Choosing a work chair for lab or industry? How to pick the right model

A good work chair is not a luxury, but a tool. Anyone sitting at a workbench, microscope or production line for hours every day notices the difference between the right and the wrong chair immediately: in concentration, in productivity and ultimately in the back and neck. Yet choosing a work chair is harder than it seems. In this guide you walk through the four questions that determine the right model.

Step 1: how high is your worktop?

The worktop height is the most important criterion and the one most often forgotten. Work chair series come in three height classes. For low worktops of 70 to 85 cm, such as desks and assembly tables, choose the low model, for example the Score Spirit 1500 or Pro 4400. For raised workbenches of 80 to 100 cm take the standard model. And for high worktops and sit-stand stations of 90 to 115 cm choose the high model, preferably with a footring.

Step 2: which foot support when sitting high?

Anyone sitting high must be able to rest their feet. Otherwise the legs dangle and the seat edge presses on the thighs. Special models such as the Pro 4408, Ergo 2308 and At Work 08 have a co-moving footring for this: it rises and lowers with the seat, so the feet stay supported in any position. A separate footrest is the alternative at lower workstations.

Step 3: which mechanism suits your work?

The mechanism determines how the chair moves with you. A fixed seat angle is simple and robust, fine for shorter tasks. An adjustable seat angle lets the seat tilt slightly forward, comfortable for precision work where you lean towards the work. A synchro mechanism, as on the Score At Work office chairs, lets back and seat move together for dynamic sitting during long days.

Step 4: which material belongs to your environment?

In laboratories and industrial environments with chemicals, cast PU is the standard: wear-resistant, easy to clean and resistant to most chemical substances. In medical and clinical rooms you choose a 100% waterproof upholstery such as Stamskin, which withstands disinfectants. For office environments, breathable fabrics such as Trevira and Flex offer the most seating comfort. Want to know more? Read our upholstery comparison in the knowledge base.

Special requirements: ESD and heavy load

If you work in an ESD protected area with sensitive electronics, choose an antistatic version; the Spirit, Pro, Ergo 2300 and At Work ranges are all available as ESD chairs. For users up to 250 kg there is the extra strong Score MaXX series in three seat widths; standard models support up to 120 kg.

In summary: how to choose your work chair

First measure the worktop height and choose the matching height class. Then determine the mechanism based on your tasks, the material based on your environment, and check special requirements such as ESD or load capacity. See the complete range of work chairs and laboratory chairs or request advice via our contact page.

Frequently asked questions