Last updated 07/10/2026
To choose a lab chair, make five decisions in this order: match the chair's height class to your bench, pick a seat material you can clean, choose castors or glides, check whether you need an ESD or cleanroom chair, then pick the price tier that covers all of that. Height comes first because it is the one mistake you cannot fix after delivery. A chair in the wrong height class is unusable at your bench, however good it is.
UK Lab Chairs has supplied laboratory seating across the UK since 1986. The three questions we are asked most before an order are: how easy is it to clean, what does the guarantee cover, and what are the options for the feet. The most common wrong purchase we see is a chair that does not match the bench height. This guide covers all four.
The five decisions at a glance
| Decision | What decides it | Typical answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Height class | Your bench height | Standard 900 mm lab bench: bench-height chair with footring |
| 2. Seat material | How often it is cleaned, and how long people sit | Polyurethane (PU) for heavy cleaning; upholstered for long seated work |
| 3. Castors or glides | Chair height and floor type | Desk-height: castors. Bench-height: glides |
| 4. Special environment | Static-sensitive work or a classified cleanroom | A chair from the ESD or cleanroom range |
| 5. Price tier | Budget | Budget PU, Deluxe PU or Upholstered |
1. What height lab chair do I need?
Measure your bench first. A bench-height lab chair, with a seat range of roughly 585–835 mm and a footring, suits a standard 900 mm lab bench. A desk-height chair, with a seat range of roughly 400–530 mm, suits desks and write-up benches up to 760 mm. Benches over 1,000 mm need a draughtsman chair.
Getting the height wrong is the most common buying mistake we see. It usually happens when chairs are ordered from a photo, or when the same chair is ordered for the lab bench and the write-up desk. Those are two different chairs.
The rule is simple: set the seat so your elbows sit level with the work surface. For most adults, that puts the seat 250–300 mm below the bench top.
| Bench height | Chair class | Seat range | Footring | Our models |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 760 mm (desk, write-up bench) | Desk-height | ~400–530 mm | No | A13, 006, 002 |
| 760–1,000 mm (standard lab bench, ~900 mm) | Bench-height | ~585–835 mm | Yes | A12, 005, 001 |
| Over 1,000 mm (tall workshop bench) | Draughtsman | 600–860 mm | Yes, adjustable | A5 |
Measure from the floor to the top of the work surface, in millimetres, at the position where people actually sit. Heights can vary across one lab, so measure each position. Our lab chair height guide has a 60-second calculator if you would rather not do the maths.
Not sure of your bench height? Tell us the bench type and we will recommend the right chair the same day. Request a quote
2. Polyurethane or upholstered: which seat is easier to clean?
Polyurethane (PU) is the easier seat to keep clean. It is a moulded seat that wipes down and stands up to common laboratory chemicals, which makes it the usual choice for wet labs, teaching labs, healthcare settings and anywhere chairs are cleaned every day. Upholstered seats are more comfortable for long seated tasks such as microscopy, write-up and instrument work.
Both types are wipe-clean and suitable for laboratory use. The choice is about how hard the chair will be cleaned versus how long people sit on it.
One thing worth knowing: on upholstered chairs, the backrest is usually the first part to show wear. If chairs will be in heavy daily use, weigh that against the extra comfort. Upholstered seats come in red, blue, green, orange, grey and black. See materials and colours, or our comparison of lab chair materials.
3. Should a lab chair have castors or glides?
Desk-height lab chairs come with castors as standard. Bench-height lab chairs come with glides (fixed feet) as standard. That is also what we recommend. At desk height, people move between tasks and slide in and out of a knee-hole, so castors help. At bench height, people climb onto the seat using the footring, and a base that stays put is steadier.
If you want castors, choose them to suit your floor:
- Soft-tyre castors for vinyl, resin and other hard floors.
- Hard-tyre castors (our standard castor) for carpeted areas.
- Lock-off safety castors lock when the seat is empty, so the chair does not roll away when someone stands up.
- Lockdown safety castors lock when someone sits down.
ESD chairs come with the appropriate glide to keep them compliant. Options vary by chair and are listed on each product page. See castor and glide options for more detail.
4. Do you need an ESD or cleanroom chair?
If your team handles static-sensitive electronics, you need a chair from the ESD anti-static range, tested and grounded for ESD work. If you work in a classified cleanroom, you need a chair from the cleanroom range. A standard lab chair is neither. The height rules above still apply to both.
If you are not sure which one your workstation needs, send us the details and we will tell you.
5. Budget PU, Deluxe PU or Upholstered: which tier?
Pick the lowest tier that meets your cleaning and comfort needs. Once height and material are settled, the choice usually comes down to budget.
| Range | Bench-height | Desk-height | Seat | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget PU | A12 | A13 | Polyurethane | The lowest-cost wipe-clean option |
| Deluxe PU | 001 | 002 | Polyurethane | Wipe-clean, with more comfort and longevity than the Budget PU |
| Upholstered | 005 | 006 | Upholstered | Long seated work. Our best-seller: over 2,265 of the 005 are in daily use across UK labs |
Every chair in all three ranges has a 20 stone (127 kg) rated gas strut, a 5-year guarantee and delivery included to the UK mainland. Compare the full range in laboratory seating or laboratory stools.
How long should a lab chair last?
A good lab chair should last five years or more in daily use. Every chair we supply carries a 5-year guarantee against normal wear and tear. On upholstered chairs, the backrest is usually the first part to wear. If one of our chairs needs attention, call us on 01535 602141 with the model number and we will advise.
Buying lab chairs for a whole lab
A typical order is around four chairs, and many are full-lab fit-outs. Before ordering in multiples, measure each bench position, decide castors or glides for each one, and check the floor type. Send us those three things and we will specify the lot.
We supply laboratory seating to the University of Oxford, McLaren F1, Moderna, Bristol Myers Squibb, Guy's & St Thomas' NHS, Dyson and Mitsubishi.
✔ Purchase orders accepted ✔ VAT invoice supplied ✔ 5-year guarantee ✔ 40 years' experience ✔ Same-day quote response
If your finance system needs a specific supplier name, we can appear as Mark Finn Lab Furniture or Lab Tables.
Send us your bench height, the number of chairs and your floor type. We will come back the same day, 24 hours at most, with the right chair and a quote. Request a quote
Frequently asked questions
What height lab chair do I need for a 900 mm bench?
A bench-height lab chair with a seat range of roughly 585–835 mm and a footring. The Upholstered Bench-Height Lab Chair (005) is our most common choice for a 900 mm bench.
Should lab chairs have wheels?
Desk-height lab chairs usually have castors so people can move between tasks. Bench-height lab chairs usually have glides, because a fixed base is steadier when climbing onto a high seat. On hard floors, choose soft-tyre castors.
Is a polyurethane or upholstered lab chair better?
Polyurethane is better where chairs are cleaned heavily or exposed to spills. Upholstered is better for comfort during long seated work. Both are wipe-clean and suitable for laboratory use.
How long does a lab chair last?
A good lab chair should last five years or more in daily use. Every UK Lab Chairs chair carries a 5-year guarantee against normal wear and tear.
Can we buy lab chairs on a purchase order?
Yes. UK Lab Chairs accepts purchase orders and supplies a VAT invoice. If your finance system needs a specific supplier name, we can appear as Mark Finn Lab Furniture or Lab Tables.
About the author
Philip Davies has 10 years' experience in laboratory seating, matching chairs to benches, labs and budgets. UK Lab Chairs is part of Mark Finn Lab Furniture, trading since 1986.
Prices exclude VAT. VAT invoice supplied.