When you’re shopping for the best high back office chairs, you should think about the style and whether it’s compatible with your home or office. Also, think about the seat height and ensure that the adjustment range will allow you to work at your desk with your arms parallel to the desktop. Also look for other adjustment features such as armrests, headrests, recline, tilt-rock, or even an adjustable lumbar support feature.
After researching countless consumer reviews, we nominated the Homall high back office chair as our Top Pick. Keep reading to learn more about our selection criteria and to shop from our recommendations on the best office chairs.
Top 10 Best High Back Office Chairs
#1 Homall High Back Office Chair
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: A low profile gaming chair with an all-black upholstery that supports up to 300 pounds with a 60-degree recline from 90 to 150 degrees and plenty of lumbar support makes this one of the best ergonomic office chairs.
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- Supports up to 300lbs
- Large 60-degree recline range
- Includes additional lumbar support pillow
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- Armrests aren’t adjustable
- Lacks a footrest
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Depending on your work environment, a gaming chair might be a tough sell. But with nine finishes — including an all-black option — the Homall high back leather office chair is a great way to get the key functionality and ergonomic design you associate with gaming chairs, without the garish finish. We nominated the Homall chair as our Top Pick because we feel it’s one of the best ergonomic office chairs from our research.
Related: Find more innovative options in our best lumbar support office chair guide.
With a capacity rating of up to 300 pounds, this is a solid choice for a wide range of people. Plus you get a larger reclining range 90 to 150 degrees. While the seat has built-in lumbar support, there’s also a removable lumbar support cushion for added comfort. You’ll get just over three inches of seat height adjustment from 17.3 to 21.5 inches. Likewise, you also get 360-degree swivel functionality and a base with five caster wheels. However, we did note that while this model does have armrests, they aren’t adjustable. Additionally, this pick lacks a footrest which is rare for gaming chairs to not have this feature. For a chair that features full adjustments, have a look at the best office chair for scoliosis.
#2 OFM Essentials Collection Racing Style High Back Office Chair
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Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: A high back office chair with a backrest that’s plushly upholstered with padded armrests and almost five inches of seat height adjustments for increased comfort.
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- Gorgeous quilted embossed design
- Seat height adjusts from 44.7 to 49.5”
- Includes additional lumbar support pillow
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- Lower weight capacity of 250lbs
- Lacks true recline
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Executive chairs have come a long way from the old-school overstuffed versions you remember from decades ago. We like the OFM executive chair because it features upscale finishes for an impressive effect. This high-back office chair with a backrest is upholstered in a racing-style with a diamond pattern by using bonded leather. Although it’s not real leather, bonded leather is incredibly durable and easy to keep clean. You can choose from four finishes.
While we like that this pick has padded armrests, keep in mind that they’re fixed. Also note that the maximum weight support is 250 pounds, which puts it at the lower end of our research. Still, the fully padded chair provides built-in lumbar support and a waterfall seat edge for added comfort. You can adjust the seat height from 44.7 to 49.5 inches. And while you can’t recline, you do get tilt mechanism support. You should also consider the best ergonomic kneeling chair that features the best height adjustment range.
#3 Serta Big & Tall High Back Office Chair
Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: One of the best office chairs for the big and tall category that supports up to 350 pounds, with adjustable lumbar support and two finishes makes this a smart choice for extended use.
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- Can hold up to 350 pounds
- Intuitive lumbar support
- Adjustable seat height and tilt-rock functionality
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- Made from bonded PU leather
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For people that fall into the big and tall category, a major concern is finding a supportive desk chair. We like the Serta Big & Tall office chair because it manages to combine a stylish executive seat with a weight capacity of up to 350 pounds. More importantly, it features soft padding throughout that’s designed to keep you comfortable during long days at the office. It’s one of the best office chairs as well as our Best Quality recommendation because the lumbar support relies on thick pillowy cushions throughout the backrest that adjusts to your movements and mimics the same supportive experience you would get with Serta’s mattresses.
