Boulies OP180 office chair review: Surprisingly comfortable and built for the workplace

TechRadar Verdict

The Boulies OP180 is a surprisingly comfortable mid-back chair (or high-back task chair, if you prefer) built for the workplace. I like the amount of adjustability on display here, making it very easy to find the right fit. It's breathable backrest and exceptionally good foam cushioned seat make it highly suitable for long hours of use. However, opting for a high-tension, S-shaped backrest over lumbar support and armrests that can slip back and forth may put off some users. But, I found it delivered all-day comfort and support at a reasonable price.

Check Amazon Singapore Pros

• +

  Easy assembly

• +

  3D armrests

• +

  Contoured backrest is comfortable

• +

  Foam seat is neither too firm nor too soft

• +

  Breathable materials

• +

  Compact design

Cons

• -

  Armrests can slide back and forth

• -

  No lumbar support

• -

  Only available in black

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Jump to:

• 30-second review
• Price & availability
• Specs
• Design
• Assembly
• Comfort & adjustability
• Final verdict
• Should I buy?

Boulies OP180: 30-second review

The Boulies OP180 is, like all the OP-designated line, designed for workspaces. It’s perfectly comfortable for home office use, and its compact design without headrest means it won’t dominate the room. But, to my eye, it looks, feels, and performs like a chair for actual offices. One look at it and you can picture a series of OP180’s parked in cubicles or nested around a table in a conference room.

The backrest is of classic mesh that feels very breathable when used for long hours. And the plush cushioned seat surprised me. Alright, it’s not especially breathable, but the thick foam is incredibly comfortable and supportive. I used it for eight-hour work days for weeks, and it feels like the happy medium between the firmness of the Boulies EP200’s mesh seat and the ultra-soft foam seat of the Boulies OP300. If you’ve struggled with finding the right balance, I’d recommend checking out the OP180.

There’s good adjustability here - seat height and depth, backrest height, lockable recline, and tilt are all present and correct. The chair also features 3D armrests.

And that’s where I discovered one of my only real problems with this chair. Yes, they move smoothly backwards, forwards, up and down, and side to side. But there’s no horizontal locking system, unlike with my favorite of the Boulies range, the EP200. Now, this didn’t prove an issue when sitting down for work, but lean on the armrest to rise from the chair and it will slide out of place.

It’s also lacking full lumbar support, instead opting for a contoured S-shaped backrest. Thanks to the tension of the mesh backrest, I can’t say I missed the lumbar support - I felt supported at all times, and for the OP line, it’s perhaps expected. But, I appreciate some users will want that extra lower back support.

Those issues aside, I should mention the price - it’s selling for $290 / £240. It’s one of the best office chairs for the workplace, although I'd prefer a longer warranty length than the two years offered by Boulies. For home offices, I’d still recommend a Boulies chair like the high-back EP200, which still offers superb value for money and a firmer, more breathable experience.

Boulies OP180: Price & availability

The Boulies OP180 is widely available, selling for $290 at Boulies.com and £240 at Boulies.co.uk. However, at the time of review, it’s discounted down to $240 / £170.

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That UK price is also reflected over at Amazon.co.uk. I’d suggest that cost is about right for an office chair chiefly designed to be bought in bulk for HQ.

Boulies OP180: Specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Price (RRP)

$290 / £240

Seat height

17.3 - 20.1in / 44 - 51cm

Seat depth

17.9 - 19.7in / 45.5 - 50cm

Seat width

19.5in / 49.5cm

Backrest height

22.0 - 24.8in / 56 - 63cm

Recommended user height

5’1” - 6’3”

Max weight load

352lb / 160kg

Material

Mesh and foam

Warranty

2 years

Boulies OP180: Design

Image 1 of 3(Image credit: Boulies // Future)(Image credit: Boulies // Future)(Image credit: Boulies // Future)

The OP180 is a classically designed, compact office chair. Only available in black, it’ll fit right into any professional workspace without looking out of place.

To the rear, there’s a Y-frame support for the backrest. And I like the armrest design, thrusting forward like an Enterprise starship. Sure, that’s hardly a game-changer styling, but it does give the OP180 a more modern feel.

In truth, there’s not much to like or dislike about the design of this chair. It looks exactly as you’d expect - and that’s precisely the point of an office chair like the Boulies OP180. It’s not trying to be the Branch Verve or the Herman Miller Embody, with striking silhouettes and bold color choices. It’s a traditional office chair for professionals.

Boulies OP180: Assembly

Boulies claims it’ll take you five minutes to build the OP180. I wouldn’t say it’s quite that quick - it took me a little under ten minutes after misaligning the screws for the armrest first time around (pro-tip: place the three in loosely first, then tighten each).

