Best Ergonomic Office Chairs For Heavy People [2023]
Selecting the right ergonomic chair can be a daunting task, particularly for individuals with a larger body frame. Luckily, we’ve stepped in to thoroughly research what’s out there.
Keep these factors in mind when picking out your next ergonomic chair:
Overall Dimensions
Size and space play a pivotal role in determining how well an ergonomic chair will work for you. Folks with a larger physique should particularly focus on options with wider and deeper seats. Make sure you have enough room to move around and stretch as needed.
Durability
Chair frames and bases come in all different materials. The best options are made from steel or reinforced aluminum with the capability to hold any required weight. Bases with five points will be stronger and more stable than chairs with less. Other components can help or hinder a chair’s weight allowance, so be sure to check the specs before purchasing.
Adjustability
I’m always going to pick a chair with several adjustable components over one without. Being able to move armrests, seat height, lumbar support, or even tilt can make a world of difference. It basically lets you mold the chair to fit you like a glove that accommodates your specific dimensions and preferences.
Breathability
Breathability may not be a dealbreaker on a chair, but it’s never fun to stand up and have a pool of sweat on your back. Chairs with mesh backrests are a win here, but other manufacturers can get around this in other ways. Porous foam or other fabrics can lead to the same effect.
Best Ergonomic Chairs for Big People Up to 300lbs
DXRacer Master Series
The DXRacer Master Series is a high-end gaming chair tailored for large users, featuring robust construction, adjustable and ergonomic design, and a microfiber leather finish.
Many compare DxRacer to Secretlab, and for good reason. They’re both top-of-the-line office and gaming chair manufacturers. DxRacer’s Master Series is in many ways the company’s answer to the Titan Evo XL.
Starting at the top, you’re looking at an extra-wide headrest with six levels of adjustability to relieve neck pressure. You may not think a headrest is important in an office setting, but I use mine way more than I thought I would.
The backrest has a 4D integrated lumbar support system quite similar to what Secretlab offers. It’s there to provide the right amount of comfort for your spine, and you can adjust it with the help of a knob on the side of the chair.
4D armrests exist to remove pressure from your shoulders as you work at your desk. Thanks to four-directional adjustability, you can find the perfect position to rest your arms no matter what you’re doing.
The seat has several inches of thick cold-cure foam that’s somewhat firm but incredibly supportive for all body types. It actually conforms to your shape over time for even more ergonomic support than similar designs.
One thing I appreciate about DxRacer is they don’t charge more for certain upholstery types. Pick the fabric that’s most comfortable for you without worrying about paying more.
Best Ergonomic Chairs for Big People Up to 400lbs
SecretLab Titan Evo XL
The Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 XL is a larger, more robust version of the acclaimed gaming chair, offering enhanced comfort and support for bigger users with its spacious design, top-tier build quality, and customizable ergonomic features.
The Secretlab Titan Evo is my favorite chair of all time, and I’ve sat in more than a few in my day. It comes in three sizes, with its XL model serving larger folks, so it is the best office chair for big guys.
Everything about the Titan Evo XL screams comfort and ergonomics. The seat and backrest are packed with a high-density cold-cure foam that adapts to the body and offers support even after long hours at the desk.
Its built-in 4-way lumbar support is the most impressive I’ve ever seen. Under the surface is a lattice of hinges that flex to your spine. These hinges move in and out or up and down depending on the curve of your back. You can adjust the strength of the support bar with a knob on the side of the chair.
The chair also comes with a magnetic memory foam pillow should you ever need to use it. It’s magnetized and can be moved around to match where your head lands.
4D armrests adorn either side of the Titan Evo XL for ergonomic typing. You can move these just about any direction to find the perfect place to rest your arms so they don’t get uncomfortable after being at the computer for several hours.
There are four upholstery options to choose from for a boost of comfort. All are exceptional, but you’ll pay a little more for breathable material that doesn’t trap heat. What’s more, they all look great in an office setting or your gaming zone.
Noblechairs Hero
The Noblechairs Hero is a premium gaming chair, renowned for its top-quality build and materials, combining both real and PU leather. It is notably popular for its advanced features such as integrated adjustable lumbar support and enlarged seating area, aimed to provide exceptional comfort and customization.
Noblechairs’ Hero has a nice, wide seat with shallow contours. It features a similar seat depth for larger individuals to sit comfortably in for hours on end.
The backrest itself has been expanded and elongated with larger users in mind. It follows a curved shape to match the spine so you don’t develop soreness in spots over time.
All that extra material needs padding. Noblechairs stepped up to the challenge here with a cold foam padding that remembers how you sit and doesn’t sag.
