I Tested 10 Top Rated Ergonomic Kneeling Chairs















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Hans Christian Mengshoel first came up with the principle of a knee chair over forty years ago. Since then there have been many new variations and styles. Doing a search in Google or Amazon can be overwhelming – a lot of brands look similar. If you are looking for guidance on the best kneeling chairs, you’ve come to the right place. Over the last three months, we tested 10 of the most popular kneeling chairs on the market. For users who need all-day ergonomic support instead, see our full ergonomic office chair rankings.

If you are looking for some guidance, you’ve come to the right place. I will share as much information with you as possible and provide enough detail on each chair so that you can quickly decide whether it may be a good fit for you.
Full Disclaimer: We are an office furniture dealer and sell some of the ergonomic chairs with lumbar support we review. To learn more about the products we sell, our review process and why you can trust us, please visit: Why we’re different. Who is BTOD.com and The Breakroom Blog?

10 Best Kneeling Chairs For 2026
1. Varier Thatsit Balans – 74/100

Price: $1,499.00 + Free Shipping | Buy on Amazon | Full Thatsit Balans review
What We Liked
The Thatsit Balans by Varier is the best kneeling chair tested. Its lacquered ash plywood sled base flexes to allow rocking and a wide range of body motion – a major advantage over rigid x-base and 5-star designs. The T-shaped backrest is height and depth adjustable, and the independently adjustable knee pads delivered the best knee comfort on test. If price is a concern, the Variable Balans offers similar functionality for over $1,000 less.
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2. Varier Variable Balans – 64/100

Price: $407.00 + Free Shipping | Buy on Amazon | Full Variable Balans review
What We Liked
The original kneeling chair and the most recognizable in the world. The Variable Balans has been in continuous production since 1979 and no copycats match the Scandinavian quality. It has the same sled-base flexibility as the Thatsit Balans and actually offers a larger rocking range without a backrest stopper. Good quality padding that doesn’t bottom out. The optional backrest add-on helps extend comfortable session times.
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3. Jobri BetterPosture Jazzy – 58/100

Price: $294.99 + Free Shipping | Buy on Amazon | Full Jazzy review
What We Liked
The Jazzy is the most mobile kneeling chair tested, thanks to its 5-star base and quality casters. It’s also one of only two chairs with a backrest (the other being the Thatsit Balans). The pneumatic height adjustment is the easiest adjustment system on test. Main limitation: the metal frame locks you into one kneeling position with no active body movement.
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4. Boss B248 – 50/100

Price: $75.71 + Free Shipping | Buy on Amazon | Full Boss B248 review
What We Liked
The B248 surprised me. Despite low-end build quality, all the parts do their job well enough to deliver a decent kneeling chair at a low price. Pneumatic seat height adjustment and good casters give it an advantage over competing models. Padding holds its position better than some models with much thicker foam. Best value for under $100 – have realistic expectations on comfort and longevity.
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5. Office Star KCM1425 – 47/100

Price: $209.34 + Free Shipping | Buy on Amazon
What We Liked
After the Jazzy, the KCM1425 is the next closest kneeling chair to a standard office chair. The 5-star base and pneumatic cylinder work smoothly. The main problem is shin comfort – the seat angle is almost flat, making it hard to get your shins properly up against the pads. The metal frame keeps you locked in one position.
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6. Office Star KCW773 – 41/100

Price: $209.34 + Free Shipping | Buy on Amazon | Full KCW773 review
What We Liked
The KCW773 is one of the few models with a wood frame. The thick memory foam is attractive on paper but bottoms out during use and wraps around your legs, retaining heat. The wood x-frame does not flex, so you’re locked in one position. Good portability at 15 lbs.
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7. Sleekform Atlanta – 34/100

Price: $95.00 + Free Shipping | Buy on Amazon
What We Liked
The Sleekform has thick cushions and a vinyl upholstery that’s easy to clean. The casters roll smoothly. The 30-day warranty is a significant concern – you have almost no long-term protection. Thick foam compresses quickly and the vinyl causes heat buildup. No range of motion.
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8. Dragonn DNC312 – 30/100

