Best Office Chair for Sciatica: Exploring the Best of 2023

If you suffer from sciatica, you know it can be aggravated by sitting in a chair for long hours at a time. That’s why it’s important to find the right chair that will help alleviate the sciatic nerve pain, not aggravate it. That’s why we’ve compiled this list, so you can find some of the best office chairs for sciatic pain.

The ability to adjust the back and lumbar region of an office chair is one of the most important things in trying to keep sciatic nerve pain at bay. You need to find a chair that will fit your body type so you’re not straining or putting the wrong pressure on parts of the body.

We’ve evaluated the chairs below based on the amount of back support, adjustability, durability, and price. So what is the best office chair for sciatica? We’ll take a look below to find out.

You can click through to find the one that looks most appealing to you or read on to discover what it is that makes these the best chairs for sciatica, who they’re best for, or where they fall short.

What Kind of Office Chair Is Best for Sciatica?

The ergonomics of a chair are important when dealing with sciatica. If you want the best chair for sciatic nerve pain, we based these picks on the following criteria.

Back Support

Back support is crucial when spending hours in prolonged sitting in an office chair, especially when you are dealing with sciatica. It is very important to maintain proper posture, so a chair with good lumbar support will automatically help you achieve this.

Adjustability

Since everybody is different and sciatica pain isn’t the same for everyone, it’s important to find a chair that adjusts as much as possible. You want the chair to be able to conform to your body for ultimate pain relief, posture correction, and comfort.

Wheels

It’s important to note whether or not the chair rolls easily. Do you even want wheels? Depending on where your office is, can these office chairs roll well over carpet or wood? Do you need a chair pad? Will the office chairs get hung up when you try to roll?

Durability

You’ll want a chair for sciatica that can hold up to heavy use if you need to work long hours. You don’t want to worry about the pain after just a few months when you sit down for the day.

Price

You can spend upwards of a thousand dollars on the best office chairs for sciatica, but that’s not reasonable for every budget. If you can’t afford to break the bank on a good chair, that doesn’t mean you won’t find a comfortable chair for sciatica pain.

The Best Chairs for Sciatica

#1.) Herman Miller Aeron Task Chair (Best Overall)

Why We Like It

Quality Brand

Herman Miller has been around for over 100 years and is one of the leading furniture design companies in America. The Aeron chair is made of what the company refers to as pellicle, a form-fitting material designed to be breathable and to promote aeration, hence the name Aeron. It’s basically a fancy name for ergonomic office chair comfort.

You know you’re getting a quality piece of furniture with this brand, but it comes at a steep price. However, because of its breathability and adjustable features, it really is one of the best ergonomic office chairs for anyone struggling with sciatic pain.

Seat Recline

The Aeron chair lets you recline in three positions, including a fully reclining position. It also has a tilt tension control knob, allowing you to adjust the level of effort required to recline. The recline function itself is nice, as it seamlessly moves with your body. The seat angle allows you to sit upright or lean forward up to 5 degrees.

The extra lean could be helpful to reduce the pressure on the backs of your legs.

Adjustable Lumbar Support

Herman Miller uses something called PostureFit SL Support, which is adjustable lumbar support. The SL stands for the sacrum and lumbar and is made of two separate pads. The top adjustable pad is designed to support your lumbar region, while the bottom adjustable pad stabilizes your sacrum.

These pads automatically adjust to fit the natural curves of your body. With the turn of the knob, you can either engage or disengage this feature.

Fully Adjustable Arms

The fully adjustable arms move up and down four inches, and they also slide forward and backward a range of 2.5 inches. Lastly, they can pivot outward or inward. They do not flip out of the way, but they adjust in every other way.

Comes in a Variety of Sizes

There are three Aeron chair sizes, so you can match the right one to your height and weight.

• Aeron Chair Size A (Small): 4’10-5’9 and 90-150 pounds
• Aeron Chair Size B (Medium): 5’2-6’6 and 130-325 pounds
• Aeron Chair Size C (Large): 5’3-6’6 and 180-350 pounds

Eco-Friendly

The Aeron chair is made up of mostly all recycled materials, making them both eco-friendly and easy to recycle again if you ever find yourself needing to get rid of the chair (not that you ever would).

