In my executive office chairs review, I had a lot of questions about whether the chairs recommended were genuine leather.
So for those looking for a genuine leather office chair, this article is for you.
Apart from being made of high quality leather, these recommended chairs below are ergonomic, comfortable, and will last for a very long time.
Best Leather Office Chair
Modern Genuine Leather Executive Chair
- Brazilian leather seat
- Padded seat & arms
- Synchro-tilt recline function
- Maximum weight capacity 275 lbs
This Executive Chair comes with an elegant look, high backrest, and leather upholstery.
The front of the chair was actually upholstered with Brazilian leather that feels like the leather found in sports cars. The back of the chair and the arms are upholstered with leatherette.
Ergonomics
This chair was designed with a curved backrest that follows your spine to give you better support while working long hours.
The seat can be adjusted for height in the standard range of 17.5’’ to 20.5’’ tall. The padding on the seat is on the thin side, but its high-density foam holds up well and feels comfortable for 4-6 hours.
Adjustability
The arms and headrest are both also padded, but they can’t be adjusted in any way. The base of this chair was made from aluminum which looks durable and will hold people up to 275 lbs.
You can recline in this chair to 120º or lock it in a preset position between 90 and 120º. If the tilting function seems too rigid you’ll need to loosen the tension knob.
The chair reclines with a synchro-tilt at a 1:2 ratio. This means that the seat slightly tilts with the backrest.
What We Like
- Brazilian leather looks and smells great
- Durable frame
- Curved backrest gives spinal support
What We Don’t Like
- Seat padding on the thin side
Ergonomic Leather Chair
X Chair Office Desk Chair
- Dynamic lumbar support
- Lots of adjustable features
- Molded foam seat
If the previous office chair on my list was all about good looks, this one is all about ergonomic features and it has plenty to offer.
Just like the other models on our list, the X Chair is upholstered with genuine leather and will give your workspace that satisfying smell.
You can also choose the Brisa upholstery option which feels similar to leather but is more breathable. Aside from that, there are plenty of adjustable features to play with.
It takes some trial and error to set them up, but after you do, you should feel very comfortable in your X Chair.
Ergonomics
The dynamic lumbar support can be adjusted for height together with the rest of the backrest. This enables you to set the lumbar support exactly where you need it.
The headrest is also adjustable for height and angle, and the arms move in the 4D space (height, width, depth, and pivot).
The assembly process is pretty straightforward, so you will not have to pay others to assemble it for you.
What We Like
- Plenty of adjustable features
- Ergonomic headrest and arms
- Easy assembly
What We Don’t Like
- Takes time to adjust it right
Leather Executive Chair
Gates Genuine Leather Executive Chair
- Soft Brazilian leather upholstery
- Taller seat height
- Large casters that perform well
The Gates Chair is another model from Zuri furniture which comes with the soft Brazilian leather that people seem to love.
This model comes with a higher seat that will go from 18.75’’ to 21.75’’ tall. I know there are people with higher desks that will appreciate finding a matching chair.
Comfort
The padding on the seat was made from the same high-density foam but this one is much thicker, so people that need those extra inches of cushion might take interest in the Gates chair.
It is still firm and feels like sitting in a quality car seat. The base of the Gates chair was made of polished aluminum that looks so much better than plastic.
What We Like
- High quality leather upholstery
- Comfortable to sit in
- Sturdy and durable
What We Don’t Like
- Seat cushion on the firm side
- Not for people under 5’7’’
Leather Gaming Chair
Noblechairs Hero Gaming Chair
- Ergonomic features
- Adjustable built-in lumbar support
- 4D armrests
The Hero chair from Noblechairs is the newest model in their gaming line that also includes 2 other chairs, ICON, and EPIC. Together with the HERO, they form the winning trio at Noblechairs.
They all feature a solid steel frame and a strong aluminum base. For each of them, you can choose between PU leather, Nappa Leather, or Real Leather upholstery.
