Gaming doesn’t need to cost the earth, and even if you’re streaming, you can still do it on a budget, with great value cheap gaming chairs that look just as good as top-end gaming chairs.
Gaming is a lifestyle as a hobby for some of us, and that means we’re increasingly spending more and more time sitting forward, staring intently at screens. So a good gaming chair, particularly cheap ones, need to meet a few basic demands; support, comfort, and style.
This guide runs through some of our favourite gaming chairs you can find on a budget, and dives deeper into exactly the sort of support that is necessary, but also practical.
Cheap Gaming Chair Top Picks for 2024
Top Pick: Artiss Gaming Chair with RGB LED Lights
When it comes to quality, Artiss are hard to beat. Whether it’s their premium ranges or these cheap gaming chairs, there’s just nothing stopping them.
The ergonomically designed gaming chair with RGB LED lights from Artiss looks just as good as the most expensive gaming chairs and it’s lightweight and simple to move around too. T
he lighting is clean, and beautifully blended behind frosted covers, which prevent clunky dot-lighting, and provided you’re happy to forgo a massage, you can sit in comfort for hours.
Premium Choice: Alfordson Gaming Chair with RGB LEDs and Massage
The Marc Chair from Alfordson is a bit more expensive than some other cheap gaming chairs, but it’s still a fraction of the price of most gaming chairs these days. And it has nearly all the features you might expect, with LED lighting around its trim, and eight deeply effective massage nodes evenly spread across the entire chair.
Cheap doesn’t need to mean basic, and Alfordson has clearly proved that with this striking gaming chair.
Budget Pick: Artiss 8-Point Massage Gaming Office Chair
Our budget pick of cheap gaming chairs right now is Artiss’ massage gaming chair. Its espresso coloured PU leather fabric is just beautiful. Its padded armrests are sumptuously comfortable, and the whole chair is perfectly designed to offer postural support for long days.
If you want to blend a chair into your home, and don’t love the effect of bright LED lights, this simple, subtle gaming chair, with adjustable eight point massage is really quite special. And for the price, I doubt you’ll find anything that matches up.
How to Find a Cheap Gaming Chair
Firstly, a gaming chair isn’t like an office chair. They’re just not interchangeable. Office chairs are designed to encourage good posture, and upright seating positions, with arms neatly to your side.
Other than a few consoles and controllers, most gaming habits mean arms tightly to your side, hands together, and a slight forward lean. OK, so the lean is a bad habit, and it’s not necessary, but if it helps you concentrate, who am I to judge?
Basically, you’re looking for something cheap that’s going to look good (which isn’t just vanity, it can actually help to boost your concentration and focus), and give you as much support as possible, regardless of how you sit.
Popular Budget Gaming Chair Brands
There aren’t many gaming chair brands out there that cater to those of us on a budget, and most of the ones that offer really high-end gaming chairs aren’t offering very much more in return for your money. So save the pennies, and make sure you’re buying for quality, not cost.
Some of the brands we know we can trust with comfort, support, and value are listed below. They vary in quality, but all of them design chairs that support posture, and many even include massage functions to relieve strain.
- Neader gaming chairs
- Alfordson gaming chairs
- Artiss gaming chairs
- Furb gaming chairs
- Kerdom gaming chairs
- Oikiture gaming chairs
Where to Compromise to Save Money on a New Gaming Chair
Expensive gaming chairs do come with some additional features, including cooled seats, fans, and additional massage functions, and you might need to leave that dream at the door.
If you’re on a budget, most chairs will still offer some sort of massage function, particularly around the lower back, where strain is worst.
In terms of ergonomics, most cheap gaming chairs measure up pretty well to more expensive chairs, with arches, backrests, and arm supports as standard.
Fabrics can vary in cheap gaming chairs, but something breathable that won’t cling isn’t that expensive, and won’t add too much to the cost. The really, really cheap gaming chairs do tend to have quite tacky synthetic fabrics though, and for me, that’s one compromise I’m just not willing to make.
