After conducting thorough research, we nominated the Seville Classics Airlift 360 Sit-Stand Ergonomic Stool as the Top Pick and the best ergonomic stool. We liked that this was a high-quality sit-stand office chair model designed to actively work your core and reinforce healthy posture as you worked. With an adjustable seat height range from 20 to 28 inches, this would be ideal for a wide range of users, in addition to the 10-degree leaning feature, you can also swivel the chair 360 degrees making it one of the best office stools we’ve reviewed.
To determine the best ergonomic stool, we considered the following features: height range, back vs. backless, mobility, padding, and the ergonomic design. Height range is essential whether you’re picking an office chair for a standing desk, or just want to ensure you can comfortably use it. We also focused on mobility and included picks with casters. And finally, we considered other features such as backrests, cushion padding, and the ergonomic design to ensure proper posture. Keep reading to learn more about our selection criteria and to shop from our recommendations on the best office chairs.
Top 10 Best Ergonomic Stools
#1 Seville Classics Airlift 360 Sit-Stand Ergonomic Stool
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: An ergonomic active sitting stool that can adjust from 20 to 28 inches and with the ability to learn 10 degrees in any direction for a full range of motion makes this ideal for use with standard and standing desks.
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- Height range from 20” to 28”
- Active sitting chair that leans 10 degrees
- 360-degree rotation
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- May not be ideal for shorter people
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Active sitting is all the rage these days as people want to counteract the effects of sedentary sitting — especially for long periods. We think this pick from Seville Classics is a great ergonomic active sitting stool since it features a slight wobble and offers a wide height adjustment range. More importantly, this office chair is easy to assemble and doesn’t require tools to do so.
Related: Find something different in our best ergonomic office chair guide.
You’ll like that the stool can be adjusted from 20 to 28 inches, making it ideal for standard height or as the best standing desk chair. And it uses a pneumatic gas lift for the height adjustment. This stool can “wobble” 10 degrees in any direction, helping you to work your core in any position. We also like that the stool rotates 360 degrees and comes with a sturdy non-skid base that gives you added stability. We also appreciated that this seat can support up to 250 pounds.
#2 Gaiam Balance Ball Ergonomic Stool
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: An ergonomic stool for a standing desk that relies on the concept of a balance ball to help actively work your core by simply sitting as you complete your tasks on a perch.
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- Lifts from 23” to 31” or 33”
- Balance ball stool encourages active sitting
- Comes with inflation pump
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- Shorter version lacks footrest
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If you’ve ever sat on a balance ball, you know that it can be a mini workout to maintain your balance. That concept has been translated to a non-traditional office chair that’s an ergonomic stool for a standing desk thanks to Gaiam. It’s a great alternative to traditional desk chairs. Available in two height ranges and color options, this interesting ball chair uses half of a balance ball as the seat and is another great option for an active seating stool.
You’ll need to decide whether you want the stool with a maximum height of 23 or 33 inches, making this ideal for a wider range of people. Although we did note that the 23-inch stool lacks a footrest. With the 33-inch stool, you can use the hydraulic lift to adjust the height between 23 to 33 inches while the shorter 23-inch stool can adjust between 18 to 23 inches. We also liked that this pick comes with an inflation pump and that the half balance ball is designed with anti-burst material. And this is a stool designed for mobility thanks to the five casters in the base. This is just like any of the best office stools that focus on height adjustability.
#3 Boss Office Products Be Well Medical Ergonomic Stool
Award: BEST FOR ESTHETICIANS
WHY WE LIKE IT: An ergonomic chair upholstered in durable vinyl with a six-inch height adjustment range from 20.5 to 26.5 inches that can be manipulated through gas lift controls.
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- 6” seat height adjustment range
- Upholstered in durable vinyl
- Supports up to 275 pounds
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- Doesn’t come standard with a backrest
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Not all stools are equal. And if you’re someone who works in a salon or doctor’s office where you need to be at a lower height, most standard stools or office chairs aren’t going to be useful. This pick from Boss Office Products is an ergonomic chair with plush cushioning that can be adjusted between 20.5 to 26.5 inches. We like the simple, low profile design that would make it fit in with any professional setting.
The durable vinyl is easy to clean with a damp cloth — making it perfect for high traffic environments. The only drawback we noted was that while it is possible to get this stool with a backrest, that requires a separate purchase for that upgrade. But we did like that this was another wheeled pick with five casters and that it can support up to 275 pounds. And if you’re looking for versatility and stability in a chair, we recommend the best office stability chair.
#4 Learniture Adjustable Height Active Learning Ergonomic Stool
Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: A great active ergonomic stool that’s compatible with a wide range of users and offers a 10.5-inch height adjustment, making it perfect to use with a variety of desks too.
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- Durable vinyl upholstered foam cushion
- Height adjusts from 18.5 to 28”
- Ideal for use with standing desks
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- Seat cushion lacks ventilation
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If you like the idea of an active stool, but you want something that could be compatible with a wide range of people, we recommend this office chair from Learniture. It’s a wobble stool that is compatible for children as young as fifth grade through to adults. You’ll like that you can adjust the height from 18.5 to 28 inches, making it compatible with traditional and standing desks. Another nice feature is that this chair is available in three upholstered colors: red, grey, and black.
