Last Updated: June 16th, 2021
For big and tall users, shopping for anything requires a little more effort, whether it’s clothes, shoes, and even furniture such as office chairs. The standard office chair typically is geared towards people below 300 pounds and 6 feet tall (182cm). Everything from the dimensions of the seat and backrest, the hydraulic piston, to the cushioning are designed to operate comfortably and safely within those parameters, and isn’t something you want to skirt.
If you belong in the heavier or taller category then, picking the right office chair isn’t just a matter of comfort, but safety and longevity of your investment. In this buyer’s guide I review the very best office chairs in 2019 for the big fellas, all of which can support a minimum of 350 pounds, come with extra wide seat and backrest, and thick cushioning that won’t deflate easily over time. Lets see these 5 best chairs now!
Product | Capacity | Seat Dimensions | Verdict | Details |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 400 pounds | 22.8” W x 24” D | Best Big and Tall Leather Office Chair | Check Price |
![]() | 350 pounds | 22’’ W x 22’’ D | Great Large Mesh Office Chair with Adjustable Lumbar | Check Price |
![]() | 441 pounds | 18"W x 20" D | Best Big and Tall Gaming Chair | Check Price Factory Price |
![]() | 250 pounds | 19″ W x 19.6″ L | Best Big and Tall Chair w/ Neck Rest | Check Price |
![]() | 350 pounds | 20.5″W x 19.7″ D | Best Budget Big and Tall Office Chair | Check Price |
![]() | 500 pounds | 24″W x 21″D | Best Heavy Duty Reception Chair | Check Price |
Reficcer High Back Chair
When it comes to big and tall office chairs, the Reficcer High Back is one of the most well rounded choices you’ll find, especially in the leather category. It has an incredible weight capacity of 400 pounds, plus larger than life seat and backrest that altogether spells “comfort” for large users.
A hallmark feature of the Reciffer Chair is the high quality double padded leather seat. If you’re on the heavy side, finding a chair that doesn’t sag quickly and that can support your body properly is difficult to find. Somehow the Reciffer manages to deliver a sitting experience that is extremely comfortable yet supportive, as many of the owners have extolled.
The dimensions of the seat on the Reciffer is also worth mentioning. Coming in at 22.8” W x 24” D, this is wider and deeper than almost any other office chair in the market. For big users, not feeling like sardines in a can should be perhaps the most important consideration when picking out an office chair.
Assembling the Reciffer is also a breeze- it should take a single person 20 minutes from start to finish.
Now to what’s missing in the Reciffer chair. While the.tilting mechanism provides you with a rocking backrest that can recline up to 120 degrees, unfortunately the recline cannot be locked in. This means the chair will always return to its upright position when there is no pressure. For people looking to doze off in their office chair every now and then, this may be a deal breaker.
For most large users however that are looking for a durable and extremely comfortable sitting experience for work, the Reciffer is bars none the best leather option out there at this price point.
Pros:
- One of the most heavy duty leather office chairs you can buy
- Supple and luxurious leather feel
- Extra thick foam padding that won’t depress over time
- Ultra generous 22.8″ wide seat and 31.9″ tall backrest
- Awesome 1 Year 100% satisfaction guarantee
Cons:
- Back seat doesn’t lock when reclined.
- Armrests not height adjustable.
Sadie Big and Tall Office Chair
The Sadie Big and Tall Chair is an ergonomic office chair amplified to accommodate large users. You’ll find most of the key features of a decent ergonomic chair in the Sadie, but in a heavy duty package that supports up to 350 pounds in weight.
In terms of design, the most striking difference between the Sadie Big and Tall and many chairs in the same category is the choice of an all mesh curved backrest. For people with existing back issues, I’d argue the backrest on the Sadie is a better choice than the thick plush backrest found on other chairs. The gentle contour of the Sadie’s backrest follows the shape of your spine nicely, while the adjustable lumbar can be dialed in to further target the precise area in your lower back that needs support. Yes the mesh backrest on the Sadie isn’t as comfortable as padded backrest, but the upside is better ergonomics and heat dissipation over prolonged sitting.
The seating area of the Sadie Big and Tall consists of a large area measuring 22” w x 22” depth. The seat cushion is surprisingly comfortable, with just enough firmness to prevent sagging. I also love the armrests on this big and tall chair, which can be individually adjusted for height so your arms are never left partially dangling.
Lower back pain is a misery, but with the Sadie Big and Tall Chair you should find good relief without breaking the bank, nor the chair breaking on you in a few months as a large user.
Pros:
- Ergonomic backrest design with dedicated lumbar support
- Very sturdy, with lots of metal parts.
