Most individuals share the experience of gaming on uncomfortable office chairs, or any seat found around the house. These chairs severely lack ergonomics and comfort and also promote poor posture, which can lead to pinched nerves or chronic neck and back pain. Due to this, there has been a significant rise in the popularity of gaming chairs since their arrival on the market about 20 years ago. What initially started as high-end racing-style and rocker gaming chairs has developed into a thriving ecosystem of ergonomic and comfortable chairs that support a variety of body types.
The best gaming chairs have seriously upped their game over the past decade. Flashy foam molds and terrible peeling leather are no longer an issue thanks to scientifically backed ergonomic designs and more durable materials. These kinds of changes in comfort and quality have even caused many office workers to abandon their old office chairs in favor of supremely comfortable gaming chairs.
The Best Gaming Chairs Under $300
These gaming chairs for under $300 prove that mid-range options have a lot to offer at a reasonable price.
As of 2024, these are the most popular gaming chair brands:
Each of these brands has made major strides in the industry, promoting well-made products with an emphasis on durability and comfort. Almost every gaming chair now uses steel frames for durability, breathable fabrics, and supportive foam. Ergonomics and comfort are considered a priority for gaming chairs in all categories, even if you’re shopping on a budget. Of course, there are other factors to consider, and some people may never be convinced that gaming chairs are worthwhile.
However, it’s becoming clearer by the day that the best gaming chairs are just as good, if not better, than some of the best office chairs. But which brands can really go up against the court of public opinion? And what is the best gaming chair manufacturer overall? When deciding on the right gaming chair brand for you to invest in, consider characteristics like style, cost, comfort, ergonomics, durability, and whether the chair is the right fit for your body type.
Updated May 8th, 2024, by Alyssa Shearrow: This article has been updated to better reflect an emphasis on style, comfort, and ergonomics while gaming and how a gaming chair should support those needs. Products, images, and brands mentioned have also been updated to best reflect current trends and popularity.
Style
The way a chair looks in front of a gaming desk is something that rightfully matters a lot to a lot of people. Although the visual aspect of a chair is something that depends entirely on the individual, the styles of most gaming chairs can be divided into three general aesthetics:
- Classic Racing Chair
- Vibrant, Personalized Gaming Chair
- Traditional, Professional Mesh Chair
Racing-style chairs are perfect for gamers who value the look of a classic-style gaming chair. They’re extremely distinctive in their design, featuring supportive wings and cushions as well as vibrant colors to suit the preferences of most gamers. Although muted colors like black, white, and gray have become more popular in recent years, especially in professional settings, there are still a ton of styles to choose from when shopping for racing chairs. The Razer Iskur V2 is one of the most stylish racing chairs, but has limited color options to try to better fit in with professional settings. When shopping for a classic racing-style chair, some of the best brands include DXRacer, Razer, Noblechair, Secretlabs, and Cooler Master.
Although a large portion of racing chairs will typically include a black leather design with accented colors, there has been more of a demand for gaming chairs that feature unique designs and logos from beloved franchises. The popularity of these special edition chairs is understandable, as these chairs tend to make an impressive statement to add to your gaming room. When it comes to shopping for colorful, special edition chairs, some of the most popular brands include Noblechairs, Secretlabs and DXRacer.
Noblechairs is a notable player in this market, boasting several collaborations with major gaming franchises, such as Fallout, DOOM, and Resident Evil. Secretlabs, on the other hand, has a series of special edition chairs in collaboration with the DC franchise, offering chairs that closely resemble iconic villains and superheroes, such as Batman.
While some gamers may want a vibrant chair, one of the most consistent complaints about gaming chairs is the fact that they look unprofessional compared to regular office chairs. This is where mesh and office-style gaming chairs come in. Mesh chairs almost always look good. The nature of mesh means that the chair is essentially see-through, making it match almost any aesthetic with the added bonus of thermal regulation and breathability. When it comes to shopping for comfortable, high-quality mesh chairs, Respawn is a company that offers a considerable number of options. For those after one of the most comfortable, professional-looking office-style chairs, the best Herman Miller Chairs easily lead the pack.