What to Look for When Buying a Cheap Gaming Chair
Being on a budget doesn’t mean you can’t be picky. If anything, it means you need to be even pickier. Set out a list of what you’re looking for, and find a chair that suits you. There are still plenty of gaming chairs out there for a good price that offer ergonomics, comfort, style, and even some more bespoke features.
Material quality
Material quality is key to a good gaming chair. You can spend hours sitting in one position, and leathers, leatherettes, or synthetic plastics can get super uncomfortable.
Choose chairs with breathable backs, or natural fabrics that are easy to clean and don’t cling. Netting or mesh will help to boost comfort too, so if you’re going for a synthetic gaming chair fabric, at least look for one with some netting on the backrest.
Comfort
The cheaper your gaming chair, the less adding it will have. It’s one of the most common areas that manufacturers look to save money. Rather than memory foam, they’ll have basic foam padding, and rather than 3” foam pads, they’ll be 1.5” pads. The difference can be pretty big, so just check out the seat cushions, and try to choose something half-way decent.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics shouldn’t be too hard to find in a cheap gaming chair, because it’s more about the structure of the design, rather than the finish.
Arched back rests, and neck supports are important, and if the chair has an overall adjustable angle, so you can lean forwards and still have support, even better.
Features
A few additional features, particularly for those of you who are interested in, or already, streaming, can make something cheap look much more high end than it is, and not just for the sake of showing off either.
Lighting, fans, cooled seats and massage nodes in the backrest add comfort, and a boost focus. They also, and let’s face it, it’s more important than most of us want to admit, look cool. Lit gaming chairs place you right there in the game, and actively distract from the rest of the room. The more you build your space around gaming, the more dedicated you can be.
Cheap Gaming Chair Reviews
1. Artiss Gaming Chair with RGB LED Lights
Artiss aren’t just about elegance. If you want to throw some colour at your games room, this vivid red gaming chair is a stunning addition, with really clean LED lighting strips that display perfectly blended colour that can cycle through tones and brightness, or stay light in a single hue for focus.
There’s no massage from this chair, but where it really stands out as one of the best cheap gaming chairs is its reclining, which goes right back to flat at 180 degrees.
If you really need a quick break from gaming, there’s nothing quite like the supportive lie down that this chair offers.
Pros:
- 180 degree reclining
- Lighting included
- Effective ergonomic support
- Firm but comfortable seat cushion
- Adjustable back supports
Cons:
- Basic arm rests
2. Alfordson Gaming Chair with RGB LEDs and Massage
One of the nicest, sleekest, gaming chair designs out there to include massage, ergonomics, and lighting is the Marc Chair from Alfordson. The footrest adds a touch of slouchy comfort too, so if you’re happy to lie back and game, you can do it in sheer comfort.
Thanks to the impressive lighting strips around the edge, you’ll also be shrouded in light, and completely focussed on the game in front of you, even if you choose to boost your TLC with the eight point massage.
There’s too much to talk about in this short review, but there are few gaming chairs for this sort of price that even come close to the Marc chair from Alfordson.
Pros:
- Firm back support cushions
- Eight point massage
- Lighting
- Fold out footrest
- Breathable head rest
- Comfortable padded arms
- Sleek design
Cons:
- Tacky fabric
3. Artiss 8-Point Massage Gaming Office Chair
This Artiss massage gaming chair is possibly one of the nicest chairs I’ve ever come across. And I don’t just mean gaming chairs. Ok, so its faux leather might get a tiny bit tacky, but it’s good quality material, and stays cooler than most similar chairs.
The arms are nicely padded, and well adjustable, with a fabulous eight point targeted massage that’ll keep you gaming for longer (and in comfort too).
It’s not the flashy streaming chair you might have dreamt of, but if you’re trying to tie gaming into other parts of the house, it blends in beautifully and offers a touch of luxury.
