Buying guide for best gaming chairs
No one wants a sore neck and back after playing the latest Grand Theft Auto or Mario Brothers game. A quality gaming chair provides extra cushioning and support in all the right places to keep you comfortable for hours.
How you plan to use the chair will go a long way in determining what type is best for you. For example, console games on a large television require a different type of chair than those for gaming using a computer screen on a desk. There are two primary types of gaming chair to consider: PC gaming chairs have a higher backrest than office chairs and focus on providing a comfortable headrest, tilt, adjustable armrests and lumbar support. Rockers, designed for console play, sit lower to the ground and have a wider seat and more flexibility when reclining backward.
And then there are the extras to consider. Some gaming chairs create a more immersive experience with built-in speakers and vibration motors. Some include cup holders and pockets for storing accessories for added convenience, or breathable materials to keep your body cooler.
We researched and tested gaming chairs and found the Razer Iskur X to be the best. It provides maximum comfort and the right amount of adjustability to keep you happy through extended gameplay. We were also impressed with the YSSOA Gaming Chair. Available at a budget price, it doesn’t include all the extras that some chairs have, but it provides the features you need to stay comfortable.
Expert Tip
If you’re picky about your chair settings, take pictures of how you like them. If they ever get changed, you can refer back to your photos to see how you originally set them up.
BestReviews Electronics Expert
Best gaming chairs
Offering core gaming comfort, the Razer Iskur X is for beginners and hardcore gamers alike. This ergonomically designed chair provides a healthy sitting posture while making it easy to change height, tilt and recline. A lot of the chair’s comfort comes from its plush, dense cushions that mold around your body to provide support. You can also add built-in adjustable lumbar support.
We were impressed with the 4D armrests, which adjust by height and rotation to give you a natural feel regardless of arm position. If you tend to move around a lot as you play, this flexibility is important. Another point that sets this chair apart is the multilayered synthetic leather, which is more durable than traditional PU leather and won’t peel after years of use.
The Razer Iskur X comes in multiple styles and color combinations, including synthetic leather (solid black and black with green accents), dark gray fabric and special edition Hello Kitty, BAPE and Genshin Impact models.
The YSSOA gaming chair is our Best Bang choice. It’s a good solution for big and tall gamers who are looking for continuous support and comfort. It’s also the least expensive option on our list. Able to support up to 440 pounds, the YSSOA chair has an ergonomic body-hugging backrest that’s longer than that on the average gaming chair. Add to this its adjustable height, deep seat depth and wide armrests and you can see how it provides a comfortable choice no matter your size. In addition, the chair has well-padded seat cushions, lumbar support and a headrest, each designed to reduce pressure and pain. There’s also a racing-style footrest that adds a bit of extra comfort.
With angle support from 90 to 120 degrees, this chair provides versatile movement, although it isn’t the best choice if you plan to sleep in it. Its smooth roller wheels are quiet as well. Combined with its color choices (red, white, gray, black), this chair looks like a lot of fun.
You’ll find gaming chairs cheaper than this one, but they won’t offer the Vertagear chair’s comfort. It has everything you need for long hours of relaxing gameplay, including a padded seat that adapts to your contours and adjustable 2D armrests. You can also adjust the seat height and position the backrest up to 140 degrees. Additionally, the chair’s steel frame is designed for long-term durability.
This gaming chair doesn’t offer certain extras like speakers, but it does include built-in lumbar support and an adjustable memory foam neck pillow. The latter can be adjusted and removed depending on your needs. There’s also a nifty feature that makes installation easy: all you need to do is slide the backrest into the seat. The chair supports up to 330 pounds. It comes in seven colors with a black faux-leather body as well as a unique pink-and-white edition.
If you’re looking for a gaming chair that provides an immersive experience, consider the X Rocker Pro Series H3. With four speakers on the headrest, a subwoofer on the backrest and vibration motion that reacts to certain bass frequencies in the audio, you can feel the action happening as you play. The speakers, which connect easily through Bluetooth, mean this chair isn’t just for gaming; you’ll also want to use it when enjoying movies and TV shows.
The black leather X Rocker sits low and provides excellent comfort thanks to its padded backrest and headrest. It’s easy to install and folds down for storage. For something completely different, this is a gaming chair worth considering. Offering both comfort and immersive sound, this chair is a winner.
In our Testing Lab, we found the Secretlab TITAN Evo chair provides much of its comfort through its four-way lumbar support system that’s designed to protect your spine and promises 57% more back coverage than typical gaming chairs. It also includes removable 4D armrests that are among the most comfortable we tested. They use special technology that keeps them cool to the touch and pillowy through long periods of gameplay. They’re also highly customizable for height, forward/backward position, left/right position and rotation around their axis.
During testing, we determined the chair doesn’t wiggle back and forth when you’re sitting in it and is one of the quietest available when rolling across the floor. We were also impressed with the head pillow, which is secure, soft and comfortable as well as easy to remove thanks to its magnetic backing. And finding the perfect height is a breeze.
