With all the sitting we do, you would think that human beings are the most sedentary mammals on the face of the earth. However, this isn’t the case. Human beings have nothing on the sloth or the orangutan. Although, I have seen some human beings reach plankton levels of laziness. If you’re going to spend the entire day rooted to a single spot, you might as well have some comfortable padding beneath you.
While gamers may spend hours seated, that doesn’t mean we’re completely inert. It takes concentration, the right skill, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills to compete in the upper echelons of gaming. In order to play as one of the elites, you need a gaming chair worthy of one of the elites. This doesn’t mean it has to be expensive. In this guide, we’ll explore five of the very best gaming chairs under a c-note.
Best Chair for Gaming Under $100
Spending a large portion of the day either on your bottom or back is by no means healthy but you can make it less unhealthy by choosing the right chair to support you.
The five top picks in this article are easy to assemble, they’re affordable and most importantly, they’re extremely comfortable. However, if for whatever reason these picks don’t tickle your fancy, we’ve appended a helpful buying guide near the bottom of this article. Without further ado…
Best Choice: Homall Gaming Chair Racing Office Chair
Pros & Cons
- High load capacity
- Excellent price
- Easy to assemble and set up
- Non-adjustable armrests
Specifications
- Interior materials: High-Density Shaping Foam
- Outer fabric: PU leather
- Load Capacity: 300 lb./ 136 KG
- Maximum Tilt: 180 degrees
- Chair Weight: 42.1 lb./ 19 KG
Homall Gaming Chair Racing Office Chair Review
Homall is one of the most trustworthy producers of affordable gaming chairs. They also make lounge recliners and bar stools.
The Homall Gaming Chair is one of the few chairs in this price range you’ll find with high-density shaping foam. It’s extremely comfortable. It has high-quality PU leather seems guaranteed to last for a while. The chair is big, tall, and wide enough to support most body-types. Speaking of which, it can support up to 300 pounds of weight.
In terms of adjustability, the chair uses a class-3 gas lift to help you adjust the height. The chair can be reclined to a maximum of 180 degrees. This is ideal for gamers or programmers working long hour shifts who need a nap during breaks. It even comes with a handy headrest pillow and lumbar support to help make your naps even more comfortable.
The steel base and levers feel sturdy. You can feel the solid click as your lie back or adjust the recline position. While it’s a pretty sizeable chair, the armrests will fit under any desk. The issue I have with the armrests is how uncomfortable they are. They cannot be adjusted and they’re not padded. Despite this, I’d still recommend this chair. It’s a great budget buy.
Premium Pick: BestOffice PC Gaming Chair
Pros & Cons
- Includes adjustable lumbar support and headrest pillow
- The base can handle up to 2500 pounds of weight.
- Includes retractable footrest
- Easy to set up – comes with all necessary tools
- The padding feels a little cheap
- Non-adjustable armrest
Specifications
- Interior materials: Soft Padding
- Outer fabric: PU leather
- Load Capacity: 250 lb./ 113.39 KG
- Maximum Tilt: 155 degrees
- Chair Weight: 44.7 lb./ 20.27 KG
BestOffice PC Gaming Chair Product Review
BestOffice is another brand that is known for creating high-value affordable furniture. Their high PC is made up of PU leather meticulously stitched to a metal frame with soft padding and stuffing.
It comes with adjustable lumbar support and a headrest pillow. It also comes with a retractable footrest. If you combine these elements with the 155-degree tilt, you have yourself an awesome make-shift bed.
While the chair is pretty hefty and well-built, it does have its limitations in terms of weight capacity. It will support a combined sitting weight of 250 pounds. However, the base can resist up to 2500 pounds of weight. It has a set of different pneumatic control handles for both the tilt and the height. For height adjustment, it uses an SGS verified gas lift.
Once again, it’s just unfortunate that the armrests are so subpar. Their design and material don’t make them very comfortable. They’re also non-adjustable. Another downside to this chair is how the assembly instructions aren’t very intuitive. They don’t come with clear instructions, just pictures. You may be better off just asking a professional to set it up for you.
The chair is extremely comfortable and feels durable. The PU leather feels stable enough to last you a few years before it starts peeling. If you want to get a full bang for your hundred bucks, then I don’t see why you shouldn’t give this chair a try.
