Executive Chair Test | Ergonomic | Fabric | Leather | Recommendation
Executive Chair Test - The Best Ergonomic Models of 2025
In our executive chair test, we present the best ergonomic models made of fabric and leather for 2025, including prices, test reports, and recommendations. Read all the information about ergonomic executive chairs at a glance.
An executive chair is one of the most comfortable solutions for the workplace. However, besides comfort, workplace ergonomics is also essential. Around 18 million people in Germany suffer from back pain, often caused by poor office chairs. We present the best executive chairs from our range and show you what to look for when buying one.
Why is Ergonomics Important in an Office Chair?
Ergonomics has a dual purpose: achieving optimal work results while maintaining and promoting physical and mental health. Workplace ergonomics is not only important for your health but also for good work results and workflow. Creating an ergonomic workspace involves more than just the best physical conditions provided by the desk and chair. Lighting, sufficient space, and psychological factors also play a role. However, a suitable office chair is the best starting point for an ergonomic workplace. In our blog post “Ergonomic Office Chairs in Test”, you can learn about the advantages of ergonomic office chairs. A good executive chair prevents back pain while creating a pleasant atmosphere. With ergonomic office chairs and executive chairs, employees and managers benefit from better working conditions and results.
Important Factors When Buying an Executive Chair
Only the right features transform a simple office chair into an ergonomic office chair that promotes active sitting. Casters provide mobility in the office. A shape-retaining cushion, as well as adjustable seat height and armrests, support a healthy, back-friendly posture. We will examine the different features of ergonomic executive chairs in the following sections.
Appropriate Load Capacity
An office chair must have sufficient load capacity to support your weight. Whether it’s an executive chair, an ergonomic stool, or an orthopedic office chair: without the right support system, your executive chair may break or suffer damage under excessive weight. Most office chairs have a load capacity of up to 120 kg. For higher body weights, we offer chairs with a load capacity of up to 150 kg or 200 kg. Choosing a chair with sufficient load capacity ensures that anyone can sit on it safely without damaging your ergonomic investment. Before purchasing an executive chair, consider the expected load and choose a suitable model.
Ergonomic Backrest with Rocking Function
The backrest is the most important part of an ergonomic office chair. It should reach at least up to the shoulder blades, be height-adjustable, and have a lockable tilt function. The top edge should be at least 45 cm above the seat surface. The lower part of the spine is stabilized by a so-called "lumbar support." The width of the backrest is also a factor for an ergonomic executive chair or office chair, with at least 40 cm recommended by orthopedic specialists.
The rocking function of the ergonomic backrest is particularly important: after setting the correct tilt, there should still be some flexibility. This engages and strengthens the back muscles over time. Paying attention to these features ensures the backrest perfectly adapts to the spine and supports a healthy posture.
Shape-Retaining, High-Quality Cushioning
The cushioning of your ergonomic executive chair should be high-quality and shape-retaining. The most common materials are leather, faux leather, or Nappa leather. The choice mainly depends on your daily sitting duration. If you sit for about four hours, a faux leather executive chair is recommended. While faux leather may wear out faster, it is an affordable option. In medical settings, where disinfection is necessary, faux leather is essential.
If you use your executive chair for eight hours or more daily, it should have a genuine leather cover. The highest quality option is Nappa leather from calf or sheep. Besides the material, choosing a shape-retaining cushion is essential to support your spine and overall health.
An individually adjustable and flexible executive chair prevents back pain
Mobility with Casters
An ergonomic executive chair should have casters to allow movement into a comfortable position. This also makes office communication easier and strengthens team collaboration. Ensure the casters are “braked” to prevent the chair from rolling away when not in use.
Choose hard casters if you use the chair on soft floors (e.g., carpet). On hard floors (laminate, parquet, tiles), soft casters are recommended to prevent sliding. The standard caster size is now 65 mm.
This ensures optimal mobility in the office with an executive chair.
Adjustability of Seat and Armrests
The seat of an ergonomic executive chair should be height-adjustable to accommodate different body sizes. The seat height should be between 42 and 52 cm from the floor, allowing your legs to rest at a comfortable angle slightly above 90°. A seat width of 40–50 cm ensures it fits through any office door while providing enough space.
Armrests should also be adjustable and comfortably padded. Adjust them to be at table height, allowing your arms to rest at a 90–100° angle on the desk.
Additionally, position the keyboard about 10 cm from the desk edge. The right seat and comfortable armrests contribute significantly to office ergonomics.
Massage Function – Yes or No?
An executive chair with a massage function is a luxury feature. It can reduce back pain and relax tense muscles. Additionally, it improves blood circulation and boosts overall well-being. However, the best way to prevent back pain is maintaining an ergonomic sitting posture.
A massage function may help alleviate existing back pain, but high-quality models can be expensive. Whether to invest in such a feature is a personal choice.
The Haider Bioswing 660 iQ Bestseller Leather is the more affordable version compared to the top product of this brand. With its various equipment options and settings, it offers excellent ergonomics and a customized fit.
