One thing I have learned from my first year of college is that you spend a lot more time sitting down and working than you could imagine. A good desk chair can help make your time sitting down working that little bit less irritating.
This post will show you some of the best desk chairs for college students. I aim to help you make your choice on which is right for you because. As a student, you are (whether you like it or not) going to have to spend loads of time in your dorm working at your desk. But with the right office chair, it doesn’t have to be so dull.
Unfortunately, the desk chair you get provided at your dorms will usually be an antique that prompts back pains after just a few hours. That’s why I have compiled a list of 11 of the best college office chair in various categories. Whether your chair is going to be used solely for studying or some gaming and socializing on the side, we will present a great option for you in this list.
Before you check out our opinions on each of the chairs here is a to-the-point table to compare some of the key things you should be considering when looking for your perfect college chair (size, weight, comfort, and more).
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Product | Top Feature | Maximum Weight Capacity | Chair Weight | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dowinx Gaming Chair | BEST GAMING CHAIR FOR STUDYING | 264 lbs | 49.7 lbs | LATEST PRICE | |
Gabrylly Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair | BEST FOR WORKING LONG HOURS | 280 lbs | 41 lbs | LATEST PRICE | |
Herman Miller Aeron Chair | BEST ERGONOMICS | 300 / 350 / 350 lbs | 40 / 41 / 43 lbs | LATEST PRICE | |
CLATINA Ergonomic Big and Tall Executive Office Chair | MOST COMFORTABLE | 400 lbs | 47.3 lbs | LATEST PRICE | |
ATTICA Vanity Office Chair | MOST STYLISH | 287 lbs | 21.6 lbs | LATEST PRICE | |
Flash Furniture Mid-Back Mesh Swivel Ergonomic Office Chair | SIMPLE OPTION | 250 lbs | 30 lbs | LATEST PRICE | |
Amazon Basics Classic Puresoft PU-Padded Mid-Back Office Computer Desk Chair | BEST VALUE | 275 lbs | 28.2 lbs | LATEST PRICE | |
edx Low Back Rolling Chair | BEST LOOKING FOR DORMS | 250 lbs | 19.9 lbs | LATEST PRICE | |
BestOffice Home Office Ergonomic Mesh Desk Chair | BEST ON A BUDGET | 250 lbs | 23 lbs | LATEST PRICE | |
Homall Gaming Chair | BEST BUDGET GAMING CHAIR | 300 lbs | 42.1 lbs | LATEST PRICE | |
Flexfit Hyken Mesh Chair | BEST BUDGET ERGONOMIC CHAIR | 275 lbs | 48 lbs | LATEST PRICE |
Dowinx Gaming Chair
If you are looking for a chair that will be great for studying and/or gaming then the Dowinx Gaming Chair is an outstanding pick. It looks amazing, there are a few color options but every one of the Faux Leather designs looks almost too luxurious for a student. Plus, the materials used are of great quality to back up the amazing looks.
You get the bonus of a massage feature with the chair. This adds to the already great comfort provided by the thick foam cushion and lumbar support. If it weren’t for the slightly higher price tag then this chair would take the top spot for ‘Best Overall’ with ease, it competes and arguably beats some of the most expensive gaming and office chairs out there.
Despite it being a gaming chair there is no obligation to use it as such. It is simply a high-quality chair that has the versatility to do more than just what the name ‘gaming chair’ implies (it will handle long study sessions). Whether you want to recline, lean back, and watch TV or study overnight, this chair will keep you comfortable.
The high-density foam brags the ability to offer years of use without losing shape. While the price may be a bit higher than some others on the list you know you are getting the superb quality that is undoubtedly worth it. Find here on Amazon.
Best Features
- 90° to 165° reclining (I find switching recline regularly helpful for keeping focus)
- Massaging lumbar pillow
- Variety of great-looking designs
- Footrest
- Made from quality Faux Leather
Potential Drawbacks
- The cushioning on the arm rests are very firm – can become a bit uncomfortable after prolonged use
Gabrylly Mesh Ergonomic Office Chair
When it comes to extended periods of work your priority should be on making sure you are not damaging yourself in the process. For long periods of work to be an effective way of working they also need to be sustainable, meaning you need to do your best to avoid lower-back and neck aches arising.
That’s where the Gabrylly Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair comes in, it comes with a headrest and is a high-back chair. Simply put, this means your whole body is supported by the chair allowing for superior comfort and support for extended periods of working, letting you get more done with fewer aches and pains. I would recommend that everyone uses a high-back chair for studying, as it certainly made studying significantly more comfortable for me. However, high-backs can take up more room and are often more expensive.
