Whether you’re working from the office or from the home, the importance of a good office chair cannot be overstated.
To bring your best self to work, you need to be in the right frame of mind. And to be in the right frame of mind, you need to feel cozy and comfy. After all, you can’t focus if you’re constantly shuffling in your chair, can you?
But an office chair isn’t just about comfort, is it?
For many of us, how the chair looks is almost as important as how it feels to sit in it.
So let’s be honest among us bosses here! You want a chair that looks sophisticated and lends you an air of authority when you slouch it in, don’t you?
And, for the perfect combination of comfort and style, you can’t go wrong with a good ol’ leather office chair. Now, you might think of leather office chairs as clunky and expensive swear machines—especially in the summer.
But the fact of the matter is that it doesn’t have to be that way. There are some really (and we mean really) great leather chairs out there on the market. All you have to do is make sure you pick the right leather office chair for you.
And that’s why we’re here. Join us as we look at some of the best picks for a leather office chair today!
Gates Executive Chair
If you want to look and feel like a chief executive whilst you’re at work, there’s no question that the Gates Executive Chair is the right chair for you.
This chair itself is sleek and stylish. It comes in a variety of different colors, namely, black, cream, white, dark brown, and dark gray.
However you want to style your office, at corporate HQ, or in your home, you’ve got an option!
What really makes this chair stand out from the crowd, though, is the beautiful, supple genuine Brazilian leather that’s used. It’s one of the best quality leathers available, so if you want the best, you won’t be going far wrong with this chair.
But as we all know, leather alone doesn’t guarantee comfort.
Well, thankfully, the Gates Executive Chair has got you covered there, too.
The chair is made from super comfortable high-density foam padding, and is comfortable and supportive with a great ergonomic design.
The S-shaped backrest has been specifically designed with lumbar support in mind, so you needn’t worry about lower back pain being an issue!
The chair also has a rounded, waterfall-style edge, which takes the pressure off your thighs and has been shown to improve circulation.
The padded incorporated headrest and armrests help improve circulation, too, but more importantly, make the whole chair extremely comfortable from top to bottom.
The Gates Executive Chair has a sturdy, robust construction, with a base of polished aluminum that offers a 360-degree swivel.
The five wheels are durable and roll extremely smoothly.
One nice unique feature that we like is the ergonomic synchro-tilt mechanism that tilts the seat and backrest at the same time, which improves spinal posture when reclining.
The price of this robust, high-quality construction seems to have been adjustability, however. The chair is not especially adjustable outside of height and swivel, and this may present an issue for some users.
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The executive’s chair, for a reason
This chair is made of supple, high quality leather that feels like the leather seat in an expensive car. It has a thick and firm padding and a sturdy hinge that guarantees a long life.
Pros
- Made from genuine Brazilian leather
- Comfortable chair with an ergonomic design
- Stylish and available in several colors
Cons
- Poor adjustability- headrest and armrest are not adjustable
- On the large side- may not be suitable for some smaller users
Modern Ergonomic Sterling Executive Chair
If you like the class lent by traditional leather—but you’re after a more modern look as a whole—you can’t go far wrong with the Modern Ergonomic Sterling Executive Chair.
Whilst some traditional leather chairs can be big and clunky, this slimline offering is sleek and classy whilst not overpowering the room. We liked the seamed lattice pattern on the chair’s backrest, seat, and armrest in particular.
This chair comes in a range of colors that also lend themselves to a more modern-looking office; not just the classic browns, blacks, and grays, but also cream, white, red, and teal.
So even if you’ve got a colorful office space, this chair won’t look out of place!
Ergonomically, the chair doesn’t do much wrong, either.
The curved backrest gives your spine the support it needs when working long hours, and the waterfall edge seat takes the pressure right off your thighs. The padded headrest is comfortable and gives the neck solid support, and the armrests are padded and comfortable enough, too.
In terms of general comfort, the chair is padded with high-density foam, which, though a little on the thin side, is generally very comfortable.
In our estimation, you could sit comfortably for four-plus hours easily!
Again, this chair falls down on its adjustability.
Whilst the ergonomic reclining feature is nice, able to tilt the chair comfortably back to 120 degrees, the armrests and headrests are non-adjustable.
You do get durability, though. The chair rests on a solid aluminum base and will hold people up to 275 lbs (125 kg) with no problem at all.
That’s something that might be particularly appealing if you’re on the larger side- nobody wants to buy an office chair that can’t carry weight properly and won’t last!
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Modern Ergonomic Sterling Executive Chair
High-performance seating with a sculpted look
Ergonomic and stylish, this executive’s chair protects your back from aching while working long hours with curved lumbar and head support with padding.
