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How to choose an office chair with adjustable back support
No office chair fits everyone. The right model needs to match your body, desk and working pattern, and it needs enough adjustment to let you set it up properly. Back support matters, but seat height, seat depth, foot position, movement and armrest clearance can make just as much difference to the fit.
This guide explains what to check, how to fit a chair and how four current Hurdleys models differ. It is product-selection guidance, not medical advice. A chair cannot diagnose or treat back pain. If pain is persistent, severe or getting worse, speak with an appropriate health professional.
What should you check before buying an adjustable office chair?
- Lumbar position: Can the support move up or down so it meets the inward curve of your lower back, rather than pushing above or below it?
- Seat depth: Can you sit against the backrest without the seat edge pressing behind your knees? A seat slide or a choice of seat sizes makes this easier.
- Seat height: Can you work with relaxed shoulders while keeping both feet supported by the floor or a footrest?
- Movement: Does the backrest recline or move with you, and can you set the resistance to suit your weight and preference?
- Backrest shape: Does it support you without creating a hard pressure point?
- Armrests: Can they support your forearms without lifting your shoulders or stopping the chair from moving close to the desk?
- Seat width and rating: Is there room to change position, and is the chair rated for the user and the expected hours of use?
More adjustment is useful only when the range suits the person using the chair. A simple chair that fits well is a better choice than a highly adjustable model that is too tall, too deep or too narrow.
Which Hurdleys chairs are worth comparing?
The shortlist below covers different body sizes, mechanisms and budgets. Prices and promotions change, so the bands are a comparison tool rather than a quote: $ under $600 + GST, $$ $600 to $899 + GST, and $$$ $900 + GST. Specifications and prices were checked against current Hurdleys and supplier information in September 2026.
Want a broader model comparison? See our guide to modern office chairs, or browse the full ergonomic chair collection.
What does adjustable lumbar support actually do?
Lumbar support fills some of the space between the chair and the inward curve of your lower back. The useful part is not simply having a padded area labelled "lumbar". It is being able to place the support where your back meets it comfortably.
Chairs handle this in different ways. Some have a separate lumbar pad that moves up and down. Some adjust the height of the whole backrest, moving its contoured lumbar area with it. Others add pressure adjustment, such as the optional inflatable support available on the Eden Spectrum 3. Some mesh-back chairs are shaped to follow the curve of the lower back, so they may not need a separate lumbar pad at all. These systems feel different, which is one reason a showroom test is worthwhile.
Start with light contact. A pronounced bulge is not automatically better. If the support feels like a pressure point, move it, reduce it or try another backrest shape.
How much seat-depth adjustment do you need?
Seat depth determines whether you can use the backrest while keeping space behind your knees. If the seat is too deep, a shorter user may perch forward and lose the back support. If it is too shallow, a taller user may not get enough support under the thighs.
A practical starting check is to sit against the backrest and make sure the seat edge does not press against the back of your lower legs. WorkSafe New Zealand's healthy workstation advice is to relax into the backrest and let it support you. The seat needs to be short enough for you to do that comfortably.
The Buro Mentor, Buro Metro II High Back 24/7 and Eden Pilot Chair all include a seat slide. The Spectrum 3 takes a different approach, with several seat sizes available. That can be useful when one standard depth is unlikely to fit everyone, and a seat slide can be added if needed.
How should seat height and foot position work together?
Set the chair high enough for your forearms to reach the desk or keyboard without lifting your shoulders. Then check your feet. They should rest firmly on the floor or on a stable footrest, without pressure building under the thighs.
WorkSafe New Zealand recommends starting with feet flat, adjusting the chair so the thighs are horizontal, and using foot support when needed. This is especially important with a fixed-height desk. A chair that fits your legs but leaves the desk too high is not a complete workstation solution.
Compare the full height range, not just the maximum. The Pilot runs from 460 to 590mm, while the Metro II High Back 24/7 starts higher than the Spectrum 3. A shorter user may need a footrest or a lower chair, while a taller user may value the extra height.
