If you choose a drafting chair at random you are making a big mistake because you can end up with terrible back pain, an aching neck, and even headaches. As a result, your productivity at work falls to zero and you start to hate your job. The good news is that there are drafting chairs that are ergonomically designed and can provide the support you need to stay comfortable even when working long hours.
For this guide, we reviewed over 30 models to find 8 best drafting chairs. Among them Harwick Ergonomic Adjustable Drafting Chair proved to be the number one. First and foremost, we looked at the adjustability and lumbar support. Everyone is different, with a different posture, so it is important to have adequate support and be able to move the chair into the ideal position to create a comfortable environment for you to work, even during extended periods. However, we also looked at the seat and back size, which can also impact comfort and the materials used that will influence the durability of the chair. All models on our list also offer a footrest that can improve your experience.
Other features: textile, adjustable, a contoured seat and back cushion, fully upholstered backrest, chrome footring, a heavy duty nylon base with dual wheel carpet casters, 10-year warranty
The Harwick Ergonomic Adjustable Drafting Chair may be the best lumbar support drafting chair on this list of products. The Harwick chair has a special mechanism that allows the user to fully adjust their seating and thick padded cushions reduce muscle fatigue. In fact, it would be difficult to find a multi-functional chair as comfortable as the Harwick at this price.
Some of the best features of this chair include: adjustable back height for taller users, a heavy duty base to support up to 250 lbs. easily and dual wheel casters for carpets and hard floor surfaces. The Harwick is available in grey or black commercial grade fabric and there is a top grain black leather variant for those that want a touch of luxury.
This chair is simple to adjust to the users ideal seating position with a lever operated pneumatic seat height of 26”-35”. The tilt tension is adjustable to give the user the exact angle of tilt for a comfortable seating experience. The height of the armrests is adjustable up or down to support the users seating posture and the cushions are all contoured and well-padded for comfort. Harwick also offer a generous ten year limited warranty with this chair for extra peace of mind.
Other features: flip-up arms, ventilated curved back, pressure relieving contoured seat with waterfall edge, weight capacity of 250 lbs.; arm height of 6. 5″ from seat
The Flash Furniture Drafting Chair is a very solidly built chair made from ultra-durable nylon materials. It has a stylish and refined aesthetic appeal with smooth curves and a gold colored frame. This chair has plenty of lumbar support for sitting at the computer for extended periods of time. But, a lack of padding at the edges of the seat pad can lead to a little discomfort unless the user takes some regular breaks throughout the day.
This chair height is adjustable from 24”-32” with mid-level backrest and a waterfall seat edge to improve lower limb circulation. The backrest tilt operation is silky smooth thanks to a 2-to-1 synchronized locking mechanism. This allows the user to recline safely without feeling like they are about to tip over. The padded armrests offer plenty of support for the upper limbs but they can be flipped upwards to provide a greater range of movement if required.
The Flash Furniture Mid-Back Drafting Chair uses tough premium grade materials with plenty of adjustment options to get the optimal seating position. The curved mesh seat back allows the users back to breathe making the chair cool and comfortable all year round.
Other features: multi-function adjustment, durable nylon base, multi-direction casters, three-degree curved seat, 5-claw chair legs, weight capacity of 300 lbs.
This is a mesh backed drafting chair with a foot ring and an adjustable armrest for a healthy and comfortable seating experience. The seat features built-in lumbar support to combat muscle fatigue and the air permeability will keep the user cool for hours at a time. This chair can swivel a full 360º to easily access surrounding areas and the nylon base is designed for heavy long term use.
The Smugdesk Drafting Chair has an adjustable seat height of 25.2”-33.9” and the armrests and foot ring are also fully adjustable. This will ensure that users can get the exact seating position that they need. When they look for the best office desk drafting chair many people are concerned with the floor surfaces. This is not a problem with this drafting chair, the smooth rolling casters work well on mats, carpets and hardwood floors.
This drafting chair is made from high quality materials but it needs to be assembled after delivery. The tools to put the chair together are included and the instructions are easy to follow. If there is a problem Smugdesk are easy to reach and they offer full support for their customers. This drafting chair can support up to 300 lbs and it comes with a full 12 month warranty.
Other features: multi-function adjustment, 7-position height-adjustable arms, stain-resistant fabric, built-in lumbar support and a 3″ thick seat, pneumatic height adjustment, weight capacity of 250 lbs.
