Just like mechanical pencils and drafting desks, a drafting chair also plays an important role in the tasks of architects, artists, designers, and other professionals. It provides the convenience these people need in executing their tasks that translates to their comfort.
According to the Alternative Back Pain Remedies channel, drafting chairs provide all the benefits of an ergonomic chair and make it easy to transition from sitting to standing.
Drafting chairs provide all the benefits of an ergonomic chair and make it easy to transition from sitting to standing.
Alternative Back Pain Remedies channel
It usually comes with a better height range that could reach 30” or more. Compared to a typical office chair that can only offer a maximum of 22-inch height, drafting chairs will complement the unusual height and build of drafting tables.
If you are searching for one, you might want to check on the material of the chair. This will contribute a lot to the durability and longevity of the product itself. Besides that, the design of the drafting chair is also an important thing to think about. Since it comes in great varieties, finding the details of the chair that will suit your need will benefit you greatly. Some of them could offer you features like padded back, mesh back, and an elevated footrest for extra comfort. They could also come in a form of usual office chairs or stools.
Some of the other considerations you need to look into are the casters, lumbar support, seat material, tilting mechanism, pneumatic height-adjustment capability, tilting mechanism, and the absence/presence of armrests.
One of the best drafting chairs that could offer the best features mentioned is the Nouhaus ErgoDraft Drafting Chair. It comes with a comfortable armrest and backrest made of mesh material. Unlike others, it is also filled with other great features such as an adjustable curved 2D headrest and its 135-degree synchro 2:1 tilt.
Nonetheless, if you need to look for more options, we prepared the five best options you can scrutinize. Here they are…
Best Drafting Chairs Comparison & Rating
1. Nouhaus ErgoDraft Drafting Chair
Brand | Nouhaus |
Max Weight Capacity | 275 pounds |
Height Range Adjustments | 23.4 to 30.9 inches |
Seat Material | Mesh |
Nouhaus ErgoDraft has a complete set of features that you would be looking for in a drafting chair. Its base is made of HD aluminum and it can carry a maximum of 275 pounds which is just enough considering its structure. Its size fits the standard range at 23.4 to 30.9 inches. It also comes with a footrest with a height from 18.3 – 22 inches, depending on the adjustment you’ll make. The hip space, on the other hand, comes at 19.3 inches which is technically great for most users with average hip sizes.
Of all the models we listed, this one has the most excellent detail for the benefit and comfort of your back, neck, and arms. The adjustable curved 2D headrest offers great support as it follows the shape of your skull. The arms are also adjustable and made with comfortable soft-grip PU that is very comfortable on the skin. Moreover, it offers a 135-degree synchro 2:1 tilt which allows great flexibility for users. Using this feature, you can recline the highback together with your seat which is one of the best features it has in terms of comfort! It also comes with a caster that can be easily locked and unlocked for easy movement and stability at the same time.
The entirety of the backrest is molded in a way to help users improve their posture. The integration of the ‘ElastoMesh’ material is also something to praise about it as it allows your back to breathe. Hence, no sweat and no irritating texture regardless of how long you would lean on it! At first, we were really hesitant about the support it could give, given that it is made of mesh. Nonetheless, upon testing it, the material managed to handle a person with 115 kg weight. The material stretched well and showed great ability in terms of integrity.
Lastly, it features a bag/coat hanger which adds up to the overall function of this drafting chair. With this, you have yourself a chair and an organizer just in one genius product!
2. Boss Office Ergonomic Works B1617-BK Drafting Chair
Brand | Boss Office |
Max Weight Capacity | 275 pounds |
Height Range Adjustments | 24 to 31.5 inches |
Seat Material | Fabric |
If you don’t want to gamble on drafting chairs featuring mesh material (though we assure you that the quality of their mesh is stellar) like Nouhaus ErgoDraft, this will impress you. In terms of the structure and the seating material, the Boss Office Ergonomic Works B1617-BK is impressive. The drafting chair has a solid backrest and seating material that combine comfort and sturdiness.
Everything about it is built with longevity in mind. The chair can tolerate minimal punctures and could ensure you that it’ll serve its purpose for a very long time. The material also covers the back of the backrest which means it is also very friendly towards delicate painted walls.
Furthermore, both the backrest and the seat itself are contoured which is also helpful. The details are not that prominent compared to Nouhaus ErgoDraft but given the thick padding material the chair has, its comfort is grand.
Moreover, the chair is armed with an effective pneumatic gas lift seat height adjustment. Very responsive. The chair also comes with wheel casters that deliver smooth movements. We would really love to see them with a lock feature to help with the stability of the chair, especially when you are working on delicate drafting projects. Nonetheless, this is just a small gripe since the casters are ultra-smooth and the base of the chair itself is exemplary in handling the 275-pound weight capacity.
3. Office Star DC2990 Drafting Chair
Brand | Office Star |
Max Weight Capacity | 250 pounds |
Height Range Adjustments | 24.25 to 33.75 inches |
Seat Material | Fabric |
Office Star DC2990 can give you durability, comfort, and great maneuverability at the same time. It features a mesh backrest that is well-contoured and follows the shape of your back. We really love how it feels like it’s enveloping your sides which gives comfort and safety when you lean on it. The lumbar support is also a great addon that makes the backrest feel solid.
The chair is also equipped with great adjustment features starting from the pneumatic height mechanism (24.25 inches to 33.75 inches) to its back and foot adjustments. For its size, we really appreciate that it offers these features that highlight its versatility.