Should the backrest recline or stay upright?
A chair should let you change position. That does not mean leaning back all day. It means the backrest and mechanism should support small changes instead of holding you in one rigid pose.
Three-lever chairs such as the Spectrum 3 and Metro II let you set the back and seat angles directly. Synchro chairs such as the Mentor and Pilot move the seat and backrest in a linked motion. Neither system is best for everyone. Try both and check whether the controls are easy to reach and understand.
WorkSafe New Zealand's healthy workstation advice recommends an adjustable chair with back support, with the backrest height and angle set for comfort and, where the chair allows, the seat tilted so your knees sit slightly lower than your hips. Movement away from the chair still matters, so change tasks, stand and take short breaks during the day.
Do armrests help?
Armrests can support the forearms, but only when they are set low enough for relaxed shoulders and do not block the chair from moving close to the desk. If fixed or poorly positioned armrests force your elbows out, lift your shoulders or make you reach for the keyboard, they are working against the rest of the setup.
Look for height adjustment at minimum. Width or pivot adjustment can help in shared workstations. Removable arms are useful when the desk shape or user preference makes armrests unnecessary.
How do the four chairs differ in practice?
Buro Mentor: easy adjustment for a shared or home office
Strengths: The self-weighted mechanism reduces the amount of manual setup. It also combines an adjustable lumbar support with a seat slide, synchro movement and optional removable arms. That makes it a practical shortlist option when different people may use the same chair.
Limitations: Its 475mm minimum seat height may be too high for some shorter users without a footrest. The nylon-base version's AFRDI rated-load certification is 135kg for single-shift use, so it is not the right choice for heavier users or around-the-clock work.
Buro Metro II High Back 24/7: heavy-duty support for taller or larger users
Strengths: This model has a broad 520mm seat, a high back, a seat slide and independent seat and back adjustments. Its multi-shift certification and high load rating make it the strongest option in this group for extended or shared operations.
Limitations: The height range starts relatively high, so shorter users should test it carefully. Its lumbar area moves with the ratchet-adjustable backrest rather than offering the same separate pressure adjustment as the Spectrum's optional inflatable support. The manual three-lever mechanism also takes more setup than the Mentor's self-weighted system.
Eden Spectrum 3: the widest range of seat-size options
Strengths: The Spectrum 3 can be ordered with small, standard, long, wide and extra-wide seats, plus an optional inflatable lumbar support. It is a strong option when the standard chair size is not a good fit or when an employer needs several configurations across a team.
Limitations: Seat-depth adjustment is usually handled by choosing the right seat size or adding a seat-slide option, so the specification needs to be agreed before ordering. The contoured backrest has a definite feel. Some people like that positive support; others may prefer a softer mesh back.
Eden Pilot Chair: responsive support for extended desk work
Strengths: The Pilot combines a broad mesh back, deep padded seat, seat slide and height-adjustable lumbar support. Its self-adjusting synchro mechanism responds to the user's weight and can float or lock in three positions. Its 160kg single-shift certification also suits a broader range of users.
Limitations: The 460mm minimum seat height may still be too high for some shorter users without a footrest. Armrests are optional and adjust for height only, so buyers who need width or pivot adjustment should compare another model. The self-adjusting tilt also offers less manual resistance control than some mechanisms.
How do you fit an office chair step by step?
- Start with the seat height. Sit back in the chair. Set the height so your thighs are close to horizontal and your feet are flat on the floor or supported by a footrest.
- Check the seat depth. Keep your back against the backrest and make sure the front edge of the seat does not press against the back of your lower legs. Use the seat slide or choose another seat size if needed.
- Place the lumbar support. Move the lumbar pad or backrest until it meets the inward curve of your lower back without a hard pressure point.
- Set the back movement. Choose a comfortable upright starting position, then set the recline or tension so you can change position without feeling pushed forward or falling back.
- Adjust or remove the armrests. Let your shoulders relax. Set the armrests so they lightly support your forearms and do not stop you moving close to the desk.
