Plastic Chairs With Arms vs Armless Plastic Chairs: Which One Should You Choose?

Here is something most people discover after the fact: buying the wrong type of plastic chair is not a disaster, but it is an ongoing mild frustration. The dining chairs do not quite tuck under the table because of the armrests. A balcony chair without armrests may feel less comfortable when you are relaxing for longer periods. The living room chair that looked fine in the photo but takes up more visual space than you expected once it is actually in the room.

Whether you're buying chairs for your dining room, balcony, living room, restaurant, or office, choosing the right style can improve both comfort and space efficiency. 

The difference between plastic chairs with armrests and plastic chairs without armrests is one of those decisions that seems trivial until you live with the result daily. And the truth is, neither type is universally better. They are different tools designed for different jobs, and matching the right type to your actual situation is what makes the difference between furniture that works and furniture that merely exists in your home.

This guide walks through every angle of the comparison: comfort, space, dining use, balcony and outdoor fit, price, and which rooms and situations genuinely benefit from each type. The goal is to give you a clear answer for your specific home by the end.

The Core Difference Between the Two

This might sound obvious, but it is worth stating clearly because the implications are less obvious than the definition.

A plastic chair with armrests has two raised horizontal supports attached to the sides of the seat, extending from the back of the chair forward. These armrests allow the sitter to rest their forearms and elbows rather than holding them in the air, which reduces shoulder and upper-body fatigue during longer sitting periods. Arm plastic chairs typically feel more substantial and settled, the kind of chair you sit into rather than just sitting on.

Armless plastic chairs have no side extensions beyond the seat and backrest. The sides of the chair are completely open. This makes them narrower, lighter, easier to slide in and out from under a table, and simpler to stack when storage is needed. The tradeoff is that the sitter's arms have nowhere to rest during extended sitting unless the table surface itself provides that support.

That single structural difference creates a cascade of practical consequences that affect which chair is right for which situation, which is what the rest of this guide unpacks.

Comfort: When Armrests Actually Help and When They Do Not

The comfort case for plastic chairs with arms is real but situational. It is not as universal as chair manufacturers would have you believe.

Armrests reduce fatigue during sitting periods where the upper body is not otherwise supported. If you are sitting in a chair to relax, read, have a conversation, watch something, or rest after a meal, having somewhere to put your arms makes a noticeable difference in how long you can sit comfortably without shifting position. The shoulders stay relaxed, the upper back does not hunch forward, and the overall posture is more natural.

For shorter sitting periods at a dining table, the comfort calculation changes. When you are eating, your arms naturally come forward to the table surface, which provides the same support that armrests would have offered anyway. A plastic arm chair at a dining table mostly means the armrests are unused during the meal and then get in the way when you try to push your chair close to the table or slide in and out. For active mealtime use, plastic chairs without armrests often feel more comfortable in practice precisely because they do not restrict movement.

For elderly family members or anyone who has difficulty getting up from a seated position, arm chairs provide a genuinely useful support point. Pushing up from armrests to stand requires noticeably less effort than pushing up from a seat surface with no side support. For homes where older family members use certain chairs frequently, this is a real comfort and accessibility consideration worth prioritising.

For children, armrests can actually be a negative. Kids sit in all sorts of positions that adults do not, and armrests on plastic chairs for kids can restrict the natural movement that children need. Armless chairs are generally more practical for younger children.

Space: How Much Room Each Type Takes

This is where armless plastic chairs have their most clear-cut advantage, and it matters more in Indian homes than most furniture guides acknowledge.

A typical armless plastic dining chair is between 43 and 50 centimetres wide at the seat. A best plastic chair with arms is typically between 58 and 68 centimetres wide, including the armrests. That difference of 15 to 20 centimetres per chair adds up very quickly around a dining table.

If you have a four-seater dining table with chairs on two long sides, two armless chairs per side fit comfortably in the same space where two arm plastic chairs might be a tight squeeze. For six or eight chairs around a larger table, the cumulative width difference is significant.

The same calculation applies to the room footprint. A set of four armless plastic chairs tucked under a table occupies a relatively compact area when not in use. The same number of arm chairs takes noticeably more floor space even when pushed in, because the armrests prevent the chair from sliding fully under the table edge.

For smaller Indian apartments where every square foot is carefully managed, armless chairs are usually the more sensible choice for the dining area specifically. For larger homes with more generous room dimensions, the width of arm chairs is less of a practical concern.

