Best Ergonomic Chairs for Petite People

12 Best Ergonomic Chairs for Petite and Short People 

Are you looking for an ergonomic chair that’s appropriately sized for shorter people? Then, you’re in luck because, in this article, I’ll review the 12 best ergonomic chairs for short people (under 5’3” for women and under 5’8” for men).

While finalizing this list, I focused on key areas like chair size, seat depth, pan width, height, and ergonomic features to narrow these down. By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly which ergonomic chair would suit your petite body perfectly so you can find the most suitable chair that allows working for long hours, effortlessly. 

Quick Picks

Before we dive into the detailed reviews, let’s take a quick overview of the top 3 petite chairs from today’s list. 

The overall best ergonomic chair for petite people on the market is the Herman Miller Aeron Size A. Its adjustability options are versatile and suit shorter people perfectly. 

Sidiz Ringo is the best budget-friendly small ergonomic chair out there. Despite the affordable price, it’s made of high-quality steel and plastic. The chair also offers some effective ergonomic features. 

The runner-up from today’s list is Steelcase Amia. For a price significantly lower than Herman Miller, it offers premium ergonomic features – though the cushioning on this could have been improved. 

Best Ergonomic Chairs for Petite or Short People

Here we review the top ergonomic chairs for short people with key aspects like seat height, adjustability options, and assembly in mind. 

1. Herman Miller Aeron Chair Size A

Herman Miller Aeron Chair Size A

Herman Miller has been known as the best ergonomic chair for office workers and Work From Home individuals, also recommended by top organizations like Forbes and NYTimes. The size A of the chair allows users to adjust the seat height from 14.75” to 19”, which is perfect for short and petite people around 5 feet.

What makes Herman Miller stand out are its adjustability options – you can adjust everything from armrest length and armrest angle to seat height, seat angle, and seat recline. The premium ergonomic features like the tension dial (it lets you adjust how fast and easily you can lean back on the chair) further aid its versatility. 

The biggest downside of the chair is its expensive price, making it out of budget for many. But, users who want the absolute best option for relieving back pain and do not mind paying top-dollar for it would love this option. 

2. Sidiz Ringo Ergonomic Petite Chair

Sidiz Ringo Ergonomic Petite Chair

Sidiz Ringo is not as advanced as the options above, yet it offers 4-level backrest adjustability along with a brilliant design and easy assembly. The chair is designed with kids in mind and thus suits petite adults anywhere from 3.5 feet to 5.3 feet tall. With a weight capacity of 180 Ibs, it’s also perfect for short people who’ve packed on a few extra pounds.

Sidiz has made sure the chair is easy to assemble. That is why you get a quick 3-step assembly along with an easy-to-understand instructions manual. The other benefits of the Sidiz Ringo include soft round edges, an easy pulling backrest, and the 360-degree swivel. Also, let’s not forget the sit-brake casters that ensure stability. 

Unfortunately, the chair lacks ergonomic features like adjustable armrests, proper back support, and a comfortable backrest to support a neutral spine.

3. Steelcase Amia Ergonomic Chair

Steelcase Amia Ergonomic Chair

Amia from Steelcase is yet another premium ergonomic chair for petite people. Since Amia offers advanced adjustability features including lumbar support, it comfortably accommodates short people. 

What’s special about Steelcase Amia is it arrives factory-assembled – so, you don’t have to put it together all by yourself. This makes it perfect for people who want a no-assembly ergonomic chair delivered to their doorstep. Moreover, Amia’s LiveLumbar flexor system adjusts its shape to support your spine at its best, forming a healthy S-shape. The chair’s extensive seat height adjustability makes it a fit for short people anywhere between 5′ and 5’8’’. 

With that said, if there’s one area this ergonomic chair could improve in, it would have to be its seat since it isn’t the most comfortable.

4. SUPERJARE Drafting Chair

SUPERJARE Drafting Chair

SUPERJARE is an affordable ergonomic chair for petite people. It offers adjustable height for short users to personalize the chair for their needs and can accommodate 250 lbs, thanks to its high-duty steel frame. 

The seat cushion of the chair is made of PVC that’s padded with sponge, to provide a comfortable seating experience. You also get a convenient footrest that provides support for your feet even if you’re short. Moreover, the flexible backrest further aids the chair’s comfortability. 

As a drafting chair, it lacks armrests which make it uncomfortable to work on a computer or laptop for long hours. Plus, the seat of the chair is quite short and doesn’t provide proper lumbar support. If you’re looking to use a chair for long hours, a chair with proper lumbar support and armrests like the Herman Miller or Sidiz Ringo (product number 1 and 2 on this list respectively) would be a better approach.