Pros:
- Eight massage points
- Excellent support
- Comfortable padding
- Adjustable arms
- Elegant design
- Reclining
Cons:
- Faux leather fabric
4. Alfordson Executive Gaming Racer Chair
It might be touted as a cross-breed between an office chair and a gaming chair, but Alfordson are kidding no one with this gorgeously elegant gaming chair, with stunning faux leather cover and generously padded seats and armrests.
It includes an eight point massage, which includes the posterior, and reclines right back to 150 degrees for complete comfort. For adaptable, good-looking, gaming, there aren’t many chairs that can compete.
Pros:
- 150 degree reclining
- Heated seat
- Eight point massage
- Comfortable padding
- Supportive design
- Fold out footrest
- Adjustable arms
Cons:
- Leather seat fabric
5. Oikiture LED Gaming Chair with Lumbar Massager
For anyone who’s trying to hide their budget, and on the hunt for a chair that looks high-end, this LED gaming chair is actually pretty stunning.
It’s simple, yes, and it doesn’t come with any massage functions, but don’t let that fool you into thinking this chair doesn’t offer serious comfort along with its cost-defying style.
As one of the cheapest gaming chairs on the market, you really are getting value for money, and can feel like you’re showing off at the same time.
Pros:
- 160 degree reclining
- Comfortable fabric
- Ergonomic support from additional cushions
- Breathable headrest
- Adjustable arms
- Fold out footrest
- Includes lighting
Cons:
- No massage
6. Kerdom Ergonomic Home Gaming Chair
If you can get past the dull design, and lack of massage, this ergonomic gaming chair by Kerdom is probably the most actively beneficial gaming chair you can buy on a budget.
It’s not just that it’s comfortable, and adjustable, but it’s seriously well-proportioned to make sure you don’t suffer from back ache, neck pain, or hip stiffness after long gaming sessions.
The padded cushion is beautifully contoured to the body, while the lower back support, and shoulder supports are both breathable and supportive.
Pros:
- 135 degree reclining
- Breathable fabric
- Ergonomic design
- Great head, back and neck support
- Generously padded seat
- Adjustable armrests
- Doubles up as an office chair
Cons:
- Boring design
7. Furb Gaming Chair with Two Point Massage
Furb’s gaming chair is one of the cheapest we’ll write about, and about as basic as you can go before you lose out on ergonomics altogether. But, if you really are stretched for cash, this is a good chair.
It won’t do everything you want, and its massage is pretty limited, but it’s better than an office chair, and it looks good.
Pros:
- Fold out footrest
- 135 degree reclining
- Easy to adjust
- Adjustable arms
- Two point massage
- Simple, on trend, design
Cons:
- Tacky fabric
8. Artiss Reclining Massage Gaming Chair
The central spinal two point massage is a bit different from Artiss here, going against the grain of typical symmetrical massage at the base and top of the back, but it’s actually pretty effective.
The chair itself isn’t exciting to look at, but with a full 150 degree reclining backrest, it’s just as comfortable and adaptable as others, and nowhere near as bulky.
Pros:
- Simple design
- Breathable backrest
- Two point massage
- High quality faux leather
- Simple but supportive seat
- 150 degree reclining
Cons:
- No extra features
9. Alfordson Gaming Massage Chair
The gaming massage chair from Alfordson is a step down from their other models, but also steps down the price. If you’re happy to forgo lighting, and restrict your massage to two points, this cheap massage chair will save you some cash.
It’s worth noting that the two point massage is paired with an overall more ergonomic chair than some other models, and is targeted right at the base of the spine, where you’re most likely to feel discomfort after long gaming sessions.
A great practical cheap gaming chair, and well worth considering.