The team behind the Hero chose to enlarge the armrests as well so they remain in proportion with the rest of the chair. These armrests have 4D adjustability, perfect for switching from computer work to writing or talking on the phone.
Like the others on this list, the Hero has an integrated adjustable lumbar support for protecting your lower back. A rotary dial on the side lets you customize its stiffness and adjust as needed.
Included in the purchase price is a memory foam headrest designed to give your head support where it needs it most. The memory foam hugs your neck for extra ergonomic support.
You’ll have the option of real or premium polyurethane (PU) leather when making a purchase. Both offer comfort and support, but the real leather is a touch thicker.
Serta Big & Tall Executive Office Chair
The Serta Big & Tall Executive Office Chair is a high-quality, ultra-cushioned, and ergonomic chair designed for individuals 5’9” and up. Known for its extensive padding comprised of 3” non-recycled foam, this chair from Serta offers breathability and safeguards against toxic contaminants. It boasts a wide seat surface and a tall backrest to accommodate users with a longer torso.
You can almost feel the comfort when looking at Serta’s Big & Tall Executive office chair, a preferred chair for fat person due to its ample space and robust design. After all, this is a company known for its ultra-cushy beds, ensuring that the office chair obese individuals need combines both durability and comfort.
All that padding comes in the form of 3” foam. It’s worth noting that Serta uses only non-recycled material for breathability and as a safeguard against toxic contaminants.
There’s a wide seat surface area here for you to put to use. A width of 23 inches should be enough for most folks, and you can relax in over 18 inches of depth.
The chair itself stands higher than most other models as well. A minimum height of 27 inches is already tall, but you can further raise that to nearly 31 inches if you so choose. Thanks to a tall backrest, folks with long torsos should find ample comfort too.
Feel free to take advantage of the slight recline Serta offers here for the perfect working angle. This can help immensely with ergonomics and posture. You won’t find any official lumbar support here, but the foam permeates that region. The same holds true for the headrest.
Thick, molded armrests reduce pressure on forearms to shoulders as you do your thing. They’re not moveable, but they are quite long.
Above the foam is a PU covering that moves with the body. It’s soft and isn’t known to chafe the skin after long periods of exposure.
Herman Miller Aeron
The Aeron Chair by Herman Miller, renowned for its ergonomic design, offers a blend of style, comfort, and support, particularly standing out due to its 8Z Pellicle elastomeric suspension seat and backrest and its unique PostureFit SL back support technology. It is available in three sizes – Small, Medium, and Large, catering to a diverse range of users.
I won’t lie; Herman Miller’s Aeron chair is the priciest model on our list. That said, you’re going to get what you pay for, and many argue it’s the best chair for heavy person due to its unique build and features.
The “C” model is most appropriate for larger people and has the biggest seat dimensions. A 28.25” seat width is practically unheard of in this industry, making it arguably the best office chair for fat person in the market. If you need a little less room, the Aeron’s other sizes shrink these numbers slightly.
There are a ton of options during the purchase process that can have a significant impact on that price. I’m going to lay out the best ergonomic features here so you can decide what’s best for you.
It’s definitely worth noting the mesh material on the backrest and seat. Although there’s no padding here, this mesh adjusts with your body as you move around. The holes create a breathable atmosphere so heat doesn’t build up or cause moisture to collect.
For ergonomics, consider the adjustable Posturefit SL lumbar support. It covers most of the lower spine and has two individual pads that move independently of each other.
You can grab the Aeron with fully adjustable armrests if you want, which is my recommendation. Ergonomics is the name of the game, so don’t skimp on where your arms will be for eight hours a day. These can be either PU foam or leather.
The Vertagear PL6800 is a luxurious ergonomic gaming chair, designed meticulously for larger individuals. It can accommodate a weight of up to 181 kg / 400 lb and flaunts an adjustable lumbar support and headrest pillow to render unparalleled comfort during extensive gaming sessions.
Outfitted with 4D armrests and enveloped in high-quality PVC leather, this chair is a blend of durability and premium feel, making it an exemplary choice for gaming aficionados seeking extra room and support.
Like E-Win, Vertagear’s PL6800, often recognized as one of the top office chairs for heavy people, has an aluminum base designed to handle your weight. You can easily place up to 400 pounds on here and still stay within the recommended limits.
The chair’s internal design under the seat is unlike anything I’ve seen before. Rather than a solid piece of foam, there are rows of hexagonal pads to support and distribute weight evenly. Best of all, it’s quite thick.
