The trick to finding a competent and affordable gaming chair is accepting that this chair is not going to be a forever chair. A gaming chair for under $100 is going to be a chair you use until you can buy a better one. That’s not to say that all gaming chairs under $100 are hunks of plastic waiting to be thrown out, however. There are plenty of solid buys that will either fill a pertinent need or be a perfect chair for the kids to use. Gaming chairs, even the ones under $100, serve a purpose. Like most mid-range office chairs, gaming chairs focus on ergonomics and posture. They are built to provide total body comfort while gaming. Even the cheaper end models put some emphasis on these factors. Other than that, there are slight variances from chair to chair. Finding the right gaming chair under $100 isn’t about budget, it’s about the little things like headrests and speakers. Even a cheaper gaming chair is better than sitting on a milk crate.
Best overall: VITESSE Ergonomic Gaming ChairBest with footrest: ANSUIT Gaming Chair with FootrestBest for kids: MUZII Gaming Computer ChairBest ergonomic: Homall Gaming ChairBest lumbar support: ECOTOUGE PC Gaming ChairBest speaker-enabled: X Rocker 2.1 Sound V RockerBest budget: CREW FURNITURE Classic Video Rocker
How we chose the best gaming chairs under $100
We’ve got gamers on staff who have been gaming since the Super Nintendo was the hot next-gen console and installing a PC game involved swapping floppy disks. For this, and many other reasons, we know what it’s like to covet comfort and to seek out optimized equipment. So, now that we’re hunching over the latest PS5 accessories or gaming laptops all day long, we’re even more aware of our desire to settle in style. We combined personal experience, peer recommendations, critical reviews, and user impressions to narrow down our options for best gaming chairs under $100, then compared specs and anecdotes to determine our top picks.
Things to consider before buying the best gaming chairs under $100
These days most of our shopping is done online. We’re still adapting to buying furniture we haven’t sat in. Regardless, this selection of chairs is only available through the mail so you won’t be able to judge that sweet butt feel until you get it unboxed. There are still a few factors that can be considered even when buying online. It may seem a bit like picky minutiae, but there isn’t much more we can consider since we can’t sit in them.
Size
Before you buy, you’ll want to make sure that the chair you are looking at will accommodate your size. While most have a general weight/height sweet spot, some gaming chairs are made for children while some are made for adults of a larger variety. Usually, the product description will outline this but it can’t hurt to check the actual product dimensions. Your gaming chair is for comfort while gaming, so you’ll want to make sure you choose the right size chair for you.
Wheels or no wheels
Gaming chairs these days can come in a few different physical styles. Most of them have wheels on them, which is to be expected. However, some styles of gaming chairs have a single stand. This is great for PC gamers, especially those who tend to do weird things with their legs, constantly pushing their chairs back. Other styles don’t have either wheels or a stand, sitting directly on the ground. These chairs are best for console gamers, usually children, who don’t mind effectively sitting on the floor.
Color
If there is one product that comes in all the colors of the rainbow, it’s gaming chairs. Unlike office chairs that default to black, gaming chairs default to bright. Red, green, and blue are some of the most popular colors. Gaming chairs can be found in almost any color you can think of. However, with gaming chairs under $100, those options might be limited. Even so, you shouldn’t have any problem finding a sharply colored chair to add some pop to your gaming setup.
Ergonomics
Comfort is subjective. Some gamers are cool with sitting in a disheveled pile of pillows on the floor. Others are after the ergonomic sweet spot. If you fall in the second group, then you’ll want to find a chair that offers some ergonomic options. These would be things like armrests that adjust, lumbar support, and head & neck support. While not all gaming chairs under $100 will offer all this, most have at least the minimum requirement to be considered ergonomic.
