Standard gaming chairs come in small, medium, and XL sizes. Most small chairs are slim fit models for short people. XL sizes have wide seats designed for tall people. Luckily, beyond the standard gaming chair sizes, there are a few specialty ones. Here, we look at the best cheap gaming chairs with wide seats for short and thick body types.
The best-selling cheap gaming chairs in 2020 are all compact models for kids or slim adults. Most have bladed edges that restrict leg movement.
Those with thick legs or wide hips may find chairs with bladed edges painful. Luckily, instead of splashing out on a pricey big and tall gaming chair, cheaper alternatives exist.
Cheap gaming chairs with wide seats are more comfortable over long periods of use. For instance, smaller users can sit cross-legged in these chairs. Wider bodies will enjoy a relaxed fit.
That makes wide-seat chairs a good choice for shared workstations. For example, as a shared computer in your home. Your whole family can enjoy good back support while taking turns using one of these chairs.
Cheap wide chairs for short people
Most gaming chairs for wide seats come with a minimum seat height range of around 18 inches. That isn’t ideal for thick people with short legs.
E-Win is the only gaming chair brand on the market specializing in short, wide sizes. All E-Win gaming chairs support up to 400 pounds and come with extra-low seats.
Besides E-Win, there’s one other (viable) model for short, thick sizes.
E-Win Knight Series
The Knight Series is a simple gaming chair specially designed for short, thick sizes. It has a flat, wide seat with enough room to sit cross-legged. It also has a lower-than-average seat height range of 16.3-20.2 inches.
E-Win rates it for sizes 5’3″ and up. Based on average Wisconsin student sizes, that’s suitable for ages 13 and up. Thus, the Knight Series is a good option for short, thick teenagers. It’s easy to use, attractive, and affordable.
Sizing
THis chair has a deep, wide seat suitable for big bottoms. The seat lowers to 16.3″, making it a great option for people with short legs.
- Seat width x depth: 21.7″ (W) x 22″ (D)
- Backrest width x height: 22.6″ (W) x 33.9″ (H)
- Seat height: 16.3″ to 20.2″
- Size rating: 5’3″ to 6’1″; 400-pound weight capacity
Features
The Knight Series is the cheapest E-Win gaming chair. Besides its spacious dimensions, it offers basic features and ultra-durable upholstery.
Chairs come in a range of PVC leather styles. PVC is the least breathable type of chair cover material, but also the most durable. That means it might get toasty in tropical conditions, but last a lot longer than PU leather chairs.
- Functionality: 2D armrests; recline to 155°; tilt lock and tilt tension.
- Comfort: cold cure foam padding; neck and lumbar support pillows.
- Warranty: 2-year warranty on parts; 10-year warranty on the frame (details).
Buying advice
Few gaming chairs under $200 come with a 2-year warranty. On top of that, you get a 10-year frame warranty.
Given the PVC upholstery, you can expect a Knight Series chair to last much longer than 2-years. Over time, the only part likely to wear down is the padding.
The bottom line is that the Knight Series is a solid, spacious, rugged gaming chair. If you’ve never tried a gaming chair before, this is a great entry-level model for short, thick sizes.
Knight Series $159 $199 from E-Win
Use the coupon code ChairsFX during checkout for the discount.
E-Win Champion Series CPG Fabric
The E-Win Champion Series CPG chair is like a Knight Series chair on steroids. Like the Knight Series, it has a flat, wide seat and support for up to 400 pounds. But while the Knight has basic features, the Champion Series is fully loaded.
It comes stacked with 4D armrests, a multifunction tilt-lock, and ultra-breathable fabric upholstery. As the cherry on top, the Champion CPG fabric chair also bears a bargain-basement price.
Sizing
The Champion Series CPG chair’s seat is wide enough for XL sizes. At the same time, the seat height goes an inch lower than the Knight Series chair.
Most XL gaming chairs cater to tall sizes. This is one of the few super-wide XL models tailor-made for people with short legs.
- Seat width x depth: 20.9″ (W) x 21.7″ (D)
- Backrest width x height: 21.7″ (W) x 37.8″ (H)
- Floor to seat range: 15.1-18.9″
- Size rating: 5’3″ to 6’1″; 400-pound weight capacity
Features
On paper, this model has the same features as the world’s best pro esports chairs.
- Functionality: 4D armrests; recline from 85° to 155°; seat angle tilt-lock.
- Padding: high-quality cold-cured foam.
- Upholstery:Â breathable woven fabric in two colors.
- Warranty: two years on parts, 10 years on the frame.
Buying advice
Between the Knight and Champion CPG chair, E-Win offers two appealing models for short, wide users. If you’re on a very tight budget, the Knight Series will suffice. But for $88 more, the CPG chair packs in a lot more luxury.
Besides spacious dimensions and pro features, you also get the cool, breathable benefits of fabric.