Pros
- Elegant yet modern appearance, with seamed lattice pattern design
- Available in a wide variety of colors
- Genuine Brazilian leather upholstery
- Comfortable and ergonomically sound
Cons
- Seat padding is a little on the thin side
- Not many adjusting options
X Chair X4 Executive Chair
The X Chair X4 Executive Chair is to office chairs what a Ferrari is to sports cars—top of the range and with a price point to match, too.
Whilst this chair looks the part, with a smart, minimalist design, where it really excels is in its ergonomics.
We challenge you to find another chair that even comes close to this one in terms of ergonomic design, and it is extremely adjustable, too.
If you want to adjust it, you almost certainly can!
This makes the X Chair X4 a great choice for sufferers of back problems.
People with back pain will tell you that it’s surprising how much a little change in posture can make a huge difference to your back, so adjustability is absolutely vital.
The X4 has dynamic lumbar support, which along with a height-adjustable backrest, means you can get the lumbar support you need exactly where you need it most.
You can even adjust the seat height and depth, too.
The adjustability doesn’t stop there, with a headrest that is adjustable by height and by angle.
On top of that, you can even remove the headrest completely, too, if it isn’t for you.
Even the armrests have what X Chair calls four-dimensional functionality, adjustable by height, width, depth, and angle.
The X4 also boasts what X chair calls one-of-a-kind SciFloat Infinite Recline technology so that you can lean back and “float” effortlessly.
Great for a bit of thinking time!
The X4 is, of course, decked out in genuine leather upholstery, which will have your office smelling of success.
The chair is also sturdier than most, with a solid- even quite heavy- base and a frame of polished aluminum.
You know X Chair believes in their products, too. The chair has an impressive fifteen-year warranty!
To top it all off, it’s even deceptively simple to put together, too.
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The ultimate comfort pick
Dynamic lower back support, highly responsive leather, and fully-customizable adjustment features are what make this genuine leather chair our ultimate comfort pick.
Pros
- Insanely adjustable
- One of the best ergonomic office chairs on the market
- Real leather upholstery
- Simple assembly
Cons
- Somewhat tricky to adjust the chair exactly to your requirements
- Simplistic design that doesn’t scream “luxury”
La-Z-Boy Delano Big & Tall Executive Chair
If you were to picture in your head a classic leather office chair, the La-Z-Boy Delano probably wouldn’t be far off exactly what you pictured.
With brown bonded leather upholstery and a classic mahogany wood finish, this stylish office chair sure is easy on the eye.
In fact, we think its tasteful, classic design makes it one of the best-looking office chairs out there!
The clue’s in the name, too, as this is another office chair that has been designed with larger people in mind. It’s tall, and it’s wide.
The Delano has a height range of between 45” and 48”, and the seat itself clocks in at nearly 22” wide.
The chair has also passed rigorous BIFMA testing standards, and can comfortably take up to 350 lbs (160 kg) in weight.
The chair is extremely comfortable, too, whether you’re big or small.
The seat design incorporates layered memory foam cushions that mold to the shape of your body and supports you in all of the right areas.
Ergonomically, it’s got all the basics- a curved back with built-in lumbar support, a built-in headrest, and comfortable armrests.
Like the other chairs, it also has a waterfall-style seat edge to give those thighs of yours a break and help maintain healthy circulation in the legs.
So, you should be able to sit at your desk comfortably for hours in this chair, with all your body parts properly supported.
In terms of adjustability, this chair sits towards the more basic end of the scale, featuring easy-to-use levers that can change the height, tilt, and recline of the chair.
However, this isn’t exactly surprising, as the Delano sits towards the bottom of the price scale, too.
With that in mind, you shouldn’t be surprised if some of the parts appear to be of slightly lower quality on this chair than some of the others in this article.
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Exceptional comfort and superior durability
It’s called the big and tall executive’s chair for a reason! This chair, from Michigan-based La-Z-Boy, is luxurious, comfortable, and durable.
Pros
- Beautiful, aesthetically pleasing chair in a classic style
- Looks the part and makes an impression
- Wide and tall, perfect for bigger people
- Comfortable layered memory foam seat
Cons
- Bonded leather, rather than genuine leather
- Too big for some users
Serta Ergonomic Executive Chair
Of all chairs on our list, the Serta Ergonomic Executive Chair is the one that looks the comfiest. And you know what? It is!
This bonded leather office chair has been designed with ergonomics in mind and, as a result, is a great pick if you know you’ll be spending many a long hour at your desk.
The Serta Ergonomic Executive Chair has a couple of unique features that help it stand out when it comes to comfort and ergonomics.
