There are many reasons why you experience neck pain at work, one of them being your office chair. A chair without a headrest or one that is poorly positioned can add tremendous stress to the cervical spine, leading to neck pain over time.
In this buyer’s guide we looked at over 40 office chairs to come up with the best ones for neck pain. Besides offering superb neck support, they also meet our other requirements for what a great ergonomic chair should have.
| Product | Neck Support | :Lumbar Support | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Steelcase Gesture | Height, Angle, and Forward/Backwards Adjustable | Dynamic | $$$$$ | Check Price |
 Duramont | Height and angle adjustable | Manual, height and depth adjustable | $$$ | Check Price |
 Nouhaus Ergo3D | Height and angle adjustable | Dynamic | $$$ | Check Price |
 Livinia Chair | Height adjustable | dynamic | $$$ | Check Price |
 KCream Executive | Padded built-in headrest | Fixed | $$ | Check Price |
 Clatina Executive | Height and angle adjustable | Manual, Height adjustable | $$$ | Check Price |
 Smugdesk Office Chair | Height and angle adjustable | Fixed | $$ | Check Price |
 Secretlab Titan Evo | External pillow | Up down and depth adjustable | $$$$ | Check Price |
Steelcase Gesture Office Desk Chair with Headrest
| Neck Support: | Height and angle adjustable, forward and backward pivot. |
| Lumbar Support: | Dynamic |
| Adjustable Armrests: | 4D armrests |
The best of the best for neck pain, that’s the Steelcase Gesture with the added headrest. From versatility, customization, and support, this chair checks all the boxes. There are so many levels of adjustments that you’re guaranteed personalized comfort, especially in the lower back and neck regions.
What makes the Gesture stand out in terms of reducing neck pain is the chair’s ability to cradle your neck right where you need it. You can adjust its height and angle or position it a little bit forward or backward. I also love the synchronized back and seat which move together to adapt to your body whichever position you may be sitting.
The Steelcase Gesture with Headrest will cost you a pretty penny, but if neck or lower back pain are your main issues, this is the chair the doctor ordered.
Outstanding Features:
- Most versatile headrest of all chairs
- Synchronized seat and back offer support in all positions
- Over 17 color choices
- Supportive 4D arms (best one on our list!)
- Numerous adjustable features including seat depth, lumbar support, and tilt tension
- Comes with a whopping 12-year warranty
- 400 lbs weight limit
What Other Owners Say:
- My back no longer feels fatigued after a long day of work and my neck pain has subsided ever since I got this chair.
- The thick foam is a double-edged sword. It feels comfy but hot. Very pricey too.
Duramont Ergonomic Adjustable Office Chair
| Neck Support: | Height and angle adjustable |
| Lumbar Support: | Manual, height and depth adjustable |
| Adjustable Armrests: | 2D armrests |
On a budget but still looking for a decent ergonomic chair with good neck support? The Duramont chair is probably what you’re looking for.
The Duramont’s headrest is nothing to scoff at. The large contoured design helps limit stress on the neck for both short and tall people of up to 6’3”. It’s just the right firmness and can be easily tweaked in terms of height and angle even when you’re sitting down. Plus, the padded armrests have a slight concave to them so they’re more comfortable to use. Completing the package are the refreshing mesh backrest, slightly contoured foam seat, and rollerblade wheels which are easy on hardwood surfaces.
Outstanding Features:
- Removable headrest is height and angle-adjustable
- Lockable backrest tilt with tension control
- Comes with hard floor-friendly rollerblade wheels
- Comes with all the hardware needed for easy assembly
- Combines refreshing mesh back with supportive foam seat
- Height- and depth-adjustable lumbar support
- Adjustable padded armrests lock into place
- 330 lbs weight limit
What Other Owners Say:
- I love that there’s a lot of room for adjustment. Plus, the headrest is very comfortable to use when I want to lean back and relax in between tasks.
