Best Gaming Chairs for both PC and Console | 2018 In-Depth Guide

Everyone is very different. Some of us are casual gamers that sit down to play only from time to time, others – long-term players – grinding games non-stop. Tastes, needs and preferences differ with each and every one of us – and so does our choice of gaming chairs. Therefore, just before you blindly rush off to buy yourself the king seat, you might want to answer yourself a few questions that are going to help you determine your own best PC gaming chair or in console gamer’s case – the best gaming chair with speakers.

Best Chairs for Gaming Overview

Here’s a quick summary of all the best gaming chairs listed by price.

Name	Overall Rating	Recommended Max User Size	Buyers' Rating	Value for Price	Price	See price & availability
1. Herman Miller Classic Aeron Chair, Size C	(4.8/5)	300lbs and 6'6"	(4.5/5)	(3.8/5)	$$$$$$	See It
2. DXRacer Tank Series DOH/TS30/N	(5/5)	450lbs and 6'7"	(5/5)	(4.8/5)	$$$$	See It
3. DXRacer Boss Series OH/BF120/NR	(4.9/5)	450lbs and 6'4"	(5/5)	(4.6/5)	$$$$	See It
4. DXRacer King Series Big and Tall Chair DOH/KS06/NB	(5/5)	300lbs and 6'3"	(4.5/5)	(4.7/5)	$$$	See It
5. DXRacer Racing Series DOH/RV001/NB	(5/5)	250lbs and 6'3"	(4.4/5)	(4.5/5)	$$ +	See It
6. AKRacing Pro-X White	(5/5)	330lbs and 6'3"	(4.8/5)	(4.5/5)	$$ +	See It
7. AKRacing Nitro Series	(4.9/5)	330lbs (not capacity) & 6'2" / Check against measurements	(4.6/5)	(5/5)	$$ +	See It
8. Vertagear S-Line SL2000 White/Black	(4/5)	330lbs	(3.9/5)	(4.5/5)	$$	See It
9. DXRacing Racing Series DOH/RW106/NR	(4.9/5)	200lbs & 6'1" BMI <25	(4.9/5)	(4.5/5)	$$	See It
10. GT Omega PRO	(4.8/5)	260lbs & check against measurements	(5/5)	(4.5/5)	$$	See It
11. OPSEAT Master Series 2018	(3.5/5)	300lbs	(4.7/5)	(5/5)	$$	See It
12. Merax Gaming Chair	(4/5)	250lbs & 6'3" or check against measurements	(4.2/5)	(4.5/5)	$	See It
13. Openwheeler Advanced Racing Simulator Seat	(4.7/5)	Small, Avarage, Above Avarage, Tall, +	(4.7/5)	(5/5)	$$ +	See It
14. X Rocker 5125401 with Pedestal	(4.1/5)	Average, Above Average, Heavy	(3.8/5)	(4.2/5)	$	See It
15. X Rocker 51259 Pro	(4.1/5)	Small, Avarage	(4.1/5)	(4.5/5)	$	See It
16. X Rocker 5127401 with Pedestal	(3.75/5)	Average, Above Average	(3.9/5)	(4.7/5)	$	See It

The List of 16 Best Gaming Chairs for PC and Console

1. Herman Miller Classic Aeron Chair C size + Posture Fit

Herman Miller Aeron chairs was the main chair model that all the gamers referred to, back when racing seats weren’t around. Herman Miller is likely the most famous, healthy, sturdy and adaptable, office chair brand. They are very well-known around the world for their sturdy and comfortable chairs. Their name is likely what makes the gamers feel safe buying them. Only problem – they are very expensive. Classic Aeron C size is made to fit users up to 300lbs and 6’6”.

Good / All of the functions and mechanisms are smooth in action and hold up perfectly. The chair lasts years, so no worries about buying another one. It is very comfortable. Very healthy, prevents any sedentary lifestyle health complications. Has all the adjustable features to be considered as healthy as it gets. Adjusts to body types. Easy to use and easy to assemble if bought disassembled. Cleaning isn’t a problem. The quality all around is top-notch, nothing to add.

Not so Good / Doesn’t have many comfort features that gaming chairs have. Attachable headrest must be bought separately.

Overall / This is the definition of quality. Although it doesn’t have the luxury comfort functions most of the competing best gaming computer chairs have, no one can go wrong with this one if they are looking for quality. It’s healthy, comfortable and lasts for many years. One of the best, all-time, heavy duty gaming chairs or perhaps – the very best.

See Availability & Price

2. DXRacer Tank Series DOH/TS30/N

Being the creators of racing-seat style gaming chairs, DXRacer never disappoints with their products. Tank Series TS30 is no exception. It has everything a big sized gamer will need to comfortably play games 24 hours straight for who knows how many years. TS30 can handle users up to 450lbs and 6’7”. In order to get the most out of this chair the user (recommended) size should be around 425lbs and 6’1”-6’6”.

Good / It’s very comfortable even for long sessions of continuous use. Extremely sturdy and holds up well for many years. Has many adjustable functions that enhance healthiness and comfort levels. Every mechanism performs very well. Very healthy, also protects the user from any possible issues caused by sedentary lifestyle. It’s very easy to use and assembly is very simple if you follow the instructions. The quality of the cover materials is extremely good. Stitching is brilliant. Quality of all the parts made by DXRacer are top-notch. Value you get for the price is very good!

