Best cheap gaming chair: Snapshot guide
We’re casting our eyes over the goods on offer to those with a limited budget for a gaming chair.
(Image credit: Future)
The best cheap gaming chairs give you the comfort and stability you need, without being abhorrently expensive. It’s not always easy to tell good cheap gaming chairs apart from their false-economy counterparts. While our best gaming chair guide looks for absolute perfection for a reasonable price, the cheaper end of the market is a bit of minefield.
Now that Black Friday is upon us, the market is only going to be more difficult to navigate. In order to help you avoid the trappings I’ve used my years of experience sitting my butt on various things to lay out this cheap gaming chair guide. I’ve set a soft budget of $200.
Snapshot guides
We’ve not personally tested every product in this cheap gaming chair guide, but our main guides feature products we’re rigorously tested ourselves.
Best gaming chair
Best office chair for gaming
Best gaming desk
There are a few things to consider when looking for a cheap gaming chair: adjustable lumbar and neck pillows, a good recline, 3D or 4D armrests, and a suitable weight limit. Though don’t expect all of these features for under $200—consider it a bit of a red flag for quality. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
Remember, you’ll be sitting in your chair for hours on end so even a cheap gaming chair should support your frame. Ergonomics are often trumped by aesthetics when it comes to affordable gaming chairs, but don’t let the beauty of chair themed around your favourite character mess up your spine. On that note, here are the best cheap gaming chairs we’ve seen around today.
Where are the best gaming chair deals?
In the US:
- PC Gamer’s favorite gaming chair — Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 from $439
- Amazon — heaps of cheap gaming chairs, but watch out for low-quality products
- Secretlab — save up to $250 on some of the best gaming chairs
- Walmart — GTRacing chairs from $99
- B&H Photo — a selection of gaming chairs and racing cockpits
- Best Buy — save up to $250 on Razer gaming chairs and more
- Target — a good place to look for gaming chairs for kids
- Staples — Staples own gaming chairs from $130
- Newegg — tons of options, but it’s easy to get bogged down
- Dell — Alienware/Vertagear gaming chairs for under $280
- AndaSeat — Good value gaming chairs for as low as $200
- Noblechairs Epic |
$499$299 at Noblechairs (save $200) - Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 Classic |
$589$449 at Secretlab (save $140) - Razer Iskur X |
$399.$299.99 at Best Buy (save $100)
99
In the UK:
- PC Gamer’s favourite gaming chair — Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 from £344
- Amazon — tons of gaming chairs but beware any that seem too cheap. They probably are
- Overclockers — Noblechairs options with free delivery
- Box — Anda Seat gaming chairs from £190 and more
- Scan — Corsair chairs as low as £150
- Noblechairs Epic Gaming Chair |
£329.99£284.99 at Overclockers UK (save £45) - Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 Classic |
£544£344 at Secretlab (save £200)
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AndaSeat Jungle 2 | Neck pillow | Lumbar support | Footrest | $249.99 $199.99 at AndaSeat (save $50)
Already decent value for the money, we scored the AndaSeat Jungle a 70 in our testing. It’s not that it’s a terrible chair, just a little off when it comes to the footrest and finish, otherwise its a great chair for the money. Nice and wide, too.
AndaSeat T-Compact Premium | Neck pillow | Lumbar support | $399.99 $199.99 at AndaSeat (save $200 with code: 200OFF)
With a gorgeous light blue colourway, you have to admit this is a great looking chair. It’s smaller than some, with a max height of 5ft 9in, and while it doesn’t come with a footrest, you still get a great deal with 4D armrests, and a 160° recline. Nowhere on the web does it mention this seat being uncomfortable, either—always a plus.
Staples Emerge Vartan Gaming Chair | Neck pillow | Lumbar pillow | $329.99 $139.99 at Staples ($190)
This is a big ol’ saving on the list price for a chair that has an impressive 275lb capacity. You’re getting a bonded leather back and seat for your money, with height-adjustable armrests and a lumbar cushion too.
X Rocker Pro 200 Gaming Chair Rocker | 2.1 speakers | Faux Leather| $109 $79 at Walmart (save $30)
Got a kid? This videogame rocker is perfect for some floor gaming action. It also has integrated speakers for an immersive gaming/music experience via a 3.5mm input. Unusually for a rocker it also has armrests
Razer Iskur X | 299 lbs max | 4D armrests | $399.99 $299.99 at Best Buy (save $100)
Razer knows what it’s doing when it comes to good quality peripherals, and its chairs are no different.
With a loud green trim and subtle snakeskin design, the Iskur is a distinctive gaming chair, from a trusted brand.
