Having an office job means sitting all day long, and if you’re not sitting properly, it can hurt your shoulders and back. However, there is another chair option other than your standard office chair: a kneeling chair.
Knee-high chairs are more ergonomic than office chairs because they reduce the tilt of the posture and relieve lower back pain. This is because the lumbar tilt when sitting in a kneeling chair allows angles in the legs to improve posture over time, and improved posture means less pain.
If you’re interested in shaking up the way you sit, here are some of the best kneeling chairs available today.
Varier Variable Balance Original Knee Chair
Best option with different colors
Designed by one of the Norwegian designers of the original kneeling chair, Peter Opsvik, this chair features the classic kneeling chair design (also known as a Balance chair) and offers many colors to choose from. You can choose from black on black, blue and natural, orange and natural, gray and natural and more.
This chair has a weight capacity of 300 lbs, the largest capacity on this list. It also comes with soft tape that you can place on the lower legs to protect hardwood floors from scratches if your chair rocks back and forth while sitting on it.
Pros
- Easy assembly
- It comes in many colors
- Largest weight capacity of 300 lbs
cons
- can crack
- Not adjustable
- Expensive
DRAGONN by VIVO Ergonomic kneeling chair
Best budget-friendly option
As a cheaper option, this kneeling chair offers the same postural benefits, while also being adjustable and having wheels to move around like an average office chair.
Designed to support up to 250 pounds, this chair has a 3-inch mesh cushion to support your shins and buttocks while you sit in this new way. The chair is adjustable between 21 and 31 inches, so you can find the perfect sitting position and adjust the chair to your desk height.
Pros
- Adjustable
- Cheap
- Wheels to move
cons
- doesn’t rock
- Instructions to assemble it can be difficult to follow
Slim Austin Kneeling Chair
Best rocking option
Another rocking option is the Sleekform Austin kneeling chair. This chair has a 10cm thick padded seat and knee cushions and three reinforced 20-layer wooden bars on the bottom for extra support, making it super durable.
The weight limit for this chair is 265 lbs, and the chair is the perfect height for the standard 29-inch table with a 70-degree seat cushion angle. You can also rock it back and forth while sitting on it to increase your blood flow and help you maintain your focus, and it’s excellent if you’re prone to fidgeting.
Pros
- Robust
- thick pillows
- Rocks back and forth
cons
- It cannot be modified
- Those on the short side may find it hard to get comfortable
Flash Furniture Mobile Wooden Ergonomic Kneeling Office Chair
Most stylish option
This kneeling chair features natural wood and a sleek design, making it a stylish option for improving your posture while working. The chair can be adjusted between 20 and 26 inches high, depending on the height you need. It also has wheels so you can move around your office space if needed.
One caveat with this chair is that the maximum weight capacity is only 200 pounds, although reviewers noted that in some cases it isn’t even that sturdy at 190 pounds.
Pros
- Adjustable design
- Wheels make moving easier
cons
- Lower body weight (max. 200 lbs)
- Foam padding could be thicker
Varier Variable Plus Knee Chair
Most Supportive Option
If you’re not quite into the kneeling chair concept, this chair option can be a great compromise. This chair can be a great introduction to kneeling chairs, as the seat is slightly less slanted and the added backrest allows you to recline as you would with an office chair.
You can sit in this chair in a much wider range of positions than your average kneeling chair (such as turning it over and leaning your chest against the back while your feet are square on the floor) to always find comfort, whatever. Like other options on this list, it also rocks back and forth.
Pros
- Also has back support
- Classic Norwegian design
- More ways to sit
cons
- Most expensive option on this list
- Limited color options
- Not adjustable
How do kneeling chairs work?
Knee-high chairs work by shifting the angle your body sits and where you place your weight. Your weight is still on your buttocks when you sit, but the weight is placed on the shins when you shift or change position. That’s why it’s essential that most of your weight rests on your hips and only about 10-15% rests on your shins. Also, your kneecaps should not touch the padding; this will help your back be more aligned and balanced.
Keep in mind that there will be an adjustment period with your kneeling chair (especially when it comes to the new pressure you’re putting on your shins), so don’t sit on it for eight hours a day. Instead, see how you feel after sitting on it for an hour or two and switch back to your regular chair. You can work your way into using your kneeling chair for an appropriate and comfortable time.
It does not matter which chair you sit in, it is recommended that you take a short walk every hour and stretch your back.
What is the best kneeling chair?
Before jumping into the world of kneeling chairs, think about what you want/need out of your chair. If you want to rock out, the Varier Variable Balance or the Sleekform Austin chair are both great options. If you want something that is adjustable, go for the DRAGONN chair or the Flash Furniture model. And if you’re hesitant to sit all the way down on your knees and still feel more comfortable with back support, opt for the Varier Variable Plus.
|
kneeling chair |
Price |
Weight Limit |
Adjustable? |
|
Varier Variable Balance Chair |
$379 |
300 pounds |
New |
|
DRAGON chair |
$110 |
250 pounds |
Yes |
|
Slim Austin Chair |
$230 |
265lbs |
New |
|
Flash Furniture Chair |
$129 |
200 pounds |
Yes |
|
Varier Variable Plus Meat |
$600 |
240 pounds |
New |
How did we choose these kneeling chairs?
We selected these kneeling chairs based on the number of reviews, the content of the reviews (both good and bad), product price and comparison with competing models.
Are there alternative kneeling chairs worth considering?
Here are a few other options to look at:
