Not all office chairs have a proper headrest and it’s a bit of a shame. Many of us spend an enormous amount of time at our desks where a headrest comes in quite handy. The simple fact of the matter is that some people don’t realize how important a headrest can really be.
So, do you actually need a headrest on your office chair?

The answer is a resounding ‘yes.
A proper headrest can adjust with your work style, keep your neck from getting stiff, help you to rest without leaving your desk, and it’s good for your posture. In the case of some medical conditions, a headrest can even be vital and don’t forget the productivity boost that comes with comfort. The difference is like night and day!
Today we’re going to take a closer look at these reasons so that you can see for yourself – when the headrest is a good idea and it’s not.
Let’s take a look at the practical reasons behind this.
- In my view headrests is the same as an armrest. They both are useful but you should only use them when you feel tired and need some extra support because over-relying on them will reduce maintaining good posture on your own. What I mean is You should use a headrest occasionally not constantly.
- Like to lean back in Your chair and relax into relined position consider an office chair with a headrest or neck rest.
- Wanna improve your poster then the truth is according to Herman Miller having good posture doesn’t require a headrest.
- The headrest is not necessary accessories to an average person without any health issues but It’d be nice as an option for those who prefer it.
- If you have any health issues like the upper back, neck pain, or shoulder pain then it seems a high-backed chair with an adjustable headrest must add features In my perspective. From having head and neck support you must be benefitted from upper back, neck, or shoulder pain.
- For lower back pain sufferers, the reclined sitting position would be more comfortable but sitting in reclined position without head support can develop other problems like neck and shoulder pain so you should consider the headrest part of the chair it will also help your back to get its natural balance.
Table of Contents
Why You Should Get a Headrest on Your Office Chair
It may seem counterintuitive, but working long days sitting at a desk can take a large toll on your body. If you notice that your back and neck are sore after sitting in your chair for hours at a time, consider investing in a chair with a headrest.
Headrests on office chairs are ideal because they provide support for your neck and head. This means that your muscles and joints are not straining to keep your head balanced for long periods.
It may not seem like it, but your head is a very heavy body part! Sitting in a chair without a headrest can cause aches and pains in many of the following areas:
- Neck
- Shoulders
- Spine
- Lower or upper back
Adding a headrest is often a simple fix for your office-related aches and pains.
Benefits of chair headrest
1. An adjustable headrest is good for different working styles

Working styles vary from person to person and with some office chairs, this can be alarmingly limited.
With the installation of a proper headrest, however, you can accommodate a number of working styles. If you like to recline a little with your keyboard in your lap or simply in front of you, then that headrest makes it a breeze.
Maybe you’ve got multiple screens to deal with?
A headrest can give you support so that you can use all of them without having to constantly crane your neck.
It’s all about options, and when you’ve got 5 or 6 positions to support you then you are ready to tackle that mountain of work without fear of ‘office whiplash’.
2. A headrest helps to keep neck pain at bay
The most practical reason for a headrest is the simple fact that you need that kind of support for spending hours at a desk.
- While it’s not a bother when you first get into the office, after a few hours without proper neck support there is no avoiding the toll being taken on your neck.
- You might not even notice until you get home, but the tension builds up and it’s going to affect your comfort at home and also how long you can comfortably keep working in the office.
A headrest is a simple, sensible solution for this.
3. Sometimes you want to take a rest without leaving the desk
When you’ve got a large job, leaving your desk to take a rest can sometimes be a big mistake. It’s easy to procrastinate and most of us, knowing this, like to simply lean back and rest a moment before diving back into our work.
An adjustable headrest allows for this or for simply working with a relaxed, supported posture.
4. A headrest is good for your posture
Speaking of posture, without a proper ergonomic chair with a nice, adjustable headrest it is easy to slip into a bad posture that can affect both your time at the office and your time at home.
As we focus on our work, it’s natural to lean in or to rest our arms in unnatural positions and a headrest helps to keep you comfortable without a second thought. You can simply push deep into your chair, neck supported and arm-rests perfectly set, and put your energy where it belongs – on your work.
Without it, it’s easy to fidget about the whole day without even thinking about it… at least until you get home and feel the effects of sitting hunched-up all day!
5. Some medical conditions make a headrest a necessity
Sometimes there are medical conditions, such as muscular degeneration, chronic aches, and the like that make a headrest not only useful but completely vital for the person that will be using it.