Although it’s billed as leather, keep in mind that it’s faux leather instead. Still, we do like the sleek chrome finishes as well as the plush overstuffed look of the backrest and seat. This Serta Big & Tall high back chair is available in two finishes and offers two inches of height adjustment, from 20 to 22 inches. You’ll also get a tilt-rock recline function. And if you move around a lot, you will need the best office chair seat cushion with a non-slip bottom that keeps it firmly in place.
#4 La-Z-Boy Trafford High Back Office Chair
Award: BEST CAPACITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: An ergonomic office chair with a 400-pound capacity and responsive cushions throughout the backrest makes this one of the best office chairs for back pain.
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- Cushions are responsive to movements
- 2in Adjustable seat height
- Bonded leather upholstery for impressive effect
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- Upholstery choice may not be as breathable
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For people who prefer the classic executive chair, the Trafford chair from La-Z-Boy is a must-have. We think this is one of the best office chairs for back pain thanks to the responsive cushions throughout the backrest. The flexible lumbar cushions are designed to pivot when you move so that you’re fully supported no matter how you’re sitting. We also like that this chair supports up to 400 pounds, making it one of the best options for larger individuals from our research.
Because this is a fully padded high back executive chair, you get a built-in headrest. Another key feature is the recline and tilt support so you can take mini-breaks at your desk. This chair offers two inches of height adjustment from 21 to 23 inches. Other standard features include a waterfall seat edge to avoid pinching the backs of your legs or impacting circulation. Additionally, you’ll get a 360-degree swivel and five sturdy caster wheels for enhanced mobility. Compare that to the best executive leather office chair that also features built-in lumbar support.
#5 SP Velvet High Back Office Chair
Award: BEST FOR HOME USE
WHY WE LIKE IT: A stylish office chair with flip-up armrests and four inches of height adjustment makes this a great ergonomic high-back office chair for home offices.
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- Available in five colors
- Seat height adjusts from 20 to 24”
- Supports up to 280lbs
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- Not a breathable design
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If you dislike the look of most office chairs, this is one that will make you do a double-take. This ergonomic chair is designed to make a statement thanks to the velvet upholstery that’s available in three neutral shades: black, white, and grey. The SP Velvet office chair is a great ergonomic high back office chair with flip-up armrests for increased range of motion while you’re sitting.
More importantly, you’ll appreciate the four-inch height adjustment from 20 to 24 inches.
And your back will appreciate the cushioned backrest and plush 5.1-inch deep cushion in the seat that’s made with memory foam. We also like that the armrests are padded for increased comfort. For people obsessed with recline functionality, you’ll get a 30-degree recline range from 90 to 120 degrees. And finally, with a 280-pound weight capacity, we think that’s commendable and ideal for a variety of users. Compare its usability to that of one of the best office stability chairs.
#6 Ticova High Back Office Chair
Award: BEST MODERN FEATURES
WHY WE LIKE IT: One of the best high back office chairs thanks to a 50-degree recline range, retractable footrest, and a modern design that makes this ideal for professional or residential settings.
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- High adjustability range
- Plushly padded backrest
- Includes a retractable footrest
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- Fixed armrests
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Executive chairs can feel dated if you pick a more traditional style. But we like the Ticova ergonomic chair because it has a fresh modern yet minimalist design. It’s one of the best high back office chairs we found through our research and is packed full of features that make it a must-have for any environment whether it’s a professional setting or your home office. Let’s start by talking about the retractable footrest. It measures 13.8 inches wide and is located immediately under the seat. Plus this seat can support up to 300 pounds.
Another key feature that caught our eye is the large recline support. You’ll get 50 degrees of recline from 90 to 140 degrees. The seat is 3.8 inches thick with responsive padding that helps to cushion your legs. Still, the waterfall edge ensures that the circulation in your legs isn’t compromised. We also like that you can adjust the seat height from 14.2 to 18.1 inches. So, this is another great pick for shorter individuals. The fully padded backrest relies on high-density foam for added lumbar support. The only drawback we saw with this pick is that the armrests are fixed and that although they do have some padding it’s quite thin. Compare this to one of the most comfortable office chairs that are fully adjustable and feature some of the best ergonomic features.
