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Home / Blog / Lifestyle

The 9 Best Desk Chairs for Short People

Published on June 16, 2021 by Brian Adee · Lifestyle May contain affiliate links (what's this?)

If you’re a shorter-than-average person looking for a desk chair that actually fits your stature, you’ve come to the right place!

9 Best Chairs for Short People Hero Image

Office furniture is notoriously “one size fits some”. But in the quest to target an imagined average of height and weight, generic furniture producers are missing out on a big portion of the market.

Thankfully, there’s a handful of office furniture brands that go out of their way to accommodate people of all shapes and sizes.

In today’s guide, I’ll be selecting from a carefully curated list of these companies to explore the best desk chairs for short people. No matter your budget or style preferences, you’ll find a small office chair to suit your needs.

Quick Take

Short on time? Here are our top three picks for the best desk office chairs you can buy right now:

Our Pick
Steelcase Amia
Steelcase Amia
$681.00

The Amia offers exceptional ergonomics, and it’s perfectly sized for petite people.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Steelcase
02/15/2023 02:39 am GMT
Budget Pick
Secretlab Omega
Secretlab Omega
$329

This chair does a fantastic job of bridging the gap between an office chair and a gaming chair. It has the gaming chair profile, with a wide winged back and tall arms.

Buy Now
Upgrade Pick
Herman Miller Aeron Chair
Herman Miller Aeron Chair
$1,320

Herman Miller's chairs combine a sleek design with impeccable ergonomics to deliver what might be the most comfortable chair you’ve ever sat in.

Buy on Herman Miller Buy on Amazon

Read on for more info and the complete list…

The 9 Best Desk Chairs for Short People

Here they are in no particular order…

Herman Miller Aeron (Size A)

In the office furniture world, Herman Miller’s Aeron chairs are the stuff of legend. They combine a sleek design with impeccable ergonomics to deliver what might be the most comfortable chair you’ve ever sat in.

Herman Miller Aeron Size A Chair
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Investing in one of their Size A chairs will ensure that you have the best, most comfortable small office chair for years to come.

Three things make the Aeron really stand out from the competition.

First of all, adjustable posture pads make it fit a wide range of postures and body types. Also, the breathable fabric will keep you cool and comfortable while you work. Finally, a proprietary “Harmonic Tilt” technology keeps the chair moving with you smoothly and effortlessly.

Steelcase Leap v2

Have you struggled to find that Goldilocks fit with your office chair? Like, no matter how many times you tweak the specifics, it’s still just not quite right? Then you’re going to want to take a closer look at Steelcase’s Leap chair (version 2).

Steelcase Leap v2 Upholstered Chair
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The most immediately noticeable difference in the Leap chair is its adjustable spinal curve. Your spine is not my spine, and this chair allows you to dial in that perfect difference. 

That’s complemented by an adjustable firmness for your lower back support, as well as a forward tilt that keeps your spine aligned even while you’re leaning back to get comfortable for long work sessions.

Finally, you can round out your Leap chair with height-, depth-, width- and pivot-adjustable arms, completing the custom fit. It’s pricey, but well worth it for someone who’s set on getting a fairytale-perfect fit for their desk chair.

Steelcase Amia

If Steelcase’s leap (featured above) gave you sticker shock, their Amia is here to fill in the gap. At nearly half the price of their flagship chair, the Amia still offers exceptional ergonomics — and it’s perfectly sized for petite people.

Steelcase Amia Ergonomic Task Chair
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The Amia’s Liveback technology is its biggest draw. A finely tuned blend of chair back shape and material, it moves smoothly with you to create the most comfortable fit no matter your working posture.

That’s nicely complemented by adjustable lumbar support, an 8-inch pneumatic seat adjustment, and customizable arm options.

Overall, Steelcase’s Amia fits in a perfect space between affordability and performance. It’s still a significant investment, but it will pay for itself in comfort and durability.

