To help you find the best office chair under $100 in 2020, we’ve tried out dozens of models, testing them for back and neck support, ergonomics, breathability and adjustability. We also tended to favor ultra-durable products, with a high weight capacity, made from quality materials. We wanted to make sure you got the biggest bang for your buck, choosing attractive chairs that are easy to assemble.
Of the seven products featured on this list, our favorite is the SMUGDESK Ergonomic Office Chair, which boasts a suite of high-end features, including a breathable mesh backrest, a memory foam seat cushion, an integrated lumbar pad and, even, a clothes hanger on the back for suits and the like. Keep reading to find out more about the SMUGDESK Ergonomic Office Chair and the other products on this list.
Top 7 Best Office Chairs Under $100 Compared
#1 SMUGDESK Ergonomic Office Chair
Award: Top Pick
WHY WE LIKE IT: Boasts plenty of features that are often found in much higher priced products, including a breathable mesh backrest, a memory foam seat cushion, an adjustable headrest and a clothes hanger on the back. This is just the best office chair you can get for under $100.
- Adjustable and comfortable
- Easy to assemble
- Supports up to 300 lb
- Not suitable for heights above 6’2”
- Wheels are not quietest on list
- No option for footrest
The SMUGDESK Ergonomic Office Chair is a high quality product, with a breathable mesh backrest, a comfortable memory foam seat cushion, soft armrests and an integrated lumbar pad which helps support posture. The product is fully adjustable on a variety of axes, adding to its useability rating. The installation was easy, with everything we needed coming right in the box, and the price is right. Additionally, it comes with a one year warranty, which is nice, and boasts a clothes hanger on the back.
Though the chair is extremely well made and can support weights up to 300 pounds, the dimensions make it difficult to provide comfort for heights above 6’2”. Also, the wheels below the swivel mechanism are not the quietest we tested, though they are by no means annoyingly loud. If you are willing to spend more, our best office chairs under $500 has some great choices.
#2 ORVEAY Ergonomic Office Chair
Award: Honorable Mention
WHY WE LIKE IT: Features a gorgeous all-white design with a bevy of adjustability options, including the ability to change the chair’s height with a flick of a switch and to recline back, for a nap, or forward, to help it squeeze into tight places. The padded back and seat are both comfortable, making this a great purchase for those who want a simple, no frills office chair.
- Extremely adjustable
- Gorgeous white design
- 300 lb max weight
- No headrest
- Leather upholstery can heat up
- No option for footrest
The ORVEAY Ergonomic Office Chair is a no frills product with plenty of adjustability options, including an adjustable base, for height, and back, in case you want to take a nap. It also tilts forward, which we found useful for tucking it away when not in use. The chair is also comfortable, thanks to an ergonomic design that helps to support the lumbar region and a thickly padded back and seat. Speaking of pain, check out the best office chair for lower back pain. The all-white design is also pleasing.
Though the leather upholstery is gorgeous to look at, we found that it heated up slightly when in use for several hours or more. Additionally, the product lacks a headrest, which could be an issue for those suffering from neck pain.
#3 AmazonBasics Classic Leather Office Chair
Award: Best Leather Chair / Best Value
WHY WE LIKE IT: Boasts a gorgeous leather design, available in three colors, and some high end functionality, including a padded seat and back and adjustable base, all at a price that won’t break the bank. This is a great chair to buy if you are looking for high aesthetics at a low price.
- Gorgeous leather design
- Price is right
- Built-in lumbar support
- 275 lb maximum weight capacity
- No headrest
- Chair tilts a little, even while locked
The AmazonBasics Classic Leather Office Chair is a great product at a great price, with a beautiful leather design that is available in three colors, built-in lumbar support, a fully adjustable base, for easy height adjustment, and a padded seat and back, making for a comfortable sit. The dual-wheel casters are quiet and the chair was extremely easy to assemble, with all necessary tools coming packed in the box.
Though the chair allows you to lock certain sitting angles in place, we found that it tilted a little bit even while locked. Additionally, there is no headrest, which could be a problem for those of you who are taller than average. You may want to read about the best office chairs and compare them to this model.
#4 Furmax Office Mesh Chair
Award: Best Budget / Most Colors
WHY WE LIKE IT: An extremely budget-friendly product that comes in ten different colors, with good lumbar support, a mesh backrest and a thick padded seat. This is a great chair if you are looking to stock your home office on the cheap.
