With more of us working from home than ever before, finding a quality desk chair that provides you with all the padding, support, tilts, and adjustments to make your time whittling away at work as comfortable as possible is a necessity. But add a price cap - we'll say £200 - and your options become extremely limited if you want the best support for your money. Luckily, we've done the hard work and found the best desk chair under £200 that'll not only look good in your home but keep you supported. You won't need to break the bank, or strain your back in the process!
Working from home has us sitting more than ever, and studies have suggested that prolonged periods of sitting can pose a risk to your health, adding tension and stress to the neck, spine, and back. This can have a prolonged effect on your posture and potentially lead to chronic pain and premature degeneration with the discs being compressed in your spine.
Best office chair under £200 at a glance:
As well as reducing your sitting time and taking the opportunity to move during the day, even if it's just for one or two minutes, choosing an ergonomic chair will help prevent poor posture and support the spine. It'll help to ease the seated suffering you may already be experiencing and make for a much more comfortable, less stressful, and healthier working day.
With the surge in home working, plenty of desk chairs have popped up across the market. However, it's hard to sift through all the options, especially when comfort isn't guaranteed! Many people assume that 'ergonomic' means a chair has to be expensive - but that doesn't need to be the case! To help you know exactly what to look for in a budget chair to ensure it brings you all the comfort you need at a low price, we've asked Architect and Interior Designer and founder of Pixels and Spaces, Priyanshi Jain, for advice.
What to look for in an office chair under £200
Priyanshi says the following features are important to consider when you're shopping for the best office chair under £200:
Adjustability – Make sure that your desk chair has the option to adjust its length, depth and armrest. Adjust the position in such a way that your back sits straight and your arms are at 90° to reduce strain on your back and arms.
Mesh Backs – Mesh backs are a great way to increase the breathability of the chair and protect your back from getting all sweaty, especially during long working hours.
Material – Leather chairs can add luxury but can also be a bit expensive. Instead, choose a vinyl material that mimics leather but is budget-friendly. The base of the chairs should be made of steel or aluminium, as they are strong, durable, and suitable for heavy users.
Best office chair under £200 UK
Best desk chair under £200 overall
John Lewiswww.johnlewis.com
Combining retro charm with ergonomic comfort, this John Lewis ANYDAY Dorsal Office Chair is a versatile and durable model. The upholstered seat and mesh backrest provide comfort while the added lumbar support will help to promote a better posture while you work. Both the armrests and seat can be adjusted by height and you can also tilt the backrest so you can find your perfect level of comfort.
A bestseller on John Lewis, what reviews love the most about this budget office chair aside from its low price is how sturdy and well-built it feels. They also appreciate the support it offers and is comfortable to sit on while they WFH (work from home). With an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, there is a point or two that customers have to grumble about, mainly about the beige colourway of this chair. Some reviewers point out that it looks more green in real life but if you order the black, it arrives as expected.
Pros
- Armrests lift up so you can neatly tuck the chair under your desk
- Added lumbar support and height-adjustable seating for better posture
- Upholstered seat and mesh backrest provide comfort too
Cons
- Some customers felt the beige colourway of this chair looked more green in real life
| Dimensions: | 63(D) x 65(W) x 90(H)cm |
| Weight: | 13.4kg |
Best small desk chair under £200
HbadaThis Hbada Ergonomic Desk Chair is ideal for casual use in home offices and can easily be tucked under any desk you're using making it unobtrusive in any room. The cushioned seat is comfortable, and there's curved lumbar support to assist in body positioning. If you're looking for a simple chair with support at an amazing price, this will do the trick.
This is an Amazon's Choice recommended product, with 6,000 reviews rating it 4 out of 5. Customers have found this chair a better replacement for their previous office chairs, and praise its value for money. It provides effective back support and has a good range of adjustable features.
Do bear in mind that the price reflects the quality of the chair, and some reviews express that the lumbar support is not the best quality. There's mixed opinion about how many hours a day this chair is suitable for sitting on. It's advisable to take a break, stand up and move around every 50 minutes, whether you're working a 9-5 or occasionally WFH.
