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If you’re looking for the best office chair for a shorter person, you’re in the right place. We’re here to help those with a petite body structure choose the most ergonomically suitable office chair for them.
If you’re a smaller person (under 5’3” for women and under 5’8” for men), you know the struggle of spending hours in a regular office chair. Not only can it make your workdays harder, but it also creates more back problems.
So, what are the best choices for petite people out there? In this guide, we’ll look at some of the best office chairs for shorter or petite people. We’ll be closely paying attention to such ergonomic details as seat height, depth, width, and chair size.
Read on if you’re tired of sitting on uncomfortable chairs that aren’t made for your petite body structure. Here are the best office chairs for short people you can find on the market.
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Top 9 Best Office Chairs for Short People
- Flash Furniture Mid-Back Black Ergonomic Office Chair – Best Overall Office Chair for Short People
- Ergousit Ergonomic Office Chair – Best Butterfly Design
- KOLLIEE Mid Back Mesh Office Chair – Best Value
- FelixKing Ergonomic Desk Chair with Adjustable Height – Best All-Black Petite Office Chair
- NOUHAUS Ergo3D Ergonomic Gaming Office Chair – Best Chair With Unique Design
- KERDOM Ergonomic Desk Chair – Best Space-Saving Chair
- Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair – Best Adjustable Chair for Short People
- Boss Office Products Perfect Posture Office Chair – Best Simple and Durable
- Amazon Basics Leather-Padded Office Chair – Best Classic Choice for Petite People
Compare the Best Office Chairs for a Shorter Person
Chair Name | Weight Capacity | Material | Best Features |
275 lbs | Mesh |
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275 lbs | Mesh |
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250 lbs | Mesh |
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300 lbs | Double layer mesh |
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275 lbs | Mesh |
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250 lbs | Mesh |
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330 lbs | Mesh |
| |
250 lbs | Fabric |
| |
275 lbs | Bonded leather |
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If you’re looking for exceptional comfort and minimalistic design, the Flash Furniture mesh back office chair will fit the bill and your office space.
This petite office chair features a ventilated curved mesh back with built-in lumbar support that prevents overheating. This doesn’t only help you stay fresh during hot days, but it also lets you keep a correct posture throughout your shift. Moreover, a 3-inch padded waterfall seat relieves pressure from the legs while providing cushioning for long workdays.
You can also set the chair’s height as low as eight inches from the floor, perfectly fitting your body structure. The list of goodies this office chair offers doesn’t stop here. You’ll also be delighted with padded flip-up armrests and a convenient footrest that will instantly take your workstation to the next level.
This Flash Forniture chair features a tilt lever that can be pushed in to lock the backrest in an upright position, or alternatively it can be pulled out to activate the rocking motion.
However, the only flow you might notice in this chair is that the height of the armrests can’t be adjusted. But at least you can flip them up, right? In any case, if armrests bother you or you’re just looking for a space saving chair, then you might want to take a look at the armless office chairs we’ve reviewed.
KEY FEATURES:
- Super-lounge recline
- Dynamic lumbar support
- 4D adjustable armrests
- Adjustable headrest
- Supports up to 275 lbs
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Weight: 30 pounds
- Dimensions: 25.5 x 24.5 x 41.25 inches
- Manufacturer: Flash Furniture
PROS:
- 5-year warranty
- Available in four fashion colors
- Comes with two sets of wheels
- Breathable mesh upholstery
CONS:
- The armrest height cannot be adjusted
This office chair for petite people by Ergousit features an interesting butterfly shaped backrest design that not only enhances your overall comfort while sitting, but it is also made to fit most interior styles. More specifically, the S-curve back frame perfectly adapts to the human body, fitting the spine and ultimately allowing you to sit for several hours each day without experiencing any pressure or discomfort.
The chair has a ton of adjustable features included which help you find and keep a comfortable seating position. That’ll help you reduce back and neck pain. These adjustments include height customization, which allows the chair to go as low as 15”, and a rocking mechanism that lets the chair tilt from 90 degrees to 110 degrees. Plus, the curved headrest, made of mesh fabric, provides head and neck support while you work.
As for the seat cushion, included in the chair we found a thick cushion made of high-density foam that is supposed to keep its original W-shaped design to provide a larger support area while dispersing pressure on your hips and legs.
Last but not least, the breathable mesh used on the backrest enhances air circulation to prevent heat from accumulating.
