Big & Tall Office Chairs: 6 Things To Consider

[@TheFeaz]

I'm going to touch on a couple of things here. First, the whole "big and tall" thing, and second is a KEY detail I think you missed when "big and tall" people are looking for quality office furniture that fits their needs. First, the trouble with "big and tall" is that, apart from the obvious physical dimensions, there are different type of big and tall people, especially different types of "big" people. By this I mean in terms of how they use, and how hard they are on, their office furniture. At 6 feet, I'm not unusually tall, and at 250 lbs would only consider myself on the large end of normal, but I'd definitely style myself as "big", particularly because I'm big-framed-- huge, muscular legs, broad shoulders... Even if I were my ideal weight, I'd still be 225-230. Many "big" guys (and even ladies) I know tend to be a LOT harder on their furniture than I am. Man big people tend to "land" in their chairs rather than "sit" in them, and I can only imagine the amount of added stress beyond merely carrying their weight that this adds. I think that when shopping for furniture, a person needs to consider how they use it, including this tendency to "land" in their seat. Obviously the best thing to do would be to learn to be a little more gentle with your furniture, but outside that, if you're the sort of person who does this, then you really need to consider that factor when considering the weight tolerances of your furniture, and add as much as 25-50% to your weight to consider the added strain of hard use. The thing that I think you missed out on in this discussion was a more comprehensive look at the failure points on different pieces of furniture. Yes, fit and feel are very important, but when it comes to longevity, you have to look at where the most likely points of failure are on a piece of furniture. On of my real pet peeves with office furniture manufacturers is that, even when it comes to some really high-end furniture, the places where they cut corners are the same components that go into the cheap stuff. If the a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, then these expensive chairs are only as good as their junkiest made-in-China part. The three major points of failure that I see in office chairs are 1) the WHEELS; 2) the gas piston; and 3) the seat plate assembly (the metal plate on the bottom of the seat that rests on top of the gas piston). First, with the wheels, this one that REALLY pisses me off, because the few dollars that it would cost ot put top-quality rubber wheels on a $700 office chair is NOTHING in terms of the cost to manufacture the product as a whole, but I can tell you stories of more than one $800 leather office char with top-of-line specs in terms of durability came with those cheap-ass nylon wheels on it. Even if the wheels themselves hold up to the weight of a bigger person, the bearings on them don't, and when the sleeve in the pivot bearings in one of these things fails, you can find yourself in an incredibly dangerous situation, as the wheel will literally separate from the pivot part of the caster, dumping you onto the floor without warning. In my case, simply replacing those cheap nylon wheels with a $35 set of rubber casters from Amazon not only gave me a FAR superior product in terms of durability, but it also rolls so much more effortlessly as well, which translates to VASTLY less stress on other components of the chair when I move it around while sitting in it. Second is the gas piston. Here again, it's not the primary function of the component itself that fails, but supporting components. I've seen $50 chairs from Wal-Mart and $800 chairs from Haverty's Furniture come with gas pistons that were indistinguishable from one another .The seals in them fail, they leak oil, and the cheap nylon bushing at the end can cause them to fail to remain straight in vertical in their lower bracket over time, causing the chair to pivot off balance when empty, or even have a noticeable lean when sitting in it at worst. My third and final item is kind of related to the second, in that the metal seat plate, which rests on top of the gas piston, is often made form poorly tempered steel. The pivot point of this place is subjected to tremendous amounts of torque, exacerbated by a person who is heavier and / or who exerts a fair amount of lateral force on the chair (like rolling it back and forth while sitting on it), sometimes because of crappy casters. This can cause the interface between the plate and gas piston to become mis-shapen, resulting in a chair that has a tendency to lean. These are all real failures in manufacturing in my opinion, because resolving them merely would require a slightly greater commitment to quality of materials and workmanship during manufacturing, and more attention to detail. The increase in manufacturing costs would be negligible, and any resulting increase in the retail price because of this would be easily justified by the VASTLY superior quality. I don't mind paying $800 or more for an office chair, but if I am going to pay that kind of money for a piece of furniture, then I expect it to outlive me. My father was a big man... 6'2" and 350 lbs. He WAS one of those kind of people I was talking about who had a tendency to "land" in his chair. He had an office chair that came out of the office in my grandfather's factory. The factory closed in 1958, and that office chair was in use well into the 1980's. If I recall, it finally got tossed when they moved to Florida in 1995, just because the cracked vinyl (or whatever the seat and arm rests were made of) was an eyesore. There was never an issue with the chair's mechanism, not even the casters. There is no reason why the last two chairs I have purchased have experienced major mechanical failures (casters on both, gas piston / plate assembly on one) in less than three years. I am "big", but I am not that hard on my furniture.

