The best gas lift cylinder for your office chair will depend on the dimensions of the chair you have. While we recommend going for a replacement from the same manufacturer, this may be a bit hectic. Rather, getting a universal gas lift cylinder will be enough for most chairs.
Knowing how a gas lift cylinder works is important since it allows you take proper care of it and replace it when time comes for a new one. Even with the best care, gas lift cylinders will eventually get worn out and need replacement. Gas lift cylinders for chairs don’t have parts you can replace and instead require complete replacement. The good news is that even the very best of them cost a few tens of dollars hence easily affordable.
In choosing the right gas lift cylinder for your chair, always consider the stroke of the cylinder. This is the distance the chair can travel from the highest to the lowest point. This will determine how high the gas lift cylinder (also called the plunger piston or hydraulic shaft) can raise and lower your chair.
The Best Gas Lift Cylinders
After trying out a good number of gas lift cylinders, we settled on the following 7 to be the very best:
1. Oak Leaf Gas Lift Cylinder, 5” Stroke, Black
The Oak Leaf Gas Lift Cylinder is the truly universal gas lift cylinder you should go for. It comes with the standard measurements of 2 inches for the outer cylinder and 1.1 inches for the inner cylinder diameters.
The Oak Leaf also comes with support for up to 450 lbs. of weight which is way higher than most office chairs will support. With a 5-inch stroke and 15.5 inches of height when fully extended, it provides good height adjustment for office chair users of all sizes.
It’s very easy to install this gas lift cylinder and you’ll get one of the smoothest operations whether it’s adjusting the height or rotating in the chair. The materials used are steel and high-quality plastic which provide longevity for the gas lift cylinder.
Pros
- Standard gas lift cylinder diameters of 1.1” and 2” for the inner and outer cylinders respectively.
- 5” stroke and 15.5” when fully extended to accommodate people of all heights.
- Weight capacity of 450 lbs.
- Works smoothly and noiselessly.
- Easy installation procedure.
- Made of high-quality materials for longevity.
- 30-day return and money back guarantee.
Cons
- Needs proper measurement of your chair.
Most chairs will fit this excellent gas lift cylinder from Oak Leaf. It also comes at a bargain price and will last for a long time.
2. Replacement Office Chair Gas Lift Cylinder Pneumatic Shock – 5″ Travel – S6111
Next up is the Replacement Gas Lift Cylinder with a 5-inch travel. That means that the chair can move up and down 5 inches with this gas lift cylinder. It measures 2” (50mm) wide and 9.25” (235mm) tall and is in a black color. These dimensions mean that it’ll work with most chairs in the office or at home.
With a piston stroke of 5 inches, the whole gas lift cylinder measures 16.25 inches when fully extended. In our tests, it proved to be quite smooth and accurate when in use.
It works quite well for office chairs, executive chairs, task chairs and many more. You won’t need to worry about the quality of the material since steel and hard plastic are used. If properly fitted on to your chair, this gas lift cylinder will serve you for many years to come.
Pros
- 5” piston travel/stroke.
- Fits most office chairs, task chairs, executive chairs and others.
- High quality materials (steel and hard plastic) and construction for longevity.
- Easy installation procedure.
Cons
- Needs to be measured for some chairs as it’s not fully universal.
If you’re looking for a cheap yet quality option to replace your current office chair’s gas lift cylinder, you’ll never go wrong with this one.
3. #1 Office Chair Cylinder Replacement
Coming as a wholesome package with a gas lift cylinder, gloves, removal tools and a manual, the #1 Office Chair Replacement kit provides lots of quality and convenience. The gas lift cylinder has universal measurements of 2’ (50mm) and 1-1/8” (28mm) for the outer and inner diameters respectively. When fully extended, it measures 385mm (15-1/8”) aided by the 4¾” (128mm) travel of the piston.
The installation process is one of the easiest thanks to the included removal and installation parts such the gloves, Allen keys, screws, and shaft collars. You also get the help of an instruction guide to quickly remove the old cylinder and replace it with the new one. In 5 simple steps, you’ll breathe new life into your office chair.
Being a Class 4 chair cylinder means that this is one of the most durable and reliable gas lift cylinders on the market. Class 4 gas lift cylinders like this one can support up to 1000 lbs. of weight without any issues. This is backed by a 6-year warranty on the cylinder.
Pros
- 4.75″ piston travel/stroke.
- Easy removal and installation procedures.
- Removal kit with gloves included.
- Class 4 gas lift cylinder.
- Universal fit and an industry standard.
- Support for up to 1000 lbs.
- 6-year warranty.
