Buying Guide
The Best Office Chairs with Flip-Up Arms
Four chairs compared, from the DUMOS executive to the 400 lb footrest chair, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
Flip-up arms let the chair slide under a desk or make room to sit cross-legged. Every chair here has flip-up arms and is an office-style chair rather than a gaming chair, ordered from the lowest price.
We sorted these picks by weight capacity, armrests and lumbar support, working from the makers' own data; if a maker skips lumbar support, the guide says so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
DUMOS Executive Mesh Office Chair
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for DUMOS Executive Mesh Office Chair (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Heavy Duty Office Chair with Flip-Up Arms (400 lb)
SGS certification.
Best for: Buyers who want SGS certification.
Our take Check price for Heavy Duty Office Chair with Flip-Up Arms (400 lb) (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
MUXX.STIL Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair
A 15-year warranty.
Best for: Buyers who want 15-year warranty.
Our take Check price for MUXX.STIL Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Big and Tall Office Chair with Footrest (400 lb)
The top of this price range, adding flip-up armrests.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Big and Tall Office Chair with Footrest (400 lb) (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for DUMOS Executive Mesh Office Chair (opens in a new tab) |
| SGS certification. | Buyers who want SGS certification. | Check price for Heavy Duty Office Chair with Flip-Up Arms (400 lb) (opens in a new tab) |
| A 15-year warranty. | Buyers who want 15-year warranty. | Check price for MUXX.STIL Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding flip-up armrests. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for Big and Tall Office Chair with Footrest (400 lb) (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
DUMOS Executive Mesh Office Chair on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
DUMOS's executive chair adds an adjustable headrest to up-and-down mesh lumbar support, flip-up arms and a 120-degree rocking mode.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Pass on it if recline stops at 120 rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It was the lowest-priced chair here at the time of writing. An all-elastic mesh back and high-density sponge seat suit all-day use, and the casters roll on tile, wood and carpet. Its 300 lbs weight capacity ranks third of 4 here, behind the SGS 400 lb chair (400 lbs) and ahead of the MUXX.STIL (264 lbs).
It shares flip-up armrests with the SGS 400 lb chair and 400 lb footrest chair; the MUXX.STIL goes with flip-up (90°) armrests. The DUMOS executive's arms flip up, so it can roll closer under a desk with a low front edge. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the SGS 400 lb chair was the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Weight capacity: 300 lbs
- Max recline: 120°
- Armrests: Flip-up
- Lumbar support: Adjustable up/down (mesh)
- Upholstery: Mesh
Pros
- Flip-up armrests
- Mesh upholstery
- Headrest adjustable in height and by 42 degrees
- Mesh lumbar support that slides up and down
Cons
- Recline stops at 120°
- Weight capacity of 300 lbs, behind the SGS 400 lb chair (400 lbs)
Also Consider2 of 4
Heavy Duty Office Chair with Flip-Up Arms (400 lb) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
This heavy-duty chair lists SGS certification and a 400 lb capacity.
Best for
- Buyers who want SGS certification.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the DUMOS executive cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its armrests flip up. It is rated for 400 pounds on a metal base with nylon casters. The 3.15-inch foam seat has a waterfall edge, and the arms flip up.
It matches the 400 lb footrest chair on weight capacity (400 lbs). It shares flip-up armrests with the DUMOS executive and 400 lb footrest chair; the MUXX.STIL goes with flip-up (90°) armrests. The SGS 400 lb chair's arms flip up, so it can roll closer under a desk with a low front edge.
Check the SGS 400 lb chair's seat width against your hips as well as its weight rating. On price it sat second of 4, between the cheaper DUMOS executive and the pricier MUXX.STIL, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Weight capacity: 400 lbs
- Armrests: Flip-up
Pros
- 400 lb weight rating
- Flip-up armrests
- SGS certification
Cons
- Costs more than the DUMOS executive at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 4
MUXX.STIL Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
MUXX.STIL pairs an adjustable lumbar cushion with an S-shaped mesh backrest and a U-shaped seat with a waterfall edge.
Best for
- Buyers who want 15-year warranty.
Skip if
- Skip it if weight capacity matters most to you; the SGS 400 lb chair offers 400 lbs.
Why we like it
It carries a 15-year warranty, the longest stated here, but its 264 lb capacity is the lowest listed. Its 264 lbs weight capacity is the lowest in this group; the SGS 400 lb chair leads at 400 lbs. Flip-up (90°) armrests is unique to it among these picks, while the 400 lb footrest chair uses flip-up armrests.
The MUXX.STIL's arms flip up, so it can roll closer under a desk with a low front edge. Worth noting too: Mesh upholstery. Its price falls between the SGS 400 lb chair and the 400 lb footrest chair, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Weight capacity: 264 lbs
- Armrests: Flip-up (90°)
- Lumbar support: Adjustable cushion
- Upholstery: Mesh
Pros
- Flip-up (90°) armrests
- Mesh upholstery
- 15-year warranty
- Adjustable lumbar cushion on an S-shaped backrest
Cons
- Weight capacity trails the SGS 400 lb chair (400 lbs)
- Costs more than the DUMOS executive at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 4
Big and Tall Office Chair with Footrest (400 lb) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The 400 lb footrest chair stands out for flip-up armrests, and it adds a footrest.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the DUMOS executive, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also is rated for 400 lbs. It is rated for 400 pounds, with a pull-out footrest and flip-out padded arms. The high back reclines, and the seat swivels 360 degrees.