Dining Room: Which Chair Works Better at a Table

For the dining room, armless plastic chairs are almost always the more practical choice. Here is why in plain terms.

Getting in and out of a chair at a dining table involves sliding the chair forward and back repeatedly. An armless chair does this without any friction against the table edge. A plastic arm chair often catches the table edge with its armrests when you try to push it in close, which means you either sit further from the table than is comfortable or you develop a habit of manoeuvring slightly sideways every time you sit down and stand up. Over the course of three meals a day for a year, that small awkwardness adds up.

The second issue is fit. Most dining tables are designed to pair with armless dining chairs, and the clearance between the tabletop and where the armrests sit on an arm plastic chair can be a poor match. Sometimes the armrests fit neatly under the table edge, sometimes they do not, and this depends on the specific height of both the table and the chair.

The third point is simply that at a dining table, your arms are on the table for most of the meal. The armrests on a plastic chair with arms are genuinely not being used during eating, which makes them an obstacle rather than a benefit for this specific use case.

If you are looking at armless plastic chairs for dining, the plastic chair without arms at Ankurwares includes several designs that work well specifically in dining room settings, including the Spiro, Topaz, Unique and Prestige designs which are all armless and available as sets of two or four.

Living Room and Balcony: Where Arm Chairs Shine

Switch the context to a living room or a balcony, and the calculation reverses entirely.

In a living room, you are not eating. You are sitting to have a conversation, to watch something, to read, to rest. The sitting period is longer and the activity is more passive. This is exactly where armrests become genuinely valuable because your arms have nothing else to do except float in the air or rest in your lap, neither of which is a comfortable sustained position.

A plastic arm chair in the living room supports a natural, relaxed posture in a way that an armless chair in the same position does not. The difference becomes even more noticeable after 30 or 40 minutes of continuous sitting, when the absence of arm support starts to become a low-level discomfort that makes you want to shift position or lean against something.

For balcony seating, the argument for arm plastic chairs is similarly strong. The balcony is where people go to sit and relax with a cup of chai in the morning or to unwind in the evening. A chair with arms supports that activity much better than an armless chair, which is why most dedicated outdoor and lounge seating designs include armrests.

The best modern plastic chairs range at Ankurwares includes arm chair designs specifically suited for this kind of relaxed living room and balcony use, where the sitting position is meant to be comfortable and settled rather than active and upright. You can also browse the dedicated plastic chairs with arms collection to compare arm chair designs side by side.

Stackability and Storage: A Practical Consideration

Most plastic chairs with arms do not stack, or stack in smaller numbers than armless designs. The armrests create a width and shape that prevent clean stacking without the chairs resting at odd angles or the armrests of one chair catching on the seat of another.

Plastic chairs without arms are almost universally stackable. Most quality armless designs allow four to six chairs to stack in a clean, stable column that takes up the floor space of a single chair. For Indian homes that bring extra chairs out for guests and store them the rest of the time, this is a significant practical advantage.

If you are buying chairs specifically for occasional guest seating that will be stored between uses, armless plastic chairs are the more sensible choice simply because you can store twice as many in the same space.

If the chairs will be permanently placed in a fixed location and storage is not a concern, stackability is irrelevant to your decision.

Price: Is There a Meaningful Difference?

Plastic chairs with arms are typically priced somewhat higher than equivalent armless designs from the same manufacturer, reflecting the additional material and structural complexity of the armrests.

At the Ankurwares range, the difference is not dramatically large, but it is present. Armless designs like the Spiro, Topaz, Unique and Prestige start at lower price points, while arm chair designs that include a full armrest structure are positioned higher in the range.

For buyers who need to furnish multiple seats on a defined budget, the price difference across a full set of four chairs can be meaningful. If you are buying chairs primarily for a dining room and the armrests are not adding practical value for that use, choosing armless designs lets your budget go further.

For buyers who specifically need the comfort and support of arm chairs for living room or balcony use and are buying one or two rather than a full dining set, the price difference per chair is not a major factor.

The plastic chair price varies depending on the design, material, and whether the chair includes armrests. 

Who Should Choose Plastic Chairs With Arms

Choose arm plastic chairs if your primary use is living room or balcony seating where people sit for extended periods in a relaxed, passive way. If you have elderly family members who need support when getting up from a seated position, arm chairs make this significantly easier. If you are furnishing a reading corner, a verandah seating area, or any space where the activity is rest and conversation rather than eating and working, the arm chair gives you meaningfully better everyday comfort.