Price: $99.99 + Free Shipping | Buy on Amazon
What We Liked
The Dragonn DNC312 has thick vinyl-padded cushions on a metal x-frame with four casters. Similar problems to the Sleekform: low-density foam that sinks quickly, warm vinyl upholstery, and a 30-day warranty that provides minimal long-term coverage. No range of motion.
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9. 1420 (Flash / Office Star / Jobri) – 27/100

Price: $109.99 + Free Shipping | Buy on Amazon | Full 1420 review
What We Liked
The 1420 is one of the most common kneeling chairs, sold by Flash Furniture, Office Star, and BetterPosture. I received a defective unit with misaligned screw holes; the replacement had the same problem. The x-frame is noticeably crooked. The casters are mounted at an angle that only allows rolling in one direction. Not recommended.
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10. Flash WL-SB-101-GG – 27/100

Price: $126.99 + Free Shipping | Buy on Amazon
What We Liked
The WL-SB-101-GG has a wood x-shaped base with 4 casters. After 10 minutes of use, I noticed the seat tilting – the screws were coming loose. The replacement didn’t have this issue. Casters have an angled mount similar to the 1420. Near-nonexistent padding with uncomfortable fabric. Two products on this list I do not recommend buying – this is one of them.
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Compare The 10 Best Knee Chairs for 2025
| Rank | Product | Build | Warranty | Mobility | Knee/Shin | Seat | Range | Adjust. | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Varier Thatsit Balans | 90 | 90 | 30 | 80 | 75 | 85 | 70 | 74/100 |
| #2 | Varier Variable Balans | 80 | 90 | 40 | 80 | 70 | 90 | 0 | 64/100 |
| #3 | Jobri BetterPosture Jazzy | 55 | 85 | 90 | 40 | 60 | 10 | 70 | 58/100 |
| #4 | Boss B248 | 40 | 75 | 60 | 65 | 60 | 0 | 50 | 52/100 |
| #5 | Office Star KCM1425 | 45 | 60 | 80 | 25 | 60 | 10 | 50 | 47/100 |
| #6 | Office Star KCW773 | 35 | 50 | 55 | 60 | 60 | 0 | 30 | 41/100 |
| #7 | Sleekform Atlanta | 35 | 5 | 70 | 50 | 50 | 0 | 30 | 34/100 |
| #8 | Dragonn DNC312 | 35 | 5 | 50 | 45 | 50 | 0 | 30 | 30/100 |
| #9 | 1420 | 30 | 40 | 30 | 35 | 30 | 0 | 30 | 27/100 |
| #10 | Flash WL-SB-101-GG | 30 | 40 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 0 | 15 | 27/100 |
Why Trust The Breakroom Blog?
Simply put, we are experts. We have been selling office furniture for 12 years and have seen the sit-stand desk market grow from the beginning. We are not a company that is simply dedicated to writing reviews on emerging markets in hopes of making a quick buck. Office furniture is our life and we have gained extensive knowledge about the products within our space.
One thing that really separates The Breakroom Blog from almost every other review site is that we bring in all the products that we review. We do not do forensic reviews or reviews based on what other customers have said about the product. We order the product for ourselves so that we know how it performs. Some of the products we sell on BTOD.com, but many we do not. Regardless, we have tested every product we have reviewed.
What Was Our Testing Process?
We placed orders for all the chairs on this list. When the chairs arrived, we evaluated their packaging and noted any concerns. After unpackaging, we assembled them and looked for pain points. After assembly, we brought each chair to the middle of our office to get a general reaction from everyone. I left each chair out for a week or so to let people try it out and get feedback.
I also put significant personal time into each chair. If the chair had adjustments, I used it at various heights and angles. I paid close attention to padding comfort and how long I could stay in each chair before getting uncomfortable. I also evaluated range of motion and sitting mobility. After enough time to form a confident opinion, I moved to the next model.
How Did We Pick the Best Kneeling Chair for 2025?
After testing all the chairs, I ranked and scored them across six categories, each scored 0-100 and weighted equally. These six categories are what we feel are the most important factors when shopping for a kneeling chair.
Build Quality – Frame, adjustment mechanism, padding, fabric, and casters. Lowest scores for the most low-end components; highest for the best materials and adjustment systems.
Warranty – Length of coverage and number of exclusions. Most exclusions and shortest coverage = lowest score.
Mobility – Ability to move the chair while sitting in it. Low-quality casters with poor frame designs received the lowest scores; 5-star bases with quality casters received the highest.
Seat Comfort – Size, shape, padding, fabric quality, and how long I could sit before getting uncomfortable.
Knee/Shin Comfort – Padding, fabric, size, longevity, pad angle, and adjustability. Models placing weight on the knees rather than shins received lower scores.
Range of Motion – Ability to move your body actively while seated. Rigid frames that lock you in place scored lowest; flexible sled-based designs scored highest.
What Did I Learn About Kneeling Chairs?
Testing these products taught me a lot. Being able to go back and forth between models to compare specific aspects was extremely helpful. Here are the key learnings that may help you while shopping.
There Are 3 Basic Kneeling Chair Designs
All the kneeling chairs I researched fall under one of three categories: sled-based, x-base with casters, or 5-star base with casters.
Sled-based models are made from wood and feature individual knee pads. The sled design allows you to rock back and forth. The wood frames flex, allowing a wide range of motion on top of the rocking ability. The one downside is lower sitting mobility than the other designs.

