We will explore in detail the factors that contribute to the current high cost of office chairs in this article. And, more crucially, why you ought to spend money on a premium ergonomic chair for yourself.
The typical ergonomic desk chair is more comfortable today than, say, a regular chair from fifteen years ago. In addition, unlike the chairs you are more accustomed to, these are designed to conform to each person’s physical make-up.
Why Are Office Chairs So Expensive These Days?
Regular office chairs are still less expensive today than their ergonomic counterparts. An office chair can be purchased for as little as $50, and occasionally even less. However, depending on the quality, adjustability, and other features of your ergonomic desk chair, you should prepare to spend between $350 and $1,500.
Even $350 or $1,500 for a chair is a lot of money for most people. What then justifies the high price of a modern ergonomic chair? Let’s find out.
They’re Designed for Longevity
Office chairs are made to withstand a lot of activity.
They cost more than other chairs, such as those used in dining rooms.
This is because most people spend their entire days sitting in them.
The chairs must be durable enough to withstand the demands of the job over such an extended period of time.
The cushion must support your weight.
All day long wheeling around must not damage the wheels.
A chair must be durable if you’re going to spend several hundred dollars on it.
A typical office chair is made to last 10 to 15 years and is available on the market.
The cushions have meticulously sewn seams.
By doing this, it prevents them from bursting after a few days of sitting.
If you’ve ever seen cushions deflate, it’s probably because the construction was done improperly or the materials were of inferior quality.
In order to prevent spring breaks, the springs must be carefully designed.
Spring and hydraulic systems work out as well from the up and down motion of getting in and out of the seat.
Plastic and flimsy mechanisms are common components of inexpensive chairs.
They may only last for a year or two because they weren’t made to last.
Think about how much use a chair will receive.
In a conference room, some office chairs might be vacant for an extended period of time.
Others might spend hours each day in cubicles.
As there will be butts in the seats nearly 24 hours a day, every day, chairs in 24-hour call centers might see even more use.
Ergonomics Are More Comfortable & Supportive
Office chairs that cost a lot are usually very good chairs. These ergonomic desk chairs are made to provide the best possible support for the human body; they are intended for use in the typical office setting, where people spend the majority of their time sitting.
For instance, adjustable features on ergonomic chairs include seat height and backward and forward tilt. In order to promote good posture, which in turn helps prevent the body pain that comes with prolonged sitting, adjustability is essential. The lumbar support feature found in many ergonomic chairs helps to prevent lower-body tension by supporting the lower spine.
In other words, these office chairs are expensive because they are designed to support good posture. As a result, one is able to avoid various types of pain, including back pain, knee pain, neck pain, hip pain, etc.), which also has a positive impact on focus, stress levels, and productivity. Therefore, you should spend money on an ergonomic chair of high quality if you want to increase productivity while avoiding the potential negative effects of prolonged sitting.
They Use Better Materials Than Ever Before
When comparing expensive office chairs to standard office chairs from the past, you’ll see that the former are made with better materials. You can almost always anticipate these materials, whether leather or mesh, to last for a very long time in an office chair. Ergonomic chairs are significantly more expensive than standard office chairs as a result.
High-quality materials help an expensive office chair provide a certain level of comfort in addition to durability. Long periods of sitting on a chair will be more comfortable the higher the quality. Additionally, high-quality materials are simpler to clean, which is a benefit if you don’t want to spend all day cleaning your office chair.
Extended Warranties Protect Your Investment
Anything that is meant to last for a long time needs a warranty. For office chairs, which experience daily wear and tear, it is especially crucial.
Sadly, not all chairs come with warranties, but better office chairs do. In actuality, extended warranties are now included with even the priciest office chairs. Some warranties can last up to 12 years! Your investment is safe with that amount of time, so you can relax. And if a 12-year warranty is offered with an ergonomic office chair, that just goes to show how confident the maker is in the long-term reliability of their products.
Inflation – Everything is More Expensive!
Let’s not overlook inflation, of course. You can’t really expect office chairs to be the same price they were before because everything is more expensive these days.
“But inflation shouldn’t cause this high of a price increase!”
Take into account that the dollar has increased in price by roughly 50%. That implies that prices will increase by 1.5 times in 2022 compared to 2000.
This along with the aforementioned factors make it clear why ergonomic chairs cost more than you might anticipate.
What Does Cheap & Low-Quality Desk Chairs Look Like
There are less expensive ergonomic chairs if money is tight. Some can be purchased for as little as $200, but don’t expect excellent quality at this price point. Cheaper office chairs may be adequate, but in our experience, they are not very good for extended use.
You get what you pay for, as the saying goes. And this is especially true if you use an office chair every day. If you skimp on quality for the sake of saving money, you may experience the following:
Poor Posture
Office chairs that promote good posture while seated are called ergonomic chairs. For instance, most ergonomic chairs have adjustable armrests that let you place your arms correctly in relation to the height of your desk. To prevent wrist pain, shoulder pain, and even the dreaded carpal tunnel syndrome, doing this will help you maintain proper sitting posture while using your keyboard.
