Best Office Chair for Short Person

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Having the right office chair is important. You’re going to be sitting in it for many hours during the workday so having something that will help you to be comfortable while still maintaining good posture is essential.

Of course, finding the right office chair isn’t always easy when you’re short. Trust us, we feel you!

If you’re a short person in need of a high quality office chair to accommodate your small frame, don’t fret.  To solve your problem, we’ve compiled this list of the best office chairs for a short person.

We’ve also written a nifty buyer’s guide to help you to narrow down your decision. Read on for more information.

OUR TOP PICK

Looking for an affordable office chair to support your smaller frame? Look no further than the Furmax Office Mid Back Swivel Lumbar Support Desk.

This chair is incredibly comfortable and is perfect for short people. It also has fantastic reviews from customers, so you can be sure that you’re getting a high quality product.

The seat height can go as low as 19 inches, making it ideal for people under 5 foot 6. It also features an ergonomic design for a low price. It will give you great lumbar support and the seat features plenty of thick padding that you’re sure to appreciate. 

Worried about the hot weather? Have no fear, as this chair features a mesh back that’s very breathable. This way you won’t feel overheated on the chair during those hot summer months.

All in all, it’s a very reliable and comfortable option for short people. You should just keep in mind that after a while it can begin to make quite a bit of noise when it’s moved.

Pros

  • Comfortable, ergonomic design
  • Plenty of back support
  • Height adjustable

Cons

  • It can make a lot of noise after extended use

EDITORS CHOICE

For petite individuals, there are truly very few better options than the Alera Etros Series Petite Mid Back Mesh Chair. This chair has an innovative design that will provide shorter individuals with peak levels of comfort.

So what is there to love about this chair? Well, for starters, you will get plenty of different adjustability options to enjoy. For instance, you can alter the back angle, the height of the seat, the depth of the seat and the lumbar support.

This means you can get the perfect fit for you, which supports proper posture. You can adjust the seat from 15 to 19 inches too so it’s good if there are going to be a few different people sitting in the chair.

In addition to this, the chair features a highly breathable mesh back. It also has tilt lock and tension control. If you ever need to move it it’s also fairly simple to do so, thanks to the wheels and the light weight of only 52 lbs.

The biggest issue with the chair is that it can be somewhat challenging to adjust the chair because of where the handles are positioned. 

Pros

  • Easy to put together
  • Lots of adjustability options
  • Made specifically for short people

Cons

  • The handles are positioned quite low, which can make it somewhat challenging to adjust

BEST VALUE

If you’re looking for the best possible comfort imaginable, then you should really try the Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair. This chair is another one that’s fantastic for petite individuals thanks to all of the great adjustment options available.

With this chair, you can adjust the seat and also the armrest height. Of course, that’s not all either - you can even change the back and the seat tilt for extra comfort. The chair features a sleek design that will perfect in pretty much any office - at home or otherwise.

It’s also possible to adjust the height of the seat down to 19.5 inches. This will give you a fantastic ergonomic position throughout the day so you don’t need to worry about straining your back or neck in order to do your work.

If that wasn’t enough, you are also going to be sitting on a glorious 6 inch padded seat cushion. You are sure to just sink into this, giving you tremendous comfort.

Sure, it’s a little bit more expensive than some of the other options that we’ve covered here, but it’s pretty easy to understand that high price tag when you try this bad boy out! 

Pros

  • Incredibly comfortable
  • Back and seat tilt
  • Sleek design

Cons

  • Expensive 

RUNNER UP

Want a chair with that classic leather look? The AmazonBasics Leather Padded Office Chair may just be the one for you! This chair has a sleek leather look that’s sure to impress in any office.

You can adjust the height of this chair to around 18 inches, so it’s great if you’re short and can’t quite reach the floor on a standard chair.

It’s also very simple to adjust the chair thanks to the pneumatic controls. With these, you can change the height of the seat to your liking with no trouble at all. 

The chair is also very attractive looking, featuring a leather material that looks professional and classy. It costs just a fraction of the price of a normal leather office chair too, so you won’t be breaking the bank.

It weighs 27 lbs, so you can carry it from one place to another with ease. Unfortunately though the back support is non reclining so it’s worth keeping that in mind before you buy.

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Classy leather look
  • Height adjustable

Cons

  • Back support is non reclining

RUNNER UP

It’s back to basics with the Boss Office Products Perfect Posture Office Chair. Yet, despite its simple design, there’s a lot to love about this office chair.

For starters, the chair features built in lumbar support for your back. You don’t need to worry about any straining on your back and legs either thanks to the waterfall edge of the seat. It’s possible to adjust the seat from 18.5 to 23.5 inches tall, so you can get the right height for you. 

Maintaining the chair is fairly simple too - it’s easy to clean thanks to the durable fabric. You aren’t restricted to having a black chair either, as you can choose from a range of different colors.

It’s perfect if you want a colorful looking office! A quick word of warning though - if you weigh more than 150 lbs you may not be too comfortable sitting in this chair for long periods of time.

The cushion is a tiny bit thin so if you are heavier then it’s worth looking for a different chair.

Pros

  • Easy maintenance
  • Ergonomic and comfortable
  • Lumbar support built in for extra back comfort

Cons

  • It’s not great for people that weigh more than 150 lbs as the cushion is a little bit thin

Best Office Chair for Short Person Buying Guide

Why Is It Important to Get An Office Chair for a Short Person?