- Finish at the workstation. Bring the chair to the desk. Keep the keyboard and mouse within easy reach, and check that the screen height does not make you lean forward.
- Move during the day. Stand, walk or change tasks regularly. No chair removes the need for movement.
This sequence is based on WorkSafe New Zealand's healthy workstation advice.
Why should you test a chair in the Newmarket showroom?
Specifications narrow the shortlist, but they cannot tell you how a backrest shape, seat edge or mechanism will feel. A showroom visit lets you compare the same features under the same conditions.
Bring the details that affect the decision: your approximate desk height, whether the desk is fixed or adjustable, how many hours the chair will be used, and whether anyone else will share it. If possible, wear the shoes you normally work in.
For each chair, adjust it from scratch and sit in it for more than a minute. Check that:
- your feet are supported;
- the seat edge clears the back of your lower legs;
- the lumbar area meets your lower back without digging in;
- the armrests let your shoulders stay relaxed;
- the chair moves close enough to a desk;
- you can reach and understand the controls; and
- you can change position easily.
Hurdleys' showroom is at 1 Clayton Street, Newmarket, Auckland, open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Display stock can change, so call 09 522 2090 before travelling if you want to compare specific models or seat sizes.
What should employers consider when buying chairs for a team?
One chair model may work across part of a team, but a single fixed configuration is unlikely to fit every body size and working pattern. Start by grouping needs rather than choosing only by price or appearance.
- Body-size range: Check the minimum seat height, usable depth, width and load certification. Include alternatives for shorter, taller, broader and heavier users.
- Working pattern: A lightly used touchdown desk has different requirements from an eight-hour workstation or a multi-shift control room.
- Shared desks: Choose controls that are clear and quick to reset. Seat slides, self-weighted movement and simple lumbar adjustment can help.
- Workstation fit: Review desk height, leg clearance, monitor position and footrest needs at the same time as the chair.
- Trial process: Let a representative group test two or three shortlisted models. Record why a chair did not fit, not just which one was most popular.
- Induction: Show staff how to adjust the chair. An adjustable model left in its delivery settings may still fit poorly.
For mixed teams, the Spectrum 3's seat options can cover a wider size range, while the Mentor's self-weighted mechanism is quicker to reset at shared desks. The Metro II High Back 24/7 is the better comparison where load rating or multi-shift use is central. The final mix should come from user trials and the actual workstation setup.
Frequently asked questions
Is adjustable lumbar support better than fixed lumbar support?
It gives you a better chance of placing the support where your lower back needs it. A well-shaped fixed backrest may still fit some users, but it cannot adapt as easily across different body sizes.
How do I know if the lumbar support is in the right place?
It should meet the inward curve of your lower back without forcing you forward or creating a hard pressure point. If you need to perch on the seat to avoid it, the position or shape is not right for you.
Do I need a seat slide?
A seat slide is useful when several people share a chair or when a fixed seat depth does not leave enough clearance behind the knees. A chair with correctly sized interchangeable seats can solve the same fit problem.
Should my feet be flat on the floor?
Your feet should be supported by the floor or a stable footrest. If raising the chair to desk height leaves your feet hanging, add a footrest rather than lowering the chair and reaching up to the desk.
Are armrests essential on an office chair?
No. Useful armrests support the forearms while the shoulders stay relaxed and the chair still fits under the desk. If they cannot be adjusted to do that, removable arms or no arms may be the better setup.
How long should I test a chair in the showroom?
Allow enough time to set each control and repeat your usual working position. Compare at least two models. A quick sit can reveal an obvious mismatch, but it may not show whether the seat depth, lumbar pressure or armrests work together.
Can an ergonomic chair fix back pain?
No chair can promise to fix or treat back pain. A chair can offer adjustability and support for a better-fitting workstation. Persistent, severe or worsening pain should be discussed with an appropriate health professional.
Ready to compare your shortlist?
Browse Hurdleys' adjustable ergonomic chairs, then call 09 522 2090 to check which models and configurations are available to try at the Newmarket showroom.