If you come across these chairs, we recommend saving your cash and choosing one of the options above.
Steelcase Series 1 for $491: I want to like Series 1, especially after having such a good experience with Gesture. My biggest problem is with the armrests — the top slides back and forth, which can be a good thing, except I manage to grip my arms every time I move. There’s no way to lock them in place, so while my trunk feels supported, my arms don’t. The saddle is also quite curved, which can feel like you’re stuck in one position as you work through the day.
FlexiSpot Sit2Go 2-in-1 Fitness Chair for $330: This seems like a good idea because it allows you to exercise while sitting at your desk. I feel so good checking my email. The problem is that it’s not very comfortable. (I can’t sit on it all day.) It’s like a cheap low-resistance exercise bike, so you’re running into the worst of both worlds. You also need a standing desk to accommodate it.
Poppin task chair for $399: This is as simple as office chairs. You can’t adjust much of it, but the back does a good job of aligning with the spine. The seat is upholstered well in terms of comfort, but the mesh material on the backrest creates breathability. Unfortunately, the wheels roll not smoothly and are quite noisy. It’s hard to understand why Poppins are so expensive when you get more with our top pick, which is a little cheaper.
Flexispot Soutien for $290: The thick foam padding has very poor heat management, so you will feel sweaty on this chair from time to time. The mesh backrest helps a bit, and it’s reasonable plus comfortable and pleasant. It feels unnecessarily large, though, and the lumbar support slides around too easily as you move.
Teknion Around Chair for $675: I’m still struggling to see why This chair costs as much as it does. It feels incredibly similar to the Poppin Task Chair above (almost half the price), but the wheels on the Teknion are even worse. They are annoyingly noisy and feel cheap.
