If you’re shopping for the best mesh office chairs, you should begin by thinking about the seat height adjustment and selecting a chair with a range that’s compatible with your workspace. Don’t forget about lumbar support as you’ll most likely be sitting in that chair for long periods and will need the added support. Other adjustable options such as tilt/recline, headrests, and armrests can make sitting in a chair for extended periods more comfortable. And additional features like flip-up arms, caster wheels, and 360-degree swivel can give you added mobility even while seated.
After conducting thorough research through countless customer reviews, we nominated the Herman Miller Aeron mesh office chair as our Top Pick. Keep reading to learn more about our selection criteria and to shop from our recommendations of the best office chairs.
Top 10 Best Mesh Office Chairs
#1 Herman Miller Aeron Mesh Office Chair
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: One of the best ergonomic office chairs is an all mesh office chair available in three sizes with the ability to support up to 350 pounds.
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- Suspended supportive seat
- Available in 3 sizes for full customization
- Supports up to 350lbs
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- Lacks an actual seat cushion
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The Herman Miller Aeron is something of an anomaly because it’s an all mesh office chair, but it’s one of the only full mesh office chairs that we would recommend because it’s designed with ergonomics as a priority. This Herman Miller chair is our Top Pick because it’s also one of the best ergonomic office chairs that are sold in more than one size. While our focus is on the size A chair, you can also opt for the B or C sizes which can accommodate larger or taller individuals. The Aeron A is ideal for shorter to average height individuals with a height adjustment range from 14.75 to 19 inches. Plus with a 350-pound weight capacity, this is a reasonable choice for most individuals.
Related: Check our list of the best massaging office chairs.
We also like that this pick is available in three colors for enhanced customization. More importantly, anyone with existing back problems such as scoliosis will get superior lumbar and sacral support thanks to the suspended mesh design. This Herman Miller chair uses an 8Z Pellicle elastomeric suspension throughout the seat and backrest. Shift between three reclining postures, and you have the option to adjust the forward tilt tension. Another nice feature is the seat angle adjustment to ensure proper posture. Other key features are the waterfall edge in the seat to relieve pressure on your legs and an arm height that can be adjusted from 6.8 to 10.8 inches, along with their angle too. You may also be interested in the best office chair for scoliosis that can also be used to help prevent sciatica, herniation, muscle strain, and fatigue.
#2 Modway Articulate Mesh Office Chair
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: A sturdy pick with a 30-degree recline and nearly four inches of seat height adjustment along with built-in lumbar support makes this one of the best mesh office chairs.
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- Available in 4 colors
- 30-degree recline support
- Supports up to 350lbs
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- Lumbar support isn’t adjustable
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The Modway Articulate office chair is one of the best mesh office chairs because it comes with a range of features while still being moderately priced — which makes it accessible to a wider customer base. We like that this is a mesh-combination office chair with a breathable mesh backrest that features built-in lumbar support. There’s also a plush six-inch seat cushion with a waterfall edge to help alleviate uncomfortable pressure points.
You’ll get three adjustment levers to control the height adjustment, seat tilt, and back tilt. You’ll also appreciate that you get up to 30 degrees of recline support and a seat height that can shift between 19.5 and 24 inches. The only real drawback we found with this chair is that the lumbar support isn’t adjustable. But you get a seat depth of 20 inches which is ideal for most users. And for people who like armrests, you’ll like that the Modway Articulate has padded armrests that support height adjustment. More importantly, this seat can support up to 331 pounds. You should also try the best ergonomic kneeling chair that relieves back pain without shifting discomfort to other parts of your body. Or if kneeling isn’t your thing, you can always go with the best desk chair for back pain.
#3 Serta Essential Mesh Low-Back Mesh Office Chair
Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: An armless mesh office chair with a breathable backrest and nearly four inches of seat height adjustment makes this ideal for home or commercial use.
