The once vibrant cheap gaming chair market has been significantly impacted by the Trump-era tariffs. 2025 sees a sharp decline in viable gaming chairs priced under $200. Even the few worthwhile models offer dubious ergonomic quality compared to similarly-priced office chairs. If looking for affordable seating, consider carefully before investing a cheap gaming chair.
The point of an ergonomic chair is to support neutral postures. Cheap gaming chairs typically come with 1D armrests, adjustable lumbar support, and a reclining backrest. Although basic, this feature stack is definitely enough to support long periods of healthy sitting.
However, for full-time desk work, the cheap gaming chairs lack durability. With daily use, expect the padding to flatten and upholstery to crack after just a few months.
Best Cheap Gaming Chairs Under $200
For best results with a sub-$200 gaming chair, choosing the right size is key. A gaming chair with a seat that’s too deep for your knees will distort your posture.
Among our top-rated picks, check the size ratings, and look for a fit that leaves a small gap between the back of your knees and the seat lip.
Best Cheap Gaming Chairs of 2025
- E-Win Knight Series: best multi-size (for short, fat, tall & 400-pound sizes); 2-year warranty ($183)
- GTRacing Pro Series Red: the original fully-ergonomic cheap racer ($129.98)
- Homall Classic: the original semi-ergonomic cheap gaming chair with non-adjustable arms ($99.99)
- Devoko Gaming Chair: a slightly cheaper version of the Homall Classic. ($89.99)
- GTRacing Music Footrest Chair: a more compact Pro Series variant with a footrest & Bluetooth speakers. ($159.99)
E-Win Knight Series
Rated #1 | $183 $229 from E-Win
The Knight is the cheapest model in the E-Win gaming chair collection. It supports short and heavy sizes with a wide seat, support for 400 pounds, a 2-year warranty, and a ChairsFX discount (use the code CHAIRSFX for 20% off).
E-Win rates the Knight for short to tall sizes 5’3″ to 6’1″. We tested it with a 6’1″ model. Notice the significant gap between the back of his knees and the seat’s edge.
This chair’s seat dimensions are on-point. It’s deep enough to support our 6’1″ model, yet shallow enough to fit shorter legs. As well, its flat, generous 21.7″ seat width can comfortably support slim to extra-thick sizes.
Knight Series Features
The Knight has a loose lumbar pillow; other gaming chairs have ones that attach to the backrest with straps. The obvious downside is that a loose pillow needs constant attention. Every time you sit down, you’ll need to reposition it.
On the flip side, the constant attention that loose pillows demand is a great way to master lumbar support fundamentals.
Another difference: firmer padding. Most cheap chairs use squishy PU foam with a 50kg/m³ padding density; the Knight’s is 55kg/m³. That’s stiff enough for good stability, yet malleable enough to ensure immediate satisfaction.
Knight Series Specifications
There are four Knight models with 12 style variations. All come upholstered in E-Win’s unique blend of PVC leather.
For a deeper specs dive, see E-Win Knight Review: Best Multi-size Gaming Chair Under $200.
- Functionality: 2D armrests; recline from 85° to 155°; rocking with tilt tension.
- Padding: cold-cured 55kg/m³ foam.
- Upholstery: PVC leather.
- Warranty: two years on padding & upholstery; 10 years on the frame.
- Seat width x depth: 21.7″ (W) x 19.7″ (usable depth)
- Backrest width x height: 22.6″ (W) x 33.9″ (H)
- Floor to seat range: 16.3″ to 20.2″
- Size rating: 5’3″ to 6’1″; maximum weight capacity 400 pounds.
Buying advice
The Knight Series is the most versatile cheap gaming chair priced under $200. It’s a good fit for short people with stubby legs, tall-ish ones with lanky legs, fat people, and slim ones.
Compared to other cheap chairs, it has a wider seat, larger weight capacity, and longer warranty. It provides excellent value for money.
- Extra-wide seat
- Support for 400 pounds
- Diverse range of styles
- Reliable 2-year warranty
- The old-school, racing-style designs may bore some people
Bottom line: If you’re within 5’4″ to 6’1″, the Knight will fit — regardless of your thickness or weight.
