Gaming Chairs : The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide

Interested in buying a gaming chair but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, all you need to do is read through this comprehensive buyer’s guide and I’ll walk you through all you need to know.

In this ultimate buyer’s guide, I’ll be covering what your options are, what features you need to look out for, the different brands to choose from, and many other gaming chair tips! I’ll also be giving you a checklist you can use to evaluate any gaming chair before you buy it.

Ready? Good! Let’s start with the basics…

What are Gaming Chairs and Who Needs Them?

Gaming chairs are specialized chairs designed for the needs and comfort of gamers. The designers of these chairs have thought about how gamers sit, how they move, and what they need out of their chair, and gone onto make something that meets those needs.

Despite the name, it’s not just gamers who use gaming chairs. You could benefit from a gaming chair if you:

• Work in an office and want to boost your productivity
• Work from home and spend lots of time sat down
• Suffer from back pain
• Have mobility issues and need extra support when seated
• Spend a lot of time playing games (obviously)
• Or just want to be more comfortable when sitting down!

The first ever gaming chairs were designed for racing games to act as car simulator seats. Therefore, they tended to replicate sports car seats, with high straight backs and thick upholstery.

Since then, gaming chairs have evolved and the market has become much broader. There are now many different types of gaming chairs, to meet the needs of many different types of gamers. That brings us nicely onto the next section of this buyer’s guide…

Different Types of Gaming Chair

We can categorize gaming chairs into different types. The four broad categories you should know about are:

• PC Gaming Chairs
• Console Gaming Chairs
• Racing Simulator Seats
• Bean Bag Chairs

The chances are you’ll already have some idea of which of these four types of gaming chairs you want to buy, as it will depend on what you plan to use it for. I’ll talk about each of them in more detail below.

PC Gaming Chairs

PC gaming chairs are very much the prototypical model; they’re what most people think of when they hear the word ‘gaming chair’.

These chairs are designed to sit behind desks, which makes them a good choice if you play most of your games on your PC, or want a chair that doubles up as an office chair for a workstation.

They typically consist of a mobile 5-star wheeled base with a pedestal seat mounted on top. They also usually have swivel capabilities to allow you to move around freely at your desk, high armrests for wrist support as you use your mouse and keyboard, and a high back to support your neck and prevent you from straining while looking at your screen.

Almost all PC gaming chairs are set in an upright position as default, but many can tilt backwards and lock in various reclined positions.

Confusingly, these types of gaming chairs are sometimes referred to as ‘racing gaming chairs’ on account of the fact that they’re modelled off car seats. However, they’re not to be confused with racing simultor seats, which I’ll move onto later.

Console Gaming Chairs

Console gaming chairs are – yep, you guessed it – designed for console gamers. They’re much more versatile than PC gaming chairs and tend to come in a much broader variety of different shapes and sizes.

That being said, the most popular type of console gaming chair is the classic ‘Rocker’. Unlike PC gaming chairs, Rocker gaming chairs don’t have pedestal seats or wheels. Instead, they feature L-shaped seats that sit directly on your floor. The name ‘rocker’ comes from the fact that the backrest can often rock back and forth as you move.

They’re less ergonomic than PC gaming chairs and aren’t meant to be used at a desk, but a lot of people find them much more comfortable for consoles as they support more comfortable, ‘laid-back’ postures many gamers using controller pads like to sit in.

They also often feature additional technology that integrates them more closely with your console, such as surround sound speakers and USB ports for charging.

Racer Simulator Seats

Racing simulator seats are advanced high-end gaming chairs designed specifically for racing games. They’re typically attached to a frame or ‘cockpit’ on which you can mount racing game accessories like a wheel, gear sticks, pedals, and more.

Some racer simulator seats are suitable for casual gamers, and some advanced models are even used for professional racing driver training. These technologically advanced rigs can be really, really expensive – sometimes costing tens of thousands of dollars.

Bean Bag Chairs

Bean bag chairs are large sacks usually filled with even foam or beds and upholstered in either suede or microfiber. They’re not specifically designed for gaming, but many gamers choose them because of how soft and comfortable they are, and for the way they conform to your body.

