Need help finding the best gaming chair? We got you covered. Unlike building a gaming PC, picking out a gaming throne that can make long gaming hours more comfortable is a lot less complicated. However, due to the number of products out in the market, it can still be confusing if you don’t know what you’re looking for.
Here are our picks for the best gaming chairs. We came up with a good mix of racing-style and non-racing-style gaming chairs to give you options.
ICON Black Gaming Chair by noblechairs
What makes this chair stand out, though, is the fact that it’s fully customizable, as almost every part is adjustable. The soft armrests are adjustable in four directions, the backrest is adjustable from 90 to 135 degrees, and of course, the seat height is adjustable, giving you ultimate control over what position you sit in. You can even get your choice of leather covering, whether you want real or PU leather.
GTRACING Gaming Office Chair
This swivel style gaming chair is easy to move around in and creates the perfect escape from the world while you play your game, watch a movie, do work, or even read. The wheels are specially designed to easily glide around, meaning you don’t have to worry about them getting stuck or having to struggle to get from point A to point B. And once you get where you need to go, you can choose from one of the three backrest positions, 90, 130, or 170 degrees.
DXRacer Formula Series DOH/FH08/NB Gaming Chair
Some gaming chairs, especially not swivel chairs, offer very little adjustability, so you’re stuck with however the manufacturer made it. But DXRacer understands that no two people are exactly the same, in measurements or preferences, and with adjustability being offered in the armrests, backrest, and seat height, you can truly customize this chair to be perfect for you. No matter how you adjust this chair, each one comes with a super sturdy metal, 5 star, inlaid color base, which matches the color accents on the PU cover.
Devoko Ergonomic Racing Style Gaming Chair
Although you technically can put this chair in an office, it’s probably more comfortable and better suited in your gaming pad. Overall, although this is not the most luxurious chair money can buy, it is an absolutely remarkable chair for its price point. This chair is especially great for younger gamers who still care about quality but don’t have hundreds of dollars to spend on a chair. This chair may even save you money in the long run, thanks to the quiet, easy gliding wheels, which prevent scratching on wooden floors.
ErgoChair 2
If you’re looking to just relax or casually play a video game, this chair is perfect because it moves with you. Not only does it have swivel capabilities, but you can also rock in this chair, which means you can move the way you want, without limits. For longer gaming sessions, though, when you need better posture to prevent lower back pain, you can simply pull a lever on the back of your chair to get superior support and pain relief from the adjustable lumbar support. This chair is even sleek enough and durable enough to double as an office chair.
Corsair CF-9010007 WW T2 Road Warrior Gaming Chair
The design of this chair is well thought out and flawlessly executed, giving you an extremely versatile gaming chair that is good for players of all skill level.
Coavas Computer Gaming Racing Chair
The great thing about this chair is you have full control over where it is and what position it is in. with fully adjustable tilt lock and tension control functions, this chair can easily be adjusted to suit your needs. Lowering the tension will make it so you can rock in the chair a little bit, but if you prefer a rigid back, you can just as easily tighten the tension and get a strong, supportive back rest. Although this isn’t the most high end chair, it is a fantastic choice for people on a budget and doesn’t disappoint, it’s hard to go wrong with this chair.
Furmax High Back Racing Chair with Footrest
However, what sets this chair apart from most is its footrest. Footrests are not all that common on gaming chairs, but they are a unique little feature that can take your gaming to the next level. A lot of other gaming chairs like to claim to be good for anything, including relaxing, but what could be more relaxing than kicking your feet up on this padded foot rest while watching a movie? This chair’s back is also adjustable up to 180 degrees, so you can lay completely back and melt away into this chair.
Ficmax PC Computer Gaming Chair with Footrest
And if you’re looking to have your worries truly melt away as you relax with your favorite video game, the USB connect electric massager is perfect for just that. The massager is located in the lumbar cushion, and when turned on, provides an extremely satisfying soft massage, easing pressure and pain that may have built up in your lower back. The Ficmax is great for any gamer and is also affordable on most budgets.
