The best gaming chairs are supremely comfortable, but lets be honesttheres only so much money in anyones budget for a gaming throne. While theres we all crave ergonomic racing chairs made of the finest Italian leather or a swanky Herman Miller chair that’s adjustable in 27 different ways, you shouldn’t have to sell family heirlooms just to afford a decent gaming chair.Truth is, there are all kinds of excellent gaming chairs out there for about $100 or less, and thats what this handy list is all about. Spend the extra dough on what really matters: games or hardware.Budget Gaming Chair Deals (Updated 5/7/20)
The best cheap gaming chairs share one thing in common: they’re cheap, but beyond that styles fluctuate wildly. There are traditional racing-style gaming chairs, beanbag chairs for console gaming, and even office chairs if you want something more conservative. Now, technically any chair can be a “gaming chair” if you’re using it right, but these cheap gaming chairs are comfortable, affordable, and attractive. Also, I want to be clear that in this case cheap equals “affordable,” not poorly made, necessarily.
TL;DR These are the Best Budget Gaming Chairs:
1. GTRacing Pro Series Gaming Chair
Best Budget Gaming Chair
Seat Width: 16″ Seat Depth: 22.8″ Backrest Length: 32.5″ Backrest Width: 21.5″ Tilt: 90-170° Ergonomics: adjustable armrests, lumbar pillow, neck pillow Max Load: 300 lbs
Theres a ridiculous amount of racing chairs out there for gamers to choose from, and some of them cost more than a high-end GPU. But the GTRacing Gaming Chair borrows its looks from some of its more expensive competitors at a much more affordable $130 price.The GTRacing Gaming Chair also features a full array of adjustable ergonomics including an adjustable neck pillow, lumbar support, and armrests. It’s available in seven color combinations, and some of them even have some trim on the casters too, which looks pretty slick.
2. OFM Essentials Racing Chair
Best Ultra Cheap Gaming Chair
Seat Height: 17-20.25″ Seat Width: 20″ Seat Depth: 19″ Backrest Length: 29.5″ Backrest Width: 19.75″ Max Load: 250 lbs
If the GTRacing chair isnt your thing, dont worrythis chair from OFM is another great option and is also affordable. The seat itself is covered in black leather with some tasteful color accents constructed from mesh fabric. This helps the chair stay cool and the mesh lets the chair to breathe a bit during long gaming sessions.I also really appreciate the flip-up armrestsstrangely missing from several chairs at this price pointso you can get them out of the way if you need to scoot closer to your desk. It’s even offered in four popular colors to match (or contrast with) your gaming setup, and it’s shown here with Nvidia green (or is it lime?).
3. Devoko Ergonomic Gaming Chair
Best Budget Racing-Style Gaming Chair
Seat Height: 16.1-20″ Seat Width: 20.5″ Seat Depth: 19.8″ Backrest Length: 30.5″ Backrest Width: 19.8″ Tilt: 90-180° Ergonomics: lumbar pillow, neck pillow Max Load: 300 lbs
You really don’t need to spend a fortune to get a chair that looks like a bucket seat ripped right out of a race car. The Devoko Ergonomic Gaming Chair looks the part of a high-end gaming chair but it only costs $99. While it is cheap, this chair feels comfortable and it’s built on a sturdy frame designed to hold up well against long gaming sessions.You also get most of the usual customizable ergonomics with a movable lumbar and neck pillow. the only thing we find lack on this chair is the lack of padding or adjustability on the armrests. For how little this chair costs, we’re willing to look past this Devoko Ergonomic Gaming Chair’s few shortcomings.
4. AKRacing Core Series EX
Best Budget Fabric Gaming Chair
Seat Height: 13.4-16.7″ Seat Width: 14.9″ Seat Depth: 19.6″ Backrest Length: 32.6″ Backrest Width: 21.2″ Tilt: 90-180° Ergonomics: adjustable armrests, lumbar pillow, neck pillow Max Load: 330 lbs
Leather gaming chairs are pretty popular, but if you’re looking for something a little bit softer, nothing beats a fabric gaming chair like AKRacing Core Series EX. Pairing high-quality, breathable fabric upholstery with the cold-cured foam padding, this chair will feel as comfy as your sofa.This EX model also gives you an extra-wide seat and backrest, so it is great for big and tall gamers or generally those who like to lean back while gaming. You also get a comfy headrest with the included neck pillow and adjustable lumbar pillow adds some much needed ergonomic support.
