Why Are Office Chairs So Expensive? Here are 5 Reasons

Many things are changing in the world, and one of those things is the way in which people work. Some companies are trying out remote working settings for employees, and some freelancers are also trying to create their personal working space at home. However, one of the main questions people ask when buying their office supplies is: “Why are office chairs so expensive?” 

There are many reasons why these chairs have such a big price tag, and most of them regard modern features that make your working sessions more comfortable for you. On this page, we’re going to go over what makes office chairs so expensive today, and where you can find more affordable options. 

What Makes an Office Chair More Expensive than Others?

If you’re wondering: “How much do office chairs cost?” The answer may not be that simple. You can go for a quick Google search and notice that there’s a vast variety of chairs with different costs. For example, you may find a chair that costs $40, but you may also find a chair that looks the same but costs $300. 

While the price difference may seem ridiculous, there is a reason for that. Keep in mind that chair manufacturers are actively trying to make them more comfortable for us. As you may already know, sitting for long periods can greatly affect your physical and mental health. 

Expensive chairs usually come with features that make them more ergonomic. Ergonomic chairs allow you to sit for long periods and not feel as much discomfort as with a regular office chair. In the end, the price difference relies on how many features the chair has. 

What is an Ergonomic Chair?

Before we dive into why office chairs are so expensive, it’s vital to compare the ergonomic chair vs office chair. To put it simply, ergonomic chairs are products designed to adapt to the user’s natural body position and needs.  

Next time you ask yourself: “Why are desk chairs so expensive?” Remember the main difference between regular office chairs and ergonomic chairs relies on features. Regular chairs tend to come with fixed seating, armrests, and more. On the contrary, ergonomic chairs allow you to adjust some of those features so that you can sit in a way that makes you feel comfortable.

In some cases, fixed chair materials can be a nuisance since you have to adapt to how your chair works and not the other way around. For example, if your chair doesn’t come with adjustable armrests, you may not feel comfortable when typing on your ergonomic keyboard. 

Typically, most chairs come with an adjustable seat only. While that works for some people, it isn’t enough if you want to have the most comfortable experience possible. 

What Are the Pros and Cons of Ergonomic Chairs?

The best way to answer the question: “Why are office chairs so expensive? is by analyzing the pros and cons of these expensive chairs. Once you understand what makes these products so special, you may understand the bigger price tag.

Pros and Cons of Ergonomic Chairs

• Many adjustable features
• Maximized comfort
• Increased productivity
• Minimized risk of lumbar pain

• They’re more expensive than regular chairs.
• There are not many design options to choose from.

Why Are Desk Chairs So Expensive? Five Reasons

Now that you know the basics about ergonomic chairs, it’s time to go over every reason why these optimized chairs are more expensive than older ones. Keep in mind that these reasons don’t apply to every chair type since not all of them have the same features.

1. Ergonomics

As we mentioned before, ergonomics plays a big part in a chair’s functionality. It may not sound like it, but chair makers have spent several years researching how they can make their products more comfortable for people, and ergonomic optimization is one of the best discoveries yet. 

Keep in mind that ergonomic products focus on the biomechanics of sitting, such as how your body positions when it sits. It’s hard to come up with the perfect chair since not all people sit in the same way. However, these chair makers have done their best to optimize the way in which the body is supposed to sit naturally.

A sedentary lifestyle can be extremely dangerous for someone, and sitting for most of the day can add up to those risks. Not only sedentarism can lead to many physical problems in the future, but it can also lead to mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression. 

Thanks to the optimization that ergonomic chairs come with, people are able to adjust the chair to their needs and still enjoy the benefits of ergonomic chairs. Taking that into consideration, you may now know why office chairs are so expensive.  

2. Brand

The brand doesn’t play such a big part as all the other reasons listed on this page, but it may also affect the pricing. Whenever you ask yourself: “How much are office chairs?” you need to consider the brand you’re buying from before making an estimate. 

Most popular brands tend to charge high prices for their products since they already have a significant reputation, whereas less-known brands may not charge such high prices. Keep in mind that this isn’t the general norm, not all brands charge the same prices for their chairs, although reputation can play a part in how people perceive the chair’s pricing. 

Some products have a significant difference in pricing but work in the same way. It all comes down to going for the brand you feel the most comfortable with. 

3. Build Materials

If you’ve never paid attention to your chair’s materials, you may be wondering why newer ones are so expensive in comparison. To put things in perspective, a regular office chair may be made with cheap fiber, little padding, and fixed features. That doesn’t mean that these chairs are bad, but they may cause problems down the road if you tend to sit for a long time. 

