I have a cheap office chair at home with arms which i think is ok. Now, at work after being off work due to a bad back my employer got me an office chair with lumbar support..it is much more padded both under your bottom and the back area and also the foam seems more shaped (if that makes sense) my back feels so much better when i sit on that and the guy that sells them comes out and you get fitted for this chair! The chair cost $400 which i felt was not excessive and I will shortly get this guy to get me one for home as it really made a big difference. It has arms which are adjustable up or down and they guy said you have to have the arms as when you get up or sit down you can use them and it takes the stress off your back. I find the arms dont get in my way not even on my cheap chair maybe it just takes time to get used to..