Best Value: Furmax Gaming and Office Chair
Pros & Cons
- Excellently priced
- Features Padded armrests
- Lightweight
- Comfortable soft leather
- No tilt
- Non-adjustable armrest
- A bit short
Specifications
- Interior materials: Soft Padding
- Outer fabric: PU leather and mesh fabric
- Load Capacity: 250 lb./ 113.39 KG
- Maximum Tilt: None
- Chair Weight: 35.06 lb./ 15.90 KG
Furmax Gaming and Office Chair Product Review
If you’re looking to save on space and money, the Furmax office leather gaming chair is your best bet. Furmax is a relatively new company that was established in 2016. Since then, they’ve designed and manufactured a startling amount of gaming chairs and other furniture. Their gaming chairs range from high-end to low-cost offerings like this leather gaming chair.
If all you’ve got in your pocket is $100, then you’ll be able to afford this chair and a good budget gaming keyboard just under $50. It’s really that affordable. However, if you sacrifice on price, you’ll have to sacrifice on functionality. You get what you pay for. This isn’t a high back chair. It doesn’t have a headrest, lumbar support, or a retractable footrest.
It works with a single handle to help you adjust the height. It also comes with a knob, to help you adjust the tilt of the chair. The chair is pretty sturdy. It can be rocked back and forth and it supports a load capacity of 280 pounds. Which is surprising for a chair this lightweight.
The PU leather and mesh fabric are beautifully stitched. The mesh fabric really increases the breathability of this chair. The arms rests aren’t anything to write home about but they’re padded and comfortable enough. While it may not have the same feature list as chairs that may cost more, what you’re getting here is a great office and gaming chair that will last you a while.
If you’re strapped for cash and you’re looking for a quick affordable temporary solution, this will go above and beyond your needs.
Best Ergonomic: Devoko Ergonomic Gaming Chair
Pros & Cons
- Affordable
- Comes with a headrest pillow and adjustable lumbar support
- Features quiet PU mute wheels
- Great Price
- Easy to set up and install
- Exterior fabric made out of breathable soft leather
- Non-adjustable armrests
Specifications
- Interior materials: Soft Padding
- Outer fabric: PU leather
- Load Capacity: 300 lb./ 136.07 KG
- Maximum Tilt: 180 degrees
- Chair Weight: 45.5 lb./Â 20.63 KG
Devoko Ergonomic Gaming Chair Product Review
If you’re looking for comfort in an affordable package, look no further than the Devoko Ergonomic gaming chair. Devoko specializes in manufacturing and supplying furniture all across America.
While I’m not a huge fan of its hard backrest, The Devoko ergonomic gaming chair uses a bucket seat racing chair style that I am partial to. For extra comfort, the chair comes with lumbar support and a headrest pillow. Both are adjustable. Try not to fall asleep while gaming on this chair. It really is that comfortable.
It’s also extremely sturdy. It has four recline positions and a 180-degree tilt. It has a back support frame to ensure stability when you’re reclining or tilting back.
The chair is extremely tough, it can support nearly 300 pounds of body weight. Like most good gaming chairs, it has a 360-degree swivel rotation. It also utilizes soft but sturdy mute rolling wheels that prevent floor scratching.
The chair is very easy to assemble. The installation manual that accompanies it is well written and detailed. The chair also comes with installation tools to make setting it up even easier.nOnce again, I found myself displeased with the quality and feel of the armrests. They’re non-adjustable and a bit uncomfortable.
Even with this being said, it’s still a high-quality chair. It’s extremely comfortable and the PU leather covering it seems long-lasting. If you’re looking for more affordable options, check out our guide on the best budget gaming chairs.
Best for Work and Play: BestOffice Office Desk Gaming Chair
Pros & Cons
- Features fully adjustable armrests
- Light-weight
- Affordable
- Easy to assemble
- Comes with an adjustable headrest pillow
- A bit short
- No tilt
Specifications
- Interior materials: Soft Padding
- Outer fabric: PU leather and mesh fabric
- Load Capacity: 250 lb./ 113.3 KG
- Maximum Tilt: None
- Chair Weight: 34 lb./Â 15.4 KG
BestOffice Office Desk Gaming Chair Product Review
If you’re not fond of high back chairs and you’re looking for a comfortable and reasonably priced medium height chair, then you should take a look at BestOffice’s Desk Gaming Chair.
It’s made up of high quality sleek faux leather. It’s one of the few mid-sized chairs that come with lumbar support and a headrest pillow. The headrest pillow is more of a neck rest pillow because it only really reaches your neck (depending on your torso height).
Both the lumbar support and head/neck rest cannot be adjusted. However, the armrest can. It’s the only chair in this guide with adjustable armrests. The chair doesn’t have high degree tilt but you can adjust the recline position to a slight tilt. If you’re looking for a chair with a higher degree of adjustability, then I suggest you check out our best gaming recliners guide.