Not so Good / Doesn’t have the tilt angle lock mechanism (can’t lock in at degree of your choice while reclined). Cleaning can be tedious because of strong mesh cover. Gas lift is made by third party manufacturers, meaning it can be easily replaced but it isn’t always reliable 100% (years-wise). The price is certainly nothing sneer at.

Overall / If the user is one of the biggest kind of people, this chair is definitely for them. It might be expensive but you can’t regret buying it. It’s made to be as comfortable for big people as smaller ones are to smaller people. Handles big weights without any trouble and this is probably as far as you can comfortably go if you weigh up to 450lbs. Simply one of the best gaming chairs for PC aimed at really big and tall users.

See Availability & Price

3. DXRacer Boss Series DOH/BF120/NR

Boss Series BF120 are almost exactly the same as Tank Series TS30 except it’s designed to fit office aesthetics more. It sacrificed some of its height capacities but is otherwise just as brilliant as the above model. The max user size for this one is 450lbs and 6’4” but you’d be most comfortable at 400lbs and 6’ – 6’2”.

Good / Extremely comfortable for continuous sessions of use. Is very sturdy and lasts many years. Also has many adjustable functions and extras that help the user’s health and increases comfort levels. The performance is very good. It’s really healthy and will prevent any injuries caused by sedentary lifestyle. It’s very easy to use and assembly is very straightforward the official instructions are followed right. Cleaning is very simple since the cover material is smooth. Quality of materials and parts, as always with DXRacer chairs, is top-notch. Compared to other big name chairs, the value for the price is really good.

Not so Good / Does not have tilt angle lock mechanism. Really pricey. Tilt performance can seem unstable if you don’t know about mechanisms installed.

Overall / Really well made and will surely last years. It lacks a single comfort function other chairs below this weight level have, but there aren’t any other gaming computer chairs that can do what this one does at its capacity. For a really big person only real choices are either BF120 or Tank Series above. None of which are regrettable buys. Worth every penny!

See Availability & Price

4. DXRacer King Series DOH/KS06/NB

King Series KS06 is another DXRacer chair for above average sized people. This model, too, has everything you could ask for from your best chair for gaming. It will get anyone through their gaming time in comfort and health. A brilliant seat with nothing to add. KS06 is made for people up to 300lbs and 6’2”. To get the most out of it users’ size should be around 275lbs and 5’9” – 6’2”.

Good / Smooth in action in every aspect of the chair. Longevity is that of an actual car seat. It’s very comfortable and has many extra features that add to your comfort. Has many (every possible) adjustable functions that make it comfortable for any situation. Extremely healthy. Easy to use and clean. Assembly is simple and it comes partially assembled. Quality is everything anyone could ever ask for. The frame and base are made from metal. And just like most DXRacer chairs, the casters it has are PU – extremely durable and smooth. Places under the most stress are covered in PU. Value for price is just great.

Not so Good / Armrests are hard. Some people might not like this seat forcing them into correct sitting posture. Assembly can be difficult to do alone.

Overall / Incredibly tough and comfortable chair if the recommended size guidelines are followed. Almost no real cons to speak of. Probably one of the best gaming computer chairs aimed at above average people to have been made. Comfortable, durable, smooth and healthy – owners of decently sized wallets should seriously consider KS06.

See Availability & Price

5. DXRacer Racing Series DOH/RV001/NB Newedge Edition

It may sound repetitive but DXRacer seats are one of the best brands to choose from for someone who is looking for quality and luxury in their best reclining gaming chair. And just like most seats made by this brand, Racing Series RV001 is just about everything a gamer could ask for. This model is made to fit users up to 250lbs and 6’3″. However, for the best experience, it is recommended that the user is around 220lbs and 5’8″.

Great / Very comfortable for both short and long sessions of use given that the users fit the weight recommendations. Holds up extremely well, made to last many years. Performs perfectly, every mechanism is smooth as should be for the price. Has multi-functional mechanism that allows you to lock it in at angle of your choice while leaning (tilting) back. Has many adjustable functions (just about all of them) that enhance your comfort and health levels. Protects you from any injuries caused by gamer’s lifestyle. Very easy to use and the assembly is straightforward and simple, given that the instructions are followed right. Quality of materials, parts and stitching is just great. Cover material is smooth and therefore easy to take care of, clean.

Not so Great / RV001 is the type of model that has the sides poking out. It isn’t a real problem if you fit the recommended size guidelines, however, some gamers seem to prefer them flat. No real cons to speak of.

Overall / One of the the very best PC gaming chairs on the market. Although a bit expensive it is a really trustworthy buy that has just about everything you could ask for from a gaming recliner. It’s made to fit those above average sizes and does so with comfort and health in mind. Well worth the risk of paying the price and not having to buy another seat for years.

See Availability & Price

6. AKRacing Pro-X

AKRacing could be considered the only brand to stand up to DXRacers in their racing style seats. Only difference, unlike DXRacers, AKRacing aren’t actual certified racing seats. But many say that they find this chair even more comfortable than any of the DXRacers or Herman Miller chairs. Though AKRacing frames are a little weaker – they are strong enough to be backed by a 10-year frame warranty. Pro-X Series is fit for people up to 330lbs and around 6’5”.

Good / It is very sturdy and lasts very long too. It’s smooth in action at both the ground and all it’s mechanisms. Very comfortable, especially to those who like the angle of the bottom seat. Has many features that enhance comfort and health levels. Very healthy, keeps the bodies stress levels to the minimum and helps in preventing any future issues. Easy to use and clean. The assembly doesn’t seem to be complicated. Overall quality of the parts and materials is very good.

Not so Good / Doesn’t have tilt angle lock mechanism. Plastic parts are not very strong.

Overall / I couldn’t bring myself to rate it anywhere below five. A beautiful chair made by beautiful people for beautiful people. I love it and so does everyone else who has sat in it. It does not have the reclining lock mechanism but that just can’t outweigh everything else it has to offer and stop me from rating it 5 stars.

See Availability & Price

7. AKRacing Nitro Series

Another awesome series made by AKRacing. Nitro Series is a model made for people up to 6’2″. It can also handle weights all the way up to 330lbs. However, for most comfort they do recommend that you check yourself against the measurements usually found on their sales pages.

Great / The performance of all the functions is top notch, not much else to ask for. Very sturdy, lasts years, although still not as sturdy as Herman Millers and DXRacer. It’s really comfortable for both long and short sessions of use. As healthy as they come. Has many extra features that add to both comfort and health levels. Easy to use and the assembly is not that hard. Quality of the parts and materials is just great.

Not so Great / No foot pegs to rest feet on. Doesn’t have clear height and weight recommendations, BMI. No tilt lock (multi-functional) mechanism. Casters’ material not specified.

Overall / Besides a few minor cons this reclining computer chair is easily comparable to those of DXRacer and other top brand pieces. Made for average and above average sized users it does it’s job really well. Again, top list best PC gaming chair that I would recommend for anyone looking for alternatives to other top brands.

See Availability & Price

8. Vertagear S-Line SL2000

S-Line SL2000 is a mid-price gaming computer chair for bigger people. Although it does receive a lot of praise as being miles ahead of everyone and is a self-proclaimed leader in best gaming chairs, this model is yet to keep up with those above. It is made to handle people up to 330lbs and fit everyone below like a glove.

Good / Performance is mostly alright. This chair fits big guys like a glove. Really comfortable. Has everything necessary (height adjustable armrests too) to be considered very healthy. Very easy to assemble given that the instructions are followed carefully. Cleaning isn’t tedious. Metal frame and base – pretty sturdy. Very good value for the price.

Not so Good / Doesn’t last many years. Does not have too many adjustable functions that enhance comfort levels. The quality of some parts seems lacking. PVC leather cover doesn’t seem to be top quality.

Overall / It’s a good, comfortable and healthy solution for bigger people. However, it doesn’t seem to last very long, therefore I couldn’t recommend it as a permanent solution to all your seat problems. But for someone in a hurry who wants to enjoy what the best gaming chairs for PC have to offer bigger people – this might be what they are looking for.

See Availability & Price

9. DXRacer Racing Series DOH/RW106/NR Newedge Edition

Yet another Racing Series gaming recliner by DXRacer. This model, however, is built for people of a bit smaller builds and has a couple other minor differences. RW106 is made for users up to 200lbs and 6’1″ but for most comfort it’s best that you are around 180lbs and 5’11”.

Great / Great overall performance. Very comfortable for both long and short continuous use. Very sturdy. Made with gamer’s health in mind, nothing else to add. Has most of the functions (gaming chairs can have) that enhance user’s experience both health and comfort-wise. Very easy to use and assemble. Quality is just great.

Not so Great / Unlike it’s brother RV001, it has 3D armrests – not 4D. Does not have tilt angle lock mechanism. Most of the cover is mesh therefore it can be tedious to clean.

Overall / This model serves as a good alternative for it’s above cousin if you are a bit smaller and don’t need as many functions. Would recommend for gamers looking to purchase top quality reclining gaming chair with cloth/mesh cover. It’s noticeably cheaper than RV001 and is one of the most likely candidates to be the very best chair for gaming on the market.

See Availability & Price

10. GT Omega PRO

GT Omega Pro is another reclining computer chair well known among gamers. It is very popular for being cheaper than top brand chairs (like the ones above) but still having the qualities to handle a person with past injuries. It can handle a person up to 260lbs but for precise fit it’s best to check the measurements.

Great / The performance of functions installed is top-notch. Really sturdy and has a metal frame like other big names, although not as sturdy as ones mentioned above. Extremely comfortable for both short and long sit-downs. The reason it became well known is because it can handle an injured person comfortable – very healthy. Easy to use and assembly is just as simple. Has most of the functions and extra features available to gaming seats. Overall quality of materials and parts is great for the price.

Not so Great / Cleaning can be tedious. Doesn’t have foot pegs to rest feet on. Doesn’t state exact weight and height recommendations.

Overall / This gaming recliner is made to fit average person’s build but it’s best to check against the measurements. Recommended for those looking to get what best brands have to offer without spending as much money.

See Availability & Price

11. OPSEAT Master Series 2018

Master Series is very similar to GT Omega above and is a good alternative for those looking for an affordable reclining gaming chair with all the fancy functions. This model boasts being able to handle 300lbs in weight rather than capacity. Therefore it’s better to check the measurements for precise fit.

Great / Performance is very good. It is sturdy but the frame is much flimsier compared to models above. Very comfortable for both long and short sessions of gaming. Very healthy. Many functions that enhance health and comfort. Easy to use and clean. Quality of materials and parts – surprisingly good.

