Tech
Power Up Everything With the Best Portable Chargers
What Features Should I Look for in Power Banks?
There are a few things worth thinking about when you’re shopping for a portable charger.
The capacity of a power bank is measured in milliampere-hours (mAh), but this can be a little misleading because the amount of power you get out depends on the cable you use, the device you’re charging, and the charging method (Qi wireless charging is less efficient). You will never get the maximum capacity. We try to provide a minimum estimate of what you’ll get in terms of charges for devices.
The charging rate for devices like smartphones is measured in watts (W), but most power banks list the voltage (V) and the amperage (A). Thankfully, you can calculate the wattage yourself simply by multiplying the voltage and amperage. Unfortunately, getting that maximum rate also depends on your device, the standards it supports, and the charging cable you use. Many smartphones, including Apple’s iPhones, support the power delivery standard, meaning you can use higher-power power banks to recharge the device with no issues. A few phones, such as Samsung’s Galaxy S range, support a supplementary PD protocol called PPS (Programmable Power Supply) that goes up to 45 watts. Many phones also support Qualcomm’s proprietary Quick Charge (QC) standard. There are also other proprietary fast-charging standards, but you won’t generally find power banks that support them unless they come from the smartphone manufacturer.
Your device will need pass-through support if you want to charge your power bank and use it to charge another device simultaneously. The Nimble, GoalZero, Biolite, Mophie, Zendure, and Sharge portable chargers listed support pass-through charging. Anker discontinued support for pass-through in some of its products because it found that differences between the output of the wall charger and the input of the device being charged can cause the power bank to cycle on and off rapidly and shorten its lifespan. Monoprice does not support pass-through charging either. We would advise caution when using pass-through, as it can also cause portable chargers to heat up.
Can I Take a Power Bank on a Plane?
It’s safe to travel with a power bank, but there are two main restrictions to keep in mind when you board a flight: You must have the portable charger in your carry-on luggage (it cannot be checked), and it must not exceed 100 watt-hours (WH). If your power bank has a larger capacity than 27,000 mAh, you should check with the airline. Below that should not be a problem.
Some airlines introduced stricter rules in 2025, so always check with your chosen airline before you travel. For example, some airlines prefer you not to use or charge power banks during a flight, some require power banks to be in your hand luggage under the seat in front of you and not in the overheads, and some limit the number of power banks you can have onboard.
Why You Should Avoid Cheap Power Banks
Many years ago, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 gained notoriety when its batteries caught fire in a series of incidents. There’s been a steady stream of similar, though isolated, incidents ever since. However, despite the high-profile coverage of batteries gone wrong, the vast majority of lithium-ion batteries are safe.
The chemical reaction that occurs inside a lithium-ion cell is complex, but as in any battery, there’s a negative and a positive electrode. In lithium batteries, the negative is a lithium-carbon compound, and the positive is cobalt oxide (though many battery makers are moving away from cobalt). These two compounds cause a reaction that is safe when controlled and delivers energy to your devices. When the reaction gets out of control, though, you end up with earbuds melting in your ears. What changes a safe reaction to an uncontrolled reaction can be any number of things: excess heat, physical damage during use, physical damage during manufacture, or using the wrong charger.
The three basic rules that have kept me safe (thus far) through testing dozens and dozens of batteries are:
- Avoid cheap cords, chargers, and outlet adapters.
- Make sure batteries aren’t exposed to excessive heat (over 110 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Regularly inspect batteries for signs of damage.
Avoiding cheap wall-outlet adapters, cords, and chargers is the most important. These are your most likely source of problems. Those chargers you see on Amazon for $20 cheaper than the competition? Not worth it. They probably got the price down by skimping on insulation, leaving out power-management tools, and ignoring the basics of electrical safety. Price alone is no guarantee of safety, either. Buy from reputable companies and brands.
Then there’s heat. Too much of it can cause all manner of problems, both in terms of discharge and in terms of safety. Avoid heat, and pay attention to your batteries when they’re charging. If your device gets overly hot when charging, this can be a sign of problems. Similarly, beware of any swollen, bulging, or otherwise misshapen batteries.
I’ve been testing power banks for close to two decades now, and my home office has stacks of ’em at any given moment. I test every portable charger that comes in for at least two weeks. I always check how many times it can fully charge my test phone (currently an iPhone 16). I’ll also try charging my Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy S24+ to test charging speeds, and whatever else I have in. For larger capacity power banks, I test charge an iPad Mini and a MacBook Air. I test how long it takes to recharge each empty power bank.
Aside from standard tests, I try to use the power banks in my everyday life, just to see how they feel, and my wife and kids often help out and share their opinions. For some of our top picks, I continue to test over months to try and get a sense of their reliability and durability, though it’s not possible to do this for every device that lands on my desk. Beyond function, I take form and usability into account. I keep an eye on user reviews and consider the warranties and customer service of each manufacturer.
How Does WIRED Select Power Banks to be Reviewed?
I often scan the latest releases to seek out worthy prospects, whether from an unknown new brand or an established favorite like Anker. I also get pitched many power banks every week. I sometimes reach out to these companies to ask for the product, but never promise any kind of editorial coverage—that goes against WIRED’s editorial policies. While WIRED usually earns affiliate revenue if you purchase a power bank using our link, this is not factored into the decision process when ranking.
There are too many power banks on the market for me to test everything, so I tend to stick to reputable brands, but there’s always room for something new if it has a compelling new feature or price, and I cover as many as I can. (Leave a comment or send me an email if you want me to test a power bank from a certain brand!) Once testing is complete, I typically donate power banks to a local charity. I try to hang on to some of our top picks for comparison purposes and to test their longevity.
Other Portable Chargers We’ve Tested
There are so many portable chargers out there. Here are a few more we like that just missed out on a place above for one reason or another.
Iniu Portable Charger for $21: This power bank is very small for a 10,000-mAh capacity. You can charge at up to 45 watts from either of the USB-C ports or 18 watts from the USB-A, but recharging is limited to 20 watts. The smart design includes a detachable USB-C cable that serves as a carry loop and a small display to show remaining power. Sadly, it fell short of the stated capacity in my tests, and the display sometimes failed to update the remaining percentage correctly.
