When talking about office chair components, most people think of the mesh, cushion, or armrests. But there’s one part that’s absolutely critical to both safety and comfort—the gas lift, also called the gas cylinder or gas spring.

It’s the part that allows height adjustment and supports your weight every time you sit down. A good gas lift ensures smooth operation, stable support, and long-term durability. A poor-quality one? It could wobble, sink over time, or even become dangerous.

1. What Is a Gas Lift?

A gas lift is a sealed cylinder filled with compressed nitrogen gas and lubricating oil. It uses air pressure and a piston system to raise or lower the seat. You activate it by pulling the lever under your chair, which adjusts the pressure inside the cylinder.

It connects the seat plate and the base, so every movement—sitting, adjusting, leaning—depends on this part working smoothly and safely.

2. Types of Gas Lifts by Class

Office chair gas lifts are generally categorized by class, based on their safety and load-bearing capacity. The most common are:

• Class 2: Max capacity ~100 kg. Rarely used today; low-end only.
• Class 3: Max capacity ~120 kg. Budget chairs, occasional office use.
• Class 4: Max capacity ~150–180 kg. Recommended for ergonomic chairs, heavy users, and daily 8-hour usage.

At Ofiexperts, we primarily use Class 4 gas lifts and Class 3 gas lifts in our Models, ensuring both strength and long-term reliability.

3. Key Factors to Judge Gas Lift Quality

1. Certification
Look for international certifications like SGS, BIFMA, or TÜV. These verify the gas lift has passed fatigue tests, pressure resistance, and safety inspections.

2. Steel Thickness
High-quality gas lifts use thicker steel tubes. Thin walls can rupture or deform under pressure. The industry standard for Class 4 is usually 2.0 mm or above.

3. Lifting Smoothness
Premium cylinders provide a quiet, smooth lifting and lowering experience with no sudden jerks or noise. Cheap cylinders often feel sticky or unstable.

4. Height Adjustment Range
The range varies between 80mm–120mm typically. Ergonomic chairs usually require a longer travel range, especially for users of different heights.

5. Durability Test Results
Top-tier gas lifts can withstand over 100,000 lift cycles. If you’re sourcing chairs for high-use environments like co-working spaces or gaming setups, durability matters.

4. Safety Matters – What Can Go Wrong?

Low-quality gas lifts may use impure gas, poor welding, or cheap sealing rings, which can lead to leakage, sinking, or—in rare cases—explosions under heat. While explosions are extremely rare, they’ve happened with uncertified, untested cylinders in low-cost chairs.

That’s why we only work with certified gas lift suppliers and conduct 100% incoming inspections during production.

5. Final Tip: Ask the Right Questions

When sourcing office chairs from a factory or supplier, here’s what you should ask:

1.What classof gas lift is used?

2. Is it certified(e.g., SGS, BIFMA, TÜV)?

3. What’s the adjustment rangein mm?

4. How many cycleshas it passed in durability tests?

5. Is the steel thicknessabove 2.0 mm?

At Ofiexperts, we believe that an office chair is only as good as the parts you don’t see. The gas lift might be hidden inside—but it holds everything together.