While many want to save money and put it all into their machine, a good gaming chair is more important than you may think.
Sure, you could use a dining room chair. You already own it, so need to go out and buy something new, and it’s in your dining room! However, while it might be comfortable for 20-30 minutes during dinner, after sitting in one for hours on end you’ll soon change your mind.
Gaming chairs, on the other hand, are designed with gamers (and their habit to sit for long periods) in mind. Gaming chairs have back, lumbar, and neck support, not to mention a ton of adjustment options. Oh, and they look pretty cool, too.
Excellent lumbar support
Furmax Office Chair
- Seat Type: Office
- Weight: 35.06 pounds
- Capacity: 280 pounds
- Material: Leather
Budget racing chair
Homall Gaming Chair
- Seat Type: Gaming
- Weight: 42.1 pounds
- Capacity: 300 pounds
- Material: PU leather
Ergonomic gaming chair
OFM Essentials Gaming Chair
- Seat Type: Gaming
- Weight: 38 pounds
- Capacity: 250 pounds
- Material: Sof Thread PU leather
Adjustable/removable lumbar
Devoko Racing Style Gaming Chair
- Seat Type: Gaming
- Weight: 45.5 pounds
- Capacity: 300 pounds
- Material: PU leather
Best rocker gaming chair
XRocker Surge Gaming Chair
- Seat Type: Rocker
- Weight: 36.16 pounds
- Capacity: N/A
- Material: PU leather and upholstery
Flip-up arms
BestMassage High-back Racing Style Gaming Chair
- Seat Type: Gaming
- Weight: 34 pounds
- Capacity: 250 pounds
- Material: PU leather
Comfortable gaming chair
BIRDROCK HOME Memory Foam Floor/Gaming Chair
- Seat Type: Rocker
- Weight: 12.5 pounds
- Capacity: N/A
- Material: Memory foam and plush fabric
Cheap racing chair
BestOffice Managerial And Executive Gaming Chair
- Seat Type: Gaming
- Weight: 25 pounds
- Capacity: 250 pounds
- Material: PU leather
Best budget
Giantex High-Back Racing Gaming Chair
- Seat Type: Gaming
- Weight: 43 pounds
- Capacity: 264 pounds
- Material: PU leather
Good racing style
SEATZONE Racing Style Gaming Chair
- Seat Type: Gaming
- Weight: 34.8 pounds
- Capacity: 250 pounds
- Material: PU leather and high-density foam
Table of Contents
- 1. Furmax Office Chair
- 2. Homall Gaming Chair
- 3. OFM Essentials Gaming Chair
- 4. Devoko Racing Style Gaming Chair
- 5. XRocker Surge Gaming Chair
- 6. BestMassage High-back Racing Style Gaming Chair
- 7. BIRDROCK HOME Memory Foam Floor/Gaming Chair
- 8. BestOffice Managerial And Executive Gaming Chair
- 9. Giantex High-Back Racing Gaming Chair
- 10. SEATZONE Racing Style Gaming Chair
- What to Look for When Buying A Gaming Chair
1. Furmax Office Chair
Best PC gaming chair under $100
- Seat Type: Office
- Weight: 35.06 pounds
- Capacity: 280 pounds
- Material: Leather
- Soft leather
- Excellent lumbar support
- Easy assembly has 5 pieces
- Hydraulic lift falls over time
- Fragile bottom paneling may crack
Don’t let the word “Office” in the title concern you; this is can easily double as a gaming chair. In fact, one of our favorite parts about it is how the fullers near the headrest give it a little edge, but the more traditional materials and color pallet help stop it from being as gaudy as most gamer-oriented designs.
The chair is made from soft leather, something that’s uncommon in this price range, but which adds a nice touch, and makes for a comfortable experience. This is assisted by the superb lumbar support. The padding does, however, seem to be the thinnest in the main seating area. So, while your back might not be achy after long gaming sessions, your ass very well might.
