Buying Guide
The Best Chairs for Short People
Five chairs ranked on weight capacity and recline angle, where the TRALT mesh has the highest weight capacity; the Sweetcrispy is the cheapest route in.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Shorter people need a low minimum seat height so their feet reach the floor. Every pick has a seat that starts at 18.5 inches or lower, ordered from the lowest price.
The order reflects weight capacity, max recline and seat height from maker specifications; a missing weight capacity is flagged, not filled in rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
Sweetcrispy Gaming ChairThe lowest price among these chairs at the time of writing.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $100.
Check price for Sweetcrispy Gaming Chair on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Pillow Lumbar Support
Homall Faux Leather Gaming ChairA pillow lumbar support.
Best for: Buyers who want a pillow lumbar support.
Check price for Homall Faux Leather Gaming Chair on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Highest Weight Capacity
TRALT Ergonomic Mesh Office ChairThe highest weight capacity here (330 lbs).
Best for: Buyers who put weight capacity first.
Check price for TRALT Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Flip-up Armrests
GABRYLLY Ergonomic Mesh Chair with Flip-Up ArmsFlip-up armrests.
Best for: Buyers who want flip-up armrests.
Check price for GABRYLLY Ergonomic Mesh Chair with Flip-Up Arms on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ELABEST X100 Ergonomic Office ChairThe highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 3D adjustable lumbar support.
Best for: Buyers who want 3D adjustable lumbar support and can spend more than the GABRYLLY flip-up costs.
Check price for ELABEST X100 Ergonomic Office Chair on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Sweetcrispy Gaming Chair
Sweetcrispy's chair has armrests that flip up 92 degrees and an 18 to 22 inch seat height.
Best for
- Keeping the cost under $100.
Skip if
- Pass if a published weight capacity matters; this one has none.
Why we like it
Lumbar support is included. It is rated for 275 lbs on a chrome-plated metal base, and the PU leather back has cut-outs for airflow. The flip-up arms let it slide fully under a desk when you're done.
At about 30 pounds it is light enough to move between rooms, and the tilt tension runs from 90 to 122 degrees. Assembly takes around 17 minutes with the included tools. No other pick in this guide offers an 18 to 22 in seat height; compare the GABRYLLY flip-up, which has an 18.9 to 23.6 in seat height.
The Sweetcrispy's arms flip up, so it can roll closer under a desk with a low front edge. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the Homall faux leather the next step up.
Key specs
- Seat height
- 18 to 22 in
- Armrests
- Flip-up (92°)
- Lumbar support
- Lumbar support
Pros
- Flip-up (92°) armrests
- 18 to 22 inch seat height
- Lumbar support
- The lowest price among these chairs at the time of writing
Cons
- No published weight capacity
The catch
There is no published weight capacity figure, whereas the TRALT mesh is rated for 330 lbs.
Pillow Lumbar Support2 of 5
Homall Faux Leather Gaming Chair
Homall's faux leather chair reclines from 90 to 155 degrees and starts at a 17.3 inch seat height.
Best for
- Buyers who want a pillow lumbar support.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its weight capacity before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
The headrest pillow is removable. High-density foam keeps its shape over long sessions, and a 1.8mm steel frame sits on a Class 3 gas lift. It is the only pick here with a from 17.3 in seat height; the Sweetcrispy has an 18 to 22 in seat height instead.
No other pick in this guide offers a pillow lumbar support; compare the ELABEST X100, which has a 3D adjustable lumbar support. It is the only pick here with faux leather upholstery; the GABRYLLY flip-up has mesh upholstery instead. It also offers a 90 to 155 degree recline.
The Homall faux leather's lumbar support is a strap-on pillow, so position it by hand rather than with a dial. When we checked, only the Sweetcrispy cost less, and the TRALT mesh cost more.
Key specs
- Max recline
- 155°
- Seat height
- From 17.3 in
- Lumbar support
- Pillow
- Upholstery
- Faux leather
Pros
- Reclines to 155°
- Removable headrest
- Seat height from 17.3 inches
- Pillow lumbar support, the only one here
Cons
- No published weight capacity
- Costs more than the Sweetcrispy at the time of writing
The catch
If you want a confirmed weight capacity, look to the TRALT mesh instead: it is rated for 330 lbs, while this one gives no figure.
Highest Weight Capacity3 of 5
TRALT Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair
TRALT's mesh chair adjusts its lumbar support in depth and offers a Class 3 BIFMA-certified gas lift on a metal-core base rated for 330 lbs.
Best for
- Buyers who put weight capacity first.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Sweetcrispy was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
The maker quotes a 19.7 inch wide, 17.3 inch deep seat and a 17.7 to 21.7 inch height range, detail most budget listings leave out. The seat uses high-resilience molded foam, and the backrest is breathable high-tension mesh rather than faux leather. The base is reinforced nylon with a metal core, the casters are 360-degree silent wheels for hardwood, tile or carpet, and BIFMA basic durability certification is listed.