Best Pink Gaming Chairs of 2024
Pink has become a popular color in many setups. Check out the best pink gaming chairs available to complete your pink gaming paradise.
Best Brand in Style Overall: Noblechairs
|
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
|
Plenty of special editions available |
No mesh options |
|
Variety of different chair styles avaliable |
A bit expensive |
|
Low profile options avaliable |
noblechairs ICON Nuka-Cola Quantum Edition
The ICON gaming chair boasts a comfortable, durable, and ergonomic design with a clear focus on aesthetics. Inspired by the Fallout franchise, this gaming chair features a unique color palette and eye-catching artwork that glows in the dark. Made of premium PU faux leather, this gaming chair is effectively water-resistant and easy to clean. This chair also features a robust steel frame and an aluminum base that has a carrying capacity of up to 330 lbs.
- Upholstery Material
- PU Imitation leather
- Color(s)
- Quantum Edition
- Brand
- noblechairs
- Adjustability
- Practical tilting function (max. 11°)
- Dimensions
- 18.9″D x 19.3″W x 48″H
Cost
If money were no object, would the best products still be the best? Probably not, because cost is a serious factor for most people, even if they’re fully prepared to pay premium prices for quality chairs. That is the trade-off: quality for cost. The best budget gaming chairs are not going to be as durable or last as long as more expensive brands, but if a player can get a year or more out of their budget gaming chair, that’s a win.
Truthfully, any PC chair listed at less than $200 is a gamble. Considering how much a gaming chair is used, a $500 chair should last at least two years, meaning that the monthly cost is only $20. On the other hand, a chair that costs $200 only lasts about a year and has a monthly cost of about $16. Saving $4 per month typically isn’t worth the pain of sitting in a terrible chair every single day. The upfront cost can be a major hurdle for some though. There are certainly third-party sellers with good reviews that can provide a chair that will last at least a few months for less than this price, but those options aren’t even consistent enough to accurately review. One of the biggest differences between gaming chairs under $200 and more expensive ones is the weight limit. That’s typically how the price is kept so low; they use lower-quality materials for the frame. As a result, most cheap chairs can’t hold more than 200 lbs.
Most gaming chairs will be listed between $300 and $600, although with sales and special editions, this range can be much wider. For example, Respawn often has chairs available at just around $150 thanks to frequent sales of older models like their Respawn 110 chair. Vertagear also has more affordable options, listed at or under $300. With different deals and sales throughout the year, it’s more than possible to get a chair for well below the list price from a trusted brand.
Best Brand in Cost Overall: Respawn
|
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
|
Plenty color of options |
Does not look like an office chair |
|
Can be found for under $150 |
Quality can be less than higher-end options |
|
Mesh options avaliable |
RESPAWN 110 Ergonomic Gaming Chair – 2023
$145 $270 Save $125
Touted as The Best Overall Budget Gaming Chair in Game Rant’s buyer’s guide, the Respawn 110 presents a solid racing chair that does not compromise on quality in favor of price. Featuring a wide variety of colors, this low-cost ergonomic chair would make a great addition to nearly any setup.
- Upholstery Material
- Faux Leather or Fabric
- Brand
- Respawn
- Chair Weight Capacity
- 275 lbs
- Color(s)
- 6 options
- Adjustability
- 135 Degree Recline, Tilt Lock
- Lumbar Support
- Yes
Comfort & Ergonomics
The difference between comfort and ergonomics is super thin, but there is a difference. Just because a chair is plush doesn’t mean it will be comfortable after extended use. Likewise, just because a chair is stiff doesn’t mean it won’t soften over time into a more comfortable shape. Most chairs that implement solid ergonomic designs are also very comfortable, the only exception being when it comes to mesh versus solid seats. Although it’s subjective, the choice between cloth fabric or leather/faux leather can also impact how comfortable you feel in a gaming chair. Many gamers prefer faux leather chairs because of the smooth and luxurious feel of the material. On the other hand, fabrics like the SoftWeave Plus available in many Secretlab chairs are more breathable and reject the heat buildup that is common during long gaming sessions.
