The Goldilocks of office chairs

The Steelcase Gesture has been a top pick since 2015 Michael Hession YOUR GUIDE Melanie Pinola I once scoffed at the idea of spending more than $100—much less $1,000—for an office chair. But after years of sitting in cheap chairs, I could no longer ignore the aches I was feeling, especially in my back, shoulders, and butt. The [Steelcase Gesture]( is the best home-office investment I’ve made for my comfort and well-being. And since it’s my job to [review office chairs for Wirecutter]( I can attest that it’s also a favorite of dozens of Wirecutter staffers who have sat in the Gesture. In fact, it’s the chair used at all the desks in our New York City office (which we look forward to returning to eventually). One person, after sitting in various other chairs during testing, remarked that going back to the Gesture was “like going to the spa.” The seat cushion on the Gesture strikes the Goldilocks-like balance between firmness and plushness. And after more than five years of heavy use, it’s still as thick and comfortable to sit in as the day I bought it. Most of the cheap chairs I’ve owned and tested have seat pads that are so thin it’s like I’m sitting on a wooden chair. But the Gesture’s seat cushion isn’t too plush, either—I don’t feel like I’m sinking into it as if I were sitting on a worn-out couch. “After more than five years of heavy use, it’s still as comfortable to sit in as the day I bought it.” Like many people, I sometimes don’t [sit ergonomically]( at my desk. Sometimes I lean forward, or cross my legs, or slump to the side supported by an armrest. A good office chair won’t fix those bad habits, but the Gesture can at least be adjusted for better comfort in different positions. For example, I can raise and angle the armrests precisely when reading a book, and I can get them to the right height for support when I’m typing. When one of my household members wants to use steal the chair, we can easily adjust it for their height. Because it’s so simple to adjust and has a comfortable seat and curved back, I’ve actually found that the Gesture subtly encourages sitting back in the chair properly. Ergonomists recommend reclining in your chair every so often to relieve pressure on your spine. I’ve found this is also a good position for brainstorming, having brooding thoughts, listening to music, and procrastinating on your next project. The Gesture is the most supportive chair we’ve tested when leaning back. Most chairs—even similarly priced ones—require a lot of effort to lean back and maintain a reclined angle. The Gesture’s back moves and bends with you when you lean back, and it keeps you in your desired position with less stress on your core or legs. Yes, this chair is expensive. But I know the Gesture will last, given its long, 12-year warranty and sturdy build quality. The Gesture is built like a tank. As someone with a full-time desk job, I spend the majority of my workdays in it. That adds up to over a thousand hours a year, which makes the sticker shock more palatable. To me, it’s like investing in [the best mattress]( (another essential item that’s all about support and comfort for the long term). When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. [Learn More ›]( How it compares The [Steelcase Gesture]( has been a top pick since 2015. In that time, we’ve tested over 30 office chairs. (Many of those were also comfortable and supportive chairs, but none of them were as adjustable for the widest range of body types and sizes.) Here are some things we love about the Gesture: - It’s the only chair we’ve come across that has ball-and-socket-style armrests, which you can move and rotate into nearly any position. - In our tests, everyone from petite to tall-and-large people found the size, back support, and comfort of the chair to be among the best. - There are more than 70 color and fabric options, so you can customize the look to your workspace. Read more in our guide to [the best office chair](. When to buy The best time to buy the Gesture is around Black Friday and Prime Day. You can also save hundreds of dollars by [purchasing the chair secondhand]( at any time of the year. The numbers $1,000 Average street price $804 Best price we've seen
 Make it last Like any piece of well-made furniture, the Gesture will last more than a decade with minimum maintenance. To [clean the chair]( you need only a few typical household supplies, such as dishwashing soap and a vacuum cleaner. Because the Gesture has many nooks and crannies, I recommend having a duster or a can of compressed air at the ready to get rid of the inevitable dust that will accumulate. The parts that typically wear out most in office chairs—like the pneumatic cylinders, which enable height adjustment—are covered in [Steelcase’s warranty](. You can buy [replacement parts]( such as arm caps or casters, too. To get the most out of your chair, read [the user manual]( so you know how to adjust it fully. It might seem strange to need a manual for a chair, but getting the perfect fit after turning a couple of knobs will feel oh so satisfying. [View email in browser]( You are receiving this email because you signed up for Wirecutter’s Newsletter. Getting too many emails from us? [Unsubscribe here](. 
 Wirecutter, Inc. 620 Eighth Avenue. New York, NY 10018

 [Privacy Policy]( | [California Notices]( | [Terms of Service]( | [Contact Us]( [View email in browser]( You are receiving this email because you signed up for Wirecutter’s Newsletter. Getting too many emails from us? [Unsubscribe here](. 
 Wirecutter, Inc. 620 Eighth Avenue. New York, NY 10018

 [Privacy Policy]( [California Notices]( [Terms of Service]( [Contact Us](