Razer Iskur Hands-On Review

A prosperous and lucrative market, but one in which the competition is already well established.

Launched at 499€ on the European continent ($499 in the US), this gaming chair is resolutely part of the top-of-the-range.

Its most attractive promise? Its back support system with a strut instead of the traditional back cushion.

In this test of the Razer Iskur gaming chair, I give you my impressions on its quality, functionality and comfort.

Note: Like many of our reviews, we bought this product to give you an unbiased opinion on it.

Razer Iskur – Pros and Cons List

Razer Iskur main characteristics and features

You will find in the table below the main characteristics of the chair, followed by the complete test.

Razer Iskur : Overview

Weight : 21 kg

Adjustable height

Seat width : 39 cm (15,35″)

Recommended user height : 170 -190 cm (5’7″- 6’3″)

Max weight supported : 136 kg (300 lbs)

5 wheel base

4D Armrests

Tilt up to 139°

Classe IV Pistons

Delivered with a back support (strut) and head cushion.

3-year warranty on the seat

Receiving, unboxing and presentation of the Razer Iskur

At the time of writing this test, I had to wait a little over two months. The supply is indeed a bit chaotic, with delays, shifts of stock availability, out-of-stocks, etc.

However, given the context (global pandemic), this is understandable, and no doubt the process will improve in the future. I ordered the chair via LDLC, the large parcel weighing over 30 kg arrived safely and in perfect condition.

You could clearly see the seat was packaged properly. Upon opening, you first find the safety instructions via pictograms on the inside of the box.

Underneath, there is a large green panel – the symbolic color of Razer – with a word from the CEO and, on the back, the assembly steps. I go from surprise to surprise, discovering parts that are all very well protected and packaged.

They are stored in foam notches, like the precious goods you carry by plane. It’s at the top in terms of level of protection. The organization, too, since there is a separate box with storage space for screws, screwdrivers, etc., as well as various elements (wheels, strut, covers, etc.) also in foam notches.

I notice that the instructions on the box are numerous. I was talking about the safety instructions, but when I open the accessories box, I also find the instructions for use on the cardboard.

I feel like Razer has focused on the unboxing experience, gradually unveiling the useful information on the chair to create excitement.

The gaming chairs of the Razer brand are aimed at a resolutely young audience, with the all-digital (QR code for assembly, for example) and summary documentation (how to use the ergonomic system; booklet for warranty and safety; stickers).

A document regrouping everything would have been nice, because I don’t really see myself tearing and keeping the cardboard pieces… 🤨

In the end, I keep an excellent first impression. The packaging is certainly the most elaborate I have seen, even better than at Secretlab. At the same time, you have to justify the price difference!

Assembling the gaming chair, quick and easy

Let’s talk about the assembly. Let me tell you right away that the manual is sufficient by itself, but that Razer also presents a video of the assembly of the Razer Iskur.

The process is done in 9 steps. We start by assembling the two elements (seat and backrest) with the screws. This is done quickly and easily, the large screwdriver is nice and handy, while the holes in the chair look directly onto the screw threads.

The same goes for the covers, with a system that can be clipped downwards, which allows them to be wedged properly together.

I don’t really understand why Razer bothered to make two different sizes (depending on the side it’s on: left/right) … Be careful not to make a mistake!

I have nothing to report about the installation of the mechanism and the strut, honestly, it’s very simple. Same for the base: the wheels are easily integrated, without forcing.

All that’s left to do is to assemble the base with the two elements, and that’s it!

Razer says it’s better to be two to assemble the gaming chair, but personally, I managed alone and in about thirty minutes. It’s smart and very well made.

Excellent manufacturing quality

At almost $500 per seat, you can imagine that I will pay special attention to the quality of the materials and the design of the model.

The premium feeling is very present: the plastics are of good quality, the finish is impeccable, the base is strong, the cylinder (for the height adjustment of the seat) is solid.

The imitation leather coating is of the same quality, offering a feeling of great durability and warm touch. The topstitch is flawless, there is not a thread that sticks out! 👍

The wheels are thick and offer a very good grip on the floor. A little too much, maybe: personally, I have to force it a little to move it on PVC flooring. If you get it, I advise you to install it on a flat surface (not a carpet for example!).

Also, I regret that the wheels sporadically make noise when you move them. This is minor, but it adds to other small irregular noises: with the covering (which is normal for imitation leather), with the back support when you get up, and sometimes small metallic noises. Do not worry it’s not annoying! But you can hear it from time to time.

What about the Razer Iskur design?

Honestly, I love the overall look of the gaming chair. I can see Razer’s desire to give its chair a “Gaming Premium” look, combining seriousness and the best practices of the industry.

For example, on the sides of the back and seat, there are subtle checkerboard stripes, very much in the racing spirit. On the front of the backrest, the brand even has its own slogan: “By Gamers, for Gamers”. Yeah, I think that breaks the Premium side a little bit, personally.

