Buying Guide
The Best Computer Chairs
From the N-GEN B&T to the Stella Mia: five chairs ranked on weight capacity and recline angle, with who should skip each one.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Budget computer chairs vary most in build strength. Every pick is rated for 300 lbs or more and cost $180 or less, ordered by capacity.
We sorted these picks by weight capacity, max recline and armrests, working from the makers' own data; nothing here was tested in-house, and if a maker skips max recline, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Highest Weight Capacity
Heavy Duty Mesh Office Chair (700 lb)The highest weight capacity here (700 lbs).
Best for: Buyers who put weight capacity first.
Check price for Heavy Duty Mesh Office Chair (700 lb) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
DUMOS Big and Tall Mesh Office ChairA 500 lb weight capacity.
Best for: Buyers who want 500 lb weight capacity.
Check price for DUMOS Big and Tall Mesh Office Chair on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Deepest Recline Angle
Stella Mia Big and Tall Gaming ChairThe deepest recline angle here (165°).
Best for: Buyers who put recline angle first.
Check price for Stella Mia Big and Tall Gaming Chair on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
N-GEN Big and Tall Gaming ChairThe lowest price among these chairs at the time of writing.
Best for: Getting 400 lb weight capacity for the least money.
Check price for N-GEN Big and Tall Gaming Chair on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
LEMBERI Big and Tall Gaming Chair with FootrestA 400 lb weight capacity.
Best for: Buyers who want 400 lb weight capacity.
Check price for LEMBERI Big and Tall Gaming Chair with Footrest on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Highest Weight Capacity1 of 5
Heavy Duty Mesh Office Chair (700 lb)
This 700 lb mesh chair has 4D armrests and rocks to 135 degrees.
Best for
- Buyers who put weight capacity first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the N-GEN B&T cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It pairs the top weight capacity with a breathable back. Its oversized W-shaped seat is rated for 700 lbs, with a mesh back for airflow. It is built for big and tall users.
The high-density foam has 28 spring pockets, and the S-shaped backrest has adjustable lumbar support. The maker describes the W-shaped seat cushion as 5.1 inches thicker, and the base is silver-plated with an SGS-certified gas cylinder. Nothing else here matches its 700 lbs weight capacity; the DUMOS mesh B&T comes closest at 500 lbs.
It matches the N-GEN B&T on recline angle (135°). Check the 700 lb mesh chair's seat width against your hips as well as its weight rating. Its price falls between the LEMBERI footrest and the Stella Mia, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Weight capacity
- 700 lbs
- Max recline
- 135°
- Armrests
- 4D
- Upholstery
- Mesh
Pros
- 700 lb weight rating
- 4D armrests
- Mesh upholstery
- Mesh back that rocks to 135 degrees
Cons
- Costs more than the N-GEN B&T at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
DUMOS Big and Tall Mesh Office Chair
DUMOS's big and tall mesh chair offers a 500 lb capacity with 4D metal armrests.
Best for
- Buyers who want 500 lb weight capacity.
Skip if
- Its recline angle is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
The mesh back breathes better than leather. The seat cushion is 4.33 inches thick and wider than standard, aimed at taller and heavier users. Adjustable lumbar support moves back and forth, and the mesh back keeps air moving.
Its 4D metal armrests adjust in four directions, and the gas lift is class 3. The mesh back and thick sponge seat suit long days. It matches the Stella Mia on weight capacity (500 lbs).
Check the DUMOS mesh B&T's seat width against your hips as well as its weight rating. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper N-GEN B&T and the pricier LEMBERI footrest, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its recline angle; if that figure matters, the Stella Mia reclines to 165°.
Key specs
- Weight capacity
- 500 lbs
- Armrests
- 4D metal
- Upholstery
- Mesh
Pros
- 500 lb weight rating
- 4D metal armrests
- Mesh upholstery
- Mesh back
Cons
- No published recline angle
- Costs more than the N-GEN B&T at the time of writing
Deepest Recline Angle3 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 recline angle first.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the N-GEN B&T was cheaper at our last price check.
