Animators like you spend about half of the day sitting. A comfortable chair can make the difference between a productive day full of creativity and an annoying day filled with aches and pains.
This is why choosing the perfect chair is so important for an animator. Most likely, you will be sitting down and not standing up while working on your computer or your laptop, which means your work environment is hugely defined by your chair.
Using an uncomfortable chair not only makes your work day less fun, but it can also lead to serious health problems short-term and down the road if not dealt with immediately.
Whether you’re planning on buying a new desk chair for personal use or you are working from home, there are three important factors to consider before buying your animation chair:
Image by Hanliang via Unsplash
Ergonomics (how your chair optimizes your well-being and performance)
- Is your chair comfortable enough?
- Will it help you avoid, back pain, neck pain, or wrist pain?
- Is it easy to adjust according to your preferences?
- Can it accommodate your weight and height?
- Can you sit down for a long period of time without much trouble?
Price
- Is the price of your animation chair within your allotted budget?
- Is the chair worth the cost you’re spending?
Quality
- Is it made out of sturdy material?
- Is it durable?
- Is it stylish? (This is less important, but still something to consider!)
Now that we know the important factors to consider when buying our first or next animation chair, we will share our top 10 best chairs for animators.
1) Capisco Ergonomic Office Chair (With Saddle Seat)
Image via Amazon
Topping our list is the Capisco Ergonomic Office Chair with fully adjustable seat height, seat depth, back height, and back tilt, it can be adjusted according to your exact seating preference for maximum comfort.
Want to be able to sit sideways, forwards, backward, or with your feet tucked under your legs while animating? Then this chair is perfect for you. Its style is minimalist, comes in different colors, and is very space conserving.
For a full video review of the product, click here.
2) The Edge Desk System Ergonomic Adjustable Kneeling Desk
Image via Amazon
This chair has something a little extra: a desk! And a comfortable one, at that. Not only can you sit and kneel comfortably, but you also have a portable desk right in front of you.
And don’t worry if you’re better at drawing than working a screwdriver: it also comes fully assembled.
Using a laptop or trying to do some sketches? This may be the animation chair you have been waiting for! With its kneeling feature, adjustable work surface that adjusts from a flat desk to a raised easel, and sleek design, you can’t go wrong with this desk-chair combination.
For a full video review of the product, click here.
3) Herman Miller Sayl Chair
Image via Amazon
This chair not only looks futuristic, it provides amazing comfort too! The suspension back of this chair is a flexible elastomer that adjusts and adapts to a user’s unique shape and body type.
This chair is built with Eco Design material, meaning it’s 93% recyclable, and it is also lightweight and durable. Style-wise, it is simply elegant looking.
For a full video review of the product, click here.
4) Herman Miller Embody
Image via Amazon
Another great chair for animators comes from the Herman Miller team is the Herman Miller Embody chair.
True to its name ‘Embody’, it boasts great support for pressure distribution and healthy movement in ergonomic seating. According to the company, it has been reviewed by more than 20 physicians and PhDs in the fields of biomechanics, physical therapy, vision, and ergonomics.
If you are looking for a chair that can be your body’s best pal, this is the animation chair you are looking for as an animator.
For a full video review of the product, click here.
5) Nouhaus Ergo3D
Image via Ubuy
Originally designed for gamers, having this chair as an animator will help support your hard-working arms and hands.
Designed with a great adjustable armrest and 3D lumbar support system, this chair is perfect for sitting and working on your computer for a long time. Your back, arms, and wrists will surely thank you for getting one.
Another key feature of this chair is its adjustable headrest. It’s perfect for a quick nap while on a long animation project.
For a full video review of the product, click here.
6) Steelcase Leap Chair
Image via atWork
Part of the Steelcase Chair series, Steelcase Leap boasts a unique feature called LiveBack technology which allows the back of the chair to move the way your back moves, naturally.
It also has a lower back firmness tension knob allowing you to set the amount of firmness you need to help maintain your lower spine’s natural curve.
This chair is best for people who have back problems and who are looking for chairs with their backs as a primary factor of concern.
For a full video review of the product, click here.
7) Serta Ergonomic Executive Office Chair Motion Technology
Image via Amazon
In addition to this chair’s executive and classy looking style made of fabric or leather, this chair’s cushion features are really helpful for its user’s comfort.
You can tilt the seat forward so that your core can be comfortable. Some reviews say that it is hip-friendly as well, as the chair goes along with your motion.
For a full video review of the product, click here.
8) Sleekform Atlanta Kneeling Chair
Image via Galleon
Our second kneeling chair on the list comes with a kneeling seat cushion angled at a comfortable 90 degrees. This is said to promote better posture and distributes your weight throughout your legs and buttocks in an even manner.
This chair can actually help you improve your posture as it aligns your spine correctly when used. So not only is this a comfortable solution, it’s a healthy one as well!
For a full video review of the product, click here.
9) Amazon Basics High-Back Executive
Image via Amazon
Looking for a value for money chair for animation? Then this is perfect for you.
This chair comes highly-reviewed on Amazon, so if you trust your fellow chair-sitters, you will be in good shape with this chair. Amazon’s High-Back Executive chair also has a classic look as opposed to some of the more futuristic-looking options on the list, and it comes in leather for a comfortable sitting experience. Comes with a 360-degree swivel and smooth-rolling casters.
It has a butterfly seat plate, adjustable settings (height), and curved contours to help keep your back supported and your body aligned.
For a full video review of the product, click here.
10) Active Collection Locus Mobile Stand-up Leaning Seat with Footrest Platform
Image via Amazon
Where are our stand-workers at? This one's for you! For our last chair and definitely not the least comes this unique number. This chair can be used not only as a chair but also as a leaning sit.
Sometimes, when you have been animating too much, you just want to stand up for a bit because your legs feel numb. This chair is great because you can continue animating while slightly standing up or leaning against the chair.
You might want to invest in an adjustable table as well to perfectly complement this chair. What’s amazing with this seat is that it also comes with a footrest, leaving your body in a comfortable position.
For a full video review of the product, click here.
Conclusion
Your animation chair is one of the most important investments you can make during your animation career. In the long run, the way you sit, how you sit, and where you sit will all affect you and your productivity greatly, not to mention your health.
Ergonomics are important to consider when choosing a chair. If you can’t sit comfortably, you won’t feel your best, and having an uncomfortable feeling will make it hard for you to concentrate and focus on animating.
Not all chairs are created equally. Every animator has different preferences or ideas when choosing a chair. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable while working. If your chair is great value and looks good, that’s a great bonus!
We hope this blog post helped you find your perfect chair! Now, you can help someone else find theirs. Share this article with your animator friends to send a subtle hint that it may be time to upgrade.
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