The Secretlab TITAN Evo comes in various colors and sizes. It’s among the most stylish gaming chairs available, and its durability means you can expect years of enjoyment with it.
Being able to move around freely in different directions is the most impressive feature of the lightweight Playseat PUMA gaming chair. It’s made through a partnership with PUMA, the German clothing and consumer goods manufacturer, and it’s ideally suited for console gaming. Designed to adapt quickly to your body and movements, the chair comes without armrests but is still stable enough to keep you secure.
The Playseat is an excellent choice for budget gamers at all levels. It offers various features that make it stand out, starting with ActiFit, a breathable material designed to keep you consistently cool. In addition, the MotionForce base has rubber feet that keep the chair in place even as you move back and forth in the seat. As a bonus, pockets on the front and sides store your accessories, including smartphones and game controls.
Herman Miller’s luxury The Embody Chair is for anyone who wants a gaming chair with comfort and style that doesn’t look like a gaming chair. One of the unique features of this chair is what’s missing: a locking system. You can move back and forth and adjust your body throughout the day without having to stop and manually adjust and lock the chair. The company refers to this as active and passive ergonomics that encourage “effortless” long-term sitting. This chair has everything you need to stay comfortable, including a flexible backrest, adjustable armrests and a tilt mechanism. Its four-layer mesh seat provides greater cushioning and airflow to keep you cool.
This beautiful chair comes in neutral colors designed to complement any room. This Herman Miller chair is expensive, but it comes with a 12-year warranty.
The ergonomic NOKAXUS gaming chair looks like something out of a Formula 1 car. Made of PU leather and a high-density sponge, it has a wide backrest, adjustable soft handrails and a massage lumbar pillow for a comfortable experience. The retractable footrest is an excellent feature that gives you extra flexibility during long hours of gameplay. When you need it, great. When you don’t, move it out of the way. And the large PU wheels have been designed so they won’t damage wood floors. Perhaps best of all, it reclines 170 degrees, so you can use the chair for work, play and sleep.
One of the less expensive gaming chairs on our list, the NOKAXUS is available in black with a choice of seven accent colors.
The SITMOD gaming chair is another impressive option with comfortable seat cushions that contour to the body, adjustable armrests and a lumbar support pillow. And because it can recline between 90 and 150 degrees, it offers a relaxed sleep position. It’s also one of the least expensive chairs on our list, making it a good option if you’re on a tight budget.
Durable and well-constructed, the SITMOD chair includes a heavy-duty swivel base and a tilt mechanism to easily adjust the angle. The chair can support up to 400 pounds thanks to its solid steel frame and high-back ergonomic design, a higher weight limit than most gaming chairs promise. You can change the chair’s pillow functions and waist support for even greater comfort. This chair comes in five stylish colors.
Terrific comfort and a fantastic look are two highlights of this racing-style chair from a big name in the industry. It offers a plush, removable headrest pillow and segmented padding for comfort and a removable side pouch for accessory storage and a built-in cupholder on the left armrest for convenience, so you can keep your favorite controllers and beverages at the ready.
One feature that’s unique among gaming chairs is the extendable footrest for added support. This footrest’s design ensures that wires won’t get caught between it and the chair. The chair and footrest operate independently for maximum customization.
This chair reclines up to 135 degrees and has a 360-degree swivel base for plenty of balance and customization. The RESPAWN RSP-900 supports up to 275 pounds and comes in three colorways.
How we tested
After researching numerous gaming chairs, we narrowed our list to the nine chairs above and put the Secretlab TITAN Evo to the test to see how it performed in the following areas.
Setup
- Instructions: We examined whether the chair’s instruction manual was easy to understand for setup. We also checked to make sure it included high-quality pictures and clear step-by-step instructions. We evaluated whether a beginner could assemble this item or it would be easier with two people.
- Tools: Simplicity is best, and the best installation doesn’t require lots of tools. If it does, we checked to see if they were provided in the package.
Comfort
- Feel: We evaluated whether the chair felt solid and comfortable rather than flimsy and rigid.
- Adjustability: We looked at the number of adjustments the chair could make and whether some are easier to find and manipulate than others.
- Armrests: We checked the armrests to see if they were clean, sturdy and easy to detach. We also checked to see whether they were adjustable and felt natural and comfortable no matter the position.
- Headrest: We evaluated whether the headrest came off easily and if it was soft and comfortable.
- Long-term use: We tested whether the chair remained comfortable after hours of gaming use.
Design
- Quality: We examined the parts to see if they were well-designed and high-quality.
- Noise: Gaming chairs can be quiet or loud when moved, and we checked this.
- Movement: We evaluated if the chair moved easily and smoothly.
Expert Tip
Keep a small hand vacuum around your gaming area. Dust and crumbs pile up quickly, so it’s good to be able to do a quick pickup as needed and keep your gaming chair clean.