A lightweight plastic arm chair that is still easy to move, clean and maintain in Indian conditions is also an excellent choice for study use where someone is reading or reviewing documents at a desk, since the armrests reduce upper body fatigue during longer sessions.

Who Should Choose Armless Plastic Chairs

Choose armless plastic chairs if the primary use is dining room seating at a table. The ease of sliding in and out, the narrower footprint, and the fact that arm support is provided by the table surface during meals make armless designs the more practical and comfortable option for active mealtime use.

If you have limited room space and need chairs that tuck under a table compactly when not in use, armless designs occupy significantly less floor area. If you need stackable chairs for a home that hosts guests regularly and needs to clear space afterward, plastic chair without arms are almost always the better stacking option.

For families with young children, armless plastic chairs give kids more freedom of movement and are easier for them to handle independently.

The armless plastic chairs for dining use are also available as sets, which makes it straightforward to furnish a complete dining arrangement from the Ankurwares plastic chairs collection in a coordinated design.

The Ankurwares Range: Which Designs Have Arms and Which Do Not

Understanding which specific designs fall into each category helps you shop more directly.

Armless designs in the Ankurwares range include the Spiro, Topaz, Unique and Prestige  all of which are designed without armrests and work well as dining chairs, stackable guest chairs and space-efficient seating across multiple rooms. These are available in sets of two and four, in multiple colours, starting from accessible price points.

Arm chair designs in the Ankurwares range include larger seating designs with integrated armrests suited for living room, balcony and relaxed seating use. The Comfy, Cane, Waven, Imperial, Sofa, Roomy and Wicker designs all feature armrests and are built with the more settled, substantial feel that arm chairs need to deliver genuine comfort.

Whether you choose arm plastic chairs or armless plastic chairs, look for models made from 100% virgin polypropylene for better strength, durability, and long-term performance. Virgin polypropylene delivers a smoother surface, more consistent colour, and better resistance to cracking compared to recycled or blended plastic, which matters for furniture that is used daily across several years.

Browse the full best plastic chairs range to compare specific designs side by side, or explore the modern plastic chairs collection for contemporary arm and armless designs suited to current Indian home aesthetics. If you are looking for something more substantial, the premium plastic chairs collection includes higher-end designs with more refined profiles for homes where aesthetics matter as much as practicality.

For a detailed breakdown of which designs suit which room and how to judge chair quality before buying, our complete plastic chairs buying guide covers everything in one place.

Quick Comparison Table

As the comparison shows, both plastic chairs with armrests and armless plastic chairs have their own advantages. The best plastic chair is the one that suits your space, comfort needs, and everyday use. 

Which One Should You Choose? Final Verdict

Whether you're looking for an arm plastic chair for relaxed seating or an armless chair for a compact dining space, the right choice depends on your daily needs. Use the quick guide below to find the seating option that best suits your home

There isn't a single winner because both chair types serve different purposes. For dining rooms and compact spaces, armless plastic chairs are usually the better option. For living rooms, balconies, and longer sitting sessions, plastic chairs with arms provide greater comfort and support.

If you're looking for the best plastic chair for everyday use, the right choice depends on where and how you plan to use it. 

Browse the complete range of plastic chairs with arms and armless plastic chairs at Ankurwares to compare colours, sizes and set options before choosing the right chair for your home.

Final Thoughts

Plastic chairs with arms and armless plastic chairs are not competing versions of the same thing. They are genuinely different products built for different situations, and treating them as interchangeable is what leads to buying the wrong chair and living with the mild frustration of it every day.

The short version is this: for dining rooms, armless plastic chairs are almost always the right call. For living rooms, balconies and relaxed seating, plastic arm chairs make the experience noticeably better. For stackable guest seating that needs to be stored compactly, armless wins on practicality. For elderly family members who need support when rising, arms are a genuine accessibility benefit.

Most Indian homes need both types in different rooms, and the good news is that both are available at practical price points that do not require choosing one and making do in every room.

Explore the full range of plastic arm chairs and plastic chair without armrest at Ankurwares, including modern designs in sets of 2 and 4 across multiple colours. For design inspiration and detailed buying advice, our modern plastic chairs guide walks through specific designs and room contexts in detail.

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This guide is based on product knowledge from Ankurwares' plastic chairs range and practical experience of everyday seating needs in Indian homes.