Are gaming chairs worth it?

Looking to invest in a gaming chair? Here's what you need to know

Table of Contents Table of Contents

Gaming chairs often get a lot of stick. But, people still continue to pour impressive amounts of money into them, year after year. So, that got us thinking – are gaming chairs worth it? Or have we all just been conditioned to want them because they look impressive?

We wanted to look into how gaming chairs are made, and if they can actually improve your gaming or even your health. Are you looking for a way to make your gaming experience more enjoyable? If so, then you may want to consider investing in a gaming chair.

Why buy a gaming chair?

Let’s start by looking at what makes the perfect gaming chair. When you’re choosing a new gaming chair, there is a huge list of factors to consider – some more important than others.

Comfort

is, of course, at the top of the list. You’re going to be spending a lot of time sitting in your chair, so it needs to be comfortable. But comfort isn’t just about the padding.

The perfect gaming chair will also offer support for your back and neck. This is especially important if you suffer from back pain. A good gaming chair can help to improve your posture and alleviate any pain you may be feeling.

Does the chair have enough lumbar support? Is it designed for someone of your height and build? Are the armrests adjustable? There are a lot of ergonomic factors that can harm your alignment when you’re sitting down. Gaming chairs are meant to combat these and keep you comfortable for as long as possible, so make sure that’s what they’re doing.

Posture

We’ve already touched on this, but it’s worth repeating – posture is important. If you want to avoid back pain, then you need to make sure you’re sitting up straight.

A good gaming chair will force you into the correct posture and help to improve your alignment. This is vital for anyone who spends

Material

When it comes to gaming chairs, you’re going to be looking at the three most popular material options: leather, fabric, and mesh. They each have their own benefits and drawbacks, so this will all come down to personal preference.

Leather – Leather is best for aesthetics, as well as being easy to clean thanks to its easy to wipe texture. But, it’s often less durable as it’s usually PU instead of genuine leather.

Fabric – Fabric is usually more comfortable and more durable than leather or mesh gaming chairs. Although, you may find it’s a lot more difficult to keep a fabric gaming chair looking clean and fresh, as stains will set more easily, and you can’t usually wipe it down.

Durability

Durability is another important factor to consider. You want a gaming chair that is going to last. Look for a chair that has a strong frame and high-quality materials.

You should also consider the warranty before you make your purchase. A good gaming chair will come with a long warranty that covers any defects in the materials or workmanship.

Style

Of course, style is important too. You want a gaming chair that looks good and fits in with the rest of your setup. There are plenty of different styles to choose from, so you should be able to find something that suits your taste.

Functionality

Finally, you want to make sure that the gaming chair you choose is functional. It should have all the features that you need and want. For example, if you want a massage function, then make sure the gaming chair you’re considering has that.

Price

Now that you know what to look for in a gaming chair, it’s time to talk about price. Gaming chairs can range in price from around $100 to upwards of $1000. So, what’s the difference? And is it worth spending more money on a gaming chair?

The truth is, there is a big difference between a $100 gaming chair and a $1000 gaming chair. The more expensive chairs are usually made with better materials and have more features. They’re also generally more comfortable and durable.

So, if you can afford it, we would say that yes, it is worth spending more money on a gaming chair.

Gaming chair features

Now that you know what to look for, let’s take a closer look at some of the features that gaming chairs offer.

• Ergonomic design for ultimate comfort
• Customizable height and tilt to ensure perfect positioning
• Breathable mesh fabric to keep you cool during long gaming sessions
• Robust construction for lasting durability
• Stylish design that will complement any gaming setup

The evolution of gaming chairs

The first gaming chair was created in 2006 by DXRacer. As a company, they mainly worked on developing seats for luxury racing cars, which is probably why gaming chairs usually look like racing seats (and are labeled ‘racer chairs’). These racing-style chairs came with a higher backrest than regular chairs, giving more support to the back and shoulders throughout long periods of sitting.

When DXRacer started out making their gaming chairs, there wasn’t really any competition they needed to worry about. The idea of gaming chairs was still a foreign concept to most gamers. That was until Twitch launched a year later and people began to stream their games on the platform. It became a huge part of the platform to have a good-looking setup, and so more and more people started to invest in their own gaming chairs.

Types of gaming chairs

We mentioned before that there isn’t just one type of gaming chair anymore. The niche has expanded to include a whole assortment of design and style options – but what style of gaming chair is right for you? Well, let’s take a look.

PC gaming chairs

For PC gamers, it makes sense that a PC gaming chair would be the best bet. These chairs resemble normal office chairs, but with a few notable differences. They come with a bucket-style seat, higher backrests, and a generally more ergonomic design. Compared to office chairs, PC gaming chairs come with many more customization options to help make the chair the best fit possible for your body.

They usually come with adjustable armrests, exceptional lumbar support, and even speakers in the headrest. All designed to give you the best PC gaming experience possible.

Racer chairs

As the name suggests, these chairs are specifically designed for racing games and simulate the kind of car seat you would find in a race car. While you can use this chair for any kind of game, its design has been specially tailored for those fast and furious racers that have you drifting around corners and cursing yourself for oversteering.

They are fairly similar to PC gaming chairs, just with a stronger emphasis on the race car design we know and love.

Rockers

If you’re more of a console gamer than PC, gaming chairs and racers won’t usually be the best fit for you. They’ve been designed to be used at a desk, not in front of a TV screen. Rockers are designed to sit on the floor and cradle your body so you can enjoy hours of console gaming. They often come with space to store your controllers as well as speakers in the headrest to make sure you can fully immerse yourself in whatever game you’re playing through.

Pedestal chairs

Similar to rockers, these chairs are more suited to console gaming. They sit on a pedestal that raises them just above the ground but are in a similar style and design to rockers. Whether you prefer a rocker or a pedestal chair really depends on your gaming setup and how high up your TV screen is placed.