[@courtneyjohnson5839]

Damn sound like you need to start a chair company

[@bot_jonah]

Preach. This guy sits.

[@MrOdyne80]

Take the money!

[@CarAudioInc]

this is youtube.. go write your essay somewhere else

[@Papepipucho]

@@CarAudioInc its also a review video on chairs

[@phillipcastillo8519]

I want a office chair that’s soft and plush like a 76 Cadillac fleetwood seat but has a weight limit fit for a 500 lb man

[@AJMac1]

Get it made #cool

[@SgtSnagglePuss]

That's exactly what I'm looking for too. Soft and plush. I tried a Leap Plus chair and it was like sitting on a wooden bench! I just found a chair from a company called ERA. They make seats for over the road truck drivers! I'm trying to do a bit more research before I pull the plug since the model I'm looking at is over 2k. :o

[@herbyverstink]

@@SgtSnagglePuss it looks as though they (ERA) use that same cheap as piston as all the other shitty chairs use.. this has been my problem with any chair I buy.. cheap shocks... id rather they just set the chair at a fixed height but maintain all the other aspects of these office chairs.

[@SgtSnagglePuss]

@@herbyverstink I'm sitting in the ERA Newport now. Not bad, but don't think it's worth 2300k at all. I'm 6ft tall and when I unlock full recline my feet come way off the floor! Plus it has wobbly arms. And it's not as plush as I thought it would be. :(

[@tnargrant]

I love the info, but it would be great for some recommendations for big and/or tall chairs- like your usual tier lists 😊 (6'1", 198lbs)

[@ninjanerdstudent6937]

The problem with most chairs for me is knee support. I need the chair cushion under my knees while still keeping my feet flat on the ground. I got the Beautyrest Royo.

[@solohelion]

It's not about "average height", it's about the "leg to body ratio" for heights. I'm so fed up with chairs that don't fit (office chairs, recliners, and all other chairs) that I started to think I might have weird proportions. I calculated my leg to body ratio and looked up the statistics, and it turns out I'm not an outlier at all, though I am not perfectly average. There is so much emphasis put on accomodating the legs of tall people, which has got nothing to do with anything for me. Seat after seat has a headrest that eats into my shoulders and support in all the wrong places. I have never sat in an office chair with a headrest that could be properly positioned in my life. Nor in a recliner with a headrest that was properly positioned. And I am not freakishly tall, nor of unusually long torso. Look up pictures of men sitting in recliners (who are not short), you will see they sit at an angle, which effectively elongates the chair. This is why it's important for chairs to be excessively adjustable and for chair makers to not try to make their chairs fit everyone, or even the largest demographic, but to make chairs to target everyone. It's almost impossible to sift through chair reviews because they are all talking about how the chair feels to them, and it doesn't matter at all how it feels to the reviewer unless they are exactly my dimensions, which they are not. It's also horrendous that you can't search for anything relating to the word "tall" without getting "big" back, which is the absolute worst thing ever. There is no relationship between the two.

[@forthewubwubs]

The honest to god worst part about buying a big and tall office chair is trying to meet a perfect tall to size ratio I'm 6'2 but I'm under 180lbs which means for some forsaken reason I can't buy pants that fit right nor can I find a chair that is perfect for me. Why can't company's have chairs that just meet the "tall" and not conform to the notion that if you're tall you have to be fat aswell as me having to pay an obserd amount to get a chair that works for me.

[@btodtv]

One of the best things to do is see if the company offers a tall cylinder for their more standard sized chairs. This will eliminate the added width you’ll find with a big chair and get the height required for your long legs -GK

[@forthewubwubs]

@@btodtv the problem doesn't usually stem from the chairs height it's mainly to do with the back support and that they are usually designed for people with smaller frame than I.

[@btodtv]

DippyDup At 6’2”, if you’re having issues with the backrest, then I would look for “true” high back chairs and avoid headrests -GK

[@senecarus9407]

Yer i can relate to this, i'm 6'3 and 180lbs bro, so hard to find a good fitting in everything, What did you come up with in regards to office chairs, looking into it now, but defiantly seems to be a missing option in the market

[@MattTheGinge]

Let me know if you find a chair that fits, Im 6'4" on the skinny size and lookign at the ergochair 2 and getting some taller casters for my legs, I really want a head/neck rest but I guess companies dont think tall people get neck pain

[@missj.4760]

For pear format women, a high lumbar support. Unfortunately, it is very hard to find and it is usually very expensive.

