I spend a lot of time at my desk at home, in a crappy big-box office chair. I also prefer to game at my desk whether I’m playing something modern or playing my secondary retro setup. I’ve never really thought about it but recently my wife pointed out that since I spend most of my game time in my crappy office chair, I should go for an upgrade. I’m getting a bonus from work next month so this may be just the right time for it.
If possible I’d like to stay under $300, which I know isn’t a stellar budget but I’m hoping I can get something solid and comfortable.
At work I have a Steelcase Leap and I love it, but that is way out of my price range unless I go used (which I’m totally willing to do). I have a friend with some sort of ‘gaming’ or ‘racing’ chair that seems nice, but most of those seem fairly expensive as well.
Does anyone here have a good recommendation for a comfy office chair under $300?
If you can up your budget you can find used/refurb steelcase leap V2s in the $350-$400 range. Worth spending a little extra when it comes to something like your computer chair where you might spent a lot of time. Healthy back and comfort and whatnot.
Unfortunately I don’t really have any recommendations under the $300 mark. I’m currently using an Ikea Markus, but I wouldn’t really recommend it. It’s functional but I plan to eventually replace it with a leap v2 myself.
I am leaning toward a Leap big time. Like I said I love the one I have at work and it’s over 20 years old at this point going by the mfg. date. Are there any major differences between the v1 and v2? I see open box Leaps on Ebay for under $250 shipped, so that seems more than reasonable. I didn’t expect them to be that cheap though so I’m not sure what I’m risking. Free return shipping though so I suppose it’s worth it.
I own or owned: A fully loaded Herman Miller Aeron, Embody, Steelcase Leather Leap
I have had jobs with Herman Miller Aeron and Mirra as well as various other chairs and desks.
My current setup is a Herman Miller Embody + Herman Miller Renew Desk.
I sold the Aeron, it was quite possibly the most uncomfortable sitting device I have owned. It was the right size, it was with every option possible. I sold it, stat. Did not pass go. Hated it.
The Mirra at the office was decent, much better.
The Steelcase is by far and away my favorite still. I kept it. My dad has it right now along with my other desk. He’ retired in Florida, I’m in Minneapolis, so I can’t exactly go get it.
I bought an Embody out of curiosity on a whim. I got it fully loaded as well. The Steelcase is still superior in my opinion, but I kept the Embody because it’s still pretty nice.
My recommendation, Craig’s List a Steelcase Leap. You can get them under $300 if you don’t need leather. Multiples of my friends took my advice and did the same (I’m the idiot who bought it new instead and save about a grand). They do not regret. The Leap is a tank and does not come apart. It weighs it too. It’s basically indestructible. I love how it reclines instead of rocks back. That’s my favorite feature.
This is also what I use and would recommend. I picked it over the Leap and several other in the price range after testing them all out for long periods of time. It lacked some things I did like about other chairs but the main thing that made it the winner for me was/is the back. It provided the perfect level of long term support without any annoyance.
The main problem would be the price, but much like any expensive office chair you may have good luck getting one from Craigslist depending on how many businesses are in your area.
He’s also written a pretty comprehensive guide on choosing a good chair, and some of his other reviews did put me off considering a preowned Humanscale Liberty.