Ball chairs are not something we typically use around the office, and we had to try them out.
The idea of sitting on a ball throughout the day left us wondering why someone would choose this over a standard desk chair.
We learned a lot about all the benefits the best balance ball chairs offer. From the fact that ball chairs will increase not only your core strength but also your posture to even improving your breathing.
They are an excellent alternative for you to use at the office or at home. We rounded up a few of our favorites to determine what we found to be the best. Let’s get to it and help you find the ideal balance ball chair for you.
Contents
- 1 Top 10 Best Balance Ball Chairs In 2023 Review
- 1.1 1 Gaiam Classic Backless Balance Ball Chair – Exercise Stability Yoga Ball Premium Ergonomic Chair for Home and Office Desk with Air Pump, Exercise Guide, and Satisfaction Guarantee – Best Secured Balance Ball Chair
- 1.2 2 Vivora Luno – Sitting Ball Chair for Office, Dorm, and Home, Lightweight Self-Standing Ergonomic Posture Activating Exercise Ball Solution with Handle & Cover, Classroom & Yoga – Best Non Slip Balance Ball Chair
- 1.3 3 Safco Zenergy Ball Chair, Crimson
- 1.4 4 Gaiam Classic Backless Balance Ball Chair – Exercise Stability Yoga Ball Premium Ergonomic Chair for Home and Office Desk with Air Pump, Exercise Guide, and Satisfaction Guaranteegr
- 1.5 5 Gaiam Ultimate Balance Ball Chair – Premium Exercise Stability Yoga Ball Ergonomic Chair for Home and Office Desk with Reinforced Base, Air Pump, Exercise Guide and Satisfaction Guarantee – Best No Burst Balance Ball Chair
- 1.6 6 Aeromat Ball Chair Deluxe – Best Balance Ball with Armrest Chair
- 1.7 7 Trideer Ball Chair, Exercise Stability Yoga Ball with Base & Resistance Bands for Home and Office Desk, Flexible Ball Seat with Pump, Improves Balance, Core Strength & Posture – Best Heavy Weight Balance Ball Chair
- 1.8 8 Isokinetics Inc. Balance Exercise Ball Chair – Standard or Tall Boy (Exclusive) Frame Height – Choice of Ball Color – Office Size 60mm/2.5” Wheels – Adult Size
- 2 Best Balance Ball Chairs Buying Guide
- 3 Before We Announce Our Favorite
- 4 The Best of the Best Balance Ball Chairs is…
Top 10 Best Balance Ball Chairs In 2023 Review
Product | Ball Diameter | Weight Capacity | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Also Great Gaiam Classic Balance Ball Chair ![]() View Price | Ball Diameter 52cm | Weight Capacity 300lbs./div> | Price $$ |
Also Great Vivora Luno – Sitting Ball Chair ![]() View Price | Ball Diameter 65cm | Weight Capacity 400lbs./div> | Price $$ |
Also Great Safco Zenergy Ball Chair ![]() View Price | Ball Diameter 17.5cm | Weight Capacity 250lbs./div> | Price $$$$ |
Ball Diameter 52cm | Weight Capacity 350lbs./div> | Price $$ | |
Best Choice Gaiam Ultimate Balance Ball Chair ![]() View Price | Ball Diameter 55cm | Weight Capacity 400lbs./div> | Price $$$ |
Also Great Aeromat Ball Chair Deluxe ![]() View Price | Ball Diameter 50cm | Weight Capacity 350lbs./div> | Price $$$ |
Also Great Trideer Ball Chair ![]() View Price | Ball Diameter 65cm or 75cm | Weight Capacity 2000lbs./div> | Price $ |
Ball Diameter 52cm | Weight Capacity 300lbs./div> | Price $$ |
1
Gaiam Classic Backless Balance Ball Chair – Exercise Stability Yoga Ball Premium Ergonomic Chair for Home and Office Desk with Air Pump, Exercise Guide, and Satisfaction Guarantee – Best Secured Balance Ball Chair
Gaiam is a well-known name when it comes to yoga and active balance products, so when we tried their Classic Backless Balance Ball Chair, we had high expectations.
The Gaiam Classic comes with a moveable base to hold the 52-centimeter blue ball that you sit on. Altogether, the base and ball only measure 24 inches tall by 22 inches wide.
Easily secured…
The base is very durable and has four caster wheels that glide with ease on most surfaces, and that can lock in place. There are also two metal guide rails to hold the ball securely in the base.
This ball is intended for people that are 5 ft to 5 ft 11 inches tall. It can hold an impressive weight of up to 300 pounds.