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- Seat height adjustment from 16.75 to 20”
- Armless for increased range of motion
- Bonded leather and mesh combination design
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- Lower weight capacity of 250lbs
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For people that want a supportive chair that’s still comfortable, it makes sense to shop from brands that are known for ergonomic designs. But this becomes even more important if you’re shopping for an armless office chair. The Serta Essential mesh office chair combines comfort with a sleek modern design that would work in a variety of professional or personal settings. While the brand is better known for creating mattresses, they’ve also created quite a name for themselves in the office furniture category. Their Essential mesh office chair is available in three colors but has a lower weight limit of just 250 pounds
Still, we like that this model has built-in lumbar support and a breathable mesh backrest. Another common — yet essential — feature is the waterfall edge on the seat. And you get nearly four inches of seat height adjustment from 16.75 to 20 inches. Other essentials include 360 degrees of swivel and the five casters for easier mobility. And for added comfort, you should try the best office chair seat cushion.
#4 BestOffice Big and Tall Mesh Office Chair
Award: BEST CAPACITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: A sturdy ergonomic mesh office chair that can support up to 400 pounds with five inches of height adjustment and adjustable lumbar support makes this ideal for larger individuals.
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- Height range from 17 to 22”
- Quick assembly in just 15 minutes
- 6 position adjustable lumbar support
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- Lacks recline feature
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Sometimes finding the right chair that’s supportive and comfortable can feel like you’re taking a page from Goldilocks’ playbook. We like the BestOffice big and tall office chair because it has one of the largest weight capacities that we saw through our research. With a 400-pound capacity and a wider seat height adjustment of five inches from 17 to 22 inches, this is a pretty impressive pick. You can also shift between six lumbar support positions, which makes this a great customizable choice and one of the best ergonomic mesh office chairs that we’ve seen.
As is common, this is a mesh-combination chair with a breathable backrest. While this pick lacks a recline feature, we do like that the armrests can be adjusted for increased comfort and are padded too. The height is shifted through pneumatic controls for smooth movement. And you’ll also get a 24-inch wide seat which can accommodate a wider range of individuals too. For additional options, check out our best big and tall office chairs buying guide.
#5 Sihoo Ergonomics Mesh Office Chair
Award: BEST RECLINE ANGLE
WHY WE LIKE IT: An ergonomic office chair with an adjustable headrest and customizable lumbar support while also offering up to 36 degrees of reclining capability makes this ideal for people with back pain.
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- 360-degree swivel
- Customizable lumbar support
- Adjustable headrest
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- Gas shocks may leak air prematurely
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If you spend a lot of time at your desk, then you need a chair that’s comfortable and supportive. Specifically, you’ll want to look for models that offer more customizations than simply adjusting your chair height. The Sihoo ergonomic office chair is a great option for people who like to take mini breaks by leaning back in their chair. We like that you can recline from between 90 to 126 degrees for a total of 36 degrees of recline support. But we like that this model also comes with a headrest that can be adjusted up to 45 degrees and raised or lowered by 3.9 inches.
If you prefer a chair with armrests, you’ll like that these can be adjusted by 2.7 inches and with 36-degrees of angle adjustment. The seat height can be adjusted from 17.1 to 21 inches thanks to the smooth gas shocks. One of the most important features of this sleek mesh-combination executive style chair is that you get adjustable lumbar support. You can shift the lumbar support up or down by 1.9 inches and push it in or out by up to 1.2 inches. For a chair with lumbar support that includes a removable USB-powered massaging pillow to ease the discomfort, have a look at the best office chair for back pain.
#6 Flash Furniture Mid-Back Black Mesh Office Chair
Award: BEST FOR STANDING DESK
WHY WE LIKE IT: A mesh office chair with a large seat height range that supports rock tilt and armrest adjustments and comes in a wide array of colors makes this great for standing desks or drafting tables.
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- Available in two frames and eight colors
- Seat height from 23.5 to 31”
- 3-way adjustments for back, seat, and armrests
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- Armrests may not be compatible with keyboard trays
- Low weight capacity at 250lbs
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When you work at a standing desk or drafting table, either the best drafting chair or seat with a larger height adjustment range is essential. We like the Flash Furniture mesh office chair because it has one of the widest seat height adjustment ranges that we found in our research. With a range from 23.5 to 31 inches, you get almost eight inches of height controls. This is another model that features the popular mesh-combination design for a breathable backrest that offers built-in lumbar support.
This Flash Furniture pick comes in two frame colors and eight upholstery shades for true customization that will work with most professional and residential settings. We also like that this pick features flip-up armrests that are padded for extra comfort. However, at just 250 pounds for the weight capacity, this is on the lower end. We also noted that while the brand promotes that this chair can recline, customer reviews noted otherwise and mentioned that it doesn’t recline very well. Consider the best executive leather office chair with a 360-degree swivel movement and a tilt-tension knob.
