If you spend a lot of time sitting at a desk, you need an ergonomic chair. You will feel more comfortable and focused for longer, and it will be better for your posture in the long term. But, while it is easy to find good ergonomic office chairs, it can be more challenging to find quality ergonomic drafting chairs.
In this article, we’ll share our recommendations for the 5 best ergonomic drafting chairs you can order today. We’ve also put together a full buying guide so you know what to look for when choosing a drafting chair for yourself.
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What Is An Ergonomic Drafting Chair?
A drafting chair is basically an elevated office chair designed to be used at drafting desks or standing desks. Ergonomic drafting chairs make the difference between using your kitchen stool and something that you will still feel comfortable in after several hours.
Ergonomic drafting chairs are usually adjustable in height so that you can change the height depending on what’s comfortable for what you are doing, and they usually have casters or wheels for moving around to different stations. Since the height means you often can’t put your feet on the ground, these chairs will often also have a foot rest.
5 Best Ergonomic Drafting Chairs
BOLISS Ergonomic Office Computer Drafting Chair
This drafting chair manages to achieve an ergonomic but simple design ideal for computer and drafting work at a standing desk.
- 23.6-30.9 inch adjustable height
- Molded sponge seat
- Ergonomic lumbar support
This chair has a lightweight but solid frame ideal for office work. There is a molded sponge seat that won’t deform, supported by a mesh back with ergonomic lumbar support. The seat can be raised to between 23.6 and 30.9 inches off the ground, and there is a lengthened cylindrical footrest to use at these raised heights.
Pros: We like the big height range available with this chair, and the quality of the molded seat that is soft and feels bouncy even after hours of sitting.
Cons: We would have preferred this chair had a headrest, and that the arms could be folded out of the way when not needed.
This chair sticks to the basics when it comes to ergonomics, so it feels simple and clean and ideal for a minimalist office space.
Hylone High-Back Mesh Ergonomic Drafting Chair
This is a nice, high-drafting chair with some simple ergonomic features that add significant comfort.
- 21.4-29.1 inch adjustable seat height
- Flip-away armrests
- Height-adjustable foot ring
This breathable mesh chair can be adjusted from 21.4-29.1 inches, which gives lots of range. The seat is made with a comfortable padded cushion, with a breathable mesh back. The armrests flip up 90 degrees so you can move them out of the way completely if you want the elbow room. The foot ring height is also adjustable.
Pros: We like the height range available with this chair, and that the foot ring adjusts with the seat. We also like that you can flip the armrests out of the way.
Cons: This is another chair that we would like to see with an integrated headrest.
If you tend to get hot in the office and want something breathable with lots of height adjustment options, the Hylone chair is an excellent choice.
Modway Charge Drafting Chair
This breathable mesh chair has a ribbed design backrest, which provides excellent lumbar support when you’re working.
- 22-29 inch adjustable seat height
- Flip-away armrests
- Pneumatic gas cylinder
The chair sits on a sturdy nylon base with a pneumatic gas cylinder for adjusting the height of the chair to as much as 29 inches. The seat is made from breathable mesh with a ribbed lumbar design, and armrests that flip 90 degrees so you can push them out of the way as desired.
Pros: We love the breathable mesh fabric, which feels great, and the fact that you can flip away the armrests. The pneumatic gas cylinder makes adjusting the height simple.
Cons: It would have been nice if the back was more adjustable.
This is probably one of the most stylish ergonomic draft chairs on the market, which will look great in a modern design office.
Flash Furniture Mid-Back Mesh Drafting Chair
This is one of the tallest ergonomic drafting chairs we have encountered, ideal for anyone who wants a bit of extra height.
- 24.5-30 inch adjustable seat height
- Flip-away armrests
- Available in five colors
If you are concerned about both aesthetics and ergonomics, this drafting chair, which comes in five colors, is an excellent choice. It’s made from breathable mesh with padded flip-away arms on top of a durable nylon base with foot ring rest.
Pros: This chair offers a modest but convenient back tilt, and it is incredibly stylish.
Cons: While the lumbar support on this chair is excellent, we would have liked to have seen a headrest.
This chair is ideal if you want your tallest option and something that will look modern in your minimalist design office.
Nouhaus ErgoDraft Chair
This chair is probably the most complete option when it comes to ergonomic features and comfort.
