The Stiftung Warentest has examined office chairs. Everyone was comfortable – but every second one had a security problem and some broke quickly. The test winner costs 350 euros.
Office chairs have become a popular commodity due to the home office trend. Anyone who works from home more and more should have a decent place to sit in order to protect their back. Stiftung Warentest has now tested 13 office chairs for prices between 230 and 390 euros and found five to be good. The others suffered from safety deficiencies, and in some cases durability was also a problem.
All of the swivel chairs tested could be individually adjusted, using adjustable backrests and armrests as well as the seat height. The upholstery and the development of heat and moisture were also okay. The bottom line was that the seating comfort was good for all models, so the specialists definitely beat the rickety kitchen chair. The synchronous mechanism built into all test candidates also contributes to this, a rocking function that encourages active sitting.
The pollutant test also went well: Most of the chairs received partial grades between very good and satisfactory, only two models were only sufficient. The product testers, however, were not satisfied with the safety. With seven chairs there is a risk of pinching your fingers under the armrests or cutting on sharp edges. A chair also tipped over too easily. Two models failed completely due to insufficient durability: With them, the fastening for adjusting the seat height broke during the load test.
Five office chairs are good
The model was the test winner , which costs around 350 euros. It is also good and significantly cheaper for only 229 euros. Other good models: Interstuhl Every is 1 EV111, and Ikea Hattefjäll. The Ikea chair is the only one in the test with a leather seat.
In principle, the product testers recommend having a test seat before buying, as some chairs are more suitable for tall people, others more for small people. Of the good ones, the Ikea model and Interstuhl are more suitable for people with short legs, the other three are more suitable for tall people.
Adjust the office chair correctly
In addition, the following applies: Even a good office chair can only sit well if it is correctly adjusted. From the point of view of the product test experts, the most important points are:
- The counter pressure of the synchronous mechanism should be set so that the backrest is supported in an upright position and gently yields when leaning against it.
- The seat height is optimal when the feet are completely on the floor and the thighs and lower legs form a right angle.
- Good office chairs can be adjusted not only in the seat height (up / down), but also in the seat depth (front / back).
- The armrests should support the arms comfortably and should be about the height of the desk (which of course must also be the right height).
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Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