Other chair designs

Apart from the main varieties we listed above, you can also find companies producing a huge range of different gaming chair designs. There are bean bag chairs (which, let’s be honest, are just expensive bean bags), gaming sofas with space for controllers and integrated speakers, and even inflatable gaming chairs (can’t you just hear the squeaky furniture?). Most of these have yet to catch on in a big way, although I’m not exactly surprised about that.

FAQs

Do Gaming Chairs Make a Difference?

A good chair always makes a difference, no matter what you’re sitting down to get on with, and a well-designed gaming chair is no exception. Sure, they can stick out like a sore thumb in a classically decorated environment, but the right one will absolutely have a positive impact on your health and gaming performance.

By keeping you comfortable and your posture on point, you can game harder for longer! They help you to relax, and believe it or not, relaxing is a huge part of successful gaming. Ultra-hard games like Sekiro simply cannot be completed if you’re stressed or uncomfortable. As soon as you breathe, relax your shoulders, and sink into a cushy chair, you instantly start making progress.

Obviously, the main contributor to gaming performance is your skill, but the chair can help you realize potential you never even knew you had.

Are Gaming Chairs Better for Your Back?

Gaming chairs are specifically designed to align your spine and correct your sitting posture, so yes, they’re better for your back than most ‘normal’ chairs. They’re contoured to medical standards to ensure you’re able to spend long hours behind the desk and achieve gaming excellence.

Traditional, more openly designed chairs allow you to form unhealthy sitting habits that, after a while, will have a negative impact on your health, and ultimately, affect how long you can game for and how well you perform.

Using highly adjustable lumbar and neck supports, you can tailor a gaming chair to your body type. It then encourages good posture, eliminating the steady build-up of sore areas.

Do Gaming Chairs Last Long?

For the most part, you get what you pay for. As with any product, some gaming chairs are built to last, while others aren’t so durable. We have to cut them some slack really as they sure do take some abuse.

The average lifespan of a gaming chair is 2-3 years, with the premium products reaching around the 5-year mark. That said, if you look after your gaming chair, there’s no reason it won’t last even longer.

With the advancements in foam technology and the extra emphasis companies are putting on structural integrity, gaming chairs are getting better and better, but there are a few things you can do to ensure you get your money’s worth.

1. Pick one that’s suitable for your weight and size.
2. Don’t buy the cheapest one. A good gaming chair will last longer, making it the cheaper option in the long run.
3. Research which brands are on the top of their game.
4. Treat it with respect.

Should I Get a Gaming Chair or Office Chair?

To decide between a gaming and an office chair, you should think carefully about how and where you’ll be using it, and how much you want to spend.

At the cheaper end of the spectrum, gaming chairs are definitely the more ergonomic choice. They come with a deep recline, 2 or 3D armrests, and fantastic lumbar and neck supports.

Mid-market is the same sort of story. Gaming chairs give you more bang for your buck, and the gaming-specific features keep you nice and cozy during those long stints dominating your opponents.

When you get into premium territory, it’s a lot harder to choose. Office chairs tend to have what’s known as a waterfall edge, which is better for your thighs than the raised edge of most gaming chairs. As they don’t have to stick to any gaming industry trends, the form factor and aesthetic of office chairs are often a lot more palatable and neutral.

If money’s no question, a high-end office chair is technically the best option, but the truth is that both chair types are fantastic for your health and your gaming life. If you’re still torn, PC gaming chairs, sit at an intersection between the two in terms of design and features.

Are Cheap Gaming Chairs Good?

Yes and no. Cheap gaming chairs can be good, but they’re more affordable for a reason. It’s not just that they won’t last as long or be quite as comfortable, it’s the little things symptomatic of a small price tag that may be a dealbreaker for many.

A cheaper gaming chair is more likely to exhibit ‘clicky’ motion, which can get extremely irritating, the casters may not glide as smooth as they should over your flooring, and the upholstery may hang a little loose from the padding and frame.

If you are thinking about getting a budget gaming chair, stick to reputable companies and read plenty of reviews. There are a bunch of really great affordable options out there for your tuckus, and to save you sifting through the chaff yourself, take a look at our top five cheap gaming chair picks: https://www.wepc.com/gaming-chair/cheap-gaming-chairs/.

How Should You Sit in a Gaming Chair?

The great thing about gaming chairs is that they naturally guide you into a comfortable position conducive of good posture and health, but there are a few guidelines you can follow to ensure you’re experiencing the full benefit of your new gaming throne.

• Adjust the chair so your fleet are flat on the floor.
• Your hips should be deep into the seat.
• Adjust the lumbar and neck supports to suit you.
• Lean back and let the lumbar and neck supports work their magic.
• Set it to a roughly 135° recline. According to research conducted in the University of Alberta, this angle puts the least amount of pressure on your spinal disks.

What Gaming Chair Do Pros Use?

A great way to build up an understanding of the gaming chair industry is to assess what the pros are parking their keisters in, so let’s run over a few high-profile pairings.

• Ninja – One of the most popular gamers of all time, Ninja, uses a custom NeedforSeat Maxnomic gaming chair.
• Pewdiepie – Known more as a YouTuber and internet personality than a technical gamer, the infamous and often controversial Swede still logs tons of hours behind the screen, and to do this, he uses a Clutch Chairs Alpha Premium.
• Shroud – Popular professional FPS expert, Shroud, uses an office-style Aeron Task chair from Herman Miller.

Final word

So, are gaming chairs worth it? If you want the best comfort and support for your spine while sitting in front of a computer or console then yes. They may cost more than premium options such as the Herman Miller range but they’ll do a sufficient job and the right chair is going to be a massive step up on that spare dining room chair you are currently using.