When choosing the best office chairs for short people, it is important to consider several key features that ensure comfort and ergonomic support. Adjustable seat height and depth are crucial to maintain proper posture and reduce strain on the legs and back. Lumbar support, which should be adjustable, is also essential to fit the natural curve of the lower back. Additionally, the overall scale of the chair, including the height of the armrests and the distance between them, should suit a smaller body frame. Materials that support long hours of use without deforming, such as high-density foam and breathable fabrics, enhance comfort and durability.
Out of 68,136 office chairs analyzed, we found five that excelled in our stringent criteria. We reviewed over 30 expert and customer reviews, certifying the performance and features of these top picks. Our proprietary Trust Rating filtered out 91% of experts due to unreliable or fake reviews, ensuring only credible opinions were considered. The winning chairs performed well in testing, offering the best combination of comfort, adjustability, and support for short individuals.
How Did We Rank the Best Office Chairs for Short People?
In developing our guide for the best office chairs for short people, we meticulously reviewed over 200 websites, analyzing testing methods, expert critiques, and customer reviews. We distilled this information to identify 1 required test results, 1 advantageous features, and 1 vital specifications. By focusing on what truly matters, we provide a reliable and detailed guide to help shorter individuals find the perfect office chair.
Our commitment to unbiased reviews is powered by our ‘True Score’ system, targeting low quality and fake reviews. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.
?️ Minimum Specifications
- Arm Rests: Needs to be adjustable greater than 4-Dimensional.
? Test Criteria
- Seat Height: Should be less than 17 inches.
? “Nice To Haves”
- Weight limit – At least 220 pounds.
Latest Updates
- 04/08/2024: Completely and thoroughly overhauled the guide to include the best and latest office chairs.
Top Best Office Chairs for Short People For 2024
Prices accurate at the time of publishing
To snag a spot on our list, an office chair needs to have adjustable armrests and a seat height of less than 17 inches. If it doesn’t hit these points, we’re not including it!
Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
The Branch Verve
Ideal for professionals, the Branch Verve offers superior ergonomics and adjustability at a great value, although less suited for larger individuals.
True Score
90913Experts
8655Customers
Cosmic Wonder
$589.00
Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Incredibly comfortable design
- Adjustable lumbar support
- Impressive build quality
Reasons to Avoid
- Lacks a few key features
Specifications
Adjustable Armrests Yes 
Armrest Height Max 30" 
Armrest Height Min 27.5" 
Backrest Height n/a 
Backrest Width n/a 
Frame Construction Metal and Plastic 
Has Footrest No 
Head Pillow No 
Head Rest No 
Lumbar Support Yes 
Piston Type Pneumatic Cylinder 
Recline 20° 
Seat Depth 16.75-19" 
Seat Height Adjustment 16.5 – 20.5" 
Seat Padding Material Foam 
Seat Width 16.5" 
Upholstery Foam 
Weight Limit 275 lbs 
Wheel Type Casters All Specs
Test Results
Max Recline (Degrees) 0 Min Seat Height (Inches) 17 Max Seat Height (Inches) 21 All Retailers
$589.00Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Yes
Our Verdict
If you are looking for an intuitive, ergonomic office chair for shorter people, the Branch Verve is an excellent option. Its exemplary features cater to the needs of professionals. Its design boasts an adjustable seat height ranging from 16.5 to 20.5 inches and an adjustable seat depth between 16.8 and 19 inches, ensuring personalized comfort for users of varying sizes.
While the Branch Verve offers adjustability features on par with the Steelcase Leap, it does so at a significantly lower cost. However, it’s worth noting that the Verve’s maximum weight limit is 275 pounds, while the Leap supports up to 400 pounds, emphasizing that the Verve is not ideal for larger individuals. Additionally, with a seat width of just 16.5 inches, the slimmest in our selection, it further suggests that the chair does not cater well to those who are big and tall. Despite these limitations, the Verve shines in its adjustable lumbar support, promoting proper posture and minimizing back pain for those seated for extended periods, making it an excellent choice for intensive desk work.
Though not explicitly designed for gaming or relaxation, the Branch Verve’s ergonomic features and adjustable settings make it a versatile choice beyond the office environment. Its emphasis on comfort and support could benefit users in various scenarios, from casual gaming sessions to unwinding with a book.
The Branch Verve is a top-notch office chair, blending ergonomic design with customizable settings to ensure comfort and support for a variety of tasks. This makes it a prime option if you seek a chair that delivers high functionality and adaptability.
Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Steelcase Leap
The Steelcase Leap excels in ergonomic adaptability and support for short individuals, blending comfort and versatility across work and leisure.