Like PVC leather, fabric upholstery is extremely durable. But its enhanced breathability ensures a chair that always stays cool, regardless of the weather.
E-Win Fabric Chair $247 $309 from E-Win
Use the coupon code ChairsFX for the discount. Learn more in this Champion Series CPG Chair Review.
Staples Hyken
The Staples Hyken is a popular office-style alternative. It’s a full mesh chair with solid ergonomic features and an extra-wide seat.
Its seat height range is higher than the preceding models but still lower than average. In fact, the seat height range of 16.2-23.2″ works for both short and average sizes.
Sizing
The Hyken’s seat is around one inch narrower than the preceding models. Even so, the flat seat style provides enough room for thick legs.
Even so, with a limited 250-pound weight capacity, this model is better suited to moderately wide sizes.
- Seat width x depth: 19.3″ (W) x 16.5″ (D)
- Backrest width x height: 16.2″ (W) x 23.2″ (H)
- Seat height: 16.9-19.7″
- Size rating: 5’3″ to 5’10”; 250-pound weight capacity.
Features
The Hyken chair offers basic adjustability. You can adjust the armrests and lumbar support up and down. There’s also a built-in recline function that lets you lock at four different angles.
This provides better functionality than a standard office chair. At the same time, it falls well behind the adjustments of E-Win gaming chairs.
- Backrest: recline and lock with a 90° to 140° range (4 lock positions); synthetic mesh upholstery.
- Lumbar support: height-adjustable.
- Headrest: non-adjustable.
- Seat: padded fabric covering; fixed (not depth-adjustable).
- Armrests: 1D adjustable (up and down).
- Warranty: 30-day return policy; 7-year limited warranty.
Buying advice
Rather than embrace new concepts, many people prefer to stick with what’s familiar. From that perspective, the Hyken is a safe pick. It offers better ergonomic support than regular office chairs at a good price.
The breathable mesh provides cool, consistent comfort. On the downside, it’s a lower-quality mesh that will start to sag after a while. After a year of full-time use in a Hyken chair, you’ll need to replace it.
Even so, the Hyken is a great introduction to the world of ergonomic chairs. It’s cheap, ergonomically sound, and comfortable.
Staples Hyken from Amazon $176.41
To learn more, check out this detailed Staples Hyken chair review.
Bossin Gaming Chair With Footrest
Beyond E-Win, we’ve only found one wide gaming chair suitable for short people. The Bossin Gaming Chair has a retractable footrest, fixed arms, and spacious dimensions.
Of interest to short people is an extremely low seat height range. You can adjust the seat on this model from 13.4-17.3″. Note that with such a low height range, you’ll also need to pair this chair with a shorter-than-average desk.
Sizing
The Bossin Footrest Chair has wide dimensions and a smaller-than-average seat height range. Bossin doesn’t provide a size rating. Even so, several Amazon reviews list kids as short as 5’0″ using this model.
Given the low seat height range, small, extremely squat sizes will fit best in this chair.
- Seat width x depth: 21.7″ (W) x 22″ (D)
- Backrest width x height: 21.8″ (W) x 35.6″ (H)
- Seat height: 13.4″ to 17.3″
- Size rating: 5’0″ to 6’0″; 400-pound weight capacity
Features
This chair’s fixed armrests and footrest make it better in the living room than at a desk. In the living room, it can work as a modern-day La-Z-Boy recliner.
As a bonus, the low seat height can sit you closer to the ground. That’s ideal for gaming in front of the TV. What’s more, given the spacious dimensions, the whole family can enjoy living room gaming in this chair.
- Functionality: fixed armrests; recline to 155°; retractable footrest; rocking function.
- Comfort: cold cure foam padding; neck and lumbar support pillows; padded arms.
- Warranty: one year.
Buying advice
Short and thick people working at a desk should consider one of the preceding E-Win chairs. In contrast, short and wide gamers seeking a healthy living room lounger will appreciate this model.
The build quality isn’t spectacular and the features are basic. On the positive side, its dimensions are ideal for short widebodies. As well, this is one of the cheapest gaming chairs on the market.
Because of the low price, you need not baby these chairs. Stick one in your kid’s bedroom and let them run wild. A year or two later, once the padding flattens out, buy them a replacement.
Cheap wide chairs for average sizes
The preceding models all come with seats that lower to at least 16.1″. Out of the box, those models provide an excellent fit for users under 5’9″ with very short legs.
The following models come with seats that lower to around 18″. As a result, shorter people’s legs might dangle, instead of planting flat.
Shorter people wanting to make use of these chairs should add more height with an ergonomic footrest. Doing so will keep your feet planted while adding some surprising ergonomic benefits.
Fantasylab 8331: 400 pound support
Affordable gaming chair maker Killabee has three product lines. Von Racer is their cheapest line. Fantasylab is their luxury line.
