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To help you find the best office chair under $100, 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 But if you already have an office chair and don’t want to get rid of it, then the best office chair cushions will interest you.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. To get a feel of what’s available on the market, also look at our best office chair guide.
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.
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.
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 that 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 have some great choices.
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.
The Yangming 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 PU 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. For more ergonomic options, have a look at our most comfortable office chair review.
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.
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 also want to read about the best office chairs and compare them to this model.
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.
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. For other options, have a look at any of the best office stools available today.
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.
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. But for more comfort, have a look at the best office chair seat cushions that are portable, orthopedic, and extremely comfortable.
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.
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. You may want to add the best memory foam seat cushions that feature ergonomic designs, lumbar support, pain relief, durability, and breathability too.
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.
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. Better yet, take a look at the best office chair cushions that will definitely interest you.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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°.
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.
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.