If it has any adjustability at all, a low-quality desk chair won’t. This makes it challenging for you to sit at your desk all day with good posture. Of course, we already know what can result from this: neck pain, hip pain, back pain, and over time, perhaps even an injury.
Check out how an ergonomic chair can improve posture if you’re still not persuaded!
Reduced Productivity
Pain makes it harder for you to concentrate on your work. As a result, there is a greater propensity to err and to become distracted. Because you are focused on the pain, it is also more difficult to work effectively. When all these negative effects are added together, you also experience a lot of unneeded stress. Who wants to deal with the stress of being in pain on top of actual work stress?
Having said that, purchasing a good ergonomic office chair is not only beneficial to your physical health but also crucial for lowering stress levels, maintaining efficiency, and increasing productivity at work. To make their employees happier and more productive, businesses must invest in high-quality office ergonomics, which is another reason why many workplaces are looking to replace their standard desk chairs with ergonomic ones.
Warranty
When it’s time to buy an office chair, you should always consider the warranty, what it covers, and, more importantly, what it doesn’t cover.
The warranty gets better as the chair gets more expensive. Because they are constructed with high-quality materials and are expensive, expensive office chairs have extended warranties that almost cover everything.
Higher-end office chairs typically include 10-year, 12-year, or even lifetime warranties that cover repairs and replacements for mechanisms, cylinders, fabrics, and more.
For instance, Steelcase’s limited, worldwide warranty applies to the Think. For as long as the owner owns the property, structural components are covered; textiles have a five- to twelve-year warranty.
Cheap office chairs either have no warranty at all or a limited warranty. Even if there is a warranty on these chairs, it only lasts a few years and doesn’t cover all parts.
Less Durability
A low-cost, poor-quality office chair has a limited lifespan. One reason is that most affordable office chairs have plastic casters built into them, which can break more easily than better-made wheels. Additionally, these plastic casters have a history of harming carpet.
A cheap ergonomic office chair also has a propensity for having more easily broken adjustable components. For instance, if you frequently adjust the backward tilt of your chair, the repeated use of the chair’s mechanical components will result in faster wear and tear. As a result, you might find that adjusting your chair is more difficult than it used to be, or worse, that the chair’s adjustable components no longer function at all.
After considering everything, it becomes clear why a high-quality office chair will end up being a much better long-term investment. A cheap office chair is more likely to break than a high-quality chair will, so be careful when you buy one. And as a result, you might wind up spending the same amount as a high-quality office chair that can last at least twice as long.
So instead of wasting money on a cheap chair that will probably break in a few months, why not invest in a pricey but high-quality ergonomic office chair?
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. Ergonomic chairs, to put it simply, are items made to adjust to the user’s natural body position and needs.
Next time you ask yourself: “Why is it so expensive to buy a desk chair?” Keep in mind that features are the main distinction between ergonomic chairs and regular office chairs. Regular chairs typically have fixed seating, armrests, and other features. On the other hand, ergonomic chairs let you change some of those features so that you can sit however it feels most comfortable to you.
Because you must adjust to how your chair functions rather than the other way around, fixed chair materials can occasionally be a hassle. You might not feel comfortable typing on your ergonomic keyboard if your chair doesn’t have adjustable armrests, for instance.
Typically, most chairs only have an adjustable seat. While that may be effective for some, it is insufficient if you want to be as comfortable as possible.
Are Expensive Office Task Chairs Worth It?
Even though you might be tempted to just buy a cheap office chair and call it a day, you should know that expensive office chairs are more reasonably priced than you might realize.
In fact, you can actually save money by investing in a more expensive office chair that lasts a decade or longer, as compared to buying a $200 chair you have to replace every few years.
In comparison to cheaper chairs, these chairs offer more customization options and better adjustments. Better warranties that cover almost everything are also included with them.
If you have the extra cash, investing in a more expensive office chair will be worthwhile for you, your coworkers, and your bank account.
How Do You Know Which Chair to Purchase?
You must take into account everything you’ll need before buying an office chair. For example, if you struggle with back pain, you must go for an ergonomic chair for back pain. On the other hand, if you prefer chairs with high-end designs and materials, you might choose a more expensive chair.
It’s crucial to remember that investing in ergonomic chairs can help you save a lot of money over time. Traditional chairs can cause serious physical problems down the road, which might require you to visit the hospital or take painkillers. If you consider ergonomic chairs from that perspective, you can see that they are a much better investment for your long-term health. Ergonomic chairs help to reduce the majority of these risks.
Why Are Desk Chairs So Expensive? Wrapping Up
As you can see, there are numerous reasons why desk chairs today are more expensive. It shouldn’t be surprising that they cost more because they have superior ergonomics, are made of high-quality materials, and have longer warranties. Simply put, by spending money on a superior ergonomic office chair, you are getting your money’s worth.
Having said that, don’t risk your health by selecting a less expensive chair. Invest in a fantastic ergonomic chair from ErgoTune right away if you want to make your workdays infinitely more relaxing and efficient. You won’t want to sit in any other chair ever again after using one of our high-quality chairs. And to top it off, you get to benefit from a whopping 12-year warranty, which proves how sturdy these chairs are.
