Sometimes arms on office chairs get in the way and you may not even use them in the first place. If that is the case, you may want to consider getting an armless office chair.
This article provides information about:
- The 5 best office chairs without arms or with flipping arms
- How they work
- What to look for when shopping for one
Let’s get started!
Best Armless Office Chairs
- HON Volt Armless Task Chair (Our Top Pick)
- JJS Home Office Low Back Computer Executive Chair (Best Budget)
- Gabrylly Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair(Best High End)
What are Armless Office Chairs?
Armless chairs are simply chairs without arms, but what are they good for? Armless chairs can free up a lot of space because chairs that do have arms usually have arms that make the chair wider in all directions. Not only that, but arms often get in the way of the desk so that the chair does not slide in. This is an issue for those who have compact office spaces or work areas.
Armless chairs can help you sit closer to your desk because the arms will not get in the way. This can allow you to reduce the risks associated with sitting because you can sit upright with good posture. You will not have to lean forward towards the keyboard and can sit with your back on the backrest and lumbar support.
Armrests may also constrict the space available for your body. It may not allow for much mobility and movement either which is important for comfort and health. Finally, taking away the arms on the chairs means that less materials and less work to construct the chair which often means more affordable prices for the consumer.
Watch this video to learn how to remove or replace the armrests on your office chair!
Types of Armless Office Chairs
There are only a few different types of office chairs that do not have arms. It is good to know what to look for to find one that works for your specific needs that also fits your budget. There are standard armless chairs, compact armless chairs, flip-up arm chairs, and ergonomic armless chairs.
Standard Armless Chairs
This is a standard office chair that does not have any arms. They usually have caster wheels and standard backrests. However, they do not offer some of the features that the other types of armless chairs have.
Compact Armless Chairs
This is an armless chair that is more compact. This is a great option for those who have smaller work areas or work in a cubicle. It will fit underneath virtually any desk and may even fit in a closet space. However, they may be less comfortable because the seat will have a shallow depth and be less wide than other options.
Flip-Up Arm Chairs
This type has arms, but the arms can flip-up to create an armless office chair. This means that you can store it easily and use it with desks in an armless position to get closer, but then you can put the arms down to use when you want to. This is a great option to get the best of both worlds.
Ergonomic Armless Chairs
This is an armless chair that offers more adjustability and comfort than the other types. It often has an adjustable seat depth and lumbar support. They also have higher backrests complete with a headrest pillow. They may recline and have tilt tension and tilt lock features as well.
How Do Armless Office Chairs Work?
Arms on a chair can be useful, comfortable, and healthy, but only if they are appropriately located and properly used. However, armless chairs can offer some awesome benefits as well. Without arms, the chairs will be more likely to fit your body type and can slide closer to and even underneath your desk. This means that it takes up much less room than an armed counterpart.
Armless office chairs also tend to be more affordable than the armed options. This is because they require less work to complete and less materials to build. Armless chairs are better than armed chairs that are not ergonomic because having your arms misplaced can encourage poor posture and make you sit too far away from the desktop and computer. This can contribute to lower back pain and shoulder and neck tension.
Read More >> Are Stools Better for Your Back?
What to Look for in the Best Armless Office Chairs?
To make sure that you buy a high-quality chair that suits your needs, you need to be aware of some important things to look for while you are shopping around.
You should take the size into consideration for storage or getting it out of the way. Since it does not have arms then it will be more likely to fit underneath your desk with only the backrest sticking out. However, you do need to make sure that it will work well and that a caster wheel does not stick out and become a safety hazard while the chair is put away.
You need to take mobility into consideration. This is important for a lot of people who are looking for an armless chair. An armless chair allows you to move which is beneficial for productivity. It is also useful for those who have to move between desks or monitors during the workday. However, you do have to take the mobility features into consideration. Some options have higher quality caster wheels and are easier to turn all the way around. If this is important to you, be sure to get one that will not wear out with substantial movement on a daily basis.
Read More >> Ergonomics in the Workplace [Ultimate Guide]
You should also consider ergonomics. Whether you get an armless chair or one that has flip-up arms, you need to make sure that the chair fits your body. For flip-up armed chairs, you should make sure that the arms are placed comfortably and ergonomically. For those completely without arms, you need to make sure that the backrest is placed well and that the seat is wide and deep enough. This is especially important to consider if you are looking for a compact armless office chair.
Best Armless Office Chairs
#1 HON Volt Armless Desk Chair Small Office...
This is our top pick because it is stylish, functional, and reasonably priced. The upholstery is elegant and comfortable and the caster wheels provide it with mobility. It comes with a 5 year warranty because of the durable, strong components. The adjustability of the height comes from a solid pneumatic system.
Pros
- Caster wheels
- Style and upholstery
- Durable parts with 5 year warranty
Cons
- No lumbar support or padding
- Seat is not very deep
- Difficult assembly
#2 JJS Home Office Low Back Computer Executive Chair
This is a high-quality chair that is surprisingly affordably and has breathable mesh upholstery and a pneumatic lift system. It has a sleek, modern design and padded seat. It is also a great choice for mobility because of the easy 360 degree rotation and the high quality caster wheels.
Pros
- Caster wheels
- Breathable upholstery
- Modern Design
Cons
- Low backrest
- Small seat
- No adjustability and poor lumbar support
#3 Gabrylly Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair
[amzon box="B07Y8BXBX8"]
This chair has flip-up arms so you can choose to use it as an armed or armless office chair. It has a high backrest with headrest and breathable mesh upholstery. The chair is designed to support good posture with lumbar support and can hold up to 280 pounds. It is large and comfortable and comes with a one year warranty. It also has tilt functions for tilt tension and tilt lock.
Pros
- Larger than other options
- Lumbar support
- Flip-up arms
Cons
- Not great for very tall people
- More expensive than other options
- Tilt tension is not very strong
#4 Flash Furniture Mid-Back Black Leather
- Whether you go into the office or work from home this beautifully styled ergonomic chair boasting soft and durable black LeatherSoft upholstery with pillow top cushioning and multiple adjustment features will give you something to look forward to.
- [_Our chair conforms to ANSI/BIFMA standard X5.1-17_] Mid back design and black LeatherSoft upholstery with CAL 117 fire retardant foam, pillow top cushioned back and seat,
This simple, but high-quality chair is comfortable and attractive. It has a middle high backrest and tilt lock and tension controls. It comes in a variety of colors and you can even purchase the same chair with arms. It has a great adjustable lumbar support system and the back adjusts to raise and lower for different sized people.
Pros
- Lumbar support
- Back and tilt adjustments
- Color and arm options
Cons
- Too small for some people
- Poor quality caster wheels
- Can get uncomfortable after prolonged use
#5 2xhome Executive Mid Back
This chair offers elegant style for an affordable price. It comes with a tilt tension and tilt lock control and has a smooth ribbed leather upholstery. The caster wheels are high quality and it has a middle high backrest. It also comes in a variety of color options.
Pros
- Larger than some
- Good Caster wheels
- Tilt tension and lock
Cons
- May be too firm for some
- No lumbar support or headrest
- May be too large for smaller people
Final Thoughts on Armless Office Chairs
There are tons of different armless backed chairs that offer more mobility and a sleeker, more compact design than armed options. There are others that offer the best of both worlds with flip-up arms. There are high-end options that offer ergonomics and durable designs and more affordable options that are simple, but provide the user with everything they desire.
Last update on 2022-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
