Buying Guide
The Best Chairs With Footrest
Five chairs compared, from the adult footrest chair to the GTPLAYER speaker chair, with the trade-offs of each named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
A footrest makes a reclined chair usable for resting between sessions. Every pick has a footrest, ordered by recline angle.
Our comparison rests on published figures for weight capacity, max recline and armrests; where a maker leaves out weight capacity, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Highest Weight Capacity
Stella Mia Big and Tall Gaming ChairThe highest weight capacity here (500 lbs).
Best for: Buyers who put weight capacity first.
Check price for Stella Mia Big and Tall Gaming Chair on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
GTPLAYER Gaming Chair with Bluetooth SpeakersThe top of this price range, adding Bluetooth speakers built into the headrest.
Best for: Spending more than the Stella Mia costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Check price for GTPLAYER Gaming Chair with Bluetooth Speakers on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
VITESSE Big and Tall Gaming ChairA 90 to 155 degree recline.
Best for: Buyers who want 90 to 155 degree recline.
Check price for VITESSE Big and Tall Gaming Chair on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Video Gaming Chair for Adults with FootrestUndercutting the GTPLAYER B&T linkage on price when we checked.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $100.
Check price for Video Gaming Chair for Adults with Footrest on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
GTPLAYER Big and Tall Gaming Chair with Linkage ArmsA 400 lb weight capacity.
Best for: Buyers who want 400 lb weight capacity.
Check price for GTPLAYER Big and Tall Gaming Chair with Linkage Arms on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Highest Weight Capacity1 of 5
Stella Mia Big and Tall Gaming Chair
Stella Mia's chair offers a 23.6 inch wide seat and a 500 lb capacity.
Best for
- Buyers who put weight capacity first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the adult footrest chair cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It reclines to 165 degrees with a footrest. The 23.6-inch seat is wide enough to sit cross-legged, and it is sized for users up to 6 ft 7 in and over 300 lbs. The backrest reclines to a near-flat 165 degrees with a retractable footrest.
On weight capacity it leads this guide at 500 lbs, ahead of the VITESSE (400 lbs). Nothing else here matches its 165° recline angle; the GTPLAYER speaker chair comes closest at 160°. You also get a 165 degree recline.
The Stella Mia's lumbar support is a strap-on pillow, so position it by hand rather than with a dial. Check the Stella Mia's seat width against your hips as well as its weight rating. It was priced above the VITESSE and below the GTPLAYER speaker chair at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Weight capacity
- 500 lbs
- Max recline
- 165°
- Lumbar support
- Pillow
- Footrest
- Yes
Pros
- 500 lb weight rating
- Reclines to 165°
- 23.6 inch wide seat
- The highest weight capacity here (500 lbs)
Cons
- Costs more than the adult footrest chair at the time of writing
Premium Pick2 of 5
GTPLAYER Gaming Chair with Bluetooth Speakers
GTPLAYER's speaker chair builds Bluetooth speakers into the headrest and reclines to 160 degrees.
Best for
- Spending more than the Stella Mia costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Its weight capacity is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
A footrest pulls out from the seat. Two Bluetooth speakers in the headrest play from a phone or tablet for up to 16 hours. Its metal frame supports an upright seated position.
Its PU leather is smooth, and the thick high-density foam seat resists sagging. Two Bluetooth speakers connect to a phone, tablet or other Bluetooth device for music or mobile games. The seat height and armrests adjust, the headrest is removable, and the chair swivels 360 degrees.
Its 160° recline angle ranks second of 5 here, behind the Stella Mia (165°) and ahead of the GTPLAYER B&T linkage (150°). It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Stella Mia and the rest.
Key specs
- Max recline
- 160°
- Footrest
- Yes
Pros
- Reclines to 160°
- Bluetooth speakers built into the headrest
- Footrest
- The top of this price range, adding Bluetooth speakers built into the headrest
Cons
- No published weight capacity
- Costs more than the adult footrest chair at the time of writing
The catch
The maker doesn't give its weight capacity; if that figure matters, the Stella Mia is rated for 500 lbs.
Also Consider3 of 5
VITESSE Big and Tall Gaming Chair
VITESSE's big and tall chair reclines from 90 to 155 degrees with linkage armrests.
