Adam holds a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Linguistics, and creative writing has always been his greatest passion. For more than 25 years he's been working for several well-known automobile and travel magazines as an editor and expert consultant, but when Adam started his writing path here, at WisePick, it turned out that he's capable of writing practically anything about everything.
Initially being an engineering specialist, Tom has never stopped learning and acquiring other knowledge and skills. Now he’s involved in technical support for a well-known household appliances manufacturer, so no wonder he knows everything about almost everything you buy for your home.
Last updated: August 22, 2021
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You spend a large part of your day sitting, so shouldn’t you sit in comfort? Office chairs are everywhere but they vary greatly in terms of comfort, style, and price. If you’re ready to find the best office chair under 300 dollars, then this list will help you.
We’ve scoured the market and have found office chairs that excel in their capacity, upholstery, and ergonomic properties. We’ll walk you through all the features that matter the most when you’re looking for the perfect place for you to rest and work. Whether you want an office chair that matches your décor, one that can accommodate larger backsides, or one that provides much needed lumbar support, we’ll help you find exactly what you’re looking for. If you plan on sitting during most of the day, make sure you’re feeling comfortable the whole time.
This rolling office chair is a sure hit. It has all the features you’re looking for and definitely won’t disappoint.
To begin with, the HON HVST141 offers terrific lumbar support. There is an adjustable support area that can be moved to target exactly where you need it to go. This is great if you’re on the shorter or taller side as more traditional, stationary supports don’t often work.
The chair has a five-point base with smooth rolling caster wheels. If you’re someone who likes to move around while they work, or someone who needs to glide to the other side of their office, these wheels offer a smooth roll.
The back of the HON HVST141 has a mesh construction. If you’ve ever had to peel yourself out of your office chair on a hot summer day, you’ll know how important a mesh backing is. Furthermore, if you plan on using your office chair for long hours, either working or gaming, the mesh back will keep you cool the whole day.
Another ergonomic aspect of the HON HVST141 lies within the armrests which are adjustable. Again, if you’re taller or shorter, this feature will help you stay comfortable.
The final plus of this amazing office chair is the 400-pound weight capacity. No matter what size you are, this office chair is built to last. It is durable and perfect for anyone, no matter what size you are.
There are two main types of office chairs and if you’re not a fan of mesh fabric, then leather is the way to go. The Bush Business Furniture Office Chair is the best non-mesh office chair under 300 dollars that you can find. Its PU leather is soft but stable, meaning you will be supported and comfortable. It can also hold a weight of up to 275 pounds, which means most people will be able to use this chair.
The Bush Business Furniture Office Chair has armrests that are ergonomically curved and have padded leather on the top. You can rest your arms and feel comfortable while working. There are also many adjustable features with this office chair. The height can be moved between 42.9 inches and 46.9 inches. You can also recline at an angle as well as set it in a tilt lock for more convenience.
The back of the Bush Business Furniture Office Chair is curved in such a way that you receive great lumbar support. Furthermore, the five-point base of the chair lets you glide wherever you need to go.
By far one of the nicest features of the Bush Business Furniture Office Chair is its customization. You can purchase the chair with black leather and chrome accents, or you can choose brown, grey, cherry red, and even white leather. These choices mean you’ll have an eye-catching leather chair no matter what the décor is in your office.
It can be hard sitting at a desk all day long. You might do your best to fidget or take breaks, but the best way to take care of yourself is to find an ergonomic place to sit in. The Sihoo Ergonomic Office Chair is our pick for best ergonomic office chair under 300 dollars. It is expertly designed so that all parts of your body are supported. You can sit comfortably and have the ability to focus on the tasks at hand.
The Sihoo Ergonomic Office Chair has a great mesh backing that keeps your dry all day long. For those that work in warm climates, or even those who are prone to sweat, mesh helps keep the air flowing for a much more comfortable setting.
At the top of the Sihoo Ergonomic Office Chair, you can find a mesh headrest. It is adjustable depending on how you like to move your neck.
The armrests can be adjusted in a full 3D motion. Furthermore, you can recline the back part of the chair from 90 to 120 degrees. All this adds up to a chair that wants to take care of you. In fact, it is recommended by the Ergonomics Application Association.
At the bottom of the chair, you’ll find an aluminium base and five spokes that support the wheels. You can glide smoothly and silently with these casters.