The OFM Core Collection Ergonomic Task Chair has a smart and contemporary style to suit any office environment. This chair has multiple possible seating adjustments available allowing the user to create a dizzying array of customizable configurations to meet their individual needs. In total seven key chair features can be adjusted to maximize the users comfort, including: a gas lift seat height, seven armrest positions, tilt tension and locking functions, and back seat height, depth and angle support.
This chair has built-in lumbar support and a 360º swivel for easy access to surrounding work areas. This chair is upholstered with an attractive and stain resistant fabric making cleaning easy. The seat pad has a 3” deep cushion and a weight capacity of 250 lbs. This task chair is backed with a limited lifetime warranty from OFM for added peace of mind.
Other features: adjustable foot ring, pneumatic height adjustment, heavy duty nylon base with dual wheel carpet casters
Users that need a drafting chair to use on longer term projects are sure to need built-in lumbar support and other features to stay comfortable for longer. This particular drafting chair is designed to cater to users of different heights ranging from 24.75”-29.75”. The mesh seat has a breathable back to prevent back perspiration when seated for prolonged periods.
This draft chair has dual wheel casters to ensure that it glides smoothly across carpets and hard surfaces. The seat has ample padding to keep you comfortable and the lumbar support is designed to keep the users spine aligned to reduce muscle fatigue. The seat height, back height and foot rest can all be adjusted to get the ideal setting for every user.
The Office Star Drafting Chair sits on a durable heavy duty nylon base for a surefooted seating experience. This chair sits a little lower than some of the other models on this list making it less useful as a true drafting chair. However this chair would be a good fit for a reception area or as a craft chair for long term projects.
Other features: 31.5″H x 33.5″W armrest, 25″ x 25″ base, reliable ergonomic support, quality-tested pneumatic gas lift and tilt/tension mechanism, 1-year warranty
The Poly and Bark Correna Drafting Chair may be the most comfortable chair on this list for many potential users. This is an elegant seat with an intuitive design that has made it a popular choice for many buyers in recent years. The chair is designed to fit the needs of approximately 95% of the population. This is the stretched drafting variant of the standard Correna and this makes it one of the best ergonomic drafting chair options on the market.
The Correna drafting chair has a ribbed mesh design with a butterfly shape for improved ergonomics and comfort. The mesh breathable back supports the spine with a gentle curvature and the airflow around the rear reduces perspiration for long sitting periods. The chair is supported on a nylon frame attached to a substantial steel base that’s equipped with five dual wheels. The armrests are padded with vinyl and can be rotated 90º to place them out of the way for a variety of tasks.
Poly and Bark have made a commitment to providing furniture that’s functional, durable and aesthetically pleasing for their customers. This means that the Correna is built to exacting standards, it’s a very comfortable drafting chair and it’s supplied with one year guarantee warranty.
Other features: thick padded seat, one-touch pneumatic height control, waterfall seat edge, adjustable footring, black powder coat finish on the 5-star base
Many people need a chair that can be used as a single solution for a workspace without compromising on comfort or durability. For those users the Safco 3406BV Task Chair may be the perfect solution to meet their needs. This is an extended height chair that can be lowered or raised quickly to suit a wide number of working heights. A simple pneumatic lever can adjust the height form 23” up to 33” with a full 360º swivel to make the most of a smaller working area.
This drafting chair has a thick cushioned seat paired with a form fitting back to assure that the user stays more comfortable for longer periods. The edge of the seat has a waterfall design to reduce pressure and improve circulation to the legs when sitting. For extra comfort a fully adjustable foot ring is present to change leg positions without getting up. The back can be tilted to help the user achieve the perfect seating position. The chair sits on a heavy duty aluminum base and casters to make it extremely maneuverable.
The Safco 3406BV Task Chair is available in black and grey fabric and black vinyl to suit a wide variety of offices and working areas.
Other features: ergonomic design, SGS-tested extra tall gaslift, large 27.5” sturdy nylon base, easy rolling casters, 360° swivel, durable powder coat finish, weight capacity of 295 lbs.
This draft stool can be adjusted to work at a standard desk or counter height as needed. The seat height is adjustable in the 22¼”-30” range making it ideal to pair with a craft station or a drafting table. The chair shape is streamlined for ideal placement in any location and it can swivel a full 360º with a chrome footrest ring.
The Chairman Ergonomic Mid-Back Adjustable Drafting Chair has curves to closely follow the human spine for extra support. The seat is padded with plenty of thick foam and the rounded edge promotes blood flow by reducing pressure on the thighs and legs of the user. This drafting stool also tilts and the sturdy 27.5” base can be easily maneuvered around the workspace on easy rolling casters.
