What is an office chair, and what types are available? What kind of office chair is good?

An office chair, in English, is a chair provided for convenience during daily work and social activities. OfficeMate divides office chairs into narrow and broad definitions. In a narrow sense, an office chair refers to a chair with a backrest used when working at a desk in a seated position. In a broad sense, an office chair includes all chairs used in offices, including executive chairs, mid-level chairs, guest chairs, staff chairs, conference chairs, visitor chairs, training chairs, etc. Well-known domestic office chair brands include hbada and JEye.

I. Definition

An office chair, in a narrow sense, refers to a chair with a backrest used when working at a desk in a seated position. In a broad sense,

it is defined as all chairs used in offices, including executive chairs, mid-level chairs, guest chairs, staff chairs, conference chairs, visitor chairs, training chairs, ergonomic chairs, etc. 1. Office Chair: A single chair for indoor use. 2. Swivel Chair: An office chair whose seat can rotate horizontally.
3. Classification by Adjustment Method:
Type I: Office chairs where both the seat and backrest are adjustable;
Type II: Office chairs where only the backrest angle is adjustable;
Non-Adjustable Office Chairs: Office chairs where the relative positions and angles of the backrest, seat, and armrests are not adjustable. The image shows the JEye high-end ergonomic computer chair, model JEye1.

II. Basic Components

1. Casters: Ordinary casters, PU wheels (soft material, suitable for wooden floors and computer rooms).

2. Chair Legs: The thickness of the iron frame directly affects the chair's lifespan. Surface treatment: Polishing, spray painting, baking paint (glossy surface, not easy to peel), electroplating (wooden frames cannot be electroplated). Good electroplating quality prevents rust.

3. Gas Spring: Also called a height adjustment rod, used to adjust the chair's height and swivel.

4. Base: The part that supports the seat and connects to the gas spring underneath.

5. Seat: Composed of wood, foam, and fabric. Consumers usually can't perceive the quality of the wooden boards. Sponge: Recycled sponge, new sponge. 99% of manufacturers use a combination of both; the thicker and harder, the higher the cost. Appropriate thickness and hardness are sufficient. Press the seat by hand. Fabric: Linen, mesh, leather. Plastic frame with mesh overlay. This type of chair is more breathable.

6: Armrests: Thickness affects quality.

7: Backrest and seat connection (corner brackets): The seat and backrest are separate, connected by steel pipes or plates. Steel plates are usually 6mm or 8mm thick. However, steel plates less than 6cm wide must be 8mm thick.

8: Backrest: Chairs with steel frame and plastic frame, combined with mesh, are breathable.

9: Lumbar support: Determines the chair's comfort.

10: Headrest: Determines the chair's comfort.

III. Classification Based on material composition, office chairs can be classified as: genuine leather office chairs, PU leather office chairs, fabric office chairs, mesh office chairs, plastic office chairs, etc. From a usage perspective, office chairs can be categorized as: executive chairs, work chairs, staff chairs, manager chairs, conference chairs, guest chairs, and ergonomic chairs.

From a usage location perspective, they are mainly used in offices, open-plan staff offices, conference rooms, reading rooms, libraries, training rooms, laboratories, staff dormitories, and staff canteens.

IV. Consumer Groups Office chair consumption is mainly concentrated in three groups: 1) corporate purchases; 2) government procurement; 3) school procurement; and 4) home purchases (in studies).

However, currently, government procurement accounts for a relatively small proportion, with corporate purchases being the primary driver.

V. Daily Maintenance

1. Handle with care during transport, taking special care to avoid collisions.

2. After prolonged sitting, regularly pat the areas and edges that have been sat on to restore their original shape and reduce dents caused by concentrated pressure.

3. When storing genuine leather chairs, keep them away from heat-generating objects and avoid direct sunlight. Do not expose them to strong sunlight.

4. Do not rub vigorously during routine cleaning to avoid damaging the surface. For leather sofas and office chairs that have been used for a long time or have been accidentally stained, you can wipe them with a cloth dampened with a suitable concentration of soapy water (or laundry detergent, with a water content of 40%~50%). Then wipe with clean water and dry with a clean cloth. Do not use harsh detergents (such as scouring powder, chemical solvents like turpentine, gasoline, or other unsuitable liquids).

5. When using the chair, try to keep the center of gravity in the center of the gas spring to ensure smooth and flexible lifting and turning. Regularly check the screws on the mechanism of the office chair after prolonged use; if any are loose, tighten them immediately. Check the springs and knobs for looseness; the spring tension should be adjusted according to the user's weight to ensure the backrest returns to its normal position smoothly and comfortably.

6. It is strictly forbidden to sit on the armrests of sofas or office chairs or place excessively heavy objects on them.

Strictly follow the instructions for regular maintenance of the office chair to extend its lifespan.

7. Do not place the office chair in direct sunlight for extended periods, as this can cause some plastics to age and become hydrogen embrittled. Cleaning Precautions

1. First, it's essential to understand the material of the office chair. Generally, office chair legs are made of solid wood or wrought iron, while the seat is either leather or fabric. The cleaning methods differ depending on the material.

2. For leather office chairs, test the leather cleaner on an inconspicuous area first to check for colorfastness. If colorfastness occurs, dilute with water. For heavily soiled chairs, use lukewarm water and let it air dry.