True Score
88885Experts
88732Customers
Absolutely Fresh
$126.95Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Exceptional adjustability and ergonomics
- Adjustable lumbar support
- High-end materials
Reasons to Avoid
- Does not ship with a headrest by default
Specifications
Adjustable Armrests 4-Dimensional Armrest Height Max 31" Armrest Height Min 22" Backrest Height 10.25" Backrest Width 18" Frame Construction Metal and Plastic Has Footrest No Head Pillow No Head Rest Adjustable Head Support Lumbar Support Adjustable Piston Type Pneumatic Cylinder Recline Yes Seat Depth 15 – 18" Seat Height Adjustment 15.5 – 20.5" Seat Padding Material Foam Seat Width 19.5" Upholstery 3D Knit, Fabric, Leather, Vinyl Weight Limit 400 lbs Wheel Type Casters All Specs
Test Results
Max Recline (Degrees) 0 Min Seat Height (Inches) 0 Max Seat Height (Inches) 0 All Retailers
$126.95Availability
In StockFree Shipping
$1,299.00Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Yes
Our Verdict
If you are looking for a premium chair. the Steelcase Leap is an exceptional office chair for short people with excellent ergonomic features and adaptability. Its adjustable lumbar support system, in tension and height, ensures optimal lower back support tailored to your needs. This is critical, especially if you spend extensive periods seated, as it significantly reduces the risk of discomfort and long-term strain.
Moreover, the chair’s robust weight capacity of 400 pounds is tied with the Steelcase Series 2 on our list, enhancing its usability across diverse body types and work styles. The adjustable seat depth, ranging from 15 to 18 inches, combined with a seat width of 19.5 inches, allows users to find the perfect seat position, ensuring that the thighs are properly supported without compromising circulation and reducing the likelihood of fatigue over prolonged sitting periods. Additionally, its solid build and weight capacity make it a versatile choice for traditional office use, gaming, and relaxation, accommodating a wide range of activities beyond work.
With a minimum and maximum seat height of 15.5-20.5 inches from the floor, shorter individuals have a comfortable height range to ensure their feet sit comfortably on the floor. The Leap also has one of the wider backrests on our list at 19.5 inches wide. However, it should be noted that the chair only has a backrest height of 25 inches, which doesn’t offer support if you like to lay your head back and relax, as the headrest is an additional cost.
The Steelcase Leap’s ergonomic design and adjustable features make it an excellent choice if you are seeking a blend of comfort, support, and versatility in an office chair. Its capabilities extend beyond conventional office use, offering the potential for gaming and relaxation, making it a multifaceted chair suitable for various use cases.
Category Snapshot
Office Chairs
- Total Brands/Products Tested
17 Brands, 31 Products
- Top 2 Brands
Steelcase, Herman Miller
- Price Range (Budget-Premium)
$100-$1,000
- Average True Score
80.92
- Important Criteria
Adjustable Lumbar Support
Tilt/Recline Angle
- Most Trusted Testers
- Top Office Chair Experts
- Typical Warranty
1-2 years
DON’T SEE WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR?
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If you’re looking for versatility, our guide to the best TV monitors can help you find a model that fits both work and play. And if you’ve already bought a soundbar, read our guide on how to connect a soundbar to your TV.
Did you know 91% of Office Chair reviewers are untrustworthy?
Our research found only 9 of 97 office chair reviewers as of June 2024 can be trusted. This is why Gadget Review is committed calculating the most accurate product scores on the web.
To do this, we give every office chair review site a Trust Rating, which measures how trustworthy the site and their testing claims are. We then leverage AI & a machine learning model to combine and calculate the Trust Rating with data from experts and consumers to deliver the True Score, the web’s most accurate product quality rating.
68,338Office Chair Reviews Analyzed
31
Total Products Analyzed
Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Smilemart Adjustable Mid Back Mesh Swivel Chair
Ideal for budget-conscious and shorter individuals, the Smilemart Chair provides comfort and adaptability, albeit with limited adjustability and weight capacity.
True Score
81810Experts
8219kCustomers
Absolutely Fresh
$45.99Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- High weight capacity
Reasons to Avoid
- Poor ergonomics and adjustability
- No lumbar support
Specifications
Adjustable Armrests Fixed Armrest Height Max n/a Armrest Height Min n/a Backrest Height 18" Backrest Width n/a Frame Construction Steel Has Footrest No Head Pillow No Head Rest No Lumbar Support Yes Piston Type Pneumatic Cylinder Recline Yes Seat Depth 20" Seat Height Adjustment 13.2-17.1" Seat Padding Material Foam Seat Width 21.5" Upholstery Mesh Weight Limit 220 lbs Wheel Type Casters All Specs
All Retailers
$45.99Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Yes
Our Verdict
If you are on a strict budget and need an office chair suitable for a short person, the Smilemart Adjustable Mid Back Mesh Swivel Chair is a solid choice. This is the cheapest option on our list and, as such, doesn’t have as much adjustability as the other options. Notably, while it does have lumbar support, it is not adjustable. However, there are some adjustable features to help ensure you can get a comfortable, supportive seat.