The only issue could be with the seat, which has a mesh top and might be a bit irritating against the skin.
Yes, you can have an ergonomic chair with an incredible weight capacity, and still have it look like a sleek, no-nonsense integral part of your office.
We’ve named the Space Seating Ergonomic Char our most no-nonsense office chair because it works well without having a lot of extra pieces that some can find distracting. There isn’t a headrest and the chair is made from mesh fabric instead of plush leather. If you’re someone who works best without a lot of distractions, then this is a definite hit.
The Space Seating Ergonomic Chair has an incredible 400-pound weight capacity which means it can accommodate individuals of all sizes. Its arms have some padding and can be adjusted in two directions.
As for the backrest, it is adjustable and has extra lumbar support to keep you sitting upright all day long. The mesh fabric provides a cool environment so you can relax and not feel sweaty, no matter how hot it is outside.
Furthermore, the seat of the Space Seating Ergonomic Chair is quite comfortable as it has extra padding with a breathable mesh fabric on top.
The one downside to the Space Seating Ergonomic Chair is that it is quite a tall chair. In fact, many people have reported replacing the caster wheels to shorten the height and make it more comfortable to sit in. If you have a lower desk, you will want to keep this in mind.
For those needing a bit of extra support in the back area, the OFM Essentials Leather Chair was made for you. This chair comes from the aptly named Big and Tall Collection. It has a weight capacity of 350 pounds which is perfect for just about anyone.
The construction of this office chair allows for this weight capacity as it has five sturdy metal spokes on its base to evenly distribute weight. The seat is wider and deeper than normal, meaning you won’t ever have to squeeze into it.
As for the padding, you won’t find an office chair more comfortable than the OFM Essentials Leather Chair. It has ultra-plush cushioning both on the seat of the chair and the back of it. You can literally sit back and feel completely supported, which is perfect if you have to spend long hours sitting.
The arms also have ample padding, so you can keep your arms elevated and comfortable as you type away.
While the OFM Essentials Leather Chair has a lot of comfort features, it also has a lot of flexibility. It includes a center-tilt option which allows you to recline the seat while still maintaining optimal support.
Perhaps the only downside to the OFM Essentials Leather Chair is with its lumbar support. Because there is so much padding that works to cradle around the body, there isn’t a lot of support for the lower back. If you suffer from lower back issues, you may need to invest in a separate lumbar cushion.
With a weight capacity of 400 pounds, the Flash Furniture Hercules Office Chair really earns its name. Indeed, even Hercules himself would feel right at home in this extremely comfortable chair.
Made from soft PU leather, the Flash Furniture Hercules Office Chair is meant to cradle your body so you can focus on the task at hand and not any body aches or joint pains.
The Flash Furniture Hercules Office Chair has built-in lumbar support, which will help with posture while taking pressure off your lower back. Its base has five metal spokes with easy-gliding wheels so you can easily maneuver yourself around the office.
As for adjustability, you can easily adjust the height of the chair. Furthermore, you can adjust the tilt tension, to determine how much force you need to recline the chair by yourself.
One really nice feature of the Flash Furniture Hercules Office Chair is that it has a waterfall seat. This means that instead of a harsh edge at the front of the seat, which can prove to be quite uncomfortable, the seat instead has a soft roundness to it. This removes pressure from your lower legs and actually improves circulation.
Unfortunately, the Flash Furniture Hercules Office Chair does not have a head rest. If you’re a taller person, the absence of a head rest can prove to be uncomfortable. If you suffer from neck issues, this may not be the right chair for you.
While all of the office chairs reviewed here come in at under 300 dollars, the SMUGDESK Mesh Executive Chair is even more of a deal. Its low cost and great features make it an excellent purchase.
The SMUGDESK Mesh Executive Chair is all about breathable comfort. The back is made from mesh and so is the adjustable headrest. Many office chairs forget about the importance of a head rest, which can be annoying and uncomfortable for anyone wanting to lean back for a bit. This headrest can be adjusted for your height preferences and the sturdy mesh fabric means you’ll never feel sweaty, even in hot summer months.
Other ergonomic features include lumbar support so you never have to worry about back pain. Furthermore, the armrests are completely adjustable. They have 3D movement and are even padded. Keeping your arms supported and at the right level is key to keep you comfortable as you sit and work all day long.