Voltme HyperCore 20 for $30: Slim, high-capacity (20,000 mAh), and cheap, this Voltme power bank is a decent value. It worked fine in testing but fell well short of the stated capacity, and charging rates proved slow. This portable charger also takes several hours to recharge (six hours with the right charger, over 20 hours with a normal charger). I also tested the HyperCore 10 ($20) and the 10K Pro ($23). The 10K Pro can charge devices at up to 30 watts, making it the pick of the bunch.
Photograph: Simon Hill
OnePlus Slim Magnetic Power Bank for $70: Sleek in silver grey aluminum with a chamfered edge, this power bank looks lovely and is very slim, not to mention lightweight at just 120 grams. But the 5,000-mAh capacity is just over half that after inefficiency takes a bite. Wireless charging tops out at 10 watts for Android and 7.5 watts for iPhone (even wired charging is limited to 10 watts). You can snag better performers for less.
Denvix PowerX Power Bank for $180: This beefy 25,000 mAh power bank can put out up to 200 watts via two USB-C ports, one USB-A, and a Qi wireless charging pad, to charge four devices simultaneously, maybe a laptop, a couple of phones, and some earbuds. The display shows power remaining, watts in or out, temperature, and a few other stats. It’s a solid option if you want something that can charge laptops, but the finish is a little too smooth, and it gets very warm when charging multiple devices.
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Photograph: Simon Hill
Sharge Flow Mini for $13: With a similar design to Anker’s Nano Power Bank above and the same 5,000-mAh capacity, you might be tempted to go for this instead. It comes with interchangeable USB-C to USB-C or Lightning connectors (which I worry will be easy to lose) and has a built-in USB-C cable that doubles as a strap, though it’s tricky to pull out. There’s a power button with four LEDs to show the remaining power, and it only takes an hour and a half to refill, but the charging rate maxes out at 12 watts either way.
Cuktech 10 Power Bank for $32: With impressive build quality, including a nice grippy material on the underside and a handy display showing power output and input, this Cuktech (pronounced chook-tek) power bank almost earned a place above. Despite the modest capacity, it is built for speed and capable of outputting 100 watts, with support for PD 3.0 and PPS. It can also recharge in less than an hour (up to 90 W). The trade-off for the high speed is low efficiency. You won’t get anywhere near the 10,000-mAh capacity advertised, but this is true of most power banks. I also tested the higher-capacity Cuktech 15 Ultra ($110), which boasts double the power, can charge two or three devices simultaneously at up to 165 watts, and supports many fast-charging protocols including PPS, QC, PD3.1, FCP, SCP, and MiPPS.
Baseus Blade 2 for $80: With an extremely thin design, this 12,000-mAh-capacity power bank is easy to slip into a backpack and can charge most phones a couple of times or top up a laptop at up to 65 watts. It has a display showing battery life as a percentage of time remaining and the input or output for both USB-C ports. We’ve tried many products from up and down the Baseus product line. While they are generally reliable, we do think there are better options.
FansDreams MChaos for $46: I love the idea of a wearable power bank, and this one comes in lime green with a carabiner that makes it easy to attach to a bag. It also has a built-in, retractable, 28-inch USB-C cable to charge your phone at up to 20 watts. Recharging the power bank is a little slower at 18 watts. The colored LED gives you a sense of remaining juice as it goes from green to orange to red, but the 5,000-mAh capacity means you’ll be lucky to get one full charge for your phone, and even the discounted price feels a little high. I also tested the 10,000-mAh model ($50), which has a nicer design. Pull the 2.3-foot retractable USB-C cable out and the percentage remaining pops up visible through the shiny plastic of the case. There’s a USB-C port on the bottom for charging, and it goes up to 22.5 watts either way.
Iniu Power Bank BaI-B64 for $80: Offering relatively low prices, Iniu is a power bank brand on the rise. This portable charger packs a 27,000-mAh capacity, can put out up to 140 watts, and charges three devices at once via two USB-C ports and a single USB-A port. We also tested the very similar BI-B63 ($60), which has a slightly lower capacity at 25,000 mAh but seems like a better value. Unfortunately, both fell slightly short of the stated capacity when tested. We also like the color options available in the company’s slimmest version.
Photograph: Anker
Anker Prime Power Bank for $130: With a total combined output of 200 watts and a hefty 20,000-mAh capacity, this is a solid choice for charging any device; you could even use it to charge two laptops at once via the two USB-C ports. There is a USB-A port, too, and a digital screen. You can also buy a Power Base ($185) for this, which enables you to stick the power bank on top and charge it via Pogo Pins. The base makes it easy to keep the power bank topped up and is handy for desktop charging with two USB-C ports and one USB-A port (combined max output 100 W). I tried the UK version (£88), which worked great, but WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu had issues with the US base failing to charge the power bank.
Anker Nano Power Bank 10,000 for $30: Another solid option from Anker (also available for £40 from Amazon UK), this power bank has a built-in USB-C cable that doubles as a loop for easy carrying and a further one USB-C and one USB-A port. It has a 10,000-mAh capacity, good for just shy of two full charges for most phones. It maxes out at 30 watts each way and can be fully charged in around two hours.
Mophie Powerstation, Powerstation XL, and Powerstation Pro AC for $36+: Mophie’s 2023 update to its Powerstation line has three devices in 10,000-, 20,000-, and 27,000-mAh capacities. They’re bulky, nondescript devices with USB-C and USB-A ports, but the latter has an AC port and is great for travel. WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu used the XL during his trip to Japan and had no trouble keeping his Switch Lite and Pixel 7 Pro topped up. There are LEDs to indicate remaining battery life, but there’s otherwise nothing special about ’em.
iWalk Portable Charger for $27: WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu used the Lightning version of this power bank while covering the Apple event, and it reliably topped up his iPhone. The 4,800-mAh capacity won’t fully refill your device, but it’s tiny enough to keep in a bag at all times. There’s an LED that shows the remaining percentage of power left.