Should I buy a cheap gaming chair?
If you’re after the racing aesthetic, then a cheap gaming chair will deliver that, but it’s what’s underneath that faux leather exterior that counts. Going too cheap will mean you get a frame that can’t stand the active exertions of a heated gaming session or a seat with padding that either offers no support or melts away within months.
Alternatively, if you’re not desperate for the streamer look, you can find decent office chairs, with far more ergonomic designs, for less than the sticker price of a serious bucket seat. This, of course, if you don’t mind going for something less flashy.
Good furniture is expensive but should last you a few years, so consider it an investment.
Today’s best cheap gaming chair deals
5 Amazon customer reviews
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Dave has been gaming since the days of Zaxxon and Lady Bug on the Colecovision, and code books for the Commodore Vic 20 (Death Race 2000!). He built his first gaming PC at the tender age of 16, and finally finished bug-fixing the Cyrix-based system around a year later. When he dropped it out of the window. He first started writing for Official PlayStation Magazine and Xbox World many decades ago, then moved onto PC Format full-time, then PC Gamer, TechRadar, and T3 among others.
Now he’s back, writing about the nightmarish graphics card market, CPUs with more cores than sense, gaming laptops hotter than the sun, and SSDs more capacious than a Cybertruck.
Best office chair for gaming
(Image credit: Neue, Steelcase)
The best office chair is designed to handle a full working day. I should be comfortable, supportive, and solid. For eight hours a day, and for a cheeky late-night gaming session. These thrones combine the ergonomics of a great gaming chair, with the style of a corpo professional. If the best office chairs are good enough for hedge fund managers, you can bet they’ll deliver for the average gamer who spends hours designing their perfect apartment in The Sims.
Sometimes, a gamer chair covered in demonic runes isn’t appropriate for work. If you want to match the ergonomics of a gaming chair without giving off a super edgy flair, the office chairs below provide comfort and have a style that’s more in line with the straight-edge of a workplace.
A good office chair for gaming could cost you hundreds of dollars with one or two exceptions. Simply put, good furniture is expensive; leather upholstery and lumbar support are going to cost you. These chairs are all sturdy, well-built products that should last you years. So, think about what’s most important to you and set a budget. You deserve more than that chair you stole from the family room twenty years ago. Your body will thank you.
One other thing: it’s always good to think about desk-based ergonomics and how to best support your spine and the rest of your body. You may want to invest in a standing desk to get off your butt and stretch your legs every couple of hours, or just get up and take a break more often. A quality chair is important, but it isn’t the be-all and end-all to a healthy office life.
Best office chairs for gaming
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Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.
Find out more about how we test.
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(Image credit: Secretlab)(Image credit: Secretlab)
NeueChair
(Image credit: Secretlab)(Image credit: Secretlab)
NeueChair
1. NeueChair
Simply the best office chair
Specifications
Seat type: Task chair
Recline: 85–130 degrees
Weight capacity: 240lbs
Weight: 64lbs
Available colors: Silver, Obsidian
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Ridiculously sturdy and well made
+
Comfortable and supportive
+
Highly adjustable
Reasons to avoid
—
Limited armrest adjustment
—
Mesh can be tricky to clean
If you’re the sort of person to prioritize functionality over flash, the NeueChair is an excellent option. This isn’t to say it’s not stylish—quite the opposite; the NeueChair comes in a sleek, muted obsidian or flashy chrome/silver, both with bold, sweet curved supports on the back and an attractive black mesh.
More importantly, the NeueChair is built to last, with a heavy, sturdy industrial construction. Even the chair’s weight in the packaging indicates a solid piece of carefully constructed industrial art: severe and substantial.
Assembling it is a breeze, as it comes in two discrete pieces and is simply a matter of inserting the casters and pushing them together.
Almost every aspect of the seat is adjustable, from the armrests to the lumbar support system that lets you change the height depth of the backrest. It’s one of the best office chairs I’ve ever had the pleasure to sit in, and if you can afford the admittedly steep price tag, one that’s well worth the investment.
Best gaming keyboard | Best VR headset | Best mechanical keyboard | Best wireless gaming mouse | Best wireless gaming keyboard
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(Image credit: Steelcase)(Image credit: Steelcase)
Steelcase Gesture
(Image credit: Steelcase)
Steelcase Gesture
(Image credit: Steelcase)
2.
