Buying Guide
The Best Office Chairs for Heavy People
Three chairs ranked on weight capacity and recline angle; the 700 lb mesh chair is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
Weight ratings are the starting point for a heavy-duty chair, alongside a wide seat and a Class 4 gas lift. Every chair here is rated for 350 lb or more and is an office-style chair rather than a gaming chair, ordered by weight rating.
Rankings weigh weight capacity, max recline and armrests as the makers state them; if a maker skips max recline, the guide says so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Heavy Duty Mesh Office Chair (700 lb)
Undercutting the CYKOV on price when we checked.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for Heavy Duty Mesh Office Chair (700 lb) (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Heavy Duty Office Chair with 5D Flip-Up Arms (700 lb)
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a 700 lb weight capacity.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for Heavy Duty Office Chair with 5D Flip-Up Arms (700 lb) (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
CYKOV Ergonomic Mesh Chair with Footrest
A 350 lb weight capacity.
Best for: Buyers who want 350 lb weight capacity.
Our take Check price for CYKOV Ergonomic Mesh Chair with Footrest (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undercutting the CYKOV on price when we checked. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for Heavy Duty Mesh Office Chair (700 lb) (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a 700 lb weight capacity. | Buyers who want the most complete package. | Check price for Heavy Duty Office Chair with 5D Flip-Up Arms (700 lb) (opens in a new tab) |
| A 350 lb weight capacity. | Buyers who want 350 lb weight capacity. | Check price for CYKOV Ergonomic Mesh Chair with Footrest (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
Heavy Duty Mesh Office Chair (700 lb) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
This 700 lb mesh chair has 4D armrests and rocks to 135 degrees.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
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. On weight capacity it ties with the 700 lb 5D chair at 700 lbs. Check the 700 lb mesh chair'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 CYKOV was closest.
Key dimensions & 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
Premium Pick2 of 3
Heavy Duty Office Chair with 5D Flip-Up Arms (700 lb) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
This 700 lb chair has 5D armrests that flip up and an air lumbar support.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its recline angle before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
It has the highest capacity here along with one mesh model. Rubber caster wheels roll quietly on carpet, wood and tile, and it carries a one-year warranty. On weight capacity it ties with the 700 lb mesh chair at 700 lbs.
The 700 lb 5D chair's arms flip up, so it can roll closer under a desk with a low front edge. Check the 700 lb 5D chair's seat width against your hips as well as its weight rating. At our last price check it topped the group, with the CYKOV the nearest cheaper option. If you want a confirmed recline angle, look to the 700 lb mesh chair instead: it reclines to 135°, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Weight capacity: 700 lbs
- Armrests: 5D flip-up
- Lumbar support: Air
Pros
- 700 lb weight rating
- 5D flip-up armrests
- Air lumbar support
- The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a 700 lb weight capacity
Cons
- No published recline angle
- Costs more than the 700 lb mesh chair at the time of writing
Also Consider3 of 3
CYKOV Ergonomic Mesh Chair with Footrest on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
CYKOV's mesh chair offers a 350 lb capacity and a footrest.
Best for
- Buyers who want 350 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 reclines to 135 degrees. Its nylon base supports 350 lbs, a clothes hanger sits on the back, and the mesh back stays cool. It carries a five-year warranty.
The mesh back keeps air moving, unlike leather chairs that trap heat. A 4-way headrest with 60-degree swivel and a 2-way lumbar support fit users from 5'1" to 6'2". On weight capacity it trails the group at 350 lbs, while the 700 lb mesh chair is rated for 700 lbs. It was priced above the 700 lb mesh chair and below the 700 lb 5D chair at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Weight capacity: 350 lbs
- Max recline: 135°
- Footrest: Yes
- Upholstery: Mesh
Pros
- Mesh upholstery
- 350 lb weight capacity
- Footrest
- 135 degree recline
Cons
- Weight capacity trails the 700 lb mesh chair (700 lbs)
- Costs more than the 700 lb mesh chair at the time of writing
How We Chose These Office Chairs for Heavy People
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared three chairs on weight capacity, recline angle, armrests and upholstery from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the 700 lb mesh chair to the CYKOV, state weight capacity.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The 700 lb 5D chair gives no recline angle; the CYKOV gives no armrests.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the 700 lb mesh chair ($100 to $150) to the 700 lb 5D chair ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in an Office Chair for Heavy People
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Weight capacity
Here weight capacity runs from 350 lbs on the CYKOV to 700 lbs on the 700 lb mesh chair. Start with the 700 lb mesh chair if weight capacity decides it.
What to check at home
Check the 700 lb mesh chair's seat width against your hips as well as its weight rating. The 700 lb 5D chair's arms flip up, so it can roll closer under a desk with a low front edge.
Extras that separate them
The 700 lb mesh chair: 4D armrests. The 700 lb 5D chair: 5D flip-up armrests. The CYKOV: a footrest.
Where your budget lands
$100 to $150 buys the 700 lb mesh chair; $150 to $250 buys the CYKOV and the 700 lb 5D chair at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Keeping the budget tight: the 700 lb mesh chair. Buyers who want the most complete package: the 700 lb 5D chair.
How to Choose an Office Chair for Heavy People
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the budget tight | 700 lb mesh chair | Undercutting the CYKOV on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | 700 lb 5D chair | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a 700 lb weight capacity |
| Buyers who want 350 lb weight capacity | CYKOV | A 350 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 700 lb 5D chair at 700 lbs. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Chair | Weight capacity | Max recline | Armrests | Upholstery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 700 lb mesh chair | 700 lbs | 135° | 4D | Mesh |
| 700 lb 5D chair | 700 lbs | Not listed | 5D flip-up | Not listed |
| CYKOV | 350 lbs | 135° | Not listed | Mesh |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The 700 lb mesh chair was the lowest-priced pick and the 700 lb 5D chair the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Chairs |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | 700 lb mesh chair |
| About $150 to $250 | CYKOV, 700 lb 5D chair |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the 700 lb 5D chair our Premium Pick pick?
It earns the label for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a 700 lb weight capacity. It suits anyone who wants the most complete package.
Do the 700 lb mesh chair and the 700 lb 5D chair differ on armrests?
The 700 lb mesh chair uses 4D; the 700 lb 5D chair uses 5D flip-up. The maker of the CYKOV doesn't say.
Will the 700 lb mesh chair work with my setup?
Check the 700 lb mesh chair's seat width against your hips as well as its weight rating. In this guide it ranks first of 3, as our Lowest Price Here pick.
What extras do the 700 lb mesh chair and the 700 lb 5D chair include?
The 700 lb mesh chair: a 700 lb weight capacity. The 700 lb 5D chair: a 700 lb weight capacity. The CYKOV: a 350 lb weight capacity.
Who should choose the 700 lb mesh chair?
The 700 lb mesh chair carries our Lowest Price Here label for undercutting the CYKOV on price when we checked. It ranks first of 3 here.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the 700 lb mesh chair, chosen for undercutting the CYKOV on price when we checked. Look at the 700 lb 5D chair for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a 700 lb weight capacity and the CYKOV for a 350 lb weight capacity if those matter more to you.
Check seat height against your desk height before buying.