Think about the sheer number of hours a day you sit at your desk. Sans for sleep, it probably trumps...almost everything else you do, from walking to even sitting on the couch. With a commitment like that, it certainly helps to invest in a comfortable office chair that supports your back and posture, so you’re more motivated to work. (Because let's face it, pain? Not exactly great for focus.) If you don’t have an arm and a leg to spend on one, however, not to fret. We researched the best ergonomic office chairs under $300 that promise to optimize your posture, boost your comfort levels throughout the work day and fit seamlessly into any office layout—(even if it's just a corner of your apartment).
24 of the Best Ergonomic Office Chairs Under $300 to Level Up Your WFH Setup
Give your old office chair the boot
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here.
The Best Ergonomic Office Chairs Under $300 at a Glance
How We Chose the Best Ergonomic Office Chairs Under $300
In addition to the obvious factor of price, we vetted the best ergonomic office chairs by considering features that spine experts recommend taking into account, such as height adjustment, lumbar support, armrests, adjustability, padding and shape. Additionally, we considered customer reviews to find the ergonomic office chairs buyers were loving the most.
If you’re at the edge of your seat waiting to find out which chair is best for you, here are the 25 best ergonomic office chairs under $300 to add to your office or WFH setup.
- Pros: tall and wide, super comfy, retains cushion shape, easy to assemble
- Cons: no headrest, can trap crumbs and dirt, may not be sturdy enough for heavier users
- Ergonomic features: contoured seat and lumbar cushions, adjustable, removable arms, wheels, 360-degree swivel, seven degrees of tilt tension
- Heigh Adjustment: 4 inches
- Weight capacity: 275 pounds
Imagine sitting on an office chair as cushy and plush as your bed. That's exactly what Tempur-Pedic had in mind when it launched its new Tempur-Lumbar Support Chair in March. Made from the same NASA-engineered material as the company's famous beds, it has no shortage of cushioning for your tush or lumbar region—so long as you're positioned properly. After testing it for the better part of four months, we can safely say the pressure relief hits right where it's supposed to for most people (i.e., our boyfriends), though shorties like us will want to ensure they aren't slouching to get its full effects.
It also lives up to its claims to conform to your shape based on your temperature and weight and easily bounces back into place once you're no longer sitting in it—no "sinkholes" here. The seat is nice and wide, giving your legs plenty of room, and it adjusts by up to four inches for the perfect floor-to-thigh ratio. We also had no issues putting this baby together. Our only complaint? The fabric easily attracts crumbs (something that should be no problem with a good hand vac). According to other reviewers, it does show strain as it approaches its max weight, however, so it may be best to avoid this one if you're on the heavier side. (Psst: Use code CHAIR15 to drop it to $299.)
- Pros: promotes good posture
- Cons: hard armrests, chair may squeak
- Ergonomic features: curved backrest, adjustable lumbar support, 360-degree swivel, 45-degree recline, flip-up arms
- Heigh Adjustment: 4 inches
- Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
When it comes to this popular Mimoglad option, the star of the show is the lifting and reclining function. With it, you can lean back up to 45 degrees for true, unbridled comfort that goes above and beyond what you'll get from its adjustable lumbar support on a day-to-day basis. It also comes fully equipped with a cooling mesh backrest that's specifically designed to match the curved shape of your spine and promote upright posture. The arms flip up for easy adjustment, too, just note that they may be a bit hard on your elbows without an additional cover.
- Pros: waterproof and stain-resistant material, unique rocking feature
- Cons: padding may make installation tricky
- Ergonomic Features: contoured to support the waist, flip-up armrests, 360-degree swivel, supportive headrest
- Adjustable Height: 4.53 inches
- Weight Capacity: 275 pounds
This Amazon office chair offers all the usual ergonomic suspects (think 360-degree multi-directional wheels, flippable armrests, a higher-than-average seat height adjustment of 4.53 inches and a padded headrest that will be ideal for anyone privy to a daily afternoon snooze), plus a few bonus extra features that set it apart from the pack. For starters? It's both waterproof and stain-resistant, making it a good choice for those who like to snack at their desks (*raising both hands*). It also has a rocking function that enables you to rock it back and forth when you really want to sink into comfort. (Note that if you're on the shorter side, you'll want to make sure the casters on the wheels are in really, really tight with no space between the wheel and the floor to sit fully flush.) To top it all off, this little number looks so luxe, your house guests will probably assume you spent triple the amount that you actually did.
Wrote one JHK believer, "I have pinched nerves in my spine and the only time I'm not in pain is in a sitting position. I needed a comfortable chair to sit at my workbench. This chair provides support to my back so I can sit for several hours without pain."
