After conducting extensive research for the best office chair for scoliosis, we nominated the Serta Hannah Microfiber Office Chair as our Top Pick and the best high quality comfortable chair. We liked that it was a fully cushioned seat, including the headrest, and with a soft microfiber upholstery for a lux effect. Plus it offered a waterfall edge on the seat cushion and fully adjustable controls for recline, seat and chair height, and the armrests. Keep reading to learn more about other great office chairs for scoliosis sufferers.
To determine the best office chair for scoliosis, we considered the following features: adjustability, support, size range, and materials. To minimize back pain or exacerbating scoliosis, we prioritized the best office chairs for back pain that offered recline, seat and chair height, and armrest adjustments. We also focused on built-in lumbar support and looked for a range of seat sizes to give people of all sizes options. And for a chair that distributes weight evenly throughout your lower back and legs, look for the best ergonomic kneeling chair. Finally, we considered the construction and materials so that people weren’t limited to simple mesh or mesh-combo sitting solutions.
Top 10 Best Office Chairs for Scoliosis
#1 Serta Hannah Microfiber Office Chair
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: A comfy and cozy office chair that feels like you’re sitting on clouds with adjustable height, recline, and armrests, for the best office chair for scoliosis.
Read Full Review: Serta Hannah Microfiber Office Chair
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- Waterfall seat edge for improved circulation
- Adjustable height and recline settings
- Features pillowed headrest and body pillow cushioning throughout
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- Microfiber covering can retain heat
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It would make sense that one of the most trusted brands in back support and minimizing back pain would expand their product offering from world-class mattresses to include office chairs. We think their Hannah microfiber office chair is one of the best office chairs for scoliosis because it’s a fully padded chair that offers plenty of cushioned soft support from head to knee including a padded headrest. While most office chairs rely on a simple mesh upholstery, this pick opts for a buttery soft microfiber finish that’s available in seven colors. Even the armrests come with cushions covered in the same microfiber used in the body.
Related: Read our post on the best office chair for short people.
However, do keep in mind that if you’re the type who sweats easily, you may find that the microfiber and plush chair can leave you running hot with prolonged use. Still, this is a great mobile chair with five castors and 360-degree swivel support. This chair features full adjustments in the seat height, arm height, and general height. You can adjust the height of this chair from 40.25 to 44 inches. The seat height can be adjusted from 18 to 21.75 inches. And the arm height can be shifted from 26 to 29.75 inches. The best standing desk chairs will also include good height adjustment as well as great lumbar support to correct any back problems you may have. Also, take a look at some of the best office chairs under $300 that have ergonomic and fully adjustable features.
#2 Herman Miller Aeron Task PostureFit SL Office Chair
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: A sturdy chair that’s available in three sizes combines all of the fan-favorite features of Herman Miller and ensures that everyone — regardless of size — can get the right back support.
Read Full Review: Herman Miller Aeron Task Chair
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- Available in 3 sizes and 4 finishes
- Breathable full mesh seat and back
- Full lumbar support whether reclining or sitting upright
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- Lacks an actual seat cushion
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If you ever felt like standard office chairs were either too big or too small, we have the solution for you. For the person who’s looking for the Goldilocks zone of office chairs, you can’t go wrong with the Aeron Task PostureFit SL office chair from Herman Miller. Available in three sizes-small, medium, and large — you can find the right chair to fit your dimensions. And you’ll like that this chair is designed to adjust to your movements. So as you move, the chair shifts with you so that shifting from reclining to upright or turning directions is a seamless process.
Aside from the size range, which is pretty impressive, we like that the Aeron chair is a great option for someone who wants breathability but doesn’t want to compromise on ergonomic back support. The best massage office chair will also give excellent lumbar support, and also doubles as a massager, along with tons of adjustability and a superior design quality. While the Aeron Task is an all-mesh office chair, the seat features a floating design with an 8Z Pellicle elastomeric suspension seat and backrest. That translates to true support thanks to the varying tension throughout the seat design for immersive comfort and ergonomic support. This Herman Miller is one of the best office chairs for Scoliosis.
#3 Herman Miller Embody Office Chair
Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: An auto-adjustable chair that ships fully assembled and is ideal for long periods of sitting — making it one of the best chairs for scoliosis.