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 ties with the DUMOS mesh B&T at 500 lbs. Nothing else here matches its 165° recline angle; the 700 lb mesh chair comes closest at 135°. 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. Only the 700 lb mesh chair came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
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 deepest recline angle here (165°)
Cons
- Costs more than the N-GEN B&T at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here4 of 5
N-GEN Big and Tall Gaming Chair
N-GEN's big and tall chair offers 400 lb with a 90 to 135 degree recline and a footrest.
Best for
- Getting 400 lb weight capacity for the least money.
Skip if
- Skip it if recline angle matters most to you; the Stella Mia offers 165°.
Why we like it
It is a low-cost 400 lb option. A wide pocket-spring seat spreads pressure more evenly than foam, and it reclines from 90 to 135 degrees with linked armrests. A footrest adds leg support.
The wide seat suits people who find racing-style bolsters too narrow. Its SGS-certified class 3 gas lift and steel base are rated for 400 lbs. On weight capacity it ties with the LEMBERI footrest at 400 lbs.
On recline angle it ties with the 700 lb mesh chair at 135°. Check the N-GEN B&T's seat width against your hips as well as its weight rating. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the DUMOS mesh B&T was closest.
Key specs
- Weight capacity
- 400 lbs
- Max recline
- 135°
- Footrest
- Yes
Pros
- 400 lb weight rating
- 90 to 135 degree recline
- Footrest
- The lowest price among these chairs at the time of writing
Cons
- Recline angle trails the Stella Mia (165°)
The catch
Recline angle is its weakest area, and the Stella Mia covers it better at 165°.
Strong Alternative5 of 5
LEMBERI Big and Tall Gaming Chair with Footrest
LEMBERI's footrest version offers a 400 lb capacity.
Best for
- Buyers who want 400 lb weight capacity.
Skip if
- Skip it if weight capacity matters most to you; the 700 lb mesh chair offers 700 lbs.
Why we like it
It keeps a simple racing-style design. A class 4 gas lift and five-star base support 400 lbs, and rubber casters roll quietly. The steel frame is thick for stability.
On weight capacity it ties with the N-GEN B&T at 400 lbs. Check the LEMBERI footrest's seat width against your hips as well as its weight rating. When we checked, only the DUMOS mesh B&T and cheaper picks cost less, and the 700 lb mesh chair cost more. Weight capacity is its weakest area, and the 700 lb mesh chair covers it better at 700 lbs.
Key specs
- Weight capacity
- 400 lbs
- Footrest
- Yes
Pros
- 400 lb weight rating
- Footrest
- Yes footrest
Cons
- Weight capacity trails the 700 lb mesh chair (700 lbs)
- No published recline angle
- Costs more than the N-GEN B&T at the time of writing
How We Chose These Computer Chairs
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 set side by side five chairs on weight capacity, recline angle, armrests and footrest from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and recline angle and armrests are missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the 700 lb mesh chair to the LEMBERI footrest, state weight capacity.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The DUMOS mesh B&T and the LEMBERI footrest give no recline angle; the Stella Mia, the N-GEN B&T and the LEMBERI footrest give no armrests.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the N-GEN B&T ($50 to $100) to the Stella Mia ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Computer Chair
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Weight capacity
Across these 5 picks weight capacity spans 400 lbs (the LEMBERI footrest) to 700 lbs (the 700 lb mesh chair). For less, the DUMOS mesh B&T is the runner-up at 500 lbs ($50 to $100 tier).
How much recline angle you need
Here recline angle runs from 135° on the N-GEN B&T to 165° on the Stella Mia, a 22% spread. If recline angle is your first filter, the Stella Mia sets the ceiling at 165°. The DUMOS mesh B&T and the LEMBERI footrest give no recline angle 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 N-GEN B&T and the LEMBERI footrest have it. Sort out footrest before price: it splits 3 stated picks into groups of 3.
