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A solid gaming chair is a must-have for anyone who spends a lot of time at their PC, regardless of whether or not they're actually gaming. That’s because gaming chairs — from the most minimalistic to the most extravagant — are built with one very important thing in mind: your long-term comfort.
So say goodbye to spending hours at your computer only to end up barely able to walk afterward because your back is so messed up. The 12 best gaming chairs are all hand-picked to provide you with the utmost comfort.
Ranked a top gaming chair by those in the know, this racing back-style computer chair from Secret Lab ticks all the right boxes when it comes to gaming chairs. The soft fabric regulates your seated temperature (because no one likes a sweaty bum after hours of sitting). The leveled seat base features a built-in adjustable lumbar cushion. The chair can support nearly 300 pounds. It also comes with a five-year warranty.
For added fun, you can purchase your Secretlab Titan in an array of themes to fit your favorite show, game or other fandoms.
The only downside? This comfortable chair is a bit pricey, at over $400.
If you have more wiggle room in your budget, though, you can opt for the upgraded, more expensive option from Secretlab, the Omega. It takes all of the great features found in the Titan, makes them better and adds a few more on top. In addition, this premium gaming chair is extremely adjustable, so you can customize the feel to fit your body, and it even comes in a vast swathe of styles.
Sadly, the Secretlab Omega can’t support the same amount of weight as the Secretlab Titan, topping out at 242 pounds, but if you don’t mind that, you’ll still find lots to love about this near-$750 gaming chair.
But we can’t all afford a gaming chair that’s nearly the cost of this month’s rent, so for a budget pick, try the Cougar Explore S. At about $250, it’s on the lower-end side of gaming chairs, but it still packs a lot of perks.
You get 3D armrests, lumbar cushioning, a padded headrest, a quilted leather finish and a sturdy steel frame. The recline feature is lockable so that you can kick back in comfort. The chair can support 264 pounds.
If you like the leather look of the Cougar Explore S, but you want even more leather, try the real leather Epic chair from noblechairs. This large gaming chair is high quality, luxurious and even easy to put together.
But for all the love and care that noblechairs put into this throne, you would have thought they could’ve sprung for armrests that were just a little bit better than the plastic armrests this chair is outfitted with. Maybe that’s why it’s not as pricey as some of the other options on our list, at just over $450.
Won’t trust your comfort to any of the above chairs? No worries. This science-inspired chair has your, well… back.
Created based on the expertise of more than a dozen different doctors, this Herman Miller chair is all about ergonomics, with an ergonomic design that supports proper pressure distribution and your natural alignment and spinal curve. The chair even moves with you, adjusting to however you sit, giving you the utmost comfort at every second.
Sure, it’s not the most stylish chair, and it admittedly looks pretty different from most other gaming chairs you’ll find, but you can’t beat the comfort. Just don't be frightened off by the price tag. At over $1,000, this chair is an investment.
On the complete other end of the spectrum, it is indeed possible to find a gaming chair under $100. This two-toned racing-style OFM essentials chair comes in an array of colors and is made from bonded leather. In terms of features and functions, it sticks to the basics: 360-degree turning, an adjustable headrest and flip-up arms. The chair can also support 275 pounds.
You get all of the features you need, plus a cool look, without spending very much at all.
Okay, so you need a chair that you can stay comfortable in during long gaming sessions, but that also won’t draw unwanted attention from your boss during Zoom meetings. Here’s where the Secretlab NeueChair comes in.
Brought to you by the same brand that makes some of the best overall gaming chairs on the market, the NeueChair is a bit more understated than some of Secretlab’s other options. It looks like an office chair, but the design makes it ideal for long hours spent gaming as well.
The chair is made from a breathable, three-layer mesh. The extra lumbar support is height-adjustable. Multiple settings give you multiple posture options to best fit your working style. The grippy armrest fabric keeps your elbows in place. And the wheels are even more silent than your average office chair wheel, regardless of your floor’s surface.
For those who want an extra-wide gaming chair, this fabric option from AKRacing is a sturdy pick. But even being extra-wide, the chair is still suitable for those on the shorter side, including users down to 5 feet, 4 inches. It can support up to 330 pounds of weight, and features include a tilt lock, 180-degree recline and lumbar cushions.
