Top 16 Best Office Chair For Short People In 2024
Brandon Forder Apr 18, 2024 3:32 AM
Recommendations for chairs suitable for short or petite individuals is a common request at BTOD.com. Finding compact seating might be challenging. Finding manufacturer specifications can be challenging, and when you do, the options available are generally limited.
Here is a list of five chairs that I think would be good possibilities for a little or short individual to use at their desk. For the purposes of this discussion, I will use the criteria of being under 5'6" in height as short. All of these seats are more compact than typical office chairs.
The seven points I think are most important to keep in mind while purchasing one of these seats are listed directly after the last one. You can use this data to better refine your search for a new workplace chair. That's why it's useful to know why I settled on the chairs in this roundup.
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Seat Height
Adjusting your chair's height is the first order of business. Your feet should be flat on the floor, and your knees should bend to a right angle (90 degrees). The typical seat height adjustment on an office chair is between 17 and 22 inches. People with a height of five feet, six inches or less will find this to be uncomfortable.
If you are 5'6", the chair's seat must be at least 16" from the floor; if you are 5'2", it must be at least 15". If you are shorter than five feet and two inches and wish to put both feet level on the floor, you should look for a chair that reclines to a depth of at least 14 inches.
Adding a Footrest
A footrest is an extremely useful accessory for any desk. Instead of having to lower yourself into the chair, a footrest raises the floor to you. Doing so will make it much simpler to obtain a knee angle of 90 degrees and will make it possible to use chairs with a greater variety of minimum seat heights. I, like the majority of my coworkers, frequently prop my feet up on a footrest.
Desk Height
Desk height is also crucial, so give it some thought. A comfortable typing height is 20.5 inches (80 cm) from the floor to the top of the keyboard. Your desk must be adjustable down as low as 24 inches if you plan to utilize a chair that is 16 inches tall. There is a significant deviation from the norm in desk height, which is 30 inches.
You can achieve this goal in a few different ways. The first complements the footrest already mentioned. The difference between your chair and a regular desk height can be reduced by a few inches with this solution. The second option is to get a height-adjustable desk that may be set to a lower height than a traditional desk. Finally, you can install a keyboard drawer or keyboard tray to bring the keyboard down to a more comfortable level.
Seat Depth
The depth of the chair's seat is the next factor to think about. One to two inches of adjustment space in front of your knees is ideal. The typical depth of an office chair seat is 17–18 inches. If you're on the shorter side, this may be too much.
Locate chairs with 16-inch or less depths if you are five-foot-six or shorter. The most suitable chairs in this category have a depth adjustment starting at 15 inches.
Arm Width
The armrests should also be carefully considered. Your arms should be at a normal length from your body, and you should be able to bend your elbows to a 90-degree angle. You should not have to stretch your arms out at an awkward position just to get to the armrests. Shoulder and neck pain may result from this.
Arms on a standard office chair will be spaced 17 to 18 inches apart. Look for arms that are 16 inches wide or smaller if you are under 5'6". Arms as slender as 13 inches are what you should be looking for if you are under five feet tall.
Back Height and Forward Tilt
Your back support must be able to be adjusted to your specific height. You shouldn't have to perch dangerously on the edge of your seat, which puts unnecessary strain on your lower back.
Lumbar Support
Make sure your lower back is supported by the seat's ability to recline. You may need a lumbar support that adjusts in depth to ensure it adequately meets your back, depending on the depth of the seat.
Armrests
The armrests of the chair should be fully adjustable, particularly in width so that they can be brought closer to the body. They should also be well-padded, although that probably goes without saying. Over time, the ulnar nerves in the bony portion of your elbows might become pinched by a hard armrest, causing cubital tunnel syndrome.
The following are the greatest office chairs for short persons, meeting most if not all of the criteria stated above.
Adjustability
If you're on the shorter side, an adjustable-height chair is one of the most crucial features you can have. This will allow you to adjust the height of the seat in a way that promotes healthy posture as you work. The height of the backrest and the armrests should be adjustable in addition to the seat height. Seats that let you adjust the forward tilt and pitch are also available in some vehicles. If you're in the market for an alternative fantastic chair, have a look at our evaluation of the upholstered adjustable office chair by AmazonBasics.
Material
There is a wide range of materials that can be used to construct an office chair. The most breathable option is mesh, but without a cushioned seat and a backrest that includes lumbar support, it may not be the most supportive.
What is the best office chair for a short person?
The ideal workplace chair will have a height-adjustable seat that can be adjusted such that the user's thigh is no more than 18 inches from the floor. In our manual, we gave preference to chairs having a seat height adjustment range of 16–17 inches, with a particular emphasis on chairs with such a range. The Flash Furniture Mid-Back Ergonomic Office Chair is our top pick because of its modest 17-inch seat height adjustment.
What is the best office chair for sitting long hours?
You need a chair with a waterfall edge and plenty of padding if you plan on sitting for extended periods of time. Our Best Quality selection from Serta is the perfect option since it is a fully padded chair with a waterfall edge that is meant to provide the same level of comfort and support as a body pillow.
How do I know what office chair will fit?
While searching for a new office chair, it's important to keep a few things in mind. For starters, the backrest ought to be flexible enough to conform to your spinal profile. The seat must be height-adjustable so that one's feet can be placed comfortably on the floor. The armrests have to be flexible enough for you to rest your arms on them while working. You should also be able to extend your arms to the same level as your workstation.
There isn't always a lot of choice when it comes to office chairs for shorter individuals. There won't be quite as many alternatives as there are with regular office seats, but there are ways to increase your selections. Aids like a footstool and a keyboard tray are invaluable. Some people's lives are transformed by the addition of a desk that can be adjusted in height electrically. The seat height won't be as much of an issue with these.
If you don't find a chair here that meets your requirements, be sure to keep our "7 Things to Consider" in mind while you continue shopping. You can get the perfect chair for your needs if you know what to look for and what to avoid.
