The Best Gaming Chair Under 100 Dollars

Usually when we build a new gaming PC, the last thing on our list is a gaming chair. It isn’t considered as big a factor in shaping your gaming experience, and more emphasis is placed on core PC components such as the graphics card and CPU. While it is true that a gaming chair will not improve the fps or make you a highly skilled player, it does ensure that your body stays relaxed and in a good position while you’re mind is immersed in the virtual world. So you may be wondering now, whether a gaming chair is all that different from regular office chairs or desk chairs? Well, the answer isn’t as straightforward as you may think. When we say “gaming chair” most people automatically think of racing seat type chairs such as the ones you will find on Twitch streams and professional gaming tournaments.

While these racing style chairs look really cool with their sporty design and bright colors, not all of them are designed to offer a truly comfortable platform for your body to sit in. Racing car seats have bucket shapes for your body to sink into, and are equipped with bolsters on the side to prevent you from sliding around while driving. While playing games on your computer, your brain and fingers are working hard but your body isn’t moving anywhere which is why some of the racing style gaming chairs aren’t the best for relaxing. This is especially frustrating because it’s often not possible for you to physically sit in and test the chairs before buying, as most gaming chair models are sold exclusively online.

But, thankfully, there are a few brands which ARE designed with ergonomics first and looks second, and we are here to help you find them!

Without further ado, here are our contenders for best gaming chair under 100 dollars.

Homall Gaming Chair – The Most Features for Your Money

Overview:

It looks very similar to the premium gaming chairs sold by DXRACER or Vertagear. However, don’t expect it to have all the features of a premium gaming chair since it costs nearly a third as much. But for such an affordable price, this Homall chair is equipped with some impressive features that make it a brilliant addition to any gaming setup.

Features:

It has a great seat with plenty of dense foam cushioning (3.15” thick), and the frame is constructed from 1.8mm thick steel tubing. This chair will last for a really long time despite what the low price tag may indicate. It has silent rolling rubber coated caster wheels and a brilliant tilt lock mechanism that allows you to swing back and forth freely as if you were in a rocker chair, and then when you find the perfect angle you can lock it in with the push of a lever. The back is pretty large at 22.5” wide and 30.5”, and the seating position is the highest of all the chairs at 21.5”. But worry not, you can lower it down up to 17.3” if your feet don’t reach the floor while this chair is at its maximum seating height.

It uses the same Class 3 explosion proof gas lift system as the Vitesse Speed Series gaming chair, which means that you can play around with the height adjustment all day without breaking it down. The armrests are curved at the top so your arms fit in nicely, and this is definitely better than the flat armrests used in the ModernLuxe. It doesn’t have armrest cushioning, but that is something you rarely find on gaming chairs, even in the most expensive ones. Surprisingly, this chair has a 1- year warranty policy as opposed to the 90- day warranty offered on the Vitesse Speed Series chair, even though both of these are virtually identical except for a few styling changes (and the seat size).

Pros:

Wear- resistant PU leather upholstery
High density foam cushioning with anti- oxidation and elastic resilience properties
300- pounds maximum load capacity
Recliner function- 90° to 180°
360° swivel
Omni directional caster wheels, rubber coated so they don’t make noise or damage your carpeting/ floor
Five spoke base stand
Pneumatic lift system for height adjustment
Rocking function controlled by a knob underneath the seat
Frame made from 1.8mm steel

Cons:

Armrests are only height- adjustable, cannot be tilted or moved back and forth
No headrest adjustment
Included lumbar pillows are attached to the chair with straps, and tend to slide around as you move in the chair

Vitesse Speed Series Gaming Chair – Stylish with Thick Cushioning

Overview:

It shares the same frame and materials as the Homall, which leads us to believe that both of these chairs were manufactured by the same company but are being sold under different brand names. Nevertheless, this Vitesse chair has a couple of tweaks and styling changes sprinkled around the body which give it a more aggressive and sporty look compared to its Homall rival.

