Have you been researching the factors that you should consider before buying an office chair? Then you have come to the right place. Our experts have narrowed down five of the top-rated products that make the best office chair under 100. Forget the overrated marketing hype and read on because we have done an extensive research that will provide you with a durable, comfortable and versatile chair.
We started off by evaluating the upholstery made of long-lasting, cozy, and breathable material that would also be easy to clean. Next, we looked at the capacity of the chair to determine the weight limit that can accommodate everyone, including heavy individuals. We also analyzed the overall dimensions as well as the size of the backrest and seat to identify the best office chair under 100 dollars that ideally fits your body and has a small footprint. Based on all our research, the VECELO Premium Mesh Chair became our Editor’s Choice on our list of 5 of the best office chairs under $100.
More features: lumbar support; tilt tension adjustment
If you have been looking for the best ergonomic office chair under 100 that supports a high weight limit, then you should consider VECELO Premium Mesh Chair which has a capacity of up to 285 pounds. According to experts, bigger people have a larger body mass that generates more heat. The chair solves this with upholstery made of mesh fabric that promotes efficient airflow and heat dissipation for a comfortable and cool surface, especially during summer.
You can adjust the chair’s height between 37 to 40.5 inches, recline it to your desired tilt and swivel it at a full angle of 360 degrees. The thick pneumatic control rod is reinforced to make it explosion proof and provide more resistance to impact.
The seat includes padded cushion that contours to your hips and the backrest has lumbar support.
There are 6 dual wheel casters encased in nylon to stabilize the chair or to move it in any direction without damaging the floor.
Despite the advanced features that provide a wide range of adjustable positions, assembling this chair is pretty easy because the instructions are clear and concise. Users find it comfortable, flexible and durable.
Although the low armrests are suitable for sliding the chair under a desktop, they may be not offer adequate shoulder support for some users. However, you can convert this office chair under 100 dollars to an armless design that takes less space by removing the 3 bolts on each armrest.
More features: waterfall seat; adjustable back depth
It is said that you have to pay the cost to be the boss. Fortunately you don’t have to pay a high price with Boss Office Products Task Chair which is one of the best office chairs under 100 dollars. It is available with loop arms as well as with adjustable arms or in armless style to suit a wide array of individual preferences. Buyers may also purchase it in red, blue or grey colors to match their existing décor.
The 27-pound chair has a maximum weight capacity of 250 pounds. It features a thick padded seat covered with durable polyester fabric that makes cleaning a breeze and supported by a 5-star nylon base. The seat incorporates a waterfall design that takes pressure off your legs.
A user-friendly pneumatic gas lift adjusts the height of the seat, back and the armrests for a comfortable posture for different body types.
We like the built-in lumbar support for the lower back and the hooded double wheel casters that roll or swivel the chair seamlessly. The depth of the backrest is flexible for proper support. Adjustable height makes Boss Office Products Task Chair a suitable office addition for both desks and tables.
Unfortunately, this office chair under 100 does not tilt. This could be a plus for users with scoliosis due to the straight upright posture that is associated with this condition.
More features: pneumatic seat height adjustment
Customizable recline, 360-degree movement and adjustable seat height of up to 21 inches that is operated by pneumatic controls are among the essential features that you get when you buy HON HVST102. The chair supports weight of up to 250 pounds.
Sculptured arms support your shoulders and upper body while the airy sandwich mesh upholstery keeps the seat surface cool. With this product, you do not have to worry about heat and the stickiness that is common with faux leather material.
The back of this ergonomic office chair under 100 is made of an ergonomic frame that contours to your body. A tilt lock mechanism disables the tilt function while a knob positioned above the center of the base allows you to recline the extent and intensity of the chair to your preferred tilt tension.
Owners like the size of this chair which is small enough to fit in limited spaces yet big enough to accommodate them comfortably, and the decent limited warranty of 5 years. It has made it possible for them to have an office setting at home. They also appreciate the reasonable cost.
The main issue that buyers complain about is the short armrests since they cannot adjust the height. Also, the seating surface may be too firm for some users since the cushion thins out over time and you start feeling the metal frame.
More features: armless; adjustable seat height
This is the best office chair for under 100 for anyone looking for a low-budget product with a luxurious feel. It is made by Office Furniture Marketing which specializes in manufacturing high-quality chairs for lobbies, offices and gaming, among other customized designs.
OFM Essentials Leather Desk Chair comes with a limited lifetime warranty and additional bolts for installation. The armless office chair supports weight of up to 250 pounds. The lack of arms reduces the overall dimensions so it can fit under tables and desks.
