Man relaxing in a comfortable office chair leaning back

Office chairs are an important part of your office or gaming setup, and if you want a quality chair that’s comfortable but doesn’t break the bank, there are several excellent office chairs under $200 to consider. Even if you’re not working with a tight budget, saving some money on a quality office chair means you can spend more on other office or gaming essentials.

Our tech expert considered the quality and features of desk chairs on the market and tempered them with the cost and determined that the Furmax Office Mid Back Swivel Lumbar Support Desk Chair will give you the best features for your money. You’ll get a lightweight chair with lumbar support that will keep you in the position you need to be to maintain a healthy and comfortable position.

Best Overall

Furmax Office Mid Back Swivel Lumbar Support Desk Chair

For the best in office chairs under $200, look no further than the Furmax Office Mid Back Swivel Lumbar Support Desk Chair.

There are loads of other high-tech essentials that will create a home office comfortable enough to maximize your output, but finding a chair that keeps you ergonomically positioned is the most critical, whether you’re programming or gaming.

Our Expert’s Top 5 Office Chairs Under $200

Here are the top picks from our expert. Compare the ratings and features of different models.

Editor’s PicksBrandRatingBreathableLumbar SupportAdjustability
Best OverallFurmax Office Mid Back Swivel Lumbar Support Desk Chair4.2Height and Recline
Best Budget BuyYAHEETECH Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair4.4Height and Recline
Best ErgonomicAmazon Basics Ergonomic Office Desk Chair4.5Height and Seat Angle
Best for Lumbar SupportHbada Ergonomic Chair with Lumbar Support4.3Height, Recline, Lumbar Support, and Armrests
Best for GamingHomall Gaming Chair Office Chair4.6Height, Recline, and Seat Angle

*Ratings are on a scale of 1 to 5 and based on reviews, feedback, and opinions of actual customers

Who Should Buy an Office Chair Under $200

  • Gamers – If your desk chair is for entertainment and not employment, then you should tamper your desire for luxury with what is reasonable, cost-wise.
  • People with home offices – Any office, no matter how meager or how rarely used, needs a chair. While you’ll want comfort for even rare occasions, you’ll want to make sure you’re sticking to a budget that makes sense for the frequency of use.
  • People who work from home – Whether teleworking or self-employed, you need an office chair that can hold up to long hours of everyday use. When you don’t want to spend too much on your work-from-home workspace, you can find a quality office chair under $200 that checks all the boxes.

Who Should Not Buy an Office Chair Under $200

  • Corporate employees – If you don’t have a home office and don’t telecommute, you probably don’t need an office chair. While you can find excellent options for under $200, your employer should provide all the equipment and furnishings you need at your workplace.
  • People with special requirements – If you have specific needs or preferences, you may not find a suitable office chair under $200. Extra features like footrests, heat, or massage add to the overall cost, so you may not find an office chair that meets all your needs without spending a bit more.

Research Tips

Desk chairs, even those under $200, will need to have a few features to make them work for your home office. Here are some tips and best practices to consider when selecting an office chair under $200. It’s also a good idea to ask friends and family (such as fellow gaming enthusiasts or telecommuters) what office chairs they have and what they like about them or features they wish their office chair had.

  1. Look for lumbar support – For those with back pain, finding a chair that prevents slouching is key to prevention. A standing desk can help, too, but if you’re looking for a sitting chair (or even a high chair that you can use with your standing desk), then make sure you purchase one with good lumbar support.1
  2. Consider adjustability – Not only will you want to adjust your chair to your size, but you may find that you’d like to maintain different positions over time for comfort.
  3. Choose an office chair with good head support – You may not feel the need to use head support, but if you’re planning on using the chair for gaming, the leaning back position may require some support for your head.
  4. Consider height for standing desks – Just because your desk is a standing one doesn’t mean you won’t want the occasional rest. A high seat can give you that kind of relief when you need a break from standing.

How Much Do They Cost?

Between $100-$200

If you want to stick to a budget, the $200 maximum price cap is entirely reasonable. For a basic chair, you can definitely find a comfortable chair under even $100, but if you plan on using it more than an hour or two at a time, you may want to stick to a price between $100 and $200. If you want to spend more, you can certainly do so – in fact, the executive chairs in your boss’ office likely costs $1,000+ – but for your home office, that kind of cost is superfluous.

The Best Office Chairs Under $200: Full Reviews

Best Overall

Furmax Office Mid Back Swivel Lumbar Support Desk Chair

For the best in office chair under $200, look no further than the Furmax Office Mid Back Swivel Lumbar Support Desk Chair.

The Furmax Office Mid Back Swivel Lumbar Support Desk Chair is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a comfortable office chair under $200. It has an arched design that will position you ergonomically with extra support on your lumbar region to make it comfortable to sit even for longer periods of time. It’s well-constructed with a quality design that should last for years of use. In fact, reviewers say that it only gets more comfortable over time.

You’ll appreciate the ability to adjust both the height and the tilt while still enjoying the rocking recline feature, as well. That means no matter how long you’re planning on using the chair, or with what type of desk, you’ll be able to use this chair with comfort.

Pros
  • Breathable mesh back
  • Ergonomic design
  • Upgraded lumbar support
Cons
  • Mesh back takes some getting used to
  • Rigid armrests
Best Budget Buy

YAHEETECH Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair

The YAHEETECH Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair will give you an excellent home office option at a budget price.

