9 Best Office Chair for Short Person & Petite Person

If you’re a short or petite person, finding the right chair for your home study or office can be difficult.

Manufacturers often base their chairs on the height of an average person, and even when chairs are made with smaller people in mind, it can be challenging to find the specs that confirm this fact.

That said, however, there are plenty of high-quality chairs that are great for short or petite people.

For this review, we’re defining a petite person as someone standing at below average height- 5’5” and below.

If you’re a very short person (below 5’), some of these chairs will be too large for you. There are a few measurements to keep in mind if this is you.

• As far as chair height goes, you should look for a seat that can go between 15-18”, depending on the length of your legs.
• We can say the same of seat depth. Look for a seat depth between 15 and 18”.

Below you’ll find a list of the eight best office chairs for short people. We recommend you check this out, as well as our Frequently Asked Questions guide below to help you buy.

Our Top Picks for Short Person

1. Steelcase Series 1 – Seat Height: 16.5″-21.5″, Seat Depth: 15.5″-17.75″, Price: Medium
2. HOMEFUN – Seat Height: 16’’- 20’’ Price: Low
3. Aeron Size A – Seat heights: 14.75”-19”, Seat Depth: 15¾”, Price: Heigh
4. Amazon Basics – Seat Height: 16″ – 20″, Seat depth 16.5-inche, Price: Low
5. SIDIZ T50 –Seat Height: 16” to 20” Seat Depth: 18” – 21″, Price: Medium
6. Alera Etros– Seat height: 17.5” – 21.5”H, Seat depth: 14″ – 17″ Price: Low
7. HON Ignition 2.0 – Seat Height: 17” – 21”, Seat Depth: 16 1/4 – 19 1/4 Price: medium
8. Rimiking Home Office – Seat Height: 14.5” to 18.15”, Seat Depth: 17.3 Price: Low
9. Furmax Gaming – Seat Height: 15.2″-18.3″ Price: Low

Here are our eight favorite chairs on the marketplace today.

1. Steelcase Series 1

Dimensions:

• Width: 23.5″ – 27″ | Depth: 23.5″ – 28″ | Seat Height: 16.5″ – 21.5″ | Weight: 36.5 – 41.25 lbs

If you’re looking for a luxury chair to fit all your office needs, look no further than the Steelcase Series 1. This work office chair, made of 100% polyester, is a great choice for someone who’s going to be spending many hours at their desk.

The reason that this chair is great for long hours at the office is its ergonomic design. Virtually everything is adjustable on the chair to fit any body shape or any comfortable way of sitting. The seat is adjustable vertically, but the depth of the seat is also adjustable. The lumbar is adjustable, as is the seat depth. This chair is also reclinable, meaning it’s comfortable for hard work or for relaxing back after a long day.

One of the aspects that make this office chair one of our favorite chairs for a petite person to pick is its back technology that features a flexor system to accommodate the natural adjusting of your back in the chair. The chair also moves with you to support your spine.

In addition to the comfort the Steelcase Series 1 offer, it is also highly durable–in fact, it is designed for 24/7 use while retaining comfort.

Finally, we love all the colors available in the Steelcase Series 1. You can’t go wrong with the classic black (licorice), but you can also explore Canary, Concord, Bluejay, or any of the other fun colors.

Pros

• Highly comfortable and adjustable
• Durable; designed for daily use
• Awesome colors for maximum customization

Cons

• This is a luxury product; as such, it will rack up a bigger bill than some of the other chairs on our list.

2. HOMEFUN Ergonomic Office Chair

Dimensions:

• Width: 24.5” | Depth: 24.5” | Total Height: 35 inches” | Weight: 36.05 lbs

From the outset, we love the look of the HOMEFUN Ergonomic Office Chair. It looks extremely modern and could fit in just as well in a high-tech office as it could in the home study. The chair is also customizable, with a white back and base or a black back and base.

In addition to the look, the HOMEFUN office chair is also extremely comfortable. If you get the model with the built-in footrest, you can recline as much as 135 degrees in the very supported chair. Of course, even without the built-in footrest, this chair reclines up to 135 degrees for you to prop up your feet on your favorite ottoman.

