Last Updated on February 19, 2018 by Tim
One of the most important equipment in the workplace that’s often overlooked is the office chair. If you’ll be sitting at your desk for hours at a time, an office chair will either be a blessing or a curse on your back. Aside from that, an uncomfortable office chair can be distracting. It also hinders our productivity and may lead to pain not just in the back but also in the legs and arms.
If you’re thinking of buying a budget-friendly office chair, consider the following features in this buying guide and take a look at this list of the best products.
Best Office Chair Under $200
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| Lorell Executive High Back Chair | Constructed with mesh with 3 levers to adjust seat; swivels 360˚ & fitted with caster wheels at the base; easy setup | Good | Affordable | 4.1 / 5 |
| LorellAlera Elusion Series Mesh Mid-Back Swivel/Tilt Chair | Easy-to-clean upholstered in durable polyester; back designed with mesh; also features adjustable seat height + tilting capacity | Very Good | Affordable | 4.3 / 5 |
| LorellOffice Star Space Professional Air Grid Office Chair | Affordable top quality chair made of leather with mesh sides; designed for ergonomic purposes + tilt-back feature; seat height & arm rests are adjustable & comfortable | Very Good | Affordable | 4.7 / 5 |
| LorellGaiam Balance Ball Chair | Designed to combine comfort of a chair & a balance ball used for yoga & exercise; greatly benefits your spine; fitted with has caster wheels for mobility & comes with a pump for inflating the ball chair | Good | Low | 4.0 / 5 |
| EQA Home CoolMeshLorellSynchro-Tilt Mid-Back Ergono mic Task Chair | Offers moderate back support but tops for breathability; constructed with durable nylon base + convenient caster wheels; cushioned arm rests + easily adjustable height & width | Good | High | 4.0 / 5 |
| LorellBoss Black LeatherPlus Executive Chair | Well-cushioned back & arm rests suitable for taller users; covered with leatherplus – mix of leather & synthetic material for superior comfort; provides excellent lumbar support & includes a headrest. | Good | Affordable | 4.0 / 5 |
| LorellHON Volt Fabric Seat Task Chair H5703 | Wider than average for more comfort & support - made to easily fit almost anyone; with tilt feature & cushioning; adjustable seat height & designed to swivel the whole 360 degrees. | Very Good | Affordable | 4.4 / 5 |
| LorellLexMod Office Chair | Mesh back with leatherette seat; heavy duty chair supports back while letting air flow freely; well-padded, comfortable & allows reclining | Very Good | Affordable | 4.3 / 5 |
| LorellFlash Furniture High Back Leather Chair | Sturdy & reliable chair that offers full lumbar support; features 3 controls to adjust the chair in many ways; seat &back enclosed in leather with arm rests a bit detached from chair body for more room | Good | Affordable | 4.0 / 5 |
1. Lorell Executive High Back Chair
The Lorell Executive High Back Chair is constructed with mesh to make it highly breathable. It has three levers to adjust the seat in different ways. This first-rate chair swivels 360 degrees and is fitted with caster wheels at the base. The lower back support is great; it’s smooth without any lumps. Another benefit of this chair is that setting it up takes little time and effort. The seat height can be adjusted between 17 to 21 inches and the arms are adjustable as well.
2. Alera Elusion Series Mesh Mid-Back Swivel/Tilt Chair
Another top recommended office chair is the Alera Elusion Series Mesh Mid-Back Swivel/Tilt Chair. This terrific chair is upholstered in polyester, making it easy to clean. The material is also quite durable. The back is designed with mesh for breathable support. It also features an adjustable seat height, plus the seat can also be tilted back and locked in that position. As for assembly, putting it together presents only a few difficulties.
3. Office Star Space Professional Air Grid Office Chair
Ideal for those needing an affordable but top quality chair, the Office Star Space Professional Air Grid Office Chair is made of leather while the sides are mesh for the right balance of sturdiness and breathability. If you’ve always wanted a leather chair, this is a good option. It’s also designed for ergonomic purposes and the back has a tilting option. Both the seat height and arm rests are adjustable and comfortable. It’s fairly easy to assemble as well.
