Quick answer: Among the two fully measured HOMCOM models in this shortlist, the High Back Mesh Ergonomic Chair (£149.99 on 11 August 2026) is the best adjustable fit for users up to 185cm: its seat runs from 48cm to 56cm high, slides through 5cm of depth and works with an adjustable back, lumbar pad, headrest and 6D armrests. The Heavy-Duty Faux Leather Chair (£143.99 on the same date) is the better starting point when a standard chair sits too low or feels too narrow, with a 52–59.5cm seat-height range, 58 × 47cm seat and 227kg published capacity. [1][2]
Aosom is the retailer and HOMCOM is its furniture sub-brand. The recommendations below are based on measurable fit rather than treating “high back”, “ergonomic” or “heavy duty” as proof that a chair will suit every tall person.
Start with four measurements, not height alone
Two people of the same height can need different chairs because one has longer legs and the other a longer torso. Measure these four points before comparing features.
Seat height. Sit in your usual work shoes and measure from the floor to the crease behind your knee. The useful setting is the one that lets both feet rest flat while the thighs stay roughly level. A chair that tops out at 50cm may leave a long-legged user with raised knees; one that starts at 52cm may be too high for somebody else sharing the desk.
Usable seat depth. Sit with your back against a firm surface and check how much support your thighs need while leaving a small gap behind the knees. Too little depth leaves the thighs unsupported; too much makes the front edge press into the legs. A sliding seat is valuable because it lets you tune this rather than rely on one fixed number.
Back and headrest position. The lumbar support should meet the inward curve of the lower back, while the upper backrest should reach the shoulder-blade area. A headrest only helps when it supports the back of the head instead of pushing into the neck.
Desk and armrest height. With elbows near a right angle, the armrests should support the forearms without lifting the shoulders, and the chair should still slide close enough to the desk. UK Health and Safety Executive guidance treats the chair, desk and screen as one display-screen workstation, so adjust them together. [3]
BS EN 1335 provides a brand-independent reference for office-chair dimensions, safety requirements and test methods. It is a more useful yardstick than an unmeasured “ergonomic” label, although a standard-size chair still needs to match the individual user. [4]
How the two verified options compare
| Model | Price on 11 Aug 2026 | Overall size (W × D × H) | Seat (W × D × H) | Fit controls | Capacity | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOMCOM High Back Mesh Ergonomic Chair | £149.99 | 67 × 71 × 114–133cm | 50 × 46 × 48–56cm | 5cm seat-depth adjustment; back adjusts 5cm; lumbar moves ±2cm; headrest adjusts 7cm; 6D arms; 135° recline | 120kg | Most adjustable; stated for users up to 185cm |
| HOMCOM Heavy-Duty Faux Leather Chair | £143.99 | 74.5 × 78 × 116.5–124cm | 58 × 47 × 52–59.5cm | Tilt, headrest and metal base | 227kg | Higher seat range, wider seat and highest published load |
The distinction is straightforward. The mesh chair gives more ways to tune the seat, back, headrest and arms around a body. The heavy-duty chair provides a higher seat and wider base with substantially more capacity, but fewer published adjustments. A higher seat does not mean a taller back: the mesh chair reaches 133cm overall, while the heavy-duty model reaches 124cm.
Best adjustable fit up to 185cm: High Back Mesh Ergonomic Chair
The high-back mesh chair is the stronger all-round fit when the product’s stated 185cm user limit covers you. Its seat runs from 48cm to 56cm and slides through 5cm of depth, so the legs can be supported without fixing every user to the same seat pan. The 70cm backrest adjusts vertically by 5cm, the headrest by 7cm and the lumbar pad by 2cm forwards or backwards. Six-direction armrests provide more scope to align elbows with the desk. [1]
The 135° recline and pull-out footrest create a second position for breaks, but they are not the main reason to choose it. The measured adjustments are. Its two clear boundaries are the 120kg capacity and the stated maximum user height of 185cm; somebody outside either limit should not assume the words “high back” override the listing.
Best for longer legs and higher capacity: Heavy-Duty Faux Leather Chair
The heavy-duty model solves a different mismatch. Its seat starts at 52cm and rises to 59.5cm, compared with 48–56cm on the mesh chair, while its 58cm width gives more room than the 50cm mesh seat. The published 227kg limit is the highest in this verified shortlist. [2]
The model also lists a metal base, high back, headrest and tilt. Separately, its product information states BS 5852 for upholstery ignitability; that is a fire-test claim for this model, not evidence for its weight capacity or ergonomic fit.