Gamers who run hot should probably be looking at a mesh chair, as a solid chair will never be as breathable as mesh. Some chairs, like the Respawn Spire, offer a mix of mesh and fabric by making the back of the chair out of mesh and making the seat with a special cooling gel underneath the padded fabric. This allows for extra support on the seat and extra cooling along the back. Overall, mesh chairs are very difficult to make well, because mesh just isn’t the best material to have a lot of weight on over long periods of time. However, unlike solid chairs with memory foam, mesh chairs won’t suffer from cushions that change shape over time. Even so, if you aren’t worried about sweating or otherwise overheating, it’s likely that a mesh chair won’t be very comfortable for you.
With solid chairs, it’s much easier for manufacturers to bake in an ergonomic design without it being obtrusive or breaking down quickly. Most gaming chair companies aim for the same goals as far as ergonomics are concerned. There’s not much else they can do while staying provably effective. The best ergonomic gaming chairs should have:
- Adjustable lumbar support
- Mid-back support
- Wide reclining angles
- Targeted extra support in the seat
- Steel framing
- Waterfall seat front
- Shoulder & head support
Most major gaming chair brands are already designing chairs with these features. However, two brands are really leading the charge in the ergonomic science department: Secretlab and Herman Miller. Secretlab spends thousands of hours testing its chairs and developing new ways to improve ergonomics, such as cold-cure foam and lumbar support made with a proprietary lattice of living hinges. These chairs also feature a great amount of support for big and tall people, which also contributes to personal satisfaction. Herman Miller, on the other hand, is synonymous with luxurious comfort. These chairs are designed to promote good posture and are arguably the most comfortable chairs on the market that also fit into professional environments.
Best Brand in Comfort & Ergonomics Overall: Secretlab
|
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
|
25,000 hours of R&D and counting |
No mesh option |
|
Patent-pending features are truly cutting-edge tech |
Not a lot of shape options in general |
|
Employs a host of scientists and doctors to design chairs |
|
|
Padding and upholstery are very comfortable |
|
|
SoftWeave Plus Fabric is more breathable than leather |
Secretlab SoftWeave™ Plus Fabric TITAN Evo 2022
$519 $550 Save $31
When it comes to ergonomics and comfort, Secretlabs is a brand that cannot easily be beaten. This gaming chair shines because of its integrated lumbar support system that intuitively adapts to the shape of your spine, resulting in much more back coverage and comfort than alternative gaming chairs. With a vast selection of fabrics and colors to choose from, the Secretlabs Titan Evo stands as one of the choices for affordable comfort.
- Upholstery Material
- SoftWeave Plus Fabric
- Adjustability
- 4D Armrest, Backrest, Lumbar
- Brand
- Secretlab
- Chair Weight Capacity
- 220 lbs Regular, 395 lbs XL
Durability
None of these factors discussed here mean anything if the chair breaks too soon and has to be replaced. At these prices, players should be able to enjoy their gaming chair for at least two years and for as long as five years. That means getting a gaming chair with durable construction and a fabric option that won’t start peeling after a few months.
Upholstery is typically the first thing to go when cutting costs, so budget options are definitely not going to perform well in this category. However, most mid-range and luxury gaming chairs do want to provide users with a durable chair, so the upholstery options are usually much better. It should be noted that fabric upholstery tends to be much more susceptible to stains, as most faux leather options include a protective layer on top that makes it difficult for stains to stick around. Fabric chairs are also more susceptible to wear and tear than rugged leather. If pets with sharp claws are around, cloth furniture often is at higher risk of damage than quality leather chairs.
