By the Amazon Picks Desk, Canada News Media. We research products from real Amazon.ca listings, specifications, owner reviews and expert reviews; we have not tested them ourselves.
The best office chair in Canada under $500 for most people is the SIHOO ergonomic mesh chair, listed at $239.99 with a 4.3-star average across 17,218 ratings. If you want to spend less, the BestOffice mesh chair is $84.99, and if you want a padded chair, the Amazon Basics faux leather model is $182.59. Canada’s workplace safety agency, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, says a good chair should adjust to your body, so that is how we ranked these.
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Updated Nov. 3, 2026. Prices checked on Amazon.ca on Nov. 3, 2026 and may change.
Office chairs under $500 compared
| Chair | Price (CAD) | Key specs | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SIHOO ergonomic mesh chair | $239.99 | Mesh back, headrest, lumbar support, tilt, adjustable armrests; 14.3 kg | 4.3 stars, 17,218 ratings | Most people |
| SIHOO M57 mesh chair | $249.99 | 3D armrests, adjustable lumbar bracket, 90° to 126° backrest; 16.5 kg | 4.3 stars, 4,394 ratings | Fine-tuning the fit |
| Amazon Basics faux leather chair | $182.59 | Padded faux leather, pneumatic height, 275 lb (125 kg) capacity | 4.2 stars, 21,468 ratings | A classic padded look |
| amseatec big and tall chair | $170.99 | Flip-up arms, 90° lock, 115° recline | 4.0 stars, 1,754 ratings | Small desks |
| BestOffice mesh chair | $84.99 | Mesh back, lumbar curve, adjustable height; 8.62 kg | 4.0 stars, 14,224 ratings | Tight budgets |
Ratings and review counts are as shown on each Amazon.ca listing on Nov. 3, 2026. Listing weights and sizes come from Amazon’s product details and may differ from the brand’s own figures.
Our picks: the best office chairs under $500 in Canada
No. 1, best for most people: SIHOO ergonomic mesh office chair
This is the chair to start with if you sit for most of the day and want one that adjusts in several places. The listing describes five adjustments: back support, headrest, seat height, tilt and armrest height. It has a breathable mesh back and a stainless steel frame, and the listing gives its size as 45.5 cm deep, 69.9 cm wide and 112 cm high, with an item weight of 14.3 kg. It was listed at $239.99 and sold and shipped by SIHOO, the brand itself. Owners on Amazon.ca have rated it 4.3 stars across more than 17,000 ratings, which is the largest sample of any mesh chair in this guide. Mesh can feel firm compared with a padded seat, so check the return window if you prefer something softer. See the current price on Amazon.ca
No. 2, best for fine-tuning the fit: SIHOO M57 ergonomic office chair
The M57 costs $10 more and adds a few more ways to adjust. The listing highlights an adjustable headrest, a lumbar bracket that adjusts in height and depth, 3D armrests and a backrest that moves between 90° and 126°. It has a mesh back and an aluminum frame, measures 46 cm deep, 66 cm wide and 107 cm high, and weighs 16.5 kg. It was $249.99 on Nov. 3 and is also sold and shipped by SIHOO. Its 4.3-star average comes from 4,394 ratings. Taller or shorter users who struggle to get a good fit from simpler chairs are the people most likely to value the extra adjustments. See the current price on Amazon.ca
No. 3, best for a classic padded look: Amazon Basics faux leather mid-back chair
This is the pick for people who want a padded chair that looks like a traditional office chair. The seat and back are padded and covered in black faux leather, and the height adjusts with a pneumatic lever. Amazon lists a maximum weight capacity of 275 pounds (about 125 kg) and a size of 24.2 inches deep by 24 inches wide, with a height of 34.84 to 38.58 inches. It was $182.59, shipped and sold by Amazon.ca, and has 4.2 stars across 21,468 ratings, the most ratings in this guide. It is a simpler chair than the SIHOO models, with no listed headrest or lumbar adjustment, and faux leather does not breathe the way mesh does. See the current price on Amazon.ca
No. 4, best for small desks: amseatec big and tall office chair with flip-up arms
The flip-up arms are the reason to look at this chair. According to the listing, the arms fold up 90° and cut the chair’s width from 25.6 inches to about 11 inches, so it can slide under a small desk. The backrest locks upright at 90° or reclines to 115°. It was $170.99 and sold by Amseatec CA, the brand’s store on Amazon.ca, with a 4.0-star average from 1,754 ratings. That rating is the lowest tied with the BestOffice model, so read recent owner reviews before you buy. See the current price on Amazon.ca
