The Staples Dexley Is a Reliable Office Chair for Tight Budgets

The mesh backrest is wide enough, from the shoulders to the love handles, cradling my body just right. I wouldn’t call it comfortable, but I felt decently supported, and I haven’t experienced any back pain. (It has a 275-pound weight capacity.) I wish there were more adjustment options for the lumbar support, though. You can only move it up or down to match the curve of your spine, but I find that it digs in a little too much, and I’d push it out if I could.

The seat arms are as bare-bones as they come. You can’t twist or move them closer or further from your body—just up and down. (Technically, you can make it wider or narrower, but you have to unscrew them from the frame and adjust the position.) It works OK, but I’d push them forward slightly if I could. As for the casters, they move around on my hardwood floor just fine, but I can’t speak to how well they roll on carpet.

Budgeting Conundrum

I’ve tested nearly 60 chairs over the last few years, most north of $350. When a chair does come across my desk (heh) and it’s under $200, it’s often poorly constructed and has too many flaws, which is why you don’t see many of them in my Best Office Chairs guide.

The Dexley has flaws, but it’s still a solid chair I’m happy to recommend for anyone on a strict budget. It doesn’t creak or make terrible sounds when you shift in the seat, unlike some chairs I’ve tried, and you get a decent set of adjustments. But if you can save another $100, your money will go further with a chair like Branch’s Ergonomic Chair (it’ll look nicer, too).

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

The first result on Amazon for “office chair” is this no-name gaming chair for $100, and you might think that’s a much better deal. It looks comfier too. But I implore you: Don’t buy it. I spent a few years in one of these cheapo “racing” chairs and ended up with severe lower back pain. That’s what fueled my search for good office chairs. The Dexley will serve you better.

And if it doesn’t, there’s good news. You probably have a Staples store near you. If the chair is in stock, head on over and give it a try yourself. That’s a luxury over many budget or even mid-priced office chairs sold directly today. If you choose to buy it online, Staples offers free returns. If you don’t want to bother deconstructing the chair and shipping it back, you can bring it to a Staples store to process the return, provided you include everything and it’s still in pristine condition. That’s a smart way to make sure you enjoy the seat, budget or not.