What's The Best Gaming Chair You Can Buy?
When it comes to PC gaming, people usually priorities components like the graphics card, or peripherals like gaming keyboards and gaming mice that give you an edge in competitive gameplay. One important item that people tend to neglect is the chair.
Gaming chairs are important, providing a comfortable experience through your countless hours of gaming, and they come in all shapes and sizes to accommodate different body shapes. Some even often added smarts, like built-in lumbar support or speakers.
With so many on the market, it becomes hard to find the best for your needs - and that's where we at Tech Advisor come in. Here's our selection of the best gaming chairs on the market in 2022.
1. Secretlab Titan (2020)
- Tall backrest and wide seatbase
- Built-in lumbar support
- Comfortable
Cons
- Expensive
- Better suited to larger people
$399
The Secretlab Titan 2020 is, as the name suggests, the largest chair in the Secretlab collection. And as Spider-man may or may not have said, ‘with great size comes great comfort’. In any case, it’s definitely true when talking about the Secretlab Titan. Don’t get us wrong, it’s pricey, but the quality and comfort of the chair are worth that and more.
The Titan features a taller backrest and wider seatbase when compared to other gaming chairs as the Secretlabs Titan is designed so that the larger-than-average person doesn’t have to squeeze into it. It offers support for people up to 6ft6in and 130KG, although that may vary depending on your proportions.
Boasting a car seat-like design, the chair is covered in what Secretlab calls Prime 2.0 PU Leather, and we must admit, it's amongst the softest we’ve felt on a gaming chair. That's backed up by cold-cure foam that provides near-on perfect cushioning and support. It’s like sitting on an ergonomically shaped cloud. It also offers 85-165 degree recline, and 4D adjustable armrests with buttons that feature full chrome plating to add to the premium feel of the chair.
If the idea of PU leather doesn't appeal, Secretlab also offers a (slightly more expensive) SoftWeave variant of the Titan with enhanced breathability.
Regardless of material, the crowning jewel of the Titan is the integrated adjustable lumbar support, so no need for those annoying lumbar pillows. The mechanism is built directly into the backrest of the chair, and a simple turn of the knob on the side of the chair provides granular control over the level of support you feel.
It’s a feature that should, nay, needs to be in every gaming chair.
But while the chair itself is amazing, the velour head pillow completes the premium experience. The pillow is the softest we’ve felt, made of soft stretch cotton and covered in velvet velour. When it comes to taking a little rest, there’s nothing better to put your head on.
Read our full Secretlab Titan review
2. Edge GX1
- Impressively comfortable
- Customisable
- Gravity-driven tilt mechanism
Cons
- Expensive
- Adjustments can be confusing
Unavailable
The UK-manufactured Edge GX1 is a unique entry in our chart; rather than sporting the racing chair-esque design of most other gaming chairs, the GX1 offers a bespoke design with parts not found on any other product on the market.
The Edge GX1 was designed with comfort in mind, and with comfort comes customisation. As well as offering standard seat adjustments like 4D armrests and adjustable seat height, the GX1 offers the ability to adjust the seat depth by up to 65mm and independently adjust the backrest height with a simple lift. This is combined with a memory foam-moulded seat base designed to relieve pressure on the tailbone to provide the highest level of comfort possible.
There’s also a unique asynchronous gravity-driven tilt mechanism that allows gamers to frequently change position without the need to use controls. You can go from leaning back to sitting forward in a single motion while still feeling supported – and it’s a gamechanger for those that work and play on a single PC. You’ll also find an inflatable lumbar support built into the backrest, pumped via a handpump tucked into the base of the bottom of the chair.
Even the material is unique; the GX1 is covered in a material made from a combination of polyurethane, polyester and cotton. As well as being soft to the touch, the material stays cool in the summer and warm in the winter, and the high breathability of the material means you can wave goodbye to sticky backs during intense gaming sessions.