The Smilemart Adjustable Mid Back Mesh Swivel Chair offers the shortest seat height adjustment range on our list, from 13.2 to 17.1 inches, specifically catering to the needs of shorter individuals. This feature is crucial for allowing users to maintain their feet flat on the floor, thus encouraging a healthier, more ergonomic posture.
However, it’s important to note that with a maximum weight capacity of 220 pounds, this chair is the least accommodating in terms of weight support compared to other options, making it less suitable for larger individuals. Despite this, the chair offers a generous 20-inch seat depth and 21.5-inch seat width, both best in class, offering ample space for a comfortable seating experience across various body types.
In addition to its suitability for office settings, the Smilemart Adjustable Mid Back Mesh Swivel Chair’s design and features render it an affordable choice for other use cases, such as gaming or casual seating at home. Its mesh backrest ensures breathability during extended use, a feature that gamers and those using the chair for relaxation will appreciate. This adaptability underscores the chair’s versatility, extending its utility beyond the conventional office environment to cater to a broader range of seating needs.
Our Trusted Data Sources
We looked at 95+ office chairs reviewers and while 9 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating), we only use data from the testers that are “very trusted” which means a Trust Rating above 70%. The three we have listed below are our most trusted for office chairs.
- Jenny McGraths – Business Insider, MuckRack, Twitter
- Benjamin Hickok – TechGearLab
- Ciprian Adrian Rusen – Digital Citizen, LinkedIn
Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every office chair review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.
Office Chair Spec Data
1. Weight Limit Spec Data
Weight Limit
> 300 lbs
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: How much weight the chair can support.
Units of Measurement: lbs (pounds)
Tools to Measure: Manufacturer provided specification
Why It’s Important:
Weight limits tell you the rough weight a person can be and still safely and comfortably use a chair.
Manufacturers commonly provide a weight limit specification that lets you know the weight the chair will support before parts start breaking or it becomes unsafe to sit in the chair.
Higher weight limits usually reflect a more expensive chair, as more material (or stronger material) is used to improve the weight limit of the chair. For example, different pistons, or chair legs that are made of metal instead of plastic.
Weight Limit (in pounds; higher is better)
2. Seat Width Spec Data
Seat width is a manufacturer-provided measurement that indicates how wide the actual seat of the chair is.
Width is largely preferential, with the best seat width being the one that best suits your body. Buying a chair with an extremely wide seat might be uncomfortable or odd if you have a narrow frame, while extremely narrow seats are uncomfortable or impossible to sit in if you’re wide.
Seat Width
Varies
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: The width of the seat.
Units of Measurement: ” (Inches)
Tools to Measure: Manufacturer provided specification.
Why It’s Important:
Seats need to be wide enough to be comfortable to sit in.
Seat Width (in inches)
3. Backrest Height Spec Data
Backrest height is a manufacturer-supplied specification, and, as the name implies, indicates how tall the backrest on a chair is.
Much like seat width, the backrest height on a chair should match your body, meaning there’s no “ideal” size. If you have a long torso, a taller back is better, but if you’re on the short side, a shorter back is better.
Backrest Height
Varies
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: The height of the chair’s backrest.
Units of Measurement: ” (Inches)
Tools to Measure: Measuring Tape
Why It’s Important:
Seat backs need to be high enough to support most or all of your back.
Max Seat Height (in inches)
Best Office Chairs for Short People: Mistakes To Avoid
- Ignoring Seat Height Adjustment: One of the most crucial features for short individuals is the ability to adjust the seat height to achieve proper ergonomic alignment. Avoid chairs with fixed seat heights, as they may not provide adequate support for shorter legs, leading to discomfort and potential strain.
- Choosing Chairs with Deep Seat Depths: Chairs with deep seat depths can be problematic for shorter individuals, as they may not be able to sit all the way back in the chair while keeping their feet flat on the ground. Look for chairs with adjustable or shorter seat depths to ensure proper support for the thighs without cutting off circulation.
- Neglecting Lumbar Support: Proper lumbar support is essential for maintaining a healthy posture and reducing the risk of back pain, especially for short individuals who may have shorter torsos. Avoid chairs with inadequate or non-adjustable lumbar support, as they may not provide the necessary support for the lower back.
- Overlooking Armrest Height and Width: Armrests that are too high or too wide can cause discomfort for short individuals by forcing their shoulders into an elevated position or preventing them from sitting close to their desk. Look for chairs with adjustable armrests that can be lowered to the appropriate height and adjusted inwards to support the arms comfortably.
The Best Office Chairs for Short People Tests & Specs Compared
Product |
True Score
|
Maximum Recline (Degrees)
|
Minimum Seat Height (inches)
|
Maximum Seat Height (inches)
|
Backrest Height
|
Seat Depth
|
Seat Width |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90 |
|
|
|
|
|  $589.00 |
| 88 |
|
|
|
|
|  $126.95 |
Smilemart Adjustable Mid Back Mesh Swivel Chair
| 81 |
|
|
|
|
|  $45.99 |