Quality Materials

Herman Miller’s breathable “8Z Pellicle” material is designed to not only fit your body but also to withstand constant wear. The suspension seat and back feature eight varying zones of tension that cling to your body to provide the maximum amount of comfort and support. The revolutionary material allows body heat to pass through so you can have a consistent, comfortable temperature.

Fantastic Warranty

The chair’s hefty 12-year warranty covers just about everything, including electrical, casters, cylinders, tilts, and all moving mechanisms.

It’s nice to know that at this price point, you will get full peace of mind with this very generous warranty. The Aeron chair also comes fully assembled, so there’s no need to struggle with parts. You won’t have to wait to try it out, since it’s just an open box away.

So What Are the Downsides?

If you’re taller than 6’6, this chair probably won’t work for you. It can also be difficult to determine which chair size is right when you’re right between two options.

This chair is the priciest of all the options, and that can be a huge turn-off for some, especially as you add on all the optional features.

#2.) Ergohuman High Back Ergonomic Chair (Best with Headrest)

Why We Like It

Plenty of Features

If the Herman Miller Aeron chair is just out of your price range, and you’re looking for a mesh ergonomic office chair that comes in under $1,000, this is it. With adjustable lumbar support, armrests, back, seat, and headrest, you can really make this the right chair for you with all of its ergonomic features. It comes in a variety of colors to match any style or room.

Tension and Tilt Control

There is a tension control adjustment, which means you can control the level of pressure needed to push back into the 3 separate locking tilt positions. The seat pan adjusts up and down up to four inches. It’s also rather roomy, at nearly 21 inches wide with a seat depth of 18.5 inches.

Adjustable Seat Depth

This chair includes a seat slide for adjustable seat depth. As shorter people might know, it’s frustrating when your legs don’t bend over the edge naturally, and you can’t quite touch the ground.

If you’re taller, you can slide it out to give yourself more seat space on the cooling mesh seat. It’s a great feature designed to accommodate everyone.

Adjustable Lumbar Support

The adjustable lumbar support cushion can be moved up or down to fit the curve of your back, although it can’t be moved in and out. The arms are also adjustable, able to pivot in or out or adjust up and down. If you don’t like the feel of them, they can also be removed completely.

Cooling Mesh Material

The mesh chair back is meant to be breathable, keeping you cool all day long. And for those who are concerned about the environment, you will be pleased to know this chair is GreenGuard certified, meaning it has low chemical emissions, which improves air quality.

Solid Warranty

But how will it hold up over time? You can breathe a sigh of relief to know this chair comes with a lifetime parts warranty and a five-year warranty on upholstery and foam.

So What Are the Downsides?

This chair only holds up to 250 pounds, which is about the standard. Given the price, it would be nice to see something that holds a little more weight.

This chair does have adjustable lumbar support, but it doesn’t adjust in and out like the much cheaper Duramont ergonomic office chair.

It can be uncomfortable when you lean back because the lumbar support doesn’t adjust to the recline. However, in an upright position, it does help provide spinal support.

#3.) Steelcase Gesture Ergonomic Chair (Best Big and Tall)

Why We Like It

Name Brand You Can Trust

Steelcase is another big brand that has been around for over 100 years. They are the largest office furniture manufacturer in the world. What you get when you order from them is the knowledge that your product is going to be high quality and thoughtfully designed.

Lifetime Warranty

Yes, it comes with a high price tag, but it also comes with a worry-free lifetime warranty on the frame, seat shell, outer back, arm frame structure, and base. There is a 12-year warranty on everything else.

Adjustable Lumbar Support with LiveBack Technology

Steelcase’s LiveLumbar adjusts with your movements to provide the ultimate comfort for people with sciatica.

The lumbar support moves up or down five inches, and you can adjust the firmness with the turn of a knob.

The two-foot-high seatback mimics your spine’s natural shape with Steelcase’s LiveBack technology to improve your posture and provide you with the ultimate customized support. These features make it one of the best ergonomic office chairs on the list.

Color Variety

This office chair comes in a wide variety of colors and color shades. You can recline back and lock it into 4 different positions. When you do, the seat pan glides forward to provide you with the right fit for you.

Great for Big and Tall Users

The Gesture chair is one of the best office chairs for the big and tall, with its ability to hold an impressive 400 pounds. It also features fully rotating armrests. You can check out our other big and tall office chair reviews here.