Not so Great / Assembly can be complicated if you have no experience. Doesn’t have precise weight and height recommendations.

Overall / Definitely a nice seat for anyone who fits it. Great, cheaper gaming chair alternative to top brand seats.

See Availability & Price

12. Merax Gaming Chair

Merax is a very well-known name in the best affordable gaming computer chair world. Safe to say, if it’s an affordable seat you are looking for you’d do great to check this model out first. Made to fit people up to 250lbs but, again, it’s best to check the measurements for best fit.

Great / Made to be prioritize quality over any other fancy functions. Performance is great. Surprisingly comfortable for the price. Easy to assemble and to clean. Quality is just great for the price.

Not so Great / Won’t last you years. Materials do not seem to be breathable. Doesn’t have some of the most interesting functions other, more expensive, seats have.

Overall / If you are not crazy for all those fancy functions most of the seats have – this is the pick. My top recommendation for users looking for their best PC gaming chair in an affordable price bracket.

See Availability & Price

13. Openwheeler Advanced Racing Seat Driving Simulator

As far as racing simulator chairs go, Openwheeler is likely the best brand in both customer service and quality of their products. This model is one of the more affordable simulator chairs despite being awesome all around. Adjustable enough to fits various range of user sizes.

Great / The performance is top notch, although there isn’t many adjustable functions they hold together very well when in use. Very sturdy – lasts years. Very comfortable bucket seat. Fairly healthy. Very easy to use. Easy to assemble and disassemble. Moving around is too very easy compared to other, heavy-weight racing simulator seats. Overall quality is just great.

Not so Great / Could have a couple improvements to make it even more comfortable. Doesn’t have lumbar support or any extras that help with health levels. Cleaning can be tedious, as is with real mesh car seats.

Overall / Although the extraordinary costumer service makes me want to cheat and call it the best racing simulator chair, there is no need to do so, because it already is. I would simply recommend it to anyone looking to get their racing games. Great value for the price.

See Availability & Price

14. X Rocker 5125401

This X Rocker model is made for heavier and bigger console gamers. It does not have 4 speaker surround system, however the overall quality is as good as “Rocker” chairs come. And it has most functions necessary to enjoy your gaming or relaxing time.

Great / Has Bluetooth that you can use to connect to other Bluetooth devices (sound output). The performance is simply great, not much more to add. Sounds really nice. Quality is best there is as far as rockers go. Does have a long life if you treat it with care. Ergonomically designed – very healthy. Really comfortable for most people.

Not so Great / Value for the price could be better. No vibration motor and extra features that increase immersion. Rustling a lot might loosen up the stitching over some time.

Overall / If you are a big person this is really your only choice as far as gaming chairs with speakers go. The overall quality is really good for the price, all though the cost could be lowered some. Best for someone big and looking for comfort and ergonomic design.

See Availability & Price

15. X Rocker 51259 Pro H3

If you are looking for every feature a Rocker can offer this model is exactly that. It has pretty much everything to enjoy your games and your leisure time to the fullest. Except it’s made for people of small or average builds.

Great / Has 4 great sounding speakers and a powerful sub-woofer. Performs really well all around, as expected. Quality is much better than average and it does live a fairly long life. Overall comfort for fitting users is great. Has padded armrests for additional comfort. Really healthy and comfortable for longer periods of use. Easy to clean. Has extra vibration motors for added immersion.

Not so Great / Armrests don’t flip out of the way, limiting capacity of the seat. Unlikely to hand much straining if you are really heavy. Doesn’t fit big people.

Overall / It has everything you could possibly want from a seat with speakers. The value you get for the buck you pay is really, really good. Only downside is that big people won’t get to enjoy this chair. Best one for someone looking to experience “Rocker” chairs’ full potential!

See Availability & Price

16. X Rocker 5127401 with Pedestal

X Rocker 5127401 is the most comfortable and probably healthiest seat with pedestal in middle price range for rockers. The model is made for above average people and has a good value for the price.

Great / Quite sturdy. The overall performance is quite good. It doesn’t lack quality and lives a fairly long life given that you are not too big. It is very comfortable for a chair this price. Swiveling feature. Really healthy, designed ergonomically. Easy to take care of.

Not so Great / Doesn’t have Bluetooth what is unusual at this price. Materials and parts used do not seem extremely durable.

Overall / The quality, performance and longevity are not something to surprise someone with. However, this chair’s selling points are comfort, capacity and healthiness. You can use it for longer continuous sessions without getting tired. Handles adults as well as young ones and is a flexible all around.

See Availability & Price

Gaming Platforms and Chair Types

What gaming platform do you use?

Needless to say, not all chairs are built right for every platform. Depending on the platform or platforms you are going to use the chair with your choice for a gaming chair will vary.

If you are a console player you are probably looking for something low seating, comfortable and couch-like. Why? So you could kick your feet up into the sky and dive right into your favorite game. But that’s not the only reason why you’d need a low-seating chair.

On the other hand low seating, immobile, always in a backwards tilted position chairs are often the opposite of what you’ll need to make the best out of your gaming experience as a PC player. As a personal computer gamer you often find yourself repositioning your chair, sitting with your back straight and, amongst other things, chair height adjusted to match your set up. Which is why rockers and bean bags as tempting as they surely are, won’t cut it for a PC gamer.

