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When you sit down at the end of a hard day and turn on your Xbox or PS5, the last thing you’re probably thinking about is the chair you’re sitting in. Sure, a chair won’t help you frag your enemies or organize your farm in “Stardew Valley” any faster, but what you’re sitting in and how you’re sitting can have a huge impact on your comfort and health. Read on to discover the best gaming chairs for your style of play.
“If you plan to use it all day, every day, you may want to consider a larger budget and more durable materials,” says Dayna Eileen, executive editor of Comics & Gaming Magazine. “However, if you’re a casual gamer and only use your chair on the weekends, you might not need to splurge in the same way.”
“It might be tempting to pick one just because it looks cool, but what’s more important is finding a chair that feels good to sit in, especially for long periods of gaming or working,” says Yaroslav Melnyk, co-founder and chief executive officer of the game streaming assets site Kudos.tv. “Make sure the chair can adjust to your body with features like adjustable lumbar support, armrests and a headrest.”
“The chair’s material should be durable and comfortable for you and you’ll want to make sure it’s the right size for both you and the space you have,” says Melnyk. “While it’s key to stick to your budget, spending a little more can sometimes get you a much better chair in terms of quality and comfort.”
“Suppose a gamer would like to use their chair with an accessory for racing or flight simulation games,” says tech and gaming journalist Junae Benne. “In that case, the reclining feature and the height adjustability should be higher on the priority list. If there is a footrest, it should be able to tuck away unnoticeably.”
Gaming can be an expensive hobby even if you’re just playing games like “Enter the Gungeon” on a second hand Xbox One. That doesn’t mean you have to settle for a second hand gaming chair that’s already well past its usage limits, though. Homall offers several gaming chairs for about $100 with features you’ll find on more expensive models. “This budget-friendly option stands out for its overall quality,” Melnyk says. “We had one in our old office and despite being a bit challenging to assemble and having firmer cushions, it proved to be reliable and durable.”
Don’t buy a chair just because of how it looks: It should feel comfortable and adjustable when you sit in it, especially if you’re using it for long periods of time, and this chair offers exactly that.
Get it here: Homall Gaming Chair
If you play games on your PC more than your living room TV or mobile devices, chances are that you also spend time working on the same computer. This means you’re going to need a reliable chair that can last through your work and free time. Benne recommends this model “for people who like to cross their legs while they sit,” as well as the fact that “they always have a sale going.”
If you plan on using your gaming chair for more than just gaming, pick a sturdy one that’s built to last.
Get it here: Andaseat Phantom 3 Series Premium Office Gaming Chair
You may only be sitting when you play, but that doesn’t mean you’re completely static. Maybe you like to lean forward when the action gets tense or lean back as you wait for a loading screen. That means you have to readjust yourself and your chair and it can get annoying really fast. Eileen recommends this chair from Razer, one of the biggest and most popular names in computer accessories. “Not only does it adjust in about a million ways but the lumbar support moves with you rather than staying static, meaning you get support even if you aren’t sitting exactly how you should be,” she says.
The price may be on the higher side but you get what you pay for when it comes to quality and durability.
Get it here: Razer Iskur V2Gaming Chair
If you’ve put on a few pounds, you want a gaming chair that does more than just sit you up in front of the computer or the TV — you’re also going to need good back support and something that will make you feel comfortable. Benne recommends AndaSeat’s Kaiser 3 premium gaming chair. “The seat is 50 cm wider than the average gaming chair,” she says. “Plus, there aren’t those side bumpers. That way you don’t feel boxed in.”
A sturdy, comfortable chair for larger gamers who want to enjoy their marathon sessions comfortably.
Get it here: AndaSeat Kaiser 3 XL Series Premium Gaming Chair
Gaming chairs that can double as office chairs can come in quite handy just — ask someone who spends the vast majority of their time in one. Being in front of a computer all that time requires some special features so your back and joints don’t feel like they’ve been locked up all day. X-Chair’s X2 K-Sport Management offers the best for both work and play with a breathable mesh back, soft lumbar and seat support and an advanced fabric for added comfort. There are even options available like a headrest, 360-degree rotational armrests and both heat and cooling massage modes built into the lower back of the chair.