- Pros: budget-friendly, easy assembly, adjustable features
- Cons: armrests aren't adjustable
- Ergonomic features: waterfall-edge seat, thick padding, built-in lumbar support, padded arms, wheels, swivel
- Adjustable height: unknown
- Weight capacity: 250 pounds
This gorgeous style from Flash Furniture is quite the looker with its sleek white faux leather and gold, silver or rose gold hardware, but it's also built with ergonomics in mind—just look at that waterfall-edge seat! These types of seats are designed with edges that slope down so as not to hit the back of your legs—something that many companies claim can cut off blood circulation. There's built-in lumbar support at the back, and the arms are padded, too—all without breaking the bank.
- Pros: easy assembly
- Cons: fabric may not hold up over time, no headrest, scratchy, easy to pull the wrong adjustment lever
- Ergonomic features: lumbar support, extra padding at seat, adjustable back angle, adjustable arms, 360-degree swivel
- Adjustable height: 2 inches
- Weight capacity: 300 pounds
This contemporary Eberns Designs pick is all about choices. Underneath its ultra-padded seat (we're talking two whole inches of comfy foam), there are three different levers to adjust its back angle, seat height *and* tilt angle for custom-level support. In addition, there's built-in lumbar support and swivel capability, and its mesh backrest enables easy airflow to keep you cool throughout the day as an added bonus perk. Its 300-pound seat capacity is higher than several other options on our list, too.
- Pros: antimicrobial upholstery, wide seat, easy to put together
- Cons: may not hold up over time, fabric can tear easily
- Ergonomic features: lumbar support, knee tilt, padded armrests, 120-degree recline, thick padding, headrest
- Adjustable height: 3.2 inches
- Weight capacity: 300 pounds
Want to work like a boss? Meet your new executive—and ergonomic—office hair. Instead of just swiveling back and forth, this baby allows you to recline as far back as 120 degrees thanks to its tilt-locking function. It's got a wide, spacious seat and a tall back, complete with headrest, that will be great for even tall shoppers (or those who simply like their space). It's designed with seamless lumbar support to help keep your spine aligned, and the upholstery is also antimicrobial, though it can wear over time, so you'll want to be delicate with it.
- Pros: mesh back for air circulation
- Cons: assembly may be more difficult than other options, no headrest, hard to clean crumbs
- Ergonomic features: extra-thick seat cushion, padded armrests, adjustable height and tilt, waterfall-front edge seat, flip-up armrests, 360-degree swivel
- Adjustment height: 4 inches
- Weight capacity: 250 pounds
Fact: You can have all the bells and whistles you want when it comes to an ergonomic office chair, but you won't truly be comfortable if you're all hot and sweaty in it. This one has a super breathable mesh upholstery at the back and seat that Amazon shoppers say will keep you nice and cool, even during a heat wave. It comes with padded, foldable armrests to prevent any chafing, and you can activate or deactivate the included tilt function to lean back more easily. It raises and lowers by up to four inches, too, making it one of the more versatile options on our list when it comes to height.
- Pros: lightweight, retro aesthetic
- Cons: may not be as comfortable for all-day use as some other options
- Ergonomic features: lumbar support, waterfall-edge seat, double-padded foam, up to 105-degree recline
- Adjustment height: 3.5 inches
- Weight capacity: 260 pounds
Rounded silhouettes in neutral tones are an excellent way to give your office retro Mad Men vibes, and this Glitzhome chair, made of faux leather, metal, bamboo and walnut veneer, has all of that in spades. The waterfall-cushioned seat is designed to keep the circulation flowing for folks of all body shapes by relieving pressure that normally occurs at the back of the thighs and knees, and you can adjust the seat height and back angle for personalized comfort. At 25 pounds, it’s also lightweight enough to move from room to room as needed.
- Pros: scratch-resistant, easy to assemble
- Cons: material may feel slippery
- Ergonomic features: adjustable headrest, adjustable lumbar support, flip-up arms, adjustable tilt
- Adjustable height: unknown
- Weight capacity: 300 pounds
An adjustable headrest is a nice touch, but it will do you no good if it doesn't actually hit your head, which is exactly why this one raises and lowers by up to 2.36 inches for your comfort. This plush ergonomic office chair offers plenty of other customization options, too, like the ability to adjust your seat angle (up to 110 degrees) and flip-up arms, allowing you to lean on them only when you choose. Even the lumbar support is adjustable, with the option to move the back of the seat forward or backward to customize your support level—a feature that multiple reviewers called out.