The HOMEFUN is also designed for use in a demanding job. The chair is very durable to endure many hours spent on duty while also featuring ergonomic support to keep your body in good shape while you plug away.

The seat is made of high-density foam. The lumbar support and comfortable headrest also serve to support your upper body.

This chair is great for long hours spent working, gaming, or merely relaxing. We’ve had our eyes on this chair for a while, but it was recently updated by the manufacturer for even more comfort.

Pros

• Nice modern design looks fresh in any space
• Extremely comfortable chair with a high degree of reclination possible
• Ergonomic design supports many comfortable hours spent at work
• Much more affordable than typical chairs of this caliber

Cons

• With the footrest, this chair is somewhat clunky for office work. That said, however, you can remove the footrest.
• The screws can come loose after long hours spent working: be sure to check the screws every so often

3. Herman Miller Aeron – Size A

Dimensions:

• Width: 25.75” | Depth: 25.75” | Total Height: 38.5” | 40 lbs

If you’re looking to reduce your environmental impact while getting a high-quality chair, look no further than the Herman Miller chair. This chair, made from recycled material, is extremely comfortable for work, play, or pure relaxation.

One of the features that we love about the Herman Miller chair is its adjustable arms can move up, down, out, or in. This is the best chair if you want an extremely affordable but highly adjustable chair.

The tilt of the chair is also adjustable: a special “tilt limiter” allows you to adjust the recline range to one of three positions. You can also control the sensitivity, making it harder or easier to recline the chair.

Two pads designed for sacral and lumbar support also stand independently on the Herman Miller office chair. This maximizes the comfort and support, adjusting to the unique curve of your spine for those that intend to spend a good deal of their time in the chair.

Pros

• Adjustable arms are great for all shapes and sizes
• Environmentally friendly company, made in the USA
• Tilt limiter lets you set the reclination
• Great price

Cons

• The design is somewhat uninspired
• There is no headrest, which can be a deal-breaker for some

4. Amazon Basics Bonded Leather

Dimensions:

• Width: 25.98” | Depth: 25” | Total Height: 39.02” | 28.99 lbs

Straight from Amazon comes a chair fit for the digital age: the Amazon Basics Bonded Leather is extremely comfortable, affordable, and stylish. The faux leather upholstery, mixed with the five-legged base, gives the chair a classic look. Meanwhile, the seat is padded, as are its armrests.

You can adjust this chair back and forth, while the ergonomic design supports your back and lumbar at the office.

Though you have to assemble this chair yourself, it’s relatively easy to assemble, with instructions included that are easy to follow.

The chair’s structure has a very classic feel, one that is redoubled by the available colors. The Amazon Basics Bonded Leather chair comes in classic leather colors: white, black, or brown, making this chair look especially classy in a carpeted den.

Finally, this office chair is quality certified by the Business, and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Association (BIFMA) has a chair that meets the universally agreed-upon safety and comfort standards set by the Association.

Pros

• Classy look and feel
• Very affordable, from a trusted company
• BIFMA certified
• Ergonomic support for working

Cons

• For very long use, this chair is not as comfortable as others
• The back could be higher

5. SIDIZ T50

Dimensions:

• Width: 27” | Depth: 27” | Total Height: 42” | 49 lbs

The SIDIZ T50 is a sleek, extremely comfortable, and exceptionally built chair. if you’re not quite sure about what kind of chair you want because the T50 comes with a 30-day free trial (money-back guarantee) and is backed by a three-year warranty.

If the chair is too small for you or too large for you, you can send it back right away and get 100% of your money back.

The security of having your money well spent isn’t all we like about the T50, however. The build of this chair is exceptional. The materials that the T50 is made from are materials that will last you a long while.

Now, while the T50 is highly durable, this means that the chair is also somewhat heavy. It won’t be easy to pick this box up from your front stoop, but once you have the five-legged rolling wheels, make this chair easy to scoot around in your office.

