Gaming chairs are one of the best investments a gamer can make. After all, during those long gaming sessions, where are you going to sit? While gaming keyboards and gaming monitors can really lift your gaming experience to the next level, none of it really matters if you don't have a comfortable chair to sit in. Our top entry, the Secretlab Titan Evo Nanogen, is a perfect example: It's a chair big enough for pretty much any body, and it's comfortable and sturdy enough to sit for hours.
For more information, please visit Anji Fengge Furniture.
I've been reviewing gaming chairs for years, and the overall best ones you can buy provide a place to sink into for hours of gaming without fatigue or pain. Including features like customizable lumbar support, adjustable armrests, and a movable headrest to beef up the ergnomics only adds to a more comfortable, distraction-free space to focus on your favorite PC games.
However, there are an excess of options to choose from. To help you out, I've cut this list down to six tested and researched chairs offering solid frames, high-quality material, and all the creature comforts you could want.
Keep all this in mind so you know how to pick the perfect gaming chair for your needs.
Because gaming chairs are glorified office chairs, their main selling points are, frankly, aesthetic. Gaming chairs are often a bit more expensive than comparable office chairs and don't have the same comfort features as seats designed for working in all day. Still, if you love the way that gaming chairs look and you're going for a certain vibe in your gaming den, the best gaming chairs do truly shine. You just might want to look at the best ergonomic chairs if you want something that's truly going to take care of your aching back.
While you can buy a gaming chair for $80 or less, doing so is just asking for eventual pain. Something inexpensive is usually nothing more than a cheap plastic frame (versus steel) with some thin fabric or pleather upholstery on top.
You can get a quality chair for as little as $200, and that’s the absolute bottom floor of affordability we’d go for. Spending $300 or more will get you access to better options. If your budget allows you to soar a bit higher, more expensive gaming chairs start to come with built-in lumbar support, cooling gel layers, and even more adjustable ergonomics, not to mention RGB LED Kits and more. It all depends on what matters most to you in the long term.
While there are benefits to both, this is a subjective question and boils down to what you're looking for. If you're after looks and the ability to deeply recline, a gaming chair is a safe bet. If you're looking for a chair that places ergonomics first and has lots of adjustments, you'll have more luck with an office chair. It's important to note, however, that there's plenty of crossover between the two. The Steelcase Gesture, for example, would look fantastic on any stream but it's an office chair, through and through. The Mavix M9, on the other hand, is clearly a gaming chair but has the features and adjustments of premium office chairs. Consider what you value most, how long you'll be sitting in the chair, and what adjustments you would prefer. From there, you can find chairs in either category to meet your needs.
Your classic gaming brands like Razer and Corsair have been known to make mean chairs. Otherwise, brands like Secretlab, Razer, and Corsair consistently deliver comfortable, well-built seats that blend comfort and durability across price points. More classic ergo brands like Herman-Miller, Steelcase, and Haworth have begun releasing chairs for gamers too. Though expensive, those chairs are made with the best materials and are full of ergonomic features allowing them to offer superior support and comfort. Be wary of some brands available only on Amazon: The most inexpensive options will most likely be a little janky. It's probably worth it to save up and spend extra on a more notable brand.
The best gaming chairs might be the go-to piece of furniture for anyone who plays on PC and is looking to take their posture a bit more seriously, but I think more people need to consider investing in one. Gaming chairs, sometimes even more than office chairs, are designed for lengthy sessions of sitting at a desk. They have comfort and posture-enhancing features, as well as ways you can make them your own. For remote workers, console gamers who typically sit on the couch, and anyone else who wants to look after their spine, I think a gaming chair could come in really handy.
Of course, one of the fun things about the best gaming chairs is that their designs can be a bit more personal and flashy compared to their often muted office counterparts. You can even get some very distinct-looking items in the realms of the best console gaming chairs. That said, we've rounded up some of our top desk gaming chair picks below. We've tried our best to cater to a wide range of budgets - not everyone has over a grand to splash out on a new chair, after all.
We're always updating this list with new options - especially since there are always more and more gaming chairs emerging on the digital shelves. We've got some exciting seats coming in to test soon, RotoVR's fancy chair that automatically swivels with your head movements when playing VR games. For now, though, I've got some tried and tested favorites to recommend you, including our top pick, the Fractal Refine. It's holding the gaming chair crown right now thanks to its sublime ergonomics, mixture of fabric and mesh upholstery, and innovative features.
