Did you know that a drafting chair falls under the category of office chairs? Its unique design features make it stand out from traditional office chairs. But what is the difference between a drafting chair and an office chair exactly?
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Even though they’re more or less similar in their intended purpose, as well as the quality they offer, the main difference between the two is that a drafting chair has an extra foot ring and has a seat height that’s usually higher compared to your typical office chair. Additionally, drafting chairs tend to cost a lot less. However, office chairs have headrests, which can provide more comfort to your head and neck muscles.
When you are choosing an office chair, there is a certain level of comfort that you must achieve. This is directly linked to your productivity levels. So, the question arises, which is the right choice-the drafting chair or office chair?
Fortunately, we can tell you all you need to know about drafting and office chairs. By the end of this article, you will be a mini expert in office chair affairs! We have done a comprehensive comparison between drafting and office chairs such that you can tell them apart from a mile away.
How do you define an office Chair?
The office chair is obviously used in offices. It generally has provisions for swiveling, armrests, headrests, wheels to make it mobile, and height adjustment.
The birth of the office chair is credited to the famous father of evolution theory, Charles Darwin. Darwin modified his armchair by including a wheel on it to allow easy mobility.
Today there are many modifications of office chairs that match all sorts of applications. These include executive office chairs, kneeling chairs, ergonomic chairs, and active sitting chairs.
How do I define a drafting chair?
As the name suggests, drafting is used majorly by architects and artists so that they can peer over their work. The drafting chair differs from regular office chairs because they include a footrest.
Today, the application of drafting chairs is no longer limited to architects and artists, but it has found its way to offices that have desks that permit sit-stand working conditions.
The drafting chair stands out from all the other office chairs because it can be adjusted to as high as 30 inches. It also has a special pneumatic cylinder that prevents it from being depressed downwards when sat on for extended periods of time.
A side-by-side comparison between Office Chairs and Drafting Chairs:
| Drafting Chair | Office Chair | |
| Arm Rest | Can have a basic armrest | Can have a 3D, 4D, or Flip-up armrest |
| Head Rest | No headrest | Can have a headrest |
| Range of Height | Can be raised above 30 inches | Can barely be raised above 22 inches |
| Footrest | No footrest | Circular footrest |
| Backrest | Stout lumbar support | Stout lumbar support |
| Common users | Beloved by architects, artists, chemists, or physicists | General office users with standard office desks |
Further comparison between an office chair and a drafting chair:
1. Height Adjustment
Both chairs have a provision for height adjustment. However, the office chair can only be adjusted to 22 inches, but the drafting chair can be adjusted to 30 inches or even higher.
The user of drafting chairs can work on higher desks without compromising their comfort or the flow of their work.
The drafting chair is well suited for people who regularly sit than stand on their standing desk. It may be a hassle for some users to climb into or out of their desks.
The office chair is a good choice for you if you will not be using a standing desk or drafting table for work. Additionally, the drafting chair can still be used with a normal office desk because of its wide range of height adjustments.
2. Backrest
You can expect a backrest in drafting chairs and office chairs. Backrests are typically designed to support the upper back, lower back, body weight, and neck.
Office chairs offer more robust backrests than ordinary drafting chairs. Drafting chairs are designed to provide high mobility and comfort with as minimal support as possible.
You are better off with a high-back office chair if you are looking to lean back and relax during the breaks in your work.
High-back office chairs support not only the lower back but also the shoulders, the head, and the neck.
3. Armrests
Armrests are found in most office chairs. Armrests are not always important and are not always in drafting chairs. It is not uncommon to find some drafting chairs without armrests.
Drafting chairs that lack armrests compensate for it with their height adjustment capabilities. This will allow your arm to have a good angle of rest on the high desk while working on it.
Armrests for office chairs allow for various adjustments. They can be raised or lowered, the width can be adjusted, and can be flipped up or down, i.e., 4D adjustment. Armrests on drafting chairs have only 2D adjustment.