This drafting chair takes around 25 minutes to put together and the supplied instructions are easy to follow. The materials used are skin friendly and they don’t have that plastic odor that many people dislike in modern office furniture. A full 12 month warranty is supplied for peace of mind and the customer support is superb.
Comfort is vital to productivity and the best drafting chair can make the difference between a full day of work and needing to keep moving around to avoid back issues. However, with so many chairs on the market, it can be a little daunting to make a purchase decision. So, here we’ve compiled a buying guide with the things to consider and answers to some common questions to assist you.
Here we’ll explore the features to consider to help you narrow down your options for a drafting chair that can meet your specific needs.
This is possibly the single most important factor in choosing any type of drafting chair. Many users need a chair like this to perform detailed work at a drafting table, tall desk or workbench for prolonged periods of time. It’s important to be comfortable and the ideal chair should support the back and lower limbs. The best drafting chairs promote a healthy posture and help to improve circulation in the thighs and legs. Many modern drafting chairs such as the Flash Furniture Mid-Back Ergonomic Drafting Chair use a waterfall edge design on the seat edge to make the chair healthier to use.
Some users don’t need armrests and others simply could not manage without them. So, when you need to choose a drafting chair it’s important to consider your needs and the types of tasks you will be performing. If you need to use a keyboard for long periods, armrests are a great way to support your upper limbs properly as you use the mouse or type. But, for more dedicated drafting work and manipulating physical objects armrests may not be the best option and the Safco 3406BV Task Chair may be a better fit.
In recent years many people have experimented with a backless drafting chair to promote a healthier upright posture. But many professionals prefer to use a drafting chair with a backrest because the spine can tire quickly during longer working periods.
If you need a backrest, look for one that’s countered to support the spine and choose a chair with tilt adjustment if you like to lean back.
Using a taller drafting chair will make many users lift their feet from the ground during work. Taller users may be able to place their feet on the floor when they sit down, but some users may need a chair like the Poly and Bark Correna Drafting Chair that has an effective foot rest. This is also a good way to reduce the excess pressure on the inner thighs and legs when seated for working.
Many cheaper drafting chairs look great but they quickly fail after they have been used for a short period of time. The materials used in the construction of the chair are important but it’s also essential to get a high quality gas cylinder. The drafting chair needs to be raised and lowered and this is where the hydraulic lift is needed. The gas cylinder that powers this lift will wear out eventually and it can be replaced easily. But it should last for at least a year under regular use and a new cylinder should be readily available. Another key feature is the quality of the casters, they need to be robust and if they are going to be used on different surfaces they should be able to handle them safely without slipping. Look for a chair like the Flash Furniture Mid-Back Ergonomic Drafting Chair that’s made from ultra-tough nylon materials.
In an average workplace environment it’s likely that you would have workers with a wide variety of shapes, sizes and body types.
So, choosing a draft chair that meets all of these needs will require a drafting chair that has plenty of adjustability options.
Most office chairs are built for people with a weight up to 250 lbs. but if you need a larger weight capacity it’s important to get the right chair. An overloaded chair can fail and cause an accident for the user and there are chairs available to meet this need. At the very least a chair that is not rated for the correct weight may have a hydraulic system that fails quickly leading to frustration when trying to set a consistent seating height. The OFM Core Collection Ergonomic Task Chair has a comfortable weight capacity of up to 250 lbs.
Many modern ergonomic office and drafting chairs have swivels and wheels to help the chair rotate into the ideal orientation for working. The wheel action needs to be smooth to avoid unnecessary strain to the user when they stand, sit down or move the chair. Many standing chairs do not have a wheel because they are top heavy and they could become unstable. When you choose a taller drafting chair or stool it’s more important to lookout for a sturdier chair that has a smooth swiveling action and a foot rest. The Harwick Ergonomic Adjustable Drafting Chair is an excellent compromise because the chair is heavy enough to work well in either role.
While we have highlighted some excellent drafting chairs, there are several models that warrant additional praise. The Chairman Ergonomic Mid-Back Adjustable is not only fully adjustable, but also has a fantastic chair shape profile that is streamlined for additional comfort, while the Flash Furniture chair is made from highly durable materials that offer exceptional reliability.
However, the stand out as the best drafting chair has to be the Hardwick. This chair not only offers customizable support and excellent seat padding, but is supported by a ten year warranty for extra peace of mind.