Nothing else here matches its 330 lbs weight capacity; the GABRYLLY flip-up comes closest at 300 lbs. No other pick in this guide offers a depth-adjustable lumbar support; compare the ELABEST X100, which has a 3D adjustable lumbar support. Like the GABRYLLY flip-up and ELABEST X100, it has mesh upholstery, while the Homall faux leather uses faux leather upholstery. When we checked, only the Homall faux leather and cheaper picks cost less, and the GABRYLLY flip-up cost more.
Key specs
- Weight capacity
- 330 lbs
- Seat height
- 17.7 to 21.7 in
- Lumbar support
- Depth-adjustable
- Upholstery
- Mesh
Pros
- Mesh upholstery
- Lumbar support that adjusts in depth
- Class 3 BIFMA-certified gas lift and a metal-core base
- 19.7 inch wide, 17.3 inch deep seat and a 2-year warranty
Cons
- Costs more than the Sweetcrispy at the time of writing
The catch
If you want a confirmed recline angle, look to the Homall faux leather instead: it reclines to 155°, while this one gives no figure.
Flip-up Armrests4 of 5
GABRYLLY Ergonomic Mesh Chair with Flip-Up Arms
The GABRYLLY flip-up stands out for an 18.9 to 23.6 inch seat height, and it adds flip-up armrests.
Best for
- Buyers who want flip-up armrests.
Skip if
- Pass on it if recline stops at 120° rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It also is rated for 300 lbs and reclines to 120°. It supports head, back, hips and arms, fits users about 5 ft 2 in to 6 ft 1 in, and carries a three-year warranty. On weight capacity it ties with the ELABEST X100 at 300 lbs.
No other pick in this guide offers flip-up armrests; compare the Sweetcrispy, which has flip-up (92°) armrests. Like the TRALT mesh and ELABEST X100, it has mesh upholstery, while the Homall faux leather uses faux leather upholstery. The GABRYLLY flip-up's arms flip up, so it can roll closer under a desk with a low front edge. When we checked, only the TRALT mesh and cheaper picks cost less, and the ELABEST X100 cost more.
Key specs
- Weight capacity
- 300 lbs
- Max recline
- 120°
- Seat height
- 18.9 to 23.6 in
- Armrests
- Flip-up
- Upholstery
- Mesh
Pros
- Flip-up armrests
- Mesh upholstery
- 18.9 to 23.6 inch seat height
- 300 lb weight capacity
Cons
- Recline stops at 120°
- Costs more than the Sweetcrispy at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
ELABEST X100 Ergonomic Office Chair
ELABEST's X100 has 3D adjustable lumbar support and 5D armrests that flip up.
Best for
- Buyers who want 3D adjustable lumbar support and can spend more than the GABRYLLY flip-up costs.
Skip if
- Skip it if weight capacity matters most to you; the TRALT mesh offers 330 lbs.
Why we like it
A footrest is included. Its 3D lumbar support tracks your back with spring-loaded depth adjustment, and the 5D armrests flip up. A wide 3D headrest and a footrest round out the adjustments.
On weight capacity it ties with the GABRYLLY flip-up at 300 lbs. No other pick in this guide offers an 18.3 to 23 in seat height; compare the TRALT mesh, which has a 17.7 to 21.7 in seat height. It is the only pick here with a 3D adjustable lumbar support; the Homall faux leather has a pillow lumbar support instead.
The ELABEST X100's arms flip up, so it can roll closer under a desk with a low front edge. Only the GABRYLLY flip-up came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
Key specs
- Weight capacity
- 300 lbs
- Seat height
- 18.3 to 23 in
- Armrests
- 5D flip-up
- Lumbar support
- 3D adjustable
- Footrest
- Yes
- Upholstery
- Mesh
Pros
- 5D flip-up armrests
- Mesh upholstery
- 3D adjustable lumbar support
- Footrest
Cons
- Weight capacity trails the TRALT mesh (330 lbs)
- Costs more than the Sweetcrispy at the time of writing
The catch
It gives ground on weight capacity, where the TRALT mesh is rated for 330 lbs.
How We Chose These Chairs for Short People
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- What we compared
- We set side by side five chairs on weight capacity, recline angle, seat height and armrests from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 1 of the 6 fields compared are stated for every pick, while weight capacity and recline angle have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Sweetcrispy to the ELABEST X100, state seat height.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Sweetcrispy and the Homall faux leather give no weight capacity; the Sweetcrispy, the TRALT mesh and the ELABEST X100 give no recline angle.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Sweetcrispy ($50 to $100) to the ELABEST X100 ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Chair for Short People
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much weight capacity you need
Here weight capacity runs from 300 lbs on the ELABEST X100 to 330 lbs on the TRALT mesh, a 10% spread. If weight capacity is your first filter, the TRALT mesh sets the ceiling at 330 lbs. The Sweetcrispy and the Homall faux leather give no weight capacity figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
Recline angle
Across these 2 picks recline angle spans 120° (the GABRYLLY flip-up) to 155° (the Homall faux leather). The Homall faux leather is the pick for recline angle. The Sweetcrispy, the TRALT mesh and the ELABEST X100 give no recline angle figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
A wooden desk with a monitor on an arm, a desk mat and a compact keyboard Armrests
The Sweetcrispy lists flip-up (92°); the GABRYLLY flip-up lists flip-up; the ELABEST X100 lists 5D flip-up. Sort out armrests before price: it splits 3 stated picks into groups of 1, 1 and 1.