What a relief…
Sitting on the ball was a joy. You will notice that you are sitting up straighter, and we even felt like we were breathing better as well.
It takes some time to get used to the fact that there is no backrest to lean on. You will find yourself making small adjustments to maintain your balance.
This can be sort of distracting at first, but after a short amount of time, you stop thinking about it and it becomes second nature.
Take note…
When you first inflate the ball with the included pump, it will most likely not inflate to 100%. That is because the material the ball is made of will actually stretch after the initial inflation.
You will want to fill it up and then wait 24 hours. After you let it settle for those 24 hours, you will want to deflate it to 50% and then reinflate it to full.
Pros
- 52 cm ball.
- Airpump included.
- Latex-free PVC.
- Comes with an exercise guide.
Cons
- Proper inflation takes time.
2
Vivora Luno – Sitting Ball Chair for Office, Dorm, and Home, Lightweight Self-Standing Ergonomic Posture Activating Exercise Ball Solution with Handle & Cover, Classroom & Yoga – Best Non Slip Balance Ball Chair
The Vivora Luno ball chair is freestanding. It is made from high-quality PVC and can hold an impressive 400 pounds of weight.
Once you sit on the ball, it has just enough stretch to allow you to find your balance without much effort.
No slipping and sliding…
This ball comes with a 100% polyester felt anthracite-colored cover. The cover works well at keeping the ball from slipping on smooth surfaces and even helps to prevent the shape of the ball from deforming over time.
We could definitely see how this ball could be great for not just the office but also for doing additional exercises at home.
You’ll need to put in a bit of effort pumping…
It comes with a handpump and air pump adapter and even a few spare plugs. The air pump isn’t the strongest, and it took us about 15 minutes to inflate the ball completely.
When fully inflated, the 65-centimeter ball provides a sitting height of 22 to 24 inches. You should be able to store this ball conveniently under your desk once you are done for the day.
Lightweight…
If you want to take it home with you, that’s not a problem either since the cover has a carry handle. In total, the ball only weighs 4 pounds, making it easy to move from place to place.
Vivora also includes a 6-month no-hassle return policy with the Luno. If anything happens to it, they will replace it, or you can return it and get your money back.
Pros
- 65 cm PVC ball.
- Felt cover holds the ball shape.
- Lightweight.
- Handle makes it easy to move.
- 6-Month warranty.
Cons
- Included air pump could be more durable.
3
Safco Zenergy Ball Chair, Crimson
Balance ball chairs vary in design, and this next offering from Safco is a prime example.
Their Zenergy ball chair is crimson in color, and you might think it’s just an oddly shaped stool till you sit on it.
Weird at first but cool…
The ball it uses is 17 and a half inches in diameter. It is surrounded by a vinyl cover that runs down the entirety of the base to the legs.
When you fully inflate this ball, it sits 23 inches off the ground. You can also detach the legs of the base, and it will only be 20 inches off the ground, leaving you ample room to tuck it away out of the way.
Balancing on this ball was rather easy. The 2-millimeter steel legs make the base extremely stable and can hold up to a respectable 250 pounds.
Ease of use…
When the ball is inflated correctly, it almost felt too easy to sit on. We could still feel a decent amount of tension on the core of our body but not so much as with other balance ball chairs.
This also could have been because of the vinyl cover. It provides a good amount of grip to it on its own. It will also get rather warm if you sit on it all day long.
Pros
- Easy to inflate.
- Durable.
- Takes up very little space.
- Stylish design.
Cons
- Vinyl cover gets warm.
4
Gaiam Classic Backless Balance Ball Chair – Exercise Stability Yoga Ball Premium Ergonomic Chair for Home and Office Desk with Air Pump, Exercise Guide, and Satisfaction Guaranteegr
Gaiam is back again, but this time we are testing the black version of their Classic Backless Ball Chair.
It comes in the same 52-centimeter diameter size as the previous model we tested. Featuring a sturdy 22-inch broad base to place the ball in that can hold up to 350 pounds.
Somehow less effort?
We only had to inflate this once to get it fully expanded and sit 24 inches off the ground. This chair provides the same excellent grip as the previous Gaimia ball chair we tested while still stretching to accommodate your seating position.
Throughout your workday, you will feel the slight tension on your legs, thighs, and abdominal region thanks to the unstable nature of this ball chair.
It stays in place thanks to the provided wheel locks on the rear caster type wheels.
