GameBaba Universe

Gamdias gaming chair beside a rig (Photo credit: John Petalcurin/Pexels)
Gamdias gaming chair beside a rig (Photo credit: John Petalcurin/Pexels)

Gamers spend awfully long hours in their chair without realizing how much time has gone by when they are totally absorbed in the world of their favorite game. Those that are not using the right gaming chairs will soon start to wriggle from discomfort.

However, it is not just about physical discomfort. Researchers have highlighted that sitting too long can have serious health consequences including increased risk of obesity, high blood sugar, unhealthy cholesterol, and more.

For a gamer, a chair should not just be a tool for sitting in front of their screen. It should be supportive and have features that enhance comfort. Most games are already challenging and need the player to have the maximum concentration to stand a chance of making it through any stage.

It is hard to think properly if you are constantly shuffling your butt or arching your back from pain. The right gaming chair should support every part of your body—from head to legs.

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The problem with most reviews is that they present a large number of products. Instead of providing the solution to the reader, they complicate their problem. At GameBaba Universe, we always try to keep the products in our reviews as small as possible as well as tell you the strongest feature each one possesses.

From tests we conducted and testimonies from gamers from all over the world, we present the best gaming chairs in 2023.

Some of the products contain affiliate links which means we may get a commission from qualifying sales. However, our assessments are unbiased and we have picked only products that we have tested.

7 of the best gaming chair in 2023

Young girl sitting on a gaming chair
Photo credit: Alena Darmel/Pexels

Choosing the right gaming chair can be a daunting challenge. There are just so many of them to choose from and so many features to consider.

All gaming chairs are not equally built, in design and the level of adjustments they offer. Some are more aesthetically appealing than others. Likewise, the expectation of every gamer is different.

While some gamers wouldn’t mind getting just any gaming chair within their budget—as long as it can carry their weight—others are more detailed in their search preferences.

Regardless of whichever side of the divide you belong to, it is important to make sure that the gaming chair you pick has the key features that we will highlight below—and aesthetics is not part of them.

BestOffice High Back Gaming Chair – Best ergonomic gaming chair

BestOffice gaming chair finds the balance between ergonomics and price—which is what many gamers are yearning for. It comes with a high back design and its shape is modeled from the chair of racing cars. This gaming chair supports the joints in the right places using adjustable neck and lumbar pillows.

Seats can start to bite after an hour or less and can make your back to become sweaty. To minimize the chance of that happening, the makers introduce thick cushioning and two lard vents at the neck to improve air circulation. The entire chair is covered with breathable premium PU leather which also helps to keep your back cool.

This chair has adjustable parts which make it easier for you to customize your comfort. The height can be adjusted and it can recline from 90 to 135 degrees. So, when you are tired of gaming, you can just push it back and rest.

The combination of a BIFMA-certified heavy-duty metal base and smooth-rolling nylon casters gives this gaming chair a weight capacity of up to 250 lbs which should be suitable for most gamers. The small size and the non-adjustable armrest are the two factors that stopped this chair from hitting five-star.

Nevertheless, if you are under 200 lbs and need a gaming chair that is just OK and affordable, this will definitely be a great pick.

Pros

  • Takes less than 20 minutes to set up
  • Relatively affordable compared to other similar options
  • Comes with lumbar and neck pillows
  • The breathable leather cover helps to keep your back dry during long gaming
  • Adjustable height and up to 135 degrees recline.

Cons

  • Narrow and not suitable for fat people above 250 lbs
  • The armrest is not adjustable
  • Not the most comfortable reclining chair

AutoFull Gaming Chair – Best gaming chair with a footrest

If you spend over 4 hours at a stretch playing video games, then you need a gaming chair with a footrest and a little more reclining ability. Autofull gaming chairs can be a valuable resource in this regard, thanks to the footrest that is neatly tucked under the seat.

Just like every other premium gaming chair, Autofull comes with a lumbar support and neck pillow. The product is advertised as having a 3D lumbar cushion that mimics the natural curve of the spine to minimize back pain. Some users have found this feature really helpful.

