How to choose an ergonomic chair for the office: guide 2026 | Heka

A proper ergonomic chair must have at least 6 adjustable elements: seat height, seat depth, a synchronised mechanism, adjustable lumbar support, 4D armrests and, ideally, a headrest. These elements adapt to your build and to the type of work you do — not the other way round. In this guide we explain how to tell a genuine ergonomic chair from a marketing claim.

At Heka we have been equipping Slovenian companies with ergonomic furniture for more than 40 years. Our chairs are in use in the offices of NLB, in the meeting rooms of Triglav and Volvo, and in Marriott and Radisson hotel rooms across Europe (more on our hotel projects at hit-preless.com). Below we share what we have learned.

What does "ergonomic chair" actually mean?

An ergonomic chair is a chair that adapts to the user's body — not the other way round. A genuine ergonomic chair has at least 5 adjustable elements:

• Seat height — so that your feet rest comfortably on the floor and your knees are at a 90° angle
• Seat depth — so that there is a two- to three-finger gap between your knee and the front edge of the seat
• Lumbar support — adjustable in height and depth, supporting the natural curve of the lower back
• Synchronised mechanism — the seat and backrest move in a 2:1 ratio (the backrest faster than the seat)
• Armrests — 4D adjustable (height, width, depth, angle)
• Headrest (recommended) — relieves the cervical spine during long periods of sitting

A chair without these elements is not ergonomic — even if it is labelled "ergonomic" or "executive". You will feel the difference after a few hours of sitting.

5 key factors when choosing

1. A synchronised mechanism (not just "rocking")

The synchronised mechanism is the heart of an ergonomic chair. When you lean back, the backrest reclines further than the seat (a 2:1 ratio) — which means your knees stay at a 90° angle while your spine gets natural support. Cheaper chairs have a "rocking" mechanism, where the seat and backrest tilt together — which tires the legs over time.

At Heka, all of our active ergonomic chairs have a synchronised mechanism, including Clever Evo, Logic and Ergoflex.

2. Lumbar support — adjustable, not fixed

Lumbar support must be adjustable in height and depth. Every person has a different back height and shape. The fixed lumbar support found in cheaper chairs supports only some users — for the rest it creates additional tension.

When choosing, check whether you can move the lumbar support up and down by at least 5–7 cm and whether you can set how far it protrudes into your back.

3. Seat materials: mesh or fabric?

Both have their advantages:

• Mesh — better ventilation, suitable for warm environments and for people who overheat quickly. Modern meshes are durable and hold their shape.
• Fabric or leather — softer, warmer to the touch, better suited to cooler spaces.

At Heka we offer both — premium mesh (for example Clever Evo or Logic with a mesh back) and fabric or leather (Ergoflex). You can view all fabrics and leathers in our material library.

4. 4D armrests

Armrests should be adjustable in four directions:

1. Height (up/down)
2. Width (closer to or further from the body)
3. Depth (forward/back)
4. Angle (rotation)

Cheaper chairs offer height adjustment only — which means the armrests often force the elbows into the wrong position. Proper 4D armrests adapt to every task: typing, writing by hand, reading.

5. Warranty and material quality

A premium ergonomic chair is not a consumable. It has to withstand daily use for years. What matters is:

• Manufacturer's warranty — every Heka chair comes with a 3-year warranty
• The quality of the gas lift and the mechanism — check whether the chair holds a quality certificate
• Serviceability — a local manufacturer can supply spare parts even after the warranty has expired

Heka chairs are made in Slovenia, in our own production facility in Medvode. In-house production means we can guarantee long-term serviceability.

Which Heka chair is right for your type of work?

All of our chairs are ergonomic — they differ in character and in additional features. Below is a quick selection by usage profile:

Developer, editor, designer

Clever Evo — our flagship active ergonomic chair with a mesh back. Adjustable headrest, 4D armrests, synchronised mechanism. A frequent choice for IT teams.

Users of a sit-stand desk

Orange — a chair designed for working at a sit-stand desk. It adapts to a dynamic working rhythm and relieves the spine during frequent changes of position.

Office worker (all-round choice)

Logic — a classic active ergonomic chair focused on versatility. Various combinations of seat, backrest and colours.

Active sitting, dynamic work

Move.me — a chair that encourages micro-movement while sitting. It activates the core muscles and helps with back problems.

Heavier users

Ergoflex — reinforced construction, a larger seat and backrest, all ergonomic functions (load capacity 120 kg).

How to try a chair before you buy

Five minutes in a showroom does not tell you enough. You only get a true feel for a chair after a few days of real use in your own working environment.

That is why we introduced a free 7-day trial:

1. You choose a chair on our website
2. We send it to your address — free of charge
3. You try it for 7 days in your office or at home
4. If it is not for you, we collect it at no cost
5. If it is the right one — you keep it and pay

Custom configuration for companies

If you are furnishing an office for more than 5 employees, we offer:

• Volume discounts from 5 chairs upwards
• Configuration in your corporate colours (fabric + logo on the backrest)
• Expert advice from an architect on the ergonomics of the space
• CAD/BIM files for 3D planning
• Our own delivery and installation with our own fleet

We run projects of this kind through Hit Preless (our parent company), with many years of experience ranging from furnishing Marriott and Radisson hotels to NLB banking centres. Our subsidiary Hit Preless GmbH in Munich covers the German market. Write to us via our contact page or call +386 (0)1 361 90 28.

Related guides on our blog

• Active sitting
• Sit-stand desk — is it worth it?
• How to set up your office chair correctly in 7 steps
• All Heka sit-stand desks
• Conference chairs — for meeting rooms and meetings

Frequently asked questions

How much does a good ergonomic chair cost?

A premium Slovenian-made ergonomic chair is an investment in the mid to upper price range — depending on the configuration. Below a certain level, do not expect serious ergonomics, because the adjustable functions are simply missing. For current prices of individual models, see our office chair category.

How long does an ergonomic chair last?

Under intensive daily use, a premium ergonomic chair lasts for many years. Heka chairs come with a 3-year warranty. With our own production in Medvode we guarantee serviceability and spare parts even after the warranty has expired. For the German market, support is handled by Hit Preless GmbH.

Does an ergonomic chair really help with back pain?

A correctly adjusted ergonomic chair can prevent new injuries and relieve the spine during everyday sitting. For existing problems we recommend consulting a physiotherapist, with the ergonomic chair as a complement.

Mesh or fabric — which is healthier?

Both are equally suitable, provided the structure is right. The difference lies mainly in thermal comfort: mesh ventilates better and is more suitable for warm environments. Fabric is warmer and softer.

When is it time to replace a chair?

The signs: the chair creaks, the gas lift no longer holds its height, the seat foam has softened and is visibly compressed, the mechanism no longer moves smoothly, and back pain has appeared that was not there before.

Next step

The best way to choose the right chair is to try it in your own working environment. Order a free 7-day trial or browse our full range of active ergonomic chairs.

For companies and architects furnishing larger projects, we are available via our contact page or on +386 (0)1 361 90 28. We will gladly prepare a dedicated quotation.

Heka Interior — Slovenian manufacturer of ergonomic furniture. Made in Medvode, delivered throughout Europe.