[@A5StarBeauty]

Some of us are just big not tall at all (5’3”)especially in a certain area that need more cushioning. 🤣🤣🤣That’s been my problem. Most chairs I’ve tried don’t have the thick cushioning I desire. I always find myself putting a pillow in the seat. Also I definitely hate sitting low because of my knees (right knee from severe arthritis due to an injury many years ago). They do quite comfy so I my have to try one of these out. Thanks. ☺️

[@robnation2475]

I just modified a "HON SOLVE" tilt/slider mechanism on a HON SOLVE task stool (bar height). Ditched the sloppy/flimsy slider mechanism and remounted it's steel plate in a fixed position to my liking. Somehow that fixed the sloppy/loose reclining issue (backrest was loose even with tension cranked up correctly) ...and I got rid of a side to side forward and back teetering issue. Honestly, this should be the way they're made in the first place!😀

[@robnation2475]

I'm 6' 4" (36" inseam) 230. I'm not real big but I'll destroy some basic chairs just trying to make myself comfortable. I use a HON Task "Stool" (with a bar-height desk) instead of a chair because chairs are generally annoying when you have long legs. A tall back on a chair or stool can be annoying like you mentioned as well. I like to lean back over the backrest to flex/stretch out. Mid-backs are all different sizes/heights so it's hard to know what you're truly buying until you're actually sitting in it.

[@denser8401]

How much did you grow since you were 18 years old?

[@robnation2475]

@@denser8401 I didn't get any taller but gained 20 pounds.

[@robnation2475]

By the way I was 6' 4" when I was 16. I raised my entire kitchen 4" and raised my fridge 6" in my last house 😀

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

I have worked at call centers for several years and have dealt with chairs that range from crappy to meh. I'd say I'm rather large in weight but not height (5'7, 280lbs, last I checked). If I can fit in basic call center chairs and usually not have a problem, I think I'll be alright with most other chairs, but I want a "big and tall" chair to ensure it at the least can support my weight. The one I have saved to buy from Walmart has reviews saying it's not as wide as advertised so...not sure. Might still get it though as it's cheap and I just really want a rolling chair for now as opposed to the thinly padded folding chair I'm using currently. My worst issue with chairs is usually not width but back support and not being able to raise the arms, causing pain in my shoulders. I'll find a few other options though as my shorter height might pose a problem if the chair by default sits too high up.

[@btodtv]

Arm adjustment is a fairly common issue I hear about. Some options I suggest, if you have a chair that works in all other areas, is to accessorize the chair/desk set up with a potential keyboard tray. Or if the chair can go taller getting the arms to a proper typing/mousing height to the desk, look at a foot rest to keep your legs at a proper angle. If you have the ability to get measurements of where your arms should be height-wise (90 degree angle), most chairs should have the specs listed to what the arm height is. As to back support, nothing can really beat sitting in it and working in it. I wish I had a way to figure that out differently. Checking what the return policy is can be a life saver though, if you are buying sight unseen. NL

[@TBCOML]

Can i get the link to the chair that is in the video with you the whole time. Its exactly what im looking for.

[@electriczzzzz]

Does anyone know what I would need im 6'10 and 290lbs so what would I need??

[@RonaldDejesus-r5s]

How do I install the chair to elevate up and down

[@lordkosc]

Glad I came across this video, your site is fantastic for offering big and tall chair options, also in-depth specs for each chair.

[@fabiolopes1899]

What is the first chair that shows up on the video?

[@sladewilson5860]

I'm 6 foot 7, and have long legs. I stand at my desk, which is around 49 inches, and want to get a chair that goes up to probably 40inches or so. any advice here?

[@denser8401]

How much did you grow since you were 18 years old?

[@SUPERCOOLEO]

What’s the first chair called? Link?

[@FaithfulServant316]

Why not give the chair's brand name in the video so we all know what to consider and buy at $700 or above dollars?? Like that bigger leather chair you were sitting in?? I mean the rest of video was great, but come on now. We need to hear you opinion of actual chair names and models to consider in the video What do you think of the ZURI Furniture Big and Tall office chairs?? I heard they are nice. Any info or opinions on them ?? Thanks much

[@btodtv]

Thank you for your comment. This video wasn't meant to give opinions on specific products, but more to give you ideas on things to consider before buying a big and tall chair in general. We will work on doing a better job including links to products featured in videos -GK

[@Dono.N]

I am sick of them breaking in a year or 2. I find that it is usually the bracket that bolts to the seat and slips onto hydraulic ram. And some others are the hydraulic ram themselves being made of thin junk sheet metal instead of heavy duty rod you would assume they would use for a hydraulic ram. Being a mechanic myself I would love to find a chair that is made of good materials and has good welds on the hardware.