The best gaming chairs under $100: Reviews & Recommendations
Best overall: VITESSE Ergonomic Gaming Chair
Why it made the cut: The VITESSE Ergonomic Gaming Chair is a well-rounded chair that accommodates larger-bodied gamers, all for a fair price. Specs
Three available colorsLumbar supportHigh weight limit
Pros
Ergonomically soundGood customer serviceAdjustable headrest & lumbar
Cons
Spotty weldingArmrests can quickly degradeColor can fade
The VITESSE Ergonomic Gaming Chair regularly sells for $129.99 but at the time of this writing was on sale for $100. While that price might not hold, it’s a small variance to pay for a chair with a weight limit of 330 pounds. Some of us need a bigger, stronger chair for longer gaming sessions. This is that chair.
Best with footrest: ANSUIT Gaming Chair with Footrest
Why it made the cut: The ANSUIT Gaming Chair is a rarity in the gaming chair world because it has an attached footrest and more for under $100. Specs
Over 10 colorsHas a footrestDual pillows
Pros
Head & neck pillowsMultiple colorsMetal frame
Cons
Not great for tall gamersSeat is a bit hardCurved armrests
The ANSUIT Gaming Chair does have its issues with overall comfort due to metal bracing within the frame. Since it’s a gaming chair that can be purchased for $99, there is an acceptable compromise in the overall structure. That’s not to say it’s not a strong chair, it appears to be, but the metal frame can cause it to ride a bit stiff. If you like a solid sitting surface, then this might be the chair for you. It comes with lumbar and neck pillows, which help to offset the overall stiffness of the chair. It has the standard tilt and swing feature of modern gaming chairs. There are also straight armrests, which help with wrist ergonomics. The selling point of the ANSUIT Gaming Chair though is the attached footrest. Now you can take a nap while gaming. Or just put your feet up to keep them from tapping incessantly against your PC.
Best for kids: MUZII Gaming Computer Chair
Why it made the cut: The MUZII Gaming Computer Chair is a perfectly sized chair for smaller gamers. It also comes in a wide selection of colors. Specs
Over 10 colors30-degree reclineBreathable mesh
Pros
PU Leather & mesh comfortHigh weight limitOpenings for wires
Cons
Armrests don’t moveBuilt for smaller gamers
It should be noted that the color selection of the MUZII Gaming Computer Chair includes a lot of variations of red. Red seems to be the dominant color choice of gamers when it comes to furniture. Besides that, the chair is perfectly sized for kids. It’s not as tall as most gaming chairs, even though it has the standard adjustable height. The back is made of breathable mesh, while the seat is PU leather (basically vinyl that feels like leather). Being waterproof and easy to clean adds value to the feature set if you were purchasing this sub-$100 chair for kids. It also has two openings in the back so you can easily string headphone or mic cables so they don’t get tangled in the armrests. The MUZII Gaming Computer Chair is a great starter chair for budding gamers.
Best ergonomic: Homall Gaming Chair
Why it made the cut: The Homall Gaming Chair offers a sleek design paired with comfortable ergonomics. Style and function all in one. Specs
Comes in nine colorsRace Car-style wheelsBack & Headrest
Pros
Good suspensionFlat armrestsAdjustable head & back support
Cons
Faux-leather gets hotTop-heavy
While the armrests aren’t fully adjustable on the Homall Gaming Chair, it’s not bad for a $100 gaming chair as it pertains to ergonomics. It has a headrest positioned where it should be, a tall back, and a lumbar cushion. Sitting up straight is easy in a chair like this, it is built to support good posture. The trick is finding the best placement for that lumbar cushion. Some users might find the lumbar cushion a bit confusing as to its perfect placement. The chair is a bit top-heavy due to the angle at which it can recline versus physics. You might end up on the floor if leaning too far back without balancing properly. The seat is a soft, shaping sponge material that bounces back after sitting and will take some time to wear down. For a gaming chair, that’s not too shabby for a seat. Often the seats on gaming chairs are either too stiff or too shabby. The Homall Gaming Chair carries an exciting design (the pink/white one is the best) and solid ergonomics for $100.
