Comfort Desk HubChair Advice
Do You Need a Headrest?
It looks like a premium feature, but whether it actually helps depends entirely on how you sit.
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A headrest supports your head and upper neck, not your shoulders or upper back — and that distinction decides whether one actually benefits you. It's genuinely useful for some sitting habits and close to pointless for others, which is why it's worth thinking through before you pay extra for it.
When a Headrest Helps
If you recline frequently — taking calls leaned back, or alternating between upright focus work and a more relaxed reading posture — a headrest gives your neck somewhere to rest during that reclined position. It's also useful for people with existing neck tension who benefit from occasional full support rather than holding their head up all day.
When It Does Almost Nothing
If you sit upright most of the day working at a keyboard, your head naturally sits forward of the headrest and rarely touches it — in that position, it's mostly cosmetic. Some people even find a fixed headrest actively uncomfortable, pushing their head forward at an awkward angle if it's not adjustable.
What to Look for If You Get One
Adjustability matters more than the headrest simply existing. Look for one that moves in height and angle independently, so you can position it to actually meet your head rather than sitting a few inches away from it. A non-adjustable headrest is a coin flip — it might happen to fit your proportions, or it might not.
Bottom Line
If you mostly sit upright and focused, don't pay extra for a headrest. If you recline often or deal with neck tension, an adjustable one is worth having.
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Our current picks note which chairs include a headrest, which offer one as an option, and which skip it entirely.