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From creating art and writing code to drafting emails and designing new drugs, generative AI tools are becoming increasingly indispensable for both business and personal use. As demand increases, they will require even more computing power, memory and, therefore, energy. That’s got scientists looking for ways to reduce their energy consumption.
In a paper published in the journal Nature, Aydogan Ozcan, from the University of California Los Angeles, and his colleagues describe the development of an AI image generator that consumes almost no power.
AI image generators use a process called diffusion to generate images from text. First, they are trained on a large dataset of images and repeatedly add a statistical noise, a kind of digital static, until the image has disappeared.
Then, when you give AI a prompt such as “create an image of a house,” it starts with a screen full of static and then reverses the process, gradually removing the noise until the image appears. If you want to perform large-scale tasks, such as creating hundreds of millions of images, this process is slow and energy intensive.
A light-based approach
The new diffusion-based image generator works by first using a digital encoder (that has been trained on publicly available datasets) to create the static that will ultimately make the picture. This requires a small amount of energy. Then, a liquid crystal screen known as a spatial light modulator (SLM) imprints this pattern onto a laser beam. The beam is then passed through a second decoding SLM, which turns the pattern in the laser into the final image.
Unlike conventional AI, which relies on millions of computer calculations, this process uses light to do all the heavy lifting. Consequently, the system uses almost no power. “Our optical generative models can synthesize countless images with almost no computing power, offering a scalable and energy-efficient alternative to digital AI models,” said Shiqi Chen, lead author.
The researchers tested their system on various images used to train AI models, including those of celebrities and butterflies, as well as full-color pictures in the style of Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh.
The results were comparable to those of conventional image generators, but were created with much less energy. This breakthrough has the potential to reduce the carbon footprint of AI-generated content significantly.
The technology could also find its way into a variety of applications. Because the system is so fast and requires minimal energy, it could be used for things like creating images and videos for virtual and augmented reality displays, or for small devices like a smartphone or wearable electronics, such as AI glasses.
Written for you by our author Paul Arnold, edited by Sadie Harley, and fact-checked and reviewed by Robert Egan—this article is the result of careful human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive.
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More information:
Shiqi Chen et al, Optical generative models, Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09446-5
Daniel Brunner, Machine-learning model generates images using light, Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1038/d41586-025-02523-9
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The AI breakthrough that uses almost no power to create images (2025, August 28)
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If your skin is crying for help but you’re too tired to care, the best red-light therapy masks are the easiest fake-it-till-you-make-it hack around. You might have seen a wave of people on social media channeling their best Hannibal Lecter while wearing an LED device, like our top pick, the CurrentBody LED Face Mask Series 2 ($470). They’re not sipping Chianti but instead claiming that the wrinkles and fine lines on their faces have disappeared with the help of red-light therapy. There’s nothing wrong with aging (duh), but after seeing the huge rise in popularity of these skin care devices, we had to find out if the “anti-aging” technology behind them could make a big impact on your skin.
You can’t get the same effect with just any red LED from the hardware store. If the wavelength isn’t strong enough, it won’t penetrate your skin—sorry to the one TikToker sitting in front of a chicken coop heat lamp. After talking to board-certified dermatologists and testing several at-home devices, we’ve rounded up the best red-light therapy masks for every sensitive skin condition, budget, and lifestyle.
For more beauty and wellness recommendations, check out our guides to the Best Electric Toothbrushes, Best Hair Dryers, and Best Lip Balms.
In This Guide
Updated August 2025: We’ve added the HigherDose Red Light Face Mask as an honorable mention and LED devices to avoid. We also added more information about our testing methodology and updated prices.
Best Red Light Overall
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Courtesy of CurrentBody
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Courtesy of CurrentBody
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Photograph: Nena Farrell
CurrentBody
LED Face Mask Series 2
The CurrentBody LED Face Mask Series 2 is a medical-grade, silicone mask. It also comes with a more secure strap—each side is shaped like a U, instead of using a single strap, making it much more secure. I can wear it and walk around if I like, without worrying about it slipping off, and the attached remote even has a little clip on it to hook it to your body.
This mask only has a red-light mode, though it does have three red-light wavelengths, while most others only have two. The three levels are red (633 nanometers), near-infrared (830 nm), and what CurrentBody calls deep near-infrared (1,072 nm). CurrentBody says the deep near-infrared lights are designed to target areas that will have more signs of aging, though you can’t tell a difference in the lights just by looking at the lit-up mask.
It also has more LED bulbs in it than most other masks, with 236 LED bulbs in total. It’s a powerful mask, but I didn’t see much different results than I did from the cheaper LED Esthetics, once again seeing my acne clear up quickly with fewer scars left behind and a good glow to my skin. It was noticeably more comfortable and easier to wear around the house, so if you’re looking for a red-light-only mask you can multitask while wearing, the CurrentBody Series 2 is a great choice. —Nena Farrell
Best Cooling
Courtesy of Shark
Shark
CryoGlow Red Blue and Infrared iQLED Face Mask and Under Eye Cooling
The Shark CryoGlow is one of the newest LED masks on the market and is a great choice for newcomers, since it holds your hand through the process. There are two main programs to follow—Blemish Repair, which uses a combination of blue light (415 nm), infrared, and red LED (630-830 nm) for eight minutes, and Better Aging, which uses just infrared and red LED for six minutes. It’s recommended to follow one program daily for eight weeks, switching to the four-minute Skin Sustain program afterward to maintain the best results. It comes with a handy controller that counts down your time remaining and also tracks your progress, plus the mask has a party trick of cooling under-eye pads that can be used in combination with the LEDs or on their own, to soothe puffiness.