Upholstery
The Homall faux leather lists faux leather; the TRALT mesh, the GABRYLLY flip-up and the ELABEST X100 list mesh.
A desk setup with a monitor riser, ergonomic chair and blue backlight Fit and compatibility
The Sweetcrispy's arms flip up, so it can roll closer under a desk with a low front edge. The Homall faux leather's lumbar support is a strap-on pillow, so position it by hand rather than with a dial.
How to Choose a Chair for Short People
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the cost under $100 | Sweetcrispy | The lowest price among these chairs at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want a pillow lumbar support | Homall faux leather | A pillow lumbar support |
| Buyers who put weight capacity first | TRALT mesh | The highest weight capacity here (330 lbs) |
| Buyers who want flip-up armrests | GABRYLLY flip-up | Flip-up armrests |
| Buyers who want 3D adjustable lumbar support and can spend more than the GABRYLLY flip-up costs | ELABEST X100 | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 3D adjustable lumbar support |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The TRALT mesh leads on weight capacity at 330 lbs, ahead of the GABRYLLY flip-up at 300 lbs. "Not listed" marks weight capacity where the Sweetcrispy and the Homall faux leather leave the figure out.
| Chair | Weight capacity | Max recline | Seat height | Armrests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweetcrispy | Not listed | Not listed | 18 to 22 in | Flip-up (92°) |
| Homall faux leather | Not listed | 155° | From 17.3 in | Not listed |
| TRALT mesh | 330 lbs | Not listed | 17.7 to 21.7 in | Not listed |
| GABRYLLY flip-up | 300 lbs | 120° | 18.9 to 23.6 in | Flip-up |
| ELABEST X100 | 300 lbs | Not listed | 18.3 to 23 in | 5D flip-up |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Sweetcrispy was the lowest-priced pick ($50 to $100) and the ELABEST X100 the highest ($250 to $500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Chairs |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | Sweetcrispy, Homall faux leather |
| About $100 to $150 | TRALT mesh |
| About $150 to $250 | GABRYLLY flip-up |
| About $250 to $500 | ELABEST X100 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the TRALT mesh ahead of the GABRYLLY flip-up on weight capacity?
The TRALT mesh tops weight capacity at 330 lbs; the GABRYLLY flip-up follows at 300 lbs, 10% apart. The Sweetcrispy and the Homall faux leather don't state a weight capacity figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
How does the GABRYLLY flip-up compare with the Homall faux leather on recline angle?
The Homall faux leather leads at 155°, with the GABRYLLY flip-up at 120°. The Sweetcrispy, the TRALT mesh and the ELABEST X100 are left out of this ranking because their recline angle isn't stated; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
Why is the TRALT mesh our Highest Weight Capacity pick?
It earns the label for the highest weight capacity here (330 lbs). On weight capacity it leads the GABRYLLY flip-up, 330 lbs against 300 lbs, a 10% margin. The Sweetcrispy, the cheapest pick, sat in the $50 to $100 tier against $100 to $150 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It suits anyone who puts weight capacity first.
Do the Sweetcrispy and the Homall faux leather differ on seat height?
The Sweetcrispy uses 18 to 22 in; the Homall faux leather uses from 17.3 in; the TRALT mesh uses 17.7 to 21.7 in; the GABRYLLY flip-up uses 18.9 to 23.6 in; the ELABEST X100 uses 18.3 to 23 in.
Will the Sweetcrispy work with my setup?
The Sweetcrispy's arms flip up, so it can roll closer under a desk with a low front edge. In this guide it ranks first of 5, as our Lowest Price Here pick.
What extras do the Sweetcrispy and the Homall faux leather include?
The Sweetcrispy: armrests that flip up 92 degrees. The Homall faux leather: a 90 to 155 degree recline. The TRALT mesh: lumbar support that adjusts in depth.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Sweetcrispy, chosen for the lowest price among these chairs at the time of writing. Look at the Homall faux leather for a pillow lumbar support, the TRALT mesh for the highest weight capacity here (330 lbs) and the GABRYLLY flip-up for flip-up armrests if those matter more to you.
If your feet still don't reach, add a footrest rather than raising the desk.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Office Chairs with Adjustable Lower-Back Support
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Chairs
- Related guideThe Best Ergonomic Chairs for Gaming
- Lower budgetThe Best Desk Chairs Under $70
- Higher budgetThe Best Premium Gaming Chairs
- ExplainerHow to size an office chair to your height and your desk
- ExplainerHow to choose a monitor arm: VESA pattern, weight range and desk clamps
- Also see: monitor arms and accessoriesThe Best Monitor Mount for Desk
- Similar guideThe Best Gaming Chairs With Low Seat Height
- Topic hubAll chairs, desks and desk setup guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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