In terms of comfort and support, the Edge GX1 is unbeaten, but it’s not the perfect gaming chair – not yet, anyway. The various levers you use to adjust the seat are missing labels, making the process of adjusting the chair a confusing and tiresome process - especially with a setup so radically different to others in our chart.
The process could be much improved with the inclusion of a handful of removable stickers for new users, and we hope it’s something the company considers in future. The company does offer a fairly detailed online manual if you do get stuck, but we'd still prefer something we could immediately glance at.
3. Secretlab Omega
- Great build quality
- Compact bucket seat design
- Comfortable
Cons
- No built-in lumbar support
- Not suitable for 6ft+ gamers
$329
If the Secretlab Titan is a little bit too much for you, consider the Omega. It’s not as large as the Titan, making it a perfect fit for smaller bedrooms, but still provides great comfort and support with a distinctive look.
The prominent backrest wings are a welcome addition to the Omega, providing additional support to the shoulders and back – ideal if you spend long hours at a time on the computer. That’s not all though, as it features a single thick layer of cold-cure foam around the steel frame that provides a solid feel while still molding to the shape of your body. That’s covered with premium PU leather which is amongst the softest we’ve felt on a gaming chair. It’s durable too, at 1.5mm thick.
It’s time to get technical. As well as being comfortable, the Omega features spacious four-directional armrests that are incredibly easy to adjust – just hold the appropriate button and push/pull. It also offers an 85-165-degree recline, and, for those that like to take a more relaxed approach, it features a tilt mechanism with lockout to keep it rocked back at the perfect angle. The seat height ranges from 46-55cm and is recommended for those between 160-180cm (5ft 2in to 5ft 10in), though we’ve found it comfortably supports those up to 6ft 2in.
As well as providing a beautifully soft velour memory foam head pillow, Secretlab also includes the new velour lumbar pillow. It’s just as soft as the head pillow and provides much-needed support for the lower back. Our only complaint? We wish it had an elastic strap of some kind to secure it to the chair, as it tends to slip/fall forward when we get up.
4. noblechairs Epic Black Edition
- Vegan Leather
- Harness holes for sim rigs
- Great air flow
Cons
- Thick lumbar pillow
- Firmer than other chairs
$449.99
Germany-based noblechairs has a new material for its range of gaming chairs. Available for the Black Edition of the Icon, Hero and - reviewed right here - Epic, the leather-like hybrid material offers the advantages of both PVC and PU, without requiring the sacrifice of any cows and so is 100% vegan.
Yet it looks and feels (but does not smell) like napa leather and thanks to micro-pores, it has great air and water permeability which means you don't feel hot or sweaty after long gaming sessions.
Underneath the black covers is cold foam which noticeably firmer than on most chairs, and some might find it a little hard. However, it is very durable and does 'wear in' like a pair of shoes.
The Epic is, like the Secretlab Titan, a large chair that's best suited to taller gamers. The seat base is wide and accommodating, while the gas strut raises the chair nice and high. At its minimum setting, it's around 50cm from the floor, meaning you may want to use a foot rest if you're shorter than around 5ft7.
In addition to height adjustment, the Epic also tilts back up to 140 degrees and has a lever to lock it in position. The Black Edition's new 4D armrests have metal buttons and softer padding (though still firm). They're more customisable than most with height, sideways and forward-backwards adjustments. They also swivel in and out.
Where cheaper chairs use plastic, the Epic has a metal base and quiet 60mm castors.
Unfortunately, lumbar support is provided by a pillow which is likely too thick to be much use: we prefer the in-built, automotive-style adjustment in the Hero chair (and in Secretlab's Titan).
If you're looking for a gaming chair for a sim rig, this is a great option, and there are harness holes if you want to go that extra step and actually strap yourself in.
5. AndaSeat Fnatic Edition
- Bright Fnatic branding for fans
- Comfortable
- Adjustable
Cons
- Oversized XL design
- Relies on cushions for support
$449.99
AndaSeat may not have the brand recognition of Secretlab and noblechairs in the gaming space, but it does have pedigree making racing seats for the likes of BMW and Mercedes.