Cons
- Slightly costly.
Although it costs a few dollars more than comparative gas lift cylinders for office chairs, it’s worth every extra penny you’ll spend on it thanks to the high-quality parts.
4. ToolKee Gas Lift Cylinder Replacement and Gloves
The ToolKee Gas Lift Cylinder Replacement kit, also available as the DOZYANT Gas Lift Cylinder, is another great replacement for your malfunctioning gas lift cylinder. The inner and outer diameters measure 1.1 inches and 2 inches respectively. This means they’ll fit most office chairs in the office and home.
This gas lift cylinder will accommodate all sizes and weights of users having a weight capacity of 450 lbs. It’s a Class 4 gas cylinder which is an assurance of its high quality. It has a 5” stroke with minimum and maximum lengths of 10 inches and 15 inches respectively.
This gas lift cylinder is also very easy to install with a few steps being all you’ll need. Once in place, it’ll operate smoothly and without any noise. With its high-quality materials, you’re guaranteed of a long life when using it.
Pros
- 5″ piston stroke/travel.
- Class 4 gas lift cylinder.
- 450 lbs. weight capacity.
- Standard measurements which fit most office chairs.
- Smooth and noiseless operation.
- Quick and easy installation.
Cons
- Not following the installation procedure can damage the cylinder.
A quality and affordable option for your office chair.
5. MySit Office Gas Lift Cylinder – Heavy Duty 5” Stroke Universal Size
MySit Office Gas Lift Cylinder is a heavy-duty gas lift cylinder available in strokes of 2.2”, 5” and 6”. The best size that balances convenience and size is the 5” one which we put to the test. It’s a Class 4 gas lift cylinder with a full length of 18.5 inches.
Like all the gas cylinders on the list, this one is very easy to install as it comes with the standard fittings. The steel and high-quality plastic parts ensure that you’ll be using it for a long time to come. This is further backed by the 5-year Money Back or Free Replacement guarantee on the cylinder.
Pros
- 5” piston travel/ stroke.
- Class 4 gas lift cylinder.
- Easy and quick installation.
- 5-year guarantee.
- A universal fit.
Cons
- Few extras included in the box.
Even without the extras such as gloves in the box, the quality and price of this gas lift cylinder are among the very best.
6. KAPOGEE KGC-120B Highest Grade Class 4 Gas Lift Cylinder/Gas Spring with Disposable Gloves
The Kapogee KGC-120B is a Class 4 grade gas lift cylinder with the highest quality parts and features. It has a stainless-steel body with hard plastic to provide guaranteed quality. It comes with the standard dimensions to fit most office chairs.
This gas lift cylinder comes with a stroke of 5 inches. The compressed length is 10.7” (272mm) while the extended length is 15.5” (392mm). The outer diameter is the standard 2 inches for a universal fit. You also get a pair of black disposable nitrile gloves to protect your hands as you install it.
This Kapogee gas lift cylinder has a weight capacity of 400 lbs. and offers a smooth and noiseless operation with a 360° turn in your chair. With the steel tube having a welded bottom, you’re assured of a quality product. It is further backed by a 90-day money back guarantee with a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- 5” chair stroke.
- Support for 400 lbs.
- Comes with disposable gloves.
- Has a universal fit.
- Steel tube with welded bottom provides greater strength and longevity.
- Lifetime warranty and 90-day money back guarantee.
Cons
- Won’t fit non-standard chairs.
Having a standard chair with a failing gas lift cylinder can be annoying but this replacement from Kapogee is the solution you need for that.
7. Heavy Duty 8” Stroke Replacement Drafting Stool Gas Lift Cylinder Shock – Medium Stool Height
Wrapping up our list is the Heavy Duty 8” Stroke Replacement Gas Lift Cylinder. It is the largest of the gas lift cylinders on our list thanks to its large 8-inch stroke. When fully extended, it has a total length of 22.25” (565mm) which is an advantage when you have a large chair or need extra height.
Given its large size and universal dimensions, it can be used by most office chairs and even stools. It comes with an external diameter of 2 inches (50mm) which is the standard fit for most chairs and adjustable stools.
The materials that went into the making of this chair are the best quality steel and hard plastic making sure it lasts. Compared to other gas lift cylinders, this is the best for large chairs or chairs that require extra height as it offers 3 more inches above the standard 5” of stroke.
Pros
- 8” chair stroke/vertical travel, 22.25” (565mm) fully extended.
- Made of stainless steel and hard plastic.
- Universal fit.
- Quick and easy installation procedure.
- Works with stools, drafting chairs, tall task chairs and most office chairs with a standard fit.
