10 Best Office Chairs for a Productive Short Person
Tired of having your legs hang from the base of the seat? These are just some of the common short-people problems when it comes to office chairs. This can not only spell pain but can also hamper your productivity at work.
So forget about buying additional footrests and opt for chairs that are designed for short people‘s comfort.
We handpicked these chairs and we know you’ll love them.
Top office chairs for busy short folks
Herman Miller Aeron
Seat height range: 14.75”-19.”
Weight capacity: 300 lbs.
Seat depth:16”
Seat width: 17”
The Aeron A can be a premium and comfortable option for short folks. The minimum seat height is very low, 14”.
Thus if you’re 5’1” you will still find it suitable for longer hours of work. Also the seat depth is perfect for those with shorter legs. You can get that comfortable angle for the thighs, there will be no numbing whatsoever.
Steelcase Leap V2
Steelcase Leap Office Chair
One of the things that can make a chair more comfortable for longer hours is the amount of customization. The Leap has tons that you can tinker through to find the sweetest spot for your back and entire body. Also, each adjustable feature works well with each other.
Seat height range:15.5”-20.5”
Weight capacity: 400 lbs
Seat depth: 15.75”-18.75””
Seat width:19.5”
The Leap is one of our prime choices for this category, it can go low enough to help your toes comfortably touch the ground. It does have an adjustable seat depth so you can tinker through the seat pan to get a more productive position for your legs.
It also offers tons of adjustability and the material of the backrest is quite flexible. The chair might not look like it can allow for micro-movements being primarily plastic, but it does. The plastic frame of the backrest is so flexible that it can move with you. The backrest can also adapt to the shape of your spine.
The arms are also fully adjustable, you can change not only height but also the distance between the two arms. Adjustable arm width can be quite a concern for both taller and shorter people. Thus finding a chair that ticks all the boxes of your needs those not come too often.
Herman Miller Sayl
Herman Miller Sayl
- Features a unique, modern design
- Flexible back support and adjustable lumbar support for good posture
- Easy to adjust for a personalized fit
Seat height range: ( low height range) 15.”-19”
Weight capacity: 350 lbs.
Seat depth: 16”-18”
Seat width: 25”
You can get the Sayl in several size options, but for petite people, the low-height range unit is the most viable choice. The lowest seat height is 15” so even those below 5 ‘3” can still find it comfy and useful.
The Sayl is not only a pretty Herman Miller chair it is also one of the nrbd;s units that have options for shorter people. The material of the chair is also pretty flexible and it does follow your every move. We felt that the sacrum was fully supported even when sitting for longer hours of work. Your butt and back will not feel numb.
The Sayl also has quite a handful of adjustable features so you can manually adjust it to your liking. But the arms are the least desirable part. The plastic material kinda feels a bit more like it’s digging into the skin. Unless you favor a very firm base. This is okay Otherwise, adding in a bit of cushion on the arms can make it work for you.
Sidiz T25 Petite
Seat height range: 15.7”-20.7”
Weight capacity: 275 lbs.
Seat depth: 14.7- 17.25”
Seat width: 19.3”
This is a pretty little chair that petite folks will love, it can complement a perky home office setup. With tons of adjustable features, you can fine-tune the chair to your maximum comfort and productivity.
And oh, this boasts of weight-sensing technology. This can help the chair adjust itself automatically in terms of the tilt tension. However, you still opt for manual adjustments, so it can suffice both the needs of the control freaks and if you’re too lazy to set up the chair.
The backrest is mesh and the seat is padded, though not as premium as the other chairs we have, it can be pretty comfortable.
The downside is, the arms are not as adjustable as the other parts of the chair. So you have to fit into it and go to a store to personally check it out before buying online. This will help you see if the distance between the two arms is acceptable for your dimensions.