- Lowest priced item on list
- Comes in ten different colors
- Thick padded seat is comfortable
- No headrest
- Armrests are not adjustable, though can be removed
- 265 lb max weight
The Furmax Office Mesh Chair is a solid product, with good lumbar support, thanks to an ergonomic design, a breathable mesh back that stays cool during long periods of use and a thick padded seat. It also comes in ten different colors, which should suit the aesthetics of any home office. It’s also the cheapest chair on this list and was simple to assemble. While I’m talking cheap, check out the best office chair under $300 for more affordable options.
Though the chair does come with removable armrests, a nice addition, they are not adjustable, which could be an issue. Additionally, it has a maximum weight capacity of 265 pounds, which is on the lower end.
#5 YOUNBO Adjustable Office Chair
Award: Best Warranty / Highest Max Weight
WHY WE LIKE IT: Comes packed with a five year warranty, the longest on this list, and an array of adjustment options, including an adjustable headrest, rocking mechanism, tilt functionality and a knob to change up the height. This is a highly ergonomic product with a lengthy warranty, making it perfect for those who are looking for a chair that lasts.
- 5 year warranty
- 7 points of ergonomic adjustment
- 450 lb max weight
- Armrests cannot be adjusted, though can be removed
- Padding could be thicker
- 6’2” max height
The YOUNBO Adjustable Office Chair is a highly durable product that, thanks to the five year warranty, should last you for the foreseeable future. It boasts an array of adjustment points, including an adjustable headrest, rocking mechanism, tilting functionality and more, making this a truly ergonomic chair that suits nearly every body type. The faux leather is attractive and the max weight is 450 pounds, the highest on this list.
With all of the adjustability options available with this product, we were a bit saddened to find that the armrests could not be moved in any way, though they can be completely removed. Additionally, we thought the seat and back padding could be thicker, though the chair is still comfortable. It is a comfortable enough piece of office furniture to make our list.
#6 Hbada Office Task Desk Chair
Award: Best for Space Saving
WHY WE LIKE IT: Features an innovative space saving design, thanks to a pair of foldable armrests, and a sleek form factor, with a breathable mesh backrest, lumbar support, thick seat padding and an adjustable base, for height. This is just a great chair if your home office is a bit cramped.
- Foldable arms help save space
- Sleek design looks great
- Breathable mesh helps keep things cool
- 250 lb max weight
- No headrest
- Wheels cannot be locked in place
The Hbada Office Task Desk Chair boasts some great space saving features, including foldable armrests that allow the entire product to be tucked flush against a desk. It’s also a comfortable chair with good lumbar support, thick seat padding and a base that can be adjusted to suit a wide variety of heights. The sleek design looks great and the breathable mesh helps keep the backrest cool, even during extended use.
The max weight limit on the chair is just 250 pounds, the lowest on this list, and there is no headrest to speak of, but otherwise this is a fantastic product more than worthy of its place on this list.
#7 Gaiam Classic Balance Ball Chair
Award: Most Unique / Best for Posture
WHY WE LIKE IT: Features a unique balance ball design that is ideal for promoting healthy posture and comes in a series of cool colors, helping it to fit in any office. The product even comes with a book of exercises, making this the ideal chair for folks who want to reduce wear and tear on their bodies.
- Balance design good for posture
- 300 lb max weight
- Available in many colors
- Design not for everyone
- 6’0” max height
- Need to reinflate ball a couple of times upon assembly
The Gaiam Classic Balance Ball Chair is a unique product that truly does help with posture and back pain, if you put in the effort. The balance ball design works several muscle groups and forces you to sit up straight and the book of exercises is extremely handy for getting something of a mini workout as you sit at your desk. The chair comes in a variety of cool colors, which is nice, and the caster wheels are perfect on hard floors and carpeting.
Due to the nature of the design, the maximum height recommended is 6’0”, though you can purchase leg extenders to add a couple of inches, sold separately. Additionally, this design is not for everyone and works best as a secondary chair to use when you need some help with posture.
How We Decided
To help narrow down to the above list, we tested out dozens of chairs, looking for models that were extremely comfortable and offered back support, good lumbar, and, in some cases, neck support. We focused on products that remained comfortable even after using it for several hours, causing no back pain to speak of. To that end, we favored chairs that boasted a wide variety of adjustability options, allowing use by a wide variety of body types.