The Fractal Refine is the first-ever attempt at making a gaming chair from this Swedish brand that's well-known in the PC components and cases world - and it's a home run straight off the bat. The Refine doesn't follow the tried and tested direction of other brands and isn't afraid to do things a bit differently. Luckily, the risks of innovation pay off here, and it's a chair that does a bit of everything brilliantly.
Design: The Fractal Refine takes the traditional racing style cutout of most gaming chairs, and elongates it. That means it sits taller than most of its rivals, and maybe doesn't cater to as many body types. Still, it has simple vertical lines that highlight its posture support, which gives it a classy and distinct look that even the likes of Herman Miller can't really match. This brand is known for its well-designed PC cases, and practical design philosophies very much carry over into its chair.
Features: Adjustability is a strong suit of the Refine. There's integrated lumbar support to blend the chair's backrest into your body shape, there's a head cushion that you can set to your height, and there are even 4D armrests so you can synchronize it with your desk. Also present here are the classic swivel, height, and reline adjustments, but Fractal takes things a step further as well, allowing you to change your seat depth, and even set a second, deeper position so you can sink further into the chair without losing the posture support. In addition, you can set tilt tension adjustment too, although we couldn't really feel much of a difference in that regard.
Performance: Coming from the Boulies Ninja Pro, which is an extremely plush chair, I was a bit worried that the Fractal Refine wouldn't sport enough cushioning to really be comfortable for longer stretches. However, the blend of comfort and ergonomics here really is best-in-class, because it makes sitting in healthier positions more comfortable, which is really the goal of any gaming chair at the end of the day. I do wish there was a bit more cushioning in the backrest, but it's hard to fault a chair that's as comfortable as this, and results in fewer back aches.
The armrests are a true standout here, and the fact you can set them to freely moving height and rotational adjustments as opposed to locked positions like with Secretlab chairs means you can tailor them exactly to how you'd like to sit at a desk. Their wide shape is a huge win as well, especially if accurate aiming and big swipes of a mouse are important to you in FPS games. Annoyingly, these armrests don't lock into a forward and back position, which can result in them clicking out of place far too easily. Still, they're better than the majority of rivals.
Value for money is a big bonus here as well. The level of comfort, posture support, and aesthetics you get for your money makes the Refine an almost perfect all-rounder. All that, and you don't pay as much as you would for a Secretlab or Herman Miller product. Overall, it is not bad for a first attempt at making a chair.
The Corsair TC100 Relaxed has long been one of our favorite value options in the gaming chair world, but as its price is beginning to slip with age, it's become our favorite budget option. It punches well above its price point by packing loads of features and providing loads of comfort while remaining cheaper than a lot of the competition.
Design: The Corsair TC100 Relaxed seeks to create a blend of supportive, posture-correcting gaming chairs and the plush comfort found in a lot of office chairs. The methodology here is to use a wider seat with softer contact points while staying true to that iconic racer-style build that can support the body for hours on end. In a lot of ways, this bucks the trend of the gaming chair market, offering some excellent comfort and top-of-the-range features at a much lower price than the competition.
Features: Annoyingly, there aren't better personalization options in terms of color. The TC100 Relaxed only comes in either a Plush Leatherette material or a Soft Fabric that feels similar to upholstery found on a couch, but only comes in two colours, grey, and black. The other flaw of note is that the casters feel a bit rigid no matter what surface you're atop. That said, the quality of the seat you get here for the price is excellent, and its soft cushioning rivals any console gaming chair geared at pure comfort. Adjustability is here in spades, and the armrests benefit from that too.
Performance: The TC100 is proof that you can absolutely get a top-drawer gaming chair from a well-known brand for less than $300. If you like the look of the Secretlab options on this list and want a lot of the same features, but can't afford their lofty prices - don't miss this cracker from Corsair. Assembly could have been easier, and the head cushion is a little too full for me, but the padding on the seat and the back make up for them. Moreover, the armrests feel nice and soft to lean on, and never create a feeling of discomfort.
For most people sitting at a desk or in a gaming room, you won't need more than this.
As the improved version of the model, the Secretlab Titan Evo is an extremely popular gaming chair. It's stylish, sturdy, and takes a firmer approach to comfort. Newer models that launched more recently allow you to opt for a NanoGen version which makes the Titan Evo a bit more plush, or the cheaper Lite model which brings the price down.
