For the longest time, I’ve been someone to avoid spending much on office chairs – assuming most perform the same task acceptably. However, after a week using the working and gaming while using the Flexispot BackSupport Office Chair BS10 (in tandem with their Standing Desk Pro Series E7 that I’ll cover in a separate review here) I might be willing to change my mind.
Why the need for a good office chair?
For many of us, and probably most of those following gaming and technology news, desk work takes up a huge part of the day. Since the pandemic has forced many people to work from home or transition into desk jobs, there’s a good chance this number is higher than ever before. As a consequence, considering the comfort and ergonomics of your working environment is essential for many of us.
The benefits of a good office chair are numerous. From a health perspective, ergonomic design can lead to better posture and reduced back, neck, and wrist strain (dependent on factors too, of course). There’s also the issue of comfort and the effect that has on concentration and productivity. It’s hard to focus on work when you’re dealing with sore wrists, stiff muscles, or a sweaty back.
Features of the BackSupport Office Chair BS10 at a glance:
- Height adjustment (chair): 47-56 cm
- Height adjustment (header): 116-132 cm
- Adjustable armrests, seat position, backrest tilt angle
- Weight capacity: 125 kg
- Materials: breathable nylon fabric, polyurethane, polished aluminium
Packaging and assembly
The BackSupport Office Chair BS10 arrived in a single neat package, containing the seat, backrest, armrests, base, gas column, and wheels. Every item was well-padded – and most materials were recyclable – ensuring there was minimal chance of damage during shipping. The assembly instructions are brief but clear, with very few small components. All of these – think a few bolts and the wheels – were neatly labelled and stored in individual pouches to open when needed.
Assembly was straightforward and logical. After extracting the individual components, you connect the backrest to the seat, connect the armrests and headrest, insert the wheels into the base, and connect both halves with the central gas column. Only connecting the upper components required the use of bolts and a hex key (provided) – with each step requiring a different number of bolts, of different lengths, making it impossible to get it wrong. Only inserting the wheels – multifunctional castors suitable for most surfaces – took a little more force than expected but you can just get them in halfway, flip it over, and stand on the base if you’re having trouble. The central gas column simply slides into the base and the upper part of the chairs slips over the top to complete the assembly. All the mechanisms for adjusting the seat are preassembled and already attached to their respective components.
Honestly, as someone who has never been a great fan of assembling furniture – and especially not modular Ikea-type products – it was a breeze and took less than 15 minutes.
Build quality, set-up, and operation
With my weight fluctuating around a not inconsiderable 100 kg, the BackSupport Office Chair BS10 has held up over two weeks of heavy use – think work by day and PC gaming by night. It’s solidly built, with a broad and stable 5-wheel base. That strength means there’s very little give, so don’t expect to slump into the chair or lounge back, but you can tweak multiple parts to fit your body and maximise comfort. The primary material your body is in contact with is cool, breathable nylon that should also be easy to keep clean. It was only the light plastic paddles and rotating handles beneath the seat – used for adjusting the seat and backrest position – that felt relatively fragile. Thankfully, there’s a 1-year warranty on all parts and mechanisms.
There are, of course, several ergonomic designs to consider. Starting at the top, the headrest allows you to adjust both the height (over 6 cm) and the tilt angle, making it easy to find a comfortable position to relax your neck when you need a breather from holding your typing or gaming posture. The sturdy armrests can be shifted through 5 height positions (~10 cm) and rotated inwards or outwards to find the perfect resting position. The actual contact pad also has a little give to accommodate fine movements.
The adjustable lumbar support pad was a highlight, given I’ve experienced several otherwise comfortable chairs that had a poorly-shaped backrest and offered little support during extended use. The lumbar support pad can be adjusted up and down (over 8 cm) and tilted to provide good contact and minimise back pain.
Beneath the seat, you’ll find multifunctional handles on both sides that further tailor the seat configuration to your body. On the right side, the paddle allows you to adjust the seat height (over 9 cm) while rotating the handle adjusts the backrest tilt resistance. On the left side, the paddle allows you to adjust the seat position horizontally (over 4 cm), while rotating the handle locks the chosen backrest tilt angle. It’s worth spending some time finding your optimal and most comfortable configuration and, once locked in, the chair feels rock-solid and hasn’t required any further adjustments.
Final thoughts
The BackSupport Office Chair BS10, although perhaps not as aesthetically striking as many brands, is still a slick-looking, ergonomic, and comfortable choice. Over two busy weeks of constant desktop work – actual work and website-related content – and most evenings spent gaming, I’ve got no complaints other than the fact you can’t truly lounge in it (though I’m sure my muscles approve!).
What is an issue, and one prevalent with most ergonomic office chairs, is the price of entry. We all have different needs, most of us get buy with some bulk-produced variant, and it’s hard to argue these are somewhat of a luxury. That said, if you’re looking to invest in creating a more ergonomic and comfortable working environment – with all the potential benefits it brings for your health, concentration, and productivity – the BackSupport Office Chair BS10 is a great option.
Flexispot also have a massive sale live right now https://flexispot.co.uk/deals.html
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