4 Office Chairs I Compared for My 9x10 Room (And What Actually Fits)

My current desk chair is a $30 folding chair from Meijer that two years ago when I first moved to Ann Arbor. The cushion is basically flat now, and last week one of the plastic feet cracked. So now it wobbles. Every time I shift my weight, it makes this popping sound that my roommate says sounds like a gunshot. I share a 2B2B with three other people, and my room is 9x10 feet. That means every piece of furniture has to earn its space. I don't have a car, so I walk 20 minutes to Meijer in the Michigan winter to save on delivery fees. I have about $400 a month left after rent, so a $450 chair is not happening unless I save for months. I spent way too many hours reading reviews and comparing specs for these four chairs. I did not buy all of them. I looked at the dimensions, the return policies, and what people who live in small apartments say. Here is what I found. Hopefully it helps you avoid the same wobble-chair misery I am in.

Quick comparison

The details

FelixKing Office Chair

Pros

• The flip-up armrests are the main reason I looked at this one. In my 9x10 room, I need to slide the chair under my desk when I'm not using it, otherwise I trip over it walking to my bed. Flip-up arms save maybe 4 inches of depth.
• Mesh back is breathable, which matters because my room gets stuffy in summer. I have one window and no AC, so a mesh chair sounds way better than the leather chair my roommate has.
• At $149.99, it is the cheapest of the four. That is $20 less than the SIHOO M18, which does not sound like much, but $20 is like three days of groceries for me if I cook at home.

Cons

• The rating is 4.3 with 2567 reviews, which is decent, but I saw several reviews mention the lumbar support is not very adjustable. It just kind of sits there. For my lower back after a long day of classes, that might not be enough.
• No headrest. I know some people don't care, but when I lean back to think or take a break, I want something to rest my head on. The SIHOO M18 has one for only $20 more.

Buy ifYou are on a tight budget and need a chair that can tuck away in a small room. The flip-up arms are a real space-saver for a 9x10 room like mine. Also if you don't care about a headrest and just need something basic for studying and Zoom classes. I would consider this if I wanted to spend under $150 and not think too much about it.

Skip ifYou have lower back issues and need real lumbar adjustment. Or if you want a headrest for leaning back during breaks. For $20 more, the SIHOO M18 gives you that, and it has way more reviews so I feel more confident in the consistency. If you are taller than 6 feet, some reviewers said the back feels short. I am 5'8" so it might be fine for me, but still.

SIHOO M18 Ergonomic Office Chair

Pros

• The adjustable headrest is a big plus for me. I have a small desk and sometimes I lean back to read or watch a lecture on my laptop. Having a headrest means I don't have to stack pillows behind me. It adjusts up and down and also tilts.
• Lumbar support is adjustable, which I need because my current folding chair has zero back support. I walk a lot and my lower back gets tired. I looked at reviews and many people said the lumbar support actually helps them sit longer without pain.
• 17,259 reviews and still 4.3 stars. That is a lot of people. It makes me feel like the quality is consistent. Also, the light blue color is nice, and it might make my small room feel less dark in winter.

Cons

• The armrests are not flip-up. They are fixed. In my room, that means the chair sticks out more when I push it under the desk. My desk is only 24 inches deep, so the arms might hit the desk edge., and it could be a problem.
• Some reviews mention the seat cushion is firm. I am used to a soft chair, so it might take time to adjust. Also, for $169.99, it is still a lot of money for me. I would have to skip eating out for a month. But the reviews are strong.

Buy ifYou want a reliable chair with headrest and lumbar support without going over $200. If your room is not tiny and you can afford the extra space for fixed armrests, this is probably the safest bet for most students. I am leaning toward this one because of the review count and the headrest. It seems like a good balance.

Skip ifYou absolutely need flip-up armrests to save space. If your desk is shallow, fixed arms might block you from getting close. Also if you are very tall, some reviewers said the back is short. I am 5'8" so it is probably okay for me, but if you are 6'2" maybe look elsewhere.

SIHOO M102 Pro (2 Pack)

Pros

• The split-back design is interesting. It has two separate back panels that move with you. I have never sat in one, but from what I read, it can help with posture because it supports your back in two zones. For long study sessions, that might reduce slouching.
• It comes as a 2-pack for $289.99. That breaks down to about $145 per chair, which is cheaper than the FelixKing. If I split it with my roommate, we both get a decent chair for under $150 each. That is a real money saver.
• The rating is 4.2 with 256 reviews, which is not as many as the M18, but still enough to trust. The split-back is a feature usually found on more expensive chairs, so getting two for under $300 is kind of a deal.

Cons

• I only need one chair. Splitting with a roommate sounds good, but what if they don't want it? Then I am stuck with two chairs in my 9x10 room. That is a nightmare. I would have to sell the extra one, which is a hassle.
• The split-back design might not be for everyone. Some reviewers said it feels weird at first, like two hands pushing on your back. Also, the armrests are fixed, not flip-up, so space is still an issue. And with only 256 reviews, I am less confident about long-term durability.

Buy ifYou have a roommate or friend who also needs a chair, and you can split the cost. If you are curious about split-back ergonomics and want to try something different, this could be a good option. It is also cheaper per chair than the FelixKing if you buy the pack.

Skip ifYou only need one chair. The value is only there if you split it. Also if you are not sure about the split-back feel, it might be risky. I would skip it because I don't want to deal with selling an extra chair on Facebook Marketplace in the Michigan winter.