Basic offers chairs tend to offer minimal support, and this can exacerbate existing conditions.
In cases like these, a headrest is not just a good idea –it can be the only reason that some people can work at all!
6. Comfort is conducive to productivity
The simple comfort of a headrest doesn’t seem like much – until you’ve experienced the difference for yourself. Let’s face it, work isn’t easy, otherwise, it would be called ‘fun’ instead of work.
Most of us spend a lot of time at our desks and in a busy workplace, there is always something to do.
When you or your employees are trying to keep focused, having to pause for a quick rub at the neck or always hunching over costs time and quickly takes its toll.
So, what happens if you need to stay later to finish something?
If your chair has been fatiguing you all day due to poor design, the natural inclination is to find a stopping point and to come back and attack the workload in the morning. With a proper headrest and ergonomic support, the chances of this happening are greatly reduced.
With support and comfort, people are able to focus on their work and if more comes along then it’s much easier to face that challenge without a sore neck and an aching back. It just makes good, solid sense.
Choosing a Headrest
Headrests can increase your comfort. Especially if you work long hours sitting in your chair, a headrest can cause an added level of comfort that will help you get through your day. However, you must get a headrest that fits your head and neck well to avoid causing further neck pain.
Choosing a headrest for your office chair may seem like a daunting task, but it does not have to be. Keep reading for some tips to follow to make sure you are choosing the best headrest for your lifestyle.
When you choose a headrest, you need to make sure that it is the right fit for you. Having an ill-fitting headrest can cause you more pain in the long run than not having one at all.
The following sections will provide advice on how you can pick a headrest that works for you.
1. Adjustability
When looking at office chairs with headrests, check to see if the headrest is adjustable.
Not everyone is the same height, and having an adjustable headrest will make it easier to raise or lower the headrest to the appropriate level for you.
2. Shape
The best headrests are ergonomic, meaning that they are specially shaped to support the human head.
Ergonomic headrests are often curved to ensure maximum comfort.
When shopping for an office chair, check if the headrest is ergonomic. If the chair has a flat, hard headrest, it will probably not be comfortable for you.
3. Material
This last consideration is more about personal preference.
Office chair headrests are usually made from the following materials:
- Mesh
- Leather
- Synthetic materials, such as polyester
If you find any of the above materials irritating, you should look for a material that is better suited for your skin.
Additionally, see if you can try the chair out beforehand to make sure that the material does not make you itch or cause skin irritation.
Can I Attach a Headrest to My Office Chair?
- Maybe you already have the office chair of your dreams, and it doesn’t have a headrest.
- Maybe you are looking to save some money.
Either way, it is common to wonder if you can purchase an attachable headrest that you can affix to your existing office chair.
Fortunately, several places sell attachable office chair headrests. These headrests are easy to add to your existing chair through the use of simple screws.
Just make sure that your office chair is compatible before making the purchase.
Office chairs are one of the most important parts of your office experience, and the amount of comfort your office chair provides can have a big impact on your pain level throughout the day. If you do a lot of work at your desk or computer, adding a headrest can be a great step to increase your comfort.
Take some time to do some research and set a budget. Decide if you want to buy a new chair altogether, or are just interested in an attachment. With a little preparation, you will soon have a headrest that works well for you.
Conclusion:
So, do you need a headrest on your office chair?
To Summarize:
- Like to lean back in Your chair consider a headrest.
- Headrest is not necessary to an average person without any health issues.
- However It’d be nice as an option for those who prefer it.
- You should use a headrest occasionally not constantly.
- Having a good posture doesn’t require a headrest.
- For health issues like upper back, neck, & shoulder pain, a headrest must add features.
- For lower back pain sufferers should consider the headrest part.
If you want to be able to work your best without putting undue strain on your body, a headrest really is a vital part of your office chair. It allows for different working styles, protects your neck from undue strain, and allows you to rest without leaving the desk and getting too distracted.
An ergonomic chair with an adjustable headrest is also good for your posture and for pre-existing medical conditions, it is even vital!
Finally, who is going to be more productive? The employee with the sore neck and back or the one who has had the advantage of a supportive framework to keep them upright and comfortable?
It really is no contest. With the amount of time that you spend at your desk, you owe it to yourself to see the difference that a good headrest can make.
It’s the sensible thing to do.
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