During my eight weeks, I noticed patches of perioral dermatitis clear up much quicker than they usually would, and my skin looked plumper and more glowy. Most interesting, though, was going to an aesthetician who scanned the layers of my skin beneath the epidermis before and after the program and found I had considerably less inflammation and pigmentation after eight weeks, plus improved fine lines to boot.—Verity Burns
Best Vibration Therapy
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Courtesy of Therabody
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Photograph: Boutayna Chokrane
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The TheraFace Mask has become my favorite excuse to sit still for 10 minutes (fine, nine minutes). Most LED masks stop at light therapy, but this one ups the ante with built-in vibrations that massage pressure points around your brows, temples, and scalp. It’s so soothing that I almost don’t care whether it’s transforming my skin (though I’d like to believe it is).
How to Sit Properly at a Desk
It’s not just about finding a chair you like. We’ve rounded up several tips on how to set up your desk properly here, but here are a few highlights.
Sitting for too long in a day is not good for your health, no matter what chair you use. It increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. The best thing you can do is get up and move every half hour. If you can, a 40-minute walk per day can, according to a recent study, make a big difference in countering some effects of a sedentary lifestyle. You probably don’t need to bother with an active chair. Our recommendation? Try a smartwatch. Most have movement reminders that encourage you to stretch your legs. If you’re dealing with back pain, your first step is to consult your physician.
Make sure your chair’s armrests are adjustable. Your palms should be elevated over your desk, which should be elbow-level, and your wrists should be straight. If the bottom of your palm is resting on the desk or wrist rest, there’s a chance you’re putting too much pressure on your nerves, which could lead to issues like carpal tunnel syndrome. Talk to your physician if you’re feeling any kind of pain. A gaming mouse, often more ergonomic than a standard mouse, might be helpful; just make sure to find one that fits your palm size.
When you look forward, your eyes should align with the top of your monitor or laptop. That might mean finding a chair that can adjust up and down, elevating your laptop with a stand, or raising the height of your monitor. This puts less pressure on your neck and spine—you shouldn’t be craning your neck up or down.
What Should I Look for in an Office Chair?
A good rule of thumb is that the more adjustable a chair is, the better. Now, that doesn’t mean this chair is the absolute best, but it gives you the possibility to mold it to your body shape, which hopefully makes it a comfier and more supportive seat. Here’s what you can expect to adjust on a chair.
Armrests: Most chairs let you move the armrests side to side, up and down, forward and back. It’s even nicer when you’re able to lock the armrest into place so that they don’t slide around as your elbows rest on them. The armrest should naturally allow your palms to slightly hover over the desk. You’ll often see descriptors like “4D” and “5D adjustable armrests,” which denotes how many directions you can adjust the armrest.
Seat height: It’s worth checking a chair’s maximum and minimum height before you buy because they might not work for your current desk (unless you have a standing desk where you can adjust the height). This is usually a pneumatic lift lever under the chair—pull the lever and get off the seat to let the chair go up, then sit on it and pull the lever to bring it down to your preference. Your feet should be planted on the floor at a 90- or 100-degree angle. If your chair arrives and it doesn’t get as high as you’d like, don’t worry, there’s a very simple fix. Some office chair brands offer “tall cylinders” for not a lot of money, and if not, you can usually find third-party options on retailers like Amazon (make sure you buy for your specific chair!). Simply swap your existing cylinder with the tall version, and you’ll have a greater height range to work with. You may be able to choose this option before checking out, or reach out to the company to see if they can swap it for you.
Seat depth: Seat depth is important for taller folks. This is usually a mechanism that lets you pull the seat out so that your thighs get the proper support. There should be 1 to 2 inches between the front of the seat and the back of your knees. Taller people with longer legs may not get the best support if you can’t adjust the seat depth.
Seat tilt: This isn’t as common as the above adjustments but it’s designed to tilt the seat up or down. This can help posture and prevent back pain, though it can take some getting used to.
Lumbar support: Most office chairs offer lumbar support, which can look like a separate piece attached to the backrest that can slide up and down. This piece supports your lower back (the lumbar region!), specifically maintaining the curve of the spine to maintain good posture as you sit and, ideally, warding off back pain. Check your chair manufacturer’s assembly instructions to learn how to adjust the lumbar support, and place the support on the curve of your lower back. What I like to do is run my hand along my spine until I reach the natural dip, then I try to make sure the lumbar support sits at that exact location. Some chairs also let you adjust the depth of the lumbar support, pushing it further inward or outward. Make sure it feels natural and that it’s not digging in. Play around with this until it feels comfortable and natural. Your shoulders should align with your hips, and you shouldn’t feel like you’re leaning forward.
Recline: Almost every office chair lets you lock or unlock the recline, but some go a step further and let you tweak the tension of the recline. This allows you to use more or less force when you lean back, which comes down to how much resistance you want when you lean back.
How We Test Office Chairs
My home office is often filled with at least four or five chairs at any given time. It takes me a while to test them because I prefer to sit on these office chairs for more than two weeks at a bare minimum, though that often extends into a month. It’s hard to gauge the supportiveness of a chair by sitting on it for less than a week. I adjust it to my 6’4″ preferences, and sometimes have my 5’1″ wife sit on it for her two cents. I try out all the adjustments throughout the testing period, too. It’s not just about the chair; aesthetics are important, and I also research these companies, looking into their warranties, customer service, and overall reliability.
How Does WIRED Select Chairs to Be Reviewed?
I routinely look at the market to find new office chairs that have hit the scene, whether it’s from a newcomer or an established brand like Herman Miller. I typically reach out to these companies to ask for the product, but I do not promise any kind of editorial coverage—that goes against WIRED’s editorial polcies. Yes, WIRED earns affiliate revenue if you purchase an office chair using our link, but this is not factored into the decision process.
As much as I’d like to test and review every single chair, it’s just not feasible with our resources. You may find some notable missing options in this guide, like the Steelcase Leap. I’ll be testing it in the future, and will gradually try to evaluate all the top options in the market.
After I’ve finished testing a chair, I typically donate it to a local Goodwill. I keep a handful of top recommendations on hand so that I can reevaluate them or compare them to other newer options, like the Branch Ergonomic Chair Pro, Herman Miller Embody, and Anthros V2.