Armrests allow you to sit straight and relax. You would need a drafting chair with armrests if you wish to enjoy this.
4. Footrest
A footrest is an outstanding feature of the drafting chair. A foot ring or footrest in a drafting chair allows the user to rest both feet on a flat surface.
It is not common for office chairs to have footrests. Some may have footrests. But, of course, it comes at an extra cost.
5. Users
Drafting chairs are mostly preferred by architects, engineers, chemists, and artists. The drafting chair is also popular among fashion designers and booth operators.
All these occupations require one to have a peek over their work on the ordinary high desk or drafting tables. Chemists love the drafting chair because it allows them to move between several workstations much more easily.
The office chair is useful for all the other office workers with normal desk height, while the drafting chair is not for all to use.
However, working on a normal-height desk with a drafting chair is difficult. This is because its higher height will make you uncomfortable by leaning forward so that you can work. You will also not be able to fit your feet under the desk.
6. Cost
Drafting chairs and office chairs are usually priced depending on their design and the type of materials used.
Office chairs are more likely to cost more because they have a wider range of adjustments. Drafting chairs will cost less than standard office chairs because of their simple design.
The Pros of an Office chair
- A comfortable place to sit that can help with posture and back support is an office chair. Additional elements that can improve the comfort and functionality of office chairs include armrests and adjustable heights.
- Office chairs can be altered to accommodate each unique user, which can lessen back and neck pain from prolonged periods of poor posture. Additionally, supporting the wrists and forearms, arm supports on office chairs can aid to lessen strain and tiredness.
Cons of an office chair trends
- It can be very costly to acquire an office chair that offers the ultimate comfort.
Pros of drafting chair
- Drafting chairs are superior to standard office chairs in a few ways.
- First, they frequently have lumbar support built in, which can lessen back pain.
- Second, you may tailor the fit to your own body because they are typically more adaptable than normal chairs.
- And finally, they typically have a higher weight capacity than conventional chairs because they are made for those who spend a lot of time sitting at a desk.
Cons of a drafting chair
- After spending a lot of time in them, some people find drafting chairs to be unpleasant. Additionally, they might not offer as much support as a typical office chair. For instance, they might not have armrests.
Final thoughts
Although both office chairs and drafting chairs are excellent choices for a workspace, they serve different functions. A drafting chair is designed for standing at a counter or sitting at a drafting table, while an office chair is made for long periods spent at a desk.
Consider a hybrid chair that can be used as both an office chair and a drafting chair if you require a chair for both activities.
Can I use a drafting chair at a regular desk?
No, it is not a good practice to use a drafting chair at a regular desk. When your regular office desk is too high, you might be tempted that a drafting chair may be the solution for you, but it is not.
Drafting chairs are too high and will make you lean onto your desk at odd angles, which will strain your muscles and cause fatigue. Just get an ergonomic office chair to go well with your regular office desk.
What is the point of a drafting chair?
The point of the drafting chair is to be used with drafting tables for engineers and architects or exceptionally high office desks that can also be used as standing desks.
The drafting has a wider range for height adjustment, and they also have footrests so that your feet do not dangle from great heights.
Is a drafting chair better?
A drafting chair is better when used for work surfaces that are much higher than the ordinary office desk.
It is particularly good for those who work at various workstations in the same room because of their high mobility. Architects, artists, booth operators, chemists, and engineers will find the drafting chair better.
Why are drafting tables so tall?
Drafting tables are so tall because they are designed to be used while standing, so they are taller than regular tables. This allows the person using the table to have a better view of the paper or project they are working on.
I’m Justin Allen, found of mychairreviews.com where I review gaming chairs, massage chairs, recliners for people who are looking to buy one. I love writing things on the internet and blogging about anything that interests me which is usually video games, technology, or sports-related items. When I am not working on blog posts or reviewing products I have a passion for you can find me playing video games with friends online!