Steelcase Gesture
The best office chair for ultimate comfort
Specifications
Seat type: Task chair
Material: Breathable fabric
Recline: 116 degrees
Seat height: 16–21 inch
Weight capacity: 400lbs
Weight: 78lbs
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Most comfortable chair
+
Stylish color options
Reasons to avoid
—
No lumbar adjustment
—
Takes some getting used to
The Steelcase Leap is one of the most iconic modern chairs, with a price to match its performance, but we prefer the newer Steelcase Gesture for several reasons. Foremost of which is, holy smokes, it feels good to sit in.
If your eyes are still watering at the cost, know this: much as we enjoyed the other chairs singled out here, none of them came close to the pure comfort of the Gesture.
Imagine your butt and back being perfectly cupped by the giant ever-loving hand of the deity of your choice. That’s what the Gesture is like. Or, as it became known amongst us testing it: ‘the dream chair.’
Anyone that spends a significant amount of time in a chair should seriously consider splurging on this one. The steep price buys you a lifetime warranty and your butt the most comfortable embrace it’ll ever experience.
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(Image credit: Office Star)(Image credit: Office Star)
Office Star ProGrid
(Image credit: Office Star)
Office Star ProGrid
(Image credit: Office Star)
Office Star ProGrid
3. Office Star ProGrid
The best affordable office chair
Specifications
Seat type: Task chair
Material: Mesh back, fabric seat
Seat height: 17–20.5 inch
Weight capacity: 250lbs
Weight: 41lbs
Available colors: Black
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Lots of adjustments
+
Very comfortable
Reasons to avoid
—
Takes a while to setup perfectly
—
Very basic design
Office Star’s line of chairs doesn’t look noteworthy initially, but the customer reviews are consistently good.
We like the ProGrid Back Managers Chair a lot because it offers the kind of tweakability usually only found on much more expensive models.
Using its daunting array of levers, you can adjust the chair’s height and tilt, plus slide the seat pan forwards or backward. The backrest can also be shifted up or down, and the armrests raised or lowered and slid back and forth until you find the perfect position.
It may take a while, but once you tune it to your liking, the chair becomes incredibly comfortable. With so much customization, the ProGrid is a strong choice and very hard to beat at this price.
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(Image credit: Office Master)(Image credit: Office Master)
Office Master OM5
(Image credit: Office Master)
Office Master OM5
(Image credit: Office Master)
Office Master OM5
4. Office Master OM5
The best office chair with a self-adjusting mechanism
Specifications
Seat type: Task chair
Material: Polyflex back, fabric seat
Seat height: 14.
7–25 inch
Weight capacity: 300lbs
Weight: 64lbs
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Automatic adjustments
+
Highly customizable colors
Reasons to avoid
—
Takes a little getting used to
—
Limited armrest adjustability
On the face of it, the Office Master OM5 sounds like the snake oil of seating. The marketing materials describe it as «a self-weighing chair that intuitively responds to a wide range of body weights and sizes without the need for manual tension.»
Essentially: don’t worry about all those levers and knobs on the other chairs; this one will magically work out what your butt and back need, no problem. Our skepticism didn’t last long, though, because sitting is believing when it comes to the OM5.
There are plenty of manual adjustments possible, but all of the magic happens around your back and hip.
As you lean back and apply pressure, the seat pan shifts forwards while the backrest reclines in response, articulating smoothly thanks to wheels on runners that function much like the ones in desk draw sliders.
It takes a little getting used to but transitioning from upright work mode to relaxing while playing or watching swiftly becomes a cinch. If you want comfort and can’t be bothered with levers and adjustments, the OM5 is one of our favorites. It gives you high-end quality and comfort at a mid-range price.
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(Image credit: Herman Miller)(Image credit: Herman Miller)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
5. Logitech G x Herman Miller Embody
The best work and game hybrid chair
Specifications
Seat type: Task chair
Material: Multi-layer fabric
Seat height: 17–22 inch
Weight capacity: 300 lbs
Weight: 51 lbs
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Stimulates blood and oxygen flow
+
Unrivaled back support
+
12-year/24hr use warranty
Reasons to avoid
—
Limited armrest movement
—
Seriously pricey versus traditional gaming chairs
Perhaps you’ve heard of the Herman Miller Embody.
It has been a stalwart of best office chair lists for years. Now it occupies a place in the hearts of both gamers and office workers because the famed chair manufacturer has partnered up with Logitech to create something tailor-made to our gaming rumps.
Sitting comfortably?
(Image credit: Secretlab)
Best chair for gaming : the top gaming chairs around
Best gaming desk : the ultimate PC podiums
Best PC controller : sit back, relax, and get your game on
It’s not so much the changes that make the Embody stand out as one of the best gaming chairs going. It’s what’s been kept the same. The tried and tested Embody design is simply one of the best chairs for office work or gaming. It’s incredibly comfortable over prolonged use, supports an active and healthy posture, and easily fits your frame.
