Product Reviews

Office Star WorkSmart Professional Eco Leather Chair
Dual Function Ergonomic High Back

Really fast delivery for such a large item. I got the burgundy color because it was the only chair left in stock. The chair also comes in black. Either color suits me fine.

Assembly is really easy. I had it from boxed to sitting in it in less than 15 minutes. There is only one tool needed, which is a Allen wrench, which comes with the chair. Six Allen-head bolts, three knobs, set things in their slots, and your done. be sure to tighten all bolts, even those already in place.

This office chair is a little different from other office chairs I have owned in that it is almost infinitely adjustable. It starts off at rest with all lock levers released, and the chair tilted forward disconcertingly -- both the seatback in relation to the seat, and the seat itself tilting forward. You have to snuggle into this chair butt-first the first time you sit in it, then sit up like you want, and lock the adjustments after you decided on your seating position. The tilted-forward empty chair looks strange at first, but you will soon discover that you will come to love this unique tilt feature - and use it often.

The seat itself adjusts both vertically (height from floor is controlled by the now standard gas piston and a locking lever))and the seat also tilts forward and backwards with its own separate locking lever. At first it is a little disconcerting to tilt forward on the chair while you are sitting in it. But I soon found this a very desirable feature that allows me to lean over the desk, yet still have the back rest in complete contact with my back, holding my spine in proper alignment. I think no other office chair has this feature. The tilt range on the seat also allows me to sit back in a relaxed position.

There is a positive spring pressure to return the chair to its forward position, so the chair doesn't flop around. That spring tension isn't adjustable, though it appears there may have once been an adjustment knob for spring tension. You can lock the seat tilt at any angle you want by pushing down on the proper lever. I most often leave the seat tilt unlocked, so I can recline forward or backwards often and effortlessly.

The back rest adjust vertically. and it also relines forward or backward in relation to the seat. So you can adjust the angle the backrest and seat make to your liking -- and change it whenever you feel like it by simply pulling the locking lever up to release the lock, and pushing the lever down when you have the angles you like -- all without ever getting up. Generally, you will want the backrest snug up to your back, regardless of the seat recline angle. That way you avoid stress on your back from hunching over unsupported.

Because both the seat and the backrest are independently adjustable for recline angle, you have a greater range of movement to accommodate your personal comfort positions. I like the back rest set at its uppermost height setting, which gives my butt more room to slide backwards on the seat, and in turn the backrest then gives me more support for my lower back. I lock the backrest angle with the seat after I sit in the chair. That way the backrest is snug on my back. When I feel like leaning back with my feet on the desk, I release the back recline lock for an even more comfortable angle.

The armrests also adjust up and down, and in and out, so you can find the most comfortable height for your forearms. and have them positioned below your shoulder, as your belly may allow. I have them set almost the same level as my desk top, so I can lean back and still easily operate my trackball without any strain. I also like them all the way in, so the arm rests are next to my body.

The cushions on both the seat and backrest are well contoured, and really thick -- enough to take on your body shape without causing pressure points.

The warranty on this chair is one of the most generous I have ever seen:
15 years on non-moving parts
5 years on component parts
3 years on upholstery fabric and foam
Just remember to save your purchase receipt where you can find it years from now.

All in all, it is more than I expected fore a chair in this price range, and I am very happy with it. I would recommend this chair to my friends.

UPDATE (3 Mar 2012): Now that I have had this chair a month of prolonged (10 hours/day)everyday use, I find all my back pain has disappeared, and that thick seat cushion just as comfortable as when I first sat on it. My wife says the chair is ugly to look at, and certainly there are prettier chairs around that I have tried out in COSTCO and other office furniture stores. But I'll take comfort over pretty any day -- and this remains the most comfortable chair I have yet sat in.