#7 Devoko Mesh Office Chair
Award: BEST FOR REMOTE WORK
WHY WE LIKE IT: A simple mesh-combination office chair with a commendable seat height range and flip-up arms that comes in four colors is great for use in home offices and for remote work locations.
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- Supports up to 280lbs
- Flip-up armrests
- 5” seat height adjustment from 15 to 20”
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- Hydraulics can be inconsistent
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Depending on how you use your home office, you might not sit in it for hours a day like you would in a commercial office setting. And that means that while you still need a comfortable office chair, you may not need one with quite as many features if you only use it for an hour or two each day. The Devoko office desk chair is a great choice if you’re working from home because it’s a mesh combination chair with a medium seat height range of five inches from 15 to 20 inches. This should be ideal for most average-height individuals or if multiple people will be using the chair.
We also like that this pick can support up to 280 pounds. That’s not the largest weight capacity we’ve seen, but for the average user, it should be more than sufficient. Another nice feature is the padded flip-up adjustable arms for a wider range of motion. While this model doesn’t recline, you do get tilt/rocking support and a plush 3.34-inch thick padded seat with a waterfall edge for added comfort. And as is common, this is another chair set on casters for increased mobility. Compare this to one of the most comfortable office chairs and it comes with a variety of standard features that are intuitive while still being a great affordable option.
#8 Nouhaus Ergo3D Mesh Office Chair
Award: BEST MODERN DESIGN
WHY WE LIKE IT: A mesh office chair with a headrest that mimics the look of an executive style chair while supporting a 135-degree angle recline with fully adjustable armrests and capacity for up to 275 pounds.
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- Large 135-degree recline
- Supports up to 275lbs
- Adjustable armrests and headrest
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- Lacks footrest
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If you’re a fan of executive chairs, but dislike the overly padded design, this pick from Nouhaus is a great compromise. While it’s a mesh-combination design, you still get some of the more intuitive and comfortable features that you associate with executive and gaming chairs. To start, you’ll get a mesh office chair with a headrest that can be raised and lowered and up to 135 degrees of tilt and recline. We also like that this chair features adjustable lumbar support so you can customize the backrest to give you the proper support exactly where you need it.
The Nouhaus chair is rated for up to 275 pounds, which is in the lower range from our research. Another key feature is the 3.9 inches for seat height adjustment that relies on a hydraulic gas lift for smoother movement. You can also adjust the armrests for up and down and angle controls for increased comfort. This chair is also available in four colors so that it can work in a variety of decor schemes. For a more generous height range, take a peek at the best office stability chair that also comes with non-slip vinyl and a good weight capacity.
#9 Vnewone Ergonomic Office Chair
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: A wallet-friendly office chair with built-in lumbar support, 30-degree recline functionality, and a mesh-combination design for enhanced breathability.
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- 30-degree recline support
- Mesh combination design for breathability
- Built-in lumbar support
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- 250 lbs weight capacity
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When you’re shopping on a budget, you shouldn’t compromise ergonomic support for a wallet-friendly solution. The Vnewone chair is a great compromise for someone who needs a supportive chair but isn’t in the market for one of the more expensive models from our guide. This straightforward chair does require assembly but features the essentials that make it a smart choice for long-term use.
This mesh-combination office chair has built-in lumbar support throughout the mesh backrest. While the armrests are fixed and aren’t padded, we do like that you get four inches of seat height adjustment from 17 to 21 inches. You’ll get 250 pounds of weight support, which is on the lower end. However, we do like that you’ll get a 30-degree tilt mechanism and that this pick is available in four colors with casters and 360-swivel functionality. If you’re big on aesthetics, you should also take a look at the best office stools that focus on height adjustability, ergonomics, weight capacity, and 360° swivel capability.
#10 Smugdesk Mid-Back Mesh Office Chair
We’re sorry, this product is temporarily out of stock
Award: BEST FOR TALL PEOPLE
WHY WE LIKE IT: A mesh-combination office chair with a taller height adjustment range and a weight capacity of up to 270 pounds makes this one of the best office chairs for tall people.
