The Best Mesh Office Chairs

Mesh office chairs are very similar to classic office chairs but are built with mesh stretched across the frame of the seat, back, or padding. The stretchiness and elasticity of mesh make it better conform to your body shape, providing an overall more comfortable and flexible chair to sit in as you work.

Buying Guide for Mesh Office Chairs

Why buy a mesh office chair?

Office workers and work-from-homers alike can benefit from a mesh office chair. Couches, sofas, and armchairs can provide a nice, comfy place to sit when working from home, but sometimes, they’re too comfy. It’s altogether too easy to find yourself sinking into or leaning back on your couch, then next thing you know, you’re taking a nap, or your motivation to be productive has taken a nosedive.

Office workers are more likely to face the opposite problem, where their office chair is so hard, uncomfortable, and unsupportive that they’re constantly shifting around in their seats and have trouble focusing. A seat cushion alone might not be enough.

A mesh office chair solves both these problems by making your workspace more comfortable while keeping you upright and alert. And they also allow for better airflow than regular office chairs, making them ideal for offices or people that run hot.

What should you look for in a mesh office chair?

• Weight Capacity: Your new mesh office chair won’t do you much good if it can’t support your full body weight. Most will have a weight capacity of at least 200 pounds, but this may not be enough for everyone. And even if a mesh office chair is theoretically capable of holding your weight, you may want to buy one with a higher weight capacity than you technically need, just to be safe. Some models can support 400 pounds or more.
• Comfort: While all mesh office chairs are comfy, an ergonomically designed mesh office chair provides extra comfort. There are also mesh office chairs on the market designed for certain statures or those that provide additional back support, lower or otherwise. These are great for those who experience back pain or want to improve their posture, especially if the lumbar is adjustable. Even if you don’t have back issues, you may find the extra lumbar support to be more comfortable regardless.
• Height: How tall do you want the back of your mesh office chair to be? Do you want full back support, or is partial support okay? A headrest to support your neck, spine, and head? And do you want it to be height adjustable? If you’re extra tall or extra short, or if your desk is particularly high or low off the ground, a chair with a wider height adjustment range will be more suitable for your desk.

How expensive are mesh office chairs?

Mesh office chairs tend to have a big price range, especially for a piece of furniture. One of these chairs might cost as little as $50 or as much as $1,000 (or more, in some really high-end cases). The less expensive models are great for those on a tighter budget, but the mesh they’re made of won’t be as high-quality as the pricier ones. High-end mesh office chairs will also be made of more elastic and durable mesh, so they’ll last much longer. More expensive models are also more likely to have extra features for comfort and functionality, such as footrests.

Basically, a less expensive mesh office chair is a great option for those on a budget, but if you’re able to spring for a more premium model, strongly consider doing so.

Our Picks for the Comfiest Mesh Office Chairs

Pros: If you want a supportive mesh office chair, this just might be the chair for you. The full, tall back offers both upper and lower lumbar support, but there are also armrests and a headrest for your neck and head. Unlike a lot of other mesh office chairs, this model’s armrests can be folded up out of your way at the touch of a button. The height of the chair and the headrest are adjustable as well. The quality mesh fabric is breathable and resistant to wear and tear, so it’ll last longer while keeping its sleek, modern look. While some assembly is required for this chair, the process is fairly simple, and all the hardware you need comes included with your purchase.

Cons: While definitely within the normal price range for one of these chairs, this model is one of the pricier options on this list. Depending on your height, this chair may be too large or too small for your needs. If you’re below 5 feet, 5 inches, even the lowest height setting will likely be too tall for you, and anyone around 6 feet, 2 inches, or taller may find it’s not high enough.

Bottom Line: There’s a lot to love about this mesh office chair. It supports just about every part of the body that you could want or need it to, and it’s highly adjustable in almost all of those regions. As long as you’re the right height for this chair and have the budget to accommodate the cost, this should be the perfect mesh office chair for most folks.