- It has a chemical smell so I had to leave it out to air overnight for a few days. If you have a sensitive nose, this might bother you.
Nouhaus Ergo3D Ergonomic Office Chair
| Neck Support: | Height and angle adjustable |
| Lumbar Support: | Dynamic |
| Adjustable Armrests: | 3D armrests |
If you’re looking for a more affordable version of the Gesture, look no further than the Nouhaus Ergo3D. For a fraction of the price of the Gesture, you get a well-ventilated dynamic mesh back which responds to your every movement, similar in function to that on the Gesture’s.
Just like the back, the headrest is made of mesh. This means that during summer or if you have a tendency to perspire a lot, the Ergo3D can keep you cool. Since its both height and angle adjustable, it will also support your neck in different positions.
Finally, unlike most office chairs which only come with standard casters, the Ergo3D comes with a free set of rollerblade wheels. No more buying extra casters if you have a hardwood floor.
Outstanding Features:
- Removable and tiltable headrest locks into chosen height
- Comes with free rollerblade casters for hard floors
- Dynamic lumbar support moves with you
- 3D armrests with lockable height adjustment
- Lockable 135° tilt function with tension control
- Comes with a 5-year warranty
- Excellent customer service
What Other Owners Say:
- I like that I’m able to adjust the headrest so that it cradles my neck in all the right places when I lean back.
- I wish the arms were padded since they can get uncomfortable after hours of drawing.
KCream Leather Office Chair
| Neck Support: | Padded built-in headrest |
| Lumbar Support: | Fixed |
| Adjustable Armrests: | 2D armrests |
Next we have the SmugDesk Leather Office Chair, which is one of those rare executive chairs that feels supportive even after long hours. If you’re looking for a leather office chair with decent total upper body support, including the neck and head, the KCream is a good option.
The headrest on the KCream is fixed, though it does span the entire width of the backrest, supporting your head even when it’s turned sideways.
The backrest on the KCream Executive relines to a text-book 135 degrees, the perfect angle to relieve back pain according to various studies. You’ll be able to relax in comfort with the generous cushions cradling your body as you rock and tilt to give your back a break from an upright position. Meanwhile, the pull out footrest is a nice touch, supporting your lower limbs whenever you’re in a heavily reclined position.
Outstanding Features:
- Built-in padded headrest and generous padding.
- Height-adjustable armrests
- Thick high-density cushions upholstered with classy PU leather
- Back reclines up to 135°
- Easy to put together
- 300 lbs weight limit
What Other Owners Say:
- This chair is posh and so comfortable. It fits me perfectly as a large person.
- The padding on the arms are on the thin side.
Livinia Ergonomic Office Chair
| Neck Support: | Height adjustable |
| Lumbar Support: | dynamic |
| Adjustable Armrests: | 2D armrests |
Sometimes, the source of your neck pain could in fact be further down in your back, due to pressure on the spinal cord. This is where the Livinia Office chair may be able to help. Its unconventional split back design removes any pressure on the spinal discs as you work, potentially removing pain from your entire back to neck.
The backrest on the Livinia is both height adjustable with twin lumbar support at the front. The split design means your backbone isn’t pressed against the backrest at all. Combined with a height adjustable neck rest, and one owner says it’s the first chair he’s had that offered true neck and back support for prolonged sitting.
Outstanding Features:
- Height-adjustable padded headrest
- Height adjustable backrest with twin lumbar support
- Lockable tilt with tension control
- PU leather upholstery
- Excellent customer service
What Other Owners Say:
- This is the first time I’ve experienced genuine neck support in an office chair. The twin lumbar support also offers excellent back comfort.
- The chair has a lot of plastic parts, especially the armrests that can be improved.
Glitzhome Executive Office Chair
| Neck Support: | Padded built-in headrest |
| Lumbar Support: | Fixed |
| Adjustable Armrests: | Fixed |
If you’re not just looking for a comfortable headrest in a chair, but one that is soft and supple through and through, check out the Glitzhome Executive Office Chair.