The AndaSeat Fnatic Edition is a premium gaming chair that boasts PVC leather, high-density moulding foam for the body, and enough tilt and armrest adjustability to finetune the whole experience to suit however you sit.
Orange accents run along the side of the chair, along with the adjustment levers below the seat. There are AndaSeat logos on either side of the headrest, and a small Fnatic logo right in the bucket. The biggest Fnatic logo is on the rear of the chair, but is actually simply stitched in black for a refreshingly subtle touch.
It is over-sized though. This is what AndaSeat calls an XL chair, and it’s a real chonker. It’s good for anyone up to 6’10”, and weights up to 440lbs/220kg, so my 5’10”, 80kg self felt a little under-sized by comparison, but it's down to personal taste more than anything.
The body of the chair is coated in PVC leather, which looks and feels comfortable and premium, as well as being easy to wipe clean – though a solid black leather chair can get exactly as hot as you’d expect it to.
Underneath that leather is 65kg/m3 cold-cured foam over a steel frame. That’s fairly high density, meaning the chair feels sturdy and rigid. That might not sound super comfortable, but essentially is strikes the balance between just enough give to let you sink into it a bit, and enough rigidity to support your back and body.
Overall, the AndaSeat Fnatic Edition is a premium gaming chair that’s well built, sturdy, and attractive – so long as you’re a fan of the Fnatic branding.
It’s not the best value gaming chair out there, but it isn’t trying to be. Just remember that it’s only available in XL, which is both a blessing and a curse – short kings and queens will be better off elsewhere.
Read our full AndaSeat Fnatic Edition review
6. AndaSeat Dark Demon
- Understated design
- Attractive price
- Suits a range of body types
Cons
- Poor tilt mechanism
$449.99
If the AndaSeat Fnatic Edition is a bit too big and loud for your tastes, the company's Dark Demon is probably the better option for you. Available in either black and red or all-black (which we tested), the Dark Demon is a bucket gaming chair that could pass in an office environment.
Sporting a bucket seat design with a thick lower cushion and wing support on either side, AndaSeat is utilising its car seat experience with the Dark Demon. Coming in at size L, rather than the XL of the Fnatic Edition, the Dark Demon is slightly smaller - but still large - and is recommended for those up to 6ft6in and up to 170kg.
When it comes to materials, the chair is clad in durable synthetic PVC leather, with a layer of memory foam to keep you comfortable. Although the plastic fittings do let the overall build down, there's a reassuring steel framework and a five-legged aluminium base to keep you sturdy during your gaming sessions.
As you'd expect from a gaming chair, the Dark Demon is customisable, not only in terms of its seat recline, but height adjustment, 4D armrests and lumbar support (in the form of pillows), but one area where it's not quite up to scratch is in the tilt department; when in an upright position, it's almost impossible to rock. It's only when you recline - nearly to a horizontal level - that the tilt becomes more noticeable.
The Dark Demon has three things going for it: the muted design, the price, compared to most gaming chairs in our chart, and its ability to cater for larger gamers - although not quite to the extent of the premium Fnatic Edition.
If those tick your boxes, you could be on to a winner with the Dark Demon.
Read our full AndaSeat Dark Demon review
7. noblechairs Icon
- A choice of materials
- Understated design
- Comfortable
Cons
- Expensive
- Hard arm rests
£339.99 (£519.99 for leather version)
The difference between gaming and office chairs is often hard to discern, so if you're after a quality chair you can use to work in your home office as well as some after-hours gaming, the Icon should appear.
It’s less 'racing car bucket seat', more executive office. The style is inspired by luxury sports car interiors, says noblechairs, and it's certainly much more refined than others here. There's less obvious branding which, along with the absence of unnecessary openings for a racing harness, makes it suitable for the more mature gamer.
To this end, the colour option (for the synthetic leather models) applies only to the stitching, and you can opt for black stitching if you prefer.
