How Do I Find a Gaming Chair That's Right For Me?
If you're considering purchasing a gaming chair over a standard office chair, you're already on the right track when considering what is best for ensuring comfortable gaming for hours at a time. The question is, how do you find amongst the many gaming chairs out there which is the right one for you?
Firstly, landing on a reputable gaming furniture website is the best first step to at least learn what is standard on a gaming chair. Why do they have strange looking cushions? Why do seat sizes matter? Should I be looking for a fabric or a leather gaming chair? Why do they all look like office chairs?!
What Should I Consider First When Buying a New Gaming Chair?
First things first, ergonomics, personalisation and comfort. Do not just go for looks, your back and posture will thank you later. Does the gaming chair have adjustable armrests that you can move around to suit your ideal elbow resting position? Does the gaming chair have some support cushions to encourage a better posture? Does the gaming chair have a curved backrest that shapes your spine? If the gaming chair has most (or all) of these things, you know you're onto a good choice already!
What Size Gaming Chair Do I Need?
Have a think about the way you sit at your desk or table. Do you usually sit on your feet? Do you like to sit cross-legged? On average, 41% of gamers usually sit in an unorthodox position and whilst gaming chairs are designed to suit the perfect "two feet flat on the floor" method, many gaming chairs now consider these unorthodox positions which is exactly why lumbar support cushions exist!
If you happen to be one of the 41%, look for a gaming chair that has a wide seat base that give you the freedom to sit comfortably - but ensure if there's no lumbar support cushion that you think about this an an additional purchase. When gaming for hours, its easy to get lost in the game and forget you're actually doing more harm than good.
For tall users, a tall back is a must. It's incredibly important when looking into the right gaming chair that you consider the height of the headrest. For medium-sized users, an adjustable head-rest is an ideal solution to make a tall-back gaming chair suit you personally. For shorter users, there are compact gaming chairs out there designed specifically to suit your needs, however a mid-back full-size option is also ideal to make sure your head is perfectly supported and placed.
What Type of Gaming Chair is Best? (Racing vs Ergonomic vs Rocker)
There's no best type of gaming chair all-round, only a best type to suit you. Racing chairs for example are designed to be eye-catching, sporting a similar look to car racing seats with very tall backrests. Because of these sporty looks, they have to make up for the design over comfort by applying adjustable ergonomics, such as 3D and 4D armrests, adjustable support cushions, sometimes footrests and tilt/swivel. If you find a racing-style chair without these features, you may wish to avoid for the sake of your comfort.
Ergonomic gaming chairs tend to be primarily made from fabric or mesh. These gaming chairs are first and foremost about supporting a natural posture and should be the gaming chairs you look for if you're playing games for longer than >4 hours a day OR you're planning to use the chair for working at home as well. Mesh chairs and fabric chairs support better airflow to your back, preventing overheating and an uncomfortable seating position. You'll notice ergonomic chairs may not be lookers and may lack support cushions, but this is because the chair themselves are shaped to force your posture, such as a curved backrest or adjustable headrest built straight in.
Rockers, coined by X Rocker, are floor-level gaming chairs that were originally designed to help lift children and teens off the floor and onto something safer and more comfortable. This range of chairs has expanded to cover adults and larger frames, creating an ideal console gaming chair that helps support your neck when looking up towards a living room television. Rockers aim to reduce strain overall on your back, neck and hips, whilst providing a fidget friendly solution from their very addictive rocking nature.
Gaming Chair Materials Explained (PU Leather vs Fabric vs Mesh)
Do gaming chair materials really matter? Why are some gaming chairs made from leather, whereas others are made from fabric and mesh? What's the upside (and downside) to each?
It's important to note that whilst most gaming chairs are made from different sorts of leather, it will wear the fastest regardless. They will peel if the leather is low-grade, so it's important to consider the type of leather applied to a chair, as well as the warranty you receive with it. A big factor that is overlooked when considering a leather chair is that the material is not breathable - meaning if its a particularly warm day or a very intense gaming session, you're likely to get a little sweaty which can lead to an overall uncomfortable gaming session.
Fabric although feeling the most premium doesn't breathe particularly well either and can get a little smelly if not maintained properly. If you're the type to sit cross-legged - bare in mind your socks may rub against the fabric and ultimately stain it. There's a lot to maintain here, but if you're happy with that as a factor - you are going to be sat in a far more comfortable gaming seat.
Finally, Mesh is by far the most overlooked material when it comes to a gaming chair, but this is purely due to the fact it's not exactly very good looking! They usually look rather futuristic, boring and a little corporate. Because Mesh gaming chairs breathe so well and are naturally springy - they counteract these looks and replace them with a very ergonomical and a very comfortable alternative that you should really consider.
How are Gaming Chairs Better For Your Back?
Have you ever noticed how gaming chairs are slowly replacing office chairs even in the workplace? That's because basic office chairs are designed to be cheap and made on-mass at a budget friendly price. They don't particularly care about ergonomics and are focused primarily on cheap plastics and the same material you'd find on a buses seat.
Comfort means happiness, happiness means productivity and productivity means... profit I guess. And when you translate profit to video games, that means victories! the principle is the same! A mind that isn't thinking about how uncomfortable being sat in a chair is, the more it's thinking about the best strategies to take the win.