#7 Glitzhome High Back Office Chair
Award: BEST AESTHETICS
WHY WE LIKE IT: A sleek executive leather chair with a mid-century style design, padded headrest, 30-degree rocking support, and almost four inches of height adjustment.
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- Supports up to 275 lbs
- Adjustable seat height from 19.69 to 23.62”
- Rocking function with 19-degree recline support
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- Fixed armrests
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For people who are obsessed with mid-century design, the Glitzhome high-back office chair should be on their shortlist. This executive-style bonded leather chair is more than just a pretty piece of office furniture. It also has an intuitive design thanks to the adjustable seat cushion for a truly customizable experience. The durable seat cushion is made foam-based to maintain its shape while offering the support you need every day. and provides consistent support every time you take a seat. The seat cushion offers an angle adjustment from three to 10 degrees to adjust the seat depth for maximum comfort.
Meanwhile, the backrest can be adjusted from 87 to 106 degrees thanks to tension controls for a maximum recline of 19 degrees. While this pick is made from bonded leather, we like the camel finish which gives this a premium effect. You’ll also get just over four inches of seat height adjustment from 19.69 to 23.62 inches. Another nice feature is the 275-pound weight capacity which makes it ideal for most average-sized users. Other key features include the 360-degree swivel support and the five casters for increased mobility. For a model with increased mobility that still offers pain relief, have a look at the best office chair for back pain.
#8 Sihoo Ergonomics High Back Office Chair
Award: BEST CUSTOMIZATION
WHY WE LIKE IT: An ergonomic office chair with a high back and plenty of customization thanks to the adjustable headrest, customizable lumbar support, and adjustable armrests.
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- Supports up to 350 lbs
- Customizable lumbar support
- Adjustable headrest
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- Gas shocks may leak air prematurely
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High back chairs don’t have to be fully padded. It’s possible to find mesh-combination office chairs that have a high back design. So, we included the Sihoo office chair because it offers a wide variety of features into a breathable mesh-combination design. First, you’ll get a breathable backrest so you won’t have to worry about overheating when you’re sitting for long periods. If you like to recline, you’ll appreciate the 36-degree recline range from 90 to 126 degrees. But Sihoo doesn’t stop there. The headrest on this model is adjustable with the ability to adjust the angle by 45 degrees and to raise or lower it by 3.9 inches.
For people who like armrests, the Sihoo armrests can be adjusted up or down by 2.7 inches and can even be angled up to 36-degrees. The seat height offers a standard adjustment range from 17.1 to 21 inches. And most importantly, the Sihoo chair offers adjustable lumbar support. Shift the lumbar support vertically by 1.9 inches or in and out up to 1.2 inches. And finally, this pick can support up to 350 pounds, which puts it in the upper range for weight capacity. For options with even more weight capacity, the best big and tall office chairs are also worth looking at.
#9 AmazonBasics High Back Office Chair
Award: BEST FOR SHORTER PEOPLE
WHY WE LIKE IT: An executive high back chair with a lower height adjustment range of 16.5 to 20 inches makes this ideal for shorter people and one of the best computer chairs for long hours.
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- Supports up to 275 pounds
- Available in 3 colors
- Seat height adjusts from 16.5 to 20”
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- Armrests aren’t adjustable
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Finding the proper seat height adjustment isn’t a nice to have feature. It’s essential, especially if you’re shorter. While most office chairs don’t lower below 18 inches, this isn’t helpful for someone short. So, we’re including the AmazonBasics because we think it’s one of the best executive-style ergonomic chairs for shorter people. You’ll get 3.5 inches of height adjustment with a seat that can go as low as 16.5 inches. But the fully padded backrest and seat make this one of the best computer chairs for long hours at the office.
This chair is available in three finishes — all of which are made from bonded leather. But you also get other standard features that you’d expect from an executive chair. These include 360-degree swivel support and padded armrests. However, the armrests aren’t adjustable. Note that this chair can support up to 275 pounds which puts it in the lower range for weight capacity. And if your wallet is a little light, check out the top 6 best office chairs under $300.
#10 Smugdesk High Back Office Chair
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Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: A price friendly high back office chair with 30-degree recline, adjustable headrest, four inches of height adjustment built-in lumbar support, and breathable mesh-combination design.