Accessories for Your Chair
Replace Your Casters
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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
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Courtesy of Stealtho
Stealtho
Office Chair Wheels
The wheels on the bottom of your chair are among the easiest parts to replace. If your current casters don’t roll smoothly or are too loud, it might be worth replacing them instead of buying a whole new chair. I like these from Stealtho, a Ukrainian company. They’ll work with nearly every office chair, though the company notes they don’t work with Ikea products. The soft polyurethane material means these won’t scratch or chip hardwood floors, as some plastic casters do, plus it’ll feel like you’re silently gliding as you roll from your desk to the fridge (don’t judge).
Fair warning: Since these are more frictionless than normal casters, they can cause your chair to roll around sometimes, like when you stand up and walk away. Stealtho has locking casters if you’re worried about your chair rolling, and they don’t cost much more.
An Office Chair for Your Pet
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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
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Courtesy of SeatMate
Does your pet longingly look at your fast-typing fingers and wish for scritches? Get SeatMate’s Pet Office Chair if you don’t want to feel like a cruel, cruel pet owner. This faux fur seat gets high enough that you won’t have to bend down to pet your dog or cat when they inevitably enter your home office to distract you. Instead, they’ll sit at a reasonable height that allows you to have one hand running through their fur, while the other tries very hard to work a keyboard and mouse simultaneously. There’s a pull-out ramp that lets them clamber up, and my dog instantly took to it, though now he’s so used to it he jumps straight onto the seat. The back legs of the seat are on wheels, making it easier to move around a room.
You can choose different fabric materials and colors, and it’s easy to clean with a brush or hand vacuum. Just keep sizing in mind. My dog is 19 pounds and a little long, and it just fits him when he sleeps.
A Glass Chair Mat
Courtesy of Vitrazza
Vitrazza
Rectangle Glass Chair Mat
Do you need a mat for your chair? Most likely not. However, casters can scuff up hard floors, which is why we recommend upgrading them to rollerblade wheels (see above). If you’re on a carpet, it can also be hard to move around. A mat can help with both of these issues. I sat on top of this glass one from Vitrazza for two years and was pleasantly surprised. (You can go for much cheaper mats made from other materials, too.) The safety glass is thick, and I did not see any notable scratches even after that time. It holds 1,000 pounds and doesn’t touch my hardwood floor, as you need to affix rubber bumpers to keep them apart. You can choose from several sizes, and Vitrazza sells various shapes too. It’s just a bit difficult to clean since you have to lift it up to get to all the dirt underneath.
Seat Cushions, Backrests, and Footrests
If you can’t upgrade your seat just yet, a cushion or backrest might help. Here are a few we like:
CushionLab Seat Cushion for $75: This memory foam seat is comfortable, and I had no problems sitting on it for hours on end. It’s best paired with an adjustable chair, as it adds a decent amount of height to your seat, which might make typing on a keyboard awkward. It does a great job of keeping out bad odors, and you can also wash the cover. Just know that it’s rarely sold for its full price of $85, which means it isn’t really on “sale.”
LoveHome Memory Foam Lumbar Support for $22: If you slouch in your seat, this comfortable memory foam pillow can help. It keeps your back straight and supported, and as it’s affordable, it’s a great option to try before shelling out hundreds for a new chair. It’s good to use in a car or a wheelchair, too. The cover is washable, and it has two adjustable straps (plus an extension strap) that go around your seat to keep it in the position you need.
Secretlab Premium Footrest for $89: I have tried a handful of footrests, and Secretlab’s Premium Footrest is easily the best—I have been using mine for more than three years. Ideally, your feet are planted on the ground as you sit, but it’s nice to be able to prop them up on something soft every so often. Not only is the PlushCell memory foam material soft and cushy for my feet, but it also stays remarkably clean. I have a tiny dog, and his hair gets everywhere except the quilted fabric cover. (You can handwash this cover to get dirt out.) The patterned silicone base does a good job of keeping it in place, too.
Other Office Chairs to Consider
Not every pick is a winner. Here are a few others we like enough to recommend, but they’re not as good as our top picks above.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Hon Altern Chair for $295: It’s hard to find a good office chair under $300. Most people will be better served with the Branch Ergonomic Chair pick above, which has dipped close to $300 during sale events, but the Hon Altern is a decent alternative. The best part about it is that the seat is wide and soft, so your butt will feel fairly comfortable, and the seat depth adjustment accommodates a larger group of people. However, the back support is lackluster. I want it to be more upright, but the chair forces me to lean backward. The armrests can only move up and down—I wish I could move them inward a bit more. Its design is also generic. Still, I sat on the Altern for a month, and it does the job. If your budget is tight, it’s far and away better than many of the options you’ll find at this price on Amazon. It includes a headrest, too, which is typically an extra add-on for many chairs.
Autonomous ErgoChair Ultra 2 for $399: I’ve now sat on Autonomous’s 3D-printed ErgoChair Ultra 2 for over a month, and I’m pleasantly surprised. It’s a big improvement over the original Chair Ultra, which had a flat and hard seat. The Ultra V2’s seat is still not as cushy as some chairs, but it doesn’t feel like I’m sitting on concrete. It has all of the adjustments you’d want, from seat depth to a recline lock, and I didn’t encounter any back pain. The all-mesh design offers good airflow, and the backrest is wide enough and doesn’t dig into my shoulders. The only flaw? Sometimes when I put too much pressure on the armrest (like when I’m getting up or shifting my weight), it goes down with a loud crack despite being locked in place. Also, Autonomous has a pretty lackluster two-year warranty despite the high price.
Haworth Fern for $1,242: I think the Haworth Fern is best for shorter people (aka anyone not above 6 feet, like me). It’s adjustable to the nth degree—you can even tilt the seat for a more upright sitting position!—but the seat itself was just wide enough for me, though it’s plenty soft and pillowy. When I pulled out the seat depth to the max, it created a gap between the seat and the backrest, and I didn’t love this feeling. The backrest is nice and soft, but I’d argue the lumbar support is quite aggressive. My back just felt like something was there all the time, and it felt distracting. I don’t think you’d have these issues if you are shorter and narrower, and it’s otherwise one of the softest office chairs I’ve sat on.