Fit and compatibility
Check the 700 lb mesh chair's seat width against your hips as well as its weight rating. The Stella Mia's lumbar support is a strap-on pillow, so position it by hand rather than with a dial.
A desk with a curved monitor, a glass-panel PC and a keyboard Features beyond the spec table
The Stella Mia: a 165 degree recline. The N-GEN B&T: a 90 to 135 degree recline. The LEMBERI footrest: a footrest.
How to Choose a Computer Chair
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put weight capacity first | 700 lb mesh chair | The highest weight capacity here (700 lbs) |
| Buyers who want 500 lb weight capacity | DUMOS mesh B&T | A 500 lb weight capacity |
| Buyers who put recline angle first | Stella Mia | The deepest recline angle here (165°) |
| Getting 400 lb weight capacity for the least money | N-GEN B&T | The lowest price among these chairs at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want 400 lb weight capacity | LEMBERI footrest | A 400 lb weight capacity |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The 700 lb mesh chair leads on weight capacity at 700 lbs, ahead of the DUMOS mesh B&T at 500 lbs. "Not listed" marks recline angle where the DUMOS mesh B&T and the LEMBERI footrest leave the figure out.
| Chair | Weight capacity | Max recline | Armrests | Footrest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 700 lb mesh chair | 700 lbs | 135° | 4D | Not listed |
| DUMOS mesh B&T | 500 lbs | Not listed | 4D metal | Not listed |
| Stella Mia | 500 lbs | 165° | Not listed | Yes |
| N-GEN B&T | 400 lbs | 135° | Not listed | Yes |
| LEMBERI footrest | 400 lbs | Not listed | Not listed | Yes |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the N-GEN B&T, sat in the $50 to $100 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the Stella Mia at $150 to $250; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Chairs |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | N-GEN B&T, DUMOS mesh B&T, LEMBERI footrest |
| About $100 to $150 | 700 lb mesh chair |
| About $150 to $250 | Stella Mia |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 700 lb mesh chair ahead of the DUMOS mesh B&T on weight capacity?
The 700 lb mesh chair leads at 700 lbs, with the DUMOS mesh B&T at 500 lbs. The LEMBERI footrest closes the ranking at 400 lbs.
Which has the deepest recline angle: the Stella Mia or the 700 lb mesh chair?
The Stella Mia tops recline angle at 165°; the 700 lb mesh chair follows at 135°, 22% apart. No recline angle figure is published for the DUMOS mesh B&T and the LEMBERI footrest, which leaves 3 of 5 picks ranked here.
Is the Stella Mia worth paying more than the N-GEN B&T?
The spec sheets show weight capacity (500 lbs against 400 lbs) and recline angle (165° against 135°) in its favour. The N-GEN B&T sat in the $50 to $100 tier and the Stella Mia in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if weight capacity and recline angle decide your purchase.
What makes the 700 lb mesh chair the Highest Weight Capacity?
It earns the label for the highest weight capacity here (700 lbs). The DUMOS mesh B&T is next on weight capacity at 500 lbs, so this pick's 700 lbs is 40% further out. The N-GEN B&T, 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 700 lb mesh chair and the DUMOS mesh B&T differ on armrests?
The 700 lb mesh chair uses 4D; the DUMOS mesh B&T uses 4D metal. The makers of the Stella Mia, the N-GEN B&T and the LEMBERI footrest don't state armrests, so 2 of 5 picks are covered here.
What should I check before buying the LEMBERI footrest?
Check the LEMBERI footrest's seat width against your hips as well as its weight rating. In this guide it ranks fifth of 5, and fifth of 5 on weight capacity (400 lbs).
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the 700 lb mesh chair, chosen for the highest weight capacity here (700 lbs). Look at the DUMOS mesh B&T for a 500 lb weight capacity, the Stella Mia for the deepest recline angle here (165°) and the N-GEN B&T for the lowest price among these chairs at the time of writing if those matter more to you.
A metal base lasts longer than nylon.
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 Stand for Desk
- Similar guideThe Best Desk Chairs
- 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
View all articles