The ergonomic S-curve on the T50 is also an excellent feature. Your spine, lumbar, and sacrum are fully supported in this chair, and no matter what your size is, you can adjunct the forward tilt, the seat depth, and the height of the headrest.

The T50 comes in three basic colors: grey, blue, and black. For grey and blue, the back of the chair doesn’t change, remaining a steely gray. The black chair is fully black.

This ergonomic chair is also very easy to adjust — levers are placed in such a way that anyone can reach them.

Pros

• Feel secure with the money-back guarantee
• Rolls quietly
• Great look and design

Cons

• Somewhat heavy

6. Alera Etros Series Petite Mesh Chair

Dimensions:

• Width: 28.35” | Depth: 23.82” | Seat Height: 14.96” | 52 lbs

The Alera Etros Series petite mesh chair is a great choice for petite people. In addition to the fact that this chair is designed with shorter people in mind, the Alera Etros is a very economical option for your home option.

In addition, this chair is extremely easy to assemble and can be assembled without screws. Furthermore, the back is adjustable using a convenient-to-access lever.

With the affordability of this chair, however, some features suffer. If you’re spending long hours at home on the chair, the Alera Etros doesn’t offer a place to rest your head.

That said, however, the understated lumbar support on this chair makes it very comfortable.

The frame material is nylon, which is good, but it’s not as durable as some other chairs.

In short, if you want a solid, sturdy option at an extremely good price, the Alera Etros is your chair.

Pros

• Good price
• Comfortable, ergonomic
• Easy to assemble

Cons

• No headrest
• Somewhat heavy
• Not as durable as other chairs

7. HON Ignition 2.0 Chair

Dimensions:

• 28.5” | 27” | 44.5” | 24 lbs

The HON Ignition 2.0 takes everything incredible about the 1.0 and improves upon it. Feel like a true executive in this stylish, high-backed chair designed with your comfort in mind.

The HON is completely customizable, allowing you to adjust the position of your back, the arms, and the height of your seat. Whether you’re quite petite or tall, the HON Ignition is an excellent chair for you.

This chair is also very easy to wheel around, with a soft glide and noiseless movement. Easily swivel around or, with the adjustable arms, pull up snug and cozy to your computer desk.

In addition to the comfort and look of this executive chair, the HON Ignition is also designed ergonomically to meet the demands of an executive’s work. Lean your head back on the high back of the chair or lean back into the mesh cushion in the back of the chair that helps to keep you cool on hot days.

Finally, and most impressively, the HON Ignition 2.0 is backed by a lifetime guarantee. If anything goes wrong, send the chair in and get a replacement immediately. You may never need another chair.

Now, as with most things in life, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. You may pay more for the HON Ignition 2.0, but from our point of view, your comfort is worth it.

Pros

• Nice design
• Completely adjustable
• Ergonomic support

Cons

• Somewhat pricey
• Lumbar support isn’t as effective as with some other chairs

8. Rimiking Home Office Task Chair

Dimensions:

• Width: 19.69″ | Depth: 17.32″ | Seat Height: 14.57″- 18.51″ | 24.03 lbs

If you click the link above, you’ll note that the Rimiking Home Office chair is a different chair altogether from the ones we’ve featured on this list. Stylistic design is the central focus of this excellent piece of Rimiking furniture, and their chair will add character to any home office.

This chair’s design takes you back to the times of Mad Men, just without all the cigarettes. It looks classy but still brings a warm feel to your decor.

The chair is also incredibly comfortable, with foam padding keeping your body happy. Although it may not look it, the low backrest on the chair is also essential for ergonomic support.

If you want a durable chair with 360-degree mobility, one that looks great in your space.

That said, however, there are some downsides. This chair doesn’t have armrests, and the back is too low for you to rest your head. That means that this chair can be uncomfortable when spending many hours at your desk.

