The Curator: Unpacking the viral criss-cross office chair trend

The Curator independently decides what topics and products we feature. When you purchase an item through our links, we may earn a commission. Promotions and products are subject to availability and retailer terms.

You may have scrolled across this viral “criss-cross” chair in recent years. Gloriously cushy in appearance, these pieces stand out from your standard, narrow-width designs. This big and tall office chair takes the concept even further with an extra wide seat, flip-up armrests, reclining back, footrest and soft teddy-fleece upholstery. The chair currently has a 4.2-star rating from more than 1,300 Amazon ratings. So is it worth the hype? Let’s dive in.

The biggest selling point is, unsurprisingly, the chair’s size. The seat measures 22.8 inches wide, while the armrests can flip outward to create an even more open seating area. That extra space appears to be one of the chair’s biggest advantages based on customer feedback. One verified purchaser described being able to “curl into a ball” on the chair, while another said the deep seat made sitting cross-legged comfortable. If you’re someone who likes to tuck your legs underneath you, sit sideways or change positions throughout the day, this design offers considerably more freedom than a conventional office chair.

This is no traditional upright task chair. Its reclining back, adjustable armrests and pull-out footrest make it more of a hybrid between an office chair and a lounge chair. However, there’s an important caveat: not everyone finds it ideal for prolonged sitting. One reviewer specifically said they wouldn’t recommend it for long gaming sessions because it became uncomfortable after a while. So if you’re looking for a highly structured ergonomic chair for eight-hour workdays, this may not be the obvious choice. If you want something you can work, relax and curl up in, it’s much more compelling.

The teddy-fleece upholstery is another major part of the appeal. Multiple reviewers describe the chair as soft and comfortable. And apparently, humans aren’t the only fans. Several reviewers specifically mentioned their cats enjoying the oversized seat and using it for cuddling or sleeping. One customer said their cat never used to cuddle with them in their previous, narrower chair but now sits in their lap daily. Cat approval isn’t exactly an ergonomic certification, but it does reinforce the chair’s oversized, lounge-friendly design.

The customer feedback isn’t universally glowing, and that’s important at this price point. The chair’s height is a consideration. A 5’8″ reviewer said their feet didn’t touch the floor, suggesting that shorter desks or shorter users may need to pay particular attention to the height range. The armrests also aren’t exactly a piece of cake to adjust. One customer described the mechanism as awkward because the armrests need to be pulled inward significantly before they release.

Most reviewers seem to have found assembly relatively straightforward.