No. 5, best on a tight budget: BestOffice mesh office chair
At $84.99 this is the cheapest chair here and it is shipped and sold by Amazon.ca. The listing describes a ventilated mesh back, a curved mid-back with lumbar support, ergonomic armrests and adjustable seat height. It measures 59 cm deep, 57 cm wide and 97 cm high and weighs 8.62 kg, so it is the lightest of the five and easy to move. The 4.0-star average comes from 14,224 ratings. A mid-back chair with no headrest suits shorter work sessions better than a full day at a desk. See the current price on Amazon.ca
How we chose
We searched Amazon.ca for ergonomic and office chairs on Nov. 3, 2026, kept chairs priced under $500, and looked for a rating of 4.0 stars or higher with at least 1,000 ratings. We opened each listing to read the specifications, price and seller, and we kept only chairs sold by Amazon.ca or by the brand’s own store. We left out guest chairs, vanity chairs, gaming chairs and listings from sellers we could not tie to the brand. We read the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety’s office ergonomics guidance for what a chair should adjust. We did not test any of these chairs.
What should I look for in an office chair?
Start with adjustability. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety’s office guidance centres on a chair you can set to your own height and posture, so look for a seat that moves up and down, a backrest that supports your lower back, and armrests that do not force your shoulders up. Check the seat size against your build, then check that your feet rest on the floor when the seat is at desk height. If your desk is fixed, measure the gap under it before you order.
Mesh or padded: which is better?
Mesh backs let air through and suit warm rooms, while padded seats feel softer at first. Faux leather and cushioned seats can hold heat. Several of these chairs combine a mesh back with a foam seat, which is a common middle ground. Neither is automatically better, and what matters is how long you sit and how you like to sit.
When is the best time to buy an office chair in Canada?
Black Friday is on Nov. 27 this year and Cyber Monday is Nov. 30. Furniture prices on Amazon.ca often move around the big sale events, including Boxing Day and Prime Big Deal Days, but discounts are not guaranteed and vary by seller. Prices on the listings above can change at any time, so compare against the date shown here before you buy.
Who it’s for, and who should skip it
These chairs suit home offices, students and anyone who needs a decent chair without spending $1,000 or more. If you sit for eight or more hours a day, have a medical condition that affects how you sit, or need a chair certified for a workplace, talk to a health professional or your employer’s health and safety team before you buy. We do not make health claims for any of these chairs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best office chair under $500 in Canada?
Based on listing specifications and ratings, the SIHOO ergonomic mesh chair at $239.99 is our top pick, with 4.3 stars across 17,218 ratings. The SIHOO M57 is a close second if you want more adjustments.
Are cheap office chairs worth it?
A chair around $85, like the BestOffice model, can work for shorter sessions. The pricier chairs here add a headrest, more adjustment and a larger rating sample, but none of the five costs more than $250.
How long should an office chair last?
Brands do not promise a lifespan on these listings, and we did not test the chairs. Check each listing for its warranty and return window before you order.
Can I return an office chair to Amazon.ca?
Return terms depend on the seller. Chairs shipped and sold by Amazon.ca follow Amazon’s returns policy, and chairs sold by a brand’s store may differ, so read the return details on the listing page.
Does an office chair need lumbar support?
Many ergonomic guides recommend a backrest that supports the lower back, which is why most picks here list lumbar support. Fit still matters more than any single feature.
Sources: Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, office ergonomics, and the Amazon.ca listings linked above.
Related reading: our Amazon.ca picks hub and Black Friday 2026 on Amazon.ca: what to buy, by category.
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