Office chairs are built using different materials; you may find it challenging to choose the best material for your office chair. I’ve gathered all the essential information to find the best office chair material.
So, what is the best office chair material? Mesh fabric is the best material for an office chair, and the chair that uses this material is known as a Mesh chair. Faux Leather is also a good material depending on the individual’s preference.
If you have a desk job to sit on a chair for prolonged hours, you may understand the importance of the material for an office chair. However, different types of materials have different advantages. Some of the office chair materials are cheap, and some are expensive.
Choosing the correct office chair material is an important factor. As there are many materials for office chairs, I will justify my answer regarding price, level of comfort, availability, adjustability, maintenance, and durability.
Different Type Of Chair Materials
Different types of materials are used to build an office chair, such as Fabric, Wood, Mesh, Leather, Faux Leather, Vinyl, Plastic. These materials have their characteristics of uniqueness; the comfortability of these materials comes down to personal preference.
However, the price of these materials also varies, leather chairs are the most expensive because they offer elegance and a unique feel and plastic materials are the least costly.
Nowadays, Mesh Chairs and Faux Leather Chairs are popular because they are comfortable, offer a modern look, available everywhere, they are ergonomic, durable, and easy to maintain.
Let’s dive into the pros and cons of these different types of chair materials.
| Chair Material List | Description | Pros | Cons |
| Fabric | Fabric chairs are comfortable, inexpensive, and easy to maintain. | Available everywhere comes in a variety of design options. | Fabric material absorbed dust, sweat and spilled from the office. Hard to maintain |
| Wood | Wood chairs are traditional chairs that are found in every household. | The wooden chair is durable, cheap, comes in different shapes and sizes | Wooden chairs are not suitable for prolonged sitting as wooden chairs are not dynamic like other chairs |
| Mesh | Mesh chairs are now the most common modern office chairs due to their durability and reliability. | The Mesh Chair has a breathable backrest that allows air to pass through. So, you won’t sweat while using this chair. | Bodyweight distribution is not good on some mesh chairs. So, it can get a little uncomfortable over time. |
| Leather | Leather chairs are prestigious and elegant. Provide a luxurious feel to your workstation. | Leather chairs are comfortable to sit on; they are durable and offer a premium look to the office. | Leather material is costly, so this chair is expensive, and a genuine leather chair is tough to find. |
| Faux Leather | Faux Leather is the most common leather that is currently used on furniture. | Faux leather materials are made from PVC that are less expensive than genuine leather. This leather is available in a variety of colors and softness. | Faux leather is a lot less breathable than fabric or mesh materials. However, it costs more than mesh and fabric material. |
| Vinyl | Vinyl material is known as the world’s most durable plastic. | Vinyl chairs are affordable, durable, and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are easy to clean. | Vinyl is a plastic material, so they are not as breathable as fabric or mesh material. |
| Plastic | Plastic chairs are the cheapest ones that you will find in every place. | They are designed to be affordable so that everyone can use them for different purposes. | These chairs are not recommended for prolonged sitting. |
Why Is Mesh Material The Best?
Mesh material is the best because of its breathability, comfortability, durability, and affordability. While we are purchasing a chair, the most common thing we ask is its comfortability. Mesh material is so unique that when you sit on the mesh chair, its backrest follows the curvature shape of your back.
You will feel Comfortable:
A mesh material has a net-like structure where the air can pass; it is very comfortable sitting on. During the hot summer days, you will sweat less due to its breathability. Some mesh chairs have mesh material on the seat pan or the seating area, making it more comfortable.
Durable for years:
Mesh material is very durable; according to my research, it lasts five to ten years, depending on your use case. If you use these chairs from a reputable brand, then it might last a bit longer.
They are Ergonomic:
Mesh chairs are ergonomic that will fit you perfectly. All the mesh chair has standard adjustable features like height and armrests adjustability, reclining feature and adequate lumbar support.
Ergonomic chairs are necessary for all of us living an inactive modern life with a lot less physical activity. So far, we have researched many chairs, and mesh chairs offer the most ergonomic features than any other chairs on the market.
Variety of Pricing:
Mesh chairs are affordable for everyone. You will find them as low as $50 and as high as $1500 and more. However, there are a variety of price ranges for this mesh chair.
You will get to see most of the mesh chairs that have good ergonomic features often have prices ranging from $200 to $300. Though, there are a lot of well-built mesh chairs for less than $200. You can check some of our recommended mesh chairs at different prices.
Though branded mesh chairs sometimes cost a bit more because they offer some premium features, others don’t.
They are all-over:
Mesh chairs are available in every chair store. They are now the modern standard of office chairs. Big manufacturers like Herman Miller, Steelcase are spending tons of money on research to build better mesh chairs.
Easy to Maintain:
Though mesh chairs have a lot of advantages, it has disadvantages too. It absorbs a lot of dust from around your office, and over time it starts to smell bad. However, you can easily clean a mesh chair using baking soda or vinegar.
If your current office chair is smelling bad due to long time use. You can check out this article to make it smell good.
Popular Mesh Chairs:
Popular mesh chairs that are currently available on the market:
- Sihoo Ergonomic Office Chair
- Hbada office chair
- Herman Miller Aeron
- Steelcase Series 1
- Steelcase leap
Related Question:
Which type of chair is best for the office?
Leather, Fabric, and Mesh chair are the best options for the office. However, the Leather chair has a prestigious look and is elegant. It’s more of an office chair for the executive body. Mesh and Fabric chairs are inexpensive and offer a great ambiance to the office environment.
What fabric is used for office chairs?
Mesh fabric is the most common fabric used on office chairs due to its comfortability and durability.
What is the best office chair for sitting long hours?
Sihoo Ergonomic office chair is the best choice in terms of price to performance in case of long hour usage. However, if you have a reasonable budget, you would look for Steelcase and Herman miller chairs.