[@TheBluuHouse]

Searching for a chair to hold 400lbs. My issue is blowing the gas shock on the seats. How do I find a chair that has a strong gas piston? While searching I see the class 4 cylinder as a featured point.

[@CMDRFandragon]

I wish I could find one like the chair I used to have. It was a pretty bog standard office chair, only it had incredible padding on the armrest, back and seat. It felt snug n comfy to sit in for hours and just had my posture perfect. The piston also held up like a champ. ive had a couple gaming chairs and they arent that great. one was rated for 300 lbs when I was 260 ish...piston constantly collapsed. My current chair us rated for like 220 and the piston holds up fine but the pleather is fading n chipping off, also, the back rest collapses at the slightest bit of pressure. The arm rests are also not comfy to use...

[@alfredfuentes7933]

What is the chair in the video on the left made of; synthetic or bonded leather? That seat looks super wide. How wide is it?

[@TheHippoCreative]

Hey, I've been looking for a chair with a high back, a thick/comfortable butt cushion, and a multi tilt back. Seems really hard to find a chair with good padding that isn't an executive with bad back tilt options. I've been looking at the Concept Seating chairs but they are really expensive and I can't find much on them other than the written reviews on this site. Can you think of any more budget options that fit what I am looking for?

[@georgepierre3594]

if u havent found one yet, the global tritek ergo select high/execute back, it has 6 adjustability.

[@macmac3795]

which chair is the one on the left when video starts?

[@silvarknite7]

at about 0:20? that black one, just on his left (our right) is the human scale freedom. Let me know if you meant another one!

[@SIG442]

I'm currently having a IKEA chair, was a chair I needed as I didn't have the money at that time and the previous chair had me fall backwards because the back of it broke. Current one sits just fine although not ideal (still for normal sizes) but is falling apart. So I am currently looking into something new. I am not a US citizen, nor have I ever been there. But I may as well gather all the information I can get as visiting any location during the virus is not likely. I am from the Netherlands, length is 6'4 (yes, tall legs as well), i'm not seriously overweight body still fits just fine in a normal seat (but would be fair to have a slightly wider seat). I do need a tall back and adjustable arm rests. I am looking into both gaming chairs as normal office chairs to get the best fit for me. Would you be able to suggest a few options? I can see whether they are available here or not. Not asking you for the world, I just would love to have a good idea where to look at as it's chair jungle and i'm not really getting any wiser on my own so far. Too many people cheering on different products without bothering to mention their own length or whether they are payed or not in some form.

[@Dobby_Dobson]

Iets gevonden toevallig? 2.03m en ik ben ook wel een beetje klaar met mn ikea stoel...

[@crispyexcal204]

Does anyone know what chair was shown at 2:26 ?

[@Gary-rb9td]

Awesome, well thought out video thanks!

[@btodtv]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching -GK

[@spooky3883]

Honestly just want to cross my legs in the chair lol that’s all😂

[@btodtv]

You aren't the only one! Thanks for the suggestion :) -GK

[@laughingvampire7555]

seat width and depth is important, also that every adjustable mechanism is able to handle you. I also want head rest, lumbar support, leg rest, I want it to be able to recline to 180, with adjustable angles that it will stop where I set it.

[@thicctiger456]

ahh alucard nice to see you here

[@qladevoltees3458]

Great video... I have been watching your videos since last week. Great help.

[@btodtv]

Thank you. We're happy that you've found our content helpful! -GK

[@bigkntry6251]

what is the chair that was in the video that was super wide

[@zexly.]

What do you mean by unlikely to pose a problem?

[@jimjones6960]

Disagree right off the bat! The FIRST thing you must consider for a big and tall chair, is whether or not that chair will be at it's lowest setting when the gas cylinder deflates to the lowest position and your big butt and long legs are on the floor! Everything else is irrelevant if the damn thing won't stay up at the height you set it!

[@georgepierre3594]

Thats why u check if the height adjustment works before u buy it. a lot of old chairs worn out chairs, the height adjustment doesn't work, talkign about old leap v1 and mirras. Ask if it works before u buy it.

[@ForourLord95]

Any recommendations for someone 6'7 320 lbs? Every chair is too small!

[@donteroberson1193]

Did he really just show me a amazon chair for 700 dollars? im out!

[@EQOAnostalgia]

lol

[@theloniousMac]

No one ever mentions if a seat tilts downward at the front to relieve pressure on legs. Good for Edema.

[@ericschmit5911]

Why does everything have to be big AND tall? I ma tall but not big...