While we like the classic, all black leather design because of its subtlety, there are more traditional gamer colors. That being said, be careful when you are choosing different colors; some of the “colors” are actually slightly different versions of the chair. Namely, they have less padding for your head and thighs, less sloped armrests (which might be an improvement) and less intricate stitching, which makes it look a little more plain in our opinion.
The 5-star base has 360-degree swivel wheels, so you don't have to worry about it getting caught in things on the floor. Furthermore, the adjustable back seat has a wide range of motion, letting you put it far back for when you want to relax, or forward when you need to concentrate.
Assembly is also easy. The Furmax comes in 5 pieces and only requires a screwdriver to put together. The bottom paneling of the chair is a bit fragile though, so be careful putting in the screws so you don't accidentally crack the wood.
The chair’s armrests are adjustable, but they tend to come loose after a while. In addition, the chair’s height is adjustable, but if you’re sitting in the chair for a long time it may begin to sink, meaning you’ll have to readjust the height. This is probably one of the chair’s biggest downfalls (literally) as it can be rather annoying.
Nevertheless, this is definitely the best gaming chair under $100 in terms of performance (comfort?) per dollar.
2. Homall Gaming Chair
Budget racing chair
- Seat Type: Gaming
- Weight: 42.1 pounds
- Capacity: 300 pounds
- Material: PU leather
- Adjustable lumbar and head support
- 90-180-degree backseat swivel
- Good warranty and customer support
- Top heavy; might flip over if you lean too much
- PU leather can get smelly if not cleaned regularly
The Homall Gaming Chair has all the looks and functionality of a high-quality racing chair at a fraction of the price. Its quick assembly is relatively pain-free, and doesn’t require any heavy duty tools or prior experience.
This chair’s thick 1.8mm steel frame is covered by a high-density foam, making it comfortable and sturdy. The chair’s gas hydraulic lift is capable of withstanding up to 300 lbs.
In terms of adjustment, you can rotate the back seat from 90-degrees upright to a completely laid out 180-degrees. It’s also worth noting there are other colors of this chair, but they are slightly more expensive and do end up pushing it out of our target price range.
A couple of drawbacks though: First, the chair is pretty heavy and kind of bulky so it may not be a good option if you are tight on space. Second, the chair is a bit top-heavy, so it may tip if you lean too much. Lastly, the bolts on the frame will most likely require some regular tightening.
Luckily, this chair comes with a 1-year warranty for replacement parts in case you have any issues.
3. OFM Essentials Gaming Chair
Ergonomic gaming chair
- Seat Type: Gaming
- Weight: 38 pounds
- Capacity: 250 pounds
- Material: Sof Thread PU leather
- Small and light, doubles as a suitable office chair
- Retractable armrests
- Lifetime warranty
- Less adjustable
- Not as much back support
The OFM Essentials Racing Style Gaming Chair is a good option for a casual to moderate gamer who wants a gaming chair that can be used for work as well as play.
The OFM is lacking the adjustable lumbar support and headrest of the previously covered chairs, which is definitely one of its major drawbacks. This is at least somewhat compensated for with its thick padding, though.
The armrests are also retractable so you can get them out of your way when you’re not using them. This is one of our favorite features about the chair, besides how comfortable it is to sit in for extended periods of time.
The chair is rated for up to 250-pounds, and has an SGS certified hydraulic lift. Moreover, the OFM comes with a lifetime warranty so you never have to worry about not being able to replace it if it breaks.
4. Devoko Racing Style Gaming Chair
Devoko ergonomic gaming chair
- Seat Type: Gaming
- Weight: 45.5 pounds
- Capacity: 300 pounds
- Material: PU leather
- Adjustable/removable lumbar and neck support
- 90-180-degree adjustable backseat
- Wheel design avoids getting caught on carpets
- Non-adjustable armrests
- Seat bed is a bit narrow
The Devoko Racing Style Gaming Chair is a great entry level option for those who want to sit atop a gaming throne on a budget. This visually pleasing (yet affordable) gaming chair has a comfy, ergonomic design complete with two adjustable pillows for lumbar and neck support. You can even completely remove the supports if you are more comfortable without them.