Secret Lab Titan Series
What really wins people over, though, is the adjustable lumbar support. This isn’t a super common feature in gaming chairs, so the fact that you can adjust the lumbar support to be exactly what you need is a huge benefit. Some days you might need a little more support than other days, and this chair makes it possible to tailor fit the support you’re getting every time you use it. This chair from Secret Lab makes it easy to get around, with the PU casters that can glide easily on almost any surface.
Carbon Line Gaming & Lifestyle Chair by RapidX
The high-end comfort of this chair is enough to make it worth the money, but on top of that, its classic yet sleek design makes it perfect for any environment. The Carbon Line Gaming Chair by CarbonX is one of the best PC-style chairs on the market and can double as an office chair without sticking out like a sore thumb.
- Supports up to 350 pounds
- 65-70 kg/m³ density foam core
- Adjustable armrests and headrest
- Super durable construction
- Encourages a healthy posture
Pulaski 1985-178-131 Power Home Theatre Recliner
With this chair, you can kick your feet up and get comfortable with just the push of a button and still have everything you need within arm’s reach, since each arm of this recliner has a small storage area and a cup holder. It’s hard to design a chair more luxurious than this one, and the cherry on top of it all, it’s super easy to clean, so don’t be scared to actually use those cup holders.
Essentials Racing Style Leather Gaming Chair
This chair has a really fun design and is offered in a few different colors, so you can personalize it to your taste. You can customize it even further since it is fully adjustable and can swivel 360 degrees, you can even flip the armrests up when you don’t need them. Perhaps most importantly, though, this chair is built to last, having been put through rigorous testing and guaranteed to glide for over 40 miles, it’s definitely hard to beat.
Herman Miller Embody Chair
Not to discredit any of the other awesome features, but the real magic of this chair is located in the backrest. The backrest has several layers of support, which takes all of the pressure off of your back and redistributes it. The backrest can also be aligned to the curvature of your own spine, so you don’t have to compromise and only get support in a few areas. And the support you get from aligning the backrest to your spine doesn’t change if you recline or sit up in this chair. This chair may have originally been intended for use in an office space, but it has become a gamer’s best friend, since it can be used for several hours at a time without compromising its quality.
X Rocker II Wireless Video Game Chair 5143601
Although it’s missing a base, it’s still a complete chair, with side speakers, a subwoofer, and an easy to use control panel. The only parts of this chair not covered in super soft, comfortable foam are the armrests, which easily snap up for those times you don’t need them. This spacious seat offers comfort that’s hard to outdo and can accommodate players up to 300 pounds.
Ts-5000 Ergonomic High Back Computer Racing Gaming Chair
Of course, you can’t forget about comfort when shopping for a gaming chair. This chair is padded with memory foam and designed to give support to your more vulnerable areas, and with removable head and lumbar pillows, this chair delivers in all the right places.
Vertagear S-Line 5000 Gaming Chair
Vertagear paid attention to every part of this cahir, including the assembly, which is often overlooked by manufacturers. This chair is designed to be super easy to assemble and can be done by one person in just a few minutes thanks to the “slide in” design of the parts. From the thickly padded and contoured backrest to the super sturdy 5-star base, this chair impresses at every turn. The accents along the chair carry onto the casters, for a full, cohesive, and modern look.
Homall Gaming Chair
The Homall Gaming Chair is as simple as it gets. No fancy designs or gimmicks. It just gets the job done, which is to make sure you stay as comfortable as possible during long gaming sessions. It is made of durable, premium PU leather material that can support up to 280 pounds of body weight and hurt feelings after playing League of Legends.
It comes with an adjustable head pillow, which you can remove if you think your head is too cool for head support, and a lumber cushion to help keep back pains at bay. The chair also rocks back and forth, in case you need to relax for a minute or two after a particularly intense multiplayer match. Just don’t try to go overboard, as it doesn’t go full 180 degrees.
Supporting your weight is a sturdy, five-armed metal base equipped with wheels that don’t get stuck while you move around in your room. One downside is that it can take up to an hour to fully assemble product, though the instructions aren’t too difficult to understand.
