Best office chairs in Australia: ergonomic, mesh, executive and heavy-duty picks

Buyer's guide

Best office chairs in Australia: ergonomic, mesh, executive and heavy-duty picks

The best office chair is the one that fits the person and the job. We've ranked eight chairs from our stocked range, from a $139 mesh chair to a $629 executive chair, with who each one suits, what it costs and what to check before you buy.

By the JasonL workspace team12 min read

Falcon 2.0 Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair, our top pick

Key facts

  1. At JasonL, we stock commercial office chairs from $99, with ergonomic mesh chairs from $269.
  2. A good ergonomic chair adjusts seat height, seat depth, back angle and arm height to fit its user.
  3. Stocked chairs are delivered in 3-5 working days and can be sit-tested in our seven showrooms.

In short

For most Australian offices, the best office chair is an ergonomic mesh chair in the $269 to $539 range, adjusted properly to its user. Our picks are the Falcon 2.0 for all-day ergonomic support, the Finch for value, the Merlin for executive offices and the AFRDI-approved Heavy Duty Lab Chair for tough environments. Browse all office chairs or sit-test them in a showroom.

At a glance

The 8 best office chairs at a glance

Prices are our lowest variant price (AUD, inc. GST).
Chair Best for Type From
1. Falcon 2.0 All-day ergonomic support Ergonomic mesh $479
2. Finch Value for whole teams Ergonomic mesh $269
3. Pelican Taller users, higher back High-back mesh $539
4. Merlin Private offices Executive $629
5. Heavy Duty Lab Chair Labs, workshops, warehouses Heavy duty $318
6. Finch Drafting Counters, standing desks Drafting $385
7. Monarch Boardrooms, meeting rooms Boardroom $399
8. Robin Occasional use under $150 Mesh task $139

The list

The 8 best office chairs in Australia, ranked

Every chair here is in our stocked range and priced from its cheapest option. We've matched each to the job it does best.

1. Falcon 2.0 Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair

Best for: all-day ergonomic support

Type
Ergonomic mesh task chair
From
$479
Best suited
Full-time desk work

From $479

View Falcon

Our first pick for people who sit for most of the working day. The Falcon 2.0 sits at the top of our ergonomic mesh range, so it's the chair we point full-time desk workers to first.

Why it's here, watch-outs and specs

Pair it with a height adjustable workstation and you've covered both sitting and standing. There's also a drafting version for counters and standing desks.

Why it makes the list

  • Breathable mesh back for long days
  • Built for full-time desk use
  • Drafting version available

Watch out for

  • Costs more than entry-level mesh chairs
  • Sit-test first if you're well outside average height

2. Finch Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair

Best for: value when fitting out a whole team

Type
Ergonomic mesh task chair
From
$269
Best suited
Teams, hot desks and training rooms

From $269

View Finch

The Finch is the chair we recommend when you're fitting out a team on a budget and still want proper ergonomic adjustment. It's our lowest-priced ergonomic mesh chair.

Why it's here, watch-outs and specs

It comes in a headrest version from $308 and a drafting version from $385, so you can keep one look across desks, reception and counters.

Why it makes the list

  • Ergonomic mesh from $269
  • Headrest and drafting versions
  • Easy to match across a team

Watch out for

  • Fewer premium features than the Falcon 2.0
  • Heavier users should compare weight ratings

3. Pelican Ergonomic High Back Mesh Chair

Best for: taller users who want a higher back

Type
High-back ergonomic mesh chair
From
$539
Best suited
Taller users, managers

From $539

View Pelican

A high-back mesh chair suits taller users and anyone who wants support further up the back. The Pelican is our high-back pick in the ergonomic mesh range.

Why it's here, watch-outs and specs

It's a good step up for managers and long-hours roles where a standard back feels short.

Why it makes the list

  • Higher back than standard task chairs
  • Breathable mesh
  • Suits long-hours roles

Watch out for

  • Larger footprint at small desks
  • Highest-priced mesh chair on this list

4. Merlin Executive Chair

Best for: private offices and leadership

Type
Executive chair
From
$629
Best suited
Private offices, leadership

From $629

View Merlin

Executive chairs trade some fine adjustment for presence and comfort. The Merlin is our executive pick for private offices and leadership desks.

Why it's here, watch-outs and specs

Prefer fabric? The Macaw Executive Fabric Chair starts from $487.