Design: This brand's premium-grade materials and impressive build quality leave very little to be desired as far as gaming chairs go. The broad strokes of this chair aren't doing anything crazy, but it's easy to think of the generic gaming chair shape as a canvas for all of the amazing officially licensed designs this brand gets for its flagship seat. The Titan Evo has 4D armrests, integrated lumbar support, a slew of adjustability, and plenty of great add-ons if you can afford to spend a little more.
I can't overstate that there are so many colorways and officially licensed designs to choose from here - in fact, it may be one of the main draws of this brand, because the cosmetic selection simply has no rival in the market.
Features: Aside from acing the basics you expect from any top gaming chair - like 4D armrests, and an adjustable lumbar - the Titan Evo goes the extra mile. The pièce de résistance? Practical application of magnets as an alternative to the usual fiddly headrest straps. It means you can adjust easily depending on your height, and there are even a few different sizes in case the regular doesn't cut it. While the smallest model caters to 4"11' – 5"6' short kings, the XL model tops out at 5"11' – 6"9' meaning there's a lot of leeway for different frames. The regular version sits right in between.
The NanoGen definitely adds a more plush level of comfort to this famously firm chair. That said, don't let the marketing get to you, it is the same throne we've known, and it isn't the most plush option out there. Even so, it's an improvement over the base model if you've tried one of Secretlab's chairs before and haven't seen what all the fuss is about.
Don't forget as well that Secretlab has a lot of add-ons to help you make your chair more "you". There's the new Secretlab Recliner Add-on, as well as lumbar cushions and armrest tops. If you're willing to invest in these things, they can give you yet more sitting options.
Performance: Still in regular use around the GamesRadar+ offices today, there's much to say for the Titan Evo 's durability, because years after assembly, you still won't hear a squeak or creak out of it.
The SoftWeave version we tested originally is plush and breathable, but the leatherette versions are the ones we'd recommend more if your budget allows. Along with build quality, the easy assembly process really makes this brand stand apart from the rest of the competition. A massive instructions placard and annotated stickers mean the chair's not as awkward to put together as others, and the armrests coming attached out of the box delete an entire step of building a chair.
This is a popular choice for a reason, but don't be fooled. There are other options out there that are worth considering because this really isn't a chair for everyone. On the other hand, there's a reason this brand has conquered the world in the last fie years, and there are plenty of reasons to sit in its camp.
Following on from the Razer Iskur X comes an updated gaming chair from Razer which puts supporting your spine front and centre. The Iskur V2 has integrated lumbar support that adjusts to you and your sitting position, making it the best option for anyone who struggles with lower back aches and pains.
Design: In a lineup scenario, it might be tricky to pick out the new Iskur V2. On the whole, it looks very similar to the Iskur and Iskur X, with only a few feature disparities truly separating them. Luckily, if you don't like the green trim that's befitting one of Razer's products, the V2 is also available in all black.
Features: The V2 builds upon the excellent chair that the Iskur X is. Besides a magnetic head cushion which is swapped out for a strapped one, the V2 carries over all of the main features you'll know but improves a number of them. There are now 4D armrests, plenty of adjusting options for tilt, 152° recline, and a more advanced EPU-grade synthetic leather upholstery. Of course, the biggest selling point here has to be the adjustable lumbar support, which has adjustable depth and height but responds to your body's position at any reshuffle.
Performance: Our tabletop and merch editor found that the lumbar support in this chair cured a lot of his aches and pains, and said the lumbar support was a "godsend". In all honesty, this is everything a gaming chair really should set out to be. It's comfortable enough to sit in for lengthy sessions but also has the build quality and design to aid your well-being. Ergonomics and comfort need to match one another, and the Iskur V2 does an excellent job there. At the end of the day, if we're complaining about a headrest not being magnetic, you know a chair must be pretty good.
Shopping for your first-ever gaming chair can be a nightmare because you have no reference to work from and so many options vying for your attention. How do you know what chair will suit your preferences, and more importantly, which one will be the best investment for your hard-earned cash.
The Boulies Elite Series is the one we'd recommend to most first-time buyers because first of all, it doesn't break the bank. Secondly, it has a lot of the features you'll likely be shopping for in a gaming chair, which a lot of the cheapest options you can find on Amazon and Best Buy won't give you.