This mid-century style generously cushioned chair has a high back with a built-in padded headrest that is akin to a giant pillow attached to the chair The height of the headrest is just right for people that are between 5’0” and 6’4”.
Many owners praise the opulent PU leather finish and thick cushioning that offer an extremely comfortable sitting experience, even for larger people. One user that is 6’2″ was thoroughly impressed with the chair, especially with how it is able to support his head even at his height as he leans back.
Outstanding Features:
- Built-in padded headrest
- 87 to 106° backrest tilt adjustment
- Generous padding in the seat with PU leather upholstery
- Detailed assembly instructions
- Rocks and has tilt lock
- Fixed arms and lumbar support
What Other Owners Say:
- I’m pregnant and I needed something I can work in comfortably. This doesn’t hurt my tailbone and I can recline to take a nap during breaks.
- The chair required a couple of weeks of breaking in before the foam felt soft enough for me.
CLATINA Ergonomic Executive Chair
| Neck Support: | Height and angle adjustable |
| Lumbar Support: | Manual, Height adjustable |
| Adjustable Armrests: | 3D armrests |
The Clatina is one of our favorite fabric office chairs with great neck and upper body support. Its mesh headrest, lumbar support, and padded armrests are all height adjustable to provide personalized comfort. In addition, the headrest rotates vertically to support your neck whether you’re looking straight ahead or upwards (in a reclined position).
With a weight capacity of 275 lbs, the Clatina Ergonomic Office Chair feels extremely well built, with metal used for both the base and frame. It follows the BIFMA standard, passed the SGS testing, and has gone rigorous testing to ensure that it is strong enough to support the advertised weight.
To back this up, you get a 5-year warranty along with a 90-day money-back guarantee. This means that even if you’re on the heavy side, you’ll be able to use this to mitigate your neck pain for a long time.
Outstanding Features:
- Height and angle-adjustable headrest
- Seat depth is adjustable to cater to different body sizes better
- Height-adjustable lumbar support
- 3D armrests that are width and angle adjustable.
- Up to 135° tilt with 3-position lock and tension adjustment
- 5-year warranty and 90-day money-back guarantee
- 500 lbs weight limit when upright
What Other Owners Say:
- This chair beats the $900 chair I got before. It’s so well built and comfortable.
- The backrest is a little thin for my liking, and is not as breathable as mesh.
Smugdesk High Back Ergonomic Office Chair
| Neck Support: | Height and angle adjustable |
| Lumbar Support: | Fixed |
| Adjustable Armrests: | Fixed |
Buyers who are shopping on a shoestring budget can still get decent neck support with the Smugdesk High Back Ergonomic Office Chair. The mesh headrest can be lifted up to match your height or changed in angle to match your position. This means that its headrest is even more adjustable than some higher-priced models.
The articulated headrest is connected to the mesh back which has a fixed lumbar support and arms. There’s also the tilt with tension control which you can lock whenever you want. The backrest tilts a reasonable 120 degrees.
As a budget chair, there are some compromises you will have to accept. The armrests are not adjustable, and the seat cushion is on the thin side. However, for short term sitting, it is more than adequate.
Outstanding Features:
- Height- and angle-adjustable mesh headrest
- Large, fixed lumbar support cushion
- Useful clothes hanger behind chair
- Mesh back paired with foam seat
- Lockable tilt with tension control
- Very easy to assemble
What Other Owners Say:
- The headrest is my favorite part of this chair. Because of its adjustability, it supports my neck right where I need it.
- I’m 200 lbs 6 Foot and the chair feels comfortable. The seat width is 19.5″.
Secretlab Titan Evo 2022
| Neck Support: | Magnetic neck pillow |
| Lumbar Support: | External pillow |
| Adjustable Armrests: | 4D armrests |
Finally, we have the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022, a supremely comfortable and well built gaming chair with an impressive neck pillow that is truly one of a kind, and that’s a good thing in this case.
