Do you need a headrest on your office chair? Not for typing: you'll mostly sit upright, away from it. A headrest earns its place when you lean back, for calls, reading or a pause between tasks.
If you recline often, choose an ergonomic chair with a headrest that adjusts in height, so it meets your neck rather than the back of your head.
Here's how to decide, what to look for, and which of our chairs have one.
Do office chairs need a headrest?
No. UK screen regulations don't require one. The Display Screen Equipment Regulations ask for a stable chair, a seat that adjusts in height and a back that adjusts in height and tilt. A headrest is an extra.
Whether it's worth having depends on how you sit:
- Mostly typing, upright: a headrest won't get much use. Put the money into seat and back adjustment.
- Lots of calls, reading or video meetings: you'll lean back more, and a headrest gives your head somewhere to rest.
- Tall: a standard backrest may stop below your shoulders. A high back or headrest fills the gap.
- Long shifts: some 24-hour chairs, like the Strata and Fonz, come with one.
Does a headrest help with neck and shoulder pain?
We can't promise that it will. A headrest gives your head somewhere to rest when you lean back, and some people find that more comfortable. It won't fix a chair that doesn't fit, or a screen that's too low. If you have neck or shoulder pain, speak to your GP or occupational health adviser, and check your set-up against HSE's posture guidance first.
What to look for in an ergonomic office chair with a headrest
Check the chair first and the headrest second. A headrest can't make up for a seat or back that doesn't fit. “Ergonomic” simply means designed to fit the person using it and the work they do, so the test is always how well it adjusts to you.
The basics come first
Make sure the seat height suits your desk, the seat depth leaves a 2–3 cm gap behind your knee, and the back supports your lower back. Those are HSE's posture checks for screen work, and they matter more than anything above your shoulders.
- Seat depth: a seat slide moves the seat forwards or back while you stay against the backrest. Without one, the seat's fixed depth has to suit you as it is.
- Seat width: it rarely adjusts, so compare the figure with the person who'll use it.
- Lowest seat height: shorter users should check the bottom of the range, not just the top. If your feet still don't rest flat, HSE's checklist says a footrest may be needed.
- Seat padding: sit right back and feel the front edge of the seat. The cover tells you little about how firm the seat is. Good padding spreads your weight, so no one spot takes the pressure. Memory foam and gel cushions mould to your shape as you move.
Arms that let you get close
Arms should support your elbows with your shoulders relaxed, and still let you pull in to the desk. Height-adjustable arms move up and down; 2D arms also move in or out; 3D arms add forward and back. Which movements a chair has varies by model, so check the listing.
A headrest that adjusts
Look for one that moves up and down, and ideally tilts. That lets you move it to your neck, within its range. Some headrests also move forwards and back, so the pad sits closer to your head or further away. None of the chairs in our table lists that, so don't assume it.
Check the range both ways: tall users need it to go high enough, and shorter users low enough. Our product pages don't list headrest ranges, so ask our friendly team. Fixed headrests, built into the back, suit some people and miss others, so try the fit if you can.
Some headrests are fixed to the back and move with it as you recline; others you set by hand. Either way, it should stay where you put it.
A back that reclines with you
A headrest is used when you lean back, so the recline matters. A synchro mechanism tilts the seat and back together. A tension knob lets you match the recline to your weight, and a lock holds it upright when you're typing.
The right cover
Mesh backs and headrests suit warm rooms. Padded fabric or leather feels softer against your head. Choose what you'd rather lean on, and judge the seat padding separately.
A headrest gets a lot of contact, so pick a hard-wearing cover. Compare the build too: the frame and base materials are listed on most product pages. And think about the look, since a high-back chair with a headrest stands out in a room.
If sustainability matters to you, look for chairs that list recycled plastics or organic fabrics. Our product data for the chairs below doesn't list either, so ask our friendly team to check with the maker.
Office chairs with a headrest in our range
These chairs all have a headrest. The figures come from our product data.
| Chair | Headrest | Seat (W × D) | Arms | Hours and weight rating | Seat height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strata High-Back Task Chair | Height and tilt adjustable | 520 × 530 mm, slides 60 mm | Height adjustable | 24 hours; 152 kg | 470–540 mm |
| Fonz Chair | Height and tilt adjustable | 490 × 460 mm, no slide | Height and width | 24 hours; 152 kg | 495–575 mm |
| Chachi Ergonomic | Mesh; adjustment not listed | 500 × 490 mm | 3D | 8 hours; weight not listed | 460–560 mm |
| Denali High-Back with Headrest | Built in | 500 × 500 mm | Height adjustable | 8 hours; 115 kg | 480–550 mm |
| Maldini Mesh Back, white frame | Built in | 520 × 500 mm | Height adjustable | 8 hours; 115 kg | Not listed |
For long days or shared desks, the Strata and Fonz are the strongest picks: both headrests adjust, and both chairs are rated for 24-hour use. The Strata's sliding seat makes it the easier one to share between people of different sizes. For a normal working day, the Chachi adds a split mesh back and arms that adjust three ways.
Before you order, check three things on the product page: which castors it has for your floor, whether it arrives for you to assemble (the Fonz and Denali do), and the guarantee for how you'll use it.
How to adjust a headrest and lumbar support
Set the lumbar support first, then the headrest. Five quick steps:
- Sit right back in the seat, with the 2–3 cm gap behind your knees.
- Move the back or lumbar support until it fits the curve of your lower back.
- Lean back into the position you use for calls or reading.
- Slide the headrest up or down until it meets your neck and the base of your head.
- Tilt it, if it tilts, so you can rest without pushing your chin down.
Through the day, shift your weight and change position: lean back for calls, sit up to type. Some high-end chairs even have posture sensors that give feedback and remind you to move.
Then sit upright to type. The headrest should be out of the way, not pushing your head forward. Lean back once more: the pad should reach you without you stretching for it, and stay at the height you set.
Compact task chair or full ergonomic chair with a headrest?
For a small home office, a compact task chair is often enough if you mostly type. Choose a full ergonomic chair with a headrest if you spend long spells on calls or reading, or if you're tall.
Measure before you buy. Check the chair fits under your desk with the arms down, and that the base fits the floor space: the Denali's base is 620 mm across, and the Strata's, Chachi's and Fonz's 700–720 mm. Leave room behind the chair to lean back, since that's when you'll use the headrest.
Find a headrest chair that fits
A headrest is a comfort extra, not a must. Get the seat and back right first, then add a headrest if you lean back often. Browse our high-back office chairs and ergonomic office chairs, read our guide to making a desk chair more comfortable, or ask our friendly team for help choosing.