Design & Features: Boulies takes a fairly classy approach to gaming chair design. You won't see any licensed designs, but more professional colorways with that traditional gaming chair shape. With the Elite Series, you can choose between a egular size or the larger Elite Max. Both will then narrow down further into upholstery, with a water repellent fabric option coming in ash grey or charcoal grey. If you opt for the brand's Ultraflex PU leather, you get the choice between either blue or black.
Compared to more expensive options, you won't see integrated lumbar support, and those slightly outdated headrest holes are present here for the chair's plush cushions. Annoyingly, these do move around more than magnetic cushions or integrated lumbar, but the good news is you don't need to have them if you find the Elite Series comfy on its own. You also get 4D armrests, which isn't always common at this price range. This is an important gaming chair feature, so it's an good one to have.
Performance: Our reviewer hadn't upgraded office chairs in around a decade, and for the amount of time he spend at a desk every day for work and play, he was really in need of something more supportive. The Elite Series arrived, and he found that the longer he sat in it, the more it won him over. The range of motion, adjustments, and positions he could adopt really solidified in his mind that he should have upgraded sooner.
One small caveat is that this chair is designed to have a firmer cushioning level than other Boulies seats. This is the case for a lot of gaming chairs, but plush options do exist, so if you'd rather have a better mix of comfort and support, look elsewhere on this list. That said, for a first-time buy, this might be the reference point and posture shift you need.
High-end, flagship gaming chairs from well-known brands seldom come cheap, and even with a price tag of $499 / £499, the Corsair TC500 Luxe isn't exactly affordable for everyone. Nevertheless, compared to other flagship models, this chair actually gets you a lot of premium features without dipping into the 600+ price range. On top of that, it's one of the best looking chairs on this list.
Design & Features: Corsair's taken quite a bold approach to the traditional racing seat backrest shape with the TC500 Luxe. The seatbase is really nice and wide, allowing for lots of sitting positions, while its backrest embraces you and doesn't stretch too far, almost wrapping around you with its unique shoulder blades. Perhaps most eye catching is its hexed cushion pattern, which gives it this classy antique look few gaming seats strive for.
The Luxe takes the award for best head cushion I've ever tested because although it has the memory foam bounce-back of Secretlab's version, it's even more plush and has a velvety soft fabric coating. Two integrated lumbar support wheels let you adjust lower back posture correction in four directions, and all of the usual tilt, recline, and height adjustments are here as you'd expect. A big standout, however, is the design of the Ominflex armrests.
Performance: And herein lies the biggest issue with the TC500 Luxe. It's so comfortable to sit in, and it feels just as premium as much more expensive options from Secretlab and Razer, but its armrests really let the side down. Their folding design makes for excellent weight distribution and comfort, but they're set way too far apart to make any sort of sense. Even in their narrowest screw setting on the seatbase, they rely on their ability to rotate to cater to narrower bodies. It's a shame that these armrests can move forward and back, can rotate, and move up and down, and yet they're missing that vital lateral movement that would bolster this chair to a top spot on this list.
Elsewhere, this chair does provide excellent levels of comfort in combination with a gentle firmness to help you correct your posture. Its seat cushioning has a bit more spring to it than Secretlab's best offerings, but it will give you a numb rear end if you sit in the same position for long enough. All in all, this is an excellent chair for the money Corsair asks in return.
The Herman Miller x Logitech Embody gaming chair absolutely proves that premium ergonomic design is worth investing in for you and your posture. It's the best premium gaming chair we've tested.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website best gaming chair with footrest.
Put it this way, it's not often something of this price remains so popular for so long.
Design: The Herman Miller X Logitech Embody has a distinctive look. There are some stylish flourishes adorning the chair like its Logitech-blue accenting, a tag, and a motif on the back. Aesthetically though, that's really it. The material is breathable and soft, which is an enhancement over less premium options. Overall, the luxury materials and minimalist color choices make for a really smart look.
Features: The Logitech Embody has all the pedigree and sublime DNA you could ask for, heaps of posture and comfort augmentations, and a price to match. While the armrests are not 4D as they are on many other gaming chairs, they're simple - perhaps too simple - with just up and down, in and out adjustability. Elsewhere, there's much more versatility. There are handles you can use to change the seat's depth - essentially rolling out extra chair from out of the either - which is just such clever design work. It has a slightly wider footprint than many gaming chairs, so that's something to be aware of if you decide to invest, though it adds greater stability, weight distribution, and balance.