- 23.4-30.9 inch adjustable seat height
- All features are fully adjustable
- 135-degree tilt
This chair can be adjusted as high as 30.9 inches, and the seat itself, with arm and headrest, is fully adjustable. The seat also tilts up to 135 degrees, and you can adjust the height of the foot ring as well. This is a sturdy chair with an aluminum base that can hold up to 275 pounds. Anti-roller caster rings keep the wheels in place when desired.
Pros: We like that all the ergonomic features of this chair are adjustable since no two people are the same.
Cons: This chair isn’t as aesthetically pleasing as some of the other chairs on this list, but this won’t bother you when you are sitting comfortably.
This is the drafting chair that integrates the most ergonomic features and is ideal for anyone who is looking for comfort and lumbar support.
Ergonomic Drafting Chair – Buying Guide
There is a huge variety of drafting chairs on the market, so how do you know which is the right one for you? These are the main factors to consider when making your choice.
Height
Probably the most important consideration is the height of the seat since this will make the primary difference when it comes to having your eyes at the right level for the screen and your hands at the right level for the desk or keyboard.
Most regular office chairs are between 16-21 inches in height (at the seat level) while drafting chairs can be up to 34 inches high. But you may not want your chair that tall. You need a chair that allows you to sit under the desk comfortably, without your legs touching the underside, while your eyes and arms are properly aligned to your workstation.
Adjustability
Just like most office chairs, you should be able to adjust the height of your drafting chair by a few inches. You might need to change the height for different users to use different workstations or complete different tasks.
The height should not be the only adjustable feature, though. You will also want to be able to adjust the level of the footrest. Just like with a good-quality standard office chair, you should also be able to adjust the lumbar support, armrests, seat depth, and so on.
Foot Rests
Footrests are essential with drafting chairs as they will elevate you too high to keep your feet on the ground. Having your legs hanging for an extended period of time will cause rapid fatigue. Usually, footrests are a metal foot ring with an adjustable height, but you may also see chairs with individually adjustable footrests.
Upholstery
Many different fabrics are used to create chairs and the best can depend on the chair. Leather or vinyl can work well on a stool, but if you have a backrest, then you will need a more breathable fabric. The main consideration should be the quality and breathability of the fabric.
Your Preferences
There are a variety of different types of drafting chairs. Some look like simple stools, while others are as complex as standard office chairs. Which one is right for you depends on your personal preferences.
If you only use your chair for occasional seating for meetings, simple stool-style chairs might be a great choice. But if you do sit at your drafting desk for longer periods, a more complete chair that provides lumbar support may be a better option. You need to consider your individual needs.
You can find reviews of some of the best ergonomic products for home and office on our site.
FAQs
Is it better to have a lower or higher office chair?
Sitting in a low-level seat can cause recurrent stress and joint pain when used for extended periods of time. You should never use a seat for an extended period that requires you to bend your knees more than 90 degrees.
Is it better to have an office chair with or without arms?
It’s best to have a chair with armrests because, if you don’t have somewhere to place your arms, you will be naturally inclined to lean and hunch forward. However, the arms should also fold away so that you have elbow room when completing more expansive tasks.
Can you use a drafting chair at a regular desk?
Drafting chairs tend to be too tall to use at most regular desks, as they usually do not adjust below 21 inches. This means that you cannot fit comfortably under a desk with room for your legs.
Is it better to sit on a hard or a soft chair?
Soft chairs tend to exacerbate the seating habits that lead to bad posture, but sitting on a hard chair, like a wooden chair, for too long can compromise your circulation. You need a harder chair with a bit of cushioning.
The Verdict
The comfort provided by a good ergonomic drafting chair can help you stay focused and productive for longer when you are working at your drafting or standing desk. While there are fewer options on the market than for standard office chairs, with a bit of searching you can find some comfortable and stylish ergonomic drafting chairs.
The main considerations are the same for any ergonomic chair, such as good lumbar support and adjustable armrests. But you will also want to consider the height of the chair and the inclusion of an appropriate footrest.
Not sure what to read next? Check out our guide to ergonomic gaming chairs.
switch to ergo products has completely eliminated any pain or discomfort despite decades of crazy hours behind screens. I hope you too weave in a bit of ergo into your lives.
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