Read Full Review: Herman Miller Embody Chair
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- Ships fully assembled
- Ideal for sitting longer than four hours per day
- Has a tilt limiter, adjustable seat depth, and fully adjustable arms
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- May not be as comfortable for fuller figured people
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If you sit for long periods and happen to have scoliosis or other back concerns, we think this is the best chair for scoliosis. First, it comes fully assembled, which means that you don’t have to struggle with bending over while fighting to connect screws, nuts, or bolts. This Herman Miller chair is ideal because it automatically adjusts to the curve of your spine.
This is because the back features an adjustable central spine with flexible ribs that can be customized to fit the unique curves in your back. You’ll also like the floating design for true ergonomic support and waterfall edge on the seat. The seat height can be adjusted from 16 to 20.5 inches while the total height can be customized between 42 to 45 inches. The best office stability chair will also offer a generous height range, non-slip vinyl, and good weight capacity. We also like that the lightweight fabric on this Herman Miller is designed to help vent heat and improve airflow. The arms are also fully adjustable and can be configured between 6.5 to 11.5 inches high and from 12 to 21 inches apart.
#4 La-Z-Boy Trafford Big and Tall Executive Office Chair
Award: BEST CAPACITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: A plush executive chair that creates a strong first impression with full support from head to knees, making it the best recliner for scoliosis.
Read Full Review: La-Z-Boy Trafford
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- Responsive cushions adjust with movement
- Wider dimensions for taller people
- Sleek executive leather upholstery
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- Reduced breathability because of leather upholstery
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La-Z-Boy is another one of those names that are known for comfort. While the brand is usually associated with comfortable home furnishings, they also make office furniture — specifically office chairs. If you prefer a sleek leather look to your office, then their Trafford chair is perfect. And as far as leather chairs go, you can compare the Trafford to the best executive leather office chair. But what makes the La-Z-Boy the best recliner for scoliosis goes beyond aesthetics. We like that this pick features flexible air technology with lumbar cushions that automatically pivot as you move so that you get the proper support from every angle.
The Trafford chair is designed as a big and tall chair, meaning that it’s ideal for larger or taller people who normally struggle to get comfortable in standard-size office chairs. With the ability to accommodate up to 400 pounds, you’ll like that in addition to the built-in headrest, you can also adjust the recline, seat height, and armrests. You’ll feel well-supported with the deeply layered foam body pillows and waterfall seat edge that helps to promote circulation in your legs. The seat height can be adjusted from 21 to 23 inches, the chair height from 44.5 to 47.5 inches, and the arm height from 27.5 to 30.5 inches. 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.
#5 Alera Elusion Series Multifunction Office Chair
Award: BEST MESH DESIGN
WHY WE LIKE IT: A simple combination mesh and padded seat office chair that still comes with all of the essential height and seat adjustments for true comfort.
Read Full Review: Alera Elusion Series Multifunction chair
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- Height and width adjustable arms
- Waterfall seat edge for improved blood flow
- Seatback is breathable but still has adjustable lumbar support
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- 3 separate control levers may be confusing for some
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Not everyone wants a fully padded chair. Especially if you’re the type who gets overheated or sweats easily, a mesh back can be preferable. But when you have back problems, mesh usually isn’t recommended because it’s not as supportive. But this pick from Alera is the perfect compromise since it combines a breathable mesh back that features built-in lumbar support with a plush padded fabric-covered seat and a relatively standard waterfall edge.
We like that with this pick you still get full control over seat adjustments. This includes the ability to adjust the back angle as well as the seat and overall chair height. You’ll like that with the reclining adjustments, you can choose from infinite locking positions. And for the arms, you can not only adjust the height but the width too.
#6 Steelcase Gesture Office Chair
Award: BEST ARMRESTS
WHY WE LIKE IT: An ergonomic chair that features smart armrests that respond to your gestures to guarantee perfect posture no matter what.
Read Full Review: Steelcase Gesture Chair
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- Automatically adjusts to user’s movements
- Four reclining settings
- Supports up to 400lbs
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- Design scheme may appear dated to some
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Imagine a chair that intuitively adjusted the arms to whatever gestures you were doing. You don’t have to imagine it because this is exactly what the Steelcase Gesture chair is designed to do. This ergonomic chair is meant to automatically move the armrests based on your movements. We also like that as you recline in this chair, the seat automatically adjusts so that your pelvis is kept in a neutral position with your feet on the floor. One of the best recline functionality can also be found in the best office chair without wheels.
