Average Cost of a Gaming Chair

… chairs don’t cost that much and that there is a wide variety of price.

So, how much for a gaming chair? Most gaming chairs cost between $200 and $400. However, depending on the features you want and the quality, you can find gaming chairs for under $100, or if you want a premium build quality and more features, you can find chairs that cost more than $500. 

If you want to know the differences between a $200 gaming chairs and a $500 one, I will explain to you what features and quality you can get depending on the budget you have.

The actual Cost of a Gaming Chair:

There is a wide variety of pricing for gaming chairs. I divided the costs into 3 categories: cheap chairs, mid-range, and high-end gaming chairs.

Budget gaming chair features (less than $200):

Let’s start with the cheap gaming chairs. This is typically the type of chair that you find on Amazon. Generally speaking, they cost less than $200. They are very popular because, at first glance, they are not that much different from more expensive.

Sure, chairs that cost less than $100 do not really compare, but between $100 and $200, you start to see some very compelling offers.

Here are the typical sets of features you can find:

• Weight capacity: 220lbs. – 330lbs.
• Armrest: fixed – 3D (on rare occasion)
• Backrest: fixed – adjustable
• Cover material: PU leather or fabric
• Foam: low-quality sponge foam
• Head cushion and lumbar support included (available at $100 and more)
• Chair size: small to average.

As you can see, you can find some pretty good features, even under $200. The main differences are in the build quality. Instead of using high-density cold-cured foam, they use less expensive and low-quality sponge foam. This is typically the type of foam that will be flattened over time. The PU leather is not the best either. It tends to be thinner and less durable than premium PU leather.

Also, cheap chairs tend to be quite small. If you are big and tall, you should probably check out my guide on that subject.

Average gaming chair features (between $200 and $450):

This is where you can find the vast majority of gaming chairs. You start to see more well-known brands such as DXRacer, AKRacing, Vertagear, etc.

The build quality takes a big upgrade. The foam is now high-density cold-cured foam, which is much more durable. The PU leather is thicker, and it also looks and feels better.

That being said, there is a wide variety of features in that price range. The gaming chair industry is more and more competitive, so manufacturers try to include as many features as they can for the same price.

So, here are the typical features that you can find:

• Weight capacity: 220lbs. – 330lbs.
• Armrest: 1D – 4D ( )
• Backrest: Adjustable (up to 180°)
• Cover material: PU leather or fabric
• Foam: High-density cold cure foam.
• Head cushion and lumbar support included
• Chair size: Small to big.

High-end gaming chair features (more than $350):

If you are looking for a high-end product, you will have to pay more than $350. Brands that sell expensive chairs are almost the same as before: DXRacer, Vertagear, AKRacing, etc. You also find brands that are specialized in selling top quality gaming chairs: Noblechairs is well known, and Secretlab is one of my favorites.

High-end gaming chairs are the most comfortable gaming chairs you can find. Manufacturers put much more effort into producing these high-quality products, which can result in stunning products.

In terms of specs, here is what you can expect:

• Weight capacity: 265lbs. – 400lbs. (and even more)
• Armrest: 3D or 4D
• Backrest: adjustable (up to 180°)
• Cover material: PU leather, real leather or fabric
• Foam: High-density cold cure foam.
• Head cushion and lumbar support included
• Chair size: medium to very big.

The main differences in the features you can find are that 4D armrests are much more common among high-end gaming chairs. Also, you can find real leather chairs for that price, a feature that was unavailable previously.

Also, these high-end chairs tend to be quite big. It depends on the brand, but big chairs are usually the most expensive.

Where is the sweet spot?

In my opinion, if you are willing to do some research, between $200 and $350 you can find some very good deals. My best advice would to look for less well-known brands. As I said before, these brands try to include as many features as they can for the same price as more popular brands.

On the other hand, popular brands have a less generous offer because they are well established. What I mean is generally I find there is only one maybe two products that are really a good deal.

Also, under $200 you can find some very good deals on Amazon. This is more of a gamble though because you never really know what kind of quality of product you will get. On Amazon, most of the gaming chair brands are rebranded products from manufacturers in China. That being said, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are bad products, but this is not as reliable as a true brand.

High-end gaming chairs tend to be pricey. Sure, they are the most comfortable chairs, but the return on your investment is not as high. The differences are there but subtler.

What is the most important feature for a gaming chair?

To me, if you put aside the basic ones, the most important features are:

• The armrest
• The adjustable backrest
• The rocking-chair tilt
• Lumbar support

These are the 3 essential features on a gaming chair. Why you may ask?

This is for the ergonomics of the chair. The adjustable armrest allows you to find the best position for your elbows. The adjustable backrest angle is essential to find a comfortable angle for your back.

The rocking-chair tilt mechanism is also critical for the ergonomics of the chair.

And the lumbar support is pretty self-explanatory.

Typically, these are the features that I look at when choosing a gaming chair to see if it good or not. Under $100, it is very hard to find a chair that checks all the marks. Most of the time they lack the adjustable armrest and the adjustable backrest angle. The lumbar support might be there, but it is quite rare.

What is the most expensive gaming chair?

If you are looking for the most expensive gaming chair on the market, there is one that pops into my mind: The SecretLab Titan Nappa.

It is based on the SecretLab Titan, which is the best gaming chair available on the market (in my opinion). But it is covered with Nappa leather. It costs about $1000 dollars and is the most expensive chair that I know of.

It is worth it? If you are looking for the best gaming chairs with the most premium material yes. But for most gamers, it probably isn’t worth it.

What is the cheapest gaming chair?

This is a very hard question. As I said, you can find gaming chairs under $100. The cheapest gaming chair costs probably about $50 on Amazon. That being said, I don’t think it is a good idea to buy this type of chair.

As I said before, most gaming chairs that cost under $100 lack the most important features. At this price, you can buy a cheap office chair at Walmart and it would be the same.