A gaming chair is a great way to complete your desktop setup or even enhance your console gaming experience. But there's almost no way around how expensive they can become. If you're on a limited budget or would rather invest in a new game or upgrade for your PC than a seat, fear not: There are plenty of great gaming chairs that won't leave you grimacing at your bank balance after checkout.
I've done the testing and research to help find the best pick for you, whether you're trying to spend as little as possible without buying a lemon or are looking for something to support that big and tall buddy that goes through gaming chairs like levels in World of Warcraft. These are the best budget gaming chairs of 2025.
TL;DR – The Best Budget Gaming Chairs:
The best budget gaming chairs offer a strong foundation, ample padding, durable upholstery, and proper ergonomics. Once the basics are settled, features like lumbar support, adjustable armrests, and tilt are nice additions that allow you to sink in and relax in the seat whether it’s pulled up to your gaming desk or plopped in front of your gaming TV.
However, weeding through the endless duds is a pain, both for your back and your wallet. With this guide, you can cut through the chaff to get back to doing what you love the most: playing games. Don't make that Elden Ring boss wait any longer, let's dive into the best budget picks of the year.
Best Budget Gaming Chair Overall
Best Big and Tall Budget Gaming Chair
Best Fabric Gaming Chair on a Budget
Best Budget Gaming Chair Under $300
Best Gaming Chair Under $200
Best Gaming Chair Under $150
Buying affordable furniture of any kind is tricky, but, like other pieces of furniture, there are things you can look for to ensure you're not getting an absolute clunker that will hurt your back or break in less than a year. The picks above are each top in their class, but if you'd rather go out and do some research of your own (and remember: AI overviews in search will only get you so far and also often present incorrect information) these are the things I recommend looking for:
Ergonomics
If there's one thing a lot of affordable gaming chairs get wrong, it's ergonomics. Look for a chair that offers support in the lower back, either through curvature or a high-quality pillow. This will ensure that your back has the support it needs and you won't get sore after a few short hours of gaming or work at your PC.
Padding, cushioning, and armrests
Another thing to keep in mind is that manufacturers might skimp when it comes to padding at lower prices. The last thing you want is to feel the frame when you're sitting back or decide to cross one or both legs. If an affordable chair looks like it's been put on a diet because of how thin the foam is, it's probably worth avoiding. Additional pillows and cushions can help mitigate this when it comes to the backrest, but I've yet to find a chair where inadequate seat cushioning is anything less than uncomfortable. Pay special attention to the armrests as well because anything too firm that you'll be leaning on for any length of time can quickly cause discomfort and soreness that lasts well beyond your gaming session.
Adjustments
Budget gaming chairs tend to offer fewer adjustments than higher-cost options, but that doesn't mean you should settle for something less than what meets your needs. Even a low-cost chair should allow you to adjust its height, backrests, and armrests, and have some kind of customizability for its tilt functionality.
Upholstery (fabric, leather, and overall quality)
Gaming chairs come with either fabric or leatherette upholstery. As a rule, fabric is more breathable than leather, but leather will be easier to clean. Consider your climate and preferences before style if comfort is your priority. Though it can be difficult to tell in product pictures, I also recommend reading reviews to get an overall impression of the quality of these materials, as both can degrade quickly if the manufacturer has cut costs on quality.
A quality wheelbase
The base of its chair is its very foundation and is critically important to its long-term durability. It's also one of the most frequent things to break. Choose an aluminum wheelbase if at all possible. But if it's not, pay special attention to the chair's maximum supported weight and read reviews to get a picture of its reliability over time.
Avoid paying extra for gimmicks
The Amazon marketplace can be difficult to stand out in, and that's doubly true in the gaming chair market. To set themselves apart from competitors, many chairs offer gimmicks like massaging pillows. Understand that at any kind of reasonable price, these additional features are likely to be ineffective and exist purely to catch your attention. While you don't need to outright avoid these, they shouldn't be a key factor in your decision-making with everything else evenly considered.
Be sure to check out our guide on how to pick the best gaming chair for more information.
When making my selections, I always consider the chairs that I've personally used or members of our team have tested, first and foremost. Because there are so many options, it's impossible for me to test everything, so I've also done extensive research to find the very best picks, leveraging my long history of testing gaming chairs for a living to separate the good (and bad) from the great. As I do this, I pay special attention to build quality, ergonomics, pricing, and factor in both critical and user reviews.
Throughout the extensive process of testing, analysis, comparisons, and overall research, I've brought years of experience and a critical lens to every chair considered, highlighting only the best for your purchasing choice.
Are gaming chairs worth it?
While the answer to this question will always be subjective, there is wisdom to the idea of investing in the place you'll be spending a large amount of your life. If you spend hours at your PC, having a comfortable and supportive chair can be a major enhancement to your quality of life. The real question is whether it's worth investing in a gaming chair versus an office or ergo chair. Each type has its benefits, but a gaming chair adds a bit flair to the experienece, which can be important if you're a streamer or have invested in the appearance of your gaming setup. Gaming chairs also brings some unique features like deep reclines, more adjustable armrests, and even footrests for kicking back with a controller. It's also possible to find gaming chairs with good ergonomics and adjustability. Ultimatley, this depends on your taste, budget, and what you're looking to get out of your chair.
Why are gaming chairs so expensive?
In general, gaming chairs are a luxury product. You don't need one, but if you're anything like me, you probably want one to take your PC setup to the next level. Because of this, the prices tend to be higher for both mid-range and premium-level chairs from major companies, but that's not all there is to it. Paying extra often gets you higher quality materials, better warranties, and more stylish designs. It can also open the door to more ergonomic adjustments, which can be very important to your long-term comfort. The law of diminishing returns is very strong in the seating market, however, so research carefully before dropping hundreds of dollars on one chair when a more affordable option might accomplish your goals for less.
Do budget gaming chairs come with a warranty?
Oftentimes, yes. Though if you're buying from a smaller brand located overseas, it's important to remember that there's a difference between listing a warranty and it actually actually supporting it. If you're unsure, purchase from marketplaces with generous return policies, read reviews, and see if you can find other people's experiences with the company. Remember, you can also email the company with any specific questions you might have and their answer, as well as how long it takes to reply, can give you an indication of whether the company will offer the kind of support you require. If you're buying from a major brand, like Razer or Corsair, you can count on a warranty of at least a year and usually more.
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