If you’re experiencing discomfort or pain at your desk, you should consider adding more ergonomics to your setup. For many people, this starts with a more ergonomic office chair, but some may benefit more from a kneeling chair instead.
Kneeling chairs are specifically designed to open your hips, encourage core engagement, prevent strain and properly align your back. We spoke with doctors to learn more about the different types of kneeling chairs, and how they can help relieve discomfort at your desk.
What is a kneeling chair?
The standard chair we all use at the computer puts the low back at approximately a 7-degree angle. This may be fine for only sitting, but combined with leaning forward for prolonged computer work, this can lead to back pain and other painful conditions, says Dr. Allen Conrad, a chiropractor at Montgomery County Chiropractic Center in North Wales, Pennsylvania.
Kneeling chairs, on the other hand, align your lumbar spine at a 20-degree angle, which helps contract your postural stabilizer muscles and improve lower back pain, according to our experts and a research study out of the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Kneeling chairs also angle your hips to rest in an open-angled position (around 110 degrees), relieving pressure on the spine and properly aligning your back, neck and shoulders to encourage core engagement and prevent back strain.
How we picked the best kneeling chairs
There are a few types of kneeling chairs that may benefit different body types and/or injury histories. Our experts told us to keep the following in mind:
Chair type
There are a few types of kneeling chairs our expert highlighted — one may be better than the other, depending on your needs:
- Balans-type kneeling chairs: In 1979, Scandinavian inventor Hans Christian Mengshoel created the Balans chair to provide a more balanced way of sitting. It’s typically made of wood and has a curved leg so you can rock back and forth.
- X-framed kneeling chairs: These chairs have an X-shaped frame. One of the advantages of these chairs is that they are very height adjustable, so they work well for smaller and taller people.
- Saddle chairs: A good option for people with degenerative knee conditions, these chairs are a “cross between X-framed and Balans kneeling chairs,” says Conrad. Saddle-type chairs don’t have knee pads for you to rest on — you sit on top of them like a horse saddle, which, like a more-typical kneeling chair, encourages the forward rotation of your pelvis, taking pressure off your spine and permitting it to maintain its normal lumbar curve.
Chair features
- Height-adjustable: Height-adjustable kneeling chairs can help you get the best fit possible.
- Cushioning: Look for chairs with generous, thickly-padded cushions. They can help offload the pressure placed on the shins and knees with prolonged use, according to our experts.
- Wheels: Kneeling chairs with wheels are easier to move around, and can be a better fit for multi-use home spaces.
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The best kneeling chairs to shop in 2026
Below are a mix of expert-recommended and top-rated kneeling chairs of different types. We list specifications like type, weight and supported weight under the “What to know” section of each recommendation.
Best kneeling chair
Both Conrad and Dr. Sapna Sriram, CEO and founder of Integra Health, recommend this Balans kneeling chair — it has a simple, curved wooden base that allows the chair to rock back and forth, which can help maintain core strength and improve balance. It weighs less than 15 pounds, but still provides stability and doesn’t feel flimsy, says Conrad. “Some kneeling chairs don’t feel like they’re strong enough and will tilt with slight movements, but this one has been around for years and still offers great stability.”
Best budget kneeling chair
Sriram also recommends the Vivo kneeling chair, which has a solid wood frame and four-inch-thick cushions for added comfort. It supports up to 250 pounds and comes with a one year manufacturer’s warranty, according to the brand.
Top-rated saddle kneeling chair
This saddle-type kneeling chair is top-rated on Amazon, with a 4.3-star average rating from over 3,500 reviews. Unlike other kneeling chairs, it can rotate 360 degrees, is height adjustable and has wheels to easily move around. It can also support more weight — up to 400 pounds.
Top-rated x-framed kneeling chair
This x-framed kneeling chair can fold into a more compact size, making it better for storage than some Balans-type options. It’s also very adjustable — you can adjust the seat height and leg-rest height using the cutouts on the wood frame.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Allen Conrad is a chiropractor and owner of Montgomery County Chiropractic Center in North Wales, Pennsylvania.
- Dr. Sapna Sriram, CEO and founder of Integra Health, an agency that offers personal health-care services in your home.
Why trust NBC Select?
Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter for NBC Select, covering skin care, lifestyle and more, including stories on acne spot treatments and water filter pitchers.
Harry Rabinowitz is a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology and fitness including stories on air purifiers, smart scales and wireless earbuds. He also covers ergonomics, including guides to ergonomic mice and ergonomic keyboards.
For this article, Morris and Rabinowitz spoke to experts about kneeling chairs and selected different kneeling chairs that aligned with expert guidance.
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