Cons
- Best fit for large chairs.
If you’re looking for a gas lift cylinder that will either raise your chair above its current height or one for your non-office chairs and stools, this is the one. It also fits normal chairs at standard heights given its universal dimensions.
These gas lift cylinders will give you the confidence to use your office chair if the current one has failed. For other office chair adjustments, you can check out this guide.
Buying Guide: What to Look for in an Office Chair Gas Lift Cylinder
Gas lift cylinders may appear similar but there are some specific differences among them. These differences are what determine which cylinder to go for. They include the following:
1. The amount of stroke/travel
The stroke of a gas lift cylinder or chair refers to the distance between the highest point and the lowest that the chair can attain. It’s primarily determined by the gas lift cylinder and is fixed for each cylinder. Most gas lift cylinders will have a stroke of about 5 inches. This means that the chair will rise from the lowest point to 5 inches upwards.
You need to choose the right stroke for your chair as it determines your comfort. If you get one that’s too short, your chair won’t rise to the height you need. Our advice is that you get one that’s just the height of your current gas lift cylinder (or longer if you want a higher chair).
The easiest way to measure the travel of your chair or gas cylinder is to lower it completely then mark on the wall the top part of the back. Fully raise it then mark the new position of the top of the back of your chair on the same wall. The distance between the two marks is the current travel of your chair and gas lift cylinder.
2. Size (fit)
The size or fit of your chair is another determinant of whether a gas cylinder fits your needs or not. This refers to the size of the cylinder in terms of the gas spring and the column. The gas spring is the top part of the cylinder and is what goes into the chair tilt mechanism below the seat of the chair.
In a standard chair, the gas spring has a diameter of 1.1 inches (28mm). It also holds pressurized nitrogen gas and lubrication oil. At its very top is a tapering of 17-4 for an industry-standard chair. The gas spring also has the piston (the shiny cylinder) that moves up and down when adjusting the chair height.
The column of the gas cylinder is the circular part that goes into the base of the chair and houses the gas spring. It’s usually black in color for most gas cylinders. The industry-standard column has a diameter of 2 inches.
3. Materials and build quality
The material used to make the gas lift cylinder will determine its quality and longevity as well. All gas lift cylinders are a combination of metal and plastic and are classified into classes with Class 4 being the best quality. Class 4 gas lift cylinders are made of heavy-duty steel and hard plastic for longevity.
Besides the materials, the quality of the build will also largely determine the longevity of the gas lift cylinder. The cylinders work by use of the pressurized nitrogen gas which allows for the raising and lowering of the chair. If the nitrogen gas escapes due to a poor build quality, the cylinder won’t work properly.
4. Ease of replacement
Removing the old cylinder and replacing it with the new one is among the most challenging procedures when replacing a gas lift cylinder on your chair. With the gas lift cylinders above, the procedures are quite direct and can be done in a few minutes with the right tools. Some of the gas lift cylinders here come with the needed tools in the case that you don’t have them at the ready. Generally, the easier the procedure, the better the gas lift cylinder.
5. Total length of cylinder (protrusion below chair base)
Besides the stroke of the gas lift cylinder, the other aspect to consider is its total length. That’s the length from the top of the gas spring to the bottom of the column. This determines how much of the cylinder will protrude below the base when the cylinder is fitted to the chair.
If there’s too much of the cylinder below the base, it means that the cylinder you chose is too long. This can hinder the other functions of the chair such as rotations and moving around. If there’s too little of it, the chair will not be stable and it’s a sign that the gas lift cylinder is too short.
The safest way is to measure the total length of the current gas lift cylinder on the chair then pick a similar length as a replacement. Measure it when compact and fully distended then match the measurements of your current cylinder to the measurements of your intended replacement.
These aspects will give you the gas lift cylinder you need for your chair. For a few tens of dollars, you can restore and even improve the workings of your chair in no time. Keep in mind that you don’t need to get an exact replica of the gas lift cylinder currently on your chair. As long as it matches the measurements and it’s a quality one, it’ll serve you well. If your gas lift cylinder can’t get you to the height you want, you can make your office chair higher with our guide here. On the other hand, if you simply want an office chair for a big guy, have a look at this guide.
Are Office Chair Cylinders Universal?
No. Different office chairs come with different measurements for their gas lift cylinders although the working mechanisms are the same. However, there is an industry standard to which a majority of office chair gas lift cylinders conform to. These have an external diameter of inner and outer diameters of 1.1 inches and 2 inches respectively. The other dimensions such as the height can differ but it’ll still be a universal fit.