- Pros: budget-friendly, luxe look, comfortable
- Cons: squeaks, difficult to put together, may not have enough lumbar support for some
- Ergonomic features: adjustable seat height and angle, padded armrests
- Adjustable height: 3.75 inches
- Weight capacity: 275 pounds
Made of Puresoft bonded faux leather, this sleek pick will fit most budgets and décors. Equipped with tilt and swivel features, it also happens to be on the comfier side, according to the more than 30,000 Amazon reviewers who have given it a collective 4.2-star review. While ratings for the lumbar support in particular are mixed, depending on the user's size and preferences, most agree that the seat, back and neck padding is solid and that it's sturdy enough for most shoppers, even after months of use.
- Pros: assembly tools included, soft velvet fabric
- Cons: wheels aren't luxe, may be uneven
- Ergonomic features: high backrest for full spine support, extra seat padding, padded, adjustable armrests, 360-degree swivel
- Adjustable height: 4 inches
- Weight capacity: 300 pounds
Not only is this one's seat covered in a super soft, plush velvet material, its seat is stuffed with extra comfy cushioning in the form of its spring coils that are tucked inside a high-rebound sponge. (Read: It's designed to to easily bounce back to its original shape when it's not in use.) It's also equipped with a full plethora of ergonomic features, including lumbar support, adjustable armrests a center tilt and a 360-degree swivel. Wrote one satisfied Wayfair customer: "The seat is firm-yet-cushy...I can nap in the chair if I wanted to! I did put different wheels on it instead of what it came with since the typical wheels are plastic on all chairs [but overall], very nice chair, comfortable and sturdy."
- Pros: padded armrests, breathable linen fabric, oversized
- Cons: armrests don't flip up, may be difficult to assemble, may not hold up over time
- Ergonomic features: thick padding, padded armrests, headrest, adjustable tilt, 360-degree swivel
- Adjustable height: unknown
- Weight capacity: 264 pounds
Comfort feels different for everyone, and if you're of the camp that cushy isn't it, this Vinsetto option may be more up your alley. More than one Amazon reviewer called it nice and firm, making it just what the doctor ordered if you prefer a stiffer seat. With its 360-degree swivel and rotating wheels, this ergonomic office chair also gives you a full range of motion. The linen fabric will keep you from sweating through the bottom of it and the stable padded armrests aim to keep your posture aligned.
- Pros: budget-friendly, tools for assembly included, breathable
- Cons: no headrest, may be too firm for some, on the smaller side
- Ergonomic features: lumbar support, adjustable tilt
- Adjustable height: 3.7 inches
- Weight capacity: 275 pounds
If $300 is toward the top of your budget, not to fret. This one, which comes in three colors, is priced under $60. On the plus side, it's got the same breathable mesh back as some of its pricier competitors, as well as mid-back lumbar support that's designed to fit the natural curve of the body. It's also got a decent amount of tilt. The downside for some will be that despite its 3.7-inch height adjustment, this one sits lower to the ground, meaning it may not be idea for taller shoppers. The seat is also more firm than others on this list. Still, for the cash, we're not sure it can be beat.
- Pros: vibration feature, remote control,
- Cons: material may not hold up over time
- Ergonomic features: lumbar support, headrest, armrest, adjustable tilt tension, waterfall-edge seat
- Adjustable height:
- Weight capacity: 250 pounds
Talk about leveling up! This chair from BestOffice won't just prevent you from getting a sore back, it offers vibrations to your painful areas with the included remote control to help soothe the aches you've already got. While it won't give you a full-blown massage (you'll want to head to the spa for that), it's a nice little relaxing bonus in what shoppers say is an already comfy chair. And with built-in lumbar support, a convenient 360-degree swivel, a padded head and armrests and a waterfall seat, how could it not be?
- Pros: easy gliding, plenty of cushioning, promotes good posture, nontoxic foam
- Cons: armrests can't be moved
- Ergonomic features: waterfall seat edge, pillowed headrest, plush body pillows, contoured lumbar zone
- Adjustable height: unknown
- Weight capacity: 250 pounds
Back pain is no joke and sitting on the wrong chair all day will only exacerbate it. Layered with body pillows and covered with soft microfiber fabric or sumptuous faux leather, this chair is the real deal for those who know that agony all too well, with one reviewer noting that it was "amazing after back surgery" and another saying that it cured their discomfort. "My old chair apparently wasn't meant to be sat in eight hours a day and was contributing to my lower back pain," they wrote. "This chair fit the bill. No more peeling or back pain. You can really feel the lower back support when you sit in it. ... It is a mid-back chair. ... This means you can't really slouch when you sit. I think the fact that you have to sit in it with proper posture is the real reason it supports your lower back so well."