One of the really nice benefits of the SMUGDESK Mesh Executive Chair is that it comes with a one-year free replacement guarantee as well as a 30-day money back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied or anything goes wrong, their excellent customer service can help you find a solution.
While the chair’s height can be adjusted, it does unfortunately shift around during the day. You can expect that the chair will slowly lose its height so that you’re sitting lower during the day. Thankfully, a quick adjustment or two in the middle of the day can quickly bring the chair back to where you want it to be.
What makes it stand out?
Excellent customer service
Great satisfaction guarantees
Includes a headrest
Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?
Height can slip throughout the day
Things to Consider
With the diverse products on the market, there’s no reason not to find the perfect office chair under 300 dollars. If you’ve narrowed down your search, but still aren’t sure about the final outcome, this information will help.
Features to consider when choosing an office chair
There are many features to consider when it comes to finding the right office chair. Whether it’s the dimensions, the material, or the weight capacity, these are the features you’ll want to use to compare your choices.
Upholstery material
There are two main types of material that office chairs are made from: leather and mesh. Leather is soft and comfortable and usually covers extra padding on the chair. If you want a really comfortable experience, especially if you sit at your desk for long periods of time, leather is a really good option.
The one downside with leather is that it can cause you to overheat. Furthermore, if you are wearing shorts or a skit, the backs of your legs can stick to the leather, making it a bit uncomfortable.
Mesh is another common material used with office chairs. Mesh office chairs won’t have padding on the back but it will cover a cushion on the seat. The biggest benefit of mesh office chairs is that they are extremely breathable. Because air can flow between you and the back of the chair, you won’t overheat and you definitely won’t become sweaty. If this is an issue, especially if you work all day in a warm climate, then mesh is the winner.
If you do choose mesh, just note that it won’t be as padded and therefore might not be as comfortable. While mesh office chairs are built in an ergonomic way, they are definitely not as soft as leather.
Weight capacity
When looking at weight capacity for office chairs, always find a product with a greater weight than you are. And, if possible, add give yourself as much extra room as possible. While office chairs are rigorously tested for their weight capacity, there may be some internal defects. So, if you weight 240 pounds, go for a weight capacity of 300 pounds instead of just 250.
Nobody wants to squeeze into a chair and be uncomfortable all day long. Instead, you want an office chair that accommodates your size, whatever that may be.
To begin with, let’s look at the backrest. You might think that if you’re shorter, the size doesn’t really matter. However, if you are short and sit in a very tall chair, a lot of the ergonomic aspects are lost. Also remember that office chairs have backrests that can be altered, so you can shift the backrest up if you are taller.
As for seat dimensions, this is especially important if you have a larger waist. Most seats measure around 20 by 20 inches. However, if you have a chair that has movable armrests, you can add more room to the sides. The narrowest seat on our list belongs to SMUGDESK Mesh Executive Chair which has dimensions of just 17.1 by 19.5 inches. The widest seat belongs to the OFM Essentials Leather Chair which has dimensions of 22.6 by 21.5.
Too often, weight capacity is the standard of which to judge an office chair. But a large weight capacity with a narrow seat will not prove comfortable for many people.
One part of an office chair seat you should take note of is the edge. While some office chairs have a more sever edge, others now offer what is called a waterfall edge. For example, seat on the Flash Furniture Hercules Office Chair has a subtle, more curved edge to it. This promotes better circulation and improves comfort while you’re sitting. If you naturally suffer from circulation issues, then you’ll want to find a chair that has this feature.
Overall dimensions
The overall dimensions of an office chair can actually range quite a bit. They are measured in height, width, and depth, but the height is usually given as a maximum measurement. This is because office chairs can be adjusted, so the maximum height is given to show just how far they can be maneuvered.
The SMUGDESK Mesh Executive Chair is the tallest possible office chair on our list with a maximum height of 47.6 inches. This is in part because of the extra headrest which many office chairs don’t come with.
One area of office chair dimensions you’ll want to pay attention to is the width. This overall measurement will include the armrests, some of which can be moved outward or inward. However, the overall width should not be confused with the width of the seat, which in some ways is more important.
Seat height
Office chairs with ergonomic properties only work if the person uses it is sitting in a proper manner. No matter what your height is, you should be able to sit at your desk with your feet flat on the ground. If you are shorter, you may have to look for an office chair and an office desk that allow you to adjust the height lower. An alternative would be to have a way to prop your feet up so circulation isn’t cut off.