Further, the seat itself boasts thick layers of soft material that can support up to 250 pounds of weight. Compared to the Boss Office Ergonomic Works model, the softness of its seat is more pronounced and the padding is really reliable in maintaining its form even after an extended hour of sitting.
The chair is well-designed and will give you the ergonomic feeling you used to experience in the office. Really promotes great comfort that prevents back pain. The fact that it is an armless model with a relatively wider seat diameter means it can also cater to individuals with bigger rears!
4. Office Star DC517V Drafting Chair
Brand | Office Star |
Max Weight Capacity | 250 pounds |
Height Range Adjustments | 23 to 33 inches |
Seat Material | Vinyl |
Office Star DC517V is another option to have if comfort and compact size are your primary concerns. It is an armless design, so it could cater to most body sizes of users.
It uses both vinyl material on the seat and the backrest which are both very comfortable and can compete with Boss Office Ergonomic Works B1617-BK and Nouhaus ErgoDraft. It will allow you to seat on it comfortably for long hours. Not too soft and not too firm!
The frame is very sturdy and can assure you the stability you are looking for. It also offers great adjustments in the seat, backrest, and footrest which will make you feel more comfortable while working. However, be aware that the seat itself won’t recline, though the backrest allows it. Nonetheless, given its design, this is understandable to prevent it from tipping.
Furthermore, when we tested it for a 200-pound weight, we experienced a little sinking action from the seat but it managed to get back on the height we set it to. The height adjustment is also pretty good at 23 to 33 inches. The pneumatic adjustment process is easy and smooth. You wouldn’t even hear a sound from it when you adjust it. Highly recommended.
5. Amolife L01 Multi-Purpose Drafting Stool
Brand | Amolife |
Max Weight Capacity | 320 pounds |
Height Range Adjustments | 17 to 25 inches |
Seat Material | Faux Leather |
Amolife L01 is a true multi-purpose stool that will give you your money’s best worth, Due to its design, it can also function as an exquisite bar and kitchen stool that can be adjusted easily depending on your preference. The shape of its seat also enables it to give you a phenomenal 360-degree swivel feature and overall maneuverability.
The quality of the base and the casters are also no joke. Very thick and solid metal body and the casters never fail to make you feel as if you are gliding on smooth ice. When you seat on it, you’ll adore how its stance can remain unmoved. The adjustment action, on the other hand, is first-class. You’ll feel how smooth the transition is. You can reach the adjustment handle easily regardless of your seating position.
Moreover, the upholstered faux leather seat is also thick. Quite firm compared to other models but this reflects how solid its build is. It consists of PU leather with 1 cm virgin cotton, a 5 cm memory sponge, a 1.2 cm multi-layer board, and 80 g non-woven fabric for the bottom cover.
Due to the nature of the seat’s texture, it is easy to clean, be it water, oil, wine, or any sort of liquid. Most of all, it can complement most house themes and can even fit the vibe in bars and restos!
Best Drafting Chairs - Buyer's Guide
A drafting chair should at least meet the standard height requirement of 30-inches in order to give you its main function. This height is set to complement the typical heights of a drafting desk. However, it will be better if it has a wide height range. This will allow versatility over its function as it can also function as a normal chair when set lower than 24”, especially for drafting stools. The height adjustment will also benefit you if your drafting table is higher or has an adjustment feature, as well.
There are a variety of styles among drafting chairs. Some come with a backrest and armrests while some don’t include one of the two or both features. Choosing the style should depend on your preference.
It will really be better if you have a drafting chair with the said features as it will be beneficial in case you decide to take a break. Nonetheless, most of the time, a backrest and armrests aren’t needed while you are busy drawing or dealing with your work project. With this, choosing a drafting stool over a drafting chair with armrests and backrest would just be fine as long it serves its function.
The ergonomics of the chair is also important as it will contribute to your comfort. The set of ergonomic details vary from one product to another, so it will always better to look for the item that offers the best ones. For instance, the Nouhaus ErgoDraft has a 135-degree synchro 2:1 tilt which most chairs on the market don’t have. The Boss Office Ergonomic Works B1617-BK, on the other hand, has a well-contoured seat and backrest to guide you in your seating. Its pad also extends to the back of the backrest so it won’t scratch your walls regardless of how many times it accidentally bumps onto it. With all of that, it is very important to be keen on spotting these things as they will still benefit you regardless of how huge or small these ergonomic details are.
The material of the chair won’t just mean comfort to you, but so as to the longevity and durability of the chair itself. Having a seat made of mesh material is undeniably, and without a doubt, comfortable. It prevents numbing of your rear when you seat on them for an extended period of time and allows breathability of your back to prevent sweat. However, such a material can be very vulnerable to cuts from sharp objects. The same goes for leathers. If you want a more durable material, look for seats made of thick fabrics like what Boss Office Ergonomic Works B1617-BK offers.
Best Drafting Chairs - FAQs
The difference between a drafting chair and an office chair lies in their height capabilities. Though office chairs also feature an adjustable height feature, drafting chairs are far superior when it comes to the range that they can go beyond 30” in height.
Drafting chairs are high and commonly come with a wide range for height adjustment to allow them to complement the height of drafting tables that is commonly high.
Yes, you also use drafting chairs as office chairs. Besides their standard 30” height, they can be adjusted and be as low as 22”, which is the standard height of office chairs.
Yes, you can use a drafting chair for a normal table as long as they complement each other’s height. Nonetheless, drafting tables, of course, are more ergonomic and offer more specific capabilities like a tilting work surface.
