The Best Office Chairs For Short People That Are Big On Comfort
If you’re under 5 feet 5 inches tall, standard-sized office chairs may be uncomfortably large. To ensure comfort and proper support while you work, consider investing in one of the best office chairs for short people, designed specifically for petite individuals. After rigorous research and speaking to experts, our top pick is the X-Chair XS-Vision Management Seating, tailored for users under 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing around 150 pounds.
The The Sidiz T25 is one of the best chairs on the market for petite folks thanks to its seat height … [+]
While many office chairs are marketed as one-size-fits-all, they’re often not suitable for short people. “Most office chairs are available in a standard size and come with an array of adjustments to accommodate most individuals,” explains Mark Gugliotti, D.P.T., associate professor of physical therapy at New York Institute of Technology. “These standard-size chairs are built to accommodate people between 5 feet 5 inches to 6 feet tall. Although this ‘one size fits all’ industry approach may meet the needs of most, it is not always the right match for everyone.” If a chair can’t be adjusted enough to accommodate your shorter height, it can lead to discomfort when you’re working for long hours at a desk.
A few key features in the best office chairs for short people include adjustable seat height and armrests. Ideally, one should be able to sit with feet touching the ground and knees forming a 90-degree angle. Additionally, forearms should rest parallel to the floor, maintaining elbows at a 90-degree angle. So if you’re ready to ditch your oversized office setup, here are the best office chairs for short people designed for individuals with smaller frames.
- Best Office Chair For Short People Overall: Sidiz T25 Petite Ergonomic Office Chair
- Best Ergonomic Office Chair For Short People: Steelcase Series 1 Office Chair
- Best Value Office Chair For Short People : Alera Kësson Series Fabric Swivel Desk Chair
- Best Adjustable Office Chair For Short People: Herman Miller Aeron Chair
- Best Stylish Office Chair For Short People: Hayworth Fern Office Chair
- Best Office Chair With Narrow Seat For Short People: X-Chair XS-Vision Management Seating
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted team brings ample firsthand experience with office chairs, considering that a majority of us work remotely and have home office setups. Having extensively tested a variety of the best office chairs, our team members, particularly shorter individuals, understand the challenges of finding a comfortable, ergonomic chair that suits smaller frames.
To guide us in our search for the best office chairs for short people, we consulted two experts: Mark Gugliotti, D.P.T., associate professor of physical therapy at New York Institute of Technology, and Jeffrey Meltzer, owner of Applied Ergonomics, which helps design offices with ergonomic workstations. They offered valuable insights on selecting an appropriately sized work chair based on height and shared additional tips for creating an ergonomic desk setup.
How We Chose The Best Office Chairs For Short People
Using the guidelines provided by our experts, we looked for office chairs that are an appropriate height and width for people shorter than 5 feet 5 inches tall. All the chairs we selected lower down to at least 18 inches (ideally even further) and have a minimum weight capacity of at least 250 pounds. We prioritized models that offer a variety of adjustments in their armrests, tilt angle and lumbar support. Finally, we considered factors like overall cost, warranty periods, customization options and design to narrow down our selections.
What To Look For In Office Chairs For Short People
Seat Height
Seat height often poses a significant challenge for shorter individuals when choosing an office chair, as many standard-sized chairs are too high. According to Gugliotti, proper seat height adjustment should allow feet to rest flat on the floor while maintaining hips and knees at 90-degree angles.
Standard office chairs typically have a minimum seat height of 18 inches, but for individuals under 5 feet 5 inches, a chair going lower, ideally to 16 inches or less, ensures comfortable contact with the ground. The Herman Miller Aeron Chair holds the lowest minimum height among the recommended products, dropping down to just 14.75 inches.
Alternatively, if a chair doesn’t go low enough, tilting the seat forward is an option. Meltzer suggests this allows feet to be firmly planted without reducing the user’s height and keeps the arms relatively relaxed, avoiding strain on the shoulders while reaching for the keyboard and mouse. The Hayworth Fern Office Chair provides a forward-tilting option for this setup.
Adjustability
Adjustability is key for maximum comfort, including adjustable armrests in terms of height and width. Meltzer highlights that armrests are often too wide, requiring users to spread their elbows, leading to pressure on the wrists. Other useful adjustments for shorter individuals include seat positioning (forward/backward adjustment), tilt and recline angle, as an improperly sized chair seat can cause extra pressure on the back of the legs.
Material
Material is crucial for long hours of desk work. Gugliotti recommends selecting an office chair that fully supports the entire spine and promotes a relaxed, seated posture. Cushioning should conform to the natural curvatures of the spine and be made from a breathable yet durable fabric. Some individuals prefer mesh seats and backs for breathability, while others opt for padded foam seats for more structured support.
What Size Office Chair Is Best For Short People?
When choosing an office chair, the critical factor to consider is its seat height. In many standard-sized office chairs, the minimum seat height is approximately 18 inches, which might be too high for shorter users to rest their feet flat on the ground. To ensure proper ergonomics, it’s advisable to look for a chair with a lower seat height, typically between 15 and 17 inches. Our top pick, the Sidiz T25 Petite Ergonomic Office Chair, lowers down to 15.7 inches, while the Herman Miller Aeron goes down even further to a minimum height of 14.75 inches.
Additionally, for petite individuals, the width of the seat is a crucial consideration. While many office chairs feature seats that are 19 inches or wider, the X-Chair XS-Vision Management Seating has a narrower 18.5 inch seat that helps bring the armrests in toward your body for a more comfortable fit.