I didn’t realize how poor my posture was until I tested this ergonomic chair, and I won’t be going back to my work-sanctioned one

A black Boulies OP300 ergonomic office chair

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

I have a sedentary job, and that essentially means that I sit at a desk for up to eight hours a day. Sedentary jobs can have a detrimental impact on your physical health, and can lead to back pain, according to a study conducted by the National Library of Medicine. I'm closer to 30 than I am to 25 and for the past few months, I've been working on nurturing both my physical and mental health, but I can't avoid sitting at a desk and, you know, doing my job.

So what's the solution? One of the best office chairs, of course. I haven't been happy with my work-sanctioned chair as I haven't found it very comfortable or beneficial to my posture. For the past month, though, I've been using (and testing) the Boulies OP300 ergonomic chair — and boy, I won't be going back to my work-sanctioned one anytime soon.

As ergonomic chairs go, the OP300 is up there with some of the best budget office chairs. It's extremely comfortable and provides plenty of support for your back and arms, and it comes with loads of adjustment as well to help you lock in the perfect fit. While not without its faults — it is, after all, a budget chair — I've been thoroughly pleased with the OP300, and hopefully, this article will convince you to get an ergonomic chair too.

I could sleep in this chair

I think it says a lot about a chair if I say I can sleep in it — so you can picture just how comfortable I find the Boulies OP300. Since I've been using this chair, I've been wondering how I went so long without it. Its backrest is made of airy and padded mesh, designed for those who sit in chairs for over eight hours a day. My back has felt well-supported by the backrest, and it's been a joy to sit in the OP300.

The OP300's seat is also made of padded mesh and it doesn't feel slippery at all. All the time I've spent sitting in the chair, I've never felt myself sliding down unintentionally. I've felt no fatigue or discomfort after a full work day, which is fantastic, and something I struggled with when I was using my work-sanctioned chair.

Improvements I've noticed

This one time, I referred to my posture as that of a croissant, at which my partner burst out laughing — but I wasn't joking! Sometimes, I slouch quite a bit which we all know is a bad thing. I've been trying to rectify that when I stand and I think I've made great strides, but I used to do it while sitting to. Used to. You know what fixed it? Sitting in the Boulies OP300 for a month.

A week into sitting in the OP300, I noticed that I was sitting upright with my spine straightened. This is all thanks to two things: a) my determination, and b) the chair's adjustable backrest recline. It's adjustable between 85° and 113° but I kept it locked into place at approximately 90° which I found to be perfect for my back. Not only did it keep my spine straight, it also kept me from sliding into it. And when I did want to slide into it, I used the lever to "unlock" the recline. Super convenient.

Another thing I noticed (which I hadn't thought of before) while testing the OP300 was the angle of my arms. The OP300's armrests have three rotation settings, six height levels and seven forward/backward positions. Depending on my comfort level, I could adjust the armrests to help my shoulders relax which, in turn, kept me from slouching or hunching. It helped distribute the weight of my arms equally too, and encouraged them to sit at a 90° angle.

Anything I'd change?

As I mentioned up top, the Boulies OP300 isn't without its flaws. While there's a high level of adjustability, one thing is fixed, and that's the lumbar support. Lumbar support, well, supports the inward curve of your lower back to improve posture and reduce strain. While the OP300 is very comfortable as it is, I would have liked the ability to adjust the backrest's lumbar support according to my needs — like you can on the Boulies EP460.

Another thing I'd add to the OP300 to take it from a "great chair" to a "perfect chair" is a footrest just so I can kick back and relax. Of course, that would drive the chair's price up and as a budget chair, it isn't possible to add one while keeping costs low.

Aside from all of this, though, the OP300 hasn't given me a lot to complain about. It's made me realize that I should not underestimate the benefits of an ergonomic chair. Back pain can be crippling and your chances of developing it are increased if you have a sedentary job — like I do — and that's why it's crucial to use a chair that keeps you comfortable all day long.

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Nikita is a Staff Writer on the Reviews team at Tom's Guide. She's a lifelong gaming and photography enthusiast, always on the lookout for the latest tech. Having worked as a Sub Editor and Writer for Canon EMEA, she has interviewed photographers from all over the world and working in different genres. When she’s not working, Nikita can usually be found sinking hours into RPGs on her PS5, flying a drone (she's a licensed drone pilot), at a concert, or watching F1. Her work has appeared in several publications including Motor Sport Magazine, NME, Marriott Bonvoy, The Independent, and Metro.

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