There are 5 major categories you can fit basically every gaming chair there is in.

i) Bean Bags (Console Gaming Chairs)

Likely the cheapest, oldest and the most primitive choice for a console. It does get the job done and can be pretty comfortable for short gaming sessions. I am a fan of bean bags. They can be a nice change of pace when you are looking for a quick game. It’s also very useful to have on hand in case your friends decide to come over for a few drinks, a match of NBA or both. Nothing extraordinary, simply a quite cheap alternative that’s better than the floor.

ii) Rockers & Pedestal-base Rockers (Console Gaming Chairs)

The best type of chair for console gamers is without a doubt a “Rocker”. There are three types of rockers: pedestal based, no base at all (just like a rocking couch), or both of the previous types combined with removable pedestal base in case you want to switch to the ol’ rocker. “Rockers” could be described as the coziest and the most feature-full chairs for console gaming ever. It is a low seating chair designed to be comfortable when playing big-screen games. Giving off its nice couch vibes, it has been attracting customers not only to play games. Sitting down and chilling, watching a movie, reading a book become a lot more fun in this chair. Capability to rock back and forth, and in many cases – play sounds, is what gave the chairs their good name and, well, their name.

Most of the higher end rockers aim to make gaming even more entertaining and enticing. Usually, they have many features that make gaming very immersive. The most exciting one is probably, as mentioned before, the built-in sound surround system. Having two or more hidden speakers on both of your sides and a built-in sub-woofer with control panel for bass and volume are surely going to give you a whole new kind of experience when playing your favorite games.

Additionally, most of this type of high-end chairs will connect to the same kind of chair for multi-player gaming. Some of them even have vibration motors that further improve your gaming experience. There is also an audio jack for input that could be used to connect your iPod and listen to some music.

Likely nothing to get you this immersed into the game other than a rocker chair with speakers. If that’s what you are looking for you can take a look at my article for best video game chair with speakers and recommendations here.

Although getting one for PC gaming might be tempting I would not recommend it. In addition to being extremely uncomfortable (wrong ergonomics-wise) your skills will drop to the level of a first time player.

iii) Wheel-base (Gaming Computer / PC Chairs)

Most common and probably the only comfortable type of PC gaming chairs. Wheel-base gaming chairs are basically office chairs, adapted to best match the gamer’s needs. Although, unlike rocker chairs, they do not usually have fancy speakers and sub-woofers they more than make up the difference in quality, adjustability and overall performance.

Here’s a great, simple review on one of the chairs from a perspective of long-term PC user:

Ignoring the height adjustability feature – what makes them the best PC gaming chairs, one of the strongest high back chairs’ point is their ergonomic design and comfort. Attempting to target the biggest problems most PC users encounter – correct posture, high back gaming chairs manufacturer’s main focus is always their ergonomic design. Which is probably the most mind-boggling problem for a personal computer gamer.

As hard to imagine comfort sitting in an office chair for many continuous hours as it may be… the second most annoying thing for long-term gamers was also thought about, states the often encountered cold cure, thickly padded, base of the throne and countless other features that make the higher-end chairs very comfortable to use for longer sessions of gaming. In addition to that, most of the chairs are often accompanied by neck and lumbar support designs. Needless to say, one of the most attractive features some of this type of chairs have to offer a gamer is the ability to tilt backwards and recline all the way to laying position. It is a must-have function for a heavy grinding gamer. Taking a nap here and there or just reclining back to relax is nothing short of necessary if you are playing many hours a day.

iv) Simulator Chairs (Gaming Chairs for Simulation Games)

The last kind major type of gaming chairs is simulator chairs. These chairs are for gaming freaks that take gaming to a whole another level making the experience very close to real. It includes racing simulator, flight simulator seats and similar.

Racing simulator seats usually comes with frames for mounting your steering wheel, pedals and, in some cases, gear shifter mounts and depending on the price it might also include other features such as multiple monitor mount. Fortunately, controllers are mostly never included with the package so you can use your own.

Some of the older models of the chairs do not all have adjustable mounts and are quite heavy because of their sturdy builds (cockpits), what results in overall bigger prices and a really hard time moving and positioning it. Wouldn’t call it an ideal choice for a gamer. Quite a few racing enthusiasts do still prefer old fashioned cockpit builds for personal reasons. But you will simply have less problems with the less expensive, adjustable, lightweight racing chair models.

+ Gaming Chair Ottoman (Gaming Computer / PC Chairs)

While not the main choice to be used as a gaming chair it still deserves as spot in the list. Some PC gaming chair brands like DXRacer make super high-quality ergonomic gaming ottomans that will complement any PC gaming chair. They can be used as a footrest for your power napping sessions or a spare half-complete gaming chair for your unexpected gaming guests. Or just a design detail.

This one (example picture) also comes with wheel locks.

Important Things to Know Before Buying your Best PC Gaming Chair

A few important topics concerning best PC and Console gaming chairs.

i) Recommended User Size

I noticed there are quite a bunch of gamers who are dissatisfied with the fact that they had to spend a lot of money on, their so thought best, gaming chairs only to receive one most uncomfortable seat. So how exactly does it work and why do most people find them insanely comfortable while others would sit on a cheap office chair instead? It’s a very important question that many of the others fail to answer.

Most, if not all, gaming chairs have a recommended user size in weight and height that you must fit to receive the best experience possible. Some people are simply not aware of the fact before they buy their thrones. Which is exactly why they swear at the high-end gaming chairs.