Best lumbar support: ECOTOUGE PC Gaming Chair
Why it made the cut: The ECOTOUGE PC Gaming Chair has a built-in vibrating massager and a footrest, all for under $100. Specs
Comes in three colorsMassaging lumbar supportOptional footrest
Pros
Vibrating massagerUSB ConnectivityFootrest
Cons
Noisy chairNot great seat paddingFixed armrests
The ECOTOUGE PC Gaming Chair isn’t the most well-reviewed chair in the way of its overall construction … but reviews can be subjective. For under $100 your expectations should meet the price point somewhere in the middle. After all, it does come with a vibrating lumbar massager, and those alone can run you the price of the chair. Aside from that, there is an optional footrest that can be added on, still keeping the price under $100. There is also a head pillow attached to the top of the chair, with openings so you can run your headphone cables through. It has traditional engineering armrests, which are better than curved ones in keeping your hands and wrists straight. This style is better suited for PC gaming. There is also something called an angle regulator, which appears to be fancy terminology for the recline function. Are there better chairs on the market than the ECOTOUGE PC Gaming Chair? Sure, but not for under $100 with a built-in vibrating massager.
Best speaker-enabled: X Rocker 2.1 Sound V Rocker
Why it made the cut: A classic rocker, the X Rocker 2.1 Sound V Rocker ups the game with embedded speakers. Specs
Built-in speakersAudio outputsRocker
Pros
Built-in speakersFoldableRocks
Cons
It’s on the floorCover is stapled on
You’d be hard-pressed to find a gaming chair with built-in speakers for under $100 unless you’re cool with sitting on the floor on the X Rocker 2.1 Sound V Rocker. This is a classic rocking gaming chair made for gaming low to the ground. It’s great for kids but not too shabby for adults either. Some of us graduated from the classic rocker to rockers that had sound features, similar to this one. There are speakers behind the headrest, with an additional audio panel for plugging in headphones. It also folds for easy storage. This is a nice feature if you’ve got limited space but also affects the overall lasting quality of the chair; chairs under $100 that fold in half generally don’t last as long as ones that don’t. Regardless, for a floor rocker with built-in speakers, the X Rocker 2.1 Sound V Rocker is the perfect gift for younger console gamers who haven’t devolved into PC gamers yet.
Best budget: CREW FURNITURE Classic Video Rocker
Why it made the cut: The CREW FURNITURE Classic Video Rocker chair is perfect for small kids who just want to jam on the Nintendo 64. Specs
Comes in a few colorsRocksIt’s on the floor
Pros
CheapPerfect for floor sitting
Cons
CheapNo legsRequires sitting on the floor
If you are a gamer of a certain age, at one time you had the CREW FURNITURE Classic Video Rocker chair. Or at least something like it. These floor rocker chairs were all the rage in the late ’80s/early ’90s. There was nothing better than dragging one of these out from the corner, facing the massive 19-inch TV, and slapping on some Donkey Kong Jr. on the SNES. Naturally, if you are of that certain age, then you don’t want to be scrunching down to the floor to sit on one of these now. These are chairs best suited for children. There are many varieties for under $100 and this one happens to be under $50. Some have RGB lighting or speakers, some just have better construction. This is the most basic of chairs but your kids don’t care. They just want to rock back and forth as they play Mortal Kombat 11 on the Xbox Series X in front of an 85-inch OLED TV. Times sure have changed, but the existence of the CREW FURNITURE Classic Video Rocker chair proves that not everything has.
The final word on the best gaming chairs under $100
Buying a gaming chair doesn’t have to be stressful. Sure, gaming chairs under $100 can be a tough category to find a good chair, but you can find a passable chair and if it’s for a child, you can even find a great chair. While ergonomics, lumbar support, and footrests are important to some of us who need extra help with our bodies as we sit all day, some people are just fine. There are better chairs on the market, of course, but you might not need one of those chairs. Perhaps you only game for an hour or two a night, do you really need to invest more than $100 in a gaming chair? If you are looking to buy a gaming chair for under $100, then you have plenty of options that will hold up until you’ve leveled up to whatever the professionals are using.
