have to worry if you spill any of your morning coffee on it. 

The chair received a perfect score for setup, taking a tester just 11 minutes to complete. The tester noted that there were just a few parts that needed assembly and that the chair came with fairly clear instructions and a wrench. 

It's worth noting that if you're looking for an ergonomic office chair and you happen to be tall, this isn't the best option. A tester who is over 6 feet tall found that even though the chair is adjustable, he had trouble finding a comfortable position. Plus, the chair has limited height options, a key need when setting up an ergonomic workspace.

Related: Organize Your Home Office with These Top-Rated Amazon Products

Why You Should Get It: The chair has a lot of cushioning for added comfort. 

Keep in Mind: The instructions are not very clear, and you'll need a screwdriver (not included) to assemble the chair.

The Three Posts Mayson Drafting Chair is upholstered with polyester fabric, a departure from traditional plastic and leather styles. The chair is offered in three colors and has wood accents that offer a vintage, farmhouse feel. 

Overall, the chair earned a 4/5 for its value during lab testing, with testers noting the chair's comfort and style as key factors. Testers appreciated the height of the armrests and noted that the chair was quite cushioned. Just keep in mind that the chair's only adjustable feature is its height, so you may not be able to set the chair to your specific preferences. 

The manufacturer says the chair can be used on carpet, tile, and linoleum, but testers found that the chair was hard to move across carpet without using a lot of effort. They noted it may be due in part to the chair's small casters, so keep that in mind if you're looking for a chair you'll want to roll around an office. You could also purchase larger wheels and swap them out.

Why You Should Get It: It's less expensive than other options on the market and has an adjustable pillow for lumbar support. 

Keep in Mind: The chair is large, so it may not fit in all offices or at-home workspaces. 

The BestOffice High Back Gaming Chair is designed with gamers in mind, but many of its features are ideal for those in need of an office chair. The ergonomic office chair scored highly across most testing categories and is a comfortable, supportive option worth considering. 

Overall, the chair received a 4.1/5 score during lab testing, with testers noting that the gaming chair was fairly easy to assemble. Although there were many components to piece together, testers felt the instructions were clear and the screws were organized into labeled packaging, making for a smooth process. 

When it came to comfort and lumbar support, testers pointed to the included back pillow that can be raised or lowered, depending on the user's preference and height. There are also padded armrests and a padded headrest, though testers found it was a bit difficult to lean back and use it because of the back pillow.

Testers gave the chair a lower score for adjustability, noting you can't adjust anything besides the chair's height and back pillow. However, depending on your needs, those capabilities are some of the most important features when it comes to setting up a workspace, so they'll most likely be enough. 

Why You Should Get It: Testers said the chair is comfortable and adjustable, so you can set it however you see fit. 

Keep in Mind: Assembly instructions were unclear, making setup more difficult.

Many office chairs are designed with cushioned backing, but if you prefer a mesh option for breathability, the Alera Manager's Chair is worth considering. According to testers, the chair was comfortable and fairly adjustable, so you can set it to your ideal position. 

The mesh chair has a classic armchair design that's offered in two colors—black and white. Overall, the chair received a 3.8/5 score, with testers giving it high scores in comfort, adjustability, design, durability, and value. Testers appreciated that the seat was soft and comfortable and had a thick cushion. They also liked that the seat height was adjustable and could be set with an easy-to-reach lever. 

It's worth noting that although testers found the chair to be comfortable, Dr. Devoe cautions against mesh options. "Avoid mesh as it will "cradle" poor posture and not provide the support needed to sit properly," Dr. Devoe says. 

Overall, the chair is best for someone who won't be sitting at their desk often or for long periods of time. 

Why You Should Get It: The seat is adjustable and has a durable construction that'll hold up against frequent use. 

Keep in Mind: Testers noted that the pieces are heavy and that the assembly was complicated. 

The Office Star Pro-Line II ProGrid High Back Managers Chair is a classic style that was praised during testing for its comfort, design, durability, and adjustability. The chair is offered in one color (black) and has a minimal design that's suited for both offices and at-home workspaces alike. 

During testing, the chair received a 5/5 for its adjustability, one of two categories it received a perfect score in. The ranking is due to the fact that the chair can be set in both a forward tilt and a reclined position, a feature that isn't often seen in office chairs. All you have to do is use the chair's adjustment levers to set your desired angle and lock it into position, which testers noted was easy to do. 

The chair scored a 4/5 for both comfort and durability with the tester noticing that the armrests seemed a bit low and unsteady at their fully extended height. (It's worth noting that this tester was over 6 feet tall, so this may not be an issue for shorter users.) Overall, testers said the chair felt steady and well-constructed. The chair's traditional office chair design also received a 4/5, but if you're looking for a more stylish, decorative option, this isn't the best pick. 

Although the chair received a 5/5 for its overall value, it's worth keeping in mind that it received one of the lowest setup scores during testing. One tester, who assembled the chair within 48 minutes, found some of the chair's pieces heavy and the overall setup to be complicated. Fortunately, you'll only need to assemble the chair once.

Why You Should Get It: The chair is easy to set up and is very comfortable to sit in thanks to its cushioning. 

Keep in Mind: The chair has minimal lumbar support, so it's not ideal for those who need optimal back support. 

If you prefer a more cushioned office desk chair, the Poppin Max Task Chair is certainly worth considering. The chair received high scores for comfort, setup,  and adjustability during testing, and it has a minimal design that'll work in most offices or at-home workstations.  

