After testing dozens of brands and models for comfort and ergonomics, these are the 5 best office chairs in Australia

It’s always a good move to invest in the things that separate you from the ground, like shoes and mattresses, as they contribute to your daily health, safety and comfort. Skimping on these items can cause chronic pain, poor sleep and injuries, ironically costing you more in the long run. That’s especially true with the best office chairs in Australia, as people spend more time in front of desks than ever before — whether it’s for work, web browsing or watching movies.

A cheap office chair may be tempting, but it likely won’t last as long as you’d want to — not to mention the lack of ergonomics, support and comfort that your body needs when you spend hours at your desk.

With plenty of brands and models to choose from, though, finding the best office chair for your specific needs or body type can be a daunting task, especially when testing them in person at a store isn’t as accessible anymore, with many brands opting to sell online.

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That’s where we come in — TechRadar Pro’s expert testers have tried a variety of office chairs from different brands and I’ve curated our top 5 picks below so you know exactly what you’re getting for your hard-earned cash. Whether you’re after an ergonomic chair with tons of adjustment points, a no-frills, basic desk chair that nails the core functions, or something that suits your specific body type, there’s something for you in this list.

And the good news is you don’t need to spend thousands on one of the best office chairs as there are a fair few that carry only a three-figure price tag in Australia.

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Best office chair overall

Buy it if:

✅ You don’t always sit completely still: The backrest’s geometric 'Air LiveBack' mesh design flexes to support you when you shift your weight a lot.
✅ You want plush foam that stays firm: The seat cushion has high-density foam that won't flatten or sag after prolonged use, unlike cheap office chairs.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You want to lock your position: The backrest doesn’t feature a lockable recline, so it springs back upright once pressure is lifted.
❌ You stand 180cm or taller: The low-profile design won’t be as comfortable for taller users, and the backrest could dig into your shoulders.

Why I chose Steelcase Series 2

With its cushioned seat, breathable mesh fabric back, and one of the best ergonomic designs with height-adjustable lumbar support, our reviewer found the Steelcase Series 2 task chair incredibly comfortable to sit in, even for long hours. Its gentle, elegant design makes it ideal for both the office and home office, and it’s even backed by a 12-year warranty.

Beyond all-round comfort, what really makes the Steelcase Series 2 stand out is the configuration lineup. We reviewed the task chair version, a mid-back executive-style desk chair, but the seat is available with or without a headrest in Australia and, importantly, in a variety of colourways to match your style.

Our reviewer found that adjusting the chair with the under-seat levers and dials was very intuitive — certainly no fumbling for controls here. The only real issue is that the recline doesn’t lock into place, returning to the upright position each time. This shouldn’t affect posture as you’ll still get the support that’s right for you, so it’s not a bad choice at all. Plenty of chairs offer similar specs and features at lower prices, but we found the Steelcase Series 2 to be the complete package.

Seat height rests between 37cm and 43cm, armrests boast 7.6cm adjustability, and there’s a 181kg max weight load, so it may not suit taller users, but it’s perfect for the average person working long hours.

Read our full Steelcase Series 2 Task Chair review

Best ergonomic chair

Buy it if:

✅ You want maximum adjustability: With 15 points of adjustment, sky’s the limit for how you want to optimise the ErgoTune Joobie to suit your body.
✅ You also want to relax: The lumbar support and headrest (plus the optional footpad) turn the Joobie into a comfortable recliner with a quick adjustment.

Don’t buy it if:

❌ You’re taller than 190cm: While the chair itself can accommodate taller people, the optional footpad doesn’t extend far enough for some.
❌ You need longer armrests: While they can pivot 360º, the armrests are short and your elbows can hang off the ends.

Why I chose ErgoTune Joobie

The smart-looking ErgoTune Joobie improves upon the brand’s older offerings with 15 points of adjustment, up from 11 on the now-discontinued Supreme. It can take a while to wrap your head around all the various adjustments, especially trying to figure out how the proprietary VerteSync recline works, but our reviewer quickly fell in love with the Joobie during testing and still uses it in TechRadar’s Sydney office today.

