Do you need a headrest for an office chair?

Key points
Benefits of an ergonomic chair with a headrest
Where should the headrest be positioned on an office chair?
Why don’t some ergonomic chairs have a headrest?
What about a balance (wobble) stool? A headrest-free alternative
Do you actually need a headrest?

You're looking for a comfortable chair, but you’re not sure if it’s the right one, because some have a tall headrest while others only reach your shoulders. So, which one suits you best? A note: the answer doesn’t depend on the office chair’s price.

Key points

A headrest supports your head and neck when you lean back, helping most if you sit for long hours or recline often.
The position should meet the back of your head, not your neck.
Some ergonomic chairs skip the headrest on purpose. They're built for active, upright sitting, where your head stays balanced over your shoulders.
A balance stool is another headrest-free option that keeps your core engaged instead of leaning back.
Whether you need one depends on how you sit. Neither choice is better, but the right setup is the one that fits you.

Benefits of an ergonomic chair with a headrest

When your head doesn’t have a support, it’s easier to lean forward while sitting instead of keeping your neck straight and relaxed. This way, your muscles tense and the upper back feels tired or stiff.

For long days at the office desk, headrest benefits give that area regular breaks. It also encourages your upper back to settle into the chair instead of curling forward.

Where should the headrest be positioned on an office chair?

A headrest only helps if it is placed in the right spot of your ergonomic desk chair. It should touch the back of your head but shouldn’t support your neck. When placed there, your head rests back easily, and your neck keeps its natural shape.

If the headrest is too low, it often presses on your neck and pushes your chin up. That can feel like strain instead of rest. If you notice this, raising it a little usually fixes the problem. Height matters elsewhere, too, so if your chair sits too low for your desk, even a well-placed headrest won't fix your angle.

Why don’t some ergonomic chairs have a headrest?

A chair can match everything the meaning of an ergonomic chair covers and still have no headrest, on purpose. They’re designed for active sitting, where you stay upright and focused instead of leaning back for a long time. When your head is naturally balanced over your shoulders while you work, a headrest isn’t actually helpful.

This design often works well for people who write or type most of the day or just want a simpler, less bulky computer chair. For these users, the most important support is in the lower back, helping keep their posture straight instead of supporting the head, which is why knowing how to position lumbar support can make a difference.

What about a balance (wobble) stool? A headrest-free alternative

If you look at both options and feel that a chair with a headrest isn’t right for you, there’s another way to sit. A balance stool for active sitting has no back or headrest because it isn’t made for leaning back. Instead, you stay gently active, making small movements to keep your balance while you work.

It works well for people who feel restless in a traditional ergonomic chair, switch tasks often, or like to keep moving during the day. It’s not for everyone, and that’s the point! It’s just another way to sit.

Do you actually need a headrest?

Well, it depends. A headrest helps most if you lean back often, sit for long stretches, or feel tension building in your neck by the afternoon. In these cases, extra support gives tired muscles a real break. But if you sit upright, lean into your work, or prefer to keep moving, you may never miss it. Neither choice is better than the other.

If neck pain sticks around no matter what you change, it's worth checking with a professional. Either way, the right setup is the one that fits your day, and you can find different options of Desktronic ergonomic chairs.

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SitOne ergonomic chair

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SitPro ergonomic chair

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From Sale price $439 $749
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