Best Swivel Desk Chair Reviews and Buyers Guide

In today’s high-tech world, we spend countless hours confined to our desks, tasking away on our laptops and work stations. Common sense would dictate that a functional and comfortable swivel desk chair is key for a productive work environment.

Sitting for many hours every day in an uncomfortable swivel desk chair may lead to a variety of body aches and pains; notably to one’s back, neck and legs.

This being the case, carefully selecting a high-quality desk chair will go a long way in alleviating work station-related fatigue and other health problems.

There are so many factors to be considered when comparing and purchasing the best swivel desk chair for your needs.

If you are like most people, you simply don’t have the time to research the plethora of desk chairs available on the market. We’ve done the “heavy lifting” for you!

This article provides in-depth research and reviews of the best swivel desk chairs available for purchase.

Swivel Desk Chair Comparison Chart

To kick off the article, we will go ahead list our favorites! Based on our research, the best swivel office chairs include:

  1. AmazonBasics High-Back Executive Chair
  2. Essentials by OFM Model ESS-6000
  3. Essentials by OFM Model ESS-6020
  4. Flash Furniture Mid-Back Black Mesh Swivel Task Chair
  5. AmazonBasics Low-Back Computer Chair

The table below contains additional information about each of these chairs.

ProductPriceReviewsSizeColorsDimensions (D x W x H)
AmazonBasics High-Back Executive ChairCheck Price on AmazonView Customer Reviews on Amazon
High-BackBlack
Brown
29.13″ x 25.59″ x 41.34″ to 45.08″
Essentials by OFM Model ESS-6000Check Price on AmazonView Customer Reviews on AmazonMid-BackBlack17.5″ x 19.25″ x 39.75″
Essentials by OFM Model ESS-6020Check Price on AmazonView Customer Reviews on AmazonHigh-BackBlack on Black Frame
Black on Silver Frame
Brown on Champaign Frame
17.88″ x 19.63″ x 36.38″ – 40.13″
Flash Furniture Mid-Back Black Mesh Swivel Task ChairCheck Price on AmazonView Customer Reviews on AmazonMid-BackBlack21″ x 24″ x 39″
AmazonBasics Low-Back Computer ChairCheck Price on AmazonView Customer Reviews on AmazonLow-BackBlack
Blue
Green
Red
22.5″ x 21.5″ x 30.5″ – 34.5″

What to Consider When Buying an Office Chair

So you’ve made up your mind to buy a swivel desk chair for your home or office work area.

The internet contains so much information in so many places on swivel desk chairs. We have consolidated much of it into this article.

Consider the following points as you determine which chair best meets your needs.

  • Do you have any sitting-related health problems?
  • How much padding do you desire in the swivel desk chair’s seat and back areas?
  • What weight capacity chair do you need, along with the size of the seat?
  • Is there a certain material that you are looking for?
  • Do you desire a higher-back or lower-back on your swivel desk chair?
  • What is your personal or office budget?
  • Will the chair fit in well with your home or office’s décor?
  • Do you want a swivel desk chair that features an adjustable seat height?
  • Is the product available in more colors than just black?
  • Are you interested in a chair with padded arm rests, non-padded rests, or without arms all together?
  • How tall is the table or desk your chair needs to slide under?
  • Is the chair sturdy and made from durable materials?
  • How well does the manufacturer of the swivel desk chair warranty their product?
  • What do past purchasers of the chair have to say in their reviews?

That’s a lot to consider, but all very important. Keep those points in mind as we dive into the top five best swivel desk chair reviews!

Best Office Chair: AmazonBasics High-Back Executive Chair Review


The first selection in our swivel desk chair review is the AmazonBasics High-Back Executive Chair.

AmazonBasic’s “Executive Chair” lives up to that moniker upon first glance. The chair has a super sharp chrome frame and sits up tall with the top of the seat reaching 45″ from the floor.

It features a luxuriously-padded seat and back made from a bonded leather material. The seat has an adjustable height range of 17.5” to 22”. A pneumatic lever is used to adjust the seat and tilt it forwards or backward.

The chair swivels a full 360 degrees.

Primary specs include:

  • Weighs 35 lbs.
  • Dimensions are 29.13″ x 25.59″ x 41.34″ to 45.08″ (L x W x H)
  • Seat measures 19.5″ wide x 20″ deep
  • Max user weight of 250 lbs.

It is sold in two colors – black and brown.

AmazonBasics stands behind this chair with a limited 1-year warranty against manufacturer’s defects.