The warranty is also a standout feature. At 12 years, including labor, and rated to 24-hour use over that time, it’s a chair that is guaranteed to last you over a decade, if not longer.
So while the initial price tag may seem steep, and that it is, the reality is you’re sure to get your money’s worth in the long run. And your back will be thankful for it, too.
Read our full Logitech G x Herman Miller Embody gaming chair review .
The best office chairs FAQ
How do we test chairs?
Between articles about the effects of sitting down on your body and our experimentation with standing desks , you might think PC Gamer has fallen out of love with the humble chair. Dear reader, that could not be further from the truth. As gamers and office workers, we spend a significant chunk of each day sitting on our money makers in front of screens. Given that most of us don’t plan to change that anytime soon, it only makes sense to do so in a great chair. So that’s what I set out to find.
We wanted to find chairs that maximized comfort, support, and value. We spoke with Melissa Afterman, MS CPE , a Senior Principal Ergonomist with VSI Risk Management & Ergonomics , Inc.
, specializing in workstation setups.
«Chairs are still okay,» she told me. «Yes, we know that sitting too long is bad for you. The reality is that standing too long is just as bad for you, so the answer is movement. Taking breaks, getting up at least every hour and moving, or changing your position from standing to sitting every hour so that you’re not standing too long either.»
«If you’re typing and working at the computer, you want more upright support so that you can maintain neutral spine posture and let the chair hold you up,» she said. «But when you switch to a gaming mode, you may want to recline a little bit to relax your lower back while still having good support in that position. So a locking backrest and/or some tension control is important.»
Another feature to look for, though it tends to be found on more expensive models, is a seat pan slider. This enables you to slide the positioning of your butt forwards or backward relative to the backrest.
How much should I spend on an office chair?
The answer can really depend on a few key factors, namely your budget, but generally we’re in the camp of spending bigger on a better chair that’ll more than likely end up keeping you comfortable for much, much longer than a cheap one.
Cheap chairs really feel cheap, and they’re very rarely as well considered in their ergonomics or design as those more expensive models.
That said, there’s no reason why you can’t find a good mid-range chair that doesn’t break the bank. It’s a reason why you won’t find any super cheap chairs on this list, however. We’re yet to find any that we feel suitable for long-term or regular use.
Can a good chair help with posture?
The best office chairs look out for you and your back. When it comes to chair design, lumbar support is vital. The first thing you should look for in a new gaming chair is whether it has any built-in support to help your body maintain an ideal posture. Some even come with lumbar support pillows that work just as well. Multi-adjustable arm-rests, upholstery, and general style are also important; note these features aren’t cheap.
Does every chair fit every body type?
Different chair models accommodate different heights and weights, so make sure to check your fit before adding to cart.
Look at the width and depth of the seat, too. Some chairs claim that you should sit cross-legged, but that depends on your size and your legs’ length.
Round up of today’s best deals
Office Star ProGrid
£660.55
View
See all prices
SecretLab NeueChair Ergonomic Office
£534
View
See all prices
Herman Miller X Logitech G Embody
£1,496
View
See all prices
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Dave has been gaming since the days of Zaxxon and Lady Bug on the Colecovision, and code books for the Commodore Vic 20 (Death Race 2000!). He built his first gaming PC at the tender age of 16, and finally finished bug-fixing the Cyrix-based system around a year later. When he dropped it out of the window. He first started writing for Official PlayStation Magazine and Xbox World many decades ago, then moved onto PC Format full-time, then PC Gamer, TechRadar, and T3 among others. Now he’s back, writing about the nightmarish graphics card market, CPUs with more cores than sense, gaming laptops hotter than the sun, and SSDs more capacious than a Cybertruck.
Reviews of gaming chairs and furniture — 41 reviews and tests on i2HARD
Overview of the ZONE 51 BUNNY gaming chair
ZONE 51 BUNNY is a comfortable and ergonomic chair for the fair half of gamers.
Overview of the gaming chair GameLab PALADIN
Stylish gaming chair with good ergonomics, good functionality and low cost.
Overview of the computer chair GameLab Spirit Black (GL-430)
A chair with a recognizable gaming design and simple functionality in a quality performance. nine0003
GameLab MONOS Black (GL-500) gaming chair review
Mesh back gaming chair with 135° reclining mechanism and stylish design.
Cougar E-MARS Motorized Gaming Desk Review
Cougar gaming desk with RGB lighting and electrical height adjustment.