Use the coupon code ChairsFX to get 20% off the retail sales price.
Knight Series from E-Win $183 $229
Learn more: Knight Series Review With a 6’1″ Model
GTRacing Pro Series
Rated #2 | $129.98 on Amazon
This is one of the original cheap gaming chairs, launched in 2013. Its basic features include 2D arms, an adjustable lumbar support pillow, and a 90-160° recline. That stack provides everything you need to support healthy computing postures.
The key downside: it lacks the sizing versatility of the E-Win Knight. GTRacing rates the Pro Series as a small chair for sizes 4’9″ to 5’9″. We tested it with a 5’8″ 155-pound model; it was a good fit for her size.
But based on her fit, those with shorter legs will find the seat too deep. So the Pro Series chair’s advertised size rating is unrealistic. Instead, we suggest it as a safe fit for sizes 5’6″ to 5’9″ only.
Pro Series Chair Features
The GTRacing Pro Series starts with a steel frame and a thick layer of mid-grade polyurethane foam (PU) padding. Like most cheap blends, the padding has a semi-spongy 50kg/m³ density. That’s not as supportive or durable as firmer padding blends.
In fact, firmer padding provides better stability to support good postures. On the flip side, the Pro Series padding is soft and comfortable on the buttocks — a gentler introduction for ergonomic beginners.
In a similar fashion, the Pro Series lumbar pillow is easy for beginners to master. Simply adjust its height to provide support above your beltline. Then, lean back and enjoy a supported healthy posture.
GT099 Specifications
We’ve revised GTRacing’s size rating for this chair. Our tests found the Pro Series 22.8″ seat depth excessive for short legs. ChairsFX size rating: 4’9″ 5’6″ to 5’9″ and up to 200 pounds.
- Functionality: 2D armrests; recline to 160°.
- Comfort: PU 50kg/m³ foam padding; neck and lumbar pillows.
- Upholstery: 2-tone PU leather.
- Support: steel frame; metal base; class 4 gas lift; smooth rolling casters.
- Warranty: one year.
- Seat width x depth: 16″/21.3″ (inner/outer seat width) x 22.8″ (D)
- Backrest width x height: 20.8″ (W) x 32.2″ (H)
- Seat height: 16.92″ to 20.86″
- ChairsFX size rating:
4’9″5’6″ to 5’9″; 330-pound capacity (200-pound suggested fit limit)
Buying advice
Versus the E-Win Knight, the Pro Series is around $60 cheaper with a shorter 1-year warranty. It differs with squishier padding and a lumbar pillow attached with straps. For the price, it offers good value as a solid starter chair.
- Rugged, easy to clean
- Good adjustability
- Comfortable
- Limited sizing potential
- Mediocre (1-year) durability
But compared to the Knight, its sizing is clumsy. The backrest is well-designed for short sizes — but the 22.8″ seat depth is for longer legs. That limits its sizing potential.
People taller than 5’9″ will find the backrest too small; those shorter than 5’6″will find the seat too deep. On a positive note, those within the 5’6″ to 5’9″ size range can enjoy a solid starter chair for a great low price.
GTRacing Pro Series on Amazon $129.98
Learn more: GTRacing Pro Series Review With a 5’8″ Model.
Homall Classic
Rated #4 | $99.99 on Amazon
The original cheap gaming chair has reigned as one of Amazon’s best sellers for years. It has clear pros and cons. On the upside, its dimensions are sound: the 19.8″ seat depth provides a legit good fit for chunky sizes 5’4″ to 5’10”.
On the downside, this is a semi-ergonomic model with fixed, non-adjustable armrests. That suits short computing periods. For full-time ones, the lack of adjustable support may strain the shoulders and wrists.
If you can live with the downside, this is a rock-solid starter chair with reliable dimensions and a great price.
- Features: non-adjustable arms, 90-180° recline, lumbar & headrest pillows.
- Size rating: 5’4″ to 5’10”, 300 pounds.
- Warranty: 1 year.
Devoko Gaming Chair
Rated #3 | $89.99 on Amazon
The Devoko Classic gaming chair offers similar features as the Homall Classic. It comes with a deep recline, fixed armrests, small dimensions, and a tiny 6-month warranty.