Although, it’s the case with both Console and PC gaming chairs, rockers are often more lenient about the user’s build. While some PC gaming chair brands’ models do fit a big range of body types and sizes, most high-quality one’s will not. As they sometimes are an equivalent of a custom made suit.

Brands like DXRacer make each of their series for a different body build. By doing so, they make chairs you are extremely comfortable sitting in if you fit their recommended weight and height. Of course, it’s better to weigh less or to be shorter than recommended rather than go above the max capacity. But still, if you are far below the recommended sizes you likely won’t be as comfortable either.

If you are a big guy check out my Best Gaming Chairs for Big Guys post.

All in all, to avoid picking the wrong “best chair for gaming” make sure to find out the recommended user size. Unfortunately, there are chairs that do not state it and in such case, you should look for max capacity. However, don’t mistake max weight capacity for max weight limit, because the latter one only states the ability to handle that heavy of a load. Surely not in a form of a person. Also if you are looking for your own high-end best PC gaming chair you should be able to find the exact product dimensions on each of the parts on their product description page – in case you are still not sure you’ll fit.

ii) Long-term Gamers vs Casual Gamers (Budget)

How much should you spend for it?

A thing to consider is whether you’d name yourself a long-term player or a casual player. Depending on which one you are – your choice of a best chair for gaming also changes.

Long-term Gamers

If you are a long-term player who can’t afford a high-end seat immediately, you should save up a little. You are buying a piece of equipment that will get worked to the bone day in and day out. It’s pretty obvious, but buying one quality chair is a lot better than having to replace the cheaper one over and over again.

When you spend a lot of time playing games it is not only important that you are as comfortable as possible but that you are also able to maintain your posture. Otherwise you will be soon greeted by back pain, neck pain or other health problems. Saving up some for a high-end ergonomic chair with some extra healthy features, instead of rushing off to buy one you can afford now, will definitely solve some future issues for you.

Casual Gamers

On the other hand, for a casual player it’s not such a mind-boggler. If you are one and you aren’t planning to spend much time sitting or lying in your chair, you could just go ahead and buy a seat that’s comfortable playing in for shorter periods of time and is within your current budget. However, you can’t expect a long life from a cheap chair. If you are not planning to let up your casual gaming tendencies, you should consider making a purchase of quality build rather than that of fancy features.

If you are a casual or need a quick solution see my Best Cheap Gaming Chairs post for recommendations on budget gaming chairs.

It never hurts to think forwards a little. Decide what you want to get out of your buy in the future too. One of the things that decide how much the chair will cost is its features. So ask yourself a question, is that feature really necessary? If you are on a hunt for a chair running a tight budget – maybe you don’t need your personal best PC gaming chair to recline or have little foot pegs to rest feet on.

iii) Gaming Chair VS Office Chair

“So what exactly is the difference between office and PC gaming chairs?” This is a question I’m hearing a lot.

Technically speaking, PC gaming chairs are office chairs, because in most cases they are documented as such. Though, the reality is a bit different. While you could find some big chain stores using the word “gaming” in their office chairs’ titles used for marketing purposes, most gaming chairs will actually be gaming chairs.

A PC gaming chair is a wheel-based chair focused on giving the users the best possible gaming experience. But because some models do not have as much to offer as others I’ll only talk about the main features that most of the real PC gaming chairs have.

Design

None of the PC gaming chairs will look like your everyday office chair. Many people trash talk PC gaming chairs saying they are all about looks and not much anything else. I can assure you that these people likely never ever had their butts down on a good, high-end seat.

Many of the seats have gaming themed designs and colors. Or rather – they have bucket-seat style designs with bright colors that go perfectly with the gaming theme. That kind of design is not only a sweet way to get yourself in the mood but it also complements your setup. However, not all seats made for gamers scream “gaming”. Thus, if you are not of a fan of bright colors and sharp lines, you could always go with something more professional looking like DXRacer office series.

High Backrests

While there are various types of office chairs – low-back, mid-back, high-back – gaming chairs for PC all have high-back backrests.

Because comfort and healthiness are their main focus – high-backs are essential. They are mostly there to prevent users from getting back and neck pains of any sort. But in many cases they are also necessary so you can recline into a sleeping position.

Reclining Function

More or less every “racer” chair reclines. At least the ones fitting to be called best gaming chairs for PC. Although, reclining function isn’t the definition of what they are – I think, amongst other features, reclining is important to have for a gamer’s chair.

See my recommendations for top reclining gaming chair here.

It’s an awesome feature that lets you take a nap or just relax whenever necessary. Needless to say, reclining function and simple office chairs wouldn’t go well together because they are mainly used for work and not relaxing. Unless, of course, you are a hard working owner of a company.

Adjustable Lumbar Support & Headrest Cushions

Certainly not a thing often found on office seats. With computer chairs it’s the very opposite. You will often find gaming computer chairs offering adjustable lumbar support and headrest cushions. The lumbar support cushions is there for comfort and health purposes. Same with headrest cushion, many people place them against their necks or as pillows for when they are napping while reclined.

Adjustable Armrests

Although there are some office chairs that do have height adjustable armrests, not often you would find them 3D or 4D.

Many of the gaming computer chairs have adjustable armrests that you can adjust not only in height. Usually you can adjust them in all directions in order to make yourself more comfortable and efficient. In a single word – ergonomics. A good example would be 4D armrests that you can adjust almost any way you like. You can turn them inwards and outwards, raise it and lower it, push or pull to either side or front and back. It’s a great function to increase your comfort and healthiness levels.