They come with 4D armrests that move for height, depth, width, and pivot. You also get casters that perform well over hard floors and some adjustment options.
The arms on the Icon also have a glossy finish giving the gaming chair a refined look.
Other Recommended Chairs
GM Seating Ergolux Genuine Leather Office Chair
White on genuine leather looks quite impressive, and there’s a unique looking lumbar support that might draw your attention.
In terms of comfort, the chair leaves a lot to be desired and the lumbar support only complicates things. According to customers, the lumbar is very prominent and there’s no way to adjust it.
So if you wish to get a leather chair just for the looks, this one will do the trick. Don’t expect a comfortable experience, though.
ACME Megan Executive Office Chair
The Megan Executive Chair is an interesting option to consider. It comes with a vintage design that combines metal and wood with top grain leather upholstery in such a peculiar way.
The chair is armless and comes with a matching pillow. The seat is height adjustable from 20’’ to 24’’ in height and its depth is 19’’. It will successfully hold up to 200 lbs of weight.
Xizzi Suede Leather Ergonomic Chair
The Xizzi ergonomic chair can recline to 150º and is one of the most comfortable options on the market. The entire chair is upholstered with suede that’s incredibly soft to the touch.
The seat is 20.18’’ wide which will be comfortable for standard sized adults. It can be adjusted for height from 17.32’’ to 19.69’’ tall.
The armrests are padded with the same suede material but they can’t be adjusted in any way. To ensure the durability of the chair you will need to lubricate the mechanism every few months.
Moe's Home Collection Executive Swivel Office Chair
Moe’s Home Executive Office Chair was designed to create a more stylish workspace in your home.
The company that makes it is a family owned business that takes pride in every piece they make.
The chair is upholstered with top grain leather and feels comfortable to sit in. It has an iron base that will hold up to 400 lbs of weight which is pretty solid.
Bonded Vs Genuine Leather
For people who understand the difference between bonded leather and the real deal, I have to say that real leather wins in any kind of a contest.
Although real leather might seem like a higher initial investment, the quality and feel you get over time makes real leather worth that investment.
To spot real leather look at the back of the material. If it feels like suede, it is real leather.
So what’s the substantial difference between real leather and bonded leather you ask?
I will try to answer by taking quality, comfort, durability, and price into account:
Quality
When it comes to overall quality there is no question real leather is a winner.
Bonded leather is made from strands of leather glued on PU and coated with polyurethane, where real leather is usually a single piece of hyde.
This means bonded leather will be prone to flaking whereas real leather will hold its ground much longer.
Be careful when shopping online though since some manufacturers tend to label bonded leather as ‘leather’ which is misleading.
Comfort
In terms of comfort, it’s actually pretty difficult to say since some manufacturers have started creating pretty soft bonded leather upholstery.
If you’re on a tight budget bonded leather can sometimes feel like the real deal.
On the other hand, if you’re determined to get a leather chair you need to know that no bonded chair will ever be the real deal.
Durability
Bonded leather will never be as elastic as real leather so expect it to start cracking after a few months.
However, if the bonded leather (and glue) is of good quality and has 20% of animal hide content in it, it can last as long as 2 years.
Price
If you’re thinking short-term, getting a budget bonded leather chair will cost less.
But if you wish to get a solid chair that will last longer, then the higher price range of the leather chair pays for itself. So depending on your budget, choose wisely.
Leather Chair Maintenance
Some experts recommend using a damp microfiber cloth to maintain your leather chair but not to add any detergent to it. The chemicals in the detergent might disturb the wax or oils on the leather.
The best bet would be purchasing a leather cleaner and conditioner together with the chair. This way you will make sure your investment is well protected.
Use the conditioner sparingly if you live in colder climates (every 6 months). For people that live in warmer climates split that time in half and condition your chair at least every 3 months.
For suede leather, on the other hand, it is important to apply leather conditioner regularly to extend its durability and softness.