BTOD Petite

Fancy, multi-adjusting, ergonomic space-age chairs are cool — but what if you’re looking for a simple office chair that will fit your frame? That’s where the BTOD Petite comes in. It’s a no-frills chair designed for small people, and it’s available for a particularly affordable price.

Pronto Chair Petite Front
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The seat height from the floor for BTOD’s Petite office chair is a mere 15.5 to 19 inches (adjustable).

Combined with the thick and cushy 4-inch foam seat, this means you’ll be able to sit comfortably with your feet flat on the floor. Owners as short as 5 feet tall report that it’s the most comfortable chair they’ve ever used in an office.

OM Seating Paramount Petite

Office Master’s simple, ergonomically designed Paramount Petite chair offers an excellent value in a small, space-saving package. Order one with or without arms, and you’ll be able to fit it into any office setup imaginable.

OM Seating Paramount Petite
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The “Petite” in Office Master’s Paramount chair refers mostly to its height — adjustable down to 15.5 inches from the floor. That’s nicely complemented by a pneumatic lift, tilting seat and backrest, and adjustable tension knob. 

Combine all of that with a 12 year warranty, and the Paramount Petite is an excellent option for smaller owners who want a simple, durable, comfortable office chair.

Neutral Posture XSM

If you’ve been slowly amassing a list of desired specifications for your office furniture, Neutral Posture’s XSM is going to blow you away.

Nearly everything about this chair is customizable, from the five different arm styles, to four base styles, and options for back support at your lumbar, thoracic, and/or coccyx areas.

Neutral Posture XSM Chair
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Of course, that also means this chair isn’t the best choice for someone looking for a simple purchase. But if you’re enlivened by the idea of getting the ideal fit for your body, Neutral Posture’s XSM chair is the way to go.

SIDIZ T50 Home Office Desk Chair

Looking for a comfortable, airy chair that won’t break the bank? The Sidiz T50 is an excellent choice. It’s affordable, ergonomically designed, and easily customizable — making it a fantastic addition to any home office.

SIDIZ T50 Home Office Desk Chair Mesh Back
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The S-curve mesh back is the T50’s main draw. This gives support to your spine’s natural shape, while allowing for maximum airflow. Combined with the integrated lumber support and headrest, that makes the Sidiz maybe the most comfortable bargain-priced desk chair.

Surprisingly for a chair in this price range, the Sidiz T50 is also covered by a 3 year warranty. That makes it a safe investment for anyone looking to try out a desk chair for short people in their own home or office.

Secretlab Omega

Does your desk double as your command center? Once it hits five o clock, that comfortable office chair might feel a little out of place as you transition to your favorite FPS. 

Secretlab’s Omega chair does a fantastic job of bridging the gap between an office chair and a gaming chair. It has the gaming chair profile, with a wide winged back and tall arms, but the leather finish makes it presentable enough for Zoom meetings.

Omega Series Prime 2.0 Gaming Chair Leather Stealth
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That’s all combined with Memory Foam head and lumbar pillows, a 5-year extended warranty, and dozens of customization options. Even if you’re not a dedicated gamer, Secretlab’s Omega chair might be just the thing for your home office.

X-Chair Small Mgmt Chair

There’s short, there’s small, and then there’s petite — a combination of both. Plenty of office chairs might be fine for short or small people, but truly petite workers are often out of luck. X-Chair’s Small Mgmt chair is the answer.

Xchair XS Vision Grey Small Mgmt Chair
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Designed specifically with petite people in mind, X-Chair owners under 5 feet tall and 100 pounds report being extremely comfortable in their chairs. I especially like the variable lumber support and flexible headrest too, making this chair just as comfortable for lounging as it is for working.

In Conclusion: How to Choose the Best Desk Chair for Short People

As anyone who’s been frustrated by shopping for office furniture knows, there truly is no one size fits all solution. But by keeping just a few things in mind, you can narrow down your list of choices to only the best desk chairs for short people:

  • Set a budget for your office furniture, and understand that the chairs that offer the best custom fit will be a bit more expensive than standard issue chairs.
  • Look for a chair that fits your shape as well as your size. If you’re a particularly small person, go for one of the petite chairs featured in this review.
  • If you’ve had back, neck, or shoulder pain from other chairs, consider getting a chair with plenty of adjustments. This will let you fine-tune the fit and avoid chronic pain.