While they’re not particularly ergonomic or supportive, one advantage of this type of chair is that they can accommodate a huge range of postures and positions. The biggest bean bag chairs can even allow you to lay out flat with plenty of room. Another reason many gamers choose them is that they tend to be cheaper than other options.

Top Gaming Chair Brands

When shopping for a gaming chair, there are a lot of different brands to choose from. Different brands vary in price and quality but, generally speaking, the more reputable the brand, the better the chair’s build quality and comfort will be.

Some brands are designed with gamers in mind, while others prioritize ergonomics and comfort. Choosing the right brand can be difficult if you don’t know much about it, so here’s a quick break down of which brands to look out for and why.

DXRacer

DXRacer is one of the leading gaming chair brands and is very popular amongst the gaming community. Their chairs are used by gamers far and wide. from Youtubers and Streamers to eSports champions. They make a selection of great chairs that are suitable for any gaming set-up.

DXRacer isn’t the most affordable gaming chair brand around, but the chairs are average-priced and high-quality, which makes them a great choice for gamers who are looking for a chair that will last.

All of DXRacer’s chairs look very similar, but the designs differ slightly to incorporate things like higher backs for taller players and wider seats and strong bases for heavier players.

SecretLab

SecretLab is one of the big players in the gaming chair industry and is my personal favorite when it comes to gaming chair brands. They don’t offer a huge selection of chairs, but what they lack in variety they make up for in quality.

I recently reviewed the Titan chair from SecretLab and rated it my favorite gaming chair of 2019 due to its superior build quality.

SecretLab offers their chairs in a choice of fabrics, meaning they can be reasonably priced or rather expensive depending on which type of upholstery you choose. Regardless of whether you choose PU Leather or Napa leather, though, one thing’s for certain – SecretLab chairs are sure to deliver on comfort, durability and ergonomic support.

X Rocker

X Rocker is the dominant brand in the console gaming arena and makes some of the best quality console rocker chairs you’ll find. Unlike some other console gaming chair options, X Rocker chairs are made with console player’s needs in mind, making them a perfect choice for avid PS4 and Xbox gamers.

They stock a variety of different designs to suit the needs of all different types of gamers and gaming set ups, from foldable chairs which can be stored easily, to pedestal chairs for gamers who like a little bit of extra leg room.

Aside from their flagship console rocker chairs, they also make ottomans for storing games, headphones, and computer gaming chairs.

Herman Miller

Herman Miller is an American brand which leads the way when it comes to office seating and ergonomic technology. While they’re not strictly a gaming chair brand, Herman Miller make a lot of fantastic ergonomic chairs that are perfect for gaming.

As we discussed early in the article, ergonomic design is an important feature when it comes to gaming chairs, especially if you’re the kind of person who plans to spend long periods of time in your sitting down.

The only minor drawback with Herman Miller chairs is the price. However, if you have a healthy budget to invest in a great quality ergonomic chair, then Herman Miller could be the brand for you. Popular designs from Herman Miller include the Aeron Chair and Embody Chair.

Things to Consider When Buying a Gaming Chair

Ok, so now you know about the different chairs and brands available, you’re almost ready to start shopping around.

Before you rush off, though, you need to know about the different features of gaming chairs and what to look for. This is important as it will enable you to properly evaluate each chair to make sure that it has the features you’re looking for, and that it offers good value for money.

Here are 7 things you should consider:

1. Ergonomics

Ergonomics is probably the most important thing to consider when buying a gaming chair as it’s the reason most gamers want a chair in the first place, but what exactly is it?

Well, ergonomics refers to the way in which something is designed based on a set of psychological and physiological principles to best fit the user. An ergonomic gaming chair is one that is optimized around the gamer that sits on it to improve productivity and efficiency.

That technical definition sounds fairly abstract and jargon-filled, I know, so let’s put it another way…

An ergonomic gaming chair is one that helps you to maintain proper posture, supports your movements, minimizes back pain, and improves your gaming reaction times. All important stuff, right?