4. Gaiam Balance Ball Chair
What sets the Gaiam Balance Ball Chair apart from other products is that it was designed to combine the comfort of a chair and the benefits of a balance ball, usually used for yoga and exercise. This extraordinary chair helps you to remain in an upright posture which greatly benefits your spine. The chair also has caster wheels to make it easy to move around and there’s a pump included to re-inflate the ball chair whenever needed.
5. EQA Home CoolMesh Synchro-Tilt Mid-Back Ergonomic Task Chair
The EQA Home CoolMesh Synchro-Tilt Mid-Back Ergonomic Task Chair offers only moderate back support but gets top marks for breathability. It has a durable nylon base with convenient caster wheels. The arm rests are cushioned for more comfort, with easily adjustable height and width. The foam seat is also ultra-comfortable and protected against stains. You can adjust the seat to your preference as it swivels and reclines and the seat height can be lowered or increased as well.
6. Boss Black LeatherPlus Executive Chair
For an office chair that’s ergonomic and stylish, choose the Boss Black LeatherPlus Executive Chair. It’s well-cushioned at the back and arm rests and covered with leatherplus, a mixture of leather and another synthetic material, for superior comfort. This chair also provides excellent lumbar support and includes a headrest. Another advantage of this superb chair is that it’s designed to suit taller people. It can also be lowered or pulled up to your preference, as well as tilted back and locked into position.
7. HON Volt Fabric Seat Task Chair H5703
The HON Volt Mesh Back Fabric Seat Task Chair is wider than average for more comfort and support and to easily fit almost anyone. It can be tilted at the angle you prefer or fixed into an upright position. The cushioning is satisfyingly thick and covered in polyester to resist stains. Seat height is also adjustable at different levels, plus it’s designed to swivel the whole 360 degrees.
8. LexMod Office Chair
With its mesh back and leatherette seat, the LexMod Office Chair is well worth buying. This heavy duty chair supports your back wonderfully while letting air flow freely to keep your back from sweating. The seat is padded well and feels very comfortable. It also allows reclining and if you want the arm rests out of the way, you can simply pull them up. To take the pressure off your legs, the seat height is easy to modify as well.
9. Flash Furniture High Back Leather Chair
When it comes to furniture, Flash Furniture can make sturdy and reliable products, the Flash Furniture High Back Leather Chair, for example. It offers full lumbar support and there are three controls to adjust the chair in multiple ways. The seat and back are enclosed in leather, so that it looks handsome and stylish but feels most comfortable. It also lets you lean back in with ease. The arm rests are a bit detached from the chair body as well to give you more room.
Office chair buying guide:
1. What material is the seat made of?
One of the best fabrics for office chairs is leather since it’s comfortable, durable and easy to clean. However, leather is quite pricey. You can opt instead for a leather covered back and seat. You can also choose materials that are a combination of leather and some other synthetic material. Another excellent option is mesh. This is a sturdy material that is also more breathable keeping your back and legs from sweating.
2. How well does it support your back?
Ergonomic features that support the back well and improve your posture are very important. These ensure that you’re seated more comfortably and don’t strain your back especially after long periods of sitting. Prolonged back pain and discomfort can lead to muscle and spinal health problems.
3. How adjustable is it?
The office chair needs to be adjustable to make it a good fit for your body. The seat height, seat angle and arm rests are especially crucial. With your chair in the right position, your feet should be flat on the floor, your arms level on the armrests, and your back straight with the option to lean back comfortably if you wish. Although most chairs are adjustable, look for something that offers multiple adjustments.
4. Are you looking for something stationary or with wheels?
The size of your desk will mostly dictate whether you need a chair with caster wheels at the base or not. Overall, having a chair with wheels is more convenient and quicker if you need to grab something from a farther part of your desk or work area. Look for sturdy wheels that can roll easily over most surfaces.
5. Does it swivel?
A swivel base is one other important feature. When reaching for items around you on your desk, you will need to twist your body if your chair doesn’t swivel. This is dangerous as it could strain and injure the muscles in your arm and back.