The upholstery is made of soft pliable SofThread PU leather secured with detailed stitching. PU leather is a type of bonded leather. A lever lets you adjust the height of the back and the seat to up to 20 inches from the floor for a position that is comfortable for you, but you cannot tilt or recline the chair.
OFM Essentials Leather Desk Chair swivels at 360 degrees. Unfortunately, you cannot lock the caster wheels to stop the chair from rolling around. The other main complaint from buyers is the uncomfortable back which is so thin that you can feel the metal bar at the middle pressing on your lower back.
It takes a lot of effort to install the wheels so they can click into the base. Keep this in mind and avoid replacing the base because the manufacturer states that it goes against warranty terms.
More features: lumbar support; breathable seat
SMUGDESK Office Chair is among the best rated ergonomic office chairs under 100. This pick features a three-degree curved seat that hugs your body and a supportive backrest that moulds to your natural spine curve. You can adjust the back pressure with a the black knob positioned under the seat, recline the back to 120 degrees with a pull-out handle, raise or lower the seat with pneumatic lift controls on the right side, and move the chair at 360 degrees. The height of the seat adjusts at a range of 3.9 inches.
The gray chair is padded with thick sponge and covered by a breathable mesh fabric that dissipates heat from your body. It can withstand maximum weight of 250 pounds.
At the end of the 5-claw chair legs are black PU casters. We like the smooth casters that move the chair without squeaking or damaging the floor. This makes this office chair for under 100 dollars ideal for hard floors and carpets.
Users have used to alleviate back pain when working. They like the modern design that blends in seamlessly with other furniture, the supportive backrest with lumbar support, and the soft and cool seating surface. Additionally, you do not need extra tools to set up this office chair. The chair comes with a manual and a set of assembly tools that takes 15 minutes to install the chair.
Some buyers find the seat dimensions of 16.3 x 18.5 inches narrow.
This guide breaks down the most important features you should consider to make an informed decision on the best office chair under 100 dollars. We expound on the types of dimensions and adjustability to keep in mind as well as other ergonomic features that optimize comfort and support. The FAQ segment will shed more insight into waterfall seats and maintenance tips for PU leather upholstery.
Before buying the best office chair for under 100, you should review the following key features and match them to your unique office needs and preferences.
This is one of the paramount features that determine the best ergonomic office chair under 100 since it is the part that is in contact with your body. The upholstery material plays a major role in the comfort level. Look for material that is soft, breathable, durable and easy to clean. It should be firm enough to be supportive and soft enough to relieve pressure points and provide a comfortable surface.
PU leather is one of the common upholstery used for office chairs under 100 dollars to give them a luxurious real leather appearance that looks pricier than it costs. It is resilient and easy to wipe clean. Fabric, mostly the long-lasting polyester, is another popular option because it is available in several colors. It is the material used for Boss Office Products Task Chair.
However, mesh seems to be the preferred choice for office chairs owing to its breathability and low maintenance. It is well-ventilated with a minimalistic design to prevent buildup of heat.
Confirm whether the material is available in different colors to match diverse décor. For example, you can buy Boss Office Products Task Chair in red, blue or grey color.
Checking the upholstery before you commit yourself will also help you to avoid any material that you may be allergic to.
A thick cushion provides adequate support without sacrificing your comfort. You should be able sit without sinking into the base. Memory foam is recommended for padding because it does not wear thin quickly.
The weight limit will differ depending on the model. For instance, VECELO Premium Mesh Chair is the office chair under 100 dollars with the highest weight capacity among our reviewed products. It holds maximum weight of up to 285 pounds. Experts recommend a chair with a higher capacity than your body weight to accommodate any weight you may gain.
Weight capacity is mainly determined by a chair’s construction material. A steel-frame chair would support more weight than a chair made from aluminum.
Before buying the best office chair under 100 dollars, look at the dimensions of the seat and backrest to confirm it can fit intended users comfortably and supportively. Apart from the right weight capacity, you need a seat that fits you. The seat should be deep and wide to fit your hips and accommodate at least 2 to 4 inches of space between the edge of the seat and the back of your knees when you are sitting upright. Your thighs should be almost parallel to the floor and your feet should be flat on it. The ideal minimum seat width should be 17 inches.
The backrest should be long and sizeable to adequately support your neck and shoulder blades and align to the natural S-curve of your spine and your lower back for the correct posture.
In addition to backrest and seat dimensions, you should also factor in the total size of the chair. Compare the overall dimensions of the chair with the space available for installation and the sizes of the intended users. HON HVST102 has seat dimensions of 17.9 x 17.5 inches and overall dimensions of 38.2 (max.) x 24.5 x 24.5 inches.
Products such as OFM Essentials Leather Desk Chair that has an armless design or VECELO Premium Mesh Chair with low armrests can slide under desktops to save space. The latter has armrests that you can remove.
