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The couch, or maybe a beanbag chair may seem like the most economical seating solution for hardcore gaming, but once you get up from a properly designed gaming chair after a marathon session, your body will immediately feel the difference. The best gaming chairs were made with ergonomics in mind to properly align your spine, keep your head and neck supported, and ensure that you’re uniformly comfortable throughout your gaming session.
While some of the best office chairs on the market can go for over $1,000 due to their premium ergonomic designs and high-end components, there are some first-rate deals out there for thrifty gamers searching for a quality gaming chair. Although they aren’t as feature-packed as those offered by pricier brands such as Secretlab, you can easily find a gaming chair with a body-cradling ergonomic form, a steep recline, and a durable design for far less.
With so many budget gaming chairs available online, though, it’s very easy to accidentally buy a clunker while trying to spend less. Save yourself the trouble, frustration, and money with this list of the best budget-friendly options of the year. I’ve rounded up several less expensive models to help you find the best fit for your gaming space—read on for the best budget gaming chairs of 2024. (Be sure to check out our picks for the best gaming headsets, too!)
The Cougar Armor One’s head and lumbar support pillows, highly adjustable armrests, and an exceptional reclining level of 180º provide more ergonomic support than other gaming chairs at this low price. While I particularly like the range of attractive color options and airy PVC leather fabric, the ability to lie back and take a nap in my gaming chair gives the Armor One a comfortable edge over the competition.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive gaming chair that easily adapts to your posture, the Cougar Armor One is your best bet.
Yes, Douxlife is an obscure gaming chair brand, but with its maximum weight limit of 400 pounds, extremely rugged construction, and especially high back, this golden seat is a steal for heavier and taller gamers looking for a deal. It’s also a top pick for anyone who needs a chair made to endure for years to come, thanks to its heavy-duty steel frame, reinforced polyester leather, and other metal components.
Finding a gaming chair that effortlessly and comfortably seats heavier and taller video game players on a budget isn’t easy, but this obscure pick is sturdier, taller, and cozier than you’d expect at this low price point.
Although ergonomic gaming chairs made to keep your spine properly aligned throughout your marathon gaming session tend to be pricey, the Nouhaus Wave bucks that trend with its signature supportive, wave-shaped back. Not only does this chair effectively relieve back pressure with its cozy frameless back and airy mesh fabric, but the Wave is also a standout because of its convenient flip-up arms for those times when you don’t need them, and its extra soft, wide, and accommodating foam seat.
Sleek, stylish, and fairly priced, the Nouhaus Wave delivers a level of spine-aligning support rarely seen in an office chair at this price.
There are plenty of comfortable yet affordable gaming chairs, but the ability to push back with your legs to instantly recline your chair is much more convenient than fumbling for a lever when you want to relax. Its handy and comfy reclining feature defines the Respawn Flexx, but its cool mesh back, highly adjustable ergonomic head support, and an array of slick color options give this budget-friendly gaming chair so much additional value.
Between its handy “Synchro Tilt Recline” option and range of adjustable features, the Respawn Flexx is a must-have cozy chair for budget-friendly gaming.
While some inexpensive chair designers cut corners by selling models with flimsy fabrics that won’t last long before they fray, warp, or tear, GTRACING’s durable yet extra-plush gaming chairs were designed for longevity and comfort. The cuddly quilted fabric is top-notch, but the convenience of its retractable footrest is easily its best feature, alongside its all-around design.
Unlike many other budget-friendly gaming chairs, the GTRACING Footrest Series LR002’s ultra-soft quilted fabric was clearly designed to last.
If you live in a warmer climate, it’s hard to beat the breezy feel of a mesh-backed gaming chair, and since the X-Project offers many of its components separately, you can get a deal on a streamlined, yet comfortable model. In addition to its airy mesh back, this chair stands out for its range of height adjustment options to accommodate taller gamers, as well as its especially durable metal frame.
Between its dependably light and airy feel, and its array of optional accessories, the X-Project is hands-down the best mesh gaming chair you can buy for less.