X-base models function like a pair of scissors. A cylinder placed toward the middle makes the x larger or smaller for seat height adjustment – either a manual hand crank or a pneumatic lift. Frames may be steel or wood, and all tested x-base models featured four casters.

5-star models have bases designed like normal office chairs. They have five quality wheels and pneumatic cylinders for easy height adjustment. The frame has a metal bar extending below the seat to hold the knee pads. These chairs can swivel but otherwise provide no additional range of motion.

Movement Is Crucial for Comfort
Being able to move my body – not just the chair – was necessary for me to be comfortable for longer than 30-60 minutes. The x-base and 5-star base models are very rigid. The frames do not flex, so you are locked into the same position for the entire session. In many ways they are more restrictive than normal office chairs, which at least let you tap your legs or shift your weight. The flexible wood frame designs on sled-based models allow a lot of movement while seated. This is the biggest reason I was more comfortable in sled-based models.
Sitting Mobility
Chair mobility – your ability to move the chair around while sitting on it – matters most for small adjustments to get into the optimal typing position. The 5-star base models were most mobile, x-base models next, and sled-based models least. However, sled-based models can still be slid and swiveled with some leverage from the desk. Two x-base chairs (the 1420 and Flash WL-SB-101-GG) had such poor caster designs that they were nearly unusable.
Soreness When Starting Out
It is normal to experience some soreness when switching from a standard office chair to a kneeling chair. Most models don’t have armrests, so your shoulders and arms will adjust to the new posture. The new leg angle will also engage different muscles in your back, stomach, and legs. Shin soreness took me about two weeks to resolve. Work your way slowly into using it more – if you feel significant pain, take a day off before continuing.
Not for Big or Tall Users
Kneeling chairs are not a good option for big or tall users. All chairs tested have weight limits of 200 or 250 pounds. Seat height ranges are generally not adequate for users over 6’0″. Two people in our office at 6’2″ and 6’3″ did not feel comfortable in any of the kneelers.
What Is a Kneeling Chair?
In the 1970s, Hans Christian Mengshoel worked with Norwegian designers Oddvin Rykken, Peter Opsvik, and Svein Gusrud. They developed the first kneeling chair, known as the Balans. Kneeling chairs put your legs at a more open angle, sharing body weight between your shins and your seat. The design allows for a more upright position and is intended to reduce lower back strain by keeping the spine in a natural arch. Note: the pads are for your shins, not your knees. Understanding ergonomics principles helps explain why the open hip angle is beneficial for spinal alignment.
Final Thoughts
My biggest takeaway after testing 10 kneeling chairs is that you generally get what you pay for. The two highest-priced chairs are the two highest-ranked. If you plan to use a kneeling chair for many hours a day, invest in a sled-based model – the Thatsit Balans for the full experience, or the Variable Balans if budget is a concern. If you want an additional seating option to rotate into your day periodically, a mid-range option from the Boss B248 through Sleekform range will work. Avoid the 1420 and Flash WL-SB-101-GG entirely.
Source: btod.com