Sitting in an office chair with arms is arguably the norm and preferred way of sitting in most workplaces around the world. Ask any of your co-workers or friends if they would prefer a chair with armrests and the vast majority would probably say yes. While you may find that many people prefer to sit in a chair with armrests, there are also a large number of people who prefer to sit in a chair without arms. Armless office chairs possess quite a few benefits that office chairs with arms don’t, making them a great alternative for your office seating.

Perhaps the biggest advantage of purchasing an office chair with no arms over one with arms is the discount you’ll receive. Chairs without arms will always be priced less than a chair with arms because the cost of adding a set of arms to a chair always results in an increase in price. Outfitting your office with armless chairs instead of chairs with arms is a viable option for those on a budget, as it will end up saving you hundreds of dollars in the long run. Chair arms are one of the first parts to break on an office chair due to repeated pressure placed on them throughout the life of the chair. If your chair is still under warranty when the part breaks, it can take a long time to order replacement parts; sometimes the process of receiving a new part can take a few weeks from the time the request is made to the manufacturer. If your chair is not under warranty, then you will need to purchase a new chair which will add to the cost that could have been saved if you had purchased an armless office chair.

Armless chairs are also smaller in size, making them great space savers. Often when office chairs have arms, there is a chance that the chair will not fit properly under your desk, which can lead to the hassle of having to return the chair if it doesn’t work for your workplace. Having to measure the height of your desk along with finding the exact measurements for the seat, arm, and overall height of the chair can be tedious and difficult. Buying an office chair without arms eliminates this hassle with its ability to fit under almost any workstation or desk without having to worry about taking precise measurements.

Often while working, you may find that the armrests of your chair get in the way. Whether he’s sitting in his chair or standing up to take a break, armrests always tend to get in the way. If your workstation is ergonomically set up to have a keyboard tray installed under your desk, having a chair with armrests can be even more of a problem when trying to find a way to fit them under your desk and keyboard tray. Having armrests on a chair will also negate the ergonomic benefits of using a keyboard tray because it will cause you to type in an unnatural position, leading to strain on your wrists. Sliding into an armless chair is effortless, and getting in and out of the chair will no longer seem like a chore. Reaching things near or on your desk will also be much easier without your arms in the way.

If you are hesitating to buy an armless chair for the first time, rest assured that most chairs allow the flexibility of removing the armrests at your convenience at a later time. Most office chairs purchased through internet dealers are shipped knocked down, allowing you to decide if you need the armrests during the assembly process. If you choose to install your armrests and later find that you prefer to sit in an armless office chair, the arms can be easily removed to give you maximum flexibility. The only time it’s impossible to remove the arms from an office chair is if the arms are part of the overall frame and design of the chair, which is a rare feature.

Sitting in an armless office chair takes some getting used to and can take a few weeks to feel completely comfortable. If you’re considering making the switch but aren’t yet sure if you’ll be happy with a new armless office chair, consider removing the arms from your current chair to test the feel. This will provide you with a free determinant for your decision to buy a new armless chair by eliminating the possibility of having to return a chair because you are uncomfortable with the absence of arms.

Whether you are considering purchasing an armless office chair for price, convenience, space savings, flexibility, or ergonomic reasons, there is very little risk associated with the purchase and many benefits to be gained.