What to Do When an Office Chair Headrest Is Too Bulky

On this page (6 sections)

1. Why does a puffy chair headrest push your head forward?
2. How can you adjust a bulky headrest?
3. What should you check before removing the headrest?
4. When should you choose a chair without a headrest?
5. Can a lumbar pillow fix a headrest that feels too bulky?
6. How do you tell whether the chair fits after an adjustment?

If a head rest too puffy on a chair pushes your head forward, first check whether you can adjust the headrest's height, angle, or position. If you can't find a setting that lets your head rest comfortably while your back stays against the chair, the headrest may be the wrong shape or depth for you.

A bulky cushion can make a chair feel unusable even when the seat and back fit. Try a few small adjustments before deciding whether to remove the headrest or choose a different chair.

Why does a puffy chair headrest push your head forward?

A headrest that sits too far forward or has too much padding can contact your head before your back reaches the chair. That contact may nudge your head forward, especially when you sit upright.

Headrests are shaped differently, and a comfortable position depends on your height, posture, and the chair's adjustment range. A tall back can provide support without putting a cushion in the same place, as our guide to Best Office Chair With High Back explains.

How can you adjust a bulky headrest?

Move the headrest away from your head and lower it if the chair allows those adjustments. Make one change at a time, then sit back with your feet supported and check whether your head can stay in a relaxed position.

If the headrest tilts, try a more upright angle rather than letting it push your chin forward. Avoid forcing a mechanism or removing screws unless the chair's instructions say that's allowed.

The SIHOO M18 has an adjustable headrest and back support, so it may suit someone who wants more ways to position those parts.

The chair is described for people 5 ft 6 in to 6 ft 2 in tall. Height guidance is only a starting point, so check whether the headrest can sit behind your head without pushing it forward.

What should you check before removing the headrest?

Check the chair's instructions and attachment points before removing anything. Some headrests can be detached, while others are part of the backrest or use hardware that shouldn't be altered.

If the cushion is removable, try sitting without it for a short period. Keep your back supported by the chair, and stop if the change makes you lean or reach to find support.

A lumbar pillow addresses a different part of the chair. The QUTOOL pillow has two adjustable straps and can be repositioned on a chair, but it won't make a bulky headrest fit better.

Position it according to your comfort and keep it from shifting. If you experience discomfort, reposition the pillow rather than assuming that more cushioning is always better.

When should you choose a chair without a headrest?

Consider a chair without a headrest if the cushion keeps pushing your head forward and can't be adjusted or safely removed. If arm adjustment is also a priority, compare executive chairs with adjustable arms.

A headrest is optional for many desk setups; a chair that lets you sit comfortably at your desk matters more than having one.

Compare your fit needs with Best Office Chair With Headrest if you still want a headrest with a different shape or adjustment range. If you'd rather remove that contact point entirely, see Best Office Chair Without Headrest.

The Furmax high-back chair has head support and an adjustable backrest. The product details don't specify whether the head support has a separate depth adjustment, so consider that before choosing it as a replacement.

A mesh back can feel different from a padded backrest, but mesh alone doesn't guarantee a better headrest fit. Compare options in Best Mesh Office Chairs with Headrests and check the headrest's shape and movement range.

Can a lumbar pillow fix a headrest that feels too bulky?

No, a lumbar pillow won't change the headrest's depth. It can affect how you sit by changing lower-back support, so use it only if that support helps you keep a comfortable posture.

If the chair feels too soft or too firm elsewhere, those issues may change how you settle into it. See Why Does My Office Chair Feel Too Soft? or Why Does My Office Chair Feel Too Firm? for ways to think through seat and back feel.

How do you tell whether the chair fits after an adjustment?

Sit at your desk for a few minutes with your back supported and your head in a relaxed position. The headrest should not force your head forward, and you shouldn't need to lean away from it to use the chair.

Check the position again after adjusting the seat or backrest. If the headrest only feels comfortable when you slouch or leave a gap between your back and the chair, it may not fit your posture.

For a head rest too puffy on a chair, keep the decision simple: adjust it if you can sit comfortably, remove it only if the chair permits, and replace the chair if the cushion still pushes your head forward. Choose a headrest model if it fits after adjustment, or compare a chair without one if the contact remains uncomfortable.

If you also want leg support while reclining, compare reclining office chairs with footrests.