The Fantasylab 8331 has a flat, wide seat and supports up to 400 pounds. It also has a rich suite of features including lumbar massage pillow and 3D armrests.
Sizing
The Fantasylab 8331 has an average-sized seat. But the seat has flat (instead of ridged) edges. That allows for plenty of legroom. If you have wider-than-average hips, this model is a good pick.
- Seat width & depth: 21.7″ (W) x 20.5″ (D)
- Backrest height & width: 33.5″ (H), 23.2″ (W)
- Size rating: people 5’8″ to 6’2″; up to 400 pounds
Features
This model offers luxury features at a bargain price. A nice addition is the massage unit built into the lumbar pillow. Charge with a USB cable, turn it on and lean back into the chair. The vibrations hitting the small of your back feels good. Using it for a boost a few times per day should help you stay fresh while working.
- Functionality: 3D armrests; recline to 155°; seat angle tilt-lock.
- Support: steel frame; high-density sponge padding; neck pillow & massage lumbar pillow.
- Warranty: standard 1-year warranty from Killabee.
Buying advice
Compared with the best pro gaming chairs, the Fantasylab 8331 cuts a few corners. You get 3D armrests instead of 4D. You also miss out on the seat angle tilt-lock tilt lock function. Having those options lets you practice dynamic sitting, which helps you stay fresher for longer.
Without those options, the Fantasylab 8331 is still a luxurious chair. It offers decent adjustability, excellent comfort, and effective back support.
Fantasylab 8331 on Amazon $249.99
To learn more about these chairs, check out our detailed Fantasylab gaming chair review.
Killabee 8212 big and tall racing chairs
This model has the same features and dimensions as the Fantasylab 8331. It differs with unique styling and an even lower price.
Features overview
Killabee 8212 chairs fit users from 5’8″ to 6’2″, with a 400-pound weight capacity. Features are the same as the Fantasylab model.
- Functionality: 3D armrests; recline to 155°; seat angle tilt-lock.
- Support: steel frame; high-density sponge padding; neck pillow & massage lumbar pillow.
- Warranty: standard 1-year warranty from Killabee.
Buying advice
This is essentially the same chairs as the Fantasylab 8331, but with different styling.
Neo Chair Marvel superhero chairs
RAP Series gaming chairs are rugged models in a choice of bold Marvel superhero designs. Superhero chair designs cover Captain America, Deadpool, Black Panther, and several other popular superheroes.
All models come with solid features, support for 330 pounds, and flat, spacious seats.
Sizing
These chairs have spacious seat dimensions with flat edges. Short, stocky users should find a perfect fit.
Dimensions are appropriate for average sizes. However, the flat seat edges give the chair a roomier feel.
- Seat width & depth: 22″ (W) x 22″ (D)
- Backrest width x height: 21″ (W), 32.5″ (H)
- Floor to seat range: 18″ to 22″
- Chair height: 51″ to 54″
- Size rating: 5’5″ to 6’0″; up to 330 pounds
Features
Features are solid, given the low price of these chairs. Highlights include 3D armrests and a USB-powered lumbar pillow massage unit.
- Armrests: 3D adjustable
- Recline: 180° backrest recline; 130° rocking seat tilt
- Support: adjustable lumbar pillow with massage unit insert; adjustable headrest pillow
- Upholstery: molded foam, PU leather cover, embroidered color accents
- Foundation: coated steel frame; nylon ABS base
- Warranty: 1-year warranty; 30-day money-back-guarantee (details)
Buying advice
These chairs offer excellent value for money. All offer striking designs, rich ergonomic features, and solid builds.
The biggest downside is the warranty. With full-time use, expect the padding and leather to degrade after a year or so.
Thus, we recommend these for thick-bodied teens and others who need support over part-time sessions.
The RAP Series is produced by Neo Chair. To learn more, see this Neo Chair Marvel Gaming Chair Review.
RAP Captain Marvel XL chair on Amazon $219.98
RAP Series XL chairs are also available from Amazon in Deadpool, Captain America, Iron Man, Spider-Man, and Black Panther designs.
Other large sized alternatives
For other gaming chairs with wide seats, check out our review of the world’s best big and tall chairs. Those models support up to 440 pounds and come in a range of prices, from luxurious to basic.
You’ll notice some models overlap between that review and this one. This should give you a solid look at what’s out there for big and tall users.
BEST big & tall gaming chairs for heavyweights
Conclusion
It’s important to choose the right-sized gaming chair to gain the best ergonomic benefits. People of average height but above-average width can struggle to find the best fit.
Most cheap gaming chairs are slim-fitting models. In contrast, most big and tall gaming chairs cater to people over six feet tall.
This is where cheap gaming chairs with wide seats fit in. These offer spacious dimensions and better features than typical cheap gaming chairs.