So how do you know if a gaming chair is ergonomically designed? Well, there are some important ergonomic features to look out for. Any gaming chair that claims to be ergonomic should have, at a minimum:

• A high level of adjustability. You should be able to configure the seat height, back angle, and armrests to better suit your body’s dimensions. The more adjustment, the better.
• Lumbar support. The very best gaming chairs will have adjustable lumbar support than you can change to fit the curvature of your spine. Less expensive chairs will have a lumbar pillow that does the job, albeit in a more basic way.
• A high, curved backrest with lots of upper back and neck support.
• Tilt lock or tension mechanisms to lock your backrests tilt in place and accommodate different postures.

There are other advanced ergonomic features besides these, such as breathable mesh materials, responsive motion, 4D armrests (that are adjustable in all dimensions), and more – but these are only likely to be found on expensive, high-end gaming chairs. Depending on your budget, you may need to make some compromises on these.

2. Build Quality

The second thing to consider when buying a gaming chair is the build quality. The higher tha build quality, the longer your gaming chair is likely to last. You don’t want to invest in a chair that breaks or becomes uncomfortable after a few weeks of use.

Again, the build quality will be closely tied to the price, so don’t expect the world if you’re looking for something on the lower end of the price range, but try to get as good a build as possible.

One good indicator of build quality to look at is the frame. High-quality frames will be made of metal, usually durable steel. Wood or plastic frames are less likely to hold up well over time.

The base is another important aspect to consider. Look for wide aluminum bases. Narrower, nylon bases are less durable. You want your casters to be as wide as possible too. The wider the caster, the more durable the build. 3” or more is ideal, 2” or less is not so good.

The type of filling of the cushioning is also important. Mold shaping or cold foam represents the top end of the spectrum, so look for this if you want a high-quality gaming chair and cushioning that won’t go flat after a few months.

3. Upholstery

Most gaming chairs will be upholstered in PU leather. Real leather is very expensive and while you can get it, it’s likely to hurt your wallet.

PU leather is usually good enough for most people’s needs so I’d recommend sticking with that as it’s probably the best value for money. Some chairs are upholstered in synthetic webbing or microfiber too.

When considering upholstery, breathability is another aspect to consider. Some chairs feature breathable mesh upholstery to aid with heat dissipation. The more breathable the upholstery, the more comfortable and less sweaty you’ll be, so if this is something that’s important to you, look for a chair with mesh material.

4. Armrests

For PC gamers, armrests are important. You need good ergonomic wrist support to support your lower arms and wrists well, as this will enable you to have faster reaction times and will ultimately improve your skill in-game.

Most PC gaming chairs come with armrests, but many console gaming chairs don’t. That’s okay, as if you’re looking for a console gaming chair you won’t be using a keyboard and mouse, so arm support is much less important.

The best armrests are adjustable so that you can fit them to your body and height. You want to be able to adjust them so that your shoulders are at rest while your elbow is at a right angle and your arms are supported.

At a minimum, armrests should be height adjustable. Ideally, they’ll also be width adjustable so that you can free up more wriggle room when you need it. Some armrests will flip up and out of the way to make it easier to get in and out.

5. Weight Capacity & Recommended Height

Many first-time gaming chair buyers forget to consider this, but it’s absolutely crucial to getting your first purchase right. Gaming chairs can have very different weight capacities and recommended heights, and you need to make sure you buy one that’s suitable for your own weight and height.

Gaming chairs with the largest weight capacities are often marketed as ‘big and tall’ gaming chairs. Exact numbers differ, but the most heavy-duty chairs can support up to and over 500 lbs of weight.

If you’re unsure, check the weight capacity and recommended height with the seller before hand to make sure you fall within the correct range.

6. Compatibility with Consoles

For console gaming chairs, compatibility is important. Many console gaming chairs – particulaly those from brand X Rocker – integrate with your consoles in various cool ways.

Some chairs have USB ports that allow you to charge your controllers from your armrests. Some have surround sound built into the headrest that play sounds coming from your console directly next to your ears.

