Are you looking for an office chair to help with neck pain?
You’re in the right place!
In this ChairAdviser.com guide, you’ll learn:
- What to look for
- Top 7 best office chairs for neck pain
- Tips to minimize neck pain
- And much more!
Did you know your office chair could be causing you neck pain?
Sitting for hours at a time without any rest for your head and neck can strain your muscles, resulting in pain.
A good office chair that provides support for your neck and head can help combat this issue.
Check out this list of our top 7 picks as well as some tips to improve your work area so you can reduce your neck pain.
Our Top 7 Best Office Chairs for Neck Pain
What Are Office Chairs for Neck Pain?
Office chairs for neck pain have headrests so you can give your head and neck a break.
Not only does this relieve some of the strain on your neck, but it can help prevent pain when you’ve been sitting for hours.
Some of these chairs include a cervical pillow that you can lay your head back on. This provides extra support to your neck.
The human head can get pretty heavy when it is being supported consistently throughout the day with poor posture!
The headrest should be adjustable so that you can sit it in the position you need it.
What Are the Different Types of Office Chairs for Neck Pain?
There are tons of office chairs on the market. Finding one that fits your needs can seem like a daunting task because of all the options. Some chairs are manufactured with leather while others are made with mesh.
They also vary in how ergonomic they are. A highly adjustable office chair is more ergonomic than one that only allows you to adjust the height of the seat and the armrests.
High back chairs are ideal for neck pain since they will have better support, but there are mid and low back chairs available as well. It all depends on what you’re looking for.
How Do Office Chairs for Neck Pain Work?
Office chairs for neck pain work by providing temporary relief to tired neck muscles. The human head can get heavy when it is supported solely by the neck for extended periods of time.
Sometimes when we are sitting in an office chair, we slump forward or let our head fall forward slightly.
Just a few inches of leaning your head forward put pounds of pressure on your neck and shoulders.
Not only is this poor posture bad for your neck, shoulders, and spine, but it can cause pain in those areas.
An office chair with a headrest will allow you to rest your head for a few minutes when you have a break.
This gives your muscles welcome relief and removes the extra pressure from supporting your head.
What Do You Look for In the Best Office Chair for Neck Pain?
Comfort and support are the two main goals with an office chair. Looking for these characteristics can help you get the best of both worlds.
Ergonomics/Adjustability
This is basically how adjustable the chair is. Ergonomics is designing goods that fit the human body.
A good ergonomic office chair will have adjustable options to fit people of all shapes and sizes.
You especially want one with an adjustable head rest if you’re dealing with neck pain!
This will allow you to sit the head rest (and pillow if one is included) wherever you need it to relieve some of the pressure.
For adjustability, you’ll want a chair that allows you to change the seat height, headrest, back tilt, lumbar support, and armrests.
This will let you change the seat as desired to fit your body.
Quality
While you can get a chair that is massively produced overseas for cheap, you’ll probably end up replacing it within a few months time.
Look for a good metal base.
There are some chairs that are manufactured with highly durable plastics and other materials, but nothing beats a good metal base.
You’ll also want to make sure the mesh is good quality. Check for fraying and make sure it is pulled tight across the chair.
Depending on how often you use your chair and how long you sit in it, you could clock in up to 1500 hours a year in it.
You certainly want something that is durable enough to withstand the use!
Back Support
The body is all connected, so when we put strain on our spine, it pulls other parts of our body and strains them too.
So, you want to find an office chair with adjustable lumbar support.
This will help support the natural curve of the spine on the lower back and relieve some of the pull on your back.
An adjustable back rest is also an important feature to have. This will allow you to recline back to rest your back, shoulders, and neck.
Improper posture happens when we have been sitting for awhile and our body naturally starts slumping forward.
Taking a break to recline and relax your muscles can help reset everything so you’re ready to sit properly again.
Headrest
This should be an obvious choice for things to look for in the best office chair for neck pain. If your neck is causing you problems, having somewhere to rest it is the solution.
Get a chair with an adjustable headrest so you can move it as needed throughout the day.
You might even want to find a chair that offers a pillow along with the headrest or grab a cervical pillow to go along with the chair.
Seat Comfort
Since you’ll be sitting on it for a while, you want a seat cushion that is comfortable.
One that is too hard won’t be comfortable to sit on while one that is too soft won’t give your body the support it needs.
Memory foam is used in most office chairs today. With a memory foam seat, it conforms to your body, offering optimum support and comfort without sacrificing durability.
This should also include the material that the chair is made from.
Many use a breathable mesh that allows for airflow, but some chairs are made from PU leather.
With the PU leather, it can get hot and sweaty for some users, so if you’re someone who needs to stay cool, mesh would be the better option.
Price
This is another obvious factor when looking at the best office chair for neck pain.
A chair that is too cheap will lack durability and support while one that is too expensive may be out of budget.
Finding one that is in the middle of those two will help you narrow down your search for a chair.
Best Office Chair for Neck Pain Reviewed
Gabrylly comes in with an ergonomic chair that provides several support points.
You’ll get head, back, hip, and hand support with this chair as well as lumbar support.
Adjust the height of the chair, headrest, and backrest easily. The armrests flip up so you can move them as needed.
This chair is suited for people from about 5′ to 6′.
The mesh seat on this chair is larger than many others, allowing users of various body sizes to sit comfortably in the seat.
It has a weight capacity of 280lbs.
The back reclines from 90 degrees to 120 degrees.
Simple assembly takes around 15-20 minutes, and the chair comes with a 1-year warranty so if you have any problems in the first year, you can contact them for a solution.
You might find this chair isn’t usable if you are on the shorter side, and the armrests only flip up and adjust in height where others offer more movability for them.