If you are tall, you will want enough leg room from both your chair and the desk so you don’t feel cramped.
Because of the pneumatic properties of office chairs, the seat height is adjustable. Most office chairs accommodate average heights. If you are taller or shorter than average, you will want to pay attention to the seat height as it could negatively affect both your posture and your concentration.
One thing to note is that you want to find a chair that will lock the seat height. There are many products that will lose their height throughout the day. You might start at the perfect height in the morning, but by afternoon, you may find yourself sitting a few inches lower. While a simple adjustment will fix this during the day, it is nice if you can find the right setting and not have to worry about it again.
If the armrests are adjustable
Many people overlook the importance of armrests but they are actually a very important part of office ergonomics. Your arms should be straight and able to rest firmly on your armrests so you can type at your computer and not feel any strains.
The SMUGDESK Mesh Executive Chair and the Sihoo Ergonomic Office Chair have 3D armrests. This means you can move them backwards, forwards, and side to side. Having that much control over your armrests means you will always be able to find the perfect position.
Caster wheels features
Sometimes you need to quickly wheel yourself from the phone to the printer and back to your desk. Other times you like to add a bit of movement while you’re sitting to increase your concentration. Having the right wheels on your office chair will make both tasks a lot easier.
The sturdiest office chairs will have five spokes at the bottom that lead from the base to the wheels. This will make the chair much more stable.
As for the wheels, they should be able to move in a 360-degree manner, without any impediments. The freer the wheels move, the less risk of snags or annoyances.
The one thing to remember is that caster wheels add to the overall height. If you have found the perfect office chair but it sits too high for your liking, you might be able to replace the wheels with lower ones to offset the overall height.
Ergonomic seat and lumbar support
Whether you sit at your desk for an hour and eight, you need the right support. Your body, and especially your back, should always be supported properly so you don’t suffer any lasting damage. Nowadays, the importance of ergonomics is better understood which is why most office chairs are created to support your back, neck, and arms.
Generally, mesh office chairs offer a bit more ergonomic focus. While the mesh isn’t stiff, it is crafted in a way to provide the most support. Leather chairs, on the other hand, work to cradle your body, and are not always as supportive.
You will also want to pay attention to extra lumbar support. Again, mesh chairs, such as the Sihoo Ergonomic Office Chair are a bit better in this regard. Not only is the mesh curved at the lower back, but there are often extra lumbar supports to help with the lower back.
Style
In addition to the function of an office chair, you will want to pay attention to what it looks like. Mesh office chairs, while solid choices, are often not as accommodating when it comes to design. They can be a bit more utilitarian and are often limited to black mesh material only.
Leather, on the other hand, has more to offer style-wise. Because leather covers extra padding, you can have very different looking chairs. For example, the OFM Essentials Leather Chair has almost extreme padding. It has a naturally curved area to accommodate your seat and lower back and cushions that support your entire back. It looks, and feels, like the perfect place to rest all day long.
While most leather chairs come in a black leather, there are some that offer different color choices. The Bush Business Furniture Office Chair has plenty of color choices to choose from. In addition to standard black, it comes in brown, grey, red, and white.
So, while there still aren’t too many options away from the classic black office chair, it is nice to know that there more design options are now surfacing.
Thankfully, office chairs are very easy to assemble. For the most part, all you will need is an Allen key, usually included, to put one or two components of the chair together.
In more extreme situations, there may be more parts, in which case you will need a screwdriver.
In order to help you adjust the height of an office chair, most will have a pneumatic lift. To raise the chair, you can press a lever. This in turn compresses the air inside the bottom chamber, which then makes the seat rise.
Most armrests on office chairs are attached with screws. If your armrest is loose, turn the chair over and look for any screws and use a screwdriver to tighten them.
Our Verdict
No office is complete without a chair. Our Editor’s Choice for best office chair under 300 dollars is the HON HVST141. It has breathable mesh fabric and an impressive 400-pound weight capacity. If you’re in the market for a leather option, check out the Bush Business Furniture Office Chair. This comfortable chair will let you actually enjoy your workday. And, as a bonus, it looks stylish and comes in multiple color options. Finally, if you have any back issues, be sure to try the Sihoo Ergonomic Office Chair. It is a real gem and is the best ergonomic office chair under 300 dollars. So sit back in comfort and make working fun again.
