Buying the cheapest ergonomic office chairs you can find is a recipe for regret; on the other hand, the most expensive ones also somewhat don’t justify the cost. You want budget ergonomic office chairs that are better than the cheapest options but won’t break after several weeks of playful swivels or aggressive reclining.
You’re not looking for an Iron Throne to sit on; just something that won’t contribute to your back issues and make you feel like you’re 60 in your mid-30s or 40s.
As with buying chairs online, it’s always a risk. You don’t exactly get to feel just how snug or how supportive the chair is; but luckily, even the budget ergonomic office chairs have some accommodating functions to suit all kinds of postures, heights, weights, and body shapes.
If you want to save your back from bad posture while also saving some money from some questionable financial decisions, then these budget ergonomic office chairs ought to hit two birds with one stone.
Also, by budget, we mean anything that’s below $300.
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SIHOO Ergonomic Office Chair
PROS
- Adjustable, cushioned lumbar support
- Adjustable headrest
- Adjustable armrest
- Mesh back
- Sturdy plastic seat bottom
- Tilt function
- 150 kg. weight limit
- Comes in different (though more expensive) colors
CONS
- No recline function
- Tilt function can be tedious to adjust
Features:
- Dimensions: 25.59″D x 23.62″W x 51.2″H
- Chair Base Material: Aluminum Alloy
- Seating Material: Mesh, Sponge foam
- Special Features: Adjustable Lumbar, Adjustable Height, Adjustable Head Support, Adjustable Armrest
- Max Weight Allowance: 150 kg.
This budget ergonomic office chair from a Chinese manufacturer and brand hits all the right spots when it comes to the bang for your buck. All the important ergonomic supports here such as the headrest, lumbar support, height, and armrest can be adjusted to specific heights or angles.
There’s also a tilt function here that allows you to use it as some kind of rocking chair for when you need a rest. Sadly, the only option missing is the recliner but that’s usually fine; more moving parts mean more compromises to structural integrity and durability, after all.
Besides, the adjustable lumbar support is the more important feature here. And the mesh seating material definitely helps during those hot summer days.
SIHOO Ergonomic Office Chair
AmazonCommercial Ergonomic Executive Office Desk Chair
PROS
- Adjustable lumbar support
- Sturdy and weighty
- Lots of padding and cushion
- Tilt function
- Elegant leather design
- Comes in black and cream colors
- Flip-up arms
CONS
- Tilt function can be tedious to adjust
- Headrest might be hit or miss for taller people
- Faux leather might flake off if you sweat on it regularly
Features:
- Dimensions: 29.5″D x 28″W x 43″H
- Chair Base Material: Alloy Steel
- Seating Material: Faux Leather
- Special Features: Flip-up Arms, Leather, Tilt Function, Adjustable Lumbar Support
- Max Weight Allowance: 125 kg.
If you want something that looks more serious or authoritative, then this executive office chair might be the thing. It doesn’t have as many functions as the more normal office chairs but it’s more sturdy and hefty, adding a premium feel to it.
The seating material is covered in faux leather and there’s no shortage of padding or pillows here for maximum comfort. The arms, while not adjustable, can be kept out of the way since you can flip them up to change your posture every now and then.
Beyond that, it comes with the standard functions expected of a modern office chair such as the wheels, the adjustable height, and lumbar support, which is also adjustable.
AmazonCommercial Ergonomic Executive Office Desk Chair
OFM Gaming Chair
PROS
- Ambiguous gaming design
- Leather and cloth cover
- Nape ventilation hole
- Adjustable lumbar support (or so they claim)
- Tilt function
- Flip-up arms
- Comes in other colors
- Sturdy and weighty
- Plastic legs means no rusting
CONS
- Faux leather might flake off if you sweat on it regularly
- Tilt function can be tedious to adjust
- Headrest might be hit or miss for taller or shorter people
Features:
- Dimensions: 30.5″D x 28.25″W x 44.5″H
- Chair Base Material: Plastic/Nylon
- Seating Material: Faux leather and cloth blend
- Special Features: Flip-up arms, Tilt Function, Lift Lock, Adjustable Lumbar Support
- Max Weight Allowance: 125 kg.