A fixed 47cm seat depth can still be too short for very long thighs, and the listing does not publish a user-height range. Choose this chair when the 52–59.5cm height and 58cm width solve measured problems, then confirm where the backrest and headrest meet your torso.
Decide between them in three questions
- Do you fit the mesh chair’s stated limit of up to 185cm and 120kg? If yes, its adjustable depth, lumbar, back, headrest and arms make it the more precise fit.
- Does your measured lower-leg height require a seat above 56cm, or do you need more than 120kg capacity? If yes, the heavy-duty model is the relevant option.
- Does the 47cm fixed seat on the heavy-duty chair support enough of your thighs? If not, neither model is a confident fit from the published measurements alone.
This is why body height by itself cannot choose a chair. The answer depends on where your length is and how the chair meets the desk.
Make the chair and desk work together
Check the desk opening. Raising the seat also raises the thighs and armrests. If the correct chair position will not clear a desk apron or drawer, the desk—not the chair—is setting the limit.
Set the screen after the chair. Establish feet-flat support and a relaxed elbow position first, then raise or lower the monitor to a comfortable eye line.
Keep a second posture available. Tilt and recline are useful because they let you change position, not because one reclined angle is universally correct. HSE guidance recommends arranging work so users can vary posture and take breaks from prolonged screen activity. [3]
Five checks before ordering
- Feet-flat test: your lower-leg measurement falls inside the seat-height range.
- Thigh-support test: the seat supports most of the thigh without pressing behind the knees.
- Back-contact test: the lumbar area and upper backrest meet the right parts of your torso.
- Desk-clearance test: the chair reaches the correct height without trapping your thighs or arms under the desk.
- Capacity test: your weight stays within the published limit with reasonable headroom.
Do not use overall chair height as a shortcut. That number includes headrest and gas-lift travel without showing whether the seat and lumbar position fit you.
What specifications cannot settle
Published dimensions can eliminate a poor fit, but they cannot prove long-session comfort. Foam firmness, lumbar shape and headrest pressure remain personal. Reviews are most useful after the geometry check, when you are looking for recurring comments about adjustment or durability rather than asking strangers whether the chair will fit your body.
There is no verified one-size-fits-all recommendation for people over 185cm in this shortlist. The mesh listing sets that explicit upper guide, while the heavy-duty model publishes a higher seat but no user-height range. Anyone above 185cm should compare the 58 × 47cm seat and 116.5–124cm overall height with their own measurements rather than buying from the “heavy duty” label alone.
FAQ
Q: What seat height should a tall person look for?
The setting that keeps both feet flat and the thighs roughly level at the actual desk. These two models cover 48–56cm and 52–59.5cm. The higher range suits longer lower legs, but its 52cm minimum may be too high for another person sharing the chair.
Q: Is a deeper seat always better for tall users?
No. It should support most of the thighs without pressing into the backs of the knees. The high-back mesh model has a 46cm seat plus 5cm of sliding adjustment; the heavy-duty chair has a fixed 47cm depth. The adjustable option is easier to tune when body proportions differ.
Q: Which chair is suitable for someone over 185cm?
Neither can be recommended from height alone. The high-back mesh listing states suitability up to 185cm. The heavy-duty model reaches 59.5cm at the seat but does not publish a user-height limit, so its seat and back dimensions must be checked against the individual.
Q: Does 227kg capacity prove that a chair fits a tall person?
No. It is a structural load figure, not a legroom or backrest measurement. The heavy-duty chair is relevant because it combines that capacity with a 52–59.5cm seat range and 58cm seat width; all three figures matter.
Q: Is mesh or padding better for a tall user?
Material does not determine fit. Mesh generally allows more airflow, while a fully padded chair feels warmer and more enveloping. Match seat height, usable depth, back contact and desk clearance first, then choose the upholstery you prefer.
Key takeaways
- The high-back mesh chair is the most adjustable verified option for users up to 185cm, with adjustable seat depth, back, lumbar support, headrest and arms.
- The heavy-duty model reaches the highest seat setting at 59.5cm, has the widest seat at 58cm and carries 227kg, but its 47cm depth is fixed.
- A higher seat does not automatically mean a taller or more adjustable backrest.
- Weight capacity supports a fit decision; it cannot replace seat and torso measurements.
- Set the chair for feet and elbows first, then adjust the desk and screen around it.
Prices and specifications were captured from aosom.co.uk on 11 August 2026 and may reflect promotions. Confirm the live price and product details before buying.