Best Gaming Chair under $100 in 2023
While many want to save money and put it all into their machine, a good gaming chair is more important than you may think. But what are the best gaming chair under $100? Are there even any out there?
Yes. And sure, you could use a dining room or other chair. You already own it, so need to go out and buy something new. However, while it may be comfortable for 20-30 minutes during dinner, after sitting in one for hours on end you’ll soon change your mind.
Gaming chairs 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.
Products at a Glance
How we picked the best gaming chair under $100
The key here is clearly budget, so we’ve picked chairs that fit, but couldn’t select just anything. We’ve gone for primarily pedestal chairs.
And yes, there are features to consider at the price. Softer materials, adjustable lumbar support, built-in speakers (yep!). Features like padded armrests and neck pillows also go a long way. We’ve even considered assembly and aesthetics too. Plus weight capacity – although if you’re on the heavier side, check out our specialized guide to chairs for bigger guys.
Just because you have a more modest budget, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be picking carefully. There are a lot of budget gaming chairs about – you don’t have to sacrifice good posture. We’ve got five to consider, and hopefully one of our best cheap gaming chairs under $100 is for you.
Product Reviews
- Soft leather
- Excellent lumbar support
- Easy assembly has 5 pieces
- Hydraulic lift falls over time
- Fragile bottom paneling may crack
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.
- 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.
Our decision? The best gaming chair under $100 for those who like adjustability.
- Very cheap
- Best seller on Amazon
- Ergonomic design
- Not very well known brand
- Small
The interestingly named PLAY HAHA chair is a top seller on Amazon, and with its low price it is easy to see why. We love the affordability and value for money of this chair, and it comes in a range of fun colors.
This seat boasts an ergonomic design and a range of adjustable features. A thick spongy base provides comfort for long gaming sessions or office work. Plus, net cloth and PU leather give it a smooth, skin-friendly feel.
The low price means this chair probably won’t last you forever, but if you’re after a decent gaming chair which really won’t stretch your wallet, this one’s a good bet.
- 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 option is best suited for those of “average” height and weight. But it’s still one of the best gaming chairs under $100.
- 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, so this sneaks into our best gaming chair under $100 list.
Best gaming chair under $100 – considerations
Before you buy any 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.
Price
Vitally important of course. You may want to spend a little more on a new purchase, but you don’t have an infinite budget.
This best gaming chair under $100 guide is proof you don’t need one either. If you want to look at a little bit of a higher range, check out our best gaming chairs under $200 article.
FAQ
How much does the cheapest gaming chair cost?
You can pick up gaming chairs for under $100, and even under $200. Of course, you can spend much more if you want, but there are plenty of options available for smaller budgets than many may think.
A key consideration is that these will not usually be premium models, and may use less durable materials. But, if you look after them, and don’t use your chair all day, every day, then they can last a fair amount of time.
Which chair is best for gaming?
This comes down to personal preference, as well as your frame, weight, and requirement for adjustable height, arms, and back positioning.
Essentially, there is no one best chair for gaming, as long as you are comfortable, supported, and – if you’re buying a new one – are happy with the budget you have to spend. However, more expensive chairs will tend to offer more comfort, durability, and reliable features.
Our Verdict
Our best gaming chair under $100? The Furmax.
It’s easy to assemble, offers good adjustability options, as well as soft, comfortable leather, and lumbar support, and is the best all-around package.
It has got a couple of foibles, and it’s worth taking care of it. But for the price, we’re convinced this is the top pick here.
For another option concerned with adjustable considerations, check out the Homall. But we also think the OFM Essential racing chair is a solid option….and not just for racing.