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A sleek, adjustable, ergonomically designed office chair sounds great — until you start doing research and realize they cost about the same as a gently used car. As a matter of fact, you actually can find a pretty decent chair for your desk for under $100 as long as you know what to look for.
How to Find the Best Inexpensive Office Chair
Think about the basics of ergonomics, size, and, of course, appearance.
Ergonomics: Is there lumbar support? Is it adjustable for height? Are there armrests? What about wheels? You can find these elements in nearly any basic office chair. Whatever the chair, your feet should be flat on the ground, the armrests should allow you to type comfortably and you should be at the correct height when facing the monitor.
Size: Inexpensive desk chairs tend to be on the small side, which is a bonus if you’re working with a small office space. Just make sure to check the weight limit, and consider the height of the chair back. Some people prefer a chair back tall enough to provide a headrest, while others find this uncomfortable.
Design: While it won’t be an Eames chair, that doesn’t mean it has to be an eyesore. In fact, back-to-basics office chairs tend toward minimalism when it comes to design, suitable for nearly any space. If style is a bigger factor for you than ergonomics, you definitely open up your options, but we’d still advise double checking things like height and cushioning to make sure you’re still at the correct distance from your desk and your back won’t be killing you by the end of the day.