The chair was given a perfect score for setup, a process testers say was made easy thanks to clear instructions and well-packaged materials. Once assembled, testers felt that the chair was very comfortable to sit in, noting that it felt like sitting on a piece of living room furniture more so than a desk chair. It received a 3/5 for lumbar support, however, due to the curved nature of the chair's back. 

We tested the gray option in the lab, but if you want to add a pop of color to your office, you can choose from orange and two blue shades. Black is also an option. However, testers noted that the lighter colors are likely to show more dirt over time.  

Although this office chair's lumbar support is not adjustable, you can easily set the height of the chair and its armrests with the touch of a button. Testers did feel that the price was a bit too high for this particular chair, but if you're looking for a chair with comfortable cushioning, it's certainly worth considering. 

Overall, we recommend the Duramont Ergonomic Adjustable Office Chair because the office chair offers comfort, support, and adjustability. Plus, it's easy to assemble and has a minimal design that'll look good in most office spaces. For a budget-friendly option, consider the Amazon Basics Low-Back Office Chair. The chair is easy to assemble, has a durable construction, and is offered in multiple colors. 

Over the course of two days, five product testers went to our lab in Des Moines, Iowa, and put 22 different office chairs to the test. The testers set up each chair and timed themselves assembling the products based on their included instructions. From there, the testers used a predetermined methodology to score each chair between one and five in seven categories: setup, comfort, lumbar support, adjustability, design, and durability, and overall value. 

When it comes to office chairs, you can either choose a swivel style or a stationary option. Though it may not seem like it, a chair's ability to swivel is actually an important feature to consider, especially for those who are spending long periods of time sitting at their desk.  

"This function is underrated and often overlooked but is huge in terms of allowing the user to constantly make micro-adjustments to their posture throughout the day rather than being fixated in one position," Dr. Devoe says. 

Though a stationary chair may be more stylish than traditional utilitarian-looking office chairs, being able to adjust your seat height will help you fit the desk to a variety of desk heights and create an ergonomic workspace to avoid aches and pains. 

"Being able to finetune the height of your seat will have a big impact on your hips and allow you to adjust your chair to most desk heights," Dr. Devoe says. Some options will have one or two height settings, while others will allow you explore a range of height options that you can then lock into place, so keep that in mind while you compare options. 

While you shop, Dr. Devoe also recommends selecting an option that has a firm back as opposed to the common mesh-backed options on the market. Overall, firmer options will offer more support and better protect your back over time. 

"I usually avoid mesh backings for the same reason it's not good to sleep every night in a hammock," he says. "They usually promote flexion of the lumbar spine as you sink into them, and this results in increased pressure on your discs, which could lead to a bulge or herniation in the future." 

Overall, testers felt they would recommend the padded chair because it was comfortable and, in their opinion, it was fairly priced. Setup took less time than some other options, although testers noted the pieces were fairly heavy and they would have appreciated clearer instructions. It received a low score for adjustability, with testers saying you can only change the seat's height—depending on the person, however, that may be all you need. 

During testing, The Container Store's Bungee Office Chair received high scores for its modern, unique design. Testers felt that the nontraditional bungee cord backing seemed sturdy, although they were curious how well it would really hold up over time. During setup, testers felt that the instructions were clear, although they needed two people to complete assembly. 

Testers scored the Union & Scale Fabric Task Chair a 4/5 overall but noted that it's not ideal for someone who needs to sit in it often for long periods of time. Thanks to color-coded screws and labeled parts, testers were able to easily assemble the chair within 20 minutes. However, the seat only has one height adjustment, so it may not work for everyone. 

No matter how long you sit in an office chair, it's easy to fall into poor posture that could impact your neck and back, causing pain. According to Dr. Devoe, poor posture puts you at risk for disc bulges and herniations, sciatica, lower back pain, headaches, neck pain, and fatigue. Although a supportive office chair is a great place to start, your desk layout and how you use the chair are what will make a difference over time. 

"The first step is making sure your monitor is high enough so that it perpetuates proper posture rather than allowing you to sink down into a slouched position," Dr. Devoe says. "Step two is to sit all the way back in your chair so that your pelvis is in a neutral or slightly forward tilted position. This will promote the proper lumbar lordosis and reduce the amount of stress put on your discs throughout the day."

Lumbar support refers to support for the lower part of your back. And while it's certainly important to protect your back while sitting in an office desk chair, it's worth noting that back support is a cohesive system that requires more than just any built-in features a chair has. 

"The first step to support your lumbar spine is to raise your computer so your eyes are in line with the center of your screen (not the top)," Dr. Devoe says. "Once you do this, then you can consider using either the lumbar support on your chair or adding something to your chair to help with that support." 

Although adjustable seat height is a common and important feature to have in an office desk chair, some options also have other adjustable features that may catch your eye. For example, adjustable footrests, headrests, and armrests. Though it may seem like a more advanced option, Dr. Devoe cautions against them.

"There is a misconception that the more adjustable features an office chair has, the better it is," Dr. Devoe says. "While that is correct to a certain extent (e.g. seat height), more adjustable features usually just allow you to fall into a poor position for longer periods of time. This can result in deeper rooted lower back and neck pain as well as bad postural habits that are harder to break. " 

Jamie Weissman is a commerce editor with two years of experience covering home products. To make this list, she considered insights from product testers who rated each chair's setup, comfort, lumbar support, adjustability, design, and durability. She also consulted Dr. Matthew Devoe, DC, owner of Empire City Chiropractic.