The best ergonomic office chairs under 100 come with adjustable height for the seat so you can be at eye level with your computer when typing regardless of the height of the table or desk. The seat height of SMUGDESK Office Chair adjusts at a range of 3.9 inches while VECELO Premium Mesh Chair adjusts between 37 to 40.5 inches. A minimum seat height of 16 inches should suffice for most people.
Seat height may be adjusted manually with a screw-like feature or with pneumatic gas lever or lift that raises or lowers the seat when you push the button. The latter, featured in Boss Office Products Task Chair, takes less effort so it is ideal for elderly users and those with debilitating conditions.
Office chairs under 100 dollars are available in 4 different arm styles. First, we have armless models such as OFM Essentials Leather Desk Chair. These chairs have no arms that can get in the way when sewing or performing tasks that require a wide range of arm movement. They also save space by sliding under desks.
Next, we have office chairs with fixed height for the arms and others that let you adjust the armrest upwards or downwards to comfortably work on your desk without slouching or foregoing support for your neck and shoulders. This is the most common category for the chairs we have reviewed. This type allows you to rest your elbows in a comfortable position.
Lastly, we have versatile models that allow you to adjust the armrest to different heights and angles. This includes adjusting the space between the two armrests to fit the width of your body.
Caster wheels are usually connected to the base of the chair for seamless mobility. We would recommend buying the best office chair under 100 dollars with 5 star bases since 4 star bases are prone to tipping over when you recline.
The casters of the products we have recommended are enclosed with nylon to protective various surfaces such as carpeted, laminated and hard wood floors from scratches. The nylon also provides sufficient grip to prevent the chair from gliding randomly. However, deep pile carpeted floors may necessitate caster wheels that are specifically designed for carpets.
In case your office chair has swiveling mechanism that makes item retrieval easy, look for caster wheels with locking mechanism to secure the chair in place when you are working.
Lumbar refers to the area above your tailbone where the spine curves inwardly on the lower back. Lumbar support is among the notable features that make VECELO Premium Mesh Chair the best ergonomic office chair under 100. This helps to prevent back pain and sciatica, especially when working for extended hours. Sciatica occurs when the intervertebral lumbar disc on your spine degenerates from compression.
Some office chairs come with adjustable lumbar support to fit individuals of different sizes. Such a seat with adjustable height and depth can eliminate lower back pain.
An ergonomic chair features multiple adjustable settings for the seat, armrests, lumbar support, swiveling and reclining to fit your body. It is designed to be customizable to your individual needs and preferences. This would be a suitable choice for people who work for long hours and owners of desks with fixed height. It is also versatile for individuals with different builds.
Functionality: Not every office chair under 100 dollars is capable of reclining or swiveling for varied postures. So, if you intend to use the chair to also take a nap or to lay back and read, you would be served well by a product like SMUGDESK Office Chair which comes with a pull-out handle to recline the chair to an angle of 120 degrees. A chair that swivels makes it easier to move around or to reach out to something on the table or desk. Otherwise, you would have to keep twisting your neck and back.
Pneumatic control: You use it to raise or lower the seat while you are seated without much effort.
Ease of assembly: This is one of the hallmarks of the best ergonomic office chairs under 100 that we have reviewed. SMUGDESK Office Chair comes with a set of all the tools you need to assemble it in approximately 15 minutes.
Tilt tension: This feature controls the intensity of the force required to recline the seat to your preference. It is useful when the office chair does not move automatically according to the exerted individual weight.
Warranty: This information is provided by manufacturers, sellers and verified buyers in online reviews so you can buy in confidence, and it is different for every office chair. HON HVST102 has a limited warranty of 5 years while OFM Essentials Leather Desk Chair comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Research things that may render your warranty void. This may include altering the base of your office chair under 100 dollars which the manufacturer of OFM Essentials Leather Desk Chair particularly warns against doing.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to office chairs but we have narrowed down to the best ergonomic office chairs under 100 that come with adjustable features to support a wide range of body types and sizes.
Our first pick is a mesh chair, which goes to show the popularity of this airy and cooling material in ergonomic office chairs for under 100. VECELO Premium Mesh Chair has weight limit of 285 pounds. It is well-equipped with heavy padding, a supportive backrest, 6 dual wheels casters, and adjustable tilt tension.
Boss Office Products Task Chair offers a variety of options for colors and arm designs. You can opt for red, grey or blue color. Prospective buyers can also purchase it as an armless product, or as a model with loop arms, or as an office chair under 100 dollars with adjustable arms.
The HON HVST102 features a cooling mesh upholstery that truly makes this product stand out. Additionally, it features a pneumatic height adjustment, variable tilt tension, and a 360-degree swivel.
