When buying chairs for big and tall people, comfort is not just everything – it may be the only thing. The wrong chair could cause any number of problems, from fatigue to aches and pains, to severe loss of productivity and potential long-term problems.
There are certain chairs that are ergonomically designed to best suit those who fall under the “big and tall” categories.
Let’s understand what you should be looking for to get a chair that works for you.
Who is Considered to be Tall and Big?
According to the CDC published National Health Statistics reports from 2018:
- The average height of US males is 5 feet 9 inches.
- The average height of US females is 5 feet 4 inches.
Based on this, any man or woman above 6 feet in height would qualify as “tall”.
Also:
- The average weight of a US male above 20 years of age is 197.9 lbs.
- The average weight of a US woman above 20 years of age is 170.6 lbs.
Tall and big people are classified in terms of normal weights based on BMI ranges, which should be between 140 to 177 lbs. for people who are 6 feet tall.
However, for the purpose of choosing a chair, big and tall people can be classified as those who stand more than 6 feet tall and weigh above 213 pounds – which is the upper limit of being overweight for people of that height. With a bit of allowance, standard chairs are designed to comfortably support a weight of 250 lbs.
For big and tall buyers, chairs should allow for supporting weights between 275 to 500 lbs. We have used those criteria in our choice of chairs.
How Do You Decide on Chairs that Work Best for Big and Tall People?
Let’s start with the basic characteristics for a comfortable chair. We shortlist eight primary areas and a few secondary features to consider.
Primary Attributes – Must Haves
The eight primary considerations are:
1. Maximum Weight Capacity
With big and tall people, the weight being put on the chair overall could be even double that of the 250 lb. normal threshold we mentioned above. The ideal chairs may need to support more than 300 lbs. – and as much as 500 lbs. – of bodyweight comfortably.
2. Maximum Seat Height
Ideally, people should be able to sit up straight, with their legs folded at a right angle (900 angles) at the knees, and with feet comfortably planted on the floor – without having to fold their legs. The average tall and big person will typically need a chair whose seat height is at least 19-20 inches off the ground.
- Every additional 2-3 inches in height will normally require the seat height to go up by an inch. For example, a 6 ft. tall person needs a seat height of 19 inches; whereas a 6 ft. 3 inches tall person requires 20 inches; a 6 ft 8 inches tall person requires 22 inches; and a 7 ft 3 inches tall person requires 24 inches in height.
In general, the best solution would be to find a chair whose maximum height is above 24 inches but which height can be adjusted to suit your specific requirements. Even the seat height guidelines posted above are dependent on normal ratios between torsos, upper leg, and lower leg. So, the best chairs should be adjustable.
3. Seat Depth
For big and tall people, the minimum seat depth should be at a minimum of 19 inches to accommodate their long upper leg (femur) bones. Otherwise, their seating posture would be compromised one way or the other.
4. Seat Width
Just as with depth, the average big and tall person is likely to have a wide seat and will need space to spread out and comfortably rest their thighs. A tall person should look for seat widths in excess of 19 inches – someone who is above 250 lbs. should probably look for seats at least 24 inches in width.
5. Height and Width of Backrest
The height of the backrest may or may not be important, but it depends on the type of chair you are looking for. If the chair has a headrest, especially one that cannot be detached, the height of the backrest is crucial. A big and tall person could become very uncomfortable sitting on a permanently attached, non-adjustable headrest sitting on top of a short backrest.
If, on the other hand, there is no headrest, the height needs to be sufficient to provide upper back support. Backrest heights should be at least 20 inches.
If the headrest is included, sit on the chair and make sure that its height can be adjusted to where the bulge can align properly with the cervical spine and/or the back of the head.
Finally, the backrest width also needs to be sufficient to support a wide torso – usually, 20+ inches is an acceptable width.
6. Backrest Tilt and Incline
Chairs for big and tall people are subjected to significant torque and tension – this means that the backrest can be steadily bent back with use if not properly supported. Backrests that bend too much are bad for the users, while those that sit rigid upright are equally so.
The best chairs for big and tall people should feature adjustable lumbar supports and a tilt-and-lock mechanism that allows you to fix the backrest in positions where you can sit comfortably without causing damage to your spine or back muscles.
7. Balance
This is an underrated quality. With chairs whose adjustable seats can be placed up to two-and-a-half feet off the floor, potentially with high backrests in some cases, the balance needs to be right and comfortable. The best chairs have been designed so that their centers of gravity are lower to the ground and the seat is comfortable without feeling wobbly.
8. Warranty
Given the potential wear and tear, and the possibility of defective components in a chair that requires some complex and competent assembly, warranty provisions are important to review.
Secondary Attributes – Nice to Have
In addition to the attributes described above, there are a few additional comfort areas that can be addressed by chairs designed for big and tall people. While they are not vital, these are characteristics that could end up being the difference between a good chair and a great chair:
1. Armrest position and extension
This can prove to be a very desirable feature over the long term. The bigger and taller you are, the better the chances that your arms may extend beyond the armrest provided on your chair. Also, the elbow and arm position will get cramped or fatigued if the armrest is either too high or too low, respectively.
The best chairs available will feature armrests that can both be extended, if needed, and be height adjustable for maximum comfort.
2. Mesh Back for ventilation
Bigger people may have a tendency to sweat more, which means that if the chair back is made out of solid material, it may get warm and uncomfortable. Mesh-backed chairs solve the problem by providing superior ventilation.
3. Padded seats
Foam or another padding could be a boon for big and tall people. Chair seats take on a lot of wear and tear and your own seat can benefit from a 4-6 inches padding.
4. Sturdy Frame
This should be obvious. If a chair is habitually supporting 275+ lbs. of weight, it needs to be made with a frame that will last – otherwise, you are looking at a chair that will get increasingly uncomfortable, not maintain its shape and pliability, and may not to be replaced at considerable expense after a relatively short period.
5. Stability of Base
Many chairs for office use are “rolling” chairs that are supported by rollers and casters. The sturdiness and stability of these components could make a big difference in terms of how the chair, as a whole, functions over time. Big and tall people are likely to put extra pressure – if it erodes or skews the base, you will need a replacement chair sooner rather than later.
Value EQUALS the Price You’re Able and Willing to Pay!
While it does make sense to be focused on finding all the great features described above, you should not forget to equate the price of the chair to the long-term value it provides you.
There are specialized, ergonomic chairs that cost $1000 or substantially more. These prices may well be beyond the budget of the average buyer.
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