Regarding sizing, this model suits slim figures of average height. Those with thick hips or wide legs may find the seat too narrow for comfort.
- Functionality: adjustable lumbar support, 90-170° recline; fixed armrests.
- Upholstery: foam padding; PU leather seat and backrest
- Support: adjustable neck and lumbar pillows on straps.
- Warranty: 6 months.
- Seat width & depth: 20.5″ (W) x 19.8″ (D)
- Backrest height & width: 30.8″ (H), 19.8″ (W)
- Floor to seat range: 16.1″ to 20″
- Size rating: 5’7″ to 5’11”; 300 pounds
Final verdict: the rock-bottom price gets you a flimsy chair with substandard padding and low-quality PU upholstery that wears down fast. Suitable for those needing temporary seating.
GTRacing Music Footrest Chair
Rated #6 | $159.99 on Amazon
A slightly smaller Pro Series with a retractable footrest and Bluetooth speakers. The GTRacing Pro Series chair’s 22.8″ seat depth is excessive for short sizes. The GTRacing Music Series solves with a 20.07″ depth.
Beyond a better fit, sizes 5’4″ and up get the bonus of a retractable footrest and Bluetooth speakers built into the backrest. Available in six color variations.
- Features: 2D arms; 90-155° recline; footrest; massage stuffed lumbar pillow
- Extras: retractable footrest; massage stuffed lumbar pillow; built-in Bluetooth speakers.
- ChairsFX size rating: 5’5″ to 5’9″; 200 pounds
- Warranty: 1 year.
Cheap Ergo Office Chair Alternatives
Some adults may prioritize good back support over flashy racing-style psychological gimmicks. Then, they may prefer a mid-back ergonomic office chair over a full-back gaming model.
If so, it’s worth knowing that headrests on mid-back chairs are also psychological gimmicks. These distort good posture and ruin a chair’s ergonomic back support benefits.
Once this realization dawns, the cheap ergonomic chair landscape changes dramatically. In fact, you don’t need to spend big money to enjoy world-class back support!
Best Cheap Office Chairs Under $300
Minus headrests, a handful of cheap mid-back chairs priced under $300 offer excellent value for money. The cheapest is the Modway Articulate ($130.40 on Amazon).
It matches the price and functionality of the best cheap full-back gaming chairs. It also exceeds them with advanced seat and backrest tilting functionality. Another option with a slightly more polished feature set is the Space Seating 24 Series ($544.44 on Amazon).
Despite its depressingly boring looks, it does everything cheap gaming chairs can do and more. Extras include a 3-year upholstery guarantee and lifetime parts warranty!
Are you sure you want to buy a cheap gaming chair — because of its funky looks? If healthy back support becomes a higher priority, check out these affordable office chairs:
Best Ergonomic Office Chairs Under $300
Cheap vs Expensive Gaming Chairs
Many people start their gaming chair adventure with a cheap chair. Mine began in 2017 atop a cheap DXRacer with 1D armrests. It helped me improve my posture. That yielded more energy and greater focus while sitting.
As a result, I started earning more money. A few years later, that gave me enough justification to level up. Given the current state of the gaming chair industry, most people can expect to follow a similar trajectory.
In 2022, beyond the original gaming chair design is the Secretlab chair. It’s the world’s best full-back ergo chair; on functional, aesthetic, and other levels. Recently, I’ve been testing its ability to support biomechanically-perfect neutral sitting postures.
The results rival the support provided by the finest Herman Miller ergonomic chairs. In both, it’s possible to nail a perfect 25-45° lower back curve and a 0° head tilt.
Speaking of Herman Miller, that’s the final destination for many of the world’s top streamers.
Famous names like Pokimane, TimtheTatman, Ninja, Shroud, and Tfue all share a similar trajectory:
- Start streaming on a cheap gaming chair
- Upgrade to a premium gaming chair after gaining success.
- Upgrade to a Herman Miller chair once you’ve hit the big time.
Bottom line: pay what you can afford for an ergonomic chair as an investment. Once the key benefits kick in (more energy + greater productivity), more money should flow in. Then, level up as necessary to a higher level of seating. Learn more:
