The SmugDesk Drafting Chair is an entry-level ergonomic task chair that punches far above its weight, matching the general feature set and comfort of pricier office chairs like the Modway Veer Drafting Chair at a much lower price point. It’s easily one of the best drafting chairs on the market in the budget category, and a rare exception to the concept that you get what you pay for. However, as far as the best office chair is concerned, yes, you do get what you pay for.
Why We Like It – SmugDesk Drafting Chair
The SmugDesk Drafting Chair is an excellent budget office chair chair with a breathable mesh back, checking off several boxes even more expensive chairs fail to pass. Its high back, proper lumbar support, and great adjustability for the price make it a very nice purchase for buyers on a budget.
- Phenomenal value
- Good lower back support
- High adjustability
- An adjustable headrest would have been nice to see
Support
There’s little to complain about in the support department. The chair is highly adjustable, with a tall back, an integrated footrest, and adjustable arms. The back is shaped in such a way to provide proper back support, though there’s no neck support present; while disappointing, neck support is extremely uncommon at this price point, and the chair nails other aspects.
Related: If you like this chair, check out the Smugdesk Office Chair.
Comfort
Thanks to its high adjustability and mesh design, the SmugDesk Drafting Chair is a very comfortable chair, especially for its price. In many ways, it’s a slightly better Flash Furniture Mid-Back Black Mesh Ergonomic Drafting Chair; it’s slightly more comfortable, much better built, and has better adjustability. Some might find the seat a bit too firm for their liking, but overall it’s a very comfortable chair even during extended use.
Related: Also check out our Songmics Standing DeskChair Adjustable Standing Stool review.
Adjustability
With adjustable seat height, an adjustable foot ring, and even adjustable armrests, there’s very little extra to ask for on the SmugDesk Drafting Chair. It soundly blows the pricier Boss Office Products Ergonomic Works Drafting Chair out of the water, featuring better adjustability overall, alongside a more comfortable chair design overall. For the price, it’s very hard to ask for anything else from it.
Breathability
As a mesh chair, breathability is great on the SmugDesk Drafting Chair. The seat is unfortunately fabric-based, but the back is all-mesh, providing good breathability and solid airflow in decently ventilated rooms.
Value
Value is perhaps the single most impressive thing about the SmugDesk Drafting Chair. Its set of features and general quality would be expected of a $200 or even $300 chair, yet it’s not in that ballpark at all; it costs $149.99. Very, very little on the market comes close to its value, as most cheaper chairs sacrifice at least one major component.
SmugDesk Drafting Chair Wrap-up
The SmugDesk Drafting Chair is a home office chair with nigh-unparalleled value. Its build quality is excellent, it’s comfortable even for extended use, it’s highly adjustable for its price point, and it provides support even some similarly priced chairs can only dream of. If you only have around $150 to spend (or, frankly, even a bit more than that), this should be one of your top picks, if not outright your top pick.