Hey, better posture and lessened pain? We'll take it!
- Pros: elastic mesh back, butterfly-shaped back
- Cons: may not hold up over time
- Ergonomic features: adjustable lumbar support, adjustable angle, flip-up armrests, 360-degree swivel
- Adjustable height: 3.15 inches
- Weight capacity: 286 pounds
Don't be fooled by this one's pretty colors. It's plenty heavy-duty on the ergonomic front, especially since you can customize the positioning of the butterfly-shaped lumbar support of the chair up or down by nearly two inches to properly support your waist and take the pressure off your spine. In addition to the awesome adjustable butterfly feature, the armrests of this chair flip up by a full 90 degrees when you need them out of your way. It reclines by up to 30 degrees if you feel like kicking back, lifts up and down by upwards of three inches and swivels by a full 360 degrees, too.
- Pros: strong, breathable mesh material
- Cons: only one color choice
- Ergonomic features: mimics the shape of the spine, adjustable headrest, adjustable lumbar support and armrests
- Adjustable height: 3.9 inches
- Weight capacity: 300 pounds
With a weight support limit of 300 pounds and a metal frame with high-quality plates, this ergonomic office chair is one of the most durable you'll find. It's also highly adjustable, with a headrest, armrests, lumbar support, tilt and height that can all be customized for your perfect mix of comfort. Confirmed one buyer: "I've had this for over a year now and it's still in great condition. No issues. Im 5 feet 11 inches, 165 pounds. I have a tendency to sit [cross-legged] sometimes and I even use the armrest to lift and adjust myself. Thought for sure it would have broken by now, but nope! Awesome for the price."
- Pros: trusted brand, well-made, ten-year limited warranty, rolls smoothly and quietly
- Cons: more pricey, easy to scuff, not real leather, fixed arms
- Ergonomic features: headrest, padded armrest, adjustable tilt tension
- Adjustable height: 2 inches
- Weight capacity: 250 pounds
La-Z-Boy is practically synonymous with "comfort," and according to the more than 4,000 glowing Staples reviews for this chair, its ergonomic seats are no exception. Happy buyer after happy buyer called this one both well-made and cozy, with several even claiming they could easily sleep in it. It doesn't have as many adjustability options as other models—the armrests, headrest and lumbar support are all fixed—but if the ratings are any indicator, it needs very little tweaking, anyway.
- Pros: breathable fabric, five-year warranty
- Cons: not recommended for those 5 foot 3 inches tall or shorter
- Ergonomic features: adjustable armrests, adjustable lumbar support, adjustable tilt, adjustable tilt tension, 360-degree swivel
- Adjustable height: 4 inches
- Weight capacity: 275 pounds
They say you get what you pay for, and in most cases, that's true: The chairs on this list should all be great for the short-term. If we're being realistic, however, some of them may not be around for the long-haul. This option from Branch Furniture is not only less than $300, it comes with a full five-year warranty from the company, so you can feel good investing a bit more into it. It's super adjustable, with levers to move the height up and down, raise or lower the lumbar support, move the armrests up and down and change up the tilt. If you're petite or extra-tall, you'll want to look elsewhere, however: The company only recommends this chair for those with a height between 5 feet 4 inches and 6 feet 3 inches.
- Pros: reduce chances of slouching, easy setup
- Cons: only one color option available, armrests aren't adjustable
- Ergonomic features: thick padding, headrest, locking tilt control, built-in lumbar support, padded armrests, 360-degree swivel
- Adjustable height: 3 inches
- Weight capacity: 275 pounds
According to furniture brand Autonomous, high-back chairs, which include added an headrest, offer more support to your head, neck, lower and upper back and shoulders and reduce your chances of slouching. Office Star’s version is also equipped with pneumatic (i.e. single touch) height control, a locking tilt control, thick and padded leather contouring with built-in lumbar support and padded armrests. Better yet, it's a breeze to put together. Raved one buyer: “This chair was so easy to set up. [It] took me less than 30 minutes and that's with interruptions from all of my co-workers commenting on how nice it looks."
- Pros: built-in retractable footrest, mesh fabric
- Cons: padding could be thicker, height locking mechanism can fail at times
- Ergonomic features: reclines up to 135 degrees, adjustable headrest, lumbar support, padded armrests, 360-degree swivel
- Adjustable height: 4 inches
- Weight capacity: 275 pounds
For the person who wishes they had a footrest throughout their workday: We come bearing good news. This reclining ergonomic office chair boasts a retractable one that you can easily tuck under your chair or pull out when you don't want your boss to know you're relaxing on the job. (In other words, you won’t have to invest in a separate footrest that’ll take up precious room in your WFH space.) Plus, it reclines up to 135 degrees for a quick break time nap. The headrest adjusts for your height and there's a built-in lumbar cushion to keep your back supported.