5. Hbada Task Chair

Hbada Task Chair

The Hbada task chair is a cheap ergonomic chair that offers flip-up arms and a brilliant backrest that accommodates the natural curve of the lower back. It’s made from high-density mesh that’s quite breathable and flexible to support your lower back well. 

A standout feature of this task chair is its flip-up arms, allowing you to fit it under the desk after work, for space-saving. The chair is also quite adjustable – the 120° tilt tension and height adjustability from 17.7 inches to 21.2 inches allow you to customize the chair according to your needs.

The downsides of the chair include sligthly hard armrests and seat pad. The lumbar support of the chair is also average, but you can always use a lumbar cushion to provide extra support for your lower back.

6. Steelcase Leap v2

Steelcase Leap v2

Series 2 of the Steelcase Office Chair is made from 100% polyester to make it as breathable as possible and offers ergonomic features for all-day comfort. Steelcase also sells Series 1 of this chair and the major difference between both is that Series 2 comes with their trademark Air LiveBack Technology designed to improve the comfort and ergonomics of the chair. Its seat height is adjustable from 16.5″ to 21.5″ to easily fit different body sizes, especially petite and small ones. This ergonomic chair is equipped with luxury features like recline tension adjustment, pneumatic seat height adjustment, and mesh upholstery. The seat depth, armrests, and lumbar support of the chair are also adjustable properly support your body. 

However, do keep in mind that this chair has a small seat which isn’t recommended if you’re average-heighted. Plus, Steelcase Leap V2 lacks the option to lock the chair at an angle other than the upright position, though that is a premium feature missing in most chairs anyways.

7. Flash Furniture Mesh Chair

Flash Furniture Mesh Chair

This mesh chair from Flash Furniture also offers flip-up arms for improved storage and comes at an affordable price tag. The chair is upholstered with a breathable mesh back and offers versatile seat height adjustability to fit petite people. 

What’s special about this mid-back chair is its awesome price value. For an affordable price, you get advanced customization options along with the ergonomic waterfall seat that relieves pressure from legs during long working hours. Moreover, you can flip up the armrests to 90 degrees so the chair can be easily fitted under a table for space-saving. 

The main downside of the chair is its plastic backrest and base which is why its weight capacity is capped at 200 lbs only.

8. KOLLIEE Mid Back Office Chair

KOLLIEE Mid Back Office Chair

Here we have another mesh chair from KOLLIEE that offers good value for money and fits petite people with its short structure and adjustable seat height. Though it’s not as premium as some other options on the list, it’s perfect for corporate and work-from-home offices. 

The KOLLIEE mid-back chair offers flip-up arms for space-saving and provides a 360-degree swivel along with mild backrest tilt. What sets this chair apart is its adjustable tilt tension that lets you determine how easily you want to recline the chair. 

The biggest downside of this mesh office chair is its cheaply made base that’s not as durable as one might want, especially if they are overweight.

9. NOUHAUS Ergonomic Chair

NOUHAUS Ergonomic Chair

The Ergo3D ergonomic chair from NOUHAUS is uniquely designed and supports natural body features to provide long-lasting comfort at work. The chair’s seat height and armrests are highly adjustable to accommodate petite people conveniently. 

What makes this ergonomic chair stand out is its breathable mesh upholstery that provides optimal airflow, along with a reclinable backrest designed to fit the spine’s natural curve. You also get adjustable lumbar support to provide support for your lower back. 

The biggest downside of the NOUHAUS ergonomic chair is its adjustability issues – the lumbar support and headrest don’t adjust well for most petite people and can prove to be uncomfortable.

10. Steelcase Series 1

Steelcase Series 1

We’ve already reviewed Series 2 on this list but it’s time to have a look at its predecessor now. The Series 1’s short structure and numerous adjustability options are perfect for petite people – that too, for a cheap price. 

The cloth material and mesh upholstery of the Steelcase chair offers perfect support for your back and lower body to provide a comfortable seating experience. You can adjust the chair’s seat depth, arms, lumbar support, height, and recline tension to optimize it for your body’s unique shape. 

What I didn’t like about the chair is that its armrests tend to be uncomfortable since they’re always moving. It would’ve been better if we got the option to lock them. Also, the chair would’ve been more effective if the armrests were padded. 

