I’m shopping for a new office chair and wondering how long they typically last. What’s the average lifespan I should expect before it starts breaking down or gets uncomfortable?
There's no single number, as the lifespan of an office chair varies massively based on quality and use. Think of it in two tiers:
Typical Budget to Mid-Range Chairs: If you buy a basic task chair for under $200-$300, you can expect a lifespan of about 2 to 5 years with daily use. The mechanisms, foam, and fabric often start to wear out after that.
High-End Ergonomic Chairs: Investing in a premium chair from brands like Herman Miller, Steelcase, or Haworth is a different story. They're built with durable materials and are designed for a lifespan of 10+ years, often backed by 10-12 year warranties.
A few key factors that shorten or extend your chair's life are:
- Material quality.
- usage intensity (8 hrs/day vs. occasional).
- Maintenance.
- User weight.
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