As a negative note, we noticed that if you sit in the chair leaning all the way back the armrests might result too far apart to actually be 100% comfortable.
KEY FEATURES:
- Butterfly design
- Adjustable height
- Tilt mechanism
- W-shaped cushion
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Weight: 37.9 lbs
- Dimensions: 25.3 x 25.3 x 50.39 inches
- Manufacturer: Ergousit
- Capacity: 275 lbs
PROS:
- Breathable mesh
- Curved headrest
- Resilient cushion
- 5-year manufacturer support
CONS:
- The armrests might be too far apart
Other than offering a variety of customizable features, this petite chair by Kolliee caught our attention thanks to its good price for value ratio. For less than $120 you can purchase an ergonomic office chair with an adjustable height mechanism that can make the chair go as low as 15” to help you find the most comfortable position to work in.
Speaking of comfort, the chair was designed with a human-oriented ergonomic construction, meaning that the lumbar support will provide back support throughout the day to effectively reduce sitting-related back pain or stress.
The backrest is entirely made of high-density mesh to allow air to circulate freely, while the seat provides a high-resilience foam cushion to keep pressure off your legs. Compared to other foam cushions we’ve found during our search for the best office chair for short people, we think this one is quite durable and built to last without losing its shape over time.
Lastly, we’d like to mention that even though the armrests aren’t adjustable nor padded, they can be flipped up in case you need to store the chair or if they just bother you while working.
KEY FEATURES:
- Human-oriented design
- Lumbar support
- High-resilience cushion
- Adjustable height
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Weight: 52 lbs
- Dimensions: 28.35 x 23.82 x 14.96 inches
- Seat depth: 14 – 18 inches
- Seat height: 15 – 19 inches
- Manufacturer: Alera
PROS:
- Breathable mesh
- Durable materials
- 4” of height adjustments
- Flip up armrests
CONS:
- The armrests can’t be adjusted and they lack padding
If you’re looking for a compact office chair with a sleek design and easy to store, then the FelixKing office chair will be one of your top choices.
Featuring an ergonomic S-shaped curve design, this chair will help you relieve stress and relax muscles even when working full-time at your desk. And thanks to 90-degree rotating and padded armrests, you’ll find it easy to use this chair and store it quickly.
You can forget about ruining your floor since the FelixKing offers abrasion-resistant and very durable casters, but if you want to be absolutely sure you can always think about purchasing one of the best office chair mats to protect your hardwood floors against any possible scratch.
Back to the ergonomic features of the chair, by adjusting the lumbar support you can change the position of the support point on your lower back. In addition, the height of the upper and lower back can be adjusted by about 1.6 inches, which should let you adjust this office chair for your specific body structure.
As for the reclining feature, the backrest offers a 30 degree recline to comfortably lean back, while the pressure-resistant structure is designed to reduce pressure on your body as well as improve blood flow.
It’s also a pretty good option if you need something heavy duty; it has one of the highest weight capacities on this list at 300 lbs.
However, while the double-layer mesh back is breathable and strong, it might feel a bit uncomfortable if you touch it with your bare skin.
KEY FEATURES:
- S-shaped seat back
- Padded retractable armrests
- 17.7-21.7 inch seat height
- Adjustable waist support
- High-density sponge cushion
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Weight: 26.6 pounds
- Dimensions: 25.2 x 25.2 x 37.4 inches
- Manufacturer: FelixKing
PROS:
- Floor protection caster
- Double layer mash
- Easy to store
CONS:
- The mesh material might feel a bit rough against the bare skin
This stylish and modern ergonomic chair is a real gem if your budget isn’t limited. If you’re looking for a chair that would provide you with the ultimate ergonomic comfort for your body and life during workdays, you’ll be more than satisfied with this choice. And yes, as a petite person, you won’t be disappointed too.
With the 18.5~22.4 inches from the ground to the seat, you’ll find this chair extra comfortable, if not the most comfortable chair you’ve ever owned. Plus, the exclusive Ergo3D lumbar support system will accommodate your tiny body structure perfectly. Additionally, the headrest can be adjusted to support your neck regardless of which position you’re sitting in.
The backrest of the chair, as well as the headrest, are made of breathable mesh to reduce heat and provide optimal air flow.
And we almost forgot to mention that this office chair features a super-lounge tilt. So you’ll have up to 135° of tilt to keep you in the Ergo3D Comfort Zone for your next task or to simply lounge back. It’s hard to beat that, isn’t it?