Something entirely different goes on behind the backrest, and the PL6800 is that much better for it. You’ll find a layer of dense foam mixed with modules of lumbar support and memory foam. Each of these features attacks back pain and helps you sit ergonomically and comfortably for hours on end, potentially making it the best ergonomic office chair for heavy person in terms of comprehensive back support.
You’ve also got the benefit of a headrest cushion as support for the head and neck. There’s not a ton of adjustability here, so you’ll need to hope it lands on the right spot.
This is another option with 4D armrests for additional ergonomic points. I probably sound like a broken record, but this flexibility goes a long way for taking the strain off your shoulders, forearms, and even neck.
The overall seat dimensions are quite wide, but some of the width includes a slight contour at the edges of the seat. It’s a nice addition that helps the chair hug your body and absorb some of the pressure.
Maxnomic NEEDforSEAT XL
The NEEDforSEAT® XL Edition from Maxnomic’s XL Series is a premium, ergonomic gaming chair tailored for individuals weighing up to approximately 375 lbs (170 kg) and with a height ranging from 69.2 to 82.6 inches (176 to 210 cm). This chair combines maximum comfort, adjustability, and unique features like the design-protected finger rest, making it a top choice for the gaming community, especially for taller users.
Maxnomic’s NEEDforSEAT XL is one of the largest office chairs you can get your hands on. It’s got one of the widest seats in the business and holds up to 285 pounds without breaking a sweat.
Under the hood, you’ll find cold-cured premium foam for the support any larger individual needs. This foam covers the sides of the chair and runs all the way to the top of the backrest for padding anywhere you need it.
That backrest is shaped like the human spine to promote a healthy posture as you work. Your lumbar support here comes in the form of a pillow that sits at the bottom of the backrest.
You also get the headrest pillow held in place by a strap around the top of the chair. There’s not much adjustability here, but it’s a soft pillow with excellent comfort.
The armrests have 4D functionality to lock in that perfect position for whatever activity you’re engaging in. Being able to move the armrests in every direction means you can always give your shoulders a break.
Maxnomic covers all their padding with a premium PU leather material. It doesn’t typically irritate the skin over time and is made to last.
Best Ergonomic Chairs for Big People Up to 500lbs
Flash Furniture HERCULES Series Big & Tall Office Chair
The Flash Furniture HERCULES has a sturdy nylon base capable of handling up to 500 lbs and a wide seat measuring 22 by 20.5 inches. Additionally, adjustable armrests and mesh material on the sides and under the chair add to the chair’s comfort and aesthetic appeal, ensuring proper placement and a cooler sitting experience.
The name says it all on this one. If a Hercules series chair isn’t enough for you, I’m not sure anything can. Often hailed as an office chair for heavy person due to its robust design and high weight capacity, it really lives up to its name.
Right out of the gate, there’s more padding on this thing than I ever thought possible. It looks like the headrest grew another headrest to accommodate both your head and neck, making it not only appealing as an office chair for plus size woman but also for anyone looking for that extra head and neck support.
You’re also privy to a built-in lumbar support feature for your lower back. There’s no adjustability here, but like the headrest, there’s a lot of material to go around. Chances are it’ll hit the sweet spot and prevent soreness from extended sitting.
Hidden behind the faux leather embroidery is three inches of padding throughout the chair. It’s fire-retardant and provides a lot of comfortable squish any time you sit down.
Despite a nylon base, the Hercules can handle up to 500 lbs at any given time, vying for a spot in the list of best big and tall office chair options with its wide seat, spanning 22 inches by 20.5 inches for anyone needing a bit more room.
I appreciate the adjustable armrests you get with the Hercules. A lot of office chairs don’t have this feature, and not having the right placement can cause discomfort up the arms after extended use.
Another huge perk here is the mesh material on the sides and under the chair. It’s an aesthetic flair but also helps keep your body cool.
HON Wave Big and Tall Executive Chair
The HON Wave Big and Tall Executive Chair is a versatile and ergonomically designed office chair, accommodating individuals up to 6’6” and supporting a maximum weight of 450 lbs. The chair is cloaked in a thick black mesh material, ensuring both sturdy support and optimal breathability, allowing users to experience comfort and coolness while at their desks.
Often touted as the best office chair for heavy person, the HON Wave is shrouded in a thick black mesh material offering both support and breathability, ensuring that you’ll get to enjoy both comfort and coolness when you’re at your desk, making it an exemplary plus size office chair.
With some chairs, especially those not designed as a plus size chair, you’re relying solely on the mesh itself for support. That’s not the case here. There’s plenty of padding to go around on the seat to back up the stretchiness of the mesh, and your body will thank you for it.