Features:

Virtually similar to the Homall chair in terms of adjustability and materials used, the Vitesse Speed Series gaming chair is probably the best looking chair in our list. It has a unique stitching pattern on the mesh surrounding its PU leather upholstery. This stitching pattern combined with the color scheme gives it a carbon fiber look, similar to what you would find in the interior of an exotic car.

While the looks are certainly more than enough to convince several people, you need to consider the fact that this chair has a narrow seat. Its seat is 14.9” (W) x 22” (D), compared to 20.5” (W) x 19.8” (D) for the Homall. The ModernLuxe seats are even larger at 21” x 22”, but that chair also has a lower seating position. If you are a large guy, your hips and thighs might have trouble fitting into this chair and staying comfortable for several hours. It also has the bolsters on the sides, a feature common to all bucket style seats. These bolsters are great for supporting your legs and preventing you from flopping around in a fast moving race car, but are a hindrance if you simply want to sit cross legged.

Pros:

Class 3 explosion proof gas lift
BIFMA, SGS, and European E1 certification
Carbon fiber styling on the upholstery which gives it a unique look
High density foam cushioning on the back
90° to 180° recliner
Height of the seat can be adjusted (13.7” to 18.5”)

Cons:

Uses the same lumbar support system as the Homall, which only works when you sit still
Seat might be too narrow for people of larger stature

ModernLuxe Ergonomic Gaming Chair – Great for Larger People

Overview:

The ModernLuxe ergonomic chair may look similar to the Homall and Vitesse models, but is based on a different platform. It uses better armrests and has a larger seat which means that this chair can accommodate bigger people. We also like the seat design of this chair more compared to the Homall and Vitesse models.

Features:

ModernLuxe has designed a great gaming chair for taller and larger people who feel uncomfortable in regular office chairs or mesh chairs. Not only is this chair equipped with a big seat and soft bolsters on the side to support your thighs, but it also has a tilt lock function that is easily accessible. You can switch between various tilt angles for different activities- sleeping, reading, gaming, relaxing, etc. The armrests are height adjustable, you can raise or lower them by up to 4 inches.

The underlying frame is made from tubular steel with anti corrosion coating added on the top, and the casters are virtually noiseless even on hard floors thanks to the rubber coating. Like all other gaming chairs which feature bucket seats, this one has a pillow based lumbar support for your neck and back. You can adjust the pillow height by using straps that run through the ventilation holes near the neck all the way down to the bottom of the seat. These aren’t a very reliable way of securing the pillows as we have mentioned several times already. The seating position is also lower in this chair, so if you have a tall desk it might be an issue.

Pros:

Good quality PU leather upholstery with double stitching for added durability
Armrests are height adjustable (4 inches of movement)
90° to 150° reclining, with a locking mechanism that is easy to use
Very comfortable seat, with thick foam cushioning
Silent rolling rubber coated wheels mounted to a 5 spoke base
Reliable gas lift system for seat height adjustment (12” lowest, 16” highest)

Cons:

The reclining feature is easy to operate, but doesn’t allow you to go all the way down (which is 180°)
The maximum seating height on this chair might be a little too low for certain desks

LCH Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair – Mesh Chair with Built-in Lumbar Support

Overview:

PU leather chairs can sometimes get a little too hot, especially during the summer. That is because they don’t breathe very well, a problem you won’t face while using mesh chairs like this one. Not only does the mesh support better airflow to keep you cooler during intense gaming sessions, but it is also more comfortable and supportive than you would expect.

Features:

If you have never owned a mesh chair before, this model from LCH will is perfect for you. It brings a lot of cool features at an affordable price, and is available in two versions- one with the standard PU leather seat, and the other with a mesh seat. Mesh is inherently more breathable than PU leather, and feels more airy as a result. You will feel cooler, less sweat will accumulate around your back and neck while gaming. Another great thing about this chair is its weight- the completely assembled chair weighs under 33 pounds, so you can comfortably lift it around from one room to another. The same cannot be said about the other chairs on our list, all of them weigh close to 50 pounds when fully assembled.

