REASONS TO BUY
Acceptable performance for the price
Well-written instructions
REASONS TO AVOID
Lower tier adjustability
Amazon Basics Padded Swivel Review
The price is attractive and it provides okay performance for the price point
Credit: Amazon
RELATED: Best Office Chairs of 2023
Our Verdict
The Amazon Basics Padded Swivel is a tempting buy at such a rock bottom price, though its performance is not comparable to the premium models in our fleet. While it earns lower scores across the board, keep in mind that it is being compared to the best of the best. The seat cushion offers minimal support; almost immediately, we found ourselves sinking down onto the wood and metal underneath. The assembly is fairly straightforward, but with minimal lumbar support and adjustability, we would look elsewhere if hoping to purchase a new office chair that provides all-day comfort. If you need a chair for occasional use, you may find value in this model.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Amazon Basics Padded Swivel | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  | | |||
| Price | Check Price at Amazon | $329 List | $175 List $174.99 at Amazon | $90 List $91.29 at Amazon | $55 List $44.98 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Acceptable performance for the price, well-written instructions | Great value, durable, comfortable | Inexpensive, relatively comfortable, and adjustable | Inexpensive, good-looking, user-friendly instructions | Decent performance for the price, mesh backrest |
| Cons | Lower tier adjustability | Looks aren't universally appealing | Durability could be better | Limited adjustability, poor material, seat compresses | Wobbly, back tensioner is difficult to release |
| Bottom Line | The price is attractive and it provides okay performance for the price point | Pairs exceptional comfort and durability, at a price you just can't beat | This is our favorite budget-friendly chair for the money | This model is best for short work sessions as it prioritizes price and aesthetics over long-term comfort and durability | You'll want to consider if the affordable price of this model is worth its lower-tier performance |
| Rating Categories | Amazon Basics Padde... | DXRacer Racing Series | Modway Articulate E... | Amazon Basics Class... | Furmax Office Mesh |
| Comfort (50%) | |||||
| Adjustability (35%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Ease of Assembly (5%) | |||||
| Specs | Amazon Basics Padde... | DXRacer Racing Series | Modway Articulate E... | Amazon Basics Class... | Furmax Office Mesh |
| Seat pan adjustment | No | No | No | No | No |
| Adjustable lumbar support | No | Yes; a movable pad | Yes; the backrest moves up and down | No | No |
| Lumbar support | No | Yes; a removable movable pad | Yes | No | Yes |
| Recline lever | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Tilt limiter | Yes; only locks in the upright position | Yes; only locks in the upright position | Yes; locks you into a position | No | Yes; only locks in the upright position |
| Armrest width adjustment | No | Option available | No | No | No |
| Swivel armrests | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Armrest depth adjustment | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Tension knob | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Show full specification detailsHide full specification details
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Amazon Basics Padded Swivel is a budget option that falls short of a higher tier of performance. While its comfort and adjustability do not compare to the premium options in our fleet, it's a decent choice if you're after an affordable office chair for occasional use.
Performance Comparison
The Padded Swivel is a budget-friendly model that scores lower than the premium options in our fleet.
Credit: Laura Casner
Comfort
After spending some time in this chair, our testers found themselves sinking through the seat cushion onto the wood and metal supports below. Couple that with minimal lumbar support and this is not a chair that you can expect all-day comfort from. For short stints in your home office, or as a budget option to equip a conference room with, you might find value in this chair.
The seat cushion offers little support and allows you to sink onto the wood and metal structure beneath.
Credit: Laura Casner
Adjustability
This chair offers little in the way of adjustability. With only a small bump that touches your back — which acts as lumbar support — it is in no way adjustable. While you can lock this chair into an upright position, there are no other means of adjustability, such as an adjustable back tilt. The armrests are fixed in place and quite narrow. They are also attached to the backrest, so when you lean back, the armrests go with it. You can adjust the backrest low enough to somewhat accommodate shorter people, but taller folks will find the height adjustment lacking.
The narrow armrests are attached to the backrest; when you lean back, they all move back as a unit.
Credit: Laura Casner
Durability
Our test team experienced durability issues, as did other users. In many cases, there are reported instances of parts breaking, seams splitting open, the chair being unstable, and screws falling out. The seat cushion quickly lost its loft and there are reports of the seat fabric tearing. However, it's hard to beat the price point.
The wheels are flimsy and there are reports of them breaking during use.
Credit: Laura Casner
Ease of Assembly
If Amazon got one thing right with this chair, it's the clear and well-written instructions. The instructions include pictures even going as far as to show you which direction to turn the screws as you install them.
The tensioner knob is difficult to reach and operate while sitting down.
Credit: Laura Casner
Once you move from the instructions to the actual assembly, we experienced issues. While assembly is not inherently difficult, it is time-consuming. Many of the screw holes are misaligned and take some finagling to accommodate the screws. The backrest takes a surprising amount of force to unroll and makes a startling popping sound when you push it into place.
Value
The Padded Swivel is incredibly affordable; however, if you're after an option for all-day comfort, we would recommend you look elsewhere. For shorter periods of time or a few hours here in there in your home office, the chair might just be the ticket.
Conclusion
Priced reasonably, the Amazon Basics Padded Swivel is an intriguing option. When compared to the premium options in our fleet, this chair does not compare, as can be expected. It provides a lower tier of comfort and lacks lumbar support. It features minimal adjustability and a sub-par backrest. However, the price point is acceptable for the level of performance it provides.
The backrest only extends up to the shoulder blades; many users found this did not offer enough support.
Credit: Laura Casner
—
Buck Yedor
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