- Pros: 280lb weight capacity, adjustable head and backrest, large seat
- Cons: Doesn’t work for shorter people, armrests not adjustable beyond height and flipping them up
Hamilton Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair
You get form and function from Hamilton here. The mesh design offers a breathable back that allows air to flow.
Easily adjust the chair with the tilt tension lever under the chair or adjust the height to fit your desk.
You can push the lever in to lock it when you have it in position.
You’ll get adjustable features like the head rest and arm rests, as well as a coat hanger on the back of the chair.
Smooth casters let you glide around easily so you can maneuver around your desk as needed.
Best of all, this chair is cheap!
Lumbar support is lacking though, so you’ll want a lumbar pillow if you plan on using this chair.
- Pros: Cheap, adjustable headrest and armrests
- Cons: Lacking lumbar support
The Steelcase Gesture is the king of all office chairs. It is expensive though, so it is out of budget for some.
With a 400-pound weight capacity and durable build, this chair is suitable for all body types and sizes.
The Gesture is a synchronized system that moves with the user, offering continuous support and comfort.
The arms of the chair mimic human arm movements, allowing users to be supported in any position they choose to sit.
Flexible perimeter seat gives access to a range of sitting positions while still being supportive and comfortable.
- Pros: High weight capacity, synchronized system to move with user, durable
- Cons: Expensive
Durability meets function. This chair has a weight capacity of 330 pounds.
The headrest is multi-dimensional and free rotating. This not only protects the cervical vertebrae, but also provides support to minimize neck pain.
The tilt reclines up to 126 degrees and can lock in position so you can take a few minutes to relax with ease.
The seat is a waterfall design that minimizes pressure on the thighs, making it comfortable and supportive.
Adjust the height, backrest, and armrests to a position that best fits your posture.
With easy assembly and a 1-year warranty, this chair is a great find.
Some users had issues with the headrest being wobbly or breaking after a short period, but the warranty will cover replacements.
- Pros: 330lb weight capacity, waterfall seat, 1 year warranty
- Cons: Headrest wobbly or breaks within a short time
This chair provides the perfect experience for all uses, whether you’re working, gaming, or just resting.
The seat is made from a high-density sponge that provides support and comfort for the waist and hips.
It’s thickened and wider than many other chairs to allow for users of all sizes to sit comfortably.
The backrest reclines up to 180 degrees and comes with a 30-degree rocking function.
It offers several adjustable features, like height, tilt of the backrest, and the armrests.
The armrests adjust up and down easily to fit different needs.
The seat is covered in PU leather, which might be too hot for some users to sit for long hours.
Included in the package is all of the tools and hardware needed to assembly the chair in a few simple steps.
The armrests aren’t well padded and might become uncomfortable after extended use. Overall, it is a great chair no matter what you need it for!
- Pros: 180 degree recline, 30 degree rocking function, easy assembly
- Cons: PU leather doesn’t breathe, armrests not well padded
The AIR office chair has a heavy duty weight capacity of 250 pounds and is ideal for users from 5’4″ to 6’2″.
Lumbar support moves with your body to continuously provide support at the natural curve of the spine.
Thick, 3-inch foam is formed into a comfortable, supportive seat cushion.
This seat reclines up to 122 degrees that you can set with an easy to rotate tension knob on the side of the chair.
Dual wheel casters let this chair glide easily from one place to another so you can get around your workstation with ease.
It is made with bonded leather though, which might be uncomfortable for some users and the headrest area might be a little too firm for some.
- Pros: 250-pound weight capacity, 3-inch foam set, recline up to 122 degrees
- Cons: Bonded leather might be too hot, headrest might be too firm for some
With five adjustable parts, this chair is a perfect fit for users with neck pain.
It comes with an adjustable back support, headrest, seat height, tilt, and armrests.
Breathable mesh fabric allows airflow when sitting for long periods, so you won’t end up sweaty and sticking to the seat.
The seat features a waterfall front which eases pressure on the hips and thighs and improves blood flow.
It is made with a high-density foam that keeps its shape even after repeated use.
The lumbar pillow adjusts in two directions so you can get it exactly where you need it.
A few users had problems with the gas lift on this chair, but SIHOO offers a 3-year warranty on their products so you can get any problems fixed that you might run into.
- Pros: Waterfall seat, highly adjustable, breathable mesh
- Cons: Gas lift might not function properly
Final Thoughts on the Best Office Chair for Neck Pain
According to Mayo Clinic, the human head, on average, weighs around 12 pounds.
At a 45-degree angle, your head can exert up to 50 added pounds of pressure on your neck!
Not only does this strain the muscles, but it can cause pain when it’s done repeatedly.
Slouching happens at the desk when we don’t have a proper chair to help us sit.
There are several other factors that can play into neck pain and other pains while working at your computer or desk.
Here are a few adjustments you can make:
- Adjust the chair or monitor so your eyes are level with the top of the screen
- Move the monitor closer or further away as needed so you can easily read the screen
- If you’re using a laptop, hook it to a larger screen to see easier
- Use a larger font as needed
- Adjust your chair to sit at a slightly reclined angle to ease the pressure on the natural curve of your spine
- Adjust or remove the armrests to allow your neck and shoulders to relax better
And here are a few things you can try to alleviate some of the strain on your neck and body while sitting:
- Set a timer to go off every 30 minutes if possible. Use this time to get up and walk around for a few minutes, stretching your muscles
- Follow the 20/20/20 rule” Every 20 minutes take your eyes off the screen and look at something roughly 20 feet away for 20 seconds
- Create a standing work area
Adapting a few of these changes to your workspace as well as getting one of the best office chairs for neck pain can help remedy your aches and pains while working.
Grab a chair from this list and try it for yourself!