Performance: The fact there's zero assembly required with the Embody means the chair's success doesn't rely on your ability to fasten bits of it together. As well, all the clever levers and knobs are intuitive and easy to use, though the seat-depth setting did admittedly take some getting used to for our reviewer. This is a short chair with no dedicated headrest, but even without one, it has ergonomics at the forefront of its design. The armrests are comfy, and our reviewer claimed that it definitely helped him regain some back strength through better posture. Overall it's one of the comfiest seats we've ever had the pleasure of testing.
The Boulies Master Series is a versatile gaming chair with plenty of cosmetic choices to it. That being said, there's versatility to it as well. If you've been shopping around for a chair that's designed for gaming, but you need to steer clear of the more out-there and colorful options, the Master Series is something that flies under the radar. This is the sort of chair you could see in a remote working office and it isn't going to draw too much attention.
Just to add some more temptation, Boulies is also coming out with a Master Rex model of this chair which gets you an attached footrest as well - definitely one to think about if you plan on reclining often.
Design: The Boulies Master Series is available in a few different sizes, colorways, and upholstery options. We tested the green water-repellent fabric option and found it to be aesthetic as well as comfortable. There's also Ultraflex PU, Nappa Leather, and a larger Master Max size, which gives you a bit more room in all directions. The traditional gaming chair shape has been stretched out the way here, giving the look of a comfy couch you could fall into, rather than something edgy or outwardly ergonomic. As is the case with all of the Boulies chairs, there's a steel frame here that's nice and strong, but a lighter aluminium wheelbase makes it maneuverable.
Features: All the tilt, reclining, and swiveling needs you might have are catered for here, with armrests that take the adjustability of the Ninja Pro a step further, with 4D capabilities. The standout feature here is the integrated lumbar support, which works similarly to the likes of Razer and Secretlab's offerings. A small scrolling wheel sits on the chair's right-hand side and can be adjusted to better suit your body and its comfortable positions while seated.
Performance: Aesthetically, it's hard to fault the Boulies Master Series, particularly if you're looking for a gaming chair that can also give off those professional home office vibes. There's a nice level of comfort to this chair, but perhaps the thing that annoyed us most about it was the lack of a truly premium feel. Most chairs will produce some audible creaks and squeaks after a while of use, but these made themselves so present that our reviewer actually had to stick some paper into one of the hinges to mute it.
Overall though, this doesn't detract from a chair that delivers everything you'd want in a gaming throne for $359 / £289. If you're on the hunt for a low-profile option that won't break the bank and will take care of your back, the Master Series gives you a bit of everything.
In , we reviewed the Mavix M9 - the brand's flagship gaming chair. While it was certainly comfortable, and enjoyed a place on this list for a long while, it ultimately lost its place as cheaper competitors offered similar features for less cash. Now, however, as more brands throw out attempts at mesh chairs, the slightly more affordable M7 sees itself onto our buying guide thanks to its adjustability and super performance.
Design: The Mavix M7 is available in three colors. There's an all-black version, a Black and Red model, and a Black and White version. As an added bonus, you can also choose to customize the color of the castor wheels of your chair, so if you want to make a classy all-black chair pop with personality, that could be an option.
Those wheels, come to mention it, are a single, solid piece of rubber, which is great if you're used to cheaper dual-track plastics since they allow you to move smoothly on different surfaces. Annoyingly, Mavix doesn't do much in the way of offering assembly instructions, since there's no booklet that comes in the box.
One of the best parts about the Mavix M7's design, however, is that nearly everything is adjustable, and even though it can take a while to work out what each lever does, it's great to see a chair offer so much support across different body types and sitting styles.
Features: If you're willing to pay a little extra, you can opt for an Elemax backrest that gives you heat as well as massage features. We're sure this will be an alluring feature, and although we loved it, it does hike up the price of a Mavix chair usually. That said, keep your eye out for events on the Mavix store where they offer Elemax for no extra cost.
Elsewhere, the M7 features 4D or 360-degree rotational armrests, as well as lumbar and head support that clicks into place when you sit down so it supports whatever position you find comfortable.
Performance: In our review, our news editor Ali said "this is a very, very good chair. Comfortable, easy to adjust, and with features I didn't even know I wanted before I sat in it for the first time, the Mavix M7 puts you at the heart of every adjustment it lets you make (or even makes for you). I'd struggle to go back to anything less accomplished than this in the future."
