Buying Guide

The Best Gaming Chairs for Kids

Five child-sized chairs for a desk or the floor.

By The PC Journal editorial team

12 min read5 products evaluated

A kids' chair should let feet rest flat at the desk. These five have a smaller seat, a footrest or a age range.

Age ranges appear only where the maker gives one.

Quick Picks

Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.

  1. Best Desk Chair With Footrest

    Kids Ergonomic Desk Chair with Footrest

    A footrest and ages 5 to 13.

    Best for: School desks.

    Our take Check price for Kids Ergonomic Desk Chair with Footrest (opens in a new tab)

  2. Widest Age Range

    GIANTEX Kids Desk Chair

    Ages 5 to 14 and a 250 lb rating.

    Best for: Growing kids.

    Our take Check price for GIANTEX Kids Desk Chair (opens in a new tab)

  3. Best Certified

    Amazon Basics Kids Mesh Desk Chair

    BIFMA certification.

    Best for: Checked builds.

    Our take Check price for Amazon Basics Kids Mesh Desk Chair (opens in a new tab)

  4. Best Pneumatic Lift

    Techni Mobili Kids Desk Chair

    Pneumatic height adjustment.

    Best for: Quick adjustment.

    Our take Check price for Techni Mobili Kids Desk Chair (opens in a new tab)

  5. Best Floor Chair

    GTPLAYER Floor Gaming Chair

    A folding 360 degree swivel seat.

    Best for: Console play.

    Our take Check price for GTPLAYER Floor Gaming Chair (opens in a new tab)

Our Picks

Kids Ergonomic Desk Chair with Footrest

Best Desk Chair With Footrest1 of 5

Kids Ergonomic Desk Chair with Footrest on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

This kids desk chair has a footrest and a 17.3 to 21.3 inch seat height.

Best for

School desks.

Skip if

Price-first buyers should look at the Amazon Basics Kids, which cost less when we checked.

Why we like it

It is rated for ages 5 to 13. It assembles in 20 minutes, the arms fold for tucking under a desk, and it swivels 360 degrees. It also comes with an age range of 5 to 13.

The kids footrest chair is rated for ages 5 to 13; check seat height against the child's desk. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Amazon Basics Kids at the time of writing. At our last price check it topped the group, with the GTPLAYER floor chair the nearest cheaper option. If you want a confirmed weight capacity, look to the GIANTEX Kids instead: it is rated for 250 lbs, while this one gives no figure.

Key dimensions & specs

  • Seat height: 17.3 to 21.3 in
  • Footrest: Yes
  • Age range: ages 5 to 13

Pros

  • Footrest
  • 17.3 to 21.3 inch seat height
  • Age range of 5 to 13

Cons

  • Costs more than the Amazon Basics Kids at the time of writing
GIANTEX Kids Desk Chair

Widest Age Range2 of 5

GIANTEX Kids Desk Chair on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

GIANTEX's kids chair is armless with a 16.5 to 21 inch seat height.

Best for

Growing kids.

Skip if

Choose another pick if you can't accept this: lower 250 lb capacity.

Why we like it

It is rated for ages 5 to 14. It swivels 360 degrees on five wheels, and the curved plastic back gives children upright support. Its bright colours liven up a child's room.

It also comes with an age range of 5 to 14. The GIANTEX Kids is rated for ages 5 to 14; check seat height against the child's desk. Worth noting too: armless design.

Another plus is highest weight capacity of the picks (250 lbs). It was priced above the Amazon Basics Kids and below the Techni Mobili Kids at the time of writing.

Key dimensions & specs

  • Weight capacity: 250 lbs
  • Seat height: 16.5 to 21 in
  • Armrests: Armless
  • Age range: ages 5 to 14

Pros

  • Armless design
  • 16.5 to 21 inch seat height
  • Age range of 5 to 14
  • Highest weight capacity of the picks (250 lbs)

Cons

  • Lower 250 lb capacity
  • Costs more than the Amazon Basics Kids at the time of writing
Amazon Basics Kids Mesh Desk Chair

Best Certified3 of 5

Amazon Basics Kids Mesh Desk Chair on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Amazon Basics' kids chair uses a low mesh back and a removable footrest.

Best for

Checked builds.

Skip if

Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.

Why we like it

It carries BIFMA certification and a 16.93 inch wide seat. It swivels 360 degrees and adjusts height pneumatically, and the mesh back wipes clean. It is sized for children's homework and gaming.

Its padded seat and mesh low back are breathable, a removable footrest helps shorter children, and it meets BIFMA standards. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the GIANTEX Kids was closest. If you want a confirmed weight capacity, look to the GIANTEX Kids instead: it is rated for 250 lbs, while this one gives no figure.

Key dimensions & specs

  • Lumbar support: Low mesh back
  • Footrest: Removable
  • Upholstery: Mesh

Pros

  • Mesh upholstery
  • Removable footrest
  • BIFMA certification
  • 16.93 inch wide seat
Techni Mobili Kids Desk Chair

Best Pneumatic Lift4 of 5

Techni Mobili Kids Desk Chair on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Techni Mobili's kids chair is a child-sized desk chair with pneumatic height adjustment.

Best for

Quick adjustment.

Skip if

Choose another pick if you can't accept this: lower 140 lb capacity.