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- Great for drafting tables/standing setups
- Taller height adjustment from 21 to 25”
- Supports up to 270lbs
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- Fixed armrests lack padding
- 18-inch seat width
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Just like with left-handed people, being tall can feel like the world isn’t catered to your needs. And when it comes to finding an office chair, this can mean that even an ergonomically designed chair might not be compatible or comfortable for a taller person. We like the Smugdesk office chair because we feel it’s one of the best office chairs for taller people. Yet, at just 18 inches wide, this is one of the narrowest seat widths that we’ve seen.
There’s also a 270-pound weight capacity which isn’t the worst but may make this chair best for tall people who are also on the smaller side. Still, you get four inches of height adjustment from 21 to 25 inches. So, this would also be a great pick for people who work at drafting tables or use a standing desk. Other standard features include the mesh-combination design with built-in lumbar support throughout the backrest and a cushioned breathable seat. However, some people may dislike the armrests which are fixed and aren’t padded. For a more more affordable option that still offers comfort, check out the top 6 best office chairs under $300.
How We Decided
Mesh office chairs are a standard when it comes to office furniture because they’re some of the most comfortable and affordable options. To create our guide for the best mesh office chair we focused on seat height, lumbar support, adjustability, style, and additional features. All of our picks came with lumbar support. However, only a few offered adjustable lumbar support which allows for enhanced customization to meet the specific curve of your spine.
Seat height adjustment is important for ergonomic support. You want your seat height to be at a level where your arms are parallel to your desk. However, depending on the type of desk you have — such as a drafting table or standing desk — you may need to look for a chair with a taller height range so that you can work comfortably. We did include a few chairs that are ideal for taller desks. Likewise, if you’re taller or shorter, you’ll want to pay attention to the seat height range so that you can work comfortably even if your desk is a standard height.
Adjustability covers more than just how high or low you can adjust the height of your seat. Other key options include armrests, recline or tilt/rock, and headrests. If you prefer a chair with armrests, having the freedom to adjust the height or angle of them can make your chair more functional. Likewise, being able to recline or rock back can help to take the pressure off your back. And an adjustable headrest can further help to provide proper support so that your spine is in alignment, especially if you’re leaning back.
Mesh office chairs tend to have a similar look, but it is possible to find models that stand out. For example, if you prefer an armless chair, that’s going to look very different from a traditional mesh office chair without a headrest. And in some cases, you can find mesh office chairs that look similar to gaming or executive chairs.
And finally, additional features can make your chair more intuitive. In this case, we focused on options such as flip-up armrests. All of the chairs in our guide are set on caster wheels and offer 360-degree swivel support for enhanced functionality.
Best Mesh Office Chairs Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Factors To Consider
Seat Height
For an office chair, you want to be able to adjust the seat height. Depending on the height of your desk, you should be able to raise or lower the seat so that your arms are parallel with the desktop. Typically, you can find chairs with a seat height adjustment that ranges between three to 10 inches. For standard desks, three to five inches of height adjustment is fine. But drafting or standing desks will need seats with a wider adjustment range. And if you’re willing to invest, there are splurge-worthy seats that offer independent adjustments for the backrest.
Lumbar Support
If you’re going to be sitting in a chair for more than half an hour, lumbar support is going to be important. Ideally, focus on models with built-in lumbar support. However, some chairs offer adjustable lumbar support so that you can customize that feature to the specific natural curve of your spine.
Adjustability
Along with seat height, other adjustments can be just as important. These include raising or lowering the armrests, tilt/rock, and recline functionality. Some brands will even let you adjust the seat depth, although this is considered a premium feature.
Style
Mesh office chairs can be further broken down into all mesh or mesh-combination models. All mesh means that both the backrest and seat are made from mesh. While this is ideal for breathability, unless you invest in a more expensive chair, there’s a risk that the seat can sag from repeated use and no longer properly support your body. A mesh-combination chair usually features a mesh backrest and a fabric-covered seat. With these models, you’ll want to look for seats with a memory foam cushion that’s supportive and a fabric that helps to ventilate rather than trap heat.
Additional Features
Some other nice-to-have features that you might want to consider include a footrest, casters, and 360-degree swivel functionality. A footrest is ideal if you pick a chair with a wider height adjustment range so that your feet aren’t dangling in the air and creating pressure on your legs. 360-degree swivel gives you a wider range of mobility, especially if you find that you frequently turn throughout the day. And casters can be ideal so you can move without having to physically stand and move the chair.
