The best cheap gaming chairs give you the comfort and stability you need, without being abhorrently expensive. It's not always easy to tell good cheap gaming chairs apart from their false-economy counterparts. While our best gaming chair guide looks for absolute perfection for a reasonable price, the cheaper end of the market is a bit of minefield.
Now that Black Friday is upon us, the market is only going to be more difficult to navigate. In order to help you avoid the trappings I've used my years of experience sitting my butt on various things to lay out this cheap gaming chair guide. I've set a soft budget of $200.
We've not personally tested every product in this cheap gaming chair guide, but our main guides feature products we're rigorously tested ourselves.
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There are a few things to consider when looking for a cheap gaming chair: adjustable lumbar and neck pillows, a good recline, 3D or 4D armrests, and a suitable weight limit. Though don't expect all of these features for under $200—consider it a bit of a red flag for quality. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
Remember, you'll be sitting in your chair for hours on end so even a cheap gaming chair should support your frame. Ergonomics are often trumped by aesthetics when it comes to affordable gaming chairs, but don't let the beauty of chair themed around your favourite character mess up your spine. On that note, here are the best cheap gaming chairs we've seen around today.
Where are the best gaming chair deals?
In the US:
- PC Gamer's favorite gaming chair - Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 from $439
- Amazon - heaps of cheap gaming chairs, but watch out for low-quality products
- Secretlab - save up to $250 on some of the best gaming chairs
- Walmart - GTRacing chairs from $99
- B&H Photo - a selection of gaming chairs and racing cockpits
- Best Buy - save up to $250 on Razer gaming chairs and more
- Target - a good place to look for gaming chairs for kids
- Staples - Staples own gaming chairs from $130
- Newegg - tons of options, but it's easy to get bogged down
- Dell - Alienware/Vertagear gaming chairs for under $280
- AndaSeat - Good value gaming chairs for as low as $200
- Noblechairs Epic |
$499$299 at Noblechairs (save $200) - Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 Classic |
$589$449 at Secretlab (save $140) - Razer Iskur X |
$399.99$299.99 at Best Buy (save $100)
In the UK:
- PC Gamer's favourite gaming chair - Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 from £344
- Amazon - tons of gaming chairs but beware any that seem too cheap. They probably are
- Overclockers - Noblechairs options with free delivery
- Box - Anda Seat gaming chairs from £190 and more
- Scan - Corsair chairs as low as £150
- Noblechairs Epic Gaming Chair |
£329.99£284.99 at Overclockers UK (save £45) - Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 Classic |
£544£344 at Secretlab (save £200)
The best cheap gaming chairs
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Should I buy a cheap gaming chair?
If you're after the racing aesthetic, then a cheap gaming chair will deliver that, but it's what's underneath that faux leather exterior that counts. Going too cheap will mean you get a frame that can't stand the active exertions of a heated gaming session or a seat with padding that either offers no support or melts away within months.
Alternatively, if you're not desperate for the streamer look, you can find decent office chairs, with far more ergonomic designs, for less than the sticker price of a serious bucket seat. This, of course, if you don't mind going for something less flashy.
Good furniture is expensive but should last you a few years, so consider it an investment.
