The Boulies NUBI is a compact chair with a simple visual style that focuses nearly all of its attention on being comfortable in tight spaces. With a handful of adjustable features that make it work really well for people of most sizes, this unpretentious little chair might surprise some buyers looking for an ergonomic seat for a workspace without much room for larger, fancier options.
Our Boulies NUBI review will explain everything you need to know to help you decide if it’s the best office chair for your office.
Boulies NUBI review: Price and availability
The Boulies NUBI is technically only offered via Boulies’ UK site — but it ships to the US with no issues — and starts at £279.99 (roughly $500). It keeps things pretty simple by offering only Charcoal or Beige colorways, and it only comes in a single fabric option.
Compared to similar chairs, the Boulies NUBI is a solid option that comes in just slightly cheaper than the Branch Verve, which we consider to be the best office chair available right now.
Boulies NUBI review: Design, comfort, and safety
It’s apparent at a glance that the Boulies NUBI isn’t attempting to win any awards in the visuals department, opting for a very standard compact office chair aesthetic. As a chair that is marketed as something to blend well into small spaces, though, that works in its favor excellently.
Its soft, breathable fabric feels durable and has kept me fairly cool during extended sessions, and the seat’s foam is just the right amount of firm to feel supportive while remaining soft enough to avoid discomfort even after hours of sitting. I also love its backrest, which has a subtle curve that is certainly ergonomic without ever feeling so aggressive that it felt unsatisfying when I’d slack off on my posture for a few minutes.
My favorite part of the Boulies NUBI, however, is its adjustable seat depth. Using a lever beneath the left side of the seat, you can move the seat pan forward to place more space between your back and bottom. This makes things significantly more comfortable for tall folks like me, allowing my knees to be better aligned with the seat so that there’s less pressure on my legs.
There’s less positive to say about the small and flimsy armrests, sadly. They’re functional, but the plastic material is both slightly uncomfortable and a bit too flexible. Though they haven’t felt like they pose a safety hazard, I don’t like that leaning on them even a little produces noticeable outward flexing. At this price point, it’s just disappointing for any element of the chair to feel this cheap.
Boulies NUBI review: What’s adjustable
The Boulies NUBI is a mostly standard compact office chair that isn’t trying to impress with much in the way of flashiness. Its biggest standout feature is the aforementioned adjustable seat depth, which is toggled in or out via an easily reached lever. Additionally, you can use its forward tilt function by using a lever on the back right side of the chair to angle the seat up or down to best fit your comfort levels or improve your posture.
There’s no adjustable lumbar support, but as expected, you can adjust reclining positions and tension, as well as move the seat height up or down. Similarly, the 2D armrests can be moved up or down at any time to accommodate users of different heights, and it’s wonderful that they do so relatively quietly.
Boulies NUBI review: Assembly
My Boulies NUBI arrived in a half-open box, which makes sense because the parts inside were wrapped in bubble wrap and tossed in haphazardly with virtually nothing to keep any of it from flailing around during shipment. It was one of the messier and least presentable unboxing experiences I’ve seen, and I’m shocked nothing fell out or got broken on its way to me. But alas, everything was in order and easy to remove in preparation for assembly.
A single page of instructions is included alongside an allen wrench and a mere nine screws, giving new owners an insight into how quick and painless the assembly process will be. This is a chair that the vast majority of folks should be able to put together solo in fifteen minutes or so.
Having to attach the armrests on a chair in this day and age is one of my biggest pet peeves, but the light weight of the seat pan on the Boulies NUBI made it effortless, so I was less grumpy about it than I normally would be. And the same goes for attaching the backrest to the seat pan, which was also a surprisingly simple one-person affair. Easy peasy!
Boulies NUBI review: Verdict
The Boulies NUBI isn’t a one-size-fits-all office chair, and its plastic armrests feel somewhat cheap — particularly when putting your weight on them. But for those looking for a compact option with seat depth adjustability, firm but comfortable foam, and an unassuming visual style, this otherwise cozy little chair should get the job done quite handily.
Jessica spends 12 hours a day on the internet managing security for web assets and loves her macha tea