Everything you need is in the box, including the hex key, which is the only tool needed to piece it all together. Instructions are clear, with each step illustrated with an easy-to-understand image and accompanying text.

Inside the manual, it also clearly lays out what each under-seat lever does and how to use them to adjust the fit once seated.

Overall, I found assembly to be ridiculously easy. It’s probably the fastest I’ve ever built a chair, and if you’re constructing a lot of these for an office space then yes, you probably could get it down to about five minutes. Six screws later, and after slotting in the spokes of the seat base, the casters, and the backrest, I was done.

Boulies OP180: Comfort & adjustability

Image 1 of 3(Image credit: Boulies // Future)(Image credit: Boulies // Future)(Image credit: Boulies // Future)

I wasn’t expecting the OP180 to be as comfortable as it is. That lack of true lumbar support, the high but technically mid-back design made me fear that it would be a literal pain when used for long hours.

I don’t mind admitting I was wrong.

First, I found the plush cushioned seat to be exceptionally accommodating. It’s neither too firm, nor too soft, providing just the right amount of support and softness. For anyone who’s struggled to find a chair with the right balance, this one is absolutely worth exploring.

I’m not typically a fan of foam cushioning on office chairs, as they tend to retain too much heat compared to mesh seats. And while it’s not completely breathable, I didn’t find it got uncomfortably hot when sitting down for those eight-hour days.

While adjustable lumbar support would’ve been nice, it didn’t disrupt the experience when used all-day for work. The contoured, high-tension mesh backrest provided firm lower back support during prolonged use.

Adjustability controls are exceptional. Using the under-seat levers, you can alter the seat height and seat depth, and a quick pull (or push) on the backrest will adjust its height. That gives it real versatility for the workplace, where a range of users might be using these chairs.

Alongside this is the ability to tilt and recline the chair - and yes, unlike some office chairs, both can be firmly locked into place. I appreciated this, but if you prefer a model that keeps the recliner unlocked at all times, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

The chair also features 3D armrests, which can move horizontally, vertically, and swivel in and out with a satisfying click of each turn. Beneath each armrest, you’ll find a trigger - squeeze that and you’re able to raise or lower them to the right height.

My only wish here is that they also acted as a lock to prevent the armrests sliding backwards and forwards. It didn’t alter my seated experience. However, more than once the armrests slipped when too much weight was applied. It feels like an oversight that could be easily remedied in future iterations.

Boulies OP180: Final verdict

(Image credit: Boulies // Future)

The OP180 neatly fits into Boulies’ Office Professional line of chairs. It’s not a showy chair. It’s a classically styled and functional model that’s very well-suited to offices, or even the home office if you prefer a low-profile chair over executive high-back models.

The backrest is breathable, comfortable, and more supportive than you might imagine considering it doesn’t have any true lumbar support. But the foam cushioned seat was the biggest surprise for me - it feels like it’s been engineered to perfectly balance out both the firmness of your standard mesh seats and the soft, almost saggy cushioned seats of other chairs I’ve used.

You have some great control over comfort due to the excellent adjustability controls. Because of this, it’s an ideal pick if multiple people will be using the chair, which, as a fully fledged office chair, is the OP180’s ultimate goal. My only real issue is the lack of lockable armrests - they have a tendency to slide forward when too much force is applied.

Overall, though, I found it a comfortable and supportive choice at a price that’ll suit office managers buying in bulk.

Should I buy theBoulies OP180 office chair?

Buy it if…

✅ You’re kitting out a workplaceWith high adjustability, good comfort, and a reasonable price, it is - as intended - a solid pick for offices where more than one person may be using it.

✅ You want a compact office chairAs a mid-back model, the OP180 features a low-profile design that won’t dominate the office or home office.

Don’t buy it if…

❌ You like armrests that lock into placeMy main problem with the OP180 is that the 3D armrests have a tendency to slip back and forth when you rise from the chair.

❌ You suffer lower back painWith no true lumbar support, this isn’t the office chair of choice for those who need additional support for the lower back.

For more workspace essentials, we tested the best standing desks for the home and office.

Boulies OP180: Price Comparison No price informationCheck Amazon SingaporeWe check over 250 million products every day for the best pricespowered by Steve ClarkB2B Editor - Creative & Hardware

Steve is B2B Editor for Creative & Hardware at TechRadar Pro, helping business professionals equip their workspace with the right tools. He tests and reviews the software, hardware, and office furniture that modern workspaces depend on, cutting through the hype to zero in on the real-world performance you won't find on a spec sheet. He is a relentless champion of the Oxford comma.

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