Last week, my neighbour bought a chair for 2000 rupees. My father bought one for 9000 rupees. I asked him why he spent so much more. He sat me down and explained everything.
Turns out, the difference is in how the chair treats your body when you sit for long hours.
What Are These Special Features?
You know how some pens write smoothly while others need pressure? Chairs work the same way. Some make sitting easy, others make it painful.
The special features that make chairs comfortable have a fancy name, but let’s keep it simple. These are parts that help your body stay relaxed while you work or study.
My cousin sits on a plastic stool to study. After 30 minutes, his back hurts. He gets up, walks around, then sits again.
I have a better chair. I can sit for two hours without any problem. That’s what good features do.
Simple Chairs vs Chairs With Features
A basic chair is just a seat with a backrest. Nothing moves. Nothing adjusts. You sit and that’s it.
Better chairs are different. They have things like:
- A lever that makes the chair go up or down
- A backrest that tilts when you lean back
- Padded armrests for your elbows
- Soft cushioning that doesn’t hurt your bottom
- Wheels that roll smoothly
Each addition costs money to make. More features mean higher price. Simple as that.
Why Your Back Needs Support
Stand up right now and feel your lower back with your hand. Notice that small curve going inward? Everyone has it.
Cheap chairs ignore this curve completely. The backrest is flat like a wall. When you sit for long, your back fights to stay comfortable. It gets tired.
When you check different office chairs in a shop, look at the backrest carefully. Good ones have a curve that matches your spine. Some have extra padding right where your lower back touches.
My teacher told us her old chair gave her a constant backache. Her new chair fixed it completely. The backrest supports her spine properly.
Making chairs with proper curves takes skill and better materials. This is why they cost more.
Moving Parts Cost Extra Money
Think about a regular door and a folding door. The folding one costs more because it has hinges and moving parts.
Chairs are similar. When you can adjust the height, tilt the seat, or move the armrests, there are mechanisms inside making it happen.
These mechanisms need metal parts, screws, and springs. Everything must work smoothly without breaking. Companies test them thousands of times before selling.
A friend of mine bought a cheap adjustable chair online. The height adjustment broke in two months. The lever just fell off one day.
Quality testing and good parts push up the chair price. But they also mean your chair won’t break after a few weeks.
Materials That Last vs Materials That Break
My school bought plastic chairs for the library last year. By summer, several chairs had cracks. The seat covers tore easily. Some wheels stopped rolling.
This year, they bought chairs with metal frames and thick fabric. Much better quality. No problems so far.
Here’s what matters in materials:
- Metal frames are stronger than plastic
- Quality fabric doesn’t tear or fade quickly
- Good wheels keep rolling for years
- Proper cushioning stays soft, doesn’t go flat
Better materials obviously cost more. But a chair that lasts five years is cheaper than buying three chairs in five years.
Smart Buying Decisions
My aunt keeps buying 1500-rupee chairs. She’s on her fourth chair in three years. She’s actually spent 6000 rupees already.
My father spent 8000 rupees once. His chair is two years old and works perfectly. He’ll probably use it for five more years.
Also, sitting comfortably helps you work better. My study time increased after getting a proper chair. I don’t get distracted by back pain anymore.
What Should You Do?
You don’t need the most expensive chair on the market. But avoid the very cheapest ones too.
Visit a shop and sit on chairs for a few minutes. Check if your feet touch the ground. See if the backrest feels good. Try the adjustments if they have any.
Pick something comfortable that you can afford. Understanding why prices differ helps you choose wisely instead of just grabbing whatever is cheapest.
Your body will thank you for making a smart choice.