The front portion of the seat pad is flexible and features a waterfall edge, providing ample comfort and support to the backs of your legs.

Wide Seat and Adjustable Seat Depth

The seat is 20 inches wide and slides forward three inches with an adjustable seat depth of 15.75 to 18.5 inches to accommodate different sizes. The seat height adjustment can raise up five inches from 16 to 21 inches.

This is similar to the Ergohuman’s sliding seat, but the weight capacity is much more substantial with the Gesture.

Comes Fully Assembled

The Steelcase Gesture comes fully assembled, so you don’t have to worry about piecing this together.

So What Are the Downsides?

Although it’s nice to have adjustable armrests, some people complain that they rotate too easily and don’t lock into place well once you find the right position.

Although there is built-in lumbar support, it’s not adjustable, which is a bit of a letdown at this price point.

#4.) Duramont Ergonomic Office Chair (Best Value)

Why We Like It

Budget-Friendly without Sacrificing Quality

This chair comes with a lot of adjustable features while still remaining budget-friendly, making it one of the best values on the list. The ability to adjust almost everything makes this a contender for the best office chair for sciatica. You can read our in-depth review of it here.

Adjustable Headrest

The curved padded headrest is adjustable both up and down, as well as forward and backward, so you can fit it to your neck shape. It can also be removed if you don’t want or need a headrest.

Mesh Backrest

The backrest uses an ergonomic mesh material that is designed with your comfort in mind. The sturdy, durable material will help keep you comfortable, cool, and supported all day long.

The padded lumbar support is separate from the back and can be adjusted up and down or in and out to fit your spine.

Adjustable Armrests

The fully adjustable padded armrests can be moved up and down to match your height. They also rotate a full 360 degrees, giving you the ultimate freedom.

Wide Seat

The height-adjustable waterfall seat design is 17.3 inches deep, and it has a fairly large 20-inch wide seat. This chair tilts back up to 120 degrees with a knob to control the tilt tension.

Smooth, Easy-Roll Rubber Wheels

This chair has a wide base with smooth, quiet rubber wheels. They are designed to roll easily, and the chair can support up to 330 pounds.

Try It Risk-Free

Perhaps one of the best features is the 90-day money-back guarantee, which also comes with a 5-year limited warranty. There’s no real risk to trying this chair since you have time to take it on a test run.

Coming in at under $350, this chair offers many of the features of the more expensive chairs but at a much more reasonable price, making it a good office chair for sciatica.

So What Are the Downsides?

The rubber wheels do sit a little higher than normal casters. This could be a good thing if you’re taller, but it’s not ideal for shorter people. These wheels also don’t hold up well over time, and you may need to consider replacing them.

The armrests do adjust in height, but they can’t be moved in or out, and they can’t move out of the way if you don’t like them.

#5.) Serta AIR Executive Office Chair (Best Executive Office Chair)

Why We Like It

Executive Office Chair Style

This is the best executive office chair for sciatica nerve pain. The Serta AIR office chair looks sharp and comes in colors that will fit any room. It’s good for sciatic pain because of the seat’s waterfall edge design that relieves the pressure on your legs and the lumbar support cushion in the backrest, designed to move with you.

Lumbar Cushion for Support

Serta’s flexible AIR lumbar cushion actually moves with your body, to help provide constant support for your spine.

It also promotes airflow and breathability. It comes in three colors: gray, black, or cream.

Recline or Rock

The high cushioned seat back reclines back for when you want to stretch or rock back and forth. It won’t lock into a recline, but it does lock in an upright position. The height adjustment feature allows you to raise the chair up to four inches with a pneumatic gas lift.

Deep Seat

The seating area is slightly smaller than the Duramont at 19.5 inches wide, but it offers more seat depth at 19 inches.

Easy Assembly

The instructions are fairly straightforward, making assembly rather easy, with many users able to assemble it in 20 minutes. The multi-surface dual-wheel casters roll smoothly and quietly and feature a 360-degree swivel.

So What Are the Downsides?

Although the backrest features an adjustable lumbar, you can’t adjust the height of the seatback. Bonded leather will peel in time, causing the chair to show visible signs of wear and tear.

The chair only holds up to 250 pounds, which isn’t surprising considering it’s the average, but it’s important to note if you are on the cusp.