The neck pillow on the Titan Evo improves upon that on the older 2020 model with a magnet built in that makes adjusting or removing and reattaching it effortless. Depending on your sitting posture, this means you can easily move it up or down to retarget your cervical spine properly. There are simply no other office or gaming chairs on the market with this degree of adjustable neck support.
The seat cushion on the Titan Evo chair is also top notch. If the 2020 model is any indication, you can expect at least 5 to 10 years of usage from the foam seat without any hint of sagging.
Outstanding Features:
- Magnetic neck pillow that makes adjusting it truly easy.
- Lumbar support that adjusts for both depth and height
- Lockable backrest recline of up to 165° with multi-tilt seat
- Superb cold cured foam seat and backrest
- Three sizes to fit people of varying heights and weight
- Stellar customer support.
What Other Owners Say:
- It’s sturdy, well-built, and lets me take a quick nap in comfort. Absolutely love the magnetic neck pillow.
- I noticed the seat cushion is thinner than that on the 2020 model. Still very comfortable though.
Most Important Things to Look For in an Office Chair for Neck Pain
The most important thing in preventing neck pain is to maintain proper posture. As such, the key features in an office chair that are most effective in preventing and reducing chronic neck pain are ones that encourage a good sitting position.
Head and Neck Support
Let’s start with the most obvious – head and neck support. There are two types of neck support commonly found on ergonomic office chairs.
The first is a fixed headrest that spans the width of the entire backrest. Typically found on executive office chairs, it consists of a protruding pillow that can be very comfortable, provided it is the right height.
The second type of neck support comes in the form of an articulated headrest that is shaped and curved to conform to the user’s cervical spine. If you have neck pain, it’s vital that any articulated headrest is at least height adjustable to support the exact region of your neck that needs extra support. Otherwise, it could exasperate your condition.
Lumbar Support
The lower part of the spine naturally curves inward to create what is called the lordotic curve. A lumbar support fills in the gap between the backrest and the spine to prevent slouching, which can lead to a forward head posture over time.
Look for a chair with a good lumbar support, which can greatly help prevent postural problems that cause not just neck pain, but shoulder and back pain as well.
There are three types of lumbar support that can be found in office chairs:
- Fixed Lumbar Support: Typically found on lower end chairs, it cannot be adjusted to better fit the user.
- Adjustable Lumbar Support: For this type, the height, depth, or firmness of the lumbar support can be manually adjusted.
- Dynamic Lumbar Support: The best out of the three, it automatically adjusts its depth and firmness depending on your position.
A lumbar support depth of 0.6 to 2” is sufficient for most people. However, since women have a more pronounced lordotic curve, a better choice for them would be an office chair with a deeper lumbar support. If you’re on the tall side, a taller lumbar support is ideal.
Adjustable Armrests
When talking about neck pain prevention in the office, the armrests are probably one of the last things that you’ll think of. However, lack of arm support or poorly placed arms while working can lead to shoulder pain, which can then travel to the neck.
The proper arm position is such that the forearms are parallel to the desk surface, with the elbows assuming a 90 – 100 degree open angle. At this position your arms and shoulders are most relaxed.
To achieve this posture, look for office chairs with armrests that are at least 2D (height adjustable).
Robust Seat Height
Another feature that you’ll want in an office chair for neck pain is robust seat height control. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a seat height adjustment range of 15 to 22” works for most people. The reason for this as it relates to neck pain is the same as armrest height adjustment.
When your desk is too high, you move your shoulders up and raise your hands, wrists, and forearms to reach the right height. However, staying in this position for too long will strain your neck muscles and eventually cause headaches as the suboccipital muscles at the bottom of your skull get fatigued.
On the other hand, when your desk is too low, your neck and upper body flexes forward, shortening your suboccipital muscles and causing headaches, neck pain, and muscle spasm.
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