Office chairs

Do You Need a Headrest on an Office Chair?

Published · By Ergocrew · Specs and guidance as of that date, from the pages under Sources

Summary

A headrest is worth checking if you regularly recline and want support in that position. OSHA's purchasing guide calls for one when a backrest reclines more than about 30 degrees from vertical. That is separate from its minimum backrest-recline check of 15 degrees. Compare the headrest's height and angle at the position you actually use; its presence or a 3D label alone does not establish fit.

When the head needs support

OSHA's chair guidance asks for a backrest with adjustment allowing recline "at least 15 degrees from the vertical." It also says the backrest "should lock in place or be tension adjustable." CCOHS, Canada's occupational health agency, says the workstation should allow "for voluntary changes in the working position." Leaning back between bouts of typing is one of those changes.

Think about how often you lean back during the day, and whether the backrest alone reaches high enough for you when you do. If you rarely unlock the recline, a headrest may spend most of the day unused.

What an adjustable headrest should do

A headrest helps only if it meets the back of your head when you recline. That depends on your torso length, the height of the backrest and the recline angle you use. Two adjustments do most of the work:

Makers describe the adjustments differently. Sihoo lists 3.9" of vertical movement and a 45° pivot for the M18. For the B100 Pro and B300 Pro, it uses 3D-adjustable wording. Ask Sihoo for the usable height and angle ranges on your selected model rather than assuming that the D count tells you its travel.

Headrest and recline on Sihoo's chairs

Each Sihoo chair below lists a headrest, so the table cannot show the price of the same chair with and without one. It shows what Sihoo lists for each headrest and recline, with prices at Sihoo's US store, checked 2026-10-13. "From" means the lowest price among the listed colors and versions.

ModelHeadrest as Sihoo lists itRecline as Sihoo lists itPrice at Sihoo's US store, checked 2026-10-13
M18Moves 3.9" up and down, pivots 45°Maximum 126°from $169.99
B100Extra-wide 2D, adjustable positioning3 lockable positions, up to 135°from $199.99
B100 ProWide, 3D-adjustable3 positions, up to 135°from $259.99
B300 Pro3D ultra-wide, adjustable105°, 120°, 135°, lockablefrom $259.99
Doro C300 Pro V2Ultra-wide 3D, adjustable in three directions105°, 120°, 135°, weight-responsivefrom $429.99
Doro S300Can be raised or loweredAnti-Gravity Mechanism; confirm angles with Sihoofrom $599.99

The M18 provides a useful example of headrest travel stated in inches and degrees. More expensive chairs add other controls: Sihoo lists a three-direction headrest and 8D arms on the C300 Pro V2, whereas the M18 arms adjust vertically. That is a comparison of whole chairs, not evidence of what one headrest is worth.

A headrest's contribution to price cannot be isolated by comparing a standard chair with a footrest version. For example, the B100 Black / Mesh Seat / Standard Version was $219.99 and the matching Footrest Version $259.99 at Sihoo's US store, checked 2026-10-13. The $259.99 - $219.99 = $40 difference buys a version with leg support, not a headrest upgrade; both listings include a headrest.

Add-on headrests

For a chair you already own, ask the maker for a headrest attachment approved for that exact model and generation. Confirm its mounting method, adjustment range and warranty implications before ordering.

How to decide

Use your usual upright and reclined positions to decide which details need checking.

If you want stated headrest travel before buying, compare the Sihoo M18's 3.9" vertical adjustment and 45° pivot at a starting price of $169.99 at Sihoo's US store, checked 2026-10-13. Confirm where that pad sits relative to your head with Sihoo or during a permitted fit check. The figures describe movement, not the pad's absolute height for every user.

Once the chair arrives, set the headrest last. Adjust the seat, backrest and armrests first, as in our guide to the order of chair adjustments. Then recline to your usual angle and move the headrest to meet your head.

Browsing for one? Browse chairs in the feed →

Related guides

Sources

  1. OSHA, Purchasing Guide
  2. OSHA Computer Workstations eTool, Chairs
  3. CCOHS, Office Ergonomics - Adjusting the Chair
  4. Sihoo, M18 Ergonomic Office Chair
  5. Sihoo, B100 Ergonomic Office Chair
  6. Sihoo, B100 Pro Ergonomic Office Chair
  7. Sihoo, B300 Pro Ergonomic Office Chair
  8. Sihoo, Doro C300 Pro V2 Ergonomic Office Chair
  9. Sihoo, Doro S300 Ergonomic Chair

We have not tested these products. Specs and guidance are as published on these pages on the date above and can change; the manufacturer's page for your model has the current details.

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