The arms are soft and padded, but they don’t adjust and can’t be removed. So if the position doesn’t fit your arm, this could be a problem for you.

#6.) DRAGONN by VIVO Ergonomic Kneeling Chair (Best Kneeling Chair)

Why We Like It

The Best Budget Option

One of the best office chairs for sciatica nerve pain is the DRAGONN by VIVO Ergonomic Office Chair. Not only is it affordable at under $150, but it’s also the cheapest of all the chairs here. That doesn’t make it less of a consideration, however.

Promotes Good Posture

Kneeling chairs can help with sciatic pain since they push you forward into a kneeling position, relieving some of that pressure from your lower back.

Kneeling chairs help promote good posture, strengthen your core, and ease back pain by forcing you to sit up straight. Some other great office chairs for sitting cross-legged or kneeling can be found here.

Cushioned Wide Seat

The seat cushion is 3 inches thick and 22 inches wide, able to comfortably hold up to 250 pounds. You can adjust the seat height and angle to find the most comfortable position for you.

It is good for most heights, but anyone over 6 feet tall may find it uncomfortable to have their feet resting too far on the floor.

Minimal Design Doesn’t Take up Much Space

The minimal design of this kneeling chair means you can slide it away under a desk when it’s not in use. It doesn’t take up much visual space, and it’s a simple, yet elegant design that won’t stand out in your home. It’s great for a small space.

So What Are the Downsides?

The casters on this kneeling chair don’t move in all directions, so you can only move in and out. If you need to roll around freely, this can be a real pain.

Although they can be removed, that still doesn’t allow you to move around the room easily. You may need to replace the casters if this is a big problem.

Budget Options

#1.) Space Seating Pro AirGrid Back Padded Eco Leather Chair

Why We Like It

2 To 1 Synchro Tilt

This office chair has a breathable mesh, a cooling back, and an eco-leather seat. The 2-to-1 synchronous tilt and sturdy, smooth-rolling wheels make this extra-tall office chair a great option for the budget-conscious.

Very Wide Seat

It also has a very sizeable 21 inches of seat width, which is larger than some of the more expensive chairs, but only holds 250 pounds. It’s more suited for people over 6 feet tall.

So What Are the Downsides?

Some people complain the armrests feel cheap and not very sturdy. The eco-leather material peels over time, and the seat cushion loses its shape over time, making it less comfortable. There is also no adjustable lumbar support.

#2.) Modway Articulate Ergonomic Office Chair

Why We Like It

Integrated Lumbar Support

This ergonomic office chair holds up to 330 pounds, making it a great budget option for the big and tall. The mesh material helps to keep you cool all day, and the integrated lumbar support makes it one of the best office chairs for sciatica pain and a great budget office chair.

So What Are the Downsides?

The padded armrests don’t hold up well over time. They will adjust inwards but not up and down, so you are stuck with the armrest height even if it doesn’t fit you well.

Final Verdict

Cream of the Crop

If you want the best office chair for sciatica pain, you really can’t beat the Herman Miller Aeron Task Chair. They are expensive chairs, but they make some of the best office chairs and use high-end materials that are built to last. With an adjustable seat depth, this will be your forever chair if you choose it. It can help make those back pains a thing of the past.

If you want adjustable features and great weight capacity, you can’t go wrong with the Steelcase Gesture Ergonomic Office Chair. It’s also pricey, but it also has an adjustable seat depth, and it’s a great office chair for sciatica pain and will last you forever.

Meet Me in the Middle

If you like mesh chairs and want to spend a little less than the Aeron or Leap, the Ergohuman High Back Ergonomic Office Chair is a great office chair for sciatica that will keep you in the hundreds.

More Affordable Options

A similar, albeit less expensive option, would be the Duramont Ergonomic Office Chair.

If you want an executive office chair, try the Serta AIR executive reclining office chair.

Best Budget Option

But if you want to try something different and stick to a budget, try the DRAGONN by VIVO Ergonomic Kneeling Chair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Closing Thoughts

People with sciatica nerve pain know it can be incredibly painful and uncomfortable. The good news is there are chairs designed to help you alleviate this pain so you can focus on your task at hand. The best office chair for sciatica is the one that fits your needs and budget.

If you are experiencing symptoms related to sciatica, you should consult a doctor. Some other treatment options can be found here.