Below is a YouTube video courtesy of Jamie Wagner showing how to put the chair together and what it looks like in action!


Pros

  • Very comfortably-padded chair contours along with a higher back for full spine support
  • Sturdy design designed to hold larger individuals
  • Luxurious appearance for office settings
  • Easy-to-assemble
  • 1-year limited warranty from AmazonBasics
  • Comes in 2 colors – black and brown

Cons

  • Made from bonded leather rather than 100% leather; however, that’s expected at this price point
  • Arm rests are not padded very well
  • Even with its high back, it may be uncomfortable for individuals over 6’5” tall
  • Limited lumbar support
  • Shorter people who sit in it (5’5” or less) may be too high off the ground

Our Opinion

If you are looking for a true “executive” desk chair, the High-Back Executive Chair is a great option.

It is professional looking while offering a superior level of comfort at the same time.

The wheels that come with it roll smoothly, but after spending this amount of money we would probably upgrade to a premium set of casters.

There’s really not too many downsides to speak of. Of course, it’s not real leather, but who would expect it to be for what it costs? It is made of bonded leather which is shredded leather with a PVC coating.

Also, if you have a shorter desk or conference table, you may have trouble pushing it under. Not a deal breaker, but something to keep in mind.

It is backed by a limited, one-year warranty through AmazonBasics, which means something when spending this much on a swivel desk chair.

Overall, the AmazonBasics High-Back Executive Chair is our top pick for the best office chair.

Best Basic Office Chair: Essentials by OFM Executive Chair (ESS-6000) Review


Next up in our swivel office chair lineup comes the Essentials by OFM Model ESS-6000. It is manufactured by OFM and is our favorite basic office chair.

The Essentials Executive Chair is made from “SofThread,” a form of bonded leather. The SofThread material coupled with its stitching makes the chair look higher-end than it actually is.

The seat is well padded and there is a raised indention at the top of the seat for a head rest.

It stands a total of 40″ above the floor. With the high back, the office chair provides good upper back and neck support.

The chair is adjustable and tilts by using the lever under the seat.

It is rated to hold up to 250 lbs. The seat dimensions are 19.25″ wide by 17.5″ deep.

One of the biggest disadvantages of the chair in our view are the arms. They are not padded and they angle downward. However, that’s just a matter of personal preference.

OFM warranties the chair for a full three years against manufacturing defects.

Some easy assembly required.

Pros

  • Designed for comfort and upper back/neck support
  • 3-years of limited warranty security from Essentials by OFM
  • Very cost-effective
  • Easy-to-assemble
  • Durable and constructed well

Cons

  • Seat is a little too narrow for bigger bottoms
  • Lumbar support is lacking
  • Downward-angled arm rest design cuts into the hips on larger people

Our Opinion

In all honesty, it’s hard to comment on many negative points for this office chair. It’s certainly not the greatest desk chair out there, but for what it costs we’re not sure you could reasonably ask for much more.

For the price, it’s good quality and is expected to hold up well for the long-term. It offers a luxurious look with a matching comfort level at an affordable price.

Essentials by OFM backs their swivel desk chair with a limited, 3-year warranty against defects. That’s one of the longer warranties we have seen and may be a peace-of-mind deciding factor when purchasing this chair.

Overall, the model ESS-6000 provides a very comfortable and reliable bang for your buck.

Best Executive Office Chair (Second Pick): Essentials Leather Office Chair (ESS-6020) Review


Piggybacking on the last office chair is another offering from OFM’s “Essentials by OFM” seating collection. It is the Essentials by OFM Model ESS-6020.

This chair retails a bit higher than the last swivel desk chair (model ESS-6000). A higher retail price is attributed to some additional, ultra-plush padding coupled with a generous 20” by 18” seating area.

This chair falls into the “high back” category with the top of the chair standing 40″ tall. The back of the chair offers good neck support with its built-in headrest. It also offers good back support with its built-in lumbar “cradling” support.

The material the chair is made of is called SofThread which is a bonded leather material.

This offering from OFM uses a pneumatic lift arm to adjust the seat’s height from 17” to 22”. The pneumatic arm also tilts the chair forward and backward.

The arm rests on this model have a significant amount of padding and are less curved than the model ESS-6000.

An added bonus with this desk chair is that it’s available in 3 color options:

  • Black with a black frame
  • Black with a silver frame
  • Brown with a champagne frame

This allows you to add a little personality or make the chair better match your office space.