The real advantage however, lies in the built-in lumbar support for your lower back. You don’t have to mess around with pillows and straps anymore- just raise or lower the sliding bar at the back of the chair to adjust lumbar support instantly. It will not slip around like the pillows you find on racing style gaming chairs, and is also much easier to adjust. Another cool feature is the adjustable headrest, you can tilt it forward or backward. On a regular gaming chair, even the expensive ones from DXRACER or NEEDforSEAT, headrests are fixed- you can only adjust the neck pillow that they give you. The problem with this chair however is its limited tilt range, and no armrest height adjustment.

Pros:

Mesh back allows for superior airflow around your back and neck, keeps you chill at all times
Available with both leather and mesh seats
Unique adjustable headrest design, with padding and mesh
90° to 180° tilt, with a lock function
Flip up armrest design for better space management
Built-in adjustable lumbar support for your lower back

Cons:

Although the flip up armrest saves space when not needed, it doesn’t provide the same level of customizability as armrests in other gaming chairs
Maximum load capacity of 250 pounds is good, but lower than the 300 pound load capacity of the other chairs we reviewed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do many of the budget gaming chairs look similar?

When you buy a gaming chair from a famous brand like DXRACER or NEEDforSEAT, they provide you with various options in terms of chair size, feature set, color schemes, etc. You can check the manufacturer’s site for the chair specifications, and they usually have separate product lineups for people of different sizes– small, medium, and large. Budget gaming chairs however, are a completely different story – when you pay less than 100 dollars for a gaming chair, don’t expect it to be made with the highest quality materials. On top of that, you don’t have a lot of options when it comes to size, since most budget gaming chairs are basically rebranded versions of the same common design from a single manufacturer. That is why a lot of them look alike, and share the same underlying frame and upholstery even though they are from different brands. So pick your chair carefully, look at the various adjustments it supports and consider your weight as well as height before purchasing a chair. Remember- it is not the looks that matter, but the ergonomics and comfort. Once you sit in the chair, your eyes will be planted on the screen but your body will develop serious problems in the future if you sit cramped or don’t have adequate support around the lower back.

What features to look for in a gaming chair?

First of all, you need to check the various adjustments it offers. A good gaming chair will allow you to change the seat height, angle of the back, and armrest height. More premium gaming chairs have tilt adjustment, sliding seat pans, 4- way adjustable armrests, lumbar support, and backs that can fold 180° so you can use the chair like a recliner. A 4- way adjustable armrest is extremely useful, since you can not only change the height but also move it forward and backward depending on how close or far away you are sitting from the computer desk. Some chairs have tilting armrests which offer even more flexibility.

Lumbar support on gaming chairs isn’t the best, and many of them don’t really try to come up with something new or innovative. The majority of gaming chairs provide pillows for your neck and lower back that attach to the chair with straps. This design has two major flaws- first of all, the pillow size is fixed and some people might find them too large while others may not find the support from these pillows adequate. Secondly, the pillows tend to move around as you periodically change posture while using the computer. They start out in a certain position, say at your lower back, and then gradually creep down until they are right against your butt and your back feels unsupported. The straps are a flimsy way of securing the pillows to the chair, and another problem with pillows is that they have a fixed thickness and cushion type- some people find them too soft, others find them too hard. There are some advanced gaming chairs like the Secret Lab TITAN series which has lumbar support built into the back of the chair, and it can be adjusted by turning a knob. If you are willing to obtain the ultimate in ergonomics and lumbar support, get ready to spend extravagant amounts of money on office chairs from Herman Miller or Steelcase. A very famous model from Herman Miller is the Aeron, and Steelcase has the Leap ergonomic chair.

Will a gaming chair improve my skills?