But what if you need something with an even greater weight capacity? In that case, go with the AndaSeat Kaiser 2, which can hold nearly 400 pounds without batting an eye.
The seat comes in an array of colors, from the flashier hues that you may be more familiar with when shopping around for a gaming chair to a more subdued black that may blend into your home office setting a little easier.
Just keep in mind — this chair is nothing tiny. In order to offer that greater weight capacity, this chair takes up a fair amount of space.
Prefer to go with the most customizable chair possible? Then the ErgoCentric tCentric Hybrid chair may be the best option for you. Each of these chairs is 100% customized to your needs and built specifically for the individual buyer using the brand’s online chair fitting tool (and if you still have more concerns after using the fitting tool, you can always talk to the brand’s on-staff ergonomist).
And while you might think that such a customized chair would be wildly pricey or require a long wait, think again. At around $900, these chairs are pricey but still not the priciest on our list, and as for the wait, you should get your chair in under a week. And possibly the best part? There’s no assembly required.
While the Razer Iskur is a relatively new model, it's one that’s garnered high praise from the gaming community. With its high-quality build and PVC leather, this racing-style seat is comfortable, firm and capable of holding up to 300 pounds. The 4D armrests provide greater adjustability than your standard 3D armrest. Plus, if you already use a lot of Razer products in your gaming setup, this PC gaming chair will just round things out.
Most gaming chairs come in PU leather or faux leather material, or possibly a mesh, so if you prefer a softer fabric upholstery, your options are a bit limited. One of the few great fabric gaming chairs on the market is the reclining Corsair T3 Rush.
Made from a soft, gray fabric with 4D armrests and a memory foam lumbar support, this chair will keep you cool and stick-free during long gaming sessions while also ensuring proper posture. This chair also reclines an impressive 180 degrees.
No matter which gaming chair you end up going with, you'll want to keep a few things in mind as you start your shopping process.
What kind of style do you want for your gaming chair? Typically, gaming chairs come in various flashy colors and with specialty designs based on favorite fandoms. However, you can find more office-appropriate gaming chairs if that’s what you’d prefer.
Beyond colors and patterns, though, also look at seat style and shape, as racing-style gaming chairs with bucket seats will sit and fit very differently from what you may be accustomed to with a traditional office chair.
Which features are most important to you? Adjustable armrests? A deep recline? Memory foam back support? Temperature-regulating fabrics? A footrest?
Whatever features you think will give you the utmost in comfort, look for chairs that offer them.
Even the most visually attractive, full-featured gaming chair won’t be a good fit if it’s not the right size for your frame. Most gaming chairs are built with men in mind, to be perfectly honest. They usually are ideally suited to users at least 5 feet, 9 inches tall and those who weigh 200 to 300 pounds.
If you’re smaller than this, you’ll need to keep an eye out for a chair that can accommodate your frame without making you uncomfortable (either a chair built for a smaller frame or one that features a suitable height adjustment). If you’re especially petite, you just won’t feel comfy in a chair with a seat height for someone with a longer torso and longer legs.
Likewise, if you’re larger than the standard 200–300 pound weight limit, you’ll need a chair that’s suited for bigger builds.
With gaming chairs easily costing more than $1,000 in some cases, and more than $400 in most cases, budget is a big factor to consider. How much do you want to spend on a gaming chair? Do you just need something to hold you over for a while, or do you want to invest in a piece of furniture that you’re going to likely use every day?
One of the best things you can do when shopping for a gaming chair (or really any chair, for that matter)? Actually trying the chair out in person before you buy.
See if your local office supply store has any gaming chairs in stock. Even if they don’t have a particular model you’re considering, just trying some chairs out can help you better understand your preferences and what features you need/want.
Once you know what chair you want or at least what type of chair you want, you can always buy the chair online via a retailer like Amazon, for the best price or certain customization options, like a particular color or upgrade.
The best gaming chair, at the end of the day, is going to be the gaming chair that best suits your needs. Every gamer is different and every gaming setup is different. Get out there and try some chairs in person and start shopping around (and don’t feel like you need to rush the shopping process — this is a big purchase).
Once you've found the right option for you, your back will thank you.
The 13 Best Gaming Chairs:
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