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Amazon Basics Classic Puresoft Review

This model is best for short work sessions as it prioritizes price and aesthetics over long-term comfort and durability
amazon basics classic puresoft office chair review
Credit: Amazon
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Price:  $90 List
Manufacturer:   Amazon
By Isaac Laredo ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 14, 2022
48
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#14 of 16
  • Comfort - 50% 5.0
  • Adjustability - 35% 5.0
  • Durability - 10% 2.0
  • Ease of Assembly - 5% 6.0

Our Verdict

The Amazon Basics Classic Puresoft chair will steal your attention for its price and good looks. The model is best suited for shorter work sessions as it offers limited adjustability and acceptable short-term comfort. The armrests are not adjustable but are comfortable next to the skin. The easy-to-use instructions help ease some of the challenges in the setup. This chair is likely not the solution to your long-term. This model likely won't meet your needs when it comes to comfort, and there's nothing soft about it despite its name. We recommend other top-rated office chairs from our review.
REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Good-looking
User-friendly instructions
REASONS TO AVOID
Limited adjustability
Poor material
Seat compresses

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Best Buy Award Best Buy Award   
Price $90 List$329 List$175 List
$173.99 at Amazon
Check Price at Amazon$55 List
$44.98 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
48
72
59
32
31
Star Rating
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Pros Inexpensive, good-looking, user-friendly instructionsGreat value, durable, comfortableInexpensive, relatively comfortable, and adjustableAcceptable performance for the price, well-written instructionsDecent performance for the price, mesh backrest
Cons Limited adjustability, poor material, seat compressesLooks aren't universally appealingDurability could be betterLower tier adjustabilityWobbly, back tensioner is difficult to release
Bottom Line This model is best for short work sessions as it prioritizes price and aesthetics over long-term comfort and durabilityPairs exceptional comfort and durability, at a price you just can't beatThis is our favorite budget-friendly chair for the moneyThe price is attractive and it provides okay performance for the price pointYou'll want to consider if the affordable price of this model is worth its lower-tier performance
Rating Categories Amazon Basics Class... DXRacer Racing Series Modway Articulate E... Amazon Basics Padde... Furmax Office Mesh
Comfort (50%)
5.0
7.0
6.0
3.0
3.0
Adjustability (35%)
5.0
7.0
6.0
3.0
3.0
Durability (10%)
2.0
9.0
5.0
3.0
3.0
Ease of Assembly (5%)
6.0
7.0
6.0
7.0
5.0
Specs Amazon Basics Class... DXRacer Racing Series Modway Articulate E... Amazon Basics Padde... Furmax Office Mesh
Seat pan adjustment No No No No No
Adjustable lumbar support No Yes; a movable pad Yes; the backrest moves up and down No No
Lumbar support No Yes; a removable movable pad Yes No Yes
Recline lever No Yes Yes No No
Tilt limiter No Yes; only locks in the upright position Yes; locks you into a position Yes; only locks in the upright position Yes; only locks in the upright position
Armrest width adjustment No Option available No No No
Swivel armrests No Yes No No No
Armrest depth adjustment No Yes No No No
Tension knob Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Amazon Basics Classic PureSoft is a simple office chair that attracts consumers' attention for its low price. We'd recommend this for smaller folks, so if you have a teenager who needs to sit at their desk to do homework, this could be an option for them.

Performance Comparison


amazon basics classic puresoft office chair review - a simple and classic office chair to keep your home office looking...
A simple and classic office chair to keep your home office looking professional.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Comfort


If you work sitting down, you understand the importance of a comfortable office chair. Our test team assessed the comfort of each chair as we evaluated the backrests, seat, and armrests. This chair disappointed most reviewers in the overall comfort compared to the rest. However, they agreed it seemed appropriate, given the modest price.

The Puresoft will not provide the all-day comfort that most office workers seek. Our testers noted back pain starting to arise in as little as half an hour. The seat and backrest offer minimal padding. The padding compressed in about 20 minutes, resulting in unsupported posture and discomfort. Additionally, the backrest also offered little to no lumbar support. The lack of support quickly created some lower and mid back pain. The overall frame size is best suited for smaller individuals due to the width of the seat and armrests. The chair feels constricted for larger individuals. The armrests are quite short and narrow, which exacerbates the constricted feeling noted above.

amazon basics classic puresoft office chair review - our test team would struggle to get through a 40-hour work week in...
Our test team would struggle to get through a 40-hour work week in this chair. We find it best suited for shorter periods.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Adjustability


Adjustability in an office chair allows you to find an ergonomic and supported sitting position for the workday. We used each adjustment to determine the efficacy of each. The Puresoft offers some adjustments, limited to seat height and tension control.

The seat height offers a 5-inch range with a standard lift allowing our shorter 5'4" testers to reach the ground. The lumbar support is a nonadjustable, discreet bump on the lumbar area of the backrest. The chair omits a lock-out feature but leverages a tension knob that modulates the resistance of the rocking function. However, this feature has two main drawbacks. The knob is very difficult to access while sitting, and each rotation produces a nominal amount of tension.

amazon basics classic puresoft office chair review - the tensioner knob is challenging to access and operate while...
The tensioner knob is challenging to access and operate while sitting down.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Durablitiy


Although our test team didn't experience any durability issues, we scoured through hundreds of reviews to find those that had. The majority of 1-2 star consumer reviews highlighted a durability issue. We saw reports of ripped faux leather, busted seams, defeated hydraulics, compressed foam, and broken castor wheels. For the price point and popularity of this model, we expect to see themes of durability issues. Fortunately, numerous reviews state the chair has lasted more than a year without an issue.

amazon basics classic puresoft office chair review - the durability of the faux leather was a common issue found in user...
The durability of the faux leather was a common issue found in user reviews.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Assembly


Amazon Basics often provides user-friendly instructions with clear text and illustrations; these were no different. The instructions are very concise, and the illustrations paint an accurate picture. The assembly was somewhat challenging. Our most common problem was the misaligned inserts that required some finagling. The backrest and seat are attached to the armrest, making the misaligned inserts even more challenging and may merit an additional person. One person set up this chair in 30 minutes with only a short period of frustration.

amazon basics classic puresoft office chair review - the setup process has a few distinct challenges, like attaching the...
The setup process has a few distinct challenges, like attaching the armrest to the seat and backrest.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Should you buy the Amazon Basics Puresoft?


If you are looking for an affordable chair for short seated sessions once in a while, this model is a great choice. However, upgrading to a more adjustable and comfortable chair will be worth it if you plan on all-day sessions multiple times a week.

What other office chairs should you consider?


If you are looking for a comfortable and budget-friendly chair, consider the Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh. For those with a bit of budget flexibility, we recommend the DXracer Racing Series.

Isaac Laredo
 
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