Yes, it’s a “gaming” chair with a race car seat design, but unlike most other gaming chairs, the colors and the angles are not obnoxiously loud. This makes the OFM Gaming Chair’s design somewhat ambiguous, meaning it can fit in as well in an office environment.
In fact, you can even pass it off as some kind of odd executive chair if you want. The seating material is not completely covered in leather, meaning it allows for good skin breathing, which is handy during summer days.
Also, there’s a good hole directly on the nape or upper back area that allows air to pass through. Such a neat and clever ventilation design gives the best of both worlds for people who want solid cushioned backs while still remaining cool.
OFM Gaming Chair
Modway EEI-757-BLK Articulate Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair
PROS
- Mesh back and cover
- Tilt function
- Small recline function
- Adjustable armrest
- Thick seat cushion
- One-touch height and tilt adjustment
- Plastic legs means no rusting
- Comes in other colors
- Max weight allowance is 150 kg.
- No headrest makes it decent for too tall or too short people
CONS
- No adjustable lumbar support
- No headrest (might be a deal breaker for some)
Features:
- Dimensions: 20″D x 19″W x 41.5″H
- Chair Base Material: Nylon/Plastic
- Seating Material: Mesh
- Special Features: Tilt Function, Adjustable Arm Rest, One-touch Height Adjustment, Back Tilt/Recline Adjustment
- Max Weight Allowance: 150 kg.
Sometimes, headrests aren’t really ideal for other people since they prefer a less obstructed head and neck movement. In such cases, an office chair like the Modway EEI-757-BLK might be the better option. It’s a simple design with lots of thoughtful features that make up for the lack of a headrest.
It’s one of the few budget chairs in this price category that comes with a recline function though the angle is rather narrow; don’t expect the recline to go all the way flat.
This office chair also comes with a convenient one-touch trigger to adjust the height and tilt. Apart from that, its best strength is the rather thick seat cushion which the manufacturer claims has a thickness of six inches. That’s definitely enough to rival the cushion of executive and leather-bound chairs.
Modway EEI-757-BLK Articulate Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair
NOBLEWELL Office Chair
PROS
- Full recline function (135 degrees)
- Easy recline/back tilt lock
- Adjustable armrest
- Adjustable headrest
- Adjustable lumbar support
- Tilt function
- Mesh back
CONS
- Thin seat cushion
- Thin nylon legs
- Tilt function can be tedious to adjust
Features:
- Dimensions: 21″D x 19″W x 45″H
- Chair Base Material: Nylon/Plastic
- Seating Material: Mesh
- Special Features: Recline Function, Tilt Function, Adjustable Armrest, Adjustable Headrest, Adjustable Lumbar Support
- Max Weight Allowance: 136 kg.
The Noblewell Office Chair is very similar to the one from Sihoo, but it has two distinct advantages: it’s cheaper and it has a full recline function of up to 135 degrees. That very well means you can sleep in this chair during your break time.
It comes with all the standard useful posture functions such as an adjustable armrest, an adjustable headrest, and even an adjustable lumbar support. There were some compromises that had to be made here, however.
The seat cushion is tinner and it appears the seat bottom doesn’t look as sturdy as the other, more expensive budget chairs. The nylon legs also look rather thin. Still, it can support up to 130 kg. in weight so most people shouldn’t find a problem sitting here for prolonged work sessions.
NOBLEWELL Office Chair
Expectations When Buying Budget Ergonomic Office Chairs
Well, you would have to expect the obvious here. These won’t last as long as expensive options and definitely not as long as luxury options such as Herman Miller chairs. At best, you can probably expect pristine operation and conditions for a year or two before something starts creaking or becomes loose.
Still, a lot of those durability concerns depend on how you use the chair or who else uses it. Remember that even most house chairs break under enough pressure and movement, and these budget ergonomic office chairs are not much different. If you really want durability and affordability, we recommend picking one with as few moving parts as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are ergonomic office chairs better than gaming chairs?
Yes. They're designed for professionals who sit for hours on end. Most of them also have breathable mesh backs compared to the hot cushion of gaming chairs. -
How important is chair ergonomics?
Life-changing, especially if you spend eight hours a day sitting. If you don't want to grow old too early, then fixing your sitting posture with the help of your chair can help immensely.