IKEA

IKEA Markus

Ranked #15 in Office Chairs

97 LP on the category ladder what's LP?

Simple enough that little breaks, which keeps it above the other traps, but a decade-old design with minimal adjustability that most buyers will outgrow ergonomically. Buy a used Leap V2 instead.

Consolidated from 11 cited sources across 9 outlets

Where the cited sources landed, as we read them

4 positive sources
5 mixed sources
2 unconvinced sources

See the sources

Flagged as a product to avoid

2 of 6 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. A trap is a product buyers genuinely cross-shop but should not buy, ranked honestly alongside the real picks rather than dropped to the bottom. Why the boards include them

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Pros & cons

✓ Simple enough that little physically breaks
✓ 10-year IKEA warranty sounds strong on paper
✓ A decade of mainstream reputation as the sensible recommendation

✗ Fixed armrests
✗ Minimal recline and lumbar adjustability
✗ Seat pan fits only a narrow band of body heights
✗ Warranty claims require actual breakage; ergonomic inadequacy is not a defect claim
✗ Most owners end up working around the chair rather than with it

The sources behind this ranking

We searched the web and YouTube for what has been published about this product, then read the articles, video transcripts and comments we found.

Evidence 4 articles, 6 video reviews and 1 community source

4 positive sources

Best Ergonomic Office Chair Australia: Unboxing & First-Hand Experience David Ergonomic Expert · reviewer

I purchased and unboxed the IKEA MARKUS , and after using it for long hours, I can confidently say why it’s considered one of the best office chairs for long hours Australia at an affordable price. From the moment I sat in it, I noticed the high mesh back provides excellent ventilation, which keeps me comfortable during long workdays.

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Officely Officely · 1.6K subscribers · Feb 2023

That's why we've produced this IKEA Markus review, and why we think anyone shopping for a home office should check it out. It's true that the Markus chair doesn't have all the adjustments of super high-end chairs, but it does have most of the features you need to achieve a comfortable and supportive seating position while working. Features? What sets this chair apart is its design.

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Autonomous Autonomous · reviewer

If you want an ergonomic study chair that’s dependable and low-effort, Markus is a solid choice. We see it working best for students who don’t want to think about adjustments and just need a chair that holds up day after day.

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T3 Article

The Ikea Markus is an affordable all-rounder of an office chair

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5 mixed sources

Mario Duch Phrancis5 · owner · Feb 2023

It mostly held up over the years, mostly comfy and stylish for not too much money, so I really can't complain too much. Pro-tip: you can unzip the bottom of the backrest to modify the lumbar pillow with more padding and add a bracket to the fronts of the arm rest bolts to drop the front angle enough to push it partially under a desk.

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Sit School Sit School · 73 subscribers · Feb 2026

So let's have a look at what this chair gets right. So starting with IKEA, it's it's from a well-known uh well-known brand. Uh a lot of trust in IKEA. I've got quite a lot of IKEA furniture myself. Um you tend to find that these come with a 10-year warranty, which is very very good for a chair at this price.

Watch W Well Adjusted Seating John Stephens · reviewer

The IKEA Markus is one of the most searched office chairs in the UK.

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Sit School Sit School · 73 subscribers · Apr 2026

Let's see the look of our modifications have done and how this has changed the IKEA Markus, hopefully for the better. Let's get have a first sit in it. Ah, yes. Straight away, we've got a nice softer seat here. I got much more padding underneath my legs here. Uh it's really nice to see. Arm rests straight away, they're there. I can adjust these as well, up and down, get them nice and level.

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Sit School Sit School · 73 subscribers · Jun 2026

So, the IKEA Markus is probably one of the UK's best-selling chairs, if not in the world.

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2 unconvinced sources

The Gloves Man Inquisitivemind97 · owner · Apr 2022

I just bought and assembled an Ikea Markus. Maybe the design has changed slightly, because I don't need to remove screws to get to the lumbar pillow. I just unzipped the bottom of it, reached my hand up inside the cover, then unzipped the Lumbar pillow holder too, and pulled out the lumber pillow. I just left it's holder in place, with no pillow in it, it doesn't do anything to my back anymore.

Watch O r/OfficeChairs u/oddddfuture · owner

I've watched btod video on ranking office chairs & they always rank the ikea markus quite low. I have seen enough of those videos to trust their judgement.

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Frequently asked questions

It ranks #15 of 16 on our office chairs tier list, in F tier. That placement draws on 11 cited sources across 9 outlets.

2 of the 11 sources with a clear view are critical of it: r/OfficeChairs and The Gloves Man. Fixed armrests. Minimal recline and lumbar adjustability. Seat pan fits only a narrow band of body heights. Warranty claims require actual breakage; ergonomic inadequacy is not a defect claim. Most owners end up working around the chair rather than with it.

On our office chairs board, Herman Miller Aeron ranks #3 (B tier) ahead of IKEA Markus at #15 (F tier). Herman Miller Aeron: Unmatched parts and service ecosystem plus a mesh that does not wear like foam. The chair most likely to still be in service in 2040. Fit is size-dependent, which costs it versatility points.