Pros:
- Two point massage
- Reclining
- Comfortable padded arms
- Great lumbar support
- Extra support from firm back cushions
- Fold out footrest
Cons:
- Tacky material
10. Neader Ergonomic High Back Gaming Racing Chair
Neader’s simple, but beautifully sleek gaming chair is all about comfort. It’s designed to support the spine, and offer padded comfort for your posterior at the same time.
There’s no fancy massage, and no lighting, but if you just want a comfortable gaming chair, that looks good, feels good, and can adjust to you throughout the day, this is definitely a sensible choice.
Pros:
- Beautiful gaming chair
- 135 degree reclining
- Adjustable and rotating armrests
- Supportive backrest and hip supports
- Incredibly comfortable seat cushion
Cons:
- No extra features
Cheap Gaming Chair Top Picks for 2024
Top Pick: Artiss Gaming Chair with RGB LED Lights
When it comes to quality, Artiss are hard to beat. Whether it’s their premium ranges or these cheap gaming chairs, there’s just nothing stopping them.
The ergonomically designed gaming chair with RGB LED lights from Artiss looks just as good as the most expensive gaming chairs and it’s lightweight and simple to move around too. T
he lighting is clean, and beautifully blended behind frosted covers, which prevent clunky dot-lighting, and provided you’re happy to forgo a massage, you can sit in comfort for hours.
Premium Choice: Alfordson Gaming Chair with RGB LEDs and Massage
The Marc Chair from Alfordson is a bit more expensive than some other cheap gaming chairs, but it’s still a fraction of the price of most gaming chairs these days. And it has nearly all the features you might expect, with LED lighting around its trim, and eight deeply effective massage nodes evenly spread across the entire chair.
Cheap doesn’t need to mean basic, and Alfordson has clearly proved that with this striking gaming chair.
Budget Pick: Artiss 8-Point Massage Gaming Office Chair
Our budget pick of cheap gaming chairs right now is Artiss’ massage gaming chair. Its espresso coloured PU leather fabric is just beautiful. Its padded armrests are sumptuously comfortable, and the whole chair is perfectly designed to offer postural support for long days.
If you want to blend a chair into your home, and don’t love the effect of bright LED lights, this simple, subtle gaming chair, with adjustable eight point massage is really quite special. And for the price, I doubt you’ll find anything that matches up.
Cheap Gaming Chairs Frequently Asked Questions
Are gaming chairs worth it?
I’ve written about this a few times, but gaming chairs really are worth the money. They’re just not interchangeable with office chairs. Whether it’s about how adjustable the backrest is, or the sorts of fabrics and features available, they’re designed to be used for long-term gaming, so are completely worth every penny.
Are gaming chairs good for sitting all day?
There is no chair in the world that is good for sitting in all day. Even if you have to be seated for access, it’s worth moving into different positions throughout the day. Gaming chairs are designed for more comfort over long term use, but it’s always worth getting up and moving around.
Why do gaming chairs have wings?
The wings on the back or head rests of gaming chairs are primarily a decorative thing, designed to look like the head braces from racing cars. However, they do offer some support, and encourage you to sit back, rather than forward in your chair.
Why do gaming chairs have bucket seats?
Bucket seats are fundamentally bad for posture and can actively cause pain, so it’s strange that most gaming chairs have them. However, the bucket seats in gaming chairs are designed to offer more support than those in cars, and are paired with more considered back rests.
Wrapping Up Our Guide to Cheap Gaming Chairs
Whatever chair you choose, make sure it suits you. Not just in terms of feel, but in looks too. Like the faux leather gaming chairs, which add a discrete comfort to a gaming space and are ideal for anyone who wants to integrate gaming into living spaces or offices.
Or if you want something flashier, then find a chair that suits your personality, don’t just go with the one that seems to have the most features. But, as I think we’ve proved, even on a budget, you can find some pretty incredible gaming chairs, whatever you can afford.
Cheap gaming chairs doesn’t need to mean bad gaming chairs, you might just need to be a bit pickier.