There are a few high-backed chairs I recommend on this list. But if you need a chair that will offer comfort and support for your whole body then look no further than this chair from Gabrylly.
Best Features
- Ergonomic design
- Lumbar support
- Breathable mesh design
- Easy assembly
- Great customer service
Potential Drawbacks
- Headrest is quite high, if under 6 foot it will likely be useless
Herman Miller Aeron Chair
Herman Miller is the most well-known premium desk chair manufacturer, and for good reason. The Herman Miller Aeron Chair is the most expensive office chair on our list by a long way, but it also happens to be one of the best-reviewed chairs out there and comes with a 12-year warranty.
The Aeron chair comes in 3 sizes and has incredible posture support, so everyone can achieve optimal ergonomics like no other chairs available today. The chair has a first-of-its-kind elastomeric suspension, innovative tilt mechanism, and adjustable lumbar support.
If that all sounds a bit complicated and ‘salesy’ then here is the main takeaway. All of these features create a more natural sitting position that leaves you feeling almost as if you aren’t sitting at all. This is because your weight is distributed optimally giving the illusion that your body is being held in the air rather than lumped onto some office chair.
This chair might be a tad overkill for most students. However, if you are looking for the best office chair available then look no further. If your budget allows, then you will be hard-pressed to locate a more supportive and ergonomic desk chair for studying. You can see the Herman Miller Aeron Chair here.
Best Features
- Best ergonomics available on the market
- 12-year warranty
- Revolutionary posture support
Potential Drawbacks
- Very expensive for a chair, but considering the 12 year warranty it’s likely to last as long as 3 other chairs
CLATINA Executive Office Chair
This tall, ergonomic chair from CLATINA has thick padding making it incredibly comfortable. It comes with an adjustable back tilt, an integrated padded headrest, and adjustable armrests altogether summing up to make this chair the most comfortable I could find.
Netflix, TV, or work, no matter what you are doing you know it will be a comfortable experience in this chair. Just be weary that executive chairs like this one can take up a bit more room than your standard office chair. If you’ve got the room, this chair is a great bet for your dorm. See on Amazon.
Best Features
- Thick padding
- Huge 400lbs load capacity
- Tall Backrest
Potential Drawbacks
- Some buyers are worried about the lifespan of the chair, although a 5 year warranty is currently offered
ATTICA Vanity Office Chair
The ATTICA Vanity Chair makes for an excellent desk chair for students studying. It is both comfortable and stylish. The chair is made of high-quality velvet fabric, which is soft, comfortable, and features a durable frame with a soft filling. It is also height adjustable, from 18.5 to 22.8 inches, so that you can find the perfect position for studying.
The smooth and durable casters make it easy to move around, and the 360 degree swivel means you will always be able to find the perfect position to study. Finally, the five vibrant color options allow you to find the perfect match for your dorm room. So if you’re looking for a desk chair that is both comfortable and stylish, the ATTICA Vanity Chair is a perfect choice.
Best Features
- Cute – perfect for light work in your dorms
- Multiple color options
- Height adjustable
- Easy assembly
Potential Drawbacks
- Not particularly ergonomic focused. It’s not the desk for you if you intend to spend 4+hrs a day using this chair.
Flash Furniture Mid-Back Mesh Back Office Chair
The Flash Furniture Mid-Back Black Mesh Swivel Ergonomic Task Office Chair is our recommendation if you are a college student looking for a simple desk chair that gets the job done. It’s good-looking, comfortable, and versatile, fitting the bill for almost every student. The perfect balance between cost and ergonomic benefits.
At 30 pounds it’s fairly light meaning you won’t have to worry about getting any complaints from friends in the room below when you’re working into the early hours of the morning. You get everything you need from this chair: pneumatic height adjustment, 360-degree swivel, optional tilt, comfortable flip-up arms, and all at a very reasonable price. Find at Amazon.
Best Features
- Breathable mesh
- Lumbar support
- Tilt & height adjustment
- Simple design
- Flip-up arms
- Good customer service
Potential Drawbacks
- Difficult assembly
Amazon Basics Classic Computer Desk Chair
Obviously as a student the prices of anything you are looking to purchase play a huge role in deciding what you can and can’t have, however, we believe this pick offers the best of both worlds. It’s well priced AND comfortable.
The Amazon Basics Classic Chair looks the part and is a comfortable chair upholstered in durable Puresoft polyurethane. The pneumatic height adjustable chair is incredibly light for a non-mesh chair coming in at just 28.22 pounds with a maximum weight capacity of 275 pounds. I see this chair as a mini executive chair, it offers the benefits of an executive computer chair without all the bulk.