A pricey but hugely versatile chair for both work and play.
Get it here: X-Chair X2 K-Sport Management Chair
It may look like something in your old man’s rumpus room, but looks can be deceiving. This chair has some features that the special chair in your parents’ living room doesn’t have: For starters, it’s got a retractable footrest, a massage lumbar pillow with a USB port and a recline angle so deep, you could take a nap on the thing.
A retro-styled but thoroughly modern gaming chair with multiple features, including a footrest.
Get it here: Dowinx Retro Series LS-6689
Gaming may require you to lean in and concentrate but sometimes you also want to lean back and stretch, or even just sit back and watch the action in between matches. The Corsair TC200 Gaming Chair is your best bet for those moments when you want to lean back for a stretch, thanks to its full 180-degree recline.
A feature-stuffed gaming chair with a deep, comfortable recline.
Get it here: Corsair TC200 Gaming Chair
If you’ve got a few extra bucks burning a hole in your pocket and you’re looking for a gaming chair that’s not only comfortable and ergonomic, but will also last you a while, Eileen recommends this high-end chair from MAVIX. “The MAVIX M9 has been my favorite for years even if it doesn’t have the ‘gamer aesthetic,’” Eileen says. “It’s expensive but it has treated me very well with daily use. It fits me (at 5’11”) in all the right places and is comfortable and breathable during extended use. I have yet to find someone who doesn’t love sitting in it.”
A super high-end chair with a price tag to match.
Get it here: MAVIX M9 Gaming Chair
If you want to get the most out of your chair, keeping it clean and well-maintained is a must. This process starts as soon you begin unboxing your chair and putting it together.
“Always inspect every area that can be adjusted to make sure it does so smoothly, look for any tears or wear in the fabric and make sure the seat cushion is still strong,” says Eileen.
If you’ve got the budget for it, you can also invest in seat covers that will keep your chair protected when you’re not using it. Gaming chairs can accumulate dust and sweat over time, so make sure to regularly clean it with an upholstery solvent or soap and water on a damp cloth. Consult your manual for the best and safest products to use on your chair.
“Chairs, being items of personal use, come into contact with sweat and other bodily fluids, making them quite personal in terms of cleanliness and hygiene,” says Melnyk. “Over time, a chair can also accumulate dust and allergens that may not be completely removable, even with a thorough cleaning.”
How we selected the best gaming chairs
My selections were determined from interviews with experts who have hands-on experience with these products, as well as my own personal experience and reviews from customers. I looked at factors such as material and durability, special features, weight and height limits and price ranges based on similar products.
The top-selling gaming chair on Amazon as of publication is the GTPlayer Gaming Chair, a $99.99 chair that comes with lumbar support, cushioned armrests and an optional footrest on other models.
Melnyk says the durability and longevity of a gaming chair can vary from model to model and depends on how often a player uses it. “Hardcore gamers will go through chairs faster, much like controllers or headsets,” she says. “Without outside stressors (like cats, in my case), your chair should last you anywhere between three and five years.”
The amount of usage you plan to get out of a chair also depends on how long you plan on using it. Some models might seem cheaper in the short term but they can cost you more in the long run if you aren’t careful. “Most chairs on the market today are built to be durable enough to last at least five years,” says Melnyk. “Chairs on the lower end of the price spectrum tend to show signs of wear like fading fabric or peeling materials much sooner than their higher-priced counterparts.”
Another factor to consider when buying a chair for gaming is how much time you plan to use it for work as well. PC gamers who work from home will spend a lot of time in their gaming chairs. “Personally, I think you need to assess how long you plan to spend in that chair each day before you do anything else,” says Eileen.
Cool Gaming Chairs AP Buyline’s content is created independently of The Associated Press newsroom. Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content. Learn more about our policies and terms here.