First of all, the chair has a body pillow that wraps around and practically hugs you as you sit, which makes it extraordinarily comfortable.
The seat itself is a whopping 3 inches thick, and the backrest and headrest are extra padded, too.
The chair also boasts a rather unique lumbar support. Serta calls it ‘Back In Motion Technology’.
What it basically means is that the lumbar support is attached to the chair itself rather than the backrest, so that when you lean forward, the chair comes with you.
It’s a little odd to get used to at first, but we like it- you can certainly feel it ‘promoting strength and flexibility in your core’.
There’s also an extra lumbar pillow to put on top of the lumbar support should you need it, which we thought was a nice little addition.
The Serta Ergonomic Executive Chair is pretty adjustable, too.
The chair boasts armrests that can be adjusted up or down into four different positions over a range of four inches, and is height adjustable over that same range, too.
If you’re on the larger side, however, this chair isn’t especially big, coming in at just under 20” wide.
On top of that, whilst the suggested height range is 5’5” – 6’4, anyone over 6ft might find this chair a little small.
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Serta Ergonomic Executive Chair
Great value for the money
Comfortable and supportive, this chair with back-in-motion technology is designed for the office worker who doesn’t have the luxury—or inclination—to stand in one place.
Pros
- Extremely thick and comfortable padding
- Unique lumbar support means the chair moves with you
- Extra lumbar pillow included
- Height adjustable armrests
Cons
- Bonded leather rather than genuine
- Somewhat small- possibly unsuitable for larger persons
Buyer’s Guide
So, what are some of the things you should be on the lookout for when buying the right leather office chair for your needs?
Here are some factors you ought to consider:
Material
Whatever the product you’re buying, knowing what it’s made of is knowledge that every would-be purchaser should have.
When shopping for a leather office chair, you need to understand that not all “leather chairs” have any leather at all, whilst some feature different types of leather.
One common type of leather used in leather chairs is bonded leather.
To put it simply, bonded leather consists of leather strands that are glued onto PU and then coated with polyurethane.
Real leather, by contrast, is a single piece of hide.
The main difference in terms of performance is that bonded leather is more prone to flaking.
Don’t rule out a chair simply because it’s bonded leather, though.
An awful lot of genuine leather out there is, in fact, bonded leather, because manufacturers misrepresent it.
Either way, bonded leather is still a good material.
Ergonomic Features
The best leather office chairs will incorporate ergonomic features designed to promote good posture and make sitting at a desk for long periods of time a bit more comfortable.
For example, many chairs will come with built-in lumbar support, as many people suffer from lower back pain when sitting for extended periods of time.
On the other hand, not everyone wants or needs such complicated ergonomic chairs.
Ergonomic features are typically much more important to older people and those who suffer from back problems.
If you’re younger or lucky enough to be free of back problems, you might prioritize sheer comfort or other factors over ergonomics.
Adjustability
In many ways an extension of ergonomics, it’s worth asking how adjustable your prospective office chair is.
If you find that you require a very specific sitting position in order to get comfortable, you’ll probably want to invest in a chair that has plenty of adjustabilities so that you can find that sweet spot.
You might also want to check to see what kind of recline feature a prospective chair has, particularly if you can see yourself needing to kick back and have a little thinking time- or simply want to get extra comfy during long phone calls.
Size
As with many things in life, size matters.
Some chairs are designed specifically with larger frames in mind, so if you’re of a more petite build you might find that the ergonomic contouring doesn’t sit quite where it should on your body.
You might even feel a bit silly if the chair looks obviously too big for you, which you’ll obviously want to avoid if you care about making a good impression on others.
On the other hand, some chairs might be smaller in size.
If you’re larger in size, you might want to check the chair’s measurements to see if you’ll fit in it comfortably and if it’s durable enough to take your weight adequately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Buy A Leather Office Chair?
There are so many reasons why you should opt for a leather office chair.
For starters, leather chairs are a statement piece and will lend any room- and you as an extension- an air of authority and a touch of class.
They’re great to look at!
Leather office chairs also tend to be extremely durable and can last for decades, as leather itself is a very robust material.
They’re also easy to clean, which helps to keep them in good shape for longer. A bit of warm water and some dish soap is all you need!
Lastly, they’re just so supple and comfortable to sit in!
They also tend to support far more weight than, say, mesh chairs, with many being able to accommodate weights of 250 lbs (113 kg) or more.
Something to consider, say, if you’re a taller gentleman.
How Much Do Leather Office Chairs Cost?
Leather office chairs can vary wildly in cost.
Whilst some models, typically those with fewer features and made with bonded leather, can be bought for a hundred dollars or so, the top-end models can cost well over a thousand dollars.