No, a chair doesn’t automatically make you a better gamer. Just like wearing a pair of Air Jordan shoes doesn’t make someone a better basketball player. But it will help you improve because your body is relaxed, and as a result your mind is more focused on the game. And even more importantly, it saves you a bunch of money that you would otherwise spend on medical bills in the future, by sitting in an unnatural posture for several hours a day. Gaming chairs and ergonomic chairs have excellent back support and prevent your lower back as well as neck from getting strained too much during a gaming session. The adjustable armrests on a gaming chair ensure that your elbows and wrists aren’t placed at an angle against the desk, so you have a lower chance of developing problems such as carpal tunnel or back pain. In short, a gaming chair protects your neck and back which means you spend more time gaming, and feel super comfortable. You perform at your best when feeling relaxed, so while a gaming chair doesn’t raise your skill ceiling it does make you a more consistent player.

What is the correct sitting position while using a computer?

First you need to adjust the height of your gaming chair so that your eyes are on the same level as the top 1/3^rd section of the monitor. You don’t want the chair to be too low or high with respect to the monitor, because then you will be looking up or down which will strain your neck after a few hours of gaming. Secondly, the height of the chair should be such that your arms don’t have to reach upwards for the keyboard and mouse. The ideal position is when your elbows and wrists are on the same plane, flat against the table. This will ensure that there isn’t too much weight on the wrist, since the wrist contains a lot of delicate nerves and blood vessels. Sit close enough to the keyboard and mouse, such that you are able to reach them comfortably without having to stretch your arms too far away from the chest. By keeping the keyboard and mouse close to you, you reduce stress on the neck and shoulder muscles, and feel more relaxed. If needed, move the monitor a little farther back so that it isn’t too close to your face. If your feet are lifting off the ground, try getting some kind of footrest so that you don’t have to compromise your sitting posture because your feet aren’t reaching the ground. Check out this video and this web page for more info on how to sit correctly in front of a computer.

How does poor posture affect my health?

There are a ton of issues caused by poor sitting positions, even among young adults in their early 20’s. Decreased blood circulation, numbness around the upper back area, back pains, increased mental stress- all these issues can be traced back to poor posture. When you sit stationary in one spot for several hours a day, the body’s weight is focused around a specific part of your body and blood circulation is impeded. You need to get up every hour or so and take a walk around the house for a couple minutes before you get ready for the next match. Go refill your glass with some water, move outside to breath in fresh air, or just do a few stretching exercises to rejuvenate the mind and pump up the blood flow around your joints. This site lists some of the many physical and mental health issues related to poor sitting positions.

Which One Should You Buy?

This is a tough one, because 3 out of the 4 chairs we reviewed are very similar in terms of load rating, frame design, and materials used. These three chairs are equipped with the same flawed lumbar support system that uses pillows for the neck and lower back that are held to the chair with straps. However even the mesh back LCH ergonomic chair has its flaws even though we really like the fact that it has an adjustable headrest and built-in lumbar support. The LCH ergonomic chair has the worst armrest of the three, which is odd when you consider that this is the only chair in our list with padded mesh cushioning on the armrests, the others use plastic armrests with zero cushioning.

The problem with the LCH ergonomic chair is that its armrests are not height adjustable. That, coupled with the small tilt range and lower weight capacity means it is not the best gaming chair on our list. The Homall and Vitesse are almost identical in terms of specs, but the Vitesse has a lower seating position and less seat area making it less suitable for larger people. Which means we are left with two contenders- the Homall and the ModernLuxe. The ModernLuxe has a very similar lumbar support and backrest design, but it suffers from a slightly smaller tilt range- 150° vs 180° which means you cannot go all the way down into a sleeping position with the ModernLuxe. However, the ModernLuxe also has the largest seat of them all at 21 x 22 inches, compared to the second largest which is the Homall at 19.8” x 20.5”.

After considering all specifications and design choices, we declare the Homall gaming chair as our winner. Not only does it have a taller maximum seating position and a comfortably large seat size (second only to the ModernLuxe), but the Homall can recline its back all the way down to 180° which is really cool. You can’t do that on the ModernLuxe. While both chairs have a rocker function, we found that it is easier to operate on the Homall. Finally, the Homall is better value for money because it is slightly cheaper compared to the ModernLuxe.