While the seat is well padded and soft, the chair as a whole feels sturdy and well built. The chair can withstand nearly 250 pounds of body weight. The base is strong enough to handle 2500 pounds of weight.
It comes in numerous colors and can blend in well both in the office and at home. It uses faux leather and meshes fabric which combines to form a pattern that makes the chair fun to look at and comfortable to sit on. If you’re looking for a lightweight mid-sized chair that will complement your posture and won’t cost you over a Benji, then look no further.
Gaming Chairs Under $100: Buying Guide
Don’t be fooled into thinking there isn’t a wide variety of choices in this price range, because there is. Unfortunately, a lot of the chairs in this price bracket may be cheaply built. Some try to pack all the features from a high-end chair while sacrificing on the material.
When choosing the best gaming chair on a budget, you need a discerning eye. You also need to understand which features are not necessary and how the chair will meet your needs accordingly.
Type: Gaming Chairs Come in Different Flavors
There are three main types of chairs. Each chair will have its advantages and disadvantages. The style of chair you choose depends on your own personal preference. The three main types of gaming chairs are as follows:
Gaming Rocker: Gaming rockers lack a conventional base and are seated directly on the floor. They allow you to rock and recline while you’re playing. They’re particularly great for console gaming. It’s rare to find a good rocker chair at this price range.
Racing Chairs: These are the most common types of gaming chairs. They usually come with a base with wheels. They’re adjustable in height, have a swivel, they’re mobile and can be reclined. You’ll notice that all of the chairs in this guide are racing type chairs. This is because they’re the most affordable and common type of chair.
Pedestal Chairs: Pedestal chairs are similar to rocker/rocking chairs but they have a suction cup-like base that allows them to swivel. They can also be tilted. Pedestal gaming chairs are expensive. That’s why you haven’t seen one on this guide.
Material: What Your Chair is Made Up Of
Chairs in this price range are usually made up of Polyurethane (PU) leather. PU leather is the bologna of leather. It’s basically made up of leftover or split leather that has been treated and coated with polyurethane to give it the appearance of top grain leather.
Another common outer material is fabric mesh. Which is used and liked because of its breathability. Which means it won’t get sticky or hot on a summer day. It also won’t peel once it gets hot as PU leather does. Most gaming chairs made out of PU leather are coated in flame-resistant chemicals which sometimes give the chairs a musty smell.
However, this is just the outer covering. The inner upholstery is usually made out of foam or sponge. It can either be dense or non-dense. Dense stuffing is made for chairs with very little padding. While non-dense is made for chairs with plenty of padding to support it.
Recline/Tilt: How Far can you Sit Back
Chairs between the $80 – $100 range tend to have decent tilt and recline support. They usually have 3-4 tilt settings and a tilt lock to hold the chair’s setting in place. Even when a chair doesn’t have full tilt/incline support, they’ll have a mild recline support where the chair can be leaned back a bit. Most chairs have a rocking functionality, where you can rock back and forth on the base.
Weight Capacity: Can Your Chair Handle Your Weight
Chairs have a limit to how much weight and body mass they can handle. Most chairs in this price bracket have a weight limitation of between 250 and 300 pounds (113 and 136 KG). It should go without saying but before buying a gaming chair, please pay attention to the weight capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does a Gaming Chair Do?
Basically, a gaming chair is created and designed to be as adjustable and comfortable as possible to provide comfort and ergonomic support to gamers and workers who stay seated for long periods of time. Some gaming chairs come with extras like speakers and charging bays/docks. These accessories are there to make gaming even more immersive and convenient.
What are the benefits of a gaming chair?
The key benefits of gaming chairs are that they tend to be more comfortable and adjustable than normal office chairs. They’re also great to look at (depending on your taste). Because of their ergonomic support, they also promote healthier blood flow than normal chairs and they also reduce muscle stiffness and injury.
Are gaming chairs good for studying? Gaming chairs are good for studying because of their adjustability and comfort. While they’re high niche and marketed to gamers, they’re basically just chairs that anyone can sit on and use. Some people may be put off from buying them because of the way they look. Gaming chairs are great for long hours of studying. They can be particularly good for your posture and back.
Conclusion
There you have it. After reading through this guide, you should have a solid idea on what gaming chair you want next. You’re a c-note away from getting the chair of your dreams.
Remember that a gaming chair is only part of the ergonomic equation. You also need a good gaming keyboard and just as good gaming mouse coupled with some good posture. Remember to take breaks often and stay hydrated. Let’s try to make escapism as healthy as possible.