The first key to success with a gaming chair is having the right fit for your size. The second: have the right ergonomics to support neutral postures. The E-Win Knight Series is the only multi-sized gaming chair available under $200 that does both. With legit support for sizes 5’4″ to 6’1″ and up to 400 pounds, it easily ranks as the best cheap gaming chair under $200 on the market in 2023.
Since 2015, E-Win has been making affordable gaming chairs with unique selling points. All E-Win chairs support 400 pounds or more with a 2-year warranty. The Knight Series is the cheapest in the collection.
The Knight has a standard tilt mechanism (left); pricier models have multi-function ones.
Other E-Win chairs come fully-loaded (4D arms and multi-function tilt locks). In contrast, the Knight is a starter chair with basic 2D arms and a standard tilt (rock or lock upright).
This makes for a powerful ergonomic starter pack. It has similar features (2D arms, standard tilt) as other popular gaming chairs under $200. Its 2-year warranty beats the 1-year protections of others. But what truly sets the Knight apart is its sizing.
E-Win rates this chair for sizes 5’3″ to 6’1″ with support for 400 pounds. Based on our tests, this range is legit. This makes it the only cheap gaming chair that supports short, tall, thin, and fat users in a single package.
Knight Series from E-Win $183 $229
Use the code CHAIRSFX to get 20% off the Knight Series from E-Win
E-Win Knight Series Review
Cheap gaming chairs are best-suited to first-time ergonomic chair users. They’re fully-ergonomic per institutional standards but easy to use. Most top models under $200 serve up 2D arms, a 1-year warranty, and a reclining backrest.
The Knight serves up a similar kit with a 2-year warranty. But unlike the cookie-cutter builds of the others, E-Win adds some functional and sizing enhancements.
Knight Series Functionality
Most cheap gaming chairs have lumbar pillows attached to the backrest with straps. In comparison, the Knight has a loose pillow. Many first-time users tend to prefer the convenience that the former provides.
But despite the loss of convenience, I’ve found many benefits using loose lumbar pillows. For one thing, you need conscious practice to find your sweet spot. A pillow set too high or low will throw your posture off-kilter.
Conversely, setting your lumbar pillow just above your beltline will reflexively straighten your upper spine. If you’ve never used an ergonomic chair before, loose pillows are an excellent way to master lumbar support biomechanics on your own.
Summary of functions
The Knight is one of the only gaming chairs (other than the Secretlab Titan) supporting 85° forward-leaning gamer postures. Its padding is also better than others in this price class.
- Functionality: 2D armrests; recline from 85° to 155°; rocking with tilt tension.
- Padding: 55kg/m³ cold-cured foam.
- Upholstery: PVC faux leather.
- Support: headrest and lumbar pillows included.
- Warranty: two years.
Knight Series from E-Win $183 $229
Use the code CHAIRSFX to get 20% off the Knight Series from E-Win
Knight Series Upholstery
All gaming chairs come built atop steel frames. But most cheap gaming chairs use substandard upholsteries that can only be guaranteed for one year. Two reasons let E-Win guarantee the Knight for twice as long.
First, all Knight Series chairs are draped in PVC leather. This stuff is thicker and significantly more durable than PU leather. It’s also decently breathable.
Second, the Knight’s foam padding also beats others in this price range. Most cheap chairs use squishy PU foam with a 50kg/m³ (or less) padding density. This stuff feels immediately comfortable like a fluffy sofa. However, it’s also unstable. To hold the body upright in fluffy padding, muscles must work harder.
In comparison, firmer padding provides more consistent support. However, many first-timers find ultra-firm blends (like Secretlab’s 65 kg/m³) too stiff. The Knight provides a nice compromise with a cold-cured 55kg/m³ foam blend.
Knight Series Chair Dimensions
Sizing versatility is where the Knight really shines. E-Win rates it for sizes 5’3″ to 6’1″ (162-185 cm). To accommodate this range, the seat must be shallow enough for short legs yet deep enough for longer ones.
We tested it with a 6’1″ model (the upper height limit). Given the size range, it fit him exactly as we imagined. The generous gap between the back of his knees and the seat edge is by design.
Elijah Wood Test For Short People
Lacking a short person to verify the fit, we cobbled up an ‘Elijah Wood test’. Everyone’s favorite Hobbit stands 5’5″. We used that as a baseline with software to measure out other parts of his body.
Our formula: waist thickness + hip-to-knee thigh length = an ideal seat depth of 20″ maximum for someone his size. So the Knight Series 19.7″ seat depth is suitable for people sized 5’5″. What about shorter ones?
E-Win rates the Knight for sizes 5’3″ to 6’1″. Our Elijah Wood test reveals a good fit for 5’5″ sizes. This does not account for the lumbar pillow: it pushes the user’s body at least one inch away from the backrest.
That would make the usable seat depth 18.7″ with the lumbar pillow in play (suitable for sizes 5’4″). Those standing 5’3″ or shorter should seriously consider a specialty chair for short people instead.