In Summary

So what are PC gaming chairs? They are office chairs that were built with individuals comfort, well-being and satisfaction being the priorities. As opposed to most of the office seats, unfortunately.

As office chairs are made for work they don’t much care about the individual’s experience. Relaxing and being overly comfortable at work are not a normal thing. While you could find some normal office chairs that partly fit the description, they won’t match up to a PC gaming chair’s quality. On the other hand PC gaming chair manufacturer’s main focus is gamers. Being fueled by the desire to satisfy every gamer’s need and preference – they long since beat their predecessors at everything.

In the end, it’s up to you whether you call it an overly comfortable ergonomic office chair or a gaming chair.

iv) Compatibility Issues Concerning Console Gaming Chairs

“Is it compatible with my PS3/PS4/Xbox 360/Xbox One/Wii?”

This question falls into the “gaming chairs with speakers” category only and it seems to have been shoving away some potential customers. To make it simple, the answer is yes. Even when it is not compatible with your console (what is rarely a case) it will be with your TV that the console in question is connected to. And even if your TV doesn’t have RCA outputs (what is very unlikely), you can buy an HDMI to HDMI + SPDIF + RCA L/R Converter that will make sure your chairs do indeed ROCK… unlike my sense of humor.

Going into details – whether it is a wireless audio system or not, it will be using cables that most of the time can be used to connect to your TV either for wireless transmitter or direct connection. Meaning that there are more than one ways to get the sound flowing to your fresh buy.

The cables are included with the package of your buy. However, in case the audio system isn’t wireless, you might run out of cable. Of course, you can always buy an additional cable adapter to make it longer. But to save yourself some trouble, you should check out the product description for the cables length if stated.

7 Important Criteria to Evaluate your Best Gaming Chair

There are 7 important categories that you can use to analyze how good your choice for a best gaming chair is.

i) Looks

Like with most other things – good looks aren’t necessary to function but are still important. I think none of us would like to sit in a chair that looks broken down or is weirdly shaped. Good looking seat equals better mindset and greater satisfaction even before you start playing your favorite games. Personally, it’s never the first thing I search for when I’m checking them out but for some it may be crucial that their best PC or Console gaming chair looks great.

Everyone has their own opinion of what looks good and what doesn’t. But in my opinion there are clearly better looking chairs. And there a more than a few reasons they look better than the rest.

First and foremost, the chair’s shapes have a lot to do on whether you’ll like it or not. Whether we are talking about console chairs or PC chairs, poorly shaped seat is just not beautiful. No matter what you do to it, if it has weird shapes all over it will look not very appealing. So far I’ve seen only a few seats that actually made me shudder in disgust but they do exist and they are not pretty. If poorly sized poor shapes and extrusions can cause such a bodily response it’s likely worth a lot of attention concerning chair’s design.

Positions, sizes and symmetry are crucial for a nice seat. Some of the cheaper chairs do seem to have a problem with this because gaming chairs are a lot more complicated to make. Needless to say poorly positioned accents, logos and similar can ruin an otherwise nice design too.

As for the cover, whether you like the material it’s made of depends on you personally. However, stitching also has a visible effect on a chair’s looks. High-end seats always have great stitching that is either only invisible upon closer inspection or complements the rest of the chairs design.

Stitching aside, colors, shades and color patterns have a big impact on a chair’s design too.

ii) Comfort

For chairs you’re going to use day in and day out comfort is the most important thing. If it’s not comfortable there is little use in buying it. However console chairs and PC chairs have different opinions of comfortable.

In general, the more adjustable the chair is – the better. Adjustable features allow you to adapt to any situation and settle for your own most comfortable settings.

For a higher-end rocker comfort means being able to cozily fall back in the chair and enjoy your favorite games for few hours straight without getting tired. Casually getting armrests out of the way when necessary and rocking back and forth. All that while you remain in good posture.

High-end PC chairs are a bit more complicated concerning their comfort. They have a ton of features directly involved with overall comfort. The ideal best PC gaming chair would have them all:

• High-density cold cure foam that is comfortable for many continuous hours of use;
• Extruded shoulder and waist protections that make the chair fit you like a glove if you are within the recommended height and weight;
• Seat depth that’s just right for your legs or adjustable one;
• Adjustable angle reclining function if you decide to take a power nap or just chill out;
• Multi-functional tilt mechanism that you can use to get yourself settled in the right position or just rock it back and forth;
• Adjustable 4D armrests that you can turn inwards and outwards, raise or lower, push or pull to the sides or front and back;
• Adjustable headrest/neck and lumbar support cushions you can use for additional comfort or your naps;
• Extendable footrest, or little foot pegs on each of the chairs legs;
• Tilt tension control;

iii) Performance & Longevity (+Quality)

A lot of gamers tried guessing and brainstorming on what their best PC gaming chairs are. Howevever, they fail to understand that fancy design and crazy comfort doesn’t amount to much if the chair doesn’t function well for a long time. Longevity and smooth action of all the mechanisms are also necessary for a pleasant experience.

Bones

First and foremost, good gaming computer chairs must have a sturdy frame. A great example of sturdy frames are chairs made by DXRacer. Their frames are mostly built from metal and have a life-time warranty. In addition to their sturdy frames, they must also have a base strong enough to handle a person of recommended weight. In my book a strong base is usually made from either nylon, aluminum (thick), metal or graphite.

