Anda Seat recently sent me one of their black Phantom 3 chairs to try out. I’ve assembled it and tested it for several hours to see how it holds up. The short version: it’s one of the most impressive budget gaming chairs I’ve come across. The longer version is below.

Packaging

The Phantom 3 showed up in a plain cardboard box at my doorstep, with the words “Your unboxing experience starts here” — similar to what Secretlab does, although Secretlab’s boxes are cooler. Opening it revealed layers of malleable Styrofoam holding all important components in place, packaged for minimal waste. Thick cardboard braces along the edges protect against shock during delivery. It all gave off a premium flair even though this isn’t one of Anda Seat’s premier chairs — which leads me to believe they value all their products.

Assembly

Unboxing each piece of the chair took little time. The armrests were already assembled and the smaller components were inside a box of their own — only six pieces to pull out total. Like other Anda Seat chairs, the instruction manual is massive and comes in a dozen languages. Easy to follow, even if one or two phrases didn’t quite make sense in English.

From start to finish, it only took me around 15 minutes to put the chair together. One minor hiccup: I had to remove four screws from the backrest before assembly — an unnecessary extra step. Getting one stubborn screw back in place was also a challenge. The Phantom 3 was also the first chair I’ve seen packaged with extra screws, and I still can’t figure out where they’re supposed to go. The magnetic plastic screw covers are a nice touch, though I’m curious how long they’ll stay in place.

Features

1D Armrests

There’s not much to say about the Phantom 3’s armrests — they only move up and down. Most gamers rely on armrests a lot, and not being able to move them in any other direction consistently leaves me in an awkward position. I expected more flexibility at this price point. After all, the Kaiser Frontier is only $100 more and has 4D maneuverability. That said, the armrests are comfortable when I can use them — firm rubber material that supports forearms well.

Recline

I’m a fan of the Phantom 3’s recline. It drops you to 160° from vertical — nearly flat — making for a comfortable resting position. Multiple settings between vertical gaming and near-flat relaxing give you a lot of flexibility. The range of recline is genuinely one of this chair’s standout features.

Rocker Feature

The Phantom 3 has a rocker feature, but I can’t imagine it getting much use except when lying back for a nap. It’s far too stiff to use in any upright position and immediately springs you back up the moment you stop using your legs to push. I just leave the recline lock open since I can never get the rocker to stay in any useful position anyway.

Lumbar Support

Lumbar support comes as a convex pillow wedged between the lower back and the chair. It works well for providing the support my lower back needs during long gaming sessions — the foam inside is firm and retains its shape. However, there’s nothing to hold the pillow in place besides friction, so expect it to move around whenever you adjust or stand up. A simple strap would solve this completely.

Headrest

The headrest pillow is slightly softer than the lumbar pillow but still provides a cushy surface to relax on. It clips around the headrest and allows about three inches of vertical adjustment. I’ve found it works perfectly at the lowest setting where it fits right into the crook of my neck. I have a love/hate relationship with headrest pillows in general — but this one I really like.

Build Quality

Anda Seat claims to put a lot of effort into build quality, and so far I’ve been impressed with all their chairs. The Phantom 3 is no exception — with a few imperfections worth noting.

Whenever I sit in the chair, it makes some creaks and pops, and the same holds true when moving or rocking. They’re not loud and I can’t imagine them getting worse — but they are there. More importantly, the weight limit of only 200 lbs seems low for an adult gaming chair. The nylon wheel base is the likely reason, and it will be the first thing to go under heavier use. The polyurethane wheels should hold up okay.

The stitching, however, is genuinely impressive. From top to bottom, I can’t find a single thread out of place. The DuraXtra leatherette looks and feels premium — well above what you’d expect at this price. I’d have no issue having the Phantom 3 on display if some friends came over to game.

Comfort and Ergonomics

I’ve put the Anda Seat Phantom 3 through its paces for several hours, and it is a very comfortable chair on my back and bottom. This holds true even after extended sessions working on this review or playing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

There’s nice firm padding on both the seat and backrest. I prefer chairs without much give, and the Phantom 3 delivers. Since the foam feels robust, I can’t imagine the chair getting less comfortable over time. The DuraXtra leatherette feels fine against skin, though this faux leather material can break down over time and get uncomfortable when cracks or peeling occur — something to keep in mind long-term.

The pillows are one of the best features overall. They’re super comfortable and a big reason why I can use the chair for a long time without needing to get up or adjust. The headrest pillow in particular: my neck fits perfectly around the curve when leaning back. Genuinely one of the better headrest pillows I’ve used.

Full review at TopGamingChair.com · By Noah Zelvis · December 8, 2023