We also took a look at aesthetics, choosing models that would look great in the home office or at your primary workspace. We chose chairs made from ultra-durable materials that stayed cool even in use, thanks to fine mesh backrests and other comfort forward features. Additionally, we leaned toward products with a high maximum weight capacity, as much as 450 pounds.
Finally, we picked products that were easy to assemble, with everything you need coming right out of the box and no need for external tools or screws, with assembly taking between 15 and 30 minutes. We also wanted to make sure these chairs were backed with warranties in the one to five year range.
Office Chair Buying Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Adjustment Functionality
If you are sensitive to back and neck pain, you are going to want to pick a chair that boasts a large amount of adjustment capabilities. Modern office chairs often allow for the adjusting of height, headrest height, armrest location and lumbar cushions, among other options. Finding the exact right specifications for your body can help relieve pressure, leading to pain-free extended sitting sessions. If the chair lacks a bevy of adjustment options, look for something with good lumbar support. - Easy Assembly
Unless you are handy with tools, look for chairs that are advertised as being easy to assemble, as every option in the above list is. These products come with all of the tools and screws you need in the package and can usually be put together in 30 minutes, with some taking as little as 15 minutes. If the company does its job right, there will only be several things to screw in with the typically included allen wrench. - Additional Features
Many of the above chairs boast additional features, such as caster wheels that excel on both carpeting and hardwood floorings, breathable mesh backrests that help keep things cool and, in one case, a clothes hanger. Make a list of your most desired features and find a product that meets most of them.
Office Chairs Under $100 FAQs
Is there a “right” way to adjust an office chair?
No. Each person’s needs are different, so there isn’t necessarily a correct way to make adjustments. Just find the right fit for your body, and your spine, and test it out for a few hours. Your body will be sure to tell you if you need to make further adjustments.
What does the knob under an office chair do?
The knob, or knobs, located underneath an office chair typically adjust the product’s height or tilt tension. The tilt tension knob will increase or decrease the amount of force needed to make the chair rock or recline backward.
Why do many office chairs have five legs and not four?
Office chair legs support load perpendicular to their orientation so they need to be strong enough not to snap. Therefore, they tend to need more support to adequately address the load, thus five legs as opposed to four. Another reason to have five legs as opposed to four is that the wheels aren't in a fixed position relative to the chair.
What is the difference between a gaming chair and an office desk chair?
The key difference between gaming vs. office chairs is the backrest functionality. Office chairs often cannot recline and can only be altered if they offer adjustable lumbar support. Gaming chairs, on the other hand, can recline completely, some to 180°.
What is PU Leather?
PU leather, or polyurethane leather, is an artificial leather made of thermoplastic polymer. 100% PU leather is entirely synthetic and considered vegan. However, in comparison to genuine leather, which can last between 10 to 20 years, PU leather tears easily and can begin to crack in just a few years. Some budget office chairs are typically made from PU leather.
What is the difference between a low-back, mid-back, and high back office chair?
When searching for the best ergonomic office chair, you'll notice three main categories: low-back, mid-back, and high back. A low-back office chair offers both mid-back and lower back support. A mid-back office chair provides support for your spines natural curve. While a high back office chair supports your upper back, shoulders, neck and is designed for all-day use, some chairs have a mid-back mesh design, which is ideal for keeping you cool in a stuffy work environment and encourages good posture.
Also why not check out:
- 7 Best Office Chair Seat Cushions in 2020
- AmazonBasics Classic Leather Office Chair Review
- Best Office Chair Cushion in 2020 (September Reviews)
- Best Office Chair Under $500 in 2020
- Best Office Stability Chair in 2020 (September Reviews)
- Best Office Stool in 2020 (September Reviews)
- Ergohuman High Back Swivel Chair Review
- Flash Furniture Mid-Back Mesh Chair Review
- HON Wave Big and Tall Executive Chair Review
- How To Adjust Your Office Chair
- How To Fix An Office Chair That Leans Forward
- How To Fix An Office Chair That Won’t Stay Up
- Poly and Bark Inverness Ergonomic Chair Review
- Smugdesk 5579 Ergonomic Office Chair Review
- Steelcase Amia Office Chair Review
- Webble Footrest Is The Perfect Compliment To Your Herman Miller Chair
- What’s the Most Comfortable Office Chair in 2020?