Thanks for taking the time to read through our reviews, and good luck finding the best chair for your home office!

Lifestyle Buying Guides, ergonomic chair

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About Brian Adee

Brian looks for that special quality in everything he does, from everyday style to traditional handicrafts and outdoor activities. You'll often find him with his backpack and an old book, hitting the streets or the trail in search of fresh inspiration.

Background: Brian Adee got his start in men’s fashion at just seven years old, when he found a purple silk shirt at a secondhand store and decided to wear it everywhere and all the time. This would be the start of a long and fruitful obsession with dressing well.

Taught to read and write by his older brother Jonathan, Brian has gone on to make a career out of reviewing clothing and gear. He has a particular fondness for any brand that is buy-it-for-life quality, and strives every day to live with only what is essential.

Expertise: An industry expert and prolific writer with a background in the food industry, Brian's work has been featured in publications including Effortless Gent, Kitchen Ambition, GearMoose and The Slender Wrist.

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  1. kent says

    April 25, 2022 at 11:35 am

    my issue with all these small people chair recommendations is that a) if you sit low so your feet touch the floor, then your arms are up in the air trying to reach the desk, and if you are too high your legs are hanging and cuts off the circulation to your feet. I’be been trying to find a chair with a foot stool. Not one that goes back like a lazyboy, but one I can actually put my foot down since I can’t reach the floor. Problem is those with a ‘foot rest’ are nothing more than the bar or the ring. The problem with either of those is that it’s like pressing the gas pedal for hours, your toes start going numb. I don’t want the under the table foot rest. It moves and then I have to find it. Is anyone tall looking for the floor? this sucks.

    Reply
    • Brock says

      April 27, 2022 at 6:06 pm

      I use a soft foot rest that’s very comfy. It’s like a little firm pillow for your feet.

      Reply
  2. Rebecca Rand says

    June 24, 2021 at 11:53 am

    I have the Amia and it is THE BEST chair I’ve ever used. If it ever dies, I will replace it with the exact same chair. I’m 5’2″ and you can adjust the seat so that your knees are actually in the correct position. I also prefer it without the arm rests, which will save you a little $$$.

    Reply
  3. Paul Pettigrew says

    June 24, 2021 at 10:39 am

    As a 5′-5″ tall architect and product/furniture designer, I’ve found that more important than the chair height/style, is the height of the desk and/or table. Typical desk and dining table heights are 30″. I like to design and build desks and tables that are at least 1″ and sometimes 2″ lower, i.e. 28″ or 29″. I do this for 3 reasons. Reason 1 is that you don’t have to raise the chair height such that your legs/feet don’t touch the ground properly. Reason 2 is that I find the lower desk/table height makes me appear taller proportionally. We are used to seeing a certain % of the upper torso when a person is sitting at a desk or table. If we see less torso, we see the seated person as “shorter.” Reason 3 is that lowering the table/desk height also changes the proportions of a room with 7′-0″ – 8′-0″ ceiling heights. Lower desks, tables, and even beds in smaller volume rooms changes our perceptions of the proportions of the room thereby making our rooms and the “modest man” within the room appear taller.

    Reply
    • Adam says

      June 24, 2021 at 1:33 pm

      Thanks for this! I bought a Fully desk at the beginning of work from home, and it’s just slightly too tall at the lowest setting (30.1″). They now have 2 frames that go lower, and I’ve been on the fence about replacing an expensive <1 year old desk. I think you've convinced me it's worth it.

      Reply
    • kent says

      April 25, 2022 at 11:37 am

      I think my comment agrees with you on this. Unfortunately the world is built around 6′ men. Should have seen the arguments I went through to remodel my kitchen and bathroom! But I was willing to pay and I got what I wanted. Too bad we can’t do the same with chairs.

      Reply

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