That’s not all…
If you find yourself wanting to get in a little extra exercise while at the office or at home, Gaiam provides a handy exercise guide with nine different workouts and stretches you can do with both color options.
Make sure you lock the caster wheels in place before you attempt any of the exercises provided in the guide.
Pros
- Classic black color.
- Sturdy 22-inch base.
- Locking rear caster wheels.
- Comes with an exercise guide.
Cons
- Could take up to 24 hours to inflate correctly.
5
Gaiam Ultimate Balance Ball Chair – Premium Exercise Stability Yoga Ball Ergonomic Chair for Home and Office Desk with Reinforced Base, Air Pump, Exercise Guide and Satisfaction Guarantee – Best No Burst Balance Ball Chair
The Ultimate Balance Ball Chair from Gaiam has a lot to prove if it is going to stand up to its name.
Non-burst…
This chair starts by featuring a non-burst 55-centimeter ball at the heart of it that is latex-free. This ball, like other Gaiam balance balls, may require you to inflate, deflate, and then reinflate it for it to reach its maximum air capacity.
Once all is said and done, the ball sits about 25 inches off the ground. Housing the balance ball is a sturdy metal base with nylon accents and four caster wheels on the bottom.
You can roll this ball around the office easily and can even remove the entire ball from the base and use it solely for exercise purposes.
Lumbar support…
Well, this chair has a lower backrest that is part of the base. The top of this backrest sits 27 inches off the floor.
We won’t go as far as to say it is as good as the dedicated lumbar support you might find on a premium office chair. It does, though, add a bit of relief if you are sitting down over a long period.
Easy assembly…
Putting this all together is rather easy. You will find a few more screws to attach the added backrest, but other than that, it is as simple as any of the other Gaiman ball chairs we have tested.
We tested this chair over and over again to determine its durability and make sure it holds its shape over time. It never once faltered and provided the same great ergonomic benefits as the first time we inflated it.
It was almost as easy to sit on as a standard desk chair thanks to the added backrest. But, it does require a bit of concentration to get genuinely comfortable while still keeping a proper posture, though.
Pros
- Lower backrest for added support.
- 55cm anti-burst ball.
- Extremely easy to sit on throughout the day.
Cons
- The base is not compatible with leg extenders.
6
Aeromat Ball Chair Deluxe – Best Balance Ball with Armrest Chair
At first glance, this ball chair from Aeromat is about as close to a standard office chair as possible, except for the ball in the middle of it.
Armrests…
Like a standard office chair, this ball chair includes non-adjustable armrests. This chair can also swivel thanks to the caster wheels.
You will sit a good 22 inches off the ground. Once you fully inflate the PVC ball, it is 50 centimeters in diameter.
With the armrests sitting 24-inches off the ground, you may not be able to slide it under your desk after work. But, the ball is also rather durable and is made to last and isn’t prone to deforming.
But there’s a catch…
Is this chair too comfortable? It will quickly help your overall posture compared to a padded office chair but at a cost.
We didn’t find that it actually requires much effort at all to stay seated in this chair. You just don’t feel like you are balancing on this chair all that much.
Since the armrests are there to assist, you can’t really move all that much. The backrest is also there to prevent you from sliding off backward.
This, in turn, leaves you using less of your core strength compared to other balance ball chairs. It would still end up being a healthier choice than a standard desk chair in the end, though.
The ball is removable, at least…
You can also remove the ball from the base of the chair. You could use it to get some additional exercise that way.
The installation will also take a bit more time in the end because of all the additional parts that need to be assembled. Thankfully, all the tools required are included with a detailed set of instructions and an air pump for inflation.
Pros
- Wide 50cm ball.
- Arm and backrests.
- Stable.
- Detailed instructions and tools included.
Cons
- Possibly too comfortable.
7
Trideer Ball Chair, Exercise Stability Yoga Ball with Base & Resistance Bands for Home and Office Desk, Flexible Ball Seat with Pump, Improves Balance, Core Strength & Posture – Best Heavy Weight Balance Ball Chair
This balance ball chair from Trideer comes in 65 or 75-centimeter sizes. It is made from a durable 2000 micrometer thick PVC and has a nonslip matte surface.
Either of them can hold a whopping 2000lb weight but…
Anyone 5 ft 3 inches to 5 ft 11 inches will want to go for the 65-centimeter ball. While anyone up to 6 ft 4 inches in height will prefer the more substantial 75-centimeter ball.
Resistance band included…
The large diameter of the ball makes sitting on it rather easy without putting too much tension on your legs. You will find an included resistance band with this ball chair.