5. Respawn-200 Gaming Chair
Best Budget Mesh Gaming Chair
Seat Height: 18.75-22.25″ Seat Width: 20″ Seat Depth: 17.5″ Tilt: 90-130° Ergonomics: adjustable armrests, adjustable lumbar support, neck pillow Max Load: 275 lbs
If a mesh gaming chair sounds appealing to you, but you’re looking for something with more of that racing aesthetic, the Respawn 200 should be the obvious choice. It’s a little pricier at $138, but this gaming chair offers more adjustability with a neck pillow and integrated lumbar support.Almost the entire back of the Respawn 200 is made of mesh with a leather bucket seat underneath, so you get both solid support and breathable comfort.
6. X Rocker 2.1 Wireless Gaming Chair Rocker
Best Cheap Chair For TV Gaming
Seat Height: 11.8″ Seat Width: 21.1″ Ergonomics: lumber and neck support Max Load: 275 lbs
Not all gaming chairs are for PC gamers. If you want to game in front of your TV with your favorite console (or even use a lapboard for living room PC gaming) the Ace Bayou X Rocker pedestal chair is a great option. This connected chair features Bluetooth 2.1, and audio is delivered through its two speakers and integrated subwoofer.If you don’t want to feel a rumble on your rump you can plug in a headset (or charge your controllers) via the side ports. Of note: youll want to grab an optical to RCA adapter if youre using a PS4 Slim or PS4 Pro with this chair. Also, this model goes a bit over the $100 price point threshold, but its still considerably cheaper than similar models, less than $200 isn’t that much to pay for such a loaded gaming throne.
7. Big Joe Roma Chair
Best Cheap Beanbag Chair
Seat Width: 26″ Backrest Length: 26″ Backrest Width: 26″ Ergonomics: Megahh beans
The Big Joe Roma is a bean bag chair that’s grown up a bit to provide better comfort and support. You’ll be able to lean back and lounge while you’re gaming in this heavily stuffed seat.At over two feet wide, the Roma should comfortably seat most. With such a low price, you can grab a set of them to surround your living room gaming setup. Over a half-dozen color options will let you pick a seat that fits your style, too.
8. Homall High-Back Racing Chair
Best Budget Big and Tall Gaming Chair
Seat Height: 17.3-21.5″ Seat Width: 14.5″ Seat Depth: 20.8″ Backrest Length: 30.5″ Backrest Width: 22.5″ Tilt: 90-150° Ergonomics: adjustable armrests, lumbar pillow, neck pillow Max Load: 300 lbs
The Homall High-Back Racing Chair isn’t just a great deal at its price, but it’s also a champ for big and tall users. With its max load of 300 pounds, it can accommodate even heavy gamers.The seat is on the narrower side at 14.5 inches, but it has a tall back, so it’s ready to fit taller gamers. Adjustable armrests and moveable pillows for your neck and lumbar will all help you find a comfortable fit. If you’re looking for a big and tall gaming chair on a budget, this is the one.
9. Respawn RSP-800
Best Budget Rocking Gaming Chair
Seat Height: 15.75″ Seat Width: 19.29″ Tilt: 90-118° Ergonomics: built-in lumbar support, extra head and neck cushioning, flip-up armrests Max Load: 275 lbs
If you don’t need all the bells and whistles of a rolling, deep-reclining, pillow-loaded, gaming chair, then the Respawn RSP-800 offers a solid but simple alternative. This rocker has a stationary base to keep you rooted in one spot, but it has a full, 360-degree swivel. This is more ideal for gaming in front of a TV than at a desk.Of course, rocking is the name of the game, and the Respawn RSP-800 has a 28-degree range of motion, so you get your rock on. You can adjust the tilt tension as well to tune the rocking to your liking. There are plenty of comfort features as well. The chair has armrests when you want them, and they can flip out of the way when you don’t. Built-in lumbar support can help keep your back cozy while extra padding around the neck and head let you really sink in.
What to look for in a Budget Gaming Chair
Buying affordable furniture is a tricky thing, but you can trust us that all the chairs above aren’t lemons. But if you rather find an affordable gaming chair on your own, here’s a few things you should look out for.Starting at the base you want a strong foundation for your gaming chair. At this price point most if not all gaming chairs are going to have a base made of plastic, but that’s fine as long as you double-check the thickness of the material for sturdiness.
The next thing you’ll want to look at is the padding and once again, thickness wins here. There’s nothing worse than sitting on a thin cushion and it’s going to make you sore in the long run. Upholstery is another thing you’ll want to check for quality. if it looks like a cheap pleather chair upon first inspection, chances are it is and it’s going to start cracking and peel on you after just a few months (or even weeks) of usage.
Kevin Lee is IGN’s Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspamMark Knapp is a regular contributor to IGN and an irregular Tweeter on Twitter @Techn0Mark