Overview of the GameLab MONOLITH Black gaming table
Inexpensive gaming table with a metal frame, pleasant lighting and high ergonomics.
nine0002 Cougar Outrider gaming chair review
Stylish chair with a good amount of adjustments for professional players who value comfort.
ThunderX3 TC3 MAX gaming chair review
Large cyberpunk chair for tall gamers.
Overview of ThunderX3 XC3 gaming chair
Affordable gaming chair with premium eco-leather, top-gun rocking mechanism and pillows for the neck and lower back.
ThunderX3 TC5 MAX chair review in Arctic White
Computer chair with good ergonomics and an interesting combination of non-woven upholstery materials of different textures in unusual colors.
AeroCool Crown Leatherette review
The AeroCool Crown gaming chair is assembled with a steel frame, topgun swing mechanism and a class 4 gas lift. The armrests are soft, the cross is nylon, the diameter of the wheels is 65 mm. There are three upholstery options to choose from.
Cougar Neon Red 9 gaming chair review0003
Stylish, ergonomic gaming chair with breathable eco-leather and various levels of adjustment.
Overview of the gaming chair ZONE 51 Armada
Comfortable gaming chair with soft eco-leather and suede inserts.
Overview of the Cougar Outrider S gaming chair
New Cougar Outrider S chair — comfort and functionality.
Review of gaming chair Aerocool Admiral Azure White
Stylish gaming chair with good ergonomics, multi-colored premium eco-leather and the presence of AIR Tech technology that provides better ventilation. nine0003
COUGAR MARS 120 gaming table review
Gaming system table with steel frame, carbon top and RGB lighting with sync capability.
Zone 51 Gravity chair overview
Comfortable computer gaming chair with a combination of faux leather and suede upholstery.
Review of the Tesoro Zone Balance F710 chair
The Tesoro Zone Balance F710 gaming chair has a simple appearance, is equipped with a metal cross, a class 4 gas lift and 3D armrests. Filled with high density foam. nine0003
Zone 51 Cyberpunk chair review
The Zone 51 Cyberpunk chair is made in the style of the Cyberpunk 2077 game and is equipped with a functional multiblock, a solid metal cross, 4D armrests, large wheels with a diameter of 75 mm.
TESORO Alphaeon S3 Black Red (F720) chair review
New gaming chair from TESORO — high-quality eco-leather and Seat Xtension leg support system.
Aerocool AC80C-B 9 gaming chair review and test0001
April 13, 2017, Thursday
00:00
#E0
for section
Laboratory
Page 1 of 2
Contents
- Introduction
- Packaging and contents
- Assembly process
- Appearance and construction
- Impressions
- Conclusion
- Specifications
Introduction
Overclockers.ru laboratory continues to acquaint readers with Aerocool products.
The company, whose full name is Aerocool Advanced Technologies (AAT), is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of cases, power supplies, accessories and peripherals for computers. nine0003
Not so long ago, gaming computer chairs appeared in the brand’s product line. At the end of last year, Aerocool announced the AC80C chair, and now it has made its way to our test lab.
Many users work at a computer for a long time and spend most of their free time at it, so the ergonomic design of a computer chair plays an important role in choosing it. For gamers, a comfortable chair is especially important, because after many hours of battles, the back and neck can get tired. The task of the review hero is to minimize these unpleasant symptoms. nine0003
Aerocool AC80C computer chair available in six colors:
- A80C-B all black;
- A80C-BR — with red inserts;
- A80C-BO — with orange inserts;
- A80C-BG — with light green inserts;
- A80C-BB — with blue inserts;
- A80C-BW — with white inserts.
We got the most concise, all-black version of the A80C-B for review. However, before proceeding to its detailed consideration, let’s dwell on the packaging and packaging. nine0003
recommendations
Packaging and contents
The box of the new Aerocool is quite large. Its dimensions are 760 x 630 x 305 mm, weight is just over 17 kg. It is decorated modestly: on unpainted cardboard there is a monochrome print with the manufacturer’s logo and an indication of the model of the chair.
Hidden inside are the components of the chair, packed in cardboard and bubble wrap. Below we list them in order.
Leatherette (polyurethane) served as the back material:
The back is made of PVC with a carbon fiber texture.
Seat also made of polyurethane,…
… but on the reverse side it is finished with non-woven material, which is fastened with staples:
Now imagine the multiblock mechanism:
Plastic armrests with soft cushions:
Gas lift and its telescopic cover:
Five-point support cross:
Castors, 50 mm diameter, made of nylon-coated plastic.