SIHOO Doro C300 Pro V2

Pros

• This is the premium option. It has a high back and probably the most adjustable features of the four. I saw that it has a dynamic lumbar support that moves with you. For someone who sits for hours writing papers, that could be a lifesaver for my back.
• The build quality looks solid from the photos and reviews. It has a metal base, and the cushion is thicker. If I were going to stay in one apartment for years, this might be worth the investment. It also has a sleek black design that would look professional on Zoom calls.
• The rating is 4.3, but only 71 reviews. That is low, but the reviews are positive. Some people say it is the most comfortable chair they have owned. If money were not an issue, I would consider it because I have back pain from my current chair.

Cons

• The price is $449.97. That is more than my monthly budget after rent. I would have to save for three months, and that is if I don't buy anything else. For a student, that is just not realistic. I can't justify it when the M18 is $170.
• Only 71 reviews. That is a small sample size. I am always suspicious when a product has few reviews, because it might be new or not many people bought it. If something goes wrong, I don't know how the customer service is. Also, it is heavy and bulky, which might be hard to move when I inevitably move apartments again.

Buy ifYou have a full-time job and sit at a desk 8 hours a day. If your company reimburses you for home office equipment, this could be great. Or if you have back problems and need the best support possible. For me, it is out of reach right now.

Skip ifYou are a student on a budget like me. The price is just too high. Also if you move frequently, a heavy chair is a pain. I would skip it unless you find it on sale or get a used one. I am still deciding if I should save up, but probably not.

FAQ

Will any of these chairs fit in a 9x10 room without taking over?

The FelixKing with flip-up arms is the most space-friendly because you can push it closer to the desk. The SIHOO M18 and M102 Pro have fixed arms, so they need more depth. In a 9x10 room, you probably have a bed, a desk, and a dresser. Every inch counts. my current chair and it sticks out about 6 inches past my desk. If I get a chair with fixed arms, I might have to angle it. So if space is your top concern, go with flip-up arms. Otherwise, measure your desk depth and compare to the chair's arm height. Most desks are around 29 inches high, and arms usually sit around 10 inches above the seat. Just check the specs.

How hard is assembly for these chairs? I have no tools.

Most office chairs come with the tools you need, like an Allen wrench. From reading reviews, the SIHOO M18 is often said to take 30-45 minutes to assemble. The FelixKing is similar. The M102 Pro 2-pack will take longer because you are building two. The Doro C300 Pro V2 might be a bit more complex due to more adjustments, but still doable. I live in an apartment with roommates, and I don't own a drill. I would just use the included tools. One tip: assemble it on a rug or cardboard so you don't scratch the floor. Also, watch a YouTube video first. It always helps me.

What about the return policy if I don't like the chair?

I always check return policies because I have been burned before. Most of these chairs are sold on Amazon, so they usually have a 30-day return window. But you have to pay return shipping unless it is defective. For a heavy chair, that could be $30-$50. So it is not free to try. I would read the fine print. Some brands offer free returns within a certain period. I know SIHOO has a warranty, but I am not sure about returns. The FelixKing might have a shorter warranty. My advice: buy from a place with a physical store if you can, like Walmart or Staples, so you can return in person. But if you buy online, keep the box until you are sure.

Do I really need a headrest? My current chair doesn't have one.

That depends on how you sit. If you only sit upright and never lean back, you might not need it. But for me, when I am reading or watching a video, I lean back. Without a headrest, my neck hurts after a while. The SIHOO M18 has an adjustable headrest, and that is a big reason I am considering it. The FelixKing does not have one. If you have a small room and you tend to sit forward, you can skip the headrest and save some money. But if you like to recline, even a little, a headrest is worth it. I would say for students who study for hours, it is a nice comfort feature.

Is the 2-pack SIHOO M102 Pro worth it if I only need one chair?

Only if you can find someone to split it with. Otherwise, you are paying $290 for two chairs and you only need one. You could try to sell the second one on Facebook Marketplace or to a friend. But that takes time and effort. I thought about it, but I don't want to deal with strangers coming to my apartment. Plus, the split-back design is not for everyone. If you are curious, you could buy the pack, try one, and sell the other. But if you just want one chair, the M18 is a better value because it has more reviews and is cheaper per chair. So I would skip the 2-pack unless you have a confirmed buddy.

What I kept

After all this comparing, I am leaning toward the SIHOO M18. It is $169.99, which is still a lot for me, but it has the most reviews and a headrest. I think the headrest will help my neck when I lean back to think or watch lectures. The lumbar support is adjustable, which I need. The main downside is the fixed armrests, but I think I can live with that if I angle the chair. I am still deciding because the FelixKing is $20 cheaper and has flip-up arms, which would save space. But the lack of headrest and fewer reviews makes me hesitate. The 2-pack is tempting for the price per chair, but I don't have a roommate who wants to split right now. The Doro C300 Pro V2 is just too expensive for my budget. So it is between the M18 and the FelixKing. I might wait for a sale. I also need to check if the M18's armrests will fit under my desk. If not, I might go with the FelixKing. I will probably order one and try it for a week. If I don't like it, I will return it. But I hate paying return shipping. So I am still thinking. If you are in a similar situation, I would say the M18 is the safer bet for most people. But if space is your number one issue, get the FelixKing. Just don't get a folding chair like me. Your back will thank you.