What I like the most is certainly the snake-like imitation of the chair, especially on the back support. The diamond shapes on the upholstery are a perfect reproduction of a snake’s skin – and I’ll let you guess which animal is the emblem of our beloved Razer…

Frankly, it’s a beautiful chair, with a high-end look.

Features and settings

My test of the Razer Iskur is particularly positive regarding the features and settings of the gaming chair. The brand wants users to be able to customize the chair to feel as comfortable as possible.

– The seat: height and rocking chair

The seat height can be adjusted via a dedicated joystick; the same goes for the rocking chair system. It is quite generous and can even be done on the sides; at least on the right because it is blocked on the left.

– Backrest inclination

This is not really something the gaming chair has bet on, since you can extend the chair up to 139°, which is a good relaxing position to watch a movie or a series. This will be more than enough for most users, but in comparison, the AK Racing Core LX Plus can be tilted up to 180° (i.e. a full reclining position). However, I can see why Razer has limited itself: too much tilt is hardly compatible with the back support system.

– The 4D armrests

The armrests of the Razer Iskur gaming chair can be adjusted in 4 axes: left / right; left / right rotation; up / down; forward / backward. Adjustments are very easy and almost identical to the Secretlab Titan (in Softweave here): I am thinking for example of the sliding system for front / back or the buttons dedicated to each adjustment.

– Back support

It can be adjusted via a joystick under the seat, near the armrest on the right. By raising the lever and leaning against the support, it moves backwards; the reverse is true if you do not lean against it. Similar operation to tilting, therefore. I come back to its comfort and support below.

The Razer Iskur is very comfortable

That’s still the primary purpose of a chair, so I pay special attention to that as well.

The multi-layer synthetic leather is very pleasant. Its comfort is quite firm, which has the advantage of providing very good support for the seat, the back and the spine support.

Which means that those who love softness will not be the happiest. For example, the seat is firmer than for a Secretlab Titan.

A small criticism (and not the smallest in my opinion) that I can make on this seat: its width is too small. First of all, it is not possible to sit cross-legged, because it feels really cramped.

Secondly, the seat is not suitable for people with a large body. This is confirmed by the maximum weight supported, 136 kg (300 lbs). If the chair is a commercial success, maybe we’ll have a future Razer Iskur XL version, like at Secretlab, who knows?

Speaking of Secretlab, I think the Titan and the Iskur share similarities in terms of comfort. The memory foam head cushion, for example, is also of high quality. It adapts to the morphology of the neck and the head in order to deploy an optimal rest.

As for the armrests, I appreciate Razer’s effort on the padding; it’s better than the competition, but not yet as good as for a Titan.

Overall, I find the seating comfort excellent; and you’ll see below that the same goes for the back support!

The ergonomics of the back support with strut: an interesting innovation

This is “THE” innovation of the model, which allows it to stand out from the competition… and justify the higher price at the same range level.

Concretely, what is it? To put it simply, it’s like an adjustable backrest. Thanks to the strut and a lever on the right, it is possible to decrease or increase the tilt of the ergonomic back support.

Such a system is designed with a very precise objective in mind: to reproduce the curvature of the back so that the head comes to rest naturally on the memory foam headrest. Is it successful? Very clearly, yes, I am quite impressed. The default settings were already perfect for my build and allowed me to rest my “head on the pillow” without having to change my posture. It’s really excellent! As for the adjustment, it’s simple, just like the tilt.

Conclusion of the Razer Iskur gaming chair review

I told you in the introduction, the Iskur gaming chair is a great first for Razer.

What can we take away from this first adventure?

That it is a real success. Honestly, I was looking forward to this model with great impatience, and I enjoyed using it. You can tell they had a lot of inspiration for the design, the quality is worthy of the level of the price range, and the numerous adjustments really allow you to make it YOUR chair.

The back strut support system also had me completely convinced, perfectly fulfilling its promise of reproducing the curvature of the back. At the same time, I can’t help but think that this innovation is the main reason why the chair is more than $100 more expensive than a Secretlab Titan XL. Technically, we’re really on the same high quality of manufacture, except that the price is higher for the Iskur. Especially since Secretlab extends the full warranty to 5 years where Razer is content with 3 years… That’s not much compared to the competition. In comparison, AK Racing offers for example 5 years on the seat and 10 years on the frame of its chairs, like the AK Racing Core Ex.

Besides that, I don’t find it flawless either. The little noises that the chair makes from time to time slightly spoil the experience of use. As for the width of the seat, it’s quite limiting, so don’t expect to sit cross-legged.

What do I get out of it after all? That the Razer Iskur fits very well in the gaming chair market, with its impeccable finishes, comfort, and overall top quality. The price difference with the competition is however difficult to justify as soon as you put the back support system (strut) aside. It’s up to you, therefore, to see whether this innovation alone justifies the more expensive pricing.