A padded seat is better suited for extended sitting, while a mesh seat provides better air circulation and suits those who sit less or work in a warm room.

Your habitual working posture helps determine the type of lumbar support you need. If you sit upright, the support should closely match the natural curve of your lower back, lock in place at the right height, and avoid pushing your torso forward. If you tend to recline, dynamic-contact support is essential: it should move together with the backrest or be flexible enough to stay in contact as you lean back. If you frequently change position, it's better to choose support with adjustable height and depth of projection, so you can vary not only its placement but also the intensity of support throughout the day.

Your height helps determine the range of adjustments the chair needs. Seat height should let you place your feet flat on the floor without raising your shoulders or straining your thighs, seat depth should leave 2–3 cm between the front edge of the seat and the back of your knees, and lumbar support should support the natural curve of your lower spine. If the chair has a headrest or a high backrest, their height should also match your height so the support lines up precisely with your neck and the back of your head.

If the same chair is used by people of different heights and builds, a fixed seat and backrest design may work well for one person but feel uncomfortable for another. Adjustable seat depth helps provide proper thigh support, while adjustable backrest height helps position the lumbar, upper-back, and shoulder support correctly for each user’s height and body proportions. So, if several people will be using the chair, it is worth choosing a model with independently adjustable seat depth and backrest height.

Chair models differ in the number of adjustments they offer. More advanced options let you adjust seat height, seat depth, backrest tilt angle, recline resistance, backrest tilt lock, lumbar support height, lumbar support depth, armrest height, armrest width, armrest forward-backward position, armrest rotation angle, backrest height, headrest position, and headrest tilt angle. The more adjustments available, the more precisely the chair can be tailored to the user's individual parameters.

When a person sits, the back muscles constantly work to keep the body upright. The design of an ergonomic chair can take on part of that load. Professional models support the natural curve of the spine through the shape of the backrest, an adjustable lumbar support pad, and adjustable seat depth, which helps reduce back strain during prolonged static sitting.

If you change your backrest angle or work in a semi-reclined position, it's important that the headrest can be precisely adjusted — in both height and angle — so it actually supports your neck rather than just touching it. If you mostly sit upright and don't use it for support, this feature has little effect on comfort and isn't critical when choosing a chair.

Adjustable armrests are needed if your arms are unsupported part of the time (for example, while working with a mouse or keyboard). In that case, they should adjust in height and position to support your elbows and avoid creating tension in your shoulders. If your arms almost always rest on the desk, complex adjustments aren't essential.

When using the chair in a semi-reclined position, a footrest provides extra support and helps you relax more comfortably during rest or rocking mode. For a standard working posture at a desk, having one isn't critical, so it's more of an added-comfort option than a necessary work feature.

The urge to get up and walk around is often related to pressure from the seat on your thighs. A chair with an adjustable seat tilt angle lets you change how the load is distributed, reducing numbness without needing to stand up.