Drafting chairs versus office chairs?
Interested in exploring the difference between office and drafting chairs? In this article, I will go over…
- The primary overall differences
- The ergonomic differences
Let’s get started!
Primary Overall Differences
The primary differences between the two styles can be found in the height, presence of certain features, and average cost.
While both office and drafting chairs are often adjustable, the common seat height of a drafting chair is around 30 inches.
Office chairs usually have a seat height of around 16 to 21 inches.
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Chairs of either variety can go higher or lower than the above numbers depending on whether they are adjustable or not.
Their height is also determined by whether they were designed for taller or shorter people.
The next big difference is the presence of certain chair features or lack thereof. Drafting chairs will come with footrest rings around the base, unlike office chairs.
Armrests are features that most office and drafting chairs have, but there are some drafting chair styles that don’t have armrests.
Finally, the average cost of the two chairs is the last big difference between them. For a decent drafting chair, you can expect to spend around $200.
A decent office chair will run about $350. Neither price considers other expenses such as shipping, warranty, or packaging.
Each of these differences comes from the different intended uses for these two chair styles. Their differing designs also come with various health benefits.
Ergonomic Styles
Office chairs are designed for sitting desks while drafting chairs are designed for standing desks. The debate on which is better has been going for some time and will continue.
However, this section is not aiming to state which is better, merely to inform on the differences between the two.
Here are some general characteristics to look for in a chair to help prevent health problems.
Drafting Chairs
These chairs have two main focuses. Their seat height and intended use.
They are designed to facilitate and encourage switching between sitting and standing. This frequent change in position can help prevent circulation issues.
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Since drafting chairs have higher seat heights, they come with footrests so that the user’s legs are not constantly dangling.
Office Chairs
On the other hand, office chairs focus more on cushioning the seat pad and providing back support.
A good office chair will help promote good sitting posture by providing lumbar support. Some office chairs come with headrests or have a tall enough back for the same purpose. This can take some pressure off the neck.
A properly cushioned seat pad will reduce pressure on the user’s legs, specifically the knees.
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Final Thoughts
The most important considerations when debating between these two chair styles are your individual needs.
What works best for one person will not work as well for another. While they do serve similar purposes, the way they do so is different.
For your consideration, here is a video on several good office chairs:
