7 Best Office Chairs for Tall People Reviewed

Sharing is caring!

As a tall person, you’re probably used to sitting in office chairs with your knees flexed or a good portion of your thighs exposed past the seat’s edge. And while this may simply look awkward more than anything else, there are real health and productivity issues that can arise from bein in this anatomically incorrect position for hours every day.

In this comprehensive guide we look at the key things you need to be mindful of as a tall person when picking out an office chair, plus our picks for the best office chairs currently on the market for you.

How Do We Define Tall?

First thing’s first- just how are we defining “tall” in this guide? Glad you asked.

“Tall” is obviously a subjective measurement. For the purpose of this guide, we consider anyone that is above the statistically average height for men in North America as tall. With the average height being 5’9”, as long as you’re 6 feet (182cm) or above, you’ve made our list.

Note that this guide is applicable to tall women as well if you’re 6 feet or above.

Best Office Chairs for Tall People at a Glance

• OHF Aloria Series Chair – Best Overall for Tall People
• Alera Etros Office Chair – Best Budget Option
• Bowery Management Office Chair – Most Breathable Backrest
• Anda Seat Big and Tall – Best Gaming Chair for Tall People
• Akracing Opal – Runner’s Up for Gaming Chair
• Alera ALE Mota Drafting Chair – Highest height range for standing desks
• CoVibrant Adjustable Rolling Stool – Most Portable Option

Most Important Features to Consider in an Office Chair for Tall People

For tall people, the two main factors in an office chair to consider are the maximum seat height and depth. These measurements have a direct bearing not just on your comfort level, but health as well. Watch the video below or keep reading to see what else you should look out for when it comes to a good office chair for tall people:

Maximum Seat Height

Many office chairs come with inadequate seat height adjustment to properly accommodate tall people’s legs. This forces you to flex your knees or extend your legs while seated, putting your whole body in an anatomically awkward posture while increasing pressure on your hips and thighs.

The ideal seat height is such your knees are at a 90 degree angle and your two feet planted on the floor when seated.

Seat Height to Person Height Chart

While there is no set ratio between a person’s knee height (to derive ideal seat height) relative to his body height, we can still come up with a meaningful range that can apply to most people.

Based on our experience matching people of varying heights to office chairs, the following chart gives you a good idea what maximum seat height to look for in an office chair according to your body height:

Maximum Seat Height (from floor to top of seat cushion)	Maximum User Height
18”	5’8”
19”	6’1”
20”	6’3”
21”	6’6”
22”	6’8”
23”	7’1”
24”	7’3”

This means if you’re 6’8” for example, you should look for a chair with a maximum height of 22” or higher.

This is just a guideline obviously, as your knee height differs based on your sex, race, and individual attributites. However, it’s a good reference to use when you can’t physically sit in a potential office chair to test out its height.

Recommended Seat Depth

Tall people have longer femur bones that require seats with a greater depth than usual to be comfortable. We recommend a minimum seat depth of 19” or more. A seat that is depth adjustable beyond that depth is even better.

Seat Width and Backrest Height

The next two factors can be important depending on certain conditions.

At a minimum for any tall person, we suggest a seat width of 16” or more. If you happen to be both tall and big, look for office chairs with 19” and greater based on your body size.

Finally, the height of the backrest in general isn’t important, unless it comes with a dedicated headrest. Depending on its shape, you’ll want to measure your torso to make sure the protruding area of the headrest aligns roughly with your cervical spine or back of your head. There is nothing more discomforting than a fixed headrest that is positioned too low (or high).

WIth all the important criteria laid out, here is my pick for the best office chairs for people that are tall.

Oak Hollow Furniture Aloria Series

• Seat Height: 19 – 23″ (with taller cylinder)
• Ideal for: People 7’1” or below
• Seat Width and Depth: 21.5″ x 22.25″
• Backrest Height: 23.5″ (excl neckrest)
• Weight Capacity: 300 lbs

The Oak Hollow Aloria tops our list for the best office chair overall for tall people. If you’re 7’1” or below, this is one of the most solidly built, versatile and comfortable chairs you’ll encounter in the market today.

The Aloria (leather edition) actually ships with two cylinders to dictate the seat height based on your height. The taller cylinder translates into a seat height of 19” to 23”. Combined with an adjustable seat depth that can be extended all the way to 22.25” deep, and this checks off the two most important criteria for tall people that may also be big to feel comfortable- ample seat height and depth.