Sure, you could give your resident short person an average office chair, but there are a number of reasons why you should get something to fit with their individual needs.

Standard office chairs can sometimes cause problems for short workers since the chairs aren’t designed to work with their height, and thus it can mess with their posture.

So, what’s the problem? For starters, your standard office chair will usually come with lots of seat padding on the bottom, which means that it will be taller.

For a person who’s tall or of average height this may not be an issue, and may make the chair more comfortable. This is an issue for a short person though, as their feet cannot touch the floor. This is problematic for their blood flow and they will get tired around their waist very easily. 

In addition to this, a short person likely won’t feel very comfortable when sitting on a chair that isn’t meant for their height. This can make their bodies tired after sitting for long periods of time.

You need something that’s comfortable with plenty of adjustability options if you’re a short person or buying a chair for a short person, so it’s best to buy something specifically for them. 

Things to Consider

We’ve listed a few of our favorite office chairs for short people in this list, but that doesn’t mean that you should just click on the first one that you see.

You should take some time to thoroughly consider your options in order to ensure that you are making the best possible choice for you. With that being said, here are a few of the things that you should be keeping in mind when making your decision.

Office Chair Size

One of the main things that you need to consider when buying an office chair for a short person is the chair’s size.

The size of the chair needs to fit with the height and weight of the user in order for the user to be comfortable. It’s important that the chair supports the spine and the back well, and it should be comfortable enough for the user to feel at easy while they are working. 

You will also need to think about things such as the depth of the chair. If your chair has a pan that’s too deep then you may find that your circulation is limited if you’re short. Instead, look for a chair with a seat depth that’s roughly 18 inches or less.

It’s even better if you can find an office chair that will allow you to adjust the depth. You can also measure the depth to get a perfect fit for you. Measure how much distance there is from your bottom right to the end of the inner thighs. You should have around 2 inches of space in between the seat of the chair and the back of your knees.

In addition to this, think about the height of the seat. Most office chairs have an adjustable height in between around 18 to 22 inches. You will need a height of 18 inches or less if you’re shorter. You should be able to reach the floor with your feet when sitting.

Headrests

Should you be looking for a chair with a headrest if you’re a short person? It depends on what you buy.

Unfortunately a lot of chairs will have headrests that are put in a position that’s a little too awkward for short people, which can make sitting in the chair very uncomfortable as your heat will just be pushed forward. 

The easy solution if you do want a headrest is to get a chair that has been made particularly for short people as the headrest is more likely to be in a position that’s comfortable for you.

Arm Width and Height

You should also take some time to think about the arm rests of the chair. It’s very important that your arms can hang at your sides when you are sitting, and you should also be able to put them at a 90 degree angle.

You shouldn’t be straining when using the arm rests as this can cause pain in the neck and shoulders.

You will usually find that office chair arm rests are positioned roughly 17 to 18 inches apart. If you are short though you may want to get arms that are 16 inches apart or even less than this. Some particularly short people may need an arm width of less than 13 inches - it all depends on you and your body. 

You should also think about the arm height. If you’re shorter than around five feet six inches then you should be looking at an arm height of around 9 inches so that you can keep your arms at a 90 degree angle when sitting.

If you’re shorter than this then you may need an arm height shorter than 9 inches. Ultimately it’s a good idea to look for a chair that will allow you to adjust the armrests to your needs.

Adjustability

It’s always a good idea to have a chair that will give you plenty of adjustability options. This will help you to get the best possible comfort when sitting in your office chair.

Look for chairs that will allow you to adjust things like the armrests and headrests, tilt tension and seat height. 

Frame Materials

You should also take some time to think about the materials that the frame of the chair is made out of. The vast majority of office chairs on the market are made out of high quality plastic, which is perfect because it’s durable and lasts a long time.

This isn’t the only material you can choose, however. You can also opt for wood if you want a more luxurious looking chair. It ultimately depends on your personal preference, but the priority is to find something that’s going to last. 

Lumbar Support

Ergonomics are an important consideration when you’re buying an office chair. Lumbar support is perhaps one of the key things to think about.

Ideally, you should have a chair with a backrest that can suitably support your lower back area. It’s also worth thinking about getting an office chair that has depth adjustable lumbar support to ensure that you can fully support your back. 

Back Height and Forward Tilt

You should be looking for a chair with an adjustable backrest that is capable of matching with the requirements of your height.

It’s also helpful to have a backrest that can tilt forward or back depending on your needs.

Warranty

Office chairs can be a pretty expensive purchase. For this reason you should make sure that your chair comes with a warranty just in case something goes wrong with the purchase.

Not only that but a good warranty gives you the peace of mind that your purchase will last for a long time. If the manufacturer is confident about its product, then that means you can be too. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you maintain an office chair for a short person?

The answer to this largely depends on the chair that you’ve bought, but there are some general guidelines for some of the most popular materials.

If you have a leather office chair, you can get a damp cloth. Then, wipe over the surface of the chair in order to clean it off. This will get rid of any grime on the chair’s frame or on the cushions.

Make sure you don’t use a great deal of pressure though as you don’t want the cushions to change shape.

If you have a mesh chair you shouldn’t have a difficult time with cleaning. You can take each part off separately and then clean the parts accordingly using some soap and water.

This will get rid of any unpleasant odors like a dream. Leave it to dry for a little while before sitting again.