11. Simple Deluxe Office Chair

Simple Deluxe Office Chair

The Simple Deluxe office chair is a perfect choice for cheap petite office chairs. Though it lacks ergonomic features and is not ideal for long-term use, it’s fine for petite people who are lightweight and not seeking top-tier comfort. 

The best part of this petite chair is its backrest that’s optimized for the spine’s natural curve. There’s also a lumbar support to perfectly accommodate your body and support your lower back. Also, the mesh upholstery is highly breathable and prevents sweat and body odor.

However, remember that with a low price often comes average quality – we’ve found that the chair’s base and backrest attachment are not particularly steady which is why it’s hard to recommend it to anyone who weighs more than 150 lbs. Also, the chair is not comfortable to sit in for long hours. 

12. Yangming Home Office Chair

Yangming Home Office Chair

Though not feature-rich ergonomically, the Yangming chair is perfect for small home offices. Coming with a short structure and adjustable height, it’s a good fit for petite persons. With that said, since it lacks armrests, you can move the chair under the desk after using it, to save some space. However, that does come at the cost of comfort.

The best part about the Yangming home office chair is its premium-looking seat cushion and backrest. Both are made from PU material that gives a professional look and is easy to maintain. Also, you can easily adjust the chair’s height from 14.5 inches to 18.5 inches to find a height that fits you perfectly. 

Unfortunately, the chair lacks armrests which is why it may be uncomfortable for those who type a lot. Also, the backrest attachment is not that sturdy which is why we don’t recommend it to anyone who weighs more than 175 lbs. 

Things to Consider When Choosing a Petite Chair

Below are the most important factors to consider when choosing a petite chair. Keeping these things in mind will help you make sure you get the best value for your money. 

Seat Height

If your height is shorter than 5’8’’, it’s highly recommended that you consider seat height when choosing an ergonomic chair. 

The seat height of your chair will determine how conveniently you sit during work. Since ergonomic experts recommend maintaining an open angle of the elbow at 90 degrees or above (till 110 degrees), a chair with a suitable seat height is crucial to make that possible. 

That said, chairs with height adjustability are always a good way to go. Ideally, you should be able to adjust your ergonomic chair’s height to as low as 14-18 inches and as high as 20-22 inches. Use the following table to determine your chair height preferences. 

Person’s Height (feet)Chair Height (inches)Person’s Height (cm)Chair Height (cm)
4’11”15.9 inches149 cm40.2 cm
5’0″16.2 inches151.5 cm40.9 cm
5’1″16.4 inches154 cm41.5 cm
5’2″16.7 inches156.5 cm42.2 cm
5’3″17 inches159 cm42.9 cm
5’4″17.2 inches161.5 cm43.6 cm

Note that the seat height won’t make much of a difference if you’re looking to rest your feet on a footrest. It’s because placing your feet on a flat surface helps to maintain a good posture for long hours by eliminating pressure on the spine. 

Headrest

Having a headrest is helpful as it keeps you from hunching forward, providing a better sitting posture. But, if you’re too short to properly use a headrest, it’s better that you don’t use a headrest at all. 

It’s because, for shorter people, the headrest often supports their head instead of their neck, causing their head to push forward. It can lead to Forward Head Posture (FHP) in the long run, resulting in neck pain and stiffness

So, when choosing an ergonomic chair, either make sure its headset aligns with your neck or go for a chair that lacks a headrest. More often than not, ergonomic chairs offer removable headsets. So, if you feel that your chair’s headset pushes your head forward, you can remove it. 

Armrests 

The height and width of chair armrests are other important factors that will impact whether you can accommodate a healthy posture or not. 

Speaking of arm width, standard ergonomic chairs have their armrests 17-18 inches apart. For people under 5’6’’, we recommend armrests with a width of 16 inches or less. If your height falls around 5’, then an armrest width of 13 inches should be a sweet spot. 

When it comes to the height of armrests, they’re important for you to form an open angle of elbows at 90 degrees or 110 degrees. If you’re under 5’6’’, go for an arm height of 8 inches above the seat. But if you’re around 5 feet, an arm height of 7 inches is a good way to go.

Desk Height

For an ergonomic typing experience, make sure your typing height falls around 8 inches above your seat height. With that in mind, you should go for a desk height of 8 inches more than your chair’s seat height. 

For instance, if you’re considering an ergonomic chair that’s 18 inches high, go for a desk height of 26 inches. Since the standard desk height falls around 29-30 inches, choosing a standard desk can keep you from enjoying an ergonomic posture.

If your desk is higher than the recommended height, you won’t be able to form an open angle of elbows at 90-degree or 110-degree. It may result in unnecessary strain on your shoulders and neck.

