Ask Lemmy

I got a "Actiu Tnk Flex" 2 years ago and so far so good.

Don't stop with just the chair. Make sure you keyboard and monitors are at the right heights. Consider getting an ergonomic keyboard and mouse (or trackball). The positions of your shoulders arms and wrists have a significant impact on overall comfort. They will also keep you from developing an RSI.

I have the GABRYLLY Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair from Amazon and I love it.

I have upper back pain due to minor scoliosis. I'm also 6'1" so it's more challenging to find chairs that support my upper back well.

I bought this one because it has a lot of the features of the $1,000+ Herman Miller type chairs, but for less than $300. I bought it during the pandemic and figured if it lasted a year or two it would justify me forking out the money for the real expensive ones. Well 4 years later I'm still loving it.

The only complaint I had was the wheels are kind of crap, but I replaced them with some $30 rubber ones that look like rollerblade wheels. They are smooth fast and don't destroy my laminate floors.

If you sit at a keyboard for multiple hours every day you should consider getting one of these: https://kinesis-ergo.com/shop/freestyle2-for-pc-us/

Scroll right in the picture carousel to the photo showing the two monitors. That is the configuration I use mine in.

I was developing ulnar neuropathy from typing something like twelve hours a day while working for a startup. I got this keyboard and started using it with the 15 degree tilt configuration, and the ulnar neuropathy cleared up in about a month.

Before that, typing for a couple hours would result in tingling and numbness along the pinkie side of both hands. After about a month, that stopped and never came back.

I’ve since left tech and no longer have crazy long time on the keyboard, and now I just use the keyboard on my macbook, without any issue.

For reference, I was in my late twenties when this occurred. I’m now in my 40s and I will say that the ulnar neuropathy never came back.

The one thing about that keyboard to be aware of: it’s BIG. Each half is nearly the size of a macbook air. So it can be a bit much to carry in a messenger bag. A decent backpack, doable. But it’s really best as a permanent desk fixture.

Sideways mouse is great too.

Yoga ball office chair. They're silly looking, but it's more convenient than a giant yoga ball.

My husband and I both have been using Tempur-Pedic office chairs for about 15 years. Starting in 2004, we both worked desk jobs from home (he still does, I only recently shifted careers) and both play video games so we have used the shit out of our chairs, and they are still good. I like that the seat is wide enough so I can fold my legs up under me if I want to.

I stand most of the time. Use the chair when I get tired.

I use a flexispot standing desk converter (it's like a big tray that goes on top of a fixed desk). I highly recommend doing so if you're going to be at a desk for hours every day.

My chair is nice af, and was provided by my workplace. If you can afford to go Herman-Miller (we're talking $1300+ for a new chair), do so. Your spine and butt and entire skeleton will thank you. Mine's an Aeron model

I like Hercules office chairs. They're meant to hold 300lb people for 8 hours a day. I'm not that big, and I don't sit that long, but the chair has lasted me a lot longer than cheap or even moderately priced office chairs.

I've never tried those expensive Herman Miller ones though. That's just too outside my budget and mesh doesn't look very comfortable to me. Not too mention my cats would shred that up.

I got this at the start of the pandemic and it has worked out perfect for me. I would have gone for a normal Herman miller but there’s not much of used market in my location and I’m not paying HM prices.

What is your budget?

I have a standing desk thus I just use an IKEA foldable barstool https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/franklin-bar-stool-with-backrest-foldable-black-black-50406465/

It’s a makeshift standing desk that can’t be lowered and using such a stool forces me to stand. But even if I just sit in it all day I don’t have any back pain or anything like I did when I used a normal office chair at a normal desk.

I have the bottom half of an unpleasantly upholstered office chair that I pulled out of a dumpster a quarter century ago. I would not recommend it, but it's better than the loose crap I find every time I go chair shopping.

Instead of investing in a chair, I would say invest in a sturdy desk that can be raised to standing height.

I found a yoga ball good for my butt and back. It forced me to keep sitting up right. Not good for relaxing though.

I'm a fan of the Alera ALEEL42ME10B Elusion Series Mesh Mid-Back Multifunction Chair ($180 at time of posting). I use it both at home and work

I bought it in November 2021 and it's still going strong
The one at work has been there since before i was hired (5 1/2 years ago)

I'm using this one and like it. Chairs in a similar price range from Staples just didn't have all the right adjustments that this one has.

https://www.autonomous.ai/office-chairs/ergonomic-chair?utm_term=631224075317&utm_campaign=[P]_US_Search_Standard_Brand_Phrase&utm_source=google&utm_medium=search&utm_content=autonomous%20ergonomic%20chair&gad_source=1