We appreciated that this ergonomic stool relies on pneumatic gas lifts to adjust the seat height and that the seat measures 12 ⅝ inches wide. You’ll like that the vinyl upholstery makes it easy to clean with a damp cloth. More importantly, the lightweight 3.53-ounce weight makes this a very portable solution that can go anywhere you need it to. And if you suffer from lower back pain, consider the adjustability in the best office chair for back pain.
#5 Flash Furniture Ergonomic Stool with Foot Ring
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: An affordable ergonomic stool for back pain with a height range from 17.5 to 21.5 inches and a built-in foot ring at the base makes this ideal for a wide range of uses and environments.
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- Backless design ideal for multiple environments
- Height adjustment from 17.5 to 21.5”
- Comes with a foot ring for added comfort
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- Some assembly required
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For people who need a multipurpose office chair, this pick from Flash Furniture is ideal. It’s another ergonomic stool for back pain, but we like that it has a built-in foot ring for added comfort that’s fixed into the base. And while this one does have one of the smallest adjustable height ranges, you can lower or raise the stool between 17.5 to 21.5 inches.
You’ll appreciate that this is a backless design with a plush office chair cushion upholstered in black fabric. Other standard features that you get with this pick is a gas lift for the height adjustment. And you’ll also get five casters, for enhanced mobility. However, this is a slightly heavier stool, coming in at 14 pounds. So, while it’s mobile and a great ergonomic office solution, it’s not as portable as some of our other recommendations. And if your budget is tight, we recommend the best office chairs under $300.
#6 CoVibrant Lockable Ergonomic Stool
Award: BEST CAPACITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: An ergonomic stool with a backrest featuring premium finishes like the quilted PU leather upholstery, the ability to support up to 300 pounds, and a seven-inch height adjustment range, makes this a heavy-duty option for a wide range of users.
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- Lux quilted PU leather finish
- Adjustable height from 20 – 27”
- Quiet motion casters won’t scratch surfaces
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- Casters aren’t compatible with all carpeting
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Not everyone likes the look of a basic stool for an office chair. So, we’re including the CoVibrant ergonomic stool with a backrest in our guide. We like that in addition to being one of the few stools with a backrest, it also looks more sophisticated and can support up to 300 pounds — the largest capacity that we found in our research.
We liked that this pick wasn’t just basic vinyl upholstery, which is quite common. Instead, this option featured waxed PU leather and quilted topstitching. This stool can be adjusted between 20 to 27 inches, relying on a gas cylinder to do so. Another nice feature is that with the five casters, three are designed to be lockable, adding to your stability as you work. However, we did note through our research that depending on the pile, the casters may have trouble moving smoothly over very plush carpeting. Another desirable option is the best mesh office chair that has a 350-pound weight capacity.
#7 Wobble Stool Ergonomic Stool
Award: BEST VERSATILE DESIGN
WHY WE LIKE IT: An active sitting stool to help improve your posture that’s ideal for most desk types thanks to the larger 10.5-inch adjustable height range.
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- Lightweight at just 12 pounds
- Adjustable height between 19 – 25.5”
- Active stool for improved posture
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- Textured surface of cushion inner tube may be uncomfortable for some
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The Wobble stool is such a popular option for people who are focused on maintaining proper posture while they work, as well as in working their core to counteract the impact of extended periods of sitting. The ergonomic office chair relies on a flexible inner tube and offers an 18-inch diameter cushion.
We did note that this chair had one of the smaller adjustable height ranges of just 6.5 inches, allowing you to transition from 19 to 25.5 inches. And our research noted that some people may find the inner tube under the cushion cover a little uncomfortable due to its textured surface. Still, this is another great pick that comes with five casters and can provide 360-degree swivel support. Note that the maximum weight capacity for the Wobble stool is 250 pounds. Compare this model to some of the best armless office chairs that can support a more generous weight capacity.
#8 Songmics Standing Desk Ergonomic Stool
Award: BEST FOR TALLER PEOPLE
WHY WE LIKE IT: An ergonomic stool that’s perfect for taller people or use with a standing desk thanks to the higher height range from 23.6 to 33.3 inches.
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- Angled design encourages proper posture
- Height adjustment from 23.6 to 33.3”
- Large 16.1” anti-slip base
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- May not be ideal for shorter people
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When you’re tall, standard height items may be too short for you. In that case, the Songmics standing desk ergonomic stool might be a great alternative, in addition to the active seating that helps to work your core. This pick features one of the tallest height ranges for adjustments, which helps with reducing pressure on your spine. You can adjust the chair height from 23.6 to 33.3 inches, which also makes this ideal for people that are using standing desks.
However, we did note that for shorter than five foot seven, this chair may be too tall — even in the lowest position. Aside from the height, we like that this seat features a molded plush cushion that’s 3.1 inches thick to provide additional support. You’ll like that you can press a button to adjust the seat height instead of fighting with a lever. This is also an easy to assemble solution that doesn’t require tools. Compare this model to the best executive leather office chair with four inches of seat height adjustment.
