Question Office chairs and weight limits ?

[salawow]

Hi !

I assumed since an office chair is somehow around a computer i could ask my question here in "computer peripherals" section. Couldn't find anywhere else to post it.

So i went to a office supply store today to try some chairs and seen that they all have a weight capacity. Most of them support "up to 250lbs", and a few labeled "big and tall" are "up to 400lbs". (by the way i'm 6 feet and 310 pounds). I tried some, but the one i found the most confortable to me is rated 250lbs. By looking at the chairs, i couldn't find any real difference between the 250lbs and 400lbs, beside how large the seat itself is. The parts seem to be made of the same kind of metal, screws are not larger, they are very similar.

So my question: How important is the weight limit on an office chair ? Is it just a marketing number, or there are really something else than the size of the seat going on ? If i buy a 250lbs chair while being 310lbs myself, will i most likely break it after a few months ?

I also noticed they all have different warranty ranging from 1 years to 10 years. Does it translate in durability, or it's just marketing ?

 

[SinxarKnights]

I've found that the weight rating is a description of build type, not necessarily quality. On many low weight rated chairs, the part that attaches to the wheel base is a drop in friction fitting and it is plastic. If you are too heavy it wears faster and causes loud popping when you shift in the chair after a while. I've never had one totally fail, they just get poppy and squeaky faster. Also check how the back is attached, those with the single metal bar that holds it up will indeed break if you are too heavy and lean into it.

This is not always the case but if you look at sites like Wal-Mart.com almost all the chairs they sell (not the sponsored stuff, the stuff that is actually in their stores) are of the low quality friction fit plastic type.

If you are sitting a lot you owe it to yourself to buy a good chair, don't skimp out on a low quality underrated chair you will despise in a month or so.

I'm not an expert on chairs but I have went through a lot of those cheaper ones you see at wal-mart. I got a 400lbs rated Serta this time and within a month it is squeaking badly when I shift in the chair but it is still solid and comfortable. I am only about 250lbs.

You want to look at high end office furniture. A half decent chair is expensive but worth it if you can afford it. They are strong, adjustable and last for many years.

 

[salawow]

I've found that the weight rating is a description of build type, not necessarily quality. On many low weight rated chairs, the part that attaches to the wheel base is a drop in friction fitting and it is plastic. If you are too heavy it wears faster and causes loud popping when you shift in the chair after a while. I've never had one totally fail, they just get poppy and squeaky faster. Also check how the back is attached, those with the single metal bar that holds it up will indeed break if you are too heavy and lean into it.

This is not always the case but if you look at sites like Wal-Mart.com almost all the chairs they sell (not the sponsored stuff, the stuff that is actually in their stores) are of the low quality friction fit plastic type.

If you are sitting a lot you owe it to yourself to buy a good chair, don't skimp out on a low quality underrated chair you will despise in a month or so.

I'm not an expert on chairs but I have went through a lot of those cheaper ones you see at wal-mart. I got a 400lbs rated Serta this time and within a month it is squeaking badly when I shift in the chair but it is still solid and comfortable. I am only about 250lbs.

You want to look at high end office furniture. A half decent chair is expensive but worth it if you can afford it. They are strong, adjustable and last for many years.

Is this the serta chair you are talking about ? https://www.staples.ca/en/Serta-SmartLayers-Hensley-Big-Tall-Executive-Chair-Brown/product_1867850_2-CA_1_20001

That is one of the 400lbs ones i have tried and was considering if it would be a good choice. But since you say yours is squeaking after only 1 month and 65 lbs less than me, i guess i would not be good. (assuming it's the same chair)

In what price range do you consider office chair to be good ?

 

[SinxarKnights]

Is this the serta chair you are talking about ? https://www.staples.ca/en/Serta-Sma...tive-Chair-Brown/product_1867850_2-CA_1_20001

That is one of the 400lbs ones i have tried and was considering if it would be a good choice. But since you say yours is squeaking after only 1 month and 65 lbs less than me, i guess i would not be good. (assuming it's the same chair)

Yep that is the one! No, I had to look closer, it isn't that one. I have the cheaper version of it.

It is indeed comfortable and supports me fine, the difference between that chair and the other cheaper ones is where it is squeaking. It is squeaking from the adjustment thing just under the seat, the cheaper ones squeak and pop from the base where it attaches to the wheels.

To be fair it could be just my chair, my brother has one as well and his didn't have the same problem. With his it was quiet but the gas piston got stuck so when he stands up it popped up. It does have a good warranty so if it acts up they will replace it and he had it replaced with no trouble.

I would say go for it, they are good at upholding the warranty and you can always return it if you really don't like it.

 

[salawow]

Is this the serta chair you are talking about ? https://www.staples.ca/en/Serta-SmartLayers-Hensley-Big-Tall-Executive-Chair-Brown/product_1867850_2-CA_1_20001

That is one of the 400lbs ones i have tried and was considering if it would be a good choice. But since you say yours is squeaking after only 1 month and 65 lbs less than me, i guess i would not be good. (assuming it's the same chair)

[strike]Yep that is the one! [/strike] I had to look closer, no it isn't that one. I have the cheaper version of it.

It is indeed comfortable and supports me fine, the difference between that chair and the other cheaper ones is where it is squeaking. It is squeaking from the adjustment thing just under the seat, the cheaper ones squeak and pop from the base where it attaches to the wheels.

To be fair it could be just my chair, my brother has one as well and his didn't have the same problem. With his it was quiet but the gas piston got stuck so when he stands up it popped up. It does have a good warranty so if it acts up they will replace it and he had it replaced with no trouble.

I would say go for it, they are good at upholding the warranty and you can always return it if you really don't like it.

Thanks for your input, i will probably go for that chair then

About the 10 years warranty, do you have any idea how the warranty usually work on a big item like a chair ? I've claimed warranty on mices and small computer parts before, that i just had to send back with UPS or any other carrier, but never on something big like that.

 

[SinxarKnights]

About the 10 years warranty, do you have any idea how the warranty usually work on a big item like a chair ? I've claimed warranty on mices and small computer parts before, that i just had to send back with UPS or any other carrier, but never on something big like that.

In my brothers case they sent him a new one and told him to just toss the old one.