How Long do Mesh Office Chairs Last?

Mesh office chairs are so popular that when work from home started, many people bought their own chairs.

While it’s not surprising why people love this ergonomic and highly adjustable office chair, mesh office chairs aren’t as durable as leather office chairs.

Mesh office chairs last for more or less 5 years, with some lasting until 10 years. However, the longevity of a mesh office chair isn’t guaranteed unless you buy a chair that uses high-quality materials and you use this chair for an average of 8 hours a day.

5 years seems like a long time, but we’ve experienced office chairs to last for only 2 years!

Why did that happen?

We’ll be talking about that below and how you can extend the lifespan of your mesh office chair.

What is the life expectancy of an office chair?

The life expectancy of an office chair varies on the material it uses for its backrest and seat. The most common types of office chairs are made of mesh or leather.

Mesh office chairs last for 5-10 years if you’ve bought an office chair that uses high-quality parts. Mesh office chairs like the Aeron by Herman Miller are said to last for a decade if you use them well.

But if the mesh office chairs are made of cheap materials, and if their design is not durable enough, then it’s going to last for only 1-2 years.

On the other hand, a leather office chair can last for 10 years. When compared to mesh, leather has a longer lifespan because it uses more durable material.

Of course, this also depends a lot on the type of leather material the office chair uses (because there are a lot of types).

Add to that, a leather office chair isn’t guaranteed to last longer than a mesh chair if the leather is not well taken care of. Leather office chairs require a little more maintenance, so if you want them to last longer, you have to take care of them regularly.

How long do mesh office chairs last?

Mesh office chairs last anywhere from 1-10 years. How long it lasts depends on a few factors: the design, materials used, average time you spend sitting on it every day, and maintenance.

First, there’s design. The problem with mesh chairs is that you always have to find a design that balances comfort and durability.

Mesh office chairs that have padding or soft mesh will easily sag over time. Since it expands and contracts whenever someone sits on it, the chances of it sagging over time are high.

However, mesh office chairs that use hard mesh as a seat aren’t comfortable at all. Even if it lasts longer, it doesn’t give you that “floating” feeling when you sit on a padded chair.

The second factor to consider is the materials used. If the brand you bought the office chair from uses high-quality materials, then there’s a high chance your office chair can last up to 10 years.

Keep in mind, though, that many office chairs use plastic for their stand and armrests. And after a few years, these plastic materials become brittle.

Another factor to consider is the average time you spend sitting on your mesh office chair a day.

The more times you use your chair, the faster it deteriorates. This isn’t to say that using your chair very rarely will prevent it from natural wear and tear.

And then there’s the maintenance. Mesh office chairs need some maintenance too!

If you regularly clean the mesh and wheels, and oil the moving parts, then you can help maintain your office chair’s performance.

How do you take care of a mesh office?

Mesh office chairs are very low maintenance, but it needs a little cleaning every once in a while.

To clean your office chair, vacuum the padding and the mesh using a low level of suction. This removes the dust that has gathered in the area.

After that, wipe the mesh with a mix of soap and warm water. It’s best to use a lint-free fabric so it doesn’t leave fluff on the mesh.

When wiping the mesh, make sure that you do this gently. You don’t need to scrub the mesh unless there’s a stain on it.

Does a mesh office chair last longer than a leather gaming chair?

There are certain perks to buying a mesh office chair. However, as we’ve discussed above, its lifespan is not as long as a leather chair.

Compared to a leather chair (whether gaming or office chair), a mesh office chair lasts only 1-5 years. This is about half the lifespan of a high-quality and well-maintained leather gaming chair.

Nonetheless, high-quality mesh office chairs can last beyond 5 years. But as a general rule, mesh office chairs should be replaced every 5 years.

This is because the plastic parts of a mesh office chair and the mesh itself deteriorate over time. This makes them vulnerable to breaking, sagging, or snapping.

So even if your mesh office chair can last for more than 5 years, it would be best for your comfort and safety to replace your office chair after 5 years.

Conclusion

Mesh office chairs last for a few years. If you want to make the most of your chair’s quality and performance, you should do regular maintenance and cleaning.

While mesh office chairs are very low-maintenance, they don’t last as long as leather office chairs. This is because leather is more durable in nature.

But that shouldn’t stop you from choosing a mesh office chair. Remember, if you buy a high-quality mesh office chair, take care of it, and you don’t overuse it, it will be able to last you a very long time – even for more than 5 years!