Some chairs even have motion compatability features that make them rock, tilt, turn, shake, and vibrate based on what’s happening in your game. Cool, right? Bear in mind, though, that these kind of features will usually come at a premium, so you might not be able to get them if you’re on a tight budget.

7. Dimensions

Another factor buyers often overlook is the dimensions of their gaming chair. You should check the dimensions beforehand to make sure it will fit both your available space and your own body shape.

Some chairs, for example, have narrower seats, which makes them less suitable for people with larger thighs or bottoms. Most sellers will list the dimensions on the website page where the gaming chair is being sold but, if not, don’t be afraid to ask. Don’t forget to measure your available space first to make sure it will fit!

Gaming Chair Checklist for Buyers

Okay, so we’ve now covered pretty much every quality of a gaming chair in a lot of detail.

Obviously, you’re not going to want to read through 3,500 words of text to evaluate every gaming chair you look at, though. That’s why to simplify things, I’ve prepared a shortened version in the form of a checklist.

You can use this checklist to analyze each gaming chair you’re considering buying, before you buy it:

Checklist Item:	Yes	No
Is this chair suitable for what I plan to use it for? (i.e. if you’re a PC gamer, is it a PC gaming chair?)
Does this chair have a big enough weight capacity to support my weight?
Does my height fall within the recommended height range for this chair?
Does this chair offer good ergonomic support?
Is this chair very adjustable?
Is the build quality good considering my budget?
Do the dimensions of this chair work for my body type?
Is this chair mobile/compact/light enough to work in my available space?
Do I like the design of this chair?
Does the cushioning/upholstery of this chair seem comfortable/breathable?

No gaming chair is absolutely perfect, so you might not find one that ticks all the boxes. However, I’d say that if the chair you’re considering ticks at least 8 out of 10 of these boxes, it’s a great choice!

Other Tips for Buying a Gaming Chair

Okay, that about covers it. Before we finish, I thought I’d wrap up with some final bonus tips for buying a gaming chair.

Tip 1: Always check the reviews

If you’re buying your chair from Amazon, check the reviews from other buyers first. The best way to get a good idea of whether or not a chair is worth the money is to see if other people think it is, so read up!

Tip 2: Consider the warranty

Many gaming chairs come with a manufacturer’s warranty which allows you to get replacement parts or a refund if there are any faults with your gaming chair. It’s something to look out for if you’re concerned that it might not work out.

Tip 3: Consider the installation

Some gaming chairs are delivered pre-built, others require you to assemble it at home. It’s worth considering this and thinking about how long it will take beforehand. If you’re not great at DIY or just don’t want the hassle, choose something that is relatively easy to assemble

Tip 4: Get recommendations

If you don’t know all that much about gaming chairs, why not let someone who does do the thinking for you? It might sound like a shameless plug, but this website has plenty more reviews and lists of gaming chairs that you can browse for inspiration and advice on what gaming chairs to choose. Check it out!

Related Questions

What’s the best gaming for PC gamers? There are a lot of great gaming chairs on offer that are suitable for different needs, but my personal favorite is the SecretLab Titan. In my opinion, this chair has a superior build quality to other chairs that I’ve reviewed, as well as a sleek and stylish look that would work in almost any games room. If you want to learn more about the SecretLab Titan, check out my full review.

What gaming chair does PewDiePie use? PewDiePie uses the Clutch Chairz ‘PewdiePie Edition’ Throttle Series Gaming Chair. Although ClutchChairz isn’t one of the most popular gaming chair brands, PewDiePie’s chair is a very solid and affordable choice of gaming chair. It has an iconic pattern which PewDiePie designed in conjunction with ClutchChairz, but you can also buy the same chair in different colors. If you’d like to know more, I’ve written a full guide on PewDiePie’s chair here.

Where can I buy a gaming chair? Personally, I believe the best place to buy a gaming chair is online. Chairs bought online tend to be cheaper than those bought in stores and you have more variety to choose from. Most chairs are available direct from suppliers websites, but you may be able to find better deals on Amazon. If you’re interested in any chairs you’ve seen on this site, you can click the names to take you to the Amazon listing.