On the other hand, an office ergonomic chair is typically made with vinyl, polyurethane, and leather materials, making it much more comfortable for the user. Additionally, these products feature extra padding, adjustable features, and more. 

Wherever you go looking for a new chair, make sure to check its materials thoroughly. We advise you to go for the more expensive materials since the difference in comfort can be noticed almost immediately.

4. Customization

As mentioned before, newer office chairs come with more advanced customization than older ones. For example, a traditional office chair may offer adjustable seating and premium build materials, which is great. However, you can take that one step further by getting a chair that allows you to move your armrests, adjust the reclining, headrest, back, and more.

Some people may not even use all these features, but if you’re an office worker who plans on sitting for more than eight hours a day, you should seriously consider getting a high-quality chair. Once you have all that customization available, your body is going to thank you. 

5. Features (Back Support, Reclining, Adjustable Seating, etc.)

A chair’s features are the primary factor in its final pricing. If you want to know the true answer to why office chairs are so expensive, make sure to go over the product’s features to have a clearer idea. Those features are the reason why office chairs are so expensive.

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, there are many features available for a chair, and you may not even need all of those. We’re going to go over the most popular office chair features and how they can make a chair more expensive. 

Back/Lumbar Support

Back support is one of the most important things people look for in a chair. A chair with back support makes it easier for the chair to curve to your spine, promoting better posture. Some products come with an adjustable backrest that allows you to put the chair in a position your back feels comfortable in.

As for the lumbar support, it usually comes in the form of fixed or adjustable support cushions. Keep in mind that not all chairs come with high-quality cushions, so be careful when you choose one.

Reclining

Even if you sit correctly all the time, your muscles may start to feel some strain. In those cases, a reclining ergonomic chair may be the solution. These chairs allow you to adjust your sitting position without risking your back. In essence, you can reduce the risk of neck-straining and back pain, reduce the pressure on your hips, and more. 

Height Adjustable Seating

Adjustable seating has always been a common feature among office chairs, although not all products offer the same benefits. Many chairs are made to fit the average user, meaning their adjustable seating may not make that much of a difference. 

However, an ergonomic chair offers a much higher range in height adjustment, allowing almost every user type to accommodate their body into the chair without much effort. 

Armrests/Headrests

It may not seem like a big deal at first, but adjustable armrests and headrests can make all the difference in comfort. For example, adjustable armrests allow you to put them away when you’re typing, making the experience more comfortable. On the other hand, adjustable headrests can help you accommodate your neck and head so that you cannot feel prolonged straining over long periods of working.

Swiveling

Swiveling allows people to turn their chairs into a 360-degree angle, allowing them to move freely while they’re sitting. While swiveling isn’t necessarily something that can affect your physical posture, it can help you navigate your desk more freely.

Where Can You Get Affordable Ergonomic Chairs?

Now that you know why office chairs are so expensive, you may be wondering: “How much are office chairs?” or “Where do I find good office chairs?” As mentioned before, it’s challenging to answer this question since there are many options on the market today.

If you’re on a budget, that doesn’t mean you have to go for a traditional chair. There are many affordable options, such as the Autonomous ErgoChair Pro, which allows you to enjoy all the benefits of an ergonomic chair without having to spend all your money on it.

On the other hand, if you have a bit more money, you can go for the ErgoChair Plus, which is a slightly upgraded version of the “Pro” model. Keep in mind that your comfort is your top priority, so make sure to invest in something that’s going to work for years.

The chair market is highly competitive today, so it’s important to go for a brand that offers a good price-quality ratio. Autonomous has always offered higher quality products for a much affordable price, so if you haven’t purchased an ergonomic chair before, the Autonomous catalog is a great place to start.

How Do You Know Which Chair to Purchase?

When it comes to purchasing an office chair, you must consider all the things you’re going to need. For example, if you struggle with back pain, you must go for an ergonomic chair for back pain. On the other hand, if you enjoy chairs with premium designs and materials, you may go for a more expensive chair.

It’s important to note that ergonomic chairs can save you a lot of money in the long run. Traditional chairs can leave you with severe physical problems in the future, which may cause you to go to a hospital or take medication to alleviate the pain. Ergonomic chairs help to mitigate most of these risks, so if you look at it from that point of view, ergonomic chairs are a much better investment for your future health.

Bottom Line – Are Expensive Chairs Worth Your Money?

In the end, this is up for you to decide and answer the question of “Why office chairs are so expensive”. If you don’t think that you should spend that much money on a chair, you may go for more affordable options with fewer features. However, remember that traditional chairs may take a big toll on your body in the future.

You must prevent as many health hazards as you can while working, and investing in a better chair is a great way to start. Remember that there are many affordable options today, so it’s a matter of choosing an option that fits both your budget and needs.