Haider Bioswing 660 iQ Bestseller Step
The Haider Bioswing 660 iQ Bestseller Step differs from the leather version only in its upholstery material. The advantage of the “Step” is its wider selection of color tones. A fabric cover is of slightly lower quality compared to leather. However, the chair still has a high-quality appearance, is robust, and durable. One advantage of the fabric cover is its lower price.
The rest of the features are the same as the 660 iQ Bestseller in leather:
- Integrated, adaptive Haider Bioswing 3D seat mechanism
- Synchron mechanism with automatic weight adjustment
- Height-, tilt-, and depth-adjustable headrest
- Adjustable lumbar support
- 60 cm high backrest
- 46 cm wide backrest
- 47 cm wide seat
- Armrests available in different designs (1 function, 4 functions, 3D multifunctional)
- Adjustable seat depth: 46-52 cm
- Stepless seat tilt adjustment via gas lift
- Adjustable seat height: 42-52 cm or 50-63 cm with a higher gas lift
- 125 kg maximum load capacity
- Polished aluminum 68 cm base
- 6 cm chrome casters (hard or soft)
The Haider Bioswing 660 iQ Bestseller Step offers the same comfortable features as the leather version. Its advantages include a lower price and a greater variety of colors. However, there are slight compromises in terms of upholstery durability.
The 660 iQ gives the office a modern upgrade
Haider Bioswing 560 iQ Bestseller Leather
The 560 iQ Bestseller is the next product series from Haider Bioswing, from which the following chairs on our winner’s list are taken. This ergonomic executive chair allows your body the necessary movement, promotes active sitting with its special seat mechanism, and is of exceptionally high quality in terms of ergonomics and durability. In addition to its classic and elegant design, this chair enhances performance and stabilizes back muscles.
The Haider Bioswing 560 iQ Bestseller Leather features a high-quality leather cover and other features:
- Integrated, adaptive Haider Bioswing 3D seat mechanism
- Synchron mechanism with automatic weight adjustment (35–150 kg)
- Orthopedic and ergonomic executive chair
- Stepless lumbar support adjustment by 3.5 cm in depth
- 60 cm high backrest - height and tilt adjustable
- 47 cm wide backrest
- 47 cm wide seat
- Height-, tilt-, and depth-adjustable headrest
- Armrests available in different designs (1 function, 4 functions, 3D multifunctional)
- Adjustable seat depth: 46–52 cm
- Stepless seat tilt adjustment via gas lift
- Adjustable seat height: 42–52 cm or 50–63 cm with a higher gas lift
- Polished aluminum 68 cm base
- 6 cm chrome casters (available for hard or carpeted floors)
- Load capacity: 125 kg
The 560 iQ Bestseller in leather stands for excellent ergonomics and outstanding seating comfort in the workplace.
Haider Bioswing 560 iQ Bestseller Step
If you like the features of the Haider Bioswing 560 iQ Bestseller but prefer to avoid leather for ethical or aesthetic reasons, the 560 iQ Bestseller Step is the logical choice. This model has a fabric cover, offering more color options and a lower price.
The rest of the features remain the same:
- Integrated, adaptive Haider Bioswing 3D seat mechanism
- Synchron mechanism with automatic weight adjustment (35–150 kg)
- Orthopedic and ergonomic executive chair
- Stepless lumbar support adjustment by 3.5 cm in depth
- 60 cm high backrest - height and tilt adjustable
- 47 cm wide backrest
- 47 cm wide seat
- Height-, tilt-, and depth-adjustable headrest
- Armrests available in different designs (1 function, 4 functions, 3D multifunctional)
- Adjustable seat depth: 46–52 cm
- Stepless seat tilt adjustment via gas lift
- Adjustable seat height: 42–52 cm or 50–63 cm
- Polished aluminum 68 cm base
- 6 cm chrome casters (hard for soft floors or soft for hard floors)
With the Step version, you get an ergonomic and visually appealing executive chair for your office, free from animal products but still of high quality.
Haider Bioswing 560 iQ Detensor Bestseller
The Haider Bioswing 560 iQ Detensor Bestseller is very similar to the Step and Leather versions. The key difference is the Detensor technology: a lamellar system integrated into the backrest, sloping upwards, that relieves the spine and intervertebral discs. Additionally, the lamellae in the seat cushion evenly distribute weight and improve circulation in the pelvic area. This model provides ultimate seating comfort.