Autonomous ErgoChair Pro for $399: Our top pick, the Branch Ergonomic Chair Pro, is a better buy, but if you need a headrest and want a wide seat, consider the Autonomous ErgoChair Pro. I sat on it for a month with no major problems, except that the box it came in was massive and barely fit through my front door. The levers also aren’t super intuitive—I highly recommend checking out this video from the company when you first set it up to dial in your preferences. All the standard adjustments are present, from seat depth and lumbar support to fine-tuning the recline. What surprised me more was the ability to tilt the seat so it’s angled down—you don’t see that in many chairs. The overall build quality has been solid, and I even enjoyed the headrest when kicking back to watch House reruns during lunch. The only woes? I wish the arms stayed locked, as they can slide back and forth. While the foam seat is quite comfy, it can get warm in a toasty room (though the mesh back helps keep things cool). It’s a shame this company has an abysmal warranty period.
Staples Hyken for $145: The humble Hyken is frequently available for just $140 during big sale events, making it one of the most affordable good chairs out there. It reclines, has a breathable mesh fabric on the back and seat, and it’s sturdy. You even get a headrest and lumbar support. After five years of continuous sitting, WIRED reviewers say the Hyken’s mesh has compressed a bit, but it’s still comfy. The Staples Dexley is slightly wider, so get it if you need a wider seat.
Nouhaus Ergo3D for $350: This is another all-mesh chair. The ElastoMesh seat isn’t as comfy as the Steelcase Karman (it’ll feel worse on the skin if you, uh, tend to sit at your desk without pants), but it’s otherwise quite adjustable and roomy, plus it even comes with two sets of wheels (casters or rollerblades) so you can choose which works best for you and your flooring. If you’re in a particularly hot environment, it won’t trap heat and will keep your whole body cool for a fraction of the price.
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Haworth Breck for $419: I like Haworth’s newest chair, the Breck. After sitting on it for a month, I didn’t have problems (no back pain!), though I can safely say it’s better suited for shorter people (roughly under 5’8″). That’s because the Breck’s seat is short, and the seat depth only extends an extra 2 inches. The weight-activated recline requires some push on your end, more than you might expect—it wasn’t too hard for me, but lighter-weight people may find it problematic. The seat padding is thin, but I didn’t see this as an issue even after hours of sitting. The best part is how amazingly simple it is to set up—no tools required! But my main gripe? Simply getting up from the seat causes the gas spring cylinder to loudly lift. This, and the fact that it tends to make some noises when I fidget around, makes it feel a little cheap.
Branch Verve for $599: The Verve used to be a top pick above, but I think the Ergonomic Chair Pro is a better value considering they’re similar in price. It is elegant (especially in the lovely Coral and Cobalt colors), it keeps my back straight, and it’s quite comfy. It can make nearly the same adjustments, but there’s no seat tilt, and the armrests are much more limited. I also wouldn’t have minded if the seat was a smidge wider—folks who need a wider seat may want to look elsewhere. I try to sit on these chairs for several weeks, if not months, but I rarely can sit on one for years, as I have so many to test. However, I have a colleague who owns the Verve who said that after more than two years, the seat started to sink whenever he sat on it. Thankfully, he says Branch’s customer service was very responsive and promptly sent him a new cylinder.
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Eureka Ergonomic Royal Chair for $450: Some folks chase that executive aesthetic—you know, plush leather and a high back so you can swivel around and reveal a cat in your lap as you laugh maniacally. This chair from Eureka fits the bill without costing a fortune, and it’s been an OK chair for the month I’ve sat in it. The setup was quick, and the seat and back are soft and a little bouncy. I found my back sweaty after a few hours of sitting because there was just nowhere for body heat to go. The lumbar support isn’t great, as prolonged sitting has left me with some sensations in my lower back. Not pain, just my back telling me I ought to get up. There’s not much to adjust, but the recline and headrest. Also, if you need a wide seat, this is not the chair for you, as the armrests will feel like they’re boxing you in (it just fits me, and I’m 6’4″). I thought this chair would look pretty poor after a month, but it’s easy to clean with a damp cloth, and the fake leather has held up. Too bad about the two-year warranty.
Secretlab Titan Evo for $549: Our review of the Secretlab Titan Evo gaming chair says it’s classy enough for the home office. It sets itself apart from similarly priced competitors with its durability and flexibility. It’s comfortable for marathon gaming sessions, thanks to the adjustability it offers (particularly the lumbar support). The headrest pillow is magnetic and stays attached to the chair, which is a nice touch. But the firm, cold cure foam molds to your body and may not suit everyone. It will also make you feel sweaty.
Allsteel O6 for $1,279: While this chair is eye-searingly expensive, every part—from the casters and the adjustments to the design—is incredibly refined. The adjustable lumbar support provided shockingly good support even for hours of work. My only complaint is that the armrest adjustments are a bit stiff, but besides that, this is an exceptional chair that’s comfortable and intuitive enough for me to completely forget about once I sit down and start working. Fair warning: The 06 comes fully assembled, which is nice, but the box is massive. —Henri Robbins
Hinomi X1 for $649: Hinomi’s X1 mesh chair has a trick up its sleeve—a built-in footrest! Just extend and flip out the footrest; voilà, your feet are now propped up. This might not be very practical for fellow tall people, as my legs often hit the wall behind my desk, but it’s quite comfy. I also just didn’t end up using the footrest as much as I thought. The chair is otherwise well-built. I like the lumbar support here, and there’s a good amount of adjustments you can make. The seat itself is a bit firm, but I got used to it after some time. Hinomi offers a 12-year warranty.