It is intended for folks under 250 lbs. Make no mistake, it is a sturdy one. It weighs in at 28 lbs.

The folks at OFM cover this swivel desk chair complete with their 36-month, limited warranty against factory-related issues.

Pros

  • Luxurious look combined with comfortably padded seat, back, and arm rests
  • Ease-of-assembly
  • Very reasonable price for what you get
  • Larger 20”x 18” seating area
  • Backed by a 3-year limited warranty from OFM, the manufacturer
  • Comes in 3 color scheme choices

Cons

  • Not a 100% leather chair; it’s made of “SofThread” which is a bonded leather material
  • The chair leans back, but not as well as some of its competitors
  • Chair tends to tilt forward at times on its own

Our Opinion

When push comes to shove, the Essentials by OFM Model ESS-6020 swivel office chair is well worth the money if you are looking for a somewhat higher-end chair.

It has a few nice features going for it including:

  • Larger-sized seat
  • Comfort inducing padding
  • Higher back
  • Cushy feel

This swivel desk chair looks great, is affordably-priced, and accommodates people of most heights. It also works well for those of us with a little extra weight to carry around.

The three available color combinations give you more decorating flexibility in comparison to most others that only come in the standard black.

Opposed to the next model down (ESS-6000), this swivel desk chair has padded arm rests. And when we say padded, we really mean they are padded.

The fact that Essentials by OFM backs up your purchase with their 3-year warranty is another big selling point.

Downsides to this product include the fact the chair’s back does not recline quite as well as we would expect. It is also made of a less than 100% leather material, which is expected of a chair at this price point.

Overall, we believe this is a good swivel desk chair for the money.

Best Cheap Office Chair: Flash Furniture Mid-Back Black Mesh Swivel Task Chair Review


Next in our overview comes the Flash Furniture Mid-Back Black Mesh Swivel Task Chair.

For those of you who prefer a swivel desk chair made from a mesh material, this is an ideal option.

It is also a budget friendly option. The manufacturer touts that it is “affordably priced for the budget conscience shopper.

It is constructed of a mesh material that is combined with wood and metal. Both the seat and back are mesh which makes sitting in it feel more cushioned than an ordinary chair.

This Flash Furniture office chair has a lighter and leaner appearance than others in this review. No bells and whistles to speak of here. It is a basic office chair.

One of the best features about the chair is it can be put together with or without arms. It comes with two T-shaped arms. However, it may be put together without the non-padded arms if that is preferred. In other words, it can be an armless desk chair if you choose.

Below are a few of the key specs:

  • Weighs in at 24 lbs.
  • Stands 39″ tall at its highest point
  • Has an adjustable seat with a range of 17” to 20”
  • Holds up to 250 lbs.

On the downside, it comes with no warranty from Flash Furniture which we typically view as a bad sign.

Also, if you are looking for multiple color choices you will not find it here. This chair is only available in black.

Some assembly is required.

Pros

  • Mesh material designed to “breathe” better than vinyl or leather
  • Can be put together without the arm rests
  • Seat adjusts from 17” to 20”
  • Designed to hold up to 250 lbs.
  • Assembly that is required is fairly simple

Cons

  • Rated at holding 250 lbs, but we would not recommend much over 200 lbs.
  • Chair doesn’t recline
  • Only available in 1 color – black

Our Opinion

If you are really in the market for a black, lighter weight mesh swivel desk chair, this offering from Flash Furniture might work for you.

Just make sure it isn’t going to be used by someone over 250 lbs. It is certainly a light duty chair.

Also, keep in mind there is no warranty if something breaks.

However, if you are looking for a cheaper mesh chair this is a good option. We like mesh fabric because it reduces warmth and sweating better than other swivel chair materials. The mesh seat is also padded.

Our favorite feature is the removable arms. This is a nice touch as many people like to sit cross-legged while tasking away at their work stations. This also makes it easier to store within confined desk or table spaces.

One of the most disappointing things about the office chair is it does not recline.

If you are looking for a high back chair, this is not the one for you. The chair’s back only comes up to the middle area on most users’ bodies. You may find that uncomfortable.

Overall, it is a “budget friendly” office chair. Most of the time when you hear “budget” it typically means lower quality. No exception here. It’s a good chair if you are looking for something cheap. Just don’t get your hopes up that you are buying a really high-quality swivel desk chair at a rock bottom price.

Best Computer Chair: AmazonBasics Low-Back Computer Chair Review


The final contestant in our swivel desk chair comparison is the second one from AmazonBasics. It is simply called the Low-Back Computer Chair.