So how do gaming chairs achieve this comfort? One word: personalisation. Everybody's shape is different, so gaming chairs go out of their way to move and adjust to make sure it's perfect for you - like the main seat in a car. No one adjusts the drivers seat! This is because it's perfectly been set to the optimal position to ensure driving for hours is a relaxing experience.
How Much Should You Spend on a Gaming Chair?
When gaming chairs began springing up on the market, they were expensive because the word "Gaming" before "Chair" meant premium. It's easy to find a quality gaming chair that are affordable. Take X Rocker for example. As far as a UK-grown brand goes, it's very affordable. Not only is the RRP reasonable and achievable for most families in the UK, it's also backed with UK support and a UK 2 year warranty. That means you know you're getting value for your money straight away.
Some gaming chairs on the cheaper end usually come from China, with cheap materials in place to act almost as a "one and done" customer experience. It's not a brand you can trust or buy into, it's just something cheap you need right now - but by doing that, you could actually be harming your back, hips and neck without even knowing it. Within a couple of months, the leather has peeled and you're looking for another one already!
Expensive gaming chairs, such as Secretlab, Razer and Corsair are always backed by a strong warranty, but you're paying for access into a warranty you're probably unlikely to use or even be eligible for. Don't get caught in the trap of a flashy brand just because the price is telling you to. Learn the lessons of this guide. What does the chair have? Does it answer what I need it for? is there an alternative out there with a reasonable warranty and material that does exactly the same thing? If so, you can make up your mind.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Gaming Chair
The biggest mistake everyone makes when purchasing a gaming chair is assuming that any and all gaming chairs are a one-size-fits-all solution. They aren't! Because we're all so different, gaming chairs are specifically to tackle those who are particularly tall and those who are particularly short, but they don't cater for those in the middle. That's why gaming chairs that have personalised ergonomics are more important than ever to make sure that the shoe fits. Personalisation, personalisation, Personalisation!!!
Gaming Chair Buying FAQs
What should I look for when buying a gaming chair?
Ergonomic support, adjustable armrests, height adjustable, weight capacity, build materials and warranty coverage! These are all the basics when considering what gaming chair will work best for you.
Are Gmaing Chairs Better Than Office Chairs?
When buying a gaming chair, buyers often compare gaming chairs with ergonomic office chairs, but it all comes down to how well the chair can support long-term comfort, what kind of back support us offered, breathability, design and value for money.
How do I choose the right size gaming chair for my height and weight?
Check the specifications of course! What does the gaming chair say about it's height adjustable range? What is the weight capacity? How wide and deep is the actual seat? The most overlooked specification of all is the backrest height. If you're tall, go for a tall back. if you're short, go for a mid-back. If you're in-between, go for a tall back with adjustable cushions!
What materials are best?
Consider the following factors when looking for a material you'll most prefer. How breathable is it? How will does it retain or lose heat? Is it easy to clean? What if my pet likes sleeping on it, will it get damaged? How durable is it? Each material depends on climate and usability. You really don't want to be warm and sweaty in summer, so a Mesh chair might really help out.
Do Gaming Chairs Really Help with Back Pain?
Gaming chairs will not solve back pain, but they will reduce strain and stress on your back and even eliminate it going forward. If you find you're constantly shuffling in the seat you have now, it's time to consider upgrading to something that's right for you before it's too late.
How Adjustable Should a Gaming Chair Be?
A gaming chair should be adjustable enough to be personalised to you, the core theme of this article. Make sure that all times, your feet can be placed flat on the floor at minimum. Every consideration beyond this should be based on your personal circumstance, such as if you need the armrests to be higher / lower and if you need cushions that can move.
How long do gaming chairs typically last?
Cheap gaming chairs are likely to last you only a few months before the leather starts to peel or the fabric starts to discolour. Quality gaming chairs that are covered by strong warranty of at least 2 years, you should expect to invest into a gaming chair and have no problems up until this time. This includes avoiding the gaming chair squeaking, peeling, ripping and more. Quality gaming chairs should not be replaced anually.
Are expensive gaming chairs worth it?
In short, yes, expensive gaming chairs are generally worth it primarily due to the warranty that is offered alongside them. Expensive gaming chairs are designed to be an investment, and when you divide your years of use vs original price, you'll find you've had an expensive gaming chair for years and haven't even though about replacing it. However, don't be blinded by overly-expensive gaming chairs where you're not only paying into a warranty, but a brand that's got a little ahead of itself. Reasonable gaming chairs are obvious and if you believe the gaming chair will last you a minimum of 2 years based on the warranty and brand offered, then you're onto a winner.
What features are important in a Gaming Chair?
Gaming chairs have lots of new and important features outside of adjustable ergonomics, such as RGB LED gaming chairs which create an immersive and flashy environment, perfect for creators and streamers. Other gaming chairs feature built-in audio which are great for console gaming and bring everything to life in one, cool hub. Some features to ignore are footrests and massage motors. These are not only just gimmicks, but don't help you game or stay comfortable at all. Massage motors were only added to help companies avoid import taxes into the US! They know they aren't helpful, but if it saves money, they will do it!
