If your budget calls for you to find the best office chair under $200, you’re in luck, as the units found on our list will surprise you with their nice collection of features, supporting your lower back, positioning your hips correctly, and reducing pressure points throughout your body. We bought the top 15 office chairs under $200 and tested them throughout our work day to find the chair that gave us most, if not all, of these features. After all, you don’t need to spend a fortune to find the best office chair, because sometimes the best things are not the most expensive.
After sitting and working in all of these chairs, we narrowed our list down to 5 and picked the AmazonBasics High-Back Executive as our best choice. It’s plush cushions, luxurious design and excellent price make it an easy choice for anyone looking to up their office chair game. Keep reading to learn more about this executive office chair and the others we picked as the best office chairs under $200
Top 5 Best Office Chairs Under 200 Compared
#1 AmazonBasics High-Back Executive Leather Chair
Award: Top Pick/Best Executive
WHY WE LIKE IT: The AmazonBasics High-Back Executive office chair seamlessly blends luxury and ergonomics to create an impressive chair that is both comfortable and sleek.
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- Plush seat cushions are extra comfortable
- Can adjust tilt tension
- Padded arm rests
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- Leather material not as breathable as other chairs
- No lumbar support
- Arm rests aren’t adjustable
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Amazon has always been on the top of the food chain in sourcing products from other companies and selling them online. Now the warehouse behemoth has started producing and selling their own products under the AmazonBasics name, including this High-Back Executive office chair. The chair is incredibly well designed, especially when you consider its low price point. It features a super plush design that’s surprisingly ergonomic without advertising itself as so. It isn’t designed with a traditional lumbar support built in, but we found the back support to be adequate even during long periods of use.
Related: For added comfort, see what the best office chair seat cushion has to offer.
Even the arm rests are padded with plush cushioning, only increasing the overall comfort of the chair. Unfortunately, the AmazonBasics High-Back Executive suffers when it comes to adjustability. While you can adjust seat height, tilt and tension, you can’t do anything with the arm rests or any other aspect of the chair. However, we found that the chair fit most body types and heights just fine without needing too much adjustment. If you’re looking for comfort and a luxurious design, you won’t want to miss the AmazonBasics High-Back Executive office chair. For something slightly cheaper, read best office chairs under $100.
#2 Homall S-Racer Gaming Chair
Award: Honorable Mention/Best for Gaming
WHY WE LIKE IT: As you can probably tell from the design, the Homall S-Racer office chair is made for gamers, and for good reason! It offers extra ergonomic features and comprehensive adjustability so you can spend hours on end in the chair without getting uncomfortable.
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- Includes head and lumbar cushions
- Super durable steel frame
- High weight capacity
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- Fixed arm rests
- Seat tilt can be hard to adjust
- Chair is taller than other options
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Gaming chairs are usually pretty expensive, but the Homall S-Racer office chair breaks that mold. The S-Racer comes in at a su two hundred dollar price point without needing to sacrifice the unique, edgy design or comfort features that are staples of gaming chairs. With this chair, you get a durable steel frame that can take a beating during long gaming sessions without a problem. You also get both head and lumbar support cushions which you can adjust to your liking for ultimate comfort and ergonomics.
Most pieces of the chair are fully adjustable, as well. You can tilt the seat and even recline the back up to a full 180 degrees. Unfortunately, the arm rests are fixed, but they are at a good enough height to fit most users. We did find the chair to sit a little taller than other chairs so if you have a low desk, you might not be able to fit the chair fully under the desk. All in all, the Homall S-Racer is super comfortable, especially during extended periods of use, making it perfect for those day-long gaming sessions. If you want to spend a bit more, read about best office chairs under $500.
#3 Smugdesk 1839 Mesh Chair
We’re sorry, this product is temporarily out of stock
Award: Best Home Office
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Smugdesk 1839 is a mid-back office chair that features a super breathable mesh design and built-in lumbar support for maximum comfort and usability.
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- Mesh design for greater breathability
- Built-in lumbar support
- Weighs under 20 lbs
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- Lower weight capacity
- Arm rest design can be uncomfortable for your legs
- Can’t adjust arm rests
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One of the best things about the Smugdesk 1839 is its mesh back design. If you use your chair for extended periods of time, you know just how sweaty and hot you can get because of your chair. The mesh design combats overheating by allowing air to flow more freely between you and the chair. And while mesh doesn’t offer as much firm support as a fully cushioned chair, the breathability is worth it. Plus, this Smugdesk office chair includes built-in lumbar support for that extra bit of back support you need for full comfort.
You Might Also Like: If you want to switch things up then check out the best office stability chair.
Unfortunately, this chair isn’t as adjustable as we’d like to see. You can of course adjust seat height and control the chairs tilt, but you won’t be able to adjust the backrest or the arm rests. We also found that the design of the arms rests can restrict leg movement a little bit. If you like to spread out while sitting in your office chair, you might find this design aspect a little annoying. The Smugdesk office chair is also one of the most lightweight chairs on our list, making it easier to move around and assemble. If you want to feel better in your chair, read about the best office chair for lower back pain.
#4 Furmax Mid-Back Mesh Chair
Award: Best Value/Best Lumbar Support
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Furmax Mid-Back mesh office chair is built with ergonomics in mind with its unique lumbar support system built into the back of the chair. If you’re looking for a chair solely for good back support, this would be a good choice.
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- Unique, dual lumbar support
- Extended seat cushion
- Easy to assemble
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- Not very adjustable
- Arm rests aren’t padded
- No headrest
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Ergonomic office chairs are typically much more than a couple hundred dollar, but the Furmax Mid-Back mesh office chair is the most ergomonic chair on our list while still maintaining below that price. Of course, you won’t get every ergonomic feature on this chair, but its unique, dual lumbar support system built-in to the back of the chair is the best we reviewed on this list. Rather than a single support that extends across the width of the chair, the Furmax features two wedge-like supports on either side that almost feel like two hands supporting your waist. This way, your spine doesn’t get any direct pressure while still being supported.
You also get an extra-large cushion that extends farther from the chair than any of the other cushions on chairs in this list. This helps to support your knees and legs for extended periods of use. We also really liked the mesh back and the increased airflow it encouraged. Unfortunately, you can’t adjust the armrests and they suffer from them same problems as other armrests of this design. Mainly, you might find them restricting for your legs in certain circumstances. All in all, this chair nails it when it comes to comfort and ergonomics. It is truly one of the best office chairs. Still, keep in mind, the best office stability chair could mean the difference between a slouched back and an active, engaged core to improve alertness and concentration on tasks.
#5 Best Office OC-H03 Chair
Award: Best Budget
WHY WE LIKE IT: The BestOffice OC-H03 offers comfort, durability and ergonomics for an incredibly low price, making this the perfect office chair for anyone on a tight budget.
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- BIFMA certified
- S-type ergonomic design
- Arm rests allow room for legs
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- Not comfortable for tall people
- Assembly can be difficult
- Not many adjustability options
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The BestOffice OC-H03 features a unique s-type ergonomic design to mimic the natural s-shape of your spine. This makes the chair extra comfortable, especially when you need to sit in it for hours at a time. The chair even includes a simple lumbar support system built directly into the backrest. While this isn’t as supportive or effective as other chairs, it’s better than nothing and does help to alleviate the discomfort that can come from sitting in an office chair for too long.
The chair features a breathable mesh design that keeps you cool. We were pleased with how comfortable the seat cushion was, as well. The armrests – while not adjustable – are fairly comfortable as well, and we especially liked that the supporting pieces of the armrest didn’t extend all the way to the end of the cushion like we’ve seen with other office chairs. This allows you to spread your legs out a little more and not feel unnecessarily restricted. While you may not get as much adjustability with this chair, it’s still a great choice for the money. It is another best office chair under $300. For more adjustability, lumbar support, and comfort, have a look at some of the most comfortable office chairs on the market today.
What to Look for in the Best Office Chair Under $200
Adjustable Features: Everyone’s body type is a little different, so no one chair is going to work for everyone. While the best inexpensive office chairs typically don’t offer a host of adjustable features, even having the ability to make a few minor adjustments can be beneficial to your comfort level. Seat and height adjustments play an important role in finding a great budget office chair that can reduce back pain. Taller individuals may want to look at designs with a high back to ensure they can lean properly into their desk chairs.
Good Base: While most people will focus on the portion of the chair in which they’ll be sitting, the seat depth and adjustable features, you don’t want to ignore the the base. Ideally you’ll want a base with casters (wheels) allowing you to roll freely and give you the ability to reach all areas of your desk. For the same reason, the base should allow you to swivel easily. Chairs that allow for 360-degree swivel are also desirable choices.
Arm Support: One area where lower priced office chairs tend to struggle is in the arm rests. Some chairs have no arm rests, while others have arm rests with no padding. Good arm rests can help prevent fatigue in wrists and fingers from a day of typing, so if you experience problems with fatigue, look carefully for the best sub-$200 office chair with good arm rests.
Mistakes to Avoid
Purchasing a Chair With Cheap Materials: Make sure the seat cushion is made of sturdy materials to prevent the seat from wearing down and flattening within a few months. Look for metal in the chair, especially in the base, rather than a chair with a lot of plastic materials.
Skimping on Back Support: For most people, the most disappointing aspect of office chairs in this price range is the lack of back support. If the chair cannot support your lower and upper back, you’re sure to end up with aches and pains before your workday is finished. Be wary of chairs that have small back rests, leaving the lower back open, rather than supported.
Which Best Office Chair Under $200 Is Right For You?
Think of investing in a great 2019 office chair like investing in a bed. You spend eight hours a night in your bed, so you need to invest in a comfortable unit to ensure you wake up refreshed, minus the aches and pains. And you also may spend eight hours or more in an office chair, so there’s no good reason to skimp on this important piece of furniture.
Now that doesn’t mean you can’t find a really good office chair in a low price point such as around $200. The key to finding a great inexpensive office chair that’s also a piece of cool furniture is to make sure it can be adjusted to fit your body well. After all, you won’t have access to the best materials or the most ergonomic designs in an office chair in this price point, as you might with a larger budget. So make sure the chair will meet your needs, whether you need strong lower back support, the cooling ability of mesh fabric, or plenty of good arm support. To check out the famously expensive Herman Miller office chair, click here.