The 1.5mm PU fabric is thicker than you’ll find on most chairs, though the Icon is proportionally more expensive for it. The new TX fabric option is the same price, but again, oozes quality.
The Black Edition uses an even more premium synthetic leather - on a par with what you'll actually find in luxury cars - and if price really is no object, the real leather models come in black and – for the cigar-smoking gamer - black and cognac.
The Icon’s internal steel frame is 2mm thick, whereas most rivals use 1-1.5mm. As with the Epic, the foam is cold cured and not recycled. The 55 percent density may feel initially hard, but this also means it retains its shape and doesn’t sag after months (and years) of use.
So if you want a comfortable chair for working as well as gaming, this is certainly one of the best we’ve seen yet.
Read our full noblechairs Icon review
8. AndaSeat T-Pro 2
- Comfortable linen fabric finish
- Stylish design
- Great ergonomics
Cons
- Not for shorter gamers
- Firm neck pillow
- Hard to clean
$549.99
The standout trait of the T-Pro 2 compared to most other chairs in our chart is the linen fabric that comes stretched across the majority of the seat's base and back. In a world of PVC faux-leather gaming chairs, the material change is a notable departure that sets the T-Pro Series' apart. That all-important linen finish isn't just aesthetically more subtle and sophisticated either - it's far kinder to your skin too.
It doesn’t stop at the choice of material either; it offers a more conservative and sophisticated take on the gaming chair formula overall, sporting the same bucket seat design born from the company's heritage building racing seats for the likes of BMW and Mercedes Benz, but without the flair or gaudiness typically associated with "gamer gear".
The '4D' black plastic armrests offer an outstanding level of adjustment, the height is fully adjustable there’s a backrest recline of between 90 and 160 degrees, which combined should make it easy to find a position that suits your posture.
The chair includes a 'large' lumbar support cushion, and a 'medium' headrest pillow too, both wrapped in black, but the lumbar pillow simply rests against the inside of the chair's back without any sort of fastening, meaning it’ll likely fall down when the chair isn't being sat on. The neck pillow, meanwhile, relies on an elasticated strap with a side release buckle to stay affixed in place.
The main thing to consider before picking this particular chair out of AndaSeat's portfolio is whether you're tall enough to ride. Based on the super king-sized frame that it utilises, the company recommends the T-Pro 2 for those measuring between 180cm and 210cm (approximately 5ft 9in to 6ft 9in tall).
Fundamentally, if you are a little on the short side, the T-Pro 2 is still a very comfortable chair. Where those of shorter stature might notice issues comes with elements like the armrest placement and neck pillow.
Read our full AndaSeat T-Pro 2 review
9. Nitro Concepts S300
- Affordable
- Fabric and leather options
- Soft-touch finish
Cons
- 3D armrests don't lock into place
- Uncomfortable support pillows
$229.99
Priced at £229.99, the Nitro Concepts S300 is the next step up from the C80. The first thing you’ll notice about the S300 is the material it’s made from; while many gaming chairs are made from leather (or pleather), the S300 features fabric upholstery.
It does, however also come in PU leather in a model called the S300EX, which adds a mere £10 to the price.
The use of fabric gives the chair a different feel from other gaming chairs, and once you get over the fact that it attracts cat hair like a magnet, it provides a soft, comfortable seating experience. It’s available in seven colours, and the embroidery will even match the strips on the chair’s base. It’s the little details that make the S300 shine.
Beneath the fabric upholstery you’ll find moulded cold foam, which is softer, more breathable and should be much more durable than the foam scraps used in budget gaming chairs from the likes of Amazon.
The S300 offers 130mm of height adjustment along with 14 degrees of rocking, allowing you to rock gently in the chair using your body weight. It can also recline to 135 degrees, providing an easy way to have a quick nap during lengthy gaming sessions.
It features 3D armrests that, as the name suggests, allows them to be moved in three directions – up and down, forwards and backwards and inwards and outwards. While it allows you to find the perfect position for your setup, the arms don’t lock into place and will often slide forwards/backwards with a bit of pressure from leaning.