Why it makes the list

  • Executive look for private offices
  • Comfortable for meetings at the desk
  • Fabric alternative available

Watch out for

  • Usually less adjustable than ergonomic task chairs
  • Highest price on this list

5. Heavy Duty Lab Chair - Industrial

Best for: labs, workshops and warehouses

Type
Heavy-duty industrial chair
From
$318
Best suited
Labs, workshops, warehouses

From $318

View Heavy

Heavy-duty chairs are built for environments that wear out standard office chairs. This one is AFRDI approved and listed with a 10-year warranty.

Why it's here, watch-outs and specs

A drafting-height version is also available for benches and counters.

Why it makes the list

  • AFRDI approved
  • Listed with a 10-year warranty
  • Made for tough environments

Watch out for

  • Utility look, not a showpiece
  • Check seat height against your bench height

6. Finch Ergonomic Mesh Drafting Chair

Best for: counters and standing desks

Type
Ergonomic mesh drafting chair
From
$385
Best suited
Reception, labs, standing desks

From $385

View Finch

Drafting chairs sit higher than standard task chairs and add a footring, so they work at reception counters, lab benches and standing desks set to a perch height.

Why it's here, watch-outs and specs

If your team uses height adjustable desks, a drafting chair gives them a third working height between sitting and standing.

Why it makes the list

  • Works at counter and bench height
  • Matches the standard Finch
  • Good partner for standing desks

Watch out for

  • Too tall for standard desks
  • Measure counter height before ordering

7. Monarch Boardroom Chair - Medium Back

Best for: boardrooms and meeting rooms

Type
Boardroom chair
From
$399
Best suited
Boardrooms, meeting rooms

From $399

View Monarch

Boardroom chairs need to look sharp, swivel smoothly and stay comfortable through long meetings. The Monarch is our boardroom pick, with a high-back version from $419.

Why it's here, watch-outs and specs

Planning a whole meeting room? See our meeting and boardroom furniture.

Why it makes the list

  • Polished look for client-facing rooms
  • Medium and high-back versions
  • Pairs with our boardroom tables

Watch out for

  • Not designed for all-day desk work
  • Count chairs against table length before ordering

8. Robin Swivel Mesh Office Chair

Best for: occasional use under $150

Type
Mesh swivel chair
From
$139
Best suited
Occasional use, training rooms

From $139

View Robin

The Robin is our pick when budget comes first: training rooms, hot desks used a few hours a week, or a spare chair at home.

Why it's here, watch-outs and specs

For eight-hour days, step up to the Finch for proper ergonomic adjustment.

Why it makes the list

  • Lowest-priced mesh swivel chair here
  • Light and easy to move
  • Suits training rooms and hot desks

Watch out for

  • Not our choice for all-day sitting
  • Less adjustment than ergonomic chairs

Materials

Mesh, fabric or synthetic leather: which office chair is best?

Material changes how a chair feels, breathes and cleans. Here's the short version.

Material Breathability Feel Cleaning Best for
Mesh High Supportive, slightly firm Vacuum and wipe Warm offices and long days
Fabric Medium Soft and cushioned Vacuum, spot clean Cooler offices, softer feel
Synthetic leather Low Smooth and polished Wipe clean Executive offices, medical and labs

Checklist

How do you choose an ergonomic office chair?

Fit matters more than features. Run through these eight checks, ideally sitting in the chair.

  1. Seat heightFeet flat on the floor with thighs roughly level and knees near 90 degrees.
  2. Seat depthA gap of two to three fingers between the seat edge and the back of your knees.
  3. Lumbar supportSupport sits in the small of your back, not above or below it.
  4. Arm heightArms adjust to desk height so your shoulders can relax.
  5. Back angleThe back reclines and locks so you can change posture through the day.
  6. Base and castorsA five-star base, with castors that suit your floor.
  7. Rating and certificationCheck the listing for weight rating and certifications such as AFRDI.
  8. Try before you commitSit-test in a showroom, or check the returns policy first.

Price guide

How much does a good office chair cost in Australia?

Expect to pay $269 to $539 for a proper ergonomic mesh chair. Here's where each type starts in our range.

Starting prices (AUD, inc. GST).
Chair type From Example
Visitor and stacking $99 Prion Visitor Chair
Basic mesh task $139 Robin Swivel Mesh Chair
Ergonomic mesh $269 Finch Ergonomic Mesh Chair
Heavy duty $318 Heavy Duty Lab Chair
Boardroom $399 Monarch Boardroom Chair
Premium ergonomic $479 Falcon 2.0 Ergonomic Mesh Chair
Executive $629 Merlin Executive Chair

Spread over years of daily use, the gap between a basic and a proper ergonomic chair is small. Spend most on the chairs people sit in all day, and save on visitor and meeting seating.