Although this chair isn’t cheap, it comes with an additional set of Blade Castors is included in the price, which is added value.
The only thing you might find a bit inconvenient is that the armrests move if you get up from or into the chair from any angle other than perfectly straight.
KEY FEATURES:
- Super-lounge recline
- Dynamic lumbar support
- 4D adjustable armrests
- Adjustable headrest
- Supports up to 275 lbs
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Weight: 46.29 pounds
- Dimensions: 26.4 x 26.4 x 53.7 inches
- Manufacturer: Nouhaus
PROS:
- Available in four fashion colors
- Comes with two sets of wheels
- Breathable mesh upholstery
CONS:
- It can be hard to lock the armrests in one position
Another great ergonomic chair for short people we found is this space-saving chair by Kerdom. In terms of comfort, it offers three support points (back, hips and hands), to help you keep a correct posture when sitting. Moreover, the height can be adjusted from 15.4” up to 18.9” to specifically suit petite people.
Whenever you need to take a small break and relax, the chair’s 90-125 degree rocking mechanism will be just what you need. And when you want to sit upright, the adjustable lumbar support will constantly make sure you won’t sit in an unhealthy position.
This chair comes in handy whenever you need to save space because thanks to its small dimensions and flip-up armrests you’ll be able to make it fit under any kind of desk. Plus, its simple design can fit close to any interior.
This chair has a light breathable mesh back to help you survive hot summer days in the office. The material was used on the backrest as well as the seat cushion to keep you fresh during the day. It’s a reliable and sturdy office chair for people with a petite physique and it comes in 6 different color options. On the negative side, the armrests aren’t padded and they can’t be adjusted in height or width.
KEY FEATURES:
- Adjustable lumbar support
- Adjustable height
- Rocking feature
- 360-degree swivel
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Weight: 26.4 pounds
- Dimensions: 18.5 x 25.59 x 35.83 inches
- Manufacturer: Kerdom
PROS:
- Flip-up armrests
- Space-saving
- Breathable mesh back and seat
- 6 colors available
CONS:
- The armrests aren’t padded nor adjustable
If you’re in search of a chair in which you can adjust literally anything, you might not need to spend more time looking for it. With the Modway office chair for petite people, you can change not only seat and armrest height but also back and seat tilt.
You’ll also appreciate its contemporary design that can fit in almost any modern interior (in case you need to use it for a home office), as well as the good variety of different colors this chair comes in. You can adjust the seat height to as low as 19,5” to ensure you feel comfortable during the day.
This chair also has an impressive 6” padded and contoured seat cushion, which should prevent your body from aching after a long workday. In addition, this is one of the sturdiest chairs included in our list since it can support up to 330 lbs.
It’s a bit more expensive than the two previous chairs, yet it’s totally worth the money. Just in case you want to look into some of the cheapest, here you can find our review of the best inexpensive office chairs under $100.
KEY FEATURES:
- Padded & contoured 6” thick seat cushion
- Adjustable seat height: 19.5 – 24″
- Supports up to 331 pounds
- Adjustable armrests
- Back & seat tilt adjustment
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Weight: 36 pounds
- Dimensions: 26 x 26.5 x 39 inches
- Manufacturer: Modway
- Chair back height: 22″
- Chair seat size (width x depth): 19″ x 20″
- Chair seat thickness: 6″
PROS:
- Adjustable height
- Back & seat tilt adjustment
- Padded & Contoured 6” thick seat cushion
- Ergonomic design
- 360° swivel casters
CONS:
- The backrest and seat tilt might get loose
If you’re looking for a small chair that is durable and not too sophisticated, Boss Office Products has got your back. This chair for small people offers a very basic design, yet services its main purpose very well and is great for long hours.
Its built-in back lumbar support was designed to promote a correct posture, while the waterfall contour seat will reduce stress to your legs and back.
Here, you can change the seat height from 18.5 to 23.5 inches to find the most comfortable position for you. Plus, you can easily adjust the back depth for absolute comfort and the armrests can be moved up and down within about 3 inches.
This petite chair also features easy-care fabric that makes it much easier to keep your chair clean. And if you prefer brighter colors, you can order this chair with a red seat fabric.
Lastly, we’d like to let you know that even though the cushion is padded, it might still be a bit too thin for anyone over 150 lbs. A good solution to this problem can be purchasing one of the best office chair cushions.
