ENTOctober 2026

How to Choose a Used ENT Exam Chair: A Buyer's Checklist

An ENT exam chair is used all day, every day, and it is the first thing patients notice when they walk into the room. A used chair can save a practice a lot of money compared with new, but only if it is in good working order. This checklist covers what to inspect and what to ask before you buy.

1. Positioning and adjustment

Raise, lower, and recline the chair through its full range. Movement should be smooth and steady, with no jerking, grinding, or hesitation.
Check that the chair holds its position when you stop. A chair that creeps up or down is a problem in the middle of a procedure.
Make sure the height range works for you as well as the patient. Think about how you sit and where you need to be to work on the ears, nose, and throat.

2. Headrest and armrests

The headrest should adjust easily and lock firmly in place. Wobble or slipping is a sign of worn parts.
Armrests should be solid. Patients often use them to get in and out of the chair.

3. Controls

If the chair is powered, test every function from the foot control or hand control, and then test it again. Ask whether the controls and cables are original, and ask about any past repairs.

4. Upholstery condition

Look closely at seams, edges, and the areas where patients sit and lean. Cracks, tears, and peeling vinyl are difficult to clean properly. Re-upholstering is a common part of restoring a chair, and a chair with fresh upholstery in a matching color can make several exam rooms look consistent. See our Matching Upholstery Program if you are outfitting more than one room.

5. Frame, paint, and base

Check welds and mounting points for cracks or repairs.
Look for chipped paint, rust, and dents. A professional repaint to a factory-quality finish is a good sign that the chair was properly restored.
Check the base, casters or feet, and how stable the chair feels when someone leans or shifts.

6. Documentation and history

Ask where the chair came from, what work has been done, and whether it has been inspected. A seller should be able to tell you exactly what was done. On our site, listings from independent sellers are labeled Private Seller and are not inspected by us.

7. Shipping weight and delivery

Exam chairs are heavy. A crated chair can weigh over 300 pounds, so it ships by freight, not parcel. Ask whether liftgate delivery is needed if your office has no loading dock. When the chair arrives, inspect the crate before you sign and note any damage on the delivery receipt. You can get a ballpark cost with our shipping estimator.

8. Total cost, not just price

A restored chair with new upholstery and fresh paint is usually a better value than a cheaper as-is chair that needs work. Add freight and any installation to the price when you compare, and get the return terms in writing.