BestReviews Electronics Expert
What to know before buying a gaming chair
Types of gaming chairs
Computer gaming chairs look like traditional office chairs, but they have a much higher headrest and often come in multiple colors or patterns. Many gaming chairs have generous options for head and neck support, which is particularly nice if you want to lean back while playing.
Rocker gaming chairs are legless chairs shaped like an L that allow you to easily lean forward or back. These chairs are light enough to be portable and are a handy option for adding temporary seating to any game room.
High-tech gaming chairs
Most gaming chairs are simply chairs designed for comfort while gaming, but high-tech gaming chairs include additional electronics and features designed to enhance the gaming experience and might include the following:
Built-in speakers: Some gaming chairs include speakers placed right at ear level. Chairs with built-in audio bring the game’s soundtrack closer to the listener, creating an immersive sound experience.
Storage: Some chairs go the extra mile by including built-in storage solutions for your peripherals, such as compartments or pockets. If you’re tired of having wires tangled across your gaming area, a chair with built-in storage is a good solution. Plus, it’s a good idea to remember to stay hydrated, and some gaming chairs have cup holders on the armrests. In addition to convenience, built-in cup holders help keep your electronics safe from accidental spills.
Footrest: Just because a game is intense doesn’t mean you can’t put your feet up! Some gaming chairs have a built-in footrest for added comfort.
Vibration motors: Some gaming chairs include built-in motors that make the whole chair vibrate. The vibrations may sync with critical points in the game for a more realistic effect. Chairs with vibration motors aren’t for everyone, but they’re perfect for anyone who’s ever wondered what it’s like to sit on a subwoofer.
Racing gaming chairs
Racing chairs look like standard computer gaming chairs but include additional hardware like pedals, steering wheel and gear shift to make video driving feel more realistic. Some racing chairs don’t include the peripherals, but they’re much firmer than standard gaming chairs, mimicking the feeling of a car’s bucket seat.
Adjustability and ergonomics
Every body is different, so the key to finding perfect comfort in a gaming chair is to buy one that allows you to adjust elements like the headrest, armrests, footrest and incline.
Finding the ideal gaming chair for you can be challenging because it isn’t just a matter of comfort, it’s also about whether the chair will remain comfortable through hours of gaming. The ergonomics of a gaming chair can have a significant impact on your health. Sitting for hours in a non-ergonomic position is more likely to cause back pain, fatigue, stiff joints and poor posture. If you’re having trouble justifying the cost of a gaming chair, think of it like a helmet for riding a bike: a necessary piece of equipment that will keep your body safe and protect your health.
Expert Tip
Get a gaming chair cleaning kit. Even if your gaming chair isn’t real leather, treating the material with care will help it last as long as possible.
BestReviews Electronics Expert
Tips
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Don’t pay for features you don’t need. Additional features like a footrest or built-in keyboard stand drive up the price of a gaming chair. Narrow your search to chairs with only the components you need and save money by ruling out everything else.
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Measure your room. Before shopping for a gaming chair, think about where it will be situated and how you’ll be using it. Make sure that the chair is the right size for your room and will function correctly in the area.
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Protect your health. A good gaming chair can go a long way toward addressing issues like soreness and posture problems, but it’s no substitute for the ongoing practices that keep you healthy. For example, researchers recommend that you stand up for several minutes for every hour spent gaming.
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Adjust the chair for maximum comfort. If you experience a sore posterior or back during or after sitting in a gaming chair, adjust the chair and make a point of standing up more frequently.
Expert Tip
Tighten up your gaming chair every six months or so. If you game a lot, you’ll want to make sure nothing is getting more slack over time, so set yourself reminders to periodically make sure everything is screwed in tight.
BestReviews Electronics Expert
FAQ
Q. How much does a gaming chair cost?
A. Gaming chairs vary in price considerably depending on the features involved and who made them. Some companies charge extra just because they can, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are better than cheaper models. Great deals can be found for under $200, while high-end models with all the bells and whistles generally start at $500 and run up to $2,000.
Q. Would a gaming chair benefit someone who works at a computer for long hours?
A. Absolutely! The additional support and adjustability create a more ergonomic experience when sitting for hours at a time no matter what you’re doing. If you’re not a gamer but spend time sitting at a desk, a gaming chair could be just the solution you’re looking for.
Q. Do I need a chair mat to use a gaming chair on carpet?
A. Gaming chairs with wheels have difficulty rolling on carpeted floors, so purchasing a plastic rolling mat is strongly recommended.
Q. Will I have to put my gaming chair together?
A. Yes. Most gaming chairs come in several pieces and must be assembled. Depending on which chair you buy, putting one together can take up to a couple of hours.
Q. Will using a gaming chair make me a better player?
A. Some gamers have reported improved results that they attribute in part to the increased comfort provided by a gaming chair. Beyond that, a gaming chair by itself won’t make you a better player.