For a wheel-based chair – casters are also very important. Bad casters not only damage the floor but they are quick to break, wear out or start malfunctioning. Which is mostly the case with PVC casters. An example of an ideal type of casters would be PU. Not only they are as soft as rubber ones but they are also very durable and look nice. Nylon casters are also a good option but they are not usually found on gaming chairs.

Meat & Skin

If the filling of the seat is bad, not only it’s not comfortable, it doesn’t stay in its original form for too long. Unfortunately, if the information on the chair’s contents is not public, there is little you can do to find out. In any case, a quality seat, as mentioned above would have a high-density cold cure foam which is very close to the ones used in cars. Not only it has a long life but because of it, you can use your chair comfortably for many hours straight.

Normal office chairs often have problems with poorly treated vinyl cover wearing out fast. Normally, you’d think that would be the case with other chairs too. However, properly treated vinyl can last very long. The safest bet, however, is strong mesh / fabric. Chairs covered in strong mesh rarely if at all have any durability problems. Except, they are quite hard to clean.

Joints

The performance of mechanisms and moving parts is very important. Which is also the case with rockers’ speakers and electronics systems. No one likes their products squeaking or speakers underperforming.

There’s no simple way to find out the quality of mechanisms except to give them a try. Although some of the manufacturers do specify the quality of their parts on their sales page or product specifications e.g. class 4 adjustable height gas spring.

Take a look at the differences between a normal chair and DXRacer high-end gaming chair.

iv) Healthiness

Gamers spend insane amounts of time playing. I’m sure quite a few of you, just like myself, already tasted what it feels like to spend a lot of time sitting in a bad quality chair. Yes, back pain, neck pain and those are nothing compared to some gamers who’ve developed something even worse. If you are a long-term gamer, you must make sure to consider your own well-being too. Ergonomic design is necessary so we can play and stay healthy.

Rockers, as chairs that don’t need to match the typical ergonomics are a bit behind. As there is no keyboard or mouse – just a controller, there isn’t much room for ergonomics. As long as they get you sitting comfortably and in the right posture – they are good to go.

Wheel-based gaming chairs, though, are bit more complicated. Not only do the quality chairs get you sitting in the right posture they also offer a lot of other features that help healthiness and comfort levels.

Most of the quality chairs are shaped in a way that’s good for your spine and your neck. In most cases they’ll include a couple of cushions that you can use for neck and lumbar health. But what makes them especially good for health are the adjustable features. The more adjustable a chair is – the better it can adapt to any situation without breaking the ergonomic rules.

Likely the most important healthy features are adjustable lumbar support and adjustable armrests. Adjustable lumbar support cushion or mechanism is pretty self-explanatory. If you’ve been using an everyday office chair, just like I used to, I’m sure you don’t even use the armrests. Most of us don’t. Why? Because they just don’t fit. Wrist pain cause number one. Adjustable armrests make sure that your elbows stay at the right height at all times. In some cases they are adjustable in more than just height. And that’s even better if you find yourself with an unusual set up or have past wrist injuries.

v) Ease of Use & Assembly

I’ve read about many people having trouble assembling chairs, using the functions, maintaining or cleaning it. Either it being too complicated, screw holes not aligning or them breaking some part while assembling them. Basically it’s a score of how easy it is to work with.

Most of the chairs are hard to assemble. The main suspect being the cover material. It’s quite normal for cover to be tightly wrapped thus not ideally aligned with screw holes etc. Some of the manufacturers work on easing the process with clear instructions, putting together some parts and pre-installing screws before shipping.

Depending on the cover materials the seat can be hard to clean. Faux leather (PU, vinyl) can be easy to clean but might have other downsides. Mesh, on the other hand, is usually quite hard to clean. If you are the kind of gamer that tends to be a bit clumsy when multi-tasking in eating-and-grinding mode, considering an easy to clean seat could be a smart move. Of course, I wouldn’t recommend choosing a a seat based only on how easy it is to clean. If you happened to pick yourself a chair that has materials harder to tend to, I’d recommend considering spending a couple of bucks on deep cleaning multi-purpose foam cleaner used to quickly wipe any stains in your car seat materials. Let’s be honest here, did you ever see a gamer that doesn’t snack while using their PC or console?

There’s also the issue of hard to reach or hard to distinguish levers and buttons. If you are not going for a cheap choice – this isn’t something to be worried about.

Example of an easy to assemble PC gaming seat.

vi) Value for Price

Or, simply, a rating used to tell whether a chair is overpriced or not. A.K.A When all of the things mentioned above and more are pitted against the product’s price. Usually quite difficult to calculate because it requires a lot of research, especially so with high-end products, but having a good point of reference can make things a lot easier.

vii) Amazon GamingChairsXP.com fixed Ratings

Amazon has a good rating system and most of the reviewers are really honest with their opinions. I often take it into consideration to tell whether the stuff I buy is good or not. But some vendors might buy or somehow fake reviews. The higher the price of the product the less likely it’s faked but it’s still possible they have few fake ones. It takes some work to tell which ones might be fake by researching the reviewer’s profiles but it is possible. Once the potential fake reviews are out of the picture you get an accurate fixed amazon rating.

The End?

That covers most of the important things you need to know about gaming chairs. However, each kind of gaming chairs have their own very best. Therefore, feel free to read up on my other posts concerning gaming chairs!