While the armrests' adjustability is limited and the lumbar support might be harsh for some, it’s one of the best ergonomic chairs we’ve tried in Australia. Sure, your elbows might not feel supported as they hang off the back of the armpads, but making the lumbar support adjustable is a big positive. It's not as harshly curved as it was in the Supreme, so it's easy to get used to on day one, but it’s still got a good curvature that anyone with back issues might appreciate, and it can now be adjusted for both tension and height.

The Joobie also comes with an optional footpad for just an additional AU$50. Not everyone will want it, but it turns the Joobie into a recliner — although not really a La-Z-Boy, more a dentist's chair, but without the stress. Not only can you sit up straight while working, but you can relax on the Joobie, too.

Our reviewer found the adjustments were easy to make whenever needed and the controls are all easy to reach, even for shorter people.

It comes with a 6-year warranty, available in several colours and, importantly, doesn't cost an arm and a leg. In fact, you'll find it discounted by at least AU$100 quite often.

Read our full ErgoTune Joobie review

Best chair for back pain

Buy it if:

✅ You suffer from serious or chronic lower back pain: The dynamic 'LiveBack' backrest and other adjustable points all work together for precise, targeted relief.
✅ You stay active in your seat: This chair won't make you feel like you're locked into place, as the seat and armrests almost glide as you move the Leap V2.

Don’t buy it if:

❌ You work in a warm room: The thick cushioning retains heat and doesn't offer as much breathability as a mesh-backed chair.
❌ You like to rock in your seat: The recline has a sticky feel — it will let you lean back, but doesn't move as freely as some other chairs.

Why I chose Steelcase Leap

What’s a more comfortable office chair than something that’s been proven to relieve lower back pain? Pair that with 8 adjustment options (9 if you include the headrest), and you get the Steelcase Leap, an office chair that’s comfortable enough to sit for long hours at your desk.

The Leap’s mechanically engineered backrest naturally moulds to your body, keeping your spine aligned at any angle. Its firmness can be adjusted to help you achieve better posture, while the lumbar support system can either support the middle of your back or your lower back.

Adding to the adjustability is the Steelcase Leap’s accommodating fit to provide all-day comfort for a range of body types (our reviewer stands at 188cm and agrees with that sentiment). Together with the premium build quality, the Leap is worth the high price for long hours at your desk.

Read our full Steelcase Leap review

Best budget chair

Buy it if:

✅ Good lumbar support is essential: While a little basic, the two-way lumbar support does the job of accurately curving to your spine.
✅ You want something neutral for the home office: The Sihoo M57 keeps flashiness to a minimum with its black-and-chrome visual design. If you’re in the market for something subtle, then you can’t go too far wrong here.

Don’t buy it if:

❌ You’re taller and heavier than the average person: If you’re around 180cm or taller, then you may not be completely supported by the Sihoo M57.
❌ You want a premium feeling chair: The Sihoo M7 is as basic as it comes. While completely serviceable, don’t go in expecting leading assembly and high-end components.

Why I chose Sihoo M57

Admittedly, most of the chairs in this list are pricey enough to make some people shudder, which doesn’t mean they aren’t worth it, but not everyone necessarily needs all the bells and whistles. For some people, a no-frills seat that won’t cause back pain would be more than enough.

With an RRP of AU$489, the Sihoo M57 provides decent lumbar support and ergonomic performance for the price. It has an understated look, which can be appealing to some, and the mesh helps keep you cool all year round. There is some adjustability outside of the usual seat height, like the adaptive lumbar support that changes with a turn of a knob and the backrest can be locked into place when you want to lean forward or backward.

Ultimately, this office chair will not fit everyone, as our 183cm tall reviewer found that they were a bit too big for the Sihoo M57 to feel fully supported (despite the brand’s recommended height provided). If you’re closer to the average height and weight and just want something with a good build quality and enough lumbar support, the Sihoo M57 is the best office chair at this price point.

Read our full Sihoo M57 review

Best office chair for big and tall

Buy it if:

✅ You need some extra room: While the seat itself is the standard 52cm width, the armrests are placed wider compared to the other chairs in this list.
✅ You want to fine-tune your seat: The Vesby has 14 points of adjustment to optimise the fit to suit your body.

