IKEA Markus Review: Still the Best Budget Chair?

Ask anyone who has furnished a home office on a budget which chair they ended up with, and a surprising number will say the IKEA Markus. It has been a quiet bestseller for over a decade, and in a market now flooded with £150 mesh chairs, the question for 2026 is whether this review still ends with a recommendation. The short answer: it remains one of the safest budget buys in the UK, but it has compromises, and specific people should spend their money elsewhere.

Update, September 2026: IKEA does not sell the Markus through Amazon UK, so there is no Amazon listing for it. If you would rather buy from Amazon, the closest equivalent we can verify is the SIHOO M18 Ergonomic Office Chair, a high-back mesh chair with adjustable lumbar support, at £169.99, rated 4.3 stars from more than 15,900 ratings and in stock. Unlike the Markus, it gives you adjustable lumbar, which addresses the Markus’s biggest weakness.

IKEA Markus review at a glance

At around £179 direct from IKEA (prices vary), the Markus sits at the upper end of what most people call budget. You get a tall mesh back, a deep moulded-foam seat, a built-in headrest and IKEA’s 10-year guarantee. What you do not get is much adjustability, and that single fact decides whether the Markus is right for you.

Feature	IKEA Markus
Back type	High mesh back with integrated headrest
Lumbar support	Fixed built-in lumbar curve (not adjustable)
Seat	Deep moulded foam, fabric-covered
Armrests	Fixed (non-adjustable)
Recline	Tilt with tension control and upright lock
Seat height	Gas-lift adjustable
Weight capacity	Around 110kg
Guarantee	10 years
UK price	Around £179 at IKEA

Comfort and ergonomics: where the Markus earns its reputation

The mesh back is tall enough to support you up to the shoulders, which is rare at this price, and the integrated headrest is genuinely useful when leaning back to think or take a call. The built-in lumbar curve is firm and well placed for an average-height adult, but there is no height or depth adjustment: if you are very short or very tall, the support lands in the wrong place. The seat is deep and firm-ish, comfortable for full days though a little dense for people who prefer plush.

Build quality and the 10-year guarantee

The solid five-star base, a gas lift that holds its height and mesh that keeps its tension put the Markus ahead of no-name competition. IKEA’s 10-year guarantee is extraordinary at this price, since most sub-£200 rivals offer one to three years. Assembly takes 20–30 minutes with clear instructions.

Where the Markus falls short

Adjustability is the weakness. The fixed armrests cannot be raised, lowered, widened or angled, and there is no adjustable lumbar, no seat-depth adjustment and only a basic tilt mechanism. It is a very well-made chair with a fixed ergonomic setup that suits the average body extremely well and everyone else less so.

IKEA Markus pros and cons

Pros

Tall, supportive mesh back with a useful integrated headrest.
Firm, well-placed built-in lumbar for average-height users.
Outstanding 10-year guarantee, unmatched under £200.
Solid build and a gas lift that holds its height.
Breathable mesh keeps you cool through eight-hour days.

Cons

Fixed armrests with no adjustment at all.
Lumbar curve is not adjustable.
No seat-depth adjustment and only a basic tilt mechanism.
Firm seat may feel dense.
Not sold on Amazon UK; IKEA only.

How the Markus compares to the budget competition

Many chairs from brands like SIHOO and FlexiSpot now offer adjustable armrests and lumbar for similar money. The Markus still wins for many people on the 10-year guarantee and consistency: with IKEA you know what you are getting and that it will still be standing in five years. If you want adjustable armrests at this price, look at the SIHOO Doro C300 or FlexiSpot BS8 Pro; if you want a chair that will simply last, the Markus is hard to beat.

Who should buy the IKEA Markus?

Buy the Markus if you are an average-height adult who wants a tall, supportive, no-fuss chair that will last a decade. Look elsewhere if you are notably tall or short, if forearm support at a precise height matters, or if you have lower-back issues that need adjustable lumbar.

Frequently asked questions

Is the IKEA Markus good for long working days?

Yes, for most average-height adults. The main caveat is the fixed armrests: if they do not sit comfortably for you, long days will be less pleasant.

Does the IKEA Markus have adjustable lumbar support?

No. The lumbar curve is built into the backrest and cannot be moved. If adjustable lumbar matters, look at a chair like the FlexiSpot BS8 Pro.

What is the weight limit of the IKEA Markus?

Around 110kg. Check the current IKEA specification before buying, as ratings can change between revisions.

How long does the IKEA Markus last?

This is the Markus trump card: a 10-year IKEA guarantee and build quality that lives up to it.

IKEA Markus vs SIHOO Doro C300: which should I buy?

Choose the Markus for longevity and a no-fuss fixed setup, and the SIHOO Doro C300 for adjustable armrests and lumbar at a similar price.

Verdict: still the best budget chair in 2026?

For the right person, yes. The IKEA Markus remains the budget chair we recommend most often, not because it has the longest spec sheet but because it nails the fundamentals and backs them with a guarantee nobody else matches under £200. If your body fits its fixed ergonomics, the Markus is still the smart money.