3. For solid wood office chair legs, simply wipe with a dry cloth, then apply some cleaning agent. Do not use a damp cloth and then expose to direct sunlight to dry, as this will accelerate internal rot of the solid wood.

4. For fabric chairs, generally spray with cleaning agent and wipe gently. For heavily soiled chairs, use warm water and cleaning agent. Do not scrub vigorously with a brush, as this will easily make the fabric look old.

6. Existing Problems
Currently, the problems with office chairs in China include: a lack of scientific marketing strategies. Specifically, this manifests in a lack of long-term, stable, and scientific strategic guidance in marketing, promotion, channel management, logistics, after-sales service, and manufacturer-distributor relations.

Phenomenon 1: Numerous brands, disorderly market competition, and pronounced regional characteristics.

Phenomenon 2: Low-end production, becoming a production base for foreign companies.

Phenomenon 3: Generally low design capabilities, mostly relying on plagiarism.

Phenomenon 4: Counterfeit and substandard products impact the market environment.

Phenomenon 5: Insufficient development of environmentally friendly chairs.

Many manufacturers produce chairs with immature technology.

Currently, only a few professional office chair manufacturers in China have independent design, development, and production capabilities.

Ergonomics, quality, environmental protection, and material innovation are areas that domestic furniture manufacturers urgently need to strengthen.

VII. Standards for a Good Chair

A good office chair should meet the following standards: It must have an adjustable height mechanism and the basic function of flexible 360-degree rotation.

The seat depth and width must be accurate, and the front edge of the chair should maintain a rounded, drooping shape. A breathable fabric should be chosen for the seat.

It should have a supportive backrest to relieve fatigue and tension.

The backrest should be designed to conform to the curves of the lumbar spine to prevent arching and protect it.

The chair must be adaptable to body movement and should not restrict the user to only one sitting posture.

A five-legged base with a large surface area and high safety is recommended.

The chair must be able to move freely; ideally, it should have wheels, with the wheel material chosen depending on the floor's hardness.

The chair should not have designs that snag clothing or obstruct work. If using a chair with armrests, the armrests should be made of a material with a pleasant tactile feel.

All adjustment mechanisms should be simple and easy to operate.

The chair should allow for the easy addition of accessories such as armrests.

Choose a chair suitable for the user, with product warranty and comprehensive after-sales service.

It should have an attractive appearance and appropriate color scheme.

Office Desk and Chair Matching

Standard Dimensions
Furniture is designed based on different functions of chairs, according to ergonomic data and national dimensional standards, through continuous testing and rational selection of values ​​to meet scientific design requirements.

Standard Dimensions of Office Chairs

Parameter Name Male Female Parameter Name Male Female
Seat Height 41～43cm 39～41cm
Backrest Height 41～42cm 39～40cm
Seat Depth 40～42cm 38～40cm
Backrest Width 40～42cm 40～42.04cm
Seat Front Width 40～42cm 40～42cm
Backrest Inclination 98°～102° 98°～102°
Seat Rear Width 30～40cm 38～40cm

VIII. Purchasing Tips
In daily life, it is observed that when purchasing office chairs, try to choose those with adjustable functions. To buy a practical and aesthetically pleasing office chair, I personally recommend purchasing from international brands, such as Hbada or JEye high-end ergonomic computer chairs. Besides these, consider the following factors: the overall layout of the office chair, its design aesthetics (including height), and the computer desk itself (e.g., keyboard drawer, ease of movement, and multi-functionality). If you frequently experience muscle aches, consider whether the chair is height-adjustable. For ease of use by the elderly and children, an adjustable height is ideal. Choosing a chair with these features allows the whole family to use it.

Key Factors in Choosing an Office Chair:

1. Pay close attention to the overall layout of the office chair. The design of the office chair is crucial, including seat height, keyboard drawer, ease of movement, and multi-functionality. If you frequently experience muscle aches, consider whether the chair is height-adjustable. For ease of use by the elderly and children, an adjustable height is ideal. Choosing a chair with these features allows the whole family to use it. Nobody wants their chair cluttered with messy wires. It's best to choose a one-piece office chair, which maintains the aesthetics of the room and complements the overall decor.

2. Consider the Craftsmanship of the Office Chair
Stability is also crucial for office chairs, as they support the body. Only a sturdy and reliable chair allows for comfortable sitting. Currently, low-priced chairs invariably use a frame structure—several planks nailed together—which, while cheap, is not durable and should be avoided. More durable and sturdy chairs often use a bearing and screw structure, are detachable, and offer significantly greater stability than frame structures, without a significant price increase. Considering all factors, these are highly recommended.

3. Office Chair Selection and Placement
When choosing an office chair, ensure it coordinates with your home or work environment. Avoid chairs that are too large or too small. The color should also be appropriate for the environment. A recommended office chair of excellent quality is provided in the references at the end of this article for your consideration. For office use, choose a more elegant and sophisticated color to reflect your style and status; black and white are common choices. For home use, the focus should be on personal style. Choose according to your preferences; any unusual or unique color can reflect your personality and charm.

Most homes have limited space, so integrated products combining speakers, massage functions, and chairs are suitable. These save space, offer excellent functionality, and are reasonably priced, making them highly recommended. When choosing a chair, pay attention to the sturdiness of the central support and test the smoothness of the rotation. Avoid products with plastic casters. Professional office chairs can prevent "occupational diseases." Opt for chairs with adjustable features.