In particular, we liked the adjusting lumbar support and cooling mesh material. While its optional heated massage backrest costs more, we did find it was worth a bit of extra investment. In fact, one of the only things we weren't so keen on was the price tag - however, when you compare it to the likes of Herman Miller and other high-end chairs that try to do similar things, this is a clear winner.
The Herman Miller X Logitech G Vantum has some solid ergonomics, good support, and posture-improving elements. It may not live up to the Embody's extremely high standards, but it's still a fantastic chair. It's seen a refresh recently and is even available in updated colorways, with an upgraded headrest.
Design: Coming in a few colorways, the Vantum is a mesh-designed bad boy that has a much more subtle aesthetic than its brethren. It's also a bit 'smaller' in every way, aside from its height. The materials do feel 'cheaper' than the Embody - that is to say, not necessarily budget or flimsy, but not as premium across the board. In fairness, it's a less expensive product, so that makes sense.
Features: The Vantum does promote a different kind of comfort and ergonomic design. Mainly it just shunts you forward a bit more than the Embody, but generally, it promotes a good upright sitting position. You've got the usual controls too: height adjustment, tilt, tilt tension, and the seat depth lever. You can alter the lumbar support with the handles, which push the support into your back, or pull it away. There's a lot of versatility in the chair's movement, with the headrest even allowing for forward tilt if you'd like it. Folks miffed at the Embody for not having a dedicated headrest will be happy though, since it has a very supportive one here.
Performance: The Vantum does require a bit of construction - albeit barely any - but it's not too difficult to put together and it does inspire confidence that there are no weak spots that you may have created for yourself. While the wheelbase is solid and sturdy, it's also smaller; it's not as wide as the Embody's which actually makes moving it around a bit easier. Importantly, aside from smashing ergonomics, the seat is well-cushioned and comfy. While the lumbar support is a little bit localized, and the armrests adjust a little too easily, it's also a darn sight cheaper than its sister chair.
Supporting the launch of Logitech’s Premier G Pro racing wheel, the PlaySeat Trophy Logitech G builds off the Playseat Trophy, with a couple of logi-centric tweaks. If it's a cockpit you're building for your gaming setup, it doesn't get much better than this.
Design: Rather than the matte black outfit of the previous model, the powder-coated finish of the high carbon steel frame is glossy grey, and there are accents of electric G blue, and Logitech logos too. The flowing lines of the Trophy’s tubular frame feel high-end and modern. There's rounded corners aplenty softening what would otherwise be a dominating cockpit.
Features: The Trophy Logitech G Edition is a freestanding, full-size racing cockpit with a uniquely integrated racing hammock seat, wheeldeck, and pedal tray. It even comes with a pair of white cotton gloves - snazzy. It's important to note that this thing is going to need plenty of room; at 1m wide and 1.5m long it takes up a surprising amount of floor space. The pedal tray is adjusted with bright blue thumbscrews, which would have been appreciated elsewhere during the assembly process. The seat and wheeldeck angle adjust, too, though there's no up, down, in, or out translation. The wheeldeck can be installed either way around to extend reach, though.
Performance: Considering the complexity, the Trophy Logitech G Edition comes in a compact package with just eleven pieces that needed slotting together. Construction was a simple task, and took only half an hour to put together. Once there, it can withstand the stresses of direct drive wheels, with every joint secured with multiple Allen bolts - sometimes six - which, while a little overkill is a sign of quality. This thing is cleverly designed, well built, and has a rock solid frame. It's mighty comfortable, mighty large, but unfortunately a sizeable investment.
While we'd heartily recommend the chairs above, we have to admit their prices are pretty steep. For a look at the cheaper end of the scale, check out our roundup of the latest gaming chair deals. They aren't always models we've tested for ourselves, but we've picked out ones that have strong user-review scores from a larger number of buyers.
If your tastes are so inclined, we've even rounded up a list of the best pink gaming chairs on the market. Alternatively, if you're not looking for a chair that's designed to sit at a desk, you could go with one of the best console gaming chairs.
Gaming chairs have come a long way in recent years, with more brands pitching their own seats than ever. That means there's more competition out there these days, with some pretty high price tags sometimes accompanying brand-new features and designs. The best gaming chair brands, from what we've seen in our testing, are Boulies, Secretlab, Razer, Corsair, and Herman Miller. There are honestly loads of brands out there now, so much so that not enough people have heard of Fractal Design, Mavix, and GTOmega.