But, what do I do if I have already purchased a higher desk?

There are two possible solutions. First, use a footrest. It’ll allow you to adjust your chair height a few inches higher, bringing it close to the desk height. Secondly, you can attach a keyboard tray to your desk.

But, if you are to purchase a desk yet, choosing a height-adjustable desk might be helpful. Alternatively, you can build a customized desk that suits your chair height. 

Seat Depth

If a chair’s seat pan is too deep, it can lead to excessive leg pressure for short people, leading to circulation problems and muscle fatigue. For petite people, we recommend a seat depth of around 18’’ or less. Choosing an ergonomic chair with customizable seat depth is your best bet. 

You can measure the ideal seat depth for your body, by calculating the distance from the end of your inner thighs to the end of your buttock. If there’s a gap of around 2’’ gap between your knees and the chair seat, it means that the circulation in your thighs is not blocked and that indicates a good seat depth. 

Lumbar Support

The lumbar support will help your body remain in a proper posture during work, by filling the space between your lumbar spine and the seat. 

But, if the chair’s lumbar support is not designed for petite people, it may turn out to be uncomfortable by irritating your middle back instead. Therefore, an ergonomic chair with adjustable lumbar support should be your utmost concern. 

Footrest

The availability of a footrest is a good ergonomic feature as it helps to reduce back strain. 

However, short people may feel difficulty in reaching their feet on a standard footrest that’s positioned too far down from their feet. Therefore, a height-adjustable footrest is a good way to go. That said, the footrest is not a crucial factor as you can always buy an adjustable footrest separately.

FAQs

Here are the answers to frequently asked questions regarding ergonomic chairs for short people.

What is the best office chair for a short person?

The best petite ergonomic chair for short people is the Size A of Herman Miller Aeron. This size of the chair is designed for petite people and thus comes with low seat height, seat depth, and armrest height & width. 
On top of that, Herman Miller Aeron is highly customizable, allowing short people to easily adjust its armrests, seat height, and other parts of the chair as per their preferences. 

What is a good seat depth for a short person?

For short people, a seat depth of around 18’’ or less is recommended. Whatever is the seat depth of your ergonomic chair, there should be a 2’’ gap between your knees and the chair seat for optimal circulation in your thighs. 
If you want to determine the ideal seat depth for yourself, consider calculating the distance from the end of your inner thighs to the end of your buttock. If the gap remaining is around 2’’, this is the ideal seat depth for you. 

How do you adjust an office chair for a short person?

Short people should sit toward the front of an office chair rather than forcing the backrest. It helps with maintaining a space between the knees and the chair seat which leads to optimal circulation in the thighs. 
Other than that, leaning towards the front of the chair keeps petite from feeling uncomfortable due to the improper lumbar support and headrest since they’re generally not designed for short people.

What is a petite chair?

A petite chair is designed for short people and thus comes with shorter structures to fit the petite people well. For instance, it may have a shorter seat height, seat depth, adjustable lumbar support, shorter armrests, and lower armrests width. 
The ergonomic petite chairs are also highly adjustable to perfectly fit the unique features of one’s body. Take the Herman Miller Aeron (Size A) for instance, it lets the users adjust the seat height, depth, armrests, lumbar support, and other ergonomic features. 

How do short people sit in a chair?

According to ergonomic experts, it’s better for short people to sit toward the front of the chair. A narrower seat is helpful as it allows you to stack your spine correctly. For short people, having a footrest is also important so the weight of the body doesn’t put pressure on the lower back.
Other than that, ergonomic experts recommend attaching a keyboard tray if your desk has a standard height of around 30’’. This way, it would be possible to form an open angle of your elbows at 90-degrees or beyond. 

How can I make my chair more comfortable for a short person?

To make a chair comfortable for short people, adjust its lumbar support and the headrest. If the lumbar support or the headrest is unadjustable, it’s recommended for petite people to sit towards the front of the chair so the unoptimized lumbar support and headrest don’t discomfort them. 
Also, not leaning toward the backrest of the chair helps to keep distance between your knees and the chair seat. It keeps the blood circulation in your thighs from blocking. Blocked blood circulation can make you uncomfortable and raise diseases in the long run. 

Conclusion

With the latest medical research at hand, it’s easy to say that the type of chair you use affects your posture and overall health. With that in mind, we suggest aiming for a highly ergonomic chair that perfectly fits your body’s unique features. So, with your height in mind, find the best ergonomic petite chair for work right now!

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