#9 Coreseat Original Balance Fit Ball Ergonomic Stool
Award: BEST FOR MULTITASKING
WHY WE LIKE IT: An ergonomic stool that incorporates a balance ball to help work your core and improve overall posture and is safe for people that weigh up to 280 pounds.
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- Casters have auto-lock safety feature
- Sturdy weight support at 280lbs
- Adjustable height from 20 – 25”
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- Can be difficult to assemble
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For people that prefer balance ball based stools, this is an excellent choice as the Original Balance Fit Ball Ergonomic Stool has one of the higher weight ratings for a balance ball seat. At 280 pounds, this is going to be compatible with a wider range of people. We like that you can quickly turn your work stool into a piece of impromptu workout equipment to help improve your activity level as you work.
This balance ball stool is adjustable with a height range from 20 to 25 inches. And the ball is made from anti-burst plastic for added durability. This pick also comes with a pump, and we like that the pump can be stored in the underside of the stool. You can also easily adjust the air pressure to make your seat firmer or softer. And as is common, you’ll get five casters. But what sets them apart is that they have an auto-lock feature that is activated as soon as you stand for added safety. And for added comfort, consider the best office chair seat cushion.
#10 Aeris Muvman Sit-Stand Ergonomic Stool
Award: BEST MULTI-HEIGHT
WHY WE LIKE IT: A true sit-stand stool you can find in six finishes with a non-slip base for added stability, and designed for a wider range of users thanks to the two available size ranges.
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- Available in 6 finishes
- Offered in two size ranges
- Non-slip rubber base
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- Seat cushioning can go flat prematurely
- Heavier chair at 17.8 pounds
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A common complaint with sit-stand stools is that they’re not ideal if you’re shorter. But we like that this version from Aeris is designed with two size ranges, increasing the range of people that can use it. The standard version has a height range from 20 to 33 inches while the taller seat can accommodate 23.5 to 36 inches. Whichever size you choose, this would be the ideal companion for a sit to stand desk.
The Muvman stool relies on a pneumatic lift to adjust the height but also offers a multidimensional movement element in the baseplate to give you the freedom to tilt in any direction. We like that this pick is available in six different finishes for the upholstered seat. The seat base features a non-slip surface to give you additional stability. And if you do need to move this chair, there’s a built-in handle in the seatback. However, at 17.8 inches, this is one of the least portable options from our research. For more comfort, compare this model to the best ergonomic kneeling chair that has 90-degree angle and knee pads.
How We Decided
An ergonomic stool can help to improve your posture, protect you from back pain, and in many cases serve as a portable sitting solution. To create our guide, we focused on the following key features — height range, back vs. backless, mobility, padding, and the ergonomic design.
By default, a stool is considered more ergonomic than sitting in a traditional chair thanks to the fact that without a backrest, you’re less likely to slouch and will engage in proper posture. But even so, many of our recommendations featured ergonomic designs such as sit-stand or wobble stools that are meant to actively work your core as you sit.
Along with an ergonomic design, we also focused on the padding. Since most of the stools we recommended lack a backrest, a properly padded seat that provides comfort and doesn’t fall flat prematurely is going to be important. Except for two stools with padding that flattened prematurely, the majority of our recommendations earned high marks for comfort and durable padding.
With mobility, the question came down to whether a stool had casters. We’ve included a range of stools that are mobile and fixed. For the most part, sit-stand style stools feature a flat base that’s fixed for added durability. But it is possible to find active seating stools such as those with a balance ball or the Wobble stool that do come on casters. In that case, look for options that feature locking casters to provide better stability as you sit down on it or get up from your seat.
In our guide, only one recommendation featured a backrest. The remainder were backless designs — especially with the active sit-stand and wobble stools that focused on working your core along with improved posture. And finally, we considered the height range. While all of our stools offered height adjustment, some were limited to barely five inches of adjustment whereas others offered an impressive 10 inches or more. We also noted that some of the sit-stand stools could be incompatible with shorter people, something people should keep in mind as they shop.
Best Ergonomic Stool Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Factors to Consider
- Height Range
Depending on the tasks you’re working on, you’ll want to consider whether a stool is going to help or make your work more difficult. For example, someone who works in a clinic, day spa, or salon may prefer a stool that sits lower based on the tasks being completed. In contrast, someone working at a standard height or standing desk may prefer a stool with more height adjustment capacity. - Back vs. Backless
While most stools don’t offer back support, some do. If you’re focused on lumbar support, then a stool with a backrest will be important. - Mobility
While some stools come with casters in the base, not all of them do. If you need to move frequently while you work, casters will be important. But along the same lines, if you like to change locations frequently while you work, then a lightweight portable stool is going to be important. - Padding
Just like with regular chairs, you’ll want a stool that is supportive and comfortable to use — especially if you’ll be sitting on it for long periods. Look for options that also feature ergonomically placed padding to provide the optimal levels of comfort. - Ergonomic Design
Not all stools are created equal. Some are simple options that aren’t meant for extended periods of sitting. And others are designed to encourage active sitting, where your body’s core is being gently worked while you sit.