HON’s seat here stretches 22 inches from side to side, with 19 inches of depth. Most folks should find these dimensions suitable for various body types, offering a reliable and comfortable seating experience.
An adjustable lumbar support bar spans the back of the chair. You can move it up and down to locate the spot your back needs it the most, providing much-needed adaptability to suit different comfort needs.
Lumbar support isn’t your only adjustment point. You’re able to move the armrests up or down to lock in that perfect height, and this big and tall chair has some wiggle room in its tilt and the tension you want when leaning back, ensuring the right posture and avoiding stress on the spine.
You’re not getting a headrest here, which may or may not see much use in an office setting or at home. Still, that means there’s no support for your neck even when you need a quick break, which might be a consideration point for potential buyers.
Best Ergonomic Chairs for Big People From 500lbs
E-Win Flash XL
The E-Win Flash XL is a hybrid gaming/office fat guy chair designed to fit well in both settings, presenting itself as one of E-Win’s premium big and tall options. With its recommended height ranging from 5’7” to 7’0” and a maximum weight capacity of 550 lbs, this chair is crafted for inclusivity. It is structured with high-density cold-cure foam throughout, which is known for its resilience and ability to retain shape over time.
E-Win, celebrated for crafting some of the best big and tall office chair options, creates gaming/office chair hybrids that look great in either space. The Flash XL is no exception and is one of the company’s premiere big and tall offerings.
Often considered among the best office chair for large person category, this chair uses nothing but high-density cold-cure foam from top to bottom. It’s known to be heavier and more resilient than normal foam and can hold its shape well over time, providing ample support for larger individuals. You’ll feel the difference the moment you sit down.
All E-Win products come with high-density head and lumbar support pillows, each stuffed with the same foam material, ensuring that you’re really getting comfort and ergonomics throughout.
High-quality materials appear everywhere you look. An aluminum base is near top-of-the-line and allows the Flash XL to support up to 550 lbs. Three-inch caster wheels help the chair with mobility even when you’re still sitting, making it a particularly robust and wide office chair for heavy person.
You’ve got 4D armrests to play with here, which I love. Being able to move these to the perfect position for you takes a lot of stress off the upper body. Moreover, you’re free to make adjustments as you change activities while working or gaming, ensuring continual comfort and support.
The back angle swings from 85° to 155° as needed when you need a break or just need to switch gears.
However, I will say that the seat’s a little narrow on this model, so do keep that in mind. A 16.5” span from side to side may not be enough for some folks.
Final Thoughts
Larger individuals rejoice; there are several chair options for you whether you’re gaming, working, or both. You’ll just want to make sure whatever you choose meets your needs and captures all your top preferences.
We’re huge fans of the Secretlab Titan Evo XL for its attention to quality and all the flexibility it brings. That said, we feel any of the chairs on this list could serve you well.
Related Questions
Have additional questions about the best ergonomic chairs for large people? See if we’ve answered them here.
What is the best ergonomic chair for fat people?
My top pick would be the SecretLab Titan Evo XL also an a best gaming chair for fat people. It supports up to 395 lbs of weight, provides lots of wiggle room, and has a cutting-edge ergonomic design. Secretlab throws in a ton of high-end features that help to properly support your spine and promote good posture.
What is the most durable type of chair base?
The new standard for office and gaming chairs is to use a 5-star base, far superior to a 4-star one. Heavy-duty steel bases are usually the best as they are stronger and more durable than other materials. Aluminum is also a good option as it is both strong and lightweight. It’s better to avoid plastic bases as they are less durable and can support less weight.
What makes a chair ergonomic?
A chair is ergonomic if it effectively supports you to maintain good posture with the least amount of effort. Factors that make a chair ergonomic include lumbar support, adjustability, shape/design, a tall backrest, and well-positioned, adjustable armrests.
How do I determine the best chair seat depth for me?
To calculate the right seat depth for your body, sit in an upright position on a chair and measure the distance from the base of your spine to the furthest end of your inner thighs. Subtract 2 inches from that measurement to find your magic number.
How do I determine the best chair seat width for me?
To calculate your perfect seat width, sit upright with your thighs slightly open. Next, measure the distance laterally across your thighs. Finally, add 2 inches for the measurement you need. Any chair you purchase should have 1 inch of wiggle room on either side. If you prefer to spread your legs wider as you sit, add an extra 2-4 inches.
Founder of Topgamingchair.com and PC Gaming enthusiast, I review gaming chairs (and office chairs) since 2017. I have worked with some of the biggest brands in the industry: Secretlab, Noblechairs, Vertagear, DXRacer, AndaSeat to test new products and provide feedback.