Apart from that, the Homall Gaming Chair is a great choice for a below-$100 gaming chair. It’s simple, cheap, and comes with a lifetime replacement warranty.
X Rocker 51396 Pro Series
The X Rocker 51396 is made of soft cushions that will make you feel warm and cozy while you dish out the meanest moves in Street Fighter V and the most improbable shots in whatever shooter game you’re playing. With its build, it actually looks more like a seat in an airline first class cabin, instead of a gaming chair. Minus the footrest, obviously.
Unlike all the other gaming chairs on this list, the X Rocker 51396 is a pedestal type. This means it will stand firmly in place, giving you the license to swivel and tilt it to your heart’s content without worrying about toppling over. Needless to say, though it may look like a comfy armchair, don’t try and jump on it. No matter how happy you are that your CSGO team finally got a win after 50 tries.
The highlight of this gaming chair is the pair of built-in wireless speakers and a subwoofer with 2.1 Audio Frequency Modulation (AFM) Technology hidden in the headrest. The sound quality is superb and immersive, with a great-sounding bass that feels just right. And the volume can get really, really loud. If you mainly play single-player and thus never really needed mics, the X Rocker 51396 is a good alternative to a pricey headset.
Speaking of price, it’s actually cheaper than the Vertagear SL5000. If you’re looking to buy a high-quality gaming chair without breaking the bank, the X Rocker 51396 is a good pickup. It’s super comfortable, easy to set up, and well-designed.
DXRacer Formula Series DOH/FD01/N
But which DXRacer gaming chair is the best? Ask a group of gamers which model they think is the best and you’ll probably get at least five different answers. For us, it’s the all-black Formula Series DOH/FD01/N.
It’s designed to minimize neck and back pains, a common issue among gamers who spend too much time sitting. It has an extra high backrest that can accommodate tall gamers, though anyone taller than 6 feet might feel a little discomfort due to the tightness. Gamers not blessed with height might also feel that the backrest is a little too much. But as long as you’re between 5-foot-6 and 6 feet, you should be fine.
The DOH/FD01/N also comes with an additional headrest pillow and lumbar cushion for further neck and back support. You can easily attach these two add-ons anytime, allowing you to make adjustments even while you’re in the middle of a competitive match. The armrests are also fully adjustable for more comfort.
And if you need to simply take a break and relax for 30 minutes or so, the backrest can be lowered to allow you to lie back and take a breather. Though DXRacer advertises a 135-degree maximum recline, the backrest can actually go down to almost 180 degrees. Which is what the doctor just ordered after playing with particularly stressful, hate-filled teammates in Overwatch or Dota 2.
You can’t really go wrong with the DOH/FD01/N. Or any other DXRacer gaming chairs, really. They’re more expensive than similar products in the market, but you get what you pay for.
AmazonBasics High-Back Executive Chair
The AmazonBasics High-Back Executive Chair is all about function rather than style. You can easily mistake it for just a regular office chair, actually. But it shines where it counts, which is to provide the most comfortable experience during extra-long gaming sessions.
It is made of bonded black leather and PVC to provide an elegant yet simple design. It has a contoured backrest to make sure your body is aligned properly to avoid experiencing back pains at the end of the day. It has a sturdy frame that can hold up to 250 pounds and has a padded seat and armrests to allow you to fully relax.
For a customized experience, the chair has a pneumatic control handle underneath the seat that allows you to easily adjust the height of the seat. The handle can also control whether it would rock back and forth or not when you tilt the chair. Close to the handle is a knob that gives you further control on the chair’s rocking mechanism.
The AmazonBasics High-Back Executive Chair may not be the first product that comes to mind when talking about gaming chairs, but it’s definitely one of the best. You could even argue that it’s more comfortable than racing-style gaming chairs. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a non-racing-style gaming chair that gets the job done at a very affordable price.
Kinsal Gaming Chair
Featuring a high backrest, the Kinsal Gaming Chair is designed with both comfort and style in mind. It has an ergonomically sound design that helps in keeping your body as comfortable and well-postured as possible for long hours, like when doing a live stream marathon on Twitch.
