Here at AD we’re something of office chair connoisseurs. We’ve tested some of the best desk chairs on the market (and others not so great), meaning we know what to look for when it comes to seating that doesn’t sacrifice points in the style department.
Next up in the hot seat: Branch’s Ergonomic Chair Pro, the brand’s most advanced ergonomic chair yet in a line of sleek, stylish options for the office. The chair is an improvement on Branch’s original Ergonomic Chair and is designed to make your work day feel more comfortable with 14 (!) customizable features catered to every and anybody.
Perhaps its biggest ace is its thick, cushy seat filled with high-density foam, which is more padded than its original Ergonomic Chair and most other office seating we’ve tried, period. Here, a handful of our editors spent a workday in the Ergo Chair Pro and are reporting back on exactly how cushy and customizable it is.
Design
While you won’t find too many chairs that offer the same designs in both leather and non-leather variations, the Ergo Chair Pro is a notable exception, with nine neutral colorways shared across three different finishes—mesh, leather, and vegan leather. Its design is fairly understated and we appreciate that lighter color options, like the creamy shade Shore seen here, are available if your desk or office decor already leans towards a brighter color palette. For traditionalists, the black and dark grey colorways will lend your office a classic, more serious vibe.
Adjustability
Points of adjustability: height adjustable ✔, adjustable armrests ✔, adjustable headrest ✔ (sold separately), adjustable seat ✔, adjustable tilt ✔, adjustable lumbar support ✔
Set Up / First Impressions
Commerce editor Audrey Lee assembled the office chair, reporting that the whole process took around 30 minutes and was relatively headache-free. “The process was fast, easy, and I was able to do it on my own,” she says, though Branch does recommend teaming up with a buddy just in case.
Branch provides a thorough instruction manual in the package (also available online), which guides you step by step in building the chair and carefully indicates which screws and tools are required for which part of the process. “I consider myself pretty handy but not that strong, so if I can put this together by myself, it’s definitely a testament to how easy assembly is,” Lee adds. The chair arrives flatpacked in a modestly-sized box (about 28 x 14 x 24), and since it can be fully disassembled, we think it’s also a great option should you ever need to move.
Testing Thoughts
“Poor posture fears the Branch Ergo Pro. The chair’s fully customizable support system makes it easy to spend long hours in a static position with all the adjustments you need to feel more comfortable throughout the work day. I was particularly fond of the arm rests that helped me achieve perfect elbow support (a very specific need since I’ve recently enjoyed working with a laptop stand) and the adjustable tilt option gave me the freedom to stretch my back out whenever needed.
I also thought the added back support mechanism did a really great job of keeping the lower lumbar region reinforced to prevent slumping (which I appreciated as a chronic sloucher). Not to mention that the Ergo Chair Pro gets high scores in the style department: The off-white hue feels more modern than your typical office chair and is an especially great option if you want to match your chair to a lighter colored desk. An issue I’ve had in the past is height adjustability because of my weight (I weigh just about 100 pounds) and I did find it a tad difficult to adjust this chair back down, which wasn’t a problem for some of the other testers.” —Audrey Lee, commerce editor
“Having tested quite a few office chairs, there is almost always something that’s off for me—not enough adjustability, not a good fit for my height, sticks out too much against the aesthetics of my space—you name it. Well, call me Goldilocks, because the Branch Ergo Pro is just right. The bevy of adjustable features allows you to make the chair perfectly suited to your posture needs. My favorite aspect is the adjustable lumbar support as someone with fairly chronic lower back pain. It feels like a friendly hand on the curve of my spine supporting me throughout the workday. Tilt tension—the ability to add or decrease resistance to the chair’s tilting mechanism—was a feature I haven’t found in many other chairs I’ve tested, but now I can’t imagine going without it. I love to lounge and lean back when I sit, but also know that isn’t great for my posture. The tilt tension provides just enough give so I get the ability to lean without compromising my spinal alignment.
Aesthetically, the Branch Ergo Pro also boasts an elegant profile with a high back (very much appreciated as a tall person!) that gives it a more considered design than the average office chair. It’s accented by soft curves to create an airy feel, further enhanced by the off-white mesh. One thing I would note is that I did find the fabric of the backrest the slightest bit scratchy, but it was only really noticeable when against bare skin. Also, though I love the look of the pale colorway, it comes with the heightened risk of staining the fabric with your morning coffee.” —Lauren Arzbaecher, commerce producer
“The design was instantly noticeable—its ecru color offered a welcome deviation from the army of black, rolling office chairs that dominate the office. The design itself is attractive for an office chair, which is to say, it still looks like an office chair: Good ergonomics require a little bit of a style sacrifice. I’m saying that as someone who prefers a Windsor chair to just about anything, so keep that in mind.
The best thing about this chair is that I didn’t realize I was sitting in it all day. It was comfortable, relaxing, required zero fussing or realigning, no cramping. I am maybe too much at my leisure in my office chairs—shoes off, legs crossed, one leg up, chin on knee while working, feet underneath my butt, any and all of the above. With each posture, I noticed no discomfort in the chair, even at the end of the day, which is usually somewhat expected. I think, for me, there’s no need for an office chair to be any spectacular color, and inside my home I don’t see an ecru necessarily working with my aesthetic, but I think for someone with a brighter, teaker, well-lit home office, the white might not be a bad choice.” —Julia Harrison, commerce writer
“I’ve sat on my fair share of office chairs throughout the years that fit the ergonomic design bill, but this Branch has far exceeded this standard expectation and more. As soon as I sat down on the Branch ergonomic chair, I could feel the difference from others I typically use because of its soft cushioning. And although I’ve sat on chairs that keep my back upright to keep me from slouching in front of my computer, this one had a soft, breathable back that opened my eyes to how comfortable I can truly feel to lean back as I work. I’m 5’4,” and I can adjust the height of the chair just right so my feet don’t dangle.
An absolute standout about this chair is its overall style. Office chairs I’ve kept in rotation have always been pretty big and clunky without any features that make my workspace design-friendly. This one has a sleek silhouette and a white color that might seem subtle but truly a contemporary feel to the space.” —Nashia Baker, senior commerce editor
Final Verdict
Our editors found that despite their varying heights and support needs (from bolstering for those of us with a weak core to tilt tension for slightly more give when leaning back), everyone felt like Goldilocks on this wildly comfortable chair. We all concurred that the cushion feels noticeably more forgiving on your glutes than those on typical seats, and though the chair doesn’t come with a separate head rest (it's available as an add on), we think it offers more than enough support for your back regardless, keeping you propped up and not slouching.
The lighter colorway was also another perk in its favor, proving to be a stylish outlier among its meshy, all-black peers. At just under $500, it also offers premium features for far less than you’d pay for a souped-up Aeron chair or Herman Miller. Above all, if you’re looking for the comfiest chair for the spot where you’ll be posted 9 to 5, this one sits several notches above the rest.
