As a short person, you probably already understand the struggle to find a comfortable office chair.

It’s a more common problem than you think, I have a number of patients with this issue.

If you’re sitting on a chair that’s too big, you probably are experiencing back pain, lack of circulation in your legs, and possibly pain in other places.

If this sounds familiar to you, I would highly recommend buying a suitable ergonomic chair.

And this article, I have selected a number of office chairs that are ideal for short people.

I also will also recommend some useful ergonomic accessories.

How We Tested

When looking at office chairs, it was obvious that most chairs were designed for adults over 5″3. Therefore when testing chairs for short people, a well-fitted chair was top of my criteria. Other important factors included:

Comfort

Seat comfort goes hand in hand with healthy sitting. Although most people are used to sitting improperly, so when you try to change your sitting stance it feels weird in the beginning. Give yourself a week in your new chair to start feeling the real benefits of an ergonomic chair.

Ergonomics

A proper ergonomic chair should offer a bit more than comfy seat. When testing, I asked, is the seat contoured? Can I change the seat depth? What about arm adjustment? Does the backrest recline and to what position? How good is the lumbar support and can I adjust it? Does the chair have a head rest to lean into when resting?

All of these questions combined should be answered to know you are getting a good ergonomic chair.

Build Quality

In my experience the length of the warranty period usually determines the build quality of the chair.

In other words, the more confidence the manufacturer has in their product the longer the warranty period will be. Also it might be a better idea to pay once for a more expensive ergonomic chair.

Adjustability

The level of adjustability is important in an ergonomic chair. You want to be able to adjust your seat height, depth and even slope it a bit forward.

The arms can sometimes be adjusted in 4 directions and the lumbar support should be adjustable at least for height (and depth).

Chair Brand	Seat Height Range	Seat Width	Seat Depth	Recline Range	Warranty
Herman Miller Aeron	14.75’’-19’’	19.75’’	16’’	Upright, mid, full recline	12-year warranty
Steelcase Leap	15.5’’ – 20.5’’	19.25’’	15.75’’-18.75’’	5 Position Recline	12-year warranty
Sidiz T50	18.1’’-21.5’’	19.9’’	18.9’’-21.6’’	5 Tilting Angle	3-year warranty
Sitrite Kids Chair	17.25’’-19.75’’	21’’	16.3’’-18’’	Does not recline	1-Year Free Replacement for All Parts
Alera Etros	18.5’’-22.5’’	16’’	16 1/8’’-17 3/4’’	Tilt to any angle	5-Year Limited Warranty for parts & 2-Year for Fabric

Best High-End Chair

Herman Miller Aeron Ergonomic Chair - Size A

If you’re looking for an ergonomic office chair that can truly add to your physical health and productivity, the Herman Miller Aeron Chair is the perfect option to consider.

Ever since the brand was introduced more than twenty years ago, the company has strived to continuously enhance its products in order to match modern workplace environments.

This particular chair is manufactured from recycled material and is available in four colors. It also has a tilt regulator that allows you to choose between three posture settings.

Adjustability

The tension control feature regulates how much effort you require to recline easily and you can adjust the seat angle by either choosing neutral or engaged.

One of the primary benefits of this chair is the two pads that can be flexed independently to offer support to both the sacral and lumbar regions of your body.

This chair features unmatched technology and promotes a smooth balance of motion.

What customers are saying

Most people who bought the chair agree that it is worth every penny. The quality is first-class and once you have the settings right, you basically have a chair that is tailored to your body.

The primary issues customers had with the Aeron is that the seat depth, arm width, and back-height cannot be adjusted.

Most Comfortable Chair

Steelcase Leap Fabric Chair

The Steelcase Leap Fabric Chair features a streamlined and classy design that conforms to the shape of your body.

Its patented LiveBack technology helps to support your spine and changes shape to impersonate your spine movement.

The Leap’s seat height can be adjusted, it has a flexible back, adjustable arms, and optimal lumbar sustenance.

Along with the vast amount of adjustability features it has, the chair also promotes comfort and productivity while working for prolonged periods of time.

What customers are saying

The Steelcase Leap Fabric Chair received outstanding reviews with most customers commenting on its exceptional quality, comfort, durability, and adjustability.

Most people mentioned how comfortable the chair is when working for hours on end.

Some customers had issues with the quality of the materials and said the seat is too thin and uncomfortable. Still, the majority of reviews were positive.

Best Value Chair

SIDIZ T50 Highly Adjustable Ergonomic Office Chair

This ergonomic chair is not just a stunning addition for your office, it is also a highly practical piece of furniture that will support your back and remain comfortable throughout the day.

No matter what position you are in, the SIDIZ T50 provides incredible support.

The S-curve outline of the backrest keeps your waist in a position that ensures any weight on your lumbar disc is spread evenly and you have no back pain.

You can easily customize the chair to fit your body perfectly and ensure you stay comfortable with its multi-constrained tilting feature.

What customers are saying

Customer reviews on this chair are excellent overall, with some people saying this is the best one they’ve ever had.

Some of the chair’s most loved features among customers include its exceptional support and comfort, quality mesh, comfy seat, and convenient adjustability.

For Very Petite Adults

SitRite Ergonomic Kids Desk Chair

This SitRite chair was designed for kids but it has actually become a popular option for very petite adults.

If you are a very petite grown-up or you want to promote proper posture habits in your kids while studying, working on a PC, or reading for prolonged lengths in time, this chair is ideal.

It is remarkably ergonomic and can help prevent issues that sprout from a bad sitting posture these include rounded shoulders, neck pain, fatigue, shoulder pain, headaches, etc.

The chair has a padded sliding seat and complete height fine-tuning capabilities. It is manufactured with quality materials, meets safety regulations, and is very easy to assemble.