It comes with two extra pillows for head support and lumber support. Both of which can be removed if the chair’s default setup is good enough for you. The backrest can also recline up to a flat 180 degrees with minimal effort, allowing you to take a quick nap right in front of your gaming desk. Quite handy while waiting for match queues in League of Legends, which can sometimes always takes longer than 30 minutes.
It’s made of PU leather and is supported by a steel frame and the usual star-shaped base with smooth casters that look like car wheels. The chair can bear a maximum load of 280 pounds, which is just about the same as most racing-style gaming chairs. Though it doesn’t come with a well-known brand name, the Kinsal Gaming Chair is a great choice if you’re in the market for a slightly more affordable racing-style gaming chair.
Steelcase Gesture Chair
The Gesture was designed to adjust to the way your body moves while performing different tasks. The backrest automatically adjusts to whatever sitting position you take. Even if it’s a bad position, the Gesture will prevent you from slouching, which could’ve resulted in back pains. The seat is big enough to allow you to freely cross your legs without feeling discomfort and is flanked by flexible armrests that can also be fully adjusted.
It can be customized according to your needs using two controls just to the right of the seat. You can adjust the height and depth of the seat as well as the tension and the variable back stop using these two easy-to-reach controls. The Gesture can also recline pretty well, just like most gaming-focused chairs.
If you want to nitpick, the chair doesn’t have a headrest. You will need to buy one separately, which should be a tough pill to swallow considering the Gesture is already expensive enough as it is. And compared to other gaming chairs, it is lacking in style. The latter is understandable, considering it’s an office chair first and foremost. But you’ll quickly forget these “problems” as soon as you spend your first 12 hours sitting on the Gesture. Seriously, it’s one of the most comfortable chairs out there.
Made with premium materials, the Gesture is built to last. It’s a truly excellent long-term investment if you want nothing but utmost comfort during the longest of gaming sessions. If you have the money, don’t think twice about getting the Steelcase Gesture. It’s more than worth it.
What is a gaming chair?
To oversimplify, a gaming chair is a specially designed ergonomic chair made for people who spend a lot of hours sitting. Last checked PC gamers fall into that category. There are different types of gaming chairs. Even chairs marketed primarily for office workers can be used for PC gaming. The most popular type of gaming chair is the racing-style gaming chair, which looks like an actual racing car seat, hence the name.
Why buy a gaming chair?
We all know having a sedentary lifestyle poses a lot of health risks. Sitting for long hours can easily lead to neck and back pains. It can also cause spine damage and joint stiffness. Gaming chairs help in making sure your body is always postured correctly, especially during 12-hour gaming marathons.
Gaming chairs are also more durable than regular chairs and can last several years with minimal wear and tear. They are easier to clean, too, courtesy of the materials used on the padding and cushions. Almost all gaming chairs come with a headrest, a lumbar support pillow, and padded armrests to give you maximum comfort. And they can also recline much further than regular chairs. Some can even recline to a flat 180 degrees.
What should I look for when buying a gaming chair?
The most important thing to consider is comfortability. A good gaming chair shouldn’t make you feel uncomfortable after just two or three hours of sitting. You won’t be able to focus on gaming if you have to constantly re-adjust your sitting because your chair is too firm or tight.
It should also be able to support your movements, like dramatically reacting to a last-second defeat in Overwatch. You should be able to freely move on your gaming chair without fear of it toppling over. Racing-style gaming chairs are very good at this.
Lastly, you also need to consider the price. Gaming chairs are expensive. But like with gaming headsets, there are many overpriced gaming chairs that don’t really give you the best value for your money. This is where we come in: to point you in the direction of the best value gaming chairs.
Final recommendation
As mentioned, picking out the best gaming chair isn’t as difficult as putting together your gaming PC. It’s all about comfortability, and no other gaming chair comes close to the Steelcase Gesture when it comes to that. But if you don’t want to break the bank, we recommend the X Rocker 51396 Pro Series and the AmazonBasics High-Back Executive Chair. Both offer excellent value for their prices.