Best Office Chair Under $300: Save Your Back (and Money)

After researching over 20 different chairs, eliminating and then testing, we've picked the best office chair under $300. What is that? The Viva Office High Back Mesh Executive chair is comfortable, ergonomic and fully adjustable. And it costs less than $300. With its built-in lumbar support and headrest, this chair lets you sit comfortably for a low price, making it a great choice for anyone on a budget. Buying a new  chair can be an expensive affair, but it doesn't have to be. You may think that you need to spend a ton of money to get a seat that promotes healthy sitting and remains comfortable over long periods of time sitting, but that's simply not true anymore. However, you may lose out on some adjustability and premium features when you buy a chair under $300. But for the most part, they are reliable for home and office applications.

The Top Office Chairs Under $300 for 2018

#1 Viva Office High Back Mesh Executive - Best Office Chair Under $300

Pros:

• Adjustable, ergonomic design
• Easy to assemble
• Breathable mesh backrest
• Adjustable lumbar support

Cons:

• Armrests don't adjust forward or backward
• Not made for tall people

The Viva Office High Back Mesh Executive features an adjustable and ergonomic design that provides lasting comfort, even over extended periods of use. It's made with a breathable mesh fabric that encourages better ventilation and prevents your body from overheating. The lumbar support of this office seat is superb, mostly because it can be adjusted up and down to fit the position of your lower back. Having this option allows you to promote better blood flow in your back and throughout your body. The armrests on the Viva are only height adjustable; they don’t adjust back and forth. This may limit you on how close you can get to your desk while sitting in this chair. Also, if you're a taller person, you may experience some discomfort due to the lower headrest.

#2 Poly and Bark Inverness Ergonomic Chair - Best Ergonomic Office Chair Under $300

Pros:

• Comfortable, ergonomic design
• Easily adjustable
• Breathable mesh on backrest and seat

Cons:

• Armrests aren't padded
• Heavy
• Tall people may be uncomfortable

The Poly and Bark Inverness Ergonomic chair is made with comfort in mind. It's made to be ergonomic in almost every way possible, and it allows you to easily adjust settings. The only thing it lacks is padding on the armrests, but this is a downside that can easily be ignored. This seat features a unique adjustment dial for adjusting seat height, tilt and depth. Simply push the button corresponding to the setting you want to adjust, and then turn the wheel to until you reach your desired comfort level. The backrest features a breathable mesh fabric and built-in lumbar support that creates an extra-comfortable experience for anyone sitting in this chair. It's heavy, which might make it more difficult to carry between rooms, and tall people may be uncomfortable in it. However, it still makes a great choice for anyone looking for an ergonomic chair for less than $300.

#3 Office Star Mesh - Best Mesh Office Chair Under $300

Pros:

• Compact, comfortable design
• Built-in lumbar support
• Mesh seat and backrest

Cons:

• Armrests aren't adjustable
• No headrest
• The lowest height setting may be too high

The Office Star Mesh seat features a breathable mesh fabric in both the backrest and the seat itself. This mesh promotes better ventilation for the user, which can increase comfort along with the built-in lumbar support, which encourages better blood flow while sitting. The chair is also compact, making it easier to use anywhere, regardless of available space. And while the armrests can't adjust up and down, they can flip back to give you more flexibility to fit into tighter spaces. Besides the lack of a headrest or adjustable armrests, most of this office chair's settings can be adjusted. Itfeatures a unique tilt system that allows you to lock in a 2:1 ratio to promote better blood flow and comfort.

#4 Alera Neratoli Mid-Back Swivel Chair - Best Non-Mesh Office Chair Under $300

Pros:

• Attractive waterfall design relieves knee pressure
• Can install without the arms
• Stain-resistant, durable materials

Cons:

• Lack of adjustability
• Padding isn't made for long periods of sitting
• Can't lock the seat tilt

The Alera Neratoli Mid-Back Swivel chair is sleek and attractive. Its compact design features eye-catching faux leather that's sure to double as a showpiece and a chair. The waterfall design of the seat is also functional, serving to relieve the pressure in your knees while sitting for increased circulation. Unfortunately, the thin padding isn't made for long periods of sitting, and there's a decided lack of adjustability on the Alera. However, this makes an excellent pick for less than $300. Assembling the Alera is easy, and you can even assemble it without the arms if you so desire. The faux leather material is stain-resistant and durable, though it doesn't breath as well as mesh chairs. That said, this is an excellent option due to the combination of attractive form and decent function.

#5 HON Wave Big and Tall Executive Chair - Best Big and Tall Office Chair Under $300

Pros:

• High weight capacity
• Adjustable lumbar support
• Sturdy

Cons:

• No headrest option
• Heavy

The HON Wave Big and Tall Executive chair is made specifically for users who are bigger and/or taller than the average user, as the name implies. With an increased weight capacity topping out at 450 pounds and a low price, this top pick provides an inexpensive solution to those who have a harder time a chair due to their size. While this office seat under $300 doesn't offer any kind of headrest option, it still offers adjustable lumbar support and other adjustable settings, such as seat height and tilt. This sturdy chair is also a little heavier than most seats, weighing in at 53 pounds, which might make it more cumbersome to move. Overall, the HON Big and Tall Executive is comfortable, mostly due to the dual layer of padding under the mesh fabric. The mesh nature of this fabric also provides ventilation to cool your body down, even when you've been sitting in the chair for a long period of time.

#6 Topsky Mesh Chair - Best Lumbar Support Office Chair Under $300

Pros:

• Fully adjustable, including lumbar support
• Durable, strength mesh back
• Ergonomic, comfortable design

Cons:

• Assembly can be a little difficult
• Armrests don't adjust front-to-back

The Topsky Mesh chair is the king of lumbar support. It offers a fully adjustable lumbar support cushion on the backrest that you can move back and forth to fine-tune the amount of lumbar support provided This chair also features a ton of different adjustable settings, including a headrest, seat tilt, and seat depth. The armrests are also height adjustable, but you can't move them back or forth. The mesh fabric on the Topsky is breathable and comfortable, especially when paired with the cushioned seat. The Topsky also features a built-hangar on the back to conveniently store your coat or bags. Assembling the Topsky can be a little difficult with the included instructions, so you may need to turn to online resources for help. Overall, though, this chair provides an excellent solution for people with lower back pain who are also on a budget.

Best Office Chair Under $300: Save Your Back (and Money) is republished from Gadget Reviews