Office chairs without adjustable armrests have arm supports that cannot be repositioned by the user. Depending on the chair design, the armrests may be fixed at a predetermined height and position, integrated into the frame or designed primarily as occasional support rather than as a highly adjustable ergonomic component.

Fixed armrests can be perfectly suitable for many office, meeting and visitor environments. Whether they are the right choice depends on the user, the duration of use, the desk height and how closely the chair needs to adapt to different body dimensions.
What does “non-adjustable armrests” mean?
Non-adjustable armrests remain in a fixed position during normal use. The user cannot change their height, width, depth or angle.

This differs from chairs with adjustable armrests, where one or more dimensions can be changed to better support the user’s arms and working position.

A fixed armrest is not necessarily less comfortable. A well-designed fixed armrest may provide suitable support for the intended users, particularly when the chair is used for shorter periods or in environments where extensive individual adjustment is unnecessary.
When are fixed armrests suitable?
Office chairs without adjustable armrests can be a practical choice in several workplace applications, including:

Meeting and conference rooms
Visitor and reception seating
Executive or lounge-style office chairs
Training and presentation spaces
Assigned workstations where the chair fits the regular user
Workplaces where simple operation is preferred

For shorter periods of use, users may not require the same level of adjustability that is desirable at a workstation used throughout the working day.
Benefits of non-adjustable armrests
A chair with fixed armrests can offer several practical advantages:

Simple and straightforward chair operation
No armrest controls that need to be adjusted
Consistent appearance and position
Fewer moving components
Suitable for meeting and visitor seating
Can provide stable support when correctly positioned
May be appropriate where the chair is used by a relatively consistent user group

Fixed armrests and workplace ergonomics
Armrests are intended to support the arms without forcing the shoulders upward or preventing the user from sitting close enough to the desk.

With fixed armrests, it is especially important to check whether their position works with the desk and the intended user. Armrests that are too high may cause the shoulders to lift, while very low armrests may provide little useful support.

Armrests can also interfere with the desk edge if they are positioned too high or extend too far forward. This may cause the user to sit farther away from the workstation than intended.

For this reason, chair selection should consider the complete workstation rather than evaluating the armrests separately.

Our ergonomic workstation setup guide explains how the chair, desk, screen and input devices should work together.
Fixed armrests for shared workstations
Non-adjustable armrests may be less flexible in shared or hot-desking environments because one fixed position has to accommodate multiple users.

People differ in shoulder width, arm length and preferred working position. Where many different employees use the same chair, greater adjustment can make it easier to accommodate a broader range of users.

For highly shared workplaces, adjustable armrests may therefore be worth considering alongside adjustable seat height, seat depth and back support.

Read our guide to ergonomics for shared workstations for more information about selecting furniture for hybrid and hot-desking environments.
Fixed armrests vs adjustable armrests
The best option depends on the intended application rather than adjustability being automatically better in every situation.
Fixed armrests can be suitable when:

The chair is mainly used for meetings or visitors
Users sit in the chair for relatively short periods
The armrest position already works well with the table
The chair is assigned to a consistent user
A simple chair with fewer adjustments is preferred

Adjustable armrests may be preferable when:

The chair is used for prolonged computer work
Different employees regularly share the chair
Users have significantly different body dimensions
The workstation needs a high level of individual adjustment
The position of keyboards, desks or other equipment varies

What else should you consider when choosing an office chair?
Armrest adjustment is only one part of an office chair specification. For task seating, other relevant characteristics can include:

Seat-height adjustment
Seat-depth adjustment
Backrest adjustment
Lumbar support
Chair mechanism
User weight range
Seat and backrest materials
Castors and base construction
Applicable office-chair standards
Warranty and availability of replacement parts

The importance of each feature depends on the intended users and how many hours the chair will typically be used.

Read our guide to choosing an office chair for a broader overview of the features that matter when selecting workplace seating.
Questions to consider

How many hours per day will the chair typically be used?
Will the chair be assigned to one person or shared?
Are the fixed armrests at a comfortable height for the intended users?
Can the chair move close enough to the desk?
Do the armrests provide useful support without lifting the shoulders?
Does the desk height work with the armrest position?
Would adjustable armrests provide meaningful additional flexibility?
Which other chair adjustments are available?

Explore office chairs at Myntwork
Office chairs without adjustable armrests can provide a simple and effective seating solution where extensive armrest adjustment is not required. The complete chair should still be evaluated for user fit, comfort, intended duration of use and compatibility with the workstation.

Explore our office chairs or browse the complete Myntwork office furniture collection.