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Autofull does something different and creative in the design. The core part of the chair is covered with PU leather for comfort and durability while the outer edges are lined with smooth carbon fiber so that the chair can withstand bumps.

It can recline from 90 to 155 degrees which allows you to almost be in a sleeping position, especially if the footrest is flipped out. Also, it can carry up to 350 lbs. However, the icing is the free 30-day money-back guarantee and 36 months of replacement on parts.

Big adults will find this chair a bit uncomfortable because of their slim nature which will leave your legs pressing against the metal frames. Also, the padding seems to flatten quickly leaving your butts crushing against the hard base. Regardless, it is a great have for its footrest.

Pros

  • Comes with a retractable footrest for improved comfort
  • Offer neck and lumbar pillows for improved comfort
  • Recline from 90 to 155 degrees for work, games, and rest
  • Has a weight capacity of 350 lbs which is suitable for most gamers

Cons

  • Insufficient padding leads to declining comfort over time
  • Slimmer than most other gaming chairs

Vitesse Gaming Chair – Best budget gaming char

For some gamers, the best gaming chair is simply the one they can afford. If you are looking for a gaming chair below $100, this should be an easy pick for several reasons. Like all other premium gaming chairs, it comes with adjustable lumbar and neck pillows.

Mimicking a racing car chair, the Vitesse gaming chair is built to last. The chair has a steel frame covered with wear-resistant carbon fiber PU leather. The chair can recline from 90 to 180 degrees meaning you can lay it flat and it becomes a sort of bed. Therefore, with this chair, your office can become your bedroom.

However, having full 180 degrees recline without a footrest can make the feature useless for someone that is tall. Although it is rated to have a capacity of up to 330 pounds, it is more suitable for people below 300 pounds. When desired, you can rock the chair which will help to maintain proper circulation when you sit for long hours.

With this product, you will get 1-year worry-free warranty. That should give you a breather to properly test it out. Like most budget products, a lot of durability issues have been reported with the Vitesse gaming chair. From a broken backrest to the hydraulic cylinder not holding up and the PU leather ripping up, you mostly get what you pay for when you skimp on a budget.

Pros

  • Budget-friendly
  • Weight rating of up to 300 pounds
  • Offers full recline of 180 degrees
  • Comes with a 1-year free warranty
  • Easy to assemble

Cons

  • Several reported issues with durability
  • Insufficient seat cushioning

Dowinx Gaming Chair – Best gaming chair with lumbar massage

No matter how ergonomic the design of a chair may be, when you sit for too long you will likely still feel pressure points around your lumbar and neck. That is why most gaming chairs come with lumbar and neck rest pillows. However, having just any pillow often doesn’t solve the problem.

Dowinx replaced the lumbar pillow with a USB-powered massage pillow which helps to improve circulation around the lumbar for reduced pain. The combination of up to 165 degrees recline and footrest make this chair more comfortable than other average gaming chairs.

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It is also one of the most adjustable gaming chairs on the market. The height is adjustable and the rocking can be controlled by up to 20 degrees. With a weight capacity of up to 350 pounds, it can comfortably sit most gamers.

Dowinx was produced with durability in mind. It has an alloy frame that is covered with hand-sewn PU leather. The seat has 5 inches of high-density foam which should eliminate the crushing feeling of sitting on bare steel you get with low-quality gaming chairs.

With Dowinx, you will get 24/7 customer services, 1 year part quality warranty, and 1-month replacement services. The biggest challenge most users have encountered is that this chair easily squeaks after short use.

The cord for the lumbar pillow is also short and you may need to get a longer replacement for practicability. Apart from those, the chair holds up in durability over many years.

Pros

  • The Lumbar pillow doubles as a massager to ease pain
  • Recline up to 165 degrees with works with footrest for better comfort
  • Can carry up to 350 pounds of weight
  • Allows a high level of adjustment making it suitable for multiple users
  • Great casters easily glide over different surface types

Cons

  • High price point
  • Squeaking has been reported

GTRACING Gaming Chair – Best gaming chair with Bluetooth speakers

Gaming chairs have evolved over the years from being just a tool for sitting down. They are becoming a part of an immersive gaming experience and Gtracing gaming chair takes it a notch higher. The chair is designed with 2 Bluetooth stereo speakers that surround you with sound and feels like you are wearing headphones.