What customers are saying

The SitRite Ergonomic Kids Desk Chair received fantastic reviews from short and petite women who simply do not get the same value from a standard office chair.

They all recommend the chair for its quality, comfort, and ease of assembly. A few customers, however, complained that the chair does not adjust high enough.

Best Small Executive Chair

Ticova Executive Office Chair

The Ticova team has continuously improved the design to ensure you have access to the perfect ergonomic executive chair that is durable, sturdy, and of the best quality.

The chair can be tilted up to 140 degrees, it features a retractable footrest and it has bendable rocking flexibility.

It has also been rigorously tested and only the best materials were used for production.

What customers are saying

Most people who bought this chair have nothing but praise for its durability and the quality of the leather upholstery.

Many also mentioned how thick the cushioning of the seat is and how its excellent back support makes it an exceptionally comfortable chair to use at the office or at home.

However, a few customers said that the armrests need some work and the chair does not support their lower back.

Most Affordable Chair

Alera Etros Series Petite Mid-Back Mesh Chair

This chair may be a top choice for petite and short individuals but it can be adjusted and used by taller individuals too.

The height of the chair can be adjusted to provide proper lumbar support and the armrests can be adjusted to provide optimal support while you work.

The recline is also adjustable with tilt tension and tilt lock controls that accommodate most people. The chair has a comfy and firm seat, perfect for those who work long hours.

What customers are saying

Most reviews were from petite individuals who found the Alera Etros chair to be a comfortable perfect match for them.

The majority of them said that the chair is super easy to assemble, and just about everything on it can be adjusted, from the armrest height to the seat height and the tilt tension lock.

However, some people complained about the distance between the floor and the seat and said the handles are too low for a short person to reach comfortably.

They also mentioned that the chair did not provide them with any back support.

Other Recommended Chairs

Duramont Ergonomic Adjustable Office Chair

The Duramont Ergonomic Adjustable Office Chair is highly adjustable and has all the features you need to ensure you have the most comfortable seat in the house.

The headrest angle and height, lumbar depth and height, seat height, tilt tension, and backrest angle are all fully adjustable, perfect for tailoring the chair to your body type.

The back is covered in a breathable mesh which enables you to stay comfy and cool at all times.

If you suffer from back problems, the shifting lumbar support and tilt feature makes it easier to create an incline or to sit up straight. The chair is also very easy to assemble.

Modway Edge Drafting Chair

The Modway studio chair comes with arms that flip up, this is a convenient feature for people who practice guitar, paint, sew, or perform architecture drafting.

The chair can be paired with a drafting table to promote ergonomics and it has a hydraulic seat adjustment feature that allows you to adjust your seat from 20.5 to 29 inches high.

People who stand a lot while working will appreciate this chair when they need to be seated.

This is an ergonomic chair that is equipped with lumbar support in the lower back region. It can swivel 360-degrees and has a tension control regulation enabling you to tilt the seat.

Learniture Adjustable-Height Active Stool

This stool for your standing desk has a non-slip surface and bent base to promote a broad range of movability.

It features a backless design that is perfect for developing an appropriate posture and it also helps strengthen your essential muscles.

The seat is made from foam that is vinyl-covered and can be cleaned easily, plus the lightweight design makes it portable and easy to store.

The height of the seat can also be adjusted from 18.5 to 28 inches, using an inflated gas lift.

Varier Variable Balans Original Kneeling Chair

This Norwegian designed kneeling chair was first introduced in 1979, as the singular and original chair of its kind.

The Varier chair is  made from high-quality wood for added bend-ability and no extra crossbar is required. Using this type of chair prompts your body to move continuously and keep you active.

It also stimulates flexibility and helps strengthen essential muscles without putting too much strain on the discs in your spine.

This chair is a classic and is the perfect kneeling chair for stimulating muscles and keeping your body balanced.

Hbada Ergonomic Desk Chair

The basic yet classy design of the Hbada Ergonomic mid-back chair fits various office aesthetics.  It’s also highly adjustable with an adjustable height, flip-up arms, and a tilt lever.

The company behind this model is known to manufacture stylish, minimalistic, environmentally friendly, and ergonomic office chairs that scream comfort.

They are a respected brand that is well-known for exceptional customer service and superior products.

Things To Consider

Seat height

An exceptional office chair typically allows the user to have their eyes fixed on the top third of their PC screen while looking straight ahead.

When you are forced to look up at a PC screen it causes stress in your neck region, shoulders, and back which should be avoided.

Short people often concentrate on the height of the desk, yet the chair is just as important.

While sitting, your knees must be at a 90-degree angle, and your feet must touch the ground to avoid back pain issues.

Seat depth

When the seat of a chair is too deep, it can result in circulation issues for a short person.

This is because their feet will be dangling which places more pressure under their thighs.  A seat depth of 18 inches or less is recommended for short or petite people.

Armrest width

Most people purchase chairs without armrests only so they can move it closer to the desk. However, chairs with shorter armrests can also be moved closer to the desk.

It’s important to have armrests as they give you an area to rest your arms, subsequently, reducing some of the load off your neck and shoulders.

Armrest height

An ergonomic office chair must have armrests that can be adjusted. They must allow you to rest your arms comfortably so your shoulders can relax.

Keep in mind, your lower arms and elbows must rest slightly, and your forearm must not be on the armrest while you’re typing.

Useful Accessories

Footrests

If you are unable to find the perfect ergonomic desk/chair pairing and your feet are still dangling despite the adjustments you made, invest in a footrest.

Height adjustable desk

When you are buying office desks and chairs for your office, you should consider height-adjustable desks as these can be adjusted to accommodate people of all sizes.

Floor mat

Also, consider investing in a high-quality floor mat that assists with movement around the desk and reduces damage on your floors.