Pros
- Great value for money and an Amazon's Choice recommended product
- Curved lumbar support to promote good posture
- Mesh back for breathability, so your back doesn't get sweaty if you're sitting for long periods of time
Cons
- Some customers say the lumbar support isn't the best quality
| Dimensions: | H50 x W48 x D46cm |
| Weight: | 14kg |
Best high back desk chair
HabitatPretty in pink, grey or green if that's more your style, this gorgeous Habitat Alma High Back Office Chair has been built with comfort in mind, so you'll have to be careful not to doze off! Swivel, lift and tilt to the best position to support your back and neck with the headrest, perfect for long working hours and styling in your home.
Customers love its modern style, blush colour and how comfy it is. Reviews say it's easy to put together and well worth the money. The key benefit of a high back chair is that it supports your entire back and helps maintain good posture. It's ergonomically designed to stop you slouching. Some customers do think it could have more padding in it for long periods of sitting though.
Pros
- Includes tilt, swivel and local mechanism
- Stylish, contemporary aesthetic
- High back so it will support your neck
Cons
- Customers comment while it's fine for occasional use, it doesn't have enough padding for long periods of sitting
| Dimensions: | 63(D) x 63(W) x 127(H)cm |
| Weight: | 11.85kg |
Best colourful desk chair
Wade Loganwww.wayfair.co.uk
While the armrests may be fixed, you can get great support and adjustability with this Rikwin Mesh Office Chair by Wade Logan. Enjoy a peppy and fun 'pop' of colour to your workspace with its orange couple (though more neutral colours are available too). It'll provide you with ergonomic lumbar support, which is essential if you're spending long periods at a desk. As well as swivel, the chair's tilt and height can be easily adjusted. This chair will be a long-lasting, affordable piece of furniture for everyday use.
Customers praise its comfort and the compact size means it doesn't take up too much space. It's ideal if you or a loved one are working in a room that's not a dedicated office. There are mixed opinions on how easy the chair is to assemble. But once it's put together, reviews agree that it's comfortable and sturdy.
Pros
- Stylish, modern aesthetic and available in orange, blue, white and black
- Ergonomic lumbar support for good posture
- Small foot-print, so it doesn't take up too much space
Cons
- Opinions are mixed on how easy it is to assemble
| Dimensions: | 56(D) x 57(W) x 101.5(H)cm |
| Weight: | Not available |
Best luxe office chair for under £200
HabitatAre you looking for a more luxe-looking desk chair for your office? This one from Habitat is a great option. The Habitat Alvar Office Chair is made with faux leather in a sleek tan tone and it has a quilted finish so it certainly looks the part. In terms of practicality, it's got a gas lift and tilt action so you can set your preferred height while the metal armrests ensure a supportive seat.
Customers praise the chair for looking more expensive than it actually is. Plus, it's comfortable and glides with ease. It has a fairly compact footprint, so once again it's a good option for a room that may be a bedroom as well as a working space. Some reviews comfort that this chair is not the best option if you're sitting all day, as it's not the most ergonomic. But it does have a stylish and professional appearance at a great price.
Pros
- Looks sophisticated, with faux leather material, that looks more expensive than it is
- Tilt, lift and swivel capabilities so you can adjust it to your height
- Fairly compact so it doesn't take up a lot of space
Cons
- Some reviewers felt the seat could have been a little wider
| Dimensions: | 57.5(D) x 56(W) x 97(H)cm |
| Weight: | 10.2kg |
Best desk chair for preventing neck strain
Habitatwww.ebay.co.uk
Offering the perfect combination of executive sophistication and everyday comfort, the Habitat Milton Mesh Ergonomic Office Chair would be a great addition to any home working setup. Providing the perfect combination of executive style and everyday comfort, it helps to prevent neck strain and other muscular tension as it's easily adjustable so you can tailor the position to suit your posture. Also, it has a neat feature whereby the arms can be moved so the chair tucks under a desk.
Customer reviews indicate that this chair exceeds expectations and is very comfortable. It provides very good back support. Something to note is that it has a tested weight limit of 110kg so may not be suitable for those over this weight. 89 per cent of customers recommend this office chair and we love that it has so many adjustable features so you can customise the chair to your specific needs.