Additional features of the Haider Bioswing 560 iQ Bestseller Detensor:
- Integrated, adaptive Haider Bioswing 3D seat mechanism
- Color: Black/Chrome
- TrainBackMatic automatic synchronization of seat and backrest
- Height-, tilt-, and depth-adjustable headrest
- Back pressure adjustment 50–150 kg
- 60 cm high backrest, height- and tilt-adjustable
- Seat and back cushion with Detensor lamellae in high-quality microfiber
- Adjustable lumbar support by 3.5 cm in depth
- Stepless seat tilt adjustment via gas lift
- Adjustable seat depth 46–52 cm
- Adjustable seat height 42–52/47–60 cm
- 4F multifunctional armrests
- Polished aluminum 68 cm base
- Casters with chrome housing, 6 cm (soft or hard)
- Black genuine leather cover
The Detensor version of the Haider Bioswing 560 iQ Bestseller offers full ergonomic features and outstanding seating comfort. If you suffer from back pain, the Detensor system is definitely worth considering.
Haider Bioswing 460 iQ Bestseller
The final chair from Haider Bioswing in our list of winners is the 460 iQ Bestseller. This executive chair model is slightly slimmer and is therefore often chosen by female customers. Like all other models from Haider, it provides outstanding workplace ergonomics and, with its unique Bioswing technology, ensures dynamic sitting and maximum comfort:
- Adaptive Haider Bioswing 3D seat mechanism
- Synchron mechanism
- Ergonomically and orthopedically effective office chair
- Height-, tilt-, and depth-adjustable headrest
- Adjustable lumbar support by 3.5 cm in depth
- Stepless seat tilt adjustment via gas lift
- Ergonomically shaped, height-adjustable, and tiltable backrest (45 cm wide, 60 cm high)
- Back pressure adjustment 35–150 kg
- Adjustable seat depth 46–52 cm
- Seat width: 49 cm
- Polished aluminum base (diameter: 68 cm)
- Maximum load capacity: 125 kg
Löffler Panamero
The brand Löffler focuses on quality, functionality, and design while also considering ergonomic aspects. The Löffler Panamero is suitable for strong personalities weighing up to 175 kg. Despite this, it offers dynamic sitting through the integrated Ergotop mechanism and is fully ergonomically equipped.
The specifications of the Löffler Panamero at a glance:
- Ergotop technology: fully movable seat surface
- Synchron mechanism with sliding seat
- Height-adjustable (65–72 cm), lockable backrest in 5 positions
- Side spring force adjustment 65–140 kg
- Seat depth suspension
- Adjustable seat depth 47–52 cm
- Adjustable seat height 45–56 cm
- Seat width 58 cm
- Ergonomic contoured seat
- Extra-stable pocket spring core seat
- Extra-wide seat and backrest
- Black or polished aluminum base
- Universal casters
- 2D armrests or multifunctional armrests
- Maximum weight capacity: 175 kg
The Löffler Panamero is perfectly suited for particularly tall and heavy individuals, allowing for healthy and active sitting in the office or home office.
SITWELL TURBO
The Sitwell Turbo is also ideal for tall and heavy individuals, with its extra-high backrest and a load capacity of up to 200 kg in the largest version. The Sitwell Turbo is an executive chair of the absolute luxury class. It is available as a mid-back or high-back model. Additionally, you can choose between sizes L, XL, and XXL.
Additional features of the Sitwell Turbo executive chair:
- Extra-high backrest with lumbar support and integrated cushion support padding
- Stabilizing shape design
- Seat height adjustment via gas lift
- Available with or without armrests (optional 2D armrests)
- Safety double casters (hard or soft)
- Fabric or leather upholstery
- Base available in plastic or polished aluminum
The Sitwell Turbo is an affordable executive chair that provides good ergonomic conditions and is particularly well-suited for tall and heavy individuals. It is a great all-rounder and is very popular in German government offices.
Summary
An ergonomic executive chair is the most luxurious and comfortable way to sit in an office or home office. At the same time, it protects the back and prevents pain. In our test, the Haider Bioswing series and models were particularly impressive. However, the Löffler Panamero and the Sitwell Turbo are also excellent choices for an ergonomic seating solution. Don’t just rely on our test – choose your model based on your individual needs. With the right ergonomic executive chair, back pain at the workplace will be a thing of the past.
FAQ:
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Are executive chairs ergonomic?
Not every executive chair is ergonomic. However, ergonomics is becoming increasingly important in most conventional office chairs, including executive chairs. Anyone who spends a lot of time at their workstation should ensure they are not harming their health in the long run. -
Why is workplace ergonomics important?
In a typical workweek, we spend 40 hours at our workplace. Therefore, the workplace should be set up in a way that does not cause harm over time – that is the goal of ergonomics. It not only promotes health in the workplace but also improves productivity. Ergonomic workplaces are therefore also in the interest of companies and employers. -
Where can you buy the best ergonomic executive chairs?
In our Ergo-Webshop, you will find the best ergonomic executive chairs. We offer high-quality products from well-known brands such as Haider Bioswing, Sitwell, and Löffler. Read our test report on the best ergonomic executive chairs and make your choice. -
Which executive chair is the test winner for 2025?
Our personal test winner is the Haider Bioswing 780 iQ Bestseller. This executive chair offers numerous adjustment options to suit your individual needs. With Haider Bioswing’s flagship model, you get a perfectly ergonomic executive chair for your office.