Pros

• Excellent look
• Very comfortable for short amounts of time
• Adjustable height
• Easy to assemble and move
• Great price

Cons

• No armrest or headrest

9. Furmax Executive Computer Office Chair Desk

Most gaming-style office chairs have a very high back that’s suitable only for tall and huge people, this chair, however, is an exception. The Furmax executive computer office chair desk has a PU leather upholstery coupled with a breathable mesh for body support and increased airflow, respectively. This chair rests on 5 star base with smooth-rolling 360-degree swivel wheels that enables fast and easy access to other parts of your work area.

The high back has a curved contoured nature that gives the spine exceptional support and prevents it from misalignment even when sitting for long hours. For relaxation after long hours of work, this chair can recline, rock back and forth, and comes with a well-padded inbuilt headrest. The seat plates have a waterfall front designed and are so well padded with soft plush foam that hugs the body as you sit. The backrest also has the same comfortable padding and can be adjusted up or down to a comfortable setting depending on your preference.

The furmax executive computer office chair desk swivels unnecessarily, and the leather begins to brittle and peels off after a few months as many users have mentioned. However, the soft padding does provide decent comfort even during extended hours of use.

Pros

• Breathable mesh coupled with PU leather for dual comfort
• High backrest to prevent and relieve long term strain
• Padded adjustable armrests

Cons

• Manufacturing defect with the swivel
• PU leather does not last long

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the questions we get asked most frequently.

What Is The Best Office Chair For A Short Person?

In our list above, we’ve featured eight of our favorite office chairs for short people. The answer to which one is the best will depend on your needs. If you’re looking for a luxury chair with all the sought-after features, look no further than the Steelcase Series 1.

If you’re on the hunt for a more affordable chair, however, you might consider the Rimiking Home Office Task Chair.

Keep in mind, however, that some chairs are better for long periods of sitting and others are better for short jaunts at the desk. The Rimiking Home Office Task Chair, for example, while being comfortable for short periods, may not be the right chair to spend in an eight-hour workday.

What Is A Good Seat Height For Short People?

If you’re around five feet tall, you should look for a seat with a height of at least fifteen inches. This height is well beneath most standard manufacturer sizes, so be on the lookout for short cylinder options on your chair.

All of the chairs we’ve chosen above are great for short people.

How Do You Adjust An Office Chair For A Short Person?

Depending on how tall you are, your chair may just be the wrong size for you. Usually, office chairs have a way to adjust the seat height so that a person sitting at the chair can have their legs comfortably on the floor without dangling but without their knees being higher than their thighs.

The depth of the seatback is also important for shorter people, however. The Steelcase Series 1 is a highly customizable chair that allows you to adjust to a depth to fit you. If you’re around five feet tall, shoot for 15-16 inches.

Should I Get An Office Chair With A Headrest?

If you’re going to be spending long hours sitting at your office chair, you may want to consider getting an office chair with a headrest. Headrests make sitting at the office much more comfortable.

Of the chairs we’ve reviewed today, The HOMEFUN ergonomic chair is our favorite for leaning your head back and relaxing.

Do Chairs Need Headrests?

Chairs do not necessarily need headrests. For example, Herman Miller chairs famously come without headrests. It’s as simple as this: if you’re someone who thinks they would benefit from a headrest, then you should get one. Chairs do not need headrests, however.

Is A Herman Miller Chair Worth It?

Herman Miller makes very high-quality, ergonomic chairs. In addition, these chairs are made in the USA from recycled materials. If you don’t want to spend a ton on your chair while reducing the environmental impact of your purchase, Herman Miller is a great chair.

At the same time, however, the Herman Miller Ergonomic Chair that we’ve featured in this article doesn’t have certain features like a headrest and built-in footrest that are make-or-break for some.

Bottom line

As a short person, you may have been on the hunt for the best chair for short person for quite some time now, and it’s possible that you’re yet to find one that fits most of your requirements. Just make sure you take note of some certain vital features when buying a chair. The seat height, overall chair height, and the position of the lumbar support and headrest. Because these are the most essential features, you need to look out for if you’re genuinely in need of comfort.

We hope this review helps and guide you to find one that’s a perfect fit for you!