The chair’s back can be adjusted anywhere from 90 to 180 degrees, so you could lay it down and take a nap or just relax while watching some Netflix. Unfortunately, the armrests are non-adjustable (you can leave them off when putting the chair together if you want, but we can’t promise that’d look good). Some users have reported that the screws for the armrests may come loose over time, but this is an issue we’ve seen arise with a lot of gaming chairs, honestly.
Lastly, the 30-inch back panel may be a bit short for taller gamers, and the seat is a bit narrow as well. You know what, if you’re a bigger person, you may want to look elsewhere– this chair is best suited for those of “average” height and weight.
5. XRocker Surge Gaming Chair
Best rocker gaming chair
- Seat Type: Rocker
- Weight: 36.16 pounds
- Capacity: N/A
- Material: PU leather and upholstery
- Built-in speakers and Bluetooth connectivity
- Small and portable
- Can’t adjust height (you’re on the floor)
- No armrests
The XRocker Surge is a bit different than the other gaming chairs covered so far. Instead of a wheel/hydraulic base, the XRocker sits directly on the floor. The sloped cushioning provides good back and neck support, and it is great for relaxing.
The real defining feature of the XRocker is its interactive audio features. The chair has built-in speakers near the headrest; you can even connect your phone via Bluetooth to play your favorite music while you’re gaming. RCA jacks allows you to connect non-Bluetooth devices as well, and there is a control panel on the side that allows you to adjust the volume-- and bass!-- without having to reach for your phone.
Since this chair sits directly on the ground, you can’t use it at a desk (unless your desk is really low to the ground, I guess). Rather, this chair is best for console gamers who like to kick back, relax, and game the night away in a comfortable, reclined position.
Though the chair is comfortable, it doesn’t have any adjustability features like other chairs on this list. Instead, the manufacturers went for a “one size fits all” approach. I found it to be quite comfortable, and I’m slightly above average height.
6. BestMassage High-back Racing Style Gaming Chair
Best racing chair on a budget
- Seat Type: Gaming
- Weight: 34 pounds
- Capacity: 250 pounds
- Material: PU leather
- Adjustable height switch
- Flip-up arms
- Mesh seating can be scratchy
- Screws and bolts tend to come loose over time
The BestMassage High-back racing style gaming chair is a good option for entry level gamers who want an affordable yet ergonomic gaming chair. Although it’s not the highest quality gaming chair on the market, the BestMassage still punches above its weight class in terms of price to performance.
The chair has an extra-wide seat that is comfortable to sit in, even if you’re a bit larger than most. Furthermore, the chair’s ergonomic back cushion keeps your back aligned properly, preventing any back pain or soreness that would otherwise come about after gaming for hours.
Better still, the back is adjustable, just short of a full 180 degrees. The armrests are adjustable as well, a very nice touch – however, they can only extend forward and backward, but not up and down. If you’re taller, or just have a really long, or maybe have an odd upper arm length, then this could be an issue; however, if that’s the case, be careful when looking for a chair: many lack appropriate arm adjustments.
The seat has plenty of padding, but the mesh covering can be a bit irritating on the skin (especially if you like to sit in it shirtless, like me… that’s a joke). The frame is also somewhat cheaply designed and will crack if you tighten the screws and bolts too hard.
Despite these flaws, the BestMassage is one of the best ergonomic gaming chairs you can get for the price. It even comes with a 1-year warranty and a 100% money back guarantee, something that other, more expensive chairs don’t offer.
Also, if you’re wondering what this chair has to do with massages-- in particular, the best massages-- the answer would be absolutely nothing. It does not come with your own personal masseuse.