This is an ideal chair if you are looking for one with a lower back and no arm rests.

It’s what we would consider an “occasional use” chair. If you need a basic chair to use while paying your bills online, surfing the web a few hours per week, or other occasional uses, this is the one you need. It feels like it was designed with both consumer frugality and comfort in mind.

The Low-Back Computer Chair is adept at fitting into tight spaces. In fact, the dimensions are only 22.5″ deep x 21.5″ wide x 30.5″ – 34.5″ high. The seat is adjustable from 16″ to 21″ high. It weighs in at only 18.5 lbs.

Two of our favorite features about this chair are the seat and the mesh back. The seat measures 18” wide x 17.5” deep. It is super comfortable with 2″ of padding for cushion. The back is both breathable and provides support to your lower back with its mesh material.

If you would like to add a splash of color to your workspace, this chair is available in red, black, green, or blue! The color options really allow your personality to shine through.

AmazonBasics’ stand behind their product with a limited, 1-year warranty against manufacturing issues.

Basic assembly is required.

Pros

  • Light, clean, and comfortable design
  • Sweat-reducing polyester material
  • Available in 4 color choices
  • Very affordably-priced
  • Fits easily into tight spaces when not in use
  • Backed by a limited, 1-year warranty from AmazonBasics

Cons

  • Smaller seat doesn’t fit larger people’s bottoms
  • No arm rests
  • Not much support for one’s upper back or neck (it’s a low-back chair)
  • May be too small for people over 6 ft. tall or 225 lbs.
  • Back does not tilt or recline

Our Opinion

If you are looking to purchase a swivel desk chair that won’t get used much, the Low-Back Computer Chair is a very cost-effective choice.

The fact AmazonBasics’ office chair comes in four colors gives it much décor flexibility and allows you to choose the color that best fits your personality.

The small size of this chair makes it very convenient. You can stow away virtually anywhere your work station is set up. If space is a premium in your home or office, you will really love its size.

Its downsides include the lack of a reclining/tilting feature and its lower weight limit at 225 lbs. max.

Overall, we consider this chair a bargain and well worth the investment if you are looking for something simple.

Additional Considerations When Buying a Desk Chair

We’ve reached the end of our swivel desk chair comparison tour. Hopefully, you found the information presented helpful as you make your purchasing decision.

There were several good swivel desk chair options presented in our review, all of which are quality products for the money.

If you recall, every one of them comes in the color black, rolls freely on 5 casters (5-pointed), and features a seat that swivels from side-to-side.

Additional items to consider when purchasing an office chair include a mat to protect your floors or casters that will not damage floors.

Specific Points to Consider

At this point, you are probably mentally compiling all the data, while moving forward with pulling the trigger purchasing the swivel desk chair that best meets your needs.

As a reminder, here are a few of the more important features to look for:

  • Where will the swivel desk chair(s) go, and what is the décor it needs to fit into?
  • How much money are you looking to spend, especially if multiple chairs are needed?
  • How large are you and the other potential users of the computer chair(s)?
  • Are you looking for a specific color?
  • Do you desire arms on your rolling swivel desk chair?
  • How high would you like the back to be?
  • Is there a specific material that the swivel office chair needs to be made of?
  • Does the manufacturer back up their chair with a warranty?
  • What do other purchasers have to say about the product in question (i.e. online reviews)?

Importance of Customer Reviews

We would like to touch on that last point. Product reviews are extremely persuasive for consumers, especially when narrowing down your potential purchase to just a few “winners.” The best swivel desk chairs are no exception.

In addition to the information provided here, also see what buyers of the particular chair you are interested in are saying on Amazon.

Please use our comparison data to be a diligent and smart shopper as you move towards selecting a high-quality swivel desk chair to buy that best meets your current work station needs.

Final Thoughts on Desk Chairs

As our swivel desk chair review draws to a close we trust that we have provided you with the information to assist you in making an informed buying decision.

The internet has changed the playing field as it pertains to researching and shopping for something like a swivel desk chair. It has allowed comparing them to become an instantaneous and information-filled process. Our goal with this article is to provide you with all the information you need to compare desk chairs in one place.

Hopefully, this article has helped you think about some of the key characteristics necessary to tailor your swivel desk chair search and decision-making process to effectively meet your personal demands.

We wish you much success as your hunt for the best swivel desk chair moves forward. We hope our research has been beneficial as you seek to find the best one for your home or office.

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