If you're on the hunt for a new gaming chair, somewhere to be enveloped in comfort playing the best games around, or get a bit of work done in your new home office, there are four important things you have to keep in mind.
We've noted the advice of J. Lewis – classical musician, conductor, and video game enjoyer – to help put together this guide. This is a man who has spent a staggering amount of time thinking about the best ways to sit ergonomically. So heed his advice for the sake of your posture, not to mention your posterior.
Sure, our list of best gaming chairs is as detailed and well-considered as they come, but top up your research with the following sound advice and you'll soon be on your way to buying a gaming chair that’s right for you.
Tip 1: Measure yourself to fit
Before making a purchase, make sure that the chair you’re thinking of buying is designed for your body type. Ergonomic chairs won't work their magic if you end up with a headrest that barely reaches your shoulder blades, so check the chair’s specifications and identify the height and weight range that your prospective gaming chair is designed to accommodate. There’s nothing worse than spending a great deal of money on a luxurious new chair only to find that you don't quite fit right.
For instance, the SecretLab Titan Evo has three size options, so smaller gamers like me can feel included, while XL models cater to bigger folks. That's not to mention the adjustability and high level of quality comfort our favorite chair provides.
Tip 2: Choose mesh where possible
Sitting expert J. Lewis swears by mesh as the ideal material for a gaming chair since they “support the body best while affecting circulation the least”. It may seem like a gimmick, but Lewis says mesh is “well worth the investment in your well-being.” It’s no coincidence that many of the entries on our list of the most comfortable gaming chairs make heavy use of mesh in their design.
This isn’t to say that foam chairs are substandard, but you should be careful if you do go down the foam route that the foam is high quality. Lewis does observe that some do have “luck with chairs that are made out of foam”. For instance, the high-quality foam used in SecretLab chairs is both comfortable and known to last, while the premium materials of the Herman Miller Embody chair are superb. However, if you have to choose between cheap foam and mesh, pick mesh.
Tip 3: Check it'll fit your space
Failing to measure your desk and the area around it is one of the most common mistakes that people make when buying a gaming chair. It's an important step to make sure your new chair will actually fit your current setup. Ideally, the chair should be able to slide under the desk, so as to allow you to sit at arm’s length from the monitor. That way there's no need to stretch to reach your keyboard.
Ergonomic concerns may seem trivial, but Lewis says they become a lot less trivial “five years down the line”. Do your space a favor and don't just match the interior design with fancy skins, make sure that your prospective new gaming chair fits with your desk properly.
Tip 4: Stick to your budget
Purchasing a reliable and decent-quality gaming chair is entirely possible on a budget, but there are more pitfalls to avoid. Especially around Black Friday – it's a minefield out there at this time of year. There are a lot of bad deals out there on cheap gaming chairs. Aside from poor-quality foam, buying cheap gaming chairs could land you with poorly made products that rattle, deform, and break easily.
Fortunately, we have a list of the best cheap gaming chair deals to help you avoid these pitfalls. Just pay close attention to the specs and stick to mesh chairs so you can steer clear of the worst of it. Our deals lists are constantly updating with the latest bargains on reasonably priced gaming chairs, so give that one a bookmark. If in doubt, keep an eye on our other buying guides; they’ll steer you in the right direction.
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- Mavix M9 review
- Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen Edition review: new materials and signature quality combine for excellent comfort
- Herman Miller x Logitech Embody review
