If you are shopping around for a brand new seat, you may be comparing folding chairs vs office chairs. Some of the best office chairs do fold in one way or another, though dedicated folding chairs offer some unique design choices over standard office seats. Keep reading to learn the differences between the two styles of chairs.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Folding chairs are ergonomic office chairs that offer a folding mechanism to save space in the home or office.
- Traditional ergonomic office chairs, however, typically offer more adjustment options than foldable chairs and should be more suitable for longer periods of time.
- Folding ergonomic chairs are relatively new to the marketplace, so it could be frustrating to find the perfect one for your lifestyle.
Differences Between Folding Chairs and Office Chairs
The primary difference here is that a standard ergonomic office chair is not intended to fold, whereas folding ergonomic chairs do fold. This helps them save space, making them a great choice for a home office setup. Of course, this one key difference leads to a slew of contrasts, such as when you are comparing kneeling chairs vs office chairs.
Here are more differences between folding chairs and office seats.
Insider Tip
Be sure to try out a folding chair before making a purchase, to suss out the various adjustment options and ergonomic features.
Ergonomics
Ideally, you’d find a folding chair that is ergonomically designed and highly adjustable, though regular office chairs have the edge in that department. It boils down to folding office chairs being a relatively new category, as manufacturers such as Herman Miller have had decades to perfect the standard ergonomic chair design. In other words, you are likely to find more adjustment options with a regular ergonomic chair than with a foldable ergonomic chair, such as adjustable height and a wide variety of other adjustment choices.
Availability
Believe it or not, there are not that many foldable ergonomic desk chairs out there available for purchase, so you’ll have to do some homework to find one to suit your individual needs. Traditional office seats that do not fold, however, can be purchased nearly anywhere with a wide range of components, materials, and features. You can even decide to compare fabric office chairs vs leather office chairs, which is a perk that may not be available when it comes to folding chairs.
Space
Of course, the primary reason one would choose a foldable chair over any other type of chair is that the former can fold, thus saving space in an office or home environment. If you work from home, this would come in particularly handy, as you can simply fold the chair up when you are not using it and tuck it away from major throughways in your home. Of course, those living in large cities in small apartments would be more drawn to a folding chair than those living in a giant house out in the suburbs. Keep in mind that also foldable chairs often are office chairs without wheels, so make sure that’s what you need before you buy.
STAT: Americans sit, on average, almost 10 hours each day. (source)
F.A.Q.S
Is using an exercise ball to replace your office chair a good idea?
Exercise balls are good for short bursts of work, ten minutes or so, but should not be used all day. For that, go for standard office chairs with adjustable height, a padded seat, and other perks.
How to replace an office chair cylinder?
If you need a cylinder for adjustable height with a traditional office chair, check the instruction manual for replacement options.
How to shop for a kneeling chair?
Kneeling chairs may not offer the most comfortable seat, especially when compared to standard chairs, but they do offer efficient spinal alignment. Try one out before making a purchase, to ensure they will act as a comfortable office chair.
