The best budget office chairs are an affordable answer to the stratospheric prices you often see attached to high-end models. While the more expensive options do generally provide an unbelievable level of comfort and will keep your back from turning into a question mark, there are chairs out there that can do almost the same without emptying your bank account. We've rounded up here some great chairs that won't leave you with an empty wallet.
Hard to beat
FlexiSpot is making a name for itself offering quality office products at an affordable price. Its OC3B ergonomic chair has breathable mesh on the back as well as adjustable lumbar support, an adjustable mesh headrest, adjustable armrests, and locking tilt positions to get an optimal angle. If you appreciate a chair that supports your entire back and remains cool all year, this is certainly one to check out.
High headrest
IKEA's Markus chair is tall, perfect for those of us with a height advantage, and a pneumatic lift and tilt function lets you get an ideal position. A padded headrest is comfy when leaning back, and built-in lumbar support keeps your spine at attention. A mesh backrest helps deal with airflow during hot summer days.
Standard height
This mid-back mesh chair has a pneumatic lift for perfect height adjustment, and there's a controllable tilt function that can be set to any tension. The mesh backing has lumbar support and won't leave you sweaty on a hot day, and the thick padding on the seat won't hurt your behind.
A different posture
Sitting for long periods is not great for posture, which is where the kneeling chair comes into play. You still rest your rear on a well-padded seat, but there's a second padded platform on which your knees rest. The angle keeps you from hunching over, and it's all adjustable for an ideal fit. Note that there is a maximum 250-pound weight limit.
Bonded leather
Available in brown or black bonded leather options, this Westcliffe manager's chair from Staples will fit right in with an executive's decor. There's plenty of padding on the seat and back, and contoured lumbar support keeps your back from aching if you sit for long periods.
Truly budget
It might not be the most comfortable option on the list, but this Steno chair from Boss is genuinely cheap. It has a padded bottom and back, a handle to adjust the height, and it rests on five casters with a weight limit of up to about 150 pounds. If you need a cheap chair for basic purposes, this is it.
For standing desks
If you often work at a standing or drafting desk, swapping between chairs or adjusting desk height can be a pain. Modway's Attainment is tall enough to work with high desks, and its fold-up arms make it easy to get in close to the action. It rests on five sturdy casters, a footrest ring keeps your legs from dangling, and ergonomic seat design offers lumbar support and ample padding.
If we're making some suggestions
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All of the above options can be had for a price that won't come close to the best high-end office chairs, but if we're making some recommendations, have a look at the FlexiSpot OC3B or the IKEA Markus. They both cost far less than many of the top premium office chairs, yet they still offer excellent back support and a quality build.
The OC3B might be the better choice if you prefer something more modern looking, complete with full mesh support, lumbar adjustments, adjustable armrests, and a headrest. On the other hand, the IKEA Markus is proven to be a long-lasting, affordable chair with lumbar support, a mesh back, a headrest, and lots of padding where it counts the most. The arms are removable for a bit of versatility, and you can adjust for height and tilt to get a comfy position.