Razer’s gaming chairs undergo extensive testing to ensure that the upholstery is resistant to tears, scratches, and even punctures. Secretlab’s Neo Hybrid Leatherette material uses a 3D-reinforced polyurethane-microfiber base layer to prevent the moisture buildup that leads to peeling. Vertagear’s patented HygennX goes beyond standard durability, tackling smells with technology taken from coffee ground manufacturing and using silver in their fabric to deter germs. The Vertagear SL5800 is one of the best examples of the HygennX in use. This popular gaming chair also features Ultra Premium High Resilience (UPHR) foam which resists changing shape over time.
There are a few other little things on gaming chairs that can break easily for a plethora of reasons. To address these annoying inconveniences, every company has a warranty. The warranties should protect users against things like a broken height adjustment lever or casters that won’t roll, along with bigger issues related to workmanship and manufacturing. Respawn says they have a five-year warranty, but it’s so limited that their chairs are unlikely to survive long enough to have an issue that’s covered by the warranty. Realistically, a Respawn chair will be covered by the warranty for two years. Most companies offer a two or three-year warranty, with a few of them offering warranty extensions if the chair is registered.
Best Brand in Durability Overall: Vertagear
|
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
|
UPHR foam holds shape more effectively over the years |
No way to extend warranty |
|
HygennX upholstery is cutting-edge and somewhat antibacterial |
Small, plastic parts are prone to breaking (though covered by warranty) |
|
Standard warranty |
VERTAGEAR SL5800 Gaming Chair
$420 $500 Save $80
The Vertagear SL5800 Gaming chair features an innovative lumbar support system that shifts in response to movement. In addition, this gaming chair utilizes Vertagear’s very own VertaAir seat technology to provide pressure relief while sitting for a long period of time. The Vertagear SL5800 comes in a selection of dark, rich colors and also utilizes an optional RGB upgrade kit to take the aesthetics of this chair to the next level.
- Upholstery Material
- PUC Leatherette & HygennX
- Color(s)
- 6
- Adjustability
- Armrests
- Brand
- Vertagear
- Chair Weight Capacity
- 250
- Lumbar Support
- Not adjustable
Weight and Height Limits
While many gaming chairs feature a considerable amount of ergonomic adjustments, smaller and larger gamers may still struggle to find an adequate option. Most chairs suggest maximum weight and height ranges that are reasonable for the majority of buyers. Still, taller games often find that their heads are positioned above the neck and head support that a chair provides. Meanwhile, heavier gamers may discover that their legs and hips are too wide to rest comfortably in a seat cushion. Also, a typical gaming chair can degrade faster over time because it’s not designed for the added stress.
Most of the premium gaming chair brands offer XL models to accommodate large gamers. Some inexpensive gaming chairs may only suit gamers up to 200 lbs, but it’s not impossible to find a reasonably priced XL candidate. However, XL chairs from different manufacturers can vary dramatically with their listed weight and height limits.
Secretlab and Razer have big and tall gaming chairs that can seat gamers from 395-400 lbs and up to 6’10” tall. Vertagear has four chairs that have a maximum weight capacity of over 350 lbs such as the PL6000. DXRacer is much more conservative with the specs on its Master Plus/XL chair with a weight limit of only 275 lbs and a height range capping out at 6’3″. Finally, Game Rant reviewed the E-WIN Flash Series XL, one of the most well-constructed chairs on the market, boasting a maximum load weight of 550 lbs and a height limit of 7’0″.
Smaller and shorter gamers also struggle to find gaming chairs that fit their small frames. Some of these buyers may have to resort to chairs made for children and teens, which usually are of inferior build quality and not meant to last for more than a year or two. Fortunately, Secretlab manufactures the Titan Extra Extra Small, made for gamers weighing up to 154 lbs and 5’3″ tall. The company manages to maintain its high standards for craftsmanship, even in this smaller-sized chair, but buyers won’t find some features available like adjustable lumbar support or replaceable armrests.