It comes with two ergonomic supporting cushions for the neck and lumbar regions, but we found the chair to be much more comfortable without the latter present.
Overall build quality is decent, although the arm rests do rattle a bit when knocked. Oh, and beware of the white colour option as, being fabric, it’ll get dirty fairly quickly.
Read our full Nitro Concepts S300 review
10. ADX Race19
- Affordable
- Classic gaming chair aesthetic
- Adjustable design
Cons
- Not suited to taller/larger gamers
Unavailable
Available exclusively at Currys PC World, the ADX Race19 chair aims to provide an authentic gaming experience without breaking the bank.
Perhaps understandable given the name, the design is very reminiscent of what you might find behind the wheel of a sports car. In particular, the patterned fabric and eye-catching orange trim really help it to stand out.
However, comfort is still very much a priority, with the PU leather and moulded foam design providing plenty of support. This was particularly noticeable when in the heat of battle on Destiny 2, and we can see it being effective across a wide range of titles.
While more expensive chairs might provide a slightly more luxurious experience, we had no problem using the ADX Race19 for extended periods of time.
However, while it can support users up to 130kg, height might be more of a restriction. Some of the taller members of our team found the back slightly too short for their frame. The detachable neck rest became more of an upper back support, but it is easy to excuse at this price point.
If you’re playing a more chilled out game or wanting to relax, the ADX Race19 also reclines about 90 degrees.
Much of the rest of the features are also available on high-end desk chairs, but that’s by no means a bad thing. These include adjustable levers for height and tilt, as well as the ability to rotate 360 degrees.
The chair is designed to work well with other ADX Gaming products, with the company providing an affordable way to get a complete gaming setup.
Nonetheless, this chair proves that upgrading your gaming experience doesn’t have to cost hundreds of pounds.
Gaming chair buying guide
In most respects, gaming chairs are no different to a regular desk swivel chair. They have height adjustment, castors for smooth movement across the floor and armrests. However, as with a lot of gaming hardware, gaming chairs are more stylish than your standard office chair and typically take inspiration from the bucket seats in racing cars.
What is and isn't stylish is down to your personal taste, but what should you look for when buying a gaming chair?
Ergonomics
Basic chairs tend to have only height adjustment, but it's well worth going for a chair that has a reclining back and adjustable armrests, too.
Ergonomics are really important, so you need a chair that supports your spine properly and offers enough adjustment to fit your body, rather than forcing it into a bad posture.
Whether or not a chair is comfortable for you will depend on how well you fit in the chair. We've tested the chairs here with tall and short people, and both large and slim builds, but we can't guarantee that you will find it comfy.
You won't necessarily get a more ergonomic chair if you spend more, so good ergonomics don't have to be expensive.
Some chairs come with removable cushions for lumbar (back support) or for a headrest. An ergonomic chair shouldn't need these, but some people might find they're needed for the best fit and comfort.
Longevity
What you will get if you spend more is better quality materials and build. Although the price of some chairs may make you wince, a good-quality chair should last years, if not a decade or more.
At the entry level, the cheap foam may feel ok to start with (some manufacturers use recycled foam scraps), but it might lose its structure and therefore its support before long, while high-quality foam will retain its shape and also support heavier users. A chair's specifications should always state the maximum weight it can handle.
Talking of materials, the most common is PU leather, also known as faux leather or vegan leather. Essentially, it's plastic with a leather-like texture. It's not a bad choice: it's reasonably hard-wearing, easy to clean and not expensive. Real leather costs a lot, but should last considerably longer.
Some chairs use a suede-like material (or even real suede leather). This isn't as easy to clean, but has a softer feel which some people will prefer.
Warranty
Since gaming chairs have a gas strut for height adjustment, plus other moving parts, it's feasible that something might fail. Obviously, a longer warranty is better, but always check what the warranty covers.
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