 

Pros: You don’t have to pay an arm and a leg to buy yourself a nice new mesh office chair, as this model proves. It’s much less expensive than the average mesh office chair, a good option for those who want comfort but are on a budget. Unlike most mesh office chairs, black isn’t the only color choice. Seven other neutral and bright choices are available for purchase if you want something with a little more flair. And even though it’s inexpensive, this chair doesn’t skimp on the cooling and breathability aspect. Besides the completely aerated mesh back, the open lower back and space below the armrests help to further promote airflow.

Cons: You’ll want to look for another mesh office chair if you’re prone to back pain or are taller than average. The back of this model isn’t as tall as most, and the lower back is open rather than solid, so it doesn’t offer as much lumbar support.

Bottom Line: Mesh office chairs are known to be pricey investments, and not everyone’s budget can accommodate such a purchase for their home office or workspace. Fortunately, this affordable model offers a solution to those who don’t have as much money to spend. Although it’s not the most supportive model on the market, it provides the comfort and breathability that mesh office chairs are known for without breaking the bank.

 

Pros: This white mesh office chair may suit more modern, minimalist office spaces better than the classic black option. Other colors are available, too, if you want something even brighter or more colorful. If the back of this office chair isn’t high enough for you, the same model with a higher back option and a neck and headrest can be purchased instead. This mesh office chair is height adjustable and tilts backward, with padded armrests that can be tucked up and away if desired.

Cons: The mesh office chair’s arms may be well padded, but the seat isn’t. The wheels may also be on the loud side, and they may scuff your floors if you’re rolling back and forth a lot.

Bottom Line: Black is the standard color for many office chairs, but it’s no longer the only option out there. If you want something brighter or lighter, or if black doesn’t suit your home office space, you’ll love this airy, white mesh office chair.

 

Pros: Able to support up to 400 pounds, this chair has a much higher weight limit than most. It’s also taller and deeper than most. Even if you aren’t especially big and tall yourself, if you like to relax back and stretch out in your office chair, you’ll love this model, especially since it’s highly adjustable. The height, lumbar support, and tension control are all adjustable, and you can recline and rock back and forth while sitting.

Cons: Shorter people may find this office chair a bit too tall for their liking. There’s also a good chance this chair will be on the squeaky side.

Bottom Line: It can be hard to find an office chair that will comfortably fit most, if not all, adults and their varying heights and body types. Finding the right weight capacity can be tricky since most people want at least some wiggle room there for security. Thanks to this mesh office chair’s extra-high weight capacity and large size, it should be able to fit pretty much any grown adult.

 

Pros: This rare mesh office chair offers support in just about every spot. Besides the usual armrests, this model is equipped with a full headrest and a pop-out footrest. The footrest is cushioned and allows you to put your feet up. Not only does this mesh office chair offer all this support, but it’s extremely adjustable. The headrest, the armrests’ height, the footrest, and the seat height can all be adjusted, and the backrest can tilt backward to a certain degree. To top it off, this mesh office chair has a good weight capacity. It’s able to support up to 330 pounds of weight.

Cons: While not as expensive as the premium mesh office chairs on the market, this is the most expensive item on our list. While many people will appreciate having an adjustable headrest to support their head and neck, keep in mind that the headrest doesn’t lock. And while putting this chair together shouldn’t be too much of a hassle, some buyers found the assembly instructions unhelpful.

Bottom Line: This is the rare mesh office chair that is suitable for a whole range of different people’s heights and body types. Since it’s so adjustable, it’s that much easier to tweak to perfectly suit your specific needs and preferences while offering support from head to toe.

Final Thoughts

Support and comfort are worthwhile factors to look for in an office chair, especially one that sees daily use. A good mesh office chair can provide you with both. You get an office chair that is comfortable to sit in for hours at a time, but that won’t lull you to sleep or ruin your posture.