Clatina Ergo high swivel executive chair
Seat height range: 15.5”-19.5”
Weight capacity: 275 lbs
Seat depth: 16”-19”
Seat width: 19”
This is another affordable chair that you’ll love if you need one that can recline beautifully. It also has several adjustable parts. Though the back support is not that impressive, it can suffice if you don’t have lingering back issues and just need a chair comfortable enough for a couple of hours.
The arms are also 3d, so you can change the height and width, which can be a big plus if you are on the shorter side.
The cons are, that though the seat and padding are comfortable and soft enough, they don’t seem like the type to last a long time. It tends to flatten out easily.
SitRite ergonomic office chair for kids
Seat height range: 16.7″-19.6″
Weight capacity: 300 lbs.
Seat depth:18”
Seat width: 17.5”
This is a perky little chair designed for kids and adolescents, but slim short adults can find this a viable choice.
Designed to go very low, you can have your feet comfortably resting on the ground instead of the legs hanging from the base of the seat.
The seat and the entire dimensions of the chair can be narrow since it is afterall, a kid’s chair, that you have to keep in mind.This can help prop you up in a more ergonomic posture and help prevent you from slouching or leaning to one side of the chair. It can help keep you focused and be more productive.
Knoll Regeneration Task Chair
Seat height range: 16.4”- 21.7”
Weight capacity: 350 lbs.
Seat width: 29”
If you are petite and chubby at the same time, you’ll find a decent and comfortable seating option with this task chair. It may have less adjustable features than an ergo office chair. But the way it was built and the materials used can provide a comfortable seat for hardworking people.
The materials of the backset are quite flexible and can somehow allow for micro-movements. The chair can flow with you somehow. The flexible backrest zeros in the need for the adjustable features. So if you fuss over the dials and knobs, then this can be a delightful alternative for you.
The curved back perfectly hugs the spine and the sacrum, all the way to the butt. The chair props you up in a more ergonomic position that can help you prevent back pains. If you plan to sit in front of the desk for more than 5 hours, you’ll find this lovely.
This can also prevent you from slouching, but the firmness level is still relaxing for the muscle, it’s not too aggressive. This can help prevent slouching without being overwhelming, so you can look at it as a gentle trainer of some sort.
OM Paramount Petite
Seat height range: 15.5”-19.5”
Weight capacity: 300 lbs.
Seat depth: 16”-19”
Seat width: 19”
This is an affordable adjustable ergo chair for those who are under 5’6”. This is also one of the more adjustable units that the brand offers. So there will be a handful of levers and knobs that you can hover through to get into the more ideal spot. Keep in mind though that with a lot of movable and adjustable parts, it comes with some sort of a learning curve. But once you get past that, you can find this a very comfortable chair.
With the number of adjustable features, this is ideal for those who want to be able to manually control everything. Otherwise, you may find it a bit overwhelming.
X-Chair XS-Vision Small Office Chair
Seat height range: 18”-22”
Weight capacity: 275 lbs.
Seat depth: 14.7- 17.25”
Seat width: 18.5”
The seat width and depth of this chair are quite narrow, so this is designed for short and skinny people.
This can help prop you up in a more upright ergonomic position, thus helping you be more focused and productive in front of the desk. However, if you want a more roomy chair, then this will be too constricting otherwise, this can help you be more focused.
The chair is mesh, making it a more breathable and airy option for those who sweat easily.
Neutral posture XSM High Back Executive Chair
Seat height range: 15.7”-20.75”
Weight capacity: 275 lbs
Seat depth: 15.5”-18”
Seat width: 17”
What we love most about this chair is that it gives an option for a mid or high backrest. Because even short people would love to enjoy the comfort of a high backrest, but still need the other features of the chair to work for them.
This looks more like a functional task chair. But it has a decent number of adjustable features that can help you work better. Not to mention, it can go as low as 15.5”, which is very nice for minimal users. The cushioned seat and backrest can provide a comfortable base for your back and butt. Though looking more like a basic chair, you can use this comfortably for longer hours.