The Aloria also gets high marks from us in ergonomics. Besides the adjustable seat depth, the Aloria’s lumbar support can also move up and down to target the area of your lower back that needs support the most. The armrests are 4D and can be moved in and out, an especially important feature for tall people that may have wider shoulders. And finally, the backrest can both tilt and recline to relieve back tension. Oh, and it comes with a neck rest that pivots and goes up and down to support your head at various angles.

All of these adjustments paired with a genuine leather upholstery made of cowhide has one owner gleeing that this is “the most comfortable chair [he’s] ever owned “

The Oak Hollow Aloria passes our CAD test with flying colors – comfortable, adjustable, and durable – and as such tops our list for the best office chair for tall people.

Alera Etros Series High Back Office Chair

• Seat Height: 18.5” – 21.75”
• Ideal for: People 6’5” or below
• Seat Width and Depth: 21.75” x 20.75”
• Backrest Height: 25″
• Weight Capacity: 275 lbs

Coming in at second place is a budget office chair with excellent overall ergonomics and adjustability. The fact that the chair has a maximum seat height of 21,75” and depth of 20.75” also makes it a decent choice for tall people up to 6’5”.

There’s much to like about the Alera Etros. For the price, it comes with a level of adjustments unseen in even much more expensive office chairs.

What separates the Etros from most other office chairs is its robust backrest tiling mechanism. The seat and backrest can be tilted independently from one another to provide the most comfortable working or relaxation angle. For people with back pain, this is an especially notable feature that can make a big difference in reducing back pain.

For taller people, the Alera Etros comes the crucial seat depth adjustment to ensure there is ample spacing between your thighs and the edge of the seat. One happy owner that’s 6’3” says the Etro fits him like a glove due to all these important features.

The main drawback of the Alera Etros center around the lumbar support. It’s fixed, which means if the default position doesn’t work, your only solution is to throw in another external lumbar pillow . The inability to recline the backrest is also unfortunate, especially if you’re using this chair at home where you like to kick back from time to time. Nonetheless, for a budget office chair, it checks most of the boxes as a great choice for tall people.

Bowery Management Office Chair

• Seat Height: 17.5” – 22.5”
• Ideal for: People 6’6” or below
• Seat Width and Depth: 19” – 20”
• Backrest Height: 22”
• Weight Capacity: 350 lbs

With a breathable elastomer backrest that flexes to support your back in any position, the high tech Bowery Management chair can be seen in the offices of many Fortune 500 companies such as Apple and Disney. What makes this chair a great pick for tall people as well however is the decent height range and adjustable seat depth.

The Bowery chair comes with a maximum seat height of 22.5”. The seat depth is also adjustable, and when extended fully, measures around 20”. This makes the Bowery suitable for people below 6’6”.

Getting its design cues from Herman Miller, the Bowery is often spoken in the same breath as the Sayl chair. Apart from looking gorgeous in any office setting, the highlight of each chair is in the rubber elastomer backrest that contours automatically to the shape of your back as you sit to provide continuous support while remaining breathable. One owner of the Bowery with back pain praises the backrest for finally allowing him to sit for longer hours without pain.

The one drawback of the Bowery is the height of the backrest. At 22” high, it just falls short of being able to provide any head support for taller people. However, taken as a mid-back chair, the height works perfectly to not get in the way of your neck as you sit.

Anda Seat Big and Tall Gaming Chair

• Seat Height: 20″ – 23″
• Ideal for: People 7’1” or below
• Seat Width and Depth: 18” (excl bolsters) x 20”
• Backrest Height: 34″
• Weight Capacity: 441 lbs

When we reviewed the Anda Seat Big and Tall earlier this year, we were taken away above all else by the build quality of the chair. Weighing over 73 lbs, this is a beast of a chair that should last you up to 10 years. And for people who are both big and tall, there are few gaming chairs that will fit you more comfortably than this one.

Everything about the Anda Seat Big and Tall is king size. The large seat comes with 6” thick cold foam cushioning that resists sagging much better than memory foam. The backrest towers at 34”, and the seat can be raised all the way to 23”.

What we loved most about the Anda Seat is the versatile backrest. It’s capable of tilt and recline up to 160 degrees back. The angle of both can be locked. But specs only tell half the story- the entire tilt mechanism is buttery smooth (and completely silent), creating a sitting experience similar to a first class seat on a plane.