Why we like it

It has a 140 lb capacity. Its TechniFlex synthetic upholstery wipes clean, which suits a child's desk, and the racing-style shape mirrors adult gaming chairs. It ships in one box for simple assembly.

The seat is sized for children rather than adults. Dual 2-inch non-marking nylon casters protect floors, and the five-star nylon base supports up to 140 lbs. It was priced above the GIANTEX Kids and below the GTPLAYER floor chair at the time of writing.

Key dimensions & specs

  • Weight capacity: 140 lbs

Pros

  • 140 lb weight capacity
  • Pneumatic height adjustment
  • Child-sized seat

Cons

  • Lower 140 lb capacity
  • Costs more than the Amazon Basics Kids at the time of writing
GTPLAYER Floor Gaming Chair

Best Floor Chair5 of 5

GTPLAYER Floor Gaming Chair on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

GTPLAYER's floor chair swivels 360 degrees and folds for storage.

Best for

Console play.

Skip if

Skip it if price comes first: the Amazon Basics Kids cost less when we checked.

Why we like it

It suits console play on the floor. It folds flat for storage under a bed or behind a couch, with high-resilience foam and skin-friendly leather. Its steel swivel base rotates silently in any direction, and setup takes minutes by attaching the base.

You also get a folding frame and a floor-level seat. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Amazon Basics Kids at the time of writing. Its price falls between the Techni Mobili Kids and the kids footrest chair, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed weight capacity should compare it with the GIANTEX Kids, which is rated for 250 lbs.

Pros

  • 360-degree swivel
  • Folding frame
  • Floor-level seat

Cons

  • Costs more than the Amazon Basics Kids at the time of writing

How We Chose These Gaming Chairs for Kids

Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.

Weight capacity
We recorded the load limit stated in each listing and left it blank where none is given.
Adjustment
We noted recline angle, armrest type and seat-height range where listed.
Lumbar and footrest
We checked whether lumbar support is built in or a pillow, and whether a footrest is included.
Upholstery
We noted PU leather, fabric or mesh from the product description.

What to Look for in a Gaming Chair for Kids

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

  1. Check seat height against your desk

    Your feet should rest flat with thighs level. Compare the seat-height range with your desk height and your leg length before buying.

  2. Match the weight rating with margin

    A chair's rated capacity covers the base, gas lift and frame. Pick one rated well above your weight, since the rating is a limit, not a comfort target.

  3. Armrest adjustment decides desk fit

    Fixed or linkage arms move together with the backrest. 3D and 4D arms move up, down, in and out; flip-up arms let the chair tuck under a desk.

  4. Recline and footrests need space

    A 155 to 165 degree recline and a pull-out footrest are for breaks. Both need floor space behind and in front of the chair.

  5. Upholstery changes heat and wear

    PU leather wipes clean but traps heat. Fabric and mesh breathe better. Check the product page rather than the photos.

  6. Know what kind of lumbar support you get

    Most budget gaming chairs use a strap-on pillow. Built-in or adjustable lumbar sits in the backrest and does not slide around.

How to Choose a Gaming Chair for Kids

By priority

PriorityConsiderWhy
School deskskids footrest chairA footrest and ages 5 to 13
Growing kidsGIANTEX KidsAges 5 to 14 and a 250 lb rating
Checked buildsAmazon Basics KidsBIFMA certification
Quick adjustmentTechni Mobili KidsPneumatic height adjustment
Console playGTPLAYER floor chairA folding 360 degree swivel seat

Scroll sideways to see every column.

Key specs side by side

Figures as each maker states them.

ChairWeight capacitySeat heightFootrestAge range
kids footrest chairNot listed17.3 to 21.3 inYesages 5 to 13
GIANTEX Kids250 lbs16.5 to 21 inNot listedages 5 to 14
Amazon Basics KidsNot listedNot listedRemovableNot listed
Techni Mobili Kids140 lbsNot listedNot listedNot listed
GTPLAYER floor chairNot listedNot listedNot listedNot listed

Scroll sideways to see every column.

By price at the time of writing

Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.

Price tierChairs
About $50 to $100Amazon Basics Kids, GIANTEX Kids, Techni Mobili Kids, GTPLAYER floor chair
About $100 to $150kids footrest chair

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a child use an adult gaming chair?

Only if the seat lowers far enough for their feet to rest flat. Chairs listed for kids state a smaller seat or an age range.

Is a gaming chair better than an office chair?

Not by default. Gaming chairs add recline and bucket-seat styling; office chairs often have more seat and lumbar adjustment. Choose by the adjustments you will use.

What does the weight capacity mean?

It is the maker's load limit for the chair. Staying well under it puts less stress on the gas cylinder and base.

How hard is assembly?

Most chairs arrive with the base, cylinder, seat and backrest separate and bolt together with the included tools. A second person helps with the backrest.

Are lumbar pillows adjustable?

Strap-on pillows slide up and down on a strap. They are simple but can shift; built-in lumbar stays put.

Is a footrest worth having?

It helps if you recline to watch or rest. At a desk it stays tucked away, so skip it if floor space is tight.

Bottom Line

The footrest desk chair is the pick for ages 5 to 13 with a 17.3 to 21.3 inch seat. GIANTEX covers ages 5 to 14, and Amazon Basics adds BIFMA certification.