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- 30-degree recline support
- Headrest has built-in hanger for added storage
- Additional lumbar support pillow
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- 250 lbs weight capacity
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If you’re shopping for an ergonomic chair on a budget, the Smugdesk office chair is a great place to start — especially if you want a high back chair that won’t break the bank. We like that this chair offers a lot of functionality within reasonable price ranges. The mesh-combination high back chair is designed with breathability in mind. While there’s built-in lumbar support, you’ll also get an additional lumbar pillow for increased comfort.
You’ll like that you can adjust the seat height by nearly four inches from 43.5 to 47.2 inches. The included headrest is also adjustable. You can choose to customize the angle as well as raise or lower it or use the back of the headrest to store jackets thanks to the built-in hanger design. And for people who like to recline, you’ll get 30 degrees of recline support from 90 to 120 degrees. Although the armrests are fixed, we like the plush padding on them. Other key features include a 360-degree swivel and five casters for increased mobility. Compare that to the best office stools that have dual-wheel casters.
How We Decided
High back office chairs can be ideal for people who want more support throughout the backrest or increased functionality like a deeper recline range. To create our guide, we looked at the following key features: seat height adjustments, lumbar support, adjustability, style, and additional features. Note that all of our picks include lumbar support although some models do come with extra lumbar pillows.
Seat height adjustment is an important feature to ensure that you’re maintaining proper posture and are working in an ergonomic environment. While most chairs offer two to four inches of height adjustment, you’ll need to be mindful of the lowest or highest settings if you’re very short or tall. We included picks that were ideal for average height people as well as those who fall into petite or big and tall categories.
Other adjustment features that are important include recline or tilt-rock functions, the armrests, and the headrest. Not all chairs with arms allow you to adjust the height or angle of the armrests. Likewise, not all high back chairs of movable headrests. But we did include models with flip-up or adjustable armrests, as well as office chairs with adjustable headrests. Tilt-rock tends to be more common than true recline support. But we did include several options that offered a variety of recline ranges.
Selecting a chair style comes down to preference. While most high back chairs tend to be executive styles made from genuine or bonded leather, you can find mesh-combination, fabric upholstered, and even gaming chairs. You’ll need to pick the one that matches your style and is compatible with your work environment whether that’s at home or in a professional office.
Best High Back Office Chairs Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Factors to Consider
- Seat Height Adjustment
Even though you’re specifically looking for a high back chair, you should check the seat height adjustment range. Ideally, you should lift or lower the seat so that your arms are parallel to the desktop. Depending on your desk setup, you may need to look for models with a larger height adjustment range. While most chairs offer between three to five inches of height adjustment, standing and drafting desks should be paired with chairs that have a higher adjustment range of up to 10 inches. - Lumbar Support
Even if you’re shopping on a budget, always look for a chair with lumbar support. Especially for long days at the office, proper lumbar support will help prevent backaches. While more affordable chairs usually only offer preset lumbar support, more premium models allow you to adjust the lumbar support so that it’s customized to the natural curve of your spine. - Adjustability
Other key adjustments that you’ll want to look for include adjustable armrests, a tilt/rock feature, and recline support. The recline can be as minor as 30 degrees to as much as 180-lay flat options for gaming or executive chairs. - Style
High back office chairs can come in a variety of configurations. The most common options that you’ll find include mesh combination, padded executive chairs made from bonded leather or genuine leather, and gaming chairs. Mesh-combination chairs are ideal for office environments where you want a high back chair but like the breathable backrest feature. Executive chairs are great for a traditional office environment and are usually fully padded throughout. However, the trade-off is that these chairs are less breathable. Gaming chairs are often the most comfortable because they tend to offer the widest recline range as well as additional lumbar support. But depending on the upholstery, may not be appropriate for more traditional office environments. - Additional Features
High backed chairs can be found with other “nice to have” features such as an adjustable headrest or a retractable footrest. You can even find chairs with built-in massagers. But most office chairs are set on caster wheels which gives you more mobility. Likewise, most office chairs are designed with 360-degree swivel support.