Like RGB lighting, we sadly can't say that one of the best gaming chairs will make you better at your favorite games. However, a decent chair will have a whole array of benefits that will definitely make your posture and health better.
Gaming chairs are purpose-built to support for back, neck, and shoulders in a way that some office chairs just can't live up to. Many gaming chairs feature high backrests that curve naturally to align with your spine resulting in far better sitting posture, which can reduce lumbar pain and other aches. So we suppose the thing a gaming chair will improve about you the most is likely your posture and wellbeing.
That said, good armrests can absolutely impact your aim when using a mouse in FPS games. We'll always test how the adjustability of these armrests can match up with different desks, and give you our evaluation of whether a seat will help of hurt you.
This will really come down to what brand deals and sponsorships they have, more than it will about how good each chair is. With that in mind, A lot of different chair brands have their own pro representation, and although streamers and content creators have their favourites, you can't always trust what they say about them since a lot of them will have sponsorship ties too.
This will really come down to you and your setup. If you play games through a console and a TV, it's likely that a really comfortable couch will be the seat of choice for you. If you use a projector in a more open-plan room, maybe a beanbag or a foldable gaming chair will be what you need. In our opinion though, most "office" style gaming chairs are more versatile than people think.
You'll be glad to know that most gaming chairs that we recommend to US readers are available in the UK as well. Besides a few brands who have struggled to bridge the Brexit divide in European markets, most chairs can ship to the US and UK without a hitch. That said, Boulies is one of few gaming chair brands based out of the UK, so if you're looking for a hometown hero, that's the one.
Gaming chairs are typically considerably more expensive than their office equivalents but bring with that added cost a suite of features lesser seen in more traditional furniture. The most pressing difference is the emphasis on ergonomics with many gaming chairs being sculpted in such a way to accommodate for long play and work sessions. This is achieved through thicker padding on the seat (usually made out of high-density foam) as well as much taller backrests leading to greater levels of support over longer periods of time.
Choosing a gaming chair may depend on a number of factors. We'd always start by looking at price first of all since looking at the budget you have to shop with will help to narrow your search.
Next, we'd look at what you want in a chair like this. Do you want something that's bred for all-day comfort, or do you want something that's designed to use ergonomics to help your posture and well-being? Often, gaming chairs will blend these two areas, but each one will approach the ratio slightly differently.
As well, aesthetics are worth thinking about. Gaming chairs can have out-there designs and it's up to you to determine whether you want something that shows off your favorite hobby, or something that flies under the gaming radar and looks at home in a working-from-home environment.
Lastly, we'd look at what platform you play games on. Most gaming chairs these days are geared at desk setups, so if you're looking for something that will replace a couch for a console loadout, another alternative might be better for you.
Why you can trust GamesRadar+ Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about our reviews policy.
With what seems like more options than ever on the market from both up-and-coming as well as established brands, our testing helps to separate the best from the rest. When we review gaming chairs, we take into account the build quality, as well as the time, spent assembling the units as potential buyers would. Most critical of all, is the value for money proposition, as we wouldn't recommend a gaming chair that we would not buy for ourselves.
We spend a lot of time testing gaming chairs both at work and in our downtime, too. We'll usually begin testing each one by assembling it ourselves, and determining how long it takes, how easy the process is, and if we need a helper to move around the various parts.
From then on, it's a matter of testing for more than a month or so before we come to a verdict. This may seem like a long stretch of time, but it gives us a chance to check the chair's build quality after a long period of wear and tear. We'll listen out for squeaky noises and take note of whether we need to tighten the bolts back up after use.
Another thing we'll do to test a gaming chair's adjustability is to fit it to our desks. If I'm testing a chair, I'll always be on the lookout for how a chair can match up with my workspace, because it can have a big impact on ergonomics, not to mention things like armrests being a huge contributor to aiming with a mouse in FPS games.
By the time we come to a verdict, we'll be thinking about the ergonomics and comfort. We'll ask whether we've felt more or less aches and pains since sitting in the chair every day, and weigh up its aspects for a final review score. Taking that all into account, we'll look at the price and decide whether a chair is a worthwhile investment.
You can find out more about how we test gaming chairs in our full hardware policy.
We test plenty of gaming chairs, but not all of them make the cut of a top spot on this list. Here's some information about some of the other contenders we've tested recently that haven't made the cut.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit leather vs fabric gaming chair.