Odinlake Ergo Max747 for $899: The Ergo Max747 is, all around, a great seat to sit in. The three-piece back provides great back support and comfort, and the easy-access paddles on either side of the seat make most adjustments quick and simple. Even sitting for hours, I never felt uncomfortable, whether I was sitting up or reclining (this chair reclines incredibly far, from 90 to 135 degrees). The bag holder in the back (which I typically used to hold a hat or small backpack) was a surprisingly nice touch, and the mesh backing and seat are breathable, preventing overheating during prolonged use. I still don’t know how I feel about the polished metal frame, and the inclusion of gloves for assembly makes me worry about how easily this seat will pick up smudges over the years, but the polished finish itself is spotless and well-executed. At 6’3″, I had to max out the back height to comfortably sit in the chair. The secondary adjustments (back height, lumbar support, and headrest height) were awkward to adjust due to complicated ratcheting mechanisms keeping them in place. However, the comfort and breathability of this chair make it a compelling choice. —Henri Robbins
Vari Task Chair for $399: Vari’s Task Chair is surprisingly comfy given its relatively simple construction. Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano tested it and asked her husband to use it during his long gaming sessions. They agreed that the angled back provides ample lumbar support to make those sessions comfortable. It also takes very little time to construct. You can recline a bit, but even at the lowest tension, it pushes you back up, and there’s no head support. It’s more for rocking than actually leaning. Her biggest gripe is that the armrests are quite hard. A little more padding would be a huge improvement.
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Branch Softside for $299: I tested the high-back version of the Softside and like it a lot. It’s different from all the other chairs in this guide, but comfy and cushiony. If you need a wider seat, this might not be the option for you, as the armrests do box you in. There’s not much to adjust, but my back didn’t have any issues after weeks of sitting for full workdays. The build quality overall is OK. Considering it starts at $299, the overall seating experience, and the lovely design in fun colors, this is a pretty good value if you are after a soft and cushiony experience.
BodyBilt Midcelli for $949: BodyBilt’s chair looks quite average, but the seat pad is plushy and soft, and it’s contoured to your butt and legs, which I liked more than I expected. The mesh back has some give to it, so it doesn’t feel rigid, and there are all the usual points of adjustment, including moving the seat forward and back. I wish the arms could lock to a position. It has a lifetime warranty on select parts, while other chair areas are covered for 12, seven, five, or three years. There are more customization options on BodyBilt’s website—with the option to get a consultation—but I just think it’s overpriced.
Razer Fujin Pro for $1,050: Razer is asking Herman Miller and Steelcase prices despite offering a measly five-year warranty on this $1,000-plus chair. Still, my former colleague Eric Ravenscraft liked the Fujin Pro (8/10 WIRED Recommends). There are a good number of adjustments you can make; the armrests are useful, and the mesh is breathable. Oh, and it doesn’t have the overused gaming chair race-car seat aesthetic.
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Lumbar Support Office Chair for $352: I think this is a nice alternative to the Branch Ergonomic Chair above. The Tempur seat cushion is, perhaps unsurprisingly, wonderfully comfy to sit on for hours at a time. And most chairs that have a thick lumbar cushion end up causing me back pain, but not here—I’ve had no issues sitting on it for a month. The mesh back is nice for airflow, too. The arms tend to move around a bit, though, and the mechanism to adjust them is not elegant. Installation wasn’t too hard, but the instructions weren’t as simple as Branch’s, and the overall build quality feels cheap.
Knoll Newson for $1,424: This minimalist chair looks best in the graphite and petal colors; it’s a bit drab in black and umber. It’s nice that I didn’t have to fuss with any levers or knobs much—it’s comfy out of the box and decently adjustable if you need to make some tweaks—and it feels especially nice when you recline. (The red knob adjusts the tension of the recline, but you need to twist it for five rotations, and I found it hard to turn sometimes.) The Newson didn’t give me trouble in the two months I sat in it. I’m just not a huge fan of how the elastomer mesh backrest distorts, depending on how you sit. It feels lumpy. This seat also doesn’t let me sit as upright as I’d like, but maybe you’re fine with a bit of give. Ultimately, it’s the price that pulls it out of our top recommendations, but you do get a 12-year warranty.
Kelly Clarkson Home Louise Velvet Task Chair for $165: There’s absolutely nothing you can adjust on this chair except its height, but it’s cute, and the seat is comfy. The velvet polyester was surprisingly durable and looked nice even after several weeks of sitting on this chair. The gold finish on the frame and legs chipped off in one area when I was unboxing it—it’s frequently under $200, OK? But my biggest issue is that it is not compatible with tall or larger people. My wide shoulders caused my arms to stick out of this chair, making it difficult to type. However, I asked my 5’1″ wife to try it, and it suited her narrower frame well. She didn’t find it hard to use her computer. With a 30-day warranty, you get what you pay for, but this chair is more about aesthetics than anything else. Oh, and Kelly Clarkson, because she hand-picked this product for Wayfair.
X-Chair X2 K-Sport Management Chair for $969: This used to be our top mesh chair pick, but it has been supplanted by the Steelcase Karman. Sitting in the X-Chair feels like lounging in a hammock. Every part of my body feels well supported, and you can adjust nearly everything on the chair. Pull the seat up and push the armrests up, down, and side to side, or angle them in or out. The lumbar support feels like a cushion, and it adjusts as you move in your seat. If you want to rest your head, you can pay extra for the headrest. It has held up extremely well after three years of near-continuous sitting, but I don’t like how bulky it is. X-Chair has several models to choose from. I tested the X-2 K-Sport with the wide seat, and it fits my 6’4″ frame well, but it was too wide for my partner, who is 5’1″. Most people should be fine with the standard X1.
Ikea Markus for $300: The Markus is a perfectly fine office chair. It’s not the most comfortable, but it’s far from the worst. The mesh design keeps you cool, and the tall back lets you fully lean into it. It’s rather thin and isn’t obtrusive in a small home office or bedroom. It was annoying to put together (lol, Ikea), and you might need someone to hold up the back of the chair while you properly attach the seat. Unfortunately, if you often sit with at least one leg up or with your legs crossed, the width between the arms will make you uncomfortable.
X-Chair X-Tech Executive Chair for $1,845: Functionally, the X-Tech is similar to the X-Chair above. In this version, the M-Foam cooling gel seat is indeed wonderful to sit on, though it’s not as heat-wicking as the all-mesh versions. It’s the Brisa Soft Touch material that impresses the most—it’s ridiculously soft. I recommend you stick with the standard armrests instead of the FS 360 armrests, which tend to move about too much. But my biggest gripe with this model is the price. Why on earth does it cost that much?