Don’t buy it if:

❌ You get distracted easily: The lumbar support may make a loud clicking sound when you move around as it’s pre-built and can’t be tightened.
❌ You want something easy to assemble: The Vesby is relatively heavy and you may need an extra pair of hands to assemble it.

Why I chose ErgoTune Vesby

The Vesby is Singapore-based ErgoTune’s most expensive chair yet, but it’s still under a grand in Australia and justifies its price point in spades. Its broader backrest and widely spaced arms make it look larger than it is, but the seat is still the standard 50cm width of most chairs; but there's more room to wriggle around, which makes this better suited to people with broader builds.

Moreover, its lumbar curvature is smoother than the older Supreme but harsher than the Joobie mentioned above, making it easier to adjust to for some people while others can easily get used to it in days. It's what you'll need if you have lower-back issues already, or want to prevent them from occurring in the future. It also has a much nicer-feeling headrest than all of the other chairs in this list.

There are a total of 14 points of adjustment here, including the lumbar support and headrest. The former has 2 adjustment options while the latter has three. Even the adjustment levers are bigger here, and they're all uniquely shaped, so you can easily learn which one does what and reach for them without looking.

Our reviewer’s favourite part of the chair is the armrests, with pads that swivel a full 360º and can be positioned to allow your elbows to rest when leaning back.

Their only complaint is the Vesby’s clicky lumbar support and the roughly cut hatch on the underside of the seatpan – minor problems both and possibly just unique to the review sample sent to us.

Read our full ErgoTune Vesby review

Alternatives to consider

Best office chairs: FAQs

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How to choose the best office chair

Our 5 essential features of a good office chair gives an in-depth guide of what to look out for when picking the perfect seat, but here’s a quick summary of what to look for when you’re shopping for your next piece of office furniture:

Adjustability

With a wide variety of desks, pairing the right office chair can come down to its adjustability. How high can the chair rise? Are the armrests movable? Does the backrest tilt? These options can impact how you sit at your desk, and you want to make sure you have the right chair with the adjustments you need for the most comfortable seat.

Size

You’ll want to find a chair that not only fits in your space, but also one that fits your body comfortably. While a lot of gaming chairs offer options for bigger and taller people, not every office chair has been designed to fit every body type. Each chair has weight limits and recommended heights, so it’s important to check those specifications if you’re on either end of the size spectrum.

If you’re working with a smaller space, consider looking at chairs with removable armrests and a minimalist design – though you might have to go without all the adjustability options you’d otherwise have.

Support

You’re likely going to be sitting in your office chair for hours a day, so you want to make sure it offers the right support. From lumbar support to headrests, these can be the difference between a chair that’s comfortable for the first few hours, and a chair that will keep you comfortable and sitting correctly throughout the whole day.

Ergonomic chairs can also help to keep you productive – you won’t be spending your valuable time thinking about how uncomfortable you are, and instead can focus on your task or game.

Materials

The right material can also impact the comfort of your office chair, as well as how long it'll last. High-quality materials will increase its lifespan, saving you time and money in the long run while still providing a comfortable seat.

Additionally, different materials can help keep you cool or warm, depending on your office’s climate. If you have a warmer office, consider looking into mesh chairs, or other breathable fabrics. Alternatively, if you want a premium chair and have an office with good regulated temperature, leather – or faux leather if you prefer – chairs should be your go-to, as they both look and feel the part of an executive seat.

Cost

The bigger the budget, the more options you’ll have. Though, that’s not to say there aren't high-quality affordable office chairs out there. It really will come down to what you’re looking for, but cost can be impacted by brand, material and design.

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How we test office chairs

Each office chair we review is tested for over a month, with close consideration given to the comfort, material, adjustability, durability and weight limit of the seat. It’s not just a matter of sitting in the chair while we work, we carefully consider each of the above categories, and how the chair impacts our productivity.

Additionally, we also look at how easy each chair is to assemble and, more importantly, its cost. Options from both the premium and lower end of the price spectrum are put to the test, so we can assess a big variety of chairs. We also take into consideration the design and size of a chair, as each workspace will have its own spatial needs.

See more about our testing process in How we test, review and rate on TechRadar Pro: Office Chairs.

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