We found the resistance band could be used for a bit of stability but, more importantly, for a quick bit of stretching throughout the day.
Multi-step inflation…
Trideer recommends you let this ball sit at least two hours at room temperature before you even begin inflating it. Once it has rested and is at temperature, you can inflate it to 80% capacity.
From there, wait 24 hours before inflating it fully and lastly wait another full day before you start using it. Thankfully, the foot pump included makes this a somewhat quicker experience.
Pros
- Resistance band included.
- Two sizes available.
- Anti-burst tested up to 2000 pounds.
Cons
- Takes a good 48 hours before you can use it.
8
Isokinetics Inc. Balance Exercise Ball Chair – Standard or Tall Boy (Exclusive) Frame Height – Choice of Ball Color – Office Size 60mm/2.5” Wheels – Adult Size
This last balance ball chair we tested is from Isokinetics Inc. It is a decent 52 centimeters in diameter and can hold a good 300 pounds.
It comes with a rolling base for stability that makes the ball stand 20.5 inches off the floor when inflated.
The base has four large two and a half inch caster wheels that can easily roll over the carpet. Two of the wheels can lock in place when you need to stay in a stationary position.
Reliability…
Once you slip the ball into the base, you secure it via the adjustable metal bar located on the front. We found this bar to occasionally slip out of position and to not be as durable as we would like.
This balance ball chair also has a backrest for added comfort and stability. It goes partially up along your back, but we didn’t find it to be very supportive.
No, that’s a good thing…
This is a good thing in our opinion. It increases stability yet still makes you keep your balance and posture all day long.
Isokinetics also sell separate risers to increase the overall height of the chair.
Pros
- Large 2 ½ inch caster wheels.
- Fits under standard office desks.
Cons
- Height extenders come at an additional cost.
Best Balance Ball Chairs Buying Guide
Whether at home or the office, a balance ball chair can be a useful and healthy benefit to your day to day life.
Ball chairs require a decent amount of balance, first and foremost. And sitting on a balance ball chair is an entirely different experience than sitting on a standard office chair.
They can be relaxing and provide significant benefits to your posture and overall fitness throughout the day if used correctly.
It is easy to find yourself slumped over in your office chair throughout the day…
This is not possible if you use a balance ball chair. From your legs to your abdominal muscles, you will notice a difference in the way your body reacts to sitting on an unstable surface.
Ball chairs are typically made from PVC and come in different size diameters. The size of the ball will directly correlate to the size of the person it is made to accommodate.
Manufacturers also test the ball chairs and give you a max weight capacity. They will also check them under extreme amounts of pressure to make sure they do not burst under everyday usage.
You can find ball chairs that come with added features like back or armrests…
These added features will increase the overall stability of the chair. With the added stability, you do lose some of the health benefits that a chair without them has. You still will maintain a better posture and work your core throughout the day, but not nearly as much.
Some balance ball chairs come with a mount that will often feature caster wheels that you can use to roll around the office. They also typically allow you to remove the ball entirely, thus leaving it portable so you can use it at home.
Before We Announce Our Favorite
If sitting comfortably at your desk is a constant pain in the back, we recommend you check out our reviews of the Most Comfortable Office Chairs, our Best Ergonomic Office Chairs reviews, and our Best Ergonomic Office Chairs for Back Pain reviews.
Tall and big? You might find a chair from the Best Big and Tall Office Chairs reviews, or a desk from the Best Computer Desks for Tall People reviews is all you really need.
Another great option to improve posture at your desk fast can be found in the Best Back Supports for Office Chair reviews.
Then, if you’re truly looking to improve posture and work long hours in a healthier way, take a gander at the Best Standing Desks reviews, to see if this may be an even better option than a ball chair.
Right. Back to balance ball chairs…
The Best of the Best Balance Ball Chairs is…
With so many balance ball office chairs on offer to choose from, it wasn’t a simple task to pick our favorite.
In the end, we found the…
Gaiam Ultimate Balance Chair…to be the best for the average consumer.
It provides a great balance between a standalone balance ball chair and your typical padded desk chair. The large 55-centimeter ball is comfortable to sit on for hours on end without a great deal of effort. Thanks to the added backrest, you also have a bit of lumbar support to rest against as well.
You will feel yourself sitting up straight while only making tiny adjustments throughout the day to maintain balance while also working out the core of your body.
The ball is also removable from the stand and can be used on its own. This allows for an excellent opportunity to use it for exercising away from your desk and even at home.
We love it. Try it; you won’t look back.
Here’s to better posture at your desk.