7. BIRDROCK HOME Memory Foam Floor/Gaming Chair
Comfortable gaming chair
- Seat Type: Rocker
- Weight: 12.5 pounds
- Capacity: N/A
- Material: Memory foam and plush fabric
- Adjustable height switch
- Flip-up arms
- Mesh seating can be scratchy
- Screws and bolts tend to come loose over time
The Birdrock Home is a versatile chair perfect for those who want something for gaming, lounging, reading, napping, and more. This chair is best for casual gamers who want a comfortable place to sit, relax, and play their favorite games. It’s also a great place for your friends to sit when they come over as well.
Like the XRocker, the BIRDROCK sits directly on the floor and is easy to move around. However, it isn’t technically a rocker since it can’t rock. It also doesn’t have any audio connections, unlike most rockers.
Still, the soft memory foam padding feels like sitting on a cloud and changes shape to fit the contours of your body for extra support. The plush fabric is soft on the skin, but the fabric covering does not appear to be removable for washing. This is true of most gaming chairs, but since this one sits on the floor and is cloth instead of a synthetic leather, that’s kind of a bigger deal.
If you’re a competitive gamer who likes to play intense battle royale games a proper gaming chair is probably better for you. On the other hand, if you like to game at your own place, playing casual games or single player stories, this is the gaming chair for you.
The BIRDROCK backseat is adjustable into 14 different positions from slightly angled forward to all the way flat on the ground. The natural drawback of a floor seated chair is that it is not suited for use at a desk, but it is perfect for console gaming, watching movies, or reading.
8. BestOffice Managerial And Executive Gaming Chair
Cheap racing chair
- Seat Type: Gaming
- Weight: 25 pounds
- Capacity: 250 pounds
- Material: PU leather
- Adjustable footrest
- SGS certified hydraulic lift
- Footrest makes chair front heavy
- Non Adjustable armrests
This chair’s high-back racing design is sloped to mimic the natural curvature of the spine and neck while the thick cushions offer good support. Ergonomics is everything when it comes to buying a gaming chair, and this one does it well.
The adjustable footrest is an extremely nice touch and can be extended or shortened depending on leg length. When the leg rest is not in use, it flips up under the chair and out of the way. This retractable design can make it a bit difficult to reach the adjustment levers on the bottom, though you can remove the footrest when you’re not using it. Assembly is easy and takes about 15 minutes – the required tools are included.
The chair comes in multiple different colors, so you can choose a design that best suits your style and the rest of your gaming setup color scheme.
9. Giantex High-Back Racing Gaming Chair
Best budget racing chair
- Seat Type: Gaming
- Weight: 43 pounds
- Capacity: 264 pounds
- Material: PU leather
- Sloped armrests fit the curve of the arm
- Extra-large bucket seat design
- Plastic wheel caster break easily
- Small recline angle
This chair has a racing style design; interestingly, this gaming chair from Giantex is nearly identical to the first chair we detailed: the Furmax.
In terms of comfort, the chair’s back is segmented and designed to provide support to crucial areas of the spine, giving an overall feeling of luxury despite the chair’s low price tag. In addition, the chair has padded, rounded armrests that are meant to accommodate the natural curve of the arm.
Unfortunately, the backseat only has about 30-40 degrees of rotation so you can't exactly lounge back in this chair, but it offers enough lumbar support that you won't be uncomfortable sitting up for a while. The bucket seat has extra width and depth, not to mention its extra padding when compared to other chairs in this price range.
Of course, a chair at this price is going to have some drawbacks – in this case, some of the chair’s plastic fastenings are cheaply designed and can break if handled roughly. Specifically, the plastic casters on the wheels can snap off. If you handle the chair with care, they should be fine.
10. SEATZONE Racing Style Gaming Chair
Good racing style gaming chair
- Seat Type: Gaming
- Weight: 34.8 pounds
- Capacity: 250 pounds
- Material: PU leather and high-density foam
- Very affordable
- Thick padding on armrests
- Extra thick seat padding
- Armrests come loose over time
- Assembly is awkward
This chair’s ergonomic design gives support in key areas of the spine, and the armrests have a thick comfy padding, something that a lot of gaming chairs under $100 do not offer.