Why JasonL

Why JasonL is trusted. Built for reliability. Delivered without delays.

Chairs you can sit in before you buy, delivered fast and backed properly.

  • 3-5working days delivery on stocked items
  • 7showrooms across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Adelaide and Perth
  • Freelayout and design on every fitout
  • 10 yrstructural warranty on applicable products

We stock a large commercial chair range, deliver Australia-wide and can install and set up chairs as part of a fitout. 2,759 customers have rated us 8.4 out of 10.

Supplier comparison

How JasonL compares to other suppliers. Clear differences. No noise.

Buyer decision snapshot

  1. Sit-test the shortlist, or check the returns policy before ordering.
  2. Compare weight ratings and warranty terms, not just price.
  3. Buy ergonomic chairs for all-day roles and save on visitor seating.
  4. Check stock and delivery dates when ordering for a whole team.
  5. Ask whether delivery includes assembly and packaging removal.
JasonL compared with a typical large national office supplier, for office chairs.
Criteria JasonL Large national office supplier
Product range Large stocked range of commercial office furniture Broad catalogue across stationery, tech and furniture
Delivery timeframe 3-5 working days on stocked items Varies by item and warehouse
Installation Professional installation by our crews available Often extra, or arranged separately
Layout and design Free layout and design Not usually offered
Fitout capability End to end: design, project management, building works via local partners, install Furniture supply only
Warranty 10-year structural warranty on applicable products Varies by brand
See before you buy 7 showrooms to sit-test and compare Limited furniture on display
Best suited Teams fitting out or refreshing an office Ongoing office supplies with some furniture

Reviews

What do customers say about our chairs?

8.4 out of 10 from 2,759 customer ratingsSee all reviews

Great chair, excellent back support, very comfortable

Luci-Anne C.Verified product review

A comfortable chair that keeps me in the right posture. Great value for money

Erwin K.Verified product review

This is a great chair, I'd definitely buy it again. Comfortable mesh back.

LachyVerified product review

Showrooms

Where can you see our furniture in person?

Sit in the chairs, raise the desks and walk the layouts. Our seven showrooms are open to businesses of every size.

FAQ

Common questions about office chairs

Still deciding? Call 1300-527-665 and speak to a workspace expert.

What is the best office chair in Australia?

For most people, the best office chair is an ergonomic mesh chair that fits them properly. Our top pick is the Falcon 2.0 Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair from $479 for all-day use, and the Finch Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair from $269 is our best value pick. Executive offices suit the Merlin Executive Chair, and tough environments suit the AFRDI-approved Heavy Duty Lab Chair.

What is the best office chair for back pain?

No chair fixes back pain on its own, and persistent pain is worth discussing with a health professional. A chair that adjusts seat height, seat depth, lumbar position and arm height helps you sit in a supported, neutral posture. Changing position through the day, including standing, also helps. Sit-test in a showroom to find the right fit.

How much should I spend on an office chair?

For a chair used all day, budget $269 to $539 for a proper ergonomic mesh chair. Visitor and stacking chairs start from $99, and executive chairs from around $487. Spend most on chairs people sit in all day.

Are mesh office chairs good for all-day sitting?

Yes. Mesh breathes well, which keeps you cooler over long days, and a good mesh back gives firm, even support. Some people prefer the softer feel of fabric, so it's worth trying both.

What is the difference between an executive chair and an ergonomic chair?

An ergonomic chair is built around adjustment so it fits its user for long periods. An executive chair prioritises presence and comfort, usually with fewer fine adjustments. For full-time desk work, an ergonomic chair is usually the better choice.

What is a heavy-duty office chair?

A heavy-duty chair is built for higher loads or tougher environments such as labs, workshops and warehouses. Check the listing for weight rating, certification such as AFRDI, and warranty terms.

Can I try office chairs before I buy?

Yes. Our showrooms in Sydney, Western Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Adelaide and Perth have chairs on the floor to sit-test. You can also call 1300-527-665 for advice.

How fast can office chairs be delivered?

Stocked chairs are delivered in 3-5 working days. For larger orders, we confirm stock and delivery dates in your quote. See shipping and returns for details.

Chairs? Sorted.Call usGet a quote