Best for
- Buyers who want 90 to 155 degree recline.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the adult footrest chair was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It has a 400 lb capacity and a footrest. Oversized memory-foam neck and lumbar pillows add padding, and the backrest tilts from 90 to 155 degrees. The frame is steel with an SGS gas lift and an explosion-proof base, and assembly takes about 10 to 15 minutes without extra tools.
It matches the GTPLAYER B&T linkage on weight capacity (400 lbs). Its 155° recline angle ranks third of 5 here, behind the Stella Mia (165°) and ahead of the GTPLAYER B&T linkage (150°). It also comes with a 90 to 155 degree recline.
Check the VITESSE's seat width against your hips as well as its weight rating. Its price falls between the GTPLAYER B&T linkage and the Stella Mia, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Weight capacity
- 400 lbs
- Max recline
- 155°
- Armrests
- Linkage
- Footrest
- Yes
Pros
- 400 lb weight rating
- Reclines to 155°
- Linkage armrests
Cons
- Costs more than the adult footrest chair at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here4 of 5
Video Gaming Chair for Adults with Footrest
This adult gaming chair reclines to 150 degrees and has a removable headrest.
Best for
- Keeping the cost under $100.
Skip if
- Its weight capacity is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
Its lumbar support adjusts and a footrest slides out for breaks. The backrest reclines from 90 to 150 degrees and locks at any angle, with a retractable footrest for breaks. Its PU leather is water-repellent and wipes clean.
The high back follows the spine's S-curve to support neck, upper back and lower back. It matches the GTPLAYER B&T linkage on recline angle (150°). It makes the most sense for keeping the cost under $100, since it offers undercutting the GTPLAYER B&T linkage on price when we checked.
It undercut the GTPLAYER B&T linkage and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its weight capacity; if that figure matters, the Stella Mia is rated for 500 lbs.
Key specs
- Max recline
- 150°
- Lumbar support
- Adjustable
- Footrest
- Yes
Pros
- Removable headrest
- Recline up to 150 degrees
- Adjustable lumbar support
- Undercutting the GTPLAYER B&T linkage on price when we checked
Cons
- No published weight capacity
Strong Alternative5 of 5
GTPLAYER Big and Tall Gaming Chair with Linkage Arms
This GTPLAYER big and tall chair offers 400 lb and reclines from 90 to 150 degrees.
Best for
- Buyers who want 400 lb weight capacity.
Skip if
- Skip it if weight capacity matters most to you; the Stella Mia offers 500 lbs.
Why we like it
Its linkage armrests move with the backrest. It is rated for 400 lbs, with an enlarged headrest, a spring seat cushion and dual-layer lumbar support. It matches the VITESSE on weight capacity (400 lbs).
It matches the adult footrest chair on recline angle (150°). It also offers a 400 lb weight capacity and a 90 to 150 degree recline. Check the GTPLAYER B&T linkage's seat width against your hips as well as its weight rating.
Its price falls between the adult footrest chair and the VITESSE, based on our last check. If weight capacity is your priority, the Stella Mia (500 lbs) is the stronger choice.
Key specs
- Weight capacity
- 400 lbs
- Max recline
- 150°
- Armrests
- Linkage
- Footrest
- Yes
Pros
- 400 lb weight rating
- 90 to 150 degree recline
- Linkage armrests
Cons
- Weight capacity trails the Stella Mia (500 lbs)
- Recline angle trails the Stella Mia (165°)
- Costs more than the adult footrest chair at the time of writing
How We Chose These Chairs With Footrest
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.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared five chairs on weight capacity, recline angle, armrests and lumbar support as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 2 of the 5 fields compared are stated for every pick, while weight capacity and armrests have gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Stella Mia to the GTPLAYER B&T linkage, state recline angle and footrest and share footrest.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The GTPLAYER speaker chair and the adult footrest chair give no weight capacity; the Stella Mia, the GTPLAYER speaker chair and the adult footrest chair give no armrests.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the adult footrest chair ($50 to $100) to the GTPLAYER speaker chair ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Chair With Footrest
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Recline angle across these picks
Here recline angle runs from 150° on the GTPLAYER B&T linkage to 165° on the Stella Mia, a 10% spread. Start with the Stella Mia if recline angle decides it.
Weight capacity
The Stella Mia tops weight capacity at 500 lbs and the GTPLAYER B&T linkage sits lowest at 400 lbs. The Stella Mia is the pick for weight capacity. The GTPLAYER speaker chair and the adult footrest chair give no weight capacity figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
A desk setup with a monitor riser, ergonomic chair and blue backlight Footrest
The Stella Mia, the GTPLAYER speaker chair, the VITESSE, the adult footrest chair and the GTPLAYER B&T linkage have it. Sort out footrest before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 5.