The Steelcase Gesture chair is a similarly simpler design, which some people may find to be a little dated. But we like that you have a variable backstop to lock the recline function if you prefer not to use it. And when you want to, there are four angle settings for perfect customization. We like that the armrests can be adjusted from 7.25 to 11.5 inches in height. And the seat height can be shifted from 16 to 21 inches.
#7 Flash Furniture Mid-Back Black Mesh Office Chair
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: A great combination mesh-fabric office chair with armrests and full adjustments for back angles as well as seat and chair heights, proving you don’t need to break the bank to find a supportive office chair.
Read Full Review: Flash Furniture Mid-Back Executive Chair
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- Available in two frames and eight colors
- Combination mesh and cushioned seat
- 3-way adjustments for back, seat, and armrests
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- Armrests may not be compatible with keyboard trays
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Even if you have a scoliosis diagnosis, that doesn’t mean that you’re financially in the market to spend on one of the more expensive models we’ve highlighted in our buying guide. But being a budget-conscious shopper also doesn’t mean that you should compromise on your back health. That’s why we’re including this Flash Furniture mesh-combo ergonomic office chair. We love that you still get the core adjustability features that your back needs without making your wallet cry.
The Flash Furniture office chair comes with a breathable mesh back and built-in lumbar support with ribs. We also like that it’s available in two frame colors (black and white) as well as eight upholstery shades so you can get it to match your design scheme. While this pick does require assembly, we like that it’s approved for gaming and long periods of use. You’ll like that you can adjust the tilt angle on the back as well as the back height, seat height, and armrests with the three paddles under the seat. The seat height can be adjusted from 18 to 23 inches while the back can be raised between 19 to 21 inches. And the armrests can be raised between 7.75 to 10.25 inches.
#8 Ergousit Ergonomic Office Chair
Award: BEST FOR NECK HEALTH
WHY WE LIKE IT: The perfect ergonomic office chair for someone who also likes to have the freedom to adjust their headrest or completely remove it if preferred, making it a great choice for neck health.
Read Full Review: Ergousit Ergonomic Office Chair
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- Comfortable waterfall seat
- Supports up to 300 pounds
- Backrest tilts 90 to 110 degrees
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- Armrests and headrest lack sufficient padding
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Some people like the idea of having a headrest. For them, a chair without a headrest isn’t an option because it makes leaning back much easier and more comfortable. In that case, we’ve included this Ergousit office chair because it features a headrest that can be tilted not just at an angle but up or down so that you get a perfect position. The backrest can also be tilted between 90 to 110 degrees.
We like that the mesh back still features lumbar support while providing plenty of ventilation. And for fuller figured people, this chair can support up to 300 pounds. While assembly is required, you’ll like that you can still adjust seat height, back height, and the armrests. However, we did note that a common issue was that there were a few key touchpoints on this chair that lacked sufficient padding. Specifically, both the armrests and the headrest border lack padding, which can become uncomfortable over time.
#9 Sihoo Ergonomics Office Chair
Award: BEST ANGLE SUPPORT
WHY WE LIKE IT: An office chair designed to reduce spinal pressure thanks to the large 90 to 125-degree reclining feature and an ergonomic design to provide the perfect amount of support in any position.
Read Full Review: Sihoo Ergonomic Office Chair
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- Available in three colors
- Seat pad includes thigh support for extended use
- Breathable mesh back
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- Gas shocks may leak air prematurely
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The Sihoo ergonomic office chair is perfect for the person who likes to lean back in their chairs frequently. It has one of the largest reclining angles that we found through our research. With the Sihoo chair, you can recline from between 90 to 125 degrees. This pick also features a fully adjustable headrest with a 45-degree swivel and a 3.9-inch up and down adjustment. The armrests can be lifted to 3.9 inches. And you can also adjust the seat and chair height too using the gas shocks for smoother movement.