On weight capacity it ties with the SGS 400 lb chair at 400 lbs. Like the DUMOS executive and SGS 400 lb chair, it has flip-up armrests, while the MUXX.STIL uses flip-up (90°) armrests. The 400 lb footrest chair's arms flip up, so it can roll closer under a desk with a low front edge.
Check the 400 lb footrest chair's seat width against your hips as well as its weight rating. Only the MUXX.STIL came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 4 picks.
Key dimensions & specs
- Weight capacity: 400 lbs
- Armrests: Flip-up
- Footrest: Yes
Pros
- 400 lb weight rating
- Flip-up armrests
- Footrest
- The top of this price range, adding flip-up armrests
Cons
- Costs more than the DUMOS executive at the time of writing
How We Chose These Office Chairs with Flip-Up Arms
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared four chairs on weight capacity, armrests, lumbar support and upholstery as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the DUMOS executive to the 400 lb footrest chair, state weight capacity and armrests.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The SGS 400 lb chair and the 400 lb footrest chair give no lumbar support; the SGS 400 lb chair and the 400 lb footrest chair give no upholstery.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the DUMOS executive ($50 to $100) to the 400 lb footrest chair ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in an Office Chair with Flip-Up Arms
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much weight capacity you need
Here weight capacity runs from 264 lbs on the MUXX.STIL to 400 lbs on the SGS 400 lb chair. The SGS 400 lb chair is the pick for weight capacity.
Lumbar support
The DUMOS executive lists Adjustable up/down (mesh); the MUXX.STIL lists Adjustable cushion. Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.
Fit and compatibility
The DUMOS executive's arms flip up, so it can roll closer under a desk with a low front edge.
Features beyond the spec table
The SGS 400 lb chair: flip-up armrests. The MUXX.STIL: an adjustable lumbar cushion on an S-shaped backrest. The 400 lb footrest chair: a footrest.
How much to spend
$50 to $100 buys the DUMOS executive; $100 to $150 buys the SGS 400 lb chair and the MUXX.STIL; $150 to $250 buys the 400 lb footrest chair at our last check.
How to Choose an Office Chair with Flip-Up Arms
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the budget tight | DUMOS executive | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want SGS certification | SGS 400 lb chair | SGS certification |
| Buyers who want 15-year warranty | MUXX.STIL | A 15-year warranty |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | 400 lb footrest chair | The top of this price range, adding flip-up armrests |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The SGS 400 lb chair leads on weight capacity at 400 lbs, ahead of the 400 lb footrest chair at 400 lbs. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Chair | Weight capacity | Armrests | Lumbar support | Upholstery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DUMOS executive | 300 lbs | Flip-up | Adjustable up/down (mesh) | Mesh |
| SGS 400 lb chair | 400 lbs | Flip-up | Not listed | Not listed |
| MUXX.STIL | 264 lbs | Flip-up (90°) | Adjustable cushion | Mesh |
| 400 lb footrest chair | 400 lbs | Flip-up | Not listed | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The DUMOS executive was the lowest-priced pick and the 400 lb footrest chair the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Chairs |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | DUMOS executive |
| About $100 to $150 | SGS 400 lb chair, MUXX.STIL |
| About $150 to $250 | 400 lb footrest chair |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 400 lb footrest chair worth paying more than the DUMOS executive?
On paper it adds weight capacity (400 lbs against 300 lbs). The DUMOS executive was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the DUMOS executive the Lowest Price Here?
It earns the label for the lowest price of the group at our last check. It suits keeping the budget tight.
Do the DUMOS executive and the MUXX.STIL differ on armrests?
The DUMOS executive, the SGS 400 lb chair and the 400 lb footrest chair use flip-up; the MUXX.STIL uses flip-up (90°).
What should I check before buying the 400 lb footrest chair?
The 400 lb footrest chair's arms flip up, so it can roll closer under a desk with a low front edge. Check the 400 lb footrest chair's seat width against your hips as well as its weight rating. In this guide it ranks fourth of 4, as our Premium Pick pick.
Beyond the specs, what sets the DUMOS executive and the SGS 400 lb chair apart?
The DUMOS executive: a headrest adjustable in height and by 42 degrees. The SGS 400 lb chair: SGS certification. The MUXX.STIL: a 15-year warranty.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the DUMOS executive, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the SGS 400 lb chair for SGS certification, the MUXX.STIL for a 15-year warranty and the 400 lb footrest chair for the top of this price range, adding flip-up armrests if those matter more to you.
Tighten every bolt again after the first week of use.