Fit and compatibility
The Stella Mia's lumbar support is a strap-on pillow, so position it by hand rather than with a dial. Check the VITESSE's seat width against your hips as well as its weight rating.
A desk with a curved monitor, a glass-panel PC and a keyboard Features beyond the spec table
The VITESSE: linkage armrests. The adult footrest chair: a recline up to 150 degrees. The GTPLAYER B&T linkage: a 90 to 150 degree recline.
How to Choose a Chair With Footrest
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put weight capacity first | Stella Mia | The highest weight capacity here (500 lbs) |
| Spending more than the Stella Mia costs for the fullest feature set in this group | GTPLAYER speaker chair | The top of this price range, adding Bluetooth speakers built into the headrest |
| Buyers who want 90 to 155 degree recline | VITESSE | A 90 to 155 degree recline |
| Keeping the cost under $100 | adult footrest chair | Undercutting the GTPLAYER B&T linkage on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want 400 lb weight capacity | GTPLAYER B&T linkage | A 400 lb weight capacity |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Stella Mia leads on recline angle at 165°, ahead of the GTPLAYER speaker chair at 160°. "Not listed" marks weight capacity where the GTPLAYER speaker chair and the adult footrest chair leave the figure out.
| Chair | Weight capacity | Max recline | Armrests | Lumbar support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stella Mia | 500 lbs | 165° | Not listed | Pillow |
| GTPLAYER speaker chair | Not listed | 160° | Not listed | Not listed |
| VITESSE | 400 lbs | 155° | Linkage | Not listed |
| adult footrest chair | Not listed | 150° | Not listed | Adjustable |
| GTPLAYER B&T linkage | 400 lbs | 150° | Linkage | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the adult footrest chair, sat in the $50 to $100 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the GTPLAYER speaker chair at $150 to $250; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Chairs |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | adult footrest chair |
| About $100 to $150 | GTPLAYER B&T linkage, VITESSE |
| About $150 to $250 | Stella Mia, GTPLAYER speaker chair |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the GTPLAYER speaker chair compare with the Stella Mia on recline angle?
The Stella Mia leads at 165°, with the GTPLAYER speaker chair at 160°. The GTPLAYER B&T linkage is at the other end of this group with 150°.
Is the Stella Mia ahead of the VITESSE on weight capacity?
The Stella Mia tops weight capacity at 500 lbs; the VITESSE follows at 400 lbs, 25% apart. The GTPLAYER speaker chair and the adult footrest chair are left out of this ranking because their weight capacity isn't stated; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the GTPLAYER speaker chair worth paying more than the adult footrest chair?
The spec sheets show recline angle (160° against 150°) in its favour. The adult footrest chair sat in the $50 to $100 tier and the GTPLAYER speaker chair in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if recline angle decides your purchase.
What makes the Stella Mia the Highest Weight Capacity?
The label rests on the highest weight capacity here (500 lbs). The VITESSE is next on weight capacity at 400 lbs, so this pick's 500 lbs is 25% further out. The adult footrest chair, the cheapest pick, sat in the $50 to $100 tier against $150 to $250 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at anyone who puts weight capacity first.
Do the Stella Mia and the adult footrest chair differ on lumbar support?
The Stella Mia uses pillow; the adult footrest chair uses Adjustable. The makers of the GTPLAYER speaker chair, the VITESSE and the GTPLAYER B&T linkage don't state lumbar support, so 2 of 5 picks are covered here.
What should I check before buying the Stella Mia?
The Stella Mia's lumbar support is a strap-on pillow, so position it by hand rather than with a dial. Check the Stella Mia's seat width against your hips as well as its weight rating. In this guide it ranks first of 5, as our Highest Weight Capacity pick, and first of 5 on recline angle (165°).
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Stella Mia, chosen for the highest weight capacity here (500 lbs). Look at the GTPLAYER speaker chair for the top of this price range, adding Bluetooth speakers built into the headrest, the VITESSE for a 90 to 155 degree recline and the adult footrest chair for undercutting the GTPLAYER B&T linkage on price when we checked if those matter more to you.
Retract the footrest while working; sitting with raised legs at a desk strains the lower back.
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 Task Chairs with Footrest
- 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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