The YAHEETECH Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair offers luxury comfort without the luxury price tag usually associated with this level of quality. It’s lightweight enough that you won’t mind utilizing the rolling casters to their full potential but sturdy enough that you won’t feel as if you’re going to fall. It offers added lumbar support and positions you ergonomically enough that, as long as you sit in the chair properly, your back and shoulders will thank you.

You’ll also appreciate the ability to match this chair with your office decor, as it comes in seven different color options. So you can blend your office chair into an integrated nook style office, or you can accentuate your desk with a bright accent color.

Pros
  • 360° rolling casters
  • Specialized lumbar support
  • Breathable mesh back
Cons
  • Mesh back less durable
  • Easily stained
Best Ergonomic

Amazon Basics Ergonomic Office Desk Chair

If you’re looking for a soft ergonomic option, try the Amazon Basics Ergonomic Office Desk Chair.

The Amazon Basics Ergonomic Office Desk Chair is probably what you picture when you think of a home office chair – and for good reason. Its padded back and ergonomic design have become the gold standard for office chairs because it keeps you in a position that won’t strain your muscles or joints. And when you just want to sink back into your chair to read or watch a video, then the padding makes the reclining position all the more comfortable.

It has a simple assembly, but if you’d prefer, you can purchase an expert’s assembly services through Amazon for just $50. It also comes in your choice of white, brown, or black faux leather upholstery to match your decor.

Pros
  • Padded back and armrests
  • Adjustable seat angle and height
  • Bonded faux leather upholstery
Cons
  • Back doesn’t breathe
  • Padding breaks down over time
Best for Lumbar Support

Hbada Ergonomic Chair with Lumbar Support

If you’re looking for an office chair with excellent lumbar support, the Hbada Ergonomic Chair with Lumbar Support is a great choice.

The Hbada Ergonomic Chair with Lumbar Support is a great choice if you’re looking for an office chair under $200 that offers excellent reinforced lumbar support to prevent poor posture, especially if you sit at your desk for long periods of time. This support is also customizable, so you can adjust the strength of the support to fit your body and your needs.

The seat is cushioned with a native sponge filling that is anti-collapsible and comfortable for extended use, making this the chair for anyone with concerns of comfort. The velveteen covered armrest adds a certain level of grandeur that really ups the experience.

Pros
  • Breathable back
  • White, grey, and black options
  • Flip-up armrests
Cons
  • Difficult assembly
  • Upholstery may fray over time
Best for Gaming

Homall Gaming Chair Office Chair

The Homall Gaming Chair Office Chair is built for extended use in gaming.

The Homall Gaming Chair Office Chair will give you the ability to game for extended periods of time, without any need to break for comfort – and that’s a huge relief to your game-mates who are counting on you for raids and challenges. The headrest has extra padding so you’ll easily be able to recline and relax, which will have you all the better rested for the more intense obstacles coming up.

The lumbar support is a comfortable pillow style that will keep you positioned such that you won’t suffer back pain after an intense gaming session. You’ll be able to adjust the height, angle, and recline to suit your needs perfectly.

Pros
  • Extended headrest
  • Steel frame
  • Racing car style wheels
Cons
  • Fabric breaks down over time
  • Non-adjustable arm rests

Frequently Asked Questions

How is an office chair different from other chairs?

An office chair may not be any different than the chair you use for your dining room in principle, but it is vastly different in its purpose. An office chair is meant for productivity and intended for longer use. That means an office chair requires (and not just “benefits from”) an ergonomic design that allows you to sit for extended periods of time, day-in and day-out, without straining any of your muscles or joints. The design will need to consider breathability to account for body heat, and the padding that must be balanced with support.

How should you sit in an office chair?

First, you’ll need to ensure you’re at the preferred height. Make sure your feet are flat on the floor and your knees are at a 90° angle. The back should be at a very slight incline of about 100°-110°, and the back should extend from your lower to upper back. Once your chair is properly adjusted, you’ll need to use it properly. Slide your hips all the way back and when you’re not using your hands at the keyboard, you should utilize the armrests.2

Why are office chairs so bad?

Office chairs aren’t necessarily all bad. They do have a bit of a bad reputation, though, because there are a lot of common pitfalls when manufacturers take shortcuts in their design. Often, companies will opt for the least expensive chair and ignore the single most important feature when it comes to pain prevention: the ergonomic design.3

How long should you sit at your desk?

The key to remember when it comes to the length of time you spend sitting at your desk is that you don’t want to spend your entire workday there. Even if only for a few minutes an hour, you’ll want to change positions. It’s best to alternate your time from standing to sitting, but if you’re unable to do so, those 10-15 minutes of standing will help maintain a healthy fitness level and prevent aches and pains.4

Article Sources

Tech Pro Daily uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Grondin DE, Triano JJ, Tran S, Soave D. The effect of a lumbar support pillow on lumbar posture and comfort during a prolonged seated task. Chiropr Man Therap. 2013;21(1):21. Published 2013 Jul 4. doi:10.1186/2045-709X-21-21
  2. Evolve Chiropractic. The Best Way to Sit At Your Desk (And Stay Out of Pain). Myevolvechiropractor.com. Accessed August 12, 2021.
  3. Rodrigues MS, Leite RDV, Lelis CM, Chaves TC. Differences in ergonomic and workstation factors between computer office workers with and without reported musculoskeletal pain. Work. 2017;57(4):563-572. doi:10.3233/WOR-172582
  4. Stephens SK, Eakin EG, Clark BK, et al. What strategies do desk-based workers choose to reduce sitting time and how well do they work? Findings from a cluster randomised controlled trial. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2018;15(1):98. Published 2018 Oct 12. doi:10.1186/s12966-018-0731-z