The only real drawback of the Anda Seat is the external neck pillow. While it is ergonomically shaped and comfortable, it is not height adjustable, forcing your upper body to maintain a certain altitude in order for your neck to be properly cradled. Luckily it is removable if you don’t like it.

Here’s the bottom line- if you’re between 6’ and 7’1” and on the bigger side, there are few gaming chairs that can compete with the Anda Seat both in terms of fit and durability.

AKRacing Opal Office Gaming Chair

• Seat Height: 19” – 21.75”
• Ideal for: People 6’4” or below
• Seat Width and Depth: 22.8” x 19.75”
• Backrest Height: 33.3″
• Weight Capacity: 290 lbs

For tall people looking for perhaps a more “discrete” gaming chair, the AKRacing Opal should serve you well. Its towering backrest provides full back coverage when you lean back while the wide wingless seat means it will be comfortable even if you happen to be on the heavy side.

When we reviewed another AKRacing chair earlier this year, what impressed us the most was the build quality of the product. Everything from the frame, 5 star base to the seat cushions were a step up from what you’ll typically find in chairs at the $200 or so level. In other words, you can expect a long life from their chairs.

As a company that hails from designing racing car seats, the AKRacing Opal marries the edginess of a gaming chair with the civility of an office chair to come up with what many would consider the best of both worlds.

For tall people, this means a towering backrest that measures over 33″ high. When you lean back, your entire backside will be supported, and there is no separate headrest to adjust. We like the external neck pillow that can be moved up and down to target the exact area in your cervical spine that needs cradling.

Taking more design cues from a gaming chair, the Opal’s backrest can recline an incredible 180 degrees, besting most office chairs in this regard. While you’ll rarely venture that far, I can you tell you from experience there are few things more relaxing than kicking back at 135 – 150 degrees occasionally. The armrests are also 3D, and can move forward and back to properly support your arms at different body positions.

Finally, another nice addition is the fabric upholstery, which is both soft and highly breathable, making the Opal chair great for hotter climates. The downside of fabric however is that it’s harder to clean.

The AKRacing Opal is great for tall people who’s looking for a gaming chair that won’t get too many stares at the office thanks to its fusion design. Factoring in the tall backrest, wide wingless seat and decent maximum seat height range, we’d recommend the AKRacing Opal for users up to 6’4″ and under 290 pounds.

Alera ALE Mota Series Drafting Chair

• Seat Height: 27.5″ – 31″
• Ideal for: All tall people
• Seat Width and Depth: 23-5/8″ x 25-3/4″
• Backrest Height: 21-1/4″
• Weight Capacity: 450 lbs

Drafting chairs may be inherently tall, but most are not properly designed for big and tall users due to limitations in the components such as seat size and overall durability. This is where the Alera Mota separates itself from the herd. This is a drafting chair built for big and tall people, with the specs to back it up.

First off, the seat on the Alera Monta is massive, at 23-5/8″ wide and 25-3/4″ deep. This lets even tall users sit without half of their thighs dangling off a small seat’s edge.

With a maximum seat height of 31”, it will accommodate even the tallest person with ease. One drawback is the footring, which is fixed, meaning you may need to get a dedicated footrest that’s positioned lower depending on your height.

The Alera Mota has an incredible maximum weight capacity of 450 lbs. One owner that is 400 lbs backs up just how sturdy the chair is, saying it has shown zero signs of wear and tear after a year of continuous usage.

Whether you’re an NBA player or simply a tall person that needs a high chair for drafting or to pair up with your standing desk, the Alera Mota is one of the best options out there at the moment.

CoVibrant Adjustable Rolling Stool

• Seat Height: 20” – 27”
• Ideal for: All tall people
• Seat Width and Depth: 15” x 15”
• Backrest Height: 12”
• Weight Capacity: 300 lbs

Finally, for short term sitting or a highly portable chair that can be easily moved around from room to room, the CoVibrant rolling stool is our top pick, even for tall users. This is thanks in part to the 15” diameter and 3.75” thick seat that bests many competing stools’ by around 20%.

The Covibrant stool can be adjusted between a height of 20” to 27” inches. This range means anyone- including really tall people – can find the perfect height that allows their feet to touch the floor while their knees are bent 90 degrees. There is no need for a footrest unlike with a drafting chair.

The backrest on the Covibrant is fairly standard, and does its job of giving your back a respite from staying upright all the time. Like with most stools, you should not rest your entire weight on it however due to the top heavy design.

The Covibrant stool makes for a great secondary chair for taller people  around the house or in the office due to its cheap price.