KEY FEATURES:
- Waterfall seat
- Adjustable seat, back depth, and armrests
- Padded seat cushion with built-in lumbar support
- Easy to assemble
- Supports up to 275 lbs
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Weight: 27.2 pounds
- Dimensions: 25 x 25 x 40 inches
- Arm Height: 26-33 inches
- Seat Size: 17.5 inches W x 16.5 inches D
- Seat Height: 18.5-23.5 inches
- Overall Height: 35-40 inches
PROS:
- Adjustable height, seat, and arms
- Easy Care Fabric
- Padded seat cushion with built-in lumbar support
- Ergonomic design
- 360° swivel casters
CONS:
- The cushion might be too thin for extended use by anyone over 150lbs
This mid-back office chair is perfect for those looking to buy a more classic petite office chair. With its quality leather upholstery, the chair will fit perfectly into any office interior. Plus it comes in either black or white to give a more elegant look to any interior.
As for the seat height, you can adjust the height range to as low as 18 inches to ensure your lower body’s comfort. Also, simple pneumatic controls let you raise or lower your seat and rock back in your chair with ease. Thanks to a tilt-tension knob adjusting the chair’s motion couldn’t be any easier and this, along with the comfortable contours, makes this Amazon Basics chair great to get all day support for your back and lower body.
Regardless of its cheap price, the chair is set on a sturdy 5-point base that can support up to 275 lbs, and the dual caster wheels let you move it smoothly and silently on most kinds of hardwood floors.
Overall, black bonded leather upholstery adds a nice touch to this small office chair an executive office chair look. It gives you more support and comfort while working from home or in the office. All of this for less than $80.
KEY FEATURES:
- Padded seat and back
- Supports up to 275 lbs
- Adjustable height
- Tilt tension and lock functions
- Padded armrests
- Leather office chair
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Weight: 27.6 pounds
- Dimensions: 27 x 25.8 x 39.2 inches
- Supports up to 275 lbs
- Seat Height: 18 Inches
- Manufacturer: Amazon Basics
PROS:
- Adjustable height
- Black bonded faux leather upholstery
- Padded seat and back
- Ergonomic design
- 360° swivel dual-wheel casters
CONS:
- Non-reclining back support
Things to Consider Before Buying an Office Chair for a Shorter Person
Are you tired of uncomfortable traditional office chairs and office furniture and want to opt for a smaller chair that would provide you with ultimate comfort during the workday? Here’s what you need to know before you make the final decision:
What are the chair’s seat width and depth?
If you want to avoid constant discomfort, ensure that your chair isn’t too wide or too deep for your tiny body. Ideally, you’d wish the seat depth to be no more than 21-22″, and the shorter, the better.
What’s the chair’s seat height?
If you’re below 5,8”, then having a suitable seat height is a must. First, ensure your new office chair has an adjustable seat height to fit your petite body type. Ideally, you’d be looking for a chair that can go as low as 14 inches, or at least no more than 20”. However, if you don’t care whether your feet touch the floor or not, then you can go for any seat height.
Does the office chair have an ergonomic design?
If you truly care about your back, legs, and arms, you should opt for a task chair that offers an ergonomic design for your height and helps you support a correct posture. Usually, such chairs feature adjustable lumbar support to help you feel more comfortable.
How much weight does it support?
While you can always buy a computer chair for kids to fit your shorter height, it doesn’t mean that the chair could support your weight. So it’s better to make sure the office chair you purchase is sturdy and durable.
Does the chair have a thick-padded cushion?
You might weigh less than taller people, but it’s still important to have a thick-padded cushion to sit on during your 8-hour workday. We also suggest opting for waterfall or curved seat cushions to decrease the pressure on your legs.
What type of backrest does the chair have?
Usually, you’ll come across mid-back petit office chairs as they’re more suitable for shorter people. However, some well-designed smaller office chairs can also have a high back and a headrest. So it’s really up to you and your preferences.
Is the chair compact?
If space is an issue for you, then you should opt for a task chair with flip-up armrests or adjustable armrests. This feature will let you easily push it closer to the desk and make your home office look more spacious.
How adjustable is it?
If you have very particular preferences for your office chair and sitting arrangement, it’s better to choose a computer chair with as many adjustable features as possible, including seat depth and height, back height, tilt tension, etc.
What is it upholstered in?
Do you prefer a breathable mesh, textile, faux leather, or genuine leather petite office chair? This specification might affect the price, but it mostly depends on your preference and interior design requirements. As long as you ensure that the upholstery material is durable, you should be satisfied with your new office chair for short people.
Is the chair multifunctional?
If you like to use your office chair as a gaming chair or as an extra chair around the house, it’s always a good idea to go for a chair that can serve different purposes. This will save you from spending more money on buying other chairs.
The Benefits of an Office Chair for Short People
Choosing an ergonomic chair for short people isn’t always the same as selecting a regular office chair. Office chairs for a petite person offer some specific benefits than can greatly improve the overall comfort for short people and that’s why here we’ve listed some of the main pros that come with this kind of chairs:
- Wide range of adjustments: Ergonomic chairs for short people usually include a wide range of adjustments that allow the users to customize features such as the seat tilt or armrests height.
- Adjustable height: One of the most important benefits is the option to adjust the chair’s height. By adjusting the height, a short person can lower the chair as they see fit.
- Adjustable seat depth: Seat depth is often overlooked, however it is an essential part of your comfort because if the seat pan is too deep it might result in circulation problems for short people.
- Lumbar support: When talking about office chairs, lumbar support is always important as it allows you to keep a healthy posture when sitting.
- Armrests’ width: A petite person might find a chair’s armrests to be too far apart, resulting in an uncomfortable working experience. To solve the problem, some chairs let you adjust the armrests’ width.
Is a Petite Office Chair Worth It?
Picking a good office chair for short people can take a while. However, once you lay your eyes on one of the chair models, make sure you check its seat height, width, and depth. If the chair is too big for you, you’ll feel discomfort throughout your workdays and have less motivation and energy to finish your daily tasks.
Of course, there’s no single best ergonomic office chair that would fit every petite person. Yet, it’s still possible to find the one that would be the most comfortable for your tiny body type.
We hope that our comprehensive guide to the top nine best office chairs for short people will help you better understand all the main chair specifications and make the right purchase. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to let us know.
FAQs
What is a good seat height for short people?
If you’re around 5’6” then you should look for a seat height of 16”, while if you’re 5’2” you should try to go for 15”. In case you’re shorter than 5’2” then we recommend a chair that can go as low as 14”.
I like a chair but it doesn’t go as low as I need. What can I do?
If you fell in love with a chair that can’t be lowered as much as you need then that’s not an irresolvable problem. If the chair’s height doesn’t quite suit your needs, you can always use a footrest to make sure your feet won’t dangle off the ground.
What is a good desk height to fit a chair for short people?
When talking about chairs for petite people we must not forget that another important factor is the height of your desk. Generally speaking, when typing on a computer you want your desk to be about 8” higher than your seat height. This means that if your seat height is 15” your desk should be around 23” high.
How We Review: Our Office Chair Ratings Methodology
At Overheard on Conference Calls, we take pride in how we review office chairs. Our team of office chair experts spend hours researching and reviewing dozens of products before they even start writing their review or article. Our goal is to bring you honest and unbiased information to help you make an informed choice that will be the best for you. Our recommendations are not for sale and they are not influenced by any of the manufacturers we review.
When reviewing an office chair, there are numerous factors we analyze to determine our recommendations. Here are our four most important:
- Comfort: Comfort is key to a good office chair. It’s likely you’ll be sitting in it for hours so you’ll want something that won’t cause you aches and pains after hours of use. We gauge comfort by testing for 4+ hours as well as looking at the thickness of the seat cushion and its material.
- Durability: Not all office chairs are built the same. Our durability factor looks at the quality of the materials and how sturdy the chair is after assembly. Because we have a limited tested period, we also conduct customer research of longtime users.
- Lumbar Support: While this is an ergonomic feature, we made this its own separate rating factor because of how important it is to your overall posture, health, and comfort. We analyze each chair for its lumbar support or lack thereof.
- Ergonomic Features: In addition to lumbar support, we also look at other ergonomic features such as the armrests, height adjustment, reclining, seat ergonomics, and more. The better it is for your ergonomics and the more features/adjustability, the better.
Why isn’t price included on that list? Fair question! We do consider price in the order of our recommendations but because everyone has their own budget in mind, we won’t rule a chair in or out just because it has premium or budget price.
Our team has researched and reviewed hundreds of chairs and we’re confident in our recommendations. We strive to only recommend the best products and we periodically refresh our reviews and rankings.