It may interest you to know that when fully charged, the Bluetooth speakers can last up to 6 hours of continuous play. Like most of the gaming chairs on this list, it comes with lumbar and neck pillows as well as a footrest. One cool feature that may come in handy is the adjustable armrests.

This gaming chair can recline from 90 to 155 degrees which makes it easy to switch from work to rest. It has features that show it was designed for durability. This includes a strong metal frame, smooth PU leather cover, heavy-duty base, and nylon casters that can swivel 360 degrees.

Gtracing gaming chair has a weight rating of 300 pounds making it suitable for most gamers. The most reported problem with this product is the armrest which may be hard to position. Also, the chair appears to squeak after a while. However, it is one of the most adjustable gaming chairs on the market.

Pros

  • The combination of 155 degrees recline and footrest makes it good for resting
  • Great high-density breathable cushion
  • Armrests are adjustable
  • Speakers can improve game immersion

Cons

  • Slightly pricey
  • Appears to squeak after some time

Homall S-Racer Gaming Chair – Best reclining gaming chair

If you constantly fall asleep while gaming or working, having a chair that can recline can be a great relief on days you are too tired to stand up and go to bed. You can simply recline the chair and get a good nap. Homall S-Racer offers up to 170 degrees recline which pairs with a removable lumbar and neck pillow to offer improved comfort.

Inspired by racing cars, this gaming chair has an ergonomic design and a strong metal frame that makes sitting for long hours more comfortable. The strong metal frame is also the reason why this gaming chair has a weight capacity of up to 300 pounds.

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The five-star base makes it more stable and the rubber casters can glide noiselessly over any surface. Also, it would not leave marks on your surfaces. Homall offers this chair in multiple color variants making it easy to find the chair that best blend into your home or office.

While the price is reasonably affordable, there have been lots of complaints about the armrests being wobbly and unable to keep locked in position. Also, the lack of padding on the armrest can be discomforting. For the right adult who is not on the big side, this chair can be a great treasure.

Pros

  • Relatively affordable
  • Has a weight rating of up to 300 pounds
  • Recline up to 170 degrees
  • Homall has a great customer service

Cons

  • The armrest can easily become uncomfortable
  • Runs narrow and hard to fit big adults

Razer Iskur Gaming Chair – Best padded gaming chair

The main reason why a chair can become uncomfortable is if it doesn’t have enough padding. After a while, it will feel as if your but is crushing on the metal frame. Razer tried to beat that feeling with ultra-soft high-density foam cushions. The cushion is also resistant to oil, water, and dirt. The foam sort of molds to support your body frame.

If you are heavy on aesthetics and want your gaming man cave to be branded with equipment from game manufacturers, this can be a great addition knowing that Razer has a high reputation in the gaming field. This is also one of the most adjustable gaming chairs on the market. The armrest can be adjusted in four dimensions.

This chair can support a weight of up to 300 pounds making it suitable for most adult gamers. Although it doesn’t come with lumbar and neck pillows—which many people detest by the way—it is sculpted in an ergonomic shape that makes up for those eliminations. This includes the inclusion of a fully adjustable lumbar curve.

Instead of PU leather, Razer makes use of multi-layered synthetic leather which is more durable than standard PU leather. However, it appears the synthetic leather is very stiff which makes a lot of people have a hard time sitting on the chair for long hours because it starts to be a pain in the butt. If you can break in or find additional padding, this chair will last for years.

Pros

  • Solidly built to last
  • Can carry up to 300 pounds of weight
  • Offer unlimited customizations with different adjustable parts
  • The cushion is resistant to water, oil, and dirt

Cons

  • The cushion is too hard and takes a long time to break in
  • Pricey

How to choose the best gaming chair

While there are many factors to consider when choosing a gaming chair, only a few of them are critical to your overall experience. Gaming chair manufacturers would often add a fancy feature or two to make headlines. However, you should never take your eyes off what is important.

