Do you need a headrest on your office chair?

You want a chair that supports you, but you're not sure which one is best. Some have a tall headrest, and others only go up to your shoulders. So which one works best for you? A quick note: the price of the chair doesn’t matter.

Key points

• A headrest supports your head and neck when you lean back, and it’s most helpful if you sit for many hours or lean back during the day.
• It should touch the back of your head, not your neck.
• Some ergonomic chairs don’t have a headrest on purpose. They’re made for sitting upright and active, where your head stays balanced over your shoulders.
• Another option without a headrest is a balance stool that keeps your core muscles working instead of letting you lean back.
• Whether you need a headrest depends on how you sit. Neither choice is better!

Benefits of an office chair with a headrest

When your head has no support, it's easy to lean forward while sitting instead of keeping your neck straight and relaxed. Soon, your muscles get tight and your upper back feels stiff or tired.

During a long day at your desk, a headrest gives your neck and upper back a chance to rest. It also helps your upper back stay relaxed against the chair instead of bending forward as time goes by.

Where should the headrest sit on an office chair?

A headrest is useful only if it’s in the right place on your ergonomic desk chair. It should touch the back of your head but not support your neck. When positioned correctly, your head rests comfortably while your neck keeps its natural curve.

If the headrest is too low, it pushes on your neck and lifts your chin up, and this feels like strain. If this happens, raising it a little usually fixes the problem. Also, height matters in other ways, so if your chair is too low for the desk, even a well-placed headrest won't give you the right posture.

Why do some ergonomic chairs come without a headrest?

A chair can match the meaning of an ergonomic chair and still not have a headrest, by design. These chairs are made for active sitting, where you stay upright and alert, instead of leaning back for long periods. When your head is naturally balanced over your shoulders while you work, a headrest doesn’t add much support.

This design usually fits people who write or type most of the day or who prefer a simpler, less bulky desk chair. For them, the important support is in the lower back, helping keep posture straight instead of holding up the head, which is why knowing how to adjust lumbar support can really help.

A headrest-free alternative: a balance (wobble) stool

If you've considered both options and think a chair with a headrest doesn't suit you, there’s another way to sit. A balance stool for active sitting has no back or headrest because it’s not made for leaning back. Instead, you stay lightly active, making small movements to keep your balance while you continue working.

It usually works well for people who feel fidgety in a regular ergonomic chair, change tasks often, or like to keep moving during the day. It’s not for everyone, and that is the idea! It’s just another way to sit.

Do you really need a headrest?

A headrest is most helpful if you lean back a lot, sit for long periods, or start to feel neck tension by the afternoon. In those cases, the extra support gives tired muscles a good rest. But if you sit up straight, focus on your work, or like to keep moving, you might not miss it at all. Neither option is better than the other!

If neck pain continues, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor or a physical therapist. Either way, the best setup is the one that works for your day, and you can check out the different Desktronic ergonomic chair options.