Mavix M7 for $777: If it looks strangely similar to the X-Chair (see above), that’s because both are owned by the same company. WIRED reviewer Louryn Strampe ran into some issues with assembly, but customer service was able to exchange the model without much effort. The M7 has similarly adjustable armrests and seat angles, but you get wheels that lock. The mesh back and wide seat construction keep you cool and comfortable during sweaty League of Legends sessions, and the lumbar support does the job. If you’re short, contact customer support while ordering—Mavix offers shorter cylinders so your feet touch the ground.
Hon Ignition 2.0 for $477: The Ignition 2.0 is easy to set up and looks great, but it gave me really bad back pain, which is why I originally placed it in our “Avoid” section. I thought it was perhaps the long hours I was working, so I switched back to the Knoll Newson Task chair, and my pain quickly began to ease. Sometime later, I gave it a shot again. After a few hours, the pain came back, and switching to another seat dissipated it. Color me confused, because this chair has positive reviews around the web. I then asked a friend who is around 5’4″ to try it for a few weeks, and she has had zero issues. This seems to be the answer. It’s possible the Ignition doesn’t work for my 6’4″ self and is better suited for smaller folks.
Pipersong Meditation Chair for $359: Have a problem sitting in a traditional chair? If your legs need to be bent and twisted for you to be comfortable, you’ll want to check this seat out. It has a 360-degree swiveling footstool that can accommodate pretty much any sitting position you want. I can go from kneeling to cross-legged to one leg up, one leg down. It’s possible to sit regularly too, with the footstool behind you and your feet flat on the floor. It’s the only chair I’ve found that’s designed for odd sitting habits. There are no armrests, which I didn’t mind because that’s what makes it possible to sit in many of these positions. The actual stool and chair back could stand to be bigger and taller, respectively. I had to use a pillow to keep my back comfy. —Medea Giordano
Avoid These Chairs
If you come across these models, I recommend you save your cash and go for one of the picks above.
TopJob Napa: The Napa should be $200 or $250 at best, nowhere near its $449 asking price (though it does seem to have a perpetual discount on TopJob’s website for $359). It looks attractive, especially in the amber vegan leather. My back surprisingly didn’t complain after more than a week of sitting in it for several hours a day. I wouldn’t say it’s comfy, there’s not much plush to the seat and backrest, but it’s not too uncomfortable. It doesn’t have many points of adjustments—you can adjust the armrest height, lock the recline at a few degrees, and adjust tilt tension. That’s it. Technically, you can adjust the headrest, but mine would not stay put at a specific height. You can pull out a footrest, but I found it more gimmicky than useful. The overall quality is a little cheap. You can do better at this price.
Humanscale World One: Despite hailing from the well-renowned Humanscale, this chair looks quite bland. The setup was fairly quick, and … interesting. You have to hammer two pegs to affix the backrest to the seat, which I’ve never before had to do, after testing dozens of office chairs. It just feels cheap and a little too plasticky. Like other Humanscale offerings, there are no adjustments to make as the chair will handle it all for you (you can adjust the seat and armrest height). I loved this on the pricier Humanscale Freedom, which felt like someone was cradling my body. But here, I find my body constantly shifting in the all-mesh World One, trying to find a comfy way to recline. The mesh material also feels like it digs in a bit. This could all be because I’m 6’4,” as the chair feels like it’s better suited for shorter people. However, I think you can do better at this price.
Herman Miller Vantum: Initially, I liked the Vantum. I liked how I could keep myself in a super upright position, which made me feel more engaged in what I was doing. The mesh backrest also disperses heat quite well. However, the overall build quality feels cheap and doesn’t scream Herman Miller (nor does the asking price, which has since dropped by $200). The headrest isn’t great either—I’ve nearly broken it trying to move it up and down. As I kept sitting, it was the back support that disappointed me the most. You can feel the lumbar support on your lower back, and not in a good way, almost like it’s digging in. At least it didn’t give me back pain.
Vilno Nobel Kneeling Chair: It’s a freakin’ kneeling chair! It was easy to put all the wood pieces together, and the seat cushion was surprisingly plump. This is what’s known as an active chair, meant to keep your body moving and keep your posture straight. It feels effective for the first few hours, but unfortunately, rocking in the seat tends to cause it to move around on the floor, so I frequently had to fix my position. Worse yet, my shins and knees grew fatigued, and I started feeling some pain after a few days. You can’t adjust its height, so it needs to be paired with a standing desk so that your palms don’t rest on your desk.
Flexispot C7: While this chair is simple to assemble and looks good, it feels flimsy. The entire back flexes and warps whenever you move, and the lumbar support is barely connected to the rest of the chair, meaning it audibly scratches against the main section of the back every time you adjust and hardly feels like it provides any actual support. The footrest bends whenever weight is put on it, and the foam seat cushion collects crazy amounts of pet hair. It feels like just a few extra screws and supports would have made this a good product, but in its current state, there isn’t enough material to make it feel sturdy. —Henri Robbins
Steelcase Series 1: WIRED reviewer Louryn Strampe says her biggest issue with the Series 1 is with the armrest—the tops slide back and forth and side to side, which could be a good thing, except she managed to pinch her arm every time she moved. There’s no way to lock them in place, so while she felt supported, her arms weren’t. The seat is also pretty curved, which can feel like you’re trapped in one position as you work throughout the day.
Sihoo Doro S300: Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano tested the Doro S300, which, in white, looks like it came straight out of the Space Force situation room. She found it comfortable. There are several adjustments you can personalize, like seat depth and recline angle. You can recline quite far, but she says she wishes there were a footrest to enjoy the lowest recline position. She typically prefers a cushy gaming chair, but she says she had no trouble sitting on this seat all day—the dual lumbar support helps too. However, the headrest is too low for her to lean against, even at its max height, and the arms move too easily. Simply placing her arms down pushes them out of position. It’s also squeaky and overpriced.
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