But what sets it apart from the competition is the fact that you have the choice for an adjustable footrest. When you don’t want to use it, it stores discreetly out of the way under your seat cushion. But it can be easily engaged and adjusted to between 9.8 to 20 inches thanks to the easy to use gears. As is common, this is a mesh-combo solution with a breathable mesh back featuring built-in lumbar support and a plush padded fabric covered chair.
#10 Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair
Award: BEST FOR HOME USE
WHY WE LIKE IT: A simple supportive mesh-combo office chair that can support up to 331 pounds and is available in six colors makes it perfect for a home office set up.
Read Full Review: Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair
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- Can support up to 331 pounds
- 6” thick mesh seat cushion
- Breathable seat back with lumbar support
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- Some may find the seat depth too shallow
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For home office setups, you may not need one of the more heavy-duty chairs that we’ve highlighted. But you may still want a good ergonomic chair for a few hours of work that you have to do from time to time. So, we included this pick from Modway. This mesh-combo office chair features that traditional mesh back with built-in lumbar support and a plush six-inch seat cushion that’s also upholstered in mesh for added breathability.
This pick can support up to 331 pounds, making it ideal for a wide range of users. One thing we did note was that some people may find this chair to be a little shallow since the seat depth is just 17 inches while most chairs are usually in the 19-inch range. Still, you’ll get four adjustments that include recline, seat height, and chair height, along with adjustable armrests. Note that some assembly is required.
How We Decided
Even if you don’t have a back problem like scoliosis, an ergonomic office chair is a good investment for anyone — especially if you spend long periods working at a desk. To create our guide, we looked at the following key features — adjustability, support, size range, and materials.
All of our picks feature four core adjustments: recline, seat height, chair height, and armrest height adjustment. But note that the total recline angles can vary widely. Although in our research most products could achieve at least a 110-degree incline. And we did have one pick that offered 125 degrees, which is impressive. And some picks also offered more enhanced armrest adjustments that included width changes — allowing you to bring the armrests inward or outward for a more comfortable seat.
All of our picks featured lumbar support, but you’ll note that some were fully padded with a seat back that featured pillows or foam support. However, the bulk of our recommendations were mesh combos that featured a mesh back with lumbar support and a padded seat chair.
Only our Best Quality pick offered a range of sizes. However, we did include a few selections that were specifically designed for fuller figures. And while most of our chair recommendations could support up to 300 pounds, we did have two options that could accommodate 400 pounds. And finally, you’ll note that for materials, a mesh-fabric combo was by far the most common. However, we did include one microfiber and one leather recommendation.
Best Office Chair for Scoliosis Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Adjustability
Considering that you’re going to be sitting at your office chair for most likely more than a couple of hours, you want a chair that you can easily adjust. In addition to being able to raise or lower the seat, you’ll also want to look for chairs that can also give you the freedom to adjust the back, headrest, and even the armrests if need be. Specifically, look for models where you can adjust the lumbar support up and down as well as in and out so that it’s perfectly aligned for your back. Make sure that you can adjust your chair so that your feet are still flat on the floor and your arms are even with the height of your desk. - Support
When you have scoliosis, being particular about lumbar support is going to be important. You want a chair that is supportive throughout the seat and in the backrest. Your best bet is going to be with cushioned backrest models. However, a mesh office chair can work as long as it has enough give and isn’t forcing your spine into uncomfortable positions. - Compatibility with Your Spine
Everyone deals with scoliosis differently and their spines will be impacted or shaped differently as well. So, it’s always important to test out a chair before you commit to one. Make sure that it offers the adjustments specifically where you need it. Some people may need more upper back support while others might want a headrest for more neck support. - Size Range
Good office chairs designed to provide complete back comfort and support should offer a range of sizes rather than a single size that’s designed to be universal. You’ll want to be able to sit comfortably without needing to arch your back. But as a general guide, look for models that at least offer the following dimensions. Standard width chairs are usually 17 to 20 inches wide in the seat. But with the backrest, the width can range from 12 to 20 inches. And the height is usually adjustable between 16 to 21 inches. - Material
This is going to be dependent upon personal preference. Also consider looking at options with memory foam cushions. But you can find office chairs that are designed with mesh, fabric, or even leather. Likewise, some options have plush, cushioned seatbacks while others are simple mesh for improved ventilation. Whichever you choose, do make sure that the actual seat is properly cushioned to help reduce strain on your back.
