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Why A Good Gaming Chair Matters
We get it. You’re probably wondering why you even need a gaming chair in the first place. Why go all fancy-fancy when you could get the job done with a plain ole' office chair? Sure, that does make a little sense, but let us tell you why it also doesn’t. You see, gaming chairs were built with a singular purpose in mind. No prizes for guessing, but, yeah… gaming.
Whenever we throw down for a gaming sesh, there’s a lot of moving around. You lean forward, backwards, sideways, or just end up at the exact same angle for hours. And that can be a lot. Which is where the gaming chairs come in, because they support your back in ways that regular chairs just don’t.Not only is a good gaming chair going to keep you engaged through all of that, it can also improve your performance by making sure you’re comfy and properly aligned(which, by the way, is amazing for not getting distracted). Also, a lot of gaming chairs have features to get your posture down just right, and that can help with improved focus and reaction times.
Understanding Your Needs
Now that we’ve sold you on the premise, let’s take a quick look to think about what’s really going to work for you here. Every gamer has a different style, a different way of sitting, and a different need for comfort, so what works for your favorite YouTuber, unfortunately, may not be the chair of your dreams. There are certain things that you have to take into consideration, like:
These are just some basic, starter-type introspective questions that you may want to ask yourself before moving further.
Factors To Consider While Buying A Gaming Chair
Here’s a few things you need to keep in mind while buying a gaming chair:
Ergonomics And Adjustability
This is the big one, folks. A chair can look cool as heck, but if it doesn’t fit your body right, you’re going to be absolutely miserable. Just devastated. Crying at your desk, even, because they donotcome cheap. Anyway, please look for chairs with adjustable features like:
Material Matters
Gaming can be an… intense experience. Things can get real hot and heavy (sweat, we’re talking about sweat). And that is exactly why you need to think about the type of material you’re going to be seated on. The most common ones around are leather and fabric. Now leather (or faux leather) gives you that sleek, sort of professional look, and is super easy to clean,but it is a bit of a heat trap, so if you tend to run hot, you should get one with mesh backing.
By the way, you might have noticed we haven’t thrown ‘budget’ into the mix as one of the key factors here. That’s not because it isn’t important - we know everyone’s got their own idea of how much they want to spend on a gaming chair. When it comes down to it, the other factors we’ve talked about are really what make or break a good gaming chair.
Fabric, our other option, is super breathable and comfy, but can be a nag to clean if you’re prone to snacking while gaming (no judgment here). Actually, some of those high-end options out there use these advanced materials to keep you cool and eliminate any potential moisture. If like the author, you live in a warm climate, too, then these are definitely worth looking into.
Support And Padding
When it comes to a good gaming chair, you have got to make sure it’s comfortable to sit in. No amount of adjustability matters if the chair itself doesn’t feel good, right? So make sure you look for ones with high-density foam padding. Yes, it may seem firm at first, but trust the process, because it’ll hold up better over time and give you better support than softer foams. You’ll also need to pay attention to the seat shape and backrest shape. Also, some gaming chairs have really pronounced side bolsters - those raised edges on the seat and backrest. They can help keep you centered in the chair. As with most things, some people like it, and some people find it too restrictive. Your call, really.
Build Quality
Build quality is super important if you want a chair that’ll last and perform well over time. And one of the most important things to consider in this department is the frame material. Steel frames are awesome - they’re super strong and can usually support more weight, so they’re perfect if you’re a bigger person, or just like a chair with some heft. Aluminum frames are a good middle ground, they’re strong but still pretty lightweight, which is great if you need to move your chair around a lot.We’d avoid plastic frames for the main load-bearing parts though, since those can break more easily over time.
The base of the chair matters too. A 5-point base gives you better stability, so you don’t tip over as easily compared to a 4-point base. Aluminum bases are typically stronger and longer-lasting than nylon ones, though they might cost more. Coming to the casters or wheels, you want to look for polyurethane or PU casters. These babies give you a smooth roll and won’t scuff up your floors. Also, larger casters, like 65mm versus 50mm, usually perform better, especially on carpets.