Knight Series Dimensions
Besides having a seat depth suitable for short sizes, the Knight’s seat height adjusts around 2″ lower than competing chairs. This ensures that people sized 5’3″ and up can comfortably sit in this chair with their feet firmly planted.
- Seat width x depth: 21.7″ (W) x 19.7″ (usable depth)
- Backrest width x height: 22.6″ (W), 33.9″ (H)
- Seat height: 16.3″ to 20.2″
- Size rating: 5’3″ to 6’1″; 400-pound weight capacity
Available Styles
Knight Series chairs come with bladed and flat seat edges. Among the bladed ones are four styles with slightly differing PVC-upholstered designs.
Our model has blue color accents and embroidered patterns on the front side of the chair. Other options include one with pink accents, an all-black edition with red lining, and several more for the same rock-bottom price.
Use the code CHAIRSFX to get 20% off the Knight Series from E-Win
Knight Series Chair Alternatives
This review reveals the Knight Series as a legit multi-size gaming chair priced under $200. Alternatives depend on the size of chair that you’re looking for.
Cheap Gaming Chairs For Average Sizes
The most popular cheap gaming chairs fit the most common body types: average sizes. This typically means a slim fit for sizes 5’10” or less. For example, the GTRacing Pro Series is rated for sizes 4’9″ to 5’9″.
We tested the Pro Series with a 5’8″ model. In practice, its 22.8″ seat depth is excessive. Although a perfect depth for our model, people sized 4’9″ will definitely find the seat too deep for their legs. As a result, they’ll suffer a terrible sitting experience.
Pro Series Vs Knight Series
Both chairs have similar functions. The Pro Series differs with a 1-year warranty — and a grossly exaggerated size rating. Although marketed as suitable for 4’9″ sizes, we found its seat too deep for sizes under 5’6″.
E-Win counters the Pro Series package with a legit multi-size rating and a two-year warranty. Although slightly more expensive, its value blows away the Pro Series offering:
| Spec | Knight Series | Pro Series |
| Armrests | 2D | 2D |
| Lumbar pillow | Strapless foam pillow | Pillow on straps with standard PU foam |
| Seat size | 21.7″ (W) x 19.7″ (usable depth) | 21.3″ (W) x 22.8″ (D) |
| Seat height | 16.3″ to 20.2″ | 16.92″ to 20.86″ |
| Manufacturer size rating | 5’3″ to 6’1″; 400 pounds (accurate) | 4’9″ to 5’9″; 330 pounds (not accurate) |
| ChairsFX size rating | 5’4″ to 6’1″; 400 pounds | 5’6″ to 5’9″; 150 pounds |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 year |
| Price | $183 |
$116.98 on Amazon |
Most other popular chairs in the sub-$200 are GTRacing Pro Series clones with a similarly limited fit. Given its superior warranty and sizing versatility, the Knight outranks them all as the #1 chair in this genre.
Cheap Chairs For Short, Wide Sizes
There are a handful of gaming chairs priced under $300 catering to short-ish, thick sizes between 5’4″ to 6’0″. Two are E-Win chairs (covered in the next section).
A few others beat the Knight chair’s basic features — but not its 2-year warranty. Check out all models in this genre:
Cheap Chairs For Big & Tall Sizes
The best cheap gaming chairs for big and tall sizes are E-Win chairs. All support 400 pounds or more. Excluding the Knight, they all come fully-loaded (4D arms, multi-function tilt).
There are two E-Win alternatives with flat, wide seat styles. The Champion CPG is a fabric chair with 400-pound support and a slightly slimmer seat than the Knight. The Flash XL is an ultra-wide with 550-pound support. Browse them all:
Review: Best E-Win Gaming Chairs 2023
Browse the Ewinracing.com Store (use the code CHAIRSFX for 20% off)
Conclusion: Best Cheap Multi-Size Chair
A cheap gaming chair is an ideal starter model for first-time ergonomic chair users. Its point: to support good posture for long periods of computing. To achieve that, it’s important to start with a chair that fits.
That’s easier said than done. One problem is that there are so many different body types out there. Another: first-time ergonomic chair users can easily get overwhelmed by information overload.
This is why the E-Win Knight Series ranks as the best cheap gaming chair under $200. Based on global size averages, a ‘tall’ person is one over 6’2″.
The Knight fits everyone under that range: average sizes 6’1″ all the way down to 5’4″. It doesn’t matter if you have a slim figure or a fat one — its seat width has you covered.
It’s also super-easy to use. Set the recline to around 100°; set the seat height so your hips are slightly higher than your knees.
Then sit down in the chair by tucking your hips deep into the seat. Plant your feet and adjust your lumbar pillow to support you just above the beltline. It’s that easy to achieve good posture in this chair.
Knight Series from E-Win $183 $229
Use the code CHAIRSFX to get 20% off the Knight Series from E-Win