- Pros: space-saving design, budget-friendly,
- Cons: no headrest
- Ergonomic features: built-in lumbar support, padded seat, 360-degree swivel
- Adjustable height: 4.8 inches
- Weight capacity: 250 pounds
If you’re looking for a simple, streamlined chair that won’t break the bank or keep you confined between its arms, this FDX chair will be ideal (and, as National Business Furniture points out, a total space-saver). It allows you to move about freely thanks to its armless design and its seat can be raised up or down by almost five inches, enabling it to suit a wide range of heights. There's a a 360-degree swivel and the seat is made of breathable mesh back to help keep things cool. Plus, it comes in an array of fun colors to match whatever aesthetic you’re going for.
- Pros: super durable, breathable open back
- Cons: no headrest or adjustable armrests, no lumbar support
- Ergonomic features: 360-degree swivel for easy mobility
- Adjustable height: unknown
- Weight capacity: 250 pounds
The walnut wood base of this beauty will not only provide a rustic charm to your space, but unmatched longevity. The open back of the chair also allows for some major breathability. You will want to note however that while it is ergonomic in a basic sense, since the hydraulic-lift mechanism allows you to maintain your ideal seat height, the wheels allow you to roll around in it and you can swivel by a full 360 degrees, it doesn't have the support features of others on our list for your lumbar region, wrists or neck, knocking it down quite a few spots in our rankings.
- Pros: set of two, large seating area, breathable mesh, assembly tools included, antimicrobial
- Cons: no headrest
- Ergonomic features: lumbar support, curved backrest, breathable fabric, angle adjustment
- Adjustable height: 3.3 inches
- Weight capacity: 200 pounds
Need to get more than one ergonomic office chair but don’t want to spend a fortune? You’ve come to the right place. This Inbox Zero ergonomic office chair set scores you two chairs in one order without crossing the $200 threshold. Each one is complete with a curved backrest to align with the spine's natural curve, lumbar support and breathable mesh fabric. According to one Wayfair reviewer, it's also “Easy to put together and great value for the price." In short? You can't beat the two-for one buy.
What Is an Ergonomic Office Chair?
Don’t let this intimidating-sounding term trip you up—it’s quite simple, actually. Ergonomic refers to anything that’s designed to remove barriers between you and your environment or the application of a product. As such, an ergonomic office chair will focus less on embodying aesthetic trends (some of them *do* happen to be super cute, however!) and more on conforming to your body’s biomechanics, so you can work more efficiently and reduce your risk of muscle imbalance, strain or fatigue.
Research from the Washington Department of Labor and Industries found that companies who switched their employees over to ergonomic furniture—namely, office chairs—experienced a reduction in employee absenteeism, reduced incidences of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and increased productivity and work output. Not too shabby for a piece of furniture, huh?
What to Look For in an Ergonomic Office Chair
There are several things you'll want to look out for when you're shopping for an ergonomic office chair, which we've outlined for you below.
- Height adjustment: In the same way that no two bodies are built the same, neither are two ergonomic office chairs. Look for a height adjustment lever (and ideally, adjustable armrests, too) to help align yourself properly to your desk. Spine health experts say you should be able to planted your feet flat on the floor with your thighs horizontal on the chair and your forearms positioned on the same plane as the desk.
- Swivel: Not only is it fun to swivel around in an office chair, it may be healthier for your back, too, since this function allows you to easily face or reach all corners of your desk without straining your spine.
- Wheels: Chair wheels will enable you to coast from one side of your desk—or even a room—to another without having to reach too far. Look for ones with caster wheels that will better protect your floors, emit less noise and decrease wear to the wheel itself.
- Support: You don’t need to suffer from chronic pain to benefit from extra cushioning. Padded lumbar support, in particular, can help to neutralize any lower back discomfort you might experience throughout the day as a result of placing undue strain on your pelvis. A headrest, meanwhile, can keep your spine and neck aligned and pain-free, as long as it’s the proper fit for your body.
Where to Buy Ergonomic Office Chairs
Want to know which buzzy products are *really* worth buying? Sign up for our shopping newsletter to uncover our favorite finds.
From 2017 to 2020 Brianna Lapolla held the role of Commerce Editor covering sales and deals across fashion, beauty and more.