Further, the extra wide bucket seat is designed to minimize hip pain and can be somewhat therapeutic, especially if you are switching from a poorly designed chair.
The wheel casters are made out a strong nylon material, so they are resistant to chipping and breaking. The non-toxic PU leather feels soft on the skin and the high-density foam really molds to the shape of your back and hips. It’s important to note, however, that the armrests are non-adjustable, which may be a problem if you’re taller.
This chair only comes in this black and red design.There is another color option, but it’s actually a completely different chair. Notably, its armrests are smaller, but they can be lifted up when not in use.
Although the chair has plenty of padding on the armrests, I would have liked to see a bit more padding on the backrest. The overall shape and design of the chair is comfortable, but my back started to feel a bit stiff after a long gaming session. To be fair, I was sitting in the chair for more than seven hours straight...
What to Look for When Buying A Gaming Chair
Before you buy a gaming chair, there are a number of things to consider. Some are pretty basic, like budget (since you’re looking at our sub-$100 list instead of, say, our absolute best list, I’m going to assume you already have an idea about this point). But others are slightly more technical. Don’t worry though, these are just gaming chairs; there’s nothing too complex here.
Size & Weight
First thing’s first: You need to figure out how big of a chair you’ll need. This includes seat width and back height, as well as height from the ground. It’s frustrating to find a chair you like only to realize it is too tall for your feet to reach the ground or so short your legs feel cramped.
Most gaming chairs out there have around a 4-5” adjustable vertical height so take that into consideration before you buy. As for weight, it is pretty straightforward.
Ergonomics
The next thing you should ask is how adjustable you want the chair to be. If you’re planning on using the chair for several hour-long gaming sessions then you probably want something that is extremely adjustable so you can make fine-tuned changes while playing.
This aspect is doubly important if you also plan to use it as an office chair. In general, the more bells and whistles the chair has, the more expensive it will be. However, if you just need something for casual gaming or a nice computer chair, you can go with something simpler. Additionally, the lack of moving parts in less adjustable chairs means they are less likely to break.
Style: Gaming or Office
In general, there are 2 major styles of chairs: gaming and office style chairs. (Rockers exist too, but are so different that you already know how you feel about them). Gaming chairs often have bucket seats and more elaborate designs. Some also differentiate gaming chairs from racing chairs, but they are very similar so we’ve lumped them together.
Office chairs often don’t have the same types of features, like a footrest, neck and back support, or certain rarer novelties, but they’re also usually less gaudy. That being said, it’s easy to generalize. Some office chairs have started to blend across the lines with gaming chairs since there is a niche market for one chair that can look professional while also being used for gaming.
Quality
Your chair doesn’t have to be plated in gold and made from indestructible titanium, but it is a good idea to buy something made of quality materials that will last.
In terms of materials, you should probably go with either mesh or leather. Keep in mind, however, that on a budget like this, you won’t be able to find a chair with genuine leather – instead, most gaming chairs at this price point have PU leather, which is still comfortable, durable, and good-looking.
Leather chairs tend to hold in heat more than mesh chairs, so if you are the type of person to sweat easily, or you just get really hot while gaming, you should purchase a mesh gaming chair. It doesn’t retain heat as well and provides better airflow.
Make sure the mesh isn’t too thin, though, or it might break after prolonged use. You want to make sure your gaming chair can withstand the test of time, even on a budget like this. On the other hand, if you are always getting cold, a leather chair is a better choice.
Ultimately, you’ll want to make sure to look at product reviews before purchasing, especially if it’s a budget chair. Often budget chairs may use quality materials, but they may not be reinforced, or they might be inferior versions, etc. It’s also always worth verifying and understanding the manufacturer’s warranty.