The best office chairs with flip-up arms
Flip-up arms make room for a dog beside you, for sitting cross-legged, or for sliding right up to a low desk. Here's every flip-up arm office chair we track, and what to check before you buy.
Why flip-up arms help
Fixed armrests box you in. Arms that flip up, or a chair with no arms at all, open up the sides of the seat, which helps in three common situations:
- A pet that wants to sit with you. A small dog can curl up beside you.
- Sitting cross-legged. Your knees have somewhere to go.
- A low desk or table. Fixed arms often bump the desk edge and stop you pulling in close.
Do the weight math first
A chair's weight rating covers everything sitting on it. Add your weight and your dog's, and leave some room to spare, because dogs shift and jump. Here's how the 6 flip-up and armless chairs in our finder hold up:
| You | Your dog | Together | Chairs rated for it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 140 lb | 15 lb | 155 lb | 6 of 6 |
| 170 lb | 25 lb | 195 lb | 6 of 6 |
| 200 lb | 40 lb | 240 lb | 6 of 6 |
| 230 lb | 60 lb | 290 lb | 2 of 6 |
| 260 lb | 70 lb | 330 lb | 2 of 6 |
For most people, these chairs work with a small or medium lap dog. If your dog is over about 40 pounds, a dog bed right next to your desk is the safer and more comfortable choice for both of you.
Every flip-up and armless chair we track
| Chair | Arms | Seat height | Holds up to | Headrest | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chairus High Back Mesh Chair | Flip up | 18.5–22.5″ | 330 lb | Yes | ~$145 |
| Winado Criss Cross Chair | Flip up | 15.8–18.7″ | 330 lb | No | See Amazon |
| Vari Criss Cross Chair | None | 19–21″ | 275 lb | No | See Amazon |
| Nouhaus ErgoFlip | Flip up | 19.1–22″ | 275 lb | Yes | See Amazon |
| Hbada Office Task Chair | Flip up | 17.7–21.2″ | 250 lb | No | See Amazon |
| Flash Furniture Kelista | Flip up | 17.25–20.75″ | 250 lb | No | See Amazon |
Our picks
High Back Mesh Chair
It ties for the highest weight rating among the flip-up chairs and still includes a headrest and adjustable lumbar support, which is rare at this price.
- Rated to 330 lb
- Adjustable lumbar and headrest
- Seat rises to 22.5″, good for tall people
ErgoFlip
Its seat starts at 19.1 inches and rises to 22, so it suits taller owners, and the headrest is built in.
- Seat rises to 22″
- Built-in headrest
- Rated to 275 lb, so check the math with bigger dogs
Kelista
A simple mesh task chair whose padded arms flip straight up.
- Arms flip fully up
- Built-in lumbar support
- Rated to 250 lb
Criss Cross Chair
At 25 inches across, this is the roomiest seat in our list, and its arms fold all the way back. It sits low, so it suits people up to about 5′9″.
- 25″ wide seat
- Rated to 330 lb
- Velvet holds dog hair and isn't ideal with cats
Criss Cross Chair
There's nothing to flip, so the sides of the seat are always open.
- Armless and wide
- 5-year warranty
- Boucle fabric can snag on claws
Office Task Chair
The least expensive chair in our finder, with arms that flip up.
- Arms flip up
- Mesh back
- Rated to 250 lb
Keep it safe and clean
- Lift small dogs up rather than letting them jump. Office chairs roll and swivel, so a jump can send the chair moving.
- Watch the casters. Check where paws and tails are before you roll back.
- Mesh sheds hair more easily than velvet. On any fabric, a slightly damp rubber glove wiped across the seat pulls hair into clumps.
Want a match for your exact height, weight and sitting style?
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