Mid Back Vs High Back Chair? Know the Real Difference

The mid-back and high-back chairs offer different features to suit people’s needs. Depending on the desired level of comfort, support, and style, it is important to choose the right type of chair for your workspace.

Mid-back chairs are typically designed with a low or medium-height backrest that extends from the seat to the mid-back area, providing more comfort and support than a standard task chair. These chairs are ideal for short periods of sitting, such as during lunchtime breaks or studying because they have a lower backrest that won’t interfere with working posture. Mid-back chairs usually have adjustable features like height adjustment, and swivel motion.

High-back chairs have a taller backrest that extends up to the shoulders. These chairs offer more support and comfort during prolonged periods of sitting since they provide greater lumbar support than mid-back chairs. High-back chairs usually have adjustable features such as height adjustments, swivel motion, and adjustable armrests. They are ideal for work environments such as cubicles or private offices where long hours of sitting are expected.

In addition to the level of comfort and support that they provide, mid-back and high-back chairs also differ in terms of style and design. Mid-back chairs often have a more casual look, while high-back chairs tend to be more formal and executive-looking. Depending on the type of workspace, either style may be suitable.

In this article, I will explain both mid-back and high-back chairs and compare them side by side. Hopefully, this will help you make an informed decision about which type of chair to go for.

Keep Reading: Cheap office chairs under $50

Mid back chair

A mid-back office chair typically has no neck support and headrests on top of the high padded seat cushion that ends just below your shoulder blades. The mid-back chairs provide you stable backrest. They ensure your back support is lower than your shoulders.

A mid-back chair has a lower backrest that comes up higher on your waist but not as high as the lumbar section of a high-backed chair.  This means that when you sit in one, it will support more of your body weight below the waist than if you were sitting in a regular office chair or dining room chair. The height of the seat can also vary from one model to another.

This type of chair is mostly recommended if someone wants support for their back and spine. Their elegant styles boost your overall comfort. They are mostly preferred for conference or meeting rooms. This type of chair is a good choice when you have a small workplace.

What to expect from Mid back chair?

• A mid-back chair provides you stable backrest.
• They are preferred for tighter spaces.
• Mid-back chairs are traditionally more popular because they’re cheaper.
• If you have limited space in your home office, mid-back chairs might be the way to go since they take up less room.
• Mid-back chairs are better for people who don’t need much support and want to be able to lean forward without having the chair’s back get in the way.

Support to your mid and lower back

The main purpose of the mid-back chair is to support the mid and lower back. If you are performing different activities daily or moving back and forth then a mid-back chair is appropriate for your daily use.

Lumbar support

It is the highly suggested size to maintain our spine’s natural curve. Moreover, the lumbar area of this chair has to be evaluated carefully. Due to many individuals’ different demands and positions, the most essential thing is the adjustable feature.

High back chair

High-back chairs are great for providing the support your spine needs. The high-back chair features a tall backrest or comes with a separate neck rest that goes all the way to the top of it.

For a long day of work, you want to be sure your back is well taken care of. The high office chair was created with this in mind – it not only supports the spine region but encourages healthy posture by supporting all areas equally as opposed to focusing on just one or two regions such as those found when using a standard desk chair.

The persons that need back support and work for a long time are best suited for high back chairs than the other works or activities that do not need to move too much.  These are mostly used by the higher echelon of the company. These are the persons who work overtime and they need proper support for the lower and mid-back. High-back chairs are a good choice to maintain body posture and relieve back pain.

The best chair selection is mostly based on your size. Sitting on a mid-back chair is not comfortable or suitable for you if you are taller or suffering from backaches. So, high-back hair is an outstanding choice for you.

What to expect from the High back chair?

• High back chairs provide back support including upper body, neck, and head support.
• They actually make you feel stable and comfortable.
• Issue of slouching must be lower by high back chairs.
• A high-back chair has a taller backrest, which supports your upper spine and neck.
• High-back chairs provide better lumbar support and can be used for longer periods of time without feeling stiff or sore.
• High-back chairs are good for those who need more support, such as those with a bad back or people who spend long hours sitting.
• Sitting at a desk all day long? High-back office chairs might be the perfect solution! These are also preferred by big and tall users.

Lumbar Support

The lumber area is more particularly squeezed between the pelvis and rib region and is situated on your lower torso and lower back. During daily activities, when most strains occur while twisting or turning the body, the lumber area works as a pivotal point of the body. The high-back chair secures this area and provides suitable support while doing work or rest.