- Comes with assembly tools – useful if you don’t have your own.
- Generous 3 Year Warranty
Cons:
- Poor assembly instructions
- Back seat doesn’t lock when reclined.
Anda Seat Kaiser II Gaming Chair
If you’re a large gamer, the next chair on our list simply blows the competition away in providing a truly comfortable sitting experience. Produced by Anda Seat, its Big and Tall Edition is one tank of a chair that will probably outlast anything you’ve owned before, thanks to the company’s well earned reputation for quality and durability.
Three editions of the chair are available: Kaiser, Dark Knight, and Dark Wizard. They are identical in specs save for the colors. Take a look at my hands on review of the Kaiser chair to understand why it’s so special:
The ideal user for this gaming chair is someone between 5’9” to 6’9” tall, and under 441 pounds. If you fall into that range, this is a purpose built gaming chair just for you. The ultra tall backrest and deep seat has one 6’8” tall and 300+ lbs owner extolling that he finally found a chair that fits him like a glove. Another large user (6′ 4″ 230 lbs) said the chair surpassed all of his expectations in a big and tall chair.
So how does the Anda Seat Big and Tall rise to the challenge of accommodating large users? First there is the heavy duty aluminium base that can withstand up to 600 kg of dynamic load. For large users, a stable base is especially important for safety and proper support, particularly when the chair is reclined. The upholstery is made of PVC leather mixed with carbon fiber to be virtually tear and puncture proof. And finally, the heavy duty tilt T mechanism of the chair is custom designed to handle the extra load exerted on the backrest as big users tilt and recline the chair.
Let’s talk comfort and ergonomics now. The cushioning on the Anda Seat consists of high density cold foam that won’t depress overtime. For heavy users, a sagging seat is one of the most common complaints. The backrest on the Anda Seat chair has also garnered plenty of praises with its expertly curved design that contours to the back perfectly. And unlike most gaming chairs that small dinky external pillows, the ones on the Anda Seat are large and supportive, acting as a second, more flexible back. And last but certainly not least, we also love the ultra robust armrests on this chair that are 4D, supporting your arms whether they are extended forwards, backwards, or angled inwards.
This Anda Seat Big and Tall is by no means a budget chair, but for big users who tend to wear out office chairs faster than other people, this chair might just end up saving you money. As a testament to the build quality, Anda Seat offers a lifetime warranty on most parts of the chair.
Pros:
- Superb build quality that can actually handle large users
- Thick cold form padding that won’t sag easily
- One of the smoothest backrest tilt and recline mechanism we’ve tested
Cons:
- External neck pillow isn’t height adjustable
- Armests get stuck sometimes during adjustments
Komene Mesh Office Chair (Large Model)
Big and Tall users often complain of having a hard time finding a suitable chair with good neck support. The Komene mesh chair isn’t the largest chair out there, but it will accommodate people up to 250 lbs. The standout feature? A great headrest for big folks that often experience neck fatigue when sitting.
The neck rest on the Komene is 11″ wide, and can pivot in and out. This is crucial to help it conform to the curvature of your neck regardless of whether you’re laying back or sitting up straight.
One buyer who’s 6’2” shared that the Komene chair fit him perfectly, including the height of the neck rest.
Aside from the headrest, it’s also worth mentioning that the armrests on the Komene can flip up. For large users, this frees up even more lateral space.
The main limitation with the Komene mesh is the lack of a robust recline mechanism. The backrest can only tilt back to 110 degrees, though it does lock into place. If you suffer from back pain, we recommend a chair that can recline bac more to help ease back tension.
All things considered, the Komene mesh is a great pick for a highly breathable, relatively inexpensive office chair with a dedicated neck rest for larger folks. Just make sure to select the correct “Large” model when purchasing the chair.
Pros:
- Wide comfortable Headrest that conforms to the user’s neck well
- Curved backrest comes with a highly adjustable lumbar support
- Reasonably sturdy build
- Armrests can flip up to create more space
- Easy to put together
Cons:
- Not suitable for very large users
- Armrests are only height-adjustable
YAMASORO Ergonomic High-Back Chair
With its soft leather and ergonomic design, the Yamasoro office chair is an ideal choice for big users that crave an all around plush experience on a budget. The PU leather is soft, water-repellent and won’t fade.
The real highlight of the Yamasoro Ergonomic Chair can be found in the seat. It’s made with high density foam combined with spring coils inside to provide just the right balance of softness and resistance to feel great, even for heavy users where seat sagging is a common issue. There are very few office chairs with built in springs in the seat as far as I’m aware, and the added resistance is definitely a welcomed edition for heavier set people.
