Stylish Office Chairs That Won't Break the Bank (or Your Back)

After a year of working from home and learning remotely, it's  time to treat yourself — and your sore backside — to a new office chair. We’ve tracked down 18 cheap office chairs — none of which costs more than about $250 — that are popular with buyers and reviewers alike. Whether you’re in need of an ergonomic office chair with a mesh back or a dedicated high-back gaming chair for midday work breaks, one of these models is sure to fit the bill (and your backside).

Price and availability are subject to change.

Related: How to Create a Home Office From Ikea Under $200

Price: $49 from Walmart
Shop Now

For about 50 bucks, this task chair does what a chair needs to do: give you a place to park yourself and work. It’s height-adjustable, but it doesn’t recline, and the padded vinyl cushion isn’t particularly ergonomic in design. But for the price, most buyers at Walmart say, this Mainstays task chair is simple to assemble, sturdy (weight limit is 250 pounds), and relatively comfortable. Available in five color schemes.

Related: The Home Office Pod — What It Is and Why You Might Want One

$50 from Target

Shop Now

Adults aren't the only ones working from home; many kids are still learning remotely, and they need a comfy place to sit, too. This height-adjustable office chair has a 150-pound maximum weight limit — too low for many adults, but ideal for youngsters, many buyers say. The mesh back stays cool, though some people say they wish it were adjustable.

Related: What Teachers Recommend for Virtual Schooling

Price: $60 and up from Amazon
Shop Now

The chair and seatback are both adjustable, and many buyers say the contoured cushions do indeed provide a fair amount of support given the low price (particularly for smaller-framed folks). It can be ordered with or without handles (either fixed or adjustable armrests) and comes in a choice of three fabric colors. The weight limit is 275 pounds.

Related: Top-Rated Products on Amazon for Working From Home and Remote Learning

Price: $60 from Amazon
Shop Now

If office chairs with fabric or vinyl seatbacks leave you hot under the collar (or sweaty in the rear), a mesh chair like this one might be a better option. PCMag named this model to their office chair best-of list, and more than 10,000 reviewers at Amazon give it a positive overall rating, though some wish it had better lumbar support and adjustable armrests. The weight limit is 225 pounds.

Related: 25 Things You Don't Miss About Going to the Office

Price: $68 and up from Amazon
Shop Now

Like the Mainstays task chair, this model is about as basic as it gets; you can adjust the seat height, and that’s it. One big difference: This model is available with optional armrests and in five neon hues plus basic black.

Related: 22 Essential Remote-Work Tools for Your Business

$86 from Target

Shop Now

Available in glossy black or white ribbed vinyl, this task chair is easy to assemble, owners say. The armless design makes it a good choice for larger persons, though some otherwise-satisfied buyers say the chair isn't super-comfy when sitting for extended periods. Weight limit: 250 pounds.

Related: Stylish and Portable Desks That Let You Work Anywhere

Price: $76 from Amazon
Shop Now

Gamers need a chair that’s comfy enough to settle in for the long haul, and this high-backed Furmax gaming chair is Amazon’s top seller, which ought to count for something. The height can be adjusted, and unlike cheaper office chairs, this one also tilts backward. It’s not exceptionally comfortable or well padded, and the 220-pound weight limit is relatively low, but many owners seem willing to overlook these shortcomings given the low price.

Related: Cool Gifts for Old School Gamers Who Miss the '80s

Price: $154 from Amazon
Shop Now

Last year, editors at Best Reviews named this model the “best bang for the buck” in their roundup of cheap office chairs. Ergonomics are exceptional for an office chair this cheap, most buyers at Amazon say. The weight limit is 250 pounds.

Related: Cute and Clever Desk Accessories to Make Working at Home Less Awful

Price: $159 from Walmart
Shop Now

Walmart shoppers have made this gaming chair a top seller at that retailer. The tilt tension can be adjusted or locked into place, and it has a retractable footrest as well as a removable headrest — all nice-to-have features given the low price. You’ve got a choice of nine different color combinations, and the 275-pound weight limit is higher than other gaming chairs.

Related: Mobile Caddies and Other Storage Ideas For Your Home 'Office'

Price: $172 from Amazon
Shop Now

If you need an office chair that’s extra-adjustable, this model is the most versatile one we could find for the price. Independent one-touch levels allow you to adjust seat height as well as the tilt of the padded seat and mesh back (as well as the back height). The armrests can also be adjusted somewhat, and the fabric is available in six color options. Bonus: a 331-pound weight limit makes this a good option for bigger people.

Related: Our Team Has Worked From Home for Years: Here's How We Do It

Price: $180 from Office Depot
Shop Now

This Office Depot best seller wouldn’t look out of place in a corner office, and it’s the cheapest executive-style chair on our list. The waterfall-style seat is height-adjustable; unlike other models, this one has a tilt function that can be locked in place for when you need some extended feet-up-on-the-desk time. A minority of buyers caution that assembly can be challenging. Weight limit: 275 pounds.

Related: Sit-Stand Desks from Ikea, Amazon, Uplift, and More

Price: $189 and up from Amazon
Shop Now

You can spend well over $1,000 for a high-end office chair, but you don't have to. This sleek, faux-leather office chair comes in black, white, and red, and many reviewers say assembly is very simple.

Related: Home Decor Products on Amazon That Buyers Love

$190 from Amazon

Shop Now

Available in leather or mesh fabric, this high-backed office chair has a built-in footrest and three preset reclining angles, as well as adjustable lumbar support and armrests, as well as a headrest that pivots. Most owners say the chair is supportive and comfortable, but a handful of buyers say installing the headrest can be challenging. Weight limit: 275 pounds.

Related: The Most Popular Items on Amazon, According to Our Readers

$196 from Wayfair

Shop Now

Drafting chairs like this one include a footrest so you can perch comfortably at higher desks and workspaces. The lumbar support and seat angle are adjustable, as is the armrest height, and it has a maximum weight capacity of 331 pounds. This drafting chair is available in three colors plus black, but the colored versions sell out frequently.

Related: Hiring Managers Advice for Landing a Work-From-Home Job

$198 from Amazon

Shop Now

Even satisfied buyers admit this office chair is a little odd-looking with its bungee seat and back. But those bungees also make sitting for long periods of time comfy and cool, owners also say, and assembly is easy, too. The armrests are not adjustable, but the back does tilt and lock in position. 

Related: Cool and Creative Gifts Under $10 for Your Coworkers

Price: $229 from Ikea
Shop Now

Ikea also gets some love for its office chairs from the likes of TechRadar, which gave this high-back mesh chair positive marks in their best-of review. Buyer ratings are also generally upbeat, with most praising its overall comfort, though some note that shorter persons may find the high back an awkward fit.

Related: 25 Ikea Products to Buy — and 25 to Skip

Price: $229 from Ikea
Shop Now

If you’d rather not have your home office look quite so office-like, this sleek adjustable office chair definitely doesn’t look like the other office and gaming chairs in this roundup. The upholstered seat and back are both adjustable, though reviewers say larger people may find it a bit too tight for comfort.

Related: How to Create a Home Office From Ikea Under $200

Price: $243 and up from Amazon
Shop Now

This chair is available in leather, fabric, and mesh upholstery options. Most buyers say the padding is firm and comfortable, with easy-to-adjust components (including lumbar support, a rarity on cheap office chairs) and a weight limit of 275 pounds. One potential drawback: Shorter people may find the seat-to-floor height a little too high for comfort, according to owner reviews.

Related: Pajamas, Sweats, and Leisure Wear Perfect for Working at Home

Price: $300 and up from Amazon
Shop Now

This executive-style chair is designed for larger people and has a weight limit of up to 350 pounds (a slightly pricier model has a 400-pound capacity). It’s got a locking tilt mechanism and decent lumbar support, according to user reviews, though some say the seat cushion padding could be thicker.

Related: Home Improvement and Decor Trends for 2021