If this selection of traditionally styled office chairs isn’t grabbing your attention, the Torque RGB 2.1’s bright LED lighting, crisp speakers, and slick pedestal style is an excellent alternative pick. Pairing an audio device to the chair via Bluetooth is a snap, its lights are surprisingly customizable, with 30 different color options to choose from, and its thick foam padding is reliably cozy. Looks aside, the powerful surround sound of your games being pumped in through your chair is certainly worth the price of admission.
Anyone looking for the centerpiece of their gaming room will appreciate the powerful surround sound and vibrant RGB lighting of this unique chair.
This budget-friendly offering from Corsair may not be as flashy as some of the other gaming chairs on this list, but its wide, plush seat, durable construction, and pair of breathable soft fabrics gives the TC100 Relaxed a cozy premium feel absent from most chairs in this price range. I also appreciate the TC100 Relaxed’s steep recline, adjustable components, and how easy it is to move its dual support pillows where you need them the most.
It’s rare to find a gaming chair this affordable that’s also this cozy, well-made, and stylish, but Corsair excels on all three fronts with this inexpensive seat.
The most important aspect of any gaming chair is how effectively it will keep your body comfortable and supported for hours on end, while you blast the competition and climb the leaderboards. Keep an eye out for gaming chairs that include multiple adjustable components for the perfect level of comfort for your body (height, armrests, reclining, tilt option, etc.), dedicated lumbar support, a headrest, and extra seat cushioning, on their feature lists.
You can find a rock-solid gaming chair for as low as $150 if you know where to look, but if you want a great, yet fairly-priced model, expect to pay between $200 and $300. If you can splurge a little, the gaming chairs in the high $300 range are generally worth the extra investment for the additional ergonomic designs, adjustability features, and overall durability.
Even a relatively inexpensive gaming chair should be made to endure for a few years at the very least. Some signs that a chair was designed with longevity in mind include a rugged steel or aluminum body, a sturdier material such as leather, reinforced quilted fabric, or faux leather, and an extra-long warranty that lasts over a year, just in case something does go wrong.
Although this is the least important aspect to mull over, it’s worth going out of your way to find a gaming chair that appeals to your aesthetics, since you’re going to keep it in your personal space for a while. The good news is that inexpensive gaming chairs are offered in countless eye-catching fabrics and colors, so take your time and find something that matches your one-of-a-kind taste.
As well as thorough research and deep dives into customer reviews from verified owners, I also relied on my own lengthy experience with gaming chairs to select the best affordable models on the market today. I considered each chair’s ergonomic design, features, styles offered, durability, overall value, and cost.
Some people get into a “gaming chair vs office chair” mindset when they first start furniture shopping, but since many office chairs are ergonomically designed for excellent lumbar, spinal, and neck support while comfortably cradling your body as you work at a desk for hours at a time, they are often some of the best, yet tragically overlooked, gaming chairs available.
Although the average budget-friendly gaming chair is about $250, some extra-affordable options are available for around $150, and if you’re looking for a little more from a cheaper model, there are plenty of above-average gaming chairs around the $300 price point.
Secretlab’s wide collection of gaming chairs has become a smash hit with video game enthusiasts since the company launched in 2014. While there are many quality gaming chairs on the market, Secretlab stood out from the pack by incorporating highly adjustable height, tilt mechanisms, arms rests, headrests, a wide reclining angle, and depth-adjustable lumbar support, so the chair is easily tuned to give your body premium ergonomic support whether you’re sitting upright, reclining, and anything in between.
Other highlights of Secretlab gaming chairs include their dependably durable designs, how easily they accommodate taller and heavier gamers, and their huge collection of cool video game-inspired editions (Fortnite, Overwatch, Monster Hunter, etc.) and vibrant color schemes. Although Secretlab’s range of chairs is highly acclaimed, they aren’t considered budget-friendly, since most are priced at over $500.
Thrifty buyers who want a good deal on a Secretlab chair shouldn’t be discouraged, since the brand features frequent sales throughout the year, such as Black Friday and the weeks leading up to Christmas.
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