Neck Support

When you are tired and want some quick rest from your office work or lean back to think about something then this high-back chair provides comfortable support to your neck. The neck support is an important need to prevent your neck from cricks, which usually cause headaches.

Shoulder Support

The shoulders are also a sensitive part of your body while working in an office, so keep your laptops at your eye level otherwise it may cause some serious problems. To avoid this issue, you must have a high-back chair that provides proper support to your shoulders and secures you from upper back pain which is nowadays a serious issue for workers.

Head Support

While in a resting position, your high-back chair provides proper support to your head so you feel relaxed.

Overall Comfort

It helps in proper body relaxation along the shoulders, neck, and head. Other portions of the body also feel the comfort that is not maintained by the well-supported regions.

Ergonomic Features

High-back chairs have many ergonomic properties. This type of chair gives comfort and relaxation in a very tense environment. Daily sitting for 8 hours or more is a very hectic routine or stressful for your body. But a high-back chair helps you in every stressful situation and maintains your health. This provides you with a healthier body to continue daily office activities and fewer chances of physical injury.

Mid-back vs high back chair! What’s the difference?

What’s the difference between a mid-back and high-back chair? Do you have to be an expert ergonomist to figure it out? No! It is actually quite easy. 

Size

High-back chairs are typically heavier, larger, and bulky, but mid-back chairs are typically lighter, more compact, and easier to move around which makes them ideal in small spaces with little legroom-like homes as well as offices where they’re constantly being dragged from places to place on a daily basis.

Support

Mid-back chairs lack headrest and neck support, while high-back chairs often have features such as built-in headrests, which make them perfect for those who need to spend long hours sitting at their desks. 

Usage

Mid-back chairs are more stable and appropriate for people who don’t move around a lot, while high-back chairs offer better posture support. High backs also prevent the person sitting on them from slouching.

Cost

The mid-back chair is the more affordable option. This type of chair costs less and usually does not come with a headrest or armrest, which can make them cheaper. On the other hand, High back chairs are often taller (which means they offer better posture) and also come with a head and neck rest support so it all comes down to your needs.

Examples

Some of the best examples of mid-back chairs are SPACE Seating office chair and Swivel Office Chair.
Examples of high-back chairs are Furmax Gaming Chair and SIDIZ T80 Ergonomic chair.

Who should opt mid-back chair?

Mid-back chair is specially designed for those who have mid-thoracic curvature. This type of person can get the best support and comfort from mid-back chairs. 

A good example would be those with scoliosis, which makes them require more midline area than the lower thoracic spine. The mid-back chair will provide midline support, which will help to relieve the pain.

A mid-back chair is a great choice for those who work in an office setting. If you are sitting at your desk and also need to get up to help someone with something, the mobility that this type of seat provides will make it easy for you to do both tasks without having to move around too much.

Who should opt for a high-back chair?

If you spend most of your day in front of a computer, then it may be best to have something with a back that can be adjusted so you don’t have to hunch over your computer all day.

High backs come with lumbar support that mid-backs don’t have. This makes sitting in them more comfortable and healthy for the spine (so it’s recommended to go for this type of chair if your spine is in need of support).

This is a good option for times when you need to get up from your chair periodically. Typically, it provides maximum support and comfort while still being functional enough that someone can sit in it for 5 hours continuously without feeling uncomfortable.

A high-back chair is a great option for those looking to be more productive at work. While it may take some getting used to, the high-back chair provides better support in your lower back and upper body than a mid-back office chair. This is perfect for those who need to sit for long periods of time, such as someone who works on a computer all day. 

FAQs

Final words

Both chairs come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages that make them different from each other.
Mid-back chairs are a little cheaper than high-back chairs. If you analyze mid-back vs High back chairs carefully, then selection will be easy for you to buy the best chair that really meets your needs. When you go for a purchase then it is necessary to keep in mind the exact purpose for which you are going to buy a chair.

Mid-back chairs mostly support the lower back because these chairs approach the shoulders or neck. The high-back chairs have approached the neck and also support your upper back, head, and shoulders. A high-back chair is a good option if you sit overtime for work.

High-back chairs are the best choice if you have backaches. But they are not recommended for tighter spaces. Your height is an important factor when purchasing a chair, specifically if your height is smaller than average.