[@faautobahna9416]

Helpful, thanks

[@biggah00]

anyone know what seat is featured at 6:25?

[@typedeaf]

I loathe how Tall is so tightly coupled to Big. Is there ever a Tall and Fit option of anything? no.

[@MattTheGinge]

Agreed, im 6'4" 170lb and i feel like its almost impossible to find a chair that suits me

[@eldon9735]

That's my biggest gripe with stuff for tall ppl. I'm over 6'3 and I used to appreciate big and tall stuff when I was over 330lbs. But now I'm 238 and I can't find anything that fits right in regards to clothing, chairs, and many other things.

[@MrXenon-hn7ju]

@@MattTheGinge slenderman omg

[@civilianfries5038]

I loathe how big is so tightly coupled to fat/wide. Is there ever a Big and Fit option of anything? no.

[@FaithfulServant316]

@@eldon9735 Eat more cheesecake and cheeseburgers then and be more comfortable in chair, all the way around.😎

[@Moonlava722]

Im sick of sliding foward in .y chair. Seems like they all do that

[@Old.RedFox]

You missed gas lifts. If you're a heavy person these will fail quicker and you won't be able to get them out to replace them. All reviewers miss this vital issue.

[@johnbryant4410]

The link to the post goes to the wrong place - currently goes to "8 Best Office Guest Chairs For 2020"

[@btodtv]

Good catch. Thank you! -GK

[@philknirck7347]

It looks like all your example chairs was for small users

[@btodtv]

There are some big chairs in this video. The 3156HR would be the largest of them all -GK

[@Morri_World]

@@btodtv i think he meant height

[@hustlasstory7611]

Great now what chairs have a tall requirement

[@magus104]

Like the informative videos. though the fact that everything on your site seems to be almost double the actual price of the chair (if you can buy it locally) yea... spending $1600 on a chair is already a but enough stretch but you guys adding an extra $1000 just for profit thats a bit much. but works out great for you for those who do buy stuff i guess

[@btodtv]

What chair are you referring to? -GK

[@DemureDelight8055]

How bout JUST a "big" office chair. I'm not tall, just big and the seats for Big and Tall are too long for my thighs.

[@kade2748]

I'm sick of watching 5'7 scrawny boys reviewing chairs for me!

[@btodtv]

Bud, I’m 6’ tall and 190 lbs. -GK

[@geerxin]

This video makes me wonder what chair does people like Shaquille O'Neal or Arnold Schwarzenegger use?

[@geerxin]

people looking for big and tall chair, should go google what chair doese these big n tall celebrity and athletes use.

[@mattforman4972]

Shaq signed some deal to have his name put on a big and tall chair line that in my opinion are junk and overpriced. I bit the bullet and got steelcase leap plus and I am 6 ft 3 and 385 lbs and it’s the first time I can remember as an adult feeling like a chair was almost too big for me but it has been amazingly comfortable and the best purchase I made recently.

[@bean9005]

I need tall big boi chair

[@offroad5594]

The biggest thing of all, is it covered in bonded leather. If so it's the biggest wast of money ever!

[@dadcanibeagirl]

im 6'2 300lbs please help kek

[@mikegayda715]

Oh the humanity being lumped as a fit person with others , you are big just in the wrong direction

[@wesleyshaw6856]

I'm fat, I want absolute comfort. I would like to lay my head down to as well. Plus,,, I had a girlfriend once so........

[@thmusic7214]

As a European these chairs look hilarious

[@Dexcalibur420]

What's different about european chairs? I've been scouring the entire internet for a good chair and have yet to find one. Should I import from Europe? Every chair I see is like a torture device to me.

[@evshrug]

@@Dexcalibur420 Don’t listen to THmusic, he’s making a joke at America’s expense that we’re stereotypically fat/obese. There are some chairs exclusive to Europe, though most are available here too. One of the most notable and underrated chairs that is EU (and UK) exclusive is the Steelcase Please. It adjusts back support as you recline by having separate backrest plates for the lumbar and upper back portions. It looks interesting, but I haven’t tried it myself.

[@Dexcalibur420]

@@evshrug I guess I'm just naive lol. Didn't even realize it was a joke lol. That sounds like the exact kind of chair I've been imagining for years now! I might have to look into it. Although now I have a better chair than I did when I made that comment.

[@regilsusano3124]

I'm 5'9 and I weigh 120kg

[@tankimus]

your prices are insane

[@BScott7220]

test

[@nandonando2160]

This was NOT helpful

[@xXRustyShacklefordXx]

Number one thing to consider is losing some weight lmao