The first thing you will probably discover is that gaming chairs don’t always have fancy looks; just a tall backrest with or without lumbar and neck rest pillows. Although most of them look similar, there are a whole lot of variations on the armrest. Below are the key features you should keep in mind.

Weight capacity

The first and most important feature you should look at when choosing a gaming chair is the weight capacity. Why is that so? When you buy a gaming chair that is rated below your weight, it would likely get destroyed on first use.

Do you know what is worse? You would have voided the warranty meaning you will be stuck with over a hundred dollars of garbage that is no longer useful to you. When choosing a gaming chair, always aim for a chair with a weight capacity of 300 pounds and above.

Not many people weigh that much. That way, the chair can be safely used by multiple people without any problem. As a precaution, always go for a chair with a weight capacity that is 50 pounds above your weight.

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For example, if you weigh 250 pounds, look for a chair with a weight capacity of at least 300 pounds. Most chairs cannot actually carry their exact weight rating.

Cushioning

If a chair doesn’t have good cushioning, it will end up feeling as if you are sitting on bare steel. You will hardly be able to sit on a chair without good cushioning for over an hour without shuffling your butt from pain.

Make sure your choice of gaming chair has several layers of soft foam (regardless of the type). This is particularly important for those that spend awfully long hours at their gaming desk.

Adjustments

Above everything else, make sure that the chair allows some level of adjustment. Getting a chair that has your perfect height can be a little finicky. However, with some level of adjustments, you should find the perfect balance.

Apart from height adjustment, gaming chairs that make use of vertical armrests should be able to allow some level of adjustment in that area too.

Lumbar support

Without lumbar support, maintaining a proper sitting posture can be really tough. Most gaming chairs will make use of lumbar pillows while others come with a sort of adjustment for the lumbar area. It doesn’t matter which type of support you choose. Just make sure that your chair has lumbar support.

Recline

A recline of 180 degrees may not be the goal here, but it is important to choose a gaming chair that offers some sort of recline. If you spend hours with your pad, there will definitely come a time you just want to sink into the chair and allow you back to rest. A 150 degrees recline would do.

#

Preview

Name

Shop

1

BestOffice High-Back Gaming Chair

2

AutoFull C3 Gaming Chair

3

VITESSE Ergonomic Red Gaming Chair

4

Dowinx Gaming/Office PC Chair

5

GTRACING Gaming Chair with Footrest

6

Homall Gaming Chair

7

Razer Iskur Fabric Gaming Chair

What chairs do pro gamers use?

Gaming chair sitting beside a gaming rig Photo credit: Ron Lach/Pexels
Photo credit: Ron Lach/Pexels

Pro gamers use all sorts of chairs from Razer to Secretlab to Herman Miller gaming chairs. However, elite Twitch users have often emphasized the last two which has shot up their demand and popularity.

Nevertheless, we do believe that the best gaming chair is a matter of preference. Just focus on the important features that we highlighted above and once they tick the box, you can go ahead and buy it if it falls within your budget. If you get any other feature like a footrest or speakers, treat them like a bonus.

Do gaming chairs actually make you better?

Video games are challenging and you want your chair to be as comfortable as possible. A comfortable chair would take out the distraction of pain and support your body in the right areas so that you can give 100% of your attention to the game. Correct sitting posture can enhance your productivity and well-being—but that is just the best a gaming chair can do for you.

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If your question is whether a gaming chair can make you to magically become a pro gamer, you got it all wrong. No gaming chair can make you a better player. Becoming a gaming professional takes time and lots of practice.

Before you go

If you forget everything you have read up to this point, never forget the importance of getting a gaming chair that is rated at least 50 pounds above your weight. You don’t want to be running to the store every week to get a new gaming chair.

The stress of going through all the features can make a newbie ask, “Are gaming chairs worth it?” Well, our answer is an emphatic YES. In addition to completing your gaming rig, they can extend your sitting hours and possibly help you to escape the harmful effect of doing so.

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