Altogether making it a superb option for any student looking for a compromise between quality and cost. Check the latest price here.
Best Features
- Great Value
- Wide seat
Potential Drawbacks
- Not the most comfortable or ergonomics, but still surprisingly good for the price
edx Low Back Rolling Chair
Desk chairs are an important part of any student’s set-up. After all, you’ll be spending a lot of time seated at your desk while studying. This particular office chair is great for students because it is both comfortable and stylish. The padding on the chair is soft yet supportive, and the adjustable seat height means that you can customize the fit to your own needs. Providing you with everything you want from a chair for your dorms without compromise.
The 360 degree mobility is also perfect for any student, I wouldn’t be able to cope with a study chair that didn’t offer this. Great mobility is essential if you are messy like me and need to roll around your room to find the pieces of paper you are looking for! Plus, this eye-catching design is sure to add a touch of sophistication to any space. Now, this isn’t the most ergonomic chair on this list for students but if you want a bit more style this chair offers a great option. See on Amazon.
Best Features
- Stylish design
- Compact & mobile
- Massive color selection
Potential Drawbacks
- Not an ergonomic-oriented design
BestOffice Ergonomic Home Office Mesh Back Chair
Looking for a budget mesh chair with a wide choice of colors? If the answer is yes then this basic ergonomic office chair could be a good choice. While it may not be as sturdy as the majority of options on this list, it is incredibly easy to set up and one of the cheapest desk chairs you will find anywhere.
You get the addition of some adjustability to the height and tilt of the chair but the real customizability comes at checkout where you can pick from loads of colors to fit the aesthetic of your dorm room.
For its price, you get more than you might expect and while there are more comfortable and ergonomic designs out there if you don’t have the world to spend on your new study chair then this is a nice and cheap option. View on Amazon.
Best Features
- Great value price
- Simple mesh design
- Easy assembly
Potential Drawbacks
- Nothing fancy or particularly notable about the chair (I guess this could be a bonus for some students)
Homall Gaming Chair
This Gaming Chair Office Chair from Homall gives you the option to get a gaming chair for a fraction of the price tag of most chairs on the market. Its ergonomic design makes it perfect for study as well as gaming or any other task you could come across at college. You can also pick from a wide range of colors, making it a cheap, strong, and fairly comfortable chair that promises to last for all your years at University. View on Amazon.
Best Features
- 300 lbs weight capacity
- Great value for a gaming chair
- Wide usage (perfect for gaming & studying)
Potential Drawbacks
- Some buyers reported a strong smell for a few days when the chair was brand new
Flexfit Hyken Mesh High Back Chair
The Flexfit Hyken Mesh Task Chair is a great desk chair for studying. The chair’s specifications – including its adjustable seat positioning, changeable height and tilt, and adjustable arms and lumbar support – make it a comfortable option for any student studying for long hours in their dorms.
This chair’s mesh back and seat also help to keep you cool while studying, in a very similar way to the far more expensive Herman Miller Aeron Chair. The Flexfit Hyken Mesh Task Chair is a great option for students who are looking for a study chair with full body support including a headrest. Find it on Amazon.
Best Features
- Ergonomic high-back design
- Very comfortable for long studying use
- Useful headrest
Potential Drawbacks
- Some people struggled with assembling with 1 person
In Summary
Everyone needs a supportive chair for their dorm desk, the place you will complete the most work while at college (especially while some classes are still online). This list highlights the best picks for almost every need of a college student. It will have hopefully helped you to get your hands on the best study chair for you and your needs.
Rest assured that all the chairs on this list will be great options for any student so if you still can’t decide don’t sweat it, it’s only a chair and you can know that whatever you go for you’ll have made a great choice. I’ve also got some great monitor suggestions for college here.
College Students Office Chair FAQs
Do college dorms have desk chairs included?
Almost all college dorms will come with a desk chair. However, this chair could be of any age and in any condition. If you are living in a house out of dorms, then you are more likely to be required to provide a chair. Either way, any chair you are provided with is unlikely to have good ergonomics. As such, I recommend looking to get your own office chair for studying if you are uncomfortable with the chair provided.
Can you bring your desk chair to college?
Yes! While most colleges will typically provide you with a desk chair, very few will stop you from taking your own. The chairs provided by colleges are often old and uncomfortable. That’s why I recommend bringing your own desk chair to college if possible.
Are mesh office chairs better for students?
Mesh chairs often offer a cheaper alternative to padded backrests. They also promote better airflow around your body. They are still ergonomically designed, as well as often better priced compared to other chairs. Altogether making them arguably better than other study chairs.