Another super important, and often slept upon tip - pay attention to the stitching quality. Double stitching or reinforced seams = better construction and minimal ripping over time.
Style And Aesthetics
Gaming chair designs go way beyond just looks - they affect how well the chair works and how it fits in with your gaming space. Your usual racing-style chairs are known for their high backrests, bolstered sides, and bold colors. They can also give great support for intense gaming and make a bold style statement.Butthey might not blend in with all decor or be right for multi-use rooms.
Which is why we’d reckon that these subtle gaming chair styles have gotten popular as of late. They keep the ergonomic features for long play sessions but have a more low-key vibe that can pull double duty as office furniture. These tend to have muted colors, sleeker lines, and premium materials like mesh or nice fabrics. Visually speaking, though, gaming chairs come in all kinds of color schemes - from monochrome to bold multi-color patterns. Some brands even let you customize colors to match your setup or personal taste. Just keep in mind lighter colors, while eye-catching, may show wear and stains faster than darker shades.
Breaking Down Different Types Of Gaming Chairs
Racing Style/PC Gaming Chairs
PC gaming chairs are probably the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the term ‘gaming chair’. You know, those racing-style chairs with the high backrests and side bolsters. They’re great for using at a desk since you can really fine-tune them to your body with all those adjustability options. The high backrest and cushions provide a ton of posture support too, which is perfect for marathon gaming sessions. Now, those racecar vibes aren’t everyone’s cup of tea style-wise. And the size might not work if you’re dealing with a smaller space. But for dialing in ergonomic perfection at your battlestation, PC gaming chairs can’t be beat.
Console Chairs
Okay, so typically, console chairs aren’t really a particular ‘build’, if it makes sense. There isn’t a dedicated category here, but they’re mostly the chairs that aren’t constructed like your typical high-back racing chairs. In fact, they’re often a little lower to the ground and rock/swivel (likepedestal chairs), so you may kick back and enjoy yourself. Some of these bad boys even come with built-in sound systems to really get you going. Absolutely brilliant for console gaming, especially in living room setups. The only downside is that these chairs don’t really work for PC gaming.
Ergonomic Chairs
A lot of high-endergonomic chairsare fantastic for gaming, since they’re designed for sitting for hours on end and often have more subtle styling. These chairs tend to be super adjustable and… well, ergonomic, so you’re able to stay comfy and maintain good posture during long gaming sessions. Their professional vibe also works great if your gaming space moonlights (or daylights) as a home office. But heads up - they can be pricy, especially the top models. Also, they may not have some gaming-specific features you’d see in chairs made just for gaming.
Bean Bag Chairs
A surprising inclusion, you might say, but you know what? A good quality bean bag can actually be super comfy to just chill in. They’re asual, and work amazing if you’re gaming on a console or a handheld. Bonus brownie points because they are quite easy to move around, letting you change your setup once in a while without too much hassle. We’d say they’re more for people who like a relaxed vibe without too many bells and whistles. However, there’s practically zero adjustability or ergonomic support so you might get a little uncomfortable if you’re in there too long. Also, they suck big time for desk use.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I expect to spend on a good gaming chair?
Ah, the age-old question itself. Quite frankly, the price range when it comes to gaming chairs is quite wide. There are options for $100, and then there are super-bougie,ultra-expensive options for, like, $4000. As a rule of thumb, the $200-400 price range should be able to get a good chair with some ergonomic features. Ultimately, it all depends on your specific needs and budget.
Do I need a gaming chair with speakers?
Chairs with speakers is a really cool concept. But would we say youneedit? Absolutely not. As long as you have a decent gaming rig that’s audible enough, you really don’t have to make the extra expense.
How long should a good gaming chair last?
With the right kind of love and proper care, a good quality gaming chair should give you anywhere between three and five years of mileage.