Where we stand
Using a footrest can make a tall chair more adaptable for shorter people, but why not just get a chair that can go low enough for your needs? And though a footrest can also add comfort and make a tall chair seem suitable for petite users, we opted to go for chairs that are designed for a short person’s comfort.
Thus the need to choose chairs that can go low enough, at least 15″-17”
We weighed this factor along with other important features of an ergo chair that can make one more productive and comfy such as the seat depth, adjustable arms, and even the materials used on the chair. All these contributed to the overall comfort and suitability of these chairs for shorter people.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Chairs for Short People
Should you be less than 5’6” in height, here are the things you should look out for when buying office chairs.
Seat height and depth
The seat height range of these chairs should be at least 15”-17”, for those shorter than 5 ‘6″. And chairs going further low to 14” can be enjoyed by the very petite, standing at 5 ‘1” to 5’2″.
This ensures that you have your feet comfortably rested on the ground. It also prevents your legs from dangling from the base of the seat. Such can lead to leg pain and numbness.
How narrow or deep the seat pan is also crucial. If the seat is too deep, you can have your thighs placed in a rather uncomfortable position leading to numbness. Thus you need chairs that have seat depth that can go as narrow as 15” or 16 “.
Adjustable features vs flexible material
Having a decent number of adjustable features can help you fine-tune the chair to your needs. But we also have a handful of chairs that don’t have much adjustability but can still work well for petite or short people. The difference is with the materials used on the chair. Though lacking adjustable features, some of these have an intuitive design that enables the chair to adapt to the news of the sitter.
Some chairs also have more flexible material used on the backrest, this ensures you get the support you need whenever you move.
Adjustable arms
The height of the arms and their distance from one another can help short people get that right angle for the armsToo wide apart or too high can spell trouble for the neck, back, and entire body. Thus the need to choose chairs and switch arms that are fully adjustable.
Though you can also find one or two chairs on this list that lack this feature, short people can still find them comfortable. The way these chairs were enables you to use the chair armless but still be productive.
How we tested
Our team of short and perky folks standing 5’5” to 5’1” tested these chairs. We had one group do more tasking jobs or activities that need you to be more upright and closer to the desk. Thus the a need to get chairs that can help you be more productive while able to support your shorter body dimensions.
We also had another group on a more mobile plane, those who require micro-movements. . Thus the a need to choose brands that can follow your every move, and support you wherever move back or forward while having the required dimension for short people.
We also tested these chairs
These chairs ticked some of the boxes on your list for the best chairs for shorter people but came a bit short.
Alera Kësson Series Swivel Desk Chair
Seat height range: 17.7-21.7”-19.5”
Weight capacity: 300 lbs
Seat depth: 19.6”
Seat width: 19.9”
The seat is pretty comfortable for the butt and can support and cushion the bum and sacrum rather well. It also doesn’t seem to flatten out easily and you’ll be able to enjoy the same amount of softness and level of support for a longer time.
Keep in mind though that this functions more like a basic padded office chair that may lack adjustability, but it can suffice if you need one that you can use for a few hours. But the thing is, the seat depth is a bit deep. This can put unnecessary strain on the legs and thighs and can make you feel numb
Amazon Petite Ergo chair
Seat height range: 16.1”-20”
Weight capacity: 300 lbs.
Seat depth: 18.9”
Seat width: 18.5”
This simple and basic ergo chair can be rather comfy and supportive on the back and butt. The lack of adjustability did not hinder it from providing support and comfort to most short users. But while the seat can be low enough for petite people, the seat can be just too deep. You will find your legs unable to get to the right angle that can help you stay decently comfortable and numb-free.
Short People Problems No More
Even short people encounter issues with office chairs. Not a lot of chairs can go low enough for them. Now while there are some ways on how you can make a tall chair still usable, nothing compares to the comfort these petite chairs can give.