There are many companies that produce excellent big and tall gaming chairs with stellar durability in their frames and upholstery. With all factors considered, Secretlab once again reigns supreme since its versatile inventory includes options for small, short, big, and tall buyers. Unlike many other XL chairs, the Titan Evo XL includes variations with numerous fabric choices and skins. The largest gamers won’t have to make any sacrifices with the Titan Evo XL and can enjoy the same adjustable lumbar support and modular customization of the brand’s other chairs.
Best Gaming Chairs for Big and Tall Gamers in 2024
Gaming chairs for tall and heavy gamers are no longer scarce. The chairs included here allow everyone to game in style and comfort.
Best Brand with the Most Generous Weight and Height Limits: Secretlab
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Options for extra small and big and tall gamers |
Extra Extra Small Evo lacks some ergonomic adjustments |
|
Titan Evo XL has the same features as Titan Evo |
Pricey, especially when adding upgrades |
|
Many choices in fabrics and styles |
Secretlab Titan Evo XL
$569 $599 Save $30
The Secretlab Titan Evo XL offers fantastic comfort best suited for big and tall gamers. However, there are also regular and small options available to cater to many different body types. This gaming chair features a relatively low-profile design that can be used at home, or in a professional environment. The Titan EVO XL also comes with a selection of different fabric options, including Neo Hybrid Leatherette and Secretlab Softweave Plus Fabric.
- Upholstery Material
- Neo Hybrid Leatherette, Softweave+ Fabric, Leather
- Color(s)
- 50+
- Brand
- Secretlab
- Chair Weight Capacity
- 395 lbs
- Chair Height Recommendation
- 5’11”-6’9″
- Lumbar Support
- Yes
- Seat Dimensions
- 19.7″ x 19.3″
- Back Dimensions
- 35″
Verdict
Each gamer is going to have their own idea of which gaming chair is the best, but there are a few trusted brands that everyone agrees have the best possible options. It’s tough to say for sure which gaming chair is the absolute best, given that everyone has slightly different preferences. Despite the subjective nature of the question, buyers asking “Who makes the best gaming chairs?” should consider Vertagear and Secretlab. Both brands offer top-of-the-line options, with Secretlab having highly rated premium models while Vertagear offers more affordable options without limiting high-quality features. Vertagear is a difficult brand to beat when it comes to value and durability. Models like the SL2000 are available at $300 or less and still include Vertagear-specific features like Ultra Premium High Resilience Foam. This chair is also built with an all-steel frame that carries a 10-year warranty which is rare to find with an affordable gaming chair.
Ultimately, Secretlab walks away with victories in style, comfort, and ergonomics. They also have the best options for small and large gamers. The black Titan Evo chair has become iconic for its classy and rather understated look that fits in both gaming rooms and offices. However, the amount of skins that can completely change the look of the Titan Evo is almost endless. Secretlab chairs also excel ergonomically, led by their four-way adjustable lumbar support system. Finally, Secretlab’s inventory can work for any customer since the company sells chairs for gamers under 5’3″, as tall as 6’9″, and weighing as much as 395 lbs.
It’s difficult to make a buying mistake with Secretlab or Vertgear, but there are also many excellent chairs from companies like Respawn, Razer, AndaSeat, and DXRacer. Buyers should consider what features are a priority for them and also what chair will enhance a stylish gaming rig.
Office Chairs vs. Gaming Chairs – The Verdict on Which is Better for Gamers
Debating whether to buy an office chair instead of a gaming chair? Here are the pros and cons of each!
FAQ
Q: Why are Secretlab gaming chairs so popular?
Secretlab chairs offer an impressive combination of comfort, style, and customization. No Secretlab purchase has to look the same since they regularly introduce new skins and styles celebrating popular game releases. Also, the manufacturer sells gaming chairs that are the appropriate size for both small and large gamers.
Q: Can gaming chairs work in the office?
Yes, absolutely, gaming chairs are an excellent add-on for office needs. There are multiple options that are not too flashy or too distracting. They allow users to benefit from both excellent build quality and gaming-specific features such as neck pillows.
