Ergonomic office chairs are important for comfort and productivity. One of its key features over traditional office chairs is it allows users to rock back and forth. This functionality is enabled by a “Tilt Mechanism” which determines how the office chair moves and tilts.
It is necessary to get familiar with the different office chair tilt mechanisms. The feature is responsible for the degree of comfort and usability of the chair, and depending on how you intend to use your office chair, one may be more favourable over the others.
In this guide, we go over all the various types of tilt mechanisms available, their ideal use cases, and factors to consider when choosing an ergonomic chair with a tilt mechanism. Let's get into it.
Types of Office Chair Tilt Mechanism
Office chairs come in different forms and designs, but there are only five basic types of tilt mechanisms. Irrespective of the manufacturer and the material used, the chair will have one of the following mechanisms.
1. Synchro-tilt Mechanism
The synchro-tilt mechanism offers a sync in movement between the backrest and the seat pan. When you recline in a seat with this mechanism, the pan moves to balance out the movement. This is made to keep your feet flat on the floor no matter how much you recline. It is commonly found in high-end and some mid-ergonomic chairs.
In this type of tilt mechanism, the seat and backrest are connected by a single pivot to allow synchronized movement. For every 2° movement of the backrest, the seat pan moves 1°. In simple terms, the backrest tilts backwards while the seat moves slightly forward simultaneously. This helps maintain good posture by preventing the formation of pressure points.
Some ergonomic chairs with this mechanism have tension controls to adjust the resistance when you recline. Generally, synchro-tilt offers a comfortable sitting posture for long hours of work.
2. Tilt-tension Mechanism
The tilt-tension mechanism is a simple feature that gives control over the amount of tension you feel when reclining. It is also called the centre tilt or swivel-tilt mechanism. Office chairs usually have a spring or other mechanism that dictates the force required to recline the chair. The chair pivot is located centrally allowing the angle between the seat pan and backrest to remain the same while you recline.
When the tension is adjusted, you have control over the amount of force you need to apply to tilt the chair backwards. This control keeps the reclining easy or hard depending on the setting. It prevents the chair from reclining too easily or too far in a position that makes the user uncomfortable.
It usually requires a lot of effort to recline in a chair with a tilt-tension mechanism. Also, your feet will move from the floor the further you recline.
Some of these chairs also have a tilt-lock feature that allows you to keep the chair in a tilt position. This mechanism is the cheapest since it is basic and simple. But it is not the best for reclining as it does not keep your feet on the ground.
3. Knee-tilt Mechanism
The knee-tilt mechanism is an upgrade to the tilt-tension design. Here, the pivot is moved to a point just below your knees. This means that as you recline, the angle between both your feet and the backrest remains constant, however, your feet will not lift off the ground. The reclining feels more natural and comfortable. You will sink into the chair rather than feel like you're swinging.
Allowing your feet to remain on the ground helps to keep your blood circulation improved. This also helps avoid cramps and discomfort in your legs and feet. Additionally, there will be no pressure on your lower back. The knee-tilt mechanism is found in many high-end ergonomic chairs and gaming chairs. They often come combined with tension control to manage the ease of reclining.
4. Multi-tilt Mechanism
This mechanism allows the adjustment of the chair's seat angle, backrest and armrest independently. Separately, you can alter the backrest tilt levels without changing the seat position. In the same vein, you can adjust the seat position backwards or forward independently of the backrest.
Multi-tilt, multifunction or asynchronous mechanisms, as they are interchangeably referred to, are common with executive ergonomic chairs. The backrest tilt has a pivot similar to that of the knee-tilt mechanism just below the user's knee. Thus, reclining does not lift the legs off the floor. This mechanism has a lock function where the user can fix the chair in a reclined state based on the tilt angle.
The main advantage of the multi-tilt mechanism is the independence of control. The backrest can be adjusted independently without altering the seat pan position. Also, the seat can move forward or backwards and left or right without altering the backrest. However, it can be stressful adjusting two separate parts of the chair to get the right recline state all the time.
5. Weight-Sensitive Mechanism
The weight-sensitive mechanism relies on the pressure applied to the backrest. Based on the user's weight, the resistance of the backrest recline is automatically adjusted. It is a simple design that features no knob. As the user's weight or sitting position changes, the chair provides the necessary support for proper posture and sitting comfort.
Ergonomic chairs with this mechanism often have a hydraulic cylinder or spring that responds to the weight of the user. You only need to sit and the mechanism adjusts itself to offer you comfort. It is usually found in high-end ergonomic chairs and some mid-ones. As you lean back in the chair, the resistance is adjusted to offer the necessary comfort based on your weight. Thus, there is no fear of over-reclining or the resistance being too much.
Darren Sherwood
How to Choose the Best Tilt Mechanism
Choosing the most suitable tilt mechanism for you is dependent on several factors. Your type of work, your physical features (usually weight and height) and your preferred work position are important factors to consider. Proper consideration of these and the following factors will guide you on the best tilt mechanism for you.
Sitting Posture
Your usual sitting posture matters in the tilt mechanism that suits you. If you love to sit upright, then a mechanism with a fixed tilt position is best for you. On the contrary, if you love to recline, you should go for the multifunction or weight-sensitive mechanism.
Type of work
The type of work or task you perform while sitting in the chair is also something to consider. If you work on the computer or type on a keyboard, a synchro-tilt should be good for you. A greater tilting is required if your main task involves reading or reviewing documents. In that case, an asynchronous mechanism should be a great option.
Physique
Your height and weight will determine the type of chair or adjustments that will be comfortable for you. A weight-sensitive mechanism is always the best option for weighty individuals. People with less weight can choose the synchro-tilt option.
If you are to look at pricing, the cheapest ergonomic office chairs usually have the tilt-tension or centre-tilt mechanism while the high-end ones have weight-sensitive, synchro-tilt and multifunction mechanisms.
Adjustability
The level of control you want over the chair movement is the next factor to look at. Some mechanisms, like the weight-sensitive ones, do not offer any control. They are automated. But if you desire control over the seat, backrest, and armrest, then the multifunction mechanism is best.
Summary
The right office chair for you starts with knowing the tilt mechanism that offers you the comfort that your work requires. The five mechanisms offer varying degrees of control over the movement of the backrest and the seat. You should consider your consistent sitting posture, physique, type of work and the degree of adjustability you desire in selecting the best tilt mechanism for you.
If you're shopping for an ergonomic chair, here's a summary of everything else you should look out for. We also have comprehensive guides on the best ergonomic chairs in Australia, and a dedicated desk and chair height calculator to find which height range best suits you.
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