Do you need a headrest on an office chair?

When a headrest gets used

During upright keyboard work, with the back locked upright and the screen at eye level, your head sits above your shoulders and rarely touches a headrest. A headrest comes into play when you recline: leaning back for a video call, reading a document, watching or pausing to think.

If you recline often, a headrest gives your head something to rest on so you can relax back fully. If you rarely recline, you may hardly use one.

When a headrest gets in the way

A headrest that sits too far forward or too low can push your head forward when you sit upright. Gaming chair neck pillows often do this when strapped too low. A fixed headrest that is the wrong height for you can also be uncomfortable, especially for tall or short users.

Headrests also add height to the chair, which matters under shelves or window sills, and they can catch on things when you push the chair under a desk.

What adjustments matter

If you want a headrest, these adjustments make it fit more people.

Tall and short users

Tall users often find the headrest on a standard chair sits too low, hitting the base of the neck. Look for a chair with a high back or a headrest with a long height range. Our tall people guide lists chairs with longer backs.

Shorter users may find a headrest pushes their head forward because it sits too high and too far forward even at its lowest. A removable headrest is the safer choice.

Add-on headrests

Several makers sell clamp-on headrests for popular mesh chairs, including models designed to fit the Herman Miller Aeron, which has no headrest option from Herman Miller. Generic add-ons fix to the backrest frame with clamps or screws. Check the fit list carefully, as a poor fit can wobble or crack plastic frames.

An add-on is worth trying if you like your chair and recline often. If you are buying a new chair anyway, choosing one with an adjustable headrest is simpler.

How to set a headrest

Sit upright with your back against the backrest. Set the headrest so it is just behind your head without touching, or barely touching. Then recline and check it meets the back of your head or upper neck comfortably. If it pushes you forward when upright, lower its angle or move it back.

Our office chair adjustment guide covers the other settings to do first.

Headrests on gaming chairs

Gaming chairs usually have a tall one-piece back with a strap-on neck pillow instead of a separate headrest. The pillow moves up and down on its strap, and can be removed. Because the back is fixed in height, tall users sometimes find the pillow ends up too low and short users find it too high.

Set the pillow for reclined use and remove it when typing upright if it pushes your head forward. Our gaming chair setup guide covers the pillows and recline in more detail.

Chairs with good headrests

Our ergonomic office chairs guide notes which chairs have adjustable headrests, and our chairs with footrest guide covers reclining chairs where a headrest is used more.

Compare ergonomic office chairs →

Frequently asked questions

Should I get an office chair with a headrest? If you recline often or are tall, an adjustable headrest is useful. If you mostly type upright, it is optional.

Is an office chair without a headrest bad? No. Many premium chairs have no headrest as standard. It depends on how you sit.

Can I add a headrest to my office chair? Often yes, with a clamp-on attachment. Check it is listed as fitting your chair model.

Why does my headrest push my head forward? It is set too low, too far forward or angled too steeply. Adjust it or remove it for upright work.