I love the high level of adjustability found on this ergonomic chair. It reclines up to 45 degrees backwards, and is lockable at any angle (finally!). This lets you put your feet up or even take a short nap comfortably.
Other quality features worth mentioning are the folding padded armrests that go up when not needed, as well as the high quality 360°nylon casters which roll smoothly on the floor. The 5-star base ensures stability for this robust chair.
My only concern is the weight capacity of the chair- while technically it is a big and tall office chair with a weight limit of 350 pounds, some heavier users have reported issues with the hydraulic piston failing over time. Your mileage may vary, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re near the suggested weight capacity for the chair.
The company Yamasoro is known for their office chair production experience as well as their detailed craftsmanship. This high back chair is particularly stylish, and comes in a choice of black, brown or red colors.
Pros:
- Soft, plush leather finish that’s comfortable and easy to clean
- Tilting backseat that can be locked in at any angle.
- Foldable arms to save space when needed.
Cons:
- Questionable hydraulic piston quality for heavier users.
Flash Furniture HERCULES Executive Reception Chair
Last on our list of the best big and tall office chairs is something a little different- the Flash Furniture HERCULES Executive Reception Chair. Designed to be used as a secondary chair in your office, or as a guest chair in a reception room, the chair can be summed up in one word- dependable.
Made out of steel tubular frame and reinforced components, the chair can handle an incredible weight of up to 500 pounds. If you’ve got a reception room, the wait for visitors can sometimes be long. You want chairs that won’t give under the weight of a heavy user, and long lasting. The Hercules reception chair certainly fits that bill.
Despite the budget price, the Hercules Reception Chair is outfit with LeatherSoft, which is real leather with added polyurethane, making the leather super soft and luxurious. In other words, it’s much higher quality than normal bonded leather.
And that’s the beauty of the Flash Furniture Hercules Reception Chair – they’re highly dependable, stylish and dare I say comfortable to sit in, but you certainly won’t be spending an excessive amount of money on them. They’re ideal for any business or home office needing good-looking, high performance guest chairs on a limited budget.
I also love that there is no assembly required with the chairs. They have a steel tubular frame and a sled base which adds stability to the chair. The chair has a thick foam padded seat and back. The chair with padded arms is stylishly upholstered in genuine black leather upholstery. It it LeatherSoft which is leather with added polyurethane, making the leather super soft and luxurious.
The back height from the seat is 22.5″. The chair comes with non-skid anti-tilt floor levers. The sturdy chair is able to accommodate up to 500 pounds.
The Waterfall Seat design which slopes slightly downward is excellent for relieving pressure on the back of the thighs. It improves blood circulation to the lower legs. Another benefit is that these waterfall seats enable equal weight distribution across the seat pan. With padded arms and contoured cushions the stylish chair is also ANSI BIFMA certified for safety and quality.
Pros:
- A solid, non nonsense reception chair that can support up to 500 pounds.
- Very little assembly required.
Cons:
- As a guest or reception chair, none.
How to Best Measure Chair Seat Size for your Body
As a big and tall user, one of the most important things to look at when choosing an office chair is the size of the seat. Too small a seat, and you’ll feel constantly constricted; too big, and it’s like putting a kid in an adult chair, with everything misaligned.
Here is the best way to determine the ideal seat dimensions for your body before you buy your next chair, especially online where you can’t try it out first.
Step 1: Sit down in any existing chair in your home in an upright position, your back flat and tailbone flush against the backrest. Open your thighs up slightly in a “v” shape position as you normally would when seated.

Step 2: Calculate the best chair seat depth for your body. With a measuring tape, measure the distance from your tailbone (where it touches the backrest) to the end of your inner thighs. After that, subtract 1-2 inches to derive the best seat depth. This is the seat depth that comfortably supports your bottom while leaving a small gap at the end to allow proper blood circulation in your inner thighs and legs.

Step 3: Calculate the best chair seat width for your body. While seated, open thighs slightly or to your normal amount. With a tap, measure the lateral distance across your thighs just before they drop off the seat’s edge (Assume ideal seat depth, or 1-2 inches before end of inner thighs). Then, add 2 inches to get the ideal seat width for your body. This is the seat width that comfortably supports your body laterally while leaving a 1 inch gap on either ends to allow some wiggle room. If you often sit cross legged with one or both legs on the chair, add another 3 inches to the final measurement.
Step 4: You now know the ideal seat dimensions for your body size. Check your target chair to make sure they fall close to those numbers:
