Best cheap gaming chair right now

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The best cheap gaming chairs don't sacrifice comfort and stability to hit their low prices. They need to be worth buying. The problem is, there are loads of options available and it can be tricky to discern which ones are actually worth looking at and which ones will fall apart in a couple of years. Cheap gaming chairs don't need to match the best of the best, but they need to last.

Our favorite gaming chairs ramp up in price, so if you're trying to find something in a different range, you must look carefully and read up on all the details. Does it come with lumbar or neck pillows? What's the weight limit? How far does it recline? What's the material made of? These are just some of the questions you should ask when shopping around for a chair. 

For this gaming chair guide, we set a budget of $200. We did find a lot of sub-$100 chairs on sale, but again they looked like they break as soon as your butt sat in them. $200 seems like a reasonable budget for a decent chair that will hopefully be comfortable enough for long gaming sessions.

Snapshot guides

We've not personally tested every product in this snapshot's cheap gaming chair hunt, but our main guides feature products we're rigorously tested ourselves.
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You're still paying for something you'll be sitting in for hours on end, so it's all about support when looking for a cheap gaming chair. Ergonomics are often overlooked when looking for an affordable gaming chair over a more expensive option, but make sure your new gaming chair will not disservice your spine. You also might miss out on adjustable armrests, but if you're someone who doesn't feel the need to mess with that already, you won't miss out.

I've used my experience and expertise to nail down the best cheap gaming chairs for the following guide. And while they won't necessarily be ones we've tested personally, I've sat my gamer butt on enough gaming chairs to know what we're looking for and what to avoid at all costs.

The best cheap gaming chairs

GTPlayer Gaming chair | Neck pillow | Lumbar support | Footrest| $229.99 $144.98 at Walmart (save $85.01)
If white's your color, this gaming chair deal is a rare chance to pick one up at a reasonable price. It lacks adjustable armrests but has both neck and lumbar support.View Deal

Staples Emerge Vartan Gaming Chair | Neck pillow | Lumbar pillow | $329.99 $129.99 at Staples ($200)
This is a big ol' saving on the list price for a chair that has an impressive 275lb capacity. You're getting a bonded leather back and seat for your money, with height-adjustable armrests and a lumbar cushion too. View Deal

Bossin Gaming Chair | Neck pillow | Lumbar support| $149.98 $111.50 at Amazon (save $38.48)
This gaming chair has a subdued look, a neck pillow, and lumbar support. It has an impressive reclining system and can be adjusted for different desk heights. At this price, it's not a bad choice for a pretty solid chair.View Deal

X Rocker Pro 200 Gaming Chair Rocker | 2.1 speakers | Faux Leather| $109.99 $64 at Walmart (save $45)
Got a kid? This videogame rocker is perfect for some floor gaming action. It also has integrated speakers for an immersive gaming/music experience via a 3.5mm input. Unusually for a rocker it also has armrestsView Deal

BestOffice High Back Gaming Chair | Neck pillow | Lumbar support| $84.99 $59.99 at Amazon (save $25)
This chair has a simple design but packs in some nice features for an extremely low price. It doesn't have adjustable armrests, but it does have a neck pillow, height adjustment, and lumbar support.View Deal

X Rocker Pro 200 Gaming Chair Rocker | 2.1 speakers | Faux Leather| $109.99 $64 at Walmart (save $45)
Got a kid? This videogame rocker is perfect for some floor gaming action. It's easy to shift out of the way when not needed and also has integrated speakers for an immersive gaming experience. Unusually for a rocker it also has armrests.View Deal

Should I buy a cheap gaming chair?

If you're after the racing aesthetic, then a cheap gaming chair will deliver that, but it's what's underneath that faux leather exterior that counts. Going too cheap will mean you get a frame that can't stand the active exertions of a heated gaming session or a seat with padding that either offers no support or melts away within months.

Alternatively, if you're not desperate for the streamer look, you can find decent office chairs, with far more ergonomic designs, for less than the sticker price of a serious bucket seat. This, of course, if you don't mind going for something less flashy. 

Good furniture is expensive but should last you a few years, so consider it an investment.

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