Vari Align Desk Chair Review (2026): Breathable, Comfy, Low Cost

An office chair is perhaps not the most appropriate place to fall asleep. But I am pretty sure I could conk out in the new mesh-backed Align chair, released in March by standing-desk pioneer Vari. I've tested this hypothesis by leaning back and closing my eyes during the midafternoon doldrums—and nearly missed a scheduled phone call as a result. For a mesh-back office chair, this level of comfort is an achievement.

Like its predecessor, the Vari Task Chair, the new Align offers an impressive degree of both comfort and customizability for under $500. It is not the most beautiful chair I've ever seen, and the five-year warranty is about average for its price point. But what the Align chair excels in, both literally and figuratively, is balance. Its simple design belies a fair bit of adjustability, making the Align well-suited for a wide range of body types.

To Mesh or Not to Mesh

Photograph: Matthew Korfhage

The debate over the best chair often hinges over whether one prefers mesh or fabric upholstery. Like WIRED's top office chair pick, the Branch Ergonomic Chair Pro ($449), the Vari Align takes a “why not both?” approach, pairing a mesh back with a fabric seat cushion.