Pros
- Adjustable arms and head rest for ergonomic support
- Comfortable padded seat that's praised by customers
- A good choice if you're working at a desk for long periods of time
Cons
- Has a user weight limit of 110kg so may not be suitable for those over this weight
| Dimensions: | 64.5(D) x 60(W) x 122.5(H)cm |
| Weight: | 11.5kg |
Best desk chair for full body support
COMHOMA/AmazonIf you're limited on space, you'll be pleased to know you can flip the arms up on this chair so you can neatly tuck it under your desk to stop it from taking up valuable room around your home. The backrest is curved to provide ergonomic support, and it is covered in a mesh fabric to allow air to flow, eliminating sweat and moisture buildup. Not a fan of grey? It comes in black, too, so you can choose the colour that best suits your home office space.
This chair has received over 10,000 reviews rating it 4.1 out of 5. Customers praise it for being good value for money, however, it doesn't have the best durability, so do bear this in mind if you're mainly desk-bound. Some reviews also mention it was difficult to put together on their own so it might be a two-person job.
Pros
- Seat is designed with a waterfall edge to take pressure off your legs
- Curved backrest for ergonomic support
- Breathable mesh back to keep you cool
- Tucks neatly under a desk
Cons
- You may need two people for the assembly, as some reviewers mentioned it was hard to put together on their own
| Dimensions: | 62(D) x 61(W) x 97(H)cm |
| Weight: | 11.68kg |
Best desk chair with flip up arms
Naspaluro/AmazonThe Naspaluro Home Office chair is not just another piece of furniture, it's a game-changer for your WFH space. For the price, it has incredible attention to detail, like the soft foam padded seat that's covered with mesh to ensure you're comfy and flip-up armrests that won't get in the way when not in use. It also has multi-directional castors to allow you to move the chair smoothly across the floor. Plus, if you're looking to inject some colour into your home, it also comes in pink, blue, green and grey.
Reviews praise this chair for being easy to assemble, comfortable and space-saving. Also, it's super value for money and looks stylish. However, note it's not designed to give full ergonomic support as reviewers say the backrest isn't the most supportive, so do weigh up how much you're going to be using the chair.
Pros
- Armrests can be folded up to save space
- Seat is padded soft foam and covered with elasticated mesh to ensure comfort during extended use
- Multi-directional castors allow you to move the chair smoothly across the floor
Cons
- According to reviews, the backrest is not the most supportive
| Dimensions: | 56(D) x 56(W) x 98(H)cm |
| Weight: | 9.5kg |
FAQs: Best desk chair under £200
Our verdict: what is the best affordable desk chair?
The best affordable desk chair really does depend on your budget. If you're looking for a chair that's cheap but comfortable and supportive, we recommend the Hbada Ergonomic Desk Chair. It has adjustable height sitting as well as a reclining function, plus the armrests can be folded up to save room when you're not using it. We also love how it has a thick seat, which will be comfortable for sitting on all day and relieve the pressure on your hips.
What to look for in a desk chair
While it might seem necessary, it is actually important to remember that padding isn’t everything when looking for comfort in an office chair. While an extravagantly padded chair might seem like the obvious choice for back and body comfort, such a design is likely to set you up for an unpleasant time. The padding will store up body heat and paired with an unbreathable material, the chair will become increasingly uncomfortable over time.
For these reasons, contemporary office chairs tend to focus on utilising meshes, breathable materials, and ergonomic shaping to provide a high standard of comfort that can accommodate extended use throughout the day. Another benefit of mesh backing is that, unlike traditional padding, its bounce and comfort don’t degrade over time.
What is the best height, width and depth for an office chair?
According to Spine-Health, seat height that ranges from about 16 to 21 inches off the floor should work for most people. This will allow you to have your feet flat on the floor, with your thighs horizontal and your arms even with the height of your desk.
The standard seat width is usually 17 to 20 inches while the depth needs to be enough so you can sit with your back against the backrest of your chair while leaving approx. two-four inches between the back of your knees and the seat.
Already got a desk chair and just need to improve your back support? Check out our pick of the best back supports for office chairs to alleviate back pain as you work.
Priyanshi Jain is a well-known Architect and Interior Designer renowned for her unique and innovative design solutions. Priyanshi is the founder of Pixels & Spaces.
Eleanor Weaver is the Deputy Homes & Garden Product Editor for Yours, specialising in home décor, furnishings and appliances. Having worked commercially on Yours magazine and Yours.co.uk for the past six years, she's previously hosted Yours Live events and loves looking for home inspiration online.