Best Gaming Chairs Under $100 in 2021

Things to consider

Unfortunately, this price range of gaming chairs means that there are going to be a few downsides you just can’t avoid. Before making a buying decision, we recommend familiarizing yourself with them so you aren’t in for a nasty surprise.

Is it even possible to get a good gaming chair for $100?

It definitely won’t be fantastic, but you can get a perfectly cromulent chair at this price point if you pay close attention and manage to sidestep the snake oil. We’ve managed to cobble together this list, so yes, it’s possible, just about.

Prime Shipping Is Rare- Products From Overseas

First thing’s first, the shipping on these can be pretty bad. Because they’re often based overseas before being ordered, it can take a week or more for you to receive your gaming chair.

A lot of budget options for chairs, monitors, and other products are based outside of the US, and shipping time is a common downside with them if you live stateside.

Won’t Last As Long As More Premium Options

Next up is a sad reality: you aren’t going to get $500 chair quality and endurance out of a $100 chair. This falls under the category of things that simply don’t happen.

However, you will still be receiving a great budget chair for your money. While many of these do come from overseas, their quality is usually better than what you can expect walking into a retail store and buying a chair at the same price.

Because of this, we still recommend them. Just note that they may start showing wear and tear sooner than the truly premium options.

Inevitable Compromises

Last but not least, a few inevitable compromises have to be made at this price range. This compromise is usually seen in the following areas:

Chair weight capacity
Added features
Quality of materials

Most of the chairs on this list opt for good materials, except for the one that chooses weight capacity instead. A few of the higher-end ones manage to pull off extra features and quality materials, but still sacrifice weight capacity.

Weight Limit

The weight limit in a chair determines two things: whether or not you can actually use the chair without worry of breaking it and how sturdy it is.

Ideally, you want to buy a chair with a weight limit that’s well over your own bodyweight. This means you never have to worry about breaking it and that your seat will always feel sturdy and stable, not wobbly or unreliable.

Unfortunately for bigger, heavier folks, a lot of the chairs on this list won’t fit that criterion. Even if you’re under the 250-lb range that most of these chairs recommend, you still won’t have the most sturdy seating experience.

And, over time the chair may still get worn down.

Many of the chairs in this price range have a relatively low weight limit. Keep your own weight in mind before purchasing.

Seating Height

While the seating height on these chairs is mostly what you’d expect from an office chair, it’s still important to keep an eye on this number. Seating height refers to how far the seat is from the ground and it’s measured in inches.

Most adults will be more than fine with the typical 20-ish inch seating height, especially with the option to adjust up and down by some inches. However, if you’re particularly tall or short, every inch of height adjustment will count.

Keep in mind the range of seating height when making your purchase. Ideally, you want something that’s around the length of your leg from the knee down.

Other Features

Tilt is a really big feature for gaming chairs, tilt refers to the ability for the base and backrest of the chair to rock back together, this is distinct to recline as it includes the base too. We are particularly big fans of tilt function as it makes for more enjoyable relaxation, additionally, it also allows you to tilt and rock back and forth without compromising the ergonomic adjustments. We’ve made sure to include gaming chairs in this list with both tilt and recline capabailities.

Adjustable armrests are a common feature, too, but usually don’t show up in this price range.

Also, keep in mind things, like the materials and build of the chair. PU leather is popular in this range as a comfortable, easy-to-clean material.

How Long Do Gaming Chairs Last?

Overall, a gaming chair should last at least 2 years. That being said, making sure you purchase from a quality and reliable brand should see that number rise exponentially. Like more premium chairs, the best gaming chairs for under $100 utilize better materials, meaning they should withstand the everyday use they go through much better.

Are Gaming Chairs Good For Your Back?

One of the main considerations that go into the construction of every decent gaming chair is how they impact your back health. As all good gaming chair manufacturers know, gamers don’t just spend five minutes playing games. No, they spend numerous hours playing their favorite AAA game titles, making back health all the more important.

Chair manufacturers try to ensure that solid back support is a key factor in their design, aiding in the support of your back, neck, shoulders, head, and hips.

Ergonomics

You’re going to be spending a lot of time in the gaming chair, so it better be healthy right? That’s why we’ve made sure to recommend chairs here with good ergonomics, like lumbar support, a neck pillow, and high-density foam.

Lumbar support

Good lumbar support is invaluable when it comes to a decent gaming chair. Lumbar support helps coax your spin into the proper position, this maintains its natural curvature which can reduce strain and promote a healthy posture too. This is one of the most important aspects of ergonomics, and for a gaming chair to have good ergonomics, it must start with lumbar support

Neck pillows

Lumbar support keeps your lower back in check, but let’s not forget the neck either. Many chairs these days come with an adjustable neck pillow that helps keep your neck positioned at the correct angle, good neck pillows combine with lumbar support to create an overall ergonomic design that will help keep you comfortable and healthy for long periods.

High-density foam

We’ve all experience overly soft foam, right? Initially delightful, but soon becomes as flat as a board with no support, as the foam degrades you get less comfortable. This is a problem that is functionally eliminated with the implementation of good-quality, high-density foam. This ups the chair’s ergonomics, and makes it last far longer, so don’t be forgetting high-density foam in your search for the best gaming chair under $100.

Is It Worth Buying A Gaming Chair?

The short answer to this question is yes. It doesn’t matter if you’re a console gamer or trying to take your competitive esports play to the next level. A gaming chair